South Africa: Eskoms Kusile Unit 4 added to power grid Eskom has connected Unit 4 of Kusile Power Station project to the national grid. The unit was connected to the grid for the first time on 23 December. This synchronisation milestone means four generating units of the power station are now connected to the grid, and will contribute an additional 800MW to the countrys power system once the unit is fully optimised, following a series of tests and other commissioning activities, said the power utility on Thursday. Situated near eMalahleni in Mpumalanga, Kusile is South Africas largest construction project and will be the worlds fourth largest coal plant. The unit will supply electricity intermittently during the testing and optimisation phase over the next six months, before being handed over to the Generation division to officially be part of the commercial fleet. This will further assist Eskom to address supply capacity challenges. Group Executive for Group Capital, Bheki Nxumalo, said the milestone is just what the country needs to power the economy. This achievement signifies the relentless efforts from the team in ensuring that the power station project is completed without any further delays, which would help strengthen South Africas electricity capacity. I am grateful for the commitment displayed by the Kusile Execution Team and its contractors. Since synchronization last week, the unit has performed to expectation, intermittently generating up to 330MW. Eskom said the unit post synchronization commissioning activities are well in progress, and experiencing the normal challenges, as expected, during this phase. Construction and commissioning activities on the remaining Kusile Units 5 and 6 continue to progress according to plan. At completion, the station will consist of six units, and will produce a maximum 4 800MW. Eskom is fitting wet flue gas desulphurisation (WFGD) to the Kusile plant as an atmospheric emission abatement technology, in line with current international practice, to ensure compliance with air quality standards, making it more environmentally friendly. Kusile is the first power station in South Africa and Africa to use WFGD technology. WFGD is state-of-the-art technology used to remove oxides of sulphur (SOx), for example, sulphur dioxide (SO2), in the emmissions of power plants that burn coal or oil. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-12-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Amendments to regulations gazetted Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has gazetted amendments to Adjusted Alert Level 1 COVID-19 regulations from midnight last night. This follows a statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa which lifts the curfew, among other things. Changes to the Adjusted Alert Level 1 COVID-19 regulations were approved at a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Cabinet made the decision to further ease the regulations following a sustained decrease in infections, hospitalisation and COVID-19 related deaths following the Delta variant, and an increase in vaccinations. The following amendment are now applicable under Adjusted Alert Level 1: - The curfew has been lifted for now, and government will closely monitor the effects going forward. - The maximum number of people permitted to gather indoors is increased to 1000, and the maximum number of people permitted to gather outdoors is 2000. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used. This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places. - The sale of alcohol is permitted for both off-site and on-site consumption, as per normal licence provisions. - The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence. We thank all South African who have continued to support government efforts to contain the pandemic. We urge them to continue to do so until the pandemic is completely under control, said the department in the statement. It urged those who are not yet vaccinated from the age of 12 years to so urgently in an effort to mitigate the challenges brought by COVID-19. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-12-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Cabinet approves changes to COVID-19 regulations A special Cabinet meeting has approved several changes to the Adjusted Alert Level 1 COVID-19 regulations. This follows meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the Presidents Coordinating Council (PCC), which received updates on the management of the current fourth wave of COVID-19 in South Africa, which is mainly driven by the Omicron variant. In a statement on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said all indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level. The information gathered through the system used by the Department of Health has reported a 29.7% decrease in the number of new cases detected in the week ending 25 December 2021 (89,781), compared to the number of new cases detected in the previous week (127,753). Cases declined in all provinces except the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, which recorded increases of 14% and 18%, respectively. There has been a decline in hospital admissions in all provinces except the Western Cape, the Minister said. While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves. This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services. There is a marginal increase in the number of deaths in all the provinces, Gungubele said. Based on the trajectory of the pandemic, the levels of vaccination in the country and the available capacity within the health sector, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect: The curfew will be lifted. There will therefore be no restrictions on the hours of movement of people. Gatherings are restricted to no more than 1 000 people indoors and no more than 2 000 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used. All other restrictions remain in place. With the risk of increase in infections still high given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, Government has called on all organisers of these gatherings to ensure that all health protocols are observed at all times and that all attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated. In addition, alcohol establishments that have licences to operate beyond 11pm will revert back to full licence conditions. The NCCC will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make further adjustments as necessary, particularly if pressure on health facilities increases. The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence, the Minister said. South Africans are urged to continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus. Vaccination remains the best defence against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. All people in South Africa who have not yet done so are encouraged to vaccinated as soon as possible. This includes people who are eligible for booster shots. Parents are reminded to support their children aged 12 years and older to use this opportunity to vaccinate before schools open. This will avoid learners losing school time as a result of testing positive or as a result of contact with people infected with COVID-19, the Minister said. Government has commended all South Africans who have observed the health regulations and protocols over the festive season. Government urges everyone to continue to act cautiously and responsibly over the New Year and for the remainder of the holiday season, the Minister said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-12-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: President to receive report on state capture inquiry President Cyril Ramaphosa will formally receive the first part of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State. A statement on the Special Cabinet Meeting that took place on Thursday said the hand-over of the first part of the Commission Report will take place on Tuesday, 4 January 2022. The Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, will hand over the first part of the report at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This follows the ruling of the Gauteng High Court on 28 December 2021, which extended the term of the Commission to 28 February 2022. In its submission to the Court, the Commission indicated that it would submit its report to the President in three parts: the first to be submitted at the end of December 2021, the second at the end of January 2022 and the last at the end of February 2022, Cabinet said on Friday. While the Commission has indicated that it is ready to hand over the on 31 December 2021, as it had committed, the formal handover of the report will only take place early next week due to the mourning period in honour of the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. According to the court order of 28 December, the President will have until 30 June 2022 to submit the report to Parliament with an indication of his intentions regarding implementation of the Commissions recommendations. As the President indicated to the Court, only once the final instalment has been received will it be possible to have complete sight of the reports implications and to develop an implementation plan on the recommendations. President Ramaphosa has decided that each part of the report will be released to the public immediately after it is submitted to the President by the Commission, Cabinet said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-12-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Iraqi Assyrians Focus on Light in the Darkness Christian worshippers gather around a bonfire outside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (Al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in Iraq's predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda), in Nineveh province, some 30 kilometres from Mosul, during the Christmas eve service on December 24, 2021. ( Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP/Getty) Seven years ago, when I first flew into Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, thousands of Christians were living in camps, abandoned buildings and Church properties. They had fled their ancient homeland on the Nineveh Plain, where Jonah the Prophet had preached; his tomb in Mosul, present day Nineveh, had been blown up by ISIS. Founded by disciples of the Apostle St. Thomas, the Church in this land, since the arrival of Islam, had endured varying degrees of persecution over the centuries; the idea that the violence of the Islamic State was something unusual is a product of malformed western education rather than historical fact. Returning just last week, for my eighth visit since 2015, I found no Christians left in any refugee camps in Iraq, sadly not the case for the Yazidi religious minority, which is so violently persecuted by ISIS. While many Christians have remained in Erbil, seeking the relative safety and potential job opportunities in Kurdistan, around 50% of those displaced have returned to the principal Christian towns in Nineveh. Many, though, have left the country over the years, as the Caliphate was defeated and they returned to discover their homes destroyed and security and labor precarious. Contrary to recent reporting, the West, in particular the United States and Great Britain, was not welcoming to victims of ISIS' campaign of genocide, like the Christians and Yazidis; this is not a partisan point, both the Obama and Trump administrations took in a very small number of Christians. For many in the think-tank bubble of Washington D.C., Iraq is old news, in fact it is no news. Some have moved on to the latest crisis, imagining that life for the Christians in Iraq is secure, others have cynically declared that there is no future for Iraqi Christians because their numbers have shrunk so much, so it is not worth attempting to help. This attitude, which I discussed with bishops, priests and laity, is causing immense pain and some anger. While it is true that, at the moment, Christians are not being killed for their faith in Iraq, persecution is now, according to Archbishop Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil, a "systematic persecution," or, in the words of another priest on the Nineveh Plain, a "silent persecution." Archbishop Warda described life for Christians as "second or third class citizens," with no rights under the Iraqi constitution. He also warned that, in times of political instability in Iraq, like the present chaos following the contested elections, it is always the religious minorities, particularly Christians and Yazidis, who suffer. The particular danger for Christians on the Nineveh Plain is the growing presence of the Shiite militias, under the control of Iran. The entire Nineveh area is described as the "disputed territories," with both the Iraqi government and the Kurdish authorities claiming the right to control the area. Now, in a very worrying development, even the nominally Christian militia has come under the direct command and control of the Iranian-run militias. Christians feel both demographic and economic pressure -- even the main street in the town of Bartella, which had been a majority Christian town before 2014, has had its main street renamed for the "martyrs" of the Shiite militia, a curious similarity with the current attempt in the West to change history by removing and renaming the heritage of a place. Recent national elections are regarded as fraudulent by the Christians in particular, with one priest calling Iraq now a "colony of Iran." As I questioned many of the people I had got to know well over the years, another feature of their sadness and frustration was the lack of interest by the Church in the West. Clockwise L-R) Construction of a new Catholic church opening in the Christian quarter of Erbil, Father Benedict Kiely pictured with Archbishop Warda, Father Kiely standing by the Tigris in Mosul with Ghareed, who administers the charity in Iraq, and continuing construction Yet despite the struggles and dangers, there are signs of hope for the future, and positive developments, which mean that Christians in Iraq will not become a museum exhibit for religious tourists to come and view. Even though the number of Christians is greatly diminished, there is now a core group, including many young people, who want to stay and make a future in their native land. One beautiful sign of that future is the opening of a new Church in the Christian quarter of Erbil. Archbishop Warda took me to see the final work on the imposing building, dedicated to St. Thomas. Despite not yet having pews or a fixed altar, the first Masses were to be celebrated at Christmas. One cannot fail to be impressed that, as churches are closed in the West and congregations shrink, in a place where Christianity was violently persecuted, a new church is opening. It is not trite to be reminded of the ancient saying of Tertullian, that the "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." That seed is also seen in the new Catholic University in Erbil. I saw it being built just a couple of years ago, now it has many students, including a large number of young women, studying a number of different subjects. As Archbishop Warda said to me, for Iraqi Christians to have a future, apart from security and equal rights, they need education and jobs. Employment was the last reason that I left Iraq this time, more hopeful than when I arrived. I was able to visit a number of the small family businesses that nasarean.org has helped to start, including a coffee shop in Bartella, and a clothing store in Qaraqosh. With jobs people will stay because they see a future for their families, they have the dignity of not living on charity, and, critically, they want to work. Every business that we have supported over the last few years is doing well. Despite many challenges Iraqi Christians want us in the West to do three things for them: Continue to pray for them, to help them to help themselves, and never to forget them, because the Middle East is where Christianity was born at Christmas. Today comes to the end of 2021, which deserves us to take a little bit of time to review some memorable moments in our life over the past one year. Work Due to the pandemic crisis around the world, we continue to implement the strategy of international online promotion and expat marketing of China. The 4 Suzhou international social media accounts of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube still take a leading role in China, one of the most impressive posts reached 0.32 million people and achieved over 29 thousands of engagements as follows. In addtion, Suhzou gained over 1000 global media positive reports in 2021. On May 20, China-Italy Cultural Exchange Center was unveiled successfully in Suzhou. On June 19-25, Jiangnan Culture Promotion Week in Beijing, attracting over 150 diplomats from 20 countries. On Sep. 9th, as a city member, Suzhou was invited to attend the OWHC (Organization of World Heritage Cities) Virtual General Assembly. On Oct.10, about 100 Korean guests attended the Suzhou International Day themed Korea and Symphony Night between China and Korea. On Sep. 22-25, about 60 consulate officers from 30 countries were invited to participate in the 3rd Grand Canal Culture and Tourism Expo.On Oct.10, about 100 Korean guests attended the Suzhou International Day themed Korea and Symphony Night between China and Korea. On Oct. 27, about 300 Taiwan young people from Yangze River Delta gathered to celebrate the grand opening ceremony of the Suzhou Culture Month of both sides of the Taiwan Straits. On Nov. 19, the Loy Krathong Festival themed 'Tie Our Two Hearts with Tides' sponsored by the Royal Thai Consulate was hold in Suzhou. On Dec. 20, the Consul General of Australia with about fifty Australian friends took part in the Closing Ceremony of 2011 Jiangsu Culture and Tourism Year in Australia and China-Australia New Year Concert. On Dec. 8-12, Suzhou carried out a series of culture and tourism promotional events in Macao.On Dec. 20, the Consul General of Australia with about fifty Australian friends took part in the Closing Ceremony of 2011 Jiangsu Culture and Tourism Year in Australia and China-Australia New Year Concert. Study Besides daily reciting English news and practicing Chinese and English impromptu speeches, I am eager to learn Suzhou arts and culture. Try to help some companies out to connect art and culture source based on its demand or help them develop their brand or production market. Social life In my home club of Toastmasters, I served as the VPM and President in the first half and the second half year of 2021 respectively, which aimed to train more responsible, qualified and professional club officers. Surprisingly, I won an award of Division Director of the Year 2019-2020 in D85 of Toastmasters. If time is available, I would like to attend some meaningful activities like TEDxSuzhou. Travel Travel can indeed broaden our horizon, inspire our mind, and make us understand better of the world, so I prefer to travel around the global if possible. Luckily, I visited some gorgeous places in Guilin and Macao during my business trip. Even though we couldn't travel far away during the pandemic crisis, I grabbed more chance to explore natural and cultural beauties of Suzhou. Family My dear son, Cheng, has never come back home for over 2 years since the COVID-19 broke out, but we kept communicating with each other through internet video as often as we can. He studied so hard that he got the chance to work in the United Nations as an intern. Even he missed home a lot, I strongly feel he has grown up enough to consider his future independently. I am proud of his growing individual thinking ways, independent living, enthusiastic studying and unselfish love. In the meanwhile, I always enjoy spending peaceful time with my wife or pursue more fun with myself in social activities. In the meanwhile, I always enjoy spending peaceful time with my wife or pursue more fun with myself in social activities. News Vietnam continues to dominate global pepper exports despite COVID-19 Hanoi overruled on quarantine policies for entrants from Omicron-hit countries Hanoi will no longer send all visitors from Omicron-hit countries and territories to centralised quarantine for seven days regardless of their vaccination or recovery status. Passengers at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi The decision was only announced early this week when the city detected the first Omicron-infection from a flight arriving from the UK. While the quarantine decision was popular among some medical professionals and parts of the public, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) especially complained as it affected their resumption plans of regular international flights. CAAV said that the decision was not in alignment with guidelines given by the Ministry of Health and announcements from the CAAV to its global partners. "If the decision is implemented, it would impact the government's plan to resume international flights to Hanoi as previously announced," CAAV said. "All nine countries and territories to which Vietnam was set to resume flights in its first phase of a reopening plan have detected Omicron infections." Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan on December 30 sent a letter to the government saying that the decision from Hanoi would become a barrier for resuming international flights and so should be removed. Hanoi changed their quarantine policy the same day. Responding to Hanoi's decision, National Lung Hospital Director Doctor Nguyen Viet Nhung said that Hanoi authorities had valid reasons to worry about the spread of the Omicron variant while local hospitals haven't got any experience in dealing with the variant. "However, the city should try to gradually open to international visitors," the doctor said. "People arriving from Omicron-hit areas should be closely monitored, but should not need to be sent to centralised quarantine." Agreeing with Doctor Nhung, former head of the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Nguyen Anh Tri, said that the government should resume regular international flights while trying to prepare proper measures to deal with the spread of the virus. "The Omicron variant will spread to our country at some point and we cant close our country too long," he said. "We should prepare to cope with it, firstly by having enough test kits for Omicron detection." Vietnam has earlier sent a plan for resuming regular international flights to nine countries from January and so far five of them including the US, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia and Taiwan (China) have agreed with the plan. Ho Chi Minh City also mandated that travellers from Omicron-infected countries must undergo centralised quarantine for seven days. Vietnam detects more Omicron infections Vietnam has just found 14 more Omicron-infected cases that recently arrived from abroad and were being quarantined in the central province of Quang Nam. Passengers at Danang Airport Director of Quang Nam Provincial Department of Health, Mai Van Muoi confirmed with Dantri/Dtinews on Friday morning that the 14 people were passengers from four flights including one from the US and three from South Korea. "Eight passengers on a flight from the US that landed in Danang International Airport on December 24 had tested positive for the Omicron variant," the official said. "All 177 passengers and 16 crew members had been quarantined upon arrival." Six other passengers were also found infected with the new Covid-19 variant after arriving at Danang Airport on three flights from South Korea on December 21, 23, and 24. All 520 passengers and 42 crew members of those three flights had also been sent to quarantine areas in Quang Nam upon arrival. A report from local authorities said that all passengers from the South Korean flight that landed on December 21 had completed their quarantine period and left for their homes since Thursday. Vietnam detected its first Omicron-infected case on Tuesday. The patient arrived from the UK in Hanoi and had also been quarantined upon arrival at a local hospital. News Vietnam on alert as Omicron outbreak recorded Nearly $18 billion needed to develop the national airport system by 2030 An ambitious plan to invest billions of dollars into Vietnam's airport system is one step closer to reality. A corner of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City. Photo courtesy of ACV According to a new master plan, the development of the country's airport network is expected to cost up to VN400 trillion (US$17.4 billion) by 2030. A strategy was previously submitted to the Government in early November. The Ministry of Transport has just submitted the revised plan to the Prime Minister for the development of the national airport system for the 2021-30 period. Under the plan, the Ministry of Transport aims the total passenger capacity of the nation's airports will be about 276 million per year, with about 4.1 million tonnes of cargo by 2030. The current capacity of airports is only 95 million passengers per year, compared with the planned target of 144 million passengers per year, reaching just 66 per cent. Freight transport reached 1 million tonnes per year, compared with the target of 2.5 million tonnes of goods per year, reaching 40 per cent of the goal. A leader of the Ministry of Transport said that priority would be given to investment in a number of large airports, which act as hubs in Hanoi and HCM City such as Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, over the next 10 years. Work will also be undertaken to gradually upgrade 22 existing airports and invest in six new airports to increase the total number of operating airports across the country to 28, with a total capacity of about 283 million passengers per year. By 2050, there will be 31 airports across the country, including 14 international airports (Van on, Hai Phong, Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, Phu Bai, a Nang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho and Phu Quoc). There will also be 17 domestic airports, namely Lai Chau, ien Bien, Sa Pa, Cao Bang, Na San, Cat Bi, ong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Phan Thiet, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Con ao and the second airport southeast of Hanoi capital. This is an addition of two airports compared to the previous plan. It is calculated that the expected land use area of the airport master plan to 2030 is about 20,378ha, requiring an additional land area of about 7,970ha. The investment capital for the development of the airport system by 2030 is about VN400 trillion, accounting for about 22 per cent of the investment capital of the whole industry. The investment capital will be mobilised from the State budget, non-budget capital and other legal capital sources. By 2050, there will be two international air transport hubs of regional stature in Hanoi and HCM City. By the end of 2030, the country is to operate a network of 28 airports with Hanoi and HCM City as two main transport hubs. By 2050, there will be 31 airports, including 14 international and 17 domestic airports. Regarding investment, according to the Ministry of Transport, for investment planning projects after 2030, in case localities have investment needs to serve socio-economic development and mobilise financial resources, they can report to the Prime Minister for approval of investment. Data from the Ministry of Transport shows that the country is currently exploiting 22 out of 23 planned airports. In which, there are nine international airports and 13 domestic airports. The current system of 22 airports in Vietnam has a reasonable distribution, ensuring that 86 per cent of the population can access airports within a radius of 100km, higher than the world average of 75 per cent and equivalent to countries with large coverage in the region and in the world. Hanoi man jailed for five years for anti-State activities A man in Hanoi was sentenced to five years in prison during a trial on December 31 on the charge of making, storing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents, and items against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code. Le Trong Hung at the court (Photo: VNA) Apart from the jail sentence, Le Trong Hung, 42, residing in Hai Ba Trung district, will be put on probation for five years after serving his prison term. According to the indictment of the Hanoi Peoples Procuracy, Hung produced and published seven video clips on Facebook fanpage CHTV Vietnam from April September 2020. Their contents distorted and defamed the peoples administration, causing public agitation and violating the interests of the State, legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organisations. The board of juries concluded that Hungs behaviours are extremely serious, directly violating national security, defaming the peoples administration and socialist regime, and hurting public trust in the States political institutions, thus calling for serious punishment. Vietnamese airlines sell tickets for international flights Airlines in Vietnam have officially put tickets on sale for several reopened regular international flights. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines have sold tickets for flights to Cambodia, Japan, and the United States since Wednesday. Musings on Philosophy, Ethics and Education from a Singaporean Philosopher 17:08, December 30, 2021 By Jude Chua Soo Meng ( People's Daily Online Editors note: In the post-epidemic era, never have we felt such an urgent need to strengthen mutual trust and communication among different countries and cultures, whether its on medicine, the economy or education. Philosophy, an ancient but perennial subject which aims to seek out the ultimate truth for all human beings, could serve as a great bridge for people from different backgrounds and cultures to mutually talk and listen. Jude Chua Soo Meng, Associate Professor and Head at Policy, Curriculum and Leadership, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, shared some of his musings on philosophy, ethics and education, which may bring some refreshing ideas on how we should perceive education and education policies, and in which aspects in Eastern and Western philosophies may differ from each other or could mutually support each other, not to mention providing some inspiration on how we should understand education and what good education should be. Besides, his thoughts and research on Eastern and Western philosophies reminds us that we are living in a world that is as diversified as it could be and that there does not exist only one thought or ideology, noting that inclusiveness is the key to building a community of shared future for mankind. Associate Professor Jude Chua Soo Meng Musings on Philosophy, Ethics and Education For many years I have been interested in philosophy, ethics and education. Many of my students often ask me why I have been so interested in these topics. We can begin with the question by probing why education is an important topic worth our attention. A discipline that is especially interested in this question is philosophy. Therefore, when confronted with a field like education, philosophers will have something to say about its value and importance, if indeed there is something in that direction. But a philosophical consideration of a field like education might be keen to broaden any artificially narrow conception of what education is, before it proceeds to unpack educations significance, and the significance of the study of education by implication. We are indebted to Plato, among others, for pushing us in that direction. In the Allegory of the Cave in The Republic, Plato tells a story about a man who had for a long time been trapped in a cave but one day had the opportunity to exit the cave to see what was outside. Fascinated by his amazing experience, he returned to the cave to tell his friends, hoping to lead them out of the cave to see and seek out the wondrous things he himself has witnessed. The themes underscored in this story invite us to think about education not as classroom practice merely, but generally as the activity or process by which we are led to encounter what is truly wondrous and choice-worthy. This approach to education invites more questions than it furnishes answers. But we are presently in a better position to ask the crucial questions that now can be asked: What are these truly wondrous and choice-worthy things that education should lead us towards? When we proceed forward in this way, we are in the realm of ethics, which enquires after the wondrous and choice-worthy things. The ethical investigation of these wondrous and choice-worthy things, in order to uncover what they are, and whether they exist, makes ethics an important field of study that we should not neglect, lest our lives miss out on what most needs to be sought and done. But education and ethics are intimately related, as indicated above. Thus, it is also this relationship that helps to ground the importance of the study of education. Such an intimate relationship between education and ethics inevitably entails a subversive sense of what education is. Even if we do not agree with Platos own metaphysical belief in the world of forms where perfect knowledge had once been obtainable, or how for him education meant being led towards the recollection of such knowledge, we cannot easily disregard the invitation to question the conventional goals pursued by those trapped in the cave. Whatever we currently think is worth pursuing, a philosophy of education presses us to interrogate that, and to ask if we have missed out on anything. Where and what are we being led to seek and do? Are these educational aspirations truly on the mark? But to interrogate well means that we do not do it all alone we can stand on the shoulders of giants, to have a better view. My own sympathies lie with the questions and answers posed by Thomas Aquinas, a medieval thinker I have spent quite some time following, because I find his ideas stimulating. His ideas about ethics have been recently retrieved by John Finnis, Germain Grisez and Joseph Boyle and I draw on them to inform my own thinking about education. This retrieval of Aquinas ethical theory is called the New Natural Law Theory (NNLT) in academic scholarship. NNLT argues that there is a plurality of basic values worth seeking that human intelligence can grasp. What are these choice-worthy values? NNLT points out at least seven values that ought to be sought and promoted for their own sakes: truthful knowledge, friendship, life, skillful play, aesthetic experience, practical reasonableness, and religion. Attentiveness to such a wholesome account of what a flourishing and happy human existence can enjoy and pursue is attractive to those keen to avoid the exaggerated obsession with one kind of good aim in life or worse, when that one apparent good aim turns out, in the end, to not satisfy oneself or to not lead to human flourishing. Woe therefore to our children set on the wrong direction by any education system that, through words and signals, beckons them to waste their lives chasing the vain and futile. NNLT and its defense of a plurality of values is relevant today. Many scholars point out that we are in the grip of a neoliberal milieu. The term neoliberalism can mean several different things. But a common idea is that we are driven in large part to pursue objectives that need to be interrogated and challenged, because they do not seem to instantiate real goods. Indeed, the obsessive quest under terrors of performativity to achieve these objectives risks seeing real goods being displaced or sacrificed. I noticed that the Ministry of Education of Singapore has been very conscious of a kind of excessive focus on academic achievements in our children or at least, it is an excessive focus they are keen to address where it exists. There has been the interrogation of that kind of scenario, accompanied by the invitation to steer our children towards achieving other skills and habits. So for example, there has been the call to re-direct attention on character development and well-being in schools. This is all rather consistent with NNLTs invitation to consider the plurality of values which make up human flourishing, and NNLT can be deployed to join that interrogation. Philosophy East and West Some of my students are from China and they are keen to understand how Chinese philosophy and Western philosophy can be compared and contrasted. This is a very interesting topic. Chinas philosophical heritage is a very rich one. I do not presume to be able to fully address this topic. But I can share my admiration for the xuan-xue reading of Daoism, which I find to be philosophically interesting. When read through the commentarial interpretation of the young genius Wang Bi (226-249, a Chinese philosopher and politician who is known for his commentaries on the Confucius Analects, I Ching and the Tao Te Ching), the Laozi provides several insights for me. It makes the case for a Dao that is the transcendent, mothering source of the world, and at the same time ensures the harmony in it without visible or imperious exertion. At the same time it points out that there are some practical approaches to governance that are arguably beneficial and effective, and these approaches can be observed to mirror this non-interventionist, gentle approach of the Dao. In this way, the suggestion is that good governance can be said to be a kind of modelling of the Dao. Now, whether or not one agrees with the Daoist suggestions for good governance, the fact remains that there is, in plain sight, the affirmation in the Laozi of a metaphysically transcendent Dao, which invites further clarification. This is a fascinating central theme in Chinese philosophy, which also includes Confucianism. Sometimes Confucianism is read as if focused purely on the practical here and now, and not serious about ideas concerning the transcendent. But the xuan-xue tradition makes a case otherwise: It explains Confucius silence on these matters not as a gesture of incredulity about the metaphysical; rather, it takes Confucius to be more astute than Laozi, in that he was keen to avoid having a situation where his followers ended up wrangling over his maxims about these elevated truths, and so instead wanted to remain silent about them. The effort to give a metaphysical account of such a reality, or at the very least, the implicit acceptance of such a reality, marks the way in which Chinese philosophy can be both contrasted with and also compared with Western philosophy. Modern philosophy in the West has, arguably since the Enlightenment, developed in a direction which eventually saw the eschewing of metaphysics. One could point out that this is very visible in Rene Descartes whose philosophical meditations promoted a kind of reduction of reality to the thinking thing enveloped by a veil of radical skepticism unable to affirm clear and distinct truths about the external physical world, and therefore, unable to comment on the metaphysical. Yet it is also this Chinese philosophical affirmation of a transcendent metaphysical reality, whether by word or deed, that resonates with Western philosophers, particularly those who are keen to break free of that Cartesian subjectivism, and those who are keen to affirm metaphysical truths, albeit carefully. Thus, for example, the later Martin Heidegger (as read by Richard Capobianco) constantly focused his attention on Being, a concept which for him is not the construction of our consciousness. Heidegger, influenced as he was by Aristotle through Franz Brentano, was giving an account of a metaphysical reality that is not synonymous with the projection of our meaning-making consciousness, but is over and above that. Some scholarship has also suggested that Heidegger had hidden Asian influence. Just as foreign to this Cartesian or anti-metaphysical mindset is the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas reception of Aristotle led him to affirm the reality of relations, which connects the manifestative world to our minds (as read by John Deely). This presents a dynamic and informing world that engages our minds and thus is very different from the futile groping of a Cartesian consciousness. Further, Aquinas reception both of Aristotle and Neoplatonism also led him to develop an original metaphysical account of God as Existence (Esse) unlimited by any determining essence or structure. The affirmation in the Laozi that the Dao is itself without a form or an essential structure is fascinating when making a comparison that resonates with what Aquinas had to say. Of course, we should not be so naive as to think that they are in agreement on every detail. Yet still, the openness to metaphysical thinking in strands of Western thought is an exciting and important trajectory that I think could be welcomed by Chinese philosophy. I would suggest that this can be especially the case for the xuan-xue school of Daoism, since many of its scholars engaged in qing-tan (a Chinese philosophical movement and social practice among political and intellectual elites involving "pure conversation" concerning metaphysics and philosophy in the form of informal gatherings for discourse and debate), a kind of open-minded discussion of topics that was of interest to them, and with many of their discussions obviously probing into metaphysical mysteries! Associate Professor Jude Chua Soo Meng is the Head at Policy, Curriculum and Leadership, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily represent the stance of NIE, the Ministry of Education of Singapore, or the views of Peoples Daily Online. The interview was conducted and edited by Yang Xina, a postgraduate student at the Nanyang Technological University, who is majoring in educational management. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Forging ahead with courage, grit: Chinese FM on int'l situation, China's diplomacy Xinhua) 07:44, December 31, 2021 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021, on Dec. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday pledged China's efforts to continue to resolutely safeguard China's core interests, and work with most countries in the world to defend fairness and justice. -- Looking ahead to China's diplomacy in 2022, Wang noted China will safeguard the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains, implement well the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and work to advance China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. -- Concerning the prospects of diplomatic contests regarding Taiwan, Wang said the reunification of China is an unstoppable trend. BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday pledged China's efforts to continue to resolutely safeguard China's core interests, and work with most countries in the world to defend fairness and justice. Wang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. Noting the year 2022 as the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar, Wang said China is ready to work in solidarity with the international community to "bring dynamism to world peace and development with 'the vitality of the tiger' and promote greater progress and 'a tiger's leap' in human development." DEFEND FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE "On the new journey toward national rejuvenation, we will continue to firmly oppose all hegemonic and bullying practices and proactively undertake our international responsibility for world peace and development," Wang said. The year of 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Reviewing the past achievements, Wang said China's diplomacy keeps a fine tradition of safeguarding national interests and upholding fairness and justice. He pointed out some elements in the world still deem themselves superior, and use high-sounding excuses to smear and contain China and many other developing countries. "We must not compromise or back down. Instead, we must face them head on, and pull together with most countries to defend fairness and justice and do the right thing for humanity," Wang said. Commenting on negative moves on China made by the United States over the past year, Wang said the U.S. saying one thing yet doing another has left its credibility in serious doubt. Wang went on to point out that as long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with suppressing and containing China, relations between the two countries could return to the right track. "As long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with ideological confrontation, the two systems and paths adopted by China and the U.S. could work in parallel and coexist peacefully on this planet," he added. IMPLEMENT A WIN-WIN STRATEGY OF OPENING-UP Looking ahead to China's diplomacy in 2022, Wang noted China will safeguard the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains, implement well the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and work to advance China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. China has implemented a win-win strategy of opening-up, Wang said. "Twenty years after joining the World Trade Organization, China has done more than its commitments on tariff reduction and market access." Noting next year China will celebrate important anniversaries of its diplomatic relations with a number of countries, Wang stressed China will take them as the opportunity to consolidate traditional friendship and expand cooperation bilaterally. As China and Russia are both major countries with global influence, Wang said the leaders of the two countries have stayed in close strategic communication throughout the year. Guided by the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have become more mature, stable, resilient and vibrant. "We are convinced that as long as China and Russia stand together shoulder to shoulder and deepen coordination hand in hand, the international order will not fall into disarray, justice in the world will not collapse, and hegemonism will not win," Wang said. On China-EU relations, he said China stands ready to have closer engagement and communication and earnestly enhance mutual understanding between China and Europe, including open, candid dialogue on such topics as human rights and democracy. While reaffirming China's role as "a staunch member of the developing world," Wang pledged China's efforts in the future to increase trade and investment, and strengthen exchanges with other developing countries in the fields of poverty reduction and development, among others. REUNIFICATION IS UNSTOPPABLE TREND Concerning the prospects of diplomatic contests regarding Taiwan, Wang said the reunification of China is an unstoppable trend. Recently, Nicaragua resumed diplomatic relations with China and returned to the right track of the one-China principle, and China has gained a new friend in the world, Wang noted. "This fully proves that the one-China principle is a universally recognized principle and represents people's aspiration and the trend of the world." The U.S. has gone back on its commitment made when it established diplomatic relations with China, condoned and abetted "Taiwan independence" forces, and tried to distort and hollow out the one-China principle, Wang said. "This will put Taiwan into an extremely precarious situation and bring an unbearable cost to the U.S. itself." Attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" will inevitably end up in failure, and there is no other way out for Taiwan than to reunify with the mainland, Wang said. "This is an inexorable trend of history and the only practical and logical outcome." CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORM With mutating COVID virus posing threat to life in all countries as well as twists and turns in economic recovery compounded by the resurgence of unilateralism, the world is in urgent need of cooperation out of difficulties. With regard to China's role in global responses to COVID-19, Wang said as of December 26, China has provided more than two billion doses of COVID vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations, thus becoming the biggest provider of outbound vaccines among all countries. "We support Chinese companies in transferring technologies to developing countries, and have launched joint vaccine production with 20 countries." "China did not do any of this for selfish geopolitical interest, and China did not attach any political strings to these actions at all. Rather, we are taking concrete actions to help build a great wall of immunization for the health of all," Wang added. To facilitate more balanced and sustainable post-pandemic global development, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which has won the endorsement and support of multiple international organizations including the United Nations agencies and nearly 100 countries. To deliver on this major initiative, Wang pledged China's efforts to further synergize development cooperation strategies with other parties, and actively deliver the commitment to provide an additional three billion U.S. dollars of international assistance in the next three years. In 2022, "Asia's time" will come in global governance, Wang said, as the BRICS summit will be held in China, and the APEC economic leaders' meeting and the summits of G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held in other Asian countries. "China will continue to hold high the banner of true multilateralism, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and Asian energy to the reform and improvement of the global governance system," said Wang. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China's goods trade to hit 6 trln dollars: ministry Xinhua) 07:46, December 31, 2021 Aerial photo shows a freight train bound for Dusseldorf of Germany departing from a logistics base in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's total imports and exports of goods are expected to reach 6 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. The estimated figure sees an over 20 percent growth from a year earlier, said Vice Minister Ren Hongbin at a press conference. The year-on-year growth amounted to approximately 1.3 trillion dollars, equivalent to the combined growth volume of the past 10 years, Ren said. Trade relations between China and emerging markets are getting closer, with exports to such markets accounting for 49.5 percent of the country's total exports in the first 11 months, Ren said while speaking of the new trends in China's foreign trade. In the January-November period, private Chinese companies' exports took up 58 percent of the whole, lifting the total growth rate of exports by 20 percentage points, according to the vice minister. The country has also built more than 2,000 overseas warehouses so far to boost cross-border e-commerce, a new business model of foreign trade, Ren added. Looking ahead, Ren said that the country will designate more comprehensive pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, build some cities or regions into offshore trading centers, and accelerate the digitalization of foreign trade. It will also step up efforts to ensure stable industrial and supply chains, improve international logistics and settlement, and help trade companies expand their presence in emerging markets such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Ren said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Sichuan's tea casts eyes on overseas markets Xinhua) 07:50, December 31, 2021 A staff member of a local tea company introduces their products to visitors in Danling County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Jian) CHENGDU, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A total of 340 tonnes of green tea departed from Danling County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, for Uzbekistan Wednesday, a breakthrough in the export of mid- and high-end tea produced in the province. With a plantation area of more than 390,000 hectares and over 90 billion yuan (about 14.1 billion U.S. dollars) of the annual output value of the whole industry chain, Sichuan is a massive green tea production base in China, said the provincial agriculture and rural affairs department. "Sichuan has been a major source of raw materials for China's tea exports. However, there are a few tea export enterprises in the province. And we mainly exported low-end tea in the past," said Xiao Xiaoyu, deputy director of the department. "The 340-tonne mid- and high-end tea exported to Uzbekistan is a breakthrough, which will bring positive effects," Xiao added. Yin Shangqin, in charge of a tea cooperative in Danling County, was busy loading the tea on a China-Europe train and other exporting procedures. "We began in the export business two years ago and started to explore overseas mid- and high-end tea markets. We finally managed to become a trade partner with the largest tea importer in Uzbekistan," Yin added. Based on this successful experience, the cooperative will keep exploring overseas markets and help tea growers increase their yield and incomes, Yin said. Wang Taihong, a tea grower in Wannian Village, Danling County, has been selling his tea to the cooperative over the past few years. Once registered as a poverty-stricken village, Wannian Village has undergone massive changes since villagers started tea planting. "Those poor villagers bid farewell to poverty years ago," Wang said, adding he owns a 3,300 sqm tea farm, which brings him nearly 60,000 yuan every year. He also grows fruit and raises chickens on his tea farm. He can therefore earn more money. With the help of local government, a tea trade market was built and began operation in Wannian Village in April 2019. The market not only made it convenient for local tea growers but also stabilized local tea price and extended trading times. "I was worried about selling tea due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the government timely coordinates tea buyers to purchase our tea during the tea picking season, so our incomes were guaranteed," said Liu Yuebo, a tea grower from Hupizhai Village in Danling County. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Villages in China all connected to broadband internet service Xinhua) 08:04, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's administrative villages had all been connected to broadband internet services by the end of November, authorities said on Thursday. This is a historic achievement in solving the communication difficulties in poor areas, Xie Cun, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said during a press conference, adding that this achievement will provide solid internet support for China's rural vitalization and modernization. Since 2015, the country has allocated a total of more than 22 billion yuan (about 3.46 billion U.S. dollars) to support the building of communication networks in rural and remote regions, according to Zou Suping, an official with the Ministry of Finance. Efforts have been made to ensure the affordability of internet services and promote the development of education and healthcare in rural areas. As for the future, China will continue to provide policy and financial support, improve the rural internet infrastructure and promote the digital development of rural areas, Xie said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China urges U.S. to cease hostile naval, airforce maneuvers Xinhua) 08:06, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to cease hostile naval and airforce maneuvers against China. Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding a video meeting recently held by Chinese and American militaries under their Maritime Military Consultative Agreement mechanism. Tan said that in maintaining military air and maritime safety of China and the U.S., the most fundamental solution is that the U.S. side desists from hostile maneuvers. The U.S. navy and air force conduct reconnaissance, surveying and highly targeted exercises and training for long periods of time near China, and frequently carries out infringing and provocative maneuvers. This is the root cause of military air and maritime safety issues between China and the U.S., according to Tan. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Kazakh president applauds cooperation with China Xinhua) 08:07, December 31, 2021 NUR-SULTAN, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday praised the cooperation between his country and China. The permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China is of all-weather nature, Tokayev said at a meeting with visiting Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation between the two countries in various fields has been developing steadily, and bilateral trade has achieved growth in an adverse environment, he noted. Li spoke highly of Kazakhstan's great achievements in national development since its independence 30 years ago. China is willing to take the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and push for new and greater development of bilateral relations, he said. After the meeting, Tokayev awarded the Friendship Medal to Li to recognize his contributions to consolidating China-Kazakhstan relations and to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic ties. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Chinese aircraft-carrier formation concludes open-sea combat training Xinhua) 08:12, December 31, 2021 Undated file photo shows a carrier-based J-15 fighter jet taking off during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Thursday to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. Among the areas tested during the exercise was the continuous day-and-night operation and tactical flight of carrier-based J-15 fighter jets. During the exercise, the formation was repeatedly approached and monitored by foreign warships and aircraft, and it handled the situation effectively throughout. Undated file photo shows a carrier-based J-15 fighter jet preparing to land during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) Undated file photo shows the Chinese navy's Liaoning (L) aircraft-carrier receiving supplies during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) Undated file photo shows carrier-based J-15 fighter jets taking part in a night operation during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) Undated file photo shows a carrier-based J-15 fighter jet taking part in a night operation during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Zhang Kai/Xinhua) Undated file photo shows the Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation conducting open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Bianji) China sees world's most space launches in 2021 Xinhua) 08:13, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China has carried out 55 space launch missions in 2021, with this number ranking first in the world, said the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Thursday. Among the missions, 48 launches were conducted by the Long March series carrier rockets, all successful. The missions also included four launches by the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket, one launch by the CERES-1 carrier rocket and two launches by the SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket. China's Long March-3B rocket carrying a communication technology experiment satellite blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province Thursday, marking a successful conclusion for the country's annual space launch missions. As China's main high-orbit rocket, the CASC-developed launch vehicle and its modified versions mainly carry high-orbit communication satellites, commercial communication satellites, and the medium-high earth orbit satellites of Beidou-2 and Beidou-3 navigation satellites. The year also witnessed the 400th launch mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, which marked a giant step forward in the strength of China's aerospace industry as well as its sci-tech strength, said the CASC. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China's Amur tiger population at risk of inbreeding Xinhua) 08:32, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have discovered that although China's wild Amur tiger population is experiencing rapid growth, there are risks of inbreeding. Inbreeding is more likely to occur in small, isolated and endangered populations, and may influence the sustainable survival of a population. The Amur tiger population in China experienced a severe decline in the 1990s, with just over 10 of the tigers recorded at the end of the 20th century. After various effective conservation measures, more than 20 Amur tiger cubs were found in China in the last five years. However, researchers from the Northeast Forestry University discovered that the recovering population is at risk of inbreeding given its small population. They said the species' inbreeding status has not yet been evaluated, and the relationship between inbreeding and health in wild animals remains poorly understood. Based on 150 genetic samples collected from the main Amur tiger habitats in China, the study published in the journal Animal Conservation analyzed the population's inbreeding level, major histocompatibility complex polymorphism, parasitic infections, and gut microbial structures and functions, and then explored the influence of inbreeding on these traits. The results indicated that the Amur tiger population in China has reached a moderate level of inbreeding and that there are direct interactions between inbreeding intensity and parasitic load and gut microbiota, according to Jiang Guangshun, leader of the research team and a professor at the university. He noted that the study provides an early warning for the health of the Amur tiger population, and can promote international ecological cooperation and the reintroduction of new individuals to relieve the evident inbreeding pressure. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China has earned world's recognition, respect with real action: FM Xinhua) 08:38, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that since the People's Republic of China restored its lawful seat in the United Nations, it has earned the world's recognition and respect with real action. Wang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. Wang said that the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations was a victory that belongs not only to the Chinese people, but also to all the forces for peace and justice in the world. As the world's largest developing country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding world peace and making more and more contributions to human progress, said Wang. Noting that China has followed a path of peaceful development, Wang said that China has never waged a single war, and is always committed to political settlement of hotspot issues. China has contributed more peacekeepers than any other permanent member of the Security Council, and has become the second largest financial contributor to both the United Nations and UN peacekeeping operations. China has defended the basic norms of international relations based on the UN Charter, upheld the rights of people from different countries to choose their development paths and political systems according to their respective national conditions, and never hesitated to speak up for other developing countries, he said. Wang pointed out that after joining the World Trade Organization, China has done more than its commitments on tariff reduction and market access. It has contributed around 30 percent to global growth for many years. China has actively participated in international affairs and has been deepening cooperation with the United Nations, Wang added. "China has joined almost all intergovernmental organizations and over 600 international conventions. We have earned the world's recognition and respect with real action, and the Chinese nation now stands proud in the family of nations," he said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Discovery of crude oil 'eater' could revive oil fields Xinhua) 08:41, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Previous studies found that petroleum hydrocarbon can be converted into methane by microbes, a process similar to traditional biogas fermentation requiring different types of bacteria and archaea. An unexpected discovery of a new microbe by Chinese scientists, recently published in the journal Nature, proves that such conversion can be done by a single type of archaea alone. It paves the way for further exploitation of depleted oil fields, the China Science Daily reported. CRUDE OIL EATERS Previous studies found that the degradation of crude oil into methane needs the co-existence of two different types of microbes: hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Methane is a major component of natural gas and biogas and is often used as a fuel and starting material in chemical synthesis. "There is close cooperation between them. If split apart, they can't do the job," said Li Meng, one of the correspondent authors of the paper and a professor with Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University. Archaea have existed on Earth for approximately 3.5 billion years. They exist in extreme environments like hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, hot springs, and saline-alkali lakes. Methanogenic archaea are a family of anaerobic archaea that produce methane without oxygen, playing a significant role in biogas fermentation. Previous studies found that methanogenic archaea produce methane in four ways -- acetic-acid fermentation, CO2 reduction, methyl cracking, and oxymethyl conversion. The raw materials are simple organics, mainly compounds with one or two carbon atoms. "Textbooks told us methanogenic archaea can't directly 'eat' complex organics such as alkyl hydrocarbons with dozens of carbon atoms. And there was no study about microbes that directly degrade petroleum hydrocarbon into methane or CO2," said Cheng Lei, another correspondent author and a researcher with the Biogas Institute of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. However, hydrocarbon degradation by bacteria and archaea takes a long time and is unstable. It makes it challenging to develop for engineering applications. The Biogas Institute has carried out fundamental research on anaerobic microbes for 40 years. It has preserved nearly 600 anaerobic microbe model species, while global research institutions have over 2,000. Anaerobic microbes host abundant biological resources on Earth, but only less than 0.1 percent of them are known, said Zhou Zhuo from the Biogas Institute, the first author of the paper. Most anaerobic microbes are "dark matters." Scientists know they exist, but don't know what they are, said Zhou. UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY The research team from the Biogas Institute has studied anaerobic degradation since 2005, but the work was challenging from the start. "It often takes one or two years for anaerobic microbes to complete the growth cycle to degrade the petroleum hydrocarbon. The longest reported time was over 800 days," said Cheng Lei. In 2019, they spotted a sample from an oil deposit with a growth cycle of two to three months. "It's an unexpected discovery. The growth cycle was much shorter, so we were very interested," Cheng recalled. "We wanted to know what kind of microbe can convert petroleum hydrocarbon so quickly." In 2019, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology of Germany put forward a hypothesis that a new type of archaea, named Ca. Methanoliparia, may have the ability to independently degrade long-chain alkyl hydrocarbons to produce methane. But there was no supporting evidence at the time. Cheng Lei said they found the trace of these new archaea in the sample. But there were many microbes mixed, and they needed evidence to prove that the new archaea could do the job alone. The team used a stable carbon isotope labeling test to confirm that the normal alkane added into the sample converted into methane and carbon dioxide. Then they found Ca. Methanoliparia with the key intermediate metabolites in methane production from alkane degradation and confirmed its carbon metabolism pathway. The result indicated that the new archaea could directly oxidize long-chain alkyl hydrocarbons without the help of bacteria, providing the fifth way to produce methane. UNDERGROUND BIOGAS In traditional oil field recoveries, the crude oil deep underground is driven by water pressure or chemicals and pumped to the surface. More than half of the deposits are challenging to recover by conventional technology and stay underground in depleted oil fields. The head of the Biogas Institute, Wang Dengshan, believed this from-zero-to-one discovery lays a foundation for underground biogas development to revive depleted oil fields. "We don't need to pump out the oil left underground. We can turn it into methane and collect it. It's equivalent to a massive underground biogas pool built in the crude oil deposit, on a scale of square kilometers," said Wang. If the technology based on this research is applied to depleted oil fields in China, there will be hundreds of millions of tonnes of extra oil and gas for exploitation. Compared with conventional petrochemistry, the biological conversion could directly produce methane without carbon emissions from crude oil exploitation, refining, and chemical processing, he said. The new archaea may also have a further application prospect in synthetic biology. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) RCEP to promote cross-border e-commerce, narrow development gap: company CEO in Cambodia Xinhua) 08:49, December 31, 2021 An employee sorts products at a brick-and-mortar store of Smile Shop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2021. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is due to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2022, will promote cross-border e-commerce and narrow the development gap between developed and developing countries, said Jack Lee, chief executive officer and founder of online market Smile Shop in Cambodia. PHNOM PENH, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is due to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2022, will promote cross-border e-commerce and narrow the development gap between developed and developing countries, said Jack Lee, chief executive officer and founder of online market Smile Shop in Cambodia. Signed on Nov. 15, 2020, the RCEP is a mega free trade pact between 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and its free trade agreement partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The pact will eliminate as much as 90 percent of the tariffs on goods traded among its signatories over the next 20 years. Lee said the RCEP will bring huge opportunities for the economic development in the region including Cambodia. "The implementation of the RCEP will prompt the governments to improve their internal investment environment, promote economic diversification, and increase the certainty and reliability of economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era," he told Xinhua. He said the RCEP will also urge the governments to further transparentize legal frameworks, protect the interests of investors, attract more foreign investment, and achieve economic development goals. Lee added that the pact simplifies customs clearance procedures and improves customs clearance efficiency that will result in trade convenience, cross-border logistics timeliness, and trade cost reduction. "For e-commerce, the RCEP has made relevant regulations on electronic certification and electronic signatures, consumer rights protection, customs duties, transparency, disputes, etc., which will not only promote the development of cross-border e-commerce, but also greatly promote local electronics in Cambodia business development," he told Xinhua. "For example, an agreement that does not impose tariffs on cross-border e-commerce will have a positive impact on Cambodia's domestic e-commerce related tax regulations," he said. Lee said benefits expected from implementation of the RCEP are tremendous, and the pact will attract more "venture capital" investment in cross-border e-commerce. "The RCEP will also help narrow the development gap between developed and developing countries, and it will promote free trade and economic globalization in the post COVID-19 pandemic era," he said. He is confident that through the RCEP, more Chinese investors will come to invest in advanced logistics system, payment system, and e-commerce system, among other sectors in Cambodia. He added that China can better transfer some industries to Cambodia, realize the global layout of Chinese industries, and Cambodia can better participate in the global division of labor. Lee said the RCEP will bring opportunities for cooperation in e-commerce, payment system, financial technology, and digital Chinese yuan payment. Meanwhile, Lee said he is not worried about fierce competition brought about by the RCEP, citing the Chapter 15 of the agreement which specifically stipulated the objective and scope of cooperation between the contracting parties for economic and technical cooperation. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Chinese FM stresses justice, peace, dialogue, respect in handling hotspot issues Xinhua) 08:51, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- In handling hotspot issues, major countries should uphold justice, not seek selfish interests; and promote peace, not abuse the use of force, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday. Shouldering special and important responsibilities for world peace and stability, major countries should encourage dialogue, not resort to willful sanctions; and respect the views of the countries concerned, not throw their weight around, he said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. In 2021, the entire world witnessed the Kabul Moment, when the U.S. forces left Afghanistan in a rush. Such irresponsible withdrawal has brought a serious humanitarian crisis to the Afghan people and enormous security challenges to regional stability, Wang said. Facing the sudden changes in Afghanistan, China did not sit by, but extended a helping hand. "We immediately reached out to the Afghan people with emergency humanitarian assistance, especially vaccines, food and winterization supplies," said Wang, adding that the Afghan people have suffered from years of war and turmoil, and should not have to endure the ravages of the pandemic, hunger and cold anymore. China has actively facilitated international coordination and played a constructive role in a stable transition of the Afghanistan situation. These efforts have been welcomed and praised by people across Afghanistan, said Wang. "Over the past year, China has kept firmly in mind and fulfilled its responsibility and mission," said Wang. China has proposed a five-point initiative on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, with a view to encouraging countries in the region to escape geopolitical rivalry between big powers and achieve self-strengthening through unity, he said. China has put forward a three-point proposal for the implementation of the two-state solution to facilitate a just settlement of the Palestinian question and effective governance in the State of Palestine. China has also introduced a four-point proposal for the settlement of the Syrian issue, and supported Syria in accelerating reconciliation and reconstruction as well as returning to the Arab family, according to the foreign minister. "What has happened proves that China's growing strength increases the force for peace and the rise in China's influence contributes more constructive factors," said Wang, adding that China will continue working with the rest of the world to play its due role and make a greater contribution to international and regional peace. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Feature: Afghan women in Kabul benefit from aid provided by China Xinhua) 08:59, December 31, 2021 KABUL, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Worrying over how to earn her living, an unwaged midwife in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan breathed a sigh of relief after receiving a aid package provided by China in a cold day. "The living in Kabul is going forward but with difficulties and challenges, we do not know how the future will unfold. My husband, a construction engineer, lost his job as the building construction business has dimmed in recent months. I also lost my job. We have to pay 5,000 afghani (about 48.5 U.S. dollars) for house rent, besides paying a lot for other daily necessities," the midwife, who declined to be named, told Xinhua on Wednesday. With the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August, the war ended and peace returned. However, the country has been experiencing economic woes with tens of thousands of people losing their jobs and livelihood. "Due to lack of cash, we cannot buy fire wood this year, now we are facing a harsh winter, I have no choice but to put on more cloths on the kids to keep them warm," the mother of four children said. "We are thankful to China for sending assistance. We request for more assistance, we want the flow of the assistance to be continued," she said. About 54.5 percent of Afghans were living under the poverty line in 2019, according to official statistics. But the number soared to 72 percent in 2020. The dire economic situation in the country has been worsening following the freeze of over 9 billion U.S. dollars of the country's central bank's assets by the United States. On Wednesday, the Ministry for Refugees and Repatriation of the Afghan caretaker government distributed a batch of aid provided by China to more than 1,000 women at a depot of the ministry in a western neighborhood of Kabul. "The package included two jackets, two to three blankets, and a 50 kg sack of rice. The packages are being distributed to 1,000 eligible women, who are registered in 22 districts of Kabul by our teams," acting Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Mawlawi Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani told reporters at the site of the distribution. The minister said his ministry has received several batches of humanitarian supplies from China recently. Last Friday, Afghanistan's caretaker government began to distribute the humanitarian supplies to the country's 34 provinces. "Thanks to all the countries, aid agencies and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that are sending humanitarian assistance from any possible way to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. We are thankful to all of them," the minister said. "We urge the international community not to combine political issues with humanitarian aid. The ordinary people should not fall the victim of politics. The world must not politicize humanitarian response," he said. "We assure all the aid agencies and donors that the assistance will reach the eligible and the needy people, as we are managing well and we are doing our best to register the eligible people to deliver them the assistance," the minister said. Meanwhile, another lady Asma, a mother of six children, told Xinhua that "we appreciate China for sending us assistance, we hope we receive more assistance as we need cooking oil and fire wood as well." "With the donation, I will be able to put some food on the table for my kids for a couple of weeks," she said. On Wednesday, a group of Afghan women staged a protest in central Kabul, demanding the United States unfreeze Afghanistan' assets. "We are also human like you. LET US LIVE!" a banner carried by the protesters said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) "The Father" wins best international film of China's Golden Rooster Awards Xinhua) 09:02, December 31, 2021 Nominees for the Best Actor and related representatives pose for a photo with a presenter during the 34th China Golden Rooster Nominee Awards Ceremony in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Dec. 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) XIAMEN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- "The Father" has won the best international film of China's 34th Golden Rooster Awards as the winners were announced Thursday evening in the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Featuring Anthony Hopkins, the film tells a story that a man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. This is the first time for China's top film awards "Golden Rooster" to set the best international film award. Five foreign films competed for the award, namely "The Father," "Persischstunden," "Pinocchio," "Wolfwalkers" and "Happy Old Year." Zhang Yimou walked away with the best director for the spy thriller "Cliff Walkers." The best feature film award went to the "Island Keeper." Launched in 1981, the Golden Rooster Awards is sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Green development gives impetus to Chinas Xiongan New Area 09:12, December 31, 2021 By Zhang Zhifeng ( People's Daily Since the establishment of Xiongan New Area in north Chinas Hebei province, the ecological environment of Baiyangdian Lake in the area has been improved at a fast pace, which mirrors the advantages and strengths of the new area in pursuing green development. An aerial photo taken on April 23, 2021 shows Shaozhuangzi village, Anxin county, Xiongan New Area, north Chinas Hebei province. (Peoples Daily Online/Jin Wei) Besides clearer water and increasing number of birds, the overall water quality of Baiyangdian Lake was also elevated from below Grade V in 2017 to Grade IV in 2020, and the average water quality of core areas of the lake has reached Grade III (good quality), according to a report on the progress made by Xiongan New Area and Baiyangdian Lake in pushing ahead with ecological protection released by the State Council of China. As China has entered a new development stage, it is both a definite requirement and a general trend to prioritize ecological conservation, boost green development, and advance high-level protection of the ecological environment while promoting high-quality economic development through coordinated efforts. A good ecological environment is believed to be one of the prominent strengths of Xiongan New Area in the future. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and Xiongan New Area needs to realize its value and enhance its appeal by relying on a sound ecological environment, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, while visiting the new area on Jan. 16, 2019. Green modes of production, lifestyles and a sound ecology are expected to make Xiongan more capable of taking on Beijings non-capital functions. Xiongan New Area has a good ecology since it came into being. Dubbed the kidney of northern China, the Baiyangdian Lake serves as an ecological barrier of the area. Established because of the lake and built along the lake, Xiongan New Area has made ecological restoration and conservation of Baiyangdian Lake one of its priorities since its establishment. A whole package of measures have been taken to restore and protect the ecological environment of Baiyangdian Lake, including thoroughly treating 606 polluted ponds, establishing and improving sewage treatment facilities in over 70 villages located in or near the lake, and diverting water to the lake under Chinas South-to-North Water Diversion Project and from upstream reservoirs, which have injected new vitality into Baiyangdian Lake, or the pearl of north China. Visitors enjoy themselves at Xiongan Jiaoye Park in Xiongan New Area, north Chinas Hebei province, July 21, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/Hao Qunying) The ecological strength of Xiongan New Area is also manifested in the planning and construction of the area. Today, the proportion of green and blue spaces in the area stands at 70 percent, signaling a beautiful blueprint for the development of the new area. Over the past more than four years, a large area of trees has extended across Xiongan New Area under the Millennium Forest Project, not only forming a magnificent landscape, but becoming a green fortress for carbon emission reduction. Green development is an inevitable path for Xiongan to building a national model for high-quality development in the new era and an innovative development demonstration zone for the implementation of Chinas new development concept - innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. Xiongan New Area, which has been built from scratch, has some late-mover advantages. It has promoted the design, construction and operation of green buildings, with new residential buildings in its starting area reducing energy use by more than 75 percent and new government-invested and large public buildings implementing three-star standard of green building, the highest level in Chinas building rating system. The citizen service center of Xiongan New Area, which is among the first batch of buildings constructed at the new area, is a prefabricated building that can be reused. Besides, it achieves heating and cooling through natural energy conversion, thus saving energy as much as possible. The recently delivered Xiongan business service center, one of the first batch of jobs-housing integrated parks built to take on Beijings functions nonessential to its role as a capital city, has adopted over 100 green building technologies, showing concrete implementation of the concept of green development in terms of both theory and practice. Photo taken on August 31 shows passengers getting ready to get on a high-speed train that runs between Beijing and Xiongan New Area in north Chinas Hebei province. (Peoples Daily Online/Sun Lijun) Since its establishment, Xiongan New Area has shut down a number of workshops that caused pollution, exhibiting its resolute determination to follow a green development path. Xiongan New Area also plans to build safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle lanes to encourage green and low-carbon travel. Bus services account for 80 percent of transportation services at the starting area of Xiongan New Area. Since the citizen service center in Xiongan New Area was established, people are required to transfer to electric automobiles to get in and out of the citizen service center. A number of parks, including the Xiongan Jiaoye Park and Swan Lake Wetland Park, have already been built, becoming must-visit destinations for local residents and visitors from other parts of China. Xiongan New Area has vividly demonstrated that a sound natural environment is universally beneficial welfare. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Xi's top agenda in 2021: Rural vitalization (People's Daily App) 09:18, December 31, 2021 Chinese President Xi Jinping declared "complete victory" in the fight against extreme poverty on February 25. To consolidate on the victory, the Chinese government is now pursuing rural vitalization. "Promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle," Xi said. Xi stressed rural vitalization efforts in visits to villages throughout 2021. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China, Pakistan jointly promote high-quality development of CPEC 09:22, December 31, 2021 By Cheng Shijie ( People's Daily China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Pakistan from the lofty Har goolun Range in the north all the way south to the Arabian Sea along the southern boundary of the country, is bursting with vitality. Container ships are berthed in the Gwadar Port, Pakistan. (Photo/China Overseas Port Holding Company) Under the CPEC, flat and straight roads, lively ports, green and clean energy projects as well as industrial parks in the pipeline have brought great changes to Pakistan. Islar, a Pakistani trucker, always drives along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase II (Havelian-Thakot Section), a project built in Pakistan under the framework of the CPEC. The road conveys peoples expectation of a good life, said Islar, who believes that it leads to both safety and prosperity. In the past, the road between Havelian and Thakot was a narrow, steep and accident-prone path winding among the towering mountains in northwestern Pakistan. It took truckers nearly six hours to get to Thakot from Havelian. The difficulty has been effectively solved by the 118-kilometer-long Havelian-Thakot highway. With 105 mainline bridges, 11 pedestrian bridges, 464 culverts and six tunnels built along its route, the wide and smooth highway has cut the one-way driving time to less than two hours, significantly increasing transportation safety and efficiency. As the Sukkur-Multan section of the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway in Pakistan, also an infrastructure project along the CPEC, officially opened to traffic, the north-south traffic artery in central Pakistan was opened, and the transportation conditions of Multan, which is known for its mangoes, have been greatly improved. The Sukkur-Multan motorway has shortened the time needed for mangoes to be transported from Multan to Sukkur from 11 hours to about 4 hours, substantially reducing the loss of agricultural products during transportation. It has also helped Multan attract investments from companies. Since preparations for a highly anticipated fruit juice concentrate plant in the region have been started recently, local mango growers will no longer need to worry about the sale and transportation of their fruits. Chinese and Pakistani employees work together at the construction site of the Sukkur-Multan section of the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway in Pakistan. (Photo/China State Construction Engineering Corporation) The Gwadar Port, a flagship project of the CPEC, has witnessed new achievements. Since last year, the port has expanded its business scope, launching the Afghan cargo transit service systematically for the first time, providing liquefied petroleum gas-related services for the first time and realizing commercial operation for the first time, infusing fresh impetus and vitality into local economic development. Meanwhile, more CPEC projects concerning peoples well-being, including the New Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar hospital, are being advanced in an orderly manner. The interconnection of transportation infrastructure has stimulated the internal vitality of Pakistans economy, society, and various fields concerning peoples well-being, noted Asad Umar, Pakistans Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Pakistan and China will strengthen cooperation to drive larger-scale investment in Pakistan and accelerate the development of Pakistans economy, he added. Besides transportation infrastructure construction, China-Pakistan energy cooperation has also progressed rapidly under the CPEC in recent years, easing Pakistans development bottleneck triggered by power shortage and introducing new ideas, technologies and investments for Pakistans exploration of clean energy. In the vast Gobi desert in southwestern Pakistan, a row of power transmission towers are extending into the distance. They are part of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage (HV) direct current (DC) transmission line, a CPEC project in Pakistan. Adopting the worlds most advanced DC transmission technology, the project, which was officially put into commercial operation in September 2021, is a power transmission project with the highest voltage level, the largest transmission capacity and the longest transmission distance in Pakistan. Hammad Azhar, Energy Minister of Pakistan, believes that the project helps improve the stability and transmission capacity of Pakistans national grid and further boost the countrys power supply. In November 2021, the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan, the first CPEC hydropower investment project, successfully closed the gates of the diversion tunnels and started reservoir impoundment, paving the way for the wet testing of the generator units. Over years of construction of the hydropower project, the surrounding mountains have become greener and waters clearer. The project has not only made our life more convenient, but effectively advanced ecological conservation, said Haider, a relocated resident at the reservoir region of the hydropower project. Everyone is looking forward to the operation of the project as early as possible, and hopes that it can bring cleaner and cheaper electricity, he said. With the advances in the project, the lower reaches of the Jhelum River basin, where the hydropower station is located, will witness improvement in irrigation efficiency and shipping conditions as well as reduction in the frequency of floods and droughts. Up to now, the total installed capacity of wind power projects completed under the framework of the CPEC has reached 300,000 kWh, and that of CPEC solar projects has amounted to 400,000 kWh. Meanwhile, the construction of the Karot Hydropower Project and the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project is proceeding steadily; and the Kohala Hydropower Project has already completed the signing of four major franchise agreements and will begin construction soon. Photo shows the panorama of the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan, the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (Photo/Karot Power Company) During the planning, construction, and operation of CPEC projects, Chinese companies have actively recruited local people and promoted localized management of them. Relevant companies have not only provided technical lectures and training courses for Pakistani employees, but also made efforts to strengthen communication between Chinese employees and their Pakistani colleagues so as to help them understand each other better. Thanks to the efforts, a significant increase has been achieved in their work efficiency. On Oct. 25, 2021, Nisar, a subway driver, steered the last train of the day steadily into the platform, bringing the first year of the operation of the Orange Line Metro Train project in Lahore city, Pakistan, to a perfect end. The Orange Line has changed the life of Lahore citizens, especially mine. Im really honored to be a cog in the machine, for which I must take on due responsibilities, Nisar said. Over the past year or so, the automated rapid transit line has transported more than 20 million passengers and registered a cumulative mileage of more than 12 million kilometers. In addition, a group of local transportation management talents and technicians have continuously improved their capabilities, becoming the backbone force for the operation of the project. As the CPEC construction enters a new stage of high-quality development, local talents that have acquired new skills are expected to better promote the construction of industrial parks and help build an industrial and manufacturing center for Pakistan, according to Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs. At present, Pakistan is making preparations for the construction of industrial parks in the country, including the Rashakai Special Economic Zone by leveraging the infrastructure development and talent cultivation results under the CPEC framework. These industrial parks will certainly attract more foreign investment, create a large number of jobs for local people, and speed up Pakistans industrialization process, he pointed out. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Huawei contributes to global ecological and environmental protection with technological innovations 09:29, December 31, 2021 By Zhao Mengyang ( People's Daily In recent years, Chinese telecom giant Huawei has actively participated in global biodiversity protection, safeguarding lucid waters and lush mountains with technological innovations. Chinese telecom giant Huawei builds an LTE (Long Term Evolution) base station in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park spanning northeast Chinas Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces on the original fire lookout tower of the park to avoid impact on nature. (Photo/www.huawei.com) In May 2020, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park in northeast Chinas Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces frequently reported good news of rare and precious wild animals, including capturing white roe deer on film twice and finding traces of wild Siberian tiger. It is because of a space-air-ground integrated monitoring system established in the park that the images of such rare and precious wild animals have been captured and made available to the public. The monitoring system includes a three-tier architecture covering information collection, real-time information transmission, and data analysis and processing, according to Du Juan, director of Huaweis TECH4ALL digital inclusion office. Huawei has taken part in the development a 700MHz integrated wired and wireless LTE (Long Term Evolution) bearer network, the underlying part that plays a key role in the system, Du said. By making use of the original fire lookout tower of the park in the deployment of the 700MHz network, the company has managed to minimize the environmental impact of the installation of the network while enabling it to cover a wider area of the park and reduce to the greatest extent the number of visits to the mountains in the park by scientists and rangers, said Zhao Xinsheng, an engineer with Huawei. The network can achieve real-time transmission of images and high-definition videos from infrared cameras installed for wildlife protection, collection and transmission of ecological factor data from sensors that can monitor the condition of soil, water, air, etc., and real-time check on rangers patrol routes, according to Zhao. Photo shows a buoy deployed in waters off Baltimore village in County Cork, Ireland, under the Smart Whale Sounds project sponsored by Chinese telecom giant Huaweis branch in Ireland. The buoy can continuously monitor the sounds of cetaceans in the areas covered by the project. (Photo/www.huawei.com) The space-air-ground integrated monitoring system has covered all the areas of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, realizing accurate and intelligent monitoring, assessment, and management of rare and precious wild animals and natural resources. The growing maritime traffic off the south coast of Ireland caused by container vessels, pleasure boats and speedboats, among other water vessels, has not only increased noise pollution and affected marine animals habit of using sound to communicate, but increased the danger of accidental damage to them by ships. In March this year, a project named Smart Whale Sounds, for which Huawei has provided technical support, kicked off in the south coast of Ireland. By identifying the sounds of whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, the project studies the impacts of the growing marine noise pollution. According to Huawei, the Smart Whale Sounds project deployed a buoy, which is about four meters long and weighs two tons, in waters off Baltimore village in County Cork, Ireland. Equipped with an underwater microphone, the buoy can continuously monitor the sounds of cetaceans in the areas covered by the project. The acoustic monitoring systems of the project collect acoustic data on cetaceans and carry out rapid analysis of these data by leveraging technologies in such fields as cloud platform and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, thus classifying the sounds of marine animals and identifying their species to acquire information about their behavioral rules, said an executive of the project who works for Huawei. In the future, these data will be provided for relevant authorities to help with spatial planning and usage of marine protected areas, the executive added. In Grosseto, Italy, there is a wetland consisting of sand dunes and Mediterranean forests, which is inhabited by more than 300 species of birds. However, poaching, illegal logging, and unauthorized intrusion have severely impacted the ecological environment of the wetland. Photo shows workers installing Guardian system, an ecological acoustic monitoring system developed by Chinese telecom giant Huawei, in the Palawan rainforest in the Philippines. (Photo/www.huawei.com) Since 2019, Huawei and the nonprofit technology startup Rainforest Connection (RFCx) jointly developed Guardian, an acoustic monitoring system based on cloud and AI. Through sound collection devices with solar panels deployed in the wild, the Guardian system collects ambient sounds 24 hours a day, uploads data onto cloud platform in real-time via carriers communications network, and carries out data analysis and detection based on AI algorithms. By sending messages to mobile app and online platform to alert rangers whenever any unusual sound of illegal intrusion is detected, such as the sounds of chainsaws or shotguns, the Guardian system has effectively helped crack down on activities that damage the wetland and create conditions for the conservation and restoration of the wetland. With the support from Huawei, the Guardian system has been used in nearly 30 protected sites around the world. From tropical rainforests in the Philippines and Malaysia to Pindus National Park in Greece, from spider monkeys on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica to Darwins foxes in the Nahuelbuta National Park of Chile, the Guardian system listens to and analyzes the changes in nature and provides scientists with data support. Because of its active efforts to protect nature and stop biodiversity loss caused by human activities, the Nature Guardian project, under which the Guardian system was developed, received the GSMA 2021 GLOMO for Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN SDGs. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) China issues plan for building stronger publishing industry Xinhua) 10:01, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's National Press and Publication Administration has released a plan on enhancing the publishing industry's quality, profits, competitiveness and influence. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the publishing industry should focus on providing more quality products and services to meet the people's increasing needs, according to the plan. Aiming to lay a solid foundation for building China into a "publishing powerhouse," the plan notes key missions regarding expanding digital publishing, strengthening the printing industry, building a sound and modern market system, and promoting high-quality overseas development, among other aims. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu) Chinese mainland reports 166 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases Xinhua) 10:15, December 31, 2021 Aerial photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the surrounding area of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Tao Ming) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 166 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Friday. Of the new local cases, 165 were reported in Shaanxi, and one in Shanxi, the commission said. Also reported were 29 new imported cases in 10 provincial-level regions, according to the commission. One new suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was reported in Shanghai, and no new deaths from COVID-19 were reported on the day, it added. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland had reached 102,083 by Thursday, including 2,714 patients still receiving treatment, of whom 15 were in severe conditions. A total of 94,733 patients had been discharged from hospitals on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus. A total of 29 asymptomatic cases were newly reported Thursday, all arriving from outside the mainland. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu) Astronauts in orbit to send New Year greetings to Chinese youths Xinhua) 11:27, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Astronauts in China's orbiting space station Tiangong and space experts will communicate with youths in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao on Saturday afternoon, authorities announced Friday. The participants will talk with Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, crew members of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft who entered Tiangong in October, about their lives in orbit, and receive New Year greetings from outer space. The activity, co-hosted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the China Media Group, will be broadcast live by the China Media Group. China launched the spaceship Shenzhou-13 on Oct. 16. The astronauts aboard will stay in orbit for six months during the country's longest-ever crewed mission. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu) Commentary: Chinese FM's scheduled visit to Africa manifests long-standing friendship Xinhua) 15:34, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- At the beginning of 2022, China and Africa expect to enhance their long-standing friendship by honoring a fine diplomatic tradition for the 32nd year. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros from Jan. 4 to 7 upon invitation, continuing Chinese foreign ministers' tradition of visiting Africa at the beginning of a year. Since 1991, the African continent has been the destination for the first overseas visits made by Chinese foreign ministers each and every year. By following this tradition for more than 30 years, China, the world's largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, have manifested their willingness to continue developing their friendship. Why choosing Africa over other places? The answer to this question can be found in the history of China-Africa interactions. The two sides were brought together by shared past experiences and similar aims and goals, and have supported each other and expanded mutual political trust in the fight for national liberation and independence. Over the years, China has firmly supported African countries in many fields, including following development paths that fit their national conditions. On their part, African countries have provided important support for China's endeavors to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, promote reunification, and achieve national rejuvenation through development. Despite the shifting international landscape, the two sides have always been good friends and partners. Chinese foreign ministers' visits to Africa not only exemplify the ironclad friendship forged in the past but also brought tangible benefits to both sides and set the pace for future cooperation and development. In January 2021, despite the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Wang still made trips to five African countries, honoring the good diplomatic tradition for the 31st year. During his visit, he voiced China's firm support for Africa to fight the pandemic, accelerate economic recovery, upgrade China-Africa cooperation for higher quality, and enhance the continent's international influence. The foreign minister's remarks highlighted some key topics in the development of China-Africa relations, and that China has carried out its promises. Even during the pandemic, China-Africa cooperation showed remarkable vitality. For example, to aid Africa's fight against the pandemic, China has provided about 180 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to African countries as of December and has promised to provide another 1 billion doses. China has also actively shared its anti-epidemic experience with African countries, and the emergency supplies it provided have reached almost all areas across the continent. Meanwhile, economic cooperation between the two sides continued to advance. As of October this year, Africa's trade with China reached 207.1 billion U.S. dollars, which is 37.5 percent higher than the same time last year. The two sides are now seeking to strengthen cooperation in fields including medical and health care, people's livelihoods, green development, digital economy and capacity building, so as to make a greater contribution to Africa's post-COVID-19 economic recovery and sustainable development. With old promises honored and new ones made, China is ready to enhance its friendship with Africa following the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Yearender-Feature: Chinese rural vlogger in social media limelight Xinhua) 15:35, December 31, 2021 SHENYANG, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Whether sleeping on a brick bed, feeding leftovers to dogs and chickens, or rustling up a mishmash for himself on a fire stove, fast-paced clips of "Student Zhang" have racked up 2 million likes on Douyin, a popular short-video app in China. Vlogger Zhang Kai, or "Student Zhang," has stirred up a nostalgic trend with his clips that mostly portray a non-filtered rural life filmed through the lens of Yingkou City of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. Over two months, the 36-year-old posted over 45 videos using a decades-old German song "Aloha Heja He" as background music, receiving 50 million likes and attracting 16 million subscribers. Zhang is the latest vlogger to start from a one-man operation to become an online sensation. Content creators or influencers like Zhang have cropped up in Chinese social media apps such as Douyin and Kuaishou. Though Zhang is only starting to get more attention, many have used a solid fan base to win sponsorship deals and develop their hobby into a lucrative business. IN HIS LENS, REVIVING RURAL LIFE Zhang says he is self-made and has not received professional training to make catchy videos. His video setup is no more than a smartphone and some tapes. The man, who wears an old cotton-padded jacket with a rough and reddened face, was once a truck driver and a garage owner. After several business failures, he chose to go back to his hometown Songshu Village in July 2020. He describes the choice as a break from city life and reconciliation for his perennial insomnia problem. "A lot of the details in my videos come from my childhood memories, not exactly from the countryside now," he said. Zhang makes the videos in an old house that belonged to his grandfather. The brick house is set aside from rows of modern houses in the village. Most of the villagers now live in houses plated with white glazed tiles on the facades and have running water and underfloor heating. Inside Zhang's house, furniture and an old DVD player remind people of life in the 1980s or 1990s. Some scenes that may be unfamiliar for urbanites, such as washing clothes in the river, cutting firewood in the mountains and digging cellars, are still common for some elderly people in this village, Zhang said. The vlogger said he would often invite his friends in the village to appear in the videos. These 30-something men and women could be "drummers" as they beat a bucket with wooden sticks, or be "guitarists" as they pretended to play the cardboard box guitars, showing plenty of joie de vivre in a minimalist lifestyle. His subscribers say the rural life portrayed in Zhang's videos used to be the reality that many lived through 20 or 30 years ago, creating an "emotional impact." Student Zhang projects not a day in the life, but a life in the past, one comment on Douyin said. Wang Le, a 45-year-old resident in Dalian City, is a fan of short videos about rural life. He said that everything in Student Zhang's short videos -- the frozen vegetable fields in the yard, the piles of straw in the crop fields, and the pine forests on the distant mountains -- remind him of the countryside where he grew up. "In a few years I will retire; I would like to return to the countryside to spend my later years," Wang said. LIMELIGHT SHINES ON THE COUNTRYSIDE Zhang did not expect his newfound fame would come so soon. Now, his old house has become a "landmark" and many are willing to travel there to see him in person. Such a viral phenomenon reminds many of Li Ziqi, who shared an idyllic life in the mountain of the southwestern Sichuan Province on different platforms at home and abroad. Now, she has over 16 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Data released in June by Douyin shows that videos themed on China's rural life had received 12.9 billion likes in the past year, and the total income of these content creators increased by 15 times year on year. "With the urbanization of China's countryside and more people moving into or building cities, rural life has become a dear and cherished memory for many Chinese," said Xie Taiping, a professor with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law. According to China's seventh national census conducted last year, the population of permanent residents in China's urban areas had reached about 902 million by 2020, with an urbanization rate of permanent residents of 63.89 percent. The 48th "Statistical Report on China's Internet Development Status" shows that by June 2021, the number of Internet users in China had exceeded 1 billion, of whom 297 million were from rural areas. Under the spotlight, Zhang is uncertain but full of expectations about his future. "The countryside is my roots. I hope to use my expertise to help my hometown attract more attention and get more lively," said Zhang. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Myopic, biased U.S. behind "China Initiative" Xinhua) 15:42, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- For all researchers in the United States today, any link with China is "a sword of Damocles," Julio Rios, a senior expert at the Galician Institute of International Analysis and Documentation, a Spanish think tank, wrote recently. Rios was hinting at the controversial "China Initiative," launched by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2018 to probe trade secret theft and economic espionage activities considered as threats to U.S. national security. The initiative has come under fire, according to U.S. media reports, as many scholars and scientists of Chinese descent involved in most of the cases were prosecuted in the absence of evidence. U.S. civil society groups, scholars as well as certain politicians have warned against adding fuel to the flames of structural racial discrimination in American society, and demanded the controversial initiative be immediately terminated. GROUNDLESS ACCUSATIONS In February 2020, Anming Hu, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, was arrested. According to a DOJ press release, Hu was accused of committing fraud "by hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving funding from NASA." Nearly a year and a half later, in September 2021, Hu was acquitted of all charges following a court ruling that there was no evidence of any intent to harm NASA. Criticism of the initiative is mounting in recent months, particularly after the trial of Hu, the first person tried under this initiative, ended in a mistrial and the decision to drop several cases against academics. The trial laid bare the U.S. government's obsession with "criminalizing" China and Chinese scientists in the absence of real evidence, U.S. media said. "They have turned the China Initiative into an instrument for racial profiling," says Judy Chu, a Democratic representative from California and the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress. "They have turned it into a means to terrorize Chinese scientists and engineers." They also demonstrated the "disproportionate impact on Asian Americans and the immigrant community," said Gisela Kusakawa, a staff attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an advocacy group. "Essentially, national security issues are being used as a pretext to target our community." "The more we learn about the China Initiative, the more problematic it looks," said Margaret Lewis, a law professor at Seton Hall University, describing the program as "amorphous," because no one has been able to explain "how a case gets labeled a China Initiative case." A searchable database recently published by MIT Technology Review includes 77 cases and more than 150 defendants to date under the initiative, of whom 90 percent are of Chinese heritage -- not like what Attorney General Merrick Garland claimed in October at a congressional hearing -- "We never investigate or prosecute based on ethnic identity, on what country a person is from or came from or their family." A study released by Johns Hopkins University showed that the initiative also requires 94 federal judicial districts to file at least one accusation regarding China annually. In an open letter to Attorney General Garland signed by more than 170 Stanford faculty members, the academia voiced its concerns about the controversial program. "It is harming the United States' research and technology competitiveness and it is fueling biases that, in turn, raise concerns about racial profiling," read the letter, calling for termination of the initiative." "POLITICAL VIRUS" In recent years, Washington has been experiencing a degree of strategic anxiety and has become increasingly overbearing, especially in its campaign to contain and smear China. America is rekindling the dangerous myth of the "Yellow Peril" to confront China, said Vince Cable, former leader of Britain's Liberal Democrats. It was only a matter of time before the "Yellow Peril" narrative resurfaced as a sign of the fear induced by Chinese wealth and power, which, combined with the COVID-19 and a U.S. presidential election campaign, "has created a perfect breeding ground for malign mutations of this political virus," Cable said. Former U.S. State Department Director of Policy Planning Kiron Skinner referred to the China-U.S. competition as a "a clash of civilizations," claiming that it's "the first time we will have a great-power competitor that is not Caucasian." For the sake of their own interests, some U.S. politicians keep fanning the "China threat theory," and introduced such policies as the "China Initiative" to please target voters, while scapegoating China to cover up America's domestic woes. For example, to shirk responsibilities for a failed pandemic response at home, the U.S. government has been hyping up a so-called "lab leak" theory to sling mud at China. Americans should ask themselves how much of the reaction to China's rise comes from cool-headed rational analysis, and how much is driven by the unease about the success of non-white civilizations, said Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the National University of Singapore's Asia Research Institute. INGRAINED PREJUDICE U.S. politics has long been dominated by white Americans, with deep-seated systemic racial discrimination. Ethnic minorities, including Chinese Americans, are victims. The "China Initiative" has further aggravated prejudice and discrimination against Chinese Americans. The United States has a long history of bias against Chinese Americans. At the end of the 19th century, the U.S. economic recession triggered a wave of unemployment, and Chinese workers were in the crosshairs, accused of snatching American jobs. It was against this backdrop that the notorious Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed. The act "legalized" anti-China movements, which led to severe violence against Chinese Americans and numerous tragedies. During World War II, the U.S. government abolished the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 for political reasons. The Congress passed a bipartisan resolution that formally expressed its regret for the act in 2012 after a long struggle of the Chinese American community. However, up till now, racial discrimination against Chinese Americans is still entrenched in American society. Some TV programs openly insulted China. Stereotypes about China pervade movies. America's smear campaign in the pandemic brought increased incidents of racism, discrimination and violence against Chinese Americans. Advocacy groups say the "China Initiative" reflects racial bias, fueled by tensions with China, that contributed to a 71 percent rise in incidents of violence against Asian Americans from 2019 to 2020, said a Bloomberg report. A column from The New York Times named racism against Asians a "spiritual plague," and stated "what is worrying is that this new round of racism will cause America to regress to the era of the 'yellow peril', when they regarded Asian immigrants as threats to Western people's job opportunities and to Western civilization." Washington should be aware that the vile actions targeting Chinese scholars and Chinese community, or moves that blatantly fans racial hatred, if goes unchecked, will finally devour the U.S. society. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Dream Chasers in Beijing 15:59, December 31, 2021 By Yuan Meng, Liu Ning, Su Yingxiang, Zhang Wenjie ( People's Daily Online During the evening rush hour at yearend in 2021, we randomly chatted with some young people who just got off from work, asking their plans for the evening, and whether we could record their lives for one night. We were welcomed by three groups of people during our little subway adventure. They were willing to reveal some of the more intimate and finer details of their daily life in front of our camera, rendering us a glimpse into their simple yet glittering worlds. Hao, a bass player, invited us to watch his concert at the School Live Bar, a rock music venue in Beijing. Amongst the posters of gig bands plastered all over the wall, bright and dazzling spotlights, and the uplifting beats of the drum, Hao indulged himself in his world of music on the stage. Having been in a band for ten years, Hao regards himself as a workaholic: "For those things that I like and am interested in, I just want to do it seriously and with intent, which will give you a sense of accomplishment," he said. We met a young couple heading for their home at the Tiantongyuan North Station in the Changping District of Beijing. Wang Zhenjuan and Wang Zitan have been in love for more than five years. Zhenjuan came to Beijing seeking further development in 2018. Her boyfriend Zitan came after her in 2020, and now both of them are working in Internet companies. "I will be wherever she is," Zitan said. "We will meet at an intersecting point, at Datunlu East Station, and go home together after meeting up. When we are with each other, it feels like we might arrive sooner," Zhenjuan said. She is content about her current life with Zitan in Beijing: "Everything is on track now and proceeding smoothly. All is going well." The young couple plan to get married next year. A 25-year-old woman with an English name April is a media company employee. She planned to go shopping when we encountered her at Tuanjiehu Station. She bought a bunch of small daisies and an old book on independent films. "Compared with having somebody's company, I prefer my personal space on my own," April said, adding that "maybe I need some time and space for myself, and for my personal growth." The late-night metro bears a responsibility to transit travelers back and forth towards their homes, and witnesses the happiness and countless hardships of its passengers. For dream chasers in Beijing, maybe the most important thing is to select a track of their own, and head towards the life they wish for. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun) Xi'an ensures food, medicine supply amid COVID-19 resurgence Xinhua) 17:47, December 31, 2021 XI'AN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Xi'an, a northwestern Chinese city hit by a recent COVID-19 resurgence, has been making all-out efforts to ensure sufficient food and medicine supplies for its 13 million people who have been under lockdown for over a week. The government of Shaanxi Province, of which Xi'an is the capital, vowed on Thursday to ensure adequate supplies of daily necessities, improve the supply system involving wholesale markets, supermarkets and convenience stores in communities, and facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles used for supporting people's livelihoods. Xi'an has spared no effort to prepare and deliver essential food items. On Wednesday, staff from the Huzhu Road community in Beilin District delivered packages of fresh vegetables to local residents. "Top priority will be given to those facing difficulties such as disabled people. More vegetables will soon be distributed across the whole community," said Liu Saihua, director of the community. With the help of four supermarkets and one farm produce market, Qujiang New District prepared 130 tonnes of meat, 70 tonnes of eggs and 650 tonnes of vegetables for its 130,000 residents. Due to factors such as traffic control measures and insufficient delivery personnel, different residential communities may receive their supplies at different times. While waiting anxiously, many citizens expressed their understanding. Li Hui, a 40-year-old Xi'an citizen, received his food package on Thursday night. "I got vegetables, chicken and pork," Li said. In Xixian New Area, many residential apartments have set up WeChat groups in which residents can place orders for over 30 kinds of vegetables and several medicines. Currently, more than 1,600 WeChat groups have been established, covering 195 communities and 96 villages, nearly half of the total in Xixian, according to the management committee of Xixian New Area. Xixian New Area has allocated government vegetable reserves and supplies from local vegetable bases to 88 enterprises on the supply chain including supermarkets. They can directly deliver packaged daily necessities and medicine to residential compounds in lockdown, where community staff and volunteers distribute the packages to each household. It has also set up 10 medical teams to provide in-person or remote diagnosis and treatment services for people who have been confined to their homes. A 24-hour hotline has also been launched to respond to the needs of citizens. In the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, help has poured in from all corners of China. On Wednesday night, a train carrying 158.2 tonnes of food including flour, rice and vegetables arrived in Xi'an. The food supplies were donated by a district of Shaanxi's Yulin City. A villager in east China's Shandong Province donated 50,000 kg of Chinese cabbages, and three others from Shandong offered 20 tonnes of onions to the people of Xi'an free of charge. Xi'an, home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, reported 161 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of local cases to 1,277 in the latest outbreak that began on Dec. 9, according to the provincial health committee. Authorities in Xi'an tightened their epidemic control and prevention measures on Monday, ordering all residents to stay indoors and avoid gatherings except when taking nucleic acid tests, in an attempt to break the transmission chain. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji) Xi addresses 2022 New Year gathering of China's top political advisory body Xinhua) 17:58, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday addressed a gathering organized by the country's top political advisory body to ring in the year of 2022. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the gathering of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji) Commentary: Press freedom, how many crimes are committed in thy name! Xinhua) 18:19, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Press freedom has long been abused by some Washington politicians as a handy excuse to mislead the public and misrepresent China. Most recently, after Hong Kong police arrested six current or former senior staff members of Stand News, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and others from Britain, Canada and Australia, unsurprisingly pounced. They even openly demanded the release of the duly arrested. Once again their double standards on press freedom have been exposed in yet another futile attempt to contain China by trying to meddle in the country's internal affairs. For starters, Stand News is an anti-China political organization under the guise of a news agency. It supported violence during the 2019 unrest, and spread heaps of lies against local police officers. It advocates "Hong Kong independence." This so-called media group continued to fan the flames even after the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong. It published numerous seditious articles between July 2020 and November this year aimed at slandering the police and inciting hatred against the government and the city's judicial system. In May, Stand News even released an article promoting terrorism, seeking to encourage lone-wolf terrorist attacks in Hong Kong. For the record, the arrests and the freezing of the group's assets are strictly in accordance with the law and based on ample evidence. It was an act of justice to safeguard the rule of law, social stability and national security in Hong Kong. "Bringing the people involved in the case to justice has nothing to do with press freedom," said a spokesperson with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hypocritical Western politicians are in no position to lecture anyone on press freedom. In fact, press freedom in their own countries is in deep trouble. Following the tragic death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, in the hands of a white police officer last year, demonstrations erupted in several U.S. cities. A host of journalists who reported the protests were either attacked or arrested by local police. The topic of press freedom is merely a pretext -- along with such topics as democracy, human rights and judicial justice -- used by China bashing politicians to interfere in the country's domestic affairs. Apart from these politicians, some Western academicians and media groups are willing to be a part of their countries' anti-China geopolitical game. They, by coining sensational terms and publishing truth-twisting research papers, also seek to defame China and paint the country as a threat. However, a lie is a lie. There is no lie convincing enough to cover up attempts to undermine China's stability and halt the country's development. With the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and improvements in the city's electoral system, the Chinese city will prove to be more stable and prosperous in the future. China is set to march forward on its path of national rejuvenation, and no amount of Western meddling can stop it. Instead of pretending to show concern for Hong Kong, the West should focus on resolving its own burgeoning problems at home. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji) Xi underscores importance of human-Nature relationship Xinhua) 19:14, December 31, 2021 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed the significance of human-Nature relationship when delivering a New Year address to ring in 2022. "If we do not fail Nature, Nature shall never fail us," Xi said. He particularly mentioned the Yellow River, saying that a Yellow River well harnessed is a millennia-long aspiration of the Chinese people. He recalled his visits to all nine provinces or autonomous regions on the upper, middle and lower streams of the river. Xi also mentioned the Yangtze River, Qinghai Lake, Yarlung Zangbo River, the South-North Water Diversion, the Saihanba forest, as well as the northward trek and homecoming of elephants in Yunnan Province, and the migration and return of Tibetan antelopes to illustrate the importance of a harmonious human-Nature relationship. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji) Deal could make area a haven for some of the world's most efficient supply chains The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, which will take effect on Saturday, is expected to significantly boost the regional and global economies and offer lessons for international cooperation. "The RCEP is a huge, potentially powerful agreement among rich and poor countries that complements each other's strengths," Peter Petri, a professor of international finance at Brandeis University in the United States, told China Daily. "For example, it has favorable rules for parts and components trade, and these could help developing members benefit from partnering with more advanced countries, making the region a haven for some of the world's most efficient supply chains," he said. "If its potential is realized, the RCEP would create larger markets and innovative, affordable products for the world economy," he added. Signed in November last year by 15 Asia-Pacific economiesall 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealandthe agreement has created the world's largest free trade bloc that accounts for about one-third of the global population and gross domestic product. It will take effect in 10 member statesBrunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, New Zealand and Australiaon Jan 1, and for the other five members 60 days after official deposition of ratification, acceptance or approval. South Korea will see it take effect on Feb 1. According to a recent study by Petri and Michael Plummer, a professor of international economics at Johns Hopkins University in the US, the RCEP is estimated to increase world trade by nearly $500 billion annually by 2030 and raise world incomes by $263 billion annually. "There are several aspects of the agreement that will lead to significant economic effects, even if the RCEP is not as ambitious in scope as, say, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership," Plummer told China Daily. "For example, it will create harmonized, cumulative rules of origin for intra-RCEP trade, which should give a significant boost to regional supply chains, at a time when supply chains are facing headwinds," he said. The agreement will lower tariffs on about 90 percent of traded commodities and reduce some non-tariff barriers to trade in goods and services, according to Plummer. "Importantly, it will create a free-trade area among the Northeast Asian economies of China, Japan and South Korea, giving a particularly strong boost to trade and production in the area of advanced manufacturers," he added. The study by the two economists, published by the East Asian Economic Review, estimates that the RCEP should increase regional incomes by $245 billion on a permanent basis and create 2.8 million jobs in the region, which Plummer described as "a significant boost". "In addition to its salutary effects on global incomes and trade, the RCEP offers an important boost to opening international markets, with very little negative effects on outside economies in the form of trade diversion," said Plummer. Moreover, the RCEP shows how developed and developing countries can work together to include the interests of countries at all levels of economic development, he said. "This could hold some important lessons for the WTO, which reached an impasse at the Doha Development Agenda to a large extent because it was unable to accommodate the interests of developed and developing economies sufficiently," said Plummer. Petri also noted that the RCEP's success will depend on how well countries with different systems will work together to make the agreement successful. "If benefits are widely shared and relations are positive, members will implement the agreement fully and may even expand its scope," he said. "The RCEP could become a model for cooperation in an unusually diverse economic region." Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a New Year address to ring in 2022 at 7 p.m. Friday. The speech will be broadcast by major TV and radio channels of the China Media Group, and the websites and new media platforms of major state news organizations. On December 28, 2021, with the successful debugging of the crushing system of no.4 pass, the second phase of Changjiu (Shenshan) Limestone Mine Project (hereinafter referred to as the Changjiu project) was proved to have the conditions for trial production, marking the completion of Chinas largest green construction aggregate production base with an annual output of 70 million tons. The reporter learned that the Changjiu project includes three parts: mine, wharf and logistics corridor, supported by a 110kV power supply project. Among them, Changjiu Mine is located in Pailou Town, Guichi District, Chizhou city, covering an area of 4.73 square kilometers, with a resource reserve of about 1.908 billion tons, and has the construction aggregate production base with an annual output of 70 million tons. Changjiu Wharf is located in Niutoushan Port area of Chizhou Port of Yangtze River. It is planned to build twelve 5,000-ton berths with an annual shipment of 60 million tons of sand and stones. The 12.98km logistics corridor connects the mine and the wharf, with a maximum throughput of 13,000 tons per hour. The project will be planned once and implemented in two phases, with each phase being built on an annual output scale of 35 million tons. The construction of the first phase of the project was started in November 2016 and put into operation on June 28, 2019. So far, the cumulative production of construction aggregate is about 80 million tons, making it the core supply base of sand and stone products in the Yangtze River Delta region. It is told that the whole construction process of the Changjiu project firmly adheres to the "green, energy saving, environmental protection, leading, demonstration" five key principles, and strives to build the project into a "resource-saving, safe and environmentally friendly, mine-land harmonious" domestic first-class super-large intelligent green mine. General Secretary Xi Jinping once stressed that we should promote high-quality economic development through the development the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and stick to a path prioritizing ecological conservation and boosting green development. Anhui province also proposed to build an economic belt along the Yangtze River with clean water and green industries, building the Yangtze River Economic Belt into a golden economic belt. All of these have become the self requirements of Changjiu Company. "We will give full play to the multiple advantages of people's livelihood, safety, ecological protection and the intensive utilization of resources, accelerate the upgrading of green building materials and industrial transformation, vigorously promote the high-quality integrated development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Delta, and make greater contributions to local economic and social development." Said Xiao Guangcai, Party secretary of the company. BEIJING, Dec.31 -- The Japanese side tries to break through the 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy on the grounds of so-called 'severe regional security environment ' and pointed the spear of military confrontation at neighboring countries. This is an extremely wrong and dangerous behavior, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, pointed out at a regular media briefing Thursday. Tan made the remarks when asked to make comments on Japan's plan to complete the revisions of the National Security Strategy, National Defense Program Outline, and Medium Term Defense Program within one year. Tan said the war of aggression launched by Japanese militarism in the 1930s-1940s has brought serious disasters to the people of countries in the region, including China, and the painful memories remain unforgotten. "The Chinese people and the Chinese military will never allow such historical tragedy to recur on any inch of the Chinese land or any single compatriot," he said. Tan called for the Japanese side to conscientiously reflect on its history of aggression, abide by the principles established in the four political documents between China and Japan, and carefully and properly handle major and sensitive issues related to China and Japan. "Japan should do more to enhance mutual trust with neighboring countries and facilitate the maintenance of regional peace and stability," he commented. Chinese aircraft-carrier formation concludes open-sea combat training EditorHuang Panyue Time2021-12-31 15:36:28 Undated file photo shows a carrier-based J-15 fighter jet taking off during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Thursday to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. Among the areas tested during the exercise was the continuous day-and-night operation and tactical flight of carrier-based J-15 fighter jets. During the exercise, the formation was repeatedly approached and monitored by foreign warships and aircraft, and it handled the situation effectively throughout. Undated file photo shows a carrier-based J-15 fighter jet preparing to land during open-sea combat training. The Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft-carrier formation returned on Dec. 30, 2021 to a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, concluding 20-plus days of open-sea combat training. The exercise, which began on Dec. 9, took the formation into various waters, from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea and the West Pacific, and has improved the formation's combat capability, according to an official statement. (Photo by Hu Shanmin/Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday addressed a gathering organized by the country's top political advisory body to ring in the year 2022. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the gathering of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. Senior leaders Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the gathering. They were joined by leading officials of China's non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages with no party affiliation, officials of central Party and government departments, and individuals from various ethnic groups and sectors of society in Beijing. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Xi extended New Year's greetings. Noting that the CPC will convene its 20th national congress in 2022, Xi called for more strenuous efforts to foster a stable and healthy economic environment, a clean and upright political environment, and a peaceful and prosperous social environment. Looking back at the past year, Xi hailed 2021 as a year of milestone significance. Faced with arduous domestic tasks and a complex international landscape, China has led the world in economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control, securing a great start for the 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said. Xi said China has continued to take comprehensive steps to deepen reform. The country has basically completed the 50 major reform tasks set by the central commission for deepening overall reform, along with more than 100 other reforms, Xi said, adding that 216 reform plans have been formulated. China achieved the goal of making systems in all areas notably more mature and better-defined by the time the CPC celebrated its centenary, Xi said. In 2021, efforts were made to support and promote Hong Kong's return to the right track from chaos, and maintain prosperity and stability in Macao, he said. With strong measures to overcome external challenges, China has advanced the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, Xi said. While advocating true multilateralism, China steadily advanced Belt and Road cooperation and kept its promise to make COVID-19 vaccines global public goods, making contributions to global peace and development, he said. "In the year to come, we should uphold and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC," Xi said, calling for efforts to consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front. "We should do better in building consensus, and strive to pool extensive wisdom and strength to realize the goals and fulfill the missions of the Party and the state," Xi said. To conclude his speech, Xi called on the Chinese people to strengthen their unity and work together to strive for new and greater victories and glory. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the event. Wang called for thorough efforts to study and implement the spirit of Xi's speech, giving full play to CPPCC's role as a special consultative body in state governance, and working tirelessly to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- The Chinese PLA Navy's aircraft carrier Liaoning taskforce group successfully completed its combat training in the open sea and returned to the home port in Qingdao on the morning of December 30. During the over-20-day training, the taskforce group sailed across the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, entered waters of the Western Pacific via the Miyako Strait , and conducted comprehensive exercises on multiple subjects, having effectively improved its joint combat capabilities. On December 9, the taskforce group set sail and went straight to waters off the Yellow Sea. It carried out a number of targeted training such as search and rescue, tactical flight of carrier-based aircraft, and handling of varied air situation . Besides, the taskforce group focused on the all-weather combat capabilities of the carrier-based aircraft and carried out high-intensity, day-to-night, multi-batch ship-based take-off and landing training in an orderly manner. During the voyage to the Western Pacific, the taskforce group kept highly alert while sailing all the way, changing the battle deployment levels and ship formation in time, to effectively handle the complex sea and air situation. In the Western Pacific Ocean, the taskforce group sailed through multiple training waters to test its combat capabilities. It has carried out training subjects on air defense and anti-submarine for many times, while the carrier-based J-15 fighter jets conducted day-and-night training and tactical flights outside the island chain, in a bid to further temper combat planning, command and control, system construction, force coordination and comprehensive support capabilities. Over ten combat training achievements having been tested and improved. During the training period, the aircraft carrier Liaoning taskforce group were repeatedly stalked and monitored by foreign warships and warplanes, to which the fleet handled steadily with times of carrier-based fighter jets taking off as effective responses, fully demonstrating the excellent military quality and dogged fighting style of the Chinese military. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that some 6,000 Americans have left Afghanistan during that time but "there are still a small number" who had yet to make it out. "We are continuing to work to evacuate American citizens," Psaki added. "Our commitment is enduring, and our commitment does not waiver, even as we bring our men and women from the military home." The White House and the Pentagon said that as of early Monday, a total of 116,700 people have been evacuated following the Taliban's takeover earlier in August of Afghanistan, including 1,200 or so people flown out on 26 U.S. military flights and two coalition flights from Sunday into Monday. "We continue to have the capability to evacuate and fly out those until the very end," Army Major General William "Hank" Taylor, deputy director for regional operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters. Word of the final U.S. flights came even as the White House and the Pentagon promised they would continue to help evacuate Americans and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul up until "the very end," describing the evacuation as the largest airlift in U.S. military history. The United States' two-decadeslong presence in Afghanistan is over. The last planes left the Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EST, one minute before midnight in Kabul, said Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command. Psaki also denied reports that the U.S. evacuation of Afghan partners, specifically Special Immigrant Visa applicants, stopped following last Thursday's suicide bombing, claimed by Islamic State's Khorasan province, which killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. "The president has made clear to his commanders that they should stop at nothing to make sure that ISIS pays for the death of those American service members at the Kabul airport," Psaki said, using another acronym for the group. "They have the authorities necessary." Still, both the White House and the Pentagon described the conditions on the ground during the final hours of the U.S. military-led evacuation as both fluid and dangerous, highlighted by an overnight rocket attack on the Kabul airport, also claimed by IS-Khorasan. Defense officials said the attackers fired as many as five rockets at the airport. Three of them missed the airfield entirely, while a fourth landed at the airport without causing any significant damage. A fifth rocket was taken out by U.S. defense systems at the airport, officials said. "The threat stream is still real, it's still active and in many cases, it's still specific," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters, adding, "We have to try to be as quick and as nimble as they are." In the meantime, the U.S. is also coming under increased criticism for some of its security efforts, including a drone strike Sunday in Kabul. U.S. military officials say the strike killed IS-Khorasan operatives who were loading explosives into a vehicle with the intent of carrying out an attack on the airport, but media reports, including one by The New York Times, said the strike or secondary explosions killed as many as nine civilians, among them children. Kirby on Monday stood by the initial assessment of an imminent threat but added the military is "not in a position to dispute" accounts that bystanders, including children, were killed. "No military on the face of the Earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, and nobody wants to see innocent life taken," he said. "We take it very, very seriously." Airlift Winds Down As the U.S. deadline neared, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Monday the Afghan people need governments, humanitarians and ordinary people "to stay with them and stay the course." "As people across the world welcome Afghans into their communities and homes, we cannot forget those who have been left behind," Grandi said in a statement. "We must meet the critical humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and in countries around the region, and our response must be robust and urgent. Standing by the people of Afghanistan means standing by all of them, whether they have sought safety abroad or are picking up the pieces of their lives at home." 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. The year 2021 was a dismal time for everyone as a new U.S. president proved even more belligerent than his predecessor despite surrendering Afghanistan to Taliban extremists, while the coronavirus pandemic raged on, with new variants sending governments into a fresh panic. Light relief came only in the form of a couple of vanity excursions into space by tech billionaires with more money than sense. Resurgence of COVID-19 Infections The world continued to battle COVID-19 this year as the Delta variant became the dominant strain all over the world. Despite a massive vaccine rollout across the globe, infections refused to decline and headless governments desperately chased after even more outlandish explanations why lockdowns must be maintained or re-imposed after all, paralyzing travel and ordinary people's livelihoods for the second year running. The emergence of the more contagious Omicron variant at the end of the year threw a spanner into the works of tentative openings and canceled Christmas celebrations. Now the race is on to secure COVID treatment pills at exorbitant prices, but whether they will make a difference remains anyone's guess. New U.S. President Disappoints High Hopes for Change Joe Biden was inaugurated in January to become the 46th president of the United States. Biden, the oldest man ever to take the presidency, was elected vowing to resist the "America first" policy of his predecessor Donald Trump and spent some months rebuilding old alliances, only to continue Trump's cold war against China. The high approval ratings of his early months soon plummeted due to the protracted pandemic and his business-as-usual approach to domestic politics and international affairs. U.S. Pulls out of Afghanistan, Taliban Regains Power The war in Afghanistan that started in 2001 finally ended in August this year with Biden's chaotic pullout of U.S. troops that dealt a huge blow to his popularity, reminding many of the fall of Saigon in 1977 with a desperate scramble for the last planes out as the extremist Taliban triumphantly took over their country. The corrupt U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan threw their guns away and ran for the hills as the Taliban took city after city to little resistance, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The people of Afghanistan started suffering again, with girls banned from schools and a fundamentalist version of Sharia law imposed across the country, while ordinary people groaned under economic hardship and renewed terror attacks. U.S., China Locked in Fresh Cold War The clash between the U.S. and China over global hegemony intensified and increased jitters around the world. The two superpowers locked horns over Beijing's human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong as well as over Taiwan, prompting Washington to take retaliatory measures. The U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February next year. Tensions also mounted between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine. The leaders of the U.S. and Russia held talks in June and December but failed to reach an agreement. Chances are rising of a Russian invasion of Ukraine following the forced annexation of the Crimea in 2014. China Deifies Xi Jinping's Brutal Expansionism As the Chinese Communist Party marked its 100th anniversary in July, President Xi Jinping appeared in Tiananmen Square clad in a Mao suit and said, "We have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respect," and added, "we are now marching in confident strides toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects." The party passed a rare "historical resolution" in November, elevating Xi's status to equal those of former leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping and deleted a clause in the country's constitution banning long-term rule. The communist party is widely expected to endorse a third term for Xi during its congress next year. Merkel Retires After Leading Germany for 16 Years German Chancellor Angela Merkel finally left office after 16 years in power, handing over the country's leadership to Olaf Scholz. Few people expected the former East German scientist to set a new record in terms of her time in office to rival her predecessor and mentor Helmut Kohl. Germany strengthened its status as a key player in the EU during her tenure while infrastructure at home fell into disrepair and institutions ossified. Her leadership came to the fore every time her leadership was challenged by Islamic terrorism and an influx of refugees, but she badly fumbled the pandemic response, at one time suspending the constitution to declare a nationwide lockdown and driving young voters into the arms of smaller parties which ensured her party its worst results in decades. Thousands Killed in Myanmar After Military Coup The military in Myanmar staged a coup d'etat on Feb. 1 and ousted the government of Aung San Suu Kyi on flimsy claims of election fraud after it was elected with a resounding majority. Suu Kyi, who became the de facto leader in 2015, was indicted on 11 charges including inciting civil war and was sentenced to four years in prison. People took to the streets in protest, only to be met by a brutal suppression that resulted in around 1,300 deaths so far. Tokyo Hosts Lackluster Summer Olympics 1 Year Late The 2020 Summer Olympics opened in Tokyo a year late on July 23 due to the pandemic. The opening and closing ceremonies were held without an audience for fear of infections. As a result, Japan failed to realize its goal of using the Summer Olympics as a chance to achieve an economic revival. Tech Tycoons Fly into Space Tech tycoons embarked on a series of vanity excursions into space to show off their wealth. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson flew to an altitude of 88 km in July aboard the VSS Unity spacecraft developed by his space company Virgin Galactic. In September, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos flew to an altitude of 106 km aboard the New Shepherd, a suborbital launch vehicle developed by his space company, Blue Origin. A month later, Tesla founder Elon Musk orbited the earth aboard the Crew Dragon made by his company SpaceX. He took along four other civilians including the nonagenarian Canadian actor William Shatner, who had played Captain Kirk in the hoary sci-fi franchise "Star Trek." Each spent a bare few minutes out of the earth's atmosphere and the trips were widely criticized as extravagant stunts. Iran's space launch Thursday failed to put its three payloads into orbit after the rocket was unable to reach the required speed, a defense ministry spokesman said in remarks carried on state television Friday. The attempted launch, which came as indirect U.S.-Iran talks take place in Austria to try to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, drew criticism from the United States, Germany and France. "For a payload to enter orbit, it needs to reach speeds above 7,600 [meters per second]. We reached 7,350," the spokesman, Ahmad Hosseini, said in a documentary about the launch vehicle broadcast on state TV and posted online. Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in the past few years due to technical issues. Dr. Kosuke Fujita, a Shanghai son-in-law promoting TCM By:Eastday | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-12-31 14:20 (Editors note: 2021 is about to pass. Eastday.com will tell the story of five people in Shanghai, who epitomise the citys transformation and its future. In the fifth article, we sat down with Dr. Kosuke Fujita, a Shanghai son-in-law who has been in China for 25 years.) With the New Year around the corner, Dr. Kosuke Fujita is ready to usher in his 26th year in Shanghai. Coming from Nara, Japan, he is now a Shanghai son-in-law and sees Shanghai as his second home. As a TCM clinician, he is aiming to promote TCM to the world. In 2021, he published his book TCM Regimen Recommendation, a complete introduction to a TCM regimen which contains his experience and observations over the past 20 and more years. The book was written in Japanese and, as far as he is concerned, the feedback in Japan has been quite good. Kosuke Fujita is the first Japanese in Shanghai with a doctoral degree in TCM. From Japan to China: a journey to TCM Kosuke Fujitas life in Shanghai started with TCM, as it helped treat his grandpas lung cancer. With a strong interest in the magic medicine, he decided to come to Shanghai alone in 1996. (Kosuke Fujita lived in the guesthouse of Shanghai Normal University in 1997.) After learning Chinese for a year at Shanghai Normal University, he was admitted to the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He was the only Japanese in the class at that time, and so dedicated himself to studying hard. 11 years later, he finally got a doctoral degree and became a clinician. After that, Fujita decided to stay in China instead of returning to Japan. As he noted, the living conditions in Shanghai were getting better and better, with steadily improving medical facilities and improved health awareness. He believed it was best to stay. Building a bridge for TCM globalization Due to COVID-19, Fujita has not been to his hometown in Japan for two years. This year, he received shots of Chinese vaccines at the earliest time, and is currently waiting for a third booster shot. As an expat in Shanghai, Fujita feels he is treated the same as Chinese people here. He said, Therere many foreigners in our residential area, so the publicity of vaccination is delivered in different languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean. Many expats got their shots. It is very convenient. Looking at the global epidemic situation in recent years, Kosuke Fujita is impressed by Chinas epidemic prevention and control measures. Thumbs up for China attaching great importance to the prevention and control and its effective measures, he added. In his spare time after work, he is preparing for his new book on how Shanghai has stuck with the dynamic zero-case policy. He would like to introduce to his readers how China has coped with the epidemic and what TCM can do in treating novel coronavirus. As vice president of the Japanese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he hopes to do his bit for promoting TCM overseas. (Kosuke Fujita paid a visit to Wuhan in March 2021.) 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties. In this context, the Japanese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine has planned to hold several activities to bridge the exchanges between China and Japan, and between TCM and Japanese Hanfang medicine. Having been taking heed of herbal medicine, Fujita has noticed the growth of Chinese herbs is threatened by the worsening ecological environment. TCM relies on nature. Once the ecological environment is destroyed, there is no way to prescribe Chinese herbs. This is a headache. The impact of ecological protection on Chinese medicine will be a very big issue, he explained, adding that he will continue to actively develop TCM. Story by Sheng Wanting, Cao Jun, Wang Weiqiu Translated by Wu Qiong Community designer He Jia: reaching consensus in community life By:Zhao Chunyuan | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-12-30 17:38 (Editors note: In the remaining days of 2021, Eastday.com will tell the stories of five people in Shanghai, who epitomise the citys transformation and its future. In the fourth article, we sat down with He Jia, a community designer.) We can often meet people in the same community in our daily life such as our neighbors next door, the cleaning lady in the building and the security guard at the entrance of the community. What kind of life experience do they have? Do you know much about them? It may not be difficult for He Jia, a community designer living in Xinhua Road, and his neighbors to answer this question. When you walk along Xinhua Road, you can see community residents operate their own creative stalls and communicate with each other. You can also listen to melodious saxophone music. Such an interesting community activity is planned by He Jia and his colleagues. The strategy of building a "15-minute community life circle" is proposed by the Shanghai 2035 master plan. Xinhua Road Sub-district, where He Jia's team is working, is one of the first pilot areas in the city. He believes that a beautiful neighborhood does not just exist in the designer's drawings. It should also be perceptible to and created by every resident in the community. All discussions are related to life in the end What my partner and I currently want to explore is community creation. In short, we hope to develop our community with local residents in a creative and participatory way," said He Jia, who is the co-founder of the Big Fish Community Design Center, as well as being an architect and a resident living on Xinhua Road. What they are doing at present includes improving the community environment and helping everyone to get to know each other on a personal level. On this basis, everyone can build trust and collaborate with each other to do something for a better community future together. "We invite and encourage local residents to discuss some topics in a participatory way. For example, how to best interact with each other? How to treat the elderly and children well? He Jia believes that reaching consensus in community life is a necessity to make collaborative governance possible. "After all, every discussion is related to life in the end," he said. Treating people as ends, not tools The community, the most basic social unit in the city, is the social space that urban residents spend most time in and can exert most influence over. The values that the city wants to pursue will definitely be fully reflected in the community. As a resident living on Xinhua Road and an organizer of the community festival, what moved He Jia most this year was when he heard the song "Fahua Town" composed and performed by the artist residents in front of a street cafe on Xinhua Road."There were old people, children and passersby watching the show at that time. Many neighbors like me, had tears in their eyes because such scenes were not often seen in the city," said He Jia. In his view, the symbol of a community becoming well is that people are willing to spend money, time and energy on it."And the prerequisite for this change to occur is that different subjects of the community feel respected. Community creation is a long-term affair requiring a lot of time, energy and emotion. Despite his clear awareness of the fact that the common logic in business is to treat people simply as elements or tools, looking to produce fast effects at a low cost,"We treat people as ends, not tools, he said. In cooperation with the government and the community, the Big Fish Community Design Center will also make an effort to undertake a new project, establishing a community design center on Xinhua Road next year. The government will invest in the construction of roads and multiple social subjects will come together to invest money, making the center realize the sustainable operation of public welfare. BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Astronauts in China's orbiting space station Tiangong and space experts will communicate with youths in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao on Saturday afternoon, authorities announced Friday. The participants will talk with Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, crew members of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft who entered Tiangong in October, about their lives in orbit, and receive New Year greetings from outer space. The activity, co-hosted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the China Media Group, will be broadcast live by the China Media Group. China launched the spaceship Shenzhou-13 on Oct. 16. The astronauts aboard will stay in orbit for six months during the country's longest-ever crewed mission. Enditem CITY OF DELANONOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Delano Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter on Monday, January 10, 2022 at the Delano City Hall, located at 234 2nd Street North, for the purpose of considering development applications from JP Brooks Inc. for an 86 single family lot preliminary plat entitled Prairie Ridge, a conditional use planned unit development and a zoning map amendment changing the zoning on the land described below from R-2 Single Family Residential District to a combination of R-2 Single Family Residential District and R-3 Single Family Residential district in Delano Minnesota. Legal Description: PIDs: 107-500-232-100 107-500-232-200 Notice is further given that any written or oral comments from citizens regarding the proposed Preliminary plat, conditional use permit / planned unit development and zoning map amendments will be heard at the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to speak on the applications during the public hearing. Paula Bauman Delano Administrative Services Coordinator Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. Minutes City of DelanoCity Council/Economic Development AuthorityMonday, November 1, 2021 7:00 PM 1. Call to Order Mayor Graunke called the regular meeting of the Delano City Council/Economic Development Authority of Monday, November 1, 2021, to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Roll Call and Approval of Agenda Members Present: Dale Graunke, Mayor; Councilmembers Betsy Moran, Holly Schrupp, Jon Sutherland. Members Absent: Councilmember Jason Franzen. Also Present: Phil Kern, City Administrator; Brian Bloch, Finance Director; Scott Dornfeld, Building Official; Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator; Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist; Doug Green, Baker Tilly. 7. Public Hearing A. Consider adopting the 5-year Street Reconstruction Plan and approving the issuance of General Obligation (GO) Street Reconstruction Bonds. 1. Hold Public Hearing Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to open the Public Hearing to discuss the consideration of adopting the 5-year Street Reconstruction Plan and approving the issuance of General Obligation (GO) Street Reconstruction Bonds; motion carried. Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by John Sutherland to close the Public Hearing; motion carried. 2. Adopt resolution adopting a Street Reconstruction Plan and approving the issuance of General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Holly Schrupp to adopt resolution R-21-35 adopting a Street Reconstruction plan and approving the issuance of General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds; motion carried 4-0. 3. Adopt resolution providing for the competitive negotiated sale of $8,685,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021A Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by John Sutherland to adopt resolution R-21-36 providing for the competitive negotiated sale of $8,685,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021A; motion carried 4-0. 8. General Business C. Planning and Development 1. 125 Woodland Road - PUD Development Stage Plan Attachments: Exhibits | Engineering Memo a. Adopt resolution approving a conditional use permit/planned unit development and site and building plans for JPV Properties, LLC Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by Betsy Moran to deny the resolution requesting approval of a conditional use permit/planned unit development and site and building plans for JPV Properties, LLC for property located at 125 Woodland Road; motion carried 4-0. 10. Claims A. City Claims - October 20, 2021 - November 2, 2021 Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Betsy Moran to approve the City Claims (October 20, 2021 November 2, 2021) as submitted; motion carried. B. EDA Claims - July, August, September - 2021 Motioned by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to approve EDA Claims (July, August, September 2021) with amendment for correction, as a discrepancy with totals was found; motion carried. 11. Closed/Executive Session A. Review 125 Woodland Road Purchase Agreement Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to enter into closed executive session to review 125 Woodland Road Purchase Agreement; motion carried. Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to close executive session; motion carried. 12. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss the regular City Council meeting of Monday, November 1, 2021, was adjourned at 7:47 pm. /s/ Dale Graunke, Mayor Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator Attest: Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. Minutes City of DelanoCity Council/Economic Development AuthorityTuesday, November 16, 2021 7:00 PM 1. Call to Order Mayor Graunke called the regular meeting of the Delano City Council/Economic Development Authority of Tuesday, November 16, 2021, to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Roll Call and Approval of Agenda Members Present: Dale Graunke, Mayor; Councilmembers Betsy Moran, Holly Schrupp, Jason Franzen, Jon Sutherland. Also Present: Phil Kern, City Administrator; Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer; Brian Bloch, Finance Director; Scott Dornfeld, Building Official; Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist; Alan Brixius, Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Phil Kern recommended adding the following: 6K: Consider gambling application from Delano Sportsman Club 8C-2: Consider ordinance correcting the zoning classification for Delano West Metro Business Park Motion by Jason Franzen, seconded by Jon Sutherland to approve the agenda with the recommended changes; motion carried. 5. Minutes A. November 1, 2021 - Regular Meeting Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by Betsy Moran to approve November 1, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted; motion carried. 6. Consent Items Motion by Jason Franzen, seconded by Jon Sutherland to approve consent items A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K; motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to approve consent items C and J; motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. 7. Public Hearing A. Annexation Request - PID 208-200-034300 (Kenneth Murphy) Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to open the Public Hearing to discuss the Annexation request PID 208-200-034-300 (Kenneth Murphy); motion carried. Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by Jon Sutherland to close the Public Hearing; motion carried. 1. Adopt ordinance annexing certain property abutting the City of Delano Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Betsy Moran to adopt ordinance annexing certain property abutting the City of Delano; motion carried 5-0 by rollcall vote. B. McKinley Parkway 1. Abatement Public Hearing for McKinley Parkway Land Acquisition Motion by Jason Franzen, seconded by Jon Sutherland to open the Public Hearing to discuss the Abatement Public Hearing for McKinley Parkway Land Acquisition; motion carried. Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to close the Public Hearing; motion carried. a. Adopt resolution approving property tax abatement Motion by Jason Franzen, seconded by Holly Schrupp to adopt resolution approving property tax abatement; motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. 2. McKinley Parkway Extension Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Jason Franzen to open the Public Hearing to discuss McKinley Parkway Extension; motion carried. Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Holly Schrupp to close the Public Hearing; motion carried. 8. General Business a. Adopt resolution approving site and building plan review and conditional use permit for Duininck, Inc. Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by Jon Sutherland to adopt resolution approving site and building plan review and conditional use permit for Duininck, Inc.; motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. 2. Consider ordinance correcting the zoning classification for Delano West Metro Business Park Motion by Betsy Moran, seconded by Jon Sutherland to consider ordinance correcting the zoning classification for Delano West Metro Business Park; motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. 10. Claims A. City Claims 1. November 3-16, 2021 Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Jason Franzen to approve the City Claims (November 3-16, 2021) as submitted; motion carried. B. EDA Claims Motion by Jason Franzen, seconded by Jon Sutherland to approve the EDA Claims as submitted; motion carried. 11. Closed/Executive Session A. Consider responses to RFP for Lot 2, Block 1, Granite Works Addition Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Jason Franzen to enter into closed executive session to consider responses to RFP for Lot 2, Block 1, Granite Works Addition; motion carried. Motion by Holly Schrupp, seconded by Jon Sutherland to close executive session; motion carried. 12. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss the regular City Council meeting of Tuesday, November 16, 2021, was adjourned at 8:41 pm. /s/ Dale Graunke, Mayor Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator Attest: Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. Minutes City of DelanoCity Council/Economic Development AuthorityTuesday, November 23, 2021 7:00 PM 1. Call to Order Mayor Graunke called the joint meeting of the Delano City Council/Economic Development Authority and Delano Water, Light, and Power Commission of Tuesday, November 23, 2021, to order at 7:07 pm. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Dale Graunke, Mayor; Councilmembers Betsy Moran*, Holly Schrupp, Jason Franzen, Jon Sutherland. Also Present: Phil Kern, City Administrator; Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer; Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator; Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist. DMU Commissioners: Betsy Moran*, Adam Steffl, Mike Mathisen, Nick Willing DMU Staff: Paul Twite, General Manager; Wendy Neu, Office Manager. 3. Order of Business A. Updates from Delano Municipal Utilities Paul Twite discussed projects that are currently ongoing in residential and commercial development. Also discussed was upcoming plans for the upcoming years and looked back at improvements made throughout 2021. B. Updates from the City Phil Kern discussed new developments to the north, south, and west sides of Delano, noting that there is more growth pressure coming. Kern noted the projected tax increase for 2022 will be approximately 1.9% and discussed other projects that will begin in 2022. C. Discuss Public Works/DMU facility space and consider next steps to proceed Shawn Louwagie presented the joint Public Works/DMU facility space, located south of the West Metro Business Park. New space will add a potential 31,520 square feet at the new dual-purpose facility as well as 100,000 square feet of proposed outdoor storage to keep materials protected from the elements. Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Jason Franzen, to recommend obtaining RFP for construction management firms to submit proposals and bring recommendations forward; motion carried. Motion by Jon Sutherland, seconded by Jason Franzen, to amend the motion to include obtaining RFP for construction management firms and architects to submit proposals and bring recommendations forward; motion carried. Water, Light, and Power Commission made the recommendation to support. 4. Other Business 5. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss the joint City Council and Delano Municipal Utilities meeting of Tuesday, November 23, 2021, was adjourned at 8:50 pm. /s/ Dale Graunke, Mayor Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator Attest: Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. Minutes City of DelanoCity Council/Economic Development AuthorityTuesday, November 30, 2021 7:00 PM 1. Call to Order Mayor Graunke called the joint meeting of the Delano City Council/Economic Development Authority Commission of Tuesday, November 30, 2021, to order at 7:02 pm. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Dale Graunke, Mayor; Councilmembers Betsy Moran, Holly Schrupp, Jason Franzen, Jon Sutherland. Also Present: Phil Kern, City Administrator; Brian Bloch, Finance Director; Nick Neaton, Community Services Director; Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer; Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator; Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist; Sean Deringer Wright County Sherriff; Jason Kramber, Lieutenant; Matt Blitz, Deputy. 3. Order of Business A. Discuss contract with Wright County Sheriffs Department Sheriff Sean Deringer proposed an increase in police patrol coverage in the City of Delano, along with four other Cities within Wright County that are continuing to grow. Sheriff Deringer is proposing a step level increase of police coverage from 2023 2025, increasing hours by 14 hours of police services, within the three-year period. B. Review 2022 Tax Levy, Budget, and Capital Improvement Plan. Brian Bloch discussed the current levy approved in September that indicates a $265,927 or 7.1% increase over the 2021 levy, compared to a 0% increase from last year. The projected increase presented in the Five Year Forecast 2022-2026 was 7.3%. C. Discuss Heritage Center renovation plans Nick Neaton discussed a preliminary renovation plan for the Heritage Center that would include a large remodel of the first floor. He noted that this project would be funded through the American Rescue Plan, which the City is currently in contact with the auditors to approve this use of funds. 4. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss the regular City Council meeting of Tuesday, November 30, 2021, was adjourned at 9:08 pm. /s/ Dale Graunke, Mayor Paula Bauman, Administrative Services Coordinator Attest: Alisha Ely, Administrative Specialist Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. LEGAL NOTICECITY OF INDEPENDENCE The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday January 18, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. in the Independence City Hall, 1920 County Road 90, Independence, MN 55359 to review the following request: 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Gaalswyk (Applicant/Owner) are requesting the following action for the property located at 2855 Copeland Road (PID No. 18-118-24-14-0003) in the City of Independence, MN: a. A conditional use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit to be constructed within the existing detached accessory structure. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Robert Knight (Applicant/Owner) is requesting the following action for the property located at 4672 Lake Sarah Drive S (PID No. 02-118-24-22-0024) in the City of Independence, MN: a. A variance for a reduced side yard setback to allow a new home to be constructed on the subject property in place of the existing home. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Michael Mitchell (Applicant/Owner) is requesting the following action for the property located at 5398 Lake Sarah Heights Dr. (PID No. 01-118-24-23-0002) in the City of Independence, MN: a. A minor subdivision to allow the combination of the subject property with the adjacent property to the northwest (PID No. 01-118-24-22-0010). The items highlighted above may have a direct or indirect effect on your property. All persons wishing to be heard with reference to these applications will be given the opportunity at this meeting. Written comments can be directed to City Hall, 1920 County Road 90, Independence, MN 55359. Digital plans will be available for review by contacting City Hall (763-479-0527) prior to the meeting. CITY OF INDEPENDENCE By Order of the Planning Commission Published in the Delano Herald Journal, Dec. 31, 2021. Press Release December 30, 2021 Bong Go lauds PRRD for the timely signing of 2022 budget; urges gov't to utilize funds properly to ensure country's recovery Senator Christopher "Bong" Go commended President Rodrigo Duterte for the timely signing of the 2022 General Appropriations Act, guaranteeing that the government has a functional budget for the recovery and reconstruction of areas devastated by Typhoon Odette and the continuation of the government's pandemic response towards full recovery. "I applaud the President for approving the national budget for 2022 today. I also want to express my gratitude to my colleagues in both houses of Congress," said Go. "The signing is timely as we continue to deal with the pandemic and the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette on our people and economy," Go added. The senator remarked that the budget was carefully considered in order to meet the demands of the Filipino people, particularly in these difficult times, and to enable the government to provide a comfortable life for all. "Tiwala ako na ang budget na ito ay napapanahon at angkop upang tuluyan nating malagpasan ang krisis na ating kasalukuyang kinakaharap," said Go. "Maipagpapatuloy din natin ang mga programa at proyekto ng Administrasyong Duterte upang tuluyang maisakatuparan ang pangakong mas maginhawang buhay para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino," he added. The GAA 2022 set an increased budget for the Department of Health to boost its pandemic efforts and other health programs. The Senate Committee on Finance adopted the recommendations of Senator Go to allocate funding for programs and activities which are crucial to the country's pandemic response such as the Health Facilities Enhancement Program; compensation and other benefits of COVID-19 Workers; COVID-19 Laboratory Network Commodities; and the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. The Department of Education, State Universities and Colleges, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor and Employment also received budget increases. There are also increases on the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Supreme Court and the lower courts also received augmented budgets. To ensure food availability and to help increase the income of farmers and fisherfolk, the GAA directs the government to directly purchase available agricultural and fisheries products from local farmers, fisherfolk, or their associations or cooperatives to be utilized in their feeding programs, relief operations, rice subsidy, and other programs. In aid of economic recovery, the government will also give preference to materials and supplies made and manufactured in the Philippines in the procurement of goods and infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices, the Special Provision on fuel subsidy to farmers, fisherfolk, and public utility vehicle, taxi, tricycle, and full- time ride-hailing and delivery services drivers was introduced. The senator then urged government agencies to ensure the proper use of the funds, saying, "Ang panawagan ko naman sa mga ahensyang magpapatupad nito, siguraduhin nating nagagamit ng maayos ang pondo ng taumbayan." "Dapat walang masayang ni piso sa kaban ng bayan at dapat maramdaman ng mga mamamayan natin ang mga programa, proyekto at serbisyo ng gobyerno," he added. Go once again reassured the public that the President and the rest of the government are working round the clock to meet the needs of typhoon victims and those hardest hit by the pandemic. "Importante rito mga kababayan natin, makatulong kaagad, makabalik sila kahit papano sa kanilang pamumuhay, na makabalik sila sa bahay nila na wala pong gutom," Go said. "Unahin ko muna 'yung pagseserbisyo sa aking kapwa Pilipino gaya ng ginagawa ko noon- 24/7 po akong handang tumugon at tumulong sa mga pangangailangan po ng ating mga kababayan," he added. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the legislative branch. He went on to note that the passage of the 2022 budget demonstrates the 'healthy collaboration' among branches of the government. "As we mark the signing of the 2022 budget and other laws, let us all emulate Rizal's heroism and courage by serving the country with dedication and accountability by doing what is right and just for our people," Duterte added. Press Release December 31, 2021 Dispatch from Crame No. 1,196: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the dismissal of Kerwin Espinosa's drug case I really do not know the merits or the lack thereof of the drug cases against Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Co, et. al. I am in no position to judge their guilt or innocence in the recently dismissed case. What I know is that the DOJ under then SOJ Aguirre had to use such characters as Kerwin Espinosa to falsely implicate me in the drug trade. That was all they cared for and what mattered to them. Kailangan nilang gumamit ng mga yan para idamay ako. It didn't matter to them that the charges against them would stick as long as there's something they could use in their demolition job against me. I can understand the frustration of the current SOJ when he remarked that "sooner or later the long arm of the law will catch up with these people and they will answer for their crimes." I fully concur. But Aguirrre's DOJ should have displayed the same vigor exhibited in running after me in pursuing these cases vs. Espinosa, et. al. With their misplaced zeal and wrongful prosecution of an innocent target, rule of law and justice suffer. An innocent suffers while the real guilty malefactors benefit therefrom. It will serve the DOJ well to remember to flex the long arm of the law more often against the real criminals, rather than the strong hand of the state against the political opposition. The moment it stops wasting its energy on my selective prosecution, maybe then it will start getting convictions against the real drug lords. (Access the handwritten version, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_1196) Press Release December 31, 2021 Gordon decries impunity over attacks vs Senate's independence Re-electionist Senator Richard J. Gordon has decried the impunity over incessant attacks by some quarters that undermine the respect and independence of the Senate and its members as a co-equal branch of the government. Gordon said the Senate must continue to assert itself as a co-equal branch of government mandated to exercise its oversight functions despite relentless attacks meant to derail its investigation into the irregularities in the government. "Once there is impunity, 'yung pagbabastos, dapat titindig ang Senado para ipagtanggol ang independence nito. Kung pababayaan niyo iyan, mawawalan ng bisa ang Senado, lalapastanganin iyan ng kung sinuman ang Presidente," he said in a recent radio interview. "Kaya tinatawagan ko ang Presidente, iyung salita na hindi magaganda, hindi maganda na susundin ng kabataan yan. At yung paninira, hindi maganda," he added. As chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Gordon has been leading the Senate investigation into the alleged anomalous contracts the government has entered with favour suppliers for the procurement of COVID-19 pandemic supplies and equipment. However, Mr. Duterte and his allies have attacked the Senate and its members for initiating the investigation into the pandemic fund mess. Mr. Duterte has also issued an executive order barring his Cabinet officials from attending it. It may be recalled that Gordon exposed links Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a company with just PhP625,000 in capital to Mr. Duterte's friend and former economic adviser Michael Yang, also a known Chinese businessman. "Ang pagtatanggol doon [ni Mr. Duterte] sa nagloloko sa Pharmally, at 'yung kaniyang ginagawa na siya ang nag-appoint ng lahat ng mga ito, sila [Atty. Lloyd Christopher] Lao, hanggang ngayon hindi nahuhuli si Lao," he noted. "Walang cooperation, hindi napapapunta ang mga cabinet members, ay talagang magkakaroon ng problema ang bayan natin sapagkat hindi natin mahuhuli 'yan," he added. Senators questioned Lao, former undersecretary of the Budget and Management - Procurement Services, for allowing the purchase of alleged overpriced face masks, face shields, and other equipment, at the height of pandemic last year. While he is no longer a Cabinet official, Lao has continued to snub the Senate's invitation for him to attend and has since then been in hiding to evade the warrant of arrest issued against him. Despite the refusal of the executive department to cooperate, the Senate was still able to capture fleeing Pharmally executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani, who were ready to fly overseas from Davao International Airport. Through its 17 public hearings, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was able to establish links between Yang and Pharmally, as its executives revealed that Yang loaned them money to acquire facemasks. Gordon is set to wrap up his committee investigation and file a report next year. Your browser does not support the video tag. EWS criteria for academic year 2021-22 for NEET-PG will be as notified, and for future it will be subject to final adjudication: SC. Generational Equity Advises Global Research Group in its Investment by Associates International Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the investment by Associates International in its client Global Research Group, Inc. (dba Prospect Direct). The transaction closed December 28, 2021. Located in Dallas, Texas, Global Research Group (GRG) is one of the fastest growing lead generation companies serving top quality leads to a variety of high-ticket clients in the franchising, education, and wealth management verticals. The Company helps businesses find financially capable candidates to grow their brand or organization. The Company has delivered over 15,000 leads, run hundreds of campaigns, and is now one of the fastest growing lead generation companies in the world. Associates International (Ai), is located in Wilmington, Delaware. Ai's Marketing Implementation Solutions helps customers drive revenue and deliver value through print and digital communications. Born out of their long-standing CORE-4 services of printing, direct mail, cloud and wide-format, Ai executes the various elements of branding strategies using the latest digital marketing innovations and top-of-the-line press room equipment. Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Central Region, Michael Goss and his team led by Senior M&A Advisor, Cory Strickand, with support from Vice President, M&A, Jacob Mangalath successfully negotiated the investment by Ai. Senior Managing Director, Brian Hendershot established the initial relationship with GRG. "As the M&A Advisor and as user of the services of Prospect Direct, I am thrilled to have been able to find the right investor and partner for the company which will help provide the capital and resources to continue on the incredible growth trajectory," said Strickland. He added, "I can't wait to see how the company advances in the coming years." About Generational Equity Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America. With more than 250 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management. The M&A Advisor named the company the 2017 and 2018 Investment Banking Firm of the Year and Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005096/en/ Jean Lenora Martin was born November 25, 1950, in Charlotte Hall, MD to the late Harry Joseph Martin, Sr., and the late Mary Virginia Martin," Gross". Jean was the youngest of seven (7) children. Jean departed this life early Christmas morning at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. After Jean graduated from High School in La Plata, Maryland, she decided to work in various restaurants in the Charlotte Hall and Mechanicsville area. Jean enjoyed being around children and decided to become a home care provider for her niece and nephews, as well as some neighborhood children. She enjoyed fixing lunch for them and playing game with them. Jean was also a home care provider for her mother. Jean enjoyed reading novels, especially if they were written by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Debbie McComber and Nicholas Sparks. However, the love of Jean's life was cooking, especially baking. Jean won 1st prize, earning her a blue ribbon several years ago, at the St. Mary's County Fair for her famous "Rich Butter Pound Cake." Each year after that, Jean would make one of her famous cakes for her Church's auction and people would pay as much as $70 to $80 for one. Jean belonged to a couple of organizations in the County. She joined the Immaculate Conception Ladies Auxiliary of the knight of St. John's International in October of 1998. She held a couple of officer positions but what she really enjoyed, was traveling to the different states for the International Conventions and spending time with the other Christian women. Jean joined the Maryland TOPS weight loss group to get control of her weight. Jean reached her goal and became TOPS Maryland State Queen. She was also crowned queen in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and that was her very first plane ride. Jean found her new passion traveling out of the area for events and meeting new people. She was an absolute joy to be around and her loving and caring personality made her friends with everyone she would meet. She would never be sad; she was always happy because "what is there to be sad about?" Jean is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Virginia Mae Frances, Dorothy Marie Martin, and Marian Delores Holley. Jean leaves to cherish her memories her brother, Harry Joseph Martin, Jr.; her sisters: Mary Theresa Lee (John), and Doris Elaine Martin; her special uncle, James Patrick Gross, (Josephine) and special aunt, Alice R. Neals; her uncles, William E. Martin, and Deacon Robert L. Martin, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and acquaintances. The family will be accepting friends for Jean's life celebration on January 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at The Immaculate Conception Church at 28297 Old Village Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659, with Mass starting at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Father Michael Teitjen. Interment will be held at St. Mary's Bryantown Cemetery, 13715 Notre Dame Pl, Bryantown, MD 20617, immediately after. Mary Ruth Woodburn Bowles, 84, of Great Mills, MD passed away on December 23, 2021 at her home with family by her side. Born on April 17, 1937 in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Mary Ruth Norris Woodburn and Richard Dellie Woodburn. Mary Ruth was married for 42 years to the late Ralph B. Bowles, whom she married on October 28, 1961 at Holy Face Church in Great Mills, MD. A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, she was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Holy Face Church in Great Mills, MD and a past member of the Ladies of Charity. She graduated from Little Flower School in 1951 and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1955. In the fall of 1955, Mary Ruth entered Warflynn Beauty College in Washington, D.C. and graduated one year later. In 1956 after beauty school, Mary Ruth went to work for Mr. Bill Temple of the "Temple of Beauty" salon in Lexington Park, MD. She would tell stories of doing the hair of Navy wives whose husbands were attending the Test Pilot School on the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The salon was sold in 1961, and she went to work for Mrs. Elsie Ford, who had a beauty shop in her home in Town Creek, MD. After Donna was born in 1962, she stayed home with her for about a year but really missed working. It was at this time she and Ralph decided to build a beauty shop for her at home. The shop was named "Bowles Beauty Nook" and was located in their backyard. Mary Ruth went back to work in 1963 and started working in the evening and on Saturdays and added hours as the business grew. It proved to be a very good opportunity for Mary Ruth; she wanted to work but also wanted to be home with her family. They welcomed two more girls, Lisa in 1970 and Karen in 1973. On September 26, 2005, Mary Ruth celebrated her 50th anniversary of working as a beautician. She considered all her clients as her extended family. She had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed hosting luncheons, card parties, and holiday dinners, and enjoyed dancing and cooking. She loved camping with her friends in the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. In later years, Sunday dinners with her family became a cherished weekly event. Mary Ruth is survived by her three daughters: Donna Voithoffer (Barry), Lisa Thomas (Jamie), and Karen Rowand and (Robert), and brother Francis Woodburn (Jean). She is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren: Eric and Ryan Thomas, Leah Voithoffer, and Lauren and Jenna Rowand. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Ruth was predeceased in death by her sisters Janice Hayden and Erva Mae Woodburn and brother-in-law, Vincent Hayden. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 3, 2022 from 10:30am to 11:30am at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00pm at Holy Face Church, Great Mills, MD. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Church Cemetery in Morganza, MD. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, the Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692 or Little Flower School, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. January 1 of every year marks the retirement of those horses fortunate enough to race through to age 14. Tonight (Friday, Dec. 31), at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, in London, Ont., three of those iron-tough performers will be featured in the annual Auld Lang Syne event. What is remarkable about this trio is that they have all raced for the same connections throughout their entire careers, which is a rarity. The three pacers set for retirement are Ciona Bromach, Lawmen Reign and Leafs And Wings. The three veterans have more than 1,000 lifetime starts combined: 329, 332 and 415, respectively, and every one of those starts have been with the same trainer. Ciona Bromach, a son of Peruvian Hanover, is owned by his breeder and trainer Debi Obrien-Moran, who is one of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Societys most dedicated volunteers and an integral part of the popular Drive With Us program. Ciona Bromach will depart from the rail tonight. Lawmen Reign has been conditioned throughout his career by co-owner Ross Battin, who shares ownership with his wife, Margaret. One of Ontarios most consistent drivers for many years and a multiple Lampman Cup winner, Ross will be back in the bike for the final time behind Lawmen Reign, who will leave from post two. Leafs And Wings, the richest of the three with over $566,000 in the bank, is owned by his breeder, Greg Rogers, and is trained by Greg's son Michael. A son of Rambaran, Leafs And Wings has post three in the $10,000 feature. The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society congratulates every 14-year-old Standardbred and their connections, and extends best wishes for a wonderful retirement. OSAS wishes a happy, healthy and safe New Year to all and a special note of thanks to everyone who supported OSASs 25th anniversary celebrations over the past year. (Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society) By Trend Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held the phone talks on Dec. 30, Trend reports. The ministers exchanged the views on the current situation in the region, as well as the implementation of trilateral statements. Having paid attention to the latest events in the region, including the founding meeting within the 3 + 3 consultation mechanism held in Moscow, as well as the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian public representatives, the sides shared their views. The sides also discussed topical issues of bilateral relations and other topics of mutual interest. During the telephone conversation, the ministers congratulated each other on the occasion of the New Year. President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and New Year. He has made a post on the occasion of 31 December World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year. A photo depicting the Shusha fortress was posted on President Ilham Aliyevs official Facebook and Twitter accounts. The photo says: Happy World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year!. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. "Dear Mr. President, It is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba Liberation Day that on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your people. The development of Azerbaijan-Cuba relations is gratifying. I wish to particularly emphasize productive cooperation between our countries with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that through our joint efforts the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Cuba will continue to develop successfully, and our cooperation continues within the multilateral bodies, including the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement. On this memorable day, I extend my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba," the letter said. - Dear fellow compatriots. 2021 is now in the past. 2021 was a successful year for our country. We have achieved all the goals we set for ourselves during the year. Azerbaijan has developed successfully, and a stronger Azerbaijan is known in the world today. We have strengthened our standing in the international arena. Our international reputation has enhanced and we have successfully operated within several international organizations. As you may know, as a country chairing the Non-Aligned Movement, we have defended the interests of all member states, defended the norms and principles of international law, and it is no coincidence that all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement unanimously extended Azerbaijan's chairmanship for another year. The second largest organization to the United Nations, numbering 120 members, it has once again unanimously expressed its support for Azerbaijan. This year, we have successfully completed our chairmanship of the Turkic Council. As you may know, the Organization of Turkic States was established at the November summit, and this organization has always supported Azerbaijan in our just cause like the Non-Aligned Movement. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization that traditionally supports the rightful position of Azerbaijan. This year, we have felt this support, and I appreciate the work of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for accepting the consequences of the war. At the same time, I had successful visits to NATO and the European Union in December. During the summits, NATO consistently adopted resolutions supporting Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. These resolutions were adopted by nine summits. This support was expressed again this time. The final document adopted at the end of the EU Eastern Partnership Summit once again supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries. In other words, the whole world accepts the results of the second Karabakh war. I think that the post-war processes have once again proved to the whole world that we are right. This is very important. Because baseless accusations were voiced against us during the second Karabakh war. None of those unfounded allegations have been substantiated, and the post-war period has shown this again. Therefore, I think that accepting the realities of the war, the post-war realities, can be viewed as a very important event from a political point of view. As for our activities in the international arena, I must say that our relations with neighboring countries have developed successfully. These relations are traditionally based on friendship and cooperation. The Shusha Declaration signed with Turkey this year officially raises Turkish-Azerbaijani relations to the level of an alliance, although in fact it was already an allied relationship. However, it has already been officially confirmed and, of course, the signing of this declaration in Shusha had a special meaning. Our relations with Russia are developing successfully. I am confident that in the forthcoming period, our relations with Russia will be officially raised to a higher level. Friendly and partnership relations have been further developed during regular contacts and exchanges of views with other neighbors, Iran and Georgia. A platform for multilateral cooperation is already being formed in the region, and, of course, this is in our interests. Speaking of neighbors, of course, I never included Armenia in this category of countries. I still do not include it today. But I do hope that one day neighborly relations with Armenia will be established. In any case, by accepting the results of the second Karabakh war, Armenia can also increase its role in the regional framework. The meetings held in Sochi and Brussels in November and December are at least encouraging, and I hope that the agreements reached at these meetings will be reflected in real life in 2022. We must never forget the second Karabakh war. We must not and will not forget the atrocities committed during the occupation. We will always keep the memory of our martyrs in our hearts. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace! It is thanks to their heroism and the heroism and professionalism of thousands, tens of thousands of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers that we have put an end to the occupation, liberated our native lands and won this historic Victory. And this Victory will remain in our history forever. The people of Azerbaijan are already known in the world as a victorious people, and the Azerbaijani state is recognized as a victorious country. I must also say that this year the traditional support and respect for Azerbaijan has increased, and the main reason for that has been our victory in the second Karabakh war, our observance of all the rules of war during the war and our post-war dignified behavior. At the same time, we will continue to increase our military strength. In 2021, tangible steps have been taken in this direction, new weapons and equipment have been purchased and will continue to be purchased. At the same time, great importance is being attached to the training of our military units. In the second Karabakh war, the whole world saw the military power of Azerbaijan. The special forces of the Ministry of Defense are already recognized all over the world. Their heroism, selflessness and professionalism have become an epic. I must also say that a new military unit has been established in Azerbaijan this year the Commando Forces. These Commandos are ready to perform any military task, and their number is constantly growing and will continue to grow. Thus, the creation of a new agile, professional armed force with great capabilities gives us reason to say that we must be ready for the protection of our lands and borders at any moment. Some incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in 2021 showed that Azerbaijan retains the upper hand. Extensive construction and restoration work has begun on the liberated lands this year. I can say that in the history of world wars, no reconstruction work has been carried out at this speed after a war. Azerbaijani citizens are regularly updated about this work. If I start talking about it, it will probably take a few hours. Everything is clear. Our main task is to return the former IDPs to their ancestral lands as soon as possible, and we will achieve that. At the same time, development is in evidence in all regions of Azerbaijan. The regional development program is being successfully implemented. This year, I have made effort to find additional opportunities through numerous visits to the regions, and my visits are of regular nature. I visited the regions of Azerbaijan 47 times this year, 32 of which were visits to liberated lands. I went to Shusha alone seven times. We have started large-scale construction work in Shusha, and naturally, the largest-scale restoration work among the liberated lands is being carried out in Shusha. At the same time, large-scale work is being and will be carried out in other cities and villages. Of course, in order to achieve all this, our economy must develop successfully. Everyone in Azerbaijan and indeed the world knows that Azerbaijan is doing this alone, without receiving a single manat or a dollar from the outside. Work done in all liberated lands is carried out at the expense of the state budget of Azerbaijan. We have not received any assistance, we have not received any loans, so we are doing this work on our own. Of course, if economic development does not go fast, it will not be possible to do it at this speed. As a result of the work done, we can say that we have already entered the post-crisis period. Azerbaijan's economy grew by 5.3 percent in the first 11 months of this year, while the non-oil economy grew by 6.4 percent. Industrial production increased by 5.5 percent and in the non-oil sector by 20.7 percent. Our foreign exchange reserves have increased by $2.2 billion. The positive balance of our trade relations is $9.4 billion. Our external public debt accounts for only 17 percent of our gross domestic product, and this year the external public debt has decreased, both in absolute terms and in relation to GDP. In other words, any country would be proud of such indicators. But for us it is natural. Because the people of Azerbaijan see that economic development is envisaged as a result of the implementation of a long-term and correct strategy. At the same time, economic reforms, transparency and the fight against corruption and bribery are bearing fruit. Thanks to the tax authorities alone, 1.4 billion manats have been transferred into the treasury in addition to the forecast, and using this money we are implementing large-scale social initiatives. From 1 January, salaries, pensions and benefits will be significantly increased. The total amount of this social package, which covers two million and one hundred thousand people, is 1.5 billion manats. As you can see, tax authorities have attracted 1.4 billion manats into the treasury in addition to the forecast, and all of that, in excess, is aimed at addressing social problems. I have said before that as additional funds are raised, we will first channel these funds into social projects. At the same time, work done in the liberated lands is socially oriented. Because the vast majority of this work is of social nature, it is intended to return the former IDPs to those territories as soon as possible. I think that good results have been achieved in the fight against COVID this year, and the pandemic is under full control. Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries where the situation in this area is acceptable. At the same time, the large-scale vaccination policy and vaccination work are proving helpful. About 50 percent of the population has already received two doses of the vaccine. As for the population over 18 years of age, this figure reaches 62 percent. In total, more than 11 million doses of vaccine have been administered, and we will continue to fight this scourge in the new year. In 2022, we will celebrate the 270th anniversary of Shusha. Panahali Khan laid the foundation of Shusha in 1752, and we will celebrate this anniversary with great solemnity in the coming year. Taking into account this glorious history and in order to accelerate the restoration of Shusha, I declare the new year a Year of Shusha. As you know, it is the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis today. I am sure that Azerbaijanis around the world are celebrating this holiday with great enthusiasm. It is the second year they have been celebrating with such enthusiasm. Because I know that this period of occupation and the issues related to the occupation had caused great suffering to the Azerbaijanis living abroad. Because, in communicating with the Armenians in different countries, I know that their arrogant looks had been offending the Azerbaijanis of the world. The situation is completely different now. We have never been arrogant, but we have always felt our strength. Today, I am sure that the Azerbaijanis of the world, whatever country they may live in, are keeping their head high, are confident and are justifiably proud of their historical homeland Azerbaijan. Dear fellow compatriots, as I said, this year has been successful for our country. I am confident that 2022 will also be successful. Because the unity, solidarity and beautiful atmosphere in the country will provide us with this reality. As President and Commander-in-Chief, I will always stand guard over the interests of Azerbaijan, do my best for the comprehensive development of our country, increase its military power and make the lives of our citizens even better. I heartily congratulate you. Happy Holidays! December 31 marks World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. The last day of December is annually celebrated as a day of Azerbaijani unity. The main idea of this holiday is the unity and solidarity of the Azerbaijanis from all over the world, respect of national and spiritual values. On December 6, 1991, at a meeting of the Supreme Assembly of Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, chaired by Heydar Aliyev, it was decided to establish the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. The Supreme Assembly sent an appeal to the countrys parliament - the Supreme Council to adopt a legislative act in this regard. Taking into account the appeal, Azerbaijans Supreme Council adopted a law declaring December 31 as the International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis. In 1993, December 31 was announced as the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day in accordance with the presidential decree. Meanwhile, the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis was held in Baku on November 9-10, 2001, The congress contributed to the strengthening of the national identity, increasing the organization and activity of Azerbaijani communities in various countries. This was a new movement in the country`s socio-political life, a new direction of state policy. The establishment, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated July 5, 2002, of the State Committee for Work with the Azerbaijanis Living in Foreign Countries, the adoption, on December. 27 of the same year, of the Law On a state policy regarding the Azerbaijanis living abroad further stepped up the process of organizational development of world Azerbaijanis. Despite his busy and tense schedule, during his visits to foreign countries, Heydar Aliyev always met with Azerbaijanis living there, inquired about their problems and concerns, and provided his recommendations. President Ilham Aliyev successfully continues the work of the great leader in this field. The next representative forum, held March 16 in Baku in accordance with the order of the head of state On holding the 2nd Congress of World Azerbaijanis on February 8, 2006, became a new step in turning the Azerbaijani diaspora living abroad into a lobby and played an important role in bringing realities about Azerbaijan to the world community. The First Forum of leaders of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora organizations, held in Baku March 9, 2007, became an important event for all Turkic-speaking peoples and went down in history as vivid evidence of the importance Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is attaching to the unity of the Turkic world. As time passes, the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis is gaining more and more importance. Today Azerbaijani Diaspora has received the broad options to represent the culture, wealth, language, history and traditions of Azerbaijani nation. A meeting of the Coordination Council held at the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis (December 18, 2008) in Baku, the adoption of the World Azerbaijanis Charter at the meeting increased unity and organization, strengthened ties with the historical Motherland, and reaffirmed that independent Azerbaijan is a center of attraction for the world Azerbaijanis. By Trend The details of the incident in connection with Bakcell employee Anar Rahimli wounded as a result of shelling by the Armenians in the liberated Azerbaijani territories have been revealed, Trend reports referring to Rahimlis interview with AzTV channel. Rahimli stressed that on the way to the territory where he was working, he and his colleague have mistaken an Armenian post for Azerbaijani post. "My friend went up to the post, to ask for the soldiers to open up the road. But he came running back, saying it was an Armenian post. We tried to get away, but the Armenians opened fire from the post, Realizing we made a mistake, we started running, but they opened fire. I got wounded in the hand," said Rahimli. "As I couldn't turn the wheel, so I crashed the car. I had to wait, while my friend went for help." Doctor of the Ganja hospital Mazahir Mammadov said that the wounded man was taken to the hospital on Dec. 29 evening. All measures have been taken since that night, the doctor added. The situation is stable. The district prosecutor's office was informed about the injury of 28-year-old resident of Baku Anar Rahimli as a result of shelling in Yeddi xirman area in liberated Aghdam district on December 29 at about 16:00 (GMT+4). - Help India! The claims of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu Kashmir Police ordered to probe the controversial Hyderpora encounter, have been dismissed by the families of the slain and political parties in the region who have called it a cover-up. The police have threatened penal action against critics of the SIT probe. Auqib Javeed | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles SRINAGAR The controversial Hyderpora encounter is once again hogging the limelight in Kashmirwith regional political parties, families of the slain civilians and Jammu and Kashmir Police at loggerheads with each other after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu Kashmir Police gave a clean chit to its forces who conducted the operation in Srinagars Hyderporaduring which four people, including 2 civilians were killed. On November 16, 2021, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had claimed that a Pakistani militant Hyder Bhai, his associate Aamir Ahmad Magray of Ramban, OGW Dr Mudasir Gul and building owner Altaf Ahmed Bhat had died during the encounter. However, the families of three of themDr Mudasir Gul, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, and Amir from Ramban, Jammucontested the police claims, saying their kin were not involved with militancy. The killing of the civilians during the Hyderpora encounter saw an uproar in Kashmir valleywhich has remained on edge after the government of India stripped the region of its partial autonomy under Article 370 in August 2019. The families of the trio protested in Srinagar for days demanding a probe into the killings and return of the dead bodies of their slain. The regional political parties also took to the street, in support of the familys claims and demanded a fair probe into the killings. Pertinent to mention, all the four killed during the encounter were buried in the Handwara area of Kupwara district. Following the massive uproar, the government on November 18 ordered a magisterial inquiry headed by an additional district magistrateto probe the incident and submit the report within 15 days. The probe took 40 days to complete and has not been made public yet. The Jammu Kashmir Police had also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on November 16 to probe the encounter. The SIT was headed by DIG Central Kashmir, Sujit Kumar Singh. On December 28, during a press conference, the SIT headed gave a clean chit to its forces and claimed that that the building owner Altaf Ahmed Bhat was used as a human shield by the foreign militant and was killed in cross-firing, while Dr Mudasir Gul was shot dead by the foreign militant on the directions possibly from across. The police also maintained that the third person, Aamir Ahmad Magray was an Over Ground Worker (OGW). Families reject SIT report However, the families of the trio rejected the SIT report and said that the culprits are being shielded. We arent satisfied with the SIT probe. We want an independent judicial probe, a family member of slain Altaf Bhat told TwoCircles.net. He said the slain Altaf bore torture marks on his body and alleged that he was tortured before being killed. He further said that the CCTV footage that SIT cited and referred to during a press conference is not working and lies defunct for the last one and half years. We wonder what kind of footage they (Police) got when the CCTV cameras arent working, he added. Mohammad Nadeem Magray, elder brother of Aamir Magray while rebuffing the claims of SIT said that his brother was an ordinary civilian, not an OGW. My brother was innocent. The police cooked up the story today to save their skin, he said. He further added that Police didnt summon them during the investigation and they are still waiting for the dead body of their kin. It may be noted, the police returned the bodies of Dr Mudasir Gul and Altaf Bhat following the continuous protest by the families. However, the dead body of Aamir is yet to be returned to his family. What did the SIT say? Addressing a press conference on December 28 at police control room (PCR), DIG Central Kashmir Sujit Kumar Singh, while giving a detailed presentation about the investigations carried out into the Hydeprora encounter said that the CCTV footage and other evidence show that building owner Altaf was used as a human shield by the foreign militant Bilal Bhai, who was living in Dr Mudasir Guls chamber along with Amir Magray. The DIG, who was heading the SIT into the Hyderpora encounter, said that CCTV footage shows that Dr Mudasir Gul was travelling with the foreign militant in his vehicle in Srinagar city. The footage and other evidence show that Amir Magray had accompanied the foreign militant during Jamalata Srinagar attack. Amir would often travel to Bandipora and Gurez, an area which is still under investigation, DIG Sujit Kumar Singh said. He said that prima-facie evidence shows that Dr Mudasir Gul was shot dead by the foreign militant on the directions possibly from across. The investigations reveal that building owner Altaf Bhat was made human shield by foreign militant and that he was killed in a crossfire, said the DIG, who was flanked by Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh and IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar. However, soon after the presser, apart from families of the trio, the political parties strongly rebuffed the report and alleged that the SIT was shielding its own men. Allegations of cover-up The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)an alliance of main political parties termed the SIT statement concocted cover-up story In a statement, PAGD spokesman, M. Y. Tarigami said that the press briefing of J&K police about last months Hyderpora tragic incident is only a repetition of an old story. It does not even slightly give any objective picture of this shocking incident, he said. There is 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 seems to be a concocted cover-up story. It will not satisfy the legitimate concerns of the people at large and family of the slain victims, Tarigami said. PAGD firmly believes that nothing short of a credible judicial probe will clear the doubts. The administration must, without any further delay, order a time-bound judicial probe, the statement added Apart from PAGD, the two ex-Chief Ministers of Jammu and KashmirOmar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti along with many other political leaders rejected the SIT report and demanded an independent enquiry. Police threaten penal action against critics of SIT probe On 29 December, the SIT issued a warning and threatened penal action against those critical of the police report. The Chairman of SIT probing the encounter, in a statement said that speculative statements from political leaders have a tendency of fear, provocation and alarm while such approach is against the law that may attract penal provisions as per the law. Today (December 29), SIT (Special Investigation Team) came across with several posts on media from some political leaders and family members wherein they have cast doubts upon the evidence obtained by SIT so far. These people have tried to call it Concocted Cover-up Story, Ornamental Probe, Clean Chit to Killers, Fairy Tale of Police etc, the police statement reads. It said that the SIT constituted in the instant case is still investigating the matter, and all such persons are once again advised to provide any type of evidence if they have regarding the incident so that every aspect of the investigation is covered and concluded on merits. Such speculative statements from the political leaders have a tendency to create a 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 police statement, quoting SIT chairman, said. However, the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah slammed police for threatening the people for the criticism. If the SIT is still investigating the matter then what was the need to rush to the press with a statement yesterday? I dont recall reading anywhere that yesterdays report was an interim one, tech-savvy Omar posted on his Twitter handle. If the SIT is still investigating the matter then what was the need to rush to the press with a statement yesterday? I dont recall reading anywhere that yesterdays report was an interim one. https://t.co/5pJ9Pj2Jqb Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 29, 2021 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 into submission. If the SIT wants people to believe the report it should report the truth, period, he wrote in another Tweet. Auqib Javeed is a journalist based in Kashmir. He tweets at @AuqibJaveed. Help India! The petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) sought an action taken report from the government of India, and demanded the government to constitute an independent committee for compiling all complaints relating to hate crimes in the country. Support TwoCircles TCN News NEW DELHI Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), a socio-religious organization of Indian Muslims, has filed a plea in the Supreme Court of India seeking action against the repeated instances of hate speech across the country against Muslims. The plea was filed by the JUH National President Maulana Mahmood A. Madani. The petition narrates various instances of derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and calls for violence made against the Muslim community by several persons across the country ranging from 2018. The petitioners contend that no action under criminal law has been initiated with respect to any such instance. The petition cites inflammatory speeches made by Yati Narasinghanand Saraswati, priest of Dasna temple, the anti-Muslim slogans made at the Jantar Mantar rally in August this year, the campaign and protests against Friday namaz in Gurugram where protesters disrupted congregations at designated plots by spreading cow dung and issuing threatening slogans, rallies held in Tripura in which derogatory slogans were made against the Prophet (PBUH), speeches made by Suraj Pal Amu and Santhosh Thammaiah etc. Yati Narasinghanand promises to give 1 crore to any Hindu Sanyasi is ready to become Prabhakaran. Says they need people like Prabhakaran, Bhindranwale & Shabeg Singh. 'Jab tak ek Prabhakaran ek Bhindranwale aur ek Shabeg Singh tab tak Hindu Bach nahi sakta' #HaridwarHateAssembly pic.twitter.com/vHLFcGG4cC Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 22, 2021 The petitioners also cite a report of Uttar Pradesh police arresting over 100 Muslims for holding a protest against the remarks of Yati Narasinghanand Saraswati. Pertinently on December 26, 76 Supreme Court lawyers wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India seeking suo moto action against the conclave where genocidal calls were made against Muslims. Saying that the police authorities did not take any action against the instances of anti-Muslim hate speeches, the petitioners voiced concerns about law enforcement agencies succumbing to non-state actors and failing to protect the rights of the minorities. The remedy is required considering the present circumstances, the petitioners said. In a statement, JIH said that the above facts simply go on to demonstrate that through provocative and derogatory speeches of Indian citizenry, a religious community is attacked in order to compel them to abandon their religious practices. It is not a matter to be left to the administrative process in the country without holding them accountable. A considered judicial intervention of the Constitutional Court, by invoking under public law, the statement said. The petitioners highlighted that derogatory remarks and abusive speeches against Muslims have resulted in violence and even the killing of individuals. It is argued that the police authorities have failed to discharge their duty to care by failing to act against the anti-Muslim hate speeches, they said. The petition, drawn and filed by Advocate M. R. Shamshad & Advocate Niaz Ahmed Farooqui places reliance on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Tehseen Poonawalla vs Union of India, where the Supreme Court passed elaborate directions to deal with mob crimes and lynching. The petition also refers to the decision in the Lalitakumari case, which held that police have the mandatory duty to register FIR when a cognizable offence is revealed. It is said that in some cases, after public pressure, police registered FIR but against unknown persons though the identities of the persons making hate speeches were in the public domain through numerous images and videos shared in social media. The petition has raises following issues: Whether the direction emanating from the principle of duty to care as set out in Para 40 in the case of Tehseen Poonawalla vs. Union of India (2018) 9 SCC 501 would not apply in holding the Police/State accountable for hate speeches? Whether the direction in Tehseen Poonawalla Case (supra) is insufficient to deal with the case of derogatory remarks, in the nature of blasphemy, if applied in the present cases? If yes, then that are the further guidelines which are required to be passed by this Honble Court? Whether the Preamble and the scheme of the of the Constitution of India 1950, permit that the system is not held accountable for through punitive measures when on the face of it there is concerted effort to target a huge number of minority population in the country on the basis of their religious identity? The petitioners have sought following relief: (i) Seek a report from the Union of India in relation to action taken by different state mechanisms in relation to the hate speeches, particularly targeting the personality of Prophet Mohammad, in the light of the mandatory directions passed in Tehseen Poonawalla case. (ii) Constitute an independent committee for compiling all complaints relating to hate crimes in the country. (iii) Directions for court-monitored investigation and prosecution in hate crimes. Help India! Mappila Haal is a comprehensive creative expression of the Malabar Rebellion enabling the viewer to travel through the revolutionary days and nights. Amjad Ali EM | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles KERALA This year marks the 100th anniversary of the eventful Malabar Rebellion of 1921. In this historic context, Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO) Kerala has come up with a new venture: an interactive virtual exhibition titled Mappila Haal. Mappila Haal is a comprehensive creative expression of the Malabar Rebellion enabling the viewer to travel through the revolutionary days and nights. SIO acknowledges the memories, discussions on various factors and celebration of the Malabar Rebellion as a crucial socio-political engagement. History is not merely a record of the past. For any community, history is a decisive factor in their present life. That is why history is said to be a never-ending dialogue between the past and the present. Historical narratives play a major role in shaping contemporary socio-political perspectives and imaginations. Every community should have a deep understanding of their history, and they should record and promote it. Failure to do so will result in the tragedy of having to live in a history written by others. That condition will adversely affect their future. Because their history written by the mainstream-dominant ideologies will be understood as the real one. If the dominant powers decide to marginalize or annihilate any community forever, they will use history as an easy tool. For that, they will do injustice to history in two ways. One is to hide and erase the rich history of that community, and the other to present a distorted narration of it. How Islam and Muslims were treated in colonial historiography is an apt example of this. The colonial powers hid the prestigious and glorious history of Muslims all over the world. Later, colonialism defined Islam and Muslims in their own way, based on which the history of Muslims was written Islam is primitive, it was spread in the world by sword, Islam is utter terror, Muslims are savage, bloodthirsty, war-loving, violent and dangerous. Based on this definition, they presented a distorted version of world Muslim history. In doing so, they sought to create a public perception that the very presence of Muslims would be dangerous to any nation and all forms of social and political expression based on Islam reflects extremism and terrorism. The aim was to make people believe that they were the ones who needed to be eliminated. Thus, this narrative became a justification for all violence, injustice and genocide against Muslims. This is how history itself becomes the greatest instrument of oppression. It is in this colonial narrative that the roots of present-day Islamophobia too lie, be it global, national or in Kerala. Here comes the relevance of the remembrance and celebration of the Malabar rebellion. This is a time when Hindutva politics is gaining strength and the Sangh Parivar is working on the genocide of Muslims. Hindutva forces use the history of Muslims in two ways to facilitate ethnic cleansing: One is the attempt to erase the history of Muslims in India and to uproot the glorious roots of Muslims in this country. Second, to distort the history of Muslims in India into an anti-Hindu history. Through these two forms of violence against history, Hindutva quickly finds pace for its racist propaganda. In other words, the Hindutva forces are trying to create a public conscience that the Muslims are a group that came from somewhere, that they have no roots in this country, that the history since their arrival here is one of violence, that their presence is a danger to the country and therefore they should be eradicated. The question of how ones mind allows Muslims to be lynched to death in broad daylight turns irrelevant there. When a person believes that Muslims deserve to be killed, he will not feel any remorse for killing them. In this particular political context, there is a special significance for popularizing and celebrating the memories of the Malabar Rebellion. By remembering the Malabar Rebellion and the fighters involved within, we are also positioning ourselves against the Hindutva ideology. The British colonial powers portrayed the Malabar rebellion as fanatic aggression. Such a propagation was quite natural because it was a battle against them. However, the Sangh Parivar is also propagating the Malabar rebellion as a brutal anti-Hindu massacre, inciting hatred against Muslims in its name and using the history of the Malabar rebellion as fuel to accelerate the aforesaid process of genocide. In 1921 itself, the Hindutva forces propagated the Malabar Movement as a Hindu genocide and used it as a fertilizer for the formation of the RSS. Moreover, the historical point of the Malabar rebellion is constantly disturbing Hindutva politics in many ways. One of them is that the Malabar Rebellion reminds of the crucial role of Muslims in the anti-colonial struggles that led to the formation of the nation of India. Another is that the Malabar Rebellion was also a struggle against the upper caste hegemony which is the foundation of Hindutva politics. That is why the Sangh regimes dictionary of martyrs cannot include the names of the Mappila fighters. Therefore, remembering and celebrating the Malabar struggle is a strong statement against Hindutva politics. The memory of the Malabar Struggle is also a memory of our own glorious tradition. It also gives us an idea of how strong and deep our roots are in this land. It shows the pivotal role played by our ancestors in the freedom struggle of this country, social renaissance and civilizational development. For the Muslim community in India, this memory and realization will provide the energy to move forward with self-respect in the face of several crises. The Malabar rebellion had two main stages. One was the struggle against the colonial British forces. Second, the struggle against the feudal and caste lords who oppressed and exploited the peasants and lower castes like slaves. The extraordinary struggle led by Ali Musliyar and Variamkunnath Kunhahammad Haji shook the foundations of the colonial powers and the caste leaders. It instilled a new dream of liberation in the oppressed masses. It was these two brave leaders who gave direction to the Malabar Rebellion in which thousands of agricultural workers and labourers rallied. Many non-Muslims too took part in the Malabar Rebellion along with the Mappilas. We also need to think about the theological factor that motivated the Mappilas to fight. The Islamic faith was the basic factor that inspired the Mappila warriors to take their own lives and go to battlefields. It is a part of the Islamic faith to stand for justice and to fight against injustice, discrimination, slavery and exploitation. The Quran and the Sunnah teach us to fight for the victims of injustice. It is part of Tawheed (monotheism) that slavery and obedience are permissible only to Allah. Believers do not accept slavery or obedience before another. And they believe that the struggle for truth and justice is Jihad in the way of Allah. The scholars of Malabar passed on these divine lessons of justice and liberation taught by Islam to the common Mappilas. That is how the struggles against the occupying forces and caste lords took place in Malabar from the sixteenth century onwards. Indeed, a cosmopolitan component was involved in the Malabar rebellion. After a short gap, the anti-colonial struggle in Malabar gained momentum again in 1921, with the advent of the Khilafat Movement. Even the national movement became popular as a result of the influence of the Khilafat movement. The Khilafat movement and the political ideology of the Khilafat acted as a new force in the anti-colonial anti-caste struggle. Globally, western modernity strengthened its political power by overthrowing the Ottoman caliphate. It was on the basis of these political convictions that the Mappila community, having global perceptions, embraced the Khilafat movement. The historical narratives formed by the dominant ideologies can be defended and overcome only when studies are carried out in the light of such different elements involved in the Malabar Rebellion. In particular, it is imperative in modern times to enable a critical reading focusing on the agency of the warriors, theological thought, social position, and decolonization. The SIO came up with the idea of a virtual exhibition based on the conviction that such alternative narratives and analyzes focused on these considerations should be brought to the fore. In the context of the 100th anniversary of the Malabar rebellion, SIOs main objective through this virtual exhibition is to look at the history of Keralas Muslim intellectual and struggle history through an alternative perspective, to enable the production of knowledge about it, and to celebrate it politically and culturally. This can only be comprehensive when the various narratives that have been formed post rebellion are critiqued and analyzed from a realistic perspective. This is a continuation of the knowledge politics that SIO has been raising from time to time. We mark this interactive virtual exhibition as a continuation of the knowledge politics that SIO promotes through its rejection of hegemonic ideas and its critical reading of knowledge such as history, politics, theology and aesthetics. The virtual exhibition will be available on a mobile application with a feast of video contents, paintings, calligraphy, digital art, rare archives, exclusive photos, a timeline of the uprisings of Kerala Muslims, different narratives on the Malabar Rebellion, articles, profiles, events and graphical maps of the places of rebellion. Mappila Haal will also be marked as a critical alternative to the colonial and Savarna narratives which portrayed the long intellectual and revolutionary tradition of Malabar against the colonial and caste powers as fanatic and barbaric. Virtual exhibition of Mapilla Hall has an app, which can be downloaded from PlayStore and iPhone AppStore. The article was translated from Malayalam by Rameesudheen VM. Amjad Ali EM is the President of the SIO Kerala. The original article was published in Prabodhanam weekly published on Dec 24, 2021 (Volume 78). He tweets at @AmjadAliEM. By Zhang Yafei The 2nd echelon of the 12th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to South Sudan (Wau) arrives at the mission area. WAU, South Sudan, Dec. 31 -- The 2nd echelon's 29 peacekeepers of the 12th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to South Sudan (Wau) arrived at the mission area on December 28 after a 14-day medical quarantine in Juba, capital of South Sudan. This also marked the full deployment of the 12th Chinese medical contingent which will begin its one-year peacekeeping mission. The medical contingent is mainly composed by personnel selected from the 985th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force. It consists of personnel from over 10 clinical and other specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, stomatology, vasculocardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, mainly serving to guarantee the medical security of the UN officials and peacekeeping troops, and assist in the implementation of humanitarian and emergency medical rescue. It is learned that the 1st echelon's 34 peacekeepers of the 12th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to South Sudan (Wau) arrived at the mission area on December 10, local time, and completed handover of medical supplies, equipment, vehicles, barracks and camping equipment with the 11th contingent on December 11. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Theres a real lack of community for many people working remotely in the city right now, especially those who are right out of college, Wojcik said. Ive talked to young people who have told me they moved to Chicago, and started their new jobs during the pandemic but everything at work is online, and theyve never really met one person. These are the most important ways of protection, and at this point when we are fighting omicron, we just need to think of it as Swiss cheese layering each piece to fill one hole to cover the other one so youre fully protected, she said. No one isolated item is perfect. The vaccine is not perfect, masks, isolated are not perfect. And just testing is not perfect. We need to layer and double down on our measures. We have more contagious strains of the virus. Its not a time to relax. The masks work and they work because they protect other people from the virus as we breathe out and they protect us from the virus in the air. "Once I got out of the school system and removed myself from contact with a lot of the things that were depressing me about Chicago I didn't have to walk to school through the Loop and have people yell and scream at me, threaten to kill me; I didn't have to take the train anymore, I could have a bike. I could have my own autonomous life and I was surrounded by all these wonderful people so the second half of me being in Chicago was just a creative renaissance. It became about me embracing this freak scene," Blanco told the Tribune. The new law in New Hampshire comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could severely erode abortion rights that have stood for half a century. Republican lawmakers across the country are ready to further restrict or ban abortions outright while Democratic-led ones are seeking to ensure access to abortion in their state law. Peterson claims he wanted to testify in his own defense, but Brodsky did not allow it, and that Brodsky prodded Peterson to do media interviews before the trial, telling Peterson that if he didnt have anything to hide go on television and say so. He argues the national media coverage about the case and a television movie about him that aired before his trial hindered his chances at a fair trial and that he should have been granted a change of venue. He also alleges prosecutorial misconduct and witness intimidation in his filing. Our role as federal judges is limited and does not extend to complaints about excessive partisanship in the drawing of legislative districts, the judges wrote, noting that Democrats and Republicans adopt the practice when they are the majority party. But the Supreme Court has declared partisan gerrymandering claims to present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts. When officers arrived and began securing the area, 35-year-old Ryan Scott Mlady, of Chicago, emerged from an apartment and shot a gun into the air, the report said. A woman inside the apartment was able get exit with the help of the officers, and Mlady retreated back into the building, the report said. China's central bank on Thursday said it has issued the first batch of funds to financial institutions via its newly launched carbon-reduction tool, the country's latest move to cut carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has provided 85.5 billion yuan (about 13.43 billion U.S. dollars) to financial institutions, which provided 142.5 billion yuan to firms in carbon-reduction loans, PBOC official Sun Guofeng told a press conference. Given that coal remains the country's dominant energy source, Sun emphasized the need to optimize new-energy applications while strengthening the clean and efficient use of coal power. The PBOC provides low-cost loans for financial institutions through the carbon-reduction supporting tool, and guides those institutions to provide loans to firms in key carbon-reduction fields on the premise of independent decision-making and risk-taking, according to a statement released by the PBOC in November. The bank provides 60 percent of the loan principal offered by financial institutions for carbon-emission cuts, with a one-year lending rate of 1.75 percent, the statement said. China's commerce ministry on Thursday reported a stable increase in the number of foreign-funded companies in the first 11 months of the year, adding to evidence of an improving business environment in the country. The number of foreign-funded companies newly established in China in the January-November period came in at 43,370, rising 29.3 percent year on year, Gao Feng, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce, told a press briefing. During the period, China saw over 30-percent increases in the number of companies funded by investors from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, while the number of Europe-funded firms went up 28.9 percent from a year ago, according to Gao. From January to November, the number of new foreign-funded enterprises in the manufacturing and service sectors rose by 24.1 percent and 30.1 percent, respectively, said Gao. High-tech companies increased by 25.4 percent from a year ago, accounting for 28 percent of the total number of newly established foreign-funded companies. Leading retailers in the country have been actively promoting products from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region as Walmart Inc faces backlash from users of Chinese social media and consumers over its unconfirmed decision to stop stocking products from the region at its hypermarkets and Sam's Club stores. Last week, US President Joe Biden signed into law the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which virtually bans all imports from Xinjiang in China. There have been reports this week about local internet users and consumers being upset over Walmart China's unconfirmed decision. Walmart China did not confirm stopping stocking products from Xinjiang by press time on Thursday. Some Chinese news outlets, however, reported that many consumers said they had canceled their membership of Sam's Club, Walmart's membership store format, over the issue. Talk of this went viral on the Chinese social media networks online. For its part, Walmart neither confirmed nor verified the scale of Sam's Club membership cancellations. On Sam's Club's mobile app, three date products listed are sourced from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Zhongwei, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Meanwhile, many leading retailers in the country have rolled out programs to stimulate sales of merchandise from Xinjiang. Freshippo Business Group-X Wholesale Store, part of the grocery retail chain of Chinese e-commerce player Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has unveiled a "Good Goods from Xinjiang Festival", which will start on New Year's Day. The festival will sell more than 30 kinds of merchandise, including pears and apples, from the region. The X Wholesale Store has set up a procurement team based in Korla in Xinjiang this year to further develop its collaborations with the local agricultural sector. This marks the first time that Hema established an office in a production area. Metro Plus, the membership unit of Metro Commerce Group, an arm of Beijing-based Wumart Group, has also set up a zone in many of its stores for Xinjiang merchandise. Such zones sell organic beef, dates, dried grapes and apples among other produce. Metro Plus, which also operates 20 membership stores in the country, targets both traders and affluent consumers. Jason Yu, managing director of Kantar Worldpanel China, a market research and data provider, said the success of international members-only warehouse giants Costco and Sam's Club in China has lured more local players to the fray, intensifying the competition in the niche segment. Although Sam's Club leads the field, Freshippo X store, Metro Plus and Carrefour are all set to announce aggressive expansion plans to catch up, he said. In recent years, Walmart China has had a mixed performance. It closed about 80 hypermarkets over the past four years, mostly due to severe competition from the e-commerce sector and the impact of COVID-19 on offline consumption, according to Caijing magazine. According to Walmart's third-quarter results released in November, Walmart International's sales revenue outside the United States fell 20 percent year-on-year to $23.6 billion. In China, Sam's Club has led its sector with 4 million paid members and 36 stores. The retailer said earlier it will operate 40 to 45 stores by the end of 2022. "Sam's Club gets the spotlight in the total Walmart group business as the traditional hypermarket business continues to experience weakening performance," said Yu of Kantar. China's administrative villages had all been connected to broadband internet services by the end of November, authorities said on Thursday. This is a historic achievement in solving the communication difficulties in poor areas, Xie Cun, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said during a press conference, adding that this achievement will provide solid internet support for China's rural vitalization and modernization. Since 2015, the country has allocated a total of more than 22 billion yuan (about 3.46 billion U.S. dollars) to support the building of communication networks in rural and remote regions, according to Zou Suping, an official with the Ministry of Finance. Efforts have been made to ensure the affordability of internet services and promote the development of education and healthcare in rural areas. As for the future, China will continue to provide policy and financial support, improve the rural internet infrastructure and promote the digital development of rural areas, Xie said. Astronauts in China's orbiting space station Tiangong and space experts will communicate with youths in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao on Saturday afternoon, authorities announced Friday. The participants will talk with Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, crew members of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft who entered Tiangong in October, about their lives in orbit, and receive New Year greetings from outer space. The activity, co-hosted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the China Media Group, will be broadcast live by the China Media Group. China launched the spaceship Shenzhou-13 on Oct. 16. The astronauts aboard will stay in orbit for six months during the country's longest-ever crewed mission. The Luohu district mental health guidance center opened on Dec. 28, ushering the district in a new era of building its social mental service system. The center was founded to help raise residents' awareness around and improvement of citizen's mental health, so as to accelerate the development of Luohu's social mental service system. The center is mainly responsible for quality control, guidance and supervision, and performance evaluation of the psychological service work made at various levels in the district. It is also in charge of popularizing mental health knowledge, organizing relevant activities, and arranging professional training for psychological services staff. The center will also regularly collect, summarize and analyze the pilot work of building the district's social psychological service system, and provide references for government departments to guide decisions and policies. Covering an area of about 500 square meters, the center has 14 functional rooms, including a one-way glass observation and teaching classroom, a music therapy room with hundreds kinds of musical instruments, as well as special family treatment rooms, individual treatment rooms and sand table game treatment rooms, among others. At present, the center has a total of 64 professionals, including eight psychiatrists, four psychotherapists, one music therapist, three psychological consultants, one physical therapist, one public health physician, and 46 community workers. Among them, there is one professor, one doctorate-degree holder and eight master's-degree holders. According to the Luohu Public Health Bureau, the establishment of the center demonstrates great support of the district government and Luohu Mental Health Center for constructing Luohu's social psychological service system. The center will integrate outpatient consultation, talent training and professional guidance, play the role of a radiation center in spreading mental health knowledge, strive to improve mental health services in the district, and promote the innovative development of relevant work. Hong Kong police on Wednesday arrested six senior and former senior members of Stand News, including activist Denise Ho Wan See, on suspicion of "conspiracy to print or distribute inflammatory publications, in violation of Sections 9 and 10 of the Crimes Act." Stand News immediately announced to cease operations and dismissed all staff members. Several other people involved in the case are wanted by the police. This is a legitimate and natural law-enforcement action taken by the Hong Kong police. A large number of Hongkongers who love the country and the city said the news has greatly cheered the people. But how can politicians in the U.S. and the West easily let go of such a just act? U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.K. minister of state for Asia Amanda Milling, and Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly all denounced the arrests, crying out for "justice" for those criminals, as if they were following a written script. First of all, it needs to be emphasized that Stand News is essentially an organization, under the guise of a media outlet, which is opposed to China and is attempting to destabilize Hong Kong. It was founded by several radical opposition members following the 2014 Occupy Central farce. From its establishment to disbanding, its stand has been anti-China and it has sought to destabilize Hong Kong, which remained unchanged. The reports and articles it published were all centered around this stand, with an initial intent to turn the failed Occupy Central movement into a violent one. During the 2019 "anti-extradition bill" incident, Stand News played a role in inciting violence. We wonder if Mr. Blinken has ever read the articles of Stand News. In May, it reposted an article titled "Viewing the future of Hong Kong's resistance from the experience of resistance in Northern Ireland," which incited Hong Kong residents to follow the model of the "Irish Republican Army" in carrying out "resistance activities" in Hong Kong. Blinken should have known that the "Irish Republican Army" has been designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including the U.K. Real Irish Republican Army, a splinter group of the Irish Republican Army, was named by U.S. State Department as terrorist organization. If a U.S. "media outlet" published an article calling for people to learn from Al Qaeda to organize "resistance" in Washington, whose "journalists" directly participated in the storming of Capitol Hill, would Blinken still consider this to be "freedom of the press" and tolerate it? There is a recent fact that Mr. Blinken should not forget: In January, three days after the Capitol Hill riot, Senator Mark Warner, who would later become chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called on 11 mobile carriers and social media companies, including Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Google, to preserve content and data connected with the riot in order to prosecute the rioters. Washington also formed an investigation team to hold accountable those who did not participate in the riot but published inflammatory speeches. Do you think this is suppression of "freedom of the press," Mr. Blinken? No country or government can tolerate acts of incitement to riots and hatred. China has never pointed its fingers at the U.S. on how it should deal with the demonstrators who attacked the Capitol, nor has it arrogantly demanded that the U.S. "release them." Similarly, how the relevant personnel of Stand News are dealt with will be determined by Hong Kong law. Western politicians such as Blinken have neither the legal qualifications nor justified reasons to reverse the case. Stand News has had assets of HK$61 million frozen, the largest amount ever in a case solved by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force. Stand News does not charge subscriptions or sponsorship fees, and does not carry many advertisements. Steve Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the National Security Department, asked why there is enough funding for this media outlet to establish a branch in the U.K.? We would also like to ask, is it because there is behind-the-scenes U.S. funding, which is why Washington is so frustrated? For a long time, American and Western politicians have regarded Hong Kong as an "anti-China bridgehead." Now they see the bridgeheads being eradicated one by one, it is easy to imagine their anger. But they can only vent their anger by issuing a "statement of condemnation." Hong Kong will never become a paradise for gangsters, as their wish. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021, on Dec. 30, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday pledged China's efforts to continue to resolutely safeguard China's core interests, and work with most countries in the world to defend fairness and justice. Wang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. Noting the year 2022 as the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar, Wang said China is ready to work in solidarity with the international community to "bring dynamism to world peace and development with 'the vitality of the tiger' and promote greater progress and 'a tiger's leap' in human development." Defend fairness and justice "On the new journey toward national rejuvenation, we will continue to firmly oppose all hegemonic and bullying practices and proactively undertake our international responsibility for world peace and development," Wang said. The year of 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Reviewing the past achievements, Wang said China's diplomacy keeps a fine tradition of safeguarding national interests and upholding fairness and justice. He pointed out some elements in the world still deem themselves superior, and use high-sounding excuses to smear and contain China and many other developing countries. "We must not compromise or back down. Instead, we must face them head on, and pull together with most countries to defend fairness and justice and do the right thing for humanity," Wang said. Commenting on negative moves on China made by the United States over the past year, Wang said the U.S. saying one thing yet doing another has left its credibility in serious doubt. Wang went on to point out as long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with suppressing and containing China, relations between the two countries could return to the right track. "As long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with ideological confrontation, the two systems and paths adopted by China and the U.S. could work in parallel and coexist peacefully on this planet," he added. Implement a win-win strategy of opening-up Looking ahead to China's diplomacy in 2022, Wang noted China will safeguard the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains, implement well the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and work to advance China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. China has implemented a win-win strategy of opening-up, Wang said. "Twenty years after joining the World Trade Organization, China has done more than its commitments on tariff reduction and market access." Noting next year China will celebrate important anniversaries of its diplomatic relations with a number of countries, Wang stressed China will take them as the opportunity to consolidate traditional friendship and expand cooperation bilaterally. As China and Russia are both major countries with global influence, Wang said the leaders of the two countries have stayed in close strategic communication throughout the year. Guided by the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have become more mature, stable, resilient and vibrant. "We are convinced that as long as China and Russia stand together shoulder to shoulder and deepen coordination hand in hand, the international order will not fall into disarray, justice in the world will not collapse, and hegemonism will not win," Wang said. On China-EU relations, he said China stands ready to have closer engagement and communication and earnestly enhance mutual understanding between China and Europe, including open, candid dialogue on such topics as human rights and democracy. While reaffirming China's role as "a staunch member of the developing world," Wang pledged China's efforts in the future to increase trade and investment, and strengthen exchanges with other developing countries in the fields of poverty reduction and development, among others. Reunification is unstoppable trend Concerning the prospects of diplomatic contests regarding Taiwan, Wang said the reunification of China is an unstoppable trend. Recently, Nicaragua resumed diplomatic relations with China and returned to the right track of the one-China principle, and China has gained a new friend in the world, Wang noted. "This fully proves that the one-China principle is a universally recognized principle and represents people's aspiration and the trend of the world." The U.S. has gone back on its commitment made when it established diplomatic relations with China, condoned and abetted "Taiwan independence" forces, and tried to distort and hollow out the one-China principle, Wang said. "This will put Taiwan into an extremely precarious situation and bring an unbearable cost to the U.S. itself." Attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" will inevitably end up in failure, and there is no other way out for Taiwan than to reunify with the mainland, Wang said. "This is an inexorable trend of history and the only practical and logical outcome." Contribute to global governance reform With mutating COVID virus posing threat to life in all countries as well as twists and turns in economic recovery compounded by the resurgence of unilateralism, the world is in urgent need of cooperation out of difficulties. With regard to China's role in global responses to COVID-19, Wang said as of December 26, China has provided more than two billion doses of COVID vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations, thus becoming the biggest provider of outbound vaccines among all countries. "We support Chinese companies in transferring technologies to developing countries, and have launched joint vaccine production with 20 countries." "China did not do any of this for selfish geopolitical interest, and China did not attach any political strings to these actions at all. Rather, we are taking concrete actions to help build a great wall of immunization for the health of all," Wang added. To facilitate more balanced and sustainable post-pandemic global development, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which has won the endorsement and support of multiple international organizations including the United Nations agencies and nearly 100 countries. To deliver on this major initiative, Wang pledged China's efforts to further synergize development cooperation strategies with other parties, and actively deliver the commitment to provide an additional three billion U.S. dollars of international assistance in the next three years. In 2022, "Asia's time" will come in global governance, Wang said, as the BRICS summit will be held in China, and the APEC economic leaders' meeting and the summits of G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held in other Asian countries. "China will continue to hold high the banner of true multilateralism, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and Asian energy to the reform and improvement of the global governance system," said Wang. Flash The United States should abandon its hypocritical double standards and stop interfering in China's domestic affairs in the name of freedom, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday. Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson, made the comments in response to statements from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reportedly called on Chinese authorities to stop targeting Hong Kong's free and independent media. Zhao said since the implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security, Hong Kong has returned to the right path of development, and press freedom there has been better protected in a secure and stable environment with rule of law. "This is a fact that cannot be denied by anyone without bias." He said that supporting media freedom is just a false pretense used by the United States to serve its true agenda of destabilizing Hong Kong. The United States has seen press freedom deteriorating at home, Zhao said, citing reports showing that at least 117 journalists were arrested or detained in 2020 in the United States, a staggering 1,200 percent increase from 2019. Meanwhile, the lawful actions taken by the Hong Kong police to arrest individuals suspected of conspiring to publish seditious publications and freeze relevant assets are necessary actions of justice to safeguard the rule of law and public order in Hong Kong, Zhao said. It has nothing to do with freedom of the press or speech, he added. "Hong Kong is a society with rule of law where residents' lawful rights and freedoms, including freedom of the press and speech, are fully protected. That being said, media and speech freedom should not be used to shield criminal acts," he said, adding that media practitioners in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) must strictly comply with Chinese and Hong Kong laws and offenders will bear the legal consequences. Zhao stressed that no country, organization or individual has the right to meddle in Hong Kong's affairs. Some external forces are distorting the facts in an attempt to confuse the public by wantonly criticizing the justified law-enforcement activities of the Hong Kong SAR under the disguise of media freedom. Flash Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was set free Friday under a special pardon granted by the incumbent President Moon Jae-in, according to Yonhap news agency. Park, who had been imprisoned for 57 months over corruption charges, reportedly received the certificate of pardon at a hospital in Seoul, where she has been treated for over one month due to her chronic shoulder and waist pain. The 69-year-old, after receiving shoulder surgery in 2019, allegedly planned to get treatment at the hospital until Feb. 2 next year. A week earlier, the justice ministry announced that Park was included in the list of Moon's special amnesty for the new year. Park was sentenced to a combined 22-year prison term and had served the sentence since 2017 after being impeached and removed from office over corruption charges. According to the presidential Blue House, Park's deteriorating health was considered to make the pardon decision. Park will be protected by the presidential security service, but she will not be subject to other privileges as a former president, including the provision of special pensions and personal secretaries, for her conviction. Flash Iran announced on Thursday the successful launch of a domestically-built satellite carrier rocket into space, carrying research devices. Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Seyyed Ahmad Hosseini was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying that the mission's intended research objectives were met, without specifying when the rocket, dubbed as Simorgh (Phoenix), was launched or what devices it carried. The space center that launched the rocket worked flawlessly, he said, adding the stages of the satellite carrier's launch proceeded as planned. For the first time, three research devices were launched simultaneously to an altitude of 470 kilometers at a speed of 7,350 meters per second during the mission, Hosseini said. The liquid fueled Simorgh rocket was first successfully launched at the Iran's Imam Khomeini Space Center in 2017. The United States has long suspected that Iran's satellite launch vehicles are part of a larger attempt to develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear heads. Iran, which has repeatedly said that its nuclear program is peaceful, insists that its launch of rockets and satellites has no military purpose. The launch followed the resumpation of the Iranian nuclear deal talks, which entered the eighth round on Monday, to resurrect a 2015 nuclear pact, which the U.S. quitted in 2018. Iran and the parties to the 2015 deal have been holding talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna since April this year, but have failed so far to break the impasse. A nurse prepares a dose of the Turkovac COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 30, 2021. Turkey started on Thursday to roll out its first locally developed COVID-19 vaccine Turkovac, while the Omicron variant becomes widespread across the country. (Xinhua) ISTANBUL, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkey started on Thursday to roll out its first locally developed COVID-19 vaccine Turcovac, while the Omicron variant becomes widespread across the country. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said the previous day that the vaccine would be available at city hospitals, and citizens could have their reminder (booster) doses with Turcovac no matter what their previous vaccinations were. Istanbul's Cam and Sakura city hospital has been observing quite a busy day with people flocking to have their shots with Turcovac, the deputy director of the hospital told Xinhua. The hospital officials expect to administer 1,000 doses of Turcovac during the day. Turkey launched its mass vaccination program against COVID-19 in January with the vaccine developed by China's Sinovac company, and it later introduced jabs from Pfizer/BioNTech in the drive. Over 131 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country to date, and the vaccination rate of people aged 18 and over who have got two shots surpassed 83 percent, the latest data of the health ministry revealed. However, despite the high vaccination rate, the daily new COVID-19 cases have been following an upward trend for the last week, increasing from 18,000 to more than 36,000 on Wednesday. According to Koca, the main reason behind the hike in the number of cases was the increase in the time spent indoors and the rapid expansion of the Omicron variant. Koca added that the increase of the daily cases has not yet been reflected in the hospitalization rate, calling on people to urgently get their booster jabs. Enditem A man receives a dose of the Turkovac COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 30, 2021. Turkey started on Thursday to roll out its first locally developed COVID-19 vaccine Turkovac, while the Omicron variant becomes widespread across the country. (Xinhua) A man receives a dose of the Turkovac COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 30, 2021. Turkey started on Thursday to roll out its first locally developed COVID-19 vaccine Turkovac, while the Omicron variant becomes widespread across the country. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Press freedom has long been abused by some Washington politicians as a handy excuse to mislead the public and misrepresent China. Most recently, after Hong Kong police arrested six current or former senior staff members of Stand News, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and others from Britain, Canada and Australia, unsurprisingly pounced. They even openly demanded the release of the duly arrested. Once again their double standards on press freedom have been exposed in yet another futile attempt to contain China by trying to meddle in the country's internal affairs. For starters, Stand News is an anti-China political organization under the guise of a news agency. It supported violence during the 2019 unrest, and spread heaps of lies against local police officers. It advocates "Hong Kong independence." This so-called media group continued to fan the flames even after the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong. It published numerous seditious articles between July 2020 and November this year aimed at slandering the police and inciting hatred against the government and the city's judicial system. In May, Stand News even released an article promoting terrorism, seeking to encourage lone-wolf terrorist attacks in Hong Kong. For the record, the arrests and the freezing of the group's assets are strictly in accordance with the law and based on ample evidence. It was an act of justice to safeguard the rule of law, social stability and national security in Hong Kong. "Bringing the people involved in the case to justice has nothing to do with press freedom," said a spokesperson with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hypocritical Western politicians are in no position to lecture anyone on press freedom. In fact, press freedom in their own countries is in deep trouble. Following the tragic death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, in the hands of a white police officer last year, demonstrations erupted in several U.S. cities. A host of journalists who reported the protests were either attacked or arrested by local police. The topic of press freedom is merely a pretext -- along with such topics as democracy, human rights and judicial justice -- used by China bashing politicians to interfere in the country's domestic affairs. Apart from these politicians, some Western academicians and media groups are willing to be a part of their countries' anti-China geopolitical game. They, by coining sensational terms and publishing truth-twisting research papers, also seek to defame China and paint the country as a threat. However, a lie is a lie. There is no lie convincing enough to cover up attempts to undermine China's stability and halt the country's development. With the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and improvements in the city's electoral system, the Chinese city will prove to be more stable and prosperous in the future. China is set to march forward on its path of national rejuvenation, and no amount of Western meddling can stop it. Instead of pretending to show concern for Hong Kong, the West should focus on resolving its own burgeoning problems at home. Enditem TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that they have killed three people who were behind the assassination of its two members. The IRGC did not mention the time and place of the operation, which comes as a retaliation for the killings of its two servicemen on Sunday. The two servicemen, Mehran Shourizadeh and Mohsen Kaykhaa'i, were murdered on duty by armed men in the southeastern city of Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchestan. Iranian forces frequently engage in clashes with thugs and terrorists near the country's western and eastern borders. Enditem UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Armed conflict, intercommunal violence and insecurity continued to take a toll on thousands of children throughout 2021, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. As a result of protracted and new conflicts, UNICEF has documented grave violations against young people in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and northern Ethiopia. Henrietta Fore, UNICEF's executive director, said conflict parties continue to show a dreadful disregard for children's rights year after year. "Children are suffering, and children are dying because of this callousness. Every effort should be made to keep these children safe from harm," she added. In 2020, the UN verified 26,425 grave violations against children, but data is not yet available for this year. The number of confirmed cases of abduction and sexual violence increased at alarming rates during the first three months of 2021 -- by more than 50 and 10 percent, respectively. Somalia had the highest number of verified abductions, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and countries in the Lake Chad Basin (Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger). Verified cases of sexual violence were the highest in the DRC, Somalia and the Central African Republic. This year marked a quarter of a century since the publication of Graca Machel's seminal impact of war on children report, which urged the UN and international community to take action. There have been 266,000 documented cases of grave violations committed against children across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America in the 16 years since the UN began verifying such cases. UNICEF estimates that the actual numbers are much higher, according to the 2005 UN-led Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism. Afghanistan has the highest number of verified child casualties since 2005. Globally, the country accounts for 27 percent of all verified child casualties with more than 28,500 incidents. The Middle East and North Africa are home to the highest number of confirmed attacks on schools and hospitals, with 22 in the first six months of this year. UNICEF stressed conflict-affected girls and boys are subjected to unspeakable horrors on a daily basis that no human should have to endure. The first is the persistent and growing threat of explosive weapons, especially in populated areas. Over 3,900 children were killed and maimed as a result of explosive weapons and remnants of war in 2020. Children are often subjected to grave human rights violations. Among the UN-verified cases of abductions last year, 37 percent led to the recruitment and use of children in war. UNICEF is urging all conflict parties to establish formal action plans. Only 37 such plans have been signed since 2005 by parties to conflict, which UNICEF called "a shockingly low number, given the stakes." "Ultimately, children living through war will only be safe when parties to conflict take concrete action to protect them and stop committing grave violations," Fore underscored. Enditem KHARTOUM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Program (WFP) has suspended operations in Sudan's North Darfur State after attacks earlier this week on its warehouses in the state's capital El Fasher. "The attacks began on the evening of Dec. 28 and the looting continued into the morning of Dec. 30," the WFP said in a statement on Friday. "As a result, we have been forced to suspend WFP operations in North Darfur, effective immediately," David Beasley, WFP executive director in Sudan, said in the statement. "This theft has robbed nearly 2 million people of the food and nutrition support they so desperately need," Beasley said. "This is not only a tremendous setback to our operations across the country, but also endangers our staff and jeopardizes our ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable families," he added. The UN organization called on the government of Sudan to urgently provide adequate security, recover the looted stocks and provide guarantees so that the WFP can safely resume its operations in the impoverished North Darfur region. On Dec. 28, unknown groups attacked the WFP warehouses in El Fasher. Over 5,000 metric tons of food were estimated to have been taken away. Security authorities in North Darfur State declared on Wednesday an indefinite curfew in the state from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time to curb the widespread looting which began to target the WFP warehouses and other international entities in the region. Enditem KHARTOUM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese police confirmed on Friday that four protesters were killed and hundreds injured during the mass demonstrations demanding civilian rule on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and its neighboring areas. "Four protesters were killed, while 297 others, along with 49 policemen, were injured in Omdurman," the Sudanese police said in a statement. Omdurman is the most populated city in Sudan and Khartoum State, lying on the western bank of the Nile river, opposite the capital Khartoum. The police accused the protesters of committing sabotage and attacking police forces that caused human losses and damage to public and private properties. Highlighting peacefulness, the police called for coordination with leaders of the protest in exposing those seeking to drive a wedge between the police and the people. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Khartoum and other cities on Thursday in the 11th large-scale demonstration since Oct. 25 when the military suddenly moved to take over the country. Protesters in Khartoum tried to march toward the presidential palace but security forces fired heavy tear gases and water cannons to prevent them. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis since General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. On Nov. 21, Al-Burhan and then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating Hamdok as prime minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the street. The street protests were also fuelled by the rising prices of food, cooking gases and household essentials in the country. Enditem KHARTOUM, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed in demonstrations in Sudan's Omdurman city on Thursday, said the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), a non-governmental organization. "Three people died in the processions in Omdurman by the bullets from the coup forces and the their (allied) militias," the CCSD said on its Facebook account. "The authority is practising the most heinous violations against our people, and the chases continue in the neighborhoods with live bullets being fired," it added. Omdurman is the most populated city in Sudan, lying on the western bank of the Nile river, opposite the capital Khartoum. Enditem ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Four soldiers of the Pakistani army and two terrorists were killed in two separate clashes between security forces and insurgents in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an army statement said on Friday. In one of the operations, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the tribal district of North Waziristan, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement. One terrorist was apprehended along with weapons and ammunition, and during an intense exchange of fire, four soldiers were killed, the statement added. In another operation in Tank district of the province, security forces killed two terrorists. "Weapons and ammunition were recovered. These terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom," the statement added. Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed sorrow over the killing of the four soldiers during the North Waziristan operation, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday. Paying tribute to the valor of the soldiers, he said the Pakistani military is doing a remarkable job to eradicate militancy, and the whole nation stands with the army in this cause. Enditem by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Fazal Rahim has been working on Port Qasim Power Plant project for six years. The plant is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During his time at the plant, Rahim has witnessed immense growth on both professional and personal levels. "I was a fresh graduate when I started here, and now, six years later, I am a deputy director of a department. I was well trained by Chinese staff who provided me with plenty of opportunities to excel." Port Qasim created almost 10,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction. The operational phase employs about 600 local people. "I know many people who found it hard to make the ends meet, but after finding work at the plant they are leading pretty good lives. Their kids go to nice schools and they eat better food. Some of them have even built houses. I can help my parents, and I pay for my younger brothers' education. I am financially stable and they get to study in good universities. Their future prospects are very promising," he said. Rahim and 26 other employees were given awards for their outstanding contributions to the CPEC by the Chinese Embassy to Pakistan recently. Investment has started pouring in CPEC to special economic zones and employment opportunities in sectors ranging from agriculture and IT are following, with the potential to offer a large number of new jobs to Pakistani youth. According to the embassy, the CPEC, an important pilot project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, has created 75,000 jobs in Pakistani since its launch in 2013, with more to come in the second phase. Asad Umar, Pakistani minister for planning, development and special initiatives, said that the second phase of CPEC was broadening. "We have added agriculture, and we have added science and technology - actual acceleration will be seen in phase two," Umar said. Pakistani staff say they are living the dream of working in world-class companies, learning every day from world-class Chinese colleagues who are always ready to share their knowledge. The CPEC has greatly eased Pakistan's energy crisis and employed large numbers of people. The second phase holds promising prospects for a prosperous future. "I have been working with the Chinese for seven years, and I have learned a lot about time management, scheduling and planning - important if we are going to get whatever we are working on completed in time," said Arsalan Khan, who won an award for his work at the Karot Hydropower Project. Enditem KABUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Millions of Afghan children are increasingly vulnerable to disease due to a combination of rising malnutrition, food crisis and a deteriorating humanitarian situation, according to a statement of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). "As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Afghanistan, outbreaks of life-threatening diseases are putting children's lives at risk. More than 66,000 cases of measles have been so far reported in children in 2021," the statement posted on the UNICEF-Afghanistan website said. There have also been outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea, malaria and dengue fever. Four cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV-1) have been confirmed this year, it added. "We are approaching a critical juncture for Afghanistan's children, as winter brings with it a multitude of threats to their health," Abdul Kadir Musse, UNICEF Afghanistan representative, was quoted in the statement as saying. "There is no time to lose. Without urgent, concerted action, including ensuring we have the resources to deploy additional cash transfers and winter supplies, many of the country's children will not live to see spring," he said. The UNICEF estimates that one in two children under five will be acutely malnourished in 2022 due to the food crisis and poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. Earlier this month, UNICEF appealed for a 2-billion-U.S. dollar fund to respond to humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. Enditem ISLAMABAD, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. Waseem Baig, spokesperson for the Civil Hospital Quetta, where all the injured have been shifted, told Xinhua that they had received four bodies and 15 injured people. The wounded people are being treated in the trauma center of the hospital, said the spokesperson. Police told local media that the explosion occurred near the Government Science College in the Jinnah Road area of Quetta when a group of students were coming out of the college building after concluding a meeting. Several nearby buildings and vehicles were also damaged due to the blast, said local media reports. Security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to the hospital, where at least two among the injured are said to be in a critical condition. Security forces cordoned off the area and kicked off a search operation. Police said the nature of the blast is not known yet. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. Enditem JAKARTA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement will open up opportunities to catalyze the expansion of regional trade and investment much needed for economic recovery amid COVID-19, said Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dato Lim Jock Hoi. The ASEAN Secretariat announced in November that the RCEP agreement will enter into force on Jan. 1, 2022, as it has received instruments of ratification from six ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as from four non-ASEAN signatory states of Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand. In a recent written interview with Xinhua, Lim said RCEP demonstrates the shared commitment of ASEAN, China and other parties to a multilateral trading system. Signed in November 2020, RCEP is currently the largest free trade agreement in the world, connecting ASEAN and major global economies including China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Lim noted that RCEP reinforces regional economic integration by expanding common accumulative rules of origin, simplified customs procedures, trade facilitation, and coherent trade rules that provide greater transparency, fairness, and predictability for businesses. "All these will translate into a significant reduction of trade costs and processing time for ASEAN businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises," which will have a greater chance of integration into the regional and global supply chains, he said. Lim stressed that after the implementation of the RCEP agreement, each party will have to transform its regulatory framework accordingly, and the business community needs to be equipped with capability, skills and knowledge about how to seize opportunities to enhance their competitiveness. In 2021, China and ASEAN agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which Lim said not only marks an important milestone in ASEAN-China relations, but is expected to shape a new landscape and momentum for economic cooperation in bilateral relations between ASEAN and China in many years to come. With a new landscape in prospect, Lim hoped that ASEAN and China will work more closely together to inject resilience in their economic and trade linkages. He added that both sides should revitalize the new ASEAN-China economic relationship by harnessing the potential of technological advancement as the new driver for growth and joining coordination efforts to address common challenges such as climate change. Enditem ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Friday seized 1,070.4 kg of drugs during an operation in the country's eastern Punjab province, said an official statement. According to the statement by the ANF, a raiding party supported by an intelligence agency conducted a joint operation against the smugglers in the Sahiwal district of the province and recovered 1,070.4 kg of drugs from a mini truck. The seized drugs include 808.8 kg of hashish and 261.6 kg of opium, said the ANF, adding that the drugs were being smuggled from southwest Balochistan province to Lahore district of Punjab. The ANF also arrested three smugglers who concealed the drugs inside a gas cylinder fixed at the mini truck. In another operation, the anti-drug authorities conducted an intelligence-based operation at the Chaman Road in Qilla Abdullah district of Balochistan and recovered 576 liters of Acetic Anhydride chemical which is used to produce heroin. The authorities have registered two separate cases and launched further investigations. Enditem NANNING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Thai businesspeople expect the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement to bring increased benefits as it will come into force Saturday. "I hope that more ingredients and commodities from Southeast Asia will enter China at more affordable prices to further enrich the tastebuds of food lovers," said Metinee Nuntadee, who is from Thailand and runs a restaurant in Nanning, the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Over the years, she has insisted on cooking authentic Thai food using fresh ingredients from Thailand. The restauranteur said her idea could not become a reality without the growing economic, trade, and logistics cooperation between China and Thailand. The RCEP covers 15 states including 10 ASEAN members, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The total population, gross domestic product, and trade of the RCEP member countries account for about 30 percent of the world's total, respectively. After the RCEP agreement takes effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade between approved members will eventually be subject to zero tariffs, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Nuntadee said that the growing number of Thai restaurants in Chinese cities indicates that more and more Chinese people are falling in love with Thai food. She expects the agreement will make cross-border logistics more efficient and diversify food exports to China. Thanks to the construction and upgrading of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), a large number of delicious fruits from Southeast Asia have reached Chinese tables in recent years. Somchai, general manager of a Thai fruit export company in China, has been in the business for almost five years. He said the company's efforts to ensure product quality and its constant efforts to upgrade production plans and structures according to market needs have helped accelerate its development. "We are very optimistic about the imported fruit market in China, and expect the RCEP will continue to expand the variety of fruits we export and promote the development of cross-border trade," Somchai said. With deepened connectivity, cross-border e-commerce between China and ASEAN member states is developing rapidly, providing new impetus for regional economic development. After the RCEP takes effect, comprehensive and high-level plurilateral e-commerce rules will take shape in the Asia-Pacific region, creating a more convenient and orderly development environment, providing a sound institutional guarantee, and promoting the use of and cooperation in e-commerce among members. Namfon Lapjulpon from Thailand is among a large number of entrepreneurs who expect to grasp the growing opportunities in e-commerce. She and her husband produce short videos and carry out livestreaming on Thai food in Guangxi to promote both Chinese and Thai products. "We will be able to purchase high-quality goods across the region, and it will be more convenient for consumers to buy a wider variety of foreign goods at a more affordable price without going abroad," she said. The implementation of the RCEP will usher in a new stage of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, driving regional economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era, said Virasac Somphong, consul general of Laos in Nanning. Enditem ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani President House announced on Friday to open its door to the general public on Saturday as part of the New Year celebrations, a statement said. The statement issued by the media wing of the Aiwan-e-Sadr or the President House located in the high-security red zone of the capital Islamabad said that the rare opportunity will allow people to see the magnificent building as well as its beautiful green lawns. The building opened to the public a few times in the past, in pursuance of the government's commitment to opening all state buildings to the general public which otherwise used to be considered a no-go area, said the statement. The people desiring to visit the President House have been asked to bring their COVID-19 vaccination certificates and wear a face mask as a pre-requisite for entry to the house which will open for three hours on Saturday afternoon. Islamabad has already been put on high alert on the eve of the new year with the special deployment of over 2,000 security personnel to maintain peace and tranquility, said a statement from local police. Enditem JAKARTA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the world's largest trade deal so far, enters into force on Saturday. The mega free trade agreement has been applauded by the Asia-Pacific region as an important step toward deeper regional integration and a renewed worldwide momentum for free trade and multilateralism at a time of multiple global uncertainties. Signed in November 2020, the RCEP groups the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, covering roughly 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product and population, and including a mixture of developed and developing countries. The Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat announced in a statement early on Saturday that the RCEP agreement entered into force for Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, the agreement will also enter into force on Feb. 1 for South Korea, according to the ASEAN Secretariat. According to the agreement, the implementation of the RCEP will begin 60 days after ratification by at least six ASEAN and at least three non-ASEAN countries, which was achieved before Nov. 2, 2021. The expeditious ratification process by signatory states "is a true reflection of our strong commitment to a fair and open multilateral trading system for the benefit of the people in the region and the world," said ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi. Lim noted that the RCEP reinforces regional economic integration by expanding common accumulative rules of origin, simplified customs procedures, trade facilitation, and coherent trade rules that provide greater transparency, fairness, and predictability for businesses. "All these will translate into a significant reduction of trade costs and processing time for ASEAN businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises," he said. The pact has also been hailed for its critical role to build economic resilience amid COVID-19 and improve peoples' livelihood. Le Quang Lan, director for market integration of ASEAN Secretariat, said "post-pandemic economic recovery requires more trade and investment, not less. This is where RCEP is expected to contribute." Once in effect, the RCEP will eliminate tariffs on as much as 90 percent of goods traded between its signatories eventually, expand market access for investment, harmonize rules and regulations, and strengthen the supply chains within the massive free trade zone. China is well-prepared for implementing the RCEP agreement, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce Gao Feng said on Dec. 23, 2021. The core of the agreement lies in its implementation, Gao told a press briefing. An Asian Development Bank study published in October said the RCEP "presents strong potential to mold regional trade and investment patterns well into the future and to influence the direction of global economic cooperation at a challenging time." Enditem ROME, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- In what was due to be his last New Year speech as the country's president, Sergio Mattarella on Friday thanked Italians for their "maturity and sense of responsibility" during the two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Mattarella, 80, was elected Italy's 12th president on Jan. 31, 2015, and his seven-year mandate will end in January. He repeatedly made clear he would not be available for re-election. "In these days, I have been going over what we have lived together in the last two years: the time of a pandemic that shocked the world and our lives," he said in a 15-minute speech broadcast live from the Quirinale presidential palace. Mattarella stressed -- "as an invaluable heritage of humanity" -- the self-sacrifice of physicians, healthcare workers and all those who have committed themselves to fight the coronavirus. Then, he thanked common people who put their trust in science, followed the recommended anti-pandemic rules and chose to be vaccinated against the COVID-19. "This means almost all Italians, which I want to thank for their maturity and sense of responsibility," he noted. On Dec. 31, as the new Omicron virus variant is pushing up infections, Italy registered over 144,000 cases, the largest daily increase since the pandemic began. Yet, some 85.8 percent of the population over 12 has completed the vaccination cycle. This has so far allowed the country to largely contain the most serious cases of the disease and the number of people in need of hospitalization and emergency care. "The vaccines are a valuable tool, not because they ensure invulnerability but because they allow us to reduce damages and risks for ourselves and for the others," he noted. Finally, recalling that Italy has shown tangible signs of economic recovery in 2021, and has managed the pandemic in a way that drew appreciation from other European major countries, Mattarella. "My wishes for you are more intense than ever because -- along with the need to look at the New Year with confidence and hope -- I feel the need to thank each and everyone of you for having shown Italy's true face: hard-working, creative, and supportive," he said. Enditem Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market Growth & Trends The global point-of-care glucose testing market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 3.9%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. An increase in the demand for point-of-care testing (POCT) has been witnessed in recent years. As compared to the conventional laboratory testing performed central lab settings, glucose POCT aids in performing effective diagnosis at the patients bedside. Easy and convenient operation of POCT has largely favored the growing usage of glucose meters across medical settings. The demand for performing bedside monitoring of blood sugar levels efficiently in a capillary blood sample and the need to ensure better management of carbohydrate metabolism has propelled the point-of-care glucose testing market players to launch innovative glucose meters in the market. Various companies are investing in the development of needle-less blood glucose monitoring devices to offer painless management of diabetes in patients. For instance, GlucoTrack - a product manufactured by Integrity Applications (Israel) performs quantification using electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and thermal waves in combination. In addition, Eversense is another painless glucose monitoring subcutaneous implant offered by Senseonics. This implant is able to quantify glucose levels in interstitial fluid when placed beneath the skin. This is followed by data transmission to show the results in real time. The latest no-code monitoring systems help in minimizing the errors that occur due to incorrect entry of strip codes. Whereas, others are incorporating noble metals such as silver, gold, and platinum which effectively reduces the electrical noise further improving accuracy. Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market Report Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market Report Highlights Accu-Chek Inform II accounted for the largest revenue share in 2018 and is anticipated to maintain this trend throughout the forecast period Bayer CONTOUR blood glucose monitoring system is set to grow with a CAGR of 5.5% from 2019-2025 In terms of volume, the i-STAT ranked above all owing to its multipurpose utility in the diagnostics industry North America is the leading regional market due to the higher penetration of novel diagnostic techniques Asia Pacific has registered the fastest growth rate owing to numerous untapped growth opportunities in diagnostics and ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes A robust network of local manufacturers has significantly contributed to the revenue generated in this region Some of the key market participants are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Abbott, LifeScan, Inc., and Nova Biomedical among others Access Press Release@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-point-of-care-glucose-testing-market Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global point-of-care glucose testing market on the basis of product and region: Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Accu-Chek Inform II StatStrip Onetouch Verio Flex Freestyle Lite Accu Check Aviva Meter True Metrix Bayer CONTOUR Blood Glucose Monitoring System i-STAT Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) North America US. Canada Europe UK. Germany France Spain Italy Russia Asia Pacific Japan China India Thailand Australia South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE List of Key Players of Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Abbott Nipro PlatInium Equity Advisors, LLC (Lifescan, Inc.) Nova Biomedical ACON Laboratories Trividia Health, Inc. Prodigy Diabetes Care, LLC Bayer AG/Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG EKF Diagnostics About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. San Francisco, 31 Dec 2021: The Report Medical Disposables Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Wound Management Products, Drug Delivery Products), By Raw Material (Plastic Resin, Nonwoven Material), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028 The global medical disposables market size is expected to reach USD 1086.6 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., expanding at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2021 to 2028. Rising incidence of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), impact of COVID-19 outbreak, and increasing number of surgical procedures are the key factors driving the market for medical disposables. Increasing number of surgeries globally is a key factor expected to drive the market over the forecast period. For instance, as per Molnlycke Health Care AB, 70.00 million surgical procedures are performed every year in Europe. As such, medical disposable products such as hospital gowns, disposables eye gear, hand sanitizers, respiratory supplies, and sterilization supplies, which are being an essential requirement for surgical procedures, are expected to witness high demand over the forecast period. For instance, as per the report published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), around 390,352 surgeries were performed in Canada in 2017. Disposable products prevent the transmission of nosocomial infections to some extent owing to which surgeons consistently prefer to use disposable products over the reusable ones. Such factors are expected to boost market growth. Increasing incidence of HAIs due to lack of sanitation and precaution is also one of the leading factors contributing to the market growth. For instance, as per the CDC, about one in 25 hospital patients contracts at least one HAI every year. Non-woven disposables such as hospital gowns provide general protection against contamination and can help to lower the risk of contracting HAIs. Furthermore, they can prevent bacterial and other microbial infections from entering a patients body. Thus, surgeons recommend patients to wear disposable gowns before medical procedures. These factors are anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period. Access Research Report of Medical Disposables Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/medical-disposables-market Medical Disposables Market Report Highlights In terms of product, disposable masks held the largest share in 2019. This is attributed to their increasing usage due to the outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe Based on raw material, nonwoven material is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to increasing number of hospital admissions By end use, hospitals are expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period due to rising number of patient admissions in hospitals for surgeries and treatments for COVID-19 Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to rising surgical procedures and increasing number of COVID-19 cases in this region. List of Key Players of Medical Disposables Market Medline Industries, Inc. Smith & Nephew PLC Bayer AG BD 3M Cardinal Health Access Press Release of Medical Disposables Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-medical-disposables-market San Francisco, 31 Dec 2021: The Report Biomarkers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Safety, Efficacy), By Application (Diagnostic, Drug Discovery & Development), By Disease (CVD, Cancer), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028 The global biomarkers market size is expected to reach USD 147.59 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is projected to register a CAGR of 14.2% over the forecast period, which is driven by increasing collaborations & funds for R&D activities, rising consumer awareness, COVID-19 pandemic, and technological advancements in disease diagnosis. Research aids in the development of effective therapies for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), immunological diseases, and neurological diseases. It has been observed that there has been an increase in public and private investments in the market. For instance, in January 2020, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. received a grant from Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) worth USD 250,000 to propel the research on food allergy biomarkers. This grant is anticipated to help in the potential discovery and validation of allergy biomarkers for developing therapies. This can potentially improve the quality of life for 32 million people in the U.S. who are suffering from food allergies. The government has also increased the funding for cancer research. For instance, in February 2020, President Trump, recently, signed a bill to fund the federal government in the U.S. along with the National Cancer Institute that received USD 6.44 billion. This funding is more than nearly USD 300 million that was allocated in 2019. These funds are expected to fuel the research associated with cancer, which is likely to have a positive impact on the market in the long run. Proactive government initiatives are driving the betterment of the reimbursement scenario in this market. For instance, several researchers in the Asia Pacific region are involved in collaborations with regulatory authorities to validate and discover surrogate markers for use in drug development. The Japanese regulatory authorities and the government have employed a framework to promote collaborations and partnerships. Commercial insurers, generally, decide the need for biomarker testing for a patient before insuring their targeted therapy expenditures. While some insurers mandate medical evidence or prescription for biomarker testing, others may require patients to acknowledge that they are not undertaking certain therapies. Access Research Report of Biomarkers Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/biomarkers-industry Biomarkers Market Report Highlights The safety biomarkers segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2020 due to the growing awareness about routine health checkups and rising use in the preclinical stage The validation biomarkers segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to a wide application scope in pharmaceutical companies The drug discovery & development segment dominated the global market in 2020 owing to the ability to accelerate drug development in certain diseases as they can predict drug efficacy more easily than conventional clinical endpoints The diagnostic segment will register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the increased use of biomarkers in early-stage disease diagnosis The cancer disease segment held the maximum revenue share in 2020 due to an increased prevalence of cancer and the use of biomarkers for the detection of cancer CVD is estimated to be the fastest-growing disease segment over the forecast period North America accounted for the maximum revenue share in 2020 due to the presence of major key players in the region and increased per capita healthcare expenditure Europe, on other hand, is estimated to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period List of Key Players of Biomarkers Market Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Abbott Laboratories Epigenetics AG General Electric Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Siemens Healthineers AG Qiagen Access Press Release of Biomarkers Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-biomarkers-market The global Blast Resistant Doors Market report offers a comprehensive assessment of the market for the forecast years. The report contains several segments and an analysis of the market trends and growth factors that are playing a vitalrole in the market. These factors encompass the drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This global industry offers an outlook on the strategic development of the market in terms of revenue profits over the forecast period 2021-2026. The key market players for the global Blast Resistant Doors market are listed below: Deansteel Armortex ASSA ABLOY DCI Krieger Specialty Products Company Fireblock International Door, Inc. AMBICO Allegion ELECTRIC POWER DOOR Spartan Doors Protective Door Industries Horton Automatics (Overhead Door Corporation) Ray-Bar Engineering Corporation C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. Others Click here to get a FREE Sample Copy of the Blast Resistant Doors Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-45806 The Global Blast Resistant Doors Market Report is equipped with market data from 2016 to 2026. The report gives a market overview covering key drivers and risk factors. The report is bifurcated by top global manufactures mentioning sales, revenue, and prices as applicable. It also evaluates the competitive scenario of the leading players. The report expands to cover regional market data along with type and application. The report forecasts sales and revenue from 2021 to 2026. The detailed sales channel is also covered in the study. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Blast Resistant Doors Market The global pandemic COVID-19 has affected the Blast Resistant Doors market directly or indirectly. This study covers a separate section giving an explicitly clear understanding of the aftereffects of this pandemic. The detailed study highlights the probable outcomes of this global crisis on the Blast Resistant Doors industry. The impact study on production, supply-demand, and sales provides a holistic approach to the future. Do You Have Any Query Or Report Customization? Ask Our Market Expert @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-45806 Why Purchase this Report? A robust research methodology has been followed to collect data for the report. Data, thus collected passes through multiple quality checks to ensure the best quality is served. The report gives a holistic view of the competitive scenario of the Blast Resistant Doors market The latest product launches along with technological changes and development are covered in the report. The data analysis in the report helps in understanding the anticipated Blast Resistant Doors market dynamics from 2021 to 2026. DecisionDatabases has a vast repository of data, therefore, we can accommodate customized requirements also. The graphs, tables and pie charts, and info-graphics covered in the report will help in a better understanding of the report. The market drivers, restraints, upcoming opportunities, and anticipated restraints cited in the report will assist in making an informed decision. To better understand the market scenario, the Blast Resistant Doors market is segmented as below: By Types: Wood Steel Others By Applications: Government Military Industrial Commercial Others By Regions: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Central & Eastern Europe, CIS) (U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Central & Eastern Europe, CIS) Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India, Rest of Asia Pacific) (China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India, Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Rest of L.A.) (Brazil, Rest of L.A.) The Middle East and Africa (Turkey, GCC, Rest of Middle East) The content of the study subjects includes a total of 14 chapters: Chapter 1: To describe Blast Resistant Doors product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force, and market risks. Chapter 2: To profile the top manufacturers of Blast Resistant Doors, with price, sales, revenue, and global market share of Blast Resistant Doors in 2018 and 2019. Chapter 3: The Blast Resistant Doors competitive situation, sales, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Chapter 4: The Blast Resistant Doors breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue, and growth by region, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 5 and 6: To segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11: To break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2016 to 2021 and Blast Resistant Doors market forecast, by regions, type, and application, with sales and revenue, from 2021 to 2026. Chapter 12, 13 & 14: To describe Blast Resistant Doors sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix, and data source. Directly Purchase the Complete Global Blast Resistant Doors Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-45806 About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://view.publitas.com/decisiondatabases-com-_vzxge7jabyb/blast-resistant-doors-market-research-report-from-2021-to-2026/ The Military Floating Bridge Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategic changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Military Floating Bridge Market industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and market revenue of the Global and regional segments. Base Year: 2020 Estimated Year: 2021 Forecast Till: 2027 The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market. Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Military Floating Bridge Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-11737 A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Military Floating Bridge market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply. The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Military Floating Bridge market with company profiles of key players such as: AM General China Harzone Industry CNIM Jiangsu Bailey Steel Bridge General Dynamics RPC Technologies FBM Babcock Marine Mabey Oshkosh Defense WFEL Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-11737 Military Floating Bridge Market Analysis by Type: Military Modular Floating Bridge Military Motorized Floating Bridge Military Floating Bridge Market Analysis by Application: Military Training Military Operation Military Floating Bridge Market Analysis by Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico) 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) 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 Military Floating Bridge market between 2022 to 2027? Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Military Floating Bridge market? Which regional Military Floating Bridge market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027? What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Military Floating Bridge 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 Military Floating Bridge market? Purchase the Complete Global Military Floating Bridge Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-11737 About Us: is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map client's research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: E-Mail: sales @ Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Digital privacy expert reviews the most significant data breaches of 2021 LONDON, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --A 2021 was another record-breaking year for leaks, hacks, and dark web data dumps. Hackers were extremely active in exploiting the weak points of Internet users and companies, with the attacks ranging from private individuals to hospitals and entire municipalities. According to theA Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) , in the first nine months of 2021, 281.5 million people were impacted by data breaches, data exposures and data leaks. "This year we saw headline after headline about ransomware attacks, third-party hacks, breaches, and even some cyber espionage. Our lives have moved to the digital realm, making us leave even more digital footprint. Not surprisingly, it invites all kinds of scammers and hackers to look for various security vulnerabilities that they could exploit," explains Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN . Some of the biggest data breaches globally From the enormous number of data breaches and hacking attacks that happened in 2021, Daniel Markuson from NordVPN has listed the top largest data breaches. Among the biggest global breaches , here comes the tech giant Facebook, whose users' data was found on hacking forums in early 2021. The leak included full names, phone numbers, emails, location information, and more. In total, 533 million users were impacted. Moreover, in 2021 a company Experian was linked to the exposure of data from 220 million Brazilians. The breach, uncovered by the security company PSafe, resulted in large quantities of personal information being sold on the dark web. Also, security firm Comparitech announced in September that they'd found a giant online database of stolen data. The database included information on more than 100 million travelers, including their names, travel dates, and passport numbers. Finally, Syniverse, a company which plays a key role in the infrastructure of many huge telecom groups (including T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon), in September 2021 admitted that hackers had access to their networks for potentially several years. More than 500 million records were lost, affecting millions of cellphone users worldwide. "2021 highlighted vulnerabilities within third-party connections, saw hackers getting smarter and better, and showed how cyber attacks can have devastating real-world consequences," adds Daniel Markuson from NordVPN . NordVPN is the world's most advanced VPN service provider used by over 14 million internet users worldwide. More about us on http://nordvpn.com/ja/ , Twitter , LinkedIn . A Hyderabad: The managing director of Telangana Tourism was booked by Narayanguda police for sexually assaulting a worker. The incident occurred in August, 2016 when the woman was employed by the Tourism department. A case has now been registered against him after the High Court ordered the city police to register an FIR and investigate into the matter. As per the FIR, a copy of which is in possession of Deccan Chronicle, the accused B. Manohar Rao sexually assaulted a woman while he was staying in a suite during the inauguration of boat units at Nagarjuna Sagar in 2016. The woman, belonging to the ST community, was working as a general helper at Vijay Vihar Guest House, Nagarjuna Sagar when the incident occurred. On August 31, 2016, at around 10 am, Rao had called her to his room to clean the bathrooms and when she came out, she saw him standing with a towel. He pushed her on the bed. When she resisted, he threatened to remove her from her job. She somehow managed to escape and informed her colleague, who pointed out that he was a very influential person. In July 2017, when she came to Hyderabad along with her colleagues, she came in contact with an advocate who advised her to lodge a complaint with her management head, Dr. Christina Z Chongtu. When she approached her in September, the matter was not referred to police and a departmental enquiry that was ostensibly launched never progressed. In December of the same year, the victim was told that her contract period had expired, read the FIR. She then lodged a petition with Narayanguda police in July 2018, and later filed a writ petition in October 2021 before the High Court of Telangana, following which the court disposed of the petition giving her liberty to file a fresh petition and ordered the police to inquire. A case has been booked under Sections 354 and 354-(A) of the IPC and Sections 3(w)(i), 3(2)(V)(a) of the SC/ST Act. Inspector of Narayanguda PS, B. Gattumallu said that the case was booked as per High Court orders and an investigation will be taken up. Rajamahendravaram Urban SP Aishwarya Rastogi said all commercial establishments should be closed by 10 p.m. and all bars, restaurants and liquor shops must down shutters by 11 p.m. on Friday. Otherwise, stringent action would be taken against them. Representational image/PTI VIJAYAWADA/VISAKHAPATNAM/RAJAHMUNDRY: Andhra Pradesh has prohibited public celebrations of 2022 New Year Eve on Friday owing to threat from fast-multiplying Omicron variant of Coronavirus. Police have banned midnight gatherings in public places under Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 of the CrPC. Any gathering of more than five persons will be prohibited. Ban on public festivities in the state has come by way of orders issued by top police officers of various cities, towns and districts on Thursday. Crowds, festivities and cake cuttings have been prohibited in public spaces and parks. Bursting of firecrackers is prohibited in public places. Restrictions will be in force till Saturday morning. In his communique, Vijayawada city police commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata has requested people to stay away from crowds due to Omicron threat and celebrate New Year within the confines of their homes. He said that major flyovers in the city, including Benz, Kanaka Durga and PCR flyovers will be closed for traffic on December 31 night. Restrictions will be in force on main thoroughfares like Bandar, Eluru and BRTS roads. Traffic will be restrained. The city police commissioner said prior permission must be obtained to hold ceremonies in clubs, restaurants and other places. Only up to 60 percent of seating capacity must be filled. Social distancing and other Covid regulations should be followed. DJs and sound systems that make loud noise cannot be used. Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam police commissioner Manish Kumar Sinha announced that the entire Beach Road stretch from Yarada to Bheemili covering 50 km will be closed from 6 p.m. on Friday. Only essential and emergency services will be allowed. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed all over Port City to check any violations. Denizens have been requested to stay indoors and ring in the New Year with their families. Sinha said police will act tough on bikers speeding in an inebriated condition in the name of New Year. "We will keep 120 breath analysers ready to check the drunken driving at various locations," ADCO (Traffic) Adinarayana told Deccan Chronicle. Restaurants, bars and retail liquor shops will be allowed to remain open as per regular timings. But Covid-19 norms will have to be followed. Announcing various restrictions over the New Year Eve, East Godavari superintendent of police M. Ravindranath Babu said special police teams have been formed to control large gatherings in public spaces from December 31 evening. Vigil will be stepped up in the night. Rajamahendravaram Urban SP Aishwarya Rastogi said all commercial establishments should be closed by 10 p.m. and all bars, restaurants and liquor shops must down shutters by 11 p.m. on Friday. Otherwise, stringent action would be taken against them. West Godavari district police chief Rahul Dev Sarma asked people to take all precautionary measures against Omicron while adhering to restrictions imposed by police. HYDERABAD: Putting to rest the three-decade-old dispute over the land admeasuring 142 acres 39 guntas in survey number 393 and others in Manchirevula village, Rajender Nagar mandal, Ranga Reddy district, a division bench of the Telangana High Court ruled that the said land which has now a market value of around Rs 7,000 crore belonged to the state government. The bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N. Tukaramji declined the claims of around 45 private persons and general power of attorney (GPA) holders, whose contention was that the said land was allotted to their forefathers in 1950s by the then government of Hyderabad state and the present government could not take away their rights over the lands. The said land has been in possession of Greyhounds department of the state police, after it was allotted to it in 2006. The division bench set aside the single judge orders dated February 5, 2010, which found that the land belonged to the private parties, as their forefathers were being possession of the lands since 1940s and assignment orders were made in favour of the possessors in 1953 by the government of the erstwhile Hyderabad state. The single judge also observed that, just on the ground that the assignment procedure was completed in 1961, the government cannot contend that the Assignment Rules 1958 were applicable. The governments contention was that the assignment pattas were issued in 1961 by the then tahsildar in a fraudulent manner and according to the Assignment Rules of 1958, more than five acres of land shall not be allotted to one person or family and the assigned land was not alienable by way of sale transactions. In this case, around 142 acres of land was allotted to 20 persons, by dividing seven acres per each person. Moreover, the assignees made a GPA agreement for sale of the land. Apart from that, another contention of the state was that the then state government in 1961 issued GO 1122, prohibiting assigning vacant land in Hyderabad city or within 10 miles of its periphery. Manchirevula village falls within the 10 miles radius of Hyderabad. Dispute over the land rights began in 1994, and the litigation went up to the Supreme Court, which ratified the governments decision to cancel the assigned pattas. After that, another round of litigation was raised. A High Court single judge accepted the claims of private persons. The government filed an appeal in 2010, which has been pending for the past 12 years. The division bench heard the contentions of both sides on December 21, 2021 and pronounced the judgment on Friday. They seized the arms and ammunition in a forested area between Taber and Arlingpada villages in Jantri gram panchayat along the interstate boundary, a police statement said. (Representational Image: PTI) Malkangiri: Security forces uncovered an arms dump of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border on Friday, police said. Acting on a tip-off, Odisha Police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel launched an intensive combing operation in Swabhiman Anchal in Jodambo police station area. They seized the arms and ammunition in a forested area between Taber and Arlingpada villages in Jantri gram panchayat along the interstate boundary, a police statement said. Eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two 7.62 mm cartridges, an INSAS magazine, codex wire and Maoist uniform and literature were among the items that were seized, it said. "The seized materials are suspected to belong to the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of the CPI (Maoist), and could have been used against security forces and innocent civilians," the statement said. Following the seizure, further combing and search operations are underway in the area, a senior officer said. Somu wondered what kind of messages would be sent to the young generation to instil patriotism and the spirit of freedom by naming, places, centres and towers after traitors and ignoring the need to name these places after Abdul Kalam or any other prominent personalities in the district. DC Image Vijayawada: The state BJP on Thursday demanded that the name of the Jinnah Tower Centre, after Mohammed Ali Jinnah, in Guntur, be changed forthwith, while branding him a traitor. State president Somu Veerraju said that the names of traitors such as Jinnah and others should be removed from any place in the country at a time when the country was getting ready to celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav' to commemorate the completion of 75 years of Independence. He wondered what kind of messages would be sent to the young generation to instil patriotism and the spirit of freedom by naming, places, centres and towers after traitors and ignoring the need to name these places after Abdul Kalam or any other prominent personalities in the district. BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao tweeted that their demand to remove anti-India remnants would be welcomed by the people of the state. He stated that he recently met with Guntur Collector Vivek Yadav and advised him to change the name of the Jinnah Tower Centre and rechristen it after the name of a freedom fighter, and that either the municipal corporation or the state government would have to take a decision accordingly. AP BJP general secretary S. Vishnuvardhan Reddy ruled out any controversy in the remarks made by party national secretary Satya Kumar and warned that if the name to the centre was not changed, they would change the name. He stated that they had renamed Aurangzeb Road in the national capital after Abdul Kalam and sounded confident that they could do the same for the Guntur centre also. Scientists found an ancient wolf head while digging for mammoth tusks but discovered it instead. This find was one of the most prized relics when ice covered the Earth during the Ice Age. The Ice Age was when countless beasts lived on the eternal winter landscapes until the Earth warmed up a bit. Animals like the steppe wolf were instantly flash-frozen in the sub-zero temperatures in the environment then. Melting permafrost reveals preserved wolf head The permafrost in modern-day Siberia is an unforgiving environment few animals can survive. During the last Ice Age, mammals like giant mammoths, rhinos, and the modern ancestor wolves, the Steppe Wolf, reported the Express UK. A quarter of the world's best Ice Age specialists journeyed to the Yakutia region in Russia's far east in quest of the ancient beasts. Temperatures are already warm enough in the summertime to melt the glacial soil, exposing the corpses of beasts that once inhabited the territory. Freezing sub-zero cold in the winter world had kept the remains pristine for 32,000 years after it died. The discoveries by the scientists were shown in a 2020 documentary that featured lost long-dead animals of the Ice Age. This particular find was discovered by a Tusk Hunter who was at the Belaya Gora base camp with a package, and it was described as something unique as it revealed. Professor Dan Fisher of the University of Michigan said the wolf head was the most eccentric find that made researchers curious about it. One of the comments is how preserved the ancient wolf head was so good that it does not look like it died thousands of years ago. Read Also: Swiss Alps Glacial Melting Caused by Climate Change Results to Drying of About 200 Lakes Out of 1,200 Most specimens in such a pristine state could only come from the most timeless permafrost layer, an interesting oddity from Earth's last Frozen Era. How the wolf head was severed remains a mystery According to Fisher, the wolf head was in perfect condition. Even the small hump on its mouth remained present, precisely as it would be as it was breathing and alive. The huge head was two feet long, with the neck included in the measure. Furthermore, the other body parts, skin, fur, and even the tongue were still there in the flash-frozen remains. The estimated age of the animal is from two to four years old. The researchers speculate that it might be close to a modern wolf or the long-dead Steppe Wolf, the same as the dire wolf that died out a long time ago, noted the Scientific American. The dire wolf lived in the last Ice Age, a quarter size bigger than today's grey wolf, and had the most powerful bite of any canid that existed. Scientists can identify what kind of wolf it is once it has been sent out for examination. It is estimated to take at least another year when it's done. Should it be a steppe wolf, it will be a one-of-a-kind specimen. But how the head got severed is a mystery. Several experts are trying to solve the problem with several theories. Finding the ancient wolf head is important to a researcher of ancient mammals of the Ice Age, it gives more clues to extinct animals than other discoveries to come! Related Article: 28,000 Years Old Cave Lion Cub Found Perfectly Preserved in Permafrost in Siberia @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US politics is riddled with controversies, and this isn't something new. In fact, no administration in the country was ever free from scandals and criticisms. Since 2021 is nearing its end, here's a look back at some of the biggest scandals in US politics this year alone. Jan. 6 Capitol riot Joe Biden's administration kicked off with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that was led by Donald Trump's supporters. Republicans flocked to the US Capitol to prevent the Senate from declaring the POTUS as the winner of the 2020 election. However, they didn't succeed. Some of the people who attended the riot, especially those who got into altercations with police officers, have already been charged with various crimes. As of press writing, investigations are still underway, and the House select committee is still trying to figure out if Trump incited violence by encouraging his supporters to make their voices heard. Joe Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal Biden's decision to withdraw military support in Afghanistan was also one of the biggest scandals of 2021. In August, the POTUS announced that the US military would stay in the country until they were able to get out the remaining Americans and Afghan allies and their families. It was later confirmed that over 500 US citizens had been left behind in Afghanistan. According to Fox News, a handful of American and Afghan allies are still in Afghanistan today, but the majority of them have already been evacuated. Read Also: Donald Trump Could Be Charged With a Crime For Allowing Jan. 6 Capitol Riot To Happen; Rep. Kinzinger Says No One Is Above The Law Andrew Cuomo's sexual harassment scandal Andrew Cuomo resigned from his post as the governor of New York after 11 of his former staffers came forward with allegations of sexual harassment. The transcript of Cuomo's 11-hour interview was released weeks ago. In it, Cuomo seemingly dragged Biden into his scandal by discussing the allegations that Biden also harassed his female staff. However, Biden's aides previously came to his defense, according to the New York Post. Investigations revealed that he also underreported the number of COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes in the city for political purposes. More recently, his younger brother, Chris Cuomo, was fired from CNN after he gave the ex-governor tips on how to address his scandal. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris' border crisis Biden and Kamala Harris also dealt with massive blows following their inability to address the ongoing border crisis. The political duo previously slammed Trump for, reportedly, putting babies in cages and committing human rights abuse. However, Biden and Harris were unable to control the issue after they were elected as president and vice president, respectively. In March, the vice president also faced backlash for not visiting the border for months after her appointment even though Biden assigned her as the border czar. Donald Trump's impeachment On Jan. 13, the House voted to impeach Trump for the second time due to his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot. However, Trump's impeachment wasn't approved by the Senate. The ex-POTUS was banned from using his social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook following the insurrection. And until today, he doesn't have access to the former, according to IBTimes. Related Article: Andrew Cuomo Drags Joe Biden In His Testimony Released By New York Attorney General Letitia James @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Queen Elizabeth's death is one of the saddest events that could happen to the royal family, as well as the royal fans. At the age of 95, the monarch doesn't have long to live. Her late mom, the Queen Mother, passed away at the age of 101, and the queen's husband, Prince Philip, died months before his 100th birthday. Even though no one knows when the queen will die, preparations for this harrowing day are already underway. Here's what will happen after the monarch's passing. Who's responsible for informing the public about the queen's death? Before the public knows about the queen's death, this information will first be shared within the palace walls. The queen's private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, is tasked to tell the prime minister that Her Majesty has already passed away. News about the queen's death will then be shared with the 15 countries where she is the head of state, as well as the 36 Commonwealth nations. A statement will also be released to the press, and the public will know about the queen's passing through the reports of various media outlets. Read Also: British Royal Family's Christmas Traditions To Continue Without Prince Philip; Duke of Edinburgh Played Key Role Before King Charles will ascend the throne Prince Charles will immediately ascend the throne after his mom passes away. According to British Heritage, Prince Charles would also travel to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales while his mom lies in state. And his first words as the new monarch will take place at St. James's Palace. However, Prince Charles' coronation won't take place until a couple of months after the queen's death. Prince Charles will also decide what title he wants to use as king. There are predictions that he would be referred to as King Charles III, according to Business Insider. The queen's state funeral will take place 10 days after her death Since a lot of people want to pay their respects to the queen, the entire British population will be in mourning for ten days. The queen's body will remain at Buckingham Palace for a couple of days before it is moved to Westminster Abbey so that royal fans can pay their respects. On the 10th day, a state funeral will be held in the same location. The queen's funeral will be televised Since the queen and the royal family have millions of supporters outside the United Kingdom, it would also be a wonderful opportunity for them to see Her Majesty for one last time, even if it's only on TV. According to Parade, the queen's funeral will be televised, but viewers won't be able to catch a glimpse of the monarch's relatives who are in mourning. Prince Philip's funeral was also televised. The queen will be buried at St. George's Chapel Her Majesty will, reportedly, be buried at St. George's Chapel. This is also where Prince Philip's body is, and his coffin will be moved so that he and the queen could be together. A special tomb inside St. George's Chapel is also where the queen's parents and sister are all buried. Related Article: Queen Elizabeth's Secret: How the Monarch Handles Challenges With Grace Despite Her 'Stoic' Nature @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A disgruntled Indian man plotted his revenge on his boss by beheading him, threw the head in the trash heap but slept with the headless corpse as the icing on the cake. Identified as Sandeep Mishra, a machine operator in a car company, had beef with his superior 'Pramod Lodhi' because he was not satisfied with the work done in reports. The gruesome crime was committed in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, by the suspect who was friends with the deceased. But due to differences at work had a bloody ending. Boss gets beheaded Sandeep killed his boss with a knife at one point during a drinking bout gone bad. The victim must have been too drunk to defend himself, reported NDTV. After lopping off the man's head, the alleged killer would sleep next to his boss's incomplete body. The next day he would just discard the head like trash in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, remarked the police. The killing of the boss by an Indian man happened on a Sunday by beheading. On Monday, the wife saw the corpse when going to the residence or scene of the crime and was met with a shock. Meera Devi arrived to check on her spouse and sneaked a peek inside; seeing blood made her panic. Police were called on her suspicious of foul play; they found the disemboweled remains. Living in Kasgani away from her husband, she learned the two had recently argued, according to sources, cited Prag News. Read Also: Russian Ballerina Dismembered, Dissolved in Sulfuric Acid Amid Fears of Lewd Picture Leak Sandeep was outside his home in Kavi Nagar when the police caught up. Evidence of the crime was found: the blood-encrusted knife used to commit the murder; the gristly head of his boss was dumped in the trash. The police account Most of the sources mentioned weren't from the police initially, but a bit later, the official statement detailing how the boss was slain most viciously by the machine operator. Gyanedra Kumar, a police officer, connected to the case related the details, noted The India Times. He said that Devi, a resident of Kasgani, had tried to reach her spouse, who had not answered all calls despite trying several times. She traveled to Ghaziabad when she found out about the locked house when she arrived. Why her husband was not there bothered her, she went in and saw the head missing from the bloody corpse. Added detail about Pramod Kumar and Sandeep Mishra, who lived close by with families someplace else. The two got together as employees in the factory they worked in. The superior got mad at his subordinate when one of the machines breaking down caused a misunderstanding, leading to deep-seated anger on Mr. Mishra, who was not pleased. After killing his boss and colleague, the suspect wanted to chop up the remains for easy disposal, like placing the head inside a garbage bag. But he backed out due to shock of what happened. After a work dispute, an Indian man ended up beheading his superior and nearly hacking the corpse to bits but chickened out. Related article: Hartford Man Decapitates Roommate With Samurai Sword Over Heated Argument @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The clash over the Ladakh border might be fought with nuclear weapons as India tests several kinds of missile systems, but some can have a nuclear warhead armed. Several types of these missiles land launched missiles to submarine deployed systems like those in the Peoples Liberation army. But the most fearsome is the hypersonic missile that travels at Mach 5+; that is almost unstoppable. India tests its missile systems India seems to be getting the gap closer to the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force with the development done in the past year. Delhi is mulling if the no first use policy (NFU) will be disregarded as the threat is imminent or not, reported the EurAsian Times. Several of these next-generation weapons of mass destruction have been tried out. Last December 22, the Pralay SRBM (short-range ballistic missile), which has a 350 to the 500-kilometer range, will affect the land battle in the future. On the 18th of December, a second test of the weapon called re Agni-P middle-range ballistic missile that, according to Delhi, is the next-gen projectile; capable of nuclear arming, which is a leap in the technology of India defense, cited News Nine. Most of the older, shorter-ranging missiles of older tech will be upgraded with backward integration technologies. Agni-P is a short-range missile (SRM) to have the tech of the newer Agni-IV and V ballistic missiles nuclear weapons. Set to be the only older Agni series left in service, they might be fired due to actions on the Ladakh border. Read Also: Border Flashpoint Between India and China Shows Chinese Camps Emptying in Satellite Images The new Agni-V tested last October is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a distance of 5,500 kilometers or more, but some experts put the range at 8,000 kilometers armed with a 1.5 tonner warhead. But unlike Agni-previous V's 5 trials, this was fired in full operational configuration by the Strategic Forces Command, and it was launched at night was the first time. All these missile tests are done under canisterization of how the missiles were tested. That might be a change considered on the NFU policy of India with Nukes. Canisterization Missiles are now in canisters that hold them until use, keeping the system intact from the elements to make them easy to transport for deployment. Like most land forces today, it streamlines the need except to fire via a supported launch. It allows an army to set up and launch at a moment's notice to quicken the pace of firing fast as needed. There is an advantage over assembling a component that the India Strategic Forces used to do, with missiles and warheads. But the nuclear warhead will be kept separately from normal deployment. Weapon of last resort, the enemy launches such weapons toward India. But the NFU does stay in place despite the quickness that nuke-tipped missiles could be pre-stored and fired in a heartbeat if wanted. Delhi, according to experts, is opting for ready-to-fire 'canisterized' nuclear weapons that can be counter launched faster than ever. Another is nations look for activity connected to deployment, which is visible and predictable. The Ladakh border dispute has made the option of ready to fire nuclear weapons a real danger as India is not resting; it sees China moving that gives the canister missile a deterrent factor. Related Article: Indian Nuclear Missile Test Hits Target Accurately in the Bay of Bengal; Causes Tension Between India and China @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Omicron variant has continued to spread throughout the globe after first being reported in southern Africa and has been associated with high transmissibility similar to the Delta strain of the coronavirus, and people are wondering what symptoms to look out for. With more and more strains of the coronavirus spreading throughout the globe and the occasional cold or flu being a possibility, many are anxious about the slightest symptoms. While there are various symptoms related to all of these illnesses, there are multiple differences to get a notion of which one you are infected with. Coronavirus Symptoms Some of the most common symptoms that many people are complaining about and fearing are from a coronavirus strain: runny nose and cough that just won't go away. They also reported feeling "under the weather" and not their usual selves. Another common symptom is fever, and while it is seen in all of the aforementioned illnesses, everyone should be aware that it is common in both the coronavirus and the flu while being rare among cases of colds. People should always be observant of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or loss of taste or smell because this signals an individual is infected with COVID-19, The Sun reported. Many people's worries come as breakthrough infections of the coronavirus are surging in the United States, specifically in Chicago and Illinois. However, health experts have said that the symptoms that people will most likely feel will depend on the vaccine that they have received. Read Also: Anthony Fauci Claims Americans' Life Without Strict Measures Could Start Within Months Despite COVID-19 Omicron Variant Cases Surge in US The top doctor in Chicago, Dr. Allison Arwady, the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said that the new Omicron variant was not necessarily bringing new symptoms into the fray. He said that now that the vaccines are widely available, more people are experiencing mild symptoms depending on their vaccine brand. "The symptoms that we're seeing are not different with Omicron than they were with Delta than they were with the original. It's just that we are seeing more what we call breakthrough infections. So the vaccines continue to protect, but not as well against infection, although they continue to protect beautifully against severe illness," said Arwady, NBC Chicago reported. Omicron Variant Additionally, data released by South Africa previously suggested that residents who were infected with the Omicron variant developed a scratchy or sore throat along with nasal congestion, a dry cough, and muscle pain, especially low back pain. However, these symptoms were also observed among patients who were infected with the Delta variant and the original strain of the coronavirus. An adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the chief executive of Dear Pandemic, Ashley Z. Ritter, said that it is still too early to tell if there were major differences in symptoms between the different strains of the coronavirus. An infectious disease physician at the University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Dr. Otto O. Yang, said that there was a large overlap of symptoms between Omicron and previous variants. Yang said that if there were any actual differences, they would be fairly subtle, the New York Times reported. Related Article: WHO Raises Concerns of Omicron Surge as CDC Issues Shortened Isolation Requirements Supported by White House @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A teacher from Michigan shared her unique experience traveling on a plane while positive for COVID-19. The woman, Marisa Fotieo, was on her Icelandair flight to Switzerland with her brother and father days before Christmas when she suddenly felt her throat itch and hurt. Fotieo took out a rapid test that she had in her bag and, after two minutes, saw two lines on the stick, which meant that she was positive for COVID-19. Since her plane was up in the air and there was no way for the pilot to conduct an emergency landing, Fotieo had no other choice but to quarantine inside the bathroom for five hours. Michigan teacher quarantined at Iceland hotel for 10 days After landing, she was quarantined at a Red Cross hotel for ten days. Since her dad and brother didn't show any symptoms and got negative PCR test results, they could board their flight from Iceland to Switzerland. Fotieo waited for ten days before she managed to travel to her destination, reunite with her brother and father, and continue their vacation. Icelandair passenger grateful to flight attendant During a recent interview, Fotieo expressed her gratitude to Icelandair flight attendant Ragnhildur "Rocky" Eiriksdottir, who made her feel comfortable while quarantining in the bathroom. Rocky also helped the Michigan woman reach out to a quarantine hotel facility. And while she was there, the flight attendant sent her flowers and checked up on her regularly. "Rocky was so sweet and brought me water and snacks, and told me that would be my own little space. She bought me flowers and a little Christmas tree with lights so I could hang it. It was so heartfelt, and she's just an angel," Fotieo said via the Huffington Post. Read Also: Southwest Airlines Accused of Racial Profiling After Mom, Daughter Were Interviewed by Police Due To Suspicious Behavior on Plane The passenger added that she would've cried the whole ten days while she was in quarantine if not for Rocky. She's also grateful to the airline for turning her scary experience into a joyful and memorable one. Fotieo said she has plans to meet up with the flight attendant that helped her because she's eternally grateful to Rocky for the time and effort she put in taking care of her. Rocky explained why she was extra nice to the passenger. The flight attendant said she knew that Fotieo didn't have family or friends in Iceland that's why she wanted to make her feel comfortable. The flight attendant also wanted to be that person that would be nice to the passenger because kindness is what the world needs today. Flight cancelations soared on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day According to CNN, Fotieo is fully vaccinated, and she has already received her booster. Since she's a teacher who works with children, she gets tested for COVID-19 regularly. People confirmed that Fotieo isn't the only person whose holiday plans changed due to COVID-19. Flight cancelations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day reached an all-time high due to the rising cases of Omicron across the globe. On Monday, 441,000 new COVID-19 cases were recorded due to Omicron, which is highly transmissible. Related Article: United Airlines Cancels Flights to 11 Small Cities, Says It's No Longer Sustainable During the COVID-19 Pandemic @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It's easy to say that 2021 has been a memorable year for us all, for better or bad. The year saw a mixed bag of old and new difficulties, from the still-going COVID-19 pandemic to the new danger of a "more transmissible" Omicron variant, to several scandals and conflicts involving US government officials and agencies. But it wasn't all doom and gloom: some of the stories were inspirational and significant. The year 2021 brought with it the particular challenges of living in an ever-changing social milieu. HNGN has chosen a handful of the year's most notable stories. Here's how writers and editors covered the year's major events and topics. Child Tax Credits were utilized as a source of income by families with children. For them, the President's BBB Act was a beacon of hope. This month, almost 36 million families in the United States got the final wave of stimulus payments. The total sum paid was $16 billion. In February 2022, the IRS and the White House aim to compensate by issuing double stimulus payments. According to a recent survey, President Joe Biden's job approval rating is now lower than that of some of his top subordinates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci. Last week, Biden was chastised for announcing a plan to deliver 500 million at-home COVID tests to Americans' homes in January, after a surge in cases throughout the country forced individuals to queue for hours to get tested and then wait days for their findings. Professor Joseph Siracusa, a political scientist, warned that becoming president "ages individuals," adding that many presidents seem healthier and more alert following their tenure in office. Professor Siracusa, on the other hand, projected that Joe Biden would not complete his presidential term due to worries about his ability to lead at his elderly age. The Biden administration announced the greatest long-term increase in food stamp benefits in program history, giving Americans more money to spend on groceries but costing the government billions. According to a US source who spoke on the condition of anonymity before the announcement, benefits for the 42 million people in the program would increase by more than 25% in October compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to the official, average monthly payments would rise from $121 to $36 per person. MS-13 is the most well-known gang in Los Angeles, having a reputation for committing horrible crimes in hard-to-reach areas. Their members are regarded as the most ruthless gang with a global reputation. If the gang's name is discussed in locations where they are active, they will say the gang's name, and everyone will remain silent. They originated in Los Angeles, California, and were exported to North America by the deportation of these dangerous offenders. Brian Laundrie's parents have listed their Florida house for sale, indicating that they plan to relocate just weeks after their son's remains were discovered in an apparent suicide case. The incident occurred while Laundrie's parents faced possible accusations of tampering with evidence following a crime. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI agent, believes the suspect's parents should be prosecuted with accessory after the fact. Read Also: Joe Biden's Net Worth: Facts You Need To Know About the 46th US President's Wealth Additional York has begun implementing new steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state. New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency, which took effect on December 3. Hochul wants the community to be ready for what's to come. The declaration of a state of emergency enables the state to get pandemic-fighting materials, expand hospital capacity, and address any personnel shortages. Non-essential and non-urgent operations are also limited in hospitals, according to the Health Department. Princess Diana was the first to wander, according to a former assistant, before Prince Charles had an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. Prince Charles' first love was never the Princess of Wales, who was forced to suffer in silence for most of the time during his marriage to Princess Diana, according to royal gossip. A former protection officer, on the other hand, has cast doubt on this narrative, alleging that Princess Diana had other love interests before marriage. After learning that Princess Diana was having an affair with another security officer, the late Barry Mannakee, Prince Charles rekindled his romance with Camilla, as per Allan Peters. A woman went missing after leaving a wedding, and search efforts failed to find her. When they couldn't discover any sign of her, the search party decided that she had been eaten alive by wild bears. The woman was claimed to have abruptly departed a wedding celebration before frantically calling for help. Yana Balobanova, 24, was recognized as the missing woman when she became lost on the outskirts of Sverdlovsk, Russia, and asked for help on her phone. Authorities have not been able to find the woman yet. According to the FDA, Lupin Pharmaceuticals recalls batches of Irbesartan Tablets and Irbesartan with Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are prescribed the medicine to control hypertension, low blood pressure, and symptoms. N-nitroso irbesartan levels were found to be excessive in certain batches of the drug. The substance is a possible human carcinogen, according to the FDA. Four incidents of illness have been related to irbesartan medications. Meanwhile, Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide have not been connected to many ailments, according to the pharmaceutical business. During World War II, Nazis plundered the famed amber chamber, which was worth 250 million. Divers had the opportunity to see what was hidden in the containers of the sinking vessel 'Karlsruhe,' which transported it. It had been a mystery for many years, and many people had looked for it but never discovered it until now. The hidden treasures are only waiting for intrepid treasure seekers to claim them. The discoverers must descend down 290 feet below sea level via a hole known as the 'Moon Pool.' Once inside, the divers will have only 30 minutes to inspect the packages using underwater scooters. HNGN will continue serving more credible, updated news in 2022! There were a lot of important stories in the news in 2021. A brawl broke out at the Capitol in Washington in January, and we were there to see it. Derek Chauvin and Ghislaine Maxwell's trials. However, the news we hear or read does not necessarily have to be unpleasant. Despite the continued pandemic, people's hopes are sparked by news such as the stimulus check and the continuous update for the Build Back Better bill. Expect to read more about what's going on in the world and what 2022 has in store for us here at HNGN. Our writers, editors, and management are pleased to be of assistance to you! Related Article: Celebrity Deaths: All Shocking Famous People We Lost in 2021 @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Paper Mario" N64 is now available for Nintendo Switch. Gamers registered to the Nintendo Switch online subscription can look forward to a classic game filled with secret areas and cheat codes. Typical of any Nintendo game, there are a lot of hidden Easter eggs on "Paper Mario" N64. These cheats can help players navigate the paper world easier and complete their quest faster. Some of these feature hidden achievements and rewards. Hidden Easter Eggs: 'Paper Mario' N64 Guide Screen Rant shared these Easter eggs and clues found on 'Paper Mario.' Luigi's Secret Basement and Diary Players can find Luigi's secret basement on the ground outside Mario and Luigi's bedroom. Players should equip their Super Boots and stomp on the tile to reveal the entrance to his basement. Luigi's diary is hidden in this area. NES Mario in 'Paper Mario' N64 Players can transform their character to the original NES Mario in Boo Mansion. To do this, players have to enter the room with a jar and jump into the jar. They can transform back to their original avatar by jumping in the jar a second time or leaving the room. Secret Warp Pipes Traveling around places has never been easier because there are three warp pipes hidden in Toad Town. Players can find them by going to the visible pipe with a sign "PRIVATE." Players should equip their Stone Hammer to break the stone block on the left to reveal a tunnel. Inside, players have to fight against a Giant Blooper enemy. Defeating the boss will reveal the hidden pipes for Goomba City, Koopa Village and Dry Dry Outpost. Hidden Game Room in Toad Town Players interested in earning money can take advantage of a hidden playroom in Toad Town. To unlock this place, head to the left side of Li'l Oink Farm and destroy the tree blocking the path. Enter the newly-discovered pipe to join the playroom. Be warned that players need a Silver or Gold card to play. Read Also: 'Pokemon Go' Promo Codes: 3 Promo Codes You Can Claim Before December 2021 Ends Paper Mario N64 Cheats: How-To Guides As previously mentioned, there are also a few cheats that can help improve "Paper Mario" N64 gameplay. Here are quick game guides players can use: How to Avoid Fighting Buzzard Buzzard is the enemy based on Mt. Rugged. To avoid fighting him, players must initiate a conversation and say that their name is Luigi. How to Avoid Fighting Anti-Guy Anti-Guy is the Shy Guy found inside the Shy Guy's Toy Box. To avoid fighting him, players have to gift him a Lemon Candy, which could be obtained in the Dry Dry Desert. Be warned that skipping the boss fight will not reward players XP. Additionally, the boss will never return, so consider the options carefully before deciding to skip him or not. How to Surprise Luigi in Boo Mansion In Boo Mansion, players can frighten Luigi for fun. To do this, they must first return to Toad Town and enter Mario's room. There will be hidden floorboards in the area that players can pass. Inside, they will find a surprise Luigi writing his diary. How to Find Witch Merlee Merlee is a handy NPC that gives players awesome spells that can assist in battle. However, her location is a little tricky to find. She lives in the Dry Dry Outpost in an alley next to Toad's House. Players must jump over the box in the ally to enter Merlee's hidden area. Related Article: 'Genshin Impact' 2.4 Update: New Limited-Time Redeem Codes to Claim Free Primogems The "Harry Potter" reunion special episode is definitely a New Year highlight for many fans. This incoming show features the original cast getting together to chat and reminisce about the blockbuster movies. Interested fans who want to watch the special episode can do so on selected channels. Many fans are looking forward to "Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts," which also serves as a 20th-anniversary celebration for the series. The special episode premieres on January 1, 2022, so fans are recommended to prepare for the date. How to Watch 'Harry Potter' Reunion Be warned that the special episode is exclusive to HBO Max. So fans who are not signed up for the subscription service cannot watch the show. HBO Max subscription membership costs $14.99 a month. For the first time ever, the legendary cast returns to where the magic started. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts, streaming New Years Day, only on HBO Max. International release coming soon. pic.twitter.com/53bHAf0WTY HBO Max (@hbomax) November 16, 2021 Cosmopolitan suggested a workaround for the issue. Hulu subscribers can add the HBO Max channel to their account and get a seven-day free trial for the service. But make sure to cancel the free trial before the end date, or else it would automatically be credited to the existing account. List of Cast for 'Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts' By now, many social media outlets have teased the iconic trio: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley being present for the special episode. According to an earlier article, they will be joined by actors: Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) James Phelps (Fred Weasley) Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) Note that these are only some of the cast confirmed for the show. Others are yet to be revealed by the producers. Notably, author JK Rowling will be absent from the event. According to Cosmopolitan, her absence might be linked to her previous transphobic comments. Read Also: Xbox Live Gold, Game Pass January 2022 Titles: 'Radiant Silvergun', 'Space Invaders Infinity Gene,' More Where to Watch 'Harry Potter' Movies While waiting for the iconic show, fans can try binge-watching the eight movies released by the franchise. These movies are: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002) "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005) "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007) "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009) "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1" (2010) "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" (2011) According to Newsweek, all movies will be available for streaming on Peacock and HBO Max. This is because the studio Warner Bros. made a deal with NBCUniversal to give them rights to air the films. However, it is undermined how long the films will be available, so fans are recommended to watch and download these movies as soon as possible. Related Article: Are You Involuntarily Bumped From Your Flight? You Might Be Entitled for a Compensation Samsung not downloading apps? Here are a few was to fix Samsung's download in the Google Play Store. There are several troubleshooting methods users may attempt if they are having difficulties downloading from the Google Play Store. But first, the most important part in downloading is a stable internet connection. Users should check first if the are capable of downloading with the internet connectivity the have. With that on the way, here are several was to fix downloading in Google Play Store, as recommended by Samsung. 1. Clear Play Store Data One of the solutions to being able to download freely is clearing Play Store cache and data. To do this, users should follow the following step: First, go to the Settings menu. Then, scroll down and tap Apps. This option is also available in Settings > Application Manager on previous Android OS versions. Next, users should scroll down to Google Play Store, then, click it. Click Storage snd then users can see the Clear Data option, select it, and click OK to confirm. 2. Reset The Download Manager The second option would be resetting the Download Manager. To do this, users will need to go to Settings. Next, scroll down and tap Apps. This option is also available in Settings > Application Manager on previous Samsung operating systems. Then, select the Filter icon. After that, toggle the Show system apps option, then press OK. Scroll down to Download Manager, then click it. Make sure the app is turned on (the icon should read Disable). Next, to close this program, press the Force Stop button. This will have no effect on the device's data. To confirm, press the Force stop button on the prompt. 3. Check Available Storage Space Whatever the applications the users will be downloading, sometimes, there might be little to no more space for another app that hinders the download from Goggle Play Store. With that, it is better to examine the available storage space. To do this, go to the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap Battery and device care-with older operating systems, this is known as Device care, and comparable choices may be found in a separate software called Smart Manager, although you can also check under Settings > Storage. Then click Storage. After that, examine the available storage options. If a user's device's storage capacity is less than 1GB, users will need to free up some space. Read Also: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Battery Life a Big Problem: 9 Steps to Prevent Battery Drain 4. Remove and Re-add Google Account Samsung still not downloading apps? Another solution to address this problem is to remove and re-add a google account in the user's device. For this, users should go to the Settings menu. Scroll down to Accounts and backup, which is sometimes known as Cloud and Accounts or Accounts in older operating systems. Next, tap Accounts, then select their Google Account. After that, remove the account by tapping Remove Account. This option may be found under the More choices icon on the upper right-hand side of the screen, depending on the operating system. To confirm, tap Remove Account. Any information deleted during this procedure will be downloaded to the device whenever the account is re-added. Then, to add an account, simply tap it. Go to Google and search. Fill with the user's Google Account information. And to finish, tap to agree to the Google Terms and Conditions. 5. Enable All Related Apps Lastly, users must select the setting that all related apps must be enabled. Make sure there are no pending apps to be downloaded or updated on a user's Samsung or an android device, since this may cause the download to take longer. First, go to the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap Apps. This option is also available in Settings > Application Manager on previous operating systems. Next, select the Filter Icon. Then, toggle the Show System Apps switch to on. Select Disabled from the dropdown menu, then OK. In the Disabled apps list, look for any programs related to Google Play Services or Download Manager. If there are any, tap the app and then enable it. If Samsung not downloading apps still persists and none of the procedures above have helped, Samsung advises users to please contact Samsung Support for more information. Related Article: How Much Did It Cost Apple To Build iPhone 13 Pro? It's Pricier Than iPhone 12 Pro! T-Mobile has revealed that a small portion of its consumers in the United States was affected by the recent data breach. The company has confirmed they had another data breach following the last massive T-mobile data breach they had last August. The hacking is known to be a SIM-swapping incident. Following the event, affected clients were notified of the attack, and the corporation worked rapidly to neutralize the threat. According to TechRadar, T-Mobile confirmed that a very small number of users were notified that the SIM card connected to a mobile number on their account may have been illegally reassigned or restricted the view of personal account information. T-Mobile Data Breach T-Mobile has been hit by yet another cyberattack, following a large data leak in August. As reported, attackers gained access to only a small portion of users' accounts this time. Customers were either victims of a SIM switching attack, which might let someone bypass SMS-based two-factor authentication, had personal plan information leaked, or both, according to the report. Customers' billing account name, phone and account number, and information about their plan, including how many lines were tied to their account, were among the customer proprietary network data that was examined. T-Mobile is taking immediate steps to help protect all individuals who may be at risk from this cyberattack. If you have any questions, send us a DM and we can discuss steps to increase your account security. ^KenStone T-Mobile Help (@TMobileHelp) December 28, 2021 Massive T-Mobile Data Breach Last August This is not the first time T-Mobile was hacked. As reported by The Verge, T-Mobile announced this summer that a data breach exposed about 50 million customers' personal information, with the attacker gaining access to social security numbers, names, and dates of birth. Tere was a person claiming to be the cyber attacker behind the massive data breach and went on revealing that the company's cybersecurity practices are "terrible". On the other hand, the data allegedly disclosed in this month's breach is less sensitive and the documents state that users who had their SIMs swapped have recovered their access, and are likely not as vast in scope. However, due to the small number of people affected, some users couldn't discover numerous cases from other customers claiming to have received notification letters. T-support Mobile's account appears to have verified the breach, responding to people on Twitter to claim it's taking "urgent action" to assist anybody who was harmed by the attack. Read Also: LastPass Promises No Data Breach Following Hacking Scare; Caused by Fabricated Breach Alerts? SIM Swapping Attack As reported by TechRadar, unauthorized SIM swaps are unfortunately a typical occurrence across the industry; nevertheless, this issue was immediately resolved by the T-Mobile team, using their in-place safeguards, and took proactive preventative actions on their behalf. A SIM switch swap is a type of fraud in which a telecoms provider is duped into allocating a phone number to a different SIM card. Given that many individuals utilize SMS for two-factor authentication, it's a common and hazardous attack. They can often log into financial systems, empty away funds, or steal their identities for other purposes by routing SMS messages to the attacker's mobile cellphone. T-Mobile, as a major telecoms operator, is frequently the subject of identity theft and other types of fraud. Customers should be cautious when receiving SMS messages or emails purporting to be from T-Mobile. They should also be cautious about clicking on any links in those messages before verifying the sender's identity. Related Article: Cybersecurity Warning: Zero-Day Vulnerability in Apache Log4j Discovered in Minecraft, Other Apps Are you curious to know if your iPhone apps might be getting your data? A TikTok video showed that a new iOS 15 feature can stop app tracking. 1 Simple Way to Stop iPhone App Tracking For Apple users, a popular content creator posted a TikTok video explaining a one simple step to identify which app accumulates the most. Frank McShan shared in detail the importance of a new iPhone feature included in the iOS 15. The said feature to stop app tracking is called App Privacy Report. At the start of the said TikTok video, McShan opened the "Settings" icon on his iPhone then tapped the "Privacy" tab. In the Privacy tab, he then scrolled down to locate the "App Privacy Report" button. From there, he toggled on the said feature. Once the feature was turned on, McShan explained that the device will now track each time an iPhone app accesses your information such as locations, camera, microphones, contacts and photos. As of writing, the posted video has more than 55,000 views and about 3,000 reactions. Despite the benefit it brings, you could turn off this feature as well. However, keep in mind that once this feature was off, you will not be able to locate the iPhone apps that accumulate your data. What Is the App Privacy Report Feature? When Apple released the iOS 15 upgrade in June, App Privacy Report was one of the most significant privacy enhancements that the company revealed, per Gadgets 360. Moreover, when Apple introduced iOS 15 in September, it did not contain a means for customers to see their privacy report. However, this was added in the iOS 15.2 update, which was published on December 13. Read Also: COVID-19 Omicron Cases in the US Are Spiking, Hospitals Filling Up: 2 Tools to Track Hospital Availability Amid Surge In addition to this, you can now quickly see which applications are continually accessing you data and refuse those apps rights. Aside from this, you can also keep track of the URLs that might also discreetly getting your information. If you have an iPhone 6s or later and have upgraded to iOS 15.2, you can now check and block applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tinder from getting your location or accessing your photos. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the function is turned off by default, so users will have to activate it manually before it can offer any data. How Does App Tracking Works? The Cupertino-based technology company's website explained that the App Privacy Report includes Data and Sensor Access, as well as Network Activity to track all iPhone apps. Data and Sensor Access In the last seven days, Data and Sensor Access indicates how many times and the date than an app accessed privacy-sensitive data or device sensors. Details concerning an app's access to Location, Photos, Camera, Microphone, Contacts, and other information may be included. Furthermore, iPhone apps use your contacts' data in a variety of ways to provide you with services on your smartphone. For instance, it uses your Contacts Me card to display your profile photo on Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Fitness, and Apple Books. Network Activity Aside from Data and Sensory Acess, the App Privacy Report also indicates which domains have been contacted by applications you've used or websites you've visited within those apps. The name of a website that allows it to be found on the internet is called a domain. This data also serves in identifying domains that may be gathering data about you across many applications and websites. Related Article: Frustrated Your iPhone 13 Battery Is Draining Too Fast? 5 Ways to Fix "Masonic Lodge, Dahlem," (2012) from Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf's "Berlin" series / Courtesy of the artist By Park Han-sol "I see myself as the director of one second." The acclaimed Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf, known for his painstakingly polished and staged images that seem to sit somewhere between a painting and a photo, is a director in the truest sense of the word. Against a real-life backdrop he has scouted carefully, Olaf styles his scene down to every last detail: from delivering actors the sudden fictitious, tragic news about the loss of their mother or job, so as to "trap" the first tear they shed ("Grief" series, 2007), to bringing his own fake boulder all the way to the rocky Austrian mountains ("Im Wald" series, 2020). "There are a trillion rocks here, but Erwin must and will bring his own fake one. After all, reality is crap!" the photographer remarked with a chuckle in the behind-the-scenes documentary for his latest series. He started out as a photojournalist in the early 1980s, documenting gay rights movements in Amsterdam, but reality soon became something not to be registered as it is, but to be recreated with a touch of his own surreal imagination and fantasy. "Portrait #5" (2005) from Olaf's "Hope" series / Courtesy of the artist "I use photography to show you my imagination, to create the worlds that I see in my head," Olaf said on Zoom at the Suwon Ipark Museum of Art in Gyeonggi Province. On display are more than 110 of his images, spanning four decades, making "Perfect Moment Incomplete World" his largest retrospective, not only in Korea, but anywhere Asia. "I need to stage everything, because my imagination is always unreal. It's always in connection with what's going on in my mind, and partly with what's going on in the real world," he added. This mix of reality and fantasy, achieved through his perfectionist approach to composition, ethereal lighting and the look in the actors' eyes, gives birth to a hauntingly beautiful, yet unsettling series of images that never fails to absorb the viewer. Behind the romantic, painterly aesthetics, lies a veiled commentary on the broken side of our fast-paced society and human fragility, marked by arrogance and disconnection. Two of his latest series, produced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, are on view. "09:45am" (2020) from Olaf's "April Fool" series / Courtesy of the artist "April Fool" paints a surreal state of nightmarish paralysis, as the constant forward movement of human economies suddenly came to a halt at the start of the outbreak. "The supermarket shelves, emptied by hoarders, made me realize that for decades I have assumed that everything would always be there, that our dancing on the volcano's edge would never end," he wrote in his artist's statement. Initially gripped by feelings of powerlessness and unable to move, partly because of COPD, a progressive lung disease he has been suffering from since the 1990s, Olaf decided to give shape to this flood of emotions through photography, what he calls, the "best therapy to solve my problems." Featuring himself as the subject, with his dead eyes and face painted white a strange image of a clown in despair the series follows him over the course of one morning. He pushes a shopping cart through a deserted parking lot, and faces rows of empty supermarket shelves, before eventually leaving the place and returning back to his hollow home, with only a camera greeting him. A sense of unwanted loneliness and silence never leaves the character, whether he isolates himself at home or takes a step outside. "What I want to say with this series is that," he said, "human beings, all together with 7.8 billion people, are stupid and arrogant. We think we can rule the world. And now, see what happens." "On the Lake" (2020) from Olaf's "Im Wald" series / Courtesy of the artist The theme of human arrogance runs through his other recent series "Im Wald," this time with respect to nature. Although stylistically inspired by 19th-century European Romantic paintings, he decided to forgo any color, presenting the indifferent side of nature. Against the mountains punctuated by thick forests and water roaring down deep ravines, actors are relegated to tiny dots occupying a small corner of the image. The infinite layer of fog that surrounds them may even make the viewer miss them altogether. The humans, however, remain blind to their own insignificance, absorbed in their own identities and activities that seem "out of place" within the pristine nature characterized by headphones, selfie sticks, designer handbags and bodies covered with tattoos and niqabs. But in the end, like his many other series, Olaf leaves these images in a state of a perpetual question as imagination cannot be rendered fully into words alone. "It's a kind of travel you make, you go into my head You travel in my brain, you see my imagination," the photographer said of his retrospective. "Erwin Olaf: Perfect Moment Incomplete World" runs through March 20, 2022, at the Suwon Ipark Museum of Art. Actor Choi Woo-shik in a scene from the film "The Policeman's Lineage" / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks By Kwak Yeon-soo Actor Choi Woo-shik will showcase his fighting spirit in "The Policeman's Lineage," which will be the first Korean film coming to theaters in 2022. Taking a step away from the loveable, clumsy characters he has regularly portrayed, Choi has transformed himself into the role of a headstrong police officer who is a trained judoist for his latest role. In "The Policeman's Lineage," Choi plays a police officer with strict ethical beliefs. The main protagonist Min-jae, is secretly tasked with investigating another cop named Kang-yoon (Cho Jin-woong), who is unrivaled in his number of arrests, but is illicitly receiving huge payoffs from an unknown source. The film has plenty of twists and suspense as it follows Min-jae's changing state of mind. He is faced with a dilemma in which he must choose between the adviser who instructs him to spy and the boss whom he keeps an eye on. He has to choose whether to do the right things for the wrong reasons or the wrong things for the right reasons. "In 'The Witch,' I exerted superhuman strength in fight scenes because I was in a battle with non-humans and I had to climb walls... but then it was a whole new experience with Min-jae. The action sequences were more realistic and therefore less demanding, but I felt like I grew up and became a man with the role," Choi said during a press conference for the film, Wednesday. From left, actors Park Hee-soon, Choi Woo-shik, Cho Jin-woong, Kwon Yul and Park Myung-hoon pose during a press conference for the film, "The Policeman's Lineage" in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks Rep. Lee Kwang-jae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea speaks during a National Assembly general meeting on Dec. 1. Joint Press Corps-Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung Rep. Lee Kwang-jae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday that he would start accepting cryptocurrency donations sometime in mid-January, for the first time among the nation's lawmakers, a move to speed up the institutionalization of the virtual currency ecosystem here. Anyone who wants to sponsor him can transfer cryptocurrency into the electronic wallet of his office. The sponsored digital asset will then be exchanged to the Korean won and deposited into his sponsorship account. This process allows potential supporters to make donations via their bitcoin, ethereum or other digital currencies directly to his office. Receipts for donations will be issued in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and sent to each sponsor's email address. The NFT is a kind of immutable digital asset, often described as a unique digital certificate. Given the conservative view on cryptocurrencies in the political circle, Korea's progress in the digital asset industry and related blockchain technology still falls far behind that of other developed countries, such as the United States. Lee expects that this latest decision will help raise awareness about crypto assets and NFTs. "I have had a deep sense of regret that the politicians here have had an outdated perception of digital assets at a crucial time when the blockchain technologies used for cryptocurrencies, NFTs and the metaverse, are advancing rapidly day after day," Lee said. "It is high time that we undertake innovative experiments to enhance our understanding of these future technologies and change perceptions of digital currencies and NFTs." But as the introduction of the crypto donation project is the first of its kind here, Lee's office will only be able to receive up to 10 million won ($8,420) until the system is legally institutionalized. Under the trial program, each sponsor can donate digital assets worth a maximum of 1 million won. "The political circle should change first to take the lead in the digital transformation. The relevant technologies and industries are developing at an alarming pace, but the policy and laws here have failed to catch up with the paradigm shift." The plan is illustrative of the Korean government's tightening regulatory pressure on the cryptocurrency industry. In September, dozens of the nation's crypto exchanges had to shut down their Korean won-based transaction services on their trading platforms, due to the introduction of the Special Financial Information Act here. Under the regulation, the Financial Services Commission did not grant approval to them, as they had failed to secure real-name bank accounts for users to continue trading cryptocurrencies via the local currency. Exchanges that sign or renew contracts with commercial banks can be granted licenses to operate the service. Only four of the major exchanges here succeeded in renewing their contracts with affiliated lenders, and the rest have had to suspend their services. The local cryptocurrency industry is stepping up its criticism on financial watchdogs, claiming that the overly strict set of regulations will continue to prevent Korea from joining the race in this emerging financial area. Kim Hyoung-joong, a professor in the Graduate School of Cybersecurity at Korea University, who is also serving as the head of the Korean Society of Fintech, said that the regulation mandating the issuance of real-name bank accounts is nothing more than a "malformed regulatory frame." "The financial authorities insist that the regulation was adopted at the request of the Financial Action Task Force, but the intergovernmental organization is not even aware of what the rule is," Kim said in a recent seminar. First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Park Jin-kyu. Korea Times file By Lee Kyung-min The industry ministry has decided to establish an external advisory body dedicated to enhancing the country's industrial security policies, as part of its efforts to better manage supply chain issues threatening the long-term growth of local exporters and technology developers as well as the expansion of foreign investment. The measure seeks to strengthen protections for the country's key growth driver firms and cooperation with their peers in advanced economies, to strengthen and set up bilateral and multilateral supply chains to be insulated from unforeseen disruptions and complications, not unlike the COVID-19 pandemic. In talks with Korea for the shared objectives are the U.S. and European countries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday that the advisory body will be composed of 17 academic and private-sector experts with in-depth knowledge and experience. Senior researchers at state-run think tanks, lawyers and university professors will join the group. "The government will foster and protect technological development in the future, to strengthen supply chains, security of the country's key resources and closer integration among industry, energy, trade and investment to respond swiftly to and navigate emergencies and crises," a ministry official said. The ministry held a meeting attended by members of a taskforce set up for risk management concerning key export and import items critical to the stable operation of manufacturing and other key industries. The 15th meeting presided over by First Vice Minister Park Jin-kyu discussed ways to improve the current regulations to better resolve the challenges experienced by local firms, especially by revising laws governing trade, key materials and parts manufacturing, high-tech industries, industrial espionage and foreign investment. The move to strengthen institutional frameworks is the latest development in the ministry's policy response measures developed since February, when Washington issued a supply chain executive order to help guarantee more resilient and secure supply chains for critical and essential goods including batteries and semiconductors. Korea and the U.S. have since bolstered bilateral ties to increase cooperation for the prosperity of the two key high-tech industries as well as electric vehicle manufacturing, mostly in the form of greater investments and developing existing communication channels. Korea has outlined a variety of response measures to help increase the country's standing on the global stage as a key stakeholder in global supply chains, a measure brought on in October by the U.S. announcement of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, defined by common principles and standards concerning infrastructure, supply chains and climate change for closer cooperation with its allies. Meanwhile, the ministry plans to advance the green initiative to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. In a joint press briefing earlier in the day, attended by ministers and high-ranking officials of the trade, environment, fisheries, science and education ministries, the government said 2022 will be the year when the eco-friendly drive will make its rapid, clear transition to a low-carbon society. The digital economy and nurturing talented young workers to lead the green discussions will be the top policy priorities, it added. About 87.9 billion won ($73.9 million) will be spent next year to support carbon-neutral facilities built by small and medium-sized firms. The government will set up and enforce a law to increase tax incentives for firms with green business models. By Lee Hae-rin Paul Kwok, the general manager at Grand Hyatt Jeju / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Jeju Two new skyscrapers appear in sight from an airplane descending to the tarmac on Korea's favorite vacation island of Jeju. Standing near the island's international airport is Grand Hyatt Jeju within Jeju Dream Tower, which opened in December of last year, the first urban integrated resort in the country. With some 1,600 rooms in two towers, Grand Hyatt Jeju is the second-largest Hyatt property among more than 1,100 across the globe and so far the biggest in Asia. Visited by over 1.3 million people within a year since its opening, the integrated resort has quickly become a leading tourist attraction of the island. Undeniably, Jeju Island has been the top beneficiary of the closure of international borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. But besides the advantage of the time of the opening, the key to the hotel's success lies in expanding customer choices, according to Paul Kwok, the general manager at Grand Hyatt Jeju. "Just 10 minutes away from the airport, the hotel provides guests the convenience to enjoy our facilities and services as soon as they touch down on Jeju Island. The centralized location of the Hyatt is close to the main traffic highway guests use to travel to other sightseeing attractions directly," Kwok told The Korea Times via email interview. The hotel is one of three major parts of the Jeju Dream Tower integrated resort, with the other two being a foreigner-only casino and a shopping mall named HAN Collection. Kwok often tells his staff that "Grand Hyatt Jeju opened the 2.0 generation of the Hyatt brand," in terms of diversity and quality of service and facilities. The integrated resort offers a wide spectrum of food and beverage services in its 14 restaurants and bars, from standard to high-end. On the top 38th floor of the building is the restaurant "Pocha," which offers a variety of street food delicacies and local liquor at reasonable prices with a panoramic view of the island. "Pocha" means small tented wagons that are used to sell street foods accompanied with drinks in Korean. Restaurant "Pocha" on the 38th floor of Grand Hyatt Jeju / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Jeju The hotel is equipped with global star chefs in its fine dining section, diverging from traditional Asian cuisines to steak and dessert. Among the chefs are Vincent Wong from Shangri-La in the Chinese restaurant, Philippe Daue from GODIVA in patisserie, and steak specialist Burton Yi from CUT by Wolfgang Puck in Singapore, to name a few. From his experience in running landmark properties with several restaurants and bars, Kwok said he focused on "making sure high-quality food and beverages are being sourced" and "recruiting the right people for the job." "Seasonal Jeju ingredients such as Jeju black pork, Jeju hairtail fish, local abalone and assorted seafood, hanwoo beef, and hallabong tangerines are available at our 14 restaurants," Kwok explained. As a result of expanding customer choices in food and beverage services, over 770,000 people have visited its 14 F&B facilities since the opening. A corner suite with a panoramic view at Grand Hyatt Jeju / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Jeju The panoramic view that covers the mountain, ocean, and city of the island is another of the hotel's strong assets. "Every suite should be an island landmark," Kwok often tells his staff. The rooms, which are all suites, present a broad range of scenery of Jeju through 2.7-meter-tall windows. The resort also presents a variety of regional specialties, works of Korean designers, and local lifestyle brands in its shopping mall and flea market. "Guests and visitors can shop for the latest K-fashion trends by more than 200 Korean designers from contemporary to casual outfits, shoes, jewelry and bags for men and women," Kwok added. Jeju Dream Tower integrated resort / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Jeju gettyimagesbank By Yoon Ja-young People overseas pick Korean-style fried chicken as their favorite Korean food, while more than half of the Koreans surveyed do not think it belongs in that category, according to recent polls. A survey of 1,500 Korean nationals by the Korean Food Promotion Institute shows that 63.9 percent believe that regular fried chicken is not Korean food, while 45.1 percent say that neither is marinated fried chicken. Respondents were asked whether they would consider each of thirty different kinds of food consumed here as Korean. The survey results showed that kimchi is the dish that most people (99.7 percent) consider Korean, followed by doenjang-jjigae, or soybean paste stew, at 99.3 percent, buchimgae, or savory pancakes, at 95.3 percent, japchae, or glass noodles with fried vegetables, at 94.3 percent, and gimbap, or seaweed rice rolls, at 90.8 percent. Koreans' perception of fried chicken as not Korean contrasts with another survey by the institute in which people living overseas picked fried chicken as their favorite Korean dish. In the survey conducted in August and September, 8,500 people in 17 cities around the world were asked to name their favorite Korean dish. Fried chicken topped the list, with 16.1 percent of votes. They also picked Korean-style fried chicken as the Korean dish they eat most frequently, followed by kimchi and bibimbap. Joo Young-ha, a professor of folklore studies at the Academy of Korean Studies, said in an interview with local CBS Radio that one should focus on the concept of K-food, rather than arguing whether or not fried chicken should be considered a Korean dish. When asked whether fried chicken is a Korean dish, he said that it should be considered a K-food, adding that this category includes not only dishes that Koreans traditionally think of as Korean, but also dishes served in Korean restaurants or those produced by Korean food factories. Joo pointed out that foreign nationals living overseas often come to be interested in K-foods such as samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), soju, tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) and pajeon (scallion pancake) after seeing those dishes in Korean dramas, while Koreans want to introduce foreigners to more traditional dishes, like royal cuisine, as Korean. Japchae / gettyimagesbank Louis Bourgeois' "Turning Inwards Set #4 (The Smell of Eucalyptus (#1))" (2006), left, and "Turning Inwards Set #4 (I See You!!!)" (2007) / Courtesy of the Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, New York/SACK, Seoul By Park Han-sol Louise Bourgeois descends the stairs in her home on West 20th Street in New York City in 1992. Courtesy of Easton Foundation/Licensed by VAGA at ARS, NY "Art is a guarantee of sanity." This sentence famously declared by Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) reflects the role that sculptures, paintings and etchings played throughout the life of the prolific French-American artist. In Korea, she is arguably best known for her gigantic bronze spider sculpture series, "Maman," one piece of which used to sit in the courtyard of Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul before being relocated this year to the Ho-Am Art Museum in Gyeonggi Province. Representing protection and nurturing, the creature was an ode to her own beloved mother. For Bourgeois, whose unresolved childhood traumas stemmed from resentment of her father's years of infidelity and sympathy for her invalid mother's silence, art was a tool for addressing her bottled-up fears and insecurities. "But in comparison to her earlier works that are more piercing and emotionally intense, the artist's pieces created during the final years of her life turned inward to herself," said Yoon Hei-jeong, the managing director of Kukje Gallery, where the artist's lesser-known, soft-ground etching series "Turning Inwards #4" is currently on view. "The series indicates a phase of self-reflection, as she turns her attention to her inner self, away from the resentment, wounds and hatred that consumed her in the past." An installation view of "The Smell of Eucalyptus" exhibition at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul / Courtesy of Kukje Gallery In "The Smell of Eucalyptus" exhibition, a total of 39 etchings produced between 2006 and 2009 are shown together for the first time in Korea. With these large prints at the forefront, there are also eight sculptures nestled throughout the gallery space that share similar formal and thematic concerns, thereby creating a point of dialogue between the two different genres of her work. The primary themes and iconography addressed in her "Turning Inwards" series are a continuation of her years-long artistic exploration of motherhood, sexuality and interest in nature especially plants in relation to human bodies. One of the pieces on display, from which the show's title derives, underlines the central importance of memory as well as the sense of healing that materialized in her later work. In the 1920s, the artist nursed her ailing mother in the south of France, often using eucalyptus oil as a treatment. The plant eventually came to symbolize her time and relationship with her mother, later transforming into a means of visualizing maternal identity. It also became a sensory trigger a means to evoke her past memory as she burned the plant in her studio to cleanse the aura. "Ultimately, considering how art became a tool for coping with her emotions throughout the years, eucalyptus was both a physical and symbolic motif that provided her with a sense of healing," Yoon said. A handful of her other pieces from the series draw an intricate connection between the human body and plant forms from nature, such as coiling stems reminiscent of a person's internal organs and an anthropomorphic creature filled with countless eyes, resembling a fruit-bearing tree. "Our own body could be considered, from a topological point of view, a landscape with mounds and valleys and caves and holes," the artist once said. "So it seems rather evident to me that our body is a figuration that appears in Mother Earth." "The Smell of Eucalyptus" exhibition runs through Jan. 30, 2022, at Kukje Gallery. By Lee Hae-rin The State University of New York (SUNY) Korea appointed Arthur H. Lee as the new president of the institution, effective from Jan. 1, its Board of Managers announced, Tuesday. As the head of SUNY Korea, Lee will work with its home campuses in New York, including Stony Brook University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as national and local governments and authorities here. Lee has been working as provost and interim president of the institution. He received a B.S. and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Utah, and an M.S. in computer science from Stanford University. "Lee is an open and collaborative leader who is focused on building a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for faculty, staff and students," Paul Goldbart, Stony Brook University executive vice president and provost, said in a press release. "As the president of SUNY Korea, he will be responsible for overseeing the academic and administrative operations of the university and providing leadership for stakeholders in the U.S. and Korea." SUNY Korea is a global educational institution established in Songdo, Incheon, in 2012. Its student body is approximately 1,000 students from 40 countries and it offers seven undergraduate and eight graduate degree programs of home institutions. Students at Stony Brook University may apply for an exchange program at SUNY Korea, and undergraduate students at SUNY Korea are required to spend one year at Stony Brook University's New York campus. North Korea has discussed a draft resolution expected to be adopted at the close of an ongoing key party meeting, its state media reported Friday, amid expectations the document could include its foreign policy line for the New Year. The North convened a fourth day of the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Thursday, during which participants "concluded sectional workshops and consultative sessions," according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The participants launched sectional workshops Tuesday to "map out plans according to the fighting policies set forth" by leader Kim Jong-un under his report "on the orientation of the work of the party and state in 2022." "The meeting put together constructive opinions to be added to a draft resolution and had final examination of them," it said. The KCNA did not provide details, but the resolution is likely to include the North's stance on the deadlocked inter-Korean relations and its nuclear talks with the United States as top officials in charge of the issues were spotted partaking in the discussion sessions. The resolution is expected to be unveiled at the end of the plenary. The KCNA said a fifth-day session was to be held, though it's unclear for how many days the gathering will continue. Previous plenary meetings were held between one and four days. This week's meeting has drawn keen attention as it could replace Kim's annual New Year's Day address, which is closely watched by the outside world for clues on the country's domestic and foreign policy directions for the New Year. Kim has skipped such speeches in the past two years, opting instead to unveil key messages via major party sessions around the turn of the calendar. (Yonhap) The government will extend toughened social distancing rules for two more weeks through mid-January, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday, amid efforts to bring down the number of serious coronavirus cases and contain the Omicron variant. "It is too early to think that we have overcome the crisis," Kim said during a COVID-19 response meeting in Seoul. "We still have a lot of critically ill virus patients and deaths." The government has been enforcing stricter social distancing rules since Dec. 18 following a surge in COVID-19 cases. Currently, private gatherings are capped at four people nationwide, while 9 or 10 p.m. curfews are imposed on multiuse facilities' business hours. The restrictions were originally supposed to end Sunday, but with the latest decision, they will be enforced through Jan. 16. In addition to existing curbs, the authorities decided to tighten distancing measures for large discount chains and department stores by making it mandatory for visitors to show a proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result. After imposing the tightened virus curbs and encouraging booster shots, Kim said the country's virus situation is improving with the daily number of new cases showing a downward trend. Health authorities on Friday reported 4,875 new cases, sharply down from the Dec. 15 peak of 7,850 cases. However, Kim warned against complacency as the daily figures of serious COVID-19 cases and deaths are still over 1,000 and 100, respectively, despite the increased inoculation rate among senior citizens. He added that the government still has to work hard to secure more hospital beds and to have a medical system that can handle 10,000 patients a day, while needing to be fully prepared before the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads quickly across the nation. As of Friday, the country confirmed a total of 894 Omicron variant cases, up 269 from the previous day. "If the virus situation gets stabilized after we show our civic consciousness a little more for two weeks, the government will actively consider relaxing virus curbs," Kim said. "For the next year, we expect the fight against the omicron variant to determine the success of our disease control efforts." The toughened rules brought a setback to the government's "Living with COVID-19" scheme that targets people's gradual return to normal life, and caused a strong backlash from small merchants and self-employed people. To ease their suffering, Kim said the government decided to provide COVID-19 damage compensation for the first quarter in advance. Some 550,000 self-employed people will receive 5 million won ($4,200) each first, with the actual calculations of their financial damage and related compensation to be conducted later. Regarding the government's COVID-19 vaccine pass system for youths, Kim said it will be adopted in March with a one-month grace period. (Yonhap) A visitor scans a QR code of a vaccine pass app to enter a large discount store in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap Current social distancing measures extended to Jan. 16 By Bahk Eun-ji Children aged 12 to 18 will be subject to the COVID-19 vaccine pass system from March 1, a month later than the government's initial plan, following protests and concerns from parents over its hasty implementation. The health and education ministries said, Friday, that the system will be applied to the age group in March when the new semester begins, for accessing multiuse facilities including private academies or "hagwon," libraries, study cafes and PC rooms. A one-month grace period will also be applied during March, and violators won't be fined until April 1. The government initially planned to enforce the vaccine pass system for the age group from Feb. 1, as the number of daily infection cases here has spiked. But this plan faced strong criticism from children and parents for virtually forcing vaccination without full information about the possible side effects on youth. The plan was also denounced for violating students' rights to education. "This measure is expected to reduce confusion among students and parents by giving them sufficient time to decide whether to get the vaccine or not," the education ministry said in a press release. The government said that it would consider not applying the vaccine pass policy to the age group once the current uptick in the number of daily infections has subsided. Besides the policy for children, the government also decided to continue the current social distancing measures for two more weeks until Jan. 16. The cap on private gatherings will remain at four people and business operations of multiuse facilities must stop at 9 or 10 p.m. Department stores and discount stores measuring 3,000 square meters or more will be newly included in the vaccine pass system from Jan. 10, but a grace period will be allowed until Jan. 16. Such large stores have been excluded from the vaccine pass system due to difficulties in controlling and checking visitors, but the government decided to include them, following a controversy over the fairness of not doing so, when requiring the vaccine pass to access other multiuse facilities. The government's decision to extend the current strict social distancing measures for two more weeks is bringing a strong backlash from small business operators and self-employed people. In order to ease their financial difficulties, the government will provide 5 million won ($4,204) of damage compensation each for about 550,000 small business owners and self-employed during the first quarter of next year. "The Korean community will have to focus on curbing the virus spread for two more weeks," Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said during a meeting at the Government Complex in Seoul. "If the virus situation stabilizes, we'll actively consider easing the measures." In the meantime, the country reported 4,875 new infections for Thursday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The number of critically ill patients remained high at 1,056, and 108 died. The number of new Omicron variant cases soared by 269 for Thursday, raising the total to 894. It was the largest number of daily new cases since the infections were detected in Korea for the first time on Dec. 1. The sudden surge is mainly because the country on Thursday began using a newly developed PCR reagent, which can detect the variant in a test within three to four hours, much faster than the previous three to five days, according to the KDCA. Supporters of former President Park Geun-hye gather outside Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul, Dec. 31, the day she was set free under a presidential pardon. She is expected to stay at the hospital for treatment until early February. Yonhap Former President Park Geun-hye was set free Friday under a presidential pardon, after four years and nine months of imprisonment following her impeachment and ouster from office for corruption. The 69-year-old Park has served a combined 22-year prison sentence since March 2017 after being impeached and removed from office over far-reaching corruption and an influence-peddling scandal involving a close friend accused of manipulating her. Last week, President Moon Jae-in decided to pardon Park as part of his special amnesty for the new year. The government said the decision was made in consideration of her deteriorating health and as part of efforts to promote national unity. Park has been receiving treatment at a Seoul hospital for a series of back, shoulder and other ailments. She received a certificate of pardon at the hospital at midnight and is expected to remain there until early February. Park is eligible for government security protection but is not subject to other former presidential privileges, such as the provision of special pensions for retired presidents and personal secretaries, due to her conviction. Where she will stay after leaving the hospital remains unclear for now, as Park's private home in southern Seoul was auctioned off as part of her forfeiture. Her supporters have held rallies near the hospital in southern Seoul to celebrate her release. A number of standing flower wreaths with messages wishing her good health have lined a street near the hospital. Former President Park Geun-hye / Korea Times file . Minor opposition People Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo answers reporters' questions during a visit to a traditional market in Gangbuk District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo Minor opposition People Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo is quickly enhancing his presence and chipping away at the support of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoon Suk-yeol. In a number of recent surveys, No. 3 candidate Ahn is showing meaningful growth in public support, tempting the two major candidates Yoon and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung to potentially ask the center-right candidate to unify behind their respective candidacies. With the election coming in less than 70 days, Ahn's choice of whether he will maintain his candidacy or form a coalition with another candidate is expected to determine how the presidential race will unfold in the remaining period. A person purchases former President Park Geun-hye's book, which is a compilation of her prison letters, at a bookstore in Seoul, Thursday. Park was released under a presidential pardon Friday. Yonhap By Kwon Mee-yoo Former President Park Geun-hye, who was released Friday under a presidential pardon, claimed that she never gave privileges to anyone with an axe to grind, in a book published a day ahead of her pardon. Park, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for corruption and influence-peddling scandal after being ousted in March 2017, released a book compiling letters she exchanged with her supporters while behind bars from 2017 to 2021, Thursday. In the book, "Longing Doesn't Happen to Anyone (translated title)," Park consistently remains critical of court rulings which found her guilty and media reports on the scandal, implying the impeachment was unfair and unjust. However, in the book, she does not explicitly apologize for the influence-peddling scandal which led to her impeachment. "I believe the truth will be revealed and issues will be unraveled in the end even though it will take time," she wrote in one of the letters. "I'm enduring this moment with the belief that the lies and instigation will collapse when the right time comes." She also refutes one of the key issues during her term: the seven missing hours on the day of the Sewol Ferry sinking in 2014. The then-opposition Democratic Party, a predecessor of the current ruling Democratic Party of Korea, attacked Park for being absent from the office during such an important moment. Park wrote, "I wasn't feeling well that day and I received the report at my official residence. There were rumors and malicious slander against me regarding the situation, but I remained silent because I believe in the power of truth," adding that she has nothing to hide and no reason to do so. Supporters of former President Park Geun-hye gather in front of Samsung Medical Center, where Park is hospitalized, to celebrate her release, early Friday morning. Yonhap Former President Park Geun-hye was set free Friday under a presidential pardon, after four years and nine months of imprisonment following her impeachment and ouster from office for corruption. The government said the decision was made in consideration of her deteriorating health and as part of efforts to promote national unity. Her supporters have held rallies near the hospital in southern Seoul to celebrate her release. A number of standing flower wreaths with messages wishing her good health have lined a street near the hospital. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presides over the plenary of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee in Pyongyang on Dec. 27, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported Dec. 28. Yonhap North Korea has kicked off a key ruling party meeting to decide on "strategic and tactical policies," its state media said Tuesday, amid expectations the session could serve as a venue to unveil Pyongyang's major policy directions for the New Year. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the plenary of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee held the previous day, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The plenary meeting is to review the implementation of main Party and state policies for the year 2021 and discuss and decide on the strategic and tactical policies," the KCNA said. The meeting "approved the agenda items and went into the discussion of them," the report said without further elaboration, indicating that the event may continue for multiple days. The North's previous plenary meetings were held for one to four days. The meeting has drawn keen attention from the outside world, as it may offer a clue to the reclusive regime's next step amid a prolonged stalemate in its nuclear negotiations with the United States. The North has remained unresponsive to U.S. overtures for talks after the countries' no-deal Hanoi summit in 2019, demanding Washington first retract what it calls "double standards" and "hostile policy" against its regime. The KCNA did not provide details on the plenary's agenda items, but the economy is also expected to be high on the list as the North is struggling from crippling sanctions and a protracted border closure due to COVID-19. Experts say this week's plenary could replace Kim's annual New Year's Day address. Kim has skipped such speeches in the past two years, opting instead to unveil key messages via major party sessions around the turn of the calendar. At the end of 2019, Kim presided over a four-day party plenary session and accused Washington of "hostile acts" against Pyongyang. This year, he convened a rare party congress in January and called the U.S. the North's "principal enemy." Eyes are also on how the North will mark the 10th anniversary of Kim's rise to power, which falls this Thursday on the occasion of the party event. Kim officially took the helm of the North on Dec. 30, 2011, with the "supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army," 13 days after his father and former leader Kim Jong-il died. On Monday, Seoul's unification ministry urged North Korea to "start the New Year by opening the door for dialogue" and "take a step forward for engagement and cooperation." (Yonhap) 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. In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, Dec. 28. AP-Yonhap North Korea had high-profile discussions on key policy issues for 2022 during a year-end plenary session of the Workers' Party, with senior officials, including those in charge of inter-Korean relations and foreign affairs in attendance, according to its state media Thursday. The North convened a third day of the 4th Plenary Meeting of the party's 8th Central Committee on Wednesday, during which "sectional workshops" continued from the previous day to "map out plans according to the fighting policies set forth" by leader Kim Jong-un, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. Kim presided over the first- and second-day sessions of the plenary and made a report "on the orientation of the work of the party and state in 2022." The KCNA did not provide details, but it released photos of a workshop led by Kim Yong-chol, head of the United Front Department and the North's Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon, suggesting that inter-Korean relations and nuclear negotiations could have been among the agenda items. Pak Jong-chon, the North's top military official, also led a separate consultative session apparently to discuss plans for the country's weapons development and defense strategies. Details of the discussions are likely to be unveiled at the end of the plenary through a resolution, though it's unclear for how long the party gathering will continue. Previous plenary meetings were held between one and four days. The participants also discussed the country's budget for the New Year, which will be approved at its rubber-stamp legislature in February. This week's meeting has drawn keen attention from the outside world, as it may offer a clue to the reclusive regime's next step amid a prolonged stalemate in its nuclear negotiations with the United States. The North has remained unresponsive to U.S. overtures for talks after their no-deal Hanoi summit in 2019, demanding Washington first retract what it calls "double standards" and "hostile policy" against its regime. The plenary also comes as North Korea marks the 10th anniversary of Kim's rise to power. Kim officially took the helm of the North on Dec. 30, 2011, with the "supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army," 13 days after his father and former leader Kim Jong-il died. In an editorial Thursday, the North's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, touted Kim for developing its military into "the world's strongest," and called for further boosting the country's defense capabilities. (Yonhap) In this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, Dec. 29, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a plenary session of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, Dec. 28. Yonhap By Yoon Ja-young North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, seems to be have reached his lowest weight in at least the past few years. In a photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, Dec. 29, Kim was wearing a black suit with a white button-down shirt and silver tie, while attending a plenary session of the Workers' Party. The photo immediately drew attention, as there was some space between his neck and the shirt. Previously, he has rarely worn button-down shirts and even if he has, they looked very tight around the neck. Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported in a parliamentary audit in October that Kim had shed around 20 kilograms compared to 2019, when he weighed 140 kilograms (308 pounds). However, he seems to be even slimmer, compared to in October, when there was no space between his neck and shirt. In fact, his neck even seemed to be covering part of the collar. While there is a possibility that Kim switched to a bigger shirt size, his jawline has indeed become sharper. This photo released by North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Oct. 10, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attending a military parade. Yonhap Medical staff work at an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at Hyemin Hospital in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap By Lee Hyo-jin Korea is likely to extend current social distancing measures for another two weeks amid a surge in Omicron variant cases, which is expected to become the dominant strain in the coming weeks. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will announce today whether to extend the current measures which are set to expire on Jan. 2. On Tuesday, the country saw its biggest uptick in the number of Omicron infections. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 109 new infections, the first triple-digit daily caseload since Korea identified its first cases of the variant on Dec. 1. Another 67 new cases were added on Wednesday, raising the aggregated total to 625. The military has reported its first cases of the variant among an officer at a unit in Seongnam, along with two conscripts at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, both located in Gyeonggi Province. All three cases were breakthrough infections. Ousted former President Park Geun-hye defended herself in a series of letters written after she was imprisoned for corruption in 2017, saying she never did anything as "ugly" as abusing her office to help others for personal gain. Park published the letters in a book titled "Not everybody feels a longing," which was published Thursday just hours before she was set free under a presidential pardon. Former President Park Geun-hye Assertive and independent approaches needed in dealing with US, China Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), emphasized the need for South Korea to employ a pragmatic diplomacy based on its national interests, describing it as the backbone of his foreign policy platform for the March 9 presidential election. He unveiled such a stance during a joint interview with The Korea Times, Reuters and South China Morning Post at the party's headquarters, Wednesday. Elaborating on his policies toward major diplomatic partners such as the United States and China, Lee opposed the concept of so-called "strategic ambiguity," or refraining from making overt actions of taking sides. Rather, he stressed the importance of more assertive and independent approaches in dealing with the superpowers. Lee's statement is proper and timely as it highlights that the nation does not have to choose between the two giants. As Lee put it in the interview, there is no reason for the Republic of Korea to assume a "disgraceful" attitude in carrying out foreign affairs policies, given its status as the 10th largest economy with the world's sixth most powerful military, for instance. This more "assertive and independent" foreign policy stands in stark contrast with the one employed by Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential nominee of the main opposition People Power Party. Yoon has come under criticism for his seemingly reckless remarks on China, in particular. During an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Tuesday, Yoon said, "Most Koreans, especially young people, dislike China, and most young Chinese hate Korea." This statement by Yoon is very inappropriate despite the need for him to make precise and prudent remarks when touching upon highly sensitive diplomatic issues. Yoon should have considered the need to fortify the alliance with the U.S. while sustaining an amicable partnership with China. The DPK in a statement described Yoon's remark as being "absurd." Regarding North Korea, Lee also said he will, if he wins the election, candidly tell Pyongyang what it needs to do in the process of finding a solution to the knotty issue of denuclearization and other peace process measures on the Korean Peninsula. His remark is also encouraging, as the Moon Jae-in administration has largely failed to make progress in inter-Korean relations despite its much-touted and low-profile approaches toward the North. Touching upon the Japan issue, Lee called for a sincere apology for Japan's past wrongdoings during its colonial rule of Korea. Yet, he also cited the need for the two neighboring countries to combine efforts to march forward toward the future, based on pragmatic approaches on diverse pending issues such as forced wartime labor and sex slavery. Expectations are growing over Lee's realistic and self-reliant approaches in foreign policy. Adding to those, we urge him to maintain such a balanced and well-coordinated perspective in dealing with crucial external affairs policies. Not everyone was happy to see Santa in 1954. Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Starting in 1890, Christmas became one of the largest social events held in Seoul by the Western community. Unlike the previous decade when the Western residents of Seoul were mainly single missionaries and diplomats, there were now families with small children and they brought with them the familiar holiday traditions of Santa Claus and Christmas trees. For many children, the magic of Christmas is Santa Claus and, as I noted a couple of years ago, the American children in Seoul dutifully wrote letters to the jolly old soul in which they extolled their good behavior (and naturally glossed over their naughtiness) in an attempt to convince him they were deserving of his visit and, more importantly, a gift. Without exception they succeeded. Such was the case of Maurice, the eight-year-old son of Horace Allen (the secretary of the American Legation in Seoul), who, in 1894, found a pair of ice skates under his Christmas tree after a letter had been written to Santa Claus. His exuberant belief amused the adults, including John Sill, the American minister to Seoul, who wrote: "It hardly seems possible that a boy his age should really believe such a thing, but he appeared most innocent." Young Maurice's conviction of the veracity of Santa was strengthened three years later at the American Legation's Christmas party, when Santa suddenly appeared and presented him and the other children with gifts. Korean children greet Santa in 1954. Robert Neff Collection Although I have been trying to confine this article to anecdotes about Americans residing in Seoul, I am compelled to include Santa's visit to Wonsan in 1896. As most parents are more than aware, Santa is a very busy man and sometimes requires assistance. Mr. L. Ahrendts, a member of the Korean Customs Department at that port, took it upon himself to assist Santa by assuming his dress and role. It was an unforgettable act and was described in The Independent (an English- and Korean-language newspaper that was published in Seoul): "He was robed in scarlet mounted with beautiful snow cotton a veritable 'old Santa,' as he bound down from the snowy North. He had not finished his stories to the children, when by an accidental twitch of the hand the cotton took fire, and in a moment he was [engulfed] in a mass of flames. Mr. Ahrendts' presence of mind enabled him to free himself very quickly of the burning robe, thus came off with nothing more serious than a severely burned hand. It was a moment of intense excitement. And after all was over, the frightened children scarcely knew what to make out of 'Old Santa,' that he should take his departure in a burning flame like that." While Santa enthralled (and, in some cases, frightened) children, it was the Christmas trees that seemed to bridge the cultural gap between the foreign residents and their Korean hosts. One example is in 1890 when Lillias Underwood hosted a Christmas party in her home and took great delight in entertaining her son and his young guests describing them as "a queer little company." Years later she wrote: "[There were] little Americans from the missionary homes, little English from the consulate, little Russians, little chubby Japanese from the legation, little German Americans, Canadians, one Korean and the very cunningest little Chinese baby you ever did see, all wadded up in such an amazing number of gay quilted coats he could roll one way as well as another, and could roll all day without hurting himself." Christmas dinner at a U.S. Army camp in Korea in 1954 Robert Neff Collection There were, naturally enough, some problems in entertaining so many children of varying ages. Some felt they were too old to sit with the youngest children and demanded a place with the older children or with the adults. Their demands were met with apologies and quick seating changes and dinner was promptly served. However, it wasn't the meal the children were interested in they were interested in the magic: the Christmas tree. Obtaining a tree had been no easy task. Underwood wrote: "The poor around the city, where trees are quite scarce, cut them down so fast for fuel that the cutting of trees had been forbidden by law, and, unless one can be had from someone's own land, we must do without." Fortunately, after several days of searching and waiting, a small tree was obtained just before the party along with "large bunches of the beautiful mystic mistletoe so prized by our English cousins, and long branches of evergreens." She had the tree set up in the parlor and the evergreen branches and mistletoe were used to decorate the walls and ceiling. The parlor was carefully closed off so that none of the curious and expectant little tykes could get an early peek. A postcard from the 1930s shows the Korean countryside during the winter. Robert Neff Collection As the children were finishing their meal, the partition was moved aside and the candles on the tree were all lit, allowing the children to see it for the first time "all blazing and glittering." I am sure there are more than a few parents who can relate to what happened next. "Such a clapping of hands, such shining eyes! Each of the babies had a rattle, each of the boys some trumpet or musical instrument, and soon the racket was all that a boy could desire, or Christmas time-honoured custom demand." The party soon ended but the tree was not finished entertaining yet. A group of little Korean schoolgirls and their teacher arrived to gaze with wondering eyes at [its] bright lights and glittering trimmings. Then they sat down on the floor, Korean fashion, and received their gifts, had their little feast of Christmas dainties, and were sent home greatly perplexed how to carry away all the goodies that had been given to them." The following afternoon, the Korean boys from the orphanage were invited for tea. Preparations were made well in advance as long low tables had to be set up with trays of bread, sweet crackers, cookies, cakes, tarts and other exotic treats. At the appointed time, the smallest little boy led his companions to the Underwood house which they entered, dropped their wooden shoes in the hall and made their most humble and polite bows. Underwood recalled that they were "such a lively and brilliant little company, coats of cherry, blue, green, purple, red, white with bright ribbons fastening their long braids." They were taught some American games and they romped about until they were served their treats. After they had partaken of all the cakes and pastries they could eat, they were taken into the parlor "and found the tree waiting in all its glory. When the penknives, etc, had been appropriated by their joyful little owners, excitement was at its height. They sat speechless with pleasure. They were aching to return [to their orphanage] and enjoy their gifts, so they soon made their bows and farewells" Waiting to enter Gyeongbok Palace in 2012. Robert Neff Collection What happened to the Underwood Christmas tree of 1890? Early the following morning, it was discovered that "a dishonest servant" robbed it of its tinsel and paper ornaments. Robbed of its initial beauty, it was declared that the tree had served its purpose and was promptly chopped into pieces and used to heat the house. "He [the tree] blazed up merrily and made a delightful, warm, cheery fire, and even his ashes were used to brighten up the andirons till they shone as never before." Every year in the 1890s there were Christmas parties held in the homes of missionaries and diplomats all of them had beautiful Christmas trees and judging from the accounts, each venue competed with its rivals to have the most beautiful tree. Despite their valiant attempts, it appears the Americans did not have the best Christmas trees in Seoul the Russians did. Yet, it was the Americans who managed to catch the attention of the Korean royal family. In 1894, Christmas found its way into the Korean palace through the efforts of Lillias Underwood, who set up a Christmas tree for the royal family. It wasn't a great success as she recalled: "Soon after Christmas I dressed a Christmas tree for the royal family, but to my great vexation, the effect was quite spoiled because their majesties were too impatient to wait till dark to view it, and one cannot lock the doors on kings and queens and forbid them to do as they will in their own palaces. There were no heavy hangings or means of darkening the room, and so the poor little candles flickered in a sickly way in the glaring daylight, and I felt that Western customs were lightly esteemed in the critical eyes of the East." Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbok Palace in 2012. Western residents of Seoul were often invited to the palace during the winters in the late 1880s and early 1890s to skate on the ice. Robert Neff Collection By Yun Byung-se Predictions are galore as to how the New Year of the Tiger will unfold. Uncertain, turbulent and contested are popular adjectives describing the world before us where worries overshadow hopes. The main sources of such apprehensions are systemic, structural and deep-rooted, while others are transitional or cyclical. At the global level, there is a broad consensus that U.S.-China strategic competition will intensify and that climate change will accelerate. If the former can rock the grand geo-economic and geopolitical chessboards in the coming decades, the latter is destined to exacerbate human living conditions on this planet. Global Trends 2040 adds that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political and security implications that will ripple for years to come. Technology and supply chain disruptions are likely to manifest more intensely. Democracy is in retreat and populism is on the rise around the world. At the regional level, ominous signs of humanitarian catastrophes, crises and armed conflicts are surfacing as witnessed in Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Taiwan Strait, leaving the door open for brinkmanship diplomacy. Plurilateral efforts toward coalition building will be strengthened in political, economic, technological and military arenas. Rogue states and autocratic regimes are seeking to turn the ongoing situations in their favor. There are nine points that draw my attention in terms of specific policy and developments which could become the litmus tests for this part of the world next year and beyond. First, how many U.S. allies and partners will join the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics? If the number reaches a critical mass sufficient to justify the U.S. stance based on China's human rights violations, it will be a shot in the arm for President Joe Biden. Otherwise, it will not deal a decisive blow to President Xi Jinping who is seeking his third term next fall. Second, when and how will North Korea's mischievous leader Kim Jong-un resume strategic provocations? Or will it respond positively to the U.S. offer for diplomatic talks without preconditions? Official circles in South Korea claim that North Korea is refraining from strategic provocations since late 2017 when it announced the completion of state nuclear force. But this assessment is quite misleading. North Korea has test-fired lethal asymmetric weapons, such as new submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), new Iskander-class short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) and long-range cruise missiles as well as a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) a potential game changer. In the past 30 years, it has shown a pattern of making major provocations before or after the inauguration of new South Korean and American administrations. For example, North Korea test-fired a longer-range missile only two days after President Moon Jae-in took office. The next South Korean administration will start in May. Third, will President Biden adopt a "No First Use" or "Sole Purpose" policy in the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review (NPR)? Former President Barack Obama considered a "No First Use" policy twice in 2009 and in 2016 and rejected the change both times. Biden has said that he wants to "reduce the role of nuclear weapons" in U.S. strategy, implying to use nuclear weapons only in response to a nuclear attack not chemical, biological, cyber or conventional strikes, no matter how damaging. But the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia staunch U.S. allies all firmly oppose such a policy shift. They prefer to maintain calculated ambiguity. The official position of the current South Korean government is not well-known. My own humble advice to the Biden administration is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Any fix will be a strategically wrong signal. U.S. extended deterrence and nuclear reassurance will be perceived as empty words. This is the time to strengthen allied deterrence, not to weaken it. Fourth is whether the declaration to put an end to the Korean War will come before the end of the Moon government. Or will it turn out to be further wishful thinking in disregard of U.S. focus on denuclearization of North Korea as well as DPRK's pursuit of nuclear power status? Fifth is whether or not the South Korean government can join the U.S./EU-led multilateral campaign in the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and other fora against China's human rights violations. If yes, it will be in line with the spirit of the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Leaders' Joint Statements but is likely to trigger China's retaliation which could be no less severe than was observed post-THAAD deployment. For the last three years, the Moon administration even dissociated itself from co-sponsoring the annual UNHRC resolutions on DPRK human rights violations whose repercussions would be much lesser than joining anti-China campaigns. Sixth is whether the next South Korean government will be able to join any Indo-Pacific Strategy coalitions such as the Quad, AUKUS or Five Eyes, or even reinvigorate the trilateral cooperation among U.S., Japan and South Korea. Together, these groupings constitute a new U.S. concept and policy of "integrated deterrence." How about the U.S.-proposed new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) minus China to focus on digital standards, supply chain resiliency and clean energy, among other things? China obviously will respond to such moves in one way or another. Can the U.S. block China's membership to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) when the U.S. itself cannot afford to join in the foreseeable future? Seventh, in view of the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, what kind of a role can the Korea-U.S. alliance or U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) play in cases of regional conflicts? Should the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty remain confined mainly to the Korean Peninsula or will it be stretched to other areas in the Pacific? The role of the USFK in the future Taiwan Strait conflict was a controversial issue in the lead-up to the bilateral understanding on strategic flexibility of 2006. Eighth, will there be a breakthrough in the history-related impasse between Korea and Japan that will pave the way for trilateral cooperation with the U.S.? Interestingly, both major South Korean presidential candidates seem to be distancing themselves from the Moon government policy and putting forth practical diplomacy as a key campaign slogan that has implications on Korea's Japan policy. Last, but not least, we should not lose sight of one real point. As both George Kennan and Richard Haass emphasized, foreign policy begins at home the impact of domestic issues on foreign affairs. This is the point where President Donald Trump and President Biden converge. The same goes for other countries as well. Upcoming election results in South Korea, Japan, the U.S. and Europe, as well as in China will have considerable repercussions on the regional and global landscape of 2022. Stay alert to the cloud of danger, but I hope that every cloud has a silver lining. Happy and safe New Year! Yun Byung-se is former foreign minister of South Korea. He is now a board member of Korea Peace Foundation and is a member of several ex-global leaders' forums and taskforces, including the Astana Forum and its Consultative Council as well as the Task Force on U.S. Allies and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Hyundai Motor's hydrogen truck, the Xcient / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Kim Hyun-bin Reports said Hyundai Motor Group will drop its project to move forward with the production of the Genesis hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which caused hydrogen car-related stocks to fall. However, industry officials said Friday that the country's top automotive company won't abandon the development of hydrogen FCEVs. According to local reports, the research project of the 3rd-generation hydrogen fuel cell, set to be installed in the Genesis hydrogen car, did not reach its development goals. They said that the Genesis hydrogen vehicle-development project has been temporarily delayed, and as a result, the role of the fuel cell department was significantly reduced through organizational restructuring and personnel management last month. Investors reacted negatively to the reports, with Sang-A Frontec dropping 12.86 percent, Iljin Hysolus, a hydrogen tank maker and affiliate of Iljin Group, also falling by 9.87 percent, along with Hyosung Advanced Materials declining 6.94 percent, and Unique falling 4.69 percent, Doosan Fuel Cell dropping 4.59 percent, and Kolon Industries falling 3.84 percent retreats, respectively. "The hydrogen FCEV project has not been halted but rather delayed, as it encountered some difficulties during research, but Hyundai has been and will continue to develop hydrogen FCEVs," a Hyundai Motor official said. Although it is true that Genesis hydrogen car development has been delayed, the outlook is favorable in the automobile industry. "The reason Hyundai and Toyota are making their first investments centered on passenger cars is that they are an intermediate process for achieving the systematization of materials and parts development and mass production. There might be some small tweaks in the process, but they will have minimal impact on the overall hydrogen FCEV growth plan," Han Byeong-hwa, a researcher at Eugene Investment & Securities, said. Thoughts were that it was only a matter of a difference in the speed of project developments as support for hydrogen vehicles continues with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in other countries, including China and the United States. "China is strongly supporting hydrogen cars following electric vehicles. The US will inject government funds into hydrogen cars as well as the hydrogen industry from next year. The European Union (EU) countries also made it mandatory to install hydrogen charging stations every 150km on major roads," Han added. "Hydrogen cars are in an early stage, like electric vehicles were 10 years ago. It is necessary to consider future growth rather than economic feasibility at this point." National Assembly passes a bill on the punishment of serious accidents at the plenary session of the National Assembly on January 8, 2021. Korea Times file By Kim Hyun-bin Businesses are fearful of the introduction of the "Serious Accident Punishment Act" that is set to take effect, next year, as criminal charges could be slapped on company heads for mishaps that occur during the manufacturing process. The Ministry of Environment released a commentary saying that even if the item in production is not harmful to the human body, it will be subject to the Serious Accident Punishment Act if the employer does not comply with safety and health obligations. The Act is set to be enforced on the 27th of January. This Act means that accidents which take place during the production of generally safe consumer goods, such as automobiles and drinking water, businesses will be liable for punishment in the event of workplace accidents. In this regard, some criticize that the target of securing health and safety stipulated in the Serious Accident Punishment Act and the Enforcement Decree is excessively broad. The central point of the argument is that durable goods and consumer goods and products that do not pose risks in and of themselves will also be subject to the Act. Business lobby groups such as the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and the Korea Federation of SMEs, are expressing their concerns about the Serious Accident Punishment Act. "The severity of sentences under the Serious Accident Punishment Act is not yet clear, so it is natural for a company to be scared if there is a chance that I will be affected. To have a possibility of going to prison is a completely different story," the KCCI chief Chey Tae-won said, recently. The KCCI is the country's most-influential business lobby, defending the best interests of large-sized conglomerates. A survey result also found that Korea is the country with the highest incidence of punishments related to occupational safety. As a result of a recent investigation of 12 countries in various regions, including Europe, Asia and North America. "Only Korea has become a country that has enacted a law that criminally punishes individual CEOs and assigns certain managers the duty to secure safety and health," the KEF said. The situation for SMEs is even worse. In fact, more than half of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are of the view that it is impossible to fulfill the obligations of the act. In a recent survey conducted by the Korea Federation of SMEs of 322 small and medium-sized manufacturing companies with 50 or more employees, 53.7 percent answered that it was "impossible" to comply with the mandatory requirements. In particular, 60.7 percent of companies with 50 to 99 employees answered that it was impossible. This situation is the reason there is no successor of GM Korea President Kaher Kazem, who was appointed in September of 2017, as GM headquarters executives refused to work in Korea saying, "If I go to Korea, I will become a criminal immediately." President Kazem was indicted by the prosecution in July of last year on charges of "illegal dispatch." The issue of the illegal dispatch of GM Korea started even before he took office in Korea and has been a controversial issue for the past nine years, but Kazem's position is also at risk of facing criminal liability, according to the "duty punishment rule" that punishes both the corporation and the CEO at the same time. An attendee photographs a sign next to the CES logo, ahead of the first keynote address at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. AFP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Thanks to the absence of global tech giants at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Korea's Samsung Electronics is set to appeal to global investors about why its recent decision to merge its mobile phone and home appliance businesses matters from an investment standpoint. The backdrop is that Samsung recently announced the creation of its DX (Device eXperience) Division, as a reflection of the company's priority of catering to consumers with a variety of electronics, which is how Samsung will highlight the physical hub in its smart home ecosystem. Samsung has long been known as the global leader in memory chips, displays and televisions. While the company has been consistent in honing its strengths in home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and even vacuum cleaners, its efforts in the creation of an in-house physical hub might have had tepid effects on its brand awareness. The central point of a smart home ecosystem is having an in-house physical hub, which functions as the core for all connected products within a household. A hub allows consumers and users to control all connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices from a central point. Users simply install an app in their mobile device, which boosts the user experience with its customized features, enhanced accessibility and even convenience. The Apple logo is seen in the lobby of New York City's flagship Apple store. Reuters-Yonhap Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, shakes hands with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun at an event at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, western Seoul, in this file photo. Korea Times file By Kim Yoo-chul The global automotive industry has been slowed down due to the grave scarcity of semiconductors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many major vehicle manufacturers halting their assembly lines. This growing challenge in the global automotive industry has struck fiercely at the backbone industries of the United States, the world's largest economy, from automobiles to smartphones. This issue pushed U.S. President Joe Biden and members of Congress to make collective efforts with leading allied countries in order to address supply bottlenecks, enabling an expanded role for Korea, given the country's long-time leadership in the memory chip sector. Because semiconductors, vaccines and batteries all areas in which Korea holds a competitive advantage are increasingly being viewed as matters of national security, the Korean government is hoping top-tier homegrown technology companies will work together to level up the commitments, despite their history of competition with each other in many ways, in order to strengthen the country's overall resilience. In a rare request, President Moon Jae-in told the chiefs of Samsung and Hyundai Motor of the necessity for mutual collaboration in the field of automotive semiconductors. Moon's proposal came during his meeting with the chiefs of the country's leading conglomerates at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. President Moon previously indicated that logic chips, the hydrogen-related value chain, electric vehicles and OLEDs were some of Korea's future growth engines. Interestingly, upon the request of the President, the two companies were ready to respond. Historically, the relationship between Samsung and Hyundai has been stagnant based on Samsung's failed attempts to advance into the car industry, dissatisfying the latter, as the country's top automotive company. Despite Samsung's repeated denials that it has no plans to reenter the car industry, earlier thoughts were that Hyundai was maintaining a rather defensive stance before Samsung, as the legacy thinking by senior Hyundai management was that Samsung was a company that has actually tried to threaten its primary business. But opportunities for collaboration have recently improved, with Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Euisun visiting Samsung's local battery plant, and with Samsung leader Lee Jae-yong speaking to Chung about key operational information at its battery business. Industry officials and sources familiar with the issue said Tuesday that the top management at Samsung and Hyundai Motor is said to have asked the relevant business units to seek the best possible ways to level up their partnerships in the automotive semiconductors business. Representatives at the companies declined to comment. But from a business standpoint, the most viable scenario is that Hyundai Motor may procure some custom telecommunication chips, infotainment processors and display driver chips the components that are considered vital for use in vehicles and classified as "system or logic chips," in which Samsung has a weakness, and thus has been prioritizing. "Given Samsung's recent releases of Exynos-branded automotive and infotainment chips, if Hyundai Motor decides to use the Samsung products in its vehicles, then that will be very impressive, and this scenario is very plausible and does make sense," said a senior executive at a local automotive firm by telephone, Tuesday. Simply, Samsung's wish is to test the compatibility and affordability of its logic-based automotive semiconductors by supplying them to trusted automakers. From that viewpoint, Hyundai is the right option. For Hyundai Motor's position, if it increases its procurement of Samsung chips, then that will help it save costs and launch joint marketing. As a long-term plan, while it's too early to say if Samsung will provide its foundry service to Hyundai Motor by manufacturing Hyundai-designed automotive chips at Samsung's local semiconductor plants, this is the scenario that Samsung wants, said officials. Driverless cars with Level-3 technology require more than 2,000 chips and this complexity has forced Hyundai Motor to explore possibilities for effectively bringing its chip production in-house via its affiliates. "Well, from a supply chain standpoint, it's required for the two to have an expanded business partnership. Korea truly has a role in terms of contributing to an easing of supply bottlenecks," said the executive. Samsung aims to achieve the global top position in system semiconductors by 2030. It is trailing Taiwan's foundry king, TSMC, in foundry chips. But Samsung Electronics' global share in the foundry chip segment isn't currently comparable to that of the Taiwanese company. By Lee Min-young Today's competitive business world demands a sharp strategy that hits the bullseye, especially in the startup world. However, companies in their early days tend to direct their energy into just staying afloat, paying less attention to fixing minor hiccups that could throw the whole system into a tailspin. To prevent that from happening, some external help can be useful in shaping their long-term strategy. The Korea Institute of Design Promotion holds a performance-sharing event at Space Wadiz in Seoul, Dec. 15. Social startups shared the results of a five-month consulting program supported by the institute. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min While Korea has seen a rapid growth in the number of entrepreneurs building social startups to resolve various social issues, it's true that most of them face a myriad of challenges and adversities along the way. To provide practical support, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), a government-affiliated institute that implements national design policies and strategies, runs business consulting programs where experts provide professional business advice, from early-stage market research to the actual planning and execution of tasks. As part of its efforts, the KIDP held a performance-sharing event at Space Wadiz in Seoul on Dec. 15. There, social startups shared their experiences and results after receiving a five-month business consulting service supported by the institute. The event invited 20 social enterprises that had participated in the KIDP's 2021 Social Enterprise Design Consulting Program. Consultants listen to presentations given by startup CEOs who received professional design consulting services. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min After being assigned to each social enterprise, corporate consultants have been focusing on improving service design, evaluating the firms and identifying any potential issues to assist them in business model improvements, user experience, user interface and brand consulting. Kim Jung-ok, CEO of Jeju Mami, a food company that use locally sourced produce from Jeju Island to revive the local economy and provide healthy food for its customers, said she needed the opportunity more than anything to better understand where the business needs to go. Her business started out as a small firm run by four middle-aged women who just moved to the island as a career shift. While they have been focusing on producing quality food and creating brand recognition over the past four years, Kim was unsure whether her food business was heading in the right direction. "I was thinking of ways to upscale our business by creating a strong brand, so we received brand consulting services. We ended up creating a great slogan to better express our company's vision and also came up with a new catchphrase. They advised us on the types of products we need to develop, and which farm produce to highlight, in a way that lives up to our new slogan and provides the best of what Jeju's culinary scene has to offer," Kim told The Korea Times at the event. The event invited 20 social enterprises that had participated in the 2021 Social Enterprise Design Consulting Program. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min 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 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule lifts off from Pad 39A on the Inspiration 4 civilian crew mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, U.S., Sep. 15. Reuters-Yonhap From the Mars Ingenuity helicopter's first powered flight on another world to the launch of the James Webb telescope that will peer into the earliest epoch of the Universe, 2021 was a huge year for humanity's space endeavors. Beyond the science milestones, billionaires battled to reach the final frontier first, an all-civilian crew went into orbit, and Star Trek's William Shatner waxed profound about what it meant to see the Earth from the cosmos, as space tourism finally came into its own. Here are selected highlights. Red Planet robot duo NASA's Perseverance Rover survived its "seven minutes of terror," a time when the craft relies on its automated systems for descent and landing, to touch down flawlessly on Mars' Jezero Crater in February. Since then, the car-sized robot has been taking photos and drilling for samples for its mission: determining whether the Red Planet might have hosted ancient microbial life forms. A rock sample return mission is planned for sometime in the 2030s. With its state-of-the-art instruments, "Percy," as the helicopter is affectionately known, can also zap Martian rock and chemically analyze the vapor. Percy has a partner along for the ride: Ingenuity, a four-pound (two kilogram) rotorcraft that in April succeeded in the first powered flight on another celestial body, just over a century after the Wright brothers' achieved the same feat here on Earth, and has performed many more since. "Perseverance is sort of the flagship mission, it's doing a long-term detailed investigation of this fascinating area of Mars," Jonathan McDowall, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told AFP. By contrast, "Ingenuity, is one of these cute, small, cheap little technology demos that NASA can do so well," he added. The insights gained from Ingenuity could help scientists develop Dragonfly, a planned thousand-pound drone copter, to search for signs of life on Saturn's moon Titan in the mid-2030s. Star Trek actor William Shatner, 90, speaks to the news media after his flight with three others in a capsule powered by Blue Origin's reusable rocket engine New Shepard on a landing pad, near Van Horn, Texas, Oct. 13. Reuters-Yonhap Private spaceflight takes off An American millionaire became the world's first space tourist in 2001, but it took 20 more years for the promise of private space flight to finally materialize. In July, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson faced off against Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos to complete a suborbital spaceflight. While the British tycoon won that race by a few days, it was Blue Origin that surged ahead, launching three more flights with paying customers and celebrity guests. Elon Musk's SpaceX entered the fray in September with a three-day orbital mission around the Earth featuring an all-civilian crew on Inspiration 4. "It's really exciting that finally, after so long this stuff is finally happening," said space industry analyst Laura Seward Forczyk, author of the forthcoming book "Becoming Off-Worldly," intended to prepare future space travelers. But it was William Shatner, who played the swashbuckling Captain Kirk on the 1960s TV series "Star Trek," who stole the show with a moving account of his experience. "What you're looking down on is Mother Earth, and it needs protecting," he told reporters. A Russian crew shot the first feature film in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021, and Japanese tourists made their own visit there on a Russian rocket. For a few minutes on December 11, there were a record 19 humans in space when Blue Origin carried out its third crewed mission, the Japanese team were on the ISS along with its normal crew, and Chinese taikonauts were in position on their station. The sight of wealthy elites gallivanting in the cosmos hasn't been to everyone's liking, however, and the nascent space tourism sector triggered a backlash from some who said there were more pressing issues to face, such as climate change, here on Earth. Chinese astronauts, from left, Tang Hongbo, Liu Boming, and Nie Haisheng wave as they prepare to board for liftoff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan in northwestern China, June 17. AP-Yonhap Globalization of space During the Cold War, space was dominated by the United States and the former Soviet Union. Now, in addition to the explosion of the commercial sector, which is sending up satellites at a dizzying pace, China, India and others are increasingly flexing their space flight muscles. China's Tiangong (Palace in the Sky) space station its first long-term outpost was launched in April, while its first Mars rover, Zhurong, landed in May, making it the only the second country to achieve such an exploit. "In the past 20 years since China finally decided to go big on space, they've been in catch up mode," said McDowall. "And now they're kind of there, and they're starting to do things that the US hasn't done." The UAE placed a probe into Martian orbit in February, becoming the first Arab nation and fifth overall to reach the planet. Russia meanwhile launched a missile at one of its own satellites, becoming the fourth country to hit a spacecraft from the ground, in a move that reignited concerns about the growing space arms race. Washington slammed Moscow for its "reckless" test, which generated over 1,500 pieces of large orbital debris, dangerous for low Earth orbit missions such as the ISS. In this picture released by NASA, Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope onboard sits in the final assembly building, Dec. 23, ahead of the planned roll to the launch pad, at Europe's Spaceport, the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. AFP-Yonhap Travelers wait in line to check into their flights at the Delta Terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Dec. 28. Thousands of flight cancellations that disrupted the holiday weekend have continued into the week due to Omicron-driven airline staff shortages. EPA-Yonhap Chinese students in the United States are struggling to get flights back to China, as U.S. airlines cancel services because of staffing issues caused by a surge in cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant and bad weather. The clock is ticking to get back to China in time for Lunar New Year family celebrations on February 1, given that if they can get on a flight, they will have to quarantine for an extended period when they arrive. For some frantically trying to rebook cancelled flights sometimes at exorbitant prices the more pressing concern is the risk of overstaying their U.S. visa or potentially missing out on a job lined up back home. U.S. flight cancellations began before Christmas because of crew members becoming infected with Omicron or being exposed to cases. The situation worsened over the weekend, when thousands of flights into and out of the U.S. were cancelled because of surging COVID-19 infections and severe weather. Airlines have warned that flight cancellations and delays could continue into January. One graduate, who gave her name as Lisa, said she had missed the start of an internship in China because her flight to Shanghai last week returned to the U.S. six hours into the journey. "I sublet my house in Pennsylvania and sold all my furniture before I flew to Seattle [to get the flight to Shanghai]," Lisa said. "Right now, I have no fixed abode and my I-20 [student] visa has expired because I've already graduated." The exact reason the Delta Air Lines flight, DL287, turned back remains unclear, but the American carrier said a new policy at Shanghai Pudong Airport "requires longer time on the ground than Delta is able to schedule there", adding that it was working to rebook customers on alternative flights. China's embassy in the United States on Tuesday highlighted the staffing issues that have hit US airlines and caused the cancellation of many domestic and international flights. The embassy previously said it had provided assistance to affected passengers and made "stern representations" to the airline. A passenger on the flight said earlier that the pilot attributed the decision to turn back to a temporary change in China's entry policy that meant passengers' health codes required for entering China could not be authenticated. Travelers line up for flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Dec. 30. AP-Yonhap A nurse prepares a fourth dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Dec. 27. Reuters-Yonhap Israel on Thursday approved a fourth vaccine shot for vulnerable people, becoming one of the first countries to do so, amid a surge in COVID in cases driven by the Omicron variant. The approval came as another anti-COVID weapon arrived in the country: a first shipment of Pfizer's anti-COVID pills. "Today I approved giving the fourth vaccine for immunocompromised people," health ministry director-general Nachman Ash told reporters. "I did this in light of studies that show the benefit of the vaccine, including the fourth vaccine, to this population, and in light of the fear they are more vulnerable in this outbreak of Omicron." Health authorities reported on Thursday more than 4,000 new cases, a high not seen since September. Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said Israel was in "a fifth wave", with most cases probably related to the Omicron variant. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel, which was among the first countries in the world to offer a third shot to the general public, would be a trailblazer for the fourth jab. "Israel will lead the way in administering a fourth vaccine to the Israeli people," he said. Some 4.2 million people out of a population of 9.4 Israelis have gotten three shots of coronavirus vaccine. Also on Thursday, an Israeli El Al flight from Belgium landed in Tel Aviv carrying a shipment of Pfizer's anti-COVID pill, Paxlovid. Bennett hailed this as an "important addition to the arsenal in the war against the pandemic". "Thanks to our rapid action, the drugs have arrived in Israel quickly and will assist us in getting past the peak of the coming Omicron wave," he said. Volunteers queue to receive a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, Dec. 27, as the Israeli hospital conducted a trial of the vaccine's fourth jab on staff volunteers. AFP-Yonhap A thick layer of snow is seen outside a yurt in Fairbanks, Alaska, Dec. 29, in this picture obtained from social media. Reuters-Yonhap An unusual winter warm spell in Alaska has brought daytime temperatures soaring past 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius) and torrents of rain at a time of year normally associated with bitter cold and fluffy snow. At the island community of Kodiak, the air temperature at a tidal gauge hit 67 F (19.4 degrees Celsius) degrees on Sunday, the highest December reading ever recorded in Alaska, said scientist Rick Thoman of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. He called it "absurd." The new benchmark high came amid a spate of balmy December extremes, Thoman said, including 65 degrees at the Kodiak airport, a record 62 degrees at the Alaska Peninsula community of Cold Bay and at least eight December days of temperatures above 50 at the Aleutian town of Unalaska, including a 56-degree reading that was Alaska's warmest Christmas Day on record. The most serious immediate implication for humans is likely from the massive amounts of precipitation dumped on interior Alaska, where the Fairbanks area was hit by its fiercest mid-winter storm since 1937, Thoman said. A house in Cordova, Alaska is covered with snow and icicles in this Jan. 9, 2012, handout photo. Reuters-Yonhap Chinese officials promised steady deliveries of groceries to residents of Xi'an, an ancient capital with 13 million people that is under the strictest lockdown of a major Chinese city since Wuhan was shut early last year at the start of the pandemic. China's Commerce Ministry has contacted nearby provinces to help ensure adequate supplies of everyday necessities, a ministry spokesperson said Thursday. State broadcaster CCTV aired a story Thursday showing building staff assembling free grocery deliveries for the residents of an apartment complex in Xi'an. The deliveries included a box of 15 eggs, a 2.5-kilogram (5.5-pound) bag of rice and some green vegetables. Residents could also expect either some chicken or pork, it said. Still, some people complained in comments below the segment shared on Weibo, a social media platform, that they have not received the same deliveries in their communities. Many worried if they will be able to obtain fresh vegetables and meat. (AP) Summary: The Insides Sales Customer Representative plays a crucial role in supporting our purpose to create an exceptional customer experience by servicing our customers needs. The position is responsible for the sale of our products and services to businesses or individuals over the telephone and in the office. The successful candidate will develop and deliver customer services that promote and support our products. Requirements Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions: Manage both inbound and outbound sales communication both internally and externally Assist customers through a sales process Assist customers with questions about their subscription Emphasize salable features, quote prices, prepare sales orders for orders obtained Provide customers with accurate information Establish, build and maintain excellent customer relationships Review and analyze reports of business transactions Provide timely follow up to customer requests. Provide an excellent customer experience for walk-in customers Critical Success Factors: Excellent customer orientation Ability to negotiate effectively at a high level and build strong relationships with customers Strong supporter of change and continuous improvement Ability to assist in the change of systems/processes as required in support of our digital journey Ability to understand utilize our sales and customer service related systems and software Self-motivated Ability to multi-task and juggle multiple priorities with strict deadlines Ability to analyze, identify & then follow up to resolve discrepancies Detailed-Oriented Strong work ethic with a positive attitude Able to work in team environment Job Requirements/Specifications: Demonstrated customer service Excellent communication and interpersonal skills via phone, email and in person are required Willingness to perform other duties as assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Benefits Benefits include medical (split between employer and employee), dental and vision options (employee paid). There are three company-sponsored benefits, including short-term disability, long-term disability and a term life insurance policy. The company pays for these six major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day). In addition, employees accrue 3.33 hours of paid leave per pay period in the first year of employment (80 hours) and increasing to 5.0 hours per pay period (120 hours) after their one-year anniversary of employment. The company has the option of making a discretionary match to the 401K retirement plan after year end. recblid vq5pp6deefb371uo5117gzu4xetoqn Intensive Case Manager and Skills Trainer (HS Specialist I) Adult Behavioral Health Salary: $4042 - $5290/month (DOE) with Excellent Benefits Yamhill County The Intensive Case Manager and Skills Trainer This is a regular, full-time position for a Human Services Specialist I to perform a variety of tasks consistent with the experience and abilities of the individual including, but not limited to, intensive case management, skills training, group facilitation, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) caring contacts, as well as some community based work with high acuity clients. This position also includes assisting in quality assurance activities and participating in program planning and development. Maintenance of accurate client records and other necessary administrative tasks and related work will be required. The successful candidate will receive specialized training in CAMS. Training in this is NOT required before hire. The Benefits Health coverage - Group medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage is available for the entire family. For the 2021- 2022 plan year, the County will pay 98% of the monthly premium and employees will pay 2% ($35.78 per month) for the Base Plan. With this plan, employees are eligible for a $100 a month contribution into an HRA VEBA account. Buy-up plans are also available. Retirement - PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) contribution is 100% employer funded, which includes both contribution to PERS pension and IAP accounts (IAP contribution is 6% of salary). Short-Term Disability 100% County paid. Life insurance - $10,000 for employee/$2,000 for spouse and children 100% County Paid. Vacation/Sick Leave - Flexible Earned Time (FET) is a combination of vacation and sick leave. To start, employees earn 13 hours per month and future accruals increase based on years of service. After a year of service and depending on FET balance, employees may sell-back up to 40 hours of FET per year. The Qualifications A bachelors degree in social work or a related field and at least one year of experience in a setting relevant to the duties and skills described above are required. An appropriate combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree. Must meet the qualifications of a QMHA as identified by the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO). Will be subject to successful completion of a background check. recblid kt41mp950ttvax2xju5v0uelaofw6y Regional Drug peddler shot at while trying to escape custody: Assam Police Jorhat (Assam), Dec 31 (PTI) | Publish Date: 12/31/2021 9:12:31 AM IST A suspected drug peddler was injured after police opened fire at him while he was allegedly trying to escape from custody in Assams Jorhat district on Friday, a senior officer said. The injured person was admitted to state-run Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), where his condition is stated to be stable. Superintendent of Police Ankur Jain said that the incident took place when the accused was being brought to Jorhat from Dhubri. The man got down the police vehicle on the pretext of relieving himself. However, he then attempted to flee, forcing our personnel to shoot at his leg, the officer said. The accused had earlier escaped from custody and Jorhat Police nabbed him from Dhubri on Thursday, he said. A total of 32 accused have been gunned down and 58 injured while allegedly attempting to flee police custody since the second BJP government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assumed office in May. The opposition alleges that the state police has turned trigger happy, but Sarma says that the law enforcers have full operational liberty to fight criminals under the ambit of law. BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday the reunification of China is an unstoppable trend, and there is no other way out for Taiwan than to reunify with the mainland. Wang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. He noted that Nicaragua recently resumed diplomatic relations with China and returned to the right track of the one-China principle. China has gained a new friend in the world. "This fully proves that the one-China principle is a universally recognized principle and represents people's aspiration and the trend of the world." Wang said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. "This is an undeniable historical and legal fact." Though there is political antagonism between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as a result of the civil war fought many years ago, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity has never been severed and will not be severed, he said. "This is the true status quo of the Taiwan question and also the essence of the 1992 Consensus reflecting the one-China principle, and therefore forms the foundation for pursuing peaceful development of cross-Strait ties," he added. Wang went on to say the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, however, have been bent on undermining this status quo and foundation. "They are the ones responsible for current tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. has gone back on its commitment made when it established diplomatic relations with China, condoned and abetted 'Taiwan independence' forces, and tried to distort and hollow out the one-China principle. This will put Taiwan into an extremely precarious situation and bring an unbearable cost to the U.S. itself." Wang said attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" will inevitably end up in failure. "There is no other way out for Taiwan than to reunify with the mainland. This is an inexorable trend of history and the only practical and logical outcome." Enditem This file picture posted on the website of Russian energy giant Gazprom shows Nord Stream 2 pipe-laying operations in German territorial waters. With sufficient pressure, both strings of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline are fully ready for use. MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- 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 on Wednesday. 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. "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 meters of natural gas annually from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The pipeline, however, has been lying idle, pending a go-ahead from Germany and the European Union. On Nov. 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. BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The United States should heed the rational criticism from the international community, deeply reflect upon itself and remove its hypocritical mask of double standard on democracy, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on criticism from many international experts and academics about U.S. democracy and the so-called "Summit for Democracy". Mutsuji Shoji, a Japanese expert on international issues, said in an article that the countries invited to attend the "Summit for Democracy" have varying democratic conditions. It looked as if many were there, but actually most were just making up the number. The alliance for democracy patched up by the United States is nothing but a bluff like a "paper tiger," the expert said. Zhao said that the expert's "paper tiger" description was most vivid, noting that democracy is a value shared by all humanity. No one can lecture other countries condescendingly on this subject, and the United States is in no position to lecture others. In addition to the Japanese expert, Americans including former Congressman Ron Paul, mainstream media in Western countries such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Economist magazine, and academics from think tanks in Asian countries including India, the Philippines and Thailand, have all questioned and criticized the so-called "Summit for Democracy", Zhao said. Opinion polls conducted by the Pew Research Center and other institutions have shown pessimism about the U.S. democracy in the international community, including among the U.S. public, according to Zhao. "U.S. democracy has lost its luster. U.S. governance is also in a ramshackle state. Rampant gun violence, systemic racial discrimination and other issues in the United States also keep setting new world records and shocking the public," he said. Turning a blind eye to its deplorable record, the United States cooked up the false argument of "democracy versus autocracy," trying to label and politicize democracy. The so-called "Summit for Democracy" fizzled out to a hasty end as expected, the spokesperson said. The United States should heed the rational criticism from the international community, deeply reflect upon itself, remove its hypocritical mask of double standard on democracy, take concrete actions to address domestic problems, and respond to the concerns of the international community, he said. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- That was a special combat team. They were a group of American volunteer pilots. They came to China over 80 years ago, during World War II (WWII), to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people to fight the invading Japanese troops. The team, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault, but more widely known as the "Flying Tigers." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Flying Tigers. With the passing of eight decades, the stories about the Flying Tigers have been passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with mutual friendship continuing to flourish, and with new vitality. Although conditions in China were very poor when Chennault arrived in China in 1937, he insisted on staying, said Nell Chennault Calloway, Chennault's granddaughter. "Instead of saying, oh no, this is too much for me. He said, yes, I am going to stay. I need to help these people. I'm going to do what I can even if it costs my own life," said Calloway, admiring her grandfather's resolution to help the Chinese people. "I think it's very important that we teach the young people about this friendship that was forged during the time of war," she added. A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Flying Tigers was held on Dec. 11 on the USS Midway, a historical naval aircraft carrier museum now berths at the Navy Pier in San Diego, southern California. "Today, as we look at these old photographs and revisit that part of history, we are deeply touched by the Flying Tigers' bravery and sacrifice," Zhang Ping, Chinese consul general in Los Angeles, said when addressing the event. The Flying Tigers' legacy, Zhang noted, is a splendid chapter of China-U.S. collaboration during the WWII, and an important part of the history of China-U.S. relations. Mel Mcmullen, a U.S. Flying Tigers veteran who attended the photo exhibition, also contributed his remarks. "Many of our pilots' lives were saved when they had mechanical failures. They were able to get far enough from the target area that they could be rescued by the brave villagers and farmers. So these memories should not be lost," he added. "Without the Chinese people's help, I could not have had my family," said Flying Tigers veteran Glen Beneda who was rescued by Chinese people after his plane was shot down by the Japanese in May 1944. He wished that the Beneda family would always be friends with the Chinese people, from generation to generation. According to statistics, more than 200 downed Flying Tigers airmen were rescued by the Chinese people, and thousands of Chinese were killed by Japanese invaders during the rescue missions. "When we look back on this period of history today, we are more grateful for the Flying Tigers' coming to fight in China," said Zhu Junkun from the Yunnan Flying Tigers Research Institute. The Flying Tigers demonstrate "the profound friendship forged by blood and life of the Chinese and American people, which deserves to be carried forward by the people of both countries," he said. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said the United States and other relevant countries should urge Lithuania to admit and correct its mistakes as soon as possible, rather than egging it on down the wrong path and inflict greater losses on Lithuania and its people. According to media reports, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte recently said that China had placed inappropriate pressure on Lithuania after the establishment of the so-called Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, which did not deserve such a reaction. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing that the Lithuanian government had blatantly violated the one-China principle and renounced the political commitment it made in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. China has every right to make a legitimate and reasonable response. If such things were to happen to other sovereign and independent countries, they would surely also take resolute and decisive measures, Zhao said. The Lithuanian side was in the wrong, Zhao said. "However, instead of reflecting on itself and showing remorse, it resorted to spreading rumors and making trouble. Such publicity stunts attempting to gloss over the real issue to deflect attention are just pathetic." As for Taiwan on Dec. 30 praising the foreign ministers of the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany for speaking out in support of Lithuania, Zhao said it was Lithuania that first made serious mistakes in its relations with China. "If the U.S. and relevant countries really care for Lithuania, they should urge it to admit and correct its mistakes as soon as possible, rather than using it as a tool to contain China, egging it on to travel further down the wrong path and inflict greater losses on Lithuania and its people," Zhao said. At the same time, he warned the Taiwan authorities that "Taiwan independence" will lead to a dead end. Attempts to solicit foreign support in seeking "Taiwan independence" and make provocations will never succeed, Zhao said. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said the complete reunification of the motherland is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. "I sincerely hope that all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation will join forces to create a brighter future for our nation," Xi said in his 2022 New Year Address on Friday. Enditem Log on if you are already subscribed or Subscribe... News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The death toll in the Quetta bomb explosion has increased to six as two injured succumbed to their injuries on Friday, Samaa TV reported. The explosion on Thursday night targeted a Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Nazryati group conference. A complete shutter down strike was observed on Friday to protest the bombing, the report said. At least four people were reportedly killed and 15 injured on Thursday night in the explosion on Quetta's Jinnah Road. Shortly after the blast, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Syed Fida Hussain Shah, said the bomb explosion occurred at the gate of Government Science College on Jinnah Road when the participants of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Nazryati group's 'Shuhada' conference were leaving. An improvised explosive device (IED) containing around 1.5 kg of explosive material was planted next to an electric pole, which exploded at 9:40 pm (local time), he said. He said the police personnel had been deployed to provide security for the event but the blast occurred when the guests were dispersing. Balochistan Interior Minister Zia Langove said the bomb was triggered using a remote-control. Footage from the scene showed a charred motorcycle and several damaged cars. People were seen running in the street. Witnesses told the police that glass windows of buildings situated in the vicinity of the blast were shattered, as security forces and rescue officials reached the site of the explosion, Geo News reported. At the same time, the provincial advisor to the chief minister, Raza Langoo, was directed to further improve the security situation in the city. Langoo has said that the blast occurred through a remote-controlled device. The JVP is now 57 years old; its origin can be traced back to 1964. Its parliamentary history is also as old as 27 years. It can be considered as a party that has attempted to seize the ruling power using various tactics, not just one. by Victor Ivan We are ready to take up the leadership of the country, declared Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya (National Peoples Power NPP) and the JVP at the Convention held on 20 December. He said so in a tone to impress the audience that it was the latest strategy that his party was going to adopt. In this effort, he made an attempt to paint a picture that his party, unlike the other two parties, the UNP and the SLFP, has no previous experience in the rule of the country and therefore, the JVP is different from the other two mainstream parties, and could claim for an uncorrupt heritage. There is some truth in what he says, but in fact, there are some flaws in the assertions that he has underlined. History of the JVP in brief The JVP is now 57 years old; its origin can be traced back to 1964. Its parliamentary history is also as old as 27 years. It can be considered as a party that has attempted to seize the ruling power using various tactics, not just one. In 1971, it tried to seize power through an armed insurrection. In 1982, it contested the presidential election, not to win, but to deprive the SLFP of its place and appropriate it upon their party. Later, it assumed an underground political path under the cover of the ban imposed on the party in 1983, and launched a horrendous uprising in 1987-89 to seize power. In 1994, the JVP abandoned the violent path skilfully, and switched over to the parliamentary system following the defeat of that uprising. Then in September 2001, the JVP entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Front Government to form a probationary government. Again, in January 2004, it entered into an Electoral Alliance called the United Peoples Freedom Alliance with the United Front. Consequently, having contested the election under the alliance, it was able to increase the number of seats it had in the parliament from 16 to 39. It was able to secure four powerful ministerial portfolios in the coalition government headed by President Chandrika. The JVP withdrew from the coalition government when the President decided to absorb a group of defectors from the UNP to the government rather than depending solely. Again, the JVP supported Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2005 presidential election. At the presidential election 2010, JVP was instrumental in bringing Sarath Fonseka to the fore as the common candidate to defeat Mahinda. At the 2015 presidential election it indirectly supported the program launched to defeat Mahinda. It also secured the position of Chief Opposition Whip in Parliament, with the patronage of the Yahapalana regime, without having a legal entitlement to it. The JVP contested the Presidential Election 2019, not to win it, but as a means of increasing its power in parliament. But it failed to achieve the desired objective. At present, in view of the apparent confusion in the right-wing political camp in the opposition, the JVP seems to believe that it might stand a chance of securing the ruling power at the next election. The ideological milieu It seems that the JVP has devised a special line of reasoning to prepare the ideological background to achieve this goal. Accordingly, the country has been destroyed by the two corrupt political parties that had ruled the country alternately. The JVP is not as corrupt as those political parties and also has not ruled the country like them. Therefore, they seem to believe that they possess the legitimate right to save the country that has been destroyed by both groups. But it goes without saying that things in the country are not as simple as they think. It is not only the ruling parties that influence the ideological milieu of a society; there are other groups and forces also that influence it. It was not a ruling party, but an ideological school of thought that has socialised the belief that the kidney disease prevalent in the Rajarata region has been caused by the use of agro-fertilisers and agro-chemicals. Also, the episode of drugs alleged to have been introduced by Muslims to make Sinhala women sterile was fabricated and socialised by a similar group. Although anti-Tamil racism has now been abandoned, the JVP has played a major role in inculcating a progressive-looking anti-Tamil racist vision in the minds of the Sinhala Buddhists community. The principle of violent struggle and the practice adopted to launch it could be considered as an important factor that has impacted the state of current decay, bankruptcy and failure of Sri Lanka. Although theft is a serious crime, it can be said that the damage inflicted on society by the destroyers of wealth is greater than the damage caused by the thieves. Even stolen wealth enters the circulation of money in various ways. But the wealth that is destroyed once does not enter the circulation like that. The devastation wrought on Sri Lanka by violent and rebellious movements is enormous. It can be said that not only fraud and corruption, but also destruction of wealth has contributed to the current crisis in Sri Lanka. The JVP may have achievements to be happy about in its parliamentary history; but it is important to note that it has not been able to become a model that could be emulated by the political parties in Sri Lanka. The parliament was in a state of corruption when the JVP joined parliamentary politics. Plunder of public property had become a significant and permanent feature of state administration following the establishment of the presidential system in 1978. The incumbent presidents used to adopt unlawful means to enable their team of MPs to amass wealth in order to keep them loyal and contended. In this process, the presidents allowed the MPs to transact business with the government. As a result, some of them have acquired valuable government land and become planters, some have become large contractors, and some others licensed businessmen. Liquor licenses were issued through MPs during the reign of president Chandrika. So, a large number of MPs have become tavern owners. Such practices can be considered as serious offenses punishable by depriving the MPs involved in them, of their positions and even civic rights. But the presidents in power prevented the law from being enforced against them. This situation has led to corrupt Parliament to a massive extent. Although the JVP had the potential to make a vehement protest against this ugly practice in Parliament and change the situation, for whatever reason, it refrained from talking about it. In doing so, it has deprived itself of the opportunity to gain greater recognition among the people. What is the solution? Although the general conduct of the JVP MPs may be relatively better than that of the MPs of other political parties, the policy they have followed in regard to duty-free vehicles is blemished. The system of giving duty-free vehicles to MPs in such a way that they could sell them and make money can be considered as an illegal and corrupt system that gives the MPs undue privileges. It can be considered as a practice contrary to the accepted democratic parliamentary traditions, and also one that has caused a huge financial burden on the country. Later, the practice of offering duty-free vehicles had to be extended to higher ranking officials in the public service also, because those who initiated it wanted to justify the system maintained for the Members of Parliament. In the end, it became a wasteful and corrupt system incurring an unbearable burden on the country. Now, not only the politicians, but also the government officials who fall into higher echelons or supra category of public administration use luxury cars costing over Rs. 30 million and incurring highest cost of fuel consumption. It can be said that the corrupt system of offering duty-free vehicles to MPs and public servants has also contributed to the state of bankruptcy of the country. JVPs claim that we havent kept the money realised from the sale of duty-free vehicles with us except that we have given them to the party fund will not rectify the error. The money that has gone to the JVP party fund is nothing but the money that should have gone to the government treasury. The JVP cannot exonerate itself of this fault on account of its toleration of such a wasteful and destructive system whilst at the same time being a party to it as well. The speeches made at the convention held on the 20th do not show that the JVP has a profound analysis of the crisis facing Sri Lanka and how to overcome it. Also, the pamphlet titled A Quick Approach to Overcome the Crisis circulated on the occasion of this convention too, does not offer an objective and insightful analysis of it. What is their true analysis of the crisis facing Sri Lanka? What are the solutions they offer to solve the crisis? There is another major question to ask. What do they intend to do if there is a collapse of the state before the next presidential election? So far, only Champika Ranawaka and Ranil Wickremesinghe have shown some sensitivity to this question. What will happen if the state collapses with the collapse of the government, before the next election? 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Joining the 3Y0J crew will be Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC, and Otis Vicens, NP4G. A third replacement has not yet been named. Their experience will be a great addition to the team, the DXpedition team said in a media release announcing the personnel changes and updating the DXpeditions planning process. Ken Opskar, LA7GIA; Rune ye, LA7THA, and Erwann Merrien, LB1QI, are sharing leadership duties. The 3Y0J team has also been busy selecting the gear that they will need once they reach the subantarctic island. Arctic Lavvo of Norway will supply the team with its Venor Gamme tent. Arctic Lavvo will deliver custom-made tents to the project, [which will] include three tents for radio operation and sleeping. The manufacturer, having its factory at 70 north, is taking the extra step to ensure their high-quality products will sustain the Bouvet climate. The tent, which stood up to winds of 40 meters per second (nearly 90 MPH) when it was tested in extreme conditions on Svalbard, will be improved further by adding extra guying levels and by strengthening the aluminum frame. Silcom of South Africa will supply custom masts for the Yagi antennas that are rated for the Bouvet environment. The aluminum mast will be used for the tribanders, while the smaller, galvanized steel mast will support dual-band Yagis. All masts have been through detailed engineering to optimize the technical specification and rating to fit our InnovAntenna/WiMo Yagis, the DXpedition team said. The square, telescoping masts have tilt-over functionality and can easily handle [winds of] 45 meters per second at an elevation of 10 meters. Were taking preparation to the next level by procuring a [Zodiac Milpro inflatable boat], the team continued. The strategic decision to buy the [boat] will enable us to train [for] the critical beach landing in Norway. Having access to the exact same Zodiac we will use at Bouvet is just another step we have taken to ensure the success of this DXpedition, the team said. So far, the team has expended more than $130,000 of its total estimated cost. We have reached an income level of $500,000, but still critically need an additional $160,000 in support to be able to make it, the DXpedition said. Going to Bouvet is a huge undertaking financially, as all our expenses are upfront. Follow the teams plans via its website or the 3Y0J Facebook page. View Bouvet Island from above in a short YouTube video ARRL People of different countries such as Russia, India, Pakistan and Africa are enjoying their retired life in the UK with looted money. Even, the Indian government asked British authorities to extradite corrupt Indians who are living in the UK on self-exiled after financial embezzlements in India. by Asad Ali United Kingdom (UK) is amongst the worlds strongest democratic states. It is famous for following the laws of the land. Furthermore, it also claims to uphold its commitment to combat corruption and financial crimes but only when it involved other states. However, the situation on the ground is very tricky and different, which is far away from reality. As per available and verified media reports, billions of looted dollars are pouring into Britain every year. This money is coming from developing states, which are already struggling to find mechanisms to boost their economic system. The corrupt leaders of developing states, who governed their countries, looted this money through illegal means such as corruption or by evading taxes and eventually sent them to the UK, considering it a secure place for illicit investment. With this increasing trend, the international community must own the responsibility and take actions to stop this illegal inflow of money, which is pouring into the UK. The international community must initiate the process to stop this illegal inflow of money to the UK and give it back to respective states. The British soil has become a cauldron of illegal inflow of money and money launderers. London, which is among the biggest financial hubs of the world has become an increasingly attractive place for criminals to protect their illegal wealth and money. As of today, the UK has become the safest place for money launderers to hide their illegal money. British govt has benefited so greatly from this plundered wealth of the corrupt elite. It would be wise to say that the British government loves fugitive billionaires, irrespective of their race, religion and nationality. People of different countries such as Russia, India, Pakistan and Africa are enjoying their retired life in UK with looted money. Even, the Indian government asked British authorities to extradite corrupt Indians who are living in the UK on self-exiled after financial embezzlements in India. Similarly, Transparency International, in its report in 2018, has identified 4.4 billion worth of UK properties bought with suspicious wealth and more than a fifth of these properties were purchased by Russian individuals and the remaining amount belongs to people from India, Pakistan and African politicians. Meanwhile, a quarter of all Tier 1 investment visas were granted by the British government during the period of 2008 to 2015, this was the time when no checks were carried out on source of wealth. Likewise, international organizations have taken little steps to stop this illegal inflow of money into the UK. Amnesty International called the British government to urgently initiate constitutional legal proceedings to overseas companies who buy British property to reveal who their real owners are and use new Unexplained Wealth Orders to better investigate British assets of corrupt individuals. If the British government initiate this process, the inflow of illegal money pouring into to the UK will decrease extensively. High property prices, which allow corrupt to launder large sums within a single purchase, and a vast network of professionals who facilitate a range of transactions, make Britains financial system attractive to super-rich crooks. British governmental authorities are equally responsible for providing safe havens to corrupt people coming from other countries. In addition to this, the British government has been using this money to accomplish its strategic objectives abroad such as spending money on the Syrian war. Consequently, the British government welcomed looted money, money launderers and corrupt people. Though the British government says it is helping innocent civilians in Syria, however, independent organizations say non-state actors also benefited from this money. The role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has increased owning to these British safe heavens to corrupt people. It should take serious note of the alleged safe havens for corrupt people. As Pakistan is tirelessly working to prevent money laundering, FATF must acknowledge its efforts. Pakistans steps will stop the inflow of illegal money to the UK. But, the British government is still viewing Pakistan through the prism of financial embezzlements. This British biased attitude needs to be stopped. Britain must no longer be a safe haven for the corrupt as Panama Papers underlined Britains unparalleled links to secretive offshore territories.The British government should introduce legislation that would require foreign companies wishing to purchase UK property or bid for public contracts to disclose their beneficial owners. This legislation is dire need of the hour as it will increase the overall wealth of developing nations. The writer is Islamabad based expert of strategic affairs Hunton would go on, undaunted, eventually shifting his personal locus to Ghana, so as to assist W.E.B. Du Bois in the creation of an Encyclopedia Africana. Expelled after the fall of Nkrumah, he died in Zambia in 1970. by Paul Buhle This highly unusual book highlights a forgotten journalist and thinker, but just as much, the assiduous research and interpretations by Tony Pecinovsky, a St. Louis activist and non-academic scholar, on the history of the U.S. Left. W.A. Hunton, to quote W.E.B. Du Bois, was the kind of absolutely honest and unselfish scholar who is apt to be trampled on and neglected in the present American world. (p.177) Thanks to Pecinovsky, Hunton is rediscovered. The crucial argument here, that the immediate post-World War II years offered a leap of human liberation turned back through repression, has been fortified by global scholarship in the last several decades. The framing of those years as the U.S. versus Russia was itself an invention of sorts, a way for the emerging world system directed from Washington (and Wall Street) to deflect the larger and more complex but also vastly more promising alternative. The Global South was stirring, finding its own way, if only it could the freedom of choices that it needed. This is a vital memory to recover, because it has been so effectively buried or, amidst so much else in the receding past, simply misplaced and forgotten. The English-speaking Caribbean, to offer one example, seemingly buried the memory of region-wide strikes and uprisings during the middle and late 1930s underneath the saga of the world war and. the dramatic effects of U.S. military occupations, urbanization, new jobs and social patterns. As the War ended, thousands hungered for the independence and social justice articulated in struggle less than a decade earlier. The victories of the Red Army in Europe, along with colonial restlessness across the globe, offered brilliant hopes. The more conservative Caribbean leaders put their thumbs down on the promising and popular World Federation of Trade Unions, quashing labor radicalism., Leadership of the struggling independence movements passed to other hand. A moment lost, justice denied and delayed: in some ways, despite future independence for the islands, that moment never returned. The CPUSA, struggling with a myriad of social issues at home and abroad, not to mention internal turmoil, attracted writer-activists with a brilliant grasp of the details in the unfolding world scene. None proved themselves more lucid than W. Alphaeus Hunton. Born in the South in 1903 but raised in Brooklyn, an activist and supporter of the Communist Party from early age, Hunton graduated from Howard and went on to New York University, returning to Howard as an English teacher and helping to launch a union for faculty members members there. He continued work on a PhD, taking the degree at Harvard in 1938. By that time, Hunton had become active in the National Negro Congress, an effective mass movement or united front that Communists had worked to create and that Hunton, as Pecinovsky suggests, hoped to emulate for the rest of his political life. Thanks in no small part to and NNC and to Hunton himself, the creation of the Southern Negro Youth Congress, founded in 1937, more than extended the work of the NNC. With more than a hundred locals, the SNYC extended the influence of the NNC notably in the extremely difficult conditions of the South. The happiest part of this journey ended early, even as Hunton organized the third convention of the NNC in 1940. McCarthyism, launched by Congressional investigating committees before anyone heard of Joe McCarthy, threatened systematic repression. A cautious A. Philip Randolph, heretofore a vital ally, separated himself from the Popular Front Left and became a formidable enemy. As FBI agents trailed Hunton, worse was to come. Meanwhile, he became educational director of the new Council on African Affairs, promoting the anticolonial struggle in every venue available. He was widely and proudly considered Paul Robesons right hand man. From the high perch of accredited UN observer in 1948, he descended, fighting all the way, struggling against the waves of repression. In charge of the CAA bail fund, unwilling to turn over the names to Congressional investigators, he served six months in federal prison. Pecinovsky is rich in the details of Huntons Pan African work of the 1950s. Determined, along with many other Black members of the CP, to regard Khruschevs repudiation of Stalinism in 1956 as a sign of socialist renewal, they soldiered on. Perhaps we might add, with a score of my own Old Left interviewees, that even many veteran Communists sufficiently disappointed in the Soviet Union to leave the CPUSA itself nevertheless continued to honor the Russian role in supporting anti-colonial struggles of the day. Thereby, they provided support of their own kind to those who remained with the organization. Hunton would go on, undaunted, eventually shifting his personal locus to Ghana, so as to assist W.E.B. Du Bois in the creation of an Encyclopedia Africana. Expelled after the fall of Nkrumah, he died in Zambia in 1970. Pecinovsky devotes the final 160 pages of this volume to excerpts from Huntons writings in the Daily Worker at the crucial moment of 1945-46. The subjects are mainly the hopes for Africa and the dangers posed by the brute strength of imperialism. Hunton supports the views of the Soviet Union on de-colonization, but his main effort is to explain to an audience little aware of such details, the meaning of the great events shaking and shaping the struggles for Black freedom. The acuity of Huntons insights, seen in retrospect so many decades later, offers astounding reading. He takes on FDRs prospective post-war policies on Africa and the Middle East, the prospects for the mandated territories promised independence but under the continued influence of the colonizers, the significance of the UN conferences, the plans of the U.S. for military bases, the hopes for China, and many others. Throughout, he has one clear aim: to let the peoples of the struggling masses in the emerging nations seize their own destiny. Paul Buhle is coeditor of The Encyclopedia of the American Left, whose third edition will be published digitally and later in print by Verso Books, in cooperation with the Democratic Socialists of America. His most recent book is the nonfiction graphic novel of Paul Robeson's life, Ballad of an American (2020), illustrated by Sharon Rudahl. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both import goods such as cotton from Pakistan, Central Asian States, Western and Central China and even Russia. Pushing this existing trade however requires a holistic trilateral effort. by Pathik Hasan China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are all near neighbours in the region. All four can share common regional ties both in terms of their geographical proximity, development journey and through more recent ties through membership of the regional trade bloc. Sri Lanka differs in that it is an island economy and has been utilizing this in terms of developing and redeveloping its maritime facilities in international trade and commerce. Long known, even to the ancient Greeks as a maritime hub in South Asia, its redevelopment, with Chinese financial assistance through the Belt and Road Initiative of its West coast Colombo Port is poised to hasten a reset in regional maritime trade capabilities. To the East, its Hambantota Port, Airport and Free Trade Zone are beginning to attract clients looking at servicing East Asia and towards ASEAN, China, and ultimately the CPTPP. Sri Lanka, which previously looked West to India, the Gulf and East Africa, now has a dual face looking East. With its Northern Port of Jaffna to be renovated and developed later in the decade, Sri Lanka will ultimately end up with Ports serving the Bay of Bengal to the North with onward passage possible into Central Asia. Bangladesh also joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017 and its location in the Bay of Bengal gives a strategic position in Southeast and South Asia. It shares borders with ASEAN and India, has free trade agreements with numerous ASEAN nations, China, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and is utilizing these geographic and trade advantages. Bangladesh is moving forward. It is going to be a next South Asian next miracle. At present, Pakistan is the only South Asian country showing its full-scale strategic significance to the region at this moment. Its foreign policy has shifted towards geo-economic from geo-strategy. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port have added huge extra regional value in this regard in terms of infrastructure and capacity, with the significance of this still poorly understood. However what CPEC does is connect Chinas Western Xinjiang Province to the Arabian Gulf in addition to giving access to Central Asia. Some connectivity still needs to be completed, but this will happen in the next two years. Should the Afghanistan situation settle down it will further boost Pakistans infrastructure use. It is pertinent to understand that Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are all active participants in Chinas Belt & Road Initiative. Sri Lankas Hambantota and Colombo Ports are considered as epicentres of Chinas BRI in South Asia. Sri Lankan ports can be used a regional maritime hub between South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. That in turn gives an additional important connectivity routevia the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from Pakistans Gwadar through to Central Asia. Pakistan and Central and Western China. Sri Lanka and Pakistan therefore have an opportunity to increase their maritime capabilities and work together in maritime trade, investment, science and technology, and culture through enhancing these connectivity opportunities. Sri Lanka has an FTA with Pakistan and is negotiating one at present with China. It also has an FTA with Singapore. However, given the developing maritime connectivity Sri Lanka would also gain by entering discussions with Pakistan (Central Asia access), Russia (Eurasian Economic Union access), Mauritius (access to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement) and consider how it could leverage itself into the CPTPP countries in East Asia and AsiaPacific as a longer-term aim. The Pakistan connectivity is certainly growing. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka in February this year, interestingly hosted also by Russian businessmen. During his visit to Sri Lanka, Khan focused on Pakistans connectivity with Sri Lanka, its existing use of Karachi Port and the additional Central Asian options that Gwadar provides. Pakistans Muslim community are well positioned to provide Islamic packaging for these markets, which Sri Lanka as a Buddhist nation is less able to provide. There are motivations for both to do so Pakistan is conduits for opening new trade corridors for Sri Lankan made products, an increasing share of which will be from Chinese invested JVs and Sino-Lankan ventures. China will want market access to Central Asia and that means via CPEC. During the visit of Sri Lanka, Khan commented that Pakistan is allocating land to Uzbekistan for warehousing and export services, and that the same facility can also be provided to Sri Lanka. Uzbekistan is a rapidly developing Central Asia nation and although landlocked, can access other regional markets that open these up for Sri Lankan made products. Uzbekistan is surrounded by five countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the north-east, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. Collectively the Central Asian nations have a GDP (PPP) of US$1 trillion, a projected post-covid growth rate of about 5-6% and a population of some 73 million. Its average GDP (PPP) per capita is four times higher than Sri Lanka meaning the region is a wealthy market for Sri Lanka to target for exports. Bangladesh can also benefit from using Pakistans Gwadar port for the same reasons, with a GDP per capita base seven times less than the Central Asian average. Maritime connectivity is key. Bangladeshs Chittagong, Payra, Mangla ports can be connected with Pakistans Gwadar port and CPEC including Karachi, Port Qasim and Keti Bandar via Sri Lankas Colombo and Hambantota Ports to create a quadrilateral access and distribution hub.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed recently between the Port Authority of Thailand (Rawang Port) and the Chittagong Port Authority of Bangladesh. Chittagong-Ranong port connectivity could boost SAARC-ASEAN trade if connected to Gwadar port and CPEC via Sri Lankas Colombo and Hambantota ports. The whole regional would benefit, not just some specific countries. Sri Lankan traditional tea, apparel, rice, and agricultural industries, together with up-coming machinery and industrial manufacturing industries such as auto tyres can be mixed with Bangladeshi apparel, medicines, fruits, and vegetables along with its upcoming IT services and electronic sectors. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both import goods such as cotton from Pakistan, Central Asian States, Western and Central China and even Russia. Pushing this existing trade however requires a holistic trilateral effort. If Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can make better use of CPEC, they can take part in the development process in Afghanistan with Pakistan, China, Russia, and Iran. The South Asian SAARC, regional trade bloc may also be revived through these activities. Intra-regional and international tourism can also become a platform for services growth. Religious tourism is a growing sector, with Bangladesh, Pakistan and to some extent Sri Lanka more tolerant than neighbouring India, where religious differences are currently being politically exploited in favour of the Hindu mainstream. However, Pakistan has many historical Buddhist sites such as the ancient civilizations of Gandhara and Takhsila. These would be of interest to Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka meanwhile has historical places important in Muslim culture such as Adams Peak and the ancient Dewatagaha Mosque. As regional states, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should be examining a revival of connections with Pakistan and China. The Belt and Road Initiative has and is being built to promote such interconnectivity. South and Southeast Asian Governments and businesses should be examining how best to exploit it.Chinese investments may be accelerated. Pakistans well-connected Gwadar Port has brought a new dream for the South Asian region. This massive Port is not only for Pakistan but also for all other regional States. Chinese Investment has accelerated the pace of aspirations in this regard. Chinas multibillion dollar project the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is linked with the Gwadar Port. This excellent Port creates some sort of possibilities and potentials for the entire South Asia, South East Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, Eurasia, East Asia and Middle East.Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can reach Western China, Central Asia, and Pakistan easily through this Port. Pakistans Gwadar Port has a very strategic significance. China and Pakistan are working together to transform the Gwadar Port into a regional hub. Using the Gwadar Port, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can easily access the emerging markets of Central Asian states, Western part of China, Pakistan, even Afghanistan and the Western Asian states. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both import goods such as cotton from Pakistan, Central Asian States, Western and Central China and even Russia. Pushing this existing trade however requires a holistic trilateral effort. If Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can make better use of the Gwadar Port and the CPEC, they can take part in the development process in Afghanistan with Pakistan, China, Russia, and Iran. The South Asian SAARC trade bloc may also be revived through these activities. Intra-regional and international tourism can also become a platform for services growth. Religious tourism can be a growing sector amongst Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi products can be exported from those regions easily. The raw materials for the apparel sector (cotton) can be imported easily from Pakistan, China and Central Asian states. In this case, the business relations among Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China and other Muslim countries will be strengthened. Sri Lanka-Bangladesh-China-Pakistan (Quadrilateral) ties will be further bolstered.Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan And China's Quadrilateral Co-operation In The Region could reflect the greater regional quadrilateral understanding. Despite all the success the country has achieved in recent years including 2021, new and old dangers economic, political, and security-related threaten to derail its progress. by Anwar A. Khan If we are human beings, we probably use the beginning of every year to reflect on the past year, make decision and set resolutions for the New Year. It is a good thing to make resolutions, but it takes a good deal of discipline and commitment to get results that would be different and better than what we got last year. Catherine Pulsifer wrote, The New Year symbolizes the ending of one year and the beginning of yet another. We celebrate this event, yet it is only a moment in time, like any other day. But it is also considered a time when new beginnings can happen. Be determined to have a Happy New Year! Despite all the success the country has achieved in recent years including 2021, new and old dangers economic, political, and security-related threaten to derail its progress. With sound policymaking, effective leadership, and enough foresight, however, can meet and defeat these challenges as well as the many more to come in the New Year 2022. Diplomatic efforts should be more geared up for a peaceful repatriation of helpless Rohingya refugees to their own homeland with due honour and respect. In the New Years foresight, Bangladeshs growth initiatives may be overarching themes that place the country at the tipping point and we perceive to be key areas for intervention to keep Bangladesh on its current rising trajectory. This years format is different from years past, encompassing viewpoints from high-level policymakers, academics, and practitioners, as well as utilising visuals to better illustrate the paths behind and now in front of Bangladesh. Growth in Asia and elsewhere has shown that industrialisation is crucial to job creation, a value that has to be enshrined in the new sustainable development goals of Bangladesh. The country has witnessed remarkable improvements in poverty reduction in recent years, but persistent challenges in inequality, education, health, and violence, among others, still plague it. As the 2022 year may provide the opportunity to be a jumping-off point for strong policies and efforts to accomplish the desired goals. We understand the assortment of opportunities 2020 provides for supporting human development efforts and argues for the central role that better data plays in addressing them. To explore the consequences of Bangladeshs rapid urbanisation which historically has facilitated the country transition from a reliance on agriculture to industry and jobs. However, without strong policies to deliver services, finance and build infrastructure, and support the urban poor, Bangladeshs rapidly growing cities and intermediate cities cannot deliver on their potentials. The New Year may see a number of governance milestones and obstacles, including national parliamentary elections with inclusive participations, and the march towards good governance. Any sort of violence, killing, destruction shall have to be ruthlessly suppressed by the law and order controlling body of the government. People want peace and that has to be ensured. People do not want the anti-liberation forces and their mango-twigs to get any chance to fish out any benefits in the troubled waters. We must raise our voice. Beware of that the ruffians who may harm us because Bangladesh is for Bangladeshs people of all religions to live together in peace. Police department must bring the fugitive war criminals and convicted fugitive war criminals to final justice. The ICT should be expanded in more than one solitary court to speed up the on-going trials of the war criminals for bringing them to justice. The killers of our nations Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now hiding in the foreign countries, must be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice. The government should reflect on the countrys growth-governance puzzle and the complex institutional changes necessary to move from economic growth to economic transformation. Historically, urbanisation is a sign of economic prosperity. As a country underwent structural transformation, and its economy shifted from agriculture to manufacturing and industry, the composition of the population of the country shifted from being predominantly rural to predominantly urban. However, urbanisation in the Bangladeshs context displays different characteristics from the ones witnessed in Asia and other countries. This growth demonstrates a great need for better urban management and institution building. Thus, if managed properly, the new emerging cities can produce several economic opportunities as cities offer economies of scale, which can be conducive to sustainable economic prosperity and improved human development. The fact is that that everyone has a different idea about what the perfect song or mood to transition from one year to the next should be. This year has a litany of challenges on the socio-economic and political fronts like the previous years. After the national parliamentary polls, the majority party leader and his or her team should have successfully take over all the levers of power both at party level and in government and deliver good governance in all levels of administration Corruptions has engulfed the entire governmental bodies and that must be exterminated. Huge job opportunities are existing in almost all the government offices which have to be filled in up to reduce the jobless people to a great extent. But this is now water under the bridge and we can only hope our leaders will now address more pressing issues, such as, push upward the economy and dealing with bread and butter issues in a much more pragmatic manner that would put Bangladesh on its track aright as it marches towards prosperity. The writer of this piece again categorically urge upon the government: Youth unemployment is a cause of great concern because there are just too many unemployed university graduates whose numbers are swelling the ranks of the growing jobless people. Joblessness could be a recipe for social unrest and this could lead to despondence. We are hopeful 2022 will be better in terms of the number of jobs that will be created so that our youth and those who lost their jobs will be employed and that there will be more social harmony, but there shall be no bribing for employment of job-seekers. Bribing shall have to be ended once and for all. The winter this morning falls on the last of the fogbank and will wash it away. We can smell the grass again, and the torn leaves being eased down into the mud. The few loves we have been allowed to keep are still sleeping on the sky of Bangladesh. Here in the country, we walk across the fields with only a few young cows for company. Big-boned and shy, they are like girls we remember. Those girls are matured now. Like us, they must sometimes stand at a window late at night, looking out on a silent backyard, at one rusting lawn chair and the sheer walls of other peoples houses. They must lie down some afternoons and cry hard for whoever used to make them happiest, and wonder how their lives have carried them this far without ever once explaining anything. We dont know why we are walking out here with our coats darkening and our boots sinking in, coming up with a mild sucking sound we like to hear. We dont care where those girls are now. Whatever they have made of it they can have. Today, we want to resolve many things. We only want to walk a little longer in the cold blessing of the wind, and lift our faces to it. Emotions and excitement will be lifted up inside eyes and mouth widely grinning hands clap together anticipation rising going through the whole body. As we wait for the sunrise, we wait for a shimmering blue sea. We shall see a beautiful golden sun. And we believe it will set us free. We put our pens down greatness without sound; love without a doubt and a heart unbound; freedom of tongues is freedom of minds; and free air is freedom of lungs. We smoke though, temporary satisfaction for eternal sorrow; one more drag; confidence to load the mag up against our heads, we then resurrect ourselves with memories of something else. So, we are grinding again, making our way up the lane, but the cities are big so we should take realistic measures to uplift the development efforts for them. With the moon as the conductor, the symphony of lights begins. As the heavens open in anticipation, stars one by one comes filing in with each rhythmic starlight flicker keeping in tune with the galaxy. Entire planets hold their breath in wonder from everlasting to everlasting nebula breeze. It all plays out in harmony keeping perfect 3-4 times and such beauty is not held by boundaries and seen and heard light years through time. The year 2022 should be to do good deeds. The winds of bearable and golden-like and sweet-note are on our heads. The winds of civility and refinements having good or auspicious marks; of commendable looks good governancegentleness of dispositionexquisite beauty or gracequite consistence; very reasonable; judicious; fair; adequate; relevant; well-refined life shall prevail in our days; and we wish our readers, and people in general a glorified and restful festive season. Celebrate new life in the New Year 2022. -The End The writer is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested five persons, including Regional Officer, NHAI, Bangalore in connection with an alleged bribery case of Rs 20 lakh. The CBI said searches were being conducted in New Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin, Gurgaon and Bhopal, which led to recovery of Rs four crore. The CBI said the agency arrested regional officer, NHAI, Bangalore and four other persons including GM of a private company in this case. All the accused will be produced before the Court, said CBI spokesperson. UNI CM SY 1508 Islamabad, Dec 30 (UNI) The atmosphere in Pakistans National Assembly session got further heated up on Thursday amid the mini-budget presentation, with an opposition PPP lady member slapping a woman from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shagufta Jamani slapped ruling Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ghazala Waheed MNA in the session as the mini-budget Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 was being presented, amid unruly scenes. The chaos in the assembly worsened as the members of both opposition and treasury benches indulged in verbal duels and exchanged insulting words, that led to fisticuffs between the two sides, Dunya news reported. The fight between the opposition and the government members broke out in front of the NA Speaker's dais during the assembly session. Earlier, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Thursday presented the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 or the mini-budget as the opposition calls it in the National Assembly (NA) amid uproar from the opposition benches. The bill was originally scheduled to be presented in parliament on Wednesday but the cabinet had deferred its approval due to desiring a "threadbare discussion" on it. The bill's approval is necessary to ensure Pakistan's sixth review of the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility gets cleared by the International Monetary Funds executive board on January 12, paving the way for the disbursement of about $1bn tranche. Speaker Asad Qaisar said the bill will not be forwarded to the standing committee concerned. The House also adopted the resolution seeking extension in The Election (Third Amendment) Ordinance for 120 days. Speaking on the occasion, opposition PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said the government had violated the Constitution by presenting an ordinance that had already lapsed and expired. "You're giving SBP's (State Bank of Pakistan) control to IMF. Please have mercy on the people of Pakistan. Don't sell Pakistan. You allowed people to loot the country for three years," he said, making a reference to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill 2021 another legislation needed to ensure the disbursement of $1bn tranche by the IMF, Dawn reported. He urged the House to not let Pakistan surrender its sovereignty. "Surrendering Pakistan's economic sovereignty is more dangerous than that of the surrender in 1971," he said referring to the breaking away of East Pakistan 50 years ago, which is now Bangladesh. He said the whole nation was ashamed of what was happening in the parliament. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan was dismissive of the opposition's claim that the government was in danger, saying "they make such statements every three months." In a brief interaction with reporters inside the parliament's premises following the cabinet meeting, the premier also played down the chances of PML-N leader and rival Nawaz Sharif returning to the country, saying: "We also used to hear in the past about [Nawaz Sharif's] return when he was in Saudi Arabia, but he only returned after a deal". UNI/RN You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. China sees more foreign-funded firms in Jan.-Nov.: commerce ministry 00:00:00 China's commerce ministry on Thursday reported a stable increase in the number of foreign-funded companies in the first 11 months of the year, adding to evidence of an improving business environment in the country. The number of foreign-funded companies newly established in China in the January-November period came in at 43,370, rising 29.3 percent year on year, Gao Feng, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce, told a press briefing. During the period, China saw over 30-percent increases in the number of companies funded by investors from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, while the number of Europe-funded firms went up 28.9 percent from a year ago, according to Gao. Across China: Sichuan's tea casts eyes on overseas markets 00:00:00 A staff member of a local tea company introduces their products to visitors in Danling County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Jian) A total of 340 tonnes of green tea departed from Danling County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, for Uzbekistan Wednesday, a breakthrough in the export of mid- and high-end tea produced in the province. With a plantation area of more than 390,000 hectares and over 90 billion yuan (about 14.1 billion U.S. dollars) of the annual output value of the whole industry chain, Sichuan is a massive green tea production base in China, said the provincial agriculture and rural affairs department. "Sichuan has been a major source of raw materials for China's tea exports. However, there are a few tea export enterprises in the province. And we mainly exported low-end tea in the past," said Xiao Xiaoyu, deputy director of the department. "The 340-tonne mid- and high-end tea exported to Uzbekistan is a breakthrough, which will bring positive effects," Xiao added. Yin Shangqin, in charge of a tea cooperative in Danling County, was busy loading the tea on a China-Europe train and other exporting procedures. "We began in the export business two years ago and started to explore overseas mid- and high-end tea markets. We finally managed to become a trade partner with the largest tea importer in Uzbekistan," Yin added. Based on this successful experience, the cooperative will keep exploring overseas markets and help tea growers increase their yield and incomes, Yin said. Wang Taihong, a tea grower in Wannian Village, Danling County, has been selling his tea to the cooperative over the past few years. Once registered as a poverty-stricken village, Wannian Village has undergone massive changes since villagers started tea planting. "Those poor villagers bid farewell to poverty years ago," Wang said, adding he owns a 3,300 sqm tea farm, which brings him nearly 60,000 yuan every year. He also grows fruit and raises chickens on his tea farm. He can therefore earn more money. With the help of local government, a tea trade market was built and began operation in Wannian Village in April 2019. The market not only made it convenient for local tea growers but also stabilized local tea price and extended trading times. Chinese, Vietnamese parties hold 16th theory seminar 00:00:00 Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends a theory seminar with Nguyen Xuan Thang, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Theoretical Council and president of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2021. The CPC and the CPV held their 16th theory seminar on Wednesday via video link. The seminar focused on major achievements and historical experience of the two parties leading their respective country in exploring and building socialism. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) held their 16th theory seminar on Wednesday via video link. The seminar focused on major achievements and historical experience of the two parties leading their respective country in exploring and building socialism. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the seminar. Huang said China and Vietnam are socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and are a community with a shared future that bears strategic significance. He said the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee reviewed the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC over the past century, and in particular, elaborated the historical achievements and changes in the new era. "Over the past 100 years, in exploring the path of building socialism, we have always adhered to the leadership of the party, adhered to and developed Marxism, followed our own path, given full play to the principal role of the people, and benefited the world while developing ourselves," said Huang. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Aerial photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the surrounding area of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Tao Ming) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 166 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Friday. Of the new local cases, 165 were reported in Shaanxi, and one in Shanxi, the commission said. Also reported were 29 new imported cases in 10 provincial-level regions, according to the commission. One new suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was reported in Shanghai, and no new deaths from COVID-19 were reported on the day, it added. Enditem URUMQI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The United States' signature into law of the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act has no factual or legal basis, according to jurists and legal practitioners at a symposium in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The symposium was held on Friday in the regional capital of Urumqi, with eight jurists and legal practitioners in the region participating in the meeting. The attendees said the so-called act is based on disinformation and certain political purposes, and that it maliciously slanders the human rights situation in Xinjiang, seriously violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and brutally intervenes in China's internal affairs. Xinjiang has always upheld the principle of enabling its people to live better lives, and has earnestly respected and protected the labor rights and interests of peoples of all ethnic groups in the region. It has also introduced a series of employment policies, established platforms and provided many job opportunities, enabling peoples of all ethnic groups to make better livings through their own hard work, according to Alimjan Amat, vice president of the regional bar association. "Workers of all ethnic groups living in Xinjiang work, choose jobs and start businesses of their own accord, and make their livings through their own efforts. They are not only the subjects of labor, but also the owners of the fruits of their labor," said Arkin Samsaq, an associate professor at the law school of Xinjiang University. "The so-called forced labor is a thoroughly false proposition," Arkin Samsaq said. Enditem JERUSALEM, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli national who crossed the border into Lebanon a few weeks ago was repatriated Thursday night, the Israeli military said. "IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops conducted a joint operational effort with UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) and Israeli security officials, returning an Israeli civilian who crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon a few weeks ago," the Israeli military said in a statement. The Israeli civilian was returned to the Rosh Hanikra Crossing at Israel's northern border. The 25-year-old man, from the Negev Desert region in southern Israel, apparently entered Lebanese territory "voluntarily and consciously," the statement said. Ran Kochav, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, told the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper that the man apparently intended to join the Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military group and party in Lebanon. He was apprehended by Lebanese forces immediately after crossing the border and taken for questioning, apparently by the Hezbollah, Kochav said. Kochav claimed that the man has a criminal record and suffers a mental illness. Israel and Lebanon don't have diplomatic ties, and the Israeli law bans its citizens from traveling to Lebanon. Enditem URUMQI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A video exchange meeting was held in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Friday to share information on the region's steady social progress with overseas Chinese and students from Xinjiang. Xinjiang has been dedicated to safeguarding social harmony and stability, promoting high-quality development, improving people's livelihoods, making progress to benefit all ethnic groups, and protecting religious freedom, said Ilzat Ahmatjan, a senior official of the regional Party committee. Xinjiang spends more than 70 percent of its general public budget on ensuring and improving people's livelihoods every year, and approximately 2.35 million new urban jobs were created in Xinjiang over the past five years, the official said at the meeting. The region has been promoting well-balanced development of education in both rural and urban areas to ensure equal access to compulsory education for all children in Xinjiang, the official said. In 2020, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Xinjiang was 34,838 yuan (about 5,466 U.S. dollars), 2.41 times the figure in 2010. The per capita disposable income of rural residents reached 14,056 yuan, 2.82 times the figure in 2010, according to Ilzat Ahmatjan. Enditem A man receives a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on Dec. 31, 2021. The Israeli Ministry of Health on Thursday night said it has approved the administration of the fourth booster vaccine shot against COVID-19 for the adults at high risk. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Ministry of Health on Thursday night said it has approved the administration of the fourth booster vaccine shot against COVID-19 for the adults at high risk. Nachman Ash, director general of the ministry, approved the fourth vaccine shot for those with suppressed immune systems, following recommendation from a panel of experts last week. The people at high risk include those who have had a heart, lung, kidney or liver transplant, or suffer rheumatological or autoimmune diseases, cancers, multiple sclerosis and more. However, the panel's recommendation to give the fourth shot to the entire elderly population over the age of 60 has not yet been approved. People with suppressed immune systems are at the highest risk, as they do not develop a serological response after receiving three vaccine doses, the ministry explained. The fourth dose will be given under the condition that at least four months have passed since the third shot was given, and for those aged 18 and over only. The ministry also announced new restrictions due to the fast spread of the Omicron variant which led to the 5th wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, including wearing a face mask outdoors at a gathering of over 50 people. Enditem A woman receives a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on Dec. 31, 2021. The Israeli Ministry of Health on Thursday night said it has approved the administration of the fourth booster vaccine shot against COVID-19 for the adults at high risk. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) A woman receives a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on Dec. 31, 2021. The Israeli Ministry of Health on Thursday night said it has approved the administration of the fourth booster vaccine shot against COVID-19 for the adults at high risk. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) A man receives a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on Dec. 31, 2021. The Israeli Ministry of Health on Thursday night said it has approved the administration of the fourth booster vaccine shot against COVID-19 for the adults at high risk. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10 pro-government Yemeni soldiers were killed in a missile attack launched by the Houthi rebel militia against the country's oil-rich province of Shabwa on Thursday, a military official told Xinhua. "The Houthi rebel militia bombed a base of pro-government forces recently stationed in the southwestern part of Shabwa with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles," the local military source said on condition of anonymity. Two Houthi-fired missiles and two explosive-laden drones struck the pro-government forces positioned in Merkhah As Sufla district of Shabwa, causing huge explosions, and killing 10 soldiers of the pro-government troops and injured more than 17 others in the area, he added. According to the official, all the killed and wounded soldiers were part of the reinforcements in the last two days to help with the ongoing operations against the Houthis in Shabwa. On Monday, elite military units of the pro-government Giants Brigades were dispatched from Aden, the country's southern port city, as part of the plans to launch a large-scale military offensive against the Houthis in the strategic southern province of Shabwa. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels made substantial advances on the battlefield in September, capturing Bayhan and other key areas in Shabwa. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi militia overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthis forced him into exile. Enditem JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was shot dead in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Friday after allegedly attempting to carry out a stabbing attack, the military said. The incident took place near a military post at the Gitai Avisar Junction outside the Jewish settlement of Ariel in the northern West Bank, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces. No injuries were reported in the attempted attack. The IDF released a photo of a large kitchen knife and identified it as the suspect's weapon. According to the statement, the suspect stepped out of a vehicle, armed with the knife, and ran toward a bus station where civilians and soldiers were standing. "The troops fired toward the assailant and neutralized him," the statement read. After the incident, the Israeli troops have blocked off a number of routes and were "pursuing the vehicle and additional suspects," according to the statement. The incident was the most recent in a renewed wave of "lone wolf" attacks, in which individual Palestinians, not affiliated with any organizations, carried out stabbing, car-ramming and shooting attacks in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The West Bank has been under the Israeli control since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war despite international criticism. The Palestinians wish to build their future state in this territory. Enditem SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was set free Friday under a special pardon granted by the incumbent President Moon Jae-in, according to Yonhap news agency. Park, who had been imprisoned for 57 months over corruption charges, reportedly received the certificate of pardon at a hospital in Seoul, where she has been treated for over one month due to her chronic shoulder and waist pain. The 69-year-old, after receiving shoulder surgery in 2019, allegedly planned to get treatment at the hospital until Feb. 2 next year. A week earlier, the justice ministry announced that Park was included in the list of Moon's special amnesty for the new year. Park was sentenced to a combined 22-year prison term and had served the sentence since 2017 after being impeached and removed from office over corruption charges. According to the presidential Blue House, Park's deteriorating health was considered to make the pardon decision. Park will be protected by the presidential security service, but she will not be subject to other privileges as a former president, including the provision of special pensions and personal secretaries, for her conviction. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- At the beginning of 2022, China and Africa expect to enhance their long-standing friendship by honoring a fine diplomatic tradition for the 32nd year. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros from Jan. 4 to 7 upon invitation, continuing Chinese foreign ministers' tradition of visiting Africa at the beginning of a year. Since 1991, the African continent has been the destination for the first overseas visits made by Chinese foreign ministers each and every year. By following this tradition for more than 30 years, China, the world's largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, have manifested their willingness to continue developing their friendship. Why choosing Africa over other places? The answer to this question can be found in the history of China-Africa interactions. The two sides were brought together by shared past experiences and similar aims and goals, and have supported each other and expanded mutual political trust in the fight for national liberation and independence. Over the years, China has firmly supported African countries in many fields, including following development paths that fit their national conditions. On their part, African countries have provided important support for China's endeavors to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, promote reunification, and achieve national rejuvenation through development. Despite the shifting international landscape, the two sides have always been good friends and partners. Chinese foreign ministers' visits to Africa not only exemplify the ironclad friendship forged in the past but also brought tangible benefits to both sides and set the pace for future cooperation and development. In January 2021, despite the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Wang still made trips to five African countries, honoring the good diplomatic tradition for the 31st year. During his visit, he voiced China's firm support for Africa to fight the pandemic, accelerate economic recovery, upgrade China-Africa cooperation for higher quality, and enhance the continent's international influence. The foreign minister's remarks highlighted some key topics in the development of China-Africa relations, and that China has carried out its promises. Even during the pandemic, China-Africa cooperation showed remarkable vitality. For example, to aid Africa's fight against the pandemic, China has provided about 180 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to African countries as of December and has promised to provide another 1 billion doses. China has also actively shared its anti-epidemic experience with African countries, and the emergency supplies it provided have reached almost all areas across the continent. Meanwhile, economic cooperation between the two sides continued to advance. As of October this year, Africa's trade with China reached 207.1 billion U.S. dollars, which is 37.5 percent higher than the same time last year. The two sides are now seeking to strengthen cooperation in fields including medical and health care, people's livelihoods, green development, digital economy and capacity building, so as to make a greater contribution to Africa's post-COVID-19 economic recovery and sustainable development. With old promises honored and new ones made, China is ready to enhance its friendship with Africa following the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. Enditem UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- In a statement released on Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned looting and attacks on UN facilities and equipment in Darfur, which were gifted to the government of Sudan for civilian use. Unknown armed groups attacked a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, on Tuesday evening. A total of 1,900 metric tons of food commodities, enough to feed 730,000 vulnerable people for a month, were stolen. Earlier this week, looting and violence were reported at the former UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) base in El Fasher. The UN chief urged Sudan to restore order in his statement. The authorities must ensure that former UNAMID properties and assets are used only for civilian purposes, according to the framework agreement the government signed in March. Furthermore, the UN head asked the Sudanese authorities to facilitate a safe working environment and passage for remaining UN operations in the region. As a final note, he thanked the UN civilian and uniformed personnel who remain on the ground under "challenging" conditions. Khardiata Lo N'Diaye, the humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, condemned the looting as well. "This was food assistance meant for Sudan's most vulnerable people. Humanitarian assistance should never be a target," she underscored. Sudan currently has one in three people in need of humanitarian assistance - an estimated 14.3 million people. Twenty-five percent of those people require food security and livelihood support, according to the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan. A situation like this, the coordinator explained, severely hinders the ability to provide aid to those in need. "We urgently ask all parties to adhere to humanitarian principles and allow the safe delivery of life-saving assistance," N'Diaye stated. According to estimates, the WFP faces "unprecedented" funding shortfalls of 358 million U.S. dollars. Earlier in the month, thousands of people took to the streets to mark the third anniversary of the uprising that led to the April 2019 overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir. State authorities reported that the security situation has been restored as of Dec. 29. N'diaye thanked the local authorities for preventing the situation from worsening, but urged the government to step up efforts to protect and safeguard humanitarian properties and assets. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday gave an interview to Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China's diplomacy in 2021. Following is the full text of the interview: Question: In 2021, the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrated its centenary, and China completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieved its first centenary goal. China's head-of-state "cloud diplomacy" was also very frequent. What is your overall assessment of China's diplomacy in 2021? Wang Yi: The year 2021 will go down in history as an important year for both the world and China. Across the world, the evolution of unprecedented changes picked up speed due to the pandemic unseen in a century. We witnessed the U.S. Capitol riot, the Kabul Moment, vaccine nationalism, resurgence of the Cold War mentality, and many other turmoils. The world is entering a period of turbulence and transformation at a faster pace. In China, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, solemnly celebrated CPC's centenary, and proudly embarked on a new journey toward the second centenary goal. On the diplomatic front, we drew strength from the 100 years of CPC's achievements, forged ahead through competitions and challenges with courage and grit, writing a new chapter of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. First, head-of-state diplomacy has played the guiding role on China's diplomatic front. President Xi Jinping had 79 telephone calls with leaders of foreign countries and international organizations, and attended 40 major diplomatic events via video link. He has stepped up strategic communication with foreign leaders to build consensus and promote cooperation across the globe, thus drawing up the grand blueprint and forming strong synergy for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Head-of-state diplomacy has effectively promoted the overall stability of the relations among major countries, deepened friendship between China and its neighbors, and enhanced the mutually beneficial cooperation with developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It has enabled China to build a more comprehensive and solid global partnership network. Second, anti-COVID diplomacy has attested to China's strong sense of international responsibility. We have always been among the first to promote global cooperation against the pandemic, always advocated the number-one feature of vaccines to be global public goods, and always stood at the forefront for the equitable distribution of vaccines. We were among the first to commit to making COVID vaccines a global public good, to support waiving intellectual property rights on vaccine research and development, and to start joint production with other developing countries. We were also among the first to conduct global origins-tracing cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), to reject politicization and stigmatization, and to call for fighting not only the coronavirus but also the political virus. With firm commitments and real actions, China has helped keep the international COVID response in the right direction, and vigorously promoted the building of a global community of health for all. Third, China's development-oriented diplomacy has contributed a lot to this global cause. On many occasions including the Boao Forum for Asia, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Import Expo, President Xi Jinping announced a string of new measures, such as a shorter negative list, a more business-friendly environment and greater institutional opening-up, to open wider to the world. This has provided opportunities and made contributions to global economic recovery. In response to the grave challenges of COVID-19 to other developing countries, President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Development Initiative (GDI), with a view to building global synergy on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so that no country or individual will be left behind. As of today, the GDI has received positive response and support from the UN system and nearly 100 countries. Fourth, we have defended justice in multilateral diplomacy. We have held high the banner of multilateralism, championed the common values of humanity, and upheld the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. We have taken an active part in shaping global governance system on climate, the environment, health and digital development. We have expounded on the building of a community of life for man and nature, and a community of all life on Earth, offering China's solutions and vitality to the reform of the global governance system. Fifth, we have lived up to our solemn commitment of diplomacy for the people. We have worked actively to support the building of a new development paradigm, and to facilitate the opening of "fast tracks" for essential personnel exchanges and "green lanes" for the shipment of emergency supplies, so as to prevent the spread of the virus from abroad and secure the gains in epidemic control at home. We have adhered to a people-centered approach, built a system on the protection of the interests of people overseas and on risk alert and prevention, and successfully rescued dozens of Chinese hostages. We have timely carried out the Spring Sprout program by vaccinating millions of Chinese compatriots living in 180-plus countries. "Wherever you go, your home country is always your strong backing." -- This is the enduring mission and commitment of China's diplomacy. Question: The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee this year has become a focus of international discussion. How do you think the Plenum will guide China's diplomacy? How does the international community view CPC's centenary? Wang Yi: The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee comprehensively reviewed the major achievements of the Party over the past century and summarized the Party's historical experience in ten aspects. Each and every one of them offers important guidance for our work on the diplomatic front. Upholding the Party's leadership is the fundamental guidance for China's diplomacy. In the world today, China's good governance has gained more and more understanding and recognition. The fundamental reason lies in the Party's centralized, unified leadership. The leadership of the CPC is the greatest political strength of China's diplomacy. It is the root of the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and the institutional guarantee for all our achievements. Putting the people first is the source of strength of China's diplomacy. Only when we ground diplomatic efforts in serving the people, can we truly stand all tests and forge ahead. We in the diplomatic service will always put the people front and center. We will defend the interests of the Chinese people and actively follow the principle of people-centered diplomacy. And we will deepen friendship and cooperation with people from other countries to promote greater solidarity of people around the world. Maintaining a global vision is the original aspiration of China's diplomacy. While pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the CPC is also committed to promoting human progress and world harmony. This has been the aspiration and mission of the Party since the day of its founding. Keeping in mind both the domestic and international imperatives, we in the diplomatic service will continue to work with other countries to foster a community with a shared future for mankind. Staying independent is a fine tradition of China's diplomacy. No matter how the international situation evolves, we will firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, and keep to the path of peaceful development. Meanwhile, we will firmly support all countries, especially developing countries, in defending their sovereignty and independence, and exploring the development path suited to their own national conditions. Standing up for ourselves is a distinctive character of China's diplomacy. China's diplomacy has grown stronger in the fight against invasion, blockade, sanction and intervention. It represents the unyielding and tenacious spirit of the Chinese nation, and keeps a fine tradition of safeguarding national interests and upholding fairness and justice. On the new journey toward national rejuvenation, we will continue to firmly oppose all hegemonic and bullying practices and proactively undertake our international responsibility for world peace and development. This year marks the centenary of the CPC. We have received messages of congratulations from over 600 political parties and organizations of more than 170 countries. In my engagement with other foreign ministers and senior officials, the first thing they said was usually to congratulate on the centenary of the CPC. In our interactions with the world, we can clearly feel that the international community is paying more attention to the CPC, putting more focus on the CPC, and giving more recognition to the CPC. We in the diplomatic service have also made active efforts to present, defend and promote the correct narratives about the CPC in the world. For example, we launched a program called 100 Stories in CPC's External Exchanges, which has been read, played and displayed for more than one billion times at home and abroad. We invited diplomats from foreign embassies and representatives of mainstream global media to Yan'an, Jiaxing and other historic sites of the CPC, the Xiangshan Revolution Memorial, and the Museum of the Communist Party of China. These visits have helped foreign friends learn about the centennial history of this major Party and decipher its genetic code. Many foreigners, including some westerners who were once biased, said that the visits gave them a brand new understanding of China and the CPC. They wholeheartedly admire the great achievements by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC and wish to know more about the recipe for the success of the Party. Going forward, we will continue to present to the world the true, multidimensional and all-round image of China, and seek more and deeper understanding from the international community for China's system, China's path, and China's vision. Question: The United States and a few other countries are seeking to spread Western values and stoke ideology-driven divisions. This year, we have seen lots of encounters between various different forces in the multilateral arena. What is your take on this? Wang Yi: Some elements in the world still deem themselves superior, and always want to impose their own will on others. They throw out arbitrary rules, and use human rights, democracy and other high-sounding excuses to smear and contain China and many other developing countries. We must not compromise or back down. Instead, we must face them head on, and pull together with most countries to defend fairness and justice and do the right thing for humanity. The first encounter was between true and false multilateralism. Certain countries, while chanting slogans about multilateralism in rhetoric, are building exclusive blocs in action. They are attempting to throw the world back into Cold War confrontation. In response, China has pointed out unequivocally that countries need to uphold and practice true multilateralism. We have stressed that there is but one international system in the world, i.e. the international system with the UN at its core. Countries need to resolutely uphold the authority and standing of the UN, jointly oppose division and confrontation, stand together against zero-sum games, and make constant efforts for greater democracy in international relations. This position has been recognized and supported by most countries in the world. The second was the encounter between true and false rules. A small number of countries talk about a so-called "rules-based order". But they refuse to accept that rules should be based on commonly recognized international law. What they actually want is to impose the "gang rules" by them and their allies on all other countries. In response, China has spoken up repeatedly at the UN and on other multilateral occasions that there is but one set of rules in the world, i.e. the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter. This strong message laid bare certain countries' intention to practice hegemony under the pretext of rules. It has contributed to the stability of the international order. The third was the encounter between true and false human rights. The U.S. and a few other countries, despite all their own human rights problems, have long sought to use human rights as a tool to meddle with other countries' internal affairs, and attack and smear China and other developing countries with groundless accusations. In response, China has stepped forward to set the record straight, articulating China's outlook on human rights and presenting our accomplishments in human rights development. Meanwhile, we have resolutely pushed back false accusations and let the world see the hypocrisy of the self-styled "champions of human rights". Justice lies in the heart of people: at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, we have thwarted, with overwhelming support from other countries, anti-China motions four times in a row this year. Nearly 100 countries expressed their support for China's just stance at the UN and their strong opposition to interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. The fourth was the encounter between true and false democracy. The U.S. has staged a so-called "Summit for Democracy", and fabricated the false narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism". In response, China has staunchly upheld the common values of humanity, released a report, The State of Democracy in the United States, and encouraged inclusive discussions about standards and practices of democracy on bilateral and multilateral occasions. Our efforts have laid bare the self-contradictions and shortages of the U.S. democracy, and the U.S. intention has been widely questioned by the international community. The so-called "Summit for Democracy" ended hastily with no consensus, no outcome and no future. This has once again proved that democracy is a common value of humanity, on which no country is entitled to lecture others. Ultimately, it is up to the people of a country to say whether or not their democracy is true and effective. Question: COVID-19 is still ravaging the world. What is China's contribution to global solidarity in fighting the pandemic, to international science-based origins-tracing and to faster global economic recovery? Wang Yi: Since COVID-19 hit, the whole of China has united as one and launched a science-based response, setting a good example of COVID containment for the international community. While bringing the virus under control domestically, China has, from the very beginning, been committed to helping others affected by the virus. We took the initiative to engage in international cooperation against COVID and made contribution to global public health security. China started with global emergency humanitarian assistance, kicking off the first half of the international campaign against the coronavirus with a focus on providing emergency supplies. Up until now, China has provided about 372 billion masks, over 4.2 billion protective suits and over 8.4 billion testing kits to the international community. Early this year, we began focusing on vaccine cooperation as the international campaign against the virus entered its second half. I wish to take this opportunity to announce that as of 26 December, China has provided more than 2 billion doses of COVID vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations. China has fulfilled the pledge and commitment made by President Xi Jinping to the rest of the world and has become the biggest provider of outbound vaccines among all countries. One out of every two COVID vaccines administered across the globe is made in China. For many countries, especially developing countries, the first batch of vaccines and the majority of the vaccines they have received came from China. This sets China apart from certain countries which only make empty promises. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping announced that China will provide another 1 billion doses of COVID vaccines to Africa, including 600 million doses as a donation, to help African countries achieve the goal set by the African Union of vaccinating 60 percent of the African population by 2022. China will also donate additional 150 million doses to ASEAN countries. We support Chinese companies in transferring technologies to developing countries, and have launched joint vaccine production with 20 countries. All in all, China did not do any of this for selfish geopolitical interest, and China did not attach any political strings to these actions at all. Rather, we are taking concrete actions to help build a great wall of immunization for the health of all and a health shield for developing countries. Question: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia. What does it mean for global strategic stability and development when China and Russia shoulder and carry out their responsibilities? How do you see the current China-Russia relations? Wang Yi: China and Russia are both major countries with global influence. Their strategic coordination and practical cooperation has a global significance and plays an irreplaceable role. This year, the two countries solemnly commemorated the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin officially announced the renewal of the Treaty and made it more relevant in the new era. The two Presidents have stayed in close strategic communication throughout the year, and will get together for the Winter Olympics in a little over a month. Guided by the two Presidents, China-Russia relations have become more mature, stable, resilient and vibrant. On pandemic response, China and Russia have served as a good example for the world. With solidarity and mutual assistance, the two countries have been pioneering in vaccine research, development, production and global distribution, and jointly opposed the stigmatization and politicization of issues related to the coronavirus and its origins-tracing, showing other members of the international community that solidarity is the right way to fight the pandemic. On global economic recovery, China and Russia have provided a strong impetus. Their all-dimensional cooperation was greatly elevated to higher levels. Bilateral trade has registered a new record. Major strategic projects are well underway, and cooperation on scientific and technological innovation is advancing rapidly. This has not only improved the well-being of the two countries and peoples, but also created new opportunities for world economic recovery. On regional stability, China and Russia have provided a solid safeguard. The two countries have maintained high-level strategic coordination, promoted a constructive role of the SCO and BRICS, and strengthened strategic coordination on hotspot issues. These efforts are the core pillar for regional stability and solidarity among developing countries. On global governance, China and Russia have demonstrated our sense of responsibility. The two countries firmly upheld the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. We jointly opposed interference in other countries' internal affairs, unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. Our efforts have helped build a bulwark supporting the practice of true multilateralism and upholding international equity and justice, showing the world how major countries should behave. We are convinced that as long as China and Russia, as two major countries, stand together shoulder to shoulder and deepen coordination hand in hand, the international order will not fall into disarray, justice in the world will not collapse, and hegemonism will not win. Question: Over the course of this year, the Chinese and U.S. presidents have held two phone conversations and one virtual meeting. Senior officials of the two countries have held several meetings and talks. Yet in the meantime, the U.S. side continues to make negative moves on China. What is your assessment of the current state of China-U.S. relations? How can the two countries find the right way to get along with each other? Wang Yi: The relationship between China and the U.S. has indeed seen some changes this year compared with what happened in the past few years. Since China is determined to defend its rights and reject hegemonism, the U.S. side has come to realize that China will by no means make any concession under the threat of maximum pressure, and that such practices will ultimately hurt U.S. interests. We have seen statements from the U.S. leader and some senior officials that the U.S. does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, the revitalization of its alliances is not anti-China, it does not support "Taiwan independence", and that it has no intention to have a conflict or confrontation with China. In the meantime, as we have seen, the U.S. continues to stir up trouble on issues concerning China's sovereignty, security and development interests, causing harm and damage to bilateral relations. This is a typical case of saying one thing yet doing another. This has left U.S. credibility in serious doubt. The U.S. often claims itself to be a society built on trust. According to ancient Chinese wisdom, a person without credibility could hardly establish himself in society. And this is even more so for relations between countries. If the U.S. side hopes to preserve a level of credibility for itself in the world, it should match its commitments with real, concrete actions to earn trust from the Chinese people and from the international community. As for China's U.S. policy, our attitude is clear and consistent. President Xi Jinping has solemnly put forward the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. These three principles sum up the experience and lessons of the half-century-long interactions between the two countries. They represent the right way forward for restoring sound and stable growth to China-U.S. relations. Whether that can become a reality depends on whether the U.S. side can truly and thoroughly understand three things: First, China's development and revitalization is a legitimate right of a sovereign country and, more importantly, an inevitable trend that cannot be changed or stopped by anyone. It would therefore be better to keep abreast with this general trend rather than to go against it. As long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with suppressing and containing China, relations between the two countries could return to the right track and develop steadily. Second, no matter how developed China becomes, it will never take the old path of some Western countries to seek global hegemony, and it has no desire to change, replace or threaten others. As long as the U.S. sees China as a partner instead of an adversary or enemy, the two countries could benefit each other and prosper together. Third, China's social system and development path represent the determined option and the collective will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. We respect America's system and path, but we will never allow any attempts to smear or sabotage the system and path that we have chosen. As long as the U.S. gives up its obsession with ideological confrontation, the two systems and paths adopted by China and the U.S. could work in parallel and coexist peacefully on this planet. Question: The EU has stated on multiple occasions that China is both a partner and a systemic rival. The ratification of the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment was stalled due to some internal issues on the EU side. Where do you think China-EU relations is heading? What will China do to help remove the obstacles to the investment deal? Wang Yi: This year, new progress has been made in many areas in the relations between China and Europe. President Xi Jinping has chaired two video summits with French and German leaders. The China-CEEC Summit has been held successfully via video link. Premier Li Keqiang also engaged extensively with European leaders and business community. Economic and trade cooperation between the two sides has enjoyed positive growth despite overall difficulties, with trade volume for the whole year expected to increase by 30 percent from last year to exceed U.S.$800 billion. The China-EU agreement on geographical indications has come into force. High-level dialogues on the environment and climate and in the digital field have been officially launched. The number of freight services of the China-Europe Railway Express recorded a new high. New progress has been made in flagship Belt and Road projects such as the Piraeus Port and the Budapest-Belgrade Railway. The two sides share extensive consensus on such issues as upholding multilateralism and enhancing global governance, and have achieved positive outcomes in tackling climate change and jointly responding to COVID-19. That said, we have also noticed that Europe's policy towards China seems to suffer from "cognitive dissonance". It is hard to imagine that on one hand, Europe seeks to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and on the other hand, it defines China as a systemic rival. This logic has not only undermined China-Europe relations but also brought confusion to European friends themselves. Difference in systems does not mean China and Europe have to be rivals. The two sides could well respect each other, learn from each other, and complement each other. In this context, we stand ready to have closer engagement and communication and earnestly enhance mutual understanding between China and Europe, including open, candid dialogue on such topics as human rights and democracy. Moreover, we hope that Europe, as an important force in the process toward greater multipolarity, will shape an independent, objective and rational perception of China at an early date, and promote and deepen its mutually beneficial cooperation with China following the principle of strategic autonomy. If China and Europe, as two great civilizations, major forces and big markets, can draw on each other's strengths and forge synergy on the basis of mutual respect, this will augur well for the world and humanity. On the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, it is an economic and trade agreement with the highest level of opening-up and lowest market access threshold to date for China. It is good for China, and even better for Europe. Obstacles to the agreement are obstacles to one's own development, and will hurt the long-term interests of the European people. (more) MACAO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), on Friday called on the public to have firm confidence, maintain unity, make diligent effort and take concerted action to help create new conditions for Macao's development. In his New Year address, Ho said the year 2021 had been extraordinary for Macao as it did its best to fight the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained good momentum for progress in terms of economic development and affirmed social stability, among others. The year 2021 was also critical in Macao's development, with the publication of the 2nd Five-Year Development Plan, the successful election of the Seventh Legislative Assembly, the full demonstration of "patriots administering Macao", further optimization of the legal system and execution mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and the development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin entering a new phase, Ho noted. Ho also said the projects relating to people's livelihoods had been pushed forward progressively, while other advances in overall development had been made in a steady manner. Time has proven that the "one country, two systems" principle is the greatest advantage of Macao and the country's development is the greatest opportunity for Macao, Ho stressed. With firm support from and under the guidance of the central government, Macao can, with concerted efforts from the community, face any hardship while advancing steadier development and creating a brighter future, he said. In 2022, the Macao SAR government will firmly implement the "one country, two systems" principle, unswervingly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and firmly adhere to the "patriots administering Macao" principle, Ho said. The SAR government will also speed up promoting appropriate economic diversification and optimize people's well-being. It will also actively participate in the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, practically promote the building of the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and better integrate into overall national development, he added. Enditem BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Chinese said Friday that the New Year speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping is inspiring and encouraging, while expressing their hope to contribute to the development of China, as well as the promotion of a community with a shared future for mankind. Deng Liang, commander of the 25th Chinese peacekeeping force to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that all peacekeepers will continue to uphold and practice the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, dutifully fulfill their missions and safeguard world peace. Chen Denghua, head of the 16th Chinese medical team to Botswana, expressed his excitement after listening to Xi's New Year speech. "I am proud of my country. As medical staff who are carrying out foreign medical assistance in Africa, we will bear in mind our responsibilities and missions, perform our duties and help more African patients with our stethoscopes and scalpels," Chen said. Xia Yang, president of the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars in Japan, said that inspired by Xi's New Year speech, Chinese students in Japan will continue to pursue their dreams with perseverance and dedication. As the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will open soon, Chinese students in Japan will actively participate in the promotion of the Beijing Games in Japan and convey the Olympic spirit to more Japanese people, Xia said. Wang Junxiao, president of the Brazilian Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said that overseas Chinese are inspired by Xi's speech, adding that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation will come true. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese government spokesperson on Friday criticized certain politicians from Western countries for slandering Hong Kong's press freedom, saying it has only exposed their hypocrisy and double standards. The arrests of people suspected of publishing seditious materials and the freeze of relevant assets by Hong Kong law enforcement are imperative to maintain law and order and safeguard peace, said a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. Press freedom and freedom of speech are protected by law, the spokesperson said, adding that on the other hand people should abide by the law when exercising these freedoms. The recent arrests were in response to the law-breaking acts of certain Hong Kong media practitioners propagating "Hong Kong independence," "black terror" and "burn-with-us tactics" under the pretext of "press freedom," the spokesperson said, adding that these acts have posed a serious threat to national security and social stability. The spokesperson said the rhetoric by some politicians of the United States and other Western countries is hypocritical, noting despicable acts of violating press freedom in their countries, including unlawful arrests of journalists, police brutality, persecution of whistleblowers, among others. The spokesperson also criticized the obstruction of the operation of Chinese media outlets in the United States and Britain. Enditem DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Heavy downpour and strong winds have demolished more than 20 houses leaving one person dead and some 100 others homeless in Tanzania's northern district of Handeni in Tanga region, an official said on Friday. The rains and strong winds that hit Kwamatuku village on Thursday also destroyed infrastructure, including electric cables and roads, said Mashaka Mgeta, the Handeni district administrative secretary. Mgeta said a girl, who was selected to join secondary education in January 2022, was swept away as she tried to cross over a flooded ravine on her way back from her family's farm. Mgeta, who visited victims of the torrential rains, said the government is assessing the loss caused by the rains before it provides relief supplies to those in dire need. He said the government is also working hard to restore the damaged infrastructure. Enditem DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanians started the year 2021 with a somber note following the death of President John Magufuli on March 17. President Magufuli, 61, who died from a heart condition, was reelected in October 2020 to lead the east African nation for the second and final five-year term. On March 19, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was President Magufuli's deputy, was sworn in as the country's president. In accordance with Tanzania's Constitution, the Vice President shall be sworn in and become the president for the unexpired period of the term of five years in case the incumbent president dies. The 61-year-old Hassan became the country's first woman president and she hit the ground running when she pledged to oversee the implementation and completion of flagship projects initiated by President Magufuli. The flagship projects included construction of the Dar es Salaam-Mwanza standard gauge railway (SGR), construction of the Julius Nyerere hydropower project with a designed installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts and strengthening of Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL), Tanzania's flag carrier airline. FLAGSHIP PROJECTS The construction of the SGR covering 1,637 kilometers from the major coastal port of Dar es Salaam to Mwanza in northern Tanzania, which will connect to landlocked countries of Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on completion, will facilitate transportation of cargo to these countries and at reasonable costs. Currently, Tanzania only has a total grid installed capacity of 1,605.86MW. The Julius Nyerere hydropower project now under construction, which is scheduled for completion next year, will boost the country's industrialization drive. Until now, the government of Tanzania has bought 11 brand new aircraft in a move aimed at reviving its national carrier ATCL which was on the brink of collapse. The east African nation believes that the revival of the national airline will boost the tourism sector, the country's biggest foreign exchange earner. RESTORATION OF INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE One of her monumental tasks when she took over the presidency was a pledge she made on April 22 to restore investors' confidence in Tanzania by overhauling outdated investment laws and offering incentive packages. "We should offer incentives to strategic investors and dismantle hurdles that discourage investors from doing business in the country," President Hassan said in her maiden address to the National Assembly in the national capital of Dodoma. President Hassan observed that Tanzania had reached a stage where investors feel that the country's investment policies are unpredictable, saying the country's efforts to develop the economy could not be achieved if it sidelines investors. The president ordered authorities to simplify the issuance of work permits for foreign investors, which previously took a minimum of 90 days but now needs 24 hours at most following completion of an improved online application system. She also ordered red tape to be cut when it came to land allocation to prospective investors, both domestic and foreign. Following President Hassan's pledge to restore investors' confidence, the country registered a total of 182 investment projects worth 3.5 billion U.S. dollars between April 2021 and October 2021. Geoffrey Mwambe, the minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Investment, said on Nov. 3 that 164 of the 182 investment projects were registered by the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) and 18 projects were registered by the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA). He said most of the registered investment projects covered agriculture, construction, manufacturing, industry and mining. Mwambe attributed the impressive flow of investment projects to measures aimed at improving the investment environment being undertaken by President Hassan's administration. ADVERSE ECONOMIC EFFECTS CAUSED BY COVID-19 Tanzania has not been spared from adverse economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic despite the policy decision against a full lockdown of economic activities. The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the collapse of not only the tourism sector but also other sectors, including health, education, agriculture. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September approved 567.25 million U.S. dollars in emergency support to Tanzania to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Abel Makubi, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, said by Dec. 18, Tanzania had received 4,797,860 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 1.27 million people in the country had been vaccinated. Makubi said by Dec. 18, a total of 28,214 people tested positive for COVID-19 and 737 people died from the virus that was first reported in the country on March 16, 2020. Tanzania intends to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its 60 million people. ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPECT Florens Luoga, governor of the Bank of Tanzania, the central bank, announced that the country's economy was projected to grow at 5 percent in 2021. "Looking forward, Tanzania economy is poised to grow steadily, reaching more than 8 percent in the next five years," Luoga told the 20th Conference of Financial Institutions held in Dodoma in November. The conference, a biennial event created in 1980 under the auspices of the Bank of Tanzania for exchanging views and experiences on issues pertaining to the financial sector and economy in general, lasted for two days, with attendance of more than 300 local and foreign experts to rethink about how to facilitate fast recovery of the economy and ensure sustained growth in the post-COVID-19 era. The central bank governor said this projection hinged on increased utilization of resources and growth in productivity. Growth of the economy slowed to 4.8 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic, from a five-year average of 6.8 percent, according to Luoga. WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT During the year in review, President Hassan's administration recognized that gender equality, equity and women's empowerment are among the important pillars in bringing about meaningful, inclusive and sustainable development in any society. She appointed several women to take up senior leadership positions, including Stergomena Lawrence Tax, the country's first woman defense minister, and Liberata Mulamula, the first woman foreign affairs minister, several women ministers, high court judges and regional commissioners. Tanzania celebrated its 60 years of independence on Dec. 9 when President Hassan reminded her countrymen and women to continue nurturing the prevailing peace, unity and tranquility. Enditem SUVA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said in his New Year's message that now is not a time to be distracted by dismay, division, negativity or petty politics, as there is too much work to do together. He asked the Fijian people to take faith in what they have done and keep hope in what they can do, calling people to support one another next year. Bainimarama said the country's vision through the pandemic has kept the bones of the economy strong, poising them for a sweeping victory that delivers the dignity of work and prosperity it creates to every community. He said the high levels of vaccination in Fiji means that their freedom can remain. According to the prime minister, as more Fijian children between the ages of 12-17 years get fully vaccinated, they have a clear plan to welcome them back to school in filling in the final missing piece of their national life. Currently, about 92 percent of the adult target population in Fiji is now fully vaccinated while 98 percent have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. As an island nation with a population of around 900,000, Fiji reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 19 last year. The nation has recorded more than 53,000 COVID-19 confirmed cases in total, with 698 deaths. In April, the second wave of COVID-19 started in Fiji and the health authorities have warned the possibility of a third wave of COVID-19. The health authorities have confirmed that Fiji is now bracing for the third wave of COVID-19 in the country as COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly. Enditem ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has achieved the target of vaccinating 70 million people against the COVID-19 by the end of the year 2021, Chairman of the country's National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) Asad Umar announced on Twitter Friday. The chairman of the NCOC, which leads the nation's campaign against COVID-19, appreciated the NCOC team and the health teams from the central government and provinces for their hardworking efforts to achieve the tough goal. Umar said that the central government procured vaccines and provided them free of cost to all citizens, adding that 46 percent of the country's total eligible population have been fully vaccinated. In early February this year, Pakistan kicked off its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign after receiving a batch of China-donated vaccines. Pakistan's overall tally of the infected people reached 1,295,376 across the country on Thursday, including 1,256,337 recoveries and 28,927 deaths, according to the NCOC. Enditem MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Russia "firmly and consistently" defended its national interests as well as the security of the country and its citizens in 2021, President Vladimir Putin said in his 2022 New Year Address on Friday. "We faced colossal challenges, but we learned to live in such harsh conditions, to solve complex problems. We were able to do this thanks to our solidarity," Putin said. "The most important thing is that we overcame all the difficulties of the outgoing year together ... There are still a lot of unsolved problems, but this year we passed with dignity," he added. "Celebrating the New Year, we hope that it will open up new opportunities. We count, of course, on good luck, but we still understand that the achievement of what we have conceived primarily depends on ourselves," Putin said. The president also expressed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Juan Garcia was planning a New Year's trip to his home country in Latin America. He needed a COVID-19 test before being allowed to fly. But Garcia, working in management in the state of Virginia, tried for two hours to register online at various testing centers, only to find out that all appointments had already been taken, he told Xinhua. Garcia's experience is common this holiday season, as many Americans strive to ensure they can safely gather with relatives amid the rapid spread of the omicron variant. Americans are facing long lines at testing centers this holiday season, or are finding that testing centers are fully booked when they try to register online. U.S. President Joe Biden is in the hot seat. Critics are crying incompetence in his handling of COVID-19, as the lingering Delta variant and the new Omicron variant surge through the United States. With a caseload nearly twice that of the worst single days of last winter, the United States shattered its record for daily coronavirus cases, according to a report by New York Times on Thursday. As a second year of living with the pandemic is drawing to a close, the new daily case total topped 488,000 on Wednesday, according to a New York Times database, adding that Wednesday's seven-day average of new daily cases, 301,000, was also a record, compared with 267,000 the day before. "In the past week, more than two million cases have been reported nationally, and 15 states and territories reported more cases than in any other seven-day period," said the report. The new peak in cases comes as the Omicron and Delta variants are spreading throughout the country simultaneously. The United States is seeing over 1,500 daily deaths, although that's less than half the highs seen in Jan. 2021, which exceeded 4,100 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Deaths are mostly among the unvaccinated. "The rapid increase of cases we're seeing across the country is, in large part, a reflection of the exceptionally transmissible omicron variant," Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a White House briefing earlier this week. "While our cases have substantially increased from last week, hospitalizations and deaths remain comparatively low right now." While the president vowed to provide 500 million more testing kits to be distributed in January, that has come too late for the holiday season, when millions of Americans travel to see relatives nationwide. "It's clearly not enough. If we'd have known, we'd have gone harder, quicker if we could have," Biden said in an interview with ABC news, but added that he didn't view this as a failure. Chief White House medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN Monday that testing could be better, after repeated warnings from experts for months that there aren't enough tests available to the public. "Obviously, not making any excuses for it: we should have had more tests available," Fauci said. All this could hurt Democrats in next year's midterm elections, and give ammunition to Republicans who have lambasted Biden for what they said was a failure to achieve his number one task -- to defeat COVID-19 and get the country fully back to normalcy. Joe Biden claimed he would shut down the virus, but a year later he failed to do so and says there is no federal solution to COVID-19, the GOP tweeted. Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that criticism of Biden's lack of tests is "a legitimate criticism of the administration." Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has allocated 220 million yuan (34.5 million U.S. dollars) to assist Party members in difficulties ahead of the New Year and Spring Festival holidays. The fund comes from Party fees collected from CPC members and administered by the department on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the department said in a statement. Veteran CPC members and retired officials also benefit from this plan, said the department. It called for special care for the awardees of national-level honors, including the Medal of the Republic and the July 1 Medal, and families of grassroots officials who died on duty. It also urged special care for those working at the primary level, especially those working in areas where conditions are harsh and those working at the forefront of urgent, difficult and risky tasks. Party organizations at all levels should ensure the funds are delivered to the recipients before the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1, 2022, said the department. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China has carried out 55 space launch missions in 2021, with this number ranking first in the world, said the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Thursday. Among the missions, 48 launches were conducted by the Long March series carrier rockets, all successful. The missions also included four launches by the Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket, one launch by the CERES-1 carrier rocket and two launches by the SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket. China's Long March-3B rocket carrying a communication technology experiment satellite blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province Thursday, marking a successful conclusion for the country's annual space launch missions. As China's main high-orbit rocket, the CASC-developed launch vehicle and its modified versions mainly carry high-orbit communication satellites, commercial communication satellites, and the medium-high earth orbit satellites of Beidou-2 and Beidou-3 navigation satellites. The year also witnessed the 400th launch mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, which marked a giant step forward in the strength of China's aerospace industry as well as its sci-tech strength, said the CASC. Enditem 2/2 Este proceso de dialogo continua y en enero todos los actores evaluaran en grupos de trabajo las mejores formas de incorporar a las comunidades en la cadena de valor y garantizar sus derechos socioambientales a traves de un area de tratamiento especial. #SiempreConElPueblo pic.twitter.com/f2XdWRBzfZ "We welcome the willingness of communities in the Chumbivilcas zone, with whom we have entered into a transparent dialogue along with the presence of the company and the State," Vasquez said in remarks to RTV El Diario de Cusco. The Cabinet chief pointed out that the legitimate demands of the population can be channeled. "But they must be channeled into dialogue processes, without any pressure," she noted. Furthermore, the high-ranking official affirmed that such a fundamental objective as vaccination was achieved. "Today, Peru reaches 80% of the vaccinated population, and I think that is a fundamental achievement," she expressed. Moreover, the Prime Minister said the Government focuses its efforts on the objective of moving the population forward and overcoming the existing historical issues in the face of social gaps and needs that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, Vasquez indicated that the Executive Branch had reached this stage trying to control the country's most critical problems, such as social conflicts, addressing them in another way through dialogue. ?? La premier @MirtyVas brindara una entrevista en RTV El Diario de Cusco para informar sobre el acuerdo del Ejecutivo con las comunidades de Chumbivilcas y la minera Las Bambas. pic.twitter.com/qdx2FkZZfg The Head of State pointed out that the Government had ordered an investment of more than S/2.3 billion (over US$575 million) for the purchase of vaccines, which meant an effort in terms of financial and human resources for the sake of immunization. #VacunatePorTu2022 | El presidente @PedroCastilloTe recibio la vacuna de refuerzo, la tercera dosis, contra la #COVID19 . ?????? pic.twitter.com/hf791QcZJk Nuestra gratitud y reconocimiento al personal de salud! ?El presidente @PedroCastilloTe reconocio a integrantes del equipo de inoculacion por su labor en las campanas de vacunacion contra la #COVID19 . ???? pic.twitter.com/rhATrepZ5A Cumplimos una importante meta nacional! ?? ????El presidente @PedroCastilloTe, junto a la premier, @MirtyVas, titular del @Minsa_Peru y otros ministros de Estado, anuncio que al cierre del 2021, el 80,04 % de la poblacion objetiva ha sido vacunada contra la #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/J7EwbUgiJL We have tried to do our best to carry out the ministrys work properly. December 31, 2021, 13:10 The protection of Artsakh's interests is the priority of the coming year. Artsakh FM STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 31, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan told "Artsakhpress". "In general, I can say that we have worked hard, for obvious reasons, the nature of our work has changed, and new fronts of work have opened. In general, our foreign policy agenda, traditional issues have remained unchanged. International recognition of the Artsakh Republic, settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, to which have been added issues such as de-occupation and one of the most important key tasks - the preservation of the geopolitical subjectivity of Artsakh. All this requires systematic work, including the consolidation of state and all relevant structures in Armenia and the Diaspora. We have tried to do the utmost," said Artsakh FM. David Babayan singled out the protection of Artsakh's interests as a priority for the coming year. Back in January 2021, we chose a motto that describes the nature of our work, our philosophy, that is, to talk less, to act more, David Babayan said. Congratulating our compatriots with the New Year and Merry Christmas, Artsakh FM wishes peace, trouble-free life, unshakable faith and optimism. We have no right to despair, concluded David Babayan. On December 31, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan together with Government and Parliament members, visited a number of military units and some sections of the line of contact, the press service of Artsakh MFA stated. December 31, 2021, 14:58 Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Visited Military Units and Congratulated the Servicemen STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 31, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Minister congratulated the servicemen on the coming New Year and Merry Christmas, wishing them safe service. He stressed that the unshakable will and determination of the defenders of the Motherlands serenity and the high level of professionalism in performing their duties inspire our people and society. On 31 December Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan addressed a congratulatory message on the New Year and Christmas holidays, Central Information Department of the Office of Artsakh Republic President stated. December 31, 2021, 21:00 We are obliged to do and will do our best so that Artsakh, that has been invincible for centuries, always remain like that. Artsakh President STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 31, ARTSAKHPRESS: Dear compatriots, Dear brothers and sisters in Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora, By convention, every year on this very day we send warm words of congratulations and good wishes to each other, our relatives and friends, our Homeland and people. We wish that the outgoing year takes away all the difficulties and trials, and the New Year brings only success and prosperity to all families. However, for the second year in a row, our people are marking the New Year in difficult and hard conditions, crushed by the blows of fate, with a heart weighed down by the pain of loss and oppressive grief, with wounded and torn apart Artsakh. Yes, this is our reality. But, despite all that, there is another reality as well that is Artsakh that continues to live and recover, its settlements that have turned into a construction site, the school bell calling the little Artsakhians to their classes, the fire lighting up in a new hearth every other day, a cry of a newborn baby in those hearths. That is struggling and creating Armenians who cling to their soil, keep and develop it, who live in Artsakh reviving it with their hard-working and strong hands, with their unbending willpower and inexhaustible energy. That is you, our dear compatriots, each of you, who are here today, in your homes, in your Homeland. That is Mother Armenia, the main pivot and value of the Armenian nation, the main refuge and guarantor of national goals and aspirations, that always stands behind Artsakh and the Diaspora. That is our brothers and sisters living in Mother Armenia and the Diaspora, who stand firmly by Artsakh, live by the pain and struggle of Artsakh. Bearing our cross in the national struggle, we are very grateful to Mother Armenia and the Armenians around the world for their unwavering dedication and struggle. That is the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation, whose mission in Artsakh substantially contributes to the preservation of peace and stability in our region. We are deeply grateful to our friends. That is our heroes who perished for our Motherland and immortalized themselves for centuries. The work they have left behind is immortal as well, and we are the very ones to continue it. Therefore, for the sake of the sacred memory of our martyrs, the realization of their aspirations, the future of their descendants, we are obliged to do and will do our best so that Artsakh, that has been invincible for centuries, always remain like that. Lets celebrate the New Year with this very realization. May 2022 bring peace, fortitude, hope and faith to our people and Homeland. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Torian Resources Limited Torian Resources Limited (TNR.AX) Mt Stirling / Viserion Further Gold Results Perth, Australia, Dec 31, 2021 - (ABN Newswire) - Torian Resources Limited (ASX:TNR) is pleased to announce the progress of its 17,500m drilling campaign (RC and AV combined) at the Mt Stirling Gold Project. Drilling includes a planned combined 12,500m RC to test: o High priority targets at Tyrannus (assays received); o Hydra (assays received); o Estera (high grade Au assays received); o Stirling Well extension; o Mt Stirling / Viserion extension (in-progress); and o Skywing gold targets (Jan 2022) RC drilling has advanced with rig drill testing high priority shallow portion of the Mt Stirling-Viserion gold deposit to be drill defined to achieve an increase in the resource JORC Indicated category (~880m strike x ~125m depth) from surface with 9 drill holes completed for 740m An additional ~5,000m of AV drilling is planned to vector and expand the footprint of high-ranked regional Au; As; multi-element and structural targets across the project. In addition to proving up recent discoveries, a key priority of this campaign will be to upgrade the confidence level of an increased amount of the Mt Stirling-Viserion Resource to 'Indicated', and to potentially add additional ounces by extending the strike and selective depth of the gold system. Approximately 40% of the planned meters will target the shallow portion of the Mt Stirling-Viserion gold deposit to be drill defined to JORC Indicated category (~880m strike x ~125m depth) from surface 425m down to 300mRL. The Company anticipates that this is likely to increase the global Project Au grade, expand the Resource base and provide valuable data and confidence to a 2022 Q1 Optimisation Study. An updated global MRE for the Mt Stirling Gold Project is on track for the end of Q1 2022. (Subject to drilling efficiency and lab timelines). In addition to the results from this next round of drilling, the MRE will include previously announced results that were not included in the May 2021 MRE. In an effort to expedite the drilling programme the Company has secured the services of three drilling contractors who will be drilling throughout this coming January. The Company has also secured the services of Minecomp to conduct a pit optimisation study, as it takes another step towards assessing the economics and unlocking value from the Mt Stirling / Viserion gold system. Mt Stirling / Viserion Further Results Mt Stirling-Viserion assays have been received for the following intercepts: 1600N: o 4m @ 4.76 g/t Au from 70m (MSRC146); incl 1m @ 9.24 g/t Au from 73m 1680N: o 3m @ 0.99 g/t Au from 9m (MSRC145); incl 1m @ 1.38 g/t Au from 10m; and 2m @ 1.14 g/t Au from 15m; incl 1m @ 1.30 g/t Au from 15m 1720N: o 3m @ 0.73 g/t Au from 24m (MSRC144) 1480N: o 4m @ 1.97 g/t Au from 8m (MSRC147) o Near-surface mineralisation interpreted as up-dip Skywing position o With further mineralised zones of 7m @ 0.78 g/t Au from 42m; incl 1m @ 1.37 g/t Au from 43m; and 6m @ 1.09 g/t Au from 52m; incl 1m @ 1.51 g/t Au from 52m o And a footwall mineralised zone of 4m @ 2.62 g/t Au from 80m* (comp) These results are up-dip of recently released in-fill mineralised zones on 1480N section (ASX 24th December 2021): o 1m @ 1.62 g/t Au from 64m (MSRC148); and o 24m @ 1.03 g/t Au from 69m; incl 7m @ 1.56 g/t Au from 81m; and 1m @ 2.94 g/t Au from 82m o Anomalous comps* from 96m through to 112m (*assays pending) A further 2 Mt Stirling-Viserion drill holes (MSRC149-150) are pending assay results. Approximately 40 drill holes remain to be drilled to complete the current planned drill phase, with further results continuing to be received and released through January 2022. Skywing Discovery The re-interpretation of Mt Stirling Central Zone to flat easterly dipping lode(s) has resulted in 24 pierce points over ~450m strike defining the newly discovered "Skywing" lode(s). These pierce points have been obtained from existing drilling, which has brought into play most intercepts which were outside of the previous MS MRE of May 2021. Skywing lode(s) vary from 1-2m true width and provide an immediate prospective shallow open-pittable interpreted extents (~800m x 220m; from surface). This will be drill tested with 40x40m drill spacing towards the Wonambi Shear with ~3,550m of RC drilling planned; with the first phase of 1800m going towards testing the mineralised model in order to commit to a 2nd phase of drilling which will complete the program. Of significant interest at Skywing, is that Au grades increase in grade towards the east on every section. (Other than supergene enrichment close to surface on western extents of interpreted shallow easterly dipping flat lodes). It is highly unusual that the Skywing lode(s) exhibit such Au homogeneity and increasing grades towards the Wonambi Shear. Although modest ounces, modelled Au grade, increasing with depth and easterly appreciation could multiply scale potential. Any increase in width will also have this effect. Skywing also demonstrates potential for repeated flat lodes; alike to the Stirling Well stacked lode model, in addition to prospective spaced-out occurrences that further drilling will seek to unveil. Detailed logging will also confirm saprolitic v primary gold and provide sufficient data for interpreted modelling. Given shallow nature of the mineralisation and planned drilling, assay results from Skywing are anticipated to fast-track the prospect's inclusion into the optimisation study. Skywing lode(s) extension drilling is scheduled for 5th January 2022. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/R8BKK99Q Story continues About Torian Resources Limited: Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TNR) is a gold exploration and development company with an extensive and strategic land holding comprising eight projects and over 400km2 of tenure in the Goldfields Region of Western Australia. Torian's flagship project, Zuleika, is located along the world-class Zuleika Shear. The Zuleika Shear is the fourth largest gold producing region in Australia and consistently produces some of the country's highest grade and lowest cost gold mines. Torian's Zuleika project lies north and partly along strike of several major gold deposits including Northern Star's (ASX:NST) 7.0Moz East Kundana Joint Venture and Evolutions (ASX:EVN) 1.8Moz Frogs Legs and White Foil deposits. Torian's other projects include the strategically located Mt Stirling and Malcolm Projects in the Leonora region (near Red 5's King of the Hills Project), where it recently completed updated Mineral Resource Estimates and preliminary scoping studies, and a suite of other projects in the Kalgoorlie region including Credo Well JV Zuleika JV, Bonnie Vale, Gibraltar and Mount Monger/Wombola. Contact: Peretz Schapiro Executive-Director info@torianresources.com.au Source: Torian Resources Limited Copyright (C) 2021 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved. Every Friday, The Citizen features a pet available for adoption from the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York. This week, we spotlight Athena. AGE: 3 years old BREED: Pit bull terrier COMMENTS: New Year's Eve 2021! Tomorrow is a new year and hopefully a new life for our incredibly awesome Athena is on the horizon. Athena has been with us since mid-summer. That's far too long as far as we, and Athena, are concerned. We won't go into her unfortunate past, but she is a very lucky girl to have found her way to us! We love her and really want her to find her new family sooner rather than later. Athena is 3 years old. Sadly, Athena did not get the attention she so deserved in her previous life. She is enthusiastic about everything she does. She is extraordinarily smart and has learned so much during the past few months. We recommend at least basic obedience training for Athena. Please check in with shelter staff for training recommendations. Athena is spayed, up to date on all vaccinations (rabies, distemper, kennel cough), negative for heartworm disease and on monthly preventives. Athena is beautiful, smart, loving and ready to move on. Please stop by to check her out. Athena's adoption fee will be waived for the right person. We are repeating some of Athena's last interview here. Q. Who is your best friend? A. That would be Bella! Or I should say it was Bella. We were housemates before we came here. She lived in a kennel down the hall, but she got lucky and her new family found her. My Bella is gone, but I am very happy for her and sad for me. I just can't think about a new BFF right now, but thank you for asking. If you see Bella, please tell her I miss her. Q. If you could visit any place in the world where would that be? A. Because we are curious canines, my shelter friends and I always want to visit the places where our ancestors came from. There are conflicting opinions on where pit bulls originated from. Some put us in Greece during the 1st century A.D., where we worked as herding and working guard dogs. Others put us in England during the 10th century. So my ideal first trip would be to start in Greece and work my way over to England. Nothing strenuous, just a leisurely tour of the islands. Q. Is there something special you would like our readers to know about you? A. Well, there is! In case you hadn't noticed I am named after Athena, the Roman goddess of battle strategy and wisdom. I have many of the same attributes as she did. I like to think that wisdom is one of them as in, I have the wisdom to behave myself LOL! In mythology, Athena was always accompanied by her pet owl and Nike, the goddess of victory. I have a very cool name and I try to live up to it. Q. How would you describe yourself? A. I'll try to be brief. I am a very nice girl and I am extraordinarily beautiful. I love people and I think I would like other dogs after proper intros! But no cats for me sorry. I never got much attention in my former living situation, so I am looking for a home where I will get at least some basic obedience training. I love to run and play in the yard, so I'm hoping my new family will make time to exercise me every day. I'm a pretty simple girl and my needs are basic. You can talk to my shelter people about me. They love me and will be happy to give you a glowing report. Q. If you could have a job, what would that be? A. I think I might like to be a "sniffer" dog! Sniffer dogs can play many roles. They can work at airports to sniff out contraband, they can be military dogs and they can be bomb detectors. But what I would really like to do is help people! Many "sniffer" dogs can predict seizures, detect if your insulin levels are out of whack and many other things. I would even work for free, or for a few biscuits. Please let me know if you hear of any openings. Thank you. Q. If you could meet someone famous, who would that be? A. Now, I do know that Athena the goddess was part of Greek mythology, but if she was the real deal, so to speak, I would have loved to meet her. I mean, what could be cooler than meeting a real live goddess? Q. Do you have any advice for our Citizen readers? A. I do! Well, it's not actually advice, but here goes. It's my pitch to my new family, who I hope is reading this. This is my third interview. You know the old saying three strikes and you're out! Well, I'm not going to let that happen to me. And neither are my shelter peeps! I will keep trying and so will they, because I am a good girl and there's a family out there that needs me just as much as I need them. Thank you, much love, many licks and happy new year, Athena and friends. The Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York is a New York state-registered shelter/rescue, registration No. RR-181. Pursuant to Article 26-A, Section 408 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, the registrant is authorized to operate as a registered pet rescue, in compliance with such law. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In one day, Cayuga County's backlog of new COVID-19 cases has doubled. The local health department said Thursday that more than 400 COVID-positive people are waiting to be interviewed for case investigations and to commence the contact tracing process. New cases are piling up due to laboratory delays. The department said Wednesday that some of the positive test results they received were from nearly two weeks ago. "We are working to reach everyone as soon as we can," the department wrote in its situational update. "Our tracers will be working on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Sunday, Jan. 2, 2021. "If you were notified of your positive results and have not heard from us after four days, please give us a call to confirm we have your positive result in our system." The health department's phone number is (315) 253-1560. It is encouraging positive cases to remain at home and inform close contacts that they should monitor for COVID symptoms. The large number of cases that haven't been processed shows just how quickly COVID-19 is spreading in Cayuga County a fact noted in the health department's latest update. While the more than 400 positive cases awaiting admission aren't included in the latest daily tally, there were 107 new cases on Wednesday the highest single-day total in December. The county has 1,669 new cases this month, which remains the third-highest monthly total of the pandemic. Active cases are also at a high point, with 509 people in isolation. The last time there were more than 500 active cases was on Jan. 17 (560). Even as cases rise, the number of hospitalizations is on the decline. The county has 22 residents hospitalized with COVID-19, down from 28 one day ago. For the first time, the health department provided a breakdown of the hospitalized cases and, specifically, their vaccination status. Most of the hospitalized patients (15 of 22) are age 60 or older. Among that group, eight patients are unvaccinated and seven are vaccinated. There are seven patients under age 60 with COVID-related illnesses, all of whom are unvaccinated. This includes five residents in their 50s, one in their 30s and one in their 20s. Vaccination clinics The health department announced its latest round of COVID-19 vaccination clinics. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the department will offer first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. At the clinic scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, first and second shots of the Pfizer vaccine, along with boosters, will be available. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, the health department will again have first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. Appointments and walk-ins will be accepted for the pediatric Pfizer clinics. For the clinic on Thursday, appointments are required. More information about the clinics, including how to register, can be found at cayugacounty.us/health. Click on the link for COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gov. Kathy Hochul is pledging to increase funding for special education programs after vetoing legislation sponsored by state Sen. John Mannion that sought to do the same. Mannion's bill would have created an index for raising tuition and reimbursement rates for preschool and school-age special education programs. According to the text of the legislation, it is in response to a growing problem funding delays for special education providers. "The (Department of Education), (Division of Budget), approved providers and other stakeholders have been discussing issues with the current special education tuition and regional rate setting methodology and possible alternatives to the current methodology that would enable tuition and regional rates to be more flexible with programmatic needs and issued in a timely manner, which would allow providers to better manage their programs," the bill states. Mannion, who chairs the Senate Disabilities Committee, was disappointed that Hochul vetoed his bill, which received bipartisan support in the state Legislature. But, he added, he thinks the "setback will be temporary and I am optimistic as we move forward." "Governor Hochul has signaled her support of addressing funding parity in the upcoming state budget," Mannion, D-Geddes, continued. "I look forward to partnering with the governor on fixing a bad policy and delivering the resources our schools need to provide a sound education to every child in the state." Around the same time Mannion issued his statement on Thursday, Hochul's office announced her plan to increase funding for special education, specifically for private schools serving children with disabilities, by $240 million in the 2022-23 executive budget. In a statement, Hochul said the increased funding levels "will make a huge difference in the lives of students, families and schools in every corner of New York." If approved by state lawmakers, the state Division of Budget will move forward with an 11% cost-of-living adjustment for the 2022-2023 school year. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 5 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. XL Cookie Company, 33 Columbus St., Auburn: satisfactory. Nino's Pizzeria, 115 Main St., Port Byron: satisfactory. Cutting board on sub unit behind front counter is scored. Bottom shelves of prep tables located in the back kitchen have cardboard lining and not a smooth cleanable surface. Ventilation hoods over pizza oven in corner of kitchen has heavy dust buildup. Lighting in walk-in cooler located in the back kitchen is not working. Employee stated maintenance order request submitted for repair. Osteria Salina, 16-20 State St., Auburn: satisfactory (Nov. 30). Packing tape being used to hold the top of the ice well in place. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1975, 44 E. Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. A.T. Walley & Co., 119 Genesee St., Auburn: unsatisfactory (Nov. 30). Three ice bins located behind the bar holding ice to serve to customers all have bottles of juice and a plastic 4-quart container of bottled sauces in the ice respectively causing cross contamination of the ice. Correction: Employee voluntarily removed the juice bottles and containers holding sauces from the ice and the ice was discarded from the bins. Accurate thermometer missing from upright cooler located in the basement. Temperatures measured adequate during inspection and a thermometer was placed in the unit. Cutting board on the sandwich prep unit located in the kitchen is heavily stained. Hann's Homemade, 15 Burt Avenue, Auburn: satisfactory. Lewis' Home Town Cooking, 343 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. Cutting board on three-door prep unit located behind front service counter is scored and stained. Door gasket on middle door of three-door prep unit located behind the front service counter is torn. Exterior doors on both two- and three-door upright refrigerator units behind front service counter have grimy buildup. I.O.O.B. Club, 1696 Sand Hill Road, Martville: unsatisfactory (Dec. 2). Approximately two pounds of cooked egg noodles, a potentially hazardous food, held in a stainless steel strainer on the heated flat top located in the kitchen, had a measured temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit during inspection. Female employee stated the noodles had been on the flat top for a half hour prior to inspection. Correction: Female employee placed reheated noodles back on the flat top in a covered aluminum container to maintain a hot holding temperature of 140 degrees or higher. Education provided regarding hot/cold holding procedures for potentially hazardous foods. Both men's and ladies restrooms missing hand wash signage. The men's room stall located in the back hall has plywood covering flooring and not a smooth cleanable surface in front of the commode. One cracked floor tile in front of upright refrigerator unit located in the kitchen. Cafe 108, 108 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. New China Royal, 103 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. Parker's Grille & Tap House, 129 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. Mildew growth noted along the baffle inside the ice storage well. Lack accurate thermometers in each and every cooler unit. The dedicated hand wash sink is not securely attached to the wall. The sink is being held in place with one wobbly leg. The floor under the dish washing area requires cleaning due to mildew buildup.The exhaust hood requires cleaning to significant buildup of debris. The hood system is also missing two filters. Holiday Inn Food Service, 75 North St., Auburn: unsatisfactory (Dec. 2). Observed seven clam shell take-out containers being stored in a warming unit located in the main kitchen. The take-out containers contained multiple food items including prime rib, chicken, macaroni and cheese, rice and tortellini. All of the food products were observed to be in a state of advanced decomposition. The products produced a strong odor and were covered in black, gray, green and white filamentous molds. All of the adulterated food products were discarded at the time of inspection. Lack accurate thermometers in each and every cooler unit. Bare exposed concrete in the walk-in freezer is not smooth and easily cleanable. CC's Tavern, 17 Columbus St., Auburn: satisfactory. Door handle on upright freezer in the kitchen and upright refrigerator at the bar are broken. Door gaskets on two-door prep unit located in the kitchen cook line dirty with food debris and mildew growth. Condensation buildup on interior shelves of upright freezer located at the end of the cook line in the kitchen. Exterior doors of upright cooler located in the kitchen corner has a filmy residue. Overhead lighting in the kitchen has four burned-out bulbs. Bradford Heights Delights, 1579 Clark St. Road, Auburn: satisfactory. Original New York Pizzeria, 117 Main St., Moravia: satisfactory. Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions. The floor under the fryers requires cleaning due to grease buildup. Bright Leaf Winery, 1250 Clearview Road, King Ferry: satisfactory. Starlite Lanes, 1379 Clark St. Road, Auburn: satisfactory. Two quarts of freshly made sangria was being stored in a one-gallon hidden valley ranch container unlabeled. Range hood located over the fryer station in the kitchen area was noted to be covered in a layer of grease. Sakura Buffet, 315 Genesee St., Auburn: unsatisfactory (Dec. 8). The following items were observed being stored on a rack near the cook line at room temperature: 10 pounds of teriyaki chicken, 5 pounds of sweet and sour chicken, 5 pounds of fried chicken drums, and 50 egg rolls. The temperatures of these items ranged from 53-58 degrees Fahrenheit. The operator stated the food was out for 30 minutes of time. These items were transferred back to the walk-in cooler to properly cool. Approximately 5 pounds of fried rice was observed in a stainless steel pan on top of a rice steamer unit within the kitchen area. The rice was noted to have a temperature of 57 degrees. The operator stated that the rice had been there for approximately 20 minutes of time because it did not fit in the steamer. The fried rice was brought to the cooler for proper cold storage. Approximately 10 skewers of teriyaki chicken located in the hot holding unit within the self service buffet area was observed to be stacked on top of each other. The temperature of the chicken skewers ranged from 106-138 degrees F. As per interview with operator, the chicken was placed into buffet line around 11 a.m. (30 minutes). The operator voluntarily disposed of the skewers at the time of the inspection. Two containers of flour were observed to be stored on a shelf uncovered near the walk-in cooler. Approximately 50 pounds of chicken was observed thawing in the three bay food prep station without running water. Shelving units throughout facility contain cardboard, a non-cleanable surface. No sanitizing solution observed during inspection. The operator bathroom located in the kitchen area lacks a self closing door. No paper towels were present in the hand washing station of the kitchen. The ceiling and walls of the walk-in cooler were noted to contain a buildup of mold and mildew. Floor tiles were cracked and missing in the storage room near the walk-in freezer area. Cardboard was observed to be present on the entire floor of the walk-in freezer. I.O.O.B. Club, 1696 Sand Hill Road, Martville: satisfactory (Dec. 8). A.T. Walley & Co., 119 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory. Holiday Inn Food Service, 75 North St., Auburn: satisfactory (Dec. 16). Sakura Buffet, 315 Genesee St., Auburn: satisfactory (Dec. 23). Floor tiles are cracked broken or missing in the walk-in freezer. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 4 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese battery giant CATL announced on Dec. 30 it plans to build the seventh to tenth phases of its battery manufacturing base in Yibin, Sichuan province, another significant move to expand its battery capacity. CATL, Management Committee of Yibin Sanjiang New Area sigining agreement; photo credit: CATL According to CATL's announcement, the aforesaid four phases, located in Yibin Sanjiang New Area, will involve a total investment of no more than 24 billion yuan ($3.764 billion) and cover a planned area of 3,200 mu (around 2.133 million square meters). Construction of each phase is expected to be completed within 20 months. The manufacturing business will be managed by Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL. Prior to the latest agreement for the new projects, CATL had struck deals with Yibin's local authority for building the first to sixth phases of Yibin battery base since 2019. As of now, the company has claimed up to 54 billion yuan ($8.469 billion) of investment in its Yibin base. CATL's heavy investment in building new battery manufacturing bases is to meet the rapidly growth market demands. According to the data from SNE Research, CATL's installed battery capacity for the first eleven months of 2021 reached 79.8GWh, surging 180.1% year on year and amounting to 31.8% world's market share. The volume also made CATL rank first among power battery manufacturers in the world. 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. New Tesla Center opens in Xinjiang Tesla started the operation of its new Tesla Center in Urumqi, Xinjiang, marking its most far-west store in China. Xinjiang Tesla Center; photo credit: Tesla GAC Group to set up second AION factory GAC Group announced its decision to build a second factory for its new energy vehicle brand, AION, with a designed production capacity of 200,000 vehicles per year, with an estimated production date set on December 2022. The project will cost the company RMB1.81 billion. Tesla to recall 200,000 vehicles in China Tesla will recall 19,697 imported Model Ss, 35,836 imported Model 3s and 144,208 domestic-made Model 3s in China. CATL sets up graphite subsidiary with RMB1 billion According to Chinas corporate database, Qichacha, CATL has founded a new Jinzhou Shidai New Material Technology Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of RMB1 billion. The new company is permitted to operate in electronic material manufacturing and graphite/carbon product manufacturing. Ganfeng Lithiums solid-state battery mounted on Dongfengs E70 Chinas major battery player, Ganfeng Lithiums solid-state batteries have already been mounted on Dongfeng Motors E70 vehicles. Ambarella, MAXIEYEs ADAS product start delivery, upgraded version coming in 2022 Well-known fabless semiconductor developer, Ambarella has sublimed its cooperation with Chinas ADAS developer, MAXIEYE, with their collaborated MAXIPILOT1.0 Level 2 intelligent cruise control system starting delivery. CATL to pour no more than 24 billion yuan in building Yibin battery bases 7th-10th phases Chinese battery giant CATL announced on Dec. 30 it plans to build the seventh to tenth phases of its battery manufacturing base in Yibin, Sichuan province, another significant move to expand its battery capacity. Farasis expands battery capacity through standalone efforts, joint ventures Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co.,Ltd. (Farasis Energy), a Chinese power battery manufacturer whose main OEM clients include Mercedes-Benz, announced in mid-September 2021 a decision to raise money for expanding its battery capacity. Tesla raises price for fifth time in six months in China On the last day in 2021, Tesla raised its price again in China, the fifth time in less than six months. The adjustments were made on the automakers Model 3 RWD and the Model Y RWD. Meituan joins hands with LiDAR supplier Hesai for autonomous food delivery Chinas leading LiDAR supplier, Hesai Technology, has reached strategic cooperation with Chinas food delivery giant, Meituan, for autonomous delivery development in the next four years. FAW Hongqi finishes strong in 2021 with record-high Dec. sales FAW Groups Hongqi brand celebrated a new monthly sales record in December, concluding its 2021 year on a positive note. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co.,Ltd. (Farasis Energy), a Chinese power battery manufacturer whose main OEM clients include Mercedes-Benz, announced in mid-September 2021 a decision to raise money for expanding its battery capacity. According to the statement, the company intended to raise no more than 5.2 billion yuan ($816.468 million) by issuing at most 140 million shares to up to 35 investors. Once the capital is secured, 4.6 billion yuan ($722.26 million) will be plowed in the high-performance lithium-ion power battery manufacturing project and the other 600 million yuan ($94.208 million) would be used as technology reserve fund. Farasis Energy, the Management Committee of Wuhu Sanshan Economic Development Zone signing agreement; photo credit: Farasis Energy The aforesaid battery manufacturing project is part of the cooperation Farasis Energy formed with the Management Committee of Wuhu Sanshan Economic Development Zone in late August. Per the agreement, the battery manufacturer plans to build in Wuhu city battery manufacturing lines with an annual capacity of 24GWh per year and relevant supporting facilities. The program will be carried out in two sub-projects. The first one, which is involved in the aforementioned fundraising, was scheduled to start construction in October 2021 and be completed within 18 months, aiming to form the capability of outputting 12GWh power batteries per year. The second one will be launched at an appropriated time based on both parties new agreement and the demands of clients and the market. Farasis Energy said it would build a new wholly-owned subsidiary in Wuhu to take charge of the construction works. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of lithium-ion pouch batteries, Farasis Energy provides products for multiple NEV models from such automakers as Daimler, GAC Group, Geely Auto, TOGG, Dongfeng Motor, Jiangling Motors, and Great Wall Motor. Existing plants in its headquarters of Ganzhou, eastern Jiangxi province, and Zhenjiang, eastern Jiangsu province, currently have a combined annual output of 13 GWh, which is expected to rise to 21 GWh by the end of 2021. Besides, the company has also mapped out 8GWh for the third phase of its Zhenjiang base. Farasis Energy is amid the rapid growth in battery supply orders. The company signed battery supply agreements with its strategic clients Daimler and Beijing Benz at the end of 2018, and later in April 2021, it started the volume production of the power batteries for Daimler's car models. Last year, Farasis Energy was designated as the power battery developer and supplier to the VOYAH H56 project, a global electric vehicle platform under Dongfeng Motor Group. Besides, it also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with TOGG, a Turkish electric car manufacturer, to provide the latter its power battery solutions and relevant services. In 2021, the company received the statement of intent which GAC Mitsubishi and Liuzhou Wuling Motors noted they were interested in letting Farasis Energy be their suppliers of power batteries or lithium battery systems. Due to the existing capacity's inability to meet the demands of its clients and future downstream incremental market and the long construction period for power battery factories, Farasis Energy needs to build new battery production base and improve supply capability to better serve clients and earn more orders, the company said. Farasis Energy, Geely Technology Group signing agreement; photo credit: Farasis Energy Apart from building independent battery base, Farasis Energy also works with its client, Geely Auto. In May this year, the company and Geely Technology Group signed an agreement to build a joint venture working on the R&D, production, and sales of lithium batteries, battery modules, battery module management system, charging system, as well as lithium battery cathode and anode materials, electrolyte, and separators. The joint venture will be 65% and 35% held by Geely Technology Group and Farasis Energy respectively. After its foundation, it will gradually invest in and build NEV battery manufacturing bases in accordance with Farasis Energys capacity demands. The combined battery capacity of Farasis Energy and the joint venture is expected to hit 120GWh, 20GWh of which are supposed to be constructed from this year. Notably, Geely Technology Group broke ground in March 2021 on the first phase of its power battery manufacturing base in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, eyeing a 12GWh per year capacity. This project is also part of the aforesaid 20GWh program. SIRO, Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology signing agreements; photo credit: Farasis Energy As for overseas deployment, SIRO, the umbrella company that includes Farasis Energy and TOGG, struck a pact with the Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology in late Oct. to build 20GWh battery manufacturing facilities. Expected to begin in the second half of 2022, operations at SIROs plant will be advanced in two phases: in the first stage, the factory focuses on manufacturing battery modules and packs, using the cells offered by Farasis Energy; production of batteries is the job for the second phase. People fall in love all the time at the movies, but it's rare to see the process of falling in love, a phenomenon that "Licorice Pizza" is all about. Like most romances, things don't begin well in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1973-set comedy/drama. Gary (Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour) is an absurdly confident high-schooler who hits on Alana (Alana Haim), who's assisting a guy taking class pictures at his school. She rejects him but he tells his brother, "I met the girl I'm going to marry." Lots of people say that in the movies, too, but we don't find out if marriage might happen in "Licorice Pizza," which doesn't get that far. Episodes unfold, connected only because they involve Gary or Alana and because they bring the two closer to the romance that this charming, observant movie makes us hope they'll find. Or at least the possibility of romance, since there's an age difference and who knows if they're perfect for each other? Hoffman and Haim make their movie debuts here, and it's rare for a major movie to rest on the shoulders of such unfamiliar actors. (However, Haim is well-known as a member of the band Haim, for whom Anderson has directed several videos; her sisters/bandmates and parents play her family.) But he was smart to cast these newcomers, as they bring no preconceived notions, and are so likable, distinctive and intelligent. Gary could come off as a blowhard. But Cooper's sunny, dogged quality is irresistible, similar to a puppy who persists until even the most resolute dog disliker pets him. He deftly handles his formal dialogue -- which suggests he learned seduction from screwball comedies. Haim is pricklier but Alana's insistence that she's on exactly the path she's supposed to be on makes her a character to admire and even love. The movie title refers to an actual '70s record store in Southern California, where the film takes place, but what is "Licorice Pizza" about? Incidents are more important than plot. Gary plows into unlikely business ventures, which include trying to capitalize on the waterbed craze and doing PR for a racist Japanese restaurant owner (who, despite controversy that suggests otherwise, is depicted as unfunny and cruel). Meanwhile, Alana becomes active in politics and assists Gary on such missions as delivering a waterbed to the home of Barbra Streisand and her psycho boyfriend Jon Peters (played by Bradley Cooper, who's having way too much fun skewering a guy he probably dealt with while making "A Star Is Born"). There's also a brush with a faded actor (Sean Penn, channeling William Holden) that has little to do with Gary or Alana. Even that potentially distracting scene feels like it belongs in "Licorice Pizza." Everything does. We see so many movies that seem hastily or badly put together. So it's an absolute pleasure to spend time with Anderson's sensibility, which finds shape and texture in every moment. The movie is so beautifully made that it feels like it's using all of your senses at once. Like "Boogie Nights," another perfect movie from Anderson, "Licorice Pizza" shows life on the fringes of '70s Hollywood. But unlike "Boogie Nights," it's a song of innocence. Energy and youth burst from every frame, with its characters often shown running to their next adventure. That's how it ends, in fact. Alana is running at full speed toward the left side of the screen and Gary is running toward the right side. Toward each other. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Simon Rex yes that Simon Rex, the washed-up former MTV personality and star of "Scary Movies" 3-5 gives one of the year's most triumphant performances in "Red Rocket," starring as a burnt-out porn star who returns home to Texas City, Texas, to try and put his life back together. For Rex, it's nothing short of a revelation and a career resurrection. For writer-director Sean Baker ("The Florida Project"), who had the vision to even cast Rex in the first place as well as the faith he could pull it off, it shows he is one of Hollywood's most visionary outsiders, a filmmaker who doesn't chase clout but who follows the storytelling muse in his head wherever it takes him. It's a thrilling, wholly unexpected thing to see. Rex is Mikey Saber, down on his luck, flushed out of the porn biz and back in his industrial hometown, where the skyline is marked by the local oil refinery's lights which twinkle all hours of the night. With nowhere else to turn, he arrives at the doorstep of his ex-, Lexi (Bree Elrod), to whom Mikey either doesn't care or forgot that he's still married. Mikey's got all of $22 to his name but he's got a lot of wiry charm, and he gets Lexi to allow him to move in with her and her mother, Lil (Brenda Deiss). He can't get a job due to his adult film past, so he convinces Leondria (Judy Hill), the local drug dealer for whom he used to work, to let him sell weed for her. Mikey starts putting together a little bit of cash, enough to cover rent for the month, and he takes Lexi and Lil out to the local doughnut shop to celebrate. It's there where he spots the counter girl, a fetching 17-year-old named Strawberry (Suzanna Son), whom he sees as his ticket back to porn superstardom. It's only a matter of who he has to lie to, cheat and screw over in the process to get there. Baker, whose work has always shown an affinity for down-and-out types, sex workers and other figures cast aside by society he casts a lot of non-actors in roles has no interest in playing by conventional rules here, and his story joyously, wildly zigs and zags to places completely unexpected. He has an innate understanding of people like Mikey, whom he by no means glamorizes but with whom he certainly sympathizes, at least on a human level. And Rex is simply magnetic as Mikey, a character he brings to life through his rat-a-tat patter, his jittery mannerisms and the self-serving interactions he has with others. Mikey is a mooch and a schemer but he has an electrifying personality, which is why his neighbor Lonnie (Ethan Darbone) gets a contact high from hanging around with him and agrees to be his chauffer all over town. (The scenes where Mikey recaps the highs and lows of his porn career to Lonnie are outright hilarious.) Mikey is never on an upward trajectory, but there's a part of Rex's performance that makes you root for the guy anyway. Baker, who also edited the film, sets the story in 2016, with the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton playing out in the background. It was a transitional year for America where lines that many thought would never be crossed were instead flown over, like a stunt performed by Evel Knievel. "Red Rocket" is a tale of dashed dreams, renewed hope and characters scraping by along society's fringes. It's funny and unpredictable and a little bit sad, just like the world Mikey inhabits, which is very recognizable to our own. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PHOENIX (AP) Arizona on Friday reported over 7,700 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, the most reported on a single day since last January. The 7,720 additional cases and 17 deaths reported by the state Department of Health Services' coronavirus dashboard increased Arizona's pandemic totals to 1,381,488 cases and 24,229 deaths. Coconino County added 368 cases and zero deaths, bringing its totals to 28,085 cases and 416 deaths. Flagstaff Medical Center's dashboard listed 37 of 41 critical care beds as full, with 47 COVID-positive patients in its census. The department said earlier in the week that some daily reports of additional cases would be larger than normal because of reporting delays over the Christmas holiday weekend. The 7,720 cases reported Friday are more than two times the state's latest seven-day rolling average of daily new cases derived from Johns Hopkins University data. That rolling average of 2,953.6 cases ran through Wednesday and didn't include the 7,720 cases reported Friday or the 5,687 on Thursday. Arizona reported over 8,000 additional cases on 13 days last January. In other developments: -- The Navajo Nation's tribal council has voted to send $2,000 checks to each qualified adult and $600 for each child using $557 million in federal coronavirus relief funds. The council's vote to send the checks to about 350,000 tribal members was approved Thursday by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. Wednesday's 18-2 vote during a special session of the tribe's lawmaking body will tap some of the approximately $2.1 billion the tribe is receiving from President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan Act. The payments will be automatically sent to tribal members living on or off the reservation who applied for relief funds under a previous round of hardship assistance payments. It has been over 8 months since President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act and our Navajo people should not suffer another day without knowing how their government will assist them as they suffer from grief, mental health and financial hardship, Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty said in a statement. An estimated 250,000 adults will each receive $2,000 payments and parents or guardians of 95,000 tribal members under age 18 with receive $600 for each child. "A second allocation of hardship assistance payments ... will allow our relatives to purchase essential winter supplies like gasoline, firewood, and food now, Crotty said. Also Thursday, Nez approved $300 checks for tribal residents age 60 and older who previously showed they needed extra assistance. The checks will come from nearly $16 million in remaining money the tribe has from relief funds approved by former President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, a Council committee met to consider how to spend $1.2 billion in virus relief funds. They discussed spending the money on a large number of infrastructure projects and on $207 million in payments Nez had agreed to provide. Nez will have 10 days after formally receiving the legislation to veto or sign it. The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations statewide dropped slightly, with 2,303 virus patients occupying inpatient beds as of Thursday, according to the Department of Health Services dashboard. Only 108 intensive-care beds were available in hospitals statewide as of Thursday, according to the dashboard. Its basically a war zone, Dr. Arya Chowdhury, an emergency room doctor who works in several Phoenix-area hospitals, told azfamily.com. For literally the last six months, in certain facilities, I have been seeing patients in the waiting room, and sometimes, the waiting room is so full, theres not enough chairs for patients there, so theyre standing." A top official of Phoenix-based Banner Health, the states largest health care chain, said Tuesday that the current bulge of COVID-19 hospitalizations is not expected to peak until mid-January. Over 10% of Pima County employees subject to a mandatory vaccine mandate hadn't provided proof of vaccination as of a day before Friday's deadline and face possible termination, according to a memo sent to the Board of Supervisors. The memo from acting County Administrator John Lesher dated Thursday said 213 employees who work with vulnerable populations could be fired. That's out of 2,095 county workers in that classification. The county has about 3,600 workers in all. More than half who are not vaccinated are jail corrections officers, and the rest are scattered through various departments. Lesher wrote that the situation remained fluid and many workers have said they would comply. He said department heads have been told to issue termination letters by Jan. 7, giving a week's extra time for workers to get their shots. While unvaccinated employees working with vulnerable populations will not be permitted in the work environment, delaying the issuance of the final paperwork will ensure that each affected employee was given the full opportunity to comply with the vaccination directive, Lesher wrote. As such, more definitive numbers of actual terminations will be forthcoming early next week. The Board of Supervisors approved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees who primarily work with vulnerable populations in October. That includes people who work in jails or nursing homes or who provide services to children or the elderly. Because so many jail employees could be fired, that county has been working to lower the jail population. County Attorney Laura Conover also announced that as of Dec, 14 she would no longer charge people for simple drug possession, cutting populations even more. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos 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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 Food imports to China will soon face stricter regulations to ensure better food safety. Two decrees announced by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) earlier this year will take effect on January 1, 2022. Decree 248 focuses on registration requirements while Decree 249 aims to bring food import safety measures up to code. The GACC said the new rules are in line with China's updated Food Safety Law. "The two decrees will not only better protect food consumers, but also enhance the confidence of consumers in food imports and benefit the expansion of consumption. The two decrees also improve the food safety supervising system, clarify the stakeholders' responsibilities, and facilitate and promote a sustainable food trade," said Bi Kexin, director of Import and Export Food Safety Bureau of the GACC. After Decree 248 is implemented, one significant change is that all overseas food manufacturers, processors, and storage facilities will need to be registered with the GACC. Among them, 18 categories of food, such as meat and aquatic products will be subject to the registration recommended by the competent authority of the home country. Decree 249 will provide new enforcement tools for the GACC to inspect food imports, and suspend or prohibit food imports into China when violations are identified. These rules have faced some opposition. Diplomats from seven countries have asked to extend the grace period for another 18 months, saying businesses need time to adjust. Now the customs authorities have started offering online courses in a bid to help businesses make a smooth transition. The GACC also stressed these rules and their transition period fully comply with the requirements of international trade organizations. "China notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the two decrees in advance. We received comments from various parties, and adopted all reasonable suggestions from related stakeholders. The transition period fully complies with the requirements of the WTO. These two decrees are also highly consistent with principles advocated by WTO agreement," said Bi. The implementation of the new rules may not be as hard as some have imagined. "As far as I know from the businesses, the documents needed for registration were the same documents provided at the customs clearance in the past. The rules only mean these documents must be provided in advance, so it's not difficult to prepare for registration," said Yu Lu, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products. China's food import market is booming, having exceeded $100 billion in 2020. This year, it was expected to increase 20 percent. Disagreeing with some diplomats and exporters viewing the new rules as trade barriers, Liu Baocheng, professor from the University of International Business and Economics stressed China's openness for business. "20 years ago our tariff was more than 23 percent, and now is a little more than 15 percent. It's a substantial reduction in the imports of all food. Comparable to the average of the whole world, [it is] only one-quarter of their average tariff rate," said Liu. China is also planning to lower tariffs on certain food products. source: CGTN Making a temporary home Every international student has their own struggle, like a small one, whether it is transferring money from their home, whether it is traveling to their home, and depression, said Bossan Abdyyeva, a transfer-student originally from Turkmenistan. I know that a couple of our students were quite depressed last semester, she said. Abdyyeva has not visited her family in over two years because she fears that if she visits her country, she may not be able to leave due to precautions. She will complete her undergraduate studies in the spring and is currently applying to graduate schools throughout the U.S. Sometimes I feel so tired of everything and I just want to go home," she said. "I just want to eat my moms soup or something, and I cannot do that. Turkmenistan is a predominately Muslim, former Soviet country in Central Asia with a population of about six million people. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Do Not Travel warning for Turkmenistan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial transportation to and from Turkmenistan is not available, or sporadically available, according to the State Department. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A member of the jury that convicted Minnesota police officer Kim Potter of manslaughter in the killing of Daunte Wright says jurors felt she made an honest mistake when she drew her firearm instead of her stun gun, but that she was still responsible for his death. I don't want to speak for all the jurors, but I think we believed she was a good person and even believed she was a good cop, the juror said. "No one felt she was intentional in this. It's ludicrous that some people are assuming we thought she was a racist. That never came up or anything like that. We felt like she was a good person, we felt she made a mistake, and that a mistake does not absolve you from the fact she did commit a crime. In December the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the constitutional validity of the Mississippi law that prohibits abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. Media attention focused mainly on whether the Court would overturn its own 1973 precedent of Roe v. Wade. Roe struck down existing abortion laws in over 40 states and subsequently set a limit on how early in a pregnancy a state government may enact rules to protect the life of the unborn child basically not before fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy. The Court wont hand down its ruling on Mississippi case until next June. Whatever it decides will again trigger mega-media commentary and heated public debate. In this context, it is helpful to acknowledge a few under-reported facts about the Roe v. Wade ruling, and the Courts historical role in divisive public policy debates. First, the Constitution is silent on the subject of abortion. The word does not appear anywhere in the document. The constitutional right to an abortion is a judicial creation. In Roe, the majority declared that such a right is protected by the right to privacy. These words also do not appear anywhere in the Constitution. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A suspect in a homicide in a Detroit suburb has been arrested in Bismarck. Ashinay Horton-Starks, 23, was jailed Thursday as a fugitive from justice, according to Burleigh Morton Detention Center records. Details of the arrest weren't immediately available. Horton-Starks is accused of fatally shooting 26-year-old Johnice Clark in June, following an argument at a party in Warren, Michigan. Crime Stoppers of Michigan offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Horton-Starks. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 The semitractor-trailer that became stuck in the ice of Lake Sakakawea over the weekend has been removed, and it does not appear to have leaked anything of great concern to environmental officials. Former U.S. Attorney and Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley plans to make a bid for state attorney general. Wrigley informed the Tribune of his decision in an interview on Thursday. He plans to make a formal announcement next week. Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakotas longest-serving attorney general, announced earlier this month that he wont seek another term. He was first elected in 2000. Wrigley, 56, cited his attorney and leadership experience as well as his family's business background and his stints in the private sector. He will seek the Republican Party's endorsement at its state convention in April in Bismarck. He's the first candidate to announce. "I'm starting immediately the work of seeking my party's nomination. I want to be the Republican standard-bearer for attorney general," Wrigley said. "I've set everything else aside. This is my full-time endeavor." He will be campaigning statewide, appearing at district GOP gatherings and meeting party delegates throughout early 2022. Wrigley, a Bismarck native, spent five years as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, investigating and prosecuting violent crime, drug trafficking and sex crimes before returning to North Dakota in 1998. He served as North Dakotas U.S. attorney from 2001-09, during which he prosecuted Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. for the killing of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin in 2003. The case was North Dakotas only one involving the federal death penalty. He served as lieutenant governor from 2010-16, initially appointed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple to fill the role Dalrymple left when he succeeded former Gov. John Hoeven, who resigned to enter the U.S. Senate. Republicans Dalrymple and Wrigley won their only full term in 2012. In 2015, Wrigley disclosed he had an extramarital affair. At the time, he was considering a gubernatorial bid. He said on Thursday that the affair was "a purely painful, difficult, personal matter." In 2017, he joined Sanford Health in Bismarck as an adviser after leaving office. In 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed then-President Donald Trumps nomination of Wrigley as U.S. attorney for North Dakota, a post he held for about two years until he resigned in February 2021 due to the new Biden administration. The move is typical after a change in administration. Since then, Wrigley has been working with his family's two industrial contracting companies in Fargo. Accessibility, accountability Attorney general is one of a few high-profile jobs on next year's ballot, which also includes secretary of state and tax commissioner. The three longtime incumbents are not running. Wrigley said that if he's elected attorney general, his priorities will be accessibility, transparency and accountability. He cited his support of sunshine laws and his communication approach to the Olivia Lone Bear case. Lone Bear disappeared on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2017. Her body was found in 2018 in a submerged truck in Lake Sakakawea near New Town. Wrigley and an FBI agent met with the Lone Bear family in 2019 to brief them on the investigation's status. Family members had expressed frustration with the case. "I wanted to change course on that ... We're not looking for awards by this, by the way. This is the way public officials should approach things," Wrigley said. He also believes he could help bridge fissures in North Dakota's supermajority Republican Party, and said he would work with Democrats. "If I'm elected, six months into office, I feel very confident that Democrats will recognize they have an attorney general ... with whom they can consult in their office and in their legislative work and everything else, and who is not there to undermine their work just because we are of different parties," Wrigley said. He said his attorney general bid is not a springboard for a gubernatorial campaign in 2024. "I'm firmly committed to this race, and if elected, firmly committed to four years of what will be very energetic service," he said. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FOUR CORNERS, Mont. (AP) Anticipation for Jan. 1 hangs in the air of a parking lot here where four cannabis dispensaries sit shoulder-to-shoulder. Next month could mean a budding business plan blossoming into its full potential, or it could bring possible failure in an industry as crowded as this lot. Its kind of like charging into the dark, said Cody Lundmark, co-owner of Sacred Sun Farms, one of the four shops of the Four Corners cluster. Montana will launch recreational cannabis sales on Jan. 1. The road to recreational use has been thrust onward by Montanas voters, who legalized medical use in 2004 and then took the full plunge in 2020. In last years election, 58% of voters enshrined cannabis use in the state Constitution alongside alcohol. In the final weeks ahead of recreational sales, providers have been ramping up their production, specializing their craft and bracing for the unknowns like what demand will be, the Montana State News Bureau reports. Local governments, meanwhile, have been trying to balance the voters will with regulatory framework rolled out by the state Legislature, along with feedback from the industry. In this lot, providers are nervous and excited, but their position in the weeks leading up to recreational sales makes all the difference in determining who is confident and who is keeping their options open. New market opportunities Sacred Sun Farms has 11 greenhouses and a high-end laboratory to engineer concentrate products like oils, and Lundmark doesnt expect their shelves will go bare in the first wave of recreational sales. He said Sacred Sun is working on contracts to wholesale some of their concentrates to other dispensaries and let the product advertise itself in regions where Sacred Sun doesnt have retail. Wholesaling is arguably the second-largest shift in the industry come Jan. 1, behind recreational sales. Previously, cannabis providers had to be vertically integrated, meaning must they grow, manufacture and retail their entire product line. In order to provide edibles, like cookies, concentrates and oils, dispensaries had to make huge investments in their equipment and quality control. But under the new regulatory structure, providers can be horizontally integrated. That means they can run growing, manufacturing or retail operations, or any combination of the three. Theoretically, that could make a provider better able to play whatever hand theyre dealt in terms of size, location and access to cash investments. It changes the whole infrastructure of the market, said Kate Cholewa, government affairs representative at the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, a trade group thats long been involved in policymaking around cannabis. Wholesaling can help some of the smaller producers keep their store shelves with product on it. It also means smaller folks are letting go of their concentrate production, which is an expensive piece. Across the lot from Sacred Sun, Chris Paradise with Supherb Wellness said recreational sales could mean boom or bust for his business. The most recent shift in Montanas medical cannabis regulations untethered patients from a single provider, allowing them to shop freely across Montanas dispensaries. Since that change in 2020, Paradise said a loyal customer base has kept Supherb Wellness on its feet. But along with untethering, license fees have climbed. Its brutal, Paradise said. (Im) just trying to pay the bills and keep options open to doing something else. Paradise said if recreational sales, along with a new shop on Four Corners main drag, doesnt boost his business, selling his product wholesale to another provider could give him a chance to stay in the industry. He, like others who spoke to the Montana State News Bureau for this story, have had offers from out-of-state prospectors. Paradise, like many others, turned them down. Id rather go wholesale and stay the boss, he said. Then theres Bloom. The provider has 24 dispensaries, 220 employees statewide and a Tier 12 license, the largest growing capacity available to providers. Based in Helena, co-owner John Hoofman said Bloom began preparing for a recreational market in mid-2020, on a wager Bloom and several other providers bet that voters would approve legalization. Since then the business has built out its cultivation and retail infrastructure, keeping their processes dialed each step of the way. Its really just organizing and analyzing the processes to make sure you have things in order to be able to execute, Hoofman said. You try to anticipate moving parts to the best of your ability. Question of quantity The demand for recreational sales remains the industrys great mystery of 2022. Several providers who spoke to the Montana State News Bureau for this story said, after looking at other states that approved recreational cannabis use, theyre preparing for a 30-40% increase in sales from their annual medical sales. But trying to accurately grow what an unknown consumer base will buy is like trying to fix a time machine before its ever launched someone to a different era. The Governors Office of Budget and Program Planning projected $130 million in recreational sales in 2022, climbing to $195.5 million in 2023 once the moratorium on new businesses ends. These numbers were based on earlier projections by the University of Montanas Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and adjusted downward to account for initial supply limitations as a result of the moratorium on new cannabis businesses until mid-2023. The growth rates into future years was based on the increase of recreational cannabis sales in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Nevada and Alaska. J.D. Pepper Petersen, president and CEO of the Montana Cannabis Guild, another trade group in Montana, is not optimistic about providers meeting demand. The medical industry was geared to produce no more than what registered cardholders were consuming, and Petersen doesnt believe the industry has had enough time to ramp up for an expanded market. Add in the millions of tourists that visit Montana each year, and supply-and-demand becomes hard to reconcile. I just dont see how were going to be able to keep up, Petersen said. Our capacity might be there in November when the tourists leave. Some providers, whether theyre stalwarts of Montanas marijuana industry or new to the scene, are going to feel out the market before scaling their businesses. Gallatin Valley Organics, a Tier 1 shop in Bozeman, is waiting it out to see where theyll fit best in the market, said manager Theresa Upp. In the coming months, Gallatin Valley Organics will have a kitchen up and running to offer edibles, but with a small-scale growing capacity, they are studious about the quality of their flower. Add in their location a block off Main Street, prime real estate in a booming town and the small shop has mighty staying power in a potentially chaotic market. Weve been a little slower than others, but were being calculated about it, Upp said. In Missoula, Glenn Broughton of Starrbuds said hes remained a Tier 2 provider, but hadnt previously maxed out his grow facility. Starrbuds has a healthy revenue at its current size, he said, and filling out his square footage for cultivation feels like a good cushion. Broughton considered scaling up if he needs to meet demand, but doesnt foresee a huge wave of customers around the corner. Weve been medical here since 2004, the whole novelty its not near as enticing to people, he said. Its going to be the first week or two thats going to be the busiest. Government regulations Local governments, meanwhile, are busy setting the table for recreational sales to begin next year. The Legislatures final framework for legalization allowed counties that did not approve recreational cannabis sales to continue that prohibition on business, despite recreational cannabis use still being lawful statewide. The result is a patchwork of green counties, which largely cover the western part of the state, and red counties, which mostly populate the east side of the state. Counties then have some levers to control things locally, like whether to flip to a red or green county, or to impose an additional tax on cannabis sales, or how to weave the upcoming industry into its community fabric. Not every market looks awash in cannabis like Four Corners. Dispensaries have in some cases filled out spaces in communities where other businesses have fallen away, populating a former drive-in restaurant in Missoula or a shuttered storefront on main street downtown. Gallatin County has the largest number of dispensaries at 76, but since 2013 only 20 have been allowed in Bozeman city limits. In October, the Bozeman City Commission voted to remove that cap, a new arrangement city officials said would reflect the countys overwhelming vote to legalize recreational use and roll back restrictions to allow the state to take a more controlling role over the industry. Nearly half of the providers located in the city sued the next month to reinstate the cap, claiming it devalued their city licenses and would create the same congestion as seen in Four Corners, which is in the county. Missoulas city council never created a cap, but did set a 500-foot buffer between dispensaries. Billings, meanwhile, is having a near identity crisis. In Yellowstone County, 53% of voters approved marijuana. Months ago, voters in Billings, where 60% of the county lives, decided to keep recreational sales out of city limits. Medical storefronts were already banned in the city. Following a public hearing earlier this month, the Yellowstone County Commission put the entire notion of recreational cannabis back to the voters this coming June, to possibly reverse their decision in 2020. Tribal framework Montanas tribes, meanwhile, were promised equal footing when the state Legislature passed its vision for a recreational marijuana market. Each of the eight tribal governments were given a combined-use license in industry terms, a vertical license that allowed tribes to sell cannabis 150 air miles from the reservation border. Those terms allowed tribes into the market without fear of losing federal contracts on reservation lands, since cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. The rules also allow tribes to put a dispensary in a county where recreational sales are legal and within the 150 air-mile range if the reservation borders a county that did not approve recreational sales in 2020. But tribes opportunity looked to be dashed by the final language in the Legislatures framework bill, until an administrative fix earlier this month. The legislation allocated tribes a Tier 1 license, the smallest growing capacity available. The law didnt specifically allow tribes to scale up to reap much profit, considering theyd have to develop each step in the process as vertically integrated. The Montana Department of Revenue, which is the regulatory agency for recreational and medical cannabis, said this month they had not received any notice of interest from tribes in engaging with the combined-use licenses. Jason Small, a Republican state senator from the Northern Cheyenne community of Busby who was influential in ensuring the licenses for tribes, said that uncertainty around state regulations may have been enough to keep tribes from making a play in the cannabis market. Im led to believe that without that change, it wasnt that viable an option, Small said. But in early December, an interim legislative committee and the Department of Revenue clarified the rules to say state tribes could scale up their operations. Its a hell of an opportunity, if someone wants to use it, Small said. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Independent Record. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Having served on the State Investment Board on behalf of Gov. George Sinner, I have had a continuing interest in the $8 billion pot of gold accumulated in the state treasury from oil revenue. The Forum and KX News have been looking for a smoking gun in the State Investment Board, wondering if North Dakota is being well served by consultants that have worked for the state for two decades. Because the financial agreements between the State Investment Board and the consultants are exempt from the North Dakota open records law, the search has been slow and cumbersome. Some of the basic information is not available to the searchers. Support for in-state investing One of the major complaints about state investments has been the failure to invest some of this $8 largesse in North Dakota. In its report, KX has cited surveys that indicate broad public support for investing more of the money within the state. One of the fact finders, according to KX reports, has focused attention on some of the out-of-state investments which, to ordinary citizens, look like malfeasance, if not worse. KX reports that Fargo attorney Luke Heck found investments in 89 countries, including 37 different investments in China, many of which are linked to the Chinese Communist Party. When the state hires investment advisers, the State Investment Board keeps looking at the return on investment. That being the case, the consultants look to investments that yield the greatest return. At one time, we fired an underperforming money manager who was earning a petty yield of 26%. Other managers were earning more. This motive is in conflict with the complaint of failure to invest in North Dakota. The consultants cant produce strong performance records with investments in North Dakota. Thats a truth we find hard to accept. KX asked Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, who had chaired the Legacy Fund Advisory Board, about consultant Callans influence with the Investment Board. Kempenich noted that the board vote on issues was almost always 11-0. The reason votes are unanimous is because no one on the board has the expertise to second-guess others in the complex game of investing. As a board member, I had no qualifications when it came to actual investing. We always went along with our home investment adviser who worked in unison with the out-of-state consultants. Just because a person is elected to a state office doesnt mean that he/she knows anything about investing. The primary job of the State Investment Board and its resident consultant is to find the best investment brains available to manage its portfolios. Thats the extent to which a board of 11 amateurs can function. Get outside look If there are questions about the secondary relationships of Callan that may be adverse to the interests of North Dakota, the board ought to hire other qualified investors to scan the investment program with emphasis on integrity if that is the concern. After all, $8 billion of investments is a lot of money, and it may be worth paying for an independent review to deal with suspicions and doubts. There is strong sentiment in North Dakota for using the Legacy Fund for in-state investments. Because of this sentiment, the board ought to leave $7 billion for yield investment but carve out $1 billion for an in-state venture capital program with expectations different than high yields. We can afford it. North Dakota communities have had a lot of experience with cities and counties underwriting failures -- which are bound to happen in the venture game. The $1 billion for in-state ventures must be structured so that professional judgment, and not local politics or politicians, controls decisions. Lloyd Omdahl is a political scientist and former North Dakota Democratic lieutenant governor. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Bismarck in its early days survived two fires that almost destroyed the city. One occurred in 1885 and the other in 1898. Since most of the structures in the capital city were wood it was difficult to stop fires. Bismarck has endured other catastrophic events throughout its history to reach a milestone this coming year: its 150th anniversary or sesquicentennial. Bismarck has done more than survive, it has thrived, especially in the last 50 years. The city was established on May 14, 1872, and called Edwinton in honor of Edwin Ferry Johnson of Vermont, a civil engineer who promoted the transcontinental railroad. In an early marketing ploy, the city was renamed Bismarck in 1873 after German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. City leaders hoped the name change would help get German investment in the railroad. The Bismarck Tribune editorial board believes the sesquicentennial merits not just a celebration, but an examination of the citys history. Both the high points and the low points. Bismarck has a fascinating history from its rough-and-tumble beginnings to its ongoing growth. The Bismarck Historical Society has launched an oral history project to mark the anniversary. The society plans to interview longtime families and related businesses and present the interviews in both video and paper files. The project may eventually be turned into a book. Its an ambitious effort that should provide insight into Bismarcks past and present. The City Commission at its Dec. 14 meeting began the process of organizing a celebration. Mayor Steve Bakken issued a proclamation labeling 2022 a celebration of the 150th anniversary. The commission asked Assistant City Administrator Jason Tomanek to organize a committee to develop plans for a celebration. It may be a late start, but theres still time to stage educational and fun events. Bob Wefald, a retired judge and a volunteer with the Bismarck Historical Society, asked the commission to support a project to restore stained glass windows at the Bread of Life Church at Camp Hancock in Bismarck. The Tribune agrees it would be a worthy project during the anniversary year. Many, if not most, Bismarck residents dont have a deep understanding of the citys history. They remember the flood of 2011, the hail storm on June 9, 2001, and probably the blizzard in April 1997. There are a lot of people who arent familiar with the citys past, and thats nothing to feel bad about. We tend to be focused on the present. When the 50th anniversary of statehood was observed in August 1939, a five-day celebration was held in Bismarck. There were parades, agricultural displays and folk dancing. Wagons West, a program described by the Tribune at the time as a gigantic historical spectacle, was presented. In 1972 a 10-day celebration was organized for the citys centennial. The Tribune isnt suggesting a five-day bash in 2022, but Tomanek and his committee should be able to develop suitable events for people of all ages that take into consideration the ongoing pandemic. A year after the city was established, Col. Clement A. Lounsberry arrived in 1873 to start a newspaper. That paper became The Bismarck Tribune. It survived three fires and remains one of the oldest businesses in Bismarck. The Tribune is proud to be part of the citys rich heritage and looks forward to celebrating. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Wellexcept Goliath is mostly a good guy too and hes the one putting rocks in the air and David got beat in this case by the government. From yesterdays (Louisville) Courier-Journal, Charlie White and Sara Cunningham report on the stand-off between homeowner David McCarty and the local Wal-Mart under construction in Lebanon, KY. Complying with a court order, a Central Kentucky man yesterday ended his sit-down protest a few feet from a blasting site part of the construction of a Wal-Mart development adjacent to his property. As dusk approached, David McCarty took refuge in his house just outside Lebanon before workers set off the dynamite near his back fence. On Wednesday, weary from months of the nearby construction work and angry over what he said was damage to his property, McCarty had been determined to keep Wal-Mart from detonating the dynamite to make way for a water line The explosions occurred about 5 p.m., ending an exhausting couple of days for the family, whose members say they dealt with daily noise, dust and debris for about four months before deciding to take action The police couldnt intervene in the stand-off because neither side is breaking the law, said Shelton Young, chief of the Lebanon Police Department. There was no legal basis for us to make him go in or stop (construction workers) from detonating, Young said. The homeowner was just as cordial and courteous as could be to the officers and to the Wal-Mart construction people. The workers werent aggressive either. We stayed for a couple hours to make sure everyone was keeping friendly and then we left. The McCartys, who have lived at 2040 Campbellsville Road just outside the Lebanon city limits for 10 years, are now surrounded on all sides by the development. They are literally on an island in a sea of construction, Spainhour said of his clients. You cant stand in his yard without getting covered in dust. McCarty said he is eager to sell his property. I want out of here, he said in an interview late Wednesday nighthe gave a quote for the land to Wal-Mart officials, but would not specify the amount. He acknowledged that the quote was more than the property is worth. It may not be worth it right now, but when the new Wal-Mart is up and running, it will be worth every penny, he said. Beyond an interesting story, economists would point to the externalities involved here. This is a case where one party causes damage and benefit to another party. Wal-Mart is damaging McCarty by lowering the value of his property in the short-term (e.g., he cant sit in his back yard when they set off the dynamite) and helping him by enhancing the value of his property in the long-term (his land is worth much after a Wal-Mart is next door). But in addition to Wal-Marts impact on McCarty, the latter can mess with the former whether by sitting in his lawn chair or by demanding an artificially high price for his land (or going inside his house while they blow things up). Once Wal-Mart bought the property next to McCarty, he gained tremendous bargaining power over the company and the control of its land! At least in theory, all of this could have been handled privately. I suspect that WalMart and McCarty could have reached a contractual agreement that was mutually beneficial. When that didnt/couldnt happen, the matter must be settled by some aspect of government. The police (as enforcement officers of the State) had no jurisdiction since no laws were being broken. So, it was left to a judges interpretation. How hard did David and Goliath work to avoid the stand-off? Its not reported. But in this case, a market solution was available before people started throwing stones. (cross-posted on SchansBlog.com) Still on the calendar, pandemic permitting, is the Buffalo Winter Sectional Tournament, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21, to Sunday, Jan. 23, in the banquet hall of the Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Amherst. For more info, click this link. The ACBL has declared that masks are required for everyone playing in tournaments, along with proof of vaccination. District 5 has sent out a notice that this order will be in effect at the Rock & Roll Regional in Cleveland from Wednesday, Jan. 5, to Sunday, Jan. 9. You will have to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth. Single layered cloths are not acceptable, District president and tournament chairman Jim Overcasher said in an email. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we have to follow ACBL guidelines. "The way he so quickly agreed to tear down that building was a slight to the preservationists," he said. "I don't know why that was all so fast unless he's sending a signal that he's no longer playing footsie with those people." Olma theorizes Brown's convincing victory frees him to deal with some constituencies in any way he chooses. Some think Brown could use his political capital for revenge against a local Democratic Party that abandoned him for Walton. But Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy J. Zellner said the mayor this month attended the party's holiday event. Zellner said he also pledged his support for his re-election as chairman. "I think he's in a stronger position in his working relationship with the Common Council and because of all this federal funding coming into the city," Zellner said, adding the bad feelings stemming from Brown's support from the Republican Party will never be condoned, but is forgotten. "He took full responsibility for what happened in the primary and moved on," the chairman said. "While we could never be part of his working with Republicans, I consider it to be in the past." "Think about it, if youre going to have that conversation six months before the compact expires, it is not going to be done well. This is very complicated," Restaino said. "I know there are conversations going on and I think that is really where the energy needs to be. This chapter needs to be closed and we need to move on." Gov. Kathy Hochuls press office referred The News' inquiry to the New York State Gaming Commission. Gaming Commission spokesman Brad Maione called on the Senecas to pay up. It is past time for the Nation to honor its obligations under the Compact and the Judgment. The Nation has exhausted all of its appeals, the Judgment is final, and the Nations most recent effort to manufacture an extrajudicial avenue for delay has been denied. The Nation should not continue to circumvent the Judgment or avoid its clear obligations to the State and the communities that will benefit from the Nation making their revenue sharing payment, Maione said in an email. "They used half their air just getting there," the fire commissioner said. "It's quite a distance from the main entrance to where it was determined the scene of the fire was. It was really manpower intensive and there were a lot of challenges logistically." Nine pumpers, seven trucks and 60 firefighters battled the flames and smoke. Sprinklers appeared to be working, said Renaldo. The evacuated guests were let back in after about an hour when it became clear that the fire wasn't spreading into the hotel portion of the building. No rooms were damaged, as that part of the hotel is "totally isolated" from the banquet area where the flames and smoke were, he said. But Renaldo said the damage to the banquet area of the building was "severe." One firefighter was injured in a fall but remained on duty. No other injuries were reported. The cause was under investigation, and Renaldo said trained dogs were at the scene sniffing for the presence of accelerants. Three fire trucks returned to the hotel around 11:45 a.m. for reports of hot spots, as Renaldo was giving an update to media in the parking lot. The verdict is problematic for Andrew because he has long been friends with Maxwell, daughter of the late rags-to-riches media tycoon Robert Maxwell. Even after Epstein was charged with sex crimes, Andrew failed to distance himself from her. Those links have already diminished the prince's standing. Andrew was forced to give up his duties as a working member of the royal family after a disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC that only increased public concern about his ties to Epstein and Maxwell. The prince was widely criticized for his explanation of why he maintained contact with Epstein after the financier was accused of sexual misconduct and for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims. Although the Maxwell trial didn't offer any sensational new allegations about Andrew, it once again reminds people about the sordid allegations and weakens his standing with the public, said Chris Scott of Slateford, a London law firm that specializes in reputational issues. Given the imminent and dangerous threat the tornadoes posed, it was both legal and logical for workers at Amazon and Mayfield to leave. What OSHA or the Department of Labor or the Justice Department do about that remains to be seen. If only workers had used their rights! But how would they know, unless they knew the law or where to look to find it or even what theyd be looking for? A standard OSHA poster for display in the workplace is silent on the right to refuse, referring in general terms to workers rights to a safe workplace and offering a phone number to call. OSHA must make those rights clear on mandatory workplace posters. The media have also largely failed to draw appropriate attention to these workplace rights, as experienced reporters dedicated to labor issues have by-and-large been replaced by general assignment reporters or those covering business. Its no surprise, then, that workers dont know their rights or, at minimum, how to save their own lives on the job in the face of workplace dangers. U.S. workers deserve better. Who would dare say publicly they dont? Kathy Wilkes of Madison, Wis., is a longtime labor journalist and former union co-founder and officer. This column was produced for The Progressive magazine and distributed by Tribune News Service. Under Howard, jail management was disastrous. Standards werent even an afterthought. He might as well have issued a memo that said, in total: Do what you want. Anything goes. Inmate suicides and suicide attempts were treated as annoyances. Jail personnel tried to hide them from the State Commission of Correction, which oversees jails in New York. At least tacitly, Howard approved the deception. Jail personnel were complicit in what the Commission called the homicide of two inmates India Cummings, who was denied medical care, and Richard Metcalf Jr., who died after a spit mask was tied tightly on his face. Both were troubled and difficult inmates, but deputies mishandled both situations then tried to cover them up. Howard did nothing. Howard, himself, attended political rallies in full uniform and moonlighted, using his official car. He did nothing to discipline former Deputy Kenneth Achtyl, who assaulted a Bills fan then lied about it in an official report. Achtyl was convicted of misdemeanors and resigned, but not because of anything Howard did. Again in full uniform, he supported Achtyl during his trial, engaging in an obvious attempt to sway the jury. Jan. 4-5 Indoor Archery Scratch League at Three-F Club, 904 Swann Road, Lewiston, from 4 to 9 p.m. for nonmembers. Club members can shoot any day. It will run for 8 weeks. Cost is $30 (one-time fee). Individuals, no teams. Vegas 3-spot or a single face. Youth are welcome but must shoot at 20 yards. Call Ryan Lucas at 628-8194 for details. Jan. 6 Indoor 3D Archery League (14- week) continues at Allied Sportsmen, 12846 Clinton St., Alden, at 6:30 p.m. First line is 6:45 p.m. and second line is at 7:30 p.m. Shoot any night or all 14 weeks. Cost is $10 per night. Any questions call John Floriano at 725-5822 or Kevin Ulrich at 430-1059. Jan. 7 SPOT Shoot/League continues at Allied Sportsmen, 12846 Clinton St., Alden, at 6:45 p.m. You can shoot a single spot, a 3-spot or a 5-spot target for whatever practice you are looking for on the 15-position range. Cost is $10 each night for 14 weeks. Any questions, call John Floriano at 725-5822 or Kevin Ulrich at 430-1059. By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has committed to extending the International Space Station (ISS) operations through 2030, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said on Friday. Nelson said that the Biden administration had committed to working with international partners, including Russia, to continue research being conducted in the orbiting laboratory through the rest of this decade. Russia and the United States have had close cooperation aboard the International Space Station for more than two decades. U.S. officials said in November that an anti-satellite missile test that Russia conducted generated a debris field in low-Earth orbit that endangered the station and will pose a hazard to space activities for years. The station would operate through 2030 if approved by international partners and funded by the U.S. Congress. Currently, Congress has approved funding through 2024. The Interfax news agency said in August that Russia and the United States will continue working together on ISS after 2024, citing a senior official at Russia's space agency Roscosmos. "As more and more nations are active in space, it's more important than ever that the United States continues to lead the world in growing international alliances and modeling rules and norms for the peaceful and responsible use of space", Nelson said in a statement on Friday released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Tensions between Russia and the United States have not been confined to just issues related to space. Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday exchanged warnings over Ukraine but conveyed some optimism that diplomatic talks in January could ease spiraling tensions. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Harry Reid, then Senate majority leader, speaks to reporters after a Democratic caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on June 17, 2014. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Harry Reid, who died Tuesday, was right to go nuclear in ending the Senate filibuster for most presidential nominees, including for lower court judgeships. That action in 2013 could be perhaps the most enduring legacy of his eight years as Senate majority leader. At the time, I didnt think he was justified. But after years of reporting, I changed my mind. Reid was a self-professed fighter, literally as a former boxer, and figuratively in the Senate. And the brazen obstruction of the Republicans left him little choice. To end or change the filibuster is easy, in theory. By a simple majority vote, senators could repeal or alter the rule that allows a minority to block action unless the other side musters a 60-vote supermajority to force a bills passage or, in the past, a nominees confirmation. But they call it a "nuclear option" for a reason. While both parties fulminated for years about the others obstructions when each had a majority, each avoided tampering with the filibuster, fearing that whichever party ended it would be disarmed, once back in the minority, of its best weapon against the majoritys bills and nominees. Also, some in both parties long contended that the threat of filibusters encouraged the two sides to compromise. Some still do, but theyre wrong. Compromise has become anathema for most Republicans (see: Sen. McConnell, Mitch). In 2013, Reid finally had enough after years of Republican obstructions of President Obamas legislative priorities and, especially, of his judicial nominees. Six weeks after Obama took office in 2009, all 41 Republican senators just enough to sustain a filibuster had signed a letter telling him theyd oppose any nominee for a judgeship unless Obama had advance approval of a Republican senator from the nominees state. Obama had already consulted with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana before nominating a federal district judge from Indiana, David Hamilton, to the federal appeals court for the 7th circuit. Yet McConnell lined up every other Republican against Hamilton. Story continues The White House and Senate Democrats, including Reid, were stunned. Republicans message was clear: They are not going to give Obama anyone without a fight, Vermont Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told his staff. For Obamas entire first term, for example, Republicans prevented him from filling four vacancies on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, second in prestige to the Supreme Court. They argued, as they had in the Clinton administration, that the D.C. court wasnt busy enough for more judges. During George W. Bush's presidency, however, Republicans had made sure the Senate confirmed three of his nominees to the court. One of us is fighting with a rolling pin, Kristine Lucius, a former counsel to Leahy, said to me about the Democrats. And the other is fighting with a gun. Thats a lament common among Democrats today. But in 2013, Democratic senators were still loath to break the institution's norms. Yet when Republicans continued their obstruction into Obamas second term, Reid dropped his longtime opposition to the nuclear option. On Nov. 21, 2013, he led Democrats in nuking the filibuster rule for nominations other than for the Supreme Court. Some Democrats went along reluctantly, including New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Reids successor as Democratic leader. Three Democrats voted no, including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin III. You will regret this, McConnell said. Just over three years later, as majority leader, McConnell had his party end the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, too. President Trumps three picks Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett wouldnt have been confirmed otherwise. Some Democrats blame Reid for opening the door to McConnells action in 2017. But anyone who thinks McConnell wouldnt have gone nuclear absent Reids precedent hasnt paid attention to just how far McConnell will go to capture the courts for conservatives. In the year after Reids nuclear strike, the Democrats were able to place more than 100 Obama nominees onto the federal bench before losing their majority. Most of those nominations would have been blocked by the Republicans otherwise. In September, just three months before he died, Reid wrote that he was proud of what hed done. He had every right to be. @jackiekcalmes This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu is revered for opposing apartheid, but his battle against injustice included an unwavering defence of gay rights. LGBTQ people are thanking, and mourning, the man who gave them a voice. Desmond Tutu saw his defence of LGBTQ+ rights as part of his lifelong fight against discrimination. "I oppose such injustice with the same passion that I opposed apartheid, he said in 2013 at the launch of a UN campaign against LGBTQ discrimination. He concluded with his most famous comment on inclusion: "I would not worship a God who is homophobic [...] I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say, 'Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place." For Nate Brown, executive director of Pan Africa ILGA, Desmond Tutu was the voice of the voiceless. He sat at tables where the LGBT community was not invited, so he spoke on our behalf". Brown, a gay activist, says Tutu's now infamous 2013 speech had a real impact. "When he says he wouldn't pray to a homophobic God, it challenges all the Christians who are against the LGBT community. We felt understood and loved." Keval Harie, director of the Gala Queer Archive, also feels the loss of Tutus free speech. "The archbishop was a real ally of the community. It was very important that as a member of the clergy, wearing his religious robes, he was able to show that there was a place for LGBTQI+ people in the Church, she told RFIs Claire Bargeles. Outspoken Tutu was renowned for speaking his mind, even when he knew it would make him unpopular, both within the Anglican Communion and beyond. In early 2014 he compared Ugandas proposed law criminalising homosexuality with the horrors of Nazi Germany and apartheid-era South Africa that banned inter-racial sexual relations. He repeatedly clashed with Zimbabwes former ruler, the late Robert Mugabe and in 2013 Mugabe told a political rally: Tutu should just step down because he supports gays, something that is evil. Story continues Before his death last Sunday age 90, most African religious leaders rejected his LGBTQ positions, and those who agreed with him were often cautious. Most of them are unwilling to offer their contrary views due to fear of reprisal and backlash for not conforming with African values, Kenya-based researcher Yvonne Wamari of outright Action International LGBTQ-rights organisation, told AP. 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. Limited impact Phumi Mtetwa, a long-standing gay activist in South Africa, praises the archbishops courage. "He did not hesitate at times to stand up to religious leaders, never doubting and standing by his belief that the dignity of many of us was more important." Yet Tutus LGBTQ advocacy across the continent has had limited reach. South Africa is the only African country to have legalised same-sex marriage, and its constitution protects against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. But even there, violence against LGBTQ people still exists. Beyond South Africas borders, gay sex is a criminal offence in 30 of the continents 54 countries. In October Human Rights Watch reported on a prominent LGBTQ activist in Tunisia assaulted by police and in November the case of an attack by a mob on an intersex person. Meanwhile, at a governmental level, lawmakers in Senegal are trying to introduce tougher legislation to punish homosexuality and in Ghana to criminalise the promotion and funding of LGBTQ activities. Signs of hope But activists take heart in some recent progress, which they see as a direct result of Tutus relentless campaigning for inclusion. Nate Brown cites Botswana where after two years of struggle with the government the Court of Appeal recently upheld a 2019 ruling that decriminalised consensual same-sex activities. Angola and Mozambique have also decriminalised same-sex relationships he pointed out. Brown says those steps forward are part of Tutus legacy. His death is a setback, because he is irreplaceable. But I would like to think that as a community we will be able to continue the fight for gay rights. Real also: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jean-Marc Vallee attends the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) The family of the late Jean-Marc Vallee, the Canadian director of Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies, released a statement on his sudden death in Quebec on Dec. 25 at the age of 58. "Our father was a generous man, deeply human and who lived life to its fullest," the statement from his two sons, Alex and Emile, reads. "He wanted to live a long life and was working on major projects! He was a source of inspiration for many and leaves wonderful memories for those who had the privilege to work with him, to love him and to appreciate his craft." It has been reported that Vallee's representative, Bumble Ward, confirmed he died from a heart attack. In the statement released by his family on Friday, it states that his death "was not caused by the intervention of another party, a voluntary act, or a known disease," and further analysis is underway. "We wish to thank everyone who took the time to express their sadness and compassion," Vallee's family states. "We are very grateful by the outpouring of support received from around the world." "And as Jean-Marc would say: Cut, print, thank you, bye!'" In a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, fellow filmmaker from Quebec Denis Villeneuve paid tribute to Vallee, calling him a "beacon" after his success and "the one that showed us the way" in Montreal. "He knew where the keys to the car were hidden. He knew secret passages. His house was open," Villeneuve wrote. "He was fascinated by new artists, he loved their drive, their ambition, shared their vulnerability." "With Jean-Marc, it was all about love, faith, music, passion and the unbearable loneliness of beings. He was a genius at heart and his heart was a supernova." People wait to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico City this week. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images) Faced with the rise of the highly contagious Omicron variant, parts of Europe have instituted travel restrictions, shut down nonessential businesses and canceled big events. In the United States, where cases are spiking, people can wait hours for a coronavirus test. Mexico is a different story. New infections and deaths have been on a downward slide since the Delta peak in the summer. The beach resorts of Acapulco and Cancun are packed with tourists. Lockdowns seem like a thing of the past. With the federal government reporting only 42 cases of Omicron, the official response has been business as usual. We insist, its the same epidemic," Dr. Hugo Lopez-Gatell, the undersecretary of health, said at a news conference this week, warning that putting deliberate attention on Omicron cases is a distraction from the bigger picture. Mexico City hired a Spider-Man character to greet people who've received a COVID vaccine. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images) That view has stoked fears among scientists that the country is unprepared for a post-holiday-season Omicron wave. They say that the only reason more cases of Omicron haven't been found already is that not many people are looking there is too little testing and too little genetic sequencing. Without detecting it in time, it will disperse quickly, said Dr. Andreu Comas, a virologist at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi who is part of a consortium that monitors variants. Instead of seeing the wolf from two kilometers away, when we find the wolf, itll be beside us." According to the scientific publication Our World in Data, Mexico performs an average of eight coronavirus tests a day for every 100,000 people about one-50th the U.S. rate. The truth is were in a plane that doesnt have instruments, said Dr. Alejandro Macias, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Guanajuato who led Mexico's response to the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Were living in a certain honeymoon period... Were waiting for Omicron." At the Coco Wax Studio in the hip Mexico City neighborhood of Condesa, Lilian Munoz, an eyebrow technician, said she's followed international news reports about Omicron and worries that Mexican officials are being complacent. Story continues She said their attitudes have trickled down to her clients, who have forgotten their masks and have gotten irritated when she's offered them hand sanitizer. The toll of the pandemic in Mexico, as in many countries, remains unclear. The official death count is 299,132. But Mexican government data on "excess deaths" how many more Mexicans are dying now compared to the years preceding the pandemic suggest the real number could be as high as 644,599. And when researchers tested a nationally representative sample of households last year, they found that 1 in every 4 people had developed antibodies against the coronavirus a far higher rate than testing would suggest. A person is pushed in a wheelchair to receive a booster shot against COVID-19 in Mexico City. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) In his comments this week, Lopez-Gatell appeared optimistic, noting that nationwide only 11% of coronavirus intensive care beds are occupied. If there is a fourth wave due to Omicron, we might see many cases but a much smaller proportion of hospitalizations than in previous waves due to the effect of the vaccine," he said. About 73 million people or 57% of the population have been fully vaccinated, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. As for how the variant will affect Mexico and the rest of Latin America, Albert Ko, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, said that its too early to tell. Ko pointed to the mystery of why some Latin American countries including Brazil, the focus of his research didnt experience the death rate that characterized the Delta wave in the United States. One possible answer is widespread previous exposure to the virus coupled with high vaccination rates. Throughout much of Latin America because of poverty, crowding, urbanization, there were really high transmission rates during the early phases of the pandemic and that was followed by aggressive vaccination campaigns, Ko said. Mexican scientists said that if the coronavirus explodes again in Mexico, the government will bear some of the responsibility. They say the country has prioritized its economy, including the tourism industry, over stopping the spread of the virus. Mexico doesnt require proof of a negative coronavirus test or vaccination for international travelers, and this week officials said they would allow cruise ships to dock even if they were carrying infected people. In a recent tweet, Lopez-Gatell said that "measures to restrict trips or close borders are of little use; they affect the economy and the well-being of communities. He said this week that Mexico has no plans to vaccinate children under 15 because of the low probability that they would die from the coronavirus a comment that drew criticism from experts who pointed out that infected children could still pass the virus to more vulnerable people. Mexico has been facilitating the road to Omicron," said Dr. Malaquias Lopez Cervantes, a professor of public health at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Currently, all but four of Mexico's 32 states Aguascalientes, Baja California, Chihuahua y Sonora appear in the least restrictive level of Mexico's COVID-19 tier system, which recommends no limits on economic or social activities. Local governments have been left to decide on their own measures. Mexico City this week canceled a concert by the cumbia band Los Angeles Azules on New Years Eve because of worries about spreading the virus. Ernesto Orellana, an Uber driver in Mexico City, wears two masks to protect himself on the job. He often has to remind his passengers to comply with the company's requirement they wear masks. Today there are a lot of people who are relaxed, he said. I dont know why they think that. We all have the information on hand. We know that this continues. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. 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. 2020 was the year that changed everything. And with the rate that things are going, 2022 is beginning to feel a lot similar. So what do we make of the year in between? In addition to being the year of languishing, the New York Times calls 2021 the year in limbo. Limbo as in waiting, limbo as in neither here nor there, limbo as in bending over backward in an attempt to move forward beneath a bar that continues to fall lower and lower. Discomfort and disorientation are whats expected in liminal spaces such as this. Limbo is a hard game to win after all. Comics scholarship would call this space the gutter. Its the negative space that is created once the panels have been laid out on the page. Our eyes often skim through these white gaps as we follow the action from panel to panel. However, in this emptiness, meaning can also be found. What is left out in the panels exists in this space. It is in the gutter that the reader gains agency and uses the implicit to bridge the gap. Here, the story of how we get from point A to point B is crafted and interrogated. The liminal has just as much to tell. 2021 has made it clear that the Filipino komiks community is heading towards an accessible and democratized 2022. With the ongoing limitations on traditional distribution and the absence of physical conventions, Filipino creators and readers continue to adapt, fashioning a space for themselves on the internet. Issues on capital, marketing, and gatekeeping are bypassed through online platforms such as Penlab and webtoons.com. And with its second iteration, the Philippine International Comics Online Festival continues to provide education and opportunities for creators and readers even outside of Metro Manila. Global boundaries are also traversed by the communitys migration towards online spaces. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival and Komiket, along with climate change communications specialists Creative Concern, have banded together to create the 10 Years to Save the World anthology. Backed up by the British Council, the anthology brings together 10 creators from the UK and the Philippines to advocate for an issue of utmost importance and urgency: climate change. With the impact of Typhoon Odette still lingering in the countrys collective psyche, the commentary in the komiks of Emiliana Kampilan, Kajo Baldisimo and Budjette Tan, Kevin Raymundo, Manix Abrera, and Ren Galeno feels more and more palpable. Emiliana Kampilans We, Malaika. I, The People brings to light the role that American imperialism plays in climate change. On the other hand, Manix Abreras wordless Sound of Silence makes full use of the gutter to present the plight of Filipino fishermen from the neglect of corporations and regulating agencies. What ties all of these komiks together is their scathing demand for accountability. As stated in the anthologys foreword, What became clear was that young people were tired of being told how they should change their behavior, while big business and governments failed to take responsibility for the problems they had caused. 2021 may just be the year in limbo, but this space in between is also a reminder of the limited time we have left to save the planet. For our 2021 yearender list, we asked a few creators to share the komiks that have also brought meaning to this year in limbo. ELECTROMILK, Artist The cover of "Strike the Spark" by Maria Maranan. Photo from MARIA MARANAN/PENLAB Strike the Spark by Maria Maranan (Penlab, 2021) Maria Maranan is a young bright star in Pilipino Komiks. While it's easy to dwell on the dark when writing about the political, Maranan tells vibrant stories of hope against the corrupt systems we live in. Strike the Spark is her newest komik, and is a promising introduction to her body of work. The cover of "Bunso" by Julius Villanueva. Photo from JULIUS VILLANUEVA/PENLAB Bunso by Julius Villanueva (Penlab, 2021) Telling Filipino stories in Filipino settings is something Julius Villanueva does best Bunso is no exception. In his new serial project, we meet farmers fighting for their livelihood and protesting against political powers. But then a meteor strikes and a superhero youve never seen before is born. When it comes to cool shit emerging from dark and utterly real situations, I trust Julius more than anyone else. The cover of "Sa Wala" by Ren Galeno. Photo from REN GALENO/PENLAB Sa Wala by Ren Galeno (Penlab, 2021) Good comics prioritize a good story before good artwork. Ren Galeno doesn't need to worry about that because she's pretty good at both. In this preview of her new story, the panelling, solid skillset, and intrigue in the mundane shine through. MARIAN HUKOM, Illustrator The cover of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise by Tsambolero. Photo from Tsambolero/FACEBOOK Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise by Tsambolero (Penlab, 2021) This webcomic turning into print very soon is a great read for me. The comic itself doesnt have a full-blown narrative which makes it easy to digest. I love the steamy and comedic mix it has. The characters are endearing, and of course, the manananggal touch gives their dynamic a whole new meaning. Art from "In His Univers" by Chocnut-san. Photo from CHOCNUT-SAN/PENLAB In His Universe by Chocnut-san (Penlab, 2021) A bittersweet romance with sentimental dialogue is the way to my heart. The detailed inking adds to the magical kafkaesque premise. Plus, the way the character handles unrequited feelings is so melancholic yet graceful. This makes for a sad but lovely read. The cover of "Uwian Na" by Shirojiki Mattari. Photo from SHIROJIKI MATTARI/PENLAB Uwian Na by Shirojiki Mattari (Penlab, 2021) Set in high school and reminiscent of my own wack adolescence but even wackier. This is another comic without an overarching narrative which makes it more relatable. The comedic skits can be excessive and there's a disconnect with the detailed art, but all of that adds to the comic's juvenile charm. Reading it makes me feel like I'm part of the gang. The cover of Na-Reincarnate Ako Bilang Isang Pirated DVD ng Isekai Anime by Charlie Dealca. Photo from CHARLIE DEALCA/PENLAB Na-Reincarnate Ako Bilang Isang Pirated DVD ng Isekai Anime by Charlie Dealca (Penlab, 2021) The title itself a nod to the long titles of recent anime/manga already reveals the outrageous plot. It definitely does not disappoint. It captures the notion of weebness and mixes it with Filipino culture. The Filipino media cameos are also there to keep you entertained throughout the convoluted plot. The cover of "Wanted Serial Seven" by JP Palabon. Photo from JP PALABON/PENLAB Wanted Serial Seven by JP Palabon (Penlab, 2021) The series simple MS Paint style is contrasted by its chaotic design and violent characters. This gets paired up with dialogue that leaves you laugh-crying with each page. And as the plot progresses, the story becomes even more outrageous and comedic. You definitely have to watch out for the next chapters. ADAM DAVID, Writer The cover of "Ang Manananggal" by Electromilk. Photo from ELECTROMILK/PENLAB Ang Manananggal by Electromilk (Penlab, 2021) Komix Serial of 2021. Ang Manananggal is a horror story about a Catholic schoolgirl dealing with 2020s young adult mental health anxieties, told as a queer coming-of-age sitcom. Its amazing to witness Electromilk (stylized as electromilk) delicately balance two different tones and art styles, give equal weight to both the horror and the comedy without teetering to excess gore or sap or falling into the usual trap of genre melange that a lot of this sort of thing find themselves in. The main characters are instantly relatable, their relationships feel genuine and familiar, and the horror is unsettling and claustrophobic. It's really good. The cover of "Dawwang" by Gantala Press and Nina Martinez. Photo courtesy of GANTALA PRESS Dawwang by Gantala Press and Nina Martinez (Gantala Press and Goethe Institute, 2021) Komix One Shot of 2021. A short chronicle memorialising the contributions of Cordilleran women in their tribes successful protest against the construction of the Chico River Dam back in the martial law years under Ferdinand Marcos. Gantala and Martinez employ a lot of deft komix storytelling techniques to aid the flow of history and information, keeping everything accessible and entertaining (as far as these stories can be). A beautiful and sadly necessary reminder of the provenance of modern day state-sponsored terrorism, the eradication of the indegene for the sake of urban development and national interest, and the invisibility of women as workers and warriors. The information is substantial, the pace is steady, the story is valuable. Available through Gantala Presss Shopee account. READ: This comic documents the role of women in the Cordillera peoples movement Tumindig by Tarantadong Kalbo, et al (Tarantadong Kalbo, et al, through social media, 2021) Komix Crossover of 2021. What began as a typical anti-pasista political cartoon a caricature of a personified lone raised fist in the middle of a crowd of cowering limp wrists drawn by webkomix creator Tarantadong Kalbo turned into a weeks-long online protracted skirmish between politically-activated komix creators and pro-administration artists, where each and every cowardly limb in Kalbos original drawing was redrawn by various artists into their personal avatars, standing up in the crowd to join Kalbos online protest. As a desperate response, one of the more spirited pro-admin artists drew a caricature of Inday Sara killing the protestors using various weapons, notably the Infinity Gauntlet stolen from Thanos, Marvel Universes universal butcher and necrophiliac, unwittingly outing himself and his cohorts as deathmongers and nitwits in the process. It was pretty funny. And like any typical comic book crossovers, Tumindig also has shirts and toys! Available for free in social media archives for late July 2021. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30) Charges are already being prepared against a coronavirus-positive woman who recently returned home from the United States but skipped quarantine protocols. "As we speak...the BOQ [Bureau of Quarantine] and even the DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], they are filing cases," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat told CNN Philippines' News Night. The woman later on infected other people. Puyat said one of the traveler's friends had at least 23 secondary contacts. The woman also claimed to have "connections" - explaining how she was able to skip the quarantine. But the woman's friends themselves squealed on her, according to Puyat. "When we inquired with the said hotel, the hotel said that she was in isolation. But the friends signed an affidavit saying that she indeed was with them the day after she arrived and we even have CCTV cameras," Puyat said. "This person not only went to Poblacion, but also went to other parties," she added. Puyat said the woman later on admitted to her friends that she had indeed breached quarantine protocols. She tested positive on the fifth day since arriving and is now in an isolation hotel. Her companions were also infected, the secretary added. The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said government agencies are already investigating the incident. The Tourism department is also waiting for the hotel's explanation. "With the Department of Tourism, we have to wait for the explanation of the hotel to see what penalty we can give, it could be as bad as suspension of their accreditation, which means they have to close," Puyat said. The country is seeing another rise in COVID-19 infections after 1,623 new cases were reported on Thursday. The positivity rate also jumped to 6.6% - higher than the ideal 5% rate set by the World Health Organization. The DOH is reminding the public not to be complacent so as not to waste the government's efforts against COVID-19. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 31) A lawmaker on Friday asked the Justice Department and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into possible syndicates that are working with travelers to easily skirt mandatory quarantine protocols for a fee. "Dapat tingnan din kung meron bang modus operandi, mula sa mga paliparan hanggang sa mga quarantine facilities. Kasuhan kung kinakailangan at parusahan na naaayon sa ating batas. Tingnan din dapat kung ano ang mga liabilities ng hotel at ipataw ang kaukulang parusa," Senate Committee on Health Chairman Bong Go said in a statement. [Translation: We should check if there is a modus operandi from the airport down to the quarantine facilities. File cases against then. Look at the cases that can be filed against these hotels.] A female traveler from the United States left her hotel quarantine facility in Makati to attend parties in city's Poblacion area. She was later found to be positive for COVID-19 and infected other people she partied with. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said they are looking at all possible angles in their investigation after the violator boasted of having "connections" to get away with quarantine. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said the other conspirators can also be charged for violation of the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. "The applicability of RA 11332 to violations of this sort has not been tested judicially, so this may be an opportune time to try it," he said. Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) Director Roberto Salvacion said the complaint against the woman is now ready, adding its filing will be a good example to those who are planning to violate protocols. Police personnel have been tasked to conduct random inspection of hotel quarantine facilities to ensure compliance, Philippine National Police Chief Dionardo Carlos said. BOQ said more returning Filipinos have been testing positive for COVID-19 now compared to previous weeks. Salvador said the number rose to 80 to 100 daily in the second week of December from only about 20 cases a day in late November to first week of December. For his part, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles vowed the government won't hesitate to enforce laws accordingly and prosecute those liable. "Anybody who violates, the law will catch up to you. So don't try it...please," Nograles said, as he emphasized it is everyone's responsibility to follow COVID-19 regulations. Editors note: This is the last in our series of features on our selections of our Best Filipino Books of 2021. Forth by Rosmon Tuazon, translated to English by Ben Aguilar (Balangay Books, 2021) A lacerating hardness dominates Rosmon Tuazons Forth. Lines cut, break, and shape. An underlying force of anxiety (best exemplified in the title poem Mula (Forth), often takes us to the brink but Tuazon assures us that the darkened edge will give way to the light (Sa paanan ng tagdan, isinusukong parang alay / ang balumbon ng lubid, bago / ang muling pagtalikod, / ang pananatili sa tanaw ng posibilidad na makalayo). Aguilars translation doesnt just transform Tuazons words into another language he shows us that the path is there (At the foot of the pole, surrendered as if an offering / the coil of the rope, before / the turning back again, / keeping in view the possibility of getting far). But a path to what? Tuazon and Aguilar allow us to recognize it by ourselves, whether its out of desperation (Silid ng Laho) or just simply a road to travel on. Tuazon uses the aid of past figures (Methuselah, Akhenaton, and even the tragic figure of the Vietnamese monk Thich Quang uc a poem that is disturbing yet so tender) to approximate the harshness of history that continues to plague our every moment. Even in the softest moments of Forth there are hints of struggle the flesh being gouged, movement stalled, bodies being dragged. But Tuazons command of language takes us through this labyrinth, though unscathed, but never the same. Pesoa by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles, translated to English by Kristine Ong Muslim (Balangay Books, 2021) Its hard not to think of Fernando Pessoa when reading Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles Pesoa even though its an erasure of Rene O. Villanuevas essay collection Personal (see what Arguelles did in the title?). Its one letter away from being mistaken as a collection of the Portuguese writers work, whose breadth ranges from prose, poetry, literary criticism to translation. Arguelles acknowledges the mingling/multiplicity of selves in Pesoa always via Villanuevas words: Fernando, Joaquin, Virgilio, at iba pa. Mga tao mula sa nakalipas, sumibol, sa aking ang kanilang mundo at panahon. Malayo ito sa buhay ko. Thus begins Arguelles powerful meditation on the self. Pesoa was originally published in 2014, with a flip-type landscape format that when read aloud, will make you seem like youre talking to yourself. This year, Pesoa gets an English translation by Kristine Ong Muslim who has already translated many of Arguelles poetic works. This serves as a mirror or a parallel to Arguelles original. Reading it with the context of the uncertainty and degradation of self thanks to the pandemic, Pesoa acts like a continuous questioning of identity. As a mystic figure Pessoa is no stranger to conceptualizing selves. As a teenager, the author has created many heteronyms for his works imagined authors to whom he attributed the voluminous collection of poems, essays, occult writings, dialogues, philosophical reflections, short stories, manifestoes, and enigmatic prose pieces that he left behind in manuscript when he died from cirrhosis at forty-seven, and on which his position as one of the central figures of European modernism now rests, noted Max Nelson. Voices fill Pessoas work and Pesoa is an echo of imprints, not exclusively of Pessoa of course, but of Arguelles, Villanueva, and others in them. Halfway into the book, he slowly collects the self from an avalanche of questions. All people seem to be just one person; each one is the first person. I suddenly remember the poems. My favorite poems sometimes they resemble a round object, sometimes a river; poems that are made up of one poem and only one poem. The translation amplifies the questioning. There is resistance and when it seems that the question is around the bend he hits an even taller wall. Time has not helped me develop a firm grasp on things. My memory registers nothing. Ever since, there has been no way for me to pretend that I am knowledgeable. A self is derived from self and that is enough. I continue with his struggle but I also wonder what Villanueva was wrestling with. I read Personal many years ago and my question will remain unanswered since it is apparently out of print. Pesoa is more than to know oneself. Muslims translation accompanies the original, combining redaction and translation, to surrender our memories to language, and the many contingencies of violence that the form inflicts on our own past if only to conjure an open ended futurity as Carlos M. Piocos III notes in his introduction to this new edition. Shadows exist in Pesoa to ask, confuse, and with hope illumine. Arguelles is our guide to that long walk, and alongside us, the many spectres that Villanueva and he have conjured up in their works. Ulirat: Best Contemporary Stories in Translation from the Philippines edited by Tilde Acuna, John Bengan, Daryll Delgado, Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III, and Kristine Ong Muslim, translations (from seven Philippine languages) by Tilde Acuna, Merlie M. Alunan, Roy Vadil Aragon, John Bengan, Erika M. Carreon, Shane Carreon, Bernard Capinpin, Soleil David, Daryll Delgado, Eliodora L. Dimzon, Sunantha Mendoza-Quibilan, Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III, Kristine Ong Muslim, Eric Gerard H. Nebran, and Ariel Sotelo Tabag (Gaudy Boy, 2021) Given the vast scope of Ulirat and the number of people involved in it, it makes sense that it took four years to bring this book into fruition. But also, why is it only now that we get something as extensive as this sampling of Filipino writers not writing in English? The writers and editors included in this volume (I pray we get a second volume, and a third one, and a fourth one) are not the usual writers that you see in anthologies, which tend to include a small circle of writers. Ulirat gives us a concrete view of the world outside the usual confines of the publishing that we know. Ulirat is certainly not the first to compile translated works from Philippine languages. Theres Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature (2013) by Merlie M. Alunan and An Orosipon kan Bikolnon: Interrupting the Philippine Nation (2017) by Penafrancia Raniela E. Barbaza. The subversion presented by Ulirat is notable in itself and it is a goddamn joy to read. From the exhaustive introduction by the editors (which they wrote with great care), to Gina Apostols delicious foreword, to the stories themselves. I think we say it pretty clearly in the introduction, [that] one of the things that we wanted to achieve with the anthology was to propose a way of anthologizing that departs from how its been done in the past or how its still being done thats one. Thats a process that we wanted to promote, says Ulirat co-editor Daryll Delgado. And then of course Its not a simple problem. Its a post-colonial problem. Its a class issue, and economic and political problem and were not saying that a single anthology will be able to address all of these problems. Ulirat is a window into our islands, into our world because its published by a foreign outfit. It took several tries for Ulirat to get published until it was finally picked up by the imprint of New York-based literary non-profit Singapore Unbound. We set up Gaudy Boy to publish and promote Asian works in English, but we knew from the start that Anglophone literature cannot represent the dizzying diversity of Southeast Asia, let alone Asia, says Gaudy Boys Jee Leong Koh through email. When the Ulirat editors approached us with their manuscript, they inspired us to set up a translation imprint alongside the Anglophone imprint. Without Ulirat, there would have been no Gaudy Boy Translates. We have always aimed to amplify literary voices that have been sidelined or minoritized in some way. The opportunity to publish such a groundbreaking anthology as Ulirat, with stories translated from seven Filipino languages, was very exciting and humbling. Ulirat opens with The Boy who Wanted to Be a Cockroach by Carlo Paulo Pacolor, a dig on the Kafkaeqsue nightmare that is living in the Philippines. From hereon, the spectrum ranges from the postcolonial (Santiagos Cult by Kristian Sendon Cordero), migration (Relapse by Corazon Almerino and Voice Tape by Ariel Sotelo Tabag), folkloric (Mudfish Lady by Genevive L. Asenjo), the urgent (Can't Go Out by Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, among many others) and the weird (Whe He Wakes Up, Mushrooms are Sprouting from His Nose by Carlo Paulo Paculor). We have our own storytelling traditions as well and thats very liberating and more appealing now to write in local languages now, says co-editor John Bengan on the distinctiveness of our literature compared to the established Western traditions. He goes on to cite examples from the book, touching on the difficulty of translating because the translation also has to be faithful with the eccentricities and cultural specificities of the original: The short story by Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, which I translated from Cebuano, if you read it from the original, its a Cebuano that is spoken from Mindanao. Its not the same with Januar Yaps Cebuano or Omar Khalids Cebuano in the book. Omar Khalid is Southern Cebuano and Januars is Cebu City, hes so different. And then theres Mindanao Cebuano by Elizabeth Joy [Serrano-Quijano]. And not just Mindanao Cebuano, Binisaya ang tawag ano, shes half Blaan so she has the indigenous language of the Blaan people in her psyche as well when she writes. So you could see it in the story and I tried very hard to approximate it. Of course you always lose something in translation. But I tried really hard to capture that tone, that peculiarity in her language. Theres also like an idiolect, if you can call it a baby talk in that narrator so that you have to consider as well. So, again, why did it take so long for the Philippines to come up with an anthology like this? This is a book we could have produced decades ago, as Bengan notes. But the editors are also uncertain about answering this question. Delgado says, A lot of people have been working on this issue for a long time, [like] sina Merlie Alunan. And we wouldnt have been able to do this kung wala sila, if they didnt insist on the importance of regional writing as part of national literature. I think theres still a lot to be done [as well] and a lot of mindsets that need to change about how to treat regional writing The notion of national writing based on the national language, to look at Philippine literature as made up of different languages. But the work has been done... Its just a matter of pushing, and also that interesting confluence that has been happening recently. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 31) The new year comes with new trends to watch out for, especially as people continue to adapt to the changing and challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For fashion designer Rajo Laurel, he foresees that clothing next year will embrace a sense of optimism towards what lies ahead similar to what 2022 Pantone Color of the Year "Very Peri" espouses along with a sense of curiosity and "very strong" surge of creativity. "I call this sort of 'realistic fantasy' in the sense that we are going to essentially again show ourselves to people, again present ourselves in a matter that is befitting of what we learned and took away from this whole experience," he told CNN Philippines' The Exchange. "Essentially we've been hiding in our homes. We are slowly getting out of our caves and we are slowly trying to explore. This is going to be seen via color and via texture and via a brand new shape a little bit closer to the body but at the same time a little bit joyful," Laurel added. This contrasts to fashion in 2021, when loungewear remained popular as people were still mostly holed up in their homes, according to the fashion designer. "I'm very optimistic that this is going to be quite the feeling of essentially the sign of the times. Fashion is just a mirror of what's happening to the world and this is one way to sort of like, support that feeling," Laurel said. More efficient, personalized Also a key feature of life amid COVID-19, technology is expected to get further refined in 2022 allowing users a better, more personal experience with their gadgets. "More on papagandahin or mas magiging efficient pa 'yung mga gadgets. Pero 'yung what we should look forward to is 'yung mga gadgets will start to become more personal," tech content creator Alvin Villanueva of "Alvin Tries Tech" told The Exchange. [Translation: More on gadgets will be improved further, or made more efficient. But what we should look forward to is gadgets will start to become more personal.] Gadgets are expected to get more "unique to the point of being so specific," according to Villanueva. This contrasts with this year, which saw a lot of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices which have the same hardware, but with different logos stuck on them, he added. "Hindi na lang performance ang nabibigay niya sa consumers, kundi 'yung unique approach para sa atin," Villanueva said. [Translation: They won't just give consumers performance but also an approach unique to us.] As for the local e-gaming industry, the tech vlogger expects Filipinos to focus more on streaming, and for competitive gamers to definitely up the ante this 2022 and get even more recognized globally. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30) While the Omicron variant threatens the country, President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted he is worried that there would not be enough "elbow room" in the 2022 national budget. Duterte said he was anxious about how the looming spread may "intrude" the spending plan, which is centered on COVID-19 response and recovery. "Takot ako [sa] Omicron because pumuputok na sa lahat ng bayan sa buong mundo. Hindi naman ito, I think, fatal mutant, but ang takot ko 'yung resources naman ng government," he said on Thursday. [Translation: Omicron scares me because it's spreading across the world. I don't think it's a fatal mutant, but I'm worried about its effect on the resources of the government.] "If we are hit with the transmission of the character of this mutant, we will have the same problem. I am just giving you what is bothering me," Duterte added. He said he was afraid it would translate into "government [pouring] again resources due to the resurgence of COVID-19 [in] another form." "It's not a matter of predicting how many will die, but rather, preparing for how many people will be affected by this mutant. Eh, kung nakakahawa, maski bakunado ka na (Eh, it's transmissible even if you are already vaccinated), I really do not know. I just hope that we will cope up if ever," Duterte said. The Health Department has so far detected four Omicron cases, with the fourth case having 22 close contacts identified. "Mawawalan ng elbow room itong budget na ito (There would be no elbow room in the budget) to respond to the challenge of a new variant of COVID-19, So, it is what's worrying me. Otherwise, okay naman (we have no problem)," Duterte said. The Philippines' outstanding debt slightly dipped to 11.93 trillion in November. A chunk of these loans was incurred amid the ongoing health crisis. With only months left in office, Duterte called on Congress to pass laws "that will be needed to cope up with this new problem looming in the horizon." The President signed into law the 5.024-trillion 2022 budget on Thursday. The amount is the largest in the country's history. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 31) The Department of Justice on Friday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe into the killing of an assistant prosecutor in Trece Martires City. DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued a department order directing the NBI to look into the fatal shooting of Assistant City Prosecutor Edilbert Mendoza, 48, on Friday morning. The tragic death of ACP Mendoza clearly demonstrates the risk to life that our prosecutors face in the performance of their duties. I have directed the NBI to immediately join in the manhunt and apprehension of the perpetrators of this treacherous crime, he said in a statement. Based on police report, the shooting incident occurred at around 7:38 a.m. in Barangay Cabuco. Mendoza died on the spot from a gunshot at the back of his head. Authorities recovered three cartridge cases from a caliber 9mm at the crime scene. A follow up investigation is on-going to identify and arrest the assailant. (CNN) Police in southern China paraded four suspects through the streets for allegedly smuggling people across sealed borders in breach of pandemic control measures a controversial act of public shaming that triggered backlash on Chinese social media. On Tuesday, four people wearing hazmat suits, face masks and goggles were paraded in Jingxi city, Guangxi province each carrying placards showing their names and photos on their chest and back, according to videos shared on social media and republished by state media outlets. Each suspect was held by two officers also wearing hazmat suits and face shields. They were surrounded by yet another circle of police, some holding machine guns and in riot gear, while a large crowd looked on. The four people were suspected of helping others to illegally cross China's borders, which have been largely sealed during the pandemic as part of the country's "zero-Covid policy," according to the state-run Guangxi Daily, The punishment was aimed at deterring border-related crimes and encouraging public compliance with epidemic prevention and control measures, the Guangxi Daily said. On Tuesday, authorities in Jingxi formally arrested two suspects accused of transporting two Vietnamese immigrants into China in October. One of the immigrants tested positive for coronavirus, causing schools to shut, nearly 50,000 residents to undergo home isolation and more than 10,000 tests to be conducted, according to a report on the Jingxi government website. It is unclear if the two suspects were among the four people paraded on Tuesday. Echoes of Cultural Revolution Border towns face tremendous pressure to keep coronavirus out under China's stringent zero-Covid policy, with local officials periodically fired or punished for failing to contain any flare-ups that evade the tough measures. Jingxi, a city of about 670,000 people, shares a 152-kilometer (94-mile) border with Vietnam. In neighboring Yunnan province, the city of Ruili was repeatedly locked down for months earlier this year due to imported Covid cases, sparking an outcry from local residents. Since Tuesday, videos of the public shaming in Jingxi have gained wide attention on Chinese social media, drawing widespread criticism. To many, the parade and placards hark back to the dark period of the Cultural Revolution. Five decades ago, public shaming exercises were a hallmark of the persecutions unleashed by Mao Zedong's fervent Red Guards, becoming a symbol of the lawlessness and chaos of that decade of social turmoil. In 1988, the Chinese government banned shaming parades for all suspected and convicted criminals, including those sentenced to death. But similar incidents have occurred repeatedly over the years, prompting criticism from state media and more notices reiterating the ban from the government. In 2010, a government adviser hailed a newly issued ban on shaming parades of sex workers as a sign of "the country's growing respect for human rights and dignity," state news agency Xinhua reported. This time, state media weighed in too. The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid, cited a law professor as saying the public shaming in Jingxi "violates Chinese law" and "insults the dignity of citizens." The Beijing News, another state-run outlet, said the measure "severely violates the spirit of the rule of law," and should not be allowed to happen even when under huge pressure of epidemic prevention. Meanwhile, the Jingxi police and local government have defended the exercise, claiming it was an "on-site disciplinary warning activity" and there was no "inappropriateness," according to the state-run Zhengzhou Daily. This is not the first time Jingxi authorities have paraded suspects. In November, three people accused of people smuggling were held on stage while an official read out their punishments to an audience of hundreds, including primary school students, according to a report on the Jingxi government website. (CNN) An unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases fueled by the fast-moving Omicron variant is crushing hospitals across the United States, with doctors describing packed emergency rooms as health experts implore New Year's Eve revelers to keep parties small and outdoors to help avert an even worse surge. "It's unlike anything we've ever seen, even at the peak of the prior surges of COVID," Dr. James Phillips, who works in Washington, DC, said Wednesday, when the nation hit a new pandemic high of 300,886 average new daily cases over the prior week, according to Johns Hopkins University data. "What we're experiencing right now is an absolute overwhelming of the emergency departments" in Washington, Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital, told CNN's Jim Acosta. It's a scene playing out across the country as record case counts are reported from New Jersey and New York to Arkansas and Chicago, where hospital bed capacity also is a concern. In Arizona and New Mexico, federal medical personnel have deployed to provide Covid-19 surge support. And in Georgia, six major health systems with recent 100% to 200% jumps in Covid-19 hospitalizations -- with most patients unvaccinated -- joined to publicly urge people to seek coronavirus testing elsewhere so their emergency rooms can focus on those with critical needs. In Louisiana, Covid-19 hospitalizations have tripled in the past two weeks as a new record for cases was set, according to the state. Symptomatic patients have been showing up at Baton Rouge's Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center to get tested, said the chief medical officer, Dr. Catherine O'Neal. "We're seeing an increase in admissions that is startling," she told CNN on Wednesday. Many patients O'Neal sees are unvaccinated, she said. They often have more severe illness with pneumonia and need to be intubated or need high-flow oxygen. Others who haven't had a booster or are only partially vaccinated are suffering with a kind of flu-like illness and are "fragile," she said. "They're older, they have heart failure, they have COPD, and they can't handle Covid, even when they're vaccinated," O'Neal said. "Luckily, most of those people are turning around after a couple days and going home, which is a good thing." Nationwide, nearly 78% of ICU beds are in use, with 22% of those occupied by Covid-19 patients, according to data from the US Health and Human Services Department And pediatric hospital admissions for Covid-19 are the highest they've ever been over the course of the pandemic. On average, 378 children were admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 on any given day over the week that ended December 28, according to data published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health and Human Services. That is well above the previous record average of 342 admitted children seen at the end of August and early September. Unvaccinated people "are 17 times more likely" to be hospitalized with Covid-19, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday. Some 62% of the total US population is fully vaccinated, and 33% of those have gotten a booster shot, data from the CDC shows. "What I can tell you is that compared to people who are boosted, if you are unvaccinated, you are 10 times more likely to be a case and 20 times more likely to be a fatality," she said at a White House Covid-19 briefing. Indeed, the number of lives the virus is claiming jumped this week by about 18%, for an average of 1,546 deaths each day, according to the data. And more than 44,000 people could die of Covid-19 in the next four weeks, according to an ensemble forecast from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Wednesday. There was a little encouraging news this week. The Covid-19 case increase associated with the Omicron variant could peak in the US by the end of January, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNBC on Wednesday. "It certainly peaked pretty quickly in South Africa, it went up almost vertically and turned around very quickly," he said. "I would imagine, given the size of our country, and the diversity of vaccination versus not vaccination, that it likely will be more than a couple of weeks, probably by the end of January, I would think." New Year celebrations should be small, experts say With the spike in Covid-19 cases, experts are urging Americans to practice caution as they celebrate the new year. Revelers should skip big indoor New Year's Eve parties, said Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University. "We're in the public health crisis of our lifetime," Reiner told CNN's Phil Mattingly on Thursday. And New York City's Times Square New Year's Eve celebration "should have been canceled," in part because attendees might "pack the subways" to get there, he said. The event has been scaled back, with fewer revelers and everyone required to wear a mask. The Omicron variant "is extraordinarily contagious, and if you are in a crowd now, and certainly if you're unvaccinated, you are at great risk of contracting this virus," Reiner told CNN's Jake Tapper on Wednesday. A small celebration at a friend's house should be OK if everyone is vaccinated and boosted and tested negative before the party, he said. Big outdoor parties are less risky unless they're crowded. "I would not eat in a restaurant now without a mask," Reiner said Thursday. "I would absolutely not go into a bar." People should avoid large New Year's Eve gatherings where they don't know the vaccination status of guests, Fauci said. Small gatherings of vaccinated family or close friends are safe, he said. "When you are talking about a New Year's Eve party, where you have 30, 40, 50 people celebrating, you do not know the status of the vaccination -- I would recommend strongly, stay away from that this year. There will be other years to do that, but not this year," Fauci told Fox News. New CDC isolation guidance faces criticism Meantime, the CDC is defending itself against criticism over its guidance this week that shortened to five days the recommended time those with Covid-19 should isolate if they're asymptomatic. New research, combined with some infected people's reluctance to isolate for 10 days, spurred some of the latest guidance, Walensky said Wednesday. "We know that the most amount of transmission occurs in those one to two days before you develop symptoms (to) those two to three days after you develop symptoms," she told CNN. "And if you map that out, those five days account for somewhere between 85% to 90% of all transmission that occurs." So, for those who test positive but have no symptoms or dwindling symptoms at Day 5, "we shortened the time to encourage people to do the right thing," Walensky told CBS. "We don't want them out and about when they are maximally infectious." The CDC is being too harshly criticized for changing the guidelines, said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. "Everything we're going to do right now is imperfect. Just accept that right now," Osterholm told CNN on Wednesday. "We don't know a lot of the things we wish we'd know, but what we do know and what is emerging here is that this country is going to be in the soup in just the next few weeks with so many cases and so many locations, that we're going to see critical infrastructure as well as health care challenged," Osterholm added. With the rapid spread of Omicron, there may not be enough people who are well enough to keep hospitals, grocery stores and gas stations working, Osterholm predicted. The change in CDC guidelines is not just about helping the economy, he said: "It was to play to the very safety of our everyday lives." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Omicron surge is 'unlike anything we've ever seen,' expert says." The Nebraska legislature has continued to reduce the funding available for community-based juvenile services programs like Platte County Juvenile Services/Diversion. Teri Schuller, who runs the Platte County program, said it sees about 150 youth per year. Diversion works with dozens of entities to provide programming and support for juvenile offenders and their families. The goal of the program is to educate and rehabilitate those youths, giving them a chance to become successful and turn things around before they may get worse. "Any low risk to medium risk child is a good candidate to enroll, participate and succeed in (the program)," Platte County Attorney Carl Hart said in a Dec. 29 email to the Telegram. "Our county juvenile diversion officers do a great job with those kids, most of whom have never been in trouble before." The Platte County juvenile diversion program is largely funded by the state of Nebraska. The legislature's most recent cut means the Platte County program -- and other juvenile services programs throughout Nebraska -- will be receiving less money heading into fiscal year (FY) 2023, which will start July 1, 2022 and go through June 30, 2023. "We'll get $103,782 (in FY 2023)," Schuller said. The Nebraska Legislature appropriates funding for juvenile services and the Nebraska Crime Commission uses a formula to allocate those funds to various programs. "We dont get to ask (for a certain amount), they tell us how much, based on the number of kids and the poverty level," Schuller said. "Thats how they determine what each of us will get." Once the allocations for each program have been determined, Schuller's office must file an application requesting the funds allocated to Platte County. For Platte County, the funding cut from FY 2022 to FY 2023 is much greater than what was anticipated before the legislature finished its biennial budgeting process at the beginning of 2021. "The (FY 2022) Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Request for Application anticipated an appropriation of $6,048,000 (for the entire state)and used that amount to determine formula allocations," a handout from a July 29, 2021 meeting of the Nebraska Children's Commission Juvenile Services Committee said. However, in early 2021, the legislature appropriated $5.8 million for FY 2022, instead of the expected $6.05 million. That happened months after programs had already filed FY 2022 funding requests, anticipating allocations based on the $6.05 million figure. Because there were only a couple of months left before the start of FY 2022, the Crime Commission made up the $250,000 budget cut by reducing allocations for programs that have historically returned a significant portion of unused funds. Platte County was not one of those programs, and still received the $108,000 it originally anticipated for FY 2022. However, with the expectation that the actual FY 2023 appropriation will be the same as FY 2022 -- $5.8 million -- and with more time to plan accordingly, the Crime Commission has indicated that Platte County will be eligible for roughly $103,000 in FY 2023, as Schuller said. Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There are many positives that came to Columbus this past year. Just a few examples are a housing study showing the city's population is growing rapidly, new facilities coming to the area and a fallen World War II soldier's remains returning home, giving his family closure. There were also bittersweet moments that have been noted in pages of The Columbus Telegram. Here is a selection - in no particular order - of some of the events that occurred this past year. 1. Housing study shows Columbus' growth According to a housing study by RDG Planning and Design, Columbus homes and apartments are being filled quicker than they are being built. The Omaha-based company showed its findings during the Columbus City Councils Committee of the Whole meeting in December. Essentially, the study found that while Columbus' population is growing and the city has responded to the increase, more needs to be done to accommodate the ever-expanding community. The study found that Columbus has seen a steady population increase since the 1990s. A healthy job market also supported the growth and stabilized populations in nearby smaller communities, the study determined. According to the 2020 census, Columbus had a population of over 24,000. 2. Hi-Lo Equipment closes doors after 70 years Hi-Lo Equipment Inc. owner Tom Blocker has stories for days when it comes to the past 70 years of his family's business in Eastern Nebraska. Tom who is quick to tell a joke while reciting such tales said he has loved getting to know the community since he started working permanently with Hi-Lo over 50 years ago. The company dated back three generations ever since Tom's grandfather, Clinton Townsend, purchased the business around 70 years ago. Tom worked on just about every kind of machinery or part -- whether it's fixing hydraulic cylinders, motors, pumps, valves, hoses, tractors, trucks and multiple other parts. Essentially, Tom has probably directly, or indirectly, helped almost every Columbus resident since the late 1960s. However, fixing these various parts over the years has taken a toll as he decided to retire and close the business, Tom said. The companys last day was on Nov. 5. This is kind of a bittersweet thing for me, Tom said. I dont know if Im ready to retire. Nancy (his wife) is ready for me to retire. 3. CCH breaks ground on field house About a decade ago, Columbus Community Hospital (CCH) participated in a community health needs assessment where the study showed an increased rate of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The data showed the three health risks were found in early ages for men, women and even in children in the Columbus area. To fight the wellness concerns, CCHs first step was constructing the Columbus Wellness Center -- 3912 38th St. -- in 2015 as a location where residents could learn more about obtaining healthy habits. In October, CCH began its second step in helping the community's overall wellbeing by starting construction of the Columbus Field House in area just north of the Wellness Center. The hospital hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the beginning of the project with about 50 people in attendance, which included CCH staff, city and state officials and various other organizational agency and community members. CCH President/CEO Mike Hansen said with 2020 and 2021 being dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was happy the hospital could celebrate something nice like the start of the field house's construction. Its nice to move forward and do something and continue to build on what weve created over the last 12 years, Hansen said. Its refreshing to start a new project and hopefully put the pandemic behind us. 4. WWII veteran Jack Langan laid to rest 80 years after his death Almost 80 years after John "Jack" Langan died fighting for his country in World War II, his remains finally returned home. On Sept. 30, his family celebrated their loved ones life at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus. Later that day, Langan was laid to rest next to his other deceased family members at Ss. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery in Platte Center. Langan enlisted in the Marine Corps two months shy of his 18th birthday to serve his country during World War II in 1942. Around a year later, Langan died during the assault on the island of Betio in the Tarawa atoll. He volunteered to bring water to his fellow soldiers pinned down by gunfire but as he stood up, he was shot by Japanese machine gunfire. He was buried following the combat but his resting spot remained a mystery for decades until a few years ago. Langans family said the ceremony was a culmination of decades of growing up knowing about their late uncle. However, they hoped his remains could be found and returned to the Columbus area, providing them closures after decades. His family members provided DNA in the hopes of finally tracking down his whereabouts and eventually, the DNA helped identify Langan. 5. Late Columbus teen Trevor Luckey remembered before CHS graduation If there was any characteristic that stood out about Trevor Luckey, it was his smile. He was always sporting a smile whenever he was walking the halls of Columbus High School, teaching dance lessons at Barb's School of Dance or when he danced himself. His smile. He was always smiling, Trevors mother, Michaela, remembered. Trevor, 15, passed away on Jan. 4, 2019, following a bout with cancer after being diagnosed on Feb. 22, 2018, with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was 19 days away from his 16th birthday. He was just a great kid, overall, Michaela said. He was kind to everybody. Kindness plays a huge role in the Trevor Luckey Memorial Scholarship. It was created to not only celebrate Trevors life but to recognize the kindness that he showed to others. Trevor would have graduated with his classmates this past spring if not for the leukemia. Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Cassie Badje had been working as a dental assistant when a loss changed the course of her life. Her previous dog that she had adopted passed away. It devastated me it hit me, that is genuinely my passion dogs, dogs, dogs, Badje said. That was kind of a turning point, What am I doing in this dentist office? I need to go do what I enjoy. Badje is now the owner of Especially FUR You, which provides in-home boarding services for pet owners in Columbus. Badje doesnt have a storefront; she takes cares of her clients animals in their home. She will take the dogs on walks, give them medication and spend some time with them. That is a convenience for my customers who do not prefer to kennel their dogs and want to keep them within the comfort of their home, she said. I also provide dog walking and drop-in services. Although most of her clients have dogs, Badje said she will provide services for all types of animals. So far, she added, shes taken care of cats, geckos, goats and koi ponds. The drop-in services in which clients leave for a short period of time, such as spending the day in Omaha or working a 12-hour shift are particularly popular, Badje noted. For clients who are gone for longer periods of time, Badje said she will stop by the home three times a day. She will go early in the morning to walk the dog(s), around lunchtime and again at night. I do a really late night round to make sure that everybody's tucked in for the night and good to go and then it all just kind of starts back over in the morning, she added. Badje said when scheduling services with a new client, she will do a meet and greet with both the pet and the client. We kind of get acquainted get comfortable with each other, she said. It's not just like, Oh, hey, can you come to my house? I don't even know you. I really try to build a bond with each client. Not just their pet, I'm in their home. I want them to be comfortable with me as well. Badje left her previous employer in December 2019 but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She said she didnt really start Especially FUR You until February of this year. I would say that's when everybody kind of came out of the scare of COVID and kind of started doing stuff again, she said, adding that business has started picking up with people getting more comfortable leaving their homes and traveling for the holidays. Badjes client Beth Alley of Columbus noted the relief she feels knowing that her pit bull, Penny, is in good hands when she needs to take trips out of town. All Cassie really needs to do is give Penny her allergy pill and give her some love and treats and food. What I really, really like about how she does her business is that she has a file on Penny. So we don't have to go back over (it) every time, she knows exactly what the routine is, Alley said. Alley said she met Badje in about September. Badje has watched Penny for five days in October and five days in December. Alley said she travels quite a bit, though thats slowed down recently. I'm just really glad I have her to rely on when I have to go out of town for work or when I go out of town to go visit my family in Tennessee, Alley said. It's a weight off my shoulders and it's a peace of mind that Penny gets to stay here. Badje is the sole provider at Especially FUR You at the moment, though her partner sometimes helps when she gets busy. She said she loves her job because of the interaction she gets with both the animals and people. I love meeting all their new personalities every dog has a different personality and meeting new people, Badje said. I think we've kind of become a shy society that just sits on their phone and nobody really communicates that much. I love getting out and meeting new people. But most of all, meeting the pets. What a more fun job than to go play with people's pets. Badje's business can be found on Google, rover.com and the Especially FUR You Facebook page. Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The sex-trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, ended with a guilty verdict, but that hasn't stopped the flow of false news that has swirled around the case. On Thursday, posts emerged falsely claiming that trial documents were sealed to protect Epstein who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes and his influential friends. At the same time, previously debunked claims reemerged on social media, including assertions that there was no media coverage of the high-profile trial. Maxwell was found guilty on five of six counts at the conclusion of the monthlong trial where she was accused of helping Epstein sexually exploit teenage girls. Here are some of the claims that spread online, and the facts you need to know about them: CLAIM: The judge in the Maxwell case ordered details of Epsteins network sealed after the jury found Maxwell guilty. THE FACTS: Posts online are claiming that U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan ordered details of Epsteins network sealed and that prosecutors made a deal to protect Maxwells contacts. But that doesnt track with what actually happened. Details of Epsteins network came out at trial in numerous ways, through multiple witnesses and exhibits, including flight logs and bank records. And almost nothing was sealed. Last June, Nathan even ruled that two 2016 depositions from a civil case involving Maxwell could be used in her criminal trial. And troves of additional materials detailing what went on at homes where Maxwell and Epstein resided have been unsealed in the last two years after federal appeals judges and a Manhattan judge agreed that once-sealed records in a civil case against Maxwell should be released publicly. Almost every exhibit in the Maxwell trial was released publicly, including pictures of Epstein and Maxwell together. However, the judge did find at the outset of the trial that only certain pages from Maxwells address book identifying victims with the word massage next to them could be marked into evidence. CLAIM: The judge in the Ghislaine Maxwell case issued a media-wide gag order over the trial with no livestream to keep scandalous details from leaking out to the public. THE FACTS: Members of the media were allowed to watch Maxwells trial. But federal courts do not allow cameras like some state courts do, and the discrepancy fueled confusion and conspiracy theories on social media. Ahead of the trial, news that the case would not be livestreamed began circulating. Some compared it to the fully televised Kyle Rittenhouse trial, which took place in state court. At one point, posts falsely claimed the judge placed a media gag order on the case and banned the press from attending. But reporters and members of the public were able to watch the trial live, both in the courtroom, as well as in overflow rooms where it was streamed for those who didn't get a seat. Reporters for The Associated Press were among those who attended the trial and journalists could be seen waiting in line to enter the courthouse. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed in a statement that the press would be allowed to attend the trial, and that there would be no live feeds except those within the courthouse. CLAIM: Documents unsealed before the trial began showed a list of defendants, including some celebrities, who were named as co-conspirators in the case. THE FACTS: The list of purported defendants was not part of the criminal case against Maxwell. It came from a lawsuit filed in August 2020 that was separate from the criminal trial and dismissed as frivolous in less than a month. Social media users circulated the list of names and companies as Maxwell prepared to face trial. The dismissed civil case named nearly 40 defendants, including Epstein, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Disney and Universal Music Group. Maxwell was included as the 31st name on the list. The lead plaintiff alleged that over the course of 30 years, the defendants conspired to unlawfully surveil, drug and abduct them for sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other exploitative abuse and conspired to transact a purchase agreement to buy the plaintiff from their mother. U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton for the Southern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it did not have a legal or factual basis, and that the plaintiff, who did not appear to be an attorney, made claims on behalf of others, according to the dismissal order. CLAIM: The CEOs of Twitter, Walmart and CNBC all resigned on the first day of the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. THE FACTS: Twitters CEO did step down on that Monday, but in his Nov. 29 announcement, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said he would remain on the board until his term expires in 2022. CNBC does not have a CEO and its chair did not resign. Nor did the CEO of Walmart, although the company said its chief financial officer would be stepping down but not leaving the company until 2023. Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy and Larry Neumeister in New York, Sophia Tulp in Atlanta and Angelo Fichera in Philadelphia contributed to this report. This is part of The Associated Press ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform. Heres more information on Facebooks fact-checking program: https://www.facebook.com/help/1952307158131536 Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Sentinels top 5 stories of the year for 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic The No. 1 story of 2020 carries over, unfortunately for all involved, to the top spot for 2021. The theme dominates every day of our lives, whether it be illness, death, vaccines, masks or a debate over freedoms. It keeps adding an extra burden on health care workers and EMS. Cumberland County closed out 2020 with its worst month of the pandemic in terms of cases and deaths. The county finished 2020 with 10,456 cases of COVID-19, with 5,284 of those cases (51%) coming in December. The county closed 2020 with 299 deaths, with 162 of those deaths (54%) coming in December. Combined with the 2,618 cases reported in November 2020 for the county, it totaled 7,902 of its overall cases (76%) in the last two months of that year. As of Monday, the county has added 25,329 cases (35,785 total cases) and 411 deaths (710 total deaths) in 2021, with November and December again showing spikes in case counts and deaths due to the virus. The key change of course is the availability of vaccines as the county and the country head into 2022 dealing with a new variant (omicron) and more uncertainty as well as fewer restrictions in place. Studies and data continue to show that vaccines play a key role in limiting serious illness and death from COVID-19. CDC data for Cumberland County shows 67.9% of it eligible population (5 and older) fully vaccinated and 64.3% of its total population of 253,370 is fully vaccinated. Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riots The attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, had a particular significance for the Midstate, given that a number of local legislators were involved in questioning the validity of the 2020 election. U.S. Rep Scott Perry, whose Congressional district includes Carlisle and eastern Cumberland County, has been at the center of a national firestorm over the events leading up to Jan. 6, in which protestors supporting former President Donald Trump turned violent and stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Perry led Republicans in formally objecting to Pennsylvanias electoral votes shortly after rioters had been cleared from the Capitol, citing false claims of widespread discrepancies in the states vote count that did not exist. A U.S. Senate report released in October included notes and testimony from former Justice Department officials showing that Perry had personally contacted them to further his unproven claims of broad errors in the election results, and that Trump had mentioned Perry by name as someone who could further claims of electoral corruption. At the same time, the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack is seeking the phone records of a number of legislators, including Perry; the House panel has also sought an interview with Perry, which he has declined. In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6, state legislators representing Cumberland County had also lobbied for the Electoral College votes of certain states to be struck by the courts, claiming those states including Pennsylvania had conducted elections outside the permissive scope of their own election laws. State senators including Mike Regan, Doug Mastriano and Judy Ward, and representatives including Barb Gleim, Dawn Keefer and Torren Ecker, made such arguments in amicus briefs filed before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case backed by Trump. The Supreme Court found that the legal challenges raised had already been resolved by state courts, and federal law does not give the court the ability to disenfranchise entire states based on matters of state law for which there is no federal jurisdiction. Big turnover in school district leadership This past year saw major changes in the leadership of the Big Spring, Carlisle and South Middleton school districts. All this change took place in a year when school boards statewide came under mounting pressure from a public upset about requiring students to wear masks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Of the three, South Middleton experienced the most flux with turnover in both its superintendent and seven of the nine seats of its school board. As it sits now, South Middleton has a superintendent in James Estep who wants the board to hire an assistant to the superintendent by next July so that he could mentor his successor in 2022-23. In mid-July, then-Superintendent Matthew Strine came under fire after parents began sharing a YouTube video that compared Strines June 10 graduation message to Boiling Springs High School students to a commencement address given at Harvard University in 2011 by actress and comedian Amy Poehler. Strine publicly apologized for the lapse in judgment that resulted in him lifting portions of Poehlers address, often with a few words added or removed. Following negotiations with Strine and his attorney, the board announced on Aug. 13 that a severance agreement had been reached to terminate his contract. The board approved that agreement on Aug. 16. Three weeks later, on Sept. 7, the board hired Estep to serve as district superintendent for a three-year period that runs from Sept. 11, 2021, through Sept. 10, 2024. Estep had recently retired as superintendent of the Mifflin County School District in Lewistown. The current South Middleton board has a steep learning curve heading into the opening months of 2022. Five of its nine members are newcomers with no prior school board experience Eric Berry, Tony Lucido, Robin Scherer, Shannon Snyder and Rodney Wagner. Of the remaining four members, only Bill Hartman and Bethanne Sellers have years of recent board experience. Both are serving four-year terms that expire in 2023. Terry Draper, who served on the board in the past, was appointed on Dec. 20. Brad Group, the current board president, was appointed in early August with no prior board experience. However, Group retired in late June after 35 years as a teacher at the W.G. Rice Elementary School during which he held leadership positions with the South Middleton Education Association, the local teachers union. As for Big Spring and Carlisle, both districts saw the departure of their superintendents to executive positions with a private company that manages New Story and River Rock Academy locations throughout the region. In a touch of irony, a former chief executive with the South Middleton School District will be in charge of the Carlisle Area School District ... at least in the short-term. On Dec. 9, Carlisle school board members hired Patricia Sanker to serve as acting superintendent starting this Saturday, Jan. 1, until a permanent replacement for Christina Spielbauer is found. Spielbauer will step down as superintendent effective this Friday, Dec. 31. On Monday, she will start her new job as senior vice president in charge of education at all Pennsylvania locations of New Story schools and River Rock Academy. The biggest change for Big Spring School District was the retirement of Richard Fry as superintendent on June 30. An educator with 35 years of experience, Fry spent almost half his career leading the very same district he graduated from in 1982. Fry was replaced right away by Kevin Roberts, who served as assistant superintendent for seven years and director of curriculum, instruction and educational technology for six years. On Aug. 2, Fry started his new job as director of engagement and success for the private company that manages regional locations of River Rock Academy and New Story. The sale of Claremont Nursing Arguably the biggest move made by Cumberland Countys government in 2021 was the anticipated sale of Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the county-owned nursing home. After a monthslong process to investigate selling the facility and field potential buyers, the county commissioners in July approved a sale to New Jersey-based nursing home chain Allaire Health Services. The sales agreement was inked on a split vote, with Democratic county commissioner Jean Foschi rebuking her colleagues for a process she said was too focused on divestment and not on ways to turn the facility around while retaining public control. Republican commissioners Gary Eichelberger and Vince DiFilippo argued that a sale was the only viable path forward given Claremonts financial losses. The episode also came with significant political fallout, particularly from Eichelbergers often sharp exchanges with local municipalities and organizations who expressed reservations about the wisdom and pace of Claremonts sale. The process also received significant scrutiny from local activists who criticized the county for selling the facility in the middle of a pandemic, and who pointed to previous cases in which nursing facilities sharply declined after privatization, including a number of deals brokered by the same consultant that Cumberland County used for Claremont. Although the July agreement saw Allaire take over management at Claremont as a consultant, the facility itself has not yet changed hands, and both the county and Allaire have not articulated what is delaying the real estate closing. Claremonts operating deficit requires a subsidy from the countys general tax base that is projected at $4.5 million through 2022, according to the county budget, if the sale of the facility were to be pushed back. Casting your vote While Cumberland County may not be the center of the political universe, 2021 solidified the changing way in which the county and much of the rest of the nation votes, setting the stage for the larger contests that await in 2022. Despite this years election not having any headline legislative races, 31.7% of the countys registered voters cast a ballot in November, notably higher than the 25.5% who participated in the equivalent election in 2017. Some of this may be due to convenience. The introduction of no-excuse-needed mail-in voting in Pennsylvania, established under Act 77 of 2019, has remained popular, with just over 27% of voters opting to vote by mail in 2021. Former President Donald Trumps fixation on mail-in ballots as part of his effort to overturn the election has resulted in some Republicans, including those locally, calling for Act 77 to be repealed, despite overwhelming GOP support for it in 2019. A lawsuit filed in Commonwealth Court in August of this year by a group of Republican legislators, including local Reps. Barb Gleim and Dawn Keefer, seeks to have the voting law stricken on constitutional grounds, despite the fact that most of the legislators, including Gleim and Keefer, voted for the mail-in voting bill two years prior. Mail-in voting is unlikely to go away before the 2022 election, however, due to court precedent and the veto power of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Deputies with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department brightened the holidays for several unsuspecting area motorists on Christmas Eve. In the rush to finish last-minute Christmas shopping and preparations for the holiday, the last thing a driver wants to see in their rear-view mirror is red and blue flashing lights, unless they're being pulled over by deputies handing out gift cards, of course. The St. Francois County deputies working the evening shift on Christmas Eve decided to pool their money together and purchase Walmart gift cards to hand out to drivers in the community. "It was almost one of those spontaneous things," said K9 Deputy Alex Shumate. "We all got together and thought, 'let's do something to give back to the community that supports us.'" Shumate explained that they had initially gathered together $150 of their own money for gift cards to give out during surprise traffic stops. He said that while they were looking around at which cards to purchase, a citizen approached them inquiring what they were doing. After hearing the deputies' plans, the generous person gave them an additional $250 to use in spreading Christmas cheer. "[That] was phenomenal," Shumate said of the kind and random donation. "We were beside ourselves." Deputy Luke Nickelson recalled the secret Santa's donation as they were browsing for ideas at Walgreens. "We told her what we were doing, and we said, 'hey, if you were to get pulled over, what would you like," said Nickelson. "She's like, 'you know what? Here's what I would like;' She pulls $250 out of her wallet, hands it to us, and says go to Walmart and get more gift cards." The woman then thanked the deputies for everything they were doing before they set out to surprise people. Ultimately, the deputies were able to give out 40 $10 Walmart gift cards. Along with the gift cards, the deputies gave children in the stopped vehicles stuffed animals donated by another generous person, as well as coloring books and "Back the Blue" bracelets. "We stopped some cars, and a couple of them just about started to cry," Nichelson said. "Small gestures go a long way, and the people definitely appreciated it. "It's just something we enjoy doing," he added. "It kind of gives us a little break from actually dealing with criminals; being able to go out and help make someone's day just a little bit better." The surprise gifts were a blessing to many families just in time for Christmas, as Deputy Ryne Scherffius explained. "There were some people, one lady, in particular, we stopped. I could tell they were a little less fortunate and could tell it really meant a lot to them," said Scherffius. "The lady started tearing up; her and daughters both did. So I gave them several of the gift cards, actually." Scherffius said it felt great to show the people they stopped that others care about them whether they know them or not. Deputy Devin Bainbridge said he found the experience to be quite rewarding. "It was a cool experience," he said. "We stopped several vehicles with parents that had five or six kids. "Just seeing the smiles on the kids' faces was awesome," Bainbridge recalled. "It's a good thing for our community, especially the way that cops are being seen nowadays." Those same sentiments were shared by Deputy Josh Hall. "I found it extremely rewarding to be able to give back to the community and spread a little holiday cheer while we were at it," said Hall. All five deputies involved in the surprise Christmas Eve stops said they plan to do it again each year going forward, and maybe even multiple times during the year if possible. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PARIS Describing himself as resolutely optimistic, French President Emmanuel Macron has used the last New Years address of his current term to express the hope that, with vaccinations, 2022 will see the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Macron stopped short of saying that he will stand for re-election in April. He said only that he intends to continue serving the French whatever my place and the circumstances. The president appealed to the 5 million unvaccinated but eligible people in France to get coronavirus jabs, saying: All of France is counting on you. Vaccines offer real reasons to hope and are our surest ace, he said. Perhaps 2022 will be the year we come out of the epidemic I want to believe that with you the year where we will be able to see the exit from this day without end. France has lost 123,000 people to COVID-19 and new cases are at unprecedented levels, surging with the highly contagious omicron variant. France reported a record 232,200 new cases on Friday, its third day running above the 200,000 mark. After Shillue witnessed the tragic events of the Unite The Right rally in August 2017 firsthand, she felt called to further her anti-racism work. This is when Beloved Community Cville really took off. Green had been organizing bus tours that highlighted the racial history of the city. After August 2017, Shillue said more community members were interested in these tours, so Green and Shillue worked together to create a bigger, more sustainable bus tour project. In the process, we discovered how people who had grown up here had stories that related to the history that we were wanting people to learn, really made the history come alive, Shillue said. And so we started focusing on gathering together a multiracial group of people and the idea that we would work to shine the light of truth on our history and with an emphasis on untold stories, stories that have been kind of hidden. The bus tour highlights places such as the site of the former Vinegar Hill Black community that was razed, historically Black churches and the sites of the Confederate statues. Shillue said the project has six docents and six advisory members, and the group is over 70% non-white. The recent surge makes December 2021 the second-worst month of the pandemic in terms of daily case counts. So far, 19 new deaths have been recorded, and 77 people have been hospitalized this month, which is one of the higher monthly totals. Barney said UVa Health officials are imploring people yet to be vaccinated to so as soon as possible and to get vaccine booster shots as soon as they qualify. Booster shots have been shown to increase the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19 and the highly contagious omicron variant, he said. Data shows that a booster increases omicron infection protection from around 30% to between 70% and 75%. [It] makes symptoms much milder and dramatically reduces the risk of severe disease or hospitalization. Anyone with questions about the policy should call the hospital at (434) 924-0000 or go to online at uvahealth.com/services/covid19-visiting-restrictions. Also on Thursday, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the Virginia Department of Health in a joint statement urged Virginians with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses, including influenza, to avoid hospital emergency rooms. Among indigenous traditions, there is a ritual referred to as a vision quest for those going through significant turning points/life transitions to receive guidance from ancestors and spirit guides. The shaman/medicine man assists in preparation for the quest, overseeing building a campsite where the sojourner can be in solitude with mother earth to pray, fast and listen. Basic supplies: water, a blanket and wood for a fire equips one for the wilderness. This spiritual journey might be three to four days, while the shaman periodically checks in, offering his wisdom. Traveling between realms, the shaman, prays, drums, chants and sings to evoke ancestors and spiritual visions. He may smoke tobacco, their holy sacrament, or drink peyote tea. After the inner journey, the person returns to the group blessed with insights and direction, ready to contribute to the community and his/her own highest good. Along with epiphanies, animal messengers may also appear, indications of Divine protection and communication. Its a beautiful ritual we can learn from. Though not indigenous tribe members, or using their exact practices, we, as spiritual pilgrims, can go on a vision quest. During intense times of change, it can renew our trust in the Divine, and we can call upon the wisdom of our ancestors, spirit guides, or higher self to reveal our next path and how to serve humanity. It may be questions about changing careers, moving to a new location, or other life-changing decisions. A vision quest can be as simple as driving to a sacred site such as a holy mountain, the desert, or the ocean, setting the intention to ask for messages from higher consciousness or spirit guides. Traveling to India or the El Camino in Spain on a spiritual quest can be an incredible blessing. However, with todays travel restrictions, there are energy vortexes close to home like the Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill, Crater Lake, Shanghai Tunnels, Mt. Shasta and Sedona, Arizona. At Mt. Shasta, for example, the climate is often clear and sunny even in fall and winter. The amazingly pristine energy of the mountain magnifies communication with the Divine and ascended masters. Incredible accounts have been shared of beautiful encounters of a mystical nature at Mt. Shasta. Another location, about a 16-hour drive from the Willamette Valley, is the desert region of Sedona, Arizona, where places like Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Shaman caves and Cathedral Rock are known by indigenous and spiritual sojourners as places to pray, connect with ancestors, discover spirit animals, heal from illnesses and prepare for death. Its a mystical drive through back highways and unbelievable high desert terrain and majestic mountain summits. The magic begins when choosing to seek answers from our higher self/the Divine. Our intention is the clarion call to the universe. A vision quest can be enhanced by fasting, setting up an altar with sacred items to create space for spirit to enter and provide the answers were seeking. To investigate further, Ilchi Lees The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart is a fantastic account of the healing vortexes of Sedona. Recently, I discovered incredible healing energy in Mt. Shasta and Sedona, mystical landscapes and mountains close to home. In these elevated locations, I received accurate guidance, spiritual healing and expanded consciousness. My animal guides appeared the raven, hawk, crow and elk. Energies/messages from my family members who have crossed over also came through to offer wisdom. A vision quest can clear energetic blockages, open new pathways of higher consciousness and bless journeyers in incredible ways. As Matthew 7:7 says, Seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened. Karyn Chambers earned a masters degree in composition, rhetoric and literature from Oregon State University and a masters of divinity from Marylhurst University in Portland. She has taught world religions and philosophy along with English composition at community colleges for 25 years. She also teaches Kundalini yoga and has a meditation group that meets in her Brownsville home. Her email is karynchambers598@gmail.com if you would like more information. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After a year on the job, Mayor Alex Johnson II believes the city has a bright future. This is our home, Johnson said, speaking at an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce event earlier this month. And we can be better here if we work together and communicate with each other, share our experiences, our cultures, our families, and just enjoy each others company. Johnson is the citys first Black mayor. Hes a local business owner, a Navy veteran, and he served on the City Council. He ousted incumbent Sharon Konopa, who served for a dozen years and was the citys first woman mayor. An effective government Among the first objectives for Johnson was improving efficiency by starting City Council meetings earlier and making them shorter. He moves discussion along at a brisk pace and doesnt like to linger on any one agenda item. He touted a 10-fold increase in participation with virtual/hybrid meetings. The mayor highlighted the citys role in relocating the Cumberland Church, which was moved 1,200 feet along Santiam Road from Main Street to its new spot on Pine Street near Eleanor Hackleman Park. The Cumberland Community Events Center bought the building from the city with an 1892 silver dollar. Johnson mentioned successes with new city billing and permitting processes, growing volunteer groups, hardening information technology infrastructure, and an update to the city's development rules. He also called for more work on affordable housing and homelessness. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. A safe city Albany Police Department hired 13 officers this year, according to Johnson, who applauded the work of Chief Marcia Harnden in establishing a wellness program that could expand to the Fire Department, which has seen significant increases in calls for service. Theres a high suicide rate amongst police officers and fire department personnel, Johnson said. And we want to make sure they are well. APD, one of three Oregon law enforcement agencies certified by The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, found no issues in the past two years of CALEA audits, Johnson said. He added that officers are learning to focus on professionalism and de-escalation techniques. Other public safety accomplishments included investing in new technology for police and fire services and updating the 1988 storm water master plan. Healthy economy Johnson credited the city with recruiting three new businesses, creating 26 jobs in Albany. He cited $2.83 million in active loans, 100 jobs, and $34 million in private investment in continuing support of gap financing with traditional lenders. He also said $700,000 has been invested in pandemic business support with a 100% loan repayment rate. Johnson added a $5 million city budget shortfall will take a collective approach to resolve. Great neighborhoods With the library reopened for in-person visits, a highly successful summer reading program, and coming youth technology and crafting programs, Johnson said the next generation of Albany is being set up to succeed. We are a technological nexus right here in Albany, he said. Albany is going to grow. Summer recreation was also highlighted. Johnson said city parks and recreation programs served 50,000 people this year. Among the ongoing goals is transitioning parks, facilities and hard surface trails that meet with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Johnson said parks have suffered under the pandemic and need more support. Johnson emphasized the need for housing solutions in the hub city. Hes looking forward to a plan of action from the Housing Affordability Task Force that will serve a wider array of needs, likely including more middle housing (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, cottage clusters) rather than focusing on single-family homes. The average couple who just got married, graduated, got their first jobs, he said, they cant afford to live here. My daughter pays less for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland than it costs to live here in Albany. Cody Mann covers the cities of Albany and Lebanon. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Events Friday 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Although El Salvador is the smallest country in central America geographically, it has the fourth largest economy in the region. Economic potential is limited by the relatively small population, while the countrys telecom sector has been restricted by poor infrastructure and unequal income distribution. There have been organisational delays which have retarded the development of telecom services, though during the last few years much progress has been evident, and indeed the telecom sector has been one of the more successful within the overall economy. El Salvadors fixed-line teledensity is substantially lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average. There has been a significant drop in the number of fixed lines since 2010, particularly in 2017, largely due to the substitution for mobile-only alternatives. About 94% of all telephony lines in the country are on mobile networks. Mobile penetration is remarkably high considering El Salvadors economic indicators, being about a third higher than average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The country was one of the last in the region to provide LTE services, mainly due to the inadequate provision of suitable spectrum. The multi-spectrum auction conducted at the end of 2019 has allowed MNOs to improve the reach and quality of their service offerings. El Salvadors telecom legislation is one of the more liberal in Latin America, encouraging competition in most areas and permitting foreign investment. However, there are no regulations which promote wholesale broadband, and thus in the DSL market leader Claro retains a virtual monopoly. The only effective cross-platform competition in the broadband market comes from the few cable operators. There has been some market consolidation in recent years, including Telemovils acquisition of the regional cable TV provider Caribena Cable. In May 2019, the competition authority began assessing the sale of Telefonica El Salvador to America Movil, which operates in the country under the Claro brand. Due to regulatory hurdles, America Movil at the end of 2020 decided against buying the company. After some delay, Telefonica sold the unit in October 2021, though at a considerably reduced price. BuddeComm notes that the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the telecoms market. 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, has offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect has been a reduced (and sometimes negative) subscriber growth. Overall progress towards 5G has been postponed or curtailed in some countries. 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: Telefonica Group sells its El Salvador unit to UK investment firm; Tigo extends LTE reach to cover 95% of the population; BT Group sells its Latin American units and assets to CIH Telecommunications Americas; Millicom selects US-based Affirmed Networks to deploy cloud-based, 5G-ready core network across Latin America; Tigo launches LTE-A in in parts of San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel, La Union, and La Libertad; Telefonica to stop offering DTH pay-TV service to the non-renewal of satellite capacity deal with SES in Central America; Report update includes the regulators market data updates for Q2 2021, telcos financial and operating data to Q3 2021, updated Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, 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: El Salvador - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: December 2021 Analysts: Henry Lancaster Number of pages: 120 Companies mentioned in the report: America Movil (Claro), Flexenclosure, Millicent International (Tigo), Telefonica (Movistar), Red, GCA Telecom, Salnet, Superintendencia General de Electricidad y Telecomunicaciones (Siget), Amnet, Sky TV, Walmart, SES 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/El-Salvador-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 Looking to 2022I intentionally concluded our accomplishments section with public relations because that is what I want to focus on heading into 2022. We have a job to do at the local government level that involves many things: Infrastructure, permitting, proper utilization of taxpayer dollars, economic development, supporting workforce housing opportunities, public safety, and much more. However, I recently had a doctor tell me that you can have the best doctor in the world, medically speaking, with a terrible bedside manner, and you will conclude that they are a bad doctor. Conversely, you can have a mediocre doctor, medically speaking, with a wonderful bedside manner, and you will conclude that they are a wonderful doctor. This idea resonated with me. I think that it is generally true of any profession or organization. At the county, we want to be good at what we do and have a wonderful bedside manner. We want to be good at our professions. We want to be excellent paramedics, talented motor grader operators, professional correctional officers, skilled maintenance personnel, but our goal in 2022 is to also demonstrate that we support Jackson County citizens. We want to do more than is expected of us and we want to do it with excellence. Farmer Nguyen Cuong decided that a procession of decked up tractors will pick up his bride Ngoc Yen instead of the traditional wedding car. On Dec. 28, nine tractors decorated with flowers and balloons headed out to bring the bride to her husband's house. Each tractor carried 3-4 people. Music was played on speakers as the procession slowly made its way. Even though their houses are just one kilometer apart, it took the groom's family nearly an hour to arrive. Nine tractors decorated with flowers and balloons head out to bring the bride to her husband's house in the central province of Thanh Hoa, Dec. 28, 2021. On the way home, Cuong held his wife's hand tightly and laughed as relatives on either side of the road blessed and applauded the couple. The bride and groom, residents of the same neighborhood, had dated each other for more than a year. Their wedding had been postponed twice due to the pandemic. Cuong sid he wanted to bring the bride home with tractors since it felt true to his profession as a farmer. "I am a farmer, my whole life is attached to fields, plows and tractors. I wanted to have a very special wedding that still stayed true to daily life, so I came up with this idea. Picking up the bride in a decked out car seemed too typical and mundane," he said. A few months before the wedding, he discussed his intention to use tractors with his fiance and relatives on both sides. Knowing him as a person with a sense of humor, both sides approved his move, Cuong said. Already in possession of a tractor, he posted his intention on online groups in order to rent eight more tractors. The total rent was estimated at VND40-50 million ($1,700-2,200) a day. But, after hearing about the groom's idea, a company specializing in the distribution of agricultural machines in Tho Xuan District offered to lend some new tractors for free. "We know that Cuong is a farmer and passionate about agriculture, so we wanted to lend him our tractors free of charge on his special day," said Phan Thanh Cuong, a representative of the company's sales department. The groom said that the idea of picking up the bride on a tractor was not intended to be ostentatious or attract attention. "I just wanted to make this day more special and bring joy to the guests." The couple noted that since they also limited the number of guests because of the pandemic, they asked local authorities for permission to use tractors for the event, undertaking to strictly comply with regulations on Covid prevention. The unusual wedding has received lots of positive feedback from the online community. "The bride and groom will never forget this day. Wishing you two happiness," commented one user. Nguyen Kim Trung Thai and his fiancee Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang, who are both held responsible for the death from abuse of Thai's eight-year-old daughter. Photo from Trang's Facebook page HCMC police have arrested the father of an eight-year-old girl who is said to have died after sustained violent abuse by his fiancee. Nguyen Kim Trung Thai, 36, will be investigated for his role in the abuse suffered by the girl, Binh Thanh District police Friday. Police have deemed him an accomplice. Police had arrested 26-year-old Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang, his fiancee, on Tuesday. Both are under investigation for the charge of "abuse." Thai had divorced his first wife last year. Since then he and Trang had lived with his eight-year-old daughter at an apartment complex in Binh Thanh District. She is said to have abused the little girl frequently and beat her. Thai repeatedly refused to allow the biological mother to visit the little girl, it has been reported. On Dec. 22, Trang beat the girl so badly that she fainted. The girl was taken to hospital, but declared dead on arrival. The wounds and bruises seen on her body prompted doctors to contact the police. Autopsy results determined that the girl had a hematoma under the skin of her forehead, mild cerebral edema, and broken ribs. Police also said multiple bruises on the little girl included wounds that had already healed, suggesting she had been beaten before. At the apartment, police found a broken broom and other evidence suggesting the girl was beaten and forced to do chores. Neighbors also said they often heard the little girl cry. Thai admitted to the police that he knew his fiance often used rods and sticks to beat his daughter for "educating," but did not "react strongly" to protect the little girl. After Trang was arrested, the biological mother of the girl, Nguyen Thi Hanh, had requested an investigation into her ex-husband's role in their daughter's death. Hanh also requested her brother Nguyen Quang Vinh to work with the police on the case. Vinh said the charge of "abuse" was not adequate for what Trang had done to his niece. The father should also be investigated for the crime, based on evidence of past abuse like scars on the body, Vinh said. Atter Trang was arrested, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights had sent a petition to local authorities, suggesting that her behavior suggested culpable homicide, a much more serious crime than "abuse." Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has ordered the Ministry of Public Security and the HCMC administration to urgently investigate the case. Netherlands gives $19.5 mln for climate adaptation project in southern province The Ministry of Finance signed an agreement with the Netherlands to help the southern province of Vinh Long build a water treatment plan. Following the signing, Netherlands Invest International granted $19.5 million (16.5 million Euros) for the project. Police officers help motorbike drivers stranded in floodwaters in Vinh Long in 2019. Photo by Vietnam News Agency The plant is one component of the $202.2-million Vinh Long City Urban Development and Enhanced Climate Resilience Project whose objective is to improve access to infrastructure and connectivity and to reduce flood risk in the province's capital town, also named Vinh Long. Its components include flood risk management and environmental sanitation, flood risk mitigation and urban drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, and development of strategic corridors and resettlement areas. Elsbeth Akkerman, the Netherlands's ambassador to Vietnam, said both countries are committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and public and private interests often coincide in that pursuit. The rest of the amount is provided by the World Bank and the province. The World Bank is helping countries improve their capacity to weather climate shocks through early warning systems, disaster response and civic awareness programs, strengthening buildings, and post-disaster recovery. In Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta, the Netherlands is supporting the development of financial and investment modalities whereby public and private funds are mobilized to jointly support adaptation and build resilience in various sectors. A medic performs the genomic sequencing on a novel coronavirus sample in HCMC, February 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa Fourteen people arriving in Vietnam from South Korea and the U.S. have been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron coronavirus strain. The Health Department of the central Quang Nam Province announced Friday the infected passengers landed in the Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang on four different flights. Of them, eight were on flight VN99 from the U.S. and three on flight VN417 from South Korea that both landed on Dec. 24. Two others were on flight VN417 from South Korea on Dec. 23 and one on flight QH9451 from South Korea on Dec. 21. They tested positive for the new coronavirus upon arrival and were sent to quarantine facilities in Quang Nam Province that borders Da Nang. Their samples were sent to the Pasteur Institute of Nha Trang, whose genetic sequencing results that arrived on Thursday confirmed that they were infected with the Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variant. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son has confirmed the information with VnExpress. Around 700 passengers on the four flights and dozens of crew members were also quarantined upon arrival, as per Vietnam's current immigration regulations. They finished their quarantine by Friday morning. Vietnam confirmed the first Omicron infection on Tuesday, a person arriving in Hanoi from the U.K. on Dec. 19. Health experts have said earlier that Vietnam should beef up its healthcare system, ensuring that medical centers are well-equipped and can up their capacity, so as to avoid an Omicron-triggered overload. A team of researchers at Hong Kong University's medicine faculty has found that the Omicron variant replicates 70 times faster in human airways than the Delta, but infection in the lungs appears to be less severe compared to the original virus strain. Omicron's rapid replication in the airway may explain why it transmits faster than previous variants of the virus, but lower infection in the lungs may indicate that it causes less severe disease, they said. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that the risk posed by the Omicron variant is still "very high." It said that in the week ending last Sunday, the global number of new cases rose by 11 percent compared to the previous week, while the number of new deaths dipped by 4 percent. RENO The Wild Sheep Foundation will host its 45th annual Convention and Sporting Expo, known as The Sheep Week, Jan. 13-15 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino. Sheep Week is the largest celebration of all things mountain game hunting and conservation in the U.S., featuring hundreds of exhibitors, educational seminars, youth events, drawings, giveaways, raffles, banquets and auctions, said WSF President & CEO Gray N. Thornton. Our auctions offer nearly $6 million in hunts, trips, art, jewelry, firearms, and equipment, as well as the most special conservation permits than any other convention or hunting expo. WSF responded to the pandemic travel and large gathering restrictions by hosting a total emersion virtual convention in January 2021. For 2022, this virtual option will still be available for those who cannot make the trip to Reno. Through the success of this virtual event and member donations, WSF raised and directed over $6.2 million this year to wild sheep conservation and other mission programs. As we like to say, come for the sheep, but stay for the party, Thornton explained. Our purpose is putting and keeping wild sheep on the mountain. Were here to raise money for wild sheep conservation and to have fun. Were certainly glad to be back to our home in Reno, where our four-night and three-day also bring millions of dollars into the areas economy. Money raised is directed to programs to enhance wild sheep populations across North America and internationally through population enhancements, disease research, herd monitoring, habitat improvements and other initiatives. For a complete schedule of events, pre-registration, and other details, visit http://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/convention. Day passes are $25 and are available at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on the days of the convention. Five dollars off discount coupons are available at Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas, Scheels, Mark Fore & Strike (Reno), Bass Pro Shops (Sacramento), and Honey Lake Firearms (Susanville). The convention and expo is open to the public Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 13-15, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Show hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Daily admission is $25. Paid attendees are entered daily for floor credit drawings from $1,000-$5,000. Free seminars from experts on mountain hunting in North America, Europe, and Asia will cover topics such as wildlife conservation, travel, shooting, backcountry fitness and nutrition, and hunter safety. The Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience is free and open to the public at the convention center on Saturday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The youth event features fun educational activities focused on conservation, outdoor sports, and wildlife. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO A woman accused of embezzling more than $40,000 from a pawn shop where she worked has been sentenced to 90 days in the county jail. Amy C. Mariluch, 43, was arrested in March 2019 on charges of falsifying the balance sheets and pocketing money from the business beginning in 2014. The pawn shops manager called police in April 2017 after discovering several suspicious transactions. According to court documents, other employees spent 68 hours going over receipts and found many in which the amounts were written over. The total came to $42,198.27. Mariluch was charged with one count of embezzlement of more than $3,500, and an alternative count of embezzlement exceeding $650. She pleaded no contest on Dec. 20 to conspiracy to commit embezzlement, a gross misdemeanor, and was given a suspended sentence of 364 days in jail by District Judge Kriston Hill. She was ordered to serve 90 days over the term of her one-year probation and given credit for 25 days served. Further conditions of the sentence include obtaining a mental health evaluation that includes gambling addiction; abstaining from the use of alcoholic beverages and nonprescription marijuana; gambling; and being present in a gambling establishment, cocktail lounge, bar or marijuana dispensary. She will also be required to provide the Nevada Department of Parole and Probation with access to any digital storage media without a warrant. Restitution was paid in full prior to sentencing, according to court officials. Love 0 Funny 7 Wow 2 Sad 3 Angry 1 It all began back in 1904 on the rooftops of One Times Square and for over a century the New Years Eve celebrations in New York have grown and grown. Three years into its humble beginnings, the very first, and now iconic, Ball Lowering took place. As we say goodbye to 2021 and welcome in 2022, for a second year running we are having to deal with a scaled-back version of the Times Square party due to the covid-19 pandemic. That, however, is not going to dampen too many spirits and there is a special line-up in place to allow many millions around the globe join in. New Yorks Times Square: New Years Eve 2022 countdown The official event gets underway at 6 p.m with the lighting and raising of the New Years Eve Ball. If you enjoy pyrotechnic effects, dont miss it! This tradition is then followed by a variety of other short activities, with six hours to fill ahead of the champagne popping. Check out the full schedule. As Omicron spreads across New York, the United States and most countries around the world, the dialled-down celebrations mean that another virtual experience is required for most. Highlights include performances from Journey in Times Square, Billy Porter in New Orleans and Big Boi in Los Angeles, and just before the bells KT Tunstall performs John Lennons Imagine. One thing that is new this year is the first Spanish-language countdown with Daddy Yankee, taking place in Puerto Rico. How can I watch New Yorks Times Square New Years Eve 2022? All the networks will have their own choice of coverage and events which youll have to make up your own mind about which to tune in to. ABCs Dick Clarks Primetime New Years Rockin Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 will be broadcast live from Times Square and is likely to be a popular one given that it is its 50th anniversary. There are other live specials including NBCs Mileys New Years Eve Party Hosted by Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson. This is to be broadcast from Miami and will feature performances from Brandi Carlile and Billie Joe Armstrong. Then there is the CNN offering from Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen who will host CNNs New Years Eve Live. Live webcast: Times Square New Year's Eve 2022 Rather than those TV offerings, you can also choose commercial-free, webcast coverage of the festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight, including backstage access, behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with performers and other celebrities. In 2021, China has achieved major scientific and technological breakthroughs in key areas, including deep space, deep sea exploration, quantum information and clinical medicine. Let's take a look. 1. First 100,000-ton deep water semi-submersible oil production and storage platform operates On June 25, Shenhai Yihao, the world's first 100,000 metric ton deep-sea, semi-submersible oil production and storage platform, began drilling at Lingshui 17-2, an offshore gas field located 150 kilometers south of Hainan island in the South China Sea. With a maximum operational water depth exceeding 1,500 meters and proven geological reserves of natural gas exceeding hundreds of billions of cubic meters, the gas field will play an integral part in the nation's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. 2. Manned submersible Fendouzhe sets diving record On Dec 5, China's manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver) returned to a port in Sanya, Hainan province, from a 53-day expedition. As of December, it has completed 21 dives with a depth of over 10,000 meters, carrying 27 scientists to the deepest parts of oceans. Both the figures are the highest in the world. Fendouzhe is the world's deepest-diving manned submersible, capable of carrying up to three passengers to conduct scientific research in the deep sea. The instrument is electrically powered and can operate for around 10 hours underwater. 3. World's first 600 km/h high-speed maglev train rolls off assembly line On July 20, China's new high-speed maglev train rolled off the production line. With a designed top speed of 600 km per hour, it's currently the fastest ground vehicle available globally. The new maglev transportation system, which made its public debut in Qingdao, Shandong province, has been self-developed by China, marking the country's latest scientific and technological achievement in the field of rail transit. 4. China succeeds in first Mars landing On the morning of May 15, a Chinese spacecraft successfully landed on the surface of Mars.It is the first time in the world that orbiting and landing on Mars is completed in one mission. Tianwen 1, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of southern China's island province of Hainan on July 23, 2020. 5. Shenzhou XII and Shenzhou XIII successfully launched On June 17, Shenzhou XII was launched on a Long March 2F carrier rocket that blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China. The astronauts entered Tiangong later that day, becoming the first inhabitants of the station. During the mission, the astronauts carried out two extravehicular activities, or spacewalks, using a large robotic arm and other equipment to install and adjust devices outside the station. They completed their 92-day mission and returned to the Earth safely on Sep 17. Shenzhou XIII mission was launched to the Tiangong space station early in the morning of Oct 16. The crew members are scheduled to spend six months working in the station, making it China's longest space mission. The mission crew completed its first spacewalk on Nov 8, with Wang Yaping, 41, becoming China's first female spacewalker. The crew completed second spacewalk on Dec 27. 6. First antibody combination therapy approved to treat COVID-19 On Dec 8, China approved the use of a monoclonal neutralizing antibody cocktail for COVID-19 treatment created by Brii Biosciences, making it the first antibody combination therapy against the disease to get the green light in the country. The medicine - a combination of the amubarvimab and romlusevimab antibodies, previously known as BRII-196 and BRII-198, was jointly developed by Brii Biosciences, Tsinghua University, and the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong province. China's drug authority granted emergency approval for the antibody cocktail based on positive final and interim results from the phase 3 clinical trial with 847 enrolled outpatients sponsored by the United States National Institutes of Health. The final results showed the therapy has a good safety profile and can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 80 percent. The study was conducted around the world, including in the US, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina and the Philippines. 7. World's first inhaled COVID-19 vaccine unveiled On Nov 12, the world's first inhaled form of COVID-19 vaccine, known as aerosolized Ad5-nCoV, was unveiled at the fifth Hainan International Health Industry Expo 2021 in South China's Haikou city. The vaccine was co-developed by CanSino Biologics and researchers from the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences. It is inhaled through the mouth into the respiratory tract and lungs to stimulate mucosal immunity that can't be created by intramuscular injections. 8.Scientists find particles of ultra-high energy in Milky Way According to a study published in the journalNatureon May 17, China's Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory, or LHAASO in Daocheng, Sichuan province, has found 12 sources of ultra-high-energy photons in the Milky Way and detected a photon with a record-breaking energy level of 1.4 peta-electron volt, or 1.4 million billion electron volts. Experts called these findings exciting, describing them as opening a new chapter in mankind's astronomical study of the most energetic particles in the universe, whose origins and acceleration mechanisms have fascinated and baffled scientists for over a century. 9.FAST telescope officially opens to global astronomers On March 31, China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, the world's largest single-dish and most sensitive radio telescope, officially opened to the world. Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Southwest China's Guizhou province, FAST telescope started construction in 2011 and finished in 2016. It was put into formal operation on Jan 11, 2020. Since it started operation, FAST has provided stable and reliable services. It has found 300 pulsars and made breakthroughs in fields such as fast radio bursts, a type of powerful radio wave in the sky. 10. Refrigeration breakthrough takes Chinese quantum science near absolute zero The Institute of Physics, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said on July 12 that it has developed a prototype refrigerator to realize this ultra-low temperature just 0.01 degrees Celsius higher than absolute zero, which is -273.15 degrees Celsius. Unlike the traditional dilution refrigerator, the prototype runs without using liquid helium. In June the new device was tested to ensure it could operate continuously for a long period of time at about -273.14 degrees Celsius. The device targets a bottleneck problem in quantum computing and is widely used in condensed matter physics, material science, particle physics, and astronomical exploration. 11. 'Chinese artificial sun' sets new world record In an experiment on May 28, Chinese scientists set a new world record of achieving a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds, a key step toward the test running of a fusion reactor. The breakthrough was announced by Gong Xianzu, a researcher at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and in charge of the experiment conducted in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province. The experiment at the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST), or the "Chinese artificial sun," also realized a plasma temperature of 160 million degrees Celsius, lasting for 20 seconds. 12. Chinese scientists for the first time synthesize starch from carbon dioxide Chinese scientists have developed an artificial method of synthesizing starch from carbon dioxide, a global first. The study was conducted by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and published online on the journalScienceon Sept 24. Experts said if such technique can be scaled-up to the level of industrialization, it may revolutionize how this key nutrient and industrial ingredient is made, since it does not require farming and processing large quantity of starchy crops such as sweet potato and maize, thus saving more water, fertilizer, and arable land. It may also be used to recycle carbon dioxide, a common industrial waste and a greenhouse gas, into a consumable product. 13. China achieves quantum computational advantage in two mainstream technical routes On Oct 25, two studies led by renowned Chinese quantum physicist Pan Jianwei, were published online in the journalPhysical Review LettersandScience Bulletin. A quantum computer prototype named "Jiuzhang 2.0" with 113 detected photons was established, achieving major breakthroughs in quantum computational speedup; "Zuchongzhi 2.1" - a 66-qubit programmable superconducting quantum computing system was also successfully designed, significantly enhancing the quantum computational advantage. This remarkable feat makes China the first country to achieve a quantum computational advantage in two mainstream technical routes - one via photonics quantum computing technology and the other through superconducting quantum computing technology. 14. Baihetan hydropower station begins operation On June 28, the first two generating units of the world's largest hydropower station under construction were put into operation, contributing to the country's green development and carbon-neutrality goals. The Baihetan hydropower station is located on the Jinsha River, the upper section of the Yangtze River in Southwest China, with an investment of 220 billion yuan ($34.07 billion). With construction starting in 2017, it has the world's largest installed capacity for a single generating unit and is the world's second-largest in terms of overall capacity. As a major power source for China's west-to-east power transmission project, it is expected to make a substantial contribution to China's efforts to meet its goal of peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. 15. Long March carrier rocket sets new record for launch missions On Dec 30, China successfully sent a new communication technology experiment satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province. The satellite was launched by a Long March 3B carrier rocket at 0:43 am (Beijing Time) and has entered the planned orbit. The launch marked the 405th mission of Long March series carrier rockets. The Long March carrier rocket series has completed 48 launch missions in 2021, setting an all-time high in the total number of annual space launches. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector came in at 50.3 in December, up from 50.1 in November, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Friday. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below reflects contraction. The rise came after the country had revved up supports to ensure adequate supply, stabilize market prices and ease the pressure of companies, said NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe. In November, the sub-index measuring purchase prices of major raw materials dropped 4.8 percentage points from November to 48.1. The ex-factory price index fell to 45.5, down 3.4 percentage points from last month. This is the second consecutive month that the two indices saw a decline. The sub-index for production reached 51.4, remaining in the expansion area, which reflects the growth momentum of the manufacturing sector. Friday's data also showed that the PMI for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 52.7 in December, up from 52.3 in November. Photo for illustration (Source: baogialai.com.vn) Despite enduring an overall decline of 25% in pepper output, the country continues to maintain its dominant position as part of the global pepper industry, accounting for over 60% of global pepper exports. During the 11-month period, the nation grossed US$867.2 million from exporting 245,975 tonnes of pepper, a drop of 7% in volume, but up 43.8% in turnover against the same period from last year. The United States remains the largest import market for Vietnamese peppers, reaching 55,602 tonnes throughout the reviewed period, up 9.6%, followed by China, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Russia, Spain, and Canada. Most notably, Vietnamese pepper exports increased by 4.9% in the European region with Germany taking the lead, followed by the Netherlands, the UK, and France. In contrast, exports to the Asian region experienced a downward trajectory of 14.5%, while exports to the African region also endured a drop of 28.8%. According to the forecast made by the International Pepper Community (IPC), the average global pepper price during the first 11 months of the year was estimated to stand at US$4,346 per tonne for black peppers and US$6,490 per tonne for white peppers, a year-on-year increase of 4%, with this trend set to continue increasing slightly ahead in 2022. The Vietnam Pepper Association advised enterprises and production households to build sustainable organic pepper growing areas as soon as possible, as well as applying Global GAP, Viet GAP, and IPC GAP standards in production and processing. The association also stressed the necessity of ensuring food hygiene and safety standards, whilst also dealing with issues related to pesticide and chemical residues in pepper in a bid to improve overall product quality, while diversifying pepper products to expand to high end markets such as the US and Europe. Vietnam records 14 more Omicron variant infections Fourteen people arriving in Vietnam's central Quang Nam province from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the US have been confirmed to be infected with Omicron variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The provincial Department of Health announced on December 31 morning that the infected passengers landed at Da Nang International Airport in neighbouring Da Nang city on four different flights, said the Vietnam News Agency. Photo for illustration (Source: VTV) All the patients are Vietnamese nationals and they had got two or three vaccine shots against COVID-19. Of them, eight were on flight VN99 from the US and three on flight VN417 from the RoK, which landed on December 24. Meanwhile, two persons were on flight VN417 from the RoK and another on flight QH9451 from the RoK, which landed on December 23 and 21, respectively. Vietnam detected the first infection of Omicron variant on December 28. The patient returned from the UK on December 19 and was immediately quarantined at Hospital 108 after his arrival. The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa in late November, and labeled a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). US magazine names Phong Nha Ke Bang among places to visit in 2022 Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh has been listed among the 39 best destinations to visit in 2022 by the US's AFAR Magazine. According to AFAR, its easier than ever to dive deep into the gigantic caves of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The Phong NhaKe Bang National Park, a geologically notable site in central Vietnam, has tempted daredevils since 2013, when Son Doong, the biggest cave on the planet (large enough to hold a Boeing 747), opened for multi-day tours. Photo for illustration (Source: nld.com.vn) The magazine highlighted that on the new Hang Ba tour (still in development), the guides will lead spelunkers through upwards of five caves with gigantic limestone chambers and dangling stalactites. When cavers arent crawling, swimming, or paddleboarding, theyll be camping and trekking through jungles, reported the Vietnam News Agency. The magazine quoted expert Howard Limbert, who led the expedition team that discovered the caves in the early 1990s, as saying he has wanted to design this tour for ages. Back when first discovered, it took 15 hours to reach the cave cluster from Phong Nha village. Thanks to a new road, it only takes around five to six hours. Limbert also said collective efforts to protect the caves (his team has mapped more than 500 in Vietnam) and hire people from the community have reduced the rate of illegal logging and instilled conservationist attitudes. Phong Nha-Ke Bang can serve as a model for other protected areas in Vietnam, including the newly recognised biosphere reserves in Nui Chua and Kon Ha Nung, according to Limbert. In addition to Phong Nha Ke Bang, AFAR introduced many other attractive destinations, including Russian River Valley (California), Chicago (Illinois), Metis Crossing (Alberta, Canada), Arica and Parinacota (Chile), Bermuda, and Merida (Yucatan, Mexico). Vietnam exports over 4,000 tonnes of rice to Europe It completed the export of final batch of rice this year to Europe, including 4,170 tonnes of jasmine and white rice, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figure of Loc Troi Group (LTG). It was also the first batch shipped in the form of bulk carrier to save transport cost amid the pandemic. LTG is now the only agri-business capable of farming rice on a large scale of at least 1,000ha via cooperatives with the instruction of agricultural engineers and optimal farming process from seed selection to harvest and transport, ensuring the supply of 1 million tonnes of rice to the market each year. Photo for illustration (Source: mard.gov.vn) This year, LTG shipped over 80,000 tonnes of rice to the EU, the UK, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Asia, earning over 1 trillion VND (43.47 million USD), or nearly 24 percent of the group's total revenue. In September 2020, it was chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to export the first batch of jasmine rice to Europe under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. The company also informed that it recently had new partners in Sweden and Germany this year. Its rice export rose by four-fold in both volume and value compared to last year. In the first nine month of this year, the groups total revenue topped 7.1 trillion VND, up 79 percent annually. The after-tax profit was estimated at 262 billion VND, or 66 percent of the yearly plan. HCM City remains Vietnamese travellers favourite destination for New Year celebration Ho Chi Minh City remains a top favourite destination of Vietnamese tourists during the New Year holiday for the second consecutive year, the Vietnam News Agency quoted data from digital travel platform Agoda. Agoda said that travellers are looking for new experiences to celebrate the start of 2022. Famous cities remain hot destinations but the travel trend to 'escape' to more off-beat nature or beach destinations dominates this year's New Year's Eve plans. Photo for illustration (Source: moit.gov.vn) Tourists in Vietnam are choosing 4-5 star venues to welcome the New Year, as they opt for staycation due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel platform added. Sa Pa in the northern province of Lao Cai leapt to the second place this year from the seventh in the 2020s ranking. Da Lat in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong was down one spot to the third place this year, followed by the capital city of Hanoi. Phu Quoc island of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang occupied the fifth place thanks to its pilot programme to welcome foreign visitors back, followed by Nha Trang beach city in the south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa. The northern province of Ninh Binh, home to various tourist attractions like Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Trang An landscape complex, was named in the list for the first time this year, ranking 10th./. At the reception (Photo: VNA) During the reception, Minister Son appreciated the Thai Embassy for coordinating with Vietnamese ministries, branches and localities to flexibly organize activities celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand, especially the Vietnam Thailand Gala Night: 45 years of friendship. Regarding bilateral cooperation, the Vietnamese Minister suggested that the two sides continue to promote the exchange of delegations; continue to promote important cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, including the organization of the 4th Joint Cabinet Meeting co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries, at an appropriate time. Regarding multilateral cooperation, the Minister thanked Thailand for supporting Vietnam to successfully assume the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, affirming that Vietnam supports and will work closely with Thailand to ensure the success of the Thailand APEC Year 2022. Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura respectfully conveyed the invitation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to invite the Vietnamese Prime Minister to visit Thailand, highly appreciated and suggested the two sides continue to coordinate effectively to implement the achieved results set at the 4th session of the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (November 2021); and agreed to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. He announced that Thailand is ready to provide COVID-19 vaccine for Vietnam in the near future; and expressed hope that the two countries can soon resume commercial flights to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. He also agreed that the two sides will continue to strengthen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN, as well as in regional organizations of which both sides are members, including ACMECS cooperation./. Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN, attended a conference. (Photo: VNA) So said Indian Ambassador Tirumurti, Head of India's Permanent Mission to the UN, on the occasion of Vietnams successful completion of its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2020-2021. According to the Indian Ambassador, it is clear that Vietnam has played a very active role in the UNSC. Vietnam and India have cooperated very closely with each other at all levels, especially in the past year. Vietnam successfully assumed the presidency of the UN for two months. Vietnam and India worked closely together to reach consensus on many important documents such as the Resolution or the President's Statement. The leaders of the two countries also had a very close cooperative relationship when discussing important issues on the agenda of the UN. Regarding Vietnams initiatives proposed at the UNSC, he said that Vietnam had focused on prioritizing a number of important issues, such as promoting a resolution on protecting infrastructure in conflict. Vietnam also has a Presidential Statement on the issue of landmines, which I consider very important, especially in the context of terrorist forces targeting peacekeepers, he said. We also participated in Vietnam's open discussion on cooperation between the UN and regional organizations chaired by the President of Vietnam. He added that as an ASEAN member, Vietnam brought an important perspective to the discussions of the UNSC, especially on the Myanmar issue. India supports all of Vietnam's initiatives, because the two countries are Asian countries and have much in common on issues of the same priorities. I highly appreciate the initiatives that Vietnam launched at the UNSC, he went on to say. Regarding hot issues in 2022, the Indian Ambassador mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing number of conflicts in the world, and terrorism./. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a commemorative meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the People's Republic of China's lawful seat in the United Nations (UN), in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- With the world still overshadowed by the protracted pandemic and scrambling for economic recovery, Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his vision on and China's approach to overcoming global challenges. Attending a series of bilateral or multilateral cloud events in the past year, Xi has demonstrated China's firm commitment to upholding international justice, helping the world defeat COVID-19, and promoting balanced, coordinated, inclusive, and green development. His pledges and proposals, ranging from providing more vaccines to developing countries and giving top priority to development to phasing down coal consumption, have won wide recognition and are expected to play constructive roles in a post-pandemic world. WALKING THE TALK ON PANDEMIC RESPONSE With new variants of the coronavirus raging globally, vaccines remain humanity's best chance of emerging from the pandemic. Under Xi's leadership, China has provided more COVID-19 vaccines overseas than any other country in the world. Taking the lead in proposing making vaccines "a global public good," Xi solemnly proposed a Global Vaccine Cooperation Action Initiative, including six measures, at the G20 summit in Rome. These measures include strengthening vaccine R&D cooperation, providing more vaccines to developing countries, and advancing mutual recognition of vaccines. Xi promised that China would supply a total of 2 billion doses of vaccines to the world this year. As of Dec. 20, China had provided close to 2 billion doses to over 120 countries and international organizations, accounting for one-third of the total number of doses administered outside China. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi announced that China would provide another 1 billion doses of vaccines to Africa. It includes 600 million doses as a donation and 400 million doses to be provided through such means as joint production by Chinese companies and relevant African countries. In addition, China will undertake 10 medical and health projects for African countries and send 1,500 medical personnel and public health experts to Africa, Xi said. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE As global development has reached a critical juncture, Xi, taking the UN stage in September 2021, outlined a blueprint for global development and cooperation. Addressing the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and called on the international community to strengthen cooperation in areas of poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change, green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity. The initiative calls for staying committed to development as a priority, to a people-centered approach, to benefits for all, to innovation-driven development, to harmony between man and nature, and to results-oriented actions. The initiative, which aims to steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated, and inclusive growth, is another important public good provided by China to the international community in the face of mounting challenges. The GDI is an initiative to support the development of developing countries, promote global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, and strengthen international development cooperation. It identifies eight priority areas of cooperation and charts feasible pathways to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech via video link at the leaders' summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) held in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) GREEN FUTURE After announcing, in 2020, that China would strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, Xi reiterated China's determination to achieve the goal and its commitment to green development while attending multiple cloud meetings in 2021. China will strictly control coal-fired power generation projects and limit the increase in coal consumption over the 14th Five-Year Plan period and phase it down in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said. China will increase support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad, Xi announced, while addressing the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. China also hosted the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) this year. Addressing the COP15 meeting, Xi announced China's initiative to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan (about 235 million U.S. dollars) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries. "If we humanity do not fail Nature, Nature will not fail us," Xi said. Editor: ZAD 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 Editor: Zhang Zhou LHASA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region Wednesday issued a red alert, the highest in a four-tier warning system, for snowstorms in some of its southern parts. Heavy snow will blanket the southern parts of both Xigaze and Shannan cities from now to 11 a.m. Thursday, the regional meteorological bureau said in a statement. Some of these areas will see snowstorms accompanied by strong gales and sharp temperature drops afterward, it added. Affected regions should be wary of icy road surfaces. Local governments should take precautions against the possible impact of the snowstorms on water and power facilities and people's lives, the bureau said. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. Editor: Zhang Zhou BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to cease hostile naval and airforce maneuvers against China. Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding a video meeting recently held by Chinese and American militaries under their Maritime Military Consultative Agreement mechanism. Tan said that in maintaining military air and maritime safety of China and the U.S., the most fundamental solution is that the U.S. side desists from hostile maneuvers. The U.S. navy and air force conduct reconnaissance, surveying and highly targeted exercises and training for long periods of time near China, and frequently carries out infringing and provocative maneuvers. This is the root cause of military air and maritime safety issues between China and the U.S., according to Tan. Enditem Editor: Zhang Zhou The Constitutional Court of Slovakia has satisfied the complaints of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy about the violation of its rights to a fair trial, recognizing that the company incurred unreasonable costs in the framework of enforcement proceedings in the republic. The press service of the company clarified that the matter concerns enforcement proceedings, which have been carried out in Slovakia since 2017 on the initiative of Italia Ukraina Gas S.p.a. (IUGAS) and its successor Trameta kft (Hungary) in order to recover from Naftogaz a fine of $12.7 million and interest on the final decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce dated December 19, 2012. At the same time, within the framework of the compulsory execution of the arbitral award, the Slovak bailiff seized the Naftogaz gas imported through the territory of the republic. The press service noted that numerous abuses by the bailiff within the proceedings led to the artificial formation and accumulation of Naftogaz's debt in the amount of about EUR22 million for the alleged storage of the previously seized natural gas, although neither the executor nor the custodian company provided any or documentary evidence of the fact and the cost of its storage. "The decision of the Constitutional Court of Slovakia in favor of Naftogaz has come into legal force and is not subject to appeal. With this decision, the Constitutional Court overturned the decision of the District Court of Bratislava II on the obligation of Naftogaz to reimburse the costs of the alleged gas storage in the amount of more than EUR11.5 million. Thus, the district court of Bratislava II is obliged to reconsider the complaints of Naftogaz regarding the illegal and unfair accrual of executive expenses," the company said. Naftogaz's lawyers have already prepared an application to the Bratislava District Court with a petition to reconsider the issue of the validity and legality of gas storage costs and will submit it in the near future. According to Naftogaz, these enforcement proceedings became the largest in the history of Slovakia. Naftogaz recalled that the fine was awarded by the Stockholm Arbitration Tribunal following a dispute over a contract for the supply of 13 billion cubic meters of gas during 10 years at a fixed price of $110/1,000 cubic meters, which was signed in 2003 with IUGAS at that time by the deputy head of the Naftogaz board Ihor Voronin. At the same time, Voronin signed the agreement without the necessary approvals, and Italian citizen Marco Marenco, who owned IUGAS at the time of its conclusion, was later convicted in his homeland for fraud and tax evasion. The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine did not consider the issue of applying sanctions against fifth President of Ukraine (2014-2019), leader of the European Solidarity Party Petro Poroshenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said. Answering a journalist's question at a briefing on Thursday following the results of the NSDC meeting whether the issue of sanctions against Poroshenko was considered, Danilov said: "We work only with documents. If the relevant document is sent to the NSDC staff by the institutions that have the right to do this, and there are five of them, we will definitely consider this issue and submit it to the NSDC meeting, because we cannot work any other way." According to the Secretary of the Council, the decision itself will depend on the decision of the NSDC members. Before that, Danilov listed 21 issues that stood at the NSDC meeting on Thursday, and none of them concerned Poroshenko personally. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine is actively working to bring the case of UAH 8.3 billion in losses of PrivatBank (Kyiv) to court, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said. "We are now actively moving in the investigation to bring this case to court," Venediktova wrote in a column on the Ukrainska Pravda website on Thursday. She recalled that the proceedings on the withdrawal of funds from PrivatBank before its nationalization had been investigated since 2017, and in January 2021 she personally entered the group of prosecutors, gave the necessary instructions and appointed expert examinations, which established losses of more than UAH 8.3 billion for two episodes of criminal activities of the bank's top managers. "And already in February and March, five high-ranking officials received the suspicions agreed by me," the Prosecutor General said. As reported, on February 23 of this year Venediktova announced that three former employees from the management of PrivatBank had been reconciled in the embezzlement of other people's property by abuse of office, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, on an especially large scale, and of official forgery. It concerned ex-head of the bank's board Oleksandr Dubilet, ex-first deputy head Volodymyr Yatsenko and first deputy head of the board of Inderzhstrakh (Dnipro), Olena Bychykhina. Former first deputy head of PrivatBank's board, Yatsenko, was arrested while trying to leave Ukraine, and then released on bail of UAH 52 million. Dubilet has been put on the wanted list since March 26, 2021, and on December 22, the Investigative Judge of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) chose him a measure of restraint in the form of detention (in absentia). Bychykhina was also put on the wanted list in May. On December 18, 2016, the government of Ukraine, referring to the proposal of the NBU and former shareholders of PrivatBank, the largest of which at that time were Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov, decided to nationalize this largest financial institution on the Ukrainian market and injected over UAH 155 billion into its capital. According to the statistics of the National Bank of Ukraine, as of October 1, 2021, in terms of total assets, PrivatBank ranked 1st in the rating (UAH 550.328 billion) among 71 banks operating in the country. Press secretary of the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin has said that Ankara is seriously concerned over the tensions between Russia and Ukraine and is ready to play a part in de-escalating the situation. "We call on both sides to reduce the level of tension as soon as possible in order to take the necessary steps to prevent a military conflict in Donbas in eastern Ukraine. In this regard, our president told Zelensky and Putin that Turkey and he himself is ready to play its part in this process, to make a contribution," said Kalin. According to him, "in this issue, the reduction of tension is in the interests of everyone." "In other words, if there is a role that Turkey can play in the implementation of the policy of so-called reasonable diplomacy and an effective diplomatic process during this period, then of course, our President will gladly fulfill it," the press secretary of the Turkish leader said. According to him, it is Turkey that can help in resolving the situation, given that "Ankara has good relations with both countries." He noted that Ankara is watching the situation with concern. Kalin also expressed the opinion that "in a global context, it is worth talking about the confrontation between Russia and NATO, Moscow and the West." The Estonian Defense Ministry plans to supply Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank missiles, as well as 122-mm howitzers. "We have supported the training of Ukrainian sappers, special forces, military medics, artillerymen, and have exchanged information since 2014. Now that Russian troops are again concentrating on the Ukrainian border, Estonia plans to significantly increase its support. The Ministry of Defense has made a decision in principle to support Ukraine with weapons and ammunition," head of the Defense Ministry's international cooperation department Peeter Kuimet told ERR on Thursday. He noted that before making a final decision, it is necessary to obtain consent from the U.S. as a manufacturing country of anti-tank weapons, as well as from the former owners of howitzers in Finland and Germany. At one time, Estonia purchased and received Javelin missiles from the U.S. as support. The price of one rocket ranges from EUR 75,000 to 130,000, depending on the contract and the specific type of rocket. Estonia plans to supply Ukraine with several dozen such missiles. Estonia previously purchased 42 howitzers and ammunition from Finland in 2009 and paid 31 million kroons for them. It is not reported how many guns Estonia is ready to transfer to Ukraine. Ukraine itself has about 150 such guns in service. In addition to sending weapons and ammunition, Estonia also plans to increase the so-called "soft aid", including preparing to send a mobile complex of a field hospital, train Ukrainian military doctors to work on it. Biden warns Putin about readiness to decisively respond if Russia further invades Ukraine, calls for de-escalation - White House U.S. President Joe Biden, in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, warned him about the readiness of the United States and its allies to take decisive measures in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine, the White House has reported. "He made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement. In addition, Biden called on Putin to ease tensions near Ukraine. This is the second conversation between the American and Russian leaders in a month. The first one was held on December 7 via videoconference. The leaders discussed bilateral relations, issues of strategic stability, cyber security, as well as the situation around Ukraine and NATO's eastward expansion. Among Ukrainians, the most popular New Year gifts are a romantic trip, a car, accessories and money, according to the results of a study conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on December 3 through December 11, 2021. According to the opinion poll, if in the previous pre-COVID-19 years Ukrainians were very mercantile (money was in first place by a large margin), now, the first place is taken by a romantic trip (18% of respondents) and a car and accessories to it (12%). The next three gifts that Ukrainians would like to receive are money (10%), a mobile phone and other electronic devices (9%), as well as household appliances (7%). Less than 5% of respondents want to receive all other gifts. So, as for the desired gifts for men and women, apart from money (which both men and women like equally), there is expected to be a significant difference between them. Some 14% of men and 10% of women would like to get cars or accessories for them, 8.3% of women and 4.5% of men would like to get household appliances (men also actively participate in cooking and cleaning). Some 20% of women and 17% of men would like to go on a romantic trip. 6% of women and 3% of men would like to get eau de toilette, perfumery, and cosmetics. In addition, according to the results of the study, if we consider the change in wishes from 2014 to 2021, then in addition to a significant increase in the desire to travel, there is a growing need for mobile phones and other electronic devices (from 3% in 2014 to 9% in 2021), as well as for tablets and PCs. Asked about the desired gift, the respondents were able also to add their own wish if it was not on the list. More often than not, there was something that was impossible to give peace and health. But there were also more realistic wishes. These were congratulations from children or grandchildren or that they come to visit. Some respondents answered that they would like to receive a book, a balalaika, a large chocolate bar, a two-cylinder moped, a set of paints for painting, a kiss from his wife, "so that all those who are testing the waters in Ukraine go to the demonic father behind the road-edge," a sable fur coat as a gift, and "to take away his woman for six months." The number of those wishing to have a pet also increased from 0.8% to 1.8%. The survey was conducted by Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) on the basis of a random sample of mobile telephone numbers (with random generation of telephone numbers and subsequent statistical weighting) among 2,000 respondents living in all regions of Ukraine (except for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea). In Luhansk and Donetsk regions, the survey was conducted only in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian authorities. The sample is representative of the adult population (age 18 and older) in Ukraine. The sample does not include territories temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The statistical error of the sample (with a probability of 0.95 and taking into account the design effect of 1.1) does not exceed: 2.4% for indicators close to 50%, 2.1% for indicators close to 25%, 1.5% for indicators close to 10%, 1.1% for indicators close to 5%. The District Administrative Court of Kyiv City informs about the receipt of a claim from former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov against the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine due to the failure to make a decision to lift the sanctions against him. "The District Administrative Court of Kyiv City registered a claim against the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The plaintiff is Mykola Azarov. Among the requirements of the claim is to declare unlawful the inaction of the SBU, which, according to the plaintiff, consists in the failure to submit to the NSDC of Ukraine a proposal to abolish the sanctions against him," the court said on the website on Friday. According to the court, the plaintiff also asks to oblige the SBU to make such proposals to the NSDC by excluding clause 2 from Appendix 1 of the NSDC decision on the application and amendments to personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) dated March 19, 2021, introduced in action by President of Ukraine Decree No.151/2021, dated April 9, 2021. "Mykola Azarov asks the court to declare illegal the inaction of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on rejection of the decision to lift the sanctions against him and oblige the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to make such a decision," the court said. The court decides the issue of opening administrative proceedings. Russian-occupation forces once violated the ceasefire in the area of the Joint Force Operation (JFO) on Friday from the beginning of the day at 17:00. "In Donetsk region, not far from Travneve, the enemy opened fire with automatic easel grenade launchers. There are no casualties among the servicemen of the Joint Forces as a result of the actions of the enemy," the Joint Force Operation said on Facebook. According to the report, the boundaries of the Ukrainian units remained the same, the units of the Joint Forces are in control of the situation and continue to carry out tasks to repel and contain the Russian armed aggression. In 2022, some 167 servicemen and officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will go to study at military educational institutions of 13 foreign countries, the press service of the Defense Ministry Ukraine said. The relevant Plan of staffing of international training programs for servicemen and officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in military educational institutions of foreign states was signed by Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. "Our main potential is people who control equipment, plan operations, analyze the situation. And due to our international partners, our servicemen can improve their qualifications in the best specialized 'universities' and training institutions abroad and introduce Euro-Atlantic principles already in Ukraine. Next year, our serviceme will be able to undergo such training in the UK, the United States, Turkey, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Romania and Slovakia," the minister said. The selection of eligible candidates will continue until January 28, 2022. Reznikov also said that in order to create an integral system of training and further effective use of professional personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a number of documents have been developed and approved this year that will allow military specialists to acquire new competencies. We are talking about the Concept of the military personnel policy of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine for the period until 2025, the implementation of which will create a comprehensive, effective, economically feasible and justified system of providing troops with professionally trained, with high moral and business qualities of servicemen, capable of efficiently solving complex military and professional tasks in peace and wartime. The Defense Ministry encourages the servicemen and the staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to actively participate in the selection within the Staffing Plan for international training programs. BGV Trident Capital, founded by Illia Ponomarev and Hennadiy Butkevych (the co-owner of ATB), has invested $5 million in the robot manufacturing startup Deus Robots, created by Pavlo Pikulin in 2018. According to a release of Deus Robots, the attracted investments will be used to organize the serial production of robots for warehouse logistics, as well as to expand the number of developers in Ukraine and the company's entry into international markets. It is planned that by the end of 2022 serial production will begin with a volume of about 400 robots per month. These robots will be used to automate logistics processes. Until now, as noted, Deus Robots has developed with the personal investment of its founders. Thus, Pavlo Pikulin has already invested over $1 million of his own funds in the development of the project. In 2021, Deus Robots produced and delivered 40 robots to customers. "In any warehouse there are a number of tasks that are solved by people: sorting, order picking and transportation of goods. We develop robotic solutions for these tasks. At the moment we have three robots: for sorting goods and parcels, for transporting racks and for pallet transportation. Next year there will be three new models of robots that will solve other problems, for example, they will be able to pick up goods from shelves and racks," Pikulin is quoted as saying. According to him, the robotics market is a promising area for investment. Deus Robots already has orders for the supply of 400+ robots in 2022-2023. "One of our robots can work approximately 18 hours a day. This exceeds the working day of a loader or warehouse manager, whose working day lasts eight hours. And add weekends, vacations, hospital and other administrative costs associated with hiring people (training, transportation costs and others)," he explained. The release also notes that the development of robotics in Ukraine is facilitated by partnership with Poshta. DEUS Robots units are already being tested in the supply chain in the processes of sorting and moving goods of Nova Poshta. Deus Robots, a robotic company engaged in the development, production and sale of high-tech logistics equipment, was founded in Kyiv in 2018. It specializes in the development and production of technologies for autonomous mobile robots (AMR). Why maintaining temperature-controlled logistics is harder in developing nations (Photo : Unsplash) It's no secret that maintaining cold chain temperature control is an integral aspect of global logistics, especially regarding the preservation and safety of perishable goods. However, while this is already a complex task in fully industrialized countries, the difficulty increases tenfold in developing nations. Let's explore why that is the case. Advertisement What is cold chain logistics, and why is it important? Due to the implications of improperly stored goods such as meat and seafood, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals, regulator demands have become more stringent to protect the end consumer and to curtail waste production. Consequently, manufacturers need to be able to prove that their products are transported via a temperature-controlled supply chain. The margin of error for this temperature control is different from product to product. However, the industry has seen a greater regulatory emphasis on products that need integrity between 2C and 8C, such as vaccines. In logistics, this temperature maintenance is referred to as "cold-chain." The Covid-19 vaccines, mind you, often require sub-zero conditions, thereby upping the ante for "ultra cold chain" management While in transit, all parties must be assured of these conditions, including the manufacturer, shipper, and wholesaler. Some factors that supply chain participants must take into account when planning their logistics include: The acceptable temperature and humidity range The margin of error for the temperature parameters Potential areas of risk Specific no-go actions that may compromise the integrity of the product The infrastructure of the intended destination The level of supply chain visibility With that said, let's take a look at some of the primary reasons why it's more difficult to maintain temperature-controlled logistics in developing nations. Laggardly cold-chain infrastructure in all its forms Starting with the most apparent (and important) issue, most developing nations do not have the adequate infrastructure to support fully unbroken cold chain logistics. This is because most temperature-controlled logistics need to be finely tuned down to tee and meticulously planned. As the infrastructure becomes less established, as is the case in developing nations, the number of variables increases dramatically. This leads to disruptions in the cold chain and can cause the integrity of products to diminish rapidly. Here are seven key reasons why. 1. The roads and transport links aren't as good When the roads are bad, journeys will take significantly longer, since the drivers must go slower and take a less direct route. Secondly, potholes and other issues associated with poorly maintained roads increase the risk of not only extra shipment jostling but also vehicle breakdown, which poses a huge risk to temperature-controlled goods. 2. The electricity isn't as dependable Any power outage in the cold chain is pretty much the worst-case scenario, since most cold chain technology relies on powered cooling systems to maintain the temperature of the goods in transit. 3. Developing countries are usually more rural Delivery trucks' active powered cooling systems must be frequently recharged and refueled along the journey. The more rural the transit route is, the less chance for service stops and refueling, and the more travel time between warehouses with climate control. 4. A lack of skilled workers and specialist equipment Gaining access to specialized equipment and the experts to operate them is one of the biggest challenges faced by manufacturers that rely on the cold chain. Unfortunately, there is very little local investment made by the governments of many developing nations, and farmers have limited capacity to invest in cold chain. 5. Low supply chain visibility Full supply chain visibility is an immensely difficult feat to achieve even in nations like the USA and the UK. In fact, only 6% of companies report full visibility, so you can imagine how hard this becomes in developing nations. This lack of visibility is mainly caused by a lack of monitoring at the package level, which keeps manufacturers in the dark as per the status of their goods while they are in transit. Thus, many manufacturers are unaware of when their goods have been compromised until it is too late, since they have limited access to analytics. 6. Theft and pilferage Supply chain theft is on the rise, and it's no surprise to learn that many of these robberies and pilferage occur in developing nations, where the gaps between richer and poorer classes are more pronounced. As more temperature-sensitive products hit the road, cold chains have become high-value targets for cargo thieves, which is a huge cause for concern for manufacturers and buyers. 7. High temperatures and humidity As temperatures and humidity levels rise due to climate change, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the cold chain. On top of this, the hotter it becomes, and the more a company and a population has to battle against the elements, the more costly the logical operations become. A look to the future The growth of the cold chain capacity in developing regions varies from country to country. According to research by Elhadi M. Yahia from the Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico, the global cold chain capacity in the last decade has increased substantially. It more than doubled in India in the developing world, increased 66 percent in Brazil, and 20 percent in China. In other populous countries such as South Africa, Mexico and Kenya, the cold chain is concentrated in the urban centers and transport terminals, such as airports. However, outside of these areas, it is virtually non-existent, which causes huge issues when transporting temperature-sensitive goods such as food, and of course, vaccines. Looking to the future, more investments must be made into the local infrastructure of these developing nations if companies are expected to risk transiting their goods through their lands. As a raging band of his supporters scaled walls, smashed windows, used flagpoles to beat police and breached the US Capitol in a bid to overturn a free and fair election, Donald Trump's excommunication from the Republican Party seemed a near certainty, his name tarnished beyond repair. Egypt reported 871 new coronavirus cases on Thursday bringing the total infection tally recorded to 384,726 since the outbreak began in February 2020. Egypts Health Ministry of Health and Population said in its daily coronavirus statement that 32 new deaths related to COVID-19 complications were recorded in the past 24 hours nationwide, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 21,727. The statement added that 799 patients have been discharged after recovering from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 320,024. Egypt received on Thursday 347,460 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine at Cairo International Airport delivered through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), the health ministry said. Egypt announced on Wednesday that it has administered 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. Egypt has so far imported over 119 million COVID-19 vaccines, acting Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said in a Cabinet meeting, noting that around 64.3 million doses are still available. Search Keywords: Short link: Olaf Scholz firmly backed Ukraine by underlining the "inviolability of borders" in his first New Year's speech as German chancellor on Friday, amid heightened fears of a Russian invasion. The clear warning to Russia marks a rare message for a New Year's speech typically dedicated to domestic issues. "With a view on Ukraine, there are currently new challenges here. The inviolability of borders is a valuable asset -- and non-negotiable," Scholz said. Tensions have risen sharply in recent weeks over former Soviet territory Ukraine, with some 100,000 Russian troops massed near the border. Russian President Vladimir Putin seized the Crimean peninsula from Kiev in 2014 and is accused of fomenting a pro-Russian separatist war that erupted that year in eastern Ukraine. Moscow describes the menacing troop presence as protection against an encroaching West, particularly NATO, although Ukraine has not been offered membership in the military alliance. A telephone call between US President Joe Biden and Putin is planned for early January, with the aim of seeking diplomatic solutions to the soaring tensions over Ukraine. In his speech, Scholz described transatlantic cooperation as "indispensable" for European security. But he also called for greater international cooperation and for a "sovereign and strong Europe" capable of standing up for itself. With Germany taking over the presidency of the G7 from January 1, Scholz said he will strive to make the group of wealthy nations "a pioneer for climate-neutral economies and a just world". Search Keywords: Short link: The General Prosecution released on Friday Ola El-Qaradawi pending investigation on Friday, an informed source told the state-owned MENA. Ola El-Qaradawi was arrested in July 2017 with her husband Hossam Khalaf, a leading member of the Islamist Wasat Party, and have been investigated for joining a banned group and terror-related charges. Ola El-Qaradawi, a 55-year-old housewife, graduated with a bachelors degree in biology from Qatar University and completed her masters at the University of Texas-Austin in the United States. She is the daughter of Youssef El-Qaradawi, the Islamic cleric who resides in Qatar. He is considered the spiritual leader of the terrorist-designated Muslim Brotherhood and is wanted in Egypt in connection with various criminal cases related to terrorism and inciting against the government. Cairo has been demanding that Qatar hand over Youssef El-Qaradawi, 90, to stand trial in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced Friday they had killed three people who were involved a deadly attack that left two of their members dead in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. On December 26, the Revolutionary Guards had said two of its members had been killed in the province that borders Pakistan, in "armed clashes with a group of bandits and mercenaries", without providing further details. On Friday, the Guards said they "targeted and killed the perpetrators behind this crime" in a "surprise" operation, according to a statement reported by the website Sepah News. The suspects had been working on "shaking the peace and security of residents in the southeast of the country", they added without elaborating. Sistan-Baluchistan province lies on the border with Pakistan and is a flashpoint of clashes between security forces and armed groups. The clashes often involve smuggling gangs as well as separatists from the Baluchi minority or extremist militant groups. On November 18, three Iranian policemen, including a colonel, were killed and six others wounded in clashes with an armed group while patrolling an area bordering Sistan-Baluchistan. Search Keywords: Short link: A total of 45 journalists were killed worldwide in 2021, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on Friday -- "one of the lowest death tolls" it has recorded for any year. The figure tracked closely with a toll of 46 killings of journalists given two weeks ago by another media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (known by its initials RSF), which also noted it as its lowest-ever since starting its tallies in 1995. "While this decrease is welcome news, it is small comfort in the face of continued violence," the Brussels-based IFJ said in statement. The toll included nine in Afghanistan, the highest number suffered by a single country. Elsewhere, eight died in Mexico, four in India and three in Pakistan. The IFJ said the media workers "more often than not are killed for exposing corruption, crime and abuse of power in their communities, cities and countries". According to the group's count, the Asia-Pacific region -- which includes Afghanistan -- was the deadliest, with 20 killings. Then came the Americas, with 10, Africa, with eight, Europe with six, and the Middle East and Arab countries with just one. It also mentioned the death of two journalists in a "deadly accident" in Iran. While "the risks associated with armed conflict have reduced in recent years" because fewer journalists were able to report on the ground, "the threats of crime gang and drug cartels' rule from the slums in Mexico to the streets of European cities in Greece and the Netherlands continue to increase", it added. IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger emphasised his organisation's support for a UN convention for the protection of journalists to "ensure accountability for journalists' killings". The IFJ's figures differed slightly from those given by RSF, which counted seven journalists killed in Mexico, six in Afghanistan, and four each in Yemen and India. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts 596-seat House of Representatives issued a report on Thursday detailing their legislative and supervisory achievements in 2021. The 300-seat Senate also issued ts report. The report said the House began its second session on January 2021 by exercising its supervisory powers. "Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and 28 cabinet ministers were summoned to the House to review the role of each ministry in implementing the government's policy statement, which was delivered before parliament in 2018," said the report, adding that "the statement won confidence from MPs and was referred to the House's committees for further study." The report indicated that the House's 25 committees have held 2,287 meetings in 2021, covering 3,061 hours. "These committees had finished preparing 1,041 reports, 982 of which were discussed by the House in plenary sessions, not to mention that these committees paid field visits to several governorates to assess the needs of citizens," said the report. In legislative terms, the report said the House passed 178 laws in 2021. "These laws tackled economic, social, health and security issues," said the report, citing "amending the penal code to toughen penalties on female genital mutilation and bullying crimes, and issuing new laws on sovereign bonds (Sukuk), irrigation and water resources, regulating the private sector's participation in implementing infrastructure and service projects, and fighting epidemics and pandemics." The report also cited the passage of important laws such as the unified finance law, and those regulating the use of financial technology in non-banking activities, those regulating bankruptcy filings, and the traffic law. In general, the report said, the House held 81 plenary sessions, covering 350 hours, to discuss legislative and supervisory agendas. The report said as many 47 foreign agreements aiming to reinforce Egypt's economic cooperation with several world countries were also approved by the House in 2021. In terms of parliamentary diplomacy, the report indicated that Egypt's House of Representatives has been active in fostering relations with several world parliaments in 2021. "The House speaker Hanafy El-Gebaly has also paid visits to Hungary, Austria and Spain, and was keen to attend annual meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Belgium, the Arab Parliament in Cairo and the Union of African Parliaments," said the report. The Senate Egypt's 300-seat consultative upper house also issued a report Thursday, recording the achievements of its first session in 2021. "In 2021, the Senate has passed 14 laws, the most important of which were on unified finance, unified planning, the rights of senior citizens and the medical emergency fund," said the report, indicating that "in 2021, the Senate has also rejected the amendments to the Thanawyya Amma (high school) law (139/1981) because it places Egyptian families and students under huge financial pressure." In supervisory terms, the report said the Senate has recommended activating the role of the academy of lawyers, reforming the tax structure regulating transaction operations inside the Egyptian stock market, and identifying the government's policy regarding the negative effects of climate change on Egyptian cities, particularly Alexandria. Search Keywords: Short link: Mali's military-dominated government on Thursday suggested that the poor Sahel country might take five years to return to democratic rule after holding a four-day "reform conference". A transition of between six months and five years will enable the junta to "carry out structural institutional reforms and (organise) credible, fair and transparent elections", according to a document read out at the end of the forum. "The government will put in place a timetable aimed at ensuring a peaceful and secure constitutional restoration," junta boss Assimi Goita said in a closing speech. In August 2020, young officers led by Goita toppled the country's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, after weeks of street protests over perceived corruption and his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency. Under pressure from France and Mali's neighbours, Goita pledged that Mali would return to civilian rule in February 2022 after holding presidential and legislative elections. But in May this year, he staged a de facto second coup, forcing out an interim civilian government and disrupting the timetable. The former French colony has a long history of national consultations. But several major parties and social organisations have snubbed the process this time, demanding the swift holding of elections or criticising the discussions as fruitless. Also Thursday, a member of Goita's entourage said the junta would send a delegation to the regional grouping ECOWAS to present the planned timetable. Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop will be among the envoys, the official told AFP. The postponement of promised elections sparked international condemnation and sanctions from ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States. Search Keywords: Short link: Ethiopia is set on January 1 to lose key trading privileges in the United States over rights concerns, despite a last-minute push backed by diaspora members who warn that Washington could lose an ally. President Joe Biden on November 2 announced the New Year's removal of Ethiopia, a longtime US partner and the continent's second most populous country, from the African Growth and Opportunity Act as he pointed to "gross violations" in the year-old war with Tigrayan rebels. The Ethiopian government has lobbied hard against the move and estimates that one million jobs have been supported directly or indirectly by the 2000 law, which grants duty-free access for most goods. The chairs of the Senate and House subcommittees on Africa both urged Biden in a letter to reconsider the "abrupt" move, saying that a recent rebel retreat provided an opening for diplomacy. "We are concerned that suspension of AGOA benefits will be counterproductive and disproportionately harm the most vulnerable Ethiopians without contributing to the cessation of hostilities," wrote Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Karen Bass, both members of Biden's Democratic Party. "Furthermore, this decision invites China to strengthen its economic foothold in the Horn of Africa." Van Hollen and Bass both represent constituencies with hubs of Ethiopian-Americans, a community estimated at anywhere from 250,000 to one million strong that has increasingly flexed political muscle over the war. Mesfin Tegenu, chairman of the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, acknowledged Biden was unlikely to reverse the decision before January 1 but said the president could readmit Ethiopia "with a stroke of a pen." He described Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government as "the most pro-Western the country has ever had" and said ending trade privileges was only inviting China -- which has been expanding influence in Africa and has made a point of criticizing Biden's decision. "This is going to be a catastrophic mistake for our country to really be replaced willingly by a competitive power," Mesfin said. "Whatever political gain the administration would think they would get by doing this, they're not going to get it, because the geopolitical situation of the world has changed." Wide US concerns Biden also removed coup-hit Mali and Guinea from AGOA. In announcing the decision, the administration said the three countries could re-enter if they address concerns. Jeffrey Feltman, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, noted that Congress imposed conditions when establishing AGOA. "The legislation says the countries that engage in gross violation of human rights will not enjoy these trade privileges. So it's a statutory requirement that the administration took," he told National Public Radio. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's office, which administers AGOA, did not respond to requests for comment. Abiy launched an offensive in November 2021 as the Tigray People's Liberation Front, once a dominant force in Ethiopia, attacked army sites. The rebels advanced so far this year that they threatened to march on the capital Addis Ababa but by December 20 they had withdrawn back to their Tigray stronghold, with the government promising no further advance. Rallying against stance But US concerns go beyond reaching a ceasefire in the wake of wide reports of mass killings, sexual violence and hunger in the conflict that has left thousands dead. The United States, as well as the United Nations and rights groups, say the Ethiopian government has deliberately hindered aid delivery to northern regions where millions face famine-like conditions. "Frankly, it's unconscionable, and not what we would expect from Ethiopia," the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said last month. The administration strenuously denies taking sides and has also criticized the TPLF and neighboring Eritrea. But many in the diverse Ethiopian diaspora remain convinced of bias against Abiy, who was elected in 2018 on promises of unity and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Tebabu Assefa, an Ethiopian immigrant who was honored by former president Barack Obama for his work importing coffee directly from small-time farmers, said Biden was "taking a tool from the garage to the surgery room." He said his Blessed Coffee business in Maryland was in conversation with unions representing 500,000 farmers, each of whom has about five family members. "The livelihood of millions and millions of small farmers will be wiped out by this simple yet very devastating act," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Israeli troops Friday shot dead a Palestinian man who attempted to stab soldiers and settlers at a bus stop in the occupied West Bank, the military said. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the death of the alleged assailant, identifying him as Amir Atef Rayyan, . The Israeli occupation army said the attempted stabbing took place near the Gitain Avisar junction in the West Bank. The Palestinian, it said, approached a military post in a car "and got out of the vehicle armed with a knife". The man "ran towards the bus station where civilians and IDF soldiers were standing. The troops fired towards the assailant and neutralised him", the army added. An army spokesperson confirmed to AFP that the Palestinian man was dead. The army said there were no injuries among the Israelis. Troops sealed off roads in the area while others chased the vehicle that had dropped off the alleged assailant, looking for more suspects. According to the Israeli army's annual report, 100 attacks were carried out in 2021 against Israelis in the West Bank, up from 60 a year earlier. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded 410 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the first 10 months of 2021, compared to 358 in the whole of 2020. The latest attack came after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas made a rare visit Wednesday to Israel for talks with Defence Minister Benny Gantz. After the talks at Gantz's home, Israel unveiled a package of "confidence-building measures" for the West Bank. Tensions have been running high in the occupied territory in recent weeks. The West Bank has seen a series of attacks by Palestinians on Israelis and the killings of Palestinians by Israeli troops during clashes since late November. In the latest attack on December 21, a Palestinian man tried to ram Israeli soldiers with his car near the West Bank town of Jenin. The man crashed his car into a military jeep after being shot, causing both vehicles to burst into flames, the military said at the time. On December 19, the army said it had arrested four Palestinian men suspected of shooting dead a Jewish settler and wounding two others days earlier. The four are suspected of firing at least 10 bullets at a car, killing 25-year-old religious student Yehuda Dimentman and wounding two fellow students as they drove out of Homesh, an illegal outpost in the northern West Bank. United Nations Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said in December he was "alarmed by the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including east Jerusalem, which is claiming the lives of Israelis and Palestinians". Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 from Jordan. Nearly 500,000 Israelis have moved into settlements in the territory, which is regarded as illegal by the United Nations and international laws. Search Keywords: Short link: A United Nations climate conference in Glascow, Scotland, in November called COP26 , ended with almost 200 nations agreeing to a compromise aimed at keeping a key global warming target alive, but which contained a last-minute change that watered down language about phasing out coal. While many nations complained the deal did not go far or fast enough, they said it was better than nothing and provided incremental progress. Here, some Associated Press journalists involved in the coverage reflect on the story and their own experiences. SETH BORENSTEIN, science writer, Washington, D.C.: COP26 leaves us sort of where we were before. There's a little bit more being done to try to control emissions, a lot more pledges to do stuff. But a lot of these pledges are still based very much in the future. These net-zero by 2050, 2060 pledges ,these are pledges made by leaders who won't be alive when their pledges become due. This has also been an interesting year where you had a major climate report in August. But more than anything, it's yet another year where climate change keeps popping up in extreme weather all over the world. But this year, perhaps a little bit more in the Western, richer countries than in the past: in Germany, in Belgium, horrible flooding in Tennessee, places like that. And not to mention the wildfires and 116-degree (47 Celsius) heat in Portland, Oregon. I mean, if you had to choose one weird thing, the Pacific Northwest is known for mildness, but there are records and then there are records, and theirs are so far off the scale that your eyes pop out. And that's what Portland was. ___ Rich countries aren't exempt. But when you're rich, you can flee that more easily. You can weather weather extremes when you're in the global North far better than you can in the South. But then, there come extremes that are so big, that wealth can't help you as much. And so that's one of the issues of adaptation: the rich countries of the world can, and the poor countries can't. And that was one of the major issues we saw in Scotland at the conference. What we saw is this sort of combination of hope because nations were saying the right thing and pledging the right thing to do that would help reduce emissions in the future. More so than they've ever done. And yet, the temperatures are still going up, the extremes are still getting worse. So you sort of have this combination of optimism and there was a lot of optimism there and also harsh reality smacking each other in the face. And you would ping-pong there from ``Oh, this looks promising'' to ``Oh my God.'' FRANK JORDANS, correspondent, Berlin: Thinking about what was special about covering climate this year, it struck me that normally, covering climate change from Germany is a bit like covering a war 100 miles from the front line, right? Because you sort of think all the action is happening somewhere else. And it's certainly true that most of the direst impact is happening in countries in what's known as the global south. Or the far north, because that's heating up much faster than anywhere else. But this year, we had two events in Germany that were really quite striking. One of them was a Supreme Court decision in April here in Germany. Basically the court ruled that the government hadn't done enough to chart the course that the country needs to set if it wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions fast enough to meet these Paris goals. And the judges basically said that they were putting too much of the strain on younger generations, pushing too much to beyond 2030. And they said that this was actually a restriction on freedoms of the younger generation.The judges in the Supreme Court here actually said that if we don't tackle climate change, then core freedoms are going to be impinged upon. And by saying that, that was a hugely significant moment that could change the trajectory of how future governments see things. The second one was these floods that Seth mentioned in Germany and Belgium. Certainly, there are occasional floods here, but nothing like what we saw in July. And while some people said, well, we should have seen this coming, really, the general population was not prepared for this. And it really woke people up to see almost 200 people killed in a matter of hours, and entire villages swept away. In a country like Germany, I mean, they can afford to rebuild, but it's still billions (in damages) in one devastating flood. NOAH BERGER, photographer, San Francisco: I've been a news photographer for 26 years, so I've done a bunch wildfires here and there. But really, 2013's Rim Fire near Yosemite was the first one that got me focused on this as a specialty. I went out there and spent a few days there with a colleague from Getty, we were riding around, and I just loved being out there. In California, we have press access to emergency zones. .... So, when I started, it was more an issue of how close you could get yourself because I didn't have all the tools that I have now. It was harder to know the right spots to be in, but it was a powerful experience. And after that, I said, this is what I want to do with my summers and falls. And every year since then, I've really ramped up the gear that I use, the knowledge I have, the interactions with firefighters. Whether it's something physical, like a carbon monoxide detector for the car, or fire shelter, or a better understanding of firefighting techniques. Every year I've increased my fire knowledge. And it's worked out well, because our fires have also ramped up incredibly. Every year since then, with a couple exceptions, you just see new superlatives: more homes, more lives lost, more intensity. Especially since about 2015. The firefighters are easy to interact with. I'm dressed like a firefighter. I know the lingo. You know, I pull up and they know I'm not a firefighter, but I also blend in. ... I always have a hard time with (civilians). I mean, we go up to somebody, and usually it's somebody who's either fleeing their home as flames bear down, in immediate danger or returning to their leveled home. And it's really hard to go up to people as a human. You know, it's one of the worst days of their lives and you say, ``Hey, can I hang out with you?`` __ I think the intensity has been startling for all of us, and how much it's increased. I don't know what percentage you can put on climate change, what percentage on PG&E, what percent on the bark beetle tree mortality, which was part of the drought here, where a lot of trees have are very flammable and combustible. But it's pretty indisputable that the fires have definitely intensified. I think you could look up the exact figure. But, according to CalFire, our state firefighting agency, 15 out of 20 of California's most destructive wildfires have occurred in the last six years. It's a very striking statistic. I've only been doing this for eight years, and I've covered 14 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in California history. Search Keywords: Short link: Smoke from wildfires rises into the air north of Denver on Dec. 30, 2021. [Photo: AP/Peter Orsi] Flames explode as wildfires burned near a small shopping center, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. [Photo: AP/David Zalubowski] Firefighters spray water on a structure fire as a wildfire burns, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. [Photo: AP/David Zelio] Flames explode as wildfires burned near a small shopping center, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. [Photo: AP/David Zalubowski] An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said only one injury has been reported, but didnt rule out finding out later about more severe injuries or death due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph). The first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored with no structures lost, Pelle said. A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., ballooned and spread rapidly east, Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) and has engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies and sent residents scrambling to get to safety. Tonights wind activity will determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims. This is the kind of fire we cant fight head on, Pelle said. We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun, he added. The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighboring towns are roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver. Several blazes started in the area Thursday, at least some sparked by downed power lines. Six people who were injured in the fires were being treated at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, spokesperson Kelli Christensen said. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down. Colorados Front Range, where most of the states population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Snow was expected Friday in the region though. One video captured by a bystander outside a Superior Costco store showed an apocalyptic scene with winds whipping through barren trees in the parking lot surrounded by gray skies, a hazy sun and small fires scattered across the ground. Leah Angstman and her husband saw similar dark skies while returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. As they were sitting on the bus going toward Boulder, Angstman recalled instantly leaving clear blue skies and entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip, she wrote in a message to The Associated Press. The visibility was so poor that the bus had to pull over and they waited a half-hour until a regional transit authority van escorted them to a turnaround on the highway. There she saw four separate fires burning in bushes across the freeway, she said. The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes, she said. Angstman later ended up evacuating, getting in a car with her husband and driving northeast without knowing where they would end up. Vignesh Kasinath, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, evacuated from a neighborhood in Superior with his wife and her parents. Kasinath said the family was overwhelmed because of the sudden evacuation warning and anxious from the chaos while trying to leave. Its only because I am active on Twitter I came to know about this, said Kasinath, who said he did not receive an official evacuation notice from authorities. The fires prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of a emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds. The evacuations come as climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive, scientists say. A historic drought and heat waves have made wildfires harder to fight in the U.S. West. KYODO NEWS - Dec 31, 2021 - 17:44 | All, World The chairman of a U.N. conference on nuclear nonproliferation has sounded out member states on a plan to hold a gathering next summer following the postponement from the earlier scheduled January amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, diplomatic sources said Thursday. The meeting to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons slated from Jan. 4 to 28 at the U.N. headquarters was put off again after being delayed three times from its original date in the spring of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the sources, Gustavo Zlauvinen, who serves as chairman of the upcoming NPT review conference, presented two options for the meeting schedule -- Aug. 1 to 26 and Aug. 8 to Sept. 2 -- during consultations with member states on Thursday. Some participants responded negatively, saying the dates are too late, the sources said, adding non-nuclear states want the next review conference to be held as a face-to-face session so they can have deeper discussions. Zlauvinen, a former Argentine foreign minister, is expected to explore the possibility of hosting the gathering at an early date as well. Even if the NPT review session is held next summer as proposed, it will mean a more than two-year delay from the regular quinquennial conference cycle, casting a cloud on progress in nuclear disarmament. "It is very regrettable," said Kazumi Matsui, the mayor of Hiroshima, a Japanese city devastated by the world's first atomic bombing in 1945, referring to rescheduling of the conference. "I was very disappointed as we were hoping the meeting would further solidify a movement to abolish nuclear weapons," said Tomihisa Taue, the mayor of Nagasaki, another Japanese city destroyed by a U.S. atomic bombing in World War II. The NPT, joined by about 190 countries, is the world's most widely ratified nuclear arms control agreement. Its review conferences involving both nuclear and non-nuclear states, as well as survivors of the atomic bombings and civic groups, had been held every five years since 1975, with the last gathering in 2015. The NPT requires the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- to commit to nuclear disarmament. Three other nuclear-weapon states -- India, Israel and Pakistan -- have not joined the pact. North Korea, another nuclear-weapon state, pulled out of the treaty in 2003. New York City, where the U.N. headquarters is located, is among the hardest-hit areas in another wave of coronavirus infections in the United States. Related coverage: U.N. nuclear nonproliferation gathering put off again due to COVID-19 By Takaki Tominaga, KYODO NEWS - Dec 31, 2021 - 17:27 | All, Japan With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement taking effect Saturday, Japan and other member nations expect to revitalize the pandemic-hit economy through free trade in the economic bloc, regarded as the world's largest, covering about a third of the global economy. An outlook on its impact on Japan's economy is particularly rosy, some analysis suggested. At the same time, however, Japan will face difficulties keeping China's growing influence in the region in check, while its ally the United States remains at odds with China over human rights and other issues. "Japan would benefit the most from RCEP tariff concessions, largely because of trade diversion effects," a recent report published by the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development pointed out. The 15-member RCEP was signed on Nov. 15, 2020, coming into force following ratification by at least six member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and three non-ASEAN economies. It incorporates Japan's first economic partnership agreement with China and South Korea, the two main destinations of its exports in Asia. RCEP, seen as turning the region into "a new center of gravity for global trade," is expected to ultimately eliminate tariffs on over 90 percent of goods traded within the bloc comprised of economies of various sizes and at different stages of development. RCEP consists of ASEAN -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- plus Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, which also account for around 30 percent of the global population. Japan's annual exports are expected to climb by about $20 billion, equivalent to almost a 5.5 percent increase from its 2019 exports to other RCEP members. Overall, trade within the bloc is expected to increase by nearly $42 billion, equivalent to an almost 2 percent rise from the 2019 level, driven mainly through trade diversion away from nonmember nations, according to the UNCTAD report. The Japanese government predicts the trade pact will help push up the country's real gross domestic product by 2.7 percent and add some 570,000 jobs. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in November, "It will contribute to the economic growth of Japan and the region. We will play a leading role in building an economic order based on rules and ensuring participating nations abide by the rules." Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China hopes to deepen international cooperation through the occasion of RCEP coming into force, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency has reported. Besides tariff concessions, the RCEP agreement standardizes rules on investment, intellectual property and e-commerce, among other practices. It also promotes the optimization of supply chains in the region. China's tariffs on auto parts and other items from Japan will be reduced in steps, leading to a jump in the ratio of tariff-free Japanese industrial goods headed to China to 86 percent from the current 8 percent. As for imports, Japan will abolish tariffs on 56 percent of farm products from China, 49 percent of those from South Korea, and 61 percent of items from ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Japan retained tariffs on five sensitive agricultural product categories -- rice, beef and pork, wheat, dairy and sugar -- as well as tariffs on poultry and poultry products. The government has said there will effectively be no negative impact on the domestic agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries. Stephen Nagy, a senior associate professor at International Christian University with expertise in international relations in the Indo-Pacific, said recent developments with trade pacts would send a strong message to Washington to seriously consider engaging in an economic framework in the region. The United States is not a member of RCEP or the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation free trade agreement. China appears to be determined to build an economic network outside of U.S. influence. China, as well as Britain and Taiwan, recently applied for accession to the TPP, which has a higher threshold for membership than RCEP and was widely viewed as a counter to China's economic influence. Analysts say that whether China can comply with the rules of RCEP will be a touchstone for it joining the TPP. The country has been criticized for its stance on intellectual property and market-distorting subsidies. "If they try to work together to push and change China's direction, then it has to be through the lens of development and trade, infrastructure and connectivity," Nagy said, adding the U.S. presence "will dilute China's influence in the region." It would be "the best way to build the stable region," Nagy said, while he believes a new framework or something like "TPP 2.0" could receive the United States in the future. Nagy said, "The contours of that are already being discussed," citing a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, during which she talked about the Indo-Pacific framework. U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will explore "the development of an Indo-Pacific economic framework" during the East Asia Summit in late October, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service, the nonpartisan policy research arm of the U.S. Congress. In November, Biden dispatched Raimondo and Trade Representative Katherine Tai to Japan and other parts of Asia to start discussions on potential negotiations that could begin in early 2022. The framework could comprise multiple agreements as the White House has indicated several topics of interest such as digital trade, supply chain resiliency, clean energy and infrastructure, while it has not offered details on what the framework might include, according to the study. Another priority for Japan to contribute to the regional evolution is to persuade India to join RCEP down the road, as an expanded agreement including India will also broadly dilute China's influence in the region, Nagy said. KYODO NEWS - Dec 31, 2021 - 10:58 | All, World U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday issued warnings to each other amid a standoff over Russia's military buildup on the border with Ukraine, but affirmed diplomatic engagements involving their countries next month. During the phone call, which was the second exchange between the two leaders in December, Biden reiterated his call for a de-escalation of tensions and made clear that the United States and its allies will "respond decisively" if Russia further invades Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. Putin warned Biden that "a total severance" of bilateral ties should be expected if the United States moves ahead with "unprecedented sanctions," Russia's Tass news agency reported, citing remarks by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The Biden administration has been cautioning that the costs Moscow could suffer in the event of a military escalation toward Ukraine would be "far beyond what was implemented in 2014" following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The measures are to include economic sanctions, adjustments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's force posture in allied countries and additional assistance to Ukraine to enable it to further defend its territory. Russia has been complaining about what it views as NATO's increasing military activities near the country's border and stepping up its demand for "security guarantees" that would preclude NATO's expansion to Ukraine, among other issues. The 50-minute phone call between Biden and Putin took place at the request of Russia, according to the White House. While warning of the possible consequences of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration has been expressing its readiness to engage diplomatically through multiple channels in an apparent bid to seek ways to ease tensions. The two countries are expecting to hold bilateral talks on nuclear arms control on Jan. 9-10 in Geneva. The event will be followed by a meeting between NATO and Russian representatives and another one between Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which the United States is a member. A senior Biden administration official said the leaders "agreed to the sequence" of the exchanges ahead and "discussed the importance of pragmatic, results-oriented diplomacy." "Both leaders acknowledged that there were likely to be areas where we could make meaningful progress as well as areas where agreements may be impossible, and that the upcoming talks would determine more precisely the contours of each of those categories," the official said. Earlier in December, the Russian government released a draft of a treaty proposal with the United States that would block NATO's eastward expansion, deny accession to the alliance to former Soviet Union republics and rule out military cooperation with such countries. NATO has said it supports the right of all countries to decide their own future and foreign policy free from outside interference. The United States has also said NATO's door will remain open to those who aspire to membership and who can meet the criteria. KYODO NEWS - Dec 31, 2021 - 21:09 | Sports, World, All Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Friday to make the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics a success, while the United States and other democratic countries have announced they will implement a "diplomatic boycott" of the global sporting event. "We will spare no effort to present a great games to the world. The world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready" for the Olympics slated for February 2022, Xi said in his televised speech on New Year's Eve. Xi's remarks suggested China is confident in hosting the Winter Games, although the United States has promised not to send government officials to the Beijing Olympics. Other nations, such as Australia, Britain and Canada, have followed suit. Related coverage: Japan will not send senior officials to Beijing Olympics The Chinese Communist-led government under Xi has been keen to use the Olympics as a way to enhance national prestige, as he has been trying to pave the way for a controversial third term as the country's leader, foreign affairs experts said. As for self-ruled Taiwan, Xi said, "The complete reunification of our motherland is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." China and democratic Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 as the result of a civil war. Beijing has regarded the island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. KYODO NEWS - Dec 31, 2021 - 21:48 | All, Japan, Coronavirus Tokyo on Friday reported 78 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest number since early October amid a gradual rebound in infections with the spread of the Omicron variant, bringing the nationwide daily tally to 510. For 2021, the Japanese capital, which hosted the Olympics from late July to early August, saw a more than fivefold increase in COVID-19 cases from a year earlier to 322,766, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government. Compared with many other countries, Japan's confirmed COVID-19 cases in recent weeks have been much lower, but the community spread of the Omicron variant has been reported in areas including Tokyo and Osaka. Government officials and health authorities are urging people not to lower their guard against the virus during the New Year's holiday season. In Tokyo, the latest seven-day average of new infections stood at 54.3 per day, up 68.1 percent from the previous week. The daily count of 78 is the highest since 82 on Oct. 9, according to metropolitan government data. The health ministry said separately that 72 people who arrived at Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports from overseas have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. Under tightened border controls, introduced in late November, the entry of foreign nationals from overseas has been banned but Japanese nationals and foreign residents can return to the country. Before Omicron, the Delta variant led to a spike in infections. On Aug. 13, days after the Olympics, Tokyo had 5,908 cases, the highest on a daily basis. August was the worst month with 129,193 cases confirmed, overwhelming the health care system, which compared with 923 in December. A COVID-19 state of emergency was fully lifted in October, paving the way for economic activity to return. "I'm happy that it's a lively place again. It's good for the economy," Kazutaka Fujimori, a 49-year-old company employee from Saitama said at Tokyo's famed Ameyoko shopping street where people buy food items for New Year celebrations. But a woman in her 40s from Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo said, "I'm scared to see more people out here than I'd expected. I need to go home as soon as I'm done with shopping." As vaccinations against COVID-19 have progressed, the number of newly confirmed cases has trended downward. Japan initially lagged behind other advanced nations such as Britain and the United States in its inoculation efforts, but nearly 78 percent of the population has now received two shots of COVID-19 vaccine. BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's commerce ministry on Thursday reported a stable increase in the number of foreign-funded companies in the first 11 months of the year, adding to evidence of an improving business environment in the country. The number of foreign-funded companies newly established in China in the January-November period came in at 43,370, rising 29.3 percent year on year, Gao Feng, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce, told a press briefing. During the period, China saw over 30-percent increases in the number of companies funded by investors from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, while the number of Europe-funded firms went up 28.9 percent from a year ago, according to Gao. From January to November, the number of new foreign-funded enterprises in the manufacturing and service sectors rose by 24.1 percent and 30.1 percent, respectively, said Gao. High-tech companies increased by 25.4 percent from a year ago, accounting for 28 percent of the total number of newly established foreign-funded companies. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to take a thorough probe into the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed 10 civilians, severely punish involved personnel and bring justice to Afghan people. Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the comment in response to a media query about the U.S. drone strike in Kabul in August that claimed the lives of 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children. Tan said it is a consistent stance of China that any means of fighting, including using armed drones, should be applied in line with the international humanitarian law, especially to discriminate between civilians and armed forces personnel. Justice has still yet to fall on those innocent victims to the drone strike and their families after months, which is a gross trampling on the provisions of international humanitarian law and irony against the U.S. so-called "democracy" and "human rights," Tan said. "We also call on the international community to jointly investigate and hold to account those war crimes of killing innocent civilians and uphold justice," said the spokesperson. Enditem BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Previous studies found that petroleum hydrocarbon can be converted into methane by microbes, a process similar to traditional biogas fermentation requiring different types of bacteria and archaea. An unexpected discovery of a new microbe by Chinese scientists, recently published in the journal Nature, proves that such conversion can be done by a single type of archaea alone. It paves the way for further exploitation of depleted oil fields, the China Science Daily reported. CRUDE OIL EATERS Previous studies found that the degradation of crude oil into methane needs the co-existence of two different types of microbes: hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Methane is a major component of natural gas and biogas and is often used as a fuel and starting material in chemical synthesis. "There is close cooperation between them. If split apart, they can't do the job," said Li Meng, one of the correspondent authors of the paper and a professor with Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University. Archaea have existed on Earth for approximately 3.5 billion years. They exist in extreme environments like hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, hot springs, and saline-alkali lakes. Methanogenic archaea are a family of anaerobic archaea that produce methane without oxygen, playing a significant role in biogas fermentation. Previous studies found that methanogenic archaea produce methane in four ways -- acetic-acid fermentation, CO2 reduction, methyl cracking, and oxymethyl conversion. The raw materials are simple organics, mainly compounds with one or two carbon atoms. "Textbooks told us methanogenic archaea can't directly 'eat' complex organics such as alkyl hydrocarbons with dozens of carbon atoms. And there was no study about microbes that directly degrade petroleum hydrocarbon into methane or CO2," said Cheng Lei, another correspondent author and a researcher with the Biogas Institute of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. However, hydrocarbon degradation by bacteria and archaea takes a long time and is unstable. It makes it challenging to develop for engineering applications. The Biogas Institute has carried out fundamental research on anaerobic microbes for 40 years. It has preserved nearly 600 anaerobic microbe model species, while global research institutions have over 2,000. Anaerobic microbes host abundant biological resources on Earth, but only less than 0.1 percent of them are known, said Zhou Zhuo from the Biogas Institute, the first author of the paper. Most anaerobic microbes are "dark matters." Scientists know they exist, but don't know what they are, said Zhou. UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY The research team from the Biogas Institute has studied anaerobic degradation since 2005, but the work was challenging from the start. "It often takes one or two years for anaerobic microbes to complete the growth cycle to degrade the petroleum hydrocarbon. The longest reported time was over 800 days," said Cheng Lei. In 2019, they spotted a sample from an oil deposit with a growth cycle of two to three months. "It's an unexpected discovery. The growth cycle was much shorter, so we were very interested," Cheng recalled. "We wanted to know what kind of microbe can convert petroleum hydrocarbon so quickly." In 2019, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology of Germany put forward a hypothesis that a new type of archaea, named Ca. Methanoliparia, may have the ability to independently degrade long-chain alkyl hydrocarbons to produce methane. But there was no supporting evidence at the time. Cheng Lei said they found the trace of these new archaea in the sample. But there were many microbes mixed, and they needed evidence to prove that the new archaea could do the job alone. The team used a stable carbon isotope labeling test to confirm that the normal alkane added into the sample converted into methane and carbon dioxide. Then they found Ca. Methanoliparia with the key intermediate metabolites in methane production from alkane degradation and confirmed its carbon metabolism pathway. The result indicated that the new archaea could directly oxidize long-chain alkyl hydrocarbons without the help of bacteria, providing the fifth way to produce methane. UNDERGROUND BIOGAS In traditional oil field recoveries, the crude oil deep underground is driven by water pressure or chemicals and pumped to the surface. More than half of the deposits are challenging to recover by conventional technology and stay underground in depleted oil fields. The head of the Biogas Institute, Wang Dengshan, believed this from-zero-to-one discovery lays a foundation for underground biogas development to revive depleted oil fields. "We don't need to pump out the oil left underground. We can turn it into methane and collect it. It's equivalent to a massive underground biogas pool built in the crude oil deposit, on a scale of square kilometers," said Wang. If the technology based on this research is applied to depleted oil fields in China, there will be hundreds of millions of tonnes of extra oil and gas for exploitation. Compared with conventional petrochemistry, the biological conversion could directly produce methane without carbon emissions from crude oil exploitation, refining, and chemical processing, he said. The new archaea may also have a further application prospect in synthetic biology. Enditem Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday addressed a gathering organized by the country's top political advisory body to ring in the year 2022. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the gathering of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. Senior leaders Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the gathering. They were joined by leading officials of China's non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages with no party affiliation, officials of central Party and government departments, and individuals from various ethnic groups and sectors of society in Beijing. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Xi extended New Year's greetings. Noting that the CPC will convene its 20th national congress in 2022, Xi called for more strenuous efforts to foster a stable and healthy economic environment, a clean and upright political environment, and a peaceful and prosperous social environment. Looking back at the past year, Xi hailed 2021 as a year of milestone significance. Faced with arduous domestic tasks and a complex international landscape, China has led the world in economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control, securing a great start for the 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said. Xi said China has continued to take comprehensive steps to deepen reform. The country has basically completed the 50 major reform tasks set by the central commission for deepening overall reform, along with more than 100 other reforms, Xi said, adding that 216 reform plans have been formulated. China achieved the goal of making systems in all areas notably more mature and better-defined by the time the CPC celebrated its centenary, Xi said. In 2021, efforts were made to support and promote Hong Kong's return to the right track from chaos, and maintain prosperity and stability in Macao, he said. With strong measures to overcome external challenges, China has advanced the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, Xi said. While advocating true multilateralism, China steadily advanced Belt and Road cooperation and kept its promise to make COVID-19 vaccines global public goods, making contributions to global peace and development, he said. "In the year to come, we should uphold and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC," Xi said, calling for efforts to consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front. "We should do better in building consensus, and strive to pool extensive wisdom and strength to realize the goals and fulfill the missions of the Party and the state," Xi said. To conclude his speech, Xi called on the Chinese people to strengthen their unity and work together to strive for new and greater victories and glory. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the event. Wang called for thorough efforts to study and implement the spirit of Xi's speech, giving full play to CPPCC's role as a special consultative body in state governance, and working tirelessly to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Enditem Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attend the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2021. The leaders also watched a performance at the gathering. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) The signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement is held via video conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 15, 2020. (VNA via Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the world's largest trade deal, will come into force Saturday. What is it? Why is it so important? How will it benefit its members and beyond? Some key questions about this new trade deal are answered below. WHAT IS IT? The RCEP agreement was signed among 15 participating countries in November 2020 after eight years of negotiation, which are ten ASEAN members and some of their major trading partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The deal will take effect Saturday initially in ten countries that have submitted instruments of ratification with the ASEAN Secretariat. Under the agreement, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade between approved members will eventually be subject to zero tariffs. The countries within the bloc will slash economic and trade restrictions to facilitate flows of goods and factors, deepen the division of labor and cooperation, and improve production efficiency. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The 15 RCEP member states are home to 2.27 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of 26 trillion U.S. dollars and total exports of 5.2 trillion U.S. dollars, which account for about 30 percent of the world's total, respectively. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the influence of the RCEP on international trade will be significant. "The economic size of the emerging bloc and its trade dynamism will make it a center of gravity for global trade." China and Japan, the world's second- and third-largest economies, will see their first bilateral tariff cuts in the form of zero-tariff treatment under the RCEP, with taxes on 86 percent of products from Japan and 88 percent of products from China eventually down to zero. ANY BENEFITS? The RCEP will raise global national incomes in 2030 by an annual 186 billion U.S. dollars, noted a working paper of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. With a massive population, diverse membership, and great potential, the free trade bloc will boost trade growth and facilitate global economic recovery. The importance of the RCEP is accentuated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade within agreements like the RCEP has been relatively more resilient against the pandemic-induced global trade downturn, UNCTAD research said. WHAT IS CHINA'S ROLE? China has played an active role in bolstering regional trade and growth and pushing forward the establishment of the RCEP. The country took the lead in ratifying the RCEP agreement and is ready to implement it and fulfill a total of 701 binding obligations once the trade deal enters into force. As the new agreement is about to kick in, China's pursuit of high-level opening-up will offer more opportunities for ASEAN members and the rest of the world. Twenty-two more service sectors will be opened, adding to the 100-sector commitment when China joined the World Trade Organization two decades ago. MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden discussed Russia's recent security proposals during their telephone call, the Kremlin said Friday. "Both leaders discussed agreements reached during their previous consultations on Dec. 7, including the decision to launch negotiations on the provision of legal guarantees aimed at ensuring Russia's security," it said in a statement. Putin explained the underlying principles behind the draft security treaty between Russia and the United States, and the draft agreement between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. It was emphasized that the outcome of joint cooperation should yield legal guarantees against NATO's eastward expansion and the alliance's deployment of weapons systems near Russia's borders. Putin and Biden agreed on the importance of serious and meaningful dialogue on these matters, and confirmed that upcoming security talks between Moscow and Washington would be carried out in three formats. The first round of negotiations will take place in Geneva on Jan. 9-10, 2022. They will later continue in Brussels within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council on Jan. 12, and within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Jan. 13. Biden in turn emphasized that Russia and the United States bear a special responsibility for ensuring stability in Europe and the world, and assured that Washington would not deploy offensive weapons in Ukraine. Putin noted that imposing wide-ranging sanctions against Russia in case of a possible escalation of events would be a "grave mistake" and could lead to a major "rupture in Russia-U.S. ties." Both presidents agreed to continue the dialogue and closely monitor all upcoming negotiations. "In general, the conversation was frank and businesslike. It was useful to both parties," the Kremlin statement added. The roughly one-hour call came ahead of the upcoming Russia-U.S. security talks scheduled for January 2022 in Geneva. Moscow said it expects to receive a direct response to its security proposals during these consultations. The leaders' first in-person summit was also held in Geneva on June 16 this year, at a time when the international community largely agreed that U.S.-Russia relations were at their lowest point in years. During the summit, the two leaders discussed issues including strategic stability and cybersecurity. Despite a lack of breakthroughs during their meeting and many remaining contradictions, their consultations back then demonstrated that both sides were willing to launch a dialogue with the aim of preventing a further escalation of tensions. At another virtual summit on Dec. 7, they discussed the situation in Ukraine, the Iran nuclear deal, cybersecurity, and bilateral ties, among other issues. On the situation in Ukraine, Biden threatened to take "strong economic and other measures" together with U.S. allies against Moscow should Russia "invade" Ukraine, and the Russian president, in turn, urged his counterpart not to "shift responsibility" and asked for guarantees against NATO's eastward expansion. Following the meeting, Russia sent two draft documents to the United States and NATO, both on security guarantees in Europe, for the Western countries to consider. Enditem Ambulances are seen at the blast site in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Dec. 30, 2021. A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. Waseem Baig, spokesperson for the Civil Hospital Quetta, where all the injured have been shifted, told Xinhua that they had received four bodies and 15 injured people. The wounded people are being treated in the trauma center of the hospital, said the spokesperson. Police told local media that the explosion occurred near the Government Science College in the Jinnah Road area of Quetta when a group of students were coming out of the college building after concluding a meeting. Several nearby buildings and vehicles were also damaged due to the blast, said local media reports. Security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to the hospital, where at least two among the injured are said to be in a critical condition. Security forces cordoned off the area and kicked off a search operation. Police said the nature of the blast is not known yet. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. Enditem Security officers examine the blast site in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Dec. 30, 2021. A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) Injured people receive medical treatment after a blast in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Dec. 30, 2021. A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) Security officers examine the blast site in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Dec. 30, 2021. A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) Security officers examine the blast site in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Dec. 30, 2021. A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) KHARTOUM, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The dissolved health ministry in Sudan's Khartoum State said four people were killed in demonstrations in Sudan's Omdurman city on Thursday. "So far, we have counted four deaths as a result of the forces' use of live bullets," the ministry said on its Facebook account. Earlier, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), a non-governmental organization, said three people were killed "in the processions in Omdurman by the bullets from the coup forces and the their (allied) militias." "The authority is practising the most heinous violations against our people, and the chases continue in the neighborhoods with live bullets being fired," the CCSD said on its Facebook account. So far, no statement has been issued by the Sudanese government on Thursday's demonstrations. Omdurman is the most populated city in Sudan and Khartoum State, lying on the western bank of the Nile river, opposite the capital Khartoum. According to unofficial statistics, 52 people have been killed in the protests after the general commander of the Sudanese army declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the government. Mass protests were staged in Khartoum and other cities on Thursday to demand civilian rule, while the internet service on mobile phones was interrupted. Eyewitnesses said hundreds of soldiers have been deployed at the entrances to the bridges linking the three major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri, most parts of which were closed by the authorities before the start of the demonstrations. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis since General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the the Sovereign Council and government. On Nov. 21, Al-Burhan and then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating Hamdok as prime minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the street. Enditem Sudanese citizens demonstrate on the street in Khartoum, Sudan, Dec. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir) "Four protesters were killed, while 297 others, along with 49 policemen, were injured in Omdurman," says Sudanese police, referring to the mass demonstrations demanding civilian rule on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and its neighboring areas. KHARTOUM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese police confirmed on Friday that four protesters were killed and hundreds injured during the mass demonstrations demanding civilian rule on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and its neighboring areas. "Four protesters were killed, while 297 others, along with 49 policemen, were injured in Omdurman," the Sudanese police said in a statement. Omdurman is the most populated city in Sudan and Khartoum State, lying on the western bank of the Nile river, opposite the capital Khartoum. The police accused the protesters of committing sabotage and attacking police forces that caused human losses and damage to public and private properties. Sudanese citizens demonstrate on the street in Khartoum, Sudan, Dec. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir) Highlighting peacefulness, the police called for coordination with leaders of the protest in exposing those seeking to drive a wedge between the police and the people. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Khartoum and other cities on Thursday in the 11th large-scale demonstration since Oct. 25 when the military suddenly moved to take over the country. Protesters in Khartoum tried to march toward the presidential palace but security forces fired heavy tear gases and water cannons to prevent them. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis since General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. On Nov. 21, Al-Burhan and then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating Hamdok as prime minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the street. The street protests were also fuelled by the rising prices of food, cooking gases and household essentials in the country. NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. canceled 175 flights, or 17 percent of its scheduled flights on Thursday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.com. JetBlue will cut around 1,280 flights or 10 percent of total schedule through Jan. 13 as its crew members are infected by Omicron variant, said a report by Reuters on Thursday quoting a spokesperson with the low-cost airline. "We expect the number of COVID cases in the northeast - where most of our crew members are based - to continue to surge for the next week or two," said JetBlue's spokesperson in an emailed statement. This means there is a high likelihood of additional cancellations until case counts start to come down, said the unidentified spokesperson. The United States is experiencing a sharp rebound of COVID-19 infections across the country with the northeastern area hit hard. New York State reported 74,207 positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday with the positive rate of testing rising to 22.05 percent. "This past week has been one of our most difficult operating periods during the pandemic," JetBlue department leaders said in a note to staff on Tuesday, according to a report by CNBC on Thursday. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines Thursday canceled 198 flights, 119 flights and 97 flights, respectively, according to FlightAware.com. Enditem New Delhi: NASAs Mars Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) lander has detected mysterious magnetic pulses on the Red planet. However, the cause of the pulsation is currently unknown. The information was presented at the joint meeting of the European Planetary Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society, taking place in Geneva. The Insight Lander has been on the red planet since November 2018. What's unusual about this occasional magnetic pulsation or wobbling is that it happens at a time when such events would be unlikely on Earth, where they are often related to northern or southern lights, explains National Geographic. What is NASAs InSight Lander? According to NASA, the lander uses cutting edge instruments, to delve deep beneath the surface and seek the fingerprints of the processes that formed the terrestrial planets. It does so by measuring the planet's "vital signs": its "pulse" (seismology), "temperature" (heat flow), and "reflexes" (precision tracking). This mission is part of NASA's Discovery Program for highly focused science missions that ask critical questions in solar system science. The InSight mission seeks to uncover how a rocky body forms and evolves to become a planet by investigating the interior structure and composition of Mars. Earlier, Insight lander had sent back photo of Elysium Planitia showing some drifting clouds at sunset on April 25. This is a significant development as possibility of Life on Mars is a subject of significant interest due to its similarities to Earth. NASA, SpaceX and countries like China are all in the race to start a colony on the Red Planet in the next decade. The clouds on the photo are most likely water ice and are likened to ice fogs on Earth that dont exactly precipitate. The Red Planets thin and freezing atmosphere often keep the clouds from ever falling on Mars, keeping the planet cold and dry, according to CNET. "This precipitation most likely takes the form of frost. The ground is likely to be colder than the air (especially on cold clear nights), and so air hitting the ground cools and the water freezes to the ground as frost. Viking II (a Mars lander in the 1970s) saw frost on the ground some mornings," NASA said in a statement. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: If you live in the countryside and are looking for a loan, it could be auto or agriculture related, you have come to the right place. The HDFC Bank will come to your village and offer you access to the entire range of its products, including loans and opening current and saving accounts. According to statement released on Sunday, the HDFC Bank said that it will organise 1,000 grameen loan melas or rural village fairs over the next six months. The loan fairs will be held across more than 300 districts and cover over 6,000 villages. If you think why HDFC Bank is offering loan when the entire banking sector in India is going through tough times. Well! Lets tell you that those are mostly the state-run banks and the recent corporate tax cut has also boosted the prospects of Indian banking sector as well. Also Read | Petrol, Diesel Prices Rise Again On Sunday: Check Latest Rates In India On September 22 While HDFC Bank is doing it in a bid to expand its retail portfolio, the loan fairs will indeed help farmers and other common people in the rural areas as they would be able to buy agriculture machines or a tractor. Customers can avail of tractor, auto, two-wheeler and agri loans or open current or savings accounts, it said. Besides, self-help groups (SHGs) can avail of finance through the banks Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. Also, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had Thursday asked public sector banks to hold loan melas in 400 districts in a bid to boost the credit flow. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Last year, the tiny hole aboard the International Space Station (ISS) that controversy in August of last year is still creating news. According to new reports, Russia now knows the source of the hole, but it doesn't look like NASA has been informed. Recently, Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russian space agency Roscosmos said that the investigation into the incident had been fruitful. Rogozin was talking to the participants of a youth science conference themed around cosmonautics. "[The hole] was in the living quarters [of the capsule], it has long since burned up upon reentry. We took all the samples. We know exactly what happened, but we won't tell you anything," he said, as reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. "We do need to retain some sort of secrecy," he added, likely as a tongue-in-cheek remark, considering his young audience. The hole was discovered in August 2019 when astronauts aboard the ISS noticed that they were slowly but steadily losing air pressure. A tiny, 2 millimetre hole in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft, the Roscosmos shuttle used to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. When it arrives, it docks onto the Rassvet module and is used as living quarters and a potential life raft until part of it returns to Earth, carrying astronauts whose mission has concluded, The astronauts plugged the hole with epoxy and tape, and embarked on an investigation, even conducting a spacewalk to inspect the outside of the spacecraft to determine if the hole had been punched by a micrometeoroid - because if tiny rocks could punch holes in the ISS, that would be valuable information. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ahead of leaving for Houston to attend the Howdy, Modi event, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he will have a good time with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the mega event. Well be going to Houston and well be at a very nice big stadium packed full of people with Prime Minister Modi, Trump told reporters on the South Lawns of the White House before he left for Houston. He (Modi) asked if I would go with him and Ive accepted and were going to have a good time, Trump said minutes before he boarded Marine One from the White House lawns. I hear its a tremendous crowd, he added. PM Modi and President Trump will address a mega crowd of 50,000 people at NRG stadium in Houston. Organised by the non-profit Texas India Forum, the event, with the tagline Shared Dreams, Bright Futures, will highlight the contribution of Indo-Americans in United States. Read More: Donald Trump Likely To Deliver 30-Minute-Long, Major Speech On India At Houston Event Trump is expected to deliver a major, 30-minute speech on India and Indian Americans at the Howdy, Modi! event here in the worlds energy capital, which US officials asserted would bring fresh energy in the long-lasting relationship between the two democracies. Contrary to what was reported earlier, Trump, the 45th president of the United States, is no longer making a guest appearance or making a notional brief remark at the diaspora event. Trump, who as a Republican presidential candidate in 2016 promised to be Indias best friend, is flying to Houston only to attend the Howdy, Modi! event. (With PTI Inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness has opened up to his struggle of living with HIV, previous battle with addiction and being a sexual abuse survivor in his memoir, Over The Top. Sitting down with a daily for his memoir, the 32-year-old reality star revealed about how he had been mentally preparing for Sept. 24, in the hope it'll break the stigma surrounding HIV, Ive had nightmares every night for the past three months because Im scared to be this vulnerable with people. "It's hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven't shared publicly," he says. There are issues that need to be talked about the star the 32-year-old said adding that he was initially unsure about whether to publicly discuss it in the wake of the success of Netflixs Queer Eye, the rebooted makeover series starring the Fab Five that premiered in February 2018. And then I was like, The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatisation of the LGBT community around me, he said. The three-time Emmy nominated star midway the interview also revealed about how he was abused as a child, For a lot of people who are survivors of sexual assault at a young age, we have a lot of compounded trauma, he said. I was too fat, too femme, too loud and too unlovable, he added as he talked about his journey growing up in Quincy, Illinois, becoming his high schools first male cheerleader and dealing with harassment, rumours and humiliation in school. Adding that he is fully relieved to be talking about the stigmas that he had been living with, Ness added, Im relieved I can speak fully about the things that shape my experience in life, he wrote. His memoir, he said, speaks to some extremely difficult times but its also filled with my humor, joy and voice & I cant wait to share it with you fully. Jonathan said that he found out he was HIV positive at the age of 25 after he fainted while working with a client. That day was just as devastating as you would think it would be, he wrote in his book. Mumbai: Suspense over BJP-Shiv Sena seat-sharing deal continues as a scheduled joint press conference of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to make a formal announcement regarding pre-poll pact has been cancelled. In a late-night development, leaders from both parties said that no statement will be issued on Tuesday. The press meet was to be addressed by Fadnavis Thackeray, a BJP leader had said in the evening. However, the Sena did not confirm holding such a joint media conference with the BJP when contacted by PTI. Later in the night, senior Sena leader Anil Parab told PTI, No such announcement will take place on Tuesday. The decision of the BJP-Sena (on seat-sharing) will be announced once the talks are over. Parab is also the leader of the house in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The Senas denial about finalising a seat-sharing pact was later confirmed by top state BJP leadership as well. When asked whether any formal announcement about the BJP-Sena alliance for the Assembly polls is going to take place on Tuesday, a second BJP leader replied in the negative. He said, No such announcement will take place tomorrow. Maharashtra has 288 seats in the lower house of which BJP had won 122 and the Sena 63 in the 2014 assembly election, which they had fought separately. The saffron allies are locked in an intense negotiation on seat-sharing and a consensus has eluded them till now on how many constituencies each of them will contest. The Shiv Sena has been insisting on 50:50 division of seats, but the BJP does not appear to be amiable to this deal. If an alliance formalises, the two parties also have to accommodate smaller allies who are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). With PTI Inputs New Delhi: Karnataka State Police has invited application for 3026 Constable Posts. KSP has released the Karnataka State Police 2019 Notification for Civil Constable and CAR/DAR Constable Posts. A total of 3026 vacancies for the post of Civil Constable and 1013 vacancies for the posts of CAR/DAR Constable. All interested and eligible candidates can apply online on the official website of Karnataka State Police, i.e. ksp-online.in. It is to note that the last date to fill the Karnataka State Police Recruitment application from for Constable Posts is October 17, 2019. Nevertheless, the last day of submitting fee is October 19, 2019 for KSP Constable Posts. In order to apply for the Karnataka State Police Constable Posts, candidates need to have passed class 10th and class 12th examination from recognized boards. Importantly, the age of candidates should be between 18 to 25 years. Candidates must keep visiting the official website for getting regular updates in respect to KSP Constable post. The starting date and last day of filling the KSP Constable Recruitment 2019 exam is September 23 and October 17, 2019. Further, the number of vacancies released for the posts of Civil Constable and CAR/DAR Constable are 2013 and 1013 respectively. It is to note that candidates need to be class 10th pass and class 12th pass for the Civil Constable and CAR/DAR Constable posts respectively. The age of candidates should be in between 18 to 25 years. The selection of candidates for the Karnataka State Police Constable Posts will be based on written test and endurance test. The KSP Civil Constable application fee is Rs. 250 and Rs. 100 for general and reserved category students. New Delhi: Ready To Mediate Again On Kashmir If Both India, Pakistan Want: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump, during a bilateral meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in New York, once again offered to mediate Kashmir issue but emphasised that he will do so only if both Delhi and Islamabad want it. I am ready, willing and able. It's a complex issue. It's been going on for a long time. But if both want it, I will be ready to do it, Trump said. Read more 'Pakistan Committed Blunder By Joining US After 9/11': Imran Khan Admits ISI Trained Militants Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday repeated that Pakistan committed "one of the biggest blunders" by joining the 'war on terror' led by the United States after the 9/11 attacks. He was speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) think-tank in New York ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump. He also admitted that Pakistan, specially ISI, had trained Mujahideen against the Soviets. Read more 'How Dare You?': 16-Year-Old Greta Thunberg Berates World Leaders In Emotional UN Speech A visibly angry Greta Thunberg berated world leaders as she addressed a UN climate summit on Monday, accusing them of betraying her generation by failing to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and asking "How dare you?" The Swedish teen, who has become the global face of the growing youth movement against climate inaction, began by telling her audience: "My message is that we'll be watching you," eliciting laughter. Read more Delhi Govt To Sell Onions At Rs 24 Per Kg Through Mobile Vans Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his government is procuring onions and will sell them at cheaper prices in fair price shops and mobile vans. Kejriwal said the AAP government will offer relief to consumers troubled by the soaring price of onions. "The government is buying onions and the sale is expected to begin in 10 days. The price of this onion will be Rs 24 per kg. The government will sell onions through all fair price shops and mobile vans, he said. Read more Bank Unions Defer 2-Day Strike; Operations To Be Normal On September 26-27 Officers unions of public sector banks have deferred the proposed two-day strike following an assurance from Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar to look into their concerns. Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar was positive in formation of a committee consisting of all concerned to address the issues arising out of the proposed merger of 10 banks including preserving the identity of all the banks. An appeal was made to us to revisit our strike call in view of the discussions, a joint statement said issued on Monday. Read more For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In what comes as good news for workers of the state-run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday announced a whopping Rs 1,00,899 Dussehra bonanza for all its employees. The announcement comes after SCCL's growth in coal production went up to an all-time high 64.41 million tonnes, resulting in a record profit of Rs 1,765 crore. The festive bonus was announced by KCR in Telanaga Assembly, where he hailed the SCCL workers for their contribution to company's growth in the last five years. The chief minister said the work done by SCCL employees, who have been putting their lives at risk in creating national wealth, is no way "inferior" to the role played by the Army on the borders. READ | 11.5 Lakh Indian Railway Employees To Get 78 Days' Salary As Bonus, Announces Modi Govt "This year, I am happy to announce we are increasing the percentage of profit share by another one per cent to 28 per cent. By increasing the share in profits, each worker will now get Rs 1,00,899 as bonus; this is Rs 40,530 more than the last year's bonus", PTI quoted KCR as saying. Chief Minister Rao also acknowledged the fact that the mining company was playing a very crucial role in the development of Telangana. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Delhi government has formulated guidelines for ensuring that the children who are rescued as labourers are enrolled in schools and are not pulled out to be forced into child labour again, officials said on Monday. According to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) formulated by Samagra Shiksha, part of Delhi governments education department, the District Urban Resource Coordinators (DURCC) will be included as a part of the District Task Force (DTF) set up in each district by the Delhi governments labour department. The DURCCs are experienced teachers, retired principals, or officials working with the education department. A list of rescued child labour in the previous month may be provided to the DURCC every month. The School Management Committee (SMC) members with the Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCC) will visit the parents or guardians of the rescued child labour and counsel them to get the child enrolled in the school for his or her better future prospect, the guidelines issued by the Delhi government said. It said, They shall facilitate the admission of the rescued child labour in the school in age appropriate class and after assessment, shift him or her to the Special Training Centre for bridge course, if need be. The heads of schools and teachers shall monitor the attendance of the child for six months to ensure that the child is not pulled out of school and pushed again into child labour, it said. The Delhi High Court last week directed the AAP government and the police to strictly follow the Delhi Action Plan for Total Abolition of Child Labour, which gives the procedure for interim care and protection of the rescued children. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar noted that the Delhi action plan was submitted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and accepted by the court in its orders of July 15, 2009 and November 5, 2014. The bench said it is the bounden duty of the authorities to ensure that there is no violation of the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Bounded Labour System (Abolition) Act. The NCPCR, after holding consultation with stakeholders and after conducting research and survey, had finalised a Delhi Action Plan for total abolition of Child Labour, clearly defining the role and responsibilities of various departments. New Delhi: In yet another ghastly incident of mob violence, one person was beaten to death and two others were left injured on Sunday over the suspicion of selling banned meat in Jharkhand. The incident took place in Khunti district, 34 km from capital city Ranchi. So far, five people are arrested in connection to the incident and a team has also been set up to nab other accused in the case. Talking about the latest developments, Deputy Inspector General of Police AV Homkar told media, "At around 10 am, the station in-charge of Karra police station was informed by some villagers that prohibited meat was being sold by some people whom the locals had caught and were thrashing them". "Five people have been arrested and teams formed to nab other suspects," Homkar added. READ | 'One Poll Result Gave Power To Kill Anyone?': Shashi Tharoor's Dig At BJP Over Lynching Deaths One person has lost his life, 2 critically injured after they were beaten by a mob of villagers over suspicion of selling banned meat, in Jharkhand's Khunti yesterday. DIG AV Homkar, says, "five people have been arrested and teams formed to nab other suspects." pic.twitter.com/nONMbnNHYW ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2019 Upon receiving information about the alleged mob-lynching, police on Sunday rushed to the spot and found three men being beaten up mercilessly by some local villagers. While two of the victims were sent to Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital for further treatment, 34-year-old Kelem Barla was declared dead. READ | Pehlu Khan lynching accused acquitted due to 'negligence' of Vasundhara Raje government: Ashok Gehlot On June 17, a 24-year-old young Muslim man Tabrez Ansari was seen in viral videos being beaten up with rods while tied to a pole and forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' over an alleged theft at Dhatkidih villager under Seraikela police station of the district. Ansari had succumbed to his injuries on June 22. In early, September, police had dropped murder charges against all the accused in the case, triggering widespread protests and controversy across the country. However, days after, the charges were reinstated based on a fresh medical report. Altogether 13 people were named accused in the case. While police have charge-sheeted 11 of the 13 accused, the probe is still under way against two. New Delhi: Former Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora on Tuesday described speculation about his future political path as "unfounded", after the exchange of tweets between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the latter's US visit triggered controversies in the political corridor of India. There have been speculations about Deora's future political role after he praised Modi's address in the historic "Howdy Modi" event in Houston as a momentous first for India's soft power diplomacy. Modi had responded to the Congress leader's tweet and recalled his late friend and Milind's father Murli Deora's commitment to strong ties with the USA. In a statement, Deora said he has inherited the legacy of the Indo-United States relationship from hisfather Murli Deora. "My father first visited the US in 1968 as an exchange student, and after meeting Robert F Kennedy, decided to enter public life and build stronger ties between both democracies. My familys relationships with institutions, political parties and leaders were built keeping Indias interests in mind," he said. READ | Mumbai North leaders MUST be held accountable: Milind Deora After Urmila Matondkar Quits Congress Deora said his father's efforts and relationships helped strengthen Indias national interest. "My late father worked closely with Indian Prime Ministers and US Presidents cutting across party lines in the spirit of bipartisanship. Murlibhai deserves respect because he put his country before party. Fortunately, politics at the time was not as confrontational and ungracious as it is today," he said. "I express regret on the insinuations and unwarranted criticism in sections of media and social media. For those who have already imagined and chartered my forward path, I wish to give you one unambiguous answer: I will serve my country to the best of my ability and I will remain bipartisan when it comes to issues of national interest and foreign policy," he said. The experience and relationships that he has inherited and nurtured have little meaning if they cannot be leveraged for India, Deora said. "Finally, I am my fathers son. Friendship was the bedrock of his politics. It has earned us friends and well-wishers from Bhuleshwar to Boston and Walkeshwar to Washington. I will not compromise on my core beliefs even though politics continues to become increasinglyuncharitable and partisan," Deora said. READ | Milind Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindia resign: List of Congress leaders who quit post Lok Sabha poll debacle While I appreciate the kind words expressed by Murlibhais friends and well-wishers, I express regret on the insinuations and unwarranted criticism in sections of media and social media. My full statement pic.twitter.com/T6ysvA6Qi0 Milind Deora aaaaaa aaaaa (@milinddeora) September 24, 2019 Taking to Twitter following Prime Minister Modi's "Howdy, Modi" event, Deora on Monday tweeted, "PM Modi's Houston address was a momentous first for Indias soft power diplomacy. My father Murlibhai was one of the early architects of deeper Indo-US ties. Donald Trumps hospitality and recognition of Indian Americans contributions makes us proud". READ | Congress leader Milind Deora supports 'one nation, one poll', says bold ideas rarely get bipartisan support Responding to the tweet, Modi wrote, "You are absolutely correct when you highlight my friend, late Murli Deora Ji's commitment to strong ties with USA. He would have been really glad to see the strengthening of ties between our nations". Thank you @milinddeora. You are absolutely correct when you highlight my friend, late Murli Deora Jis commitment to strong ties with USA. He would have been really glad to see the strengthening of ties between our nations. The warmth and hospitality of @POTUS was outstanding. https://t.co/eyP1D3xRJo Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2019 Interestingly, the Congress on Monday accused the PM of violating Indian foreign policy's "time honoured principle" of not interfering in the domestic elections of another country by "actively campaigning" for the US president at the Houston event. Milind Deora, also a former Union minister, resigned as the president of the Mumbai Congress days after then party chief Rahul Gandhi put in his paper, taking accountability of the party's disastrous performance in Lok Sabha elections this year. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday denounced the presence of foreign forces in the Gulf and said Iran will put forward a peace plan. This came after the US ordered reinforcements to the Gulf following attacks on Saudi oil installations. Washington approved the deployment of troops to Saudi Arabia at the kingdoms request. Foreign forces can cause problems and insecurity for our people and for our region. In this sensitive and important historical moment, we announce to our neighbours that we extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to them, Rouhani said before a massive military parade marking the Iran-Iraq war. In his speech, Rouhani called on the foreign powers to stay away from the Gulf. If theyre sincere, then they should not make our region the site of an arms race, he said. Your presence has always brought pain and misery... The farther you keep yourselves from our region and our nations, the more security there will be. Trump on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran's central bank, calling the measures the "highest" sanctions ever imposed on a foreign country by the country. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office in Washington, Trump said, "We have just sanctioned the Iranian national bank," later clarifying that he was referring to the Iranian central bank. "These are the highest sanctions ever imposed on a country," the president added. The United States also imposed sanctions on Irans sovereign wealth fund, whose board of trustees includes President Hassan Rouhani, as well as Etemad Tejarate Pars, a company that the Treasury Department said had sent money internationally on behalf of Irans defence ministry. Trump earlier this week announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran, in response to what US officials say was likely Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities. A massive drone strike on the world's largest crude-processing facility operated by Saudi Aramco on Saturday drove oil prices to their highest level in nearly four months. The attack had knocked out over half of Saudi Arabia's production as it cut 5.7 million barrels per day or over 5 per cent of the world's supply. Abqaiq and Khurais are main processing centres for Saudi Arabia's Arab Extra Light and Arab Light crude oil. Trump last year pulled out of a nuclear accord with Iran negotiated under former president Barack Obama, sending tensions soaring as he tried to stop all countries from buying Irans oil. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former prime minister and senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed concern over the continued detention in custody of his party colleague P Chidambaram in a corruption case and hoped that the courts will render justice. Chidambaram, a former Union finance minister, was arrested by the CBI for alleged corruption in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance in the INX Media case. He was later remanded in judicial custody and sent to Tihar jail. Singh, who along with Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier in the day met Chidambaram in Tihar Jail, said no decision in the country was taken by a single person and wondered how a minister simply approving recommendations can be accused of committing a crime. He feared that if the minister is liable for approving a recommendation, the whole system of government will collapse. "We are concerned with continued detention in custody of our colleague P Chidambaram," Singh said in a statement after meeting Chidambaram. Also Read | Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Former PM Manmohan Singh Meet P Chidambaram In Tihar Jail He said in the countrys system of government, no decision can be taken by any single person and all decisions are collective decisions recorded in files. He said a dozen officers, including six secretaries to the government, examined and recommended the proposal and Chidambaram as minister approved the unanimous recommendation. "If the officers are not at fault, it is beyond our comprehension how the minister who simply approved the recommendation can be accused of committing an offence. If the minister is liable for approving a recommendation, the whole system of government will collapse," he said. "We are confident, and we sincerely hope, that the courts will render justice in this case," the former prime minister said in the statement. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday alleged theft at his Saraswati Vihar residence near Pitampura in the national capital region, adding that all the floors of the house were thoroughly searched for hours. The AAP leader, who also holds charges of Home, Power, Public Works Department, Industries, Urban Development and Flood, and Irrigation, also took a dig at the Delhi Police, saying anti-social element and thieves have no fear of cops in the city. "Theft in my house at Saraswati Vihar. All floors searched thoroughly for hours. Anti-social element and thieves have no fear of Delhi Police," Jain wrote on Twitter along with a bunch of pictures showing the ransacked premises. READ | Delhi Cab Drivers Are Carrying Condoms In First Aid Box, But For 'Safety' Of A Different Kind Theft in my house at Saraswati Vihar. All floors searched thoroughly for hours. Anti social element and thieves have no fear of @DelhiPolice . pic.twitter.com/1JBkaa25NL Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) September 22, 2019 The police received a call about the incident around 9.30 pm on Sunday and soon after hurried to the spot to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, a case has been registered based on the complaint filed by Jain's wife Poonam. READ | DMRC To Unveil First Ever Dumbbell-Shaped Metro Station In October According to her statement the house was locked for the past six months and their neighbours intimated them that main gate seemed to be open. After a preliminary investigation, police said some kitchen and bathroom taps and a few showpiece items are missing from the house. However, further inquiry is underway in connection to the same, they added. New Delhi: Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram, who is in Tihar jail since September 5 after being arrested in connection with the INX media case, on Tuesday said that he was pleasantly surprised to receive birthday greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The letter written by PM Modi was sent to Congress leaders village address and was later forwarded to him. I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following: Dear Mr. Prime Minister Modi @narendramodi @PMOIndia, Pleasantly surprised to receive your greetings on my birthday (sent to my village address and forwarded to me) (sic), he tweeted with a photo of the letter. I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following: Dear Mr. Prime Minister Modi @narendramodi @PMOIndia, Pleasantly surprised to receive your greetings on my birthday (sent to my village address and forwarded to me) pic.twitter.com/kN381qpFyV P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 24, 2019 In the short letter written in Tamil, PM Modi greeted Chidambaram on his birthday on September 16 and wished that he continues to serve the people. Chidambaram said that "as you have wished, I want to continue to serve the people". "Unfortunately, your investigating agencies have prevented me from doing so. Once the present harassment ends, I shall be back among the people that both you and I are committed to serve," Chidambaram tweeted. Earlier on Monday, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi met Chidambaram at Tihar Jail, and expressed concern over his continued detention in custody. Singh said he hoped the courts would render justice in Chidambaram's case. Chidambaram, a former Union finance minister, was arrested on August 21 by the CBI for alleged corruption in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance in the INX Media case. He was later remanded in judicial custody and sent to Tihar Jail on September 5. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at Pakistan for its support to terrorism and said India's decision to nullify Article 370 has caused trouble to those who cannot handle their country as he called for a decisive battle against terrorism. Making a strong pitch against terrorism at the 'Howdy Modi' event in the presence of US President Donald Trump, who joined the mega event in a rare gesture of friendship, Modi asked crowd to give Trump a standing ovation, as he targeted Pakistan and its Prime Minister Imran Khan, without directly naming them. "Article 370 encouraged terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir," he said, asserting that its nullification will allow development and prosperity in the region and end discrimination against women, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. "Where do you find conspirators of 9/11 and 26/11 terror attacks," Modi said, referring to terror attacks in the US and Mumbai and called for a "decisive battle" against terrorism. He also asked people to give standing ovation to Indian parliamentarians for their nod to revoking Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir Modi also underscored his government's push for development in India, saying it is the most "discussed" word in the country as his government is "aiming high and achieving higher". Addressing a huge cheering crowd, which organisers said totalled over 50,000, Modi said the presence of such a big gathering is not confined to arithmetic and that people are seeing new history and chemistry being made. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston on Sunday and thanked him for his governments decision to revoke Article 370 that granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In an interaction with a 17-member delegation of Kashmiri Pandits, PM Modi assured them of building a new Kashmir which would belong to everyone. Thanking PM Modi for the revocation of Article 370, the delegation said that their 700,000 community members were indebted to his government. I had a special interaction with Kashmiri Pandits in Houston. pic.twitter.com/07coxdg0oS Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2019 The delegation presented a memorandum to PM Modi and requested him to set up a task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs to bring the community together, develop the region and repatriate Kashmiri Pandits, reports PTI. Rajiv Pandit, who was part of the delegation, recited 'Namaste Sharade Devi' shloka for Modi and the Indian leader joined him by reciting its last line. PM Modi thanked the community for their patience for over 30 years and later tweeted, I had a special interaction with Kashmiri Pandits in Houston. The Prime Minister told us you have suffered a lot and together we have to build a new Kashmir. PTI quoted Surinder Kaul, who led the delegation, as saying. Another Kashmiri Pandit delegate from New Jersey, Rakesh Kaul said that meeting Modi during was important to give him (Modi) unequivocal support at the global level for revoking Article 370 and request him to initiate steps which will address the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits. On August 5, the Indian government revoked the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two union territories. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. How much Bollywood's well-known actress Disha Patani likes mid-holiday, you can guess it by looking at the photos and videos taken on her middle. Disha keeps sharing a photo or video wearing a bikini in her social media post every day and it starts going viral within minutes. Recently she has shared a new video in which she is seen wearing a pink bikini and swimming in the sea. According to media reports, this video was shot by Disha in the Maldives, where she has gone to celebrate vacation with Tiger Shroff. Before which, Disha also shared many photos in Pink Bikini. Seeing her glamorous style, the fans were forced to sigh once again. Earlier, Disha has also created panic on the internet by sharing some pictures in a red bikini. Those photos of Disha have also been taken in the middle of her Maldives vacation. By the way, on the work front, Disha has recently completed the shooting of her upcoming action drama movie Yoddha, in which she will be seen opposite Sidharth Malhotra. Recently, after the completion of the shooting of this movie, Disha shared a video from the sets of the movie. Apart from Siddharth and Disha, South actress Rashi Khanna is also going to appear in this movie. Talking about the personal front, Disha's name has been associated with Tiger Shroff for the past several years. Both have not given any clarification on their relationship till now but they are seen together from vacation to shopping. The chemistry of both is also often discussed a lot. On last day of year, Kareena shared cute picture of son Jeh 'Prithviraj' embroiled in controversies before release, Gujjar community said this Kangana in trouble again, another complaint filed Houthi: A military official reported that ten Yemeni soldiers were killed in a missile attack by the Houthi militia in the country's oil-rich province of Shabwa. "With explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles, the Houthi rebel militia bombed a base of pro-government forces lately stationed in the southwestern portion of Shabwa," the official claimed. He said that two missiles and two explosive-laden drones targeted pro-government forces positioned in Shabwa's Merkhah As Sufla region, producing massive explosions and killing 10 pro-government soldiers and injuring more than 17 others in the area. The soldiers were part of the reinforcements in the previous two days, according to the official, to help with the ongoing operations against the Houthis in Shabwa. The pro-government Giants Brigades despatched special military units from Aden, the country's southern port city, on Monday as part of plans to launch a large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Shabwa. In September, the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, made significant gains on the battlefield, taking Bayhan and other critical regions in Shabwa. Since 2014, when the Houthi militia forcefully overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, Yemen has been engulfed in civil conflict. Houthis claim responsibility for the missile attack on Saudi Arabia WFP to reduce food aid to Yemen due to funds shortage Iran Blames Saudi Arabia of 'foot-dragging' after death of envoy in Yemen TEHRAN, Iran: Iran has reported the successful launch into orbit of a domestically manufactured satellite carrier rocket carrying scientific instruments. According to Xinhua news, Defense Ministry spokesman Seyyed Ahmad Hosseini said that the mission's intended research objectives were met, without detailing when the rocket, called Simorgh (Phoenix), was launched or what items it carried. He stated the space centre that launched the rocket performed properly, and that the stages of the satellite carrier's launch went off without a hitch. During the mission, three research devices were launched at the same time to an altitude of 470 km at a speed of 7,350 metres per second for the first time, according to Hosseini. In 2017, the Imam Khomeini Space Center successfully launched the liquid-fueled Simorgh rocket for the first time. The United States has long feared that Iran's satellite launch vehicles are part of a bigger effort to construct nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. Iran, which has insisted on the benign nature of its nuclear programme, claims that the launch of rockets and satellites has no military purpose. Europe is unlikely to be in 2022 what it was in 2021: Merkel Russia to host a meeting of 'Troika Plus' on Afghanistan Blast in Pakistan's Quetta, 4 people killed,15 injured According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), unemployment in Germany will climb somewhat in the next months. "The coronavirus crisis is being extended by the Omicron variant. This is especially important in the case of long-term unemployment "Enzo Weber, the head of the IAB's forecasts and macroeconomic analysis section, said as much. According to the Federal Employment Agency's research department, the IAB labour market barometer decreased by 2.4 points to 101.5 in December, the fourth consecutive monthly reduction and the largest drop since April 2020. (BA). The individual probably wanted to join Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military force and political party in Lebanon, according to Israeli military spokesperson Ran Kochav, who spoke to the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper. Kochav stated he was captured by Lebanese forces shortly after crossing the border and detained for questioning, presumably by Hezbollah. The person, according to Kochav, has a criminal past and suffers from mental illness. Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic relations, and Israeli law prevents Israeli residents from visiting Lebanon. Enditem Germany's unemployment rate will rise slightly in the near future: Reports Italy sets new record in Covid cases, single day case goes 100,000 Kuwait forms new govt led by PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah New year is about to come. In such a situation, today is the last day of the old year i.e. 2021 and if you want to celebrate the new year in a better place, then you can go to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a great place where you can go to celebrate the new year and that too with your family or dear ones or if you want you can also go for a walk here with your friends. Now today we are going to tell you the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. Ravan Waterfall- One of the best destinations in Sri Lanka is Ravan Waterfall. The beauty of this place attracts tourists. Actually, this place is very special for couples. If you go for a walk here, you will also be attracted by the lush green plants near the beautiful waterfalls. Mintel- Mintel is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist places in Sri Lanka. In fact, it is called the glory of Sri Lanka and it is also known as the mountain ranges in Sri Lanka. This is a wonderful place to visit. It is said that the relation of this place is also related to history. Unawatuna- After Mintel Place in Sri Lanka, Unawatuna is also a place worth visiting. Actually, this is a very beautiful seaside place. Every year a large number of tourists visit here. People go there to see beautiful scenery, colourful fish and have fun. Gal Vihar- Gal Vihar is a tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is located in the town of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, yes and it is a famous site associated with Buddhism. In fact, here you will find many special idols of Lord Buddha. Apart from this, if you want to know Buddhism, then you can plan to visit Gil Vihar. Miris Beach- If you like to party, then you can go to Miris Beach. This beach is party-friendly. It is one of the most famous places in Sri Lanka. It is best to come here with your friends or partner. Along with this, you can also do activities like whale watching, snorkelling and surfing here. If you are bored by visiting Manali-Ladakh in winter, then celebrate your holiday at this place Leh-Ladakh is the best place to celebrate the New Year, find out why? If you plan to visit in January, then nothing is better than these places SINGAPORE, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AEX announced that it has completed the clearing out of mainland China users in early November. Currently, the AEX China domain name has been closed and only the AEX global domain name www.aex.com is retained. AEX is firmly marching towards the international market through compliance licenses, product innovation, fiat currency access, strategic presence and other initiatives. AEX: Cryptocurrency exchange for 8 years After the People's Bank of China issued the "Notice on Further Preventing and Disposing of the Risk of Speculation in Virtual Currency Trading" on September 24, AEX made a quick announcement and adjusted its business to cope with mainland China regulation. AEX is the 1nd trading platform to aggressively clear out its Chinese inventory of users. At that time, exchanges all announced that they would clear out their Chinese users by December 31. In other words, AEX completed the regulatory requirements of the Chinese authorities over 50 days earlier than most exchanges. On October 31, AEX stopped the corresponding services for users in mainland China, including: prohibiting IP access and login to AEX in mainland China; prohibiting cell phone number (+86) and email registration in mainland China; stopping KYC certification for users in mainland China, etc. On November 3, it issued an announcement on the cryptocurrency community rewards cessation, suspending the cryptocurrency community activities such as "Community Ambassador" and "Review Board". AEX moves quickly, becoming the first head trading platform to complete the retirement of its Chinese stock of users, even faster than Binance who has been claiming to focus on overseas markets. At present, in the AEX global station mobile registration method can no longer find +86 (China area code) registration channel, the default is +1 for the United States area code. "The fact that AEX is no longer promoting and serving the mainland China market is a reflection of AEX's belief in professionalism, compliance and security. Story continues "We do not drag things out and. Like Binance in late 2017, AEX is determined to go global in order to be able to quickly open up new markets and move to new heights. We hope that AEX's trading depth and user breadth will quickly reach the same level as Binance and become a global super tier one digital asset exchange." Frank Sun, Head of Global Strategy and Marketing at AEX, said. On the road to compliance, AEX has successively obtained MSB licenses in the United States and Canada, and has applied for licenses from financial regulators in many countries. On the product level, AEX has quickly launched BitTalk and fiat channels to build a space where global users can participate in sharing and exchange, which could realize the top-up and withdrawal of USD, EUR, AUD, GBP, AUD and about 30 kinds of fiat currencies. On the business level, AEX introduced NFT, meta-universe, Web3, DAO and other popular concept sector potential assets, and made innovations in the field of DeFi mining, staking and other financial derivatives such as perpetual mechanisms. Moving forward without turning back, the AEX strategic presence program is also accelerating, with a determined effort to reach out to multi-level markets. The establishment of multiple market sites with high-active users and large asset storage scale is in order, and more regional users can enjoy localized AEX signature services in the future. AEX: https://www.aex.com/page/m_regist.html#/?from=q0731e Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aex-takes-the-lead-in-completing-the-withdrawal-of-users-in-mainland-china-and-firmly-pursues-an-international-strategy-301452320.html SOURCE AEX exchange President Joe Biden warned President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that continuing Russias aggressive military buildup on the border with Ukraine could force NATO to move more troops into eastern Europe and reiterated any further violation of its territory would exact serious costs and consequences, administration officials said. But they also expressed hope that more formal strategic stability talks between Washington and Moscow, which are set for January on a myriad of issues, could lead to a path out of the current crisis. President Biden laid out two aspects of the U.S. approach that will really depend on Russias actions in the period ahead, a senior administration official told reporters after the afternoon call Washington time. One is a path of diplomacy leading toward a declaration of the situation and the other is a path that is more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine. The official said that includes adjustments and augmentation of NATO force posture in allied countries as well as additional assistance to Ukraine to enable it to further defend itself and its territory. In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki also said Biden told Putin that the U.S. and its allies will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine. Putins foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, reportedly said "unprecedented sanctions" leveled on Russia by the U.S. could cause "most serious damage" and a "total severance of relations." But the Russian side, which has threatened in recent days that moves to include Ukraine in NATO would lead to a major war in Europe, appeared to strike a positive tone after the call. Ushakov reportedly said that Biden told the Russian leader that the United States would not place missiles in Ukraine. It is interesting that Ushakov kind of sounded an upbeat, optimistic note shortly after the call, saying that Biden had reassure that the U.S. doesnt have the intention of putting missiles in Ukraine, said John Hardie, a Russia expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish think tank. From the Russian side, they seem slightly more optimistic than they were overall. Story continues Psaki also relayed the presidents hopes for the more formal schedule of talks between the two governments on a host of topics, ranging from Ukraine to nuclear weapons and cyber attacks, as well as separate discussions at the NATO-Russia Council and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which also includes Ukraine. President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation, Psaki said. The senior administration official told reporters that the upcoming meetings will address a range of concerns about Russian behavior, yet there will be some degree of overlap among the different conversations. We will make very clear and come to a very clear understanding, and have already set about doing that, as to exactly what the agenda of each set of conversations will be and that is going to be some of the focus of the diplomacy over the next week, 10 days, the official said. Biden and Putins call was their second this month, after the American president warned his Russian counterpart three weeks ago that the United States and European allies would impose strong economic penalties and other punitive actions on Russia should it mount an invasion of Ukraine. But this time, Putin requested the conversation. The senior administration official described it as part of a series of end-of-the-year calls that President Putin has been engaged in. But this was not sort of mere pleasantries, the official added. This was a serious, substantive conversation. Putins overture has sparked suspicion among some close observers of the crisis that he is trying to take advantage of Biden to maximize his next aggressive move. Im concerned that what he is doing is trying to collect intelligence on Biden or setting the groundwork for what he intends to do anyway, said Evelyn Farkas, former deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia in the Obama administration. Its fraught for him. It is quite possible [Putin] has decided to invade, she added. I think Biden had to take the call, but to me it is not necessarily a good sign. Some people have said this might be Putin trying to de-escalate. I am afraid that is not the case, that it is the opposite. Russia has been building up its military forces and constructing new bases along the eastern border of Ukraine for months, including troops, armored vehicles and supplies that could indicate plans for a full and extended invasion. Satellite images in recent weeks have shown little sign Moscow is pulling back and even some signs of expanding even as diplomatic efforts have inched forward. The U.S. view remains that Moscow needs to pull back its troops from the border before any agreement that takes into Russias public concerns about NATO expansion can be addressed. For there to be real progress in these talks, for us to get to a place where we have security and stability in Europe de-escalation rather than escalation will be required, a senior administration official told reporters ahead of the call. Obviously that will be a part of what President Biden communicates to President Putin. The Biden administration also insists it is prepared to send more military equipment to Ukraine to help it defend itself. We are prepared to provide Ukraine with further assistance to defend its territory and respond to a potential Russian occupation should a further invasion proceed in the coming weeks, another senior administration official told reporters ahead of the call. This is a crisis of the Kremlins making, said Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke Universitys Sanford School of Public Policy and an expert on Russia. Hopefully the talks between Russias and the United States leaders are productive, he added. But in all likelihood, a solution will need to involve the Ukrainian government as well. Hardie says he is pessimistic about the prospects for diplomacy and suspicious about what the Kremlin is doing. Putins overtures, he warned, could be a smokescreen, a pretext for eventual military action. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the name of White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Dublin, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Investigation Report on China's Express Delivery Industry 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the analysis, the rapid rise of e-commerce in China in recent years and the surge in market demand have led to rapid growth in the express delivery industry. The volume of China's express delivery business has increased from 31.3 billion in 2016 to 83.4 billion in 2020. In 2020, the revenue of China's express delivery industry has reached CNY879.5 billion. According to the analysis, the efficiency and functions of express delivery services are better than ordinary postal services in China, but the charges are also significantly higher than ordinary postal services. There are three types of courier services: intra-city courier, domestic inter-city courier, and international courier. In 2020, China's online retail sales value reached CNY11,760.1 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 10.9%. Among them, the online retail sales value of physical goods was CNY975.9 billion, with an increase of 14.8%, accounting for 24.9% of the total retail sales of consumer goods; among the online retail sales of physical goods, food, clothing, and consumer goods increased by 30.6% and 5.8% and 16.2% respectively. The Chinese government has issued a series of policies to support the development of the express delivery industry, and some local governments have also issued policies to support the development of the express delivery industry in the region. However, the development of China's express delivery industry also has some risks and challenges, such as rising rents and labor costs leading to an increase in overall costs. And some government policies may also have an adverse effect on China's express delivery industry. Due to the extensive development of China's express delivery industry, severe homogeneity competition, the continued decline in profit margins, and capital needs of large infrastructure, many private express companies that have difficulty in obtaining bank loans have chosen to be listed to raise funds to increase their competitive advantage in the market. By 2020, the market structure of China's express delivery industry has not undergone major changes. Story continues Major companies in the express industry have been listed. For example, Zhongtong Express and Best Express are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., YTO Express, STO Express, and Yunda Express with their backdoor listing plan are listed on the A-share market. Debon, as the first express company to be listed on the domestic main board through an IPO, is listed on the A-share market. According to the analysis, due to rising labor costs and store rents in China, the cost of physical stores has continued to rise, enhancing the advantages of the online retail industry. It is expected that China's e-commerce industry will develop rapidly from 2021 to 2025. In addition, due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the real economy in 2020, the advantages of e-commerce have become prominent, driving the rapid development of the express delivery industry. At the same time, new e-commerce models such as cross-border shopping will also promote the development of China's express delivery industry and bring new development directions to the express delivery industry. The policies of the Chinese government in the next few years will also be beneficial to the development of the express delivery industry. For example, the State Council executive meeting held in 2021 has determined a series of measures to support transportation, express delivery, and other logistics industries to alleviate difficulties and speed up the recovery and development. These include that all localities should provide equal access to postal and express delivery companies of various ownerships, break the "last mile" delivery barriers in villages and communities and increase reductions of the tax fee. Topics Covered: Economic Environment of Express Delivery Industry in China Policies in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Supply and Demand in Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 Analysis of Market Competition in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Major Companies in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Costs in Express Delivery Industry in China Price Trend of Express Delivery Services in China Driving Forces and Opportunities in Express Delivery Industry in China Unfavorable Factors in Express Delivery Industry in China Forecast on Supply and Demand in Express Delivery Industry in China 2020-2024 The impact of COVID-19 on the Express Delivery Industry in China Key Topics Covered: 1 Concept in Express Delivery Industry 1.1 Definition and Classification of Express Delivery 1.2 Parameters and Assumptions 1.3 The Impact of COVID-19 on China's Express Delivery Industry 2 Analysis of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 2.1 Development Environment of Express Delivery Industry in China 2.1.1 Economic Environment 2.1.2 Policy Environment 2.1.3 Social Environment 2.2 Analysis on Supply of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 2.2.1 Express Delivery Enterprise Profiles 2.2.2 Supply Capacity of Express Delivery 2.3 Analysis of Demand in Express Delivery Market in China, 2016-2020 2.3.1 Major Consumer Groups in Express Delivery Market 2.3.2 Market Size of Express Delivery in China, 2016-2020 3 Competition Status of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 3.1 Barriers to Entry in Express Delivery Industry in China 3.1.1 Barrier of Economies of Scale 3.1.2 Barrier of Necessary Capital 3.1.3 Barrier of Product Differentiation 3.1.4 Barrier of Human Capital 3.2 Competition Structure of China Express Delivery Industry 4 Analysis of Top Express Delivery Players in China, 2016-2020 4.1 S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. 4.1.1 Enterprise Profile 4.1.2 Operating Revenue of S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. 4.2 STO Express 4.3 YTO Express Group Co., Ltd. 4.4 Yunda Holding Co., Ltd. 4.5 ZTO Express 4.6 Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co., Ltd. 4.7 China Postal Express & Logistics Co., Ltd. 4.8 Other Express Delivery Companies 5 Analysis on Cost and Price of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 5.1 Analysis of Cost of Express Delivery Industry in China 5.2 Analysis of Express Price in China 5.2.1 Analysis of Express Price in China, 2016-2020 5.2.2 Analysis of the Price Trend of Express Delivery in China 6 Forecast on Development of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2021-2025 6.1 Factors Influencing Development of China Express Delivery Industry 6.2 Forecast on Express Delivery Industry in China, 2021-2025 6.3 Forecast on Demand in China Express Delivery Industry, 2021-2025 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9xgmyv CONTACT: CONTACT: 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 DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Investigation Report on China's Temozolomide Market 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The sales value of Temozolomide in the Chinese market increased year by year from 2016 to 2019. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the overall diagnosis and treatment services of Chinese hospitals, the sales value of Temozolomide in the Chinese market decreased to CNY793 million in 2020 and the CAGR of Temozolomide in sales value from 2016 to 2020 is 9.04%. Temozolomide is a second-generation alkylating agent. It is an oral chemotherapeutic drug used to treat brain cancers such as adult malignant glioma and malignant melanoma. It was developed by Merck & Co., Inc. The drug was approved to enter the Chinese market under the trade name TEMODAL in 2007. By 2020, Temozolomide has been included in China's Class B medical insurance. There are many manufacturers in the Chinese market in 2020, among which Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd is the main manufacturer. The analyst expects that with the relief of COVID-19, the sales value of Temozolomide in the Chinese market will have a restorative growth from 2021 to 2025. In addition, as the incidence of primary brain cancer increases, other cancers can cause secondary brain cancer. Therefore, with the widespread use of digital electronic products and the increase in the incidence of other cancers, the incidence of brain cancer is also increasing year by year, the sales value and sales volume of Temozolomide for the treatment of brain cancer will continue to increase. At the same time, Temozolomide has the characteristics of easily penetrating the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and mild adverse reactions. The analyst predicts that the sales value and sales volume of Temozolomide in the Chinese market will have room for increase from 2021 to 2025. Topics Covered: The impact of COVID-19 on China's Temozolomide market Sales value of China's Temozolomide 2016-2020 Competitive landscape of China's Temozolomide market Prices of Temozolomide in China Prices of Temozolomide in China by regions and manufacturers Analysis on factors affecting the development of China's Temozolomide market Prospect of China's Temozolomide market from 2021 to 2025 Story continues Key Topics Covered: 1 Relevant Concepts of Temozolomide 1.1 Indications for Temozolomide 1.2 Development of Temozolomide in China 1.3 Governmental Approval of Temozolomide in China 1.4 The Impact of COVID-19 on Temozolomide sales in China 2 Sales of Temozolomide in China, 2016-2020 2.1 Sales Value of Temozolomide 2.1.1 Overall Sales Value 2.1.2 Sales Value by Region 2.2 Sales Volume of Temozolomide 2.2.1 Overall Sales Volume 2.2.2 Sales Volume by Region 2.3 Sales of Temozolomide by Dosage Form in China, 2016-2020 2.3.1 Injection 2.3.2 Analysis of Other Dosage Forms 3 Analysis of Major Temozolomide Manufacturers in China in 2020 3.1 Analysis of Market Share of Major Temozolomide Manufacturers 3.1.1 Investigation on Market Share by Sales Value 3.1.2 Investigation on Market Share by Sales volume 3.2 Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd 3.2.1 Enterprise Profile 3.2.2 Sales of TEMODAL (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd's Temozolomide) in China 3.3 Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 3.3.1 Enterprise Profile 3.3.2 Sales of Diqing (Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s Temozolomide) in China 3.4 Beijing Shuanglu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 3.4.1 Enterprise Profile 3.4.2 Sales of Jiaoning (Beijing Shuanglu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s Temozolomide) in China 3.5 Schering-Plough Canada 3.5.1 Enterprise Profile 3.5.2 Sales of TEMODAL (Schering-Plough Canada's Temozolomide) in China 3.6 Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Company Ltd. 3.6.1 Enterprise Profile 3.6.2 Sales of Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Company Ltd.'s Temozolomide in China 4 Prices of Temozolomide for Different Manufacturers in China, 2020-2021 4.1 Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd (TEMODAL) 4.2 Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Diqing) 4.3 Beijing Shuanglu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Jiaoning) 4.4 Schering-Plough Canada (TEMODAL) 4.5 Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Company Ltd. 5 Prospect of Chinese Temozolomide drug Market, 2021-2025 5.1 Influential Factors of Chinese Temozolomide Market Development 5.2 Forecast on Market Size 5.3 Forecast on Market Trend Companies Mentioned Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd (TEMODAL) Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Diqing) Beijing Shuanglu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Jiaoning) Schering-Plough Canada (TEMODAL) Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Company Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sheueq Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior 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 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-temozolomide-market-report-2021-sales-2016-2020-major-manufacturers-2020-2021-prices-prospects-2021-2025-301452354.html SOURCE Research and Markets Edith Blais was captive of mujahideen (Canadian Press/Shutterstock) The escape was like something straight out of a film. Edith Blais and her Italian companion, Luca Tacchetto, were fleeing through the African desert after 450 days as captives of mujahideen whod kidnapped them in Burkina Faso. The pair had waited until a few nights after the full moon, when the light would be on their side and a windstorm would help cover their footsteps. Then they crept out of the camp and took their chances in the unforgiving desert, walking overnight until they found a road and flagged down a truck. The jihadis came after them, armed and shouting and pulling over the vehicle. But the truck driver - a stranger - hid the escaped travellers, saved their lives and dropped them off at a UN building in March 2020, Thats when the pair stumbled from one surreal nightmare into another unimaginable scenario: A global pandemic. Ms Blais and Mr Taccheto initially had no idea what was going on when greeted strangely by UN officials. When approached by one man, I wanted to shake his hand, but he offered me his elbow instead, Ms Blais writes in her new book about her incredible escape, The Weight of Sand: My 450 Days Held Hostage in the Sahara. Some African handshake, perhaps? In any case, it confused me so much that I burst out laughing, she writes. Ms Blais and Luca Tacchetto, her travelling companion and fellow captive, pictured after their daring overnight escape from the mujahideen camp (AP) Another man came along, giving us the same elbow shake. I was still laughing. I was amused by what I assumed was an African custom, especially since the man wasnt African; he was the Canadian ambassador to Mali. Luca also seemed to find the gesture comical. The ambassador realized that we didnt know what was going on in the world, so he explained that we were in the middle of a pandemic. For the first time, I heard about the coronavirus. While we were sequestered in the desert, I had so often wondered what was happening elsewhere on the planet. She returned to her native Quebec to quarantine with her family - and began putting all her thoughts and details of the saga into words, along with poems she had written while a captive. Story continues My family and friends had so many questions for me, and I couldnt see myself telling the whole story over and over again, she tells The Independent. So I told everybody, You know what? I have these poems, and Im going to write what happened ... so you guys can read, and itll be easier for me. So I started like that, then it just grew and grew and grew, she says, adding: It was just flowing. Everything was coming out, and thats pretty much what happened until the end. I was already used to being isolated ... I was just taking it slow, coming back to life slowly. It gave me time to write the book and to set all my thoughts straight about everything that just happened. It was so big. She continues: All the time I was writing, I was having nightmares, I was reliving captivity, my brain couldnt process it, she tells The Independent. I was doing the big cleaning in my head of all my thoughts, mostly a lot about what I lived, my feelings about it, the captors, my feelings about so many things. It was, I think, a very good thing that I did. As the rest of the world reeled amidst the pandemic and restrictions, Ms Blais felt more liberated than she had in years. Luca Tacchetto and Edith Blais were seasoned world travellers when they were kidnapped in Africa in 2018 by a faction of Al Qaeda (Edith Blais) It was like a trillion times better than what I just lived, so I was like, woohoo! Coffee in the morning and [the ability to] be safe and I could walk wherever I wanted in the house. I didnt mind wearing a mask, she says, adding: It was a lot better for me; I was smiling and just being super happy. I was feeling free. Her ordeal began three years ago, when the avowed wanderer and Mr Tacchetto were driving through Africa after years of a travelling existence. The French Canadian looked and lived like the quintessential backpacker with her flowing dreadlocks and kind, open face. I didnt see myself in a steady job with a house and everything; I saw myself more like a nomad, she tells The Independent. She was, for years, until she and Mr Tacchetto took a car trip across Burkina Faso right before Christmas 2018, hoping to reach a beach in neighbouring Benin. For once, however, the pair didnt properly research the areas through which they were passing. That landed them in captivity for 15 months in the desert, sometimes together, sometimes not; sometimes with other captives, sometimes not; always with the threat of uncertainty or death, whether at the hands of the armed men guarding them or the punishing Saharan elements. On the day she and Mr Tacchetto were captured, she reckons about 30 miles from the Benin border, the road got suddenly darker, and my blood ran cold. Six men in turbans were waiting for us, armed with Kalashnikovs, she writes in her chapter titled Ambush. The scene filled the whole space. I will never forget how Luca and I looked at each other right then, sharp, a warning; a glance loaded with meaning, eviscerating. Had we reached the end of our trip? Were we going to die here? Our fate hung in the air, brushing past each Kalashnikov, each of the men who held us in their sights. Mr Tacchetto sits behind the wheel of the little car the pair were driving when they were waylaid by jihadis with Kalashnikovs in Burkina Faso (Edith Blais) The men tried to separate the Canadian and Italian, by Mr Tacchetto told them they were married, knowing Muslims would be more inclined to keep husbands and wives together. He was right, and for the first three months, as they were shuttled hundreds of miles into the desert by different guards, they were kept together. It wasnt long before the pair realised that we werent caught up with a bunch of petty thieves, we were in the clutches of a major organisation that would ask our governments to pay ransoms for our release, or use us in a prisoner exchange, Ms Blais writes. They had been taken by a faction of al-Qaeda. For six years, jihadi groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Sahel, the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert, have used hostage taking for ransom as a way to fund operations and expand their presence, AP reported in September. Twenty-five foreigners have been abducted in the Sahel since 2015 and 10 remain captive, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Ms Blais and Mr Tacchetto were kept together for three months and separated for eleven more, both faced with not only terrifying captivity but also some of natures greatest threats: Scorpions. Vipers. Sandstorms. Disease. One of the only things that helped Ms Blais through the experience was writing 57 poems in secret with a pen gifted to her by another captive - whod been with the jihadis in the desert for two and a half years. She scratched the poems them into cardboard even after that only pen ran out of ink. It was only she and Mr Tacchetto agreed to (ostensibly) convert to Islam that they were reunited. Then considered husband and wife, they were housed together in the same camp - giving them a chance to hatch their escape plan, just days after the full moon, when a windstorm would cover their tracks, they hoped. It worked. After creeping out of the camp, they headed west and walked for hours, unsure of their location but banking that they would hit a main road. They eventually did and flagged down a truck - driven by a man Ms Blais calls her Guardian Angel in the book. He was accompanied by an older male passenger. Ms Blais says she hopes other travellers view her story as a cautionary tale and never get too complacent (Edith Blais) They looked alike, a father and son, surely, Ms Blais writes in a chapter titled Freedom at Daybreak. We were sitting comfortably in the truck, so close to freedom, dressed as two white men fleeing their desert jailers. I wondered if the two men had grasped the drama that was playing out before their eyes. I caught Lucas eyea look full of hope, certainly, but also concern. What would happen to us now? The driver told them they were headed to Kidal, a town in Mali. And he certainly did seem to understand the gravity of the situation when a truck full of mujahideen pulled them over. As the escaped hostages cowered in the back, hiding, the driver spoke to the angry jihadis - and they left. Our driver must have lied. He had saved our lives. I couldnt believe it, Ms Blais writes. Shortly afterwards, another truck caught up with ours, and both came to a halt at the side of the road. The Guardian Angel and his father got out to talk to the other driver. Watching them gesture in the rearview, I saw that they knew each other. When the men got back into the truck, the older one took my place against the door, pushing me to the middle so he could watch what was going on behind us in the mirror. He kept the driver informed of what he saw. The other truck followed us like a shadow. During the whole journey, our Guardian Angel veered off the road whenever he saw a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, and the truck would lumber off into the sandy desert, presumably to keep us out of sight of other travelers. The second truck, on the other hand, stayed on the road, driving slowly, waiting for us to return. We drove on like that for hours until we reached a small town. Kidal, at last! The Guardian Angel stopped his truck in front of a government building, and the old man waved us out. End of the line. We were free. We thanked our brave rescuers warmly over and over.. The pair were taken in by UN officials and even brought to meet the president of Mali before they were flown out of Africa and eventually to their respective countries. It wasnt long before Ms Blais began writing her book in quarantine in Quebec. Ms Blais, 37, wrote the book upon return to Canada while in quarantine at her mothers house at the height of the coronavirus in 2020 (Sara Mauve Ravenelle) While she primarily wrote the book for friends, family and herself, she says she also hopes fellow nomads or travellers view her story as a cautionary tale. I was travelling for five years, like hitchhiking everywhere and living in my tent and on the beaches, she tells The Independent. I was doing all these crazy things. Everything was always going well, so you get super confident, and you go further and further and further - and you tempt more and more and more. And at one point, life stops you, because maybe youre taking too many risks. Keep in mind: Even if nothing has happened yet, something could happen. So always stay safe. While she may be more cautious now, her love of travel has not dwindled, however. Ms Blais is no longer romantically involved with Mr Tacchetto but has a new boyfriend with whom she enjoys travelling by van for months at a time. He actually saw me on the television, and he contacted me and he was so sweet, she tells The Independent. And I decided, we can met if you want. We just got along so well. Since the book was published earlier this year, Ms Blais says shes been contacted by other former hostages and even people who come to me and they say, You know, it touched me in this way. It changed my vision of life. Im happy I can help people, she says. BOSTON, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0975 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of December 13, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on December 1, 2021, and payable on December 31, 2021. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: December 2021 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0975 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable December 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 12/1/2021-12/31/2021 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2021-12/31/2021 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.0748 77% 0.1733 89% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0% 0.0217 0.0000 11% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0012 1% 0% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0215 22% 0.0000 0% Total per common share 0.0975 100% 0.1950 100% Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on November 30, 2021 7.58% Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 8.27% Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through November 30, 2021 -4.40% Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 1.38% You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. Story continues The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the December 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) as of September 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2021 and will end on October 31, 2022. Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-premium-dividend-fund-notice-to-shareholders--sources-of-distribution-under-section-19a-301452429.html SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Instadose Pharma Corp. f/k/a Mikrocoze, Inc. ("Instadose", "Mikrocoze", or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: INSD; MZKR) and one of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virgina, Norfolk Division, and docketed under 21-cv-00675, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Instadose securities between December 8, 2020 and November 24, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and one of its top officials. Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP) If you are a shareholder who purchased Instadose securities during the class period, you have until February 28, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Instadose does not have significant operations and was at all relevant times classified as a "shell" company. Instadose was formerly known as "Mikrocoze, Inc.", which was organized to sell micro-furniture for small spaces via the Internet. The Company has since pivoted its business to focus on growth and acquisition of pharmaceutical grade agricultural products. On December 7, 2020, Instadose (then still known as Mikrocoze) entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Instadose Pharma Corp., a Canadian-based cannabis producer ("Instadose Canada"), and holders of a majority of its outstanding shares for a transaction to acquire 100% of the outstanding common shares of Instadose Canada in exchange for approximately 80% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company following such exchange (the "Business Combination"). Story continues The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Instadose had performed inadequate due diligence into the Business Combination and/or ignored significant red flags associated with Instadose Canada; (ii) Instadose's internal controls and policies were inadequate to detect and/or prevent impermissible trading activity by control persons of the Company; (iii) the foregoing subjected Instadose to a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On July 9, 2021, the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") announced that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Instadose Canada, Grant Ferdinand Sanders ("Sanders"), was charged quasi-criminally with one count of fraud in relation to his role as Chairman and CEO of Instadose Canada, which, since July 2017, had raised more than $9.4 million from investors. The OSC alleged that investor funds were diverted to the benefit of Sanders, his family, and associates, and that Instadose Canada materially misrepresented the nature of its business. Then, on October 15, 2021, Instadose Canada announced that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders voted in favor of the Business Combination, hich remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by a Canadian court. Following completion of the Business Combination, Instadose expected that its Board of Directors would consist of, among others, Sanders. Then, on November 24, 2021, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), Instadose disclosed that "[o]n November 23, 2021, the Company was notified by the SEC that it had ordered, pursuant to Section 12(k) of the [Exchange Act], that trading in the securities of [Instadose] is suspended for the period from 9:30 a.m. EDT on November 24, 2021, through 11:59 p.m. EDT on December 8, 2021." Instadose advised investors that the SEC's order specifically stated that "it appears to the [SEC] that the public interest and the protection of investors require a suspension in the trading of [Instadose] securities . . . because of questions and concerns regarding the adequacy and accuracy of information about Instadose . . . in the marketplace, including: (1) significant increases in the stock price and share volume unsupported by the company's assets and financial information; (2) trading that may be associated with individuals related to a control person of Instadose . . .; and (3) the operations of Instadose[]'s Canadian affiliate." On this news, and after Instadose's common stock began publicly trading again on December 9, 2021, the Company's stock price fell $22.61 per share, or 91.87%, to close at $2.00 per share on December 9, 2021. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com 888-476-6529 ext. 7980 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pomerantz-law-firm-announces-the-filing-of-a-class-action-against-instadose-pharma-corp-fka-mikrocoze-inc--insd-mzkr-301452025.html SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Motley Fool Between a price target hike from Bank of America and some very positive news on electric car battery ranges, Thursday should have been a great day to own Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock -- but it's not working out that way. Instead of going up, Tesla stock is going down today, falling 4% as of 10:30 a.m. ET and extending a three-day slide that has already cost Tesla investors 12.5% since the start of the New Year. This morning, analysts at Bank of America raised their price target on Tesla stock to $1,300 a share, as StreetInsider.com reports. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 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. Story continues 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/680378/SHAREHOLDER-ACTION-ALERT-The-Schall-Law-Firm-Encourages-Investors-in-Berkeley-Lights-Inc-with-Losses-of-100000-to-Contact-the-Firm Sobhi Hassan (right) who is accused of attacking customer Gregory Evans (WRAL) A North Carolina convenience store owner has been arrested after allegedly beating a customer who was having a seizure with a stick. Sobhi Hassan is accused of hospitalising Gregory Evans inside the Princess Market in Rocky Mount, NBC affiliate WRAL reports. According to some members of Mr Evans family, he was confronted by the 68-year-old clerk as the seizure began, which took place at around .30, on 22 December. Video footage shows Mr Hassan striking the customer with a stick, to which he then groans in pain. The clerk continues the attack, all the while shouting get out ... get out mother*****. Police were able to arrest the employee after WRAL News sent the police a copy of the video this week to ask if any charges would be filed, WRAL stated on Wednesday, via Lawandcrime.com. Mr Hassan was arrested on Tuesday by the Rocky Mount Police Department and charged with simple assault, the report added. As per WRAL, some members of the local community have been calling for the closure of the Princess Market in the wake of the attack. They claim that Mr Hassan has behaved in a negative and discriminatory way for several years, suggesting that the recently transpired video footage is the final straw. This community is lacking banking activity, this community is lacking a pharmacy, this community is lacking educational opportunities as well, so theres so much that could really go on here, Rocky Mount resident Bronson Williams claimed. Weve got to restore value back here in this community so that people can know that they do matter. A community forum was held at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, where the victims sister, Edith Cooper, gave an update on Mr Evanss condition. Hes a little slow, and he still doesnt have full mobility of his body at this time, Ms Cooper said, according to WRAL. But hes okay. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2021) - StoreCash, which was founded by CEO Daricus Releford, CTO Phani Mullapudi and CDO Sheetal Ravi to teach young people financial literacy, has introduced a mobile app that helps minority teens and other community members develop financial literacy. The app is envisioned as a means to close the wealth gap and help minorities and lower-income people create generational wealth. Mullapudi is originally from India, which is among the top 10 countries in the world with a large wealth gap, and he saw that gap firsthand. Once the three visionaries got together and focused on their common, passion-driven goal, StoreCash was born. Financial literacy is taught in schools, but not in many minority schools and not in underrepresented communities, which increases the wealth gap. With the StoreCash app, the company aims to close this gap. StoreCash App To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8203/108610_4e10359fc42cc84f_001full.jpg According to Federal Reserve reports, only 71 percent of Americans have a savings account, and only 22 percent of all Americans have $1,000 to $5,000 in savings. In general, people know how to earn money and spend money, but many don't know how to save or invest it. The StoreCash team's biggest challenge was reaching the root of the problem and introducing financial literacy education at a young age. The StoreCash app is available to anyone aged 13 and up to change the mindset in underserved communities as early as possible. The vision is to create a bank that provides financial literacy and offers the maximum cashback at retailers that users already shop with - regardless of the app user's age. Indeed, most banks and financial institutions only focus on adults at least 18 years old. StoreCash is solving this issue by providing a gamified banking application that enables young students from underrepresented communities, along with their parents, to learn in a fun and interesting way. They have created financial literacy tools and resources, such as tips of the week and investment 101, that help users feel safe and have fun while learning. Story continues Global Problems, Innovative Solutions Founder and CEO Daricus Releford To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8203/108610_4e10359fc42cc84f_002full.jpg "The impact I want to have in this world is to increase the wealth of lower-income communities by providing them with the financial tools and resources to gain generational wealth. We're also aiming to help these communities save money on everyday items to create additional funds for them to invest," Releford said. "We're creating a new strategy for those who haven't been represented to create a financially literate mindset." StoreCash is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit storecashapp.com. Company website: https://www.storecashapp.com Founder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daricusreleford Founder Twitter: https://twitter.com/daricusreleford Media contact details: Company Name: Storecashapp Email: sana@theprgenius.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108610 It was so foggy and gray, with a line of people wrapped around the building waiting for their COVID tests, she said in an email. The silhouettes of people in the dreary weather was indicative of life lately. Long waits for COVID tests as well as overburdened health care systems seem to be signs of the times as the world enters its third year of a global pandemic. Virginia is in the midst of its fifth coronavirus surge and the peak of the latest spike probably wont hit health care systems for another few weeks. Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations in Virginia climbed 128 percent in December. There were 922 people hospitalized with virus symptoms on Dec. 1 compared to 2,101 inpatients on Dec. 30, according to the VHHA. Caregivers are feeling the strain of yet another surge and are looking to the community for support, said Steve Arner, who chairs the VHHAs board of directors. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Melissa Scheiman, a nurse at Mary Washington Hospital, put it this way in a Facebook post: So tired. Please get your vaccine and booster. CHICAGO (AP) A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, authorities said Friday. Darius Sullivan, one of two people suspected in the shooting of the two Bradley police officers, was arrested Friday morning at a home in North Manchester, Indiana, Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police said at a news conference. Sullivan, 25, surrendered to a SWAT team that was assisting the U.S. Marshals with a search warrant for the property about 110 miles (177 kilometers) east of Bradley. Sullivan's arrest came a day after Illinois authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The Illinois State Police did not release any updates on the investigation Friday other than a written statement confirming that Sullivan had been arrested and would be taken back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Fifield said he didn't have any details on the investigation into the shooting. He did name three other men but wouldn't discuss whether their arrests were connected to the officers' shootings. We wont miss the rollercoaster ride on which COVID has us strapped to our seats. We thought we saw daylight in summer, but then came another surge, and then a dip, and now the omicron variant promises to be either the worst pandemic news so far or something between a bad cold and a mild case of the flu. The jurys still out, but more than 800,000 Americans have been lost so far. We wont miss the aggressive ignorance and selfishness of the millions who, without any legitimate reason, insisted on not taking the COVID vaccine most of us spent 2020 praying for. Maybe we could have strangled this monster by now with more universal vaccination rates. We wont miss seeing a reprise of Saigon 1975 played out in Afghanistan as an awkward U.S. military withdrawal left us with the image of Afghanis who supported us trying to catch the last plane out with the Taliban hot on their heels. We wont miss seeing the Taliban pick up where it left off 20 years ago, making our expenditure of $2.3 trillion and 6,500 U.S. lives seem to have produced almost nothing. We wont miss the supply-chain crisis that made everything from computer chips to potato chips prone to shortages. At least four people were killed and 15 others injured in a bomb blast in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on December 30. The explosion occurred as workers from an Islamist party were leaving a venue following a conference in the provincial capital of Quetta. The blast killed at least four political workers, said Fida Hussain Shah, a senior police official, according to AFP. Balochistan Health Department media coordinator Wasim Baig confirmed the death toll in a statement quoted by the news outlet Dawn.com. A Balochistan government adviser quoted by Dawn said the explosion was triggered by a remote-controlled device. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudus Bizenjo called an "act of terrorism." Bizenjo said he was saddened by the loss of life and that those who target innocent citizens deserved strict punishment. A number of separatist armed groups are active in Balochistan, which is Pakistan's largest and poorest province despite being rich in natural resources. Based on reporting by Radio Mashaal, Dawn, AFP, and AP COVID-19 infections in Colorado spiked in the days around Christmas, with the biggest single-day new cases reported since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic: than 10,000, signaling again the rapidly spreading nature of the most recent omicron variant of the virus. The Blodgett Peak fire, a .78 acre fire smoldering in rugged terrain above Blodgett Peak Open Space, reached 90% containment Thursday, according to officials. A multi-mission aircraft that flew over the fire Thursday detected one heat signature on the fire but no smoke was visible, officials said in an update to a blog for the fire. Colorado Springs Fire Department Capt. Mike Smaldino said the heat signature was "most likely a hot spot," which firefighters would keep an eye on when they flew over it again. The aircraft will continue to monitor the fire and Colorado Springs firefighters and the U.S. Forest Service will continue to patrol the area, according to officials. Smaldino said the current plan for extinguishing the fire is to monitor it, a "normal" practice for small fires or hot spots, adding that firefighters were "waiting on Mother Nature to help us out." "One of the big reasons why it probably hasn't been contained yet is just because of how much decomposing material is up there," Smaldino said. "We'll wait until we get probably a good wetting storm or snowstorm, and then we'll be able to make sure that it's all out." Pre-evacuation orders remained lifted and Blodgett Open Space reopened for recreation activities, officials said. The cause of the fire was determined to be an illegal abandoned campfire. Authorities evacuated around 35,000 people from the towns of Superior and Louisville on Thursday as wildfires destroyed nearly 600 homes in Boulder County amid extremely high winds. The Marshall fire had burned about 1,600 acres as of 5 p.m. after it sparked at around 11 a.m. at South Foothills Highway and Marshall Road, according to the Boulder Emergency Operations Center, which was activated to respond to the fire. The blaze destroyed at least 370 homes in the Sagamore neighborhood in Superior, 210 homes in Old Town Superior and several businesses, including the Element hotel and a Target store, officials said. As of 5 p.m., no deaths had been reported in connection with the fire; however, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said he "would not be surprised" if people were killed by the blaze. Officials said a police officer who responded to the fire was injured when his eye was hit by debris. "I've never seen anything like it, and we've had a lot of fires," Pelle said. "This is a horrific event." A second, smaller fire, called the Middle Fork fire, had been burning near North Foothills Highway and Middle Fork Road since 10:30 a.m. It was not threatening any buildings, and officials had no estimate of how large that blaze was. If initial estimates were correct, the Marshall fire would be the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history, behind the Black Forest fire, which destroyed 486 homes in 2013. The Cameron Peak fire the largest wildfire in state history that burned over 208,000 acres destroyed 224 homes. The fire prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of emergency at 3:20 p.m. The declaration allows the state to access emergency funds and provide resources such as the Colorado National Guard, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and the State Emergency Operations Center. "Gusts of 100, 110 mph can and have moved this fire down a football field in a matter of seconds," Polis said. "1,600 acres near a population center can be, and in this case is, absolutely devastating." Polis said officials were unable to fly state helicopters and planes all day because of wind conditions. The National Weather Service in Boulder said high winds were quickly spreading the flames, calling the conditions "life threatening" for people in Superior and Louisville. The area experienced gusts of up to 110 mph throughout the day, but winds were expected to calm down by Thursday evening. "The end won't come until the wind subsides," Pelle said. "This is not the kind of fire that you can fight head on." Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for all of Superior, as well as for all of Louisville except for Old Town and north of South Boulder Road. Evacuations were also in place for Broomfield south of U.S. 36, west of Wadsworth Boulevard, west of Simms Street and south of Highway 128. In addition to official notices, anyone who can see the fire was asked to evacuate immediately. Evacuations were also ordered for the Meadow View community in Westminster Thursday night. Centura Health evacuated all patients from Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville in the late afternoon. Patients were either discharged or transferred to Longmont United Hospital or St. Anthony North. Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette evacuated 22 intensive care patients and six labor and delivery patients. Pre-evacuation orders were in effect for the Via Varra and Skystone neighborhoods in Broomfield; west of Highway 287 between Arapahoe Road and Dillon Road in Lafayette; and the Meadow View community in Westminster. Pre-evacuation orders formerly in place for the Arvada area were lifted as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday night. Authorities set up evacuation centers at the North Boulder Recreation Center at 3170 Broadway, the Longmont Senior Center at 910 Longs Peak Ave., the Lafayette YMCA at 2800 Dagny Way and the First Bank Center at 11450 Broomfield Lane. A large animal evacuation site was open at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden. "If youre in Boulder please stay home and off the roads if you can," the Boulder Police Department said in a statement. "We know the smoke is making it hard for drivers to see, clogging the roads, while first responders are handling multiple calls." The Marshall and Middle Fork fires are believed to have been started by downed power lines, which were pushed over by extreme winds in the county, according to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office. The investigation into the official cause of the fires is ongoing. Downed power lines sparked at least one other fire in Boulder County on Thursday morning in the 5000 block of North Broadway. That fire was quickly contained after spreading only 1 acre. All westbound lanes of U.S. 36 and northbound lanes of North Foothills Highway between Nebo Road and Ute Highway are closed due to the fire, deputies said. U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat whose district includes Boulder and many of Denver's northwest suburbs, called the fires "unprecedented." "Community members should follow guidance from the Boulder Office of Emergency Management and move to quickly evacuate as directed. Everyone in the area should practice the utmost caution," Neguse said in a statement. "Our office stands ready to assist families, local and state officials in any way that we can. I remain in close touch with Governor Polis and local and federal partners to ensure that every resource is made available to assist our communities in evacuation, fire management and recovery. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, echoed the sentiment. "Coloradans, stay safe and follow evacuation orders. We stand ready to help with federal resources," Bennet said on Twitter. Above, Lysle Dirrim and Stacey Hanna, who lost their home in the Marshall fire, take their dogs, Monkey and Stella, out for a quick walk outside the disaster assistance center on Monday in Lafayette. Left, Christopher Kaufman hands off grocery bags of donations to Robyn Morgan of the Salvation Army at the center, after being turned away from four donation centers with more than they needed. 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. FILE PHOTO: Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos appears in a Lakewood Police booking photo after he was arrested for suspicion of multiple counts of vehicular homicide following a crash on the I-70 in Lakewood, Colorado, U.S. April 26, 2019. Lakewood Police Department/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo A St. Angsar man and his son were arrested last summer for their alleged involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6. Re: In the late 1980s, four states instituted programs whereby parents cou [ #permalink 1 Kudos An association of emergency physicians is calling on Gov. Ralph Northam to declare a state of emergency as the rapid spread of omicron variant COVID-19 cases has overwhelmed pharmacies, testing centers and hospital emergency departments. The Virginia College of Emergency Physicians said emergency rooms have been overwhelmed in large part by people seeking tests or care for COVID-19. The group said the declaration is necessary again to open access to disaster aid and allow emergency departments and hospitals to use protocols that would make evaluating and treating patients more efficient. "Virginias emergency medicine system is under threat of collapse due to excessive patient volume," the organization said in a news release Thursday. The call comes as state officials on Thursday reported a record of 13,500 new daily COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the percentage of people receiving a positive test result is 19%, or nearly 1 in five. Early studies show omicron has milder symptoms than delta. Much of the stress on emergency rooms is coming from people unable to find a test for the virus elsewhere. The organization said public health officials must open more testing sites to stem the growing volume of emergency room visits by people who just need a test. Public testing events around Richmond this week tested hundreds of people, but hundreds more had to be turned away. And at-home tests have become difficult to find in stores. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association also addressed the situation Thursday, issuing a statement alongside state health leaders urging people with only moderate COVID-19 symptoms to avoid emergency department visits. The association said many of the cases are for people who are asymptomatic or showing only mild symptoms, and that they could recover fine at home or visit a primary treatment facility or a primary care provider for guidance. According to the state health department data, the state has documented 51,500 new infections since Christmas eve. Since the beginning of December, daily COVID-19 hospitalizations have more than doubled from 922 on Dec. 1 to 2,101 as of Thursday. An association news release says the new surge may not hit its peak until several weeks after the end of the ongoing holiday season. "Unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments place great strain on hospitals and the frontline clinicians and caregivers who continue to bravely battle the pandemic," the association said. "These visits can also cause a delay in care for patients experiencing a true medical crisis and contribute to the depletion of finite resources including medical staff, testing kits, personal protective equipment, and therapeutic treatments." On Thursday, the government in South Africa, where scientists first discovered omicron, said health data showed it was past the peak of omicron cases. It said the omicron surge had resulted in less severe cases there than previous waves. VCU Health officials also said Thursday that there has been a surge of new cases, emergency department visits and demand for COVID-19 tests because of holiday travel and family gatherings After a holiday, it is not uncommon to see our emergency department visits rise, said Dr. Michael Stevens, interim hospital epidemiologist at VCU Health. What is uncommon is to see so many people come here just to get a COVID-19 test, leading to longer wait times for those who need urgent care. Our emergency departments won't turn anyone away, but there are better options that are faster and cheaper for testing, including primary care practices and county testing sites." Parker said emergency departments and other providers will not turn away patients, but that some facilities may not have the capacity to test low-risk patients if their symptoms are only mild and supplies are limited. "The majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations are from unvaccinated patients," he said. "As to those patients coming to emergency departments with COVID-19 requiring admission to the hospital, many of these visits and most hospitalizations could have been avoided if vaccinated. Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver in the news release also pleaded for people to get vaccinated if they have not received the shot yet. More than 15,000 Virginians have died from COVID-19 during the course of this pandemic, and thousands have been hospitalized. The best defense against serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated he said. "If you have not gotten vaccinated or boosted and are eligible, please do so now. Do it for yourself, your family, and your community, including the health care workers we depend on to be there when we truly need emergency care. "We'll be bringing in music and other forms of entertainment," said Andy Sandler, the chief executive officer of Washington-based Temerity Capital Partners. "We really intend to activate that stadium as the centerpiece of activity in this really growing part of the city, which hopefully will make it even more attractive for multifamily development and will just make it more attractive as a destination." While the temps outside couldnt exactly be called polar, the intent was the same for Saturdays Polar Plunge at Hanging Rock State Park in After her sons diagnosis, McElwains life rolled to a stop. Everything her thriving marketing business, her friendships, relationships with the rest of her family had to be put on pause. Doctors told McElwain that Mitchell would be in aggressive treatment for 2 years. She repressed her emotions as a mother, she knew Mitchell and her older son were looking to her. People kept telling her how strong she was, but to McElwain, there was no other option. Many times, McElwain wouldnt leave the hospital for days on end. Looking back, it was traumatizing. Mitchells medicines made him scream for days, and the chemotherapy burned his skin. All she could do was sit with him, and tell him that it would all be OK. And slowly, it finally seemed that it actually might Mitchell was responding well to treatment. Months passed, and McElwains hope grew. But then he relapsed, right before the two years were up, she said. I knew then that my baby was fixing to die. He died on Palm Sunday in 2014. He was 2 years old. His first victim was a 75-year-old retired bricklayer identified in court filings as P.A., who prosecutors said was both Rices friend and associate. P.A. and his wife loaned Rice $369,967 all of which they believed he would pay back once the inheritance came through, the government said. But at some point during the alleged fraud, Rice needed more money than P.A. could give. Believing he knew someone who could help, P.A. introduced Rice to his friend who was 74 years old and blind in June 2014, prosecutors said. The friend, identified in court documents as T.M., ultimately gave Rice $143,550. P.A. also convinced his surrogate son, daughter and son-in-law to send money to Rice by telling them it was ostensibly a good opportunity with a guaranteed return, prosecutors said in court filings. Rice gave the son fake documents showing he would inherit millions of dollars and offered to meet with him and a lawyer, the government said. During that meeting, the pair reportedly executed promissory notes to document how much money was loaned. Prosecutors said the son ended up giving Rice $94,500. A person answered after a few minutes and recommended using a different restroom. Pearson was told the family restroom was only available to someone accompanying a child. I did not want to reveal my gender identity, I didnt feel that was necessary, but as the conversation continued, it was very clear that I was not going to be permitted to use the restroom, Pearson said in an interview with The News & Observer in November. Reluctantly, Pearson told the person over the speaker that they are non-binary. The person replied that Pearson would have to choose between the mens and womens restrooms. I pressed forward and said, Well, I feel uncomfortable choosing one way or the other, and I explained that to them, and the circumstance, and was still told that no, I was still not allowed to use the restroom, Pearson recalled. Two other mall representatives spoke to Pearson, repeating the rules about that bathrooms access. About 20 minutes passed before Pearson was able to speak with the malls general manager, Debora Overholt. In an interview carried out by ANHA Refiq Ghafur, Member to the Administrative Body of the Kurdistan Nationalist Conference said delisting Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK, from terror lists opens new horizons and a new course for struggle and doing justice as well. On the reason behind listing the party in terror lists by U.S. and EU Refiq says: ''The party commenced its struggle against the modern Turkish state as a state and successive governments, that still clings to the Misak Milli that denies and annihilates the Kurds as a people'. Turkey as a power in the region and a successor to the Ottoman Empire has a great deal of experience of years of governance. It is a NATO ally, and a close friend to Europe and EU countries. It is one of the highly advanced countries in the region both technologically and militarily, and at the same time an ancient enemy to the Kurdistan Cause. On the latest campaigns in the west calling for the removal of the party from the terror list Refiq Ghafur says it is a vital issue, it is a breakthrough, form the part of organizers and signatories as well. It is a message that implies a clear fact that the human conscience and listening to justice is an effective issue. Refiq went on to say '' the struggle put up by the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Workers' Party on the international arena has reached a stage that mobilizes the conscience of Europe and the west in general. The party's project and the human values it advocates that was developed by leader Abdullah Ocalan and his party for a just and a democratic solution are being perceived more widely and among different classes. For this, and though Turkey and many powers exerting unsparingly efforts to many have realized that it is no longer needed to listen to Turkey and other hostile powers and that the party should be removed from the blacklist in which the party was enlisted wrongfully, Refiq says ''even some courts have realized the issue, and expressed its says clearly stating '' Kurdistan Workers' Party is a part to an armed conflict in Turkey and not a groups that magnates terrorists, the party is engaged in a struggle for the attaining of the rights of the Kurds, and not target civilian principally, for all these, it is not a terrorist group''. These campaigns are emanating from new perceptions of the Kurdistan Question, and the struggle put up by the party itself, participants are not Kurds, and mostly rom same countries that enlisted the party in the black list, they run into this just initiative''. For certain, delisting the Kurdistan Workers' Party is the way to new horizons, and opens courses for struggle, and others for solution, not merely for the Kurdish Cause, rather for human causes principally. Delisting the party from the terror list would lead at the end to the termination of war and intra-fighting in a region very sensitive worldwide. L..A ANHA According to sources from the camp, Mustafa Abdul Qader Jabali, mother name is Nazha Abdul Fattah, born in 1988 was killed in the camp. Traces of a sharp instrument are shown the head and thigh of the victim. Such cases are common in the camp though many security operations are commenced from time to time by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Internal Security Forces of NES to curb ISIS cells resulted in the capture of tens of in charge of assassinations. THE Hol Camp some 45 km to the east of the city of Hasaka is notorious worldwide for the presence of ISIS families and its ideology that is taught by ISIS women. l..a ANHA Karmadillos Southwestern Cafe in East Helena is closing its doors for the foreseeable future on the final day of 2021. A Facebook post from the restaurant said Dec. 31 is the cafe's "last service" but noted "However, you never know." The post encouraged those with gift certificates to use them now. Owner Justin Heaton couldn't be reached for comment on why the restaurant is closing. The restaurant operates in a space adjoining and owned by Missouri River Brewing Company, which declined to comment on the exit of Karmadillos from the building. Adam Hutchinson, one of the brewery's owners, said the kitchen will continue to be used as a kitchen in the future, but who or what will be in there is "to be determined." Heaton first opened Karmadillos in Helena's Reeder's Alley in 2005. There it became a successful southwestern food destination. In 2010, he moved the business from Reeder's Alley to nearby Miller's Crossing, but said he didn't feel it was the right fit and closed about a year later. Following a two-year hiatus, the restaurant reopened in Reeder's Alley once again, where it existed from about 2013 to 2020. Karmadillos has existed in the same building as the Missouri River Brewing Company in East Helena since around mid-2020. Heaton grew up in New Mexico and worked with a Hispanic family who taught him how to cook. Love 2 Funny 4 Wow 1 Sad 51 Angry 2 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COVID-19 continued to dominate local headlines in 2021, but the government's response to the pandemic looked much different this year. One of Republican Gov. Greg Gianfortes first orders of business after taking office in January was to lift the statewide mask mandate enacted by his Democratic predecessor Steve Bullock. While Lewis and Clark County and some other local jurisdictions opted to keep their own masking requirements in place at the time, they were later forced to lift those rules under new legislation passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature. In May, Lewis and Clark County health officials reluctantly announced that they would no longer enforce the countys mask mandate due to a new law that removed the ability of local governments and health officials to issue ordinances or resolutions that deny customers access to a business goods or services, or that require a business to do so. The law effectively voided any local mandates that involved business closures, capacity limits or requirements that customers wear masks or not be allowed on the premises. While East Helena Public Schools lifted its mask requirements in May, Helena Public Schools required masks to be worn in all elementary and middle school buildings for the remainder of 2021. In August, health officials in Lewis and Clark County announced they would no longer issue quarantine orders for people who come in close contact with known positive cases of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was recommending that vaccinated people not be required to quarantine, but a new state law that bans discrimination based on vaccination status forced health officials in Montana to choose between quarantining all close contacts or none, regardless of vaccine status. The new law also made Montana the only state to prohibit both public and private employers, including hospitals, from requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Early in the year, Lewis and Clark County residents were clamoring for the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines that were being rolled out to the most at-risk residents first as part of a phased approach. The local demand for vaccines was beginning to wane by mid-April, and only about 200 people took advantage of the 500 available appointments at a November clinic in Helena offering $50 in cash to anyone willing to get a first or second dose of the vaccine. Today, 61% of the eligible county population is fully vaccinated and 39% remains unvaccinated against COVID-19. With their hands tied, public health officials in Lewis and Clark County continued to urge residents to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases began to surge in the fall. In September, St. Peters Health implemented crisis standards of care as its intensive care unit, advanced medical unit and on-site morgue were reaching capacity largely due to an onslaught of new COVID-19 cases. Under this model, which remained in place until December, medical personnel were instructed to allocate limited resources to the patients with the highest likelihood of survival. Lewis and Clark County was regularly logging 50 to more than 100 new daily cases from September to November, and St. Peter's Health reached a record high of 41 COVID-19 patients in October. To date, more than 12,000 Lewis and Clark County residents have been infected with COVID-19, 185 cases remain active, and 154 county residents have died from the respiratory illness. Editor's note This story is part of a 10-part series on the biggest local stories of 2021. Editor Jesse Chaney can be reached at 406-447-4074, or find him on Twitter: @IR_JesseChaney. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and new City Commissioners Eric Feaver and Melinda Reed took their oaths of office Thursday evening. Collins won reelection in November by a wide margin and thanked the Helena community for its faith in him. "I heard you during my campaign," he said after being sworn in by District Court Judge Mike Menahan. Collins said street repairs, homelessness, the housing crisis and water and sewer infrastructure were among the most frequently cited issues he heard about on the campaign trail. The city is poised to spend millions of American Rescue Plan Act dollars doled out by the federal government on all of those issues in the coming years. Collins' wife and daughter, who traveled from the United Kingdom to surprise her father, were in attendance Thursday evening. Feaver, who spent almost 40 years working for the government employee union, said he is finally in a position to give back to the city that he said has given him and his family so much. Following his swearing in, Feaver called for more robust relationships with the county and Helena Public Schools. He echoed Collins' sentiments about the need for increased housing stock within city limits. "Housing is a huge issue for not just the homeless, but people who want to come work here," he said in an interview after the ceremony. "If we can't provide housing, they (workers) won't come." He pointed to the commission's establishment of the Helena Affordable Housing Trust Fund as a large step in the right direction. Feaver's wife attended the ceremony. Reed, who spent nearly eight months shepherding the city government through the beginning of the global health pandemic as interim city manager before being elected to the commission, said that experience will give her a leg up. "It helped me understand the mechanics of the city, and that made me want to run for the position," she said in an interview following her swearing in. Listening to the community is her "top priority" heading into the new year, she said. Reed also said the housing crisis is of chief concern to the commission and called for further leveraging of the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. She said she plans to continue to listen to the community's needs, assess the housing situation and consider the different avenues the city government can take to achieve its housing goals, such as establishing more mixed density areas, to "really start using those funds." The new commissioners replace Andres Haladay and Heather O'Loughlin, who did not run for reelection. The commissioners will enter a new year with a slew of big ticket items in front of them, such as major subdivisions up for approval, ARPA funds to be spent and the establishment of a public health oversight committee with East Helena and Lewis and Clark County. Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy The Montana Supreme Court held on Wednesday that a Ravalli County Deputy Sheriff violated a Florence man's constitutional right to privacy in 2019 when the deputy continued to question the resident in front of his home about a suspected traffic violation after the homeowner told him to leave and come back with a warrant. According court documents, on May 15, 2019, Quincy Smith was driving 17 mph over the speed limit on Hidden Valley Road after dark in Florence when he passed Ravalli County Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Monaco. The deputy started his police lights and turned around to pull Smith over when Smith pulled into his 350-foot driveway and stopped the car near his residence. The deputy pulled in behind him and saw Smith and his passenger standing outside the car. The deputy explained that he had stopped them for speeding and asked both for their identification. The two men explained that they lived there and that the officer was on private property. They refused to cooperate and told the deputy to leave and come back with a warrant. The deputy did not leave and continued to attempt to question them, suspecting that Smith was under the influence after the deputy smelled alcohol on him, a Tuesday opinion by the Supreme Court read. The deputy called for a backup officer when the two men refused to provide any information. Smith was arrested for DUI, speeding, resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer. Before his trial, he filed a Motion to Suppress and a Motion to Suppress Blood Test Results, saying law enforcement entered private property, against the express instructions of [Smith] and the property owner, and made an unlawful search and arrest. Both of Smith's motions were denied, and he was found guilty of all the charges at a bench trial on Feb. 19, 2020. He then appealed to the Ravalli District Court on the same day, and the court denied his appeal a few months later on May 26, 2020. Smith then took his appeal to the Montana Supreme Court. According to the opinion delivered by Justice James Rice, the Supreme Court held that Smith had a right to privacy in the driveway of his residence under the Montana Constitution. Even without No Trespassing signs posted or any other barriers to entry, the high court said, Smith had an actual and reasonable expectation of privacy once he communicated his expectation of privacy to the deputy. The court said the privacy of the home is at the very core of constitutional search and seizure protections. Society would recognize Smiths actual expectation of privacy as reasonable when he refused to answer a law enforcement officers questions outside his own home absent a warrant, the court said. The deputy acted appropriately to follow Smith into the driveway to complete a traffic stop. The deputys initial questions to determine who lived at the home and whether Smith was the driver were minimally intrusive and necessary to inform him whether he should continue or seek a warrant for further investigation, the court said. However, once Smith explicitly invoked his right to privacy and demanded that the officer get a warrant, the constitution required that the deputy stop his questioning unless and until he determined he needed a warrant." The court further said the DUI investigation should have been done after obtaining a warrant, which the deputy likely could have done over the telephone from the bottom of the driveway. Montana's right to privacy law in its state constitution goes beyond the Fourth Amendment to guard rights, saying the right of individuals privacy shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest," the high court said in its opinion. "Because of that heightened privacy right, the Montana Constitution affords broader protection against searches and seizures than does the Fourth Amendment alone," it continued. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Our readers posted on social media about memories of Joyland Amusement Park. Here are additional photos we found. DECATUR The annual Martin Luther King Day March will be held at noon on Monday, Jan. 17. Marchers will leave the Decatur Civic Center and head east on North Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, going north to Hess Park, where there will be a short prayer. Due to COVID-19, there will be no traditional program this year. The march is sponsored by the city of Decatur Human Relations Commission. Call 217- 424-2805 for more information. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CARBONDALE A Kentucky man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley, in what authorities called a multi-state crime spree. Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, was arrested Wednesday at a Carlyle home where he committed a home invasion and took the homeowner hostage in addition to a carjacking victim, police said. Riley was fatally shot on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals on the Indiana border. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said he had responded to a motorist assist call at about 5 a.m. Wednesday and was found dead by another deputy who arrived at the scene. Illinois State Police in a statement said it's believed that Tate carjacked a truck tractor near where Riley's squad car was found abandoned. The driver drove to St. Peters, Missouri, and authorities said there was another carjacking at 7 a.m. at a QuikTrip convenience store Tate then went back to Illinois with a kidnapped victim and broke into the house in rural Carlyle, authorities said. SWAT team members were able to get inside at 1:45 p.m., police said. No injuries were reported. An Illinois State Police statement doesn't say if Tate is facing other charges tied to the alleged car thefts, shootings or kidnappings. The Wayne County Ambulance Service, Bedford Township Fire Department and other groups are planning fundraisers for Riley, a married father of three. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, the Illinois State Police said Friday. The agency said in a statement that Darius Sullivan was found Friday morning, a day after authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The statement did not provide details of where Sullivan was found. It said he will be transported brought back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Authorities are still searching for 26-year-old Xandria A. Harris, of Bradley, who investigators believe was at the hotel when the shootings happened, the state police said. The two officers were speaking to people in a room at a Comfort Inn along a highway in Kankakee County when they were shot, according to the county sheriff's office. The officers were taken to nearby hospitals, where 49-year-old Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic died. The other officer identified by the Illinois State Police as 27-year-old Tyler J. Bailey underwent surgery was listed in critical condition on Thursday, according to the Bradley Police Department. The officers were at the hotel to investigate a report of dogs that were barking in an unattended vehicle in the parking lot, the sheriff's office said. They found the room where the vehicle's possible owner was staying and were shot while talking to the people in that room, it said. Authorities arrested two other people Thursday on charges alleging they impeded the search for Sullivan and a woman also suspected in the shootings. Nichele Newton-Carroll, 43, and Jelman Sullivan, 21, face charges of obstructing justice/leaving the state, the Kankakee Daily Journal reported. Neither had an attorney listed Friday in court or jail records. Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe identified Newton-Carroll as Sullivan's mother. Rowe said he is not sure of the connection between Jelman Sullivan and Darius Sullivan. The hotel shootings came hours after a sheriff's deputy was fatally shot while responding to a motorist assist call on a highway near Mill Shoals, roughly 200 miles south of Bradley. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Sean Riley was found dead by a second officer who later arrived at the scene, and the deputy's squad car was later found abandoned on I-64, police said. Authorities arrested a Kentucky man suspected in that attack and a carjacking in Missouri. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Delivery got so bad that we could never be sure if wed have a paper, Candie wrote. It was either the same delivery person for all three, or dueling delivery where one would take the other paper to make their paper look best! We gave up. I had to teach my husband how to read the papers on his laptop and now he prefers it. He even has access to NYT (New York Times) and WAPO (Washington Post) through my subscriptions. We are in the know! LOL. If you can make the adjustment to digital, there is a lot more information and opportunities. Then all you have to worry about your internet connection. No. 4 Road construction frustration. The Leyvas also expressed their frustration with road construction around Kannapolis. CHICAGO - As COVID-19 numbers are making social situations more precarious because of the omicron variant new cases in the U.S. have soared to their highest level on record at over 265,000 per day on average infectious disease physicians are recommending doubling down on precautions such as masking. (A new Cook County mandate takes effect Jan. 3.) Dr. Monica Mercon, infectious disease physician for Cook County Health, said people should be doubling down on known measures of protection vaccinations, boosters, masking, testing and distancing. These are the most important ways of protection, and at this point when we are fighting omicron, we just need to think of it as Swiss cheese layering each piece to fill one hole to cover the other one so youre fully protected, she said. No one isolated item is perfect. The vaccine is not perfect, masks, isolated are not perfect. And just testing is not perfect. We need to layer and double down on our measures. We have more contagious strains of the virus. Its not a time to relax. The masks work and they work because they protect other people from the virus as we breathe out and they protect us from the virus in the air. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations on how to wear masks have remained consistent and Mercon and Dr. John Segreti, medical director of infection control and prevention at Rush University Medical Center reiterate the hows when it comes to mask selection, cleaning and protecting yourself with masking. Both professionals say a proper mask fit means no gaps between mask and face, snug fit against the sides of the face, with mask covering nose and mouth. While it should be comfortable enough to breathe through, each mask needs to have layers of material that are tightly woven. According to Mercon, the way to test that is by putting the mask against the light and if light doesnt pass through, then the mask will protect. Its important to be well-fitted. Sometimes people use double masking, like a surgical mask under a cloth mask, that way the surgical mask will adhere to your face and there will be no gaps, she said. The double mask recommendation is more for fitting than for layers of protection. Segreti says sometimes people feel a false sense of security by putting on an KN95 mask, but if it doesnt fit correctly, its not going to necessarily protect you. He said facial hair often gets in the way of a proper fit for masks. Segreti added that gaiters and bandannas are not as good as masks. Both dont recommend masks with vents. I dont recommend that KN95s (be used) for the general public because in health care situations and in industrial situations, KN95s have to be fit tested, a fairly rigorous process, Segreti said. We find that maybe 5% to 10% of people, even without facial hair, cant find an KN95 that fits them. A regular procedure surgical mask is fine. KN95s ... some people find them more comfortable. But it doesnt necessarily give you a lot more protection than a well-fitting surgical mask. As for duration of use when it comes to masks in the time of omicron, both physicians say if disposable masks are soiled, wet or torn after usage, throw them in the trash. Cloth masks need to be washed after usage. And if a disposable mask is not torn, wet or soiled after being used for a short period of time, it can be reused, if folded and put in a plastic bag when not in usage. Masks are mainly for what we call source control. So, the person whos infected doesnt infect other people. Were also finding that it offers some element of protection for the person whos wearing the mask, even if theyre not infected. So, if an infected person and a noninfected person are both wearing masks, correctly, the chance of transmission is almost zero, Segreti said. Nothing is 100% but they will significantly decrease the transmission, especially if youre the one thats infected. Mecron mentions that masks should still be worn under winter wear such as scarves and winter gear. We are in a setting of high transmission, she said. We really need, at this point, to be using any kind of mitigation we have available out there. Even if youre tired of doing all of these things. We should still do this. No one knows why omicron is more contagious than other variants a more efficient virus so less virus needed to become infected maybe its able to bind better to its target sites than previous variants. It doesnt matter which strain of the virus, it depends on the correct use of the mask, the mask needs to be over the nose and the mouth because when you breathe both the nose and the mouth can breathe out the virus or breathe in the virus if youre around somebody who is contagious, Mercon said. Segreti agrees. Theres nothing about omicron that makes it more likely to avoid someones mask. If you wear the right mask, and you wear it correctly, it works just as well against omicron as it does against any other variants, he said. The doctors arent advising against New Years celebrations, but they say if its not with immediate family, a mask should be worn as much as possible. Avoid crowded areas that are poorly ventilated with people you dont know. A smaller group of people that you know are vaccinated is safer. Its not entirely zero risk, but its safer. Whats most important is being vaccinated and boosted, Mercon said. Remember the layers of intervention that we need to continue and if people need to gather they are vaccinated, using the mask, and using a rapid test at home before going to the party, that would be ideal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - The effects of Illinois most recent COVID-19 wave were varied and widespread Thursday, with new daily cases breaking another record, the lieutenant governor announcing she has tested positive, the state shutting down in-person services at drivers license facilities for more than two weeks and the governor urging hospitals to halt nonemergency surgeries. Chicago Public Schools leader, though, said post-break in-person classes will resume Monday as planned, and an arbitrator has sided with the state of Illinois in its vaccine mandate for public employees. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office issued a release late Thursday asking hospitals to postpone nonemergency procedures and take any other measures possible to free up beds in anticipation of a post-holiday, omicron-driven surge and potential shortage of staffed intensive-care beds. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced on Twitter Thursday that she has contracted COVID-19, while health officials revealed the state has reached more than 30,000 new daily cases of the coronavirus for the first time. Stratton said she has mild symptoms, is in isolation and is so relieved to be fully vaccinated and boosted. If you have yet to do so, please get vaccinated, your booster and wear a mask. I appreciate your prayers and good vibes! Her announcement comes as a winter surge has brought the number of COVID-19 cases statewide to unprecedented levels since the pandemic took shape in March 2020. On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced there were 30,386 new cases, the highest recorded daily caseload ever in the state. Illinois has also reached a daily average of 18,321 for the week ending Thursday, also a record high. (The average is based on the total for that day and six prior days.) But those numbers could be higher because the state doesnt count positive results that may have been determined by at-home test kits. Those people would only be counted if theyd also gone to a testing location for a separate test, and that came back positive. Reasons for the skyrocketing number of cases could be that testing has become more prevalent, though new viral variants such as delta and omicron have shown theyre able to infect some people who are fully vaccinated, as well as those with booster shots. The preliminary positivity rate for testing in the last week is 10.2%, according to the IDPH. Vaccinated people are much less likely to be seriously sick and have generally avoided serious illness from the new variants, however. Citing the increasing cases, Secretary of State Jesse White has announced all drivers license facilities will remain closed for in-person services until Jan. 18. Whites office encourages residents to visit ilsos.gov for services such as checking online license renewal eligibility, filing for new license stickers or seeking a duplicate license. Drivers license and ID expiration dates have been extended to March 31. Also Thursday, Pritzkers administration announced it won its arbitration fight against the states largest public employee union, allowing the governor to require vaccinations for prisons guards from the Illinois Department of Corrections and staffers from the states Department of Juvenile Justice. The decision comes after negotiations were deadlocked between the Pritzker administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 related to the governors order requiring workers at congregate care facilities to either get vaccinated or be tested regularly. The impasse affected about 10,000 employees at state prisons and juvenile justice facilities. Pritzker has twice extended the deadline for state workers at congregate facilities to be fully vaccinated since issuing his order in August. In October, Pritkzers administration said it reached an agreement on the vaccine order with about 7,800 AFSCME members who work in the states Department of Human Services and in Veterans Affairs. The workers affected by the latest arbitration ruling will have to get their first shot by Jan. 31 unless they are approved for a religious or medical exemption, according to the governors office. AFSCME was not immediately available for comment. And while the 177 members of the Illinois General Assembly were slated to begin their three-month legislative session on Tuesday in Springfield, top legislators said the rise in cases has prompted them to only meet during the week on Wednesday, and session days the following week will likely be canceled. We continue to monitor the situation in an effort to protect our colleagues, our staffs and everyone else who is part of a legislative session day, state Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat who has disclosed that he had COVID-19 last summer despite getting vaccinated earlier this year, said in a statement Thursday. We have work to do, and weve proven that we can do it, minimize exposure and keep people healthy and safe. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the vaccines and booster shots available to protect themselves and those around them. The rise in cases is also evidenced by an increase in hospitalizations throughout December and days where dozens of people died from the virus. In the past two weeks, Illinois daily average of COVID-19 cases increased 130% and hospitalizations have risen 50%, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, a Democrat from Hillside, said Thursday in a statement. We must take necessary precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, reduce the burden on our health care systems and keep each other as safe as possible. We know how important the peoples work is and we are committed to getting that work done in a safe way. Please take advantage of the free and widely available vaccines and boosters because we know it is our best tool in this fight. At the same time, IDPH announced it will adopt a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the number of days for isolation and quarantine. On Monday, the CDC updated its recommendation to shorten isolation for people who contract COVID-19 from 10 days to five days if they dont have symptoms, which might include a fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, body aches and loss of taste or smell. But those people must wear a mask for five days after their isolation period ends. These recommendations apply to all individuals, including those who are unvaccinated or are not boosted even though they are eligible, the IDPH said in a statement. The state public health department said the CDC also recommended shortening a quarantine from 10 days to five days for those who are close contacts to a COVID-19 case and have no symptoms. Those people, however, should also wear masks for five days after their quarantine ends. But if youre fully vaccinated and have a booster shot, as well, quarantining after close contact isnt necessary, though you should wear a mask for 10 days after exposure, the state public health department also said, citing the new CDC guidelines. Meanwhile, schools should continue to follow the state public health departments guidelines for children who are vaccinated but arent yet eligible for boosters, which can be found at dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/school-guidance.html. Chicago Tribunes Joe Mahr contributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The omicron variant has illustrated that vaccines are a mitigator of COVID-19, not an eliminator. And it's teaching us there's no impenetrable shield that will keep us safe from the virus. We can't hide from it behind jabs and masks. More in my circle of friends and family have COVID than at any point of the pandemic, and nearly all are fully vaccinated. But none have got much sicker than they would have with a cold or the flu. As of Dec. 25, almost 60% of cases of COVID-19 in the country were caused by the omicron variant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That affirms the importance of getting vaccinated. But omicron has also exposed the reality that vaccines aren't working nearly as well as we hoped to prevent the spread of the virus. And that calls into question the wisdom of vaccine mandates, especially as the science and efficacy of the vaccine can now be compared to other innovative COVID treatments like GlaxoSmithKline's Sotrovimab and other types of monoclonal antibodies effective against delta and other earlier variants of the virus. If you get COVID and don't end up in the hospital or die, who cares? The vaccines have proven themselves effective in that regard. While case numbers have surged, deaths haven't kept pace. A Carnival Cruise Lines ship that set sail just before Christmas required all passengers to be vaccinated and tested for COVID before they boarded. That didn't prevent a small outbreak from running through the ship, keeping it from docking at some of its scheduled ports. That experience should inform policymaking. Dr. Anthony Fauci's call for a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel seems dated, now that we know vaccinated people can spread the virus the same as the unvaccinated. South Africa, where omicron was first detected, was considering a nationwide vaccine mandate just four weeks ago. But since then, case rates have plummeted and talk has turned to lifting contact tracing and quarantines. The nation's vaccination rate is just 25%, but health officials there estimate 80% of the population has had COVID. South Africans believe they are benefiting from herd immunity, a theory the United States has stubbornly rejected in favor of the more aggressive goal of universal vaccination. If the U.S. mimics the South African experience, omicron will quickly race through the population, and then just as rapidly subside. Absent yet another mutation of COVID, that could be the turning point that moves the virus from pandemic to endemic. We may have at last reached the point in the pandemic at which we can accept more risk in the name of returning to normal. The CDC seemed to recognize that this week when it cut the quarantine time for those who test positive without symptoms to five days from 10. Our energy and resources should shift to ramping up production and distributing the new medicines and antibody treatments that promise to dramatically cut the virus' mortality rate. If omicron is any indication, we can all expect to get COVID at some point, no matter how hard we try to dodge it. If we get vaccinated and mind our health, that's something we can live with, just as we've lived with influenza. The passing of 2021 should mark the end of having our lives limited by COVID-19. Nolan Finley is a columnist for The Detroit News. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It always seems as if the tragedies of Black Americans instead of our triumphs remain center stage in the media. Discussions of our history focus on the tragedies of slavery, but seldom mention the ancient African civilizations ruling the world by the power of their wealth, intelligence and strength. Archaeological studies of these civilizations have produced breakthrough discoveries and facts that somehow never reach the dinner table in Black American homes. Media stories about present-day Black America often remind us of a traumatic past, highlighting criminal activity and confrontations with law enforcement. Where are the stories about the countless number of Black Americans keeping our communities safe or about those who have risen above tragedy to lead successful lives today? I have always been intrigued by the stories of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and several other communities where Black Americans from our past thrived during some of the most racially divided and tumultuous times of our history. I also appreciate the common stories about Black leaders during the civil rights era. But what we dont hear in the media are stories like this: In the late 1800s, long before the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Black Americans were elected members of Congress. The list of Black American triumphs is lengthy, but allow me to share a short list of people who are noteworthy for defying the odds. Frederick Douglass not only escaped slavery but also taught himself and others to read and write. He became a national leader in the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. His speeches and anti-slavery writings are still read and cited to this day. His leadership earned him the opportunity to meet President Abraham Lincoln, which should remind us that the federal government exists to preserve life, liberty and property and is instituted to protect the rights of all individuals. Mary McLeod Bethune, a daughter of former slaves, became a nationally known educator, philanthropist, humanitarian and civil and womens rights leader. Her passion for public service and education led her to serve as adviser to five U.S. presidents and to chair FDRs Black Cabinet. Later, she founded and led several organizations and an HBCU in Florida. Her outstanding leadership and influence in education and throughout the public sector, showed that individuals and families can dramatically improve not just their own lives, but the well-being of entire communities. Just weeks ago, Winsome Sears became the first Black woman to be elected lieutenant governor of Virginia. A former U.S. Marine, businesswoman and member of the Virginia General Assembly, Sears rode into office advocating better pay for teachers and law enforcement, lower taxes and more care centers for veterans. Her commitment to creating a Black Virginians Advisory Cabinet for the Governor and a once in a generation investment into historically Black colleges and universities demonstrate her belief in the words of Thomas Jefferson: The government closest to the people serves the people best. The legacy of Black Americans is rooted in a story of excellence and contribution. Stories like these celebrate and bolster the accomplishments, achievements and contributions of Black Americans. Ours is the profound, difficult and ultimately triumphal history of helping build a nation of freedom and prosperity. The narrative of challenge and triumph must be passed to our children and future generations because it provides them with a clearer focus on the strength and resilience of Black Americans rising from a tragic past to a place of triumph and victory despite our valley experiences. We live in the greatest nation known to humanity. We have the freedom to tell our own story, and it is the responsibility of current and future generations to do so. Terris E. Todd is the program manager of Civil Society and the American Dialogue at The Heritage Foundation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 There are people who test positive that we dont about, Trimble said. They know what their status is so they can make the best decision for themselves with that knowledge. Complicating data collection for at-home tests, Trimble said, is that the test may not have been administered correctly. Our numbers are so big right now that those extra test numbers probably wouldnt make a big dent in the overall epidemiology. Ohl said that local public-health officials have a pretty good idea of whats going on now ... and weve always tried to account for underreporting, which happens with any infectious diseases. Ohl said hes encouraged that the surge in daily cases hasnt led so far to an equivalent increase in hospitalizations, which may be evidence that the omicron variant is less harmful than the delta variant. Our hospitals are definitely busier than they were three weeks ago ... but hospitalizations are not going up as fast (as cases), Ohl said. Virginia Marie Spencer was influenced by former Donald Trump and media converage to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, her attorney argues in court documents. She said she followed the crowd, along with her husband and their 14-year-old son, into the Capitol building that day and that she committed no violent acts or damaged any property, the attorney said. He urges a federal judge to consider a 12-month probationary sentence, while prosecutors want her to spend three months in prison. DENVER (AP) An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. At least one first responder and six others were injured, though Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle acknowledged there could be more injuries and deaths could be possible due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph). The first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored with no structures lost, Pelle said. A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., ballooned and spread rapidly east, Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) and has engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies and sent residents scrambling to get to safety. The activity of the fires, which are burning unusually late into the winter season, will depend on how the winds behave overnight and could determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims. This acquisition is thanks to the efforts of local officials working with the nonprofit Piedmont Land Conservancy. These projects and others are the result of cooperation between enlightened land owners, public officials and nonprofits that realize the need for stewardship rather than commercial exploitation. We need that approach now more than ever. The recently deceased, Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist Edward O. Wilson spent much of his later career reminding us of the importance of preserving diverse species and ecosystems, which are all interwoven. The diversity of life on Earth is far greater than even most biologists recognize, he said in 1993. Some tend to see nature as separate from humanity. We find comfort in our temperature-controlled shelters. But were actually part of nature, from which comes all the resources that we manipulate to create food, clothing and everything else we use. And from which we can find health, solace, recreation and inspiration, if we protect its finite resources properly. Hes just broken up, Paragas said. These guys were complete friends. There was no animosity involved here. Its hard to quantify how much remorse my client has. In an earlier hearing, Garza-Calderons attorney told the judge that everyone in the white Toyota Corolla was passing around the shotgun and pointing it at each other that day. Paragas disputes that. Only Garza-Calderon was pointing it at people, including a girlfriend and another female friend of the group, Paragas said. Paragas also took issue with a notion in the community that Ramos was a snitch. All my client did was tell the truth of what happened that day, Paragas said. +3 'Kids and a gun': The untold case of an Omaha boy, shot dead and left on a Wyoming road The day of his death, 15-year-old Manuel Gijon-Villa wished his mom a "Happy Mother's Day," then said he was leaving to get her flowers. It would be the last time he spoke to his family. Had his client not told the truth, Paragas said, he and Garza-Calderon both were looking at first-degree murder charges, and the possibility of life in prison. Ramos laid out the tragedy, noting that the three were all friends and that Garza-Calderon didnt mean to shoot Manuel. The three some of whom had ties to the Surenos gang had been using cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol prior to the shooting, attorneys say. This New Year, instead of a resolution, I'd like to make a request -- of America. Mind you, it's not for me. Well, it's not only for me. This "ask" is on behalf of the nation's 62 million Latinos, who represent 18% of the U.S. population. As a Mexican American, I'm in the club. Although I'm not always a member in good standing, depending on the opinion of the week. Latinos have earned the right to make a few demands. We've served in the U.S. military in every major conflict from Kabul all the way back to Yorktown. (Gracias to Captain Jorge Farragut, and his son David, who left Spain to help the colonists fight the British). We've received more than our share of medals for valor, but we've also lost a disproportionate number of our best and bravest young men and women. Latinos have paid a mountain of taxes, started scores of businesses and employed millions of workers. We've cooked meals, cleaned houses, built roads, tarred roofs, swung hammers, dug ditches, picked peaches and done just about every dirty job other Americans wouldn't do. I don't speak for the members of my tribe. But I do try to listen closely when they speak to me. One-hundred-thirty-one years ago this week, the remnants of Custers Seventh Cavalry opened fire on a village of freezing, starving Lakota clustered along a creek bank on South Dakotas Pine Ridge Reservation. When the Hotchkiss cannons finally fell silent, according to the official U.S. Army report, 290 Lakota lay dead, 200 of them women and children, many of them shot in the back as they tried to flee. Later, in a confidential letter to a friend, Gen. Nelson Miles noted a baby had been found suckling at its mothers breast. The little girl had been shot in the back five times. Not long afterwards, Congress awarded Medals of Honor the nations most distinguished military award -- to 20 of the soldiers for gallantry and conspicuous bravery. Theres a movement afoot now that wants to whitewash such incidents, sweep them under antiquitys carpet, prevent them from being discussed in University of Nebraska classrooms. People running for the states highest office who say theyll be damned if their 9-year-old grandson has to go to school and be told he has to apologize for being white. These people have a name for such teachings: They call it CRT critical race theory. A bill was issued for $975. Four dollars and change was repaid. And theres nothing that can be done about it. I almost wanted to frame the check, because to me it was a joke, said Christopher Siebeneich, chief of North Central EMS & Rescue Squad, 3204 Washington Ave., the private ambulance company that received the check for less than 0.5% of its billing for its essential service from Medicare/Medicaid. What am I going to do with $4? It costs me more than that to pay two people their hourly wage plus all our expenses for payroll. North Central EMS & Rescue Squad has been facing staffing troubles, as have other organizations that staff emergency medical technicians across the state. In the past, North Central EMS has had five full-time employees on its payroll. Now its down to one or two part-timers, and the company pretty much only works planned events. If you call for a ride to a medical facility, dispatch will have to answer No. Siebeneich doesnt have the staff for it. Siebeneich blames low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement as a contributor to not being able to pay better and give raises to staff who want it. We dont get the return that we need to cover that expense, he said. Theyre only going to pay us so much based on whatever their algorithm says; we have to just accept it. And his workers? People dont want $15 to $17 an hour. Its not desirable in this COVID climate. They want more money and hazard pay. According to a report from the American Hospital Association: For Medicaid, hospitals received payment of only 90 cents for every dollar spent by hospitals caring for Medicaid patients in 2019. In 2019, 63 percent of hospitals received Medicare payments less than cost, while 58 percent of hospitals received Medicaid payments less than cost. A study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum suggested one solution to shortages in emergency medical care could be to increase Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance transports to 100% of the Medicare rate. But that would take action from government entities. Of that coming increase, This was significant in light of the many competing health-related entities and initiatives that could benefit from greater Medicaid reimbursement and it would be a heavy lift politically to increase it further, WPFs study concluded, but doing so would provide additional revenues to fire departments and EMS (emergency medical services) agencies that could be used to boost responder compensation. This isnt a new phenomenon and has been a problem for the last several years. Kansasville Fire and Rescue Chief Ron Molnar also expressed concern about low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Molnar, whose department is volunteer-run, said a response call may result in a bill to the insurance company of $800 to $900. Health insurance may reimburse the department, or whatever entity the service provider is, $600. And thats if you get lucky, he said. With shortages in supplies, vehicles and personnel, costs could be even higher. Every time the department answers a call, it could be impactful to revenue, Molnar said. If were getting reimbursed $400 less than we should, 10 times a day, thats $4,000 a day, Molnar said. Some agencies would say youre not even breaking even. How long can you stay in business if youre losing money, insurance and supplies? Ambulance series Part 1: Racine County has long been facing shortages of EMTs. Costs are rising as a result. Part 2, today: When payment for emergency medical services far undercuts actual costs. Part 3: How an aging population is severely driving up demand for taxpayer-funded emergency services. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. He allegedly said he did not really need the money, but also that he used it for gas; he added that his car broke down and needed to repair it several times. Good news sometimes comes from unexpected places. While Wisconsin continues to roil with debates and seemingly endless probes of the 2020 presidential election, state election clerks, poll workers and other election officials received a feather in their caps recently with high marks for election security and integrity. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank and advocacy group, ranked Wisconsin eighth in the nation in its election integrity scorecard, which compares state election laws and regulations based on how they impact the security and integrity of the processes based on the foundations best-practices recommendations. Wisconsin received a 20 out of 20 score on voter ID implementation and an overall score of 74 out of 100 to tie it with South Carolina among the top tier of states in conducting the 2020 election. The Heritage Foundation report compared states in 12 different categories of election-related issues including accuracy of voter registration lists, absentee ballot management, vote harvesting restrictions, access of election observers, verification of citizenship, identification for voter assistance, vote counting practices, election litigation procedures, restrictions of same-day registration, restrictions of automatic registrations and restriction on private funding of election officials or government agencies. Yes, Wisconsin got zero points on that last category after receiving $10 million in grants from the Chicago-based Center for Tech and and Civic Life funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg that Republicans say were used to unfairly increase turnout in Democratic strongholds, including Racine. State courts and state election officials found nothing illegal about the donations, but they continue to be a focus of the Vos-Gableman investigation that is now sliding into 2022. Remarkably, the Heritage Foundation report also gave high marks to another state that has been embroiled in post-election disputes. Georgia was ranked tops in election security and integrity with a score of 83 points. The Heritage Foundation report was not without its advocacy package. It gave states 11 proposed cookie cutter legislation items (just drop in the name of your state in the blank) that would ban Zuckerberg-like contributions to local elections, increase scrutiny of voter registration lists and require monthly cross-referencing them with DMV lists, Dept. of Corrections lists, vital records, public assistance rolls and county tax records to make sure no one is living in a commercial building. The Heritage Foundations proposed legislative package would also clamp down on absentee ballots and maintains In-person voting is the preferred method of voting within (state). It would only allow absentee ballots if someone is going to be out of state on election day or early voting days or has a disability. That might be a hard sell in Wisconsin where nearly 2 million of its 3.3 million voters 60%decided to vote absentee during the Covid-challenged 2020 election year. Our hope is that whatever election procedures or changes are made that they be done well in advance of the next election day so that voters are not whipsawed by changing rules, last-minute court decisions or conflicting advice as happened that year. Meanwhile, the states election clerks, poll workers and others who helped can celebrate their good security and integrity report card. Good job. Now brace yourselves for the next round of elections. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. 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 View Results KEARNEY After 14 consecutive weeks buried in the red pandemic zone, the Two Rivers Public Health Departments COVID-19 risk dial has inched into the orange elevated risk zone. The red zone means there is a severe level of risk for contracting the virus and becoming ill from it. With the needle moving into the orange level, the risk of contracting COVID is somewhat less. Fourteen weeks is the longest span in the red zone since the pandemic began on March 20, 2020. The dial in the orange level reflects an improved situation in the seven-county Two Rivers District. One hundred eighty-six cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Two Rivers between Dec. 22-28, according to Katie Mulligan, planning section supervisor for Two Rivers. A little over 10% of all tests recorded in the district are positive. Between Dec. 12-25, omicron made up 3% of COVID specimens sequenced in the state of Nebraska. Mulligan also reported: Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Great Rivers United Way, local universities, and the School District of La Crosse asked, and the community answered. In less than three weeks, every item on the school supply wish list created by local English Language Learning educators on behalf of the Afghan guests living at Fort McCoy has been purchased by generous community members. The Operation Allies Welcome School Supply Drive wish list featured 673 items totaling just over $7,783. After seeing the need firsthand, educators from Viterbo, Western and UW-La Crosse realized one way we could help was by getting supplies to the classrooms at Fort McCoy. Great Rivers United Way Executive Director Mary Kay Wolf was not surprised by the response to this request. Were lucky to live in such a caring community, Wolf said. The remarkable response to this school supply drive demonstrates once again that people here will do what they can to help others in need. Nearly 2,000 Afghans currently housed at Fort McCoy are attending classes on base as part of the ongoing effort to help them adapt to life in the United States. These classrooms on base, established by the refugees themselves, lacked the supplies necessary for effective learning. Purchases made via the wish list were shipped directly to Fort McCoy and have already begun to arrive. Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Vance Callender is acting as Federal Coordinating Officer for Operation Allies Welcome at Fort McCoy. Callender noted that the generous donations we have received have helped both children and adults, and are being used for communicative language classes, which prepare students to buy groceries, pay bills and build other life skills. Great Rivers United Way and its educational partners will continue to assess the needs of the Afghan families living and learning at Fort McCoy, and will keep community members informed regarding ways they can help. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The following people have been charged with felonies in La Crosse County Circuit Court: Lee Redmond, 41, no permanent address, has been charged with forgery. According to the criminal complaint, he stole a check written for $2,100 and cashed it Dec. 2 at a local credit union. He is free on a $1,000 signature bond. Richard D. Lueck, 39, Westby, has been charged with intimidating a victim. According to the criminal complaint, he threatened to kill a woman if she called police during a Dec. 14 altercation in La Crosse. Lueck is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond. Francie A. Heaser, 38, La Crosse, has been charged with five counts of forgery. According to the criminal complaint, Heaser cashed fraudulent checks totaling $392.69 from Sept. 22 to Oct. 2. She failed to show for her initial court appearance Dec. 21 and was arrested Dec. 23 in Rochester, Minnesota. Criminal complaints have been filed against the following people: Justin P. Mueller, 18, West Salem, is accused of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. According to the criminal complaint, police found Mueller with 96.7 grams of marijuana during a Nov. 11 traffic stop on Interstate 90. He has an initial court appearance set for Jan. 4. Annie Rozinski, 30, New Lisbon, is accused of identity theft. According to the criminal complaint, she used a charge account of a local business to make $501.18 worth of unauthorized purchases June 27. She has an initial court appearance set for Jan. 5. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NEW YORK (AP) New York City will ring in 2022 in Times Square as planned despite record numbers of COVID-19 infections in the city and around the nation, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. "We want to show that we're moving forward, and we want to show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this," de Blasio, whose last day in office is Friday, said on NBC's "Today" show. After banning revelers from Times Square a year ago due to the pandemic, city officials previously announced plans for a scaled-back New Year's bash with smaller crowds and vaccinations required. While cities such as Atlanta have canceled New Year's Eve celebrations, de Blasio said New York City's high COVID-19 vaccination rate makes it feasible to welcome masked, socially distanced crowds to watch the ball drop in Times Square. "We've got to send a message to the world. New York City is open," he said. Thanks to the highly contagious omicron variant that was first identified as a variant of concern last month, new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have soared to their highest levels on record at over 265,000 per day on average. New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed cases almost 44,000 on Wednesday, according to New York state figures. De Blasio said the answer is to "double down on vaccinations" and noted that 91% of New York City adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. The city's next mayor, Eric Adams, will take the oath of office in Times Square early Saturday. Adams, a Democrat like de Blasio, said at a news conference Thursday that his team is working with de Blasio's and he plans to keep much of the outgoing mayor's plans in place. "January 1 is a new beginning of my administration but it's a new beginning of our resiliency," Adams said. Among the policies Adams plans to keep in place is a vaccine mandate for private sector employees that is the most sweeping of any state or major city. Adams said he, like de Blasio, would impose fines on businesses that do not comply but would try to use the fines as a last resort. Even as reported cases and hospitalizations surge, Adams has committed to keeping schools open and staving off the closures that marked the early months of the pandemic. "We can't shut down our city again," Adams said. "We can't allow the city to go further into economic despair." The new mayor said he and a team of advisors are studying whether to expand on other vaccine mandates. New York City currently requires teachers and staff in public and private schools to be vaccinated but de Blasio did impose the requirement on students. Dr. Dave Chokshi, the city's Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said Thursday that city officials will decide by spring whether to impose such a requirement for students. Officials are also studying whether to require that people have received a booster shot in order to be in compliance with vaccine mandates for indoor dining, working out at gyms and other activities. Adams said he plans to roll out a color-coded system alerting New Yorkers to the current threat level posed by the virus and what safety measures are in place. The incoming mayor did not offer more details about the system. The new mayor and his medical advisors said Thursday that they plan to distribute face masks that provide more protection against the coronavirus, such as N95s, at health department sites and through community groups. The city also plans to send students home with rapid tests for use at home. "We should plan and prepare for a challenging few weeks, certainly through January with respect to what we're seeing for the winter surge due to omicron," Chokshi said. "This is not something that we're just going to take passively. This is something that we have agency over." Candidates For LA Elected Office In June Must Live In District By Jan. 8 Candidates running for Los Angeles elected office in the June 7, 2022 primary must reside in that jurisdiction or districts newly drawn borders by Jan. 8, the Los Angeles City Clerk reminded candidates today. The new City Council and Board of Education districts go into effect on Jan. 1 after being redrawn this year using data from the 2020 census. The June 7 primary includes elections for mayor, controller, city attorney, City Council districts (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15) and Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education (districts 2, 4 and 6). Candidates for mayor, controller, city attorney and the City Council must be registered voters within the city, as well. Board of Education candidates must be registered voters within LAUSD. The Jan. 8 deadline is set by the City Charter, which requires that candidates live in the district 30 days preceding Feb. 7, the first day that candidates can file a Declaration of Intention to Become a Candidate. ADVERTISEMENT Candidates that do not meet the residency requirement will be disqualified from running for office in that district in the June 7 primary. People can see the new City Council districts at bit.ly/3FH8Dbj and the new Board of Education districts at bit.ly/3EA5DMI. COVID-19 Surge Prompts Cancelation of Chicago Kwanzaa Event Chicagos surging cases of the highly transmissible COVID-19 omicron variant has prompted City Colleges of Chicago to cancel a Kwanzaa celebration planned for this week at Malcom X College. Wednesdays start of the celebration toasting African-American heritage was canceled due to the new COVID variant and out of an abundance of caution, City Colleges spokeswoman Veronica Resa said Monday in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT The Kwanzaa events cancellation comes as the omicron variant of the coronavirus has rapidly spread throughout the country, spurring officials to impose new restrictions and regulations in an attempt to combat its spread, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Those include the city and Cook County requiring patrons of gyms, bars and restaurants to show proof of vaccination with a valid ID. Cases of coronavirus in the city are up 129% over the previous week, according to the most recent data available from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Thats over 2,500 new cases daily on average with a positivity rate of 9.2%. The canceled Kwanzaa celebration would have featured a procession and drum call, live performances and shopping. The free event would have included performances by Najwa Dance Corps, Dee Alexander and the A Team, Armen Rah, Ugochi and the Muntu Dance Theatre. AP-WF-12-27-21 1750GMT Ethiopia Passes Law to Start National Dialogue Commission 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. ADVERTISEMENT Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds 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 commissions creation may be an effort to respond to the international communitys 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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 Ministers 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. First COVID-19 Shot Recipient in U.S. Now a Vaccine Activist 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 countrys biggest-ever vaccination campaign. She has been promoting the shots on panels, in Zoom town halls and at other events. ADVERTISEMENT 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. ADVERTISEMENT With the arrival of the omicron variant and new surges around the country, Lindsays still addressing fears and misinformation. Some mistakenly believe the shots arent 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 girls request to vaccinate her since shes 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 shes grateful for the role shes 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. Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, Freedom Fighting Publisher of Wilmington Journal Dies Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, who often told the story of how as a baby, she used her diaper to clean the floor of the Wilmington Journal and who went on to become the editor and publisher of the historical newspaper, has died at the age of 78. My daddy used to say that I started at 3 or 4 months old, when I started crawling around on the floor, Thatch recounted several times, often with a broad smile and chuckle. I was hired as the janitor to clean the floor with my diaper. A teacher and educated wordsmith, Thatch had an unsurpassed commitment to providing a voice to African Americans. ADVERTISEMENT She took over the Wilmington Journal in 1996, following her fathers footsteps, former National Newspaper Publishers Association Chair Thomas C. Jervay, Sr., and grandfather, R.S. Jervay. The latter founded the newspaper in 1927, while her father ultimately took over as publisher. R.S. Jervay moved from Columbus County to Wilmington and found that the area lacked a Black-owned newspaper for three decades because of the race riots that destroyed the Daily Record, which had served all African American residents of North Carolina. The elder Jervay founded the Cape Fear Journal, and the paper later changed its name to the Wilmington Journal. Thatch once recalled the early days of the Journal. My father used to say he had printers ink in his nostrils because he grew up at the paper, Thatch once remarked. He was the first carrier for the paper. He became editor after he graduated college. ADVERTISEMENT She continued: As a child, Thatch and her family lived on the second floor of the building housing Growing up at the paper, it was a daily thing for the family. We had family chores and Journal chores. During the struggle for civil rights, Thatch proved herself a champion for freedom and equality. On February 6, 1971, a white-owned grocery store was firebombed, and as they responded, emergency workers were fired upon by snipers. Ten community activists, including Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., were falsely accused of the firebombing and convicted in 1972 of arson and other offenses. The Jervay family were among the few to boldly and publicly support the activists known as The Wilmington Ten. After spending nearly ten years in prison, the state released Dr. Chavis and the others. But Thatch kept up the fight to clear their names. In 2011, she organized the Wilmington Ten Pardons of Innocence Project and continued to push for a declaration of innocence for the group. After a successful petition that garnered more than 150,000 signatures and with Thatch helping to uncover critical evidence, on December 31, 2012, Gov. Beverly Perdue issued pardons of innocence for each member of the Wilmington Ten. The NNPA today learned of the passing of one of our leading publishers, the renowned Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, publisher of the Wilmington Journal in Wilmington, North Carolina, Dr. Chavis, now President and CEO of the NNPA, remarked.mmMary Alice Jervay Thatch was a key factor for decades demanding successful pardons of innocence for the Wilmington Ten in 2012, Dr. Chavis stated. He noted that the Jervay family represents four generations of African American publishers in North Carolina and praised Mary Alices father and grandfather. Dr. Chavis said the NNPA would sorely miss Thatch. Mary Alice Thatch was a freedom fighting publisher, journalist, and activist. The Black Press of America extends our sincerest condolences to the family of Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, Dr. Chavis exclaimed. Mary Alice Thatch was a true warrior on behalf of the Black Press. She was one of the longest standing publishers and her friendship and tenacious style and unwavering determination was an inspiration to me during my time as Chairman of NNPA. She was a friend, a civil rights leader in her own right, and will forever be treasured for her work to advance the advocacy of the Black Press. She will certainly be missed stated Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. Chairman Emeritus of NNPA and Executive Publisher of The Los Angeles Sentinel/LAWT Just as Thatch continued her fathers legacy, her daughters are current Journal staffers, and her grandchildren reportedly have also played a part in producing the paper in recent years. A family-owned newspaper is really part of the community, Thatch previously told her biographer Amanda K. Lee. This is not just my paper; it is the communitys paper. The community is family. Friday, December 31, 2021 The Virgin Islands Supreme Court denied a petition of the Bar Association to have it amend its rules on multijurisdictional and unauthorized practice Before considering the merits of the Bar Association request we note that the Bar Association cites to no authority to support the filing of its petition to amend the Rules of this Court. This Court, as the court of last resort of the Virgin Islands, certainly possesses the constitutional, statutory, and inherent authority to regulate all aspects of the practice of law in the Territory, as well as to adopt the rules of practice and procedure for the courts of the Virgin Islands, including those pertaining to the admission and conduct of attorneys. While the court chided the association for not proceeding through the Advisory Committee on Rules Nevertheless, while we emphasize that we are under no obligation whatsoever to consider, or even docket, the Bar Associations petition, we exercise our discretion to do so in this instance. The court had made a "deliberate" choice to not adopt ABA Model Rule 5.5(c)-(e) but considered alternatives As a result of that process, this Court adopted Rule 202.1 to establish a formal process for the admission and registration of in house counsel. And in direct response to a request from the Virgin Islands Bar Association, this Court amended Rule 201, pertaining to pro hac vice admission, to greatly liberalize the rule by repealing the lifetime limit of three pro hac vice appearances by a lawyer or law firm and to also repeal the requirement that a pro hac vice attorney pay a licensing fee. The Bar's concern The Bar Association, however, does explain why it believes its proposed rule amendment is necessary. It maintains that its members have expressed concern about the application of the UPL laws as they relate to transactional matters involving stateside counsel and local counsel and scenarios in which stateside counsel is engaged in or will be engaged in litigation in the Territory on a pro hac vice basis, and that the typical interactions between local and stateside counsel are impeded by the application of the recent [UPL] decisions in the transactional, litigation and pre litigation settings (Pet 1 2) According to the Bar Association, these interactions are standard practice between lawyers in the mainland, who may be from differing states involved in the same type of interactions but yet do not run afoul of any UPL laws stateside. As to Rule 5.5 while many United States jurisdictions have adopted Model Rule 5 5, most have not done so without modification In fact, the American Bar Association, through its Center for Innovation recently released the results of a study of the disciplinary rules ad0pted by the 50 states and the District of Columbia which reflects that only 3.9% of those jurisdictions have adopted Model Rule 5.5 as is or with minor revisions, while a staggering 96 1% either have adopted it with significant changes or not at all While many jurisdictions adopted Model Rule 5 5(c) and only changed other portions of the rule, a significant number of jurisdictions, including but not limited to Alabama, California, Connecticut the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia West Virginia, and Wyoming, either deleted the reasonably expects language entirely or placed additional restrictions on its use that are not included in the Model Rule 5 5(c), such as limiting the number of matters on which one may work; conditioning the authorization on registration with, payment of a fee to, or obtaining a license from a court or disciplinary authority, mandating association with local counsel, or limiting the authorization only to attorneys from certain reciprocal jurisdictions or to the representation of a client in the jurisdiction the attorney is licensed Given the substantial diversity in how United States jurisdictions address multijurisdictional practice and the unauthorized practice of law, this Court is not convinced that the rules we have already adopted are such a departure from standard practice so as to warrant amendment. While the court commended the association for bringing its concerns forward While we again decline to adopt Model Rule 5.5(c), we refer the matter to the Advisory Committee on Rules, and it is our sincere hope that our reasons for doing so will alleviate this uncertainty and further clarify what acts do and do not, constitute the unauthorized practice of law in the Virgin Islands. The court has previously questioned whether stateside counsel had engaged in unauthorized practice. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2021/12/the-virgin-islands-supreme-court-denied-a-petition-of-the-bar-association-to-have-it-amend-its-rules-on-multijurisdictional-a.html As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden criticized the administration of then-president Donald Trump for its immigration policies. Biden also promised to pass reforms to permit more asylum-seekers and refugees. However, Bidens immigration policies in 2021 have not changed too much from those of the earlier administration. The biggest change was that Biden stopped building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden administration has kept enforcing what is called Title 42. That law requires the quick removal of migrants as a public health concern. Biden also tried to change a policy that required asylum-seekers at the southern border to stay in Mexico while waiting for U.S. immigration court dates. But a federal court ruled that the law, called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), must stay in place. Immigrant supporters say Biden has made the U.S immigration system kinder. But they credit him with little else. Fernando Garcia is director of the Border Network for Human Rights. He told VOA that we can still see some of the kind of legacy of Trump at the border. That has not changed and we're disappointed that that is still happening. US-Mexico border and asylum seekers In addition to stopping border wall construction Biden ordered an end to the stay-in-Mexico policy soon after entering office. Texas, a U.S. state bordering Mexico, took legal action against the Biden administration to keep the policy. In August, a federal judge ordered the policy to remain in place. The Biden administration is appealing the ruling. But the policy was restarted on December 6 after Mexico agreed to receive returned migrants. The Biden administration has sought to end the MPP policy, but it has observed Title 42 rules related to public health. Since March 20, 2020, thousands of migrants seeking to apply for asylum in the United States have been sent back to their home countries. But there have been some changes to Title 42 under Biden to permit unaccompanied children and families with young children to stay. Refugees Former President Trump reduced the number of refugees permitted in the U.S. from 85,000 to 15,000. Biden at first kept the refugee limit at 15,000, the lowest in modern U.S. history. After many Democrats criticized the decision, the administration raised the limit to 62,500. From October 2020 to the end of September, the U.S. has admitted just 11,411 refugees. The administration has since raised the 2022 refugee limit to 125,000. But the administration has said the goal [of 125,000 admissions] will be hard to hit. Enforcement goals Researchers say little has changed in federal border enforcement. Jessica Bolter is an expert with the Migration Policy Institute. She said the Biden administration is centered on removing undocumented immigrants that are a threat to public safety. During the Trump administration, any undocumented immigrant living in the U.S. could be removed. Bolter said the change has made most immigrants who do not have legal papers to be living in the U.S. less likely to be removed. The Biden administration has worked to prevent Immigration Customs and Enforcement officers from making arrests at courthouses. Biden has also limited detentions of pregnant women. Legal immigration After more than a year of closures, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world have reopened for visa processing. However, services remain limited because of the pandemic. In November, the U.S. State Department announced that more than 460,000 people are awaiting required meetings with officials. There is already a long list of those applying to live in the U.S. legally. Immigration legislation slowed On his first day in office, President Biden released an immigration reform bill: the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. It includes an eight-year path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The bill has never been voted on by either the U.S. House or Senate. It is not expected to pass. Since the Democratic Party controls the presidency and Congress, the inability to reform Americas immigration system is hard to accept for immigration activists. Our hope, our demand and our expectation were that this new administration was bringing a new air in regard to immigrants and immigration policy with a more humane approach to immigration, and we did believe that, Garcia, from Border Network for Human Rights, told VOA. Im Dan Novak Aline Barros reported this story for Voice of America. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. _________________________________________________ Words in This Story legacy n. something that comes from someone in the past that affects the present construction n. the process of building something unaccompanied adj. alone; without someone else undocumented adj. not having the official documents that are needed to enter, live in, or work in a country legally apply v. to formally ask for a position or privilege such as admission to a school, a job or to legally live in a country humane adj. kind or gentle to others Flu season has arrived in the United States, after taking an unusual year off. Flu hospitalizations are rising, and at least two child deaths have been reported. Last year's flu season was the lowest on record. COVID-19 protection measures such as school closures, distancing, masks and canceled travel likely prevented the spread of influenza. "This is setting itself up to be more of a normal flu season," said Lynnette Brammer. She studies flu-like illnesses for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The childhood deaths, Brammer said, are "unfortunately what we would expect when flu activity picks up. It's a sad reminder of how severe flu can be." During last year's unusually light flu season, only one child died. Two years ago, 199 children died from flu, and 144 the year before that. In the newest data, the most severe flu activity was in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C. The number of states with high flu activity rose from three to seven. Recent data show high flu activity in New Mexico, Kansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia and North Dakota. The type of flu virus this year seems to cause the largest amount of severe disease, especially in the elderly and the very young, Brammer said. Last year's break from the flu made it more difficult to plan for this year's flu vaccine. Brammer said it is too early to know whether small changes to the flu virus this year will affect the flu vaccine's effectiveness. "We'll have to see what the impact of these little changes" will be, she added. "Flu vaccine is your best way to protect yourself against flu." Early signs show that fewer people are getting flu shots this year compared to 2020. Brammer said with hospitals already affected by COVID-19, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot and take other safety measures. Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Stay home if you're sick," she said. "If you do get flu, there are anti-virals you can talk to your doctor about that can prevent severe illness and help you stay out of the hospital." Im Jonathan Evans. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English based on a report from the Associated Press. Susan Shand was the editor. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story unfortunately adv. used to say that something bad or unlucky has happened U.S. health officials recently approved the first drug against COVID-19 that Americans can take at home to reduce the effects of the new coronavirus. The approval comes as U.S. cases and hospitalizations are rising in some places. Health officials warn of a large wave of new infections from the Omicron version, or variant, of the virus. They are concerned it could fill up hospitals. The drug, Paxlovid, is made by U.S. drug company Pfizer. It is being called a faster way to treat early COVID-19 infections. However, supplies will be limited for some time. Paxlovid is a pill a drug that is taken through the mouth. All the earlier approved drugs against the disease require injection directly into the blood. Another pill from Merck also is expected to soon gain approval. Pfizers drug has been praised for limited side effects and high effectiveness. Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota spoke about Paxlovid. He said: Youre looking at a 90% decreased risk of hospitalization and death in a high-risk group thats stunning. Stunning is a term that means very surprising. The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizers drug for adults and children ages 12 and older. The drug is to be given if tests show a patient is infected with the new coronavirus and has early symptoms. The drug is to be used with those who face the highest risks of hospitalization. That includes older people and those with conditions like being severely overweight or having heart disease. The drug is not recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problems. Children must weigh at least 40 kilograms to be able to take the drug. The pills from both Pfizer and Merck are expected to be effective against Omicron because they do not target a special protein on the surface of the virus. That is where most of the variants changes take place. Still, some experts say there are limits to what Paxlovid can do. Paxlovid has only proven effective if given within five days of symptoms appearing. Experts worry it may be unrealistic for patients to identify the disease, get tested, see a doctor and get the medicine within that time. If you go outside that window of time I fully expect the effectiveness of this drug is going to fall, said Andrew Pekosz, a Johns Hopkins University virologist. Pfizer currently has 180,000 treatments available worldwide. The company said it expects to have 250,000 available in the U.S. by the end of January. Pfizer said the nine-month manufacturing time is the cause of the low supply. The company says it can reduce production time by half in the next year. The U.S. government has agreed to purchase enough Paxlovid to treat 10 million people, and it will be provided to patients at no cost. Pfizer said it could produce 80 million treatments next year, under agreements with Britain, Australia and other nations. Health experts agree that vaccination remains the best way to protect against COVID-19. But effective drugs will be important to reduce the severity of infections. Im John Russell. Matthew Perrone reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. _________________________________________________ Words in This Story pill n. a small, rounded object that you swallow and that contains medicine, vitamins symptom n. a change in the body or mind that shows that a disease is present As we continue to build on our past success and invest in our future, our message is clear: Lexington is full of opportunities, is development-friendly and is able to deliver resources that progress requires, Pepplitsch concluded. Lt. Governor Foley spoke to the council, he was joined by Ashley Rice-Gerlach, EDCC Program Manager. Foley said, Lexington is such a vibrant, unique community in so many respects. The Lt. Governor visited three Lexington businesses earlier in the day, Darling International, MasterHand Milling and Orthman Manufacturing. He said he heard the same, drumbeat of concern over and over again, the need for reliable workers. This has to do with the blessing and curse of Nebraskas low unemployment rate. Foley said economists said in the past no state had posted an unemployment rate of under two percent but now Nebraska had done that two months in a row. These are extraordinary times, Foley said, he added no one in Lincoln is high fiving over the low unemployment rate because it is a serious problem for businesses. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} De Blasio said the answer is to "double down on vaccinations" and noted that 91% of New York City adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. The city's next mayor, Eric Adams, will take the oath of office in Times Square early Saturday. Adams, a Democrat like de Blasio, said at a news conference Thursday that his team is working with de Blasio's and he plans to keep much of the outgoing mayor's plans in place. "January 1 is a new beginning of my administration but it's a new beginning of our resiliency," Adams said. Among the policies Adams plans to keep in place is a vaccine mandate for private sector employees that is the most sweeping of any state or major city. Adams said he, like de Blasio, would impose fines on businesses that do not comply but would try to use the fines as a last resort. Even as reported cases and hospitalizations surge, Adams has committed to keeping schools open and staving off the closures that marked the early months of the pandemic. Community featured No. 1 story of the year: Murders, homicides dominate headlines during violent 2021 Contributed Kaylor Campbell a young man also known as Blanco who liked to cook, dance and make people laugh was pronounced dead at a Houston hospital after being shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in Diboll in late August. The case remains unsolved. Editors note: Newsroom staff of The Lufkin Daily News voted this as the No. 1 local story of 2021. In what was one of the most violent years on record in Angelina County, a woman was stabbed to death, 11 people were shot dead and three others were killed in assaults during 2021, while five from Lufkin were charged in the shooting death of a Nacogdoches man and a Lufkin man was shot dead in Tyler County. Authorities have filed murder charges in nine cases, while three others remain unsolved. Three of the 11 shooting deaths were officer-involved shootings. There were a total of six officer-involved shootings in Angelina County this year. One of the unsolved cases from 2021 is the Aug. 28 drive-by shooting death of 24-year-old Kaylor Campbell in Diboll. Kaylor a young man also known as Blanco who liked to cook, dance and make people laugh died in a Houston hospital after being shot in the head around 2:30 a.m. while riding in a car with one of his friends. His mother, Guillermina Escobedo (Campbell), said the holidays have been a struggle for the family. It is hard to understand that my son is still not here, she said. And just wishing that I could just pick up the phone and talk to him or just to to see his smile. Kaylor was a passenger in a vehicle traveling north on South First Street when a small dark-colored car pulled along the drivers side of the vehicle at the intersection of First and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. Multiple unidentified individuals in the other vehicle fired numerous gunshots into Campbells vehicle, killing him, according to a Diboll police report. The shooters reportedly drove away northbound on South First. Anyone who can identify the shooters or provide any information that might help is asked to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 639TIPS.com, call (936) 639-TIPS or use the app, 639TIPS.com/app. The following is a timeline of other events from the past year: On Jan. 16, police say 26-year-old Alejandro Sanabria, of Lufkin, stabbed his mother and an officer at Luckys No. 2 convenience store in Lufkin. Sanabrias mother, Martha Hageon, 48, of Lufkin, died three days later. Officer Gerardo Salinas, while attempting to stop the attack, also was stabbed in the incident, according to police. Sanabria was originally indicted for murder in March, and an aggravated assault charge was added in August. Sanabrias family has stood by the man, with an uncle saying Sanabria suffers from bipolar disorder and was in the middle of an episode with which his mom was trying to find him help. On Jan. 25, an Angelina County grand jury handed up indictments against Deedrick Davonne Renfro, of Lufkin, and Penny LeSauna Price Jr., of Huntington, on charges of murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Elvin Alday, of Lufkin, in October 2020. Around 3:10 a.m. Oct. 11, 2020, Alday was shot while sitting in the back of a Chevrolet pickup truck on Timberland Drive. Renfro was identified by law enforcement as the shooter, according to a press release from the Lufkin Police Department. Police charged Price with Aldays death on Oct. 13, 2020. Officers arrested Renfro on Oct. 15 after spotting him in the backseat of a black Chrysler 300 that police say ran the red light on Ellen Trout Drive and U.S. Highway 69 north, causing a three-vehicle accident with an 18-wheeler and a pickup. On March 21, a Lufkin man was found shot and killed at a residence in the 10000 block of FM 1013 in Tyler County known as Stittem Hill at the site of a trail ride gathering, according to a report from the Tyler County Sheriffs Office. Jamerion Mario Mitchell, 32, was shot multiple times in the chest and stomach area, the report stated. In May, Mitchells family filed a $1 million wrongful death suit against the Stittem Hill Trail Riding Group, which hosted the event at which he died. On March 28, 32-year-old Marzell Frost, of Lufkin, died of a gunshot wound to the chest in the 3300 block of Lotus Lane, according to Jessica Pebsworth, communications director for the city of Lufkin. Someone shot Frost dead during an incident at 2:30 that morning at Green Meadows Apartments. Witnesses told police they saw a Black male wearing a gray hoodie who left the scene, and police connected the crime to 19-year-old Janaal Dunn, of Lufkin. Police sought information on Dunn for a little over a week before he was discovered by U.S. marshals in Collin County. On Sept. 10, an Angelina County grand jury indicted Dunn in Frosts death. On April 27, Lufkin police found Christopher Lil Chris Rogers shot to death in his driveway in the 700 block of Rowe Avenue just before midnight. On Aug. 8, TaZyion Douglas, 19, of Nacogdoches, turned himself in after being charged two days earlier with murder in Rogers death, according to Pebsworth. The Lufkin Police Department on Aug. 6 issued four murder warrants on Ahman Monn Hill, 18, Zamoria Z Davis, 17, Daquavion Qua Kidd, 18, and Douglas, all of Nacogdoches, Pebsworth said. Warrants were served to Hill and Davis in the Nacogdoches County Jail, where they were being held before being transferred to the Angelina County Jail Hill on a revocation of probation charge and Davis on 13 counts of engaging in organized criminal activity. A warrant also was served on Kidd. The four suspects are allegedly affiliated with a Nacogdoches gang identified under different names including Top Flight, PGC, GGO, MGNG, and/or GSO (Gang expletive Only) that is considered a rival to Lufkins Jaccboyworld and its subsidiaries, Pebsworth said. Police believe these groups are responsible for numerous gang-related shootings in Lufkin and Nacogdoches in the past two years. On May 11, Lufkin police found 31-year-old Alex AJ Alexander shot to death at his home in the 1600 block of Ford Chapel Road. Officers were called to the scene around 6:15 p.m. after his girlfriend found him, Pebsworth said. The shooter is still at large. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lufkin Police Department at (936) 633-0365 or Crime Stoppers at (936) 639-TIPS. On July 18, Brooke Hooker, 32, was pronounced dead at 5:45 a.m. at Woodland Heights Medical Center after being shot in the hip by her boyfriend while in bed at her home, according to an inquest report from Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes Grubbs. Lufkin police detective J.B. Smith said the case is on hold until a grand jury rules on it. The case has still not gone to grand jury, Pebsworth said earlier this week Officers responded to a call about a female gunshot victim at 5:10 a.m. Paramedics found Hooker in her bedroom and transported her to the hospital. Hookers boyfriend told police it was an accident, Pebsworth said. On Aug. 1, five people from Lufkin were charged with murder in the early morning shooting death of Javinsky Lampkin in the 1400 block of Dolph Street in Nacogdoches. Four days later, each of the five also were charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the deadly shooting, which wounded three other people, Nacogdoches police spokesman Sgt. Brett Ayres said. Lampkin and three other men, who police have not publicly identified, were shot around 3:30 a.m. near Oak Hill Plaza apartments in the western part of Nacogdoches. Anastacia Pettigen, 25, and Jarvis Williamson, 39, were charged early Aug. 1 with murder after leading police on a chase around the loop. Three others Nathanial Allen Jackson, 26, Elmer James Williamson Jr., 30, and Wendi Lynn Williamson, 44 were charged with murder after Nacogdoches police and a SWAT team raided a home in the 400 block of St. Clair Road in Lufkin around 8 that night. On Aug. 3, jury selections for three capital murder cases awaiting trial in Angelina County were canceled due to growing COVID-19 infections, state District Judge Paul White said. Tarus Arnold, Angel Nunez and Keoshe Holman are accused in separate cases regarding the slayings of two children 10 years old. Aug. 4 marked Arnolds fourth year in the Angelina County Jail, according to the jail roster. He is accused in the death of Unity Mitchell, who died at Woodland Heights Medical Center; examiners found multiple skull fractures and bleeding on her brain. Nunez and Holman were jailed in May 2018. They are accused in the death of Legend Adams; an autopsy revealed signs of abuse including scars, cigarette burns, lacerations to vital organs and evidence of blunt-force trauma. He died at CHI St. Lukes Health Memorial after a person tasked with watching Legend noticed he stopped breathing and sought help. On Aug. 16, Diboll police responded to a home on Ash Street and were told by individuals at the scene that an unknown person shot Jermaine Lamar Oliphant through the front door, killing him, according to an arrest warrant in the case. However, one individual at the scene of the shooting gave more details to police two days after the incident, saying he and his brother had been threatened by Des Bernard Shelby, of Diboll, who allegedly told them if they didnt go along with the story, they would be shot, too. The individual said Shelby accused Oliphant of stealing his money and shot Oliphant in response to the alleged theft, the warrant stated. On Aug. 27, Diboll police arrested Shelby in connection to the slaying. He was indicted on the murder charge by an Angelina County grand jury Nov. 5. On Sept. 16, Lufkin residents Carolyn Price, 68, and Cecil Sheffield, 77, were found dead in their home around 2 p.m. by a family member, according to Pebsworth. Further investigation led detectives to name Michael Mike Rodriguez, 28, of Lufkin, as the suspect, she said. That afternoon, Prices daugher Alishia Burse returned home from getting her hair done. She had been at the home earlier and paid a lawn crew of three men to cut the grass, according to the affidavit for Rodriguezs arrest. She returned to find her ex-stepfather, Sheffield, unconscious and laying in blood with blood everywhere, the affidavit states. She called the police and backed out of the home to wait for them to arrive. Police were dispatched at 1:53 p.m. and found no pulse on Sheffield before seeing Price lying on the floor a few feet from him, according to the affidavit. Both individuals were apparently severely beaten, the affidavit states. The affidavit lists the injuries on Price as including blunt force trauma to the head with a hammer or other similar tool. It lists the injuries to Sheffield as blunt force trauma to his face and head with tools, specifically metal hedge trimmers. Rodriguez and two other men were performing yard work at Prices home some time after 10 a.m. that day, according to the affidavit. Police believe Rodriguez either entered the residence with permission from Price or found an unlocked door. Rodriguez was arrested on capital murder charges two days after the attack. On Sept. 18, Mykel Whitehead, a 28-year-old Huntington man, pleaded guilty to the murder of 49-year-old Joseph Williams. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Angelina County Sheriffs deputies found Williams body with numerous contusions and bruises after being dispatched to Guy York Road in August 2019, according to the affidavit for Whiteheads arrest. Whitehead was facing 25 years to life in prison and was a habitual offender, according to prosecuting attorney Stephanie Stroud. He will be up for parole after half his time is served, she said. Authorities arrested four others in relation to Williams murder: Kerry Ann Welch, 31; Linda Cook, 76; Shawn Buckner, 54; and Leah Tudor, 31. Welch pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence in June 2021 and the murder charge against her was dismissed, court records indicate. Cook and Tudor both pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence with the intent to impair; Tudor was sentenced to 18 years in prison and Cook was sentenced to 10 years deferred probation, Stroud said. Both were charged with murder initially but those charges were dismissed as a part of the plea deal with prosecutors, Stroud said. If Cook violates probation she will be up for 20 years in prison, she said. Buckner has not yet made a plea. He is facing a charge of tampering or fabricating physical evidence a human corpse with the intent to impair. In early October, a Nacogdoches County grand jury indicted Aziz Pleasant, 20, of Lufkin, for murder and aggravated robbery in connection with a year-old murder case. The indictments are related to the Oct. 23, 2020, shooting death of Fredrick Roberts on Ridgewood Drive in Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches police say Pleasant was indicted for murder, capital murder and aggravated robbery after they developed new leads in the case. Also charged in connection with Roberts murder is Jacorion Shaizae Desmonte Mosbey, who on the night of the shooting showed up at a local hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. On Oct. 24, William Wade Pierce, 48, was found shot dead in a creek in the 1000 block of Gilliland Creek Road in Huntington, according to the Angelina County Sheriffs Office. Two days later, authorities arrested Jason Heyer Neumann, 48, of Huntington, on warrants for murder and parole violation after an autopsy, numerous interviews and the collection of an abundance of evidence, according to a statement from the sheriffs office. Throughout the investigation, the sheriffs office found Neumann caused the death of Mr. Pierce using a firearm, the statement reads. Neumann then moved the victims body and dumped it in the remote location. On Dec. 6, James Mikel Daugherty, 50, of Lufkin, died after being assaulted with a metal bat at his home in Rivercrest, according to an arrest warrant issued by Justice of the Peace Billy Ball. Michael Anthony Oder Jr., 27, of Lufkin, was arrested a day later and is charged with murder in the attack. Daugherty was found lying on his living room floor, appearing to be suffering from severe head trauma from an assault, the warrant states. Investigators spoke with the family and determined Oder was the suspect in the attack. Authorities also found a metal bat with a red stain on top, opposite the handle, leaning against a wall by a living room chair, according to the warrant. Angelina County Sheriffs Office investigators spoke to other witnesses who told police they were told Oder assaulted Daugherty with a bat after attempting to borrow a cigarette. The witnesses told investigators Oder believed he was hearing voices and that those voices told him to assault Daugherty, the warrant states. Oders family corroborated the other witnesses story about the assault, so investigators detained Oder and transported him to the sheriffs office for an interview, according to the warrant. Oder confirmed he went to borrow a cigarette but remembered Daugherty lunging at him, so Oder said he grabbed a nearby object and hit Daugherty with it. Oder told investigators he was unsure what the object was and said it was either a stick or a bat that was leaned up against the wall by a chair in the living room, the warrant states. He told investigators he hit Daugherty once or twice and saw Daugherty bleeding from the head, according to the warrant. He said he left the house and returned to his mothers house and told her about the assault. Daugherty was transported to Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, where he died from his injuries at 6:39 p.m. Oder also was arrested on warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault causing bodily injury and assault of a public servant. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. This has also been an interesting year where you had a major climate report in August. But more than anything, its yet another year where climate change keeps popping up in extreme weather all over the world. But this year, perhaps a little bit more in the Western, richer countries than in the past: in Germany, in Belgium, horrible flooding in Tennessee, places like that. And not to mention the wildfires and 116-degree (47 Celsius) heat in Portland, Oregon. I mean, if you had to choose one weird thing, the Pacific Northwest is known for mildness, but there are records and then there are records, and theirs are so far off the scale that your eyes pop out. And thats what Portland was. Rich countries aren't exempt. But when you're rich, you can flee that more easily. You can weather weather extremes when you're in the global North far better than you can in the South. But then, there come extremes that are so big, that wealth can't help you as much. And for me, in many ways, that really was a bit of an indictment of the last 20 years, that there was such a lack of hope and faith in the future. And the civil society, on whom so much faith had been put, seemed to be the first ones to make this rush to the airport because they feared for their lives, they feared for the future. They feared for the future of their children. So that really contributed to that chaos in those iconic images of young men rushing the C-17 aircraft, hanging on to the wheels, trying to get into the aircraft. All of this uncertainty and fear contributed to that. And really the last 20 years, that didnt give them much hope for the future. But I want to say there was no evidence from when the Taliban last ruled that there would be widespread retribution killings. Sadly, though, revenge killings have been a hallmark of every regime change in Afghanistan. There were scores of retribution killings when the Taliban were overthrown in 2001 by U.S.-backed Afghan allies, and human rights groups have reported upward of 80 revenge killings, particularly of former military people, by the returning Taliban rulers. However, until now there has been no evidence of systematic retribution. The man said it did not seem that the subjects were threatening each other, according to the report, but that they seemed to be showing off the guns and cars that they had in their possession at that time. Shortly after the incident in the parking lot, a different Madison officer saw the Honda on East Washington Avenue at Blair Street, about two miles from East, and tried to pull it over. But the driver accelerated away from me towards John Nolen (Drive) and the officer ended the pursuit, according to the police report. Other officers later saw the Honda jump a curb and driven on a bike path, and that pursuit was ended as well, the report says. Video obtained Later that day, Madison police Detective Richard Friday got video of the incident in the parking lot from Milios surveillance cameras and created still images of several people suspected to be East High School students who interacted with the individuals said to have been armed, according to the police report. He then sent four images to Aguglia that evening, asking for her help identifying the people in them. Aguglia works out of the districts Downtown office but is at East regularly, LeMonds said. Lawyers do not often get credit for good behavior, but few businesses or professions have a detailed code of conduct. Believe it or not, lawyers do have written Standards for Civility in Professional Conduct and are expected by judges and licensing authorities to act civilly towards each other and all other participants in the legal process. Having been involved in the legal system for nearly 55 years, both as a courtroom advocate and judge, I can attest that civility really does work. When lawyers argue their case in court, they must directly address the merits, identify the evidence and law supporting their argument and make their presentation in a respectful and civil manner. Calling their opposing attorney or party names will not score any points with the judge. In fact, it will detract from their case and may draw a reprimand from the judge. I can recall cases where a lawyer lost credibility with me and harmed his or her clients case by failing to make an honest, civil and supportable argument. These same considerations apply in todays political and social arena where practically anyone can express an opinion online or in a comment to a news outlet. If the objective is to convince someone that you are right or they are wrong, the best way to turn off the other person and lose the argument is to insult them. No matter how good your argument is, you will fail. If you address the person with respect and present actual facts to support your position, you might succeed in bringing them around, or at least convincing them that your position has merit. While I would not claim to be perfect, I do try to keep from personally attacking someone who disagrees with me on an issue. It is fair game to show how their position is wrong to go after the issue but it does no good to personally attack them. If someone launches a personal attack against me, rather than trying to show why I might be wrong on an issue, I feel Ive won the argument in the eyes of readers. For instance, on occasion, someone responds to an argument I make on an issue by calling me a Communist, instead of focusing on the issue. Some readers may wonder if the responder even has a counter argument. Others may wonder what evidence there is of my Communist leanings. Some readers who know that I volunteered to fight Communists in Vietnam in the late 1960s will know the claim is not true. The point is that civil debate on contested issues provides significantly better results than launching personal attacks. It keeps the temperature of the argument from getting out of hand, cuts down on the hateful back and forth and will certainly have a better chance of convincing readers who may not have a strong opinion one way or the other. If you respond to a thoughtful argument with a heated attack, just as in the judicial arena, you will lose credibility with the audience right out of the chute. Besides, we are all part of the same countrythe United States and must try to get along if we hope to continue coexisting as a successful nation. President Lyndon Johnson put it succinctly, although rather crudely, Dont spit in the soup, we all gotta eat. As we move into the New Year, it would be appropriate to resolve to tune down the hateful, counterproductive rhetoric and to treat fellow Americans with civility and respect. Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served eight years as Idaho attorney general (1983-1991) and 12 years as justice of the Idaho Supreme Court (2005-2017). He is currently a regular contributor to The Hill online news. He blogs at JJCommonTater. Love 7 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 A new enclosure, The Owlery Inn, has been built for Athena, a Eurasian Eagle owl, at Infinity Acres Ranch in Ridgeway. The owl is from a breeder in Pennsylvania, said Laure Steere of Infinity Acres, where Athena arrived in February 2018. Eurasian Eagle owls are the largest breed of owls in the world, she said by email. Owls that are not native to North America can be kept without licenses, she said, but as exhibitors, we have State & Federal licenses. Jonathan Wood built the flight cage, and Brian Williams built a purple nesting box high in the cage, which is outfitted with some donated Christmas trees for environmental enrichment. Athena has educated many guests on the amazing qualities of raptors, she wrote. She is a stunning girl and admired by many. Appreciation and in-person observation of animals often stimulates individuals to develop a passion for conservation and environmental respect. People can visit the animals at Infinity Acres by calling 276-358-2378. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A New York resident who was stumped by a Jeopardy question about his state's governor got a do-over Friday, joining Gov. Kathy Hochul's virtual COVID-19 briefing to tell her he knows who she is now. Here in New York we actually believe in second chances, Hochul said before introducing Ben Walthall, the Brooklyn resident who failed to buzz in on the clue, In 2021, she became the first female governor of New York state. The clue was read again Friday by a Hochul staff member who at first said first female president and then corrected himself to governor of New York state. Walthall correctly responded, Who is Kathy Hochul? None of the contestants in the episode that aired Wednesday answered the question about Hochul, even Amy Schneider, the Jeopardy juggernaut who had won 22 consecutive games as of Thursday's broadcast. Walthall told Hochul that his episode was filmed a couple months ago, right when you took office, so thats part of the reason why I may have sat out on that question. MOSCOW (AP) Russian authorities on Thursday designated a member of the Pussy Riot punk group, a satirist and an art collector as foreign agents, part of efforts to stifle dissent. The Justice Ministry applied the label to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a Pussy Riot member who became widely known for taking part in a 2012 protest inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral after which she spent nearly two years in prison. Journalist and satirist Viktor Shenderovich and art collector Marat Gelman were also handed the label along with several other people. The foreign agent label implies additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations that can discredit recipients. Russian authorities have applied the designation to scores of media outlets, civil society groups and individuals, ratcheting up pressure on those who are critical of the Kremlin. Those designated as foreign agents are required to add a lengthy statement to news reports, social media posts and other materials specifying that the content was created by a foreign agent. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} If you have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status get tested and isolate from others while you wait for a result. If you are not able to be tested, follow the guidance below as if you are positive. If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are Not vaccinated stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if you test negative, return to normal activities while wearing a mask for 5 additional days. Vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but not yet been boosted stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if you test negative, return to normal activities while wearing a mask for 5 additional days. Vaccinated, and have either received your booster or are not yet eligible for a booster you do not need to stay away from others, but you should wear a mask for 10 days. If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, and Do not have symptoms isolate yourself from others for 5 days, then wear a mask for 5 additional days when you return to normal activities. Egypt has been accepted as member of the New Development Bank (NDB) established six years ago by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, forming a group known as BRICS. The accession represents a testimony of confidence in the solidity of the Egyptian economy from the BRICS countries, Daily News Egypt quoted Finance minister Mohamed Maait as saying. Egypt is keen to enhance cooperation with international development partners, especially in light of the unprecedented development movement that Egypt is witnessing to lay the foundations of comprehensive and sustainable development, and the promising investment and development opportunities it provides in various sectors, Maait added. We are pleased to welcome Egypt to the family of the New Development Bank as one of the fastest growing countries in the world, with a leading economy in the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to being a major player in international development finance institutions. We look forward to supporting and meeting Egypts investment needs in the areas of infrastructure and sustainable development, Marcos Trujjo, President of the bank said. The NDB has authorized capital of $100 billion and it is open for subscription by members of the United Nations. The Shanghai-based bank, has financed about 80 projects in all member countries of the Bank, with a total development portfolio of about $30 billion. The projects cover transportation, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure, and urban development. Three men, including two Malagasy, were arrested at customs at Moroni international airport in the Comoros on 28 December, with 49 kilos of gold bars in their possession. This is a new example of the organized plundering of the resources of the Big Island, which is scandalizing Madagascar. The three men were preparing to fly to Dubai by private plane, according to a source close to the authorities who prefers to remain anonymous. The source said the yellow metal was also believed to have come from Madagascar. However, no indication was given as to the source of the traffickers or their identity. The Malagasy customs have opened an investigation and are currently collaborating with those of Moroni. It was a Facebook post by the Comoros National Gendarmerie published on 28 December at around 3pm that alerted public opinion. The post has been shared more than a thousand times since then, and shows the emotion that this kind of event arouses, between anger, humor and sadness. And it is not the first time that this organized looting scandalizes since not later than October; the Malagasy authorities have seized 23.5 kilos of gold on a ship leaving the island of Nosy Be for the Seychelles. An Ivorian-Egyptian team successfully performed a liver transplant in Abidjan earlier this week. The 60-year-old patient is doing well. The donor is also doing very well. We can say at this stage that everything went well, commented Professor Keli Elie, who conducted the 12-hour operation on Tuesday, December 28. The head of surgery at Treichville University Hospital accomplished this unprecedented feat in the region thanks to a team of 17 Ivorian and Egyptian doctors and the technical facilities of the Treichville Heart Institute. The Egyptian team of Professor Amr Abdelaal is experienced in the exercise and, according to the newspaper Fraternite Matin, performs on average three transplants per week in Cairo. This is the reason why six doctors of the Ivorian team went to Egypt for a one-month-training. According to the Ivorian government, this medical success, unprecedented in sub-Saharan Africa, reflects the ambition of Cote dIvoire to become a true destination for medical tourism. However, this medical feat may appear to be the tree that hides the forest in a country where the hospital system, which is undergoing profound reform, suffers from many ills. It is not spared from corruption and its infrastructure and equipment are often dilapidated. The elites of this country, where life expectancy does not exceed 57 years, almost systematically choose to be treated abroad. Kelsey Wright plays with her 4-month-old daughter, Berklee, on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore having Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. carry an unintended pregnancy to term and then offer the baby for adoption. It's a choice commended by many foes of abortion. Yet despite a huge demand for babies from Americans yearning to adopt, perhaps 40 times more women opt for an abortion, and a large majority of those who proceed to give birth make the choice to keep the child. The reason, say people familiar with unintended pregnancies, is that even in those circumstances, a powerful bond is likely to form between the mother-to-be and the developing babyand to vastly complicate any decision to put the newborn up for adoption. That idea is well known to doctors, clinic operators and other abortion-rights advocates, who say recent comments from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and other abortion opponents perpetuate a misleading narrative that adoption can negate the need for abortions. "It's ridiculous to say it's no problem to eliminate abortionjust place the kids for adoption," said Elizabeth Bartholet, a law professor at Harvard University and an outspoken advocate of adoption. "It's not going to be an emotion-free nonevent. There's going to be bonding and connection, and a sense that it's an unnatural act to give your child away." Discussion of adoption as an alternative to abortion intensified this month when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks. If the high court's conservative majority upholds the law, it could lead to the demise of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to abortion, and enable conservative states to impose sweeping bans. Coby and Kelsey Wright play with their 4-month-old daughter, Berklee, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore getting married last year and having Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip During the arguments, Barrett, an adoptive mother, said women who give birth due to lack of access to abortion could avoid being forced into parenthood by leaving the baby at a safe location, without fear of criminal consequences, so the infant could be adopted. "It's just not the reality," said Ashley Brink, manager of a clinic operated by the abortion-rights group Trust Women in Wichita, Kansas. "It's undermining people's decisions and choices and ability to control their lives and their futures." Bartholet described the justice's comments as "breathtakingly thoughtless" by failing to acknowledge the deep emotional bonds that many women have with their babies even when they result from an unwanted pregnancy. Those bonds can grow more powerful immediately after birth, said Grace Howard, who has worked as a doula assisting women in childbirth and women seeking abortions. "Your body's like, 'Bond! Bond, damn it!'" said Howard, an assistant professor in justice studies at San Jose State University. The U.S. government tracks how many children are adopted out of foster care and from foreign countries, but there are no official, comprehensive figures on private adoptions of infants. Nonetheless, it's clear that only a small fraction of women carry unwanted pregnancies to term and then place the baby for adoption. Kelsey Wright plays with her 4-month-old daughter, Berklee, on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term, and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore having Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip In 2014, there were an estimated 18,000 private infant adoptions nationwide, according to the National Council for Adoption, a private organization serving adoption agencies and other parties. That same year, there were 926,190 abortions in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, a prominent source of abortion-related statistics. The adoption council is working on a new estimate of infant adoptions for 2019 and 2020. Its acting CEO, Ryan Hanlon, predicted the number would be similar to the 2014 estimate. Hanlon says there's a huge gap between the number of U.S. infants available for adoption and the hundreds of thousands of Americanssingle adults and coupleswho want to adopt. "There are dozens waiting with each agency for every child they place," Hanlon said. Kelsey Wright chose adoptiontwice. She became pregnant in high school and, at 18, gave birth to a son in 2011. Feeling unprepared for parenting, she placed the baby for adoption with a family she knew. Six years later, as a subsequent relationship was breaking up, she again became pregnant. And again, she chose to continue with the pregnancy and place her second son with the same family that adopted his brother. Kelsey Wright smiles while holding her 4-month-old daughter, Berklee, on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term, and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore having Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip "Initially, I was thinking, 'How do I get out of this?' and abortion comes to mind, but I don't think that lasted more than 24 hours," Wright said. "From a Christian background. I just couldn't do thatthere was no way I could terminate their life because of what I did." Now 29, Wright lives in the Houston suburbs and got married last year. She and her husband have a 4-month-old daughter. She stays in touch with her sons, visiting occasionally even though their family moved to New Mexico. "I don't have any regrets," Wright said. "It took time to heal, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm so grateful adoption was an option." Some women who opted for abortion in response to an unintended pregnancy say the decision was difficultyet they're also grateful they had a choice. Among them is U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, who says she received a "back-alley" abortion in Mexico after a teenage pregnancy. Lee said adoption "is an alternative to parenting, not to pregnancy." "The fight for abortion rights is not about our individual stances on abortion or adoptionit is about every person's right to make decisions about their personal health," she said. "Your choices about your body, health, and family are nobody's business but your own." Kelsey Wright holds her 4-month-old daughter, Berklee, on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore having Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip Many abortion-rights advocates are wary of some aspects of private adoption, viewing it as part of the agenda of anti-abortion activists. Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Pro-Choice Missouri, said the anti-abortion pregnancy centers that proliferate in many states are part of that system. "The role of crisis pregnancy centers is to trick people, coerce them out of making the right decision for themselves so that they choose to give upchoose to carry a pregnancy and then give up a baby to be adopted," Schwarz said. Jeanneane Maxon of the Charlotte Lozier Instituteformer general counsel for a network of pregnancy centersdenies that there's systemic coercion. Most women who visit the centers, and then carry a pregnancy to term, choose to raise the baby themselves, she said. It's often a challenge for staff members to even discuss adoption, Maxon said. "Some women will say, 'I don't want to hear about it,'" she said. "My hope is that we can overcome the stigma that adoption is abandoning a child. It's notit's about finding a child a loving home." Kelsey Wright poses for a photograph Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Montgomery, Texas. Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. choose to carry an unintended pregnancy to term, and then place the baby for adoption, relinquishing their parental rights. Wright chose adoptiontwicebefore having her daughter, Berklee. Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip In the past, unwed pregnant women in some communities were shunned, or pressured to place their babies for adoption. But even in conservative religious denominations, attitudes have evolvedfor example, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy arms have initiatives aimed at helping unwed moms obtain health care, financial support and other services. "Some pregnant women were afraid to come to the church for helpthey thought they were going to be judged," said Kat Talalas, assistant director for pro-life communications for the bishops' conference. "Our goal is walk with them as sisters," she said of a recent initiative, Walking with Moms in Need. "We're showing them a positive vision of motherhood." Explore further Only 50% of CO clinicians are willing and able to counsel women on abortion 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A health worker gives a shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine inside the Solidary Hands Shelter for the homeless in the poor neighborhood of Ceilandia in Brasilia, Brazil, June 29, 2021. Brazil's government started taking an online public survey on Dec. 24 to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File As world leaders rely on public health specialists to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus, Brazil's government is asking the online public for guidance. In recent weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro has staked out a position against immunizing kids aged between 5 and 11, and his administration took the unusual step of creating a platform that could validate a stance that is widely opposed by experts. Since his government on Dec. 23 unveiled its online questionnaire on the issue, the president's supporters have been highly engaged on messaging apps trying to pressure parents to swing the results. One widely shared post Wednesday on the Telegram group 'Bolsonaro Army,' which has about 37,000 members, said the vaccine is experimental and suggested that receiving shots could be more harmful than getting infected, although several studies have shown the opposite is true. It also included a link to the government's survey, which other people were posting along with instructions to relay to friends and family. The rally for resistance resembles online behavior observed earlier this month, which catapulted Bolsonaro to the top of the heap in TIME magazine's readers poll for Person of the Year, David Nemer, an expert on Brazil's far-right groups on messaging apps, told The Associated Press. Bolsonaro garnered about one-quarter of the more than 9 million votesnearly triple that of the runner-up, former U.S. President Donald Trump. The magazine's editors instead chose Elon Musk as 2021 Person of the Year. This time, however, online efforts are aimed at something far more significant than bestowing an honorific on the president. The survey, which concludes Jan. 2, stands to shape vaccination policy in Latin America's most populous nation, home to 20 million kids aged 5 to 11. Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga has said they will soon be eligible for vaccination, but survey results will help determine guidelines including whether shots could only be administered with parental consent and a doctor's prescription. "This is a tool of democracy, it widens the discussion on the topic and it will bring more ease for parents so they can take their children to immunize against COVID-19," Queiroga said Wednesday. Health experts, for their part, are aghast. Some Brazilian states' health secretariats have already pledged to ignore any health ministry guidelines on childhood vaccination if based on the public consultation. Gonzalo Vecina, founder and director of Brazil's health regulator between 1999 and 2003, says public consultation on vaccines is "unprecedented". "Bolsonaro is against the vaccine and his employee, the health minister, believes that health is a matter of public opinion. It is a spurious and nonsensical approach," Vecina told the AP. "If only deniers send their opinion in the public consultation, is the government going to say that the vaccine doesn't have to be used?" Denialism from the top in Brazil is a bit of deja vu. Even as COVID-19 exploded, driving the nation's death toll to the second highest in the world, Bolsonaro spent months sowing doubts about vaccines and was obstinate in his refusal to get a shot. He has cited the fact he contracted the coronavirus in 2020 to claim, incorrectly, that he is already immune, and routinely characterizes vaccination as an issue of personal choice rather than a means for ensuring the common good. So when Brazil's health regulator authorized use of Pfizer's shot for children on Dec. 16, Bolsonaro was stunned. "Kids are something very serious," he said the same night in his weekly live broadcast on social media. "We don't know about possible adverse future effects. It's unbelievableI'm sorrywhat the agency did. Unbelievable." A study released Thursday by U.S. health authorities confirmed that serious side effects from the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 are rare. The findings were based on approximately 8 million doses dispensed to youngsters in that age group. Bolsonaro added that he would name and expose the public servants who issued the approval, prompting a union representing health agency workers to express concern about online abuse or even physical attacks. Despite fervent support among his base, Bolsonaro's anti-vaccine stance hasn't gained as much traction in Brazilwhich has a proud history of inoculation campaignsas in the U.S. More than two-thirds of Brazilians are fully vaccinated, as compared to 63% in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University's vaccination tracker, though American children have been eligible for shots since early November. Commuters wear protective face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic at a subway station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dec. 1, 2021. Brazil's government started taking an online public survey on Dec. 24 to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner, File In neighboring Argentina, the government has allowed kids 12 years and older to be vaccinated since August, and more recently began giving shots to children as young as 3. In the face of subsequent criticism, the nation's health ministry cited the recommendation of the nation's association of pediatricians. In Chile, two-thirds of kids aged between 3 and 17 have already received both their shots, after the nation's health regulator analyzed an immunization study of 100 million children. For the time being, Mexico isn't vaccinating children except those 12 years or older with illnesses that put them at greater risk. Mexico's point man for the pandemic, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, said Tuesday the World Health Organization hasn't recommended vaccinating children aged 5 to 11, and that countries with ample vaccine coverage, like Mexico, shouldn't vaccinate kids until developing nations with limited coverage can raise their adult vaccination rates. In Brazil, Mauro Paulino, general director of prominent pollster Datafolha, said one problem with the Bolsonaro government's survey is the way questions are framed, repeatedly asking interviewees, "Do you agree that...?" Such failure to present questions neutrally can induce responses. "Datafolha always gives the two possible alternatives: whether the interviewee agrees or disagrees with the statement," he said. "Both sides of the question are necessary." Bolsonaro told supporters on Tuesday that pressure to inoculate kids stems from the "vaccine lobby"a veiled reference to pharmaceutical companies. Many Bolsonaro supporters the next day were sharing a post from the Telegram group "Doctors for life," which has more than 60,000 followers and frequently echoes the president's unscientific COVID-19 advice. One Telegram post with more than 200,000 shares said no child should be a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry. Tens of millions of doses have been administered to children around the world, with rare serious side effects. While few children die from COVID-19, vaccinating them can minimize the virus' spread in society. Bolsonaro also said this week he won't allow the vaccination of his 11-year-old daughter. Meantime, his wife and politician sons received their shots, along with at least 16 of his 22 ministersincluding Health Minister Queiroga. Politicians from the party Bolsonaro joined to run for re-election in 2022 have advocated not only for vaccination, but also requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain placesanother supposed infringement on personal liberties Bolsonaro opposes. His chaotic management of the pandemic since its onset has been roundly criticized, and a Senate investigative committee recommended he face criminal charges. But the president and his die-hard supporters on Telegram and WhatsApp aren't backing down. Many interpreted his comments regarding his daughter in particular as a directive to reject the immunization of kids. "There are a lot of messages about the dangers of vaccines, studies that aren't true," said Nemer, the expert on far-right groups, and an assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. "They're bringing a lot of disinformation about vaccinating kids to motivate the base." Pro-Bolsonaro messaging app groups brought the topic back hours before the New Year arrived after the president once more attacked child vaccination in a six-minute national address on television. "We defend that vaccines for kids between ages 5 and 11 are only given with the consent of parents and a medical prescription. Liberty must be respected," Bolsonaro said. Many Brazilians went to their balconies to bang on their pots in protest against the president. Explore further Brazil regulator approves COVID vaccine for children 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Share Pin Email Reddit WhatsApp 18 Shares Vancouvers ban on plastic bags and fees begins January 1, 2022. City by-laws will go into effect banning plastic shopping bags and requiring businesses to charge fees for paper and new reusable shopping bags, as well as single-use cups. These new regulations are key to the Citys overall strategy to reduce waste from single-use items, and they join the by-laws for foam, straws and utensils introduced in 2020. Vancouvers Ban on Plastic Bags Starting January 1, businesses can no longer distribute single-use plastic shopping bags to customers. The ban includes plastic shopping bags made from fossil fuels, plastic bags labelled or described as compostable or degradable, and plastic bags made from plants or other biological materials. Vancouver shoppers will also start paying for paper and new reusable shopping bags if they forget to bring their own. Businesses are required to charge a minimum of $0.15 for a paper shopping bag and $1.00 for a new reusable shopping bag. Residents should always bring their own reusable bags when they shop to avoid paying bag fees and to reduce single-use waste. Bringing your own bag is allowed during COVID-19, according to BC Centre for Disease Control guidelines. Residents are encouraged to clean their bags regularly using Health Canada cleaning tips available here. In 2018, about 89 million plastic shopping bags and 4 million paper shopping bags were thrown in the garbage in Vancouver. Despite how common it is for residents to reuse plastic shopping bags (66% are reused as garbage bags), 30 million empty plastic shopping bags were still disposed to garbage in 2018. Single-Use Cups On January 1, businesses are required to charge a minimum of $0.25 for each single-use cup. To avoid the fee and reduce waste, bring your own cup. Or, if youre having a drink to stay, ask for it in a reusable cup. The City has worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure that contactless cup procedures, which are used in cities around the world, can be used during COVID-19 to safely serve drinks in customers cups. Single-use cups make up fifteen per cent of large litter on Vancouver streets. In 2018, about 82 million single-use cups were thrown in the garbage in Vancouver. Of these, 51% were paper cups for hot beverages, 25% were paper cups for cold beverages and 24% were plastic cups. All cup fees must be displayed on menu boards, menus and internet-based ordering platforms, and must be shown as a separate line item on any receipts provided to customers by using wording such as CUP FEE. About the Fees Businesses keep the fees from cups and shopping bags and are encouraged to use them to cover the cost of complying with the by-laws (e.g. software updates, staff training) and to invest in reusable alternatives, such as dishwashers, reusable cup-share or take-a-bag, leave-a-bag programs. Read more about the program here. FRIDAY, Dec. 31, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A certain gene mutation known as APOE4 has long been known to raise the risk for Alzheimers disease. Now, researchers report it may also predispose people to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and severe symptoms, including small brain bleeds. Researchers in Finland, where about one-third of people carry the APOE4 mutation, studied the link between the mutation and severe COVID-19. They also studied microscopic brain changes in the cadavers of people who died from COVID-19 and looked at symptoms of long-term mental fatigue experienced by some survivors. "The common 4 allele of the APOE gene appears to be associated with a heightened risk of severe COVID-19 in the Finnish population. The significance of APOE4 is emphasized in the Finnish population, which may be due to its genetic homogeneity," said researcher Dr. Liisa Myllykangas, a consultant neuropathologist from the University of Helsinki. The team found that the risk of developing COVID-19 that requires intensive care more than doubled in those with the APOE4 mutation. More microscopic brain bleeds that occurred as a result of severe COVID were also found in carriers of this mutation. Co-author Dr. Johanna Hastbacka, from Helsinki University Hospital, said APOE4 may also affect the severity of certain "long COVID" symptoms, including difficulty with attention and concentration. The team used data from the FinnGen project, which combines genome data produced from biobank samples with health data compiled from national registries. This study was based on the data of 46,000 people, more than 2,600 of whom were diagnosed with COVID. Myllykangas noted that the number of COVID patients in the study was small and more research is needed. An important question not answered in the study is the connection between COVID-19 and the onset of memory disorders in APOE4 carriers, the researchers said. "To answer this question, long-term follow-up studies on patients recovered from COVID-19 are needed, as is basic research focused on the combined effects of APOE4 and systemic inflammation on the mechanisms of memory in the brain. Our research group has already launched these lines of further research at the University of Helsinki and HUS [Helsinki University Hospital], Myllykangas said in a university news release. The team published its findings recently in the journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications. More information The Alzheimers Association has more on Alzheimer's disease and genetics. SOURCE: University of Helsinki, news release, Dec. 27, 2021 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This article originally ran on consumer.healthday.com. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TAMPA, Fla. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported more than 75,900 new cases of COVID-19 in Florida. That tally raises the 7-day average daily to 42,600, which is twice as high as it was at the peak of this summers surge when the delta variant fueled a surge of infections in the state. Fridays report marks a single-day record for the number of new cases in Florida. It breaks the record set a day earlier when more than 58,000 cases were reported in the state. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has spiked in Florida and across the nation over the past few weeks. Soaring numbers during the holiday season have sent tens of thousands of people to COVID-19 testing centers across Florida, resulting in long lines in many areas. Three people collapsed while waiting in line at a Tampa testing site on Friday morning. Authorities received three medical calls at the Al Lopez Park testing site, according to Lauren Rozyla, a spokeswoman for the city of Tampa. She said one person left before medics arrived, but two women in their 60s both with a history of blood pressure issued fainted while standing in line. HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Muted New Years Eve celebrations around the world as omicron rages on US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers UK estimates 1 in 15 had virus in London before Christmas amid omicron surge New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY: CARSON CITY, Nev. Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday, a day after the state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on Thursday deadlocked 6-6 on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Gov. Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Higher education officials said on Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. With the staff mandate remaining in effect, universities are set to begin the semester with a mandate on staff and without one on students. Last week, an emergency mandate imposed on students by the state Board of Health expired and a state legislative panel on a 6-6 tie vote decided against making it permanent. Regents in support of the mandate said it was the best way to maintain health on campuses, while those opposed said it was unfair to impose a mandate on staff but not on students. PARIS Describing himself as resolutely optimistic, French President Emmanuel Macron has used the last New Years address of his current term to express the hope that, with vaccinations, 2022 will see the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Macron stopped short of saying that he will stand for re-election in April. He said only that he intends to continue serving the French whatever my place and the circumstances. The president appealed to the 5 million unvaccinated but eligible people in France to get coronavirus jabs, saying: All of France is counting on you. Vaccines offer real reasons to hope and are our surest ace, he said. Perhaps 2022 will be the year we come out of the epidemic I want to believe that with you the year where we will be able to see the exit from this day without end. France has lost 123,000 people to COVID-19 and new cases are at unprecedented levels, surging with the highly contagious omicron variant. France reported a record 232,200 new cases on Friday, its third day running above the 200,000 mark. But with nearly 77% of the population fully vaccinated and 24 million people having had booster shots, Macrons government is betting that omicron can be tamed without recourse to economically damaging lockdowns or curfews and without hospitals collapsing under growing numbers of gravely sick. ROME Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, has used the last New Years Eve speech of his term take to task those who waste opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, calling that choice an offense to all those who havent been able to receive the injection. In a televised speech to the nation Friday night, Mattarella, who is head of state, noted that he was serving in the final days of his seven-year term, with Parliament to elect his successor in the first weeks of 2022. Referring to recent COVID-19 surges in Italy and many other countries driven by virus variants, Mattarella noted a sense of frustration over the setbacks. He recalled his feelings of impotence and desperation in the pandemics first months and dramatic images such as columns of Italian army trucks transporting coffins to other parts of the country as the hardest-hit areas reeled under the soaring death toll in Europes first nation to be slammed by the virus. What would we have given in those days to have the vaccine? Mattarella asked rhetorically. Research and science delivered to us, well before one could have hoped, this opportunity to be vaccinated, he said. To waste it (the opportunity) is also an offense to those who cant even today access it, Mattarella said. ALBANY, N.Y. Federal ambulance teams and additional National Guard members are headed for New York City, and western New York hospitals are getting more federal help as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations keep rising. State officials announced the new deployments Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said students at state universities and the City University of New York will have to get coronavirus vaccine booster shots to be on campus in the spring semester and must test negative before returning from the holiday break. New confirmed case counts have been breaking records by the day in the state, topping 76,500 on Thursday, Hochul said at a news briefing. An average of 53,000 New Yorkers a day tested positive in the week that ended Thursday, compared to 13,000 per day two weeks earlier. Over 7,900 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide, up 67% in a week. AUSTIN, Texas Texas officials on Friday requested federal aid for increased COVID-19 testing and treatment following reports that the state is running low on the antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the omicron variant. In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Division for Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services made the request. They are seeking federal resources for additional COVID-19 testing locations in six counties, increased medical personnel and more sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the more-transmissible omicron. Abbott called on the Biden administration to step up in this fight and provide the resources necessary to help protect Texans. On Monday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said that regional infusion centers in some of the states largest cities Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands have exhausted their supply of sotrovimab. The scarcity stems from a national shortage of the treatment, according to the agency. The centers are expected to receive new shipments in early January. GAITHERSBURG, Md. Novavax Inc. said it filed data Friday with the Food and Drug Administration to support clearance of its long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, a different kind of shot than current U.S. options. Novavax said the data package is the last requirement before the company formally submits its emergency-use application next month to become the fourth U.S. COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement comes shortly after the European Commission and World Health Organization cleared use of the Maryland-based companys two-dose shot. Novavax developed a protein vaccine, similar to shots used for years against other diseases and a strategy that might appeal to people hesitant to use COVID-19 vaccines made with newer technologies. But Novavax, a small biotech company, faced months of delays in finding manufacturers to mass-produce its vaccine. The Serum Institute of India currently is manufacturing the vaccine. Novavax has lined up additional production facilities in the Czech Republic, South Korea and elsewhere that are expected to eventually add to supplies. In studies of tens of thousands of people in the U.S., U.K. and Mexico, the vaccine proved safe and 90% effective against symptomatic infection from earlier coronavirus variants. A booster dose six months later revved up protection against the recent delta variant. Novavax says it is currently testing how the shots hold up against the newest scourge, omicron. The vaccine is made with lab-grown copies of the coronavirus spike protein and mixed with an immune-boosting chemical. LONDON Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp says three of his players have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sundays English Premier League soccer game at title rival Chelsea in London. Klopp did not name the trio and remains hopeful the game will go ahead. A continuing coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle led to its EPL game at Southampton on Sunday being postponed. That brought the total to 18 EPL games postponed in three weeks. The French league postponed the home game between Angers and Saint-Etienne on Jan. 9 because of 19 coronavirus cases in the Angers squad. ROME Italian health officials are warning that the rate of occupation by COVID-19 patients of hospital beds both in intensive care units and in regular wards has surpassed the critical level nationally. A top Health Ministry official, Gianni Rezza, also said on Friday evening that the incidence of cases is growing, with 783 confirmed COVID-19 infections per every 100,000 residents in Italy. The country hit another high for daily new caseloads 144,243 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. Nearly 12% of some 1.234 million swab tests conducted since Thursday resulted positive, according to the ministry, which urged vaccinated persons to get a booster shot if they are eligible. With the nation slammed by a surge of infections largely driven by the omicron variant, the government banned public New Years Eve celebrations. LONDON New figures from Britains official statistics body estimate that about 1 in 25 people in private households in England had COVID-19 in the week before Christmas, as the highly transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly across the country. The number jumped from 1 in 45 in the previous week, the Office for National Statistics said Friday. One in 25 is the equivalent of about 2 million people with coronavirus in England, the highest number since the statistics body began estimating infection levels in May 2020. The figure was even higher in London, the British capital, where officials said around 1 in 15 people was likely to test positive for the coronavirus in the week to Dec. 23. COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolinas health department reported Friday a record-high number of nearly 9,000 COVID-19 cases in one day. The record-shattering 8,882 cases confirmed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control comes less than a year after the state marked its previous high of 7,686 cases in early 2021. I think Januarys going to be a very difficult month for South Carolina, Department Director Dr. Edward Simmer said during a Friday news conference. The state has seen significant rises in the number of people hospitalized and on ventilators in the past week. Hospitals are managing the increase, but the rise in cases has strained staff, Simmer said. Some emergency rooms and urgent cares are already getting overwhelmed, with wait times increasing, he added. A third of the states hospitals reported critical staffing shortages to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday. DALLAS Flight cancellations surged again on the last day of 2021, with airlines blaming it on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections. By late morning Friday on the East Coast, airlines scrubbed more than 1,300 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compared with about 1,400 cancellations for all of Thursday. The disruptions are likely to inconvenience hundreds of thousands of air travelers over the New Years holiday weekend. Canceled flights began rising shortly before Christmas. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the new omicron variant pushed the rate of new daily infections in the U.S. well above 200,000 a day, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolinians should stay home on New Years Eve as COVID-19 cases are again rising in the state, a top public health official said Thursday. We do not want to start 2022 our third year of COVID-19 with record numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler said. But were unfortunately headed in that direction." The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 5,911 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, and Traxler told reporters those numbers are likely to soar in the days and weeks following New Years. Hospital admissions due to COVID-19 have already more than doubled in the past week, she added, and the state is also seeing increases in the number of patients in intensive care and on ventilators. The unfortunate truth is that sacrifices will be made one way or the other, Traxler said. Theyll either be made willingly, by finding alternative ways to celebrate as well as getting a safe and free vaccination and masking up, or well be ... forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, by watching more of us suffer from those severe cases of COVID-19. About 52% of South Carolinians ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated against the virus, according to the state health department. That's below a national average of about 62%, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some hospitals in the state are also concerned that an oncoming surge of the highly contagious omicron variant could worsen an existing staffing crunch among doctors, nurses and other frontline workers. A third of the states hospitals reported critical staffing shortages to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday. Dr. Christine Carr, an emergency department physician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, said her ER has closed off a pod because there is no one to staff it. Although omicron is potentially less dangerous, the highly transmissible variant could still leave staff overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, Carr told The Associated Press last week. People that get COVID will still show up at an ER, and it will crush us, Carr said. The rise in cases also has increased demand for testing, the state health agency said Thursday, warning on social media that people could encounter 1 to 2 hour wait times at testing locations. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. FRIDAY, Dec.31, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- When a sick child spends time in the intensive care unit, the impact lasts even after the hospital stay is over. Added to it are days, weeks, sometimes months out of school for the young patient and extended work absences for their primary caregivers. "Pediatric critical illness impacts a familys health and well-being not only during the childs treatment but after they leave the hospital and go home," said lead author Dr. Erin Carlton, a pediatric intensivist at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital. About two-thirds of young children who had ICU care for a critical illness missed school during the six months after discharge -- an average of two weeks and sometimes more, the study found. About half of primary caregivers missed work as well. "Missing that much school puts children at risk of worse academic achievements and other poor health outcomes later in life," Carlton said in a hospital news release. "Their families may also be at increased risk of economic hardship." The study looked at school and work absences from 2010 to 2015 among 960 children under 18 who required ICU care, including mechanical ventilation, after respiratory failure due to such conditions as pneumonia, sepsis, infections, transplant, asthma or bronchiolitis. Nearly 400 of them were enrolled in school. Of those, nearly 70% missed class after their hospital stay, with more than half of those meeting the criteria for chronic absenteeism. The kids who were in the ICU longer and those with chronic illnesses were more likely to have extended school absences. The researchers also found that nearly 53% of working parents and primary caregivers missed work during the post discharge period. About 20% of siblings missed school during the hospitalization. A childs acute illness impacts not only the child but also the whole family, including siblings and caregivers, Carlton said, adding that child and family health are closely connected and affect each other. When the consequences of a childs illness spill over onto their family, it can create a chain reaction -- affecting the childs recovery and worsening their overall health, she said. More study is needed to better understand the financial cost of parents missing work and the stress on families, the researchers said. Previous studies have suggested that parents with access to leave or paid benefits were more likely to miss work when needed by their child. Given the magnitude of missed work found in our study and the hardships described by parents in prior studies, there is a great need for programs and policies to support and protect families during and after a childs hospitalization, Carlton said. She suggested children's health providers seek strategies to improve transitions from the hospital to home and home to school. We need to commit to efforts to reduce barriers to school participation and absences to improve outcomes for children and their families following critical illness, Carlton said. The findings were recently published in JAMA Network Open. More information The University of Chicago Medicine offers more on what to expect when your child leaves the ICU. SOURCE: University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital, news release, Dec. 23, 2021 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This article originally ran on consumer.healthday.com. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BOSTON (AP) Boston's First Night New Year's celebrations will be outdoors only this year to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, and revelers will have a chance to get a vaccine during the event, Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials said Thursday. First Night, which started in 1975 and has inspired similar events in cities around the nation and world, typically holds performances and cultural events at indoor locations, and several indoors events were scheduled for this year. But everything has been moved outside for this Friday. As we come together to celebrate community, our joy and 2022, we must also recognize the moment that we still very much are in, Wu said at an news conference. We are in a winter surge driven by the omicron variant, and we need to take action to protect ourselves, our families and our communities at large. The mobile vaccination clinic open to anyone who is eligible for a shot or booster will be held in Copley Square from noon until 7 p.m. It will be moved inside the Boston Public Library after 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. for people ages 12 and older, officials said. The Whittier Street Health Center will also distribute 1,000 rapid tests at the event. Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, recommended mask wearing and said people who don't feel well, or who have had recent exposure to someone with COVID-19, should stay home. Officials encouraged attendees to take public transportation, and law enforcement said the event will have a heavy police presence. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. TEL AVIV (AP) Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, an official said Thursday, becoming one of the first countries to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant. Nachman Ash, the director general of the Health Ministry, announced the decision at a press conference, saying the doses would initially be given to those with weakened immune systems. We will continue to track the data on a daily basis and we will see if we need to broaden this recommendation to more of the population," he said. Israel was among the first countries to roll out Pfizers coronavirus vaccine a year ago and began rolling out boosters last summer. But it still saw a wave of infections blamed on the delta variant, and officials have warned of another driven by the fast-spreading omicron. Around two-thirds of Israel's population of nearly 9.5 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and some 4.2 million Israelis have received all three doses, according to the latest Health Ministry figures. Earlier Thursday, Israel received its first shipment of pills that treat the worst effects of the virus. Its among of the first countries to receive Pfizers Paxlovid, a pill that can be taken at home to ward off the most severe symptoms of the coronavirus. All the previously authorized drugs require an IV or injection. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the shipment would help Israel to successfully overcome the peak of the approaching omicron wave. Israeli media reported that the first shipment consists of 20,000 doses, with more expected as Pfizer ramps up production. Israel currently has more than 22,000 active patients, including more than 90 who are seriously ill. At least 8,243 people have died from COVID-19 in Israel since the start of the pandemic. Last week, Chile announced that it would start offering a fourth dose in February. Chile has reported almost 86% of its population fully vaccinated, making it the country with the highest level of immunization against the coronavirus in Latin America. Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. School kitchens across the state are looking for new ways to incorporate healthy, locally sourced ingredients in their daily recipes, including the staff at Target Range School District. On the last day of school before the holiday break, Devin Kavanagh, the food services director at Target Range, served his students and staff locally sourced lentil meatballs for the first time. When I started about a year and a half ago, its always been my goal to improve the food, Kavanagh said. So after getting my bearings straight here, I started to really look into that and ... theres a lot of options out there. One of the groups hes partnered with for nutritious ingredients is the Mission Food Enterprise Center, a shared-use food processing and manufacturing facility in Ronan that has the ability to prepare fruits, vegetables and other menu items en mass. Mission Food Enterprise Center also prepared the lentil meatballs for Target Ranges nutrition program. The ingredients for the meatballs include lentils, mushrooms, potatoes, ground beef, egg and rolled oats. To be able to read all the ingredients on a box is crucial, Kavanagh said. Its just so exciting to be able to have a healthy item like that, he continued. Im hoping the kids are going to like it. Well see what they say. Kavanagh and his kitchen staff scurried around, slicing fruit, boiling noodles and swapping trays of meatballs from the oven to a heating rack in preparation for lunch during a recent school day. First up in the cafeteria were the Target Range kindergartners. A majority of the students moving through the line opted for the meatballs and marinara sauce with their pasta, while only a few chose just noodles. I want a lot of meatballs, one student in line said to Kavanagh. While kids are often regarded as picky eaters who turn their noses up at vegetables, that hasnt been Kavanaghs experience at Target Range. To him, kids are more open to trying new things than people give them credit for. I think it really comes down to how things are prepared, and then that first bite they take, he said. So having the lentil meatballs made with those simple ingredients, I dont think theyre going to be turned away too bad. Another way Kavanagh incorporates locally sourced ingredients into his menu is by using meat that has been processed just down the road from Target Range at School House Meats, Missoula County Public Schools agriculture education center. Students at School House Meats raise livestock, slaughter it and professionally process the product. But soon, he will have another locally sourced, nutritional item to incorporate into Target Ranges nutrition program. 'Montana Marinara' In an effort to connect more of Montanas schools with locally crafted menu items, the Office of Public Instruction partnered with the Northwest Food Hub Network to bring a Montana Marinara to school kitchens. The sauce features Montana-grown squash, onions, carrots and more. The Northwest Food Hub Network is a collective of farmer-owned cooperative food hubs in Montana and Washington with the mission of connecting organizations, like school districts, hospitals and colleges, with local, sustainable food products. Montana Marinara is a win-win-win product it supports small Montana farmers, it brings delicious, sustainable, locally sourced food to students across the state, and it celebrates our states history of supporting agriculture, said Kaylee Thornley, coordinator of the Northwest Food Hub Network. Target Range will be incorporating the Montana Marinara into its menu in February, Kavanagh said. The National School Lunch Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture serves 80,000 students every school day in Montana and nearly half of those meals are usually served for free or at a reduced price, according to the OPI. Due to the COVID pandemic, the USDA began offering school lunches at no cost to all public school students by expanding the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. The meal service flexibility has been extended through the end of June 2022. USDA will remain relentless in ensuring our nations children get the critical nutrition they need, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. USDA answered the call to help Americas schools and child care institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their local needs as children return to their regular routines. This action also increases the reimbursement rate to school meal operators so they can serve healthy foods to our kids. Its a win-win for kids, parents and schools. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HONOLULU (AP) Military officials say they need more time to flush jet fuel from their Pearl Harbor water system, but some of the 4,000 military families who were displaced because of contaminated drinking water could begin returning by the end of next week. U.S. Navy leaders addressed state lawmakers Wednesday, saying they hope to finish flushing the Navy's system by the end of January. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the Navy said in early December it would be able to do the work in a matter of weeks. Navy officials believe about 14,000 gallons (52,995 liters) of jet fuel spilled Nov. 20 in an access tunnel at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, and some of it was sent through the Navy's water distribution system that serves about 93,000 people. People using the water in and near the Pearl Harbor military installation reported becoming ill, and the Navy moved many military families into Oahu hotels. The Navy has since cleaned the spill at the aging Red Hill storage facility, which supplies fuel for many military planes and ships that operate in the Pacific. It is pumping clean water through the overall water system and the systems of all affected homes and facilities. The plan includes complete flushing of the entire Navy system, from the source to the faucet, with a comprehensive series of water tests in every neighborhood to certify that drinking water meets safe drinking water standards, Navy Rear Adm. Blake Converse told lawmakers during a joint briefing. The Navy said it will test 10% of homes, which some lawmakers questioned. The 10%, it is a sort of statistical determination based on past events, based on academia, based on the capacity of existing labs," said Rear Adm. John Korka, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. Korka said there is also a "confidence factor. Allowing families to return to their homes requires approval from Hawaii health officials. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Honolulu Star-Advertiser. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When voters approved recreational cannabis in the fall of 2020, they also created a path for people previously convicted of now-legal actions to have their records cleared. While some say the process has worked well and quickly, the pace of requests hasn't met what the state anticipated, some seeking expungement are hitting snags and defense attorneys say in certain places stigma has created roadblocks. Initiative 190 allowed people to be resentenced if they are actively serving a sentence, re-designating a conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor, or have their convictions expunged entirely for acts that were legal after the start of this year. The legislation that retooled parts of the ballot initiative put funding toward a specialized court that would centralize expungement proceedings, although the state Supreme Court has yet to set that up because of the low number of such filings so far. In the meantime, cases that have been filed are working their way through the traditional court system, a route granted by the original ballot initiative. Some attorneys say expungement cases have sailed through the courts and that the process has been accessible. New state laws tell judges hearing expungement petitions that they must presume the case qualifies unless a prosecutor can raise a legitimate issue against it. The entire proceeding may include a hearing, but state law doesnt require one to obtain an expungement. But other lawyers say expungement petitions are still facing a roadblock: stigma against cannabis that lingers in some of the states district courts. Back in April, a judge in Richland County sentenced a man to five years in prison, for something that by that point was no longer a crime under the states new legalization structure. The majority of convictions that qualify for expungement were misdemeanors, such as possession of paraphernalia or an ounce or less of marijuana. Possession of more than 1 but less than 2 ounces of marijuana is now a civil infraction, a designation lower than a misdemeanor that carries a sentence of community service or a fine. Possession of 2 or more ounces of cannabis, or 16 grams of marijuana concentrate, remains a felony. Missoula attorney Marty Judnich said his firms clients in Billings, Bozeman and Missoula have had little trouble clearing their records of charges that are now legal. Ninety-nine percent of what weve dealt with is just misdemeanor stuff, Judnich said. You get folks from all backgrounds, where they made a mistake when they were younger, now theyre older and have a career and a family. They just want to clear up their record, put their mistakes behind them and the expungement law has been able to do that for a lot of people. Not all smooth sailing Since legalization, a handful of cases have reached the state Supreme Court after prosecutors challenged the petition for expungement and won. The Supreme Courts rulings so far signal the circumstances of these cases must fall squarely within the bounds set by the Legislature in 2021 when it comes to what qualifies for expungement, with little room for forgiveness outside those lines. Daniel Rairdon, for example, was convicted in 2002 in Flathead County for a felony based on his possession of eight marijuana plants, which he had grown on land adjacent to rental property where he was living. He received a three-year deferred sentence, and the case was closed in 2008. In January, after voters legalized recreational cannabis, Rairdan petitioned for his felony charge to be expunged or redesignated as a civil infraction. But prosecutors argued he did not have written permission to grow marijuana from the landowner, a requirement for growing cannabis under todays marijuana laws, and therefore didn't qualify for expungement or redesignation. The district court judge denied Rairdans petition, and in September the state Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts decision. Then theres Lloyd Maier, who pled guilty in 1992 to possessing over 60 grams of marijuana. In April, Maier petitioned Yellowstone County District Court for expungement or redesignation. The district court judge denied Maiers petition, because police had found 32 marijuana plants at his residence at the onset of the case. The state Supreme Court wrote in its order that the expungement does not turn on the facts of the case, but the charge Maier pled guilty to which would still qualify as a felony. The Supreme Courts decision noted that Maiers plea agreement and resulting conviction also did not specify the circumstances of Maiers possession. Under the new laws, those who cultivate at home are allowed to possess more than 1 ounce, as long as it is kept in a locked space on the property. Maiers case record made no mention of whether it was stored in a locked space or wasnt only that he possessed greater than 2 ounces. The Supreme Court denied Maier's petition, but said in similar cases, an evidentiary hearing may be required to determine the circumstances of possession. In Richland County, Paul Hagler pled guilty to possessing 60 grams or less of marijuana in 2015. The amount was actually 0.06 grams, but the charge at that time carried a penalty of three years in prison at the most. At the time, Hagler was still serving an earlier sentence from 2010, although Montana Department of Corrections records show he has no felony convictions. District court Judge Katherine Bidegaray sentenced Hagler to a five-year commitment with the Department of Corrections to be served on probation, which would begin after the 2010 sentence ended in 2018. Between Hagler's arrest and sentencing, voters in November 2020 legalized recreational cannabis and possessing the amount that Hagler pled guilty to having in back in 2015. In February of this year prosecutors filed a petition to revoke Haglers sentence in the marijuana case, but the judge sentenced him in April to five years in prison on the original marijuana charge, two years longer than even pre-legalization statutes allowed. Teal Mittelstadt, Haglers attorney who challenged his district court sentence, said the case illustrates how bias against marijuana is still determining cases in the lower courts. There is a stigma against cannabis, Mittelstadt said in an email. I cannot speak to the entire state, but in the counties I have practiced, it is present. In September Hagler, represented by Mittelstadt, petitioned the Supreme Court to be released from prison on the improper sentence. The Supreme Court granted the petition after the state Attorney Generals Office, in consultation with the Richland County Attorneys Office, conceded Hagler should be immediately released from prison. The potential expungement of Haglers case will be decided at the district court level, not during the proceedings regarding his imprisonment, the justices wrote. Low demand The expungement cases so far have moved through the district court where that person was convicted. But House Bill 701, the Legislatures cannabis regulation framework bill, still gave the authority to the Montana Supreme Court to establish a marijuana expungement court. The Supreme Court, which gathers data on expungement statistics, has yet to determine if hiring an expungement court judge would be justified, court Administrator Beth McLaughlin told a legislative interim committee in November. Montana has had an expungement statute since 2017, allowing each citizen a one-time petition to clear records of an arrest, investigation, detention and any court proceedings that may have been related to a misdemeanor offense. With most cannabis charges formerly falling under misdemeanor offenses, this means Montanans already had access to an expungement process to clear a majority of marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions since 2017. In 2020, the courts saw 135 total expungement petitions statewide, McLaughlin said. The figure includes every expungement petition, not cannabis alone. Those are happening, certainly not at the level that we anticipated they would, McLaughlin told the legislative Economic Affairs Interim Committee, which is monitoring the implementation of the states recreational marijuana program. We are unsure at this point if we are going to hire a full-time standing master to run an expungement court. It may not be the best use of tax dollars if theres not the case load to justify it. To help the process along at the district court level, the Supreme Court is compiling a form to guide people through the process without need for an attorney. The form is expected to be complete by the end of the year and available to the public after a final round of vetting by prosecutors, public defenders and judges. McLaughlin also notified lawmakers of a handful of wrinkles in state code introduced by HB 701 that may complicate the expungement process and require judges to dive into the underlying facts of the case. For example, the former cut-off between a misdemeanor and a felony was 60 grams, but under the new law that limit is 2 ounces; 60 grams equates to 2.12 ounces. Additionally, it was previously a felony to distribute cannabis in any fashion, but new laws allow a person to "gift" up to 1 ounce to someone else. Consequently, a felony distribution charge could be expunged if details in the case show the cannabis was gifted, but not if it was sold. McLaughlin said the court will notify the Law and Justice Interim Committee for a potential clean-up bill ahead of the 2023 Legislature. Coming Saturday: Helena Independent Record photographer Thom Bridge captured images inside one of the largest cannabis operations in the state, from seedling to sale, and of the people who tend to the crop. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State Auditor Troy Downing is pushing for reforms to Montanas sale of state land cabin sites, speaking out and voting out against those sales during the last year of the Montana State Board of Land Commissioners. Downing has been the lone public dissenter among Montanas top statewide elected officials. The Land Board is made up of Gov. Greg Gianforte, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen and Downing, all Republicans. The board is constitutionally charged with overseeing revenue-generating programs on more than 5.5 million acres of state trust lands. The lands are managed primarily for the benefit of funding education including public schools, universities and the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. Last year state land programs including timber, mining and real estate topped $107 million in revenue. Although some high-profile issues do come before the board, many of the votes are relatively routine, such as selling easements for utilities or roads and approving Department of Natural Resources and Conservation timber sales. The program drawing Downings apprehensions is the states sale of cabin sites under DNRCs real estate program. Certain state lands may be leased with the lessee able to construct improvements, ranging from roads and utilities to cabins and other structures. Under a 2013 law, the lessees may petition the state to purchase the land a process that includes appraisals, competitive bidding and approval from the Land Board. Once sold, the proceeds go into the states Land Banking program. Along with cabin sites, sales of other state lands go into the Land Banking account. The board may then approve purchases of replacement trust lands with those funds to again produce revenue. Downing said in a recent interview he does not oppose the program but believes it needs several reforms and has encouraged other Land Board members to pause the sales in the interim. He also unsuccessfully brought legislation during that last Legislature and plans to do so again in the next session. Im not opposed to trading land, Im not opposed to the state selling something or purchasing something else, it just has to make sense, he said. Cabin site program DNRCs Trust Land Division administrator Shawn Thomas detailed the cabin site sale process in a recent interview. Every two years the agency solicits interest from lessees and then prioritizes about 100 of them based on factors such as legal access and whether the property has been surveyed. The Land Board takes up the sale three times including at the final point of sale, he continued, and the board has the right to say no. State law creates a split estate between the lessee and the state. The state owns the land but the lessee owns any improvements up to and including a cabin or other structures. In order to buy the property an appraisal of the land at the states expense and appraisal of the improvements at the owners expense must occur. That appraisal generally sets the minimum bid for the property to go into a competitive bidding process, Thomas said. Most often the lessee is successful in purchasing the cabin site property and often without another bidder. Cabin prices can range widely based on where the property is in the state, its size and other factors. In a December meeting, for example, the Land Board sold 17 cabin sites ranging in appraisal value from $55,000 to $475,000. All went for the minimum bid price with only one bidder. The sales are complex real estate transactions due to the split estate, Thomas said. If another bidder does purchase the property, the law dictates the successful bidder must negotiate the purchase of the improvements with the lessee. In addition to deciding whether to apply for purchase in the first place, lessees have the ability to pull the property from the sale process. That may come after receiving the appraisal, but also the lessees are notified if another bidder will enter the process, he said. In most cases it works through the process for the lessee, to purchase the property, Thomas said. If there is another bid many times the lessees dont want to risk the bids getting driven up or losing the property or their improvements. The Legislature set the cabin site sale revenue to go into Land Banking for purchasing replacement property. But the sites are not the only trust property the state sometimes sells for Land Banking. While the rate of return from a leased cabin site can be 3% or higher, returns for isolated tracts of grazing land can be well below 1%. Under state law, Land Banking sales may total up to 250,000 acres and 75% must be isolated parcels. Sales are limited to 20,000 acres until replacement property is purchased. Since 2006, about 87,000 acres of state land has been sold and 98,000 acres purchased under the program. The program has a history of purchasing lands that both block up the state's property and allow for better public access. Proceeds from all state land sales are pooled into the Land Banking account. The more than 20 properties purchased as replacement lands do produce an overall average higher rate of return, Thomas said. After 10 years, the proceeds move out of the Land Banking account and into a permanent account that is invested with proceeds again going to fund education. Downings concerns Downing pointed to cabin site sales that came before the board in the last year. When comparing the rate of return from the lease to that of historic rates of return for land purchased through Land Banking, several leased parcels outperformed Land Banking. My biggest issue is when we sell something its forever and if were not maximizing that sale price, thats a mistake, and if were selling it with an expectation of having less income in the future than we have now, then I dont agree its in the best interest of Montana, he said. Downing, who has worked in commercial real estate development, feels the current program contains several flaws. The state could be seeing bigger returns on the sales or the best deal could be sticking with a lease, he believes, with a few changes to current law. The first is the valuation process for the land. The states appraisal assesses the property using comparable sales, a common practice in residential real estate. Downing believes the assessment should focus on revenue production through a capitalization report. Its not residential real estate, to the state its income property, he said. This is commercial real estate and it should be appraised, dealt with and transacted with as if it were commercial real estate. Getting comps is not the best indication of value to the state. The best indication to the value is how much income its producing. Some accounting is also needed for the loss of revenue between the time of sale and once newly purchased land starts producing, Downing believes. The sale may mean a short-term revenue bump, but that does not go to funding education until new land is purchased. And if the newly purchased land earns less revenue, that ultimately means less for education over the long term that must be made up for with property taxes, he said. Downing did credit DNRC with working to produce more information on income generation but still feels a capitalization report should be required. Downing further believes the process does not allow market forces to maximize sale prices for the benefit of the state as evidenced by a lack of competitive bidding. Once purchased, he points out that the lessee if free to sell the property for the highest offer. History of cabin site program Montanas cabin site sale and leasing program has a complex history of multiple pieces of legislation and lawsuits. State trust lands by law are held to produce revenue, but the unique occupancy by private parties often means deep ties to the land and organized advocacy among the lease holders. Pre-1981 lease rates were nominal at $5-$150 annually. That year the Land Board initiated competitive bidding in the program, recognizing the rates fell below its constitutional obligation of meeting fair market value, according to a DNRC timeline. In response to pushback from lessees, legislation in the 1980s removed competitive bidding in favor of setting lease rates as a percentage of appraised value. In 1999 Montanans for Responsible Use of School Trust, or Montrust, successfully sued the Land Board and the state over the rates, alleging they fell below fair market values. In 2011 the Legislature restored competitive bidding but Montrust sued again, this time joined by the Board of Regents, alleging that lease calculation methods produced rents below fair market values. The case was ultimately settled. In 2013 the Legislature decided lessees should be able to nominate their leased lands for purchase in passing Senate Bill 369. The state has finalized about 200 sales since totaling more than $27 million. About 500 sites remain under state lease, mainly in western Montana in areas such as Seeley and Placid lakes and the Flathead area. The primary beneficiaries are Montana State University and Montana Tech. Legislation Downing brought legislation during the session, admittedly at the 11th hour before a transmittal deadline, proposing several changes to the cabin site sale program. Senate Bill 408 would have required DNRC to produce a capitalization report looking at average rates of return of replacement land. The bill also would restrict the lessee from pulling the property from the competitive bidding process after depositing a bid bond, meaning they could not pull the sale if another bidder comes forward. Finally, the bill would have stated that a lower rate of return could give cause to the Land Board to cancel the sale. The bill was important, Downing told lawmakers, to meet the Land Boards fiduciary duty under the state constitution. Speaking against the bill was Margaret Morgan, noting she was testifying on her own behalf, and had worked as a lobbyist for cabin site lessees when the Legislature attempted to fix a program that was a mess, she said. By working with lessees, lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill setting up the sale program. Morgan was critical of SB 408, saying that lessees were not involved and did not even know a bill that could make significant changes was introduced. A Senate committee quickly tabled the bill. Jackie Jones, Downings Land Board advisor, said the process set up in 2013 is working as designed, to get the cabin sites sold to lessees as quickly as possible. With any legislation, you dont pass a bill and never look at it again," she said, and Downing says he plans to bring SB 408 back next session because of his continued concerns over the current process. During a legislative interim committee in September, DNRC provided its annual cabin site sale report and Jones testified about the need for SB 408. Jim Keane, a longtime Democratic Butte lawmaker who worked on the 2013 legislation, rebutted the bill during the meeting, saying that the Legislature had carefully weighed the issues but that SB 408 risked pricing out Montanans from properties they had invested in. "I take real consternation in the bill that was just brought up," he said. "What happened here is somebody saying they shouldnt be allowed to buy their property. They put the time and interest in that property. That bill is not just unfair, and what its actually saying is that if you cant afford the place, let the other bidder take it away from you." Downing said in the interview that he has empathy and takes into account the strong ties many lease holders have to their cabin sites. He does not seek repeal of another provision of the law which allows current lease holders to match the highest bid a provision that if repealed could result in more competitive bids. He also pointed out that not all leases are owned by Montanans now. I just want there to be market forces and I want it to be a conscious decision on whether its a straight across trade, or if its something we have an expectation that its going to make more money than it currently does, or an expectation that its going to make less, he said. I think thats all germane to the decision we make. Land Board votes During meetings of the Land Board throughout the last year, Downing has voted against cabin site sales, making similar arguments about the rates of return and concern over a lack of market forces in the program. Downing questions whether the current process under the law essentially renders the Land Boards vote as a ceremonial act rather than a decision. He believes the state constitutions trumping of statute gives cause for voting against the sales, and has asked his fellow board members to in lieu of voting down sales, to delay them. (I want to) convey that Im not trying to destroy this program Im just trying to perfect it and I think its pretty clear that its got some pretty glaring issues and what Id like to see happen is to delay this until we can really evaluate some solutions to these obvious problems, he said. The other Land Board members have not joined calls for reforms during the meetings. Youve shared your views in the past and until the law changes, were going to follow the law, Gianforte told Downing during the December Land Board meeting. These cabin sales getting into the private sector will allow the free market to act. When asked about the governors position on the cabin site program and whether he would support reforms, a Gianforte spokesperson said the governor believes the Land Board must follow the law set by the Legislature. If reforms might be warranted, those should be brought before the Legislature for consideration, the spokesperson said. Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A tax adjustment for Montanas regulated utilities will bring savings to customers of Montana Dakota Utilities and NorthWestern Energy. MDU residential electric customers should see a $10.81 reduction for 2022, at least in the portion of their bill concerning taxes and fees. Monthly, the reduction is about 1%. MDUs gas customers will receive a reduction of 0.8% per month, or $7.47 for the year related to taxes. The rate adjustment, which starts Jan. 1, was approved by the Montana Public Service Commission in early December. The PSC announced the reduction Tuesday. NorthWestern Energy residential electric customers will see a $21.12 cut for the coming year on the portion of their bill concerning taxes and fees. The monthly reduction is 1.9%. NorthWesterns residential natural gas customers will see an average reduction of $13.56 for the year, or 1.3% per month for the same reason. Utility taxes and fees pass directly to customers. When those taxes and fees are lower than expected, consumer bills show the difference. Utility prices in general are increasing as rising natural gas prices boost winter home heating bills. In November, the PSC advised utility natural gas customers to expect bill increases as high as 62%. NorthWestern Energy is expecting Montana customers will pay 47% more for heating costs this winter than they did a year ago. Montana Dakota Utilities, in forecasting a 52% increase for natural gas customers in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas, said much of the increased demand for gas is related to U.S. gas sales overseas, while gas drilling nationwide hasnt increased despite better payouts for producers. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In January 2022, federal legislation takes effect limiting surprise medical billing for out-of-network health care. Passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, the No Surprises Act (NSA) is the most sweeping health care legislation since the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Surprise billing occurs when a patient has no knowledge or opportunity to choose care from a provider inside of the patient's health plan network. What is the No Surprises Act? Most health plans require or prefer customers to use in-network providers. In-network providers are health care providers and facilities that contract with health insurance plans to provide lower priced services in exchange for being part of the health plans' networks. The NSA makes it illegal for providers to bill patients higher rates than in-network cost-sharing under their health plans in certain circumstances. This includes air ambulance transport but notably excludes ground ambulance. Often, patients receiving surprise bills are left financially strapped or forced to declare bankruptcy because they cannot afford the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in unanticipated medical bills. According to the American Journal of Public Health, nearly 67% of bankruptcies filed in the United States are tied to medical expenses. The NSA limits the amount patients must pay, out-of-pocket, for health care services rendered by out-of-network providers. Surprise Billing Surprise billing typically occurs in one of two circumstances. The first is during an emergency where the person is incapable of choosing an in-network provider without risking their health or life. The second is when a patient unknowingly receives planned care from an out-of-network provider. For example, a patient receives treatment from an in-network provider and later learns a provider who was involved in their treatment, such as an anesthesiologist or other specialist, does not participate in the health plan's network. Protecting Consumers The NSA fixes many of these problems by barring out-of-network providers from billing patients more than an in-network provider. The patient is also removed from disputes between the insurance company and health care provider. The NSA provides rules to expedite disputes between the two parties with limited options for the losing party to lengthen or complicate the payment process. Opting Out of NSA Protections Patients still have the option to see out-of-network providers and can opt out of the NSA protections. But, there are caveats. In some cases, patients may purposefully decide to receive health care services from an out-of-network provider for non-emergency care. This can happen under various circumstances. The most common reason is for specialized procedures and visits. The NSA requires health care providers and facilities to notify the patient of the protections waived and receive written consent. This notice, provided at least 72 hours before services, must include a good faith estimate of costs, whether any in-network providers at the facility offer the same services, and a detailed list of the specific protections the patient is waiving. Uninsured and Self-Pay Patients Patients without insurance or who do not want to submit a claim to their insurance company often called "self-pay" are also provided some NSA protections. Self-pay patients are entitled to receive a good faith estimate for the cost of services and procedures. If a self-pay or uninsured patient is charged substantially more than the estimate, the NSA provides a dispute resolution process with a neutral arbiter. What's Next? The NSA is a 200-page bill with 100 additional pages of rules already published. Patients need to be aware of the new protections afforded to them under this legislation; specifically, the information health care providers must provide when asking patients to waive the protections against balance billing. The Office of the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is charged with ensuring commercially insured health plans and insurance companies comply with this law. For up-to-date information and questions about the No Surprises Act, go to CSIMT.gov. Troy Downing is the commissioner of securities and insurance, Montana state auditor. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "God's Country," a feature film based on a short story by Missoula author James Lee Burke, will premiere at Sundance Film Festival next month with Thandiwe Newton (Westworld) in the lead role. The movie is adapted from the longtime Lolo residents story Winter Light. In 2014, Los Angeles-based director Julian Higgins came to the Missoula area to shoot a half-hour version, which follows a college professor who enters into a conflict with two hunters who trespass on his property. Were very excited, Burke wrote in an email statement. Later the script was rewritten and expanded into a two-hour theatrical film. Higgins and Shaye Ogbonna created the new iteration of the story, which was shot in Montana as well during the winters of 2020 and 2021, according to Allison Whitmer, Montana film commissioner. Burke, an Edgar Award winning legend of literary crime fiction who published his 41st book earlier this year, said the project is of special significance to him. Our daughter, Pamala Burke, whom we lost last year, put the deal together with Julian Higgins, who I think is one of the most talented young directors in Hollywood. He's also a fine young man and has dedicated the film to Pamala's memory, Burke wrote. He hasnt had a chance himself to see the movie, which premieres Jan. 23, and wrote that "Pamala would be proud." According to the festival website, the expanded story explores issues of sexism and racism a Black academic faces in the Mountain West. Its been years of trying (and failing) to please her recently deceased mother, while also navigating the challenging politics and power dynamics at the college where she teaches, the summary says. And then there is the racism, sexism, and toxic masculinity she encounters wherever she goes. But its a confrontation with two hunters trespassing on her property that ultimately tests Sandras self-restraint, pushing her grief and mounting anger to their limits. Newton, who won an Emmy Award for best supporting actress in 2018, occupies almost every frame of the film; close-ups of her calm, grief-stricken face reveal the despair and tension of a crumbling human spirit. She remains cool and composed, but no longer willing to yield, the site says. The locations included Paradise Valley in the Emigrant area at private homes and ranches; in Bozeman, including Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and Dollar Spree; and at the University of Montana Western in Dillon, according to Whitmer. Burke added that he was thankful for the support Gov. Steve Bullock gave when it was in early development. It was awarded $200,000 from the Big Sky Grant Program by the Montana Film Office in the Department of Commerce. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Speakeasy bartender and mixologist Jay Megan Sushka, who said she has 15 years of bar-tending experience under her belt, said it's always a good idea to see where the sparkling wine is made and look up its flavor profile before buying if it's something you've never tried. French-made sparkling wine is usually a good bet, she said. "For the most part, your bottom shelf champagne is all going to taste the same, that's why a lot of places use it for mixing and mimosas and stuff like that," Sushka said. "But if you just take the couple minutes to Google the actual winery or wherever, and what the middle shelf to top shelf stuff tastes like, you generally tend to find you won't get home disappointed." The Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island, is holding a New Year's Eve burlesque show and introducing the first of its new menu items, all theater-themed. The new drink to welcome in the new year is called Curtain Call a martini made with two ounces of whiskey, one ounce of Kahlua, one-half ounce of peppermint schnapps and a soda water topper to make it fizzle. One of the biggest highlights from the year, according to Williams, is the growth of the Big Cat community. From our awesome employees to our regulars, we have created a place where friends can truly become family. We are able to express our creativity when it comes to the things we create, whether it be the featured sandwich of the week, homemade soup, or our various baked goods, he said. Some of the most popular items on the menu include the crustless quiches, offered in a variety of different flavors with options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. It seems that the more creative our staff gets with them, the more popular they are. We have continued to expand our various flavors of quiche, Williams said. My favorite has been cheddar jalapeno with bacon. Another popular item is the Cranberry and Toasted Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich. Its is an item that had already been a favorite among the community, so it is no surprise to us that it has continued to be such a hit. They're comfortable with their niche, but Williams said hes always open to feedback and recommendations from his cafe patrons. THE BACKGROUND: For Afghanistan, 2021 was punctuated by the chaos of a U.S. withdrawal and an uncertain next chapter. The Taliban, who were unseated as the country's rulers by a U.S.-led coalition after the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago, could not be stopped by a collapsing Afghan military and Western-backed government that fled. They quickly took power back in mid-August asked, The Associated Press has revealed, by former President Hamid Karzai to help keep Kabul from falling into chaos and deadly violence. Here is a rundown of some of the new laws taking effect Saturday across the country: ABORTION In New Hampshire, abortion will be prohibited after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for the mothers life or physical health. Democrats have already drafted legislation seeking to repeal the new restrictions. Some also want to include the right to make reproductive medical decisions a constitutional right. The new law in New Hampshire comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could severely erode abortion rights that have stood for half a century. Republican lawmakers across the country are ready to further restrict or ban abortions outright while Democratic-led ones are seeking to ensure access to abortion in their state law. ANIMAL WELFARE Come Saturday California will have the nations toughest living space standards for breeding pigs. A new California law designed to prevent the warehousing industry from overworking employees doesnt name a specific company. But the legislations target is clear: Amazon.com Inc., which has given machines unparalleled control over workers and is accused of using the technology to impose unreasonable demands on them. Authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, AB 701 prohibits the use of monitoring systems that thwart basic worker rights such as rest periods, bathroom breaks and safety. The legislation will help determine whether governments can regulate human-resources software thats expected to play an increasing role in deciding who gets hired and fired, how much workers are paid and how hard they work. This is just the beginning of our work to regulate Amazon & its algorithms that put profits over workers safety, Gonzalez, a San Diego Democrat, tweeted earlier this year. The legislation, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September, goes into force on Jan. 1. Regulators are constantly playing catch-up, especially with the tech industry. Computer science experts are doubtful laws can effectively regulate machines that are ultimately expected to be smarter than people and even capable of tricking them. Designing artificial intelligence systems that meet their intended purpose remains a feat in itself. Ensuring they dont cause unintended consequences is even harder. Amazon has outsourced many of the roles traditionally played by human managers to machines. At giant fulfillment centers, software determines how many items a facility can handle, where each product is supposed to go, how many people are required for a given shift and which truck is best positioned to speed an order to a customer on time. Algorithms and cameras constantly monitor delivery drivers, ensuring they drop off a certain number of packages per shift, place them correctly and obey traffic laws. The company argues that automation is required to manage its sprawling operations and says the technology mostly works as intended. But no algorithm is perfect, and even a small margin of error at a company of Amazons size can inflict lasting collateral damage. Over the past year, a Bloomberg investigation into algorithmic management chronicled the experience of a gig delivery driver mistakenly fired by a machine, an aspiring doctor paralyzed after a harried Amazon delivery driver plowed into his car and warehouse workers who said they felt like disposable cogs in a machine. Time and again, workers characterized the algorithms as merciless taskmasters. They described an unforgiving workplace where people often dont stay long, injuries are higher than the industry average, and employees are expected to meet unreasonable productivity quotas. In the coming years, companies are widely expected to adopt aspects of the management automation pioneered by Amazon. Machines already routinely sift through job applications, determine work schedules and even figure out which employees are planning to quit. So far, Amazon hasnt sold its worker-monitoring software to other companiesand some industry watchers believe it never will. But Amazons cloud division in recent years started selling tools designed to automate real-world tasks, including some developed for its e-commerce and logistics operation. Last year, Amazon Web Services announced a suite of products to monitor equipment and factory lines, supplementing or even replacing human workers. Companies as varied as Capital One, Labcorp and GE Appliances use Amazon Connect call-center software, which deploys artificial intelligence tools to make human agents more productive and automate some customer interactions entirely. Algorithms growing ubiquity has prompted calls for legislation that would force companies to be more forthcoming about how such software affects people. Last December, Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, introduced the Algorithmic Fairness Act. It would require the Federal Trade Commission to create rules that ensure algorithms are being used equitably and that those affected by their decisions are informed and have the opportunity to reverse mistakes. Artificial intelligence brings real benefits to society and opens exciting possibilities. However, it also comes with risks, Coons said, after unveiling the proposed legislation. Companies are increasingly using algorithms to make decisions about who gets a job or a promotion, who gets into a certain school or who gets a loan. If these decisions are being made by artificial intelligence that is using unfair, biased or incorrect data, it has an outsized impact on peoples lives. So far, the proposal has stalled in a divided Washington grappling with more immediate concerns, from the pandemic to voting rights. The California law has a narrower focus. It requires warehouses with at least 100 employees to disclose performance quotas to workers and prohibit workloads that prevent them from taking legally mandated meal and rest breaks. The law seeks to give workers some redress if quotas violate safety regulations and gives the state labor commissioner the power to review worker compensation records at facilities with elevated injury rates and issue citations if the injuries are attributable to excessive workloads. Industry groups opposed the bill, arguing that it would encourage workers to file lawsuits that would impose unnecessary costs on employers. An Amazon spokesman said the company will update managers at its 32 California fulfillment centers on the productivity tracking process but declined to say what changes will be made to comply with the law. He also said Amazon doesnt have workload quotas but uses productivity metrics to identify employees who need help meeting expectations. Computer scientists have long debated whether algorithms and artificial intelligence can be regulated effectively. Roman Yampolskiy, a professor at the University of Louisville who studies AI safety, says the technology is such a black box that its difficult to know if its creating potentially dangerous situations. Hes skeptical that the California law will have its intended effect. We dont always know why machines make certain decisions because its a complex web of neural networks, Yampolskiy said. Any time you put in writing what you are trying to accomplish, smart people will find a loophole to work around it. Legislation will be gamed by algorithms and their owners. Now read: Shoprite taking the fight to Takealot and Mr D The Napa Police Department announced Thursday theyd hired Fabio Rodriguez, a former Vallejo Police Department lieutenant, as police captain. Rodriguez previously spent 24 years working in Vallejo and covered a variety of assignments with the department, including overseeing the Vallejo detective division, according to a press release. He also brought a web-based program to VPD that allows community members to report commercial sex trafficking activity to law enforcement, and helped develop programs like Tacos with Cops. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $4.99 for yo Fabio brings two decades of law enforcement experience along with significant experience in building positive and effective community partnerships, said Napa police chief Jennifer Gonzales in the press release. Having a community-oriented, native Spanish speaker on the command staff will bring a fresh perspective to our department, particularly our community policing strategies. Rodriguez was placed on paid leave last year by the Vallejo Police Department for allowing the replacement of a police truck windshield that VPD detective Jarrett Tonn fatally shot Sean Monterrosa through on June 2, 2020. A disciplinary process for Rodriguez started up, but corrective action, instead of discipline, was ultimately recommended as the result of a Skelly Hearing a hearing which must be provided for officers facing discipline, which can determine what the final discipline will be. The VPD is planning to fire Tonn after an 18-month investigation into the case. Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams sent Tonn a notice of intent to terminate on Dec. 1. Gonzales said the Napa department looked extensively into the Monterrosa case when hiring Rodriguez, and ultimately determined he was a good fit for the Napa police department. We did look in detail into that case and into their findings, and into the results of that entire overall case, not just the initial notice of intent to discipline, Gonzales said. And we still determined he was a person of quality and has good character and will represent our community well. Thats really whats important. The disciplinary notice was sent by Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams to Rodriguez on March 23. In the notice, Williams notes that Rodriguez was responsible for coordinating the investigation with the Solano County District Attorneys Office. Rodriguez told an investigator who was looking into the destruction of the windshield he didnt consult with the Solano DAs office or the Vallejo City Attorneys office in the decision to authorize replacement, according to the notice. Rodriguez also told an investigator who was looking into the destruction of the windshield that he didnt think twice about giving permission to replace the windshield, as hed determined there was no evidentiary value to the windshield because he believed it had been thoroughly photographed at the scene, according to the notice. The Vallejo Police Department moved to replace the windshield before confirming Monterrosa's death, according to reporting from the Vallejo Sun. Williams agreed with the investigator in the notice that Rodriguez failed to provide proper foresight and direction to preserving the windshield for potential future examination in criminal or civil proceedings and had a duty as a risk manager representing the City of Vallejo. But during Rodriguez Skelly Hearing, Skelly officer Marc Fox recommended corrective action instead of discipline. Fox sustained a finding that Rodriguez had committed neglect of duty and unsatisfactory poor performance, but didnt agree with other findings of policy violations from Williams. Fox also noted that Rodriguez and others interviewed had described previous incidents when police vehicles were repaired following gunshots and that VPD hadnt taken disciplinary action in those cases. While I disagree with the Lieutenants decision, it was a decision that he was authorized to make, Fox wrote. On a finer technicality, the police truck in question was never entered as evidence and if never entered into the system as evidence then it could not be disposed/released from evidence. Gonzales spoke positively of Rodriguez, saying hes presented himself with humility in his interactions with community members and leaders and that shes excited to have him join the department. She added hes very community-oriented, and hell be out to engage the community at public events. This man is hungry to improve the profession of law enforcement, Gonzales said. He has demonstrated that hunger. He shows that it is his passion to be a peace officer, to make the community better than he found it, and he has demonstrated that in everything he has done thus far. The city of Napa previously hired Vallejos former interim city manager Anne Cardwell and former human resources director Heather Ruiz earlier this year. Both were hired after being named in an ongoing whistleblower lawsuit, in which plaintiffs allege theyre whistleblowers fired for raising concerns about former Vallejo city manager Greg Nyhoffs leadership. You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As we celebrate a new year, we often say, Out with the old; in with the new. Champagne Louis Roederer is doing just that. They have said goodbye to the Brut Premiere and hello to Collection 242, a wine that honors the past in a forward-thinking way. Founded in 1776 in Reims, France, Champagne Louis Roederer is one of the few remaining independent, family-owned companies still managed by the original Roederer family. Louis Roederer inherited the company from his uncle in 1832 and renamed it under his namesake. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $4.99 for yo Louis Roederer knew that to make great Champagne, one had to start with great still wines. And to make great wines, one must own their own vineyards. He started to acquire vineyards in Mont de Reims in 1842 and today Champagne Louis Roederer owns almost 600 acres of vineyards in the villages of Montagne de Reims, Cotes des Blancs, and Vallee de la Marne. In addition, Champagne Louis Roederer began converting vineyards to biodynamic farming in the 1990s, and today the 185 acres of vineyards are biodynamically farmed, making Louis Roederer the largest biodynamic estate in the Champagne region. While known for their exquisite vintage Champagne and the Cuvee de Prestige Cristal, the flagship wine was the nonvintage Brut Premier. Reflecting the house style, the Brut Premier was the most produced wine in the portfolio and available everywhere. Until now. The Louis Roederer NV Brut Premiere has been replaced with the Louis Roederer Collection 242, raising the standard of the houses flagship wine. The Louis Roederer Collection 242 is a multi-vintage wine, as opposed to a nonvintage wine. Nonvintage is a blend of vintages with the goal of consistency each year. This was a beneficial model with the historically unpredictable weather in Champagne. However, because of climate change over the last 30 years, warmer years mean that single-vintage Champagne can be produced more often. A multi-vintage Champagne is a different approach to the art of blending wine. The idea for Collection 242 started 10 years ago when Champagne Louis Roederer started a perpetual reserve. Like the solera system used for Sherry in Spain, the perpetual reserve began with the 2012 vintage, and each year wines from the latest harvest are added. The perpetual reserve, which currently includes wine from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 vintages, is stored in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine has not undergone malolactic fermentation and the reductive environment does not allow the wines to age. What is distinctive about the perpetual reserve is that in time it will be a blend of 20 harvests, then 30 harvests. And, in 100 years, the perpetual blend will be inclusive of 105 harvests. Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 242 is crafted from 34 percent of the perpetual reserve, 56 percent from the 2017 harvest, and 10 percent of oak-aged reserve wines from the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 vintages. It is a blend of 42 percent Chardonnay, 36 percent Pinot Noir, and 22 percent Pinot Meunier. The grapes in the blend are equally sourced from Roederers La Riviere estate, La Montagne estate, and La Cote estate. The wine spends four years on the less and has eight percent dosage. Collection 242 is an elegantly restrained Champagne with aromas of citrus zest, apple, stone fruits, spring flowers and a touch of nuttiness. On the palate, there is a beautiful richness, yet it is structured and precise with fresh energy and a long finish. The name of the wine, Collection 242, represents the number of blends since the foundation of the Champagne house. 2017 is the 242nd harvest of Champagne Louis Roederer. Subsequent releases of the Collection line will reflect the number of harvests, as for example next years release with a 2018 base will be Collection 243. While this is a multi-vintage wine, in many ways it is also vintage specific. Each release will be unique because of the base vintage and the perpetual reserve. It is a Champagne that can be cellared, like vintage Champagne, but at $55, is an affordable option to drink now. Allison Levine is owner of Please The Palate, a marketing and event-planning agency. A freelance writer, she contributes to numerous publications while eating and drinking her way around the world. Allison is also the host of the wine podcast Wine Soundtrack USA and a co-host of Crush On This videos on YouTube. Contact her at allison@pleasethepalate.com. The US President has vowed to impose large-scale sanctions against Russia in case of escalation of the tension on the Ukrainian border. In a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden said that Western countries could impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia in the event of tensions on the border with Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters. "Biden noted that if tensions continue along the Ukrainian border, Western countries will impose large-scale economic, financial, and military sanctions," Ushakov said. "Our president immediately responded to that by saying that if the West decides to impose these unprecedented sanctions under certain conditions, all this could lead to a complete rupture of relations between our countries." And according to the White House, in the aforesaid telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart, US President Biden warned Putin about the readiness of Washington and its allies to take decisive action in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine. "He [Biden] made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted in a statement. In a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden stressed several times the inadmissibility of starting a nuclear war, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters. "It is very important that President Biden stressed several times during the conversation that it is impossible to start a nuclear war, nor to win it," Ushakov noted. According to Putin's aide, "Biden also stressed that Russia and the United States can and should play a key role in efforts to ensure peace and security, both in Europe and elsewhere in the world." As per Ushakov, Biden assured Putin that Washington does not intend to deploy assault weapons in Ukraine. "The main point of the American side during this conversation is that President Biden has made it clear that the United States does not intend to deploy assault weapons in Ukraine," Ushakov said. "Vladimir Putin noted that this is one of the key points included in our documents, which we have handed to the Americans and around which we want to hold further substantive talks." Armenia observes Day of Remembrance of the Dead Samsung introduces largest curved monitor Kazakhstan President: Anti-terror operation has started Kazakhstan President is reported on CSTO peacekeeping contingents arrival Windows is hacked by vulnerability fixed 9 years ago Transition to remote schooling causes depression in children Kazakhstan interior ministry announces freeing of all city halls from protesters IOC confirms dates of Beijing Winter Olympics WHO head gives forecast for global vaccination Sony reveals its first 4K quantum OLED TV Kazakhstan ministry of internal affairs says they will destroy those who refuse to lay down their arms Russian Defense Minister holds talks with Pentagon head Blinken discuss with Kazakhstan FM situation in republic Kazakhstan President thanks CSTO for sending peacekeeping forces Aeroflot cancels all flights to and from Kazakhstan on January 6 and 7 Armenian Embassy in Kazakhstan recommends not to leave place of stay Kazakhstan MFA denies information on suspension of foreign citizens entry into country EU takes note of Kazakhstan's appeal for help to CSTO Shooting in Kazakhstan's Alma-Ata CSTO Secretary General discuss Kazakhstan situation with Armenian PM Yerevan-Aktau flight scheduled for today is canceled Kazakhstan suspended entry of foreign nationals into the country Lavrov supports efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia President of Artsakh attends Christmas Holy Liturgy Yerevan-Aktau flight scheduled for today is canceled Saakashvili welcomed protests in Kazakhstan Gibka-S missile systems to be delivered to Russian forces in 2022 Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss the situation in the Caucasus First plane with Russian CSTO contingent arrives in Almaty Georgia PM: I congratulate our Armenian compatriots, brotherly Armenian people on Christmas Russian peacekeepers secure entry to Karabakh for 5,000 vehicles carrying pilgrims Armenia sends about 70 servicemen to Kazakhstan Politico: US Senate unlikely to approve sanctions against Nord Stream 2 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh 134 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia 12 law enforcement officers killed in Almaty Razm.info: At least 78 casualties in Azerbaijan armed forces become known in 2021 Armenia MFA on Kazakhstan events: We are convinced it is not way for solving political issues CSTO sends peacekeepers to Kazakhstan Armenia President: May your hearts and homes be filled with peace, goodness More than 1,000 people injured in Kazakhstan unrest Catholicos of All Armenians serving Christmas Divine Liturgy MFA: No Armenia citizens at the moment among those affected by Kazakhstan events Blinken, Israel FM discuss Russia, Ukraine, Iran Christmas and Revelation: Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Nativity and Baptism of Christ Dozens neutralized during attempts to attack administrative buildings of Kazakhstans Almaty Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan leaders discuss situation in Kazakhstan Kremlin website posts Armenia PM statement on CSTO decision to send peacekeepers to Kazakhstan Armenia PM: CSTO will send peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan Airport of Kazakhstans Almaty freed during special operations 8 police and military killed in Kazakhstan: 317 more wounded Protesters in Kazakhstan tear down Nazarbayev's monument Special representatives of Armenia and Turkey meeting to take place on January 14 in Moscow Azerbaijani defense ministry denies news of servicemen deaths State of emergency introduced throughout Kazakhstan EU calls on all sides in Kazakhstan to avoid escalation and violence Azerbaijan starts receiving Turkmen gas through Iran Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulates Armenians on Christmas Protesters seize Almaty airport in Kazakhstan Andranik Grigoryan is the CEO of Converse Bank, Chairman of Executive Management France intends to help Azerbaijan in search of missing persons during 1st Karabakh war Aeroflot cancels flight to Almaty: Aktau airport not working Arnak Avetisyan appointed Armenian State Property Management Committees chair Armenia appoints new ambassador to Russia Christmas Eve liturgy takes place in Armenia's Etchmiadzin Attempts to demolish a monument of Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan Armenia deputy PM Mher Grigoryan to co-chair intergovernmental joint commission with Iran Media: Internet cut off in Nursultan and Almaty Armenia Prosecutor General to head for Moscow Armenia premier to send 10-member delegation to Russia Dollar gains value in Armenia Kazakh president delivers new speech to nation Kazakhstan protesters disarm police: Mir TV channel's office vandalized Kazakhstan presidential residence set on fire Almaty commandant: More than 500 civilians are beaten OSCE calls for de-escalation of Kazakhstan situation Protesters try to break into residence of Kazakhstan's president Kazakh security forces take the side of protesters Kazakh protesters seize Kazakh president's residence and destroy TV channels premises Baghdad military base hit by missile attack Armenian traces destroyed in occupied Shushi Prosecutor's office building is on fire: State of emergency in Almaty Azerbaijan declares 2022 year of occupied Armenian city of Shushi Justice minister not commenting on arresting Armenian captives returned from Azerbaijan Yerevan homeless shelter residents picketing in front of Armenia labor, social affairs ministry Hong Kong imposes ban on flights from 8 countries due to COVID-19 Protesters in Almaty riot hospitals and clinics PM: I have hard time imagining how Omicron variant cannot enter Armenia New council of Armenias Parakar does not convene first session, new village mayor not elected 7 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Armenia cargo transportation via railway drops but passengers increase in 2021 Government hands over Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine certified rights with 15% Armenia-owned shares Borrell says EU cannot be a neutral spectator in talks with Russia Armenian PM urges to throw plastic bags out of life Oil prices stabilize after jump Premier recalls that anti-tobacco law has entered into force in Armenia as of January 1 129 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Kazakhstan President accepts governments resignation Armenia State Property Management Committee dismissed Armenia PM: We are entering 2022 with quite serious start to reforms Third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Friday visited the grave of the national hero of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Major General of the Armenian Armed Forces Arkady Ter-Tadevosyana.k.a. Commandos, who, with his many comrades-in-arms, passed the victorious path of the Artsakh liberation war with honor, according to the Facebook page of the third President of Armenia. The ex-President, together with Ter-Tadevosyan's family members, laid flowers at the tomb of this famous Armenian military figure, and paid tribute to Ter-Tadevosyan and all Armenians who served the homeland unconditionally and were immortalized by their heroism. Also, a wreath on behalf of the third President of Armenia was laid Friday morning at Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevanat the memorial to the brave who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of the homeland. Fridays protest outside the building of the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, and in defense of Ashot Minasyana.k.a. Ashot the Iron, the commander of the "Sisakan" detachment and a participant in the three wars who has been in custody for a month now, has concluded. The moderator of the demonstration announced: "We will continue our struggle until we achieve our final victory, the victory that will contribute to the salvation of the homeland. We owe it to our fallen boys, and tonight our place is Yerablur [Military Pantheon in Yerevan], with our boys, because we have an answer to give to them and to our generations. The National Security Service of Armenia has recently terminated the criminal prosecution of Ashot Minasyan on charges of plotting the assassination of the Prime Minister and usurpation of power, as well as possessing of weapons and ammunition by a group of people. The body conducting the proceedings has concluded that the described actions are not crimes, and Minasyan has the status of acquitted in that regard. Now Ashot Minasyan is charged only with a moderate crimeand with a maximum of three years in prison. This refers to the weapons and ammunition that were found on November 13, 2020 in Sisian city. Ex-beauty queen Assunta Maresca, who became the first female boss of the dreaded Camorra gang after killing her rival, has died at the age of 86, The Sun reported. The feared mob boss, dubbed Pupetta, or "Little Doll" in English, died at her home in Castellamare di Stabia, near Pompeii, following an illness. The heartless mafia icon rose to prominence when she shot dead her husband's killer in Naples at the age of 18 and went on to become the first female boss of the bloody Camorra clan. Marescathe daughter of a notorious black marketerhunted down Antontio Esposito, the then-Camorra boss who ordered her husband's killing, and shot him dead in broad daylight on a street in Naples. The gruesome execution cemented her position in the Naples underworld. The former beauty queen has always insisted she acted alone and during her trial for murder in 1959 told the courtroom defiantly: "I would do it again!". The ruthless mob boss gave birth in prison but wasn't reunited with her son Pasqualino until after her release 14 years later. Once out, Maresca acted in a film based upon her life and opened two clothes shops in Naples. She also married notorious drug smuggler and arms dealer Umberto Ammaturo, with whom she had twins. The marriage would take a disastrous turn when Maresca accused her husband of killing Pasqualino, according to The Guardian. The publication reports that Ammaturo became jealous of Pasqualino's dream to lead the Camorra. When Pasqualino was 18, in January 1974, he went to meet Ammaturo at a construction site in Naples and disappeared. Maresca suspected Ammaturo of murdering her son and burying his body in cement but stayed with the mob figure out of fear he may hurt their twins. She was later accused of being behind the killing of Ciro Galli, a member of the Nuova Camorra Organizzata, which was lead by violent kingping Raffaele Cutolo. Maresca openly challenged Cutolo during a press conference in 1982 and in the same year was arrested alongside Ammaturo for the murder of Aldo Semerari, a forensic scientist and well-known neo-fascist. She served four years in prison before being acquitted. Maresca was the only girl in a family of four brothers and reportedly showed violent tendencies as a child. She once attacked a classmate, causing them serious injury, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Maresca won a local beauty contest in 1953 and was crowned Miss Rovegliano. It comes months after female Italian mob boss Maria Licciardi - known as "Bloody Mary" - died in August aged 70. Licciardi is said to be 'The Godmother' of Secondigliano Alliance, a cartel of Camorra clans that controls drug trafficking, counterfeiting luxury brands and extortion in much of Naples. Licciardi was one of the victors in a long-running blood feud between clans that left Naples littered nearly daily with corpses earlier this century, prosecutors say. According to a Camorra boss turned prosecution witness Luigi Misso Licciardi responsible for more than 100 murders. He said she is much more dangerous than the reputed head of the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian branch of the Mafia. Addressing the board members of the ASKON business association, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in Istanbul that next year the government will implement a new economic model for Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported. According to him, this model must first be aimed at increasing employment and creating new jobs in Turkey, and its objective will be the sustainable development of the countrys economy. Erdogan stated that he has instructed the government to set conditions in the Turkish economy under which both businessmen and ordinary citizens of the country will be able to plan their future for three years. In this regard, the government will propose next year to fight against irrational changes in the lira exchange rate, which, according to the Turkish president, have nothing to do with the realities of the dynamics of the economy and the demand, and are temporary. Erdogan assured that in 2022 the national currency will have a stable exchange rate in Turkey. "There is no problem with the state budget. We sum up the year by even exceeding the forecasts. The Turkish lira is the primary basis for the government," he said. Erdogan added that Turkish citizens currently have about 5 tons of gold, and that these resources need to be included in developing the countrys economy. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia on Friday visited several combat positions. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and some other servicemen. Nine servicemen who performed well during their military service were encouraged by the premier. Pashinyan thanked each of them separately for their service. "Officers, sergeants, privates, I congratulate all of you on the occasion of the New Year and [upcoming Armenian] Christmas, I wish [you] honorable and trouble-free service, and I ask [you] to convey your family members my congratulations on my behalf, on behalf of the government, and wish the best for 2022. Serve well and return well to your homes, your families, the Armenian PM said addressing the servicemen. In November, Islamabad hosted a Troika Plus meeting during which Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the engagement with the Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government in Afghanistan must continue in order to help consolidate peace and stability. The group had also previously met in Qatar in August to discuss political solutions to the conflict during the IEA's takeover of Afghanistan. In his announcement on Thursday, Kabulov did not mention if Taliban officials would attend the upcoming meeting. --IANS ksk/ ( 127 Words) 2021-12-31-08:42:02 (IANS) Abdullah Hafeez Khan, a spokesperson for the flag carrier, told local media that the first flight departed from Lahore to Mashhad in Iran on Wednesday night, and returned to Pakistani port city on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency. The official said the resumption of the flight aimed at facilitating pilgrims, tourists and strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two countries, adding that the passengers would have the facility of good quality and cost-effective air travel. PIA's Chief Executive Officer Arshad Malik said in a statement that Iran and Pakistan had agreed on increasing efforts to enhance air cooperation between the two countries. According to the CEO, the PIA is also scheduled to start its direct flights from the southern port city of Karachi to Mashhad on Saturday. --IANS ksk/ ( 162 Words) 2021-12-31-12:56:02 (IANS) According to the police, the explosion took place near the Science College at Jinnah Road on Thursday night. Witnesses told the police that glass windows of buildings situated in the vicinity of the blast were shattered as security forces and rescue officials reached the site of the explosion. The injured have been shifted to the city's Civil Hospital, the police added, while three people who sustained injuries are reported to be in critical condition. Following an initial probe into the incident, the Director-General of Police Syed Fida Hussain Shah said that 2.5 kg of explosives were planted on a pole near the site of the blast, the report said. He said that an event organised by the JUI was underway, and as soon as it ended, the explosion took place near the gate of the venue. Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo had earlier condemned the incident and had instructed the inspector-general of police to submit a report related to the blast. At the same time, the provincial adviser to the chief minister on the interior was directed to further improve the security situation of the city. Adviser to the Chief Minister on Interior Raza Langoo had said that the blast occurred through a remote-controlled device, while a probe was being carried out. "Terrorists aim to target civilians," he said. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 256 Words) 2021-12-31-13:58:03 (IANS) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 31 (ANI/NewsVoir): Fintech companies can bring efficient onboarding of customers and offer seamless collection support at a negligible cost at the last mile touchpoints, stated Ketan Doshi, Managing Director of PayPoint India, at the recently held 8th ASSOCHAM National E-Summit on the NBFC sector. Speaking at the event, Ketan Doshi said, "NBFCs are going to be the forefront of the credit outreach which is required in the country, and this can happen with the partnership model with Fintech. It can bring credit revolution in the country." "Pandemic has facilitated banks and NBFCs to join hands with Fintechs. Lenders are now looking for fintech partnerships serving the last mile mainly for customer onboarding as customer acquisition and collection costs are pretty high. With the help of NBFCs decision-making tools along with Fintech's payment tools, credit can be disbursed within 5 mins, and the costs can also be bought down by around 65 percent," Doshi added. While most people cannot come to the mainstream because of the scarcity of capital, credit should also be made available to the underserved for the economy to grow. If the last mile is touched via the partnership model, there is considerable headroom for credit growth and greater financial inclusion. Also, government initiatives like OCEN (Open Credit Enablement Network) and Account aggregation can change the entire lending landscape in the coming year. At the summit, the panelists also underlined that NBFCs have deeper penetration in rural markets and have played a significant role in the financial inclusion agenda. Today, NBFCs' partnership with fintech companies is leading the way to the future of financial services. This partnership model is developed fundamentally to serve underserved customers who otherwise find it hard to access credit. The summit also deliberated upon the outlook of Overall NBFCs & MFIs Sector, Deep-Dive into the Infrastructure and Housing Finance. Other Industry stalwarts such as Alexander Muthoot - MD of The Muthoot Group, Amit Gainda- MD & CEO of Avanse Financial Services Ltd., Amit Gupta - CFO of U GRO Capital, Sanjay Rudra - General Manager, Large & Mid Corporate of Bank of Maharashtra, Samik Dasgupta - General Manager, and HOD NPA Management and Legal of IIFCL, Ashok Soni - ED, of PFRDA, Dr M. Narendra - Former CMD of Indian Overseas Bank also addressed the discussions. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Finance ministers of States and Union Territories and senior officials are attending the meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Union ministers of state in the Ministry of Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary and Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, besides the senior officials in the Ministry of Finance, are also attending the meeting. The meeting holds significance as it is taking place ahead of the Union Budget for 2022-23, which is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2022. (ANI) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI/Mediawire): The Times Real Estate Conclave & Awards 2021 had a flurry of good news for developers and other constituents of the industry. The chief guest of the event Dr Jitendra Satish Awhad, housing minister of Maharashtra, announced that the state government is likely to have an amnesty scheme wherein concessions along with a guarantee that there will be no Section 13(2) for five years will be extended to the defaulting developer companies. Section 13(2) is the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002. One of the conditions that the developers will have to follow will be the rehabilitation of the residents of the existing colonies before the redevelopment procedure starts. "MHADA will lease open plots to the developers and they can go and get money on that. There will always be a tripartite agreement signed by MHADA. No builder will own an inch of land in MHADA. Builders can only redevelop the property but not own the property," Awhad said. Times Real Estate Conclave & Awards 2021 was held with all the usual pomp and glory at The Taj Palace, Colaba on December 20, 2021, and was attended by the best-known names in the real estate industry. The state minister's announcement was whole-heartedly welcomed by the audience. The annual event which the real estate industry eagerly awaits every year conferred 36 felicitations to the best performers in all categories of real estate development from townships to commercial space, retail malls to luxury brands, lifetime achievers to thematic projects. Maharashtra government is waiting for the President's assent to a state government's amendment of the law, explained Dr Awhad, which will allow the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to redevelop or repair dilapidated and cessed buildings. The amendment of the law can revolutionize the real estate business in Mumbai. "It is not enough to just give government policy concessions and tax benefits to the industry. The state government is trying to build confidence so that all the stakeholders, viz: the consumer, the developers, and the state government benefit from the growth in the sector." The two panel discussions during the conclave were on the "government support through circle rate cuts and stamp duty reductions" and "commercial and residential real estate demand bouncing back." In the first discussion the panelists were Boman Rustom Irani, President-Elect, CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India) and Chairman and Managing Director, Rustomjee; Rajan Bandelkar, President, NAREDCO and Founder and Managing Director, Raunak Group and Manish Bathija, Owner of Paradise Group. In the second discussion, the panelists were Manan Shah, Managing Director, MICL Group Khilen Shah, SVP - Corporate, Hubtown Limited and Paarth K Mehta, Managing Director, Paradigm Realty India. The winners of this year's Times Real Estate Icons are: > Iconic Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry: Rajan Bandelkar of Raunak Group > Iconic Real Estate Brand of the Year: Birla Estates >Iconic Super Luxury Project: Rustomjee Elements Juhu by Rustomjee Group > Iconic Realty Personality of the Year: Boman Irani of Rustomjee Group > Iconic Committed Developer of the Year: Paradise Group > Iconic Township Project: Sarova by SD Corporation > Iconic Residential Developer - Central MMR: Raunak Group > Iconic Young Achiever of the Year: Manan Shah of MICL Group > Iconic Commercial Project for New Work Environment: "At" by AGM Vijaylaxmi Venture > Iconic Township Project: Wadhwa Wise City by The Wadhwa Group > Iconic Luxury Segment Project - Central Suburbs: Purva Clermont by Purvankara >Iconic Luxury Segment Homes - Western Suburbs: Raajvilas by The Laxmi Group > Iconic Emerging Developer of the Year: Paradigm Realty > Iconic Residential Project of the Year: Birla Niyaara by Birla Estates > Iconic Luxurious Real Estate Brand of the Year: Lodha Luxury >Iconic Residential Project Launch Campaign: Birla Estates for Birla Niyaara > Iconic Developer for Redevelopment Projects: Je & Vee Infrastructure > Iconic Residential Project of the Year - South Mumbai: Dosti Eastern Bay by Dosti Realty > Iconic Residential Project - Thane: Rutu City by Rutu Group > Iconic Super Luxury Project - South Mumbai: 25 South by Hubtown > Iconic Innovative Market Brand in Real Estate: Justo > Iconic Women Achiever: Priyaa Gurnani by Moraj Infratech > Iconic Super Luxury Project - Thane: Viraj Tower by Raunak Group > Iconic Innovative Commercial Project: Goodwill Bizhub by Goodwill Developers > Iconic Township Project - Central Suburbs: Rutu Riverview Classic by Rutu Group > Iconic Thematic Project: Provident Palm Vista by Provident Housing > Iconic Real Estate Launch Campaign of the Year: Rustomjee Bella by Rustomjee Group > Iconic Residential Project Thane: Northern Lights by Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate > Iconic Strategic Partner Affordable Housing: Stallions > Iconic Residential Developer - Kalyan MMR: Saket Group > Iconic Excellence in Location: Swaminarayan City by Swaminarayan Group > Iconic Budget Homes: MMR Shreeji Nisarg by Shreeji Developers > Iconic Affordable Weekend Homes: Majestic Meadows > Iconic Developer of Balance Lifestyle Township: Siddharth Group >Excellence in Customer-Centric Developer - Central Suburbs: Rajshree Builders > Iconic Real Estate Consultant: Jignesh Hirani DISCLAIMER: Times Real Estate Conclave and Award 2021 Research Methodology The objective of this research was to arrive at Times real estate conclave and Award 2021in their respective categories. The survey had these modules i.e. Desk Secondary Research, Approach for sharing fact file, Factual survey (Participatory Survey) to arrive at the analysis & identify final results of top performers in different categories. A secondary/ desk research was conducted to make an exhaustive list of real estate players in Mumbai. The various sources used for the generation of real estate entities list included: Directories of Credai Mumbai, BAI, REDAI, NAR, etc. More than 400 real estate players were sent the factual data questionnaire and then rigorously followed up through telephone, email and personal visits. The study was conducted in Mumbai for 4 weeks, starting from the 2nd week of November 2021. The final score for each entity was weighted to an average of Factual Score. Based on the final score, results were drawn in respective categories. Some caveats/assumptions: Best efforts were made to reach maximum every real estate player in the respective categories. Any entity which expressly stated that it did not wish to participate in the survey was excluded from the survey. * If the nomination for any specific category was not received, those categories were dropped and categories with single nominations were given unanimously. * Only those business entities were considered who have submitted their participatory factual sheet Note: Present survey has been conducted by an independent Research Agency named Avance Insights Pvt. Ltd using a stated methodology for arriving at given results This story is provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Mediawire) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI/NewsVoir): This winter, JMS Foundation took this gratifying initiative to distribute 1000 blankets for the widows and mothers in need. This humanitarian service took place at Vrindavan, Mathura. Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December - the day the United Nations General Assembly was adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Celebrating the Human Right Day, this drive was hosted by JMS Foundation followed by a drive organized for Tribal Villages of Udaipur, Rajasthan as well as in Delhi/NCR on 8th December on the occasion of Sardar Jagmohan Singh on whose name the JMS Foundation was formed. Manu Jagmohaan Singh, Founder and President JMS Foundation personally distributed Blankets and his experience was that he could literally see tears in the eyes of the people. Manu Jagmohaan Singh thinks that we all are so privileged to have all the comforts of life but our one act of kindness can get a Smile on a person's face. So, he urges that everyone should come ahead and help or contribute in any manner or form. JMS Foundation will set up an Ashram in Vrindavan where widows & mothers will stay with all the comforts and the Founder wants to set up the Ashram by 2024 but till then he will put in his best efforts to help the widow's and mother's. JMS Foundation supports and helps the under privileged & other charities in the work they are doing. JMS Foundation will be hosting a charity gala dinner in the United Kingdom to support other charities and will recognize them for their noble work, supported by NRI Institute. JMS Foundation Charity Gala Dinner will be held at the NRI World Summit at United Kingdom 2022. A three day Gala of networking, Celebration of Achievements, Charity & Investment opportunities. JMS Foundation is an initiative to make a better world for girl child & the under privileged who are in need. JMS is dedicated to the welfare of marginalized girl child. We are here to give them the best of education because they deserve it! Our sole aim is to provide them with Educational, Financial and Intellectual facilities that would not only polish their skills but also would give them a much needed confidence to face the world with a new attitude. Apart from providing basic education to girl child, JMS Foundation endeavours to continually improve the existing quality of education being imparted to the students. For the same, we plan to build sustainable schools in villages with physically and emotionally safe learning environment, through an improvement of infrastructure facilities, and improvement in overall learning levels of children. For more information, please visit: www.jms-foundation.com. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday decided to defer the tax rate hike on textiles from 5 per cent to 12 per cent. The new GST rate on textiles was scheduled to be implemented from January 1, 2022. The decision to defer the GST rate hike on textiles was taken in the 46th GST Council meeting held in the national capital under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. GST Council has decided to defer the hike in GST rate on textiles (from 5 per cent to 12 per cent). The Council will review this matter in its next meeting in February 2022, Bikram Singh, Industry Minister, Himachal Pradesh, told reporters. (ANI) Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], December 31 (ANI/PNN): The 36th Annual Convention Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) was held at Hotel The Leela, Gandhinagar. Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the convention. Tourism Secretary to the Government of India Arvind Singh, Tourism Secretary of Gujarat Hareet Shukla and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural function. Tour operators from across India came to Gujarat to attend this 36th Convention of IATO. They had discussions on 'Brand India: The Road to Recovery' during the three-day convention. Various business sessions were held during the 3-day convention on various subjects, including Brand India - The Road to Recovery for Revival of Business, Hotels in the New Normal, Connectivity: New Frontiers, SEIS: New Policy under FTP 2021-2026, Responsible Tourism, Automation and Digital Marketing, Preparedness under New Normal etc. Climate change is the biggest challenge faced by the world today. We are in a time when protecting the environment is our top priority. Considering this, we are moving forward on the path of sustainable development to advance the development journey of the country and Gujarat while protecting the environment. So, it is necessary to promote sustainable tourism as well. Earlier this year, the Government of Gujarat announced a new tourism policy to develop Gujarat as a clean tourist destination by promoting sustainable tourism. The tour operators also discussed sustainable tourism during this three-day convention. In this three day convention, state presentations on the tourism of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu-Kashmir, Kerala and other states of India were also presented. Officials of the Tourism Department of Gujarat gave a presentation on Gujarat Tourism, which provided detailed information about various diverse tourist destinations like coastal areas, forests, deserts and hilly areas of Gujarat. Tour operators from Uttarakhand gave presentations on various tourist places of Uttarakhand. A presentation was made on the scenic hill stations and snow-capped Himalayan sites of Jammu and Kashmir. Tour operators from Kerala gave presentations on scenic tourist destinations of Kerala. Various other state tourism presentations were also presented during the 3-day convention. IATO President and officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, gave a presentation on 'Dekho Apna Desh' at the convention. This convention aimed to discuss the measures to revitalize the tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic. This program will help in boosting the tourism sector of Gujarat and India. The business sessions held at the event gave rise to many new ideas for the development of the country's tourism sector as well as for the creation of Brand India. The conference provided a platform for B2B marketing to the tour operators in India. The tour operators discussed various topics with each other, which also gave them information about the tourism industry of other states. After that, tour operators from other parts of the country visited various tourist destinations in Gujarat. Officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, officials from various state tourism departments, tour operators from across the country and other dignitaries attended this 3-day annual convention of IATO. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) The decision to maintain a status quo on the GST rate on textiles was taken in an "emergency meeting" of the GST Council held in the national capital under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister. "We retain the status quo. We have decided don't go from 5 per cent to 12 per cent," Sitharaman said in a media briefing after the GST Council meeting. Sitharaman said the issue of GST on textiles will be sent to the tax rate rationalisation committee, which will submit the report by February. "Textile was the only issue in this meeting," the finance minister said adding the issue of the increase in GST on footwear was not discussed during the meeting. The GST Council in a meeting held on September 17 in Lucknow had decided to hike GST on textiles and footwear items from 5 per cent to 12 per cent effective from January 1, 2022. (ANI) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI/GIPR): Customers can now contact Hitachi Cooling & Heating customer support through their favourite communication channel- WhatsApp. Modern consumers expect instant and efficient support services from every brand they engage with. The brand should be available 24x7 across popular channels to offer all the help and assistance the customers need. To fulfil these expectations, the company has recently launched its customer service on WhatsApp, the most popular instant messaging app. Customers who prefer a non-voice communication channel can now securely access the plethora of services offered by the brand on their favourite messaging app. Customers can raise complaints and service requests, register their products through WhatsApp for instant resolution. "At Hitachi, we are constantly searching for ways to strengthen our ties with the customers. By launching our customer care services on WhatsApp, we have fulfilled customer expectations and provided ourselves with a platform to engage with them more personally. With zero waiting time and 24x7 availability, we aim to offer our customers swift and easy access to our support services through WhatsApp." says Gurmeet Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Johnson Controls - Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited. Hitachi Cooling & Heating is well-known as one of the most customer-centric brands in India. Apart from the recently launched WhatsApp support, the leading brand also offers customer care services through phone, email, live chat, and a dedicated customer care mobile app. The extensive presence ensures that the customers can instantly access support services on their preferred voice and non-voice channels. He further said, "We believe that it is essential for us to build an omnichannel presence to offer utmost customer satisfaction. Consumers now rely on their smartphones and mobile applications for a host of their day-to-day activities. By offering our support services through WhatsApp, we want to ensure that we are present on a platform used by millions across the country. It takes us a step closer to building the most customer-centric air-conditioning brand in India." By adding the company's customer care number 75678-84848 to their smartphones, customers can now instantly access their support services through WhatsApp. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited: Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited is a joint venture company of Johnson Controls, US and Hitachi Appliances, Japan. Through this joint venture, we have combined the rich heritage and innovative technology of Hitachi with the industry-leading expertise and a global network of Johnson Controls. The partnership is aimed at addressing the cooling needs faster, smarter and much more efficiently than ever before. Our customers will stand to benefit from our world-class R&D centers, where our researchers work tirelessly to provide innovative solutions and quality products that are designed to meet every expectation. Johnson Controls - Hitachi Air Conditioning Company has a global presence, out of which India unit is called "Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited". Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited manufactures a wide range of products under the Hitachi brand, such as room air-conditioners (Split & Window ACs) to commercial air-conditioners including Chiller, Cassette Air conditioners, Ductable air-conditioners & VRF systems. Our company is not just limited to making air conditioners but also, into trading of Refrigerators. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited's headquarter is situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with manufacturing plant in Kadi, Gujarat. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited is amongst the top air-conditioning companies in India. This story is provided by GIPR. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GIPR) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI/GIPR): Bazar India, one of the leading retail brands and India's fastest growing fashion and lifestyle company has raised Rs25 crore in Series A funding on Planify Capital Platform. Bazar India will utilise the fund for expanding its team, marketing and branding, funding expansion plans and platform advancement. The company has raised the current round led by Shashvat Nakrani, co-founder of Bharatpe, Sanjiv Maini, VP at Hindware group; Bhumika Srivastava, HR Director at Airbnb and other executives. Bazar India has a PAN India presence with 55 stores in 51 cities and 13 states, providing a content-led lifestyle retail experience to its customers. Its retail chain offers a wide range of apparel and general merchandise at competitive prices and in the latest fashion, making it a popular destination for "under-served" India. Bazar India motto "Fashion ke saath bachat bhi" can be truly identified from their range and the value of product portfolio they maintain all across their stores. Bazar India operates as "One Stop Shop", caters to the complete fashion needs of the entire family at most affordable prices. Furthermore, the company has a strong presence in Northeast India, making it the top brand in the value segment. The company has a strong base of more than 4,500 employees. The management of the company believes that the organisation has strength to spread its wings across India with a capacity to escalate its chain upto 1000 stores in the next year, and the company plans to increase its value-added by launching new products along with its own brand, which will create employment opportunities for many people. The company earned a net profit after tax of Rs 1.8 Cr with a revenue of Rs 180 Cr during FY21 despite facing COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions. The company is valued at 750 crores at the moment. Atul Garg, CEO of Bazar India, stated, "The funds raised will be used for the company's expansionary purposes as the company plans to open 20 more stores in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and also in South India.The Company is expected to reach a top line of Rs1000 Cr with a PAT of Rs70 Cr in the next 5 coming years. " Rajesh Singla, CEO of Planify Capital, said, " Bazar India is poised to be one of the most prominent players in the retail segment in North East India. Early investors will have a great opportunity to make excellent returns on their investments." Planify is a fintech startup that focuses on building India's first marketplace for private equity. Planify offers stocks that are not yet listed to investors (Angel, Accredited Investors, VC, AIF, and PE Funds) so that the exchange of hands can become easy in unlisted companies. It aims to solve problems of the availability of IPO stocks to investors with its flagship product, Private Boutique. Startups and private companies can raise funds on their platform. This story is provided by GIPR. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GIPR) The Sensex and Nifty settled at 58,253 points and 17,354 points, respectively, up 0.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent from their previous close. During the session, all sectoral indices traded in the green, with Nifty auto, consumer durables, and metals rising the most, NSE data showed. Among the stocks, Hindalco, Titan, Ultra Cement, Tata Motors, and Kotak Mahindra Bank were some of the top gainers, rising 5.6 per cent, 3.3 per cent, 2.8 per cent, 2.6 per cent, 2.4 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, NTPC, Cipla, Tech Mahindra, Power Grid Corporation, and SBI Life Insurance shares declined the most. "2021 witnessed strong recovery amid continuing challenges from subsequent variants and ended positive today. India outperformed most global peers supported by robust retail participation, economic recovery, vaccine coverage and rising appetite for Indian goods and services," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. "Despite lingering fears surrounding surging Omicron cases, the domestic market is expected to maintain its resilience supported by healthy long-term growth forecasts and reforms undertaken." In 2021, the benchmark indices - Sensex and Nifty - rose nearly 22 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, with several companies going public on the exchanges. The year 2021 also saw many new retail investors coming into the market. --IANS ad/shb/ ( 251 Words) 2021-12-31-17:34:05 (IANS) The "American Dream," a hallucination of an idyllic and prosperous life in the most hyped country on the planet, has for at least a hundred years been part of the popular imagination, a global touchstone of achievement and glorious arrival. Filmmaker, media icon and founder of MTV World, Nusrat Durrani's very personal documentary and feature directorial debut 'An American Prayer' presents a revelatory chimera of the haunting vision of the so-called land of opportunity you have never seen. 'An American Prayer' is an incendiary 86-minute film shot in six cities at the height of the pandemic, Trumpian madness, and racial uprising, when thousands died every day and streets were aflame with protests. Given the risk of infection and violence, it's remarkable the film was even completed. According to the director, the film is a "savage act of art" made while he mourned the death of his mother to COVID in India, and as his Brooklyn neighbourhood heaved in protests. These circumstances lend the film rare poignancy and rawness. It has haunted me for months now since I received an online link to it in May of 2021. Few artistic works have such clarity of expression, a deep resonance to the times being lived and observed, such lasting power, and such a way of connecting to the viewer. I am thrilled and honoured to be putting my pen to rest for 2021 with this review. 'An American Prayer' is an abrasion - a true patriot's bruised love song to the leader of the free world. A kaleidoscope of desire, heartbreak, and ultimately, a gossamer transcendence that somehow manages to keep the dream alive. It features the true icons of a republic whose anti-egalitarian Marvel Universe superheroes seem trite and laughable in light of America's current somber realities. Or perhaps, the influential American hype machine has cast a spell on the world to divert from the country's stunning contradictions and inequalities. The most affluent nation on earth breeds billionaires who pay no taxes, but will not shelter its homeless or provide a safety net for its poor and sick. Worse, this current time has turned Lady Liberty into a heartless statue with no welcome or room for the hapless, ill-starred refugees and migrants searching for home. The beacon of equality and freedom is also apparently a hothouse of brutal oppression of its Black, indigenous, and minority communities, rampant with white supremacy. Recent political events provide an appropriate context for this film: a madman President who brought the country to the brink of civil war; the ignoble exit from Afghanistan leaving thousands of local allies at the mercy of the Taliban; and the ravages of a pandemic whose early scenes in New York were reminiscent of the "shithole countries" Trump once mocked. But this isn't a condemnation of everything American. If anything, Durrani's poetic interrogation of his adopted nation features six diverse protagonists representing an authentic slice of the American demographic who are colliding with destiny and conjuring a deeply stirring alternative vision of the country many of us have lusted for. The director's own journey from India to the US is woven into the film's luminous tapestry, and the metaphoric use of archival material spliced into original footage connects the tumultuous past to the turbulent present of the work-in-progress that is America. Trammy is an Ivy-league-educated young Asian-American woman estranged from her Vietnamese refugee parents because she supports the Black Lives Matter movement. The intense and angry Simon, a Columbia University journalism graduate, is of Native American descent, relentlessly pursuing justice for his people. The viewer experiences the trauma and angst of the country's original inhabitants through him, hidden from the history books and national discourse. Garrison, an African-American in a wheelchair, is a Paralympics powerlifter, whose courage and resilience in the face of naked discrimination and a stray bullet is the kind of story the world needs to hear. Cian, a white Army veteran who once guided drones that killed civilians in Afghanistan, is suffering from PTSD and remorse and seeking retribution by helping refugees on the U.S. Mexican border. The "debt of the American Dream" and its fragility are embodied in Lexi, a Latin-American woman who overcame poverty and alcoholism to achieve a measure of success only to feel she is "one paycheck away" from being on food stamps. Adeeba, a covered young Pakistani-American poet, is perhaps the most exciting distillation of American identity in the film. Equally inspired by Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Allen Ginsberg, she is savagely bullied in school for her appearance and reviled after 9/11. But the kind of insidious Islamophobia propagated in Netflix series like 'The Girl' from Oslo and 'Fauda' is not the only thing Adeeba is struggling with. She is bi-polar, at odds with her conservative parents, and in love with the country that brings her joy and torment. This aphrodisiacal obsession fuels her rise to a renowned writer whose poem "America" provides the film's surreal, stream-of-consciousness conclusion. In contrast to these portrayals of anguish, redemption, and achievement, the film also features Liam and Rowan, two precocious and earnest white pre-teens from New York's Upper West Side, who exist in a make-believe world and whose optimistically jingoistic vision of their country is one of endless possibility. 'An American Prayer', which recently had its international premiere at the prestigious Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn, is remarkable for many reasons. As a self-examination of the US, it makes the point that "the American Dream belongs to every dreamer in the world" and portrays those re-evaluating the ideals of their own country doing so as an act of love. It is also a global project. Its producer, Catherine Ignatenko, is Russian; the film was partly shot in Mexico, post-produced in Europe, and references an array of international languages and cultures. Ultimately, it rejoices in and grieves that great Land of Opportunity many of us have projected our fantasies upon and searches for the country within we often forsake in pursuit of the shining City on the Hill. Honoured by President Obama for a series called Rebel Music, which was screened at the White House and subsequently led to an invitation to meet the president, Durrani has lived the American Dream himself. This makes his movie even more compelling and a truly noteworthy argument for working hard and with every effort made towards the inclusion of all who reside in the nation, so as to make America a welcoming home for all. The past two years have challenged the world in unprecedented ways: pandemic, great loss of life, climate change, inequality, oppression, and racial injustice. But as we turn the corner into 2022, with sobriety, new wisdom, and cautious optimism, we have fresh opportunities to reflect, reframe, and rethink what is real. 'An American Prayer' brilliantly re-negotiates the larger-than-life narrative of the world's most desired country by peeling away false illusions of a mythic America and revealing the resilience and true beauty of its people. In some ways, this is an even more potent, relatable, and inspiring version of the American Dream--one that brings hope and light. Disclaimer: The author of this opinion article is Suvir Saran, who is a Chef, Author, World Traveller. (ANI) Taking to his Instagram handle, Shakti shared a small clip from their movie and remembered the late actor by writing, "Today Kader khans 3rd death anniversary. God bless." Several netizens on Twitter also shared heartfelt messages for the late star. "Remembering #KaderKhan sahab a seasoned actor, effortless comedian, and a brilliant scriptwriter on his 3rd death anniversary..! God bless you you are our comedy king," wrote a user. Another one shared, "Whenever anyone mentions #KaderKhan first thing that comes to mind is the dialogue 'Beimaani ki mitti mein uge makkari ke paudhe'". "Remembering a legendary actor Kader Khan sir love your movies you are one of the fantastic and versatile Bollywood star the greatest screenwriter and best comedian i love you and miss you and you're always remembered and loved rip. #Bollywood #KaderKhan #BollywoodStars," wrote a third person. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan on October 22 1937, Kader was known for his impeccable comic timing, and his nonpareil work as an actor and a writer in several films. He has been part of numerous blockbusters including 'Bol Radha Bol', 'Khoon Bhari Maang', 'Biwi Ho To Aisi', 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', 'Judwaa', 'Dulhe Raja' and 'Haseena Maan Jayegi'. Kader passed away in Canada due to prolonged illness at the age of 81. (ANI) Actor Diane Guerrero is garnering a lot of praises for her role of Isabella in Disney's 'Encanto'. Talking about her character, Diane said, "Much like Isabella, in my early life I thrived off of the family role of being the perfect girl. Later, I learned there's more beauty in imperfection, because only then can we be our full selves--curious and discovering what truly makes us special within." She added, "I wanted to be in 'Encanto' because of the wonderful message of self-acceptance. This message is one I feel proud to bring to families all over the world--especially through the lens of Colombian culture and magic. It takes time to discover your power and personal truth, and if you are lucky, you get to do that with the ones you love most. And if you don't already have those loved ones, you get to create those connections along the way." Based on the magical lives of the Madrigals family where every child is blessed with a unique magical power, the musical-adventure film tells the tale of the family's survival when faced with a cruel plot that threatens the very magic that makes them special. The film recently came out on Disney+ Hotstar. (ANI) As 2021 witnessed its last sunset of the year on Friday, people from various parts of the country prepared to bid farewell to this year and welcome the next one with new hopes. Even as anticipation has been high regarding 2022, the sight of the Sun retiring (only to come back in the new year) for the final time in 2021 gave people a reason to share their thoughts. Tashawar, a local resident of New Delhi visited Humayun's tomb to view the setting sun and told ANI that he hopes for better days and also for prays for the elimination of COVID-19. He said, "I pray that God rids us from this disease and also from poverty." Swami, another local resident expressed, "May the pollution reduces in the coming new year as it possible to do so." Looking at the sun, he further said, "Children should get a better education and no one should be unemployed this new year." People gathered at Mumbai's Juhu beach to witness the last sunset of 2021. Jaishree, one of the spectators spoke about the curfew imposed in the city due to rising COVID cases and said, "I feel it's not right to impose this because it's a festive time and we should have been allowed to stay out with instructed precautions." Thiruvananthapuram's Kolavam beach also had various people and their families who had come to see the sun picturesquely setting into the ocean. Satish, a visitor said, "I have come after three years and the atmosphere is much better now. I am happy to see the people around." Krishna, a resident of Hyderabad, who was visiting Kolavam for the first time said, "I feel Kolavam is very nice and serene compared to any other similar places. I haven't seen such a clean Arabian beach in the entire Arabian coast." (ANI) Denis O'Dell, a producer on two Beatles' movies as well as 'How I Won the War', 'Robin and Marion' and 'Heaven's Gate', has died at the age of 98. According to Variety, he died from natural causes on Thursday in Almeria, Spain at his home in San Jose, Cabo de Gata. Father of 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' producer Denise O'Dell and grandfather of Denis Pedregosa, producer of Netflix hit 'The Paramedic', O'Dell's connection with movies stretches back to the '40s. He had already produced six movies, such as Brian Desmond Hurst's 'The Playboy of the Western World' in 1962, before his association with the Beatles which begun in professional terms with O'Dell taking an associate producer credit on Richard Lester's 'A Hard Day's Night', starring the Beatles and released in 1964. O'Dell is generally credited with persuading John Lennon to go to Almeria to star in absurdist WWII drama 'How I Won the War', during whose shoot Lennon composed much of 'Strawberry Fields Forever', a milestone in the Beatles' output. An associate producer on 'How I Won the War', O'Dell took a full producer credit on the made for TV 'Magical Mystery Tour', directed by George Harrison, Lennon and Paul McCartney. Such was the Beatles' gratitude to O'Dell that on 'You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)', one of the last songs the group recorded, Lennon introduces McCartney by the name of 'Denis O'Bell'. Despite ranking as one of Spain's biggest film producers, O'Dell never sought the limelight. In a rare moment of public attention, in 2013 he was bestowed with the Almeria Land of Cinema Award by the Almeria Short Film Festival, its highest honour. As per Variety, he is survived by daughter Denise O'Dell, who co-produced 'Sahara' and 'The Kingdom of Heaven', and grandson Denis Pedregosa whose production credits also take in 'Cold Skin' and 'Black Mirror's' 'Black Museum' episode. (ANI) The DCP, posted in the Special Cell, had gone to London for extradition of alleged international drug supplier Harvinder Singh alias Bali. "The officer tested positive on his arrival at the Delhi Airport," a Special Cell source said. On the basis of the extradition request originated by the Special Cell, accused Harvinder Singh was arrested by UK police in February 2021 and tried at Westminster Court, London. A team comprising of DCP Ingit Pratap Singh, ACP Rahul Vikram and Investigating Officer Anuj Kumar was sent to London to take his custody. "A DCP rank officer tested positive for Omicron and is under home isolation," the source told IANS, adding that the officer is currently doing better. The two other policemen are also under home isolation. Harvinder Singh is currently under mandatory quarantine after which he will be taken on police custody from Tihar Jail and further investigation will be carried out. --IANS uj/vd ( 190 Words) 2021-12-30-22:06:04 (IANS) Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on Thursday said 35 lakh individuals in the 15-18 age group were identified for vaccination against Covid-19 in a mega drive that will be carried out from January 3-9. The health teams will administer these vaccine doses at schools and other places. The Gujarat government will be setting up camps at schools to carry out the vaccination process for 15 to 18 age group. Online registration for vaccination will start from January 1. "Around 35 lakh children have been identified in the age group of 15 to 18 for vaccination against Covid-19. These children will be administered only Covaxin doses," Patel told the media. "Students who don't go to school will be administered vaccines on January 8-9 for which online registration on Cowin portal will start from 1st and 3rd January," added the health minister. "Besides, health workers, frontline workers and 60 plus people will be administered the precautionary dose from January 10. Those above 60 and with comorbidities can take the vaccine as per the advise of their doctors, for which they will not be required to produce any medical certificate," he said. "Till now, from December 1 to December 30, we have carried out over 18 lakh tests including the Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR tests. Positivity ratio has been found to be 0.79 per cent," Patel added. The minister also announced that the prevailing Standard Operating Protocols -- guideline, restrictions and relaxations, which were effective till December 31 has been extended to January 7. --IANS amc/pgh ( 267 Words) 2021-12-30-22:50:03 (IANS) International passengers testing positive for Covid upon arrival at the Delhi airport will have to isolate at designated paid and free facilities, the Delhi government announced on Thursday. "In compliance to the guidelines for international arrivals dated 30th November, 2021, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, based on the risk assessment, it is informed that the institutional isolation of Covid positive passengers/contacts arriving at IGI Airport, New Delhi from foreign countries will, henceforth, be done at the designated paid and free facilities (hotels/Covid Care Centre), set up by various districts," the Directorate of Health Services said in a statement. Teams deployed at the airport have the permission to transfer the patients accordingly, it added. Earlier, international passengers who would test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival at the IGI airport would be taken to hospitals and those testing negative would be advised to isolate at home. --IANS rdk/vd ( 170 Words) 2021-12-30-23:04:02 (IANS) The 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, the country's top legislature, will gather online from January 4 to 11, 2022, for its first extraordinary session to discuss "really urgent issues" concerning national development, NA Secretary General Bui Van Cuong has said. In particular, the legislators are expected to look into fiscal and monetary policies for the implementation of a socio-economic recovery and development program, which is very urgent given difficulties and challenges generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuong told a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. He said the legislators will also mull over an investment policy on construction of the North-South expressway for the 2021-2025 period, on special policies and mechanisms for the development of the southern Can Tho city, which is known as the leading growth engine in the country's Mekong Delta region. The legislators will mull over many legislative amendments to facilitate investment and the operation of businesses. According to the Secretary General, the legislators will hold the session through video-conferencing due to complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Southeast Asian country, Xinhua news agency reported. In its second session in November, the Vietnamese top legislature set the country's economic growth target for 2022 at between 6 and 6.5 per cent. --IANS int/khz/ ( 224 Words) 2021-12-31-01:46:04 (IANS) The surge in Omicron cases is forcing the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to postpone elective surgeries as a growing number of staff have been asked to isolate or quarantine, according to a memo. The move came as at least 80 clinical centre staff called in sick on Wednesday alone because of Covid-19 infections or exposures, Xinhua news agency quoted a Reuters report on Thursday citing the memo as saying. Staff of the largest hospital in the US devoted to clinical research were informed on Wednesday that elective surgeries would be delayed from next week, the report said. A total of 250 new cases of Covid-19 were reported between December 20-27 out of an estimated 40,000 staff across all of NIH, it added. This report comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened isolation time for Americans infected with Covid-19 from 10 to five days. In a new guideline released earlier this week, the US health agency is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with Covid-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The guidance does not require a negative test to leave isolation or quarantine, which experts worry may drive up transmission and new cases. --IANS ksk/ ( 231 Words) 2021-12-31-11:58:04 (IANS) Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Bennett posted photos of the cargo airplane unpacking the drug Paxlovid at the Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv, reports Xinhua news agency. "The drugs have arrived in Israel quickly and will assist us in getting past the peak of the coming Omicron wave," Bennett said in a statement. US health regulators authorized on Wednesday the Paxlovid to treat early Covid-19 infections. Under the deal between Israel and Pfizer, the US-based drug company will supply Israel with about 100,000 pills. Israel has witnessed a recent surge of Covid-19 cases mainly caused by the outbreak of the Omicron variant. --IANS ksk/ ( 133 Words) 2021-12-31-13:00:04 (IANS) Late Thursday night, Nachman Ash, the Ministry's Director General, approved the fourth shot for those with suppressed immune systems, following recommendation from a panel of experts last week, reports Xinhua news agency. The people at high risk include those who have had a heart, lung, kidney or liver transplant, or suffer rheumatological or autoimmune diseases, cancers, multiple sclerosis and more. However, the panel's recommendation to give the fourth shot to the entire elderly population over the age of 60 has not yet been approved. People with suppressed immune systems are at the highest risk, as they do not develop a serological response after receiving three vaccine doses, the Ministry explained. The fourth dose will be administered under the condition that at least four months have passed since the third shot was given, and for those aged 18 and over only. The Ministry also announced new restrictions due to the fast spread of the Omicron variant which has triggered the ongoing fifth wave of the pandemic in Israel, including wearing a face mask outdoors at a gathering of over 50 people. As of Friday, Israel has reported a total of 1,380,053 Covid-19 cases and 8,243 deaths. --IANS ksk/ ( 235 Words) 2021-12-31-14:38:07 (IANS) In a Twitter message, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura announced that his laboratory had identified 41 new cases of the fast spreading variant of Covid-19. The double figure cases of highly infectious Covid 19 variant were reported since the first case of Omicron was detected from an unvaccinated Sri Lankan female who had returned from Nigeria on December 3. Dr Jeewandara also has urged people to get the booster vaccine to fight against Omicron variant. According to the latest figures Sri Lanka has vaccinated nearly 63 percent of its population and has given 3.7 million booster vaccinations to its citizens with Pfizer vaccine. The South Asian island nation has recorded nearly 587,000 cases of Covid-19 infections while 14,979 deaths were reported as of Friday, December 31. --IANS sfl/vd ( 183 Words) 2021-12-31-20:10:03 (IANS) The remark came after West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar alleged that Vice-Chancellors were appointed in 24 universities across the state without his approval. West Bengal BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya said that there isn't a single institution in the state which Banerjee hasn't wrecked. "She (Banerjee) is temperamentally unfit to hold any public office," he said. Quoting Dhankhar's tweet, Malviya said, "The governance framework in West Bengal has been shred to pieces by Mamata Banerjee. There isn't a single institution she hasn't wrecked. The task of rebuilding West Bengal from the ruins of her destruction would be an arduous one. She is temperamentally unfit to hold any public office." Earlier in the day, Dhankhar had said that VCs in 24 universities were appointed without the approval of the Chancellor, the appointing authority, which is the Governor. "These appointments carry no legal sanction and would be forced to take action unless soon recalled," the Governor said. Dhankhar is the ex-officio Chancellor of the state-run universities. Earlier this month, Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of private universities did not attend a meeting called by the Governor. "Education scenario @MamataOfficial worrisome as no Chancellor & VC of Pvt Univ turned up for meeting with Governor-Visitor. Shocking unionism," Dhankhar had tweeted. --IANS ssb/arm ( 241 Words) 2021-12-30-20:52:04 (IANS) The Chief Minister's visit came after heavy rainfall caused a traffic jam at Chennai's Mount Road. Following this, Chennai metro said that it has announced to extend service timing by an hour till 12 midnight to enable passengers to reach their homes safely. The Tamil Nadu government also issued a red alert in four districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, and Chinglepet in view of heavy rainfall. "A red alert has been issued for 4 districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, and Chinglepet in view of heavy rainfall. Three people have died due to electrocution today," said State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran. (ANI) Congress, the main opposition party in Goa, on Thursday likened the law and order situation in the coastal state to Anurag Kashyap's film 'Gangs of Wasseypur', two days after armed persons ransacked a popular beachside restaurant in the the popular north Goa beach village of Calangute. "Calangute is on the world map of tourism. The incident which occurred there, when 50 to 80 armed persons attacked a restaurant run by Goans, shows that the law and order situation has completely collapsed in the state. People will have to think four times before visiting the coastal state. Local Goans are themselves not safe, forget tourists," Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar told reporters at a press conference here. "It will not take long for Goa to be declared as a failed state. Goa is like the 'Gangs of Wasseypur'," he also said, adding that the state is slowly slipping into the grip of organised crime. The Congress spokesperson's comment came two days after dozens of persons, several of them armed with knives and other weapons, attacked 'Souza Lobo', a popular beach restaurant in the coastal village of Calangute in North Goa. After Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured of action into the incident, which occurred late on Tuesday night, four persons have been arrested by the state police. "Three to four persons have been arrested. Where are the rest? How many weapons have been recovered," Kawthankar asked. He also said that the government is more keen on targeting opposition leaders, rather than bringing the failing law and order situation in the coastal state under control. --IANS maya/arm ( 274 Words) 2021-12-30-22:42:01 (IANS) Hours after the Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland till June 30 next year, influential Naga civil society organisations (CSOs) on Thursday vehemently objected to the measure. Three wings of the Konyak Union, in a joint statement, said that "they outright declare the measure a total violation of human rights". "Adding salt to the wound, the extension of AFSPA is a calculated sign that undermines human dignity and value while the Konyaks are crying for justice. Tagging the region as disturbed when its people have totally denounced any form of violence and were yearning for peace. "The integrity of the nation cannot be achieved without people's support and confidence," said the statement, signed by Konyak Union President S. Howing Konyak and other leaders. It said that the extension is an act which is directly aimed at creating confusion and hurt among the Konyak Naga society at a time when emotions are running high, following the Mon incident earlier this month when 14 civilians were killed in an army ambush on the suspicion of being terrorists, and the ensuing violence. "The army contingent, led by a Major General, that visited on Wednesday the incident place left a lot to be desired. The Konyaks were extremely disturbed and hurt to see the army contingent accompanied by the killers (jawans). The Konyak community does not view lightly the presence of the murderer in the same vicinity of the victims for at least a period of one year." The statement said that unless and until there is a serious effort and desire to reach out to the people there can never be peace and harmony and AFSPA is definitely not the solution to this disharmony. The Konyak Nagas have yearned for peace and integration with the rest of India but it looks like India is not interested in achieving peace or uniting the Konyaks and Nagas with the rest of the nation, said the statement, also signed by Konyak Women Wing President Ponglem Konyak, and Konyak Student Wing President Noklem Konyak. Konyaks are one of the prominent among the 16 tribes in Nagaland, where over 86 per cent of the two million population is from the tribal community. Besides the Konyak Union wings, several other organisations including the Naga People's Front (NPF), Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) have been agitating to repeal the AFSPA from the entire northeastern region after the killing of 14 people and injuring 30 others on December 4 and 5 in Mon district of Nagaland. Several allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party including the National People's Party (NPP) headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) have also been demanding to repeal the AFSPA from the entire northeastern region. The Nagaland Assembly on December 20 passed an unanimous resolution to remove this Act. On December 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the Nagaland and Assam Chief Ministers and other leaders of Nagaland and and formed a committee to look into the withdrawal of AFSPA in Nagaland. The committee was to submit its report in 45 days. --IANS sc/vd ( 547 Words) 2021-12-30-22:46:03 (IANS) A week after West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar had said that the education system in the state is a victim of 'shocking unionism', he alleged on Thursday that the appointments of vice-chancellors in 24 universities in the state have been made without his approval or in defiance of orders. Dhankhar is the ex-officio Chancellor of all the state-run universities. "VCs of 24 universities appointed @MamataOfficial in disregard of law. These are ex facie in defiance of specific orders or without approval by Chancellor-the Appointing Authority," the Governor tweeted. The universities include Calcutta University, Presidency University and Jadavpur University. "These appointments carry no legal sanction and would be forced to take action unless soon recalled," he added. The warning comes close on the heels of chancellors and vice-chancellors of private universities not attending a meeting called by the Governor at the Raj Bhawan last week. "Education scenario @MamataOfficial worrisome as no Chancellor & VC of Private Universities turned up for meeting with Governor-Visitor. Shocking unionism," the Governor had tweeted then. Dhankhar on December 20 had invited chancellors and vice-chancellors of 11 private universities to discuss the avenues of improving the education system in the state. However, they refused to attend the meeting and sent a letter to the office of the Governor, expressing their inability to attend the meeting given the current Omicron situation. The Governor again convened the same meeting on December 23, and assured the vice-chancellors and chancellors that the meeting will be conducted after maintaining all the Covid protocols, but none attended the meeting. "It is really unfortunate that the chancellors and vice-chancellors who were 11 in number didn't turn up in a meeting with a visitor who is also the governor of the state. The same happened in 2020 when the vice-chancellors of state universities didn't turn up for the meeting," he had tweeted. "These developments are alarming and it shows the rule of the ruler and not of law. The state government is making appointments of vice-chancellors ignoring the chancellor. I am now being forced to take a strong view of the developments and direct a revisit into all the appointments," Dhankhar had said. --IANS sbg/arm ( 372 Words) 2021-12-30-22:48:03 (IANS) As many as 2,000 engineering students are set to launch a door-to-door campaign in the New Year as part of the 'Sakala Mitra' pilot programme of the Karnataka government. Depending on the outcome of the pilot programme, the Sakala Mission Department plans to collaborate with other schools and colleges around Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka to take part in the programme. The engineering students, taking up this initiative as part of the Acharya Institute of Technology, will visit houses in the New Year to create awareness about the various schemes and services offered by the state government under the Sakala Mitra Programme. In addition, they will also survey citizens' happiness with regard to the services provided by the Sakala Mission Department. The students have been trained by the department as well as Upkriti, an NGO that works mainly on tribal welfare projects. They will visit around 80,000 houses in T Dasarahalli in Bengaluru as part of the pilot programme. They will also be conducting online surveys. Primary and Secondary Education Minister B.C. Nagesh, who launched the programme on Thursday, said that the system of democracy thrives when its citizens are happy. "We are currently at the ground level... When we clear all the obstacles coming in our way, we will achieve our end goal," he said. --IANS mka/arm ( 233 Words) 2021-12-30-22:56:06 (IANS) The challan was issued two days after the Delhi government imposed a yellow alert, in view of the rising Covid cases, under which restrictions included shops selling non-essential items being only allowed to open on an "odd-even" basis. Karol Bagh's Sub-Divisional Magistrate issued the challan to Prem Singh, who runs the shop in Beedanpura area of the leading market. The SDM, accompanied by Civil Defence volunteers, were on a surprise inspection when they caught Prem Singh running the shop on day he was not supposed to. "Shop was found open on an Even Day. It was the reason behind issuing the challan. The challan was issued for Rs 50,000," said an official. Shopkeepers have to follow the odd-even alternate day operations and restrictions imposed by the Delhi government. Buyers are also being asked to follow the anti-Covid protocols. --IANS atk/vd ( 192 Words) 2021-12-30-23:28:03 (IANS) The input was received by intelligence agencies few days ago and it was shared with the Mumbai Police. Now, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can take over the matter as the Home Ministry has reportedly asked it to look into the case. The Home Ministry has asked to lodge a new case against Khalistani operatives. The NIA will now form a team to look into the matter. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police cancelled all leaves and weekly offs of its personnel after a high alert was sounded in the financial capital. --IANS atk/pgh ( 140 Words) 2021-12-31-00:18:03 (IANS) Speaking to ANI, Ashwani Kumar said, "There is foot patrolling, mounted (horse) patrolling, and vehicle patrolling at the India-Pakistan border here. More jawans deployed due to poor visibility." The BSF official further informed that the female jawans are also on duty with them. "We also have female jawans on duty. New fencing has helped in preventing border crimes," Kumar added. (ANI) "In the initial exchange of fire, three police personnel and one CRPF personnel got injured and were subsequently shifted to hospital. Operation is going on," the Police added. 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. --IANS zi/khz/ ( 138 Words) 2021-12-31-01:20:02 (IANS) Deputy Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) Gokul Nagar sector, Tripura, Rakesh Ranjan Lal has expressed concern over fresh ganja plantation in forest areas at the bordering stretches of India and Bangladesh. According to the senior BSF official, the scale of new plantations is rising at par with the efforts being made by the BSF for detection, seizure and destruction. Addressing a press conference at sector headquarters, Lal said, "In the forest region, ganja plantation is the key issue. We are trying our best. The rate of our success is higher in the detection and seizure of Ganja in the forest areas. But, at the same time, new plantations are also taking place at the same pace. So, we have to strike a balance and combat the situation at borders." On being asked whether the BSF is eager to devise any special technique to fight this problem, he said, "Definitely, we have enough technical backup to fight this out but I have reservations to divulge all these things in front of the press." He had also appreciated the role of the Bangladesh border's guarding force in battling the border crimes and said that the relations between both the forces had been "excellent" so far. "Both the forces have their own limitations but we work in close coordination to control border crimes", said Lal. Presenting details of the recently conducted operations, the BSF DIG said, "In the year 2021 smuggled goods including ganja, banned syrup, narcotic substances, cattle and other miscellaneous articles worth over Rs 27 crore were seized." In the series of such operations, he said, acting on specific BSF intelligence input, on December 28, 2021 in the evening hours, BSF troops successfully seized 29,580 Yaba tablets of estimated market value of Rs 1,47,90,000 near Indo-Bangladesh Border Fence, behind Lucherbari school under Anandpur, Sonamura, of Sepahijala district. Besides that, he added, on the intervening night of December 28 and 29 BSF troops also succeeded in seizing various other contraband items having collective market value of Rs. 15,78,138. Apart from that, the BSF troops also detained four Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian tout from Srimantapur border outpost area. "Further, on specific BSF intelligence input, troops of Srimantapur (BOP) foiled a trans-border infiltration attempt and apprehended four Bangladeshi Nationals along with an Indian tout. During preliminary questioning, they revealed their identity as Abdul Jalil, Helena Begum, Baby Akhtar, Md Jakharia, all residents of Surjya Nagar, under Bangladesh's Commilla district. An Indian tout Rafikul Islam was also detained during the same operation. An FIR has been lodged and all the apprehended persons were handed over to the local police", he added. (ANI) Three terrorists were killed and four security forces personnel, including three policemen and one CRPF personnel, were injured in an encounter between the former and the latter at Pantha Chowk area in central Kashmir's Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police officials said on Friday. "Three unidentified terrorists killed. Incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition recovered. Search going on," J&K Police quoting Inspector General of Police, 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. --IANS zi/khz/ ( 147 Words) 2021-12-31-01:36:02 (IANS) The local administration has divided Shimla into seven and police into seven six sectors to control the crowd ahead of the tourist rush for the New Year celebrations. "As more tourists prefer to visit Shimla on New Year in comparison to Christmas, we have divided Shimla into seven sectors and a magistrate has been appointed for each sector. Police have also been divided in the city into six sectors. Amid COVID-19 fears, we have deployed additional 250 Policemen for tourists in addition to 400 policemen deployed for the winter season; they are also being deputed for the New Year special duty", said Aditya Negi, the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla district administration. "The force has also been deployed to implement the Covid-19 protocol amid the fear of Omicron. The local administration is expecting 40 to 45 thousand people for the New Year Celebration in Shimla. This year in comparison to previous years the tourists' arrival on New Year would be less. The administration is fully prepared to welcome the tourists and also directed to implement appropriate COVID-19 behaviour. Tourists are also moving to the outskirts of Shimla city instead of coming to a crowded place", added the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla district administration. "The tourists here are worried only about the vehicular traffic jam; they are not worried about any Covid-19 virus", said Shalini, a tourist from Bengaluru. "We have to live with the virus. So it's better if we take proper precautions and move on with our normal life. My family and I have decided to stay away from the crowded place while we are enjoying our holiday in Shimla", said Neetu from Hyderabad. Thousands of tourists annually visit Himachal Pradesh during Christmas and New Year. This year the local administration is not expecting much crowd in the city as people are preferring to visit the outskirts of the Shimla districts and town. (ANI) A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Germany to question the member of designated terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana blast case, said a senior officer on Friday. According to the officer, NIA will initiate the proceedings to bring Multani to India but before that, the agency is in the process to register a case against Multani and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other Indian Penal Code sections. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. "These Pro Khalistan supporters were radicalising youth in Punjab and using social media platforms to propagate their agenda and terror activities. Ahead of Punjab elections, there is a sudden surge in their activities to destabilize peace in the state," the officer said. "Multani has been detained by German police and is being questioned. He is on their radar. After registering FIR, a team of NIA will be reaching Germany to question him in detail because we have got strong evidence of his involvement in the Ludhiana blast case and further planning of more such attacks in the country," he said. When asked regarding a video released by SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu claiming Multani had not been arrested, he said Multani has been detained not arrested. Sources stated that the agency will make all efforts through diplomatic channels to bring him back to India for investigation. The NIA is also keeping watch on other pro-Khalistan groups and supporters operating from other countries. During the investigation into the Ludhiana blast case, it was found that the banned outfits and their operatives have been raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives through the smuggling networks in Punjab for carrying out terror attacks. A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana court complex on December 23 that killed one and injured two others. (ANI) Nagpur Citizens Forum launched a 'Right to Pee' campaign to demand clean, safe and free toilets for the citizens on Thursday. "It is one of the prime responsibilities of Nagpur Municipal Corporation to provide clean, hygienic public lavatories in all market areas," said Rajat Padole, a forum's member. Citizens were seen responding enthusiastically to the signature drive. "Women and girls working in shops in Gandhibagh and Sitab Main Road area expressed their support for the campaign", the Nagpur Citizens' Forum said. As per information, the number of public toilets in Nagpur is inadequate as compared to the population. The few toilets that are available are in very bad condition since there is no maintenance or repair. There is also a lack of toilets in big markets like Sitabardi, Mahal, Itwari creating inconvenience to the citizens, the forum claimed. "Women and girls working in this market are suffering due to lack of toilets. The city of Nagpur, which is developing as a metro city, lacks sanitation facilities" rued a local. "The Nagpur Citizens Forum has launched the 'Right to Pee' campaign where Public urinals and toilets are being surveyed. The members of the forum are examining the situation by visiting the toilets available in different parts of the city. A factual report will be prepared based on the information provided in this survey", said Abhijeet Singh Chandel, another member of the forum. The campaign is also trying to find out the complaints of women working in shops and offices on the issue of toilets. "A signature drive has been launched and a large number of citizens' signatures are being collected. The demand for clean, safe, free and abundant toilets is being made through this signature campaign", said Rohit Kumbhare. "Awareness, referendum and signature campaign is the first phase of this campaign", he added. The Nagpur Citizens Forum has set up a committee on the toilet issue in other cities which will study hygiene and toilet facilities. "It will prepare a report of the work in the cities where directional work has been done in this regard and submit it to Nagpur Municipal Corporation", a member of the organisation added. (ANI) Speaking to ANI, Anwaar Ul Haq Additional, Superintendent of Police (SP), Udhampur said, "On the eve of New Year celebration, we are checking vehicles and making people aware about not drinking and driving or overspeeding." "Our motive is to ensure that people visiting here follow all safety measures so that they can avoid any unwanted incidents," he added. (ANI) The anti-terror agency registered the case late on Thursday following orders received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The move comes following a series of reports that allegedly exposes the Khalistani terrorists plans to cause large-scale disturbance in poll-bound Punjab in cahoots with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Multani, a prominent member of the designated terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has allegedly been linked to the Ludhiana court blast case. A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana court complex on December 23 that killed one and injured two others. Multani was held by police in Germany on December 22. He has been residing in Erfurt, Germany. A police officer said that during the investigation names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany, both from banned Sikh organizations, have emerged. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. Intelligence agencies had earlier raised an alert about Harvinder Singh Sandhu, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist who is currently in Pakistan, and Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, residing in Germany, about their involvement in the Ludhiana blast. Multani recently came to notice for allegedly arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades from across the border to Punjab. These weapons were sent with the help of his Pakistan-based operatives and arms smugglers. He has been allegedly planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments through gangsters and extremists in the state. Multani is also learnt to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada and others. (ANI) The decision came after a meeting with the Delhi Commissioner of Police over the process to withdraw FIR in connection with the ITO protest. Earlier in the day. Dr Manish, FORDA president, said that they will call off the strike after 12 pm. "We had a meeting with Joint CP last night. Withdrawal of FIR process started (in connection with ITO protest). After 12 pm today we'll call off our strike against the delay in NEET 2021 counselling." He further said that a future course of action will be discussed in the meeting scheduled in the evening. (ANI) National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said that it has registered a case against several "pro-Khalistani elements" and Germany-based Sikhs For Justice operative Jaswinder Singh Multani for hatching conspiracy with Pakistani Intelligence agency ISI's operatives to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India. As per NIA, a case has been registered under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offence) of Indian Penal Code and sections 10, 13, 17, 18 and 18B of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against Multani and his other associates late on Thursday following Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order. In an official statement, the NIA said that the case relates to criminal conspiracy hatched by Multani with several other "pro-Khalistani elements located abroad for radicalizing, motivating and recruiting youths in Punjab on ground and online through social media platforms to propagate their ideology with the aim to secede Punjab from the Union of India". "They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in Punjab," said NIA. "Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India. Pursuant to the registration of the case, requisite actions as per law for the expeditious investigation of the case have been initiated," the NIA said. The anti-terror agency's move comes following a series of reports that exposed the Khalistani terrorists plans to cause large-scale disturbance in poll-bound Punjab in cahoots with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Multani, a prominent member of the designated terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has allegedly been linked to the Ludhiana court blast case. Multani was held by police in Germany on December 27. He has been residing in Erfurt, Germany. A police officer said that during the investigation names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany, both from banned Sikh organizations, have emerged. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. Intelligence agencies had earlier alerted about Harvinder Singh Sandhu, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist who is currently in Pakistan, and Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, residing in Germany, about their involvement in the Ludhiana blast. Multani recently came to notice for allegedly arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades from across the border to Punjab. These weapons were sent with the help of his Pakistan-based operatives and arms smugglers. He has been allegedly planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments through gangsters and extremists in the state. Multani is also learnt to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada and others. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that though there are only 829 active cases of COVID-19 and the positivity rate in the state is below 0.05 per cent "vigilance and caution are necessary." Addressing a press conference, after the inspection of the COVID facility and Oxygen Plant at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said, "Today, I have inspected the dedicated COVID-19 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. According to experts, the third wave is not as dangerous as compared to the second wave. But from the point of view of vigilance and caution, it is necessary that all the arrangements are done by the administration." He further said there is no need to worry about COVID and added, "We just have to take precautions. The positivity rate in the state is below 0.05 per cent. There are about 829 active cases in the state of which 562 cases are in home isolation and are mild. The virus is weakening, but vigilance and caution are necessary in view of the intensity of the infection," said the Chief Minister. The CM also informed that there is a supply of medical oxygen to each bed of the 200-bedded COVID dedicated hospital. "The Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) installed here during the second wave is fully functional. There is a supply of medical oxygen to each bed of this 200-bedded COVID dedicated hospital. Also, 600 cylinders are on standby here," he said. He added that as precautionary measures COVID-19 awareness programmes are being held inj the state. "Uttar Pradesh has also taken forward the vaccination campaign very fast. Till now 20 crore doses have been given in the state, which is the highest in the country," he added. The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh has conducted the maximum number of COVID-19 tests in the country. "We have done more than 9 crore 29 lakh tests so far," he added. "Amid the concern of the COVID-19 third wave, we have increased testing and tracing of all the passengers coming from other countries. The administration has already imposed night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am," said Yogi. He further said that the state government is fully prepared and alert. "72,000 monitoring committees are active and they have been given a medical kit for a door-to-door survey." The Chief Minister also made an appeal about not spreading fear among people while urging caution. "I also appeal that instead of creating fear and panic among people, it will be better if you pay attention to vigilance and caution," he added. (ANI) At first, Home Minister planted a sapling in the premises of the under-construction Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, after which he offered his prayers to Lord Ram. He then inspected the ongoing construction work in the premises of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Shah then visited Shri Hanumangarhi Temple. Shah is scheduled to address a public meeting in Ayodhya (Rural), as per BJP's official Twitter handle. The Union Home Minister is scheduled to hold a public meeting program at Sant Kabir Nagar in Gorakhpur. Following this, Shah will hold a roadshow in Bareilly and will address an organizational meeting in Bareilly at around 7 PM. This visit by the Union Minister holds importance due to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. 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) In order to control traffic rules and monitor traffic police movements, the Patna administration has provided body-worn cameras for its staff. The step has been taken in the wake of numerous complaints filed against the traffic police for not doing their duty properly and also there were complaints from the traffic police of public not obeying them, said Mohammad Asif, ASI of Patna Traffic Police. "Now the Patna traffic police would be directly monitored by the higher officials in control room. Through the body-worn cameras, the live feed would reach the control room where issues regarding traffic and speed can be better managed", said the ASI of Patna Traffic Police. "The cameras have turned out to be very helpful. There were earlier instances of public misbehaviour with the traffic police, now it has all stopped. The public doesn't refuse to pay fines for violating traffic rules now as they know that they are being recorded", said Mohammad Asif. He added that there would be more such cameras in future. (ANI) The incident took place on Thursday evening and angry local residents attacked the house of one of the accomplices of the suspended constable and tried to set it on fire. Senior police officers rushed to the spot along with forces and launched a hunt for the miscreants. Superintendent of Police (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh said, "A suspended constable posted at the excise department in Varanasi and identified as Vimlesh, allegedly opened fire on chat seller Vinod, leaving him and two other persons injured." He added that heavy police deployment was made in the area to defuse tension. He also claimed that police teams were looking for the suspended constable and his accomplices in connection with the incident. --IANS amita/dpb ( 158 Words) 2021-12-31-09:28:02 (IANS) Babu Mian also deals in the perfume business and lives in Kannauj. A team of the Mumbai Income Tax Department is conducting the raids. The names of Pampi Jain and Babu Mian cropped up during the raid at Peeyush Jain's premises who was arrested by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) from Kannauj. "We had information that they are involved in tax evasion. After gathering more information we conducted searches at their premises," said an I-T official. Samajwadi Party Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is also in Kannauj. As soon as the news of the I-T raid spread, a number of Samajwadi Party workers gathered outside Pampi Jain's house. Sources have said that they have recovered a few incriminating documents from during the search operation. The department officials are also questioning the staff of Babu Mian and Pammi Jain. Their statement is being recorded in connection with tax evasion. The I-T official will share the information with other financial intelligence agencies too. The raids come days after a tax raid on Uttar Pradesh businessman Peeyush Jain uncovered piles of cash and gold. --IANS atk/dpb ( 241 Words) 2021-12-31-10:08:04 (IANS) Kerala Opposition leader VD Satheesan on Friday termed Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's decision to quit the post of Chancellor of Universities as illegal and unconstitutional. His reaction came after the Governor said he had ceased to function as chancellor from December 8. While speaking to ANI in Kochi, Satheesan said that the Governor cannot avoid the duties of the Chancellor without bringing the amendment in the university legislation. He further said, "As per the law, which is passed by the legislature of the Kerala Assembly, for all the universities, Governor is the Chancellor. He has to fulfil his duties as Chancellor. He has to do that. It is mandatory. Now there is no amendment, no ordinance. As per the law of the land, he has to obey the rules and provisions of the Act. He has to act accordingly as a Chancellor. I am not going to act as Chancellor means that I am not going to obey the provisions of the Act passed by the legislature." He also reiterated his dissent to the SilverLine project semi high-speed rail project being planned by the Kerala Government again. Satheesan said that the project is only for the elite class, not for the poor people of the state. He further said that there are some shocking details in the DPR regarding the economic viability of the SilverLine project. They had put a proposal not to expand the national highways. If the national highway is expanded, then the income will be lesser. And the another project is that, if you are not increasing the fair of third class and second class ACs, then you won't get passengers to the SilverLine project. That is why the govt is trying to hide the DPR so far." (ANI) A recent study has found that half of the drunk drivers underestimate how drunk they are, judging themselves still safe to drive despite having exceeded the legal driving limit. The study has been published in the 'Harm Reduction Journal'. Worldwide, drunk driving is a major problem, despite decades of health promotion activities. Road traffic injuries have become the leading killer of people aged five to 29 years, and recently, the World Health Organization has said that alcohol-related traffic accidents are one of the major causes. In 2019, between 210 and 250 people were killed in accidents in Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, the highest level since 2009. Drinking alcohol causes significant impairment to our motor function, and the more we drink, the worse this becomes. Drunk drivers may struggle to keep their vehicle in lane and have slow reaction times, as well as being more likely to take risks. A team of researchers from Witten/Herdecke University and the University of Cambridge studied how accurately participants were able to estimate their fitness to drive after drinking alcohol. Ninety students (average age 24 years old) took part in an experiment on two separate days. Participants were split into two groups: a study group and a control group. Both groups consumed either beer or wine or both until they reached a maximum breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 0.11 per cent. The research was carried out in Germany, where the legal driving limit is a BrAC of 0.05 per cent (in England and Wales, the level is 0.08 per cent). In the study group, participants were told at the start that when they reached a BrAC of 0.05 per cent, they would be switched from beer to wine or vice versa (though it was not explicitly explained that this was the legal driving limit). The researchers monitored each participant's breath alcohol concentration using breathalysers. With each measurement, they asked the participants to estimate their own breath alcohol concentration. All participants were asked to come forward when they thought they had reached the legal driving limit. The team found that on the first study day, more than a third (39 per cent) of participants who believed they had reached the legal driving limit had in fact already exceeded this threshold. On the second day, this proportion increased to more than half (53 per cent). Dr Kai Hensel from Witten/Herdecke University and the University of Cambridge, who led the study, said, "In countries with legal alcohol limits, it's usually the driver who makes a judgement about how much they've drunk and how fit they are to drive. But as we've shown, we are not always good at making this judgement. As many as one in two people in our study underestimated how drunk they were -- and this can have devastating consequences." The researchers also noticed that participants became poorer at estimating their BrAC level the drunker they became. "This could have serious consequences in England and Wales, where the legal driving limit is higher, as it suggests that a significant number of people might misjudge how drunk they are and consider themselves fit to drive when in fact they have a potentially dangerously high level of alcohol in their blood," added Dr Hensel. To see whether people were able to improve their ability to estimate how drunk they are, the researchers compared the volunteers' self-estimation of having reached the legal driving limit between the two study days. For the study, group participants were better able to estimate how drunk they were on the second day, but this was not the case for the control group. Dr Hensel added, "Drinking and driving is a major risk fact for road traffic accidents. Anything that can be done to reduce these numbers is worth trying. With guidance, our participants were able to improve their judgement. It could be that pop-up stalls set up around drinking establishments that help people understand their breath alcohol concentration might help." "Really, the best advice is that if you're driving, just don't drink. But if you really do feel like a drink, then look into your own alcohol tolerance. This differs from one person to the next, depending on your sex, weight and age, and there are some reliable apps out there that can help guide you," Dr Hensel concluded. Carlsberg donated 420 litres of beer to be utilised for research purposes only but had no role in the design, conduct, or analysis of the study. (ANI) Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the income tax raids on the premises of Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders, party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said that the BJP is misusing central investigating agencies to target Opposition members. Addressing a press conference in Kannauj, the SP chief said, "BJP is trying to pollute SP's name. Those who spread the smell of hatred will not like the fragrance of the perfume. Earlier they have mistakenly conducted raids at the residence of their own man and now to cover that they are conducting searches on residences SP leaders." "The raids were pre-determined. Information was coming here for the past few days that raids have started on SP leaders. Here, for the last two weeks, there have been raids on people associated with Samajwadi and whenever the BJP leaders from Delhi come to Uttar Pradesh they bring these agencies along. During this time, they are instructed to conduct raids," alleged Akhilesh Yadav. "Ever since the BJP feared defeat, leaders started coming from Delhi and their allies Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax (IT) started coming. We tied up with small political parties and they tied up with investigating agency CBI, ED and IT," he added. He said that Kannauj is a fragrance capital and many farmers are associated with the perfume business. "Kannauj city is associated with SP, the perfumes here have been manufactured here for many years and not only the traders but also farmers here are associated with this business, and many other businesses are related to it. It is the capital of perfumes and fragrances like Grassland is the perfume capital in France," said SP leader. He further alleged that the BJP government in the State has stopped many projects in Kannauj. "The BJP stopped all the work of the SP government here, we had planted a cow milk plant here, which would have benefited the farmers here and business would have increased, but the BJP sabotage the cow milk plant," he said. He said, "BJP had talked about demonetisation and GST, but despite that, so much money, was found. They went to raid find Pushpraj Jain but raided his own Piyush Jain. Now these people are raiding Pushpraj Jain to rectify their mistake." Earlier this morning, a team from the Income Tax department conducted raids at premises belonging to Samajwadi Party MLC Pushapraj Jain (Pammi Jain) and another businessman in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj. According to sources the searches were conducted at around eight premises including Kanpur, Kannauj, Bombay and Surat linked to two businessmen. One more place in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul was also being searched, sources added. SP leaders further said alleged that whenever they feel they are losing the election, they start conducting raids. "Remember, when there were elections in West Bengal, all the agencies of Delhi had reached Bengal, although it happened with Stalin in Tamil Nadu and the same thing happened in Bangalore," he added. He also appealed to the Election Commission to conduct all these raids after the elections if it comes in the code of conduct. The Assembly elections in the state are 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) Kejriwal was accompanied by senior AAP leader Bhagwant Mann during the march. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal paid tributes at Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Patiala after which he paid obeisance at the Shri Kali Devi Mandir. After holding the march, Kejriwal paid obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib here today. The march comes after the Aam Aadmi Party's spectacular victory in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls. The march also comes days after several incidences of violence were reported, including the lynching of a man for attempting to desecrate Guru Granth Sahib at Golden Temple and a bomb blast in Ludhiana District court. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to Delhi Police and others on a plea moved by a husband seeking custody of his wife, stating that she has been sent to Nirmal Chhaya Nari Niketan against her wishes. The Division Bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Anu Malhotra on Friday sought a response from all the respondents including Delhi Police and the girl's parents in the matter and slated it for January 10, 2022. The petitioner husband through his counsel Advocate Gurmit Singh Hans stated that on December 16, 2021, the couple got married at Arya Samaj Vivah Sthal trust, in the presence of two major witnesses and after solemnization of the said marriage, they returned to the matrimonial home of the petitioner. The petitioner claimed that the love marriage was against the wishes of the parents of the girl and due to the same, they lodged a false criminal complaint with the Delhi Police against the petitioner that he had married their daughter by putting pressure. The plea further stated that on the basis of the complaint, the police had called the couple at the Police station on December 19, 2021, wherein the police after interrogation decided to hand over the girl to the officials of Nirmal Chaya, Nari Niketan against the wishes of both husband and wife on December 20, 2021. The petitioner sought the court's intervention in the matter and sought the issuance of direction to the respondents to recover his wife, from the illegal custody. The petitioner is also invoking the writ jurisdiction of the Court to direct the respondents not to interfere in the legal and fundamental rights of the Petitioner. (ANI) "Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall activity over coastal Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during next 2 days and decrease thereafter. Strong northeasterly winds are prevailing off the coast of Tamil Nadu in the lower levels," IMD tweeted. IMD informed that a cyclonic circulation lies over southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka coast at middle tropospheric level. "Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is very likely to continue over coastal Tamil Nadu during next 2 days and decrease thereafter," it added. "The pattern of cyclonic circulation is persisting at 5.8 km of height and is still close to the coast and will move a little bit east-west direction. So coastal Tamil Nadu will get widespread rainfall," Puviarasan, Director of MET Department, Chennai told reporters. He added that some districts including Chennai will get heavy to very heavy rainfall. "We have issued a red alert for Nagapattinam and the rest of the coastal districts including Tiruvallur, Chennai are in the orange category for the next 2 days." (ANI) Amid the ongoing row over the renaming of 15 places by the Chinese government in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the Centre and said that the security of the nation demands wise and strong decisions, adding that "hollow words" will not bring success. The Congress leader also shared a report of China's renaming 15 places of Arunachal Pradesh on Twitter. "Just a few days back we were remembering India's glorious victory in 1971. For the security and triumph of the nation, wise and strong decisions are needed. Hollow words do not bring success!" reads Rahul Gandhi's tweet roughly translated from Hindi. The government said on Thursday that it has seen reports of China attempting to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh "in its own language" and asserted that the border state has been and will always be an integral part of India and "assigning invented names does not alter this fact". In response to a media query on reports that China has renamed some places in Arunachal Pradesh in its own language, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017. "We have seen such reports. This is not the first time that China has attempted to rename places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017," Bagchi said. "Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact," he added. Media reports said the Chinese government has sought to "rename" 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh in its map two days ahead of implementing new border law. (ANI) The possibility of the return to Pakistan of the countrys former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from London is giving Imran Khan sleepless nights. Though there is no confirmation about the deal between Sharif and the Pakistani security establishment headed by General Qamar Javed Bajwa but the way ministers of Imran Khan are daily giving statements that it "doesn't matter whether Nawaz Sharif returns or not", indicates that there is something happening behind closed doors. Pakistani interior minister Sheikh Rashid said, "Some say he is returning and some say he was not. It doesn't matter if he returns or not, but Imran Khan will complete five years. Nothing is going to happen." This is the year of local body elections whereas the fifth year will be of national elections," referring to the general elections which are due in 2023. Information minister Fawad Chaudhry lost his cool when journalists asked him about Nawaz Sharif. "I am telling you that Sharif himself would never return, we will have to bring him back," said Chaudhary rubbishing such claims and daring Nawaz Sharif to return and face jail. Despite attempts put up a brave face, there is a nervousness in Imran Khan's government. The speculated return of Nawaz Sharif is the only topic that is being discussed in Pakistani media every day. According to Pakistani analysts, whenever it happens, it is "perfectly" timed for maximum political effect. Nawaz Sharif is fully aware that as a convicted person he has to serve his term in prison unless he is given a legal remedy. Nawaz's return also means that the Pakistani security establishment has decided to allow him to resume political activities and getting cases against him "dismissed" is not difficult. According to a report, the Bar Council of Pakistan has decided to challenge Sharif's conviction by the NAB in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. "It is not appropriate for the Bar Council to file a petition in court. I do not understand how it is legally viable to make him the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the fourth time," says Shahzad Akbar, Imran Khan's Special Assistant on Accountability, adding that the President of the Supreme Court Bar Council had recently met Nawaz Sharif in London. While top leaders who are close to the establishment are silent, a close confidant of Nawaz Sharif and former speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq told Geo news that many meetings have been taking place in London. "They are meeting Nawaz Sharif because they have realized that bringing Imran Khan into power has turned out to be a failure," said Sadiq. In its editorial, the Pakistani daily Dawn wrote that "Mr Sharif has a moral obligation to return to Pakistan as per his promise when leaving for London to get medical treatment. From the looks of it he seems to be in decent health which means there should not be anything stopping him from fulfilling the commitment he gave to the courts. The recent talk of his return is therefore a welcome sign." Veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief Najam Sethi said that "talks between the Pakistani military establishment and Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif have yielded positive results, with only one or two hurdles to cross before steps are jointly taken to get rid of Imran Khan and install a new government that can transition to general elections as soon as possible." Interestingly, last week former Pakistani President and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari had revealed that he had been asked for help to strategise a plan for the future of Pakistan. Though Zardari did not disclose the source of his contact, the Pakistani media is speculating that the former President was referring to the military establishment. And how is the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan reacting to this development? Media reports, quoting Fawad Chaudhary said that when he spoke to Imran Khan about to revoke Nawaz Sharif's disqualification, Khan responded that if convicted persons had to be released, then the doors of all jails should be thrown open. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative ( 703 Words) 2021-12-31-11:50:01 (IANS) As per IANS-CVoter Issues That Dominated India 2021, 1.4 billion vaccine doses against Covid-19 have been administered by December end, arguably the largest and fastest inoculation drive in the history of the world (not counting opaque China). The IANS-CVoter Covid Tracker consistently showed that almost 98 per cent of eligible Indians were comfortable taking the vaccine; perhaps the lowest hesitancy rate in the world. Back in January 16, 2021, when the vaccine drive was initially launched for health and frontline workers, critics of India scoffed at the suggestion that more than one billion doses could be administered by the end of the year. While the home grown Covaxin had been approved by domestic regulatory bodies, it was a long way off from getting emergency approval from the World Health Organization. Both domestic as well as global critics slammed the government for "hurrying" the approval given to an "untested" vaccine as if 'Made in India' vaccines were inherently inferior compared to those manufactured by multinational giants like Pfizer and Moderna. No such apprehensions were expressed about the other other vaccine Covishield made by the redoubtable Serum Institute of India as it was an off shoot of a "foreign" vaccine. At the end of the day, both Covaxin and the government have exposed the hollow claims of critics. Of course there was bungling up at the initial stages, particularly at the time of the second wave when the Central government had succumbed to the demands of states that they be given the right and choice to buy their own vaccines. This effort by myriad state governments was a spectacular failure and things came back on track once the Centre took complete control once again in June 2021. There have been many days since then when the number of daily doses administered in India has crossed the 10 million mark, more than twice the population of New Zealand which is yet to be fully vaccinated. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 337 Words) 2021-12-31-12:50:03 (IANS) As per the IANS-CVoter Issues That Dominated India 2021, about 2.5 lakh Indians officially died during the devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021. But the actual numbers could be far higher. The IANS-CVoter Covid tracker and municipality records indicate the actual dead were multiple times the official numbers. Will we ever get to know the true numbers? On the conservative side, 4 per cent households in the Covid Tracker consistently reported a death within friend/family circle due to Covid and a follow up Mortality survey confirmed that the number of households reporting a death in 2021 was more than two times of a "normal" year in 2019. Many individuals and institutions in India as well as globally had far higher estimates. With some suggesting that the actual number of deaths during the second wave was 15 times more than the official estimate. More compelling than these numbers would be the devastating pictures of funeral pyres running through the day and night and dead bodies floating in rivers. Sections of global media did display an unhealthy obsession with tragedy and dead bodies; but Indians still recall the haunting cries for help on social media from family members of patients for oxygen and medicines. This did have an adverse impact on the image of the government, with more than 40 per cent Indians saying they were angry with the way the Modi regime handled the second wave. As Omicron spreads rapidly and a third wave is knocking, if it has not already barged in, Indians are hoping they are third time lucky with the virus. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 280 Words) 2021-12-31-12:52:03 (IANS) The Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 475.78 crore to install 600 LED screens across the city at prominent junctions and intersections for the purpose of displaying messages of public interest. The Expenditure Finance Committee, in its fifth meeting on December 22, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, approved Rs 475.78 crore for the project whose installation is proposed to be taken up in phases. The Delhi government in an official statement said that the LED screens will be installed at prominent locations on PWD roads having ROW (right of way) 80 feet above, road intersections and T points of roads with ROW 80 feet or more, entry/exit of the metro station having heavy footfalls and will display graphics films, pollution data, social messages/information of government policies /other relevant details of public interest. "Priorities for these screens are to be given to the roads having ROW 200 ft./ 150 ft/ 100 ft. and roads having large traffic volume and heavy footfalls," the statement read. As per the official statement, the fixing of screens will be done on all four models namely portrait screen with unipole structure, landscape screen with a single display, Tr-side display and cluster monitors in rectangular shape. "The CCC (Command Control Centre) shall be compatible to run setup with various permutation and combinations (i.e. individually, cluster or all at a time) of LED screen area wise/ locations wise. The data for display will be received in central control room and after processing same will be displayed with the help of GSM network and cloud services," it read. (ANI) His remarks came after an inspection visit to the Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal. Speaking to reporters here today, Chouhan said, "MP has recorded 77 fresh COVID-19 cases in the state in which Bhopal has recorded 16 positive cases. We have more than 402 active cases in the state at present." Chouhan further said, "As COVID-19 cases are rising, we have to be fully prepared to tackle any situation. ICU beds, oxygen beds, ventilators should be ready and available at hospitals. I have reviewed preparations for vaccination of 15-18 age group." Recently, emphasising precaution in view of the rise in cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, announced three major decisions in the fight against the disease including the start of vaccination for children in the 15-18 age group from coming January 3. In his address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the government was following scientific advice in the vaccination drive against COVID-19. "Vaccination will start in the country for children aged between 15 to 18 years from January 3, 2022," he said. Meanwhile, India reported 16,764 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, a surge for the third consecutive day on Friday which has pushed the country's coronavirus tally to 34,838,804. The health ministry informed that the active caseload in the country stands at 91,361 constituting 0.26 per cent of the total cases. (ANI) With the Union Health Ministry noting a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, official sources have said that the reason behind the spike is the Omicron variant which has started replacing its predecessor Delta in India and the world. As per the sources, Omicron variant infections account for around 80 per cent of COVID-19 cases detected among international travellers. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has been holding a review meeting daily over the COVID-19 situation since November 25 with all officials and public health experts. "The trend of an increasing number of COVID-19 cases shows that it is due to Omicron, which is replacing Delta in India and globally as well," official sources told ANI. However, most of the patients infected with Omicron are asymptomatic and some of them are mildly symptomatic, they added. Since the first two cases of Omicron were reported in India on December 2, the Union Health Ministry has been working in a mission mode and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also monitoring the situation closely. "The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's war room is dedicatedly working 24x7, even at night senior officers are monitoring, analyzing and reviewing the situation, the trends and surge in cases," said sources. The ministry has advised States and Union Territories to enhance testing, strengthen hospital preparedness, increase vaccination pace and strict restrictions to counter the spread of infection. As per Union Health Ministry's data, 67.76 crore samples have been tested for COVID-19 in India till December 30, 2021. There are 3,117 COVID-19 testing laboratories including 2,014 RTPCR, 941 antibody test, 132 CBNAAT and 30 others, across the country. The country has 204 firms making RT-PCR test kits, 53 making rapid antigen kits, seven manufacturing home rapid antigen testing kits and four are in pipeline. India's daily testing capacity is more than 20 lakhs. Meanwhile, over 145 vaccine doses have been administered to the eligible population in India so far. India has covered 90 per cent single dose in adults and 65 per cent of the eligible population are fully vaccinated with both doses. The vaccination drive in India commenced on January 16, 2021. (ANI) With this, the amount of active cases in Pune has gone up to 1,799. In view of rising COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced fresh curbs on attendance at weddings, social, political, religious events and funerals. In case of marriages or any other social, political or religious event, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons. The maximum number of attendees is restricted to 20 in funerals. Further, the order states, "In any other part of the state which are tourist spots that attract a large crowd of people such as beaches, open grounds, etc, the competent authority may as deemed appropriate, impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973." Meanwhile, Mumbai Police on Thursday has already imposed Section 144 in the city starting from December 30 till January 7. As per the new COVID-19 restrictions, prohibition has been placed on New Year's celebrations, parties in any closed or open space including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts, and clubs from December 30 to January 7. "The order shall come into the force, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai from 00:00 Hrs of 30 December 2021 and will remain in force till 24 Hrs of 7 January 2022, unless withdrawn earlier," the order reads. (ANI) Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who recently switched to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on Friday withdrew his resignation from the post of the president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee citing "technical and legal issues". Sirsa previously held the post as an MLA of Shiromani Akali Dal. An official statement issued by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) stated, "In view of the present situation of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and collapse of the administrative system of DSGMC, non-payment of salaries to staff of Guru Harkrishan Public Schools for the last two months, non-payment of salary, Gurpurab salary (bonus) to DSGMC staff and scholarship for staff children, and considering the onset of the third wave of Coronavirus pandemic in which it is important to gear up the Bala Sahib Hospital, It becomes important to tackle the situation." "Due to technical and legal issues arose after the resignation of the undersigned and inability to call the general house of DSGMC for the acceptance of the resignation as per the law at the present scenario, the undersigned has decided to withdraw his resignation with immediate effect for the smooth functioning of DSGMC and will continue to discharge his duties as President-DSGMC till the formation of the new management committee of DSGMC," it added. A few days ago, the security cover of Sirsa was upgraded by the government from the Y to Z category. 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. Sira joined BJP earlier this month ahead of Assembly elections due in 2022 in five states including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. (ANI) The Jammu and Kashmir police has busted a racket involving a Hurriyat leader and eight others for selling the MBBS seats in Pakistan to Kashmiri students and using money to support and fund terrorism. A case was registered by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), a branch of J&K police's CID in July 2020 after receiving information through reliable sources that several unscrupulous persons, including some Hurriyat leaders, were hand in glove with some educational consultancies and are selling Pakistan-based MBBS seats and seats in other professional courses in various colleges and universities. Police sources said: "The money collected from the parents of the aspiring or potential students was used, at least partly, to support and fund terrorism and separatism in different ways". A charge sheet filed under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act before a court includes names of Mohammad Akbar Bhat alias Zaffar Akbar Bhat, the chairman of Salvation Movement, a part of the Hurriyat Conference. While others named in the charge sheet include Fatima Shah, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Mohd Iqbal Mir. Initial investigations reveal that MBBS and other professional degree related seats were preferentially given to those students who are close family members or relatives of killed terrorists. Sources also reveal that money had been variously put into channels that ended up in supporting programmes and projects pertaining to terrorism and separatism. It further reveals that money collected in disguise of providing medical and other technical courses in various institutions of Pakistan were used to fuel up the unrest post elimination of Burhan Wani in 2016 and every effort was made to disturb the peace and tranquillity post abrogation of the Article 35A and 370 of the Indian Constitution. The Examination of witnesses corroborated by other circumstantial evidence indicated that many families who approached Hurriyat leaders to avail the programme of Hurriyat on the behest of ISI that aimed at incentivising terrorism by compensating the family of slain terrorists by way of providing free of cost MBBS and engineering seats as monetary consideration. "By incentivising the next of kin of killed militants for the terrorism and related activities of their killed militant relatives, Pakistan is trying to keep the Pot boiling and tends to radicalize the impressionable minds in the veil of technical education", said a source in the police. As per the investigation, on average the cost of a seat ranged between Rs 10 to 12 lakhs and depending upon the political heft of a Hurriyat leader who intervenes, concessions were extended to the aspiring student and his family. Sources said: "On the basis of the available evidence, a conservative estimate indicated that the money involved could be around Rs 4 crore per annum, on the basis of the fact that allocation of seats for distribution by individual Hurriyat leaders were around 40 seats for MBBS programme every year". Police have arrested five persons including Mohammad Akbar Bhat, Fatima Shah, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh and Mohd Iqbal Mir and they were produced before the court. Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir and Manzoor Ahmad Bhat are absconding. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the first day of New Year, 2022 will be dedicated to the farmers of the country as the Centre is going to release 10th installment of financial benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on January 1, 2022. "The first day of the New Year, 2022 will be dedicated to the annadatas (farmers) of the country. Will be fortunate to release the 10th installment of PM-Kisan through video conferencing at 12:30 pm. Under this, more than 10 crore farmer families will be benefited by the transfer of an amount of Rs 20,000 crores," the Prime Minister said in a tweet (roughly translated from Hindi). This will enable the transfer of an amount of more than Rs. 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families, read the press release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each. 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, according to the statement. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also release an equity grant of more than Rs 14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers. The Prime Minister will interact with FPOs during the event and will also address the nation. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will also be present on the occasion. (ANI) The members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday demanding ban on Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES) and Shiv Sena. President T.A. Narayan Gowda urged in the memorandum that due to indulgence and provocation of politicians and the government of Maharashtra, peace in the bordering district of Belagavi was being disturbed. "The MES party is funded from Maharashtra to provoke the Marathi speaking people living in Karnataka against the Kannada people and this has been happening for many decades. Now, along with MES, Shiv Sena also joined hands to disturb peace and harmony in the region. "Maharashtra state politicians have left no options to wrestle Belagavi into their state. They also got Meher Chand Mahajan Commission established and the commission finally gave the report that Belagavi is part of Karnataka," Narayana Gowda stated. The matter is now with the Supreme Court and the Union Government has submitted an affidavit before the court that Belagavi is a part of Karnataka. Knowing well that they can't get Belagavi through legal means, they are trying to disturb the peace, law and order situation in the state, he charged. "The MES and Shiv Sena parties are indulging in organised crime activities in Belagavi. They are fomenting hatred and encouraging violence between the Kannada and Marathi speaking people. The people of Belagavi are leading their lives under fear of violence. Hence, both the parties have to be banned," the memorandum stated. It also said, "The legal process should be initiated in that direction and recommendation should go from the Governor's office to the Union government to start the proceedings." --IANS mka/dpb ( 284 Words) 2021-12-31-15:36:07 (IANS) Inspector Valang, hailed from Nagaland and was posted as an inspector in CoBRA's 206 Battalion in Burkapal Camp, a severely Naxal affected area, said Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma. A week ago, Valang had returned after leaving home, added the SP. A tribute was paid to Inspector Valang in the police line located at the district headquarters. (ANI) Some of the songs that they danced to included the popular song 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra' by Daler Mehndi. BSF personnel also sang 'Wo bharat desh hai mera' in unison. Dayanand Sharma, a BSF personnel said, "We are on duty here day and night. As we enter 2022, I extend my greetings to the people of the nation and pray for their happiness and good health." On the occasion, the personnel had also put up decorative lights. Karan Pratap Singh, another BSF personnel while extending his greetings to the countrymen said, "For as long as we are deployed here at the border, the countrymen need not worry. Till BSF is at the border, do not fear! Day and night we are serving our country." Even at a terrain where temperatures dip to zero, the BSF personnel displayed much liveliness and jubilation. "As we enter 2022, I promise that the BSF will continue to work towards ensuring everyone's trust in us," Manohar Lal, BSF personnel underlined. (ANI) The Indian Army has reorganised and realigned its forces along the border with China to cater for the troops and infrastructure build-up by the People's Liberation Army along the Indian borders, Defence Ministry said on Friday. "Force levels in areas where disengagement has yet to take place have been adequately enhanced. Threat assessment and internal deliberations have resulted in reorganisation and realignment of forces in keeping with the Army's mandate of ensuring territorial integrity and to cater for the major augmentation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces and military infrastructure," the ministry said in its year-end review. "Troops continue to deal with Chinese troops in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner while ensuring the sanctity of India's claims," it stated. The unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has been responded with adequate measure, said the Defence Ministry. To resolve the issue, the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels. After sustained joint efforts, disengagement was carried out at many locations, the Ministry said. According to the Ministry of Defence, upgradation and development of infrastructure along the Northern Borders is being carried out in a holistic and comprehensive manner, including roads, tunnels for all-weather connectivity, four strategic railway lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, upgradation of bridges on critical Indo-China border roads and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition. Major efforts have also been undertaken to identify dual-use infrastructure. (ANI) GST Mumbai East Commissionerate of Mumbai Zone on Friday detected a GST evasion worth Rs 40.5 crores and recovered Rs 49.20 crores in cash pertaining to GST evaded, interest and penalty from the cryptocurrency exchange WazirX. As per a press release from the Commissionerate, the detection was made while investigating the business activities of the exchange, which is managed by Zanmai Labs Pvt. Ltd and cryptocurrency WRX is owned by Binance Investment Co. Ltd, Seychelles. According to the release, this exchange provides an option to the trader to transact in rupee or WRX. The WRX have to be purchased from the WazirX platform. The Taxpayer is charging commission on each transaction in cryptocurrency from both buyer and seller both, it said. "However, the rate of commission is different for both transactions. The transaction in rupee attracts the commission of 0.2 per cent and the transaction in WRX attracts the commission of 0.1 per cent," added the release. During the investigation, it came to notice that the taxpayer used to collect revenue from the commission as trading fees, deposit fees and withdrawal fees. The taxpayer was paying GST only on commission earned in rupee but was not paying GST on commission earned in WRX. A GST at the rate of 18 per cent is applicable on these transaction fees. GST of Rs. 40.5 crores was not paid, which was paid along with interest and penalty on December 30. Total Rs. 49.2 crores have been recovered on the spot from the WazirX. Further investigation is in progress. The above case is a part of the special anti-tax evasion drive, which relies on intensive data mining and data analytics, initiated by the CGST Mumbai Zone. The officers of CGST Mumbai zone are investigating business transactions related to emerging economic spaces like e-commerce, online gaming, Non-Fungible Tokens to identify the areas of possible tax evasion. "The CGST department will cover all the cryptocurrency exchanges falling in the Mumbai zone and will also intensify this drive in the coming days," stated the release. Investigation into the case is in progress. (ANI) The UT Adviser inspected Bal Bhawan in Sector-23B, being operated by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sewa Society- Tera hi Tera and Indira Holiday Home, Sector-24, being operated by Competent Foundation and Bharat Vikas Parishad, added the statement. During the visit, the adviser interacted with the office-bearers of both the organisations and appreciated their noble cause. He requested them to maintain proper cleanliness and hygiene and to provide professional services as were provided by them during the second wave. Dharampal also inspected the vaccination centre in GMSH-16 and in view of the rush directed to increase the vaccination teams. He also reviewed the status of preparedness for the COVID vaccination which will start from 3rd January 2022, according to the statement. The Adviser also inspected the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in GMSH-16 and asked the doctors to ensure that all the ventilators are functional and there is no issue in case of a rush of patients. Yashpal Garg, Secretary Health, Suman Singh, DHS and V K Nagpal, Medical Superintendent were present during the inspections of the health facilities. (ANI) The 23 battery-powered electric boats being constructed for the water metro project under the KMRL can carry 100 passengers. As per an official release, in the naming and delivery protocol signing ceremony held at Cochin Shipyard, the boat was named Muziris by Madhumita Behra, wife of KMRL MD Loknath Behra. Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, Madhu S Nair, Directors Bejoy Bhaskar, V J Jose and KMRL Directors K R Kumar and Dileep Kumar Sinha and officials of Classification Society attended the event. The delivery protocol was signed between Sivakumar A, General Manager and Sajan John, Additional General Manager, KMRL. After the delivery function, a short ferry ride was held in the Kochi backwaters. (ANI) The Jan Vishwas Yatra has been an effective and successful outreach programme of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to all the 403 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the elections, said party MLC Vidyasagar Sonkar on Friday. Vidyasagar Sonkar is the state Jan Vishwas Yatra chief of BJP. Speaking to ANI, Sonkar said, "Beginning on December 19, the 15-day Jan Vishwas Yatra has been an effective and great outreach programme of BJP to all 403 assemblies in Uttar Pradesh. The Yatra instilled enthusiasm among the party workers in all the assemblies. Through the Yatra, the party has reached out to every village and every household and conveyed its message even before the announcement of the election date in Uttar Pradesh." He said the party will successfully conclude the Jan Vishwas Yatra on January 3, 2022. Senior ministers and officials of BJP participated in this yatra. He said there were designated chiefs for every yatra. For Yatra, raths and SUVs were provided by the party. "Meetings, public meetings and roadshows were organized during the Yatra. Programmes of party morchas were held in all 403 assemblies. The yatras were also on night stay in all the assemblies. Through the Jan Vishwas Yatra, BJP addressed the workers' convention in all the Assemblies of Uttar Pradesh before the start of the elections," Sonkar said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mega rally marking the conclusion of Jan Vishwas Yatra on January 9, 2022 in Lucknow. However, the programme is still proposed, as soon as the approval is received, the schedule will also be released," the BJP leader said. The first Jan Vishwas Yatra started from Mathura on December 19 and will end on December 31 in Bareilly. The head of this yatra is BJP MLC Dr Manvendra Pratap Singh. The second such Yatra is headed by BJP MP Satish Gautam that began from Bijnor and will end in Rampur on January 1, 2022. The third Jan Vishwas Yatra headed by Union Minister Baburam Nishad started from Jhansi and will end on January 2 at Kanpur-Bithoor. Its head is Baburam Nishad, Minister of State with a status. Headed by BJP MLC Vijay Bahadur Pathak, the fourth Yatra began from Ambedkar Nagar and will end at Kakori Lucknow on January 3. The fifth yatra started from Ballia and will end at Basti on January 3. BJP MP Harish Dwivedi is heading this yatra. Starting from Ghazipur, the sixth Yatra will end on January 3 at Amethi. It is headed by party MP Vinod Sonkar. Among the key leaders who participated in the Yatra include BJP national president JP Nadda, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Several union ministers such as Nitin Gadkari, Dharmendra Pradhan, Smriti Irani and Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, state Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma have also marked their presence in Jan Vishwas Yatra. Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh are slated for early next year. (ANI) As many as 134 youngsters joined terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir this year, said Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Friday. Briefing mediapersons, DGP Dilbag Singh said, "134 youngsters joined terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir this year. 72 of them have been neutralized and 22 are arrested. 30,000 cases of crime registered this year. We have completed a target of 100 successful operations and 44 top terrorists have been neutralized this year." He said 20 personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 23 of other security forces martyred this year in the union territory. "We are on the lookout and working to get more evidence on people who in a way very cleverly try to support militancy. They are into soft separatism. We have taken actions against some of them and we would be looking for more evidence against them...No one is above law," Singh said. Singh said that around 2,500 Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel tested positive for COVID this year and 12 died due to the infection. The Jammu and Kashmir Police DGP said the Thursday night's operation in which three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were killed was led by the Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police. Asked about some politicians questioning SIT report in the Hyderpora encounter, DGP Dilbag Singh said, "We feel hurt. It is irresponsible on the part of certain people who know nothing about the ground situation. We have an investigation team, they can go to them with their evidence. An encounter between security forces and terrorists had broken out in the Hyderpora area of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on November 15 after input was received by police regarding the presence of terrorists in an illegal call centre in a private building in the area. In an official statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that two terrorists identified as Haider, a foreign Pakistani terrorist and his associate Amir Ahmad resident of Banihal (a hybrid terrorist), were killed in the encounter. It further stated that the owner of the building namely Altaf Ahmad as well as the tenant namely Mudasir Ahmad were also called to accompany the search party. However, in the encounter with terrorists, both received critical gunshot injuries and succumbed to their injuries. (ANI) This visit holds importance as Municipal corporation elections in Bidhan Nagar, Chandannagar, Asansol and Siliguri are slated to be held on January 22, 2022. Of the four, Asansol is the largest municipal corporation with 106 seats, followed by Siliguri with 47, Chandannagar with 33 and Bidhannagar with 41 wards. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) emerged as the largest party in the recently-concluded Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections, gaining victory in 134 out of total 144 wards of the local body. BJP emerged as the second-largest party in the polls, winning in only three wards. Left and Indian National Congress (INC) won two wards each while others registered wins in three wards. There are seven municipal corporations in West Bengal namely Asansol Municipal Corporation, Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporation, Chandannagar Municipal Corporation, Durgapur Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Siliguri Municipal Corporation. (ANI) Police received a call from a person in Delhi's Chandni Mahal regarding a bleeding woman lying unconscious. "After reaching the spot, we found the woman was dead. She was later identified as Seema, wife of Abdul Rehman who lived in Khwaja Mir Dard area," police informed. On local inquiry, it was found that the couple quarrelled frequently due to some personal issues. "The husband of the victim was absconding, however, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was called up and all police stations were alerted about the accused Abdul Rehman," police said. Meanwhile, the police of Kamla Nagar Market caught the accused from the Khwaja Mir Dard area with blood-stained clothes. Police also recovered the weapon of offence, a blood-stained knife from him. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) On details of the incident, the CRPF officials here said that the blast was followed by an exchange of fire between the patrol and the Maoists around 1 p.m. along the Palodi-Kistaram axis of the district. A trooper of the 208th battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) has been injured during the operation and was evacuated from the site, the officials further said. CoBRA is the CRPF's specialised operational unit, highly trained in jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics and is considered among the best operational units against the Maoist. A hotbed of Maoist activities, Sukma, 400 km away from state capital Raipur, is a hotbed of Maoist activities and several battalions of the CRPF have been deployed there and its adjoining areas in south Bastar. --IANS ams/vd ( 173 Words) 2021-12-31-20:54:03 (IANS) Telangana witnessed 4.65 per increase in the overall crime rate but there was two-fold increase in cyber crimes during 2021. Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy attributed the jump in cyber crime to huge technological growth and development backed by the Internet. A total of 8,828 cyber crime cases were registered during the year. According to the police chief, 66 per cent of these cases (5,833) were registered under major offences such as fake customer care fraud, advertisement portal fraud, job frauds, loan frauds and bank related frauds. The remaining cyber crime cases were related to online impersonation frauds, cyber stalking, phishing and obscene contents, etc. The year saw an increase in white collar crime. There were 14,666 cases of cheating registered during the year against 9,072 during 2020. The overall crime rate saw an increase of 4.65 per cent during the year. A total of 1,80,497 cases were registered during 2021 as against 1,72,469 in 2020. The DGP believes that enhanced awareness among people to report crime, online petitions and Zero FIRs led to this increase. During 2021, the police received 10,656 online petitions as 2,626 during 2020. Zero FIR is the mode of lodging FIR in any police station irrespective of the offence committed in that area or any other area. The number of Zero FIRs increased by 62 per cent during 2021. The year saw the launch of Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting & Management System (CFCFRMS ), an initiative to combat and overcome cyber related crimes through helpline number 155260, where lost money is recovered and given back to the victim. A pilot project on this module (CFCFRMS) was launched in Telangana in June by creating a helpline call centre at Cyberabad Police headquarters. The statistics show that 45,893 complaints relating to financial frauds were received at the call centre in the CFCFRMS system and 9,644 complaints were received through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. In these cases, the victims lost over Rs 95 crore while transactions to the tune of over Rs 5 crore were successfully put on hold by the financial entities. The police chief claimed that the desperate efforts of CPI (Maoist) to revive the movement in Telangana was effectively thwarted by the police. He said no activities of underground armed formations of CPI (Maoist) were noticed. Timely dissemination of information led to three exchanges of fire in which six Maoists were killed near the border with Chhattisgarh. The police arrested 98 extremists while 133 extremists surrendered during the year. Mahender Reddy said throughout the year the state has been free from any law and order problem involving major violence. He claimed that the state police force continued to be in the forefront in use of technology to control crimes. He said a total of 8,51,644 CCTV cameras have been installed across the state and during 2021 police detected 22,781 detected with the help of CCTV footage. --IANS ms/pgh ( 495 Words) 2021-12-31-22:14:03 (IANS) Issuing notice in the matter, a division bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Anu Malhotra on Friday sought the response of Delhi Police and the woman's parents in the matter. Seeking the court's intervention in the matter, the man stated that the police action is against the wishes of the couple and their legal and fundamental rights. Advocate Gurmit Singh Hans, who appeared for the petitioner, said the marriage was against the wishes of the girl's parents, who filed a false complaint against the husband and police intervened in the matter. The plea said, on December 19, the couple had been called to the police station. After interrogation, the next day, the woman was handed over to the officials of Nirmal Chaya, Nari Niketan against her wishes as well of her husband. The petitioner sought the issuance of direction to the respondents to recover his wife from the illegal custody. The court will hear the matter further on January 10, 2022. --IANS jw/vd ( 215 Words) 2021-12-31-22:50:06 (IANS) "President Joseph R Biden spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Thursday. "Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," the statement added. During the phone call with Putin, "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," Psaki said. US President also reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation. The phone call between the two leaders lasted for 50 minutes. "President Biden's call with President Putin concluded at 4:25 PM EST," White House said on Thursday (local time). The call began at 3:35 PM EST. This is the second call in the month between the two leaders amid escalating tension in Ukraine as 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) Stressing that the call between Russian and the US President was substantive and specific, a Kremlin aide has said that President Vladimir Putin has warned his American counterpart, Joe Biden, of severing relations if West decides to impose sanctions on Moscow over the situation in Ukraine. Biden warned Putin about new financial, military and economic sanctions against Russia in case of the escalation in tensions along its western borders during the phone call between the two leaders, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. "Our president clearly responded that this would be a big mistake that of course may result in the full severance of relations," Sputnik quoted Ushakov as saying. Putin added that such sanctions would have serious consequences and expressed hope this would not happen. Ushakov has also said that the talks between the two leaders were substantive and specific. "In principle, we are satisfied with the talks as they were frank, substantive and specific. And I can also say that the spirit of these talks was constructive," Ushakov said. Emphasising that the presidents discussed all key topics, Ushakov said that the conversation was very businesslike, meaningful, and the presidents, which is also very important, agreed to continue the dialogue after the new year. The Kremlin aide also said that during the talks Joe Biden maintained that Washington is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons in Ukraine. "Biden has clearly said that the United States is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons to Ukraine," said Ushakov. "It seems to me that Washington understands Russia's concerns, although Washington has its own concerns. Yet, President Biden is ready to continue the dialogue with President Putin, and this is what, in fact, our leaders have agreed upon - the dialogue will continue. Moreover, the Presidents, as I have already said, will not only continue to maintain a dialogue but also push the negotiations that our respective interdepartmental teams will be conducting in Geneva," Sputnik quoted Ushakov as saying. Further, the aide said that Putin during his call with Biden outlined in detail the basic principles that were put in the documents Russia handed over and stressed that negotiations on three tracks are important for Moscow. These tracks are bilateral talks in Geneva, the Russia-NATO Council in Brussels, and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) summit in Vienna. "But the main thing is that we need a result, and we will achieve a result in the form of ensuring the guaranteed security of Russia," said Ushakov. (ANI) Iran's top negotiator in the Vienna talks on the restoration of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal has said that negotiations have made "good progress" in the removal of US sanctions over the past few days. Ali Bagheri Kani, also Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs, on Thursday made the remark in an address to Iranian media ahead of a New Year break in the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the remaining parties to the deal, namely China, Russia, Britain, France plus Germany (P4+1), according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Since the beginning of the eighth round of the talks on Monday, the main focus of the negotiations was on the removal of the sanctions on Iran, Bagheri Kani said. Iran discussed the verification issue in separate meetings with Enrique Mora, the Deputy Foreign Policy Chief of the European Union, and representatives of the E3 group of France, Britain and Germany, he added. The Iranian Chief Negotiator expressed hope that all sides would pursue the issue of lifting sanctions with greater seriousness following the New Year break, Xinhua news agency reported. The Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed between Iran and the P5+1 (including the US) in July 2015. In May 2018, the US government under former President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement. Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA resumed talks in Vienna in April this year. The talks are aimed at removing US sanctions against Iran and restoring the JCPOA which has been on the verge of collpase after the US unilateral exit. --IANS int/khz/ ( 285 Words) 2021-12-31-00:50:06 (IANS) According to eyewitnesses, various protests on Thursday headed to assemble at Sharwani bus station, to march to the Republican Palace. Hundreds of army soldiers have been deployed at the entrances to the bridges linking the three major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri, most parts of which were closed by the authorities before the start of the demonstrations, said eyewitnesses. Earlier on Thursday, the internet service on mobile phones was interrupted, Xinhua news agency reported. The Sudanese Professionals Association, the body leading the protests, issued a statement on Wednesday urging the citizens to take part in protests set for Thursday. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, declared a state of emergency on October 25 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and government. On November 21, Al-Burhan and the then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating the latter as Prime Minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the street. --IANS int/khz/ ( 199 Words) 2021-12-31-01:08:03 (IANS) The Chairperson of the pan-African bloc "is following with deep concern the serious current political tension in Somalia," an AU statement said on Thursday. Mahamat called for utmost restraint as he emphasised for continued engagements and dialogue between the country's President and Prime Minister in order to find a political solution to this present situation, Xinhua news agency reported. "The African Union recommits to scale up it's support towards durable peace and stable polity in Somalia," he said. Amid the growing political tensions in the Horn of Africa country, the Somali President Mohamed Farmajo had on Monday suspended Prime Minister Mohamed Roble over corruption allegations. Farmajo accused Roble of being involved in corruption and misuse of public lands in a statement, which came a day after he accused the latter of failing to steer the electoral process to a successful conclusion. Analysts say the current political rift between the two top leaders will again delay the electoral process slated to conclude by early 2022. Parliamentary elections which began on November 1 have already been suspended after only 24 out of 275 lawmakers have been elected. The country's electoral body had set December 24 as the deadline for the completion of the parliamentary elections. --IANS int/khz/ ( 239 Words) 2021-12-31-01:12:05 (IANS) The agreement came in a phone call between Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, after Lebanon's customs authorities seized 9 million captagon pills hid in a shipment of oranges destined for Kuwait. Al-Sabah said he appreciates the efforts of Lebanon's Interior Ministry in fighting smuggling, Xinhua news agency reported. For his part, Mawlawi affirmed Lebanon's continuous efforts to assume full responsibility toward all Arab countries, including Kuwait. Lebanon has witnessed tensions with Gulf Arab countries over the past year amid attempts to smuggle drugs to the region, prompting Saudi Arabia to stop all its imports from Lebanon. --IANS int/khz/ ( 144 Words) 2021-12-31-01:22:02 (IANS) The European Union policy chief has said that in view of the escalating violence in Myanmar, increased international preventive action is required, including an arms embargo and the bloc stands ready to impose further sanctions against the military regime. "The targeting of civilians and humanitarian actors is unacceptable and a blatant violation of human rights and international law, including humanitarian law. Full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need, and the full protection, safety and security of humanitarian and medical personnel must be ensured," said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a statement on Thursday. "Recent attacks on civilians in many parts of Myanmar, and most recently in Kayah and Karen States, have resulted in thousands of people being displaced. The appalling act of violence perpetrated by the military regime in Kayah State on 24 December, killing and burning more than 35 people, including women and children, as well as humanitarian workers, underscores the urgent need to hold those responsible accountable," the statement added. "In view of the escalating violence in Myanmar, increased international preventive action is required, including an arms embargo. The EU also stands ready to impose further sanctions against the military regime," said Borrell. Since the military coup on 1 February, the EU has imposed targeted sanctions on the Myanmar military, its leaders and entities. In addition, EU financial assistance to the government was halted and assistance that could be seen as legitimising the military regime was frozen, the statement read. The EU supports the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar, as well as the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, working towards a peaceful resolution of the current crisis in Myanmar, said Borrell. Further, he added that the EU continues to provide humanitarian assistance, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. This year, it allocated euro 24.5 million in humanitarian aid to address the immediate needs of displaced and conflict-affected communities and related to COVID-19, as well as euro 65 million in support of basic needs of the civilian population, including education and livelihoods, said Borrell. (ANI) The consignment is a part of a humanitarian package worth Pakistani Rs 5 billion announced by the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan, Geo News reported. The package includes 50,000 metric tons of wheat, winter shelters, and emergency medical supplies. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shehzad Arbab handed the first consignment to the Afghan side. Afghanistan is witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis. The crisis has deepened since the Taliban took control of the country. To avoid giving the Taliban access to Afghanistan's reserves, Washington froze an estimated $10 billion held by the central bank abroad in August. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban, have plunged a country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis, Amnesty International said in a statement. Around 22.8 million people are facing acute food insecurity and hunger, while the World Food Programme estimates that at least a million children are already suffering from acute malnutrition. According to the UN, more than USD 200 million of humanitarian aid a month is needed to avert disaster. (ANI) The ban, to last until January 26 on delivery through the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province, applies to four varieties of dragon fruit shipped from the central province of Binh Thuan and the southern province of Long An, reported VnExpress. Chinese customs had detected the coronavirus in some consignments between November 20 and December 27. Huu Nghi is the second largest border gate for dragon fruits exports to China, accounting for 5 per cent of the total, said Vo Huy Hoang, chairman of the Binh Thuan Province Dragon Fruit Association. China earlier also banned imports through the biggest border gate, Tan Thanh in the same province, which accounts for 90 per cent of all dragon fruit shipped to that country, Hoang said. He further stated that due to the ban, around 400 container trucks have returned from the border to sell the fruits in Vietnam at an estimated 30 per cent loss. They will sell the fruit in Hanoi for VND2,500 (USD 0.11) per kilogram, or 10 per cent of the export price, reported VnExpress. Other agriculture produce are also struggling to enter China, the biggest importer of Vietnamese fruits, since it has been tightening Covid safety measures for over a month, Vietnamese online newspaper reported. It further reported that in Lang Son, 3,838 trucks were waiting to cross the border as of December 28, mostly with agricultural produce. Some drivers abandoned the plan to cross the border and instead sold their jackfruit in Hanoi at VND8,000-15,000 per kilogram, 60-70 per cent lower than the export price. Meanwhile, China imported USD 8.4 billion worth of Vietnamese agriculture produce in the first 11 months of 2021, down 17 per cent year-on-year. (ANI) During a phone conversation on Thursday, Abbas and Putin exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holidays, wishing peace and stability would prevail in the region and the world, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted an official statement as saying. The two leaders discussed the latest developments related to the Palestinian cause, it said. "Amid the absence of a political track, the Israeli rejection of the two-state solution, continuing to stifle the Palestinian economy, and cutting tax revenue dues, decisive Palestinian decisions will be taken in this regard," the Palestinian President told his Russian counterpart. Abbas stressed the need for a political track based on international resolutions and holding a meeting of the International Quartet, which comprises Russia, the US, European Union and the United Nations at the ministerial level, Xinhua news agency reported. He also underscored the importance of stopping the unilateral Israeli measures, mainly building settlements, confiscating Palestinian land, demolishing homes and deporting Palestinians from East Jerusalem. The Palestinian President warned that the continuation of such Israeli measures will lead to unexpected tensions in the region. The phone talk between Putin and Abbas came after the latter met with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday evening near Tel Aviv, during which they discussed security and civil issues. --IANS int/khz/ ( 251 Words) 2021-12-31-04:08:03 (IANS) "IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops conducted a joint operational effort with UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) and Israeli security officials, returning an Israeli civilian who crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon a few weeks ago," the Israeli military added in a statement. The Israeli civilian was returned to the Rosh Hanikra Crossing at Israel's northern border on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. The 25-year-old man, from the Negev desert region in southern Israel, apparently entered Lebanese territory "voluntarily and consciously," the statement said. Ran Kochav, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, told the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper that the man apparently intended to join the Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military group and party in Lebanon. He was apprehended by Lebanese forces immediately after crossing the border and taken for questioning, apparently by the Hezbollah, Kochav said. The Israeli military spokesperson claimed that the man has a criminal record and suffers a mental illness. Israel and Lebanon don't have diplomatic ties and the Israeli law bans its citizens from traveling to Lebanon. --IANS int/khz/ ( 203 Words) 2021-12-31-04:14:03 (IANS) A triple plate junction in Pakistan, located just 50 kilometres away from Balochistan's coast, faces potentially high tsunami risk, warned experts at a workshop held in the city of Karachi on Wednesday. The awareness programme on an early warning system for hazards like tsunami noted the Makran subduction zone had the potential to generate future tsunamis in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, Dawn newspaper reported. The Pakistani daily said more than 4,000 people were killed along Pakistan's coast and neighbouring countries like Iran, India and Oman by tsunami in 1945. "Pakistan is situated in a tectonically very active zone, lying at the triple plate junction of Indian, Eurasian and Arabian plate boundaries, where the Indian plate pushes into the Eurasian plate," said Tariq Ibrahim of Pakistan Met department. "We would just have 15 to 20 minutes to analyse the situation and respond. While Gwadar has elevated front, its areas of East and West Bay are very vulnerable in case a tsunami occurs of the same intensity that struck in 1945. It will also inundate Gwadar port and the city," he said. Citing data generated with the help of simulation studies, Ibrahim said one to two-kilometre area of Karachi's coast was very vulnerable to damage. "The many tributaries of the Indus delta make Sindh's coast very vulnerable (to tsunami threat)." "Pakistan is situated in a tectonically very active zone, lying at the triple plate junction of Indian, Eurasian and Arabian plate boundaries, where the Indian plate pushes into the Eurasian plate," he said. He said both the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges were caused by the collision of the Indian plate into the Eurasian plate. The Hindu Kush and the Pamir constituted one of the most seismically active earthquake zones in the world, he added. "We had 4,039 earthquakes in Pakistan in six years (2008-2014). But, most of them were of light and minor intensity (ranging between one and 4.9 magnitude)," he said. This event on media awareness on an early warning system was organized by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in collaboration with UN Development Programme. (ANI) The company explained that this is the combined sales of the previous Galaxy Z series, including Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G, as well as Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 released in August this year. The industry predicts that sales of Galaxy Z series will reach about 8 million units this year. Samsung Electronics explained that the sales of Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 surpassed last year's total foldable phone sales within a month of its release. The sales of Samsung Electronics' foldable phones were about 2 million units last year. Samsung Electronics said many customers who used other brands' smartphones changed to Galaxy Z series. Samsung explained that the number of users who changed their smartphones to Galaxy Flip 3 increased 1.5 times compared to the Galaxy Note 20 and 1.4 times compared to the Galaxy S21. (ANI/Global Economic) One People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane, one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance airplane, and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defence missile systems to track the PLAAF planes, Taiwan News reported. A total of 83 Chinese aircraft have been spotted in Taiwan's identification zone so far in December, including 46 fighter jets, 2 bombers, and 35 spotter planes. Since September last year, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ, with most occurrences taking place in the southwest corner of the zone. Taiwan on Thursday said it witnessed 950 intrusions by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military planes into its Air Defence Identification Zone in 2021 so far, a 60 per cent increase from the previous year. Moreover, Taiwanese media reported that the island is anticipating a further rise in the number of intrusions as China has ramped up sorties over the past few years. The number of flights is expected to increase further as tensions rise over major political events on two sides of the Taiwan Strait in 2022, Taiwan News reported. Dismissing these claims, China boasted that it sent more than 940 fighters planes for routine drills which are more than what Taiwanese authorities have said. 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) Washington [US], December 31 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States' health care system is experiencing an unprecedented overload amid the spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant, with 78% of beds in intensive care units (ICU) occupied all over the country, Dr James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital said as reported by CNN on Thursday. "What we're experiencing right now is an absolute overwhelming of the emergency departments," Dr. Phillips told the broadcaster. This week the US hit a new pandemic record, with daily COVID-19 cases topping half a million and a new highest number of 378 children admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. The broadcaster added that the number of hospitalizations has risen dramatically, almost tripling in some states and causing the congestion of healthcare facilities. As of Thursday, 78% of ICU beds are occupied nationwide, 22% of which are COVID-19 patients, according to the data from the US' Health and Human Services Department. The total number of COVID-19 infections in the US for the entire period of the pandemic is estimated at 52.5 million with 812,577 deaths. Like many other countries, the US is now facing a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic linked to the spread of the Omicron strain. (ANI/Sputnik) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sujeet Kumar on Friday slammed Beijing over reports the Chinese government has sought to "rename" 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh in its map ahead of implementing new border law. "China renames 15 places in Arunachal, MEA hits back, says won't alter facts. Well Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian maps should show Tibet as a separate country with Tibetan names of places. China is a bully and all bullies understand only one language-STRENGTH," Sujeet Kumar tweeted attaching a newspaper report that appeared today. India on Thursday had said that it has seen reports of China attempting to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh "in its own language". External Affairs Ministry, in a statement, asserted that the border state has been and will always be an integral part of India and "assigning invented names does not alter this fact". In response to a media query on reports that China has renamed some places in Arunachal Pradesh in its own language, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017. "We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017," Bagchi said. "Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact," he added. BJD MP remarks come as media reports say that the Chinese Embassy in Delhi expressed 'concern' over his participation in an event hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile in the national capital. The media reports said at least six MPs across party lines had attended an event last week in Delhi. (ANI) The incident occurred in Karachi's Soldier Bazaar No.2 area, Geo News reported citing Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) East, Qamar Raza Jaskani as saying. According to the Pakistani publication, the victims, identified as Javed Baloch and Mohammad Muqaddas, were travelling on a motorcycle when four suspects on two motorcycles followed and sprayed bullets on them. The deceased were residents of Lyari's Chakiwara neighbourhood. According to the initial police inquiry, a 9mm pistol was used in the shooting. 13 pieces of 9mm pistol ammunition were collected from the scene, Geo News reported. The early investigation, according to the SSP East, suggests that the incident occurred due to personal enmity. (ANI) The pandemic has adversely affected many countries and thus, they are joining hands and cooperating to revitalize their economies. One such agreement is Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a deal to ease and lower down the trade barriers between most nations in the Asia Pacific region. It has taken its final shape and will take effect from January 1, 2022. RCEP is a trade deal that was introduced during the 19th ASEAN meet held in November 2011. The talks, however, kick-started in 2012. It was signed by several ASEAN and non-ASEAN nations to promote trade in the Asia Pacific region. This agreement is one of its kind for Japan as it enters into a mega trade deal with countries like China and South Korea. This deal is most certainly going to be a major one for Japan with the deal reducing the tariff that the nation pays on its exports significantly. In comparison to 2019, Japan's annual exports are expected to climb up by about $20 billion, which is equivalent to around 5.5 per cent increase, to other member nations of RCEP. RCEP consists of ASEAN -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam -- plus Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Japan's government predicts that the nation is going to be benefitted from this agreement. It estimates that Japan's GDP will rise by 2.7 percent and will generate 5,70,000 jobs. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in November, "It will contribute to the economic growth of Japan and the region. We will play a leading role in building an economic order based on rules and ensuring participating nations abide by the rules." According to the Xinhua trade agency, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has welcomed this trade pact and hopes that if RCEP comes into force it is going to enhance international cooperation. RCEP not only lowers down the tariff among the member nations but also also streamlines rules on investment, intellectual property, and e-commerce. This helps in smooth logistics and optimizes each step of the entire supply chain ecosystem. Tariffs will be abolished for many products. As far as Japan is concerned, no tariff will be levied on 56 percent of farm products that it imports from China, 49 percent of those from South Korea, and 61 percent of items from ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. Several sensitive agricultural product categories retained tariffs. The products include rice, beef and pork, wheat, dairy, and sugar -- as well as tariffs on poultry and poultry products. According to Kyodo News, a senior associate professor with expertise in international relations at the Indo-Pacific at International Christian University, Stephen Nagy, said that recent trade pacts in the Asia Pacific Region will send a strong message to Washington to consider the economic framework in the region. Apart from RCEP, Trans-Pacific Partnership is another agreement that the US is not a part of. Trans-Pacific Partnership is a trade pact that was signed to counter the growing influence of China in the region however in 2017, Trump withdrew from the deal. Currently, TPP is a pact between 11 signatory nations to promote high levels of economic growth. Nations include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Originally, TPP was formulated to counter the growing influence of China in the region however recently, China, Britain as well as Taiwan has also applied for accession in TPP. "If they try to work together to push and change China's direction, then it has to be through the lens of development and trade, infrastructure and connectivity," Nagy said. He also added that the U.S. presence "will dilute China's influence in the region." Nagy further said that Japan definitely would want to push India into joining RPEC to counter China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific region. (ANI) Former Union Minister Manish Tewari has dismissed media reports about being asked by the Chinese Embassy here to "refrain from supporting the cause of Tibet." "Neither have I received any letter nor will I demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives," Tewari said. The Congress MP response followed a media report which said that the Political Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy had sent an "unusually worded letter" to a group of MPs who had attended an event organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile on December 22 in the national capital. The embassy expressed "concern" over their participation and asked them to "refrain from providing support to the 'Tibetan independence' forces". "My attention has been drawn to a report published in an English newspaper today. Neither have I received any letter nor will I demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives. Had Wang Yi written perhaps I would have considered responding," Manish Tewari said. Wang Yi is the foreign minister of China. The Chinese embassy's reported response came after at least six MPs across party lines, including Tewari attended the event hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile here. Beijing, which considers Tibet as an integral part of China, is known to frown upon the participation of foreign governments and leaders in such meetings. Chinese troops occupied Tibet in 1950 and later annexed it. The 1959 Tibetan uprising saw violent clashes between Tibetan residents and Chinese forces. The 14th Dalai Lama fled to neighbouring India after the failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, the supreme Tibetan Buddhist leader, established a government-in-exile in India. At present over 10,000 Tibetans living in Dharamsala alone, and an estimated 160,000 Tibetan exiles around the world. Since becoming President in 2013, Xi has pursued a firm policy of stepping up security control of Tibet. Beijing has been cracking down on Buddhist monks and followers of the Dalai Lama. (ANI) The Tibetan government-in-exile on Friday asked China to "stop growling" over the Tibet issue and said if it is serious about the wellbeing of Tibetan people and then it should act positively to resolve the conflict through dialogue. This comes as media reports stated that the Chinese Embassy in Delhi expressed 'concern' over the participation of India's members of Parliament in an event hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile in the national capital. The media reports said several MPs, across party lines, had attended an event last week in Delhi. Taking to Twitter, Tenzin Lekshay, the spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile, slammed China, saying that "India's constant solidarity for Tibet makes China uneasy." "As for the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, it was initiated by Shri MC Chagla in 1970 and now chaired by BJD MP Sujeet Kumar. Many great Indian leaders supported Tibet in the past, & many more supports now," he said in a tweet. While rebuking Beijing, the spokesperson said "China must stop growling here and there all the time." "If they are serious about the wellbeing of Tibet and Tibetan people, time has come for them to act positively to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue," he added. Furthermore, the spokesperson added Tibet issue is "certainly not an internal issue" of China. "Whatever happens in Tibet is a serious matter of concerns for all the people around the world," he said. "China calling out Central Tibetan Administration as a separatist political group will not help resolve the Sino-Tibetan Conflict. It is well known that Middle Way Policy is not about separation rather it aspires for genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution," Lekshay said. The 1959 Tibetan uprising saw violent clashes between Tibetan residents and Chinese forces. The 14th Dalai Lama fled to neighbouring India after the failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, the supreme Tibetan Buddhist leader, established a government-in-exile in India. Since becoming China's President in 2013 Xi Jinping pursued an aggressive policy on Tibet and reports of human rights violations have repeatedly surfaced. (ANI) A study out of South Africa found the country may have already passed the peak of the omicron-fueled surge in cases of the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections with data suggesting the variant has not caused a corresponding jump in hospitalizations and deaths, the Hill reported. The first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was first documented in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng Province, South Africa on November 9, 2021 led to exponential increases in cases and a sharp rise in hospital admissions. The study determined that the wave peaked during the week of Dec. 5, roughly four weeks after an exponential increase in cases was observed. The study looked at the rate at which the fourth surge in cases progressed in the South African city of Tshwane, which researchers described as the "global epicentre" of the omicron wave, The Hill reported. Researchers looked at hospital records from a Tshwane hospital system and compared them to prior surges. Based on their analysis, the omicron wave "spread and declined in the City of Tshwane with unprecedented speed peaking within 4 weeks of its commencement." The clinical profile of patients in a large Tshwane hospital showed that the omicron wave "spread and declined in the City of Tshwane with unprecedented speed peaking within 4 weeks of its commencement.", reported The Hill. The study compares 466 patients to 3976 patients in previous waves. The results show a lower mortality rate from Omicron compared to previous waves. The method used for this research was to analyze provincial and city-wide daily cases and reported deaths hospitalizations and excess deaths data which was sourced from the NICD, the National Department of Health, and the South African Medical Research Council. The study further showed that around two-thirds of the Tshwane residents have attained immunity from COVID-19. This includes immunity from both vaccinations and from COVID. Fareed Abdullah, director of the South African Medical Research Council's AIDS and tuberculosis research, wrote on Twitter, "The speed with which the Omicron-driven fourth wave rose, peaked and then declined has been staggering. The peak in four weeks and precipitous decline in another two This Omicron wave is over in the City of Tshwane," reported The Hill. He further said, "It was a flash flood more than a wave" He also shared a graph on Twitter showing the decoupling of Omicron cases and deaths in the Omicron Outbreak. He mentioned that the Omicron wave started in Pretoria in the Gauteng Province of South Africa and now the death peaks are at their lowest compared to the previous waves. He asked, "Is this hybrid immunity or lower virulence?" Researchers said that the peak hospital bed occupancy was more in the delta wave in comparison to the Omicron wave. The data also shows the distribution of patients was younger in the case of Omicron wave. Currently Omicron in Tshwane, in the Gauteng province, accounts for 95 percent of the sequenced cases. The study follows anecdotal reports citing milder illness in Omicron cases, reported The Hill. However, health experts have asked people to not let the guards down and warned people. This is also because early cases of Omicron were found in young individuals and it is important to keep following the COVID appropriate behavior. (ANI) Chinese Embassy in Delhi has expressed "concern" over the participation of a group of Parliamentarians, attending a dinner reception hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, and asked them to "refrain from providing support to the 'Tibetan independence' forces". Last week, a group of Members of Parliament, including Minister of State Rajeev, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sujeet Kumar, BJP's Maneka Gandhi, Congress MPs Jairam Ramesh and Manish Tewari, attended a dinner reception hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. "I have noticed that you have attended an activity held by the so-called 'All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet' and interact with some members of so called 'Tibetan Parliament in Exile'," Political Counsellor Zhou Yongsheng said in a letter issued by the Chinese Embassy in Delhi. The Counsellor wrote: "As is known to all, the so-called 'Tibetan Government in-exile' is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organization completely in violation of China's Constitution and laws. It is not recognized by any country in the world. Tibet has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times, and Tibet related affairs are purely China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference." "China firmly opposes any anti-China separatist activities conducted by "Tibetan independence" forces in any capacity or name in any country and opposes any forms of contact by officials of any country with them," the letter said. Addressing the MPs, Zhou said: "You are a senior politician who know the China-India relations well. It is hoped that you could understand the sensitivity of the issue and refrain from providing support to the "Tibetan independence" forces, and make contributions to China-India bilateral relations." Reacting to it Tenzin Lekshay, the spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile, slammed China, saying that "India's constant solidarity for Tibet makes China uneasy." "As for the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, it was initiated by Shri MC Chagla in 1970 and now chaired by BJD MP Sujeet Kumar. Many great Indian leaders supported Tibet in the past, & many more supports now," he said in a tweet. While rebuking Beijing, the spokesperson said, "China must stop growling here and there all the time." "If they are serious about the wellbeing of Tibet and Tibetan people, time has come for them to act positively to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue," he added. Furthermore, the spokesperson added the Tibet issue is "certainly not an internal issue" of China. "Whatever happens in Tibet is a serious matter of concern for all the people around the world," he said. "China calling out Central Tibetan Administration as a separatist political group will not help resolve the Sino-Tibetan Conflict. It is well known that Middle Way Policy is not about separation rather it aspires for genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution," Lekshay said. The 1959 Tibetan uprising saw violent clashes between Tibetan residents and Chinese forces. The 14th Dalai Lama fled to neighbouring India after the failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, the supreme Tibetan Buddhist leader, established a government-in-exile in India. Since becoming China's President in 2013 Xi Jinping pursued an aggressive policy on Tibet and reports of human rights violations have repeatedly surfaced. (ANI) North Korea has discussed a draft resolution expected to be adopted at the closing of an ongoing Workers' Party plenary, amid expectations the document could include its foreign policy line for the new year, Pyongyang state media reported on Friday. The North convened a fourth day of the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Thursday, during which participants "concluded sectional workshops and consultative sessions", according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The participants launched sectional workshops Tuesday to "map out plans according to the fighting policies set forth" by leader Kim Jong-un under his report "on the orientation of the work of the party and state in 2022", Yonhap News Agency reported citing the KCNA as saying. "The meeting put together constructive opinions to be added to a draft resolution and had final examination of them," it said. The KCNA did not provide details, but the resolution is likely to include the North's stance on the deadlocked inter-Korean relations and its nuclear talks with the US as top officials in charge of the issues were spotted partaking in the discussion sessions. The resolution is expected to be unveiled at the end of the plenary. The KCNA said a fifth-day session was to be held, though it's unclear for how many days the gathering will continue. Previous plenary meetings were held between one and four days. This week's meeting has drawn keen attention as it could replace Kim's annual New Year's Day address, which is closely watched by the outside world for clues on the country's domestic and foreign policy directions for the new year. Kim has skipped such speeches in the past two years, opting instead to unveil key messages via major party sessions around the turn of the calendar. --IANS ksk/ ( 313 Words) 2021-12-31-11:30:03 (IANS) China's reliance on Middle East oil increases despite its efforts to get to an "ecological civilization" that relies less on fossil fuels and more on renewable energy. As the world's largest oil importer seeks to become greener and more self-reliant, one might expect a shift in its attention and capital. The reality, however, is not that simple, according to Asia Times. Since China became a net importer of oil in 1993, the Middle East has emerged as an increasingly important source of this critical commodity. By the time China surpassed the US as the largest importer of crude oil in 2017, almost half its supply originated from the conflict-ridden Middle-East region. Despite, China's years-long efforts to ramp up local production and diversify its acquisition, its dependency on the Middle East for crude oil remains intact. In 2020, China imported crude oil that totalled roughly USD 176 billion. Almost half (47 per cent) of these official imports came from Middle Eastern countries, according to Asia Times. Further, Saudi Arabia emerged as China's largest crude oil supplier and was still maintaining its leading position as of October 2021. The USD 28.1 billion worth of oil exported from the Kingdom to China in 2020 accounted for 15.9 per cent of China's total crude oil imports. Iraq found itself in third place, shipping USD 19.2 billion (10.9 per cent) worth to the mainland over 2020. Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were also among China's top 10 suppliers, exporting USD 12,8 billion (7.3 per cent), USD 9.7 billion (5.5 per cent), and USD 9 billion (5.1 per cent), respectively. Considering China's dependence on foreign suppliers for oil remains in excess of 70 per cent, Chinese fears of such disruptions to the energy supply chain will only grow. By 2060, China will need to protect the sea lines of communication to ensure the integrity of its oil and gas supply chains. This reality increases the possibility that Beijing will seek to establish more military outposts to enhance its naval power projection capabilities, according to Asia Times. (ANI) Poverty under Taliban rule has compelled Afghan children to leave school and get employed in hazardous jobs to find food for their families. The number of Afghan children who do not attend school but are employed in hazardous jobs has increased across the country, according to Tolo News. In the meantime, Taliban said the government has plans to improve children's conditions. "In the economy and education sectors, the Islamic Emirate has many plans to provide good education opportunities for a new generation, specifically for children," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of Taliban. Mohammad is one of the children who says he has lost hope for his future. He searches in trash cans on the street to find firewood or cans to resell. "I collect cans of cola and energy drinks and firewood. In this cold weather, we have nothing at home, God bless you, if you can help me," said Mohammad, Tolo News reported. The extreme poverty of Afghan families drives many children into various hazardous jobs to find food for their families. The poverty induces many children to leave school. "I sit at the side of this street to polish the shoes of people. I feel so cold, not many people come," said Basko, a girl sitting at the side of the road. The condition of Afghan children has not improved despite the flow of billions of dollars from many agencies in Afghanistan. "The problems of children increase every day and it is a source of concern. It is expected that the Taliban works on plans to avert a humaniterian and economic crisis at such a critical time," said Maryam Maarouf, Women and Children Activist. The condition of Afghan children has not improved despite the flow of billions of dollars from many agencies in Afghanistan, according to Tolo News. Also, Afghanistan is considered the worst place to be a child, as 4 million children are out of school and 2 million are working as child laborers, according to estimates by international organizations. (ANI) Vienna [Austria], December 31 (ANI/Sputnik): The Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Teresa Ribeiro, received the letter in which sanctioned Ukrainian outlets ask for assistance in the resolution of the freedom of the press issue in Ukraine, Ribeiro's office. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian broadcaster Pershiy Nezalezhniy (The First Independent) stated that employees of banned Ukrainian media approached a number of international organizations and foreign ambassadors with a letter asking them to ensure the freedom of the press in Ukraine. "I can confirm the reception of the letter of the Ukrainian media organizations and want to let you know that the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media always responds to letters after due assessment of the situation," the representative has said. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought into force the decision of the National Security and Defence Council to sanction three media groups, which own the brands 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, ZIK, Pershiy Nezalezhniy, and UkrLive TV channels. Nestor Shufrych, the owner of Pershiy Nezalezhniy and UkrLive TV channels, is an associate of the chairman of the political council of the party Opposition Platform - For Life, Viktor Medvedchuk. (ANI/Sputnik) "#Israel records first case of #florona disease, a double infection of #COVID19 and influenza," Arab News tweeted. Meanwhile, Israel's national health providers began administering fourth vaccine shots against COVID-19 on Friday to individuals with compromised immune systems. The Health Ministry's Director-General Nachman Ash today okayed the boosters for immuno-suppressed people due to the Omicron infection wave, so long as at least four months have passed since their third shot, Time of Israel reported. On Friday morning Ash also approved vaccines for elderly patients at geriatric facilities. The ministry said this was done "due to concerns of outbreaks at such facilities, and the risk to the health and lives of residents," the publication said. Isreal is reported a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases. As per the new data from the Health Ministry nearly 5,000 new cases were diagnosed on Thursday. (ANI) Pakistan Opposition parties reject Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA) in electricity bills under the Imran Khan government and call for a refund of the amount. Pakistan Opposition parties urge the imposition of exorbitant fuel price adjustment (FPA) in electricity bills and urged the federal government to refund the additional amount charged under this head to consumers in the next month's bill, according to the Dawn. Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said in a statement here on Thursday that a court had already declared the excessive FPA as illegal, adding that extorting billions of rupees from the poor people under this head was intolerable. Aimal Wali said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was unable to raise its voice for provincial share in the national resources, particularly for the pending Rs 650 billion net hydel profit (NHP), to initiate some development schemes in the province. "It was duty of the federal ministers and other lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to play their role for release of the pending NHP without any delay," he said. The ANP provincial chief said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was producing hydel power at the minimum price of Rs1.50 per unit, but the people here had to purchase it at Rs18-20 per unit, which was a sheer injustice, according to the Dawn. Earlier, In Swabi, two separate protest demonstrations were held on Thursday against fuel price adjustment in the electricity bills while terming it a great injustice with the people. The Da Haq Awaz, Swabi, organised a protest march which was participated by local leaders and workers of various political parties in Peshawar. Protesters chanted slogans against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government for charging a big amount of money under the FPA from the power consumers, according to the Dawn. They claimed that the FPA issue could not be resolved by the government as the expenditures of luxurious lifestyle of the rulers were being transferred to consumers this way. Addressing the protesters, Ihsanul Haq, head of the Da Haq Awaz, said that their struggle would continue till the removal of FPA from the power bills. Further, another opposition party Jamaat-i-Islami held a protest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Topi tehsil and its leaders and workers marched through the main bazaar while chanting slogans against the ruling party, according to the Dawn. The protesters waving the electricity bills said they were not in a position to pay the heavy inflated bills. (ANI) "The Houthi rebel militia bombed a base of pro-government forces recently stationed in the southwestern part of Shabwa with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles," the official told Xinhua news agency late Thursday. Two missiles and two explosive-laden drones struck the pro-government forces positioned in Merkhah As Sufla district of Shabwa, causing huge explosions, and killing 10 soldiers of the pro-government troops and injured more than 17 others in the area, he added. According to the official, the soldiers were part of the reinforcements in the last two days to help with the ongoing operations against the Houthis in Shabwa. On Monday, elite military units of the pro-government Giants Brigades were dispatched from Aden, the country's southern port city, as part of the plans to launch a large-scale military offensive against the Houthis in Shabwa. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels made substantial advances on the battlefield in September, capturing Bayhan and other key areas in Shabwa. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi militia overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthis forced him into exile. --IANS ksk/ ( 250 Words) 2021-12-31-13:40:06 (IANS) Unknown armed groups attacked a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, on Tuesday evening, reports Xinhua news agency. A total of 1,900 metric tonnes of food commodities, enough to feed 730,000 vulnerable people for a month, were stolen. Earlier this week, looting and violence were reported at the former UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) base in El Fasher. In a statement on Thursday, Guterres urged Sudan to restore order in his statement. The authorities must ensure that former UNAMID properties and assets are used only for civilian purposes, according to the framework agreement the government signed in March. Furthermore, the UN head asked the Sudanese authorities to facilitate a safe working environment and passage for remaining UN operations in the region. As a final note, he thanked the UN civilian and uniformed personnel who remain on the ground under "challenging" conditions. Khardiata Lo N'Diaye, the humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, condemned the looting as well. "This was food assistance meant for Sudan's most vulnerable people. Humanitarian assistance should never be a target," she underscored. Sudan currently has one in three people in need of humanitarian assistance - an estimated 14.3 million people. Twenty-five per cent of those people require food security and livelihood support, according to the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan. A situation like this, the coordinator explained, severely hinders the ability to provide aid to those in need. "We urgently ask all parties to adhere to humanitarian principles and allow the safe delivery of life-saving assistance," N'Diaye stated. According to estimates, the WFP faces "unprecedented" funding shortfalls of $358 million. Earlier in the month, thousands of people took to the streets to mark the third anniversary of the uprising that led to the April 2019 overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir. State authorities reported that the security situation has been restored as of December 29. --IANS ksk/ ( 354 Words) 2021-12-31-13:46:03 (IANS) "IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops conducted a joint operational effort with UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) and Israeli security officials, returning an Israeli civilian who crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon a few weeks ago," the military said in a statement issue late Thursday night. The Israeli civilian was returned to the Rosh Hanikra Crossing at Israel's northern border. The 25-year-old man, from the Negev Desert region in southern Israel, apparently entered Lebanese territory "voluntarily and consciously", the statement said. Ran Kochav, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, told the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper that the man apparently intended to join the Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military group and party in Lebanon. He was apprehended by Lebanese forces immediately after crossing the border and taken for questioning, apparently by the Hezbollah, Kochav said. Kochav claimed that the man has a criminal record and suffers a mental illness. Israel and Lebanon do not have diplomatic ties, and the Israeli law bans its citizens from travelling to Lebanon. --IANS ksk/ ( 197 Words) 2021-12-31-14:02:05 (IANS) Bamako [Mali], December 31 (ANI/ Sputnik) - The number of soldiers who died as a result of a Wednesday attack in the western part of Mali increased to eight, and seven more were injured, the Malian Armed Forces said. On Wednesday, the military said that four army personnel were killed in the attack in the area of the village of Nara and about ten were injured. "Yesterday's number of soldiers died increased from 4 to 8 people, 7 soldiers were injured and 3 vehicles destroyed. The enemy lost 31 people, weapons and ammunition were seized," the military said in a press release, published on the website. The armed forces added that because of airstrikes, carried out by the Malian air force, the total number of terrorists' casualties is still to be clarified, for which a search operation was launched. Despite the presence of UN and French troops in Mali, the country continues to struggle to contain the Islamist insurgency that erupted in the northern region in 2012. The conflict has spread to central Mali, as well as neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. (ANI/Sputnik) For the period ending at the end of 2025, CTED will be operated as a special political mission under the policy guidance of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and an interim review will be conducted by December 31, 2023, reports Xinhua news agency. CTED is a UN Secretariat body that assists the CTC. It was established through Resolution 1535 to support the CTC's work. The directorate has also been involved in assessing the implementation of Resolution 1373 - which established the CTC and decided that all states will prevent and criminalise the financing of terrorist acts - and Resolution 1624, which called on member states to criminalise the incitement to commit terrorist acts. The Council welcomes CTED's cooperation with the UN Global Counterterrorism Compact Entities, other relevant UN bodies, and relevant regional organisations, and urges CTED to continue to ensure that it invites representatives from these bodies to participate in its assessment work, so that they continue to contribute to the development of prioritized recommendations to build member states' capacity in the most pressing areas. It encourages CTED to assess, as appropriate, member states' efforts to tackle all forms of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief. --IANS ksk/ ( 253 Words) 2021-12-31-14:44:03 (IANS) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said it has evacuated 177 asylum-seekers from Libya to Niger. "In the last evacuation flight of the year out of Libya, UNHCR has brought 177 vulnerable asylum seekers to safety in Niger. It is the second evacuation flight to Niger this year, since the Libyan authorities lifted a blanket ban on humanitarian flights in October," the agency said in a statement. This is the 30th evacuation flight to Niger organised since the Emergency Transit Mechanism was established, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. The mechanism was established in 2017 by the government of Niger, which agreed to temporarily receive on its territory asylum seekers and refugees facing a life-threatening situation in Libya, the UNHCR said. So far, a total of 3,710 refugees and asylum seekers have been evacuated from Libya to Niger, of whom 3,255 have departed to third countries on resettlement or complementary pathways. "These life-saving flights bring hope of a better future for some of the most vulnerable people urgently seeking security and protection", said Jean-Paul Cavalieri, the UNHCR chief of mission for Libya. Those evacuated to Niger include families and young children. Some have just been released from detention, while others have been living in urban areas. Many are victims of smuggling or trafficking and have experienced violence in Libya, the statement revealed. Many illegal migrants, mostly from Africa, chose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya due to the state of chaos that has plagued the country since 2011. --IANS ksk/ ( 267 Words) 2021-12-31-15:00:03 (IANS) The teaching and non-teaching staff of Pakistan's Federal Directorate of Education has called out to go on strike from January 10, 2022 against the Imran Khan government over the controversial clauses of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Local Government Ordinance, 2021, reported The News International. Chairman of the Federal Government Education Joint Action Committee (FGEJAC), Fazal-e-Moula, pointed out that the Ordinance will put the FDE institutions under the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI). He further stressed that this will open ways for political interference at the level of councilors. In a press conference on Tuesday, Fazal-e-Moula maintained that there will be no classes post-January 9, the end date of winter vacations. He cleared that even the non-teaching staff are not going to do their jobs to protest the controversial clauses in the ordinance, reported The News International. He said that the student's transport facility will also not be available during the boycott of the classes. "Our protest and boycott of classes will continue till withdrawal of clause 166 of the ordinance," Fazal-e-Moula maintained. Clause 166 of the ICT Local Government Ordinance is deemed to be an illogical one by the Chairman. He showed his disappointment towards the Pakistani government. In retrospect, the Chairman said that they ended the boycott of the classes on December 8 after assurances given by the Standing Committee. He further added that the boycott of classes was ended however government's attitude had disappointed them. The Chairman shared his concern and said that the ordinance will make the provision of free education, books, and transport, and promotions of teaching and non-teaching staff suffer. FGEJAC Chairman has given a deadline of 15 days to the Pakistani government to meet their demands. They clarified that the protest will not be ended until and unless the government withdraws the controversial clause 166 of the ICT Local Government Ordinance. FGEJAC vice chairmen Azhar Mahmood Awan, Malik Amir Awan, Farida Yasmin, and other office-bearers of the action committee were also present on the occasion, reported The News International. (ANI) The military coup in Myanmar led to a major power shift in 2021, marking the end of a short-lived stint of democracy in the country, and now it seems the situation isn't likely to change anytime soon. Myanmar is suffering and the situation prevailing in the south Asian country is nightmarish with the military taking charge of all affairs and throwing the democratically-elected government behind bars. While military seizing power in a coup is nothing new in the world, it is shocking how easily it can be carried out even in today's time, especially in a country that sits right next to the largest democracy in the world, India. In a telephonic interaction with ANI, Harsh V Pant, Professor of International Relations at King's College, London, said India cannot take a black-and-white approach to Myanmar. "India has to engage with whoever is governing Myanmar for the simple reason that India has so many interests which are reliant upon the help that India receives from the governing authorities." He continued by saying that "whether we look at the security situation in the border areas in the Northeast or China's growing imprint, whether you look at India's access to South-east and East Asia, all of these in one way or another rely upon strong India-Myanmar relations." As a democracy and close neighbour, India has a deep interest in the democratic transition process in Myanmar. However, Pant said that's not the only objective India has. "Unlike the West which is far away, which can take a stand on democracy. And you know, India is not a country that can afford to take such a one dimensional or uni dimensional stand. The more sanctions it imposes on Myanmar, the more entrenched China becomes in Myanmar and more difficult life becomes for India," he said. Talking about the recent two-day visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Myanmar, he said that India is willing to reach out to the military government and would like the channels of communication to remain open with them. Recently, Shringla paid a two-day working visit to Myanmar and met Myanmar's State Administrative Council's chairman. During the visit, he held meetings with members of political parties, emphasising India's interest in seeing Myanmar's return to democracy at the earliest. Shringla also stressed the need to put an end to any violence and maintain peace and stability in the border areas. While talking about China approaching Myanmar, Pant said, "China has to be kept in mind as Beijing is a big cause of worry, it has really moved in very rapidly after the coming of the military government." "But all of this is the reason why India is not giving up on the Myanmar government. I think it's essential pragmatism, that has always been the cornerstone of India's engagement with Myanmar is likely to continue," he added. Meanwhile, in an interaction with ANI, Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, Maharishi Kanad Post-Doc Fellow at the Delhi School of Transnational Affairs, University of Delhi, said, "The current situation in Myanmar is a fallout between the civilian and military forces. This has also happened in the past and the military has launched a crackdown against the forces that support democracy in Myanmar, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi." Sharma also highlighted India's approach towards the ruling military junta. He said, "India's Myanmar policy has become more pragmatic now as New Delhi has to protect its interests there while at the same time; India also wants that internal democracy should not be scuttled in the country." He further said, "Bilaterally, India is likely to nudge the military junta to accommodate the interests of its political opponents. At the same time, India would also advise the US and other Western countries to refrain from using sanctions against the military junta." "These sanctions, if imposed, would push Myanmar in China's embrace and would have a counter-productive impact. Myanmar is a test case for India-US understanding on the Indo-Pacific and an isolated Myanmar could help China in sabotaging the idea of Indo-Pacific." Talking about the visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Myanmar, Sharma said it was an attempt by India to keep the channel of communication open with the Myanmar junta and signal that India does not want to isolate the junta. "Engagement would be the way forward with Myanmar while India would keep nudging the junta to allow democracy to flourish. The foreign secretary had said during the visit that India would like to see the return of democracy to Myanmar," he added. He also talked about the bilateral relation, including trade between India and Myanmar and said, "Trade relations have been hampered between countries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, India-Myanmar trade is no exception." "In recent years, India has emerged as one of the top trading partners for Myanmar which has lessened its dependence on China. India would need to further push its connectivity initiatives as their completion would increase trade with Myanmar and also economically integrate the economy of India's north-eastern states with Myanmar," he said. India has been a major trading partner of Myanmar since decades. Ever since the signing of the India-Myanmar trade agreement in 1970, bilateral trade has grown steadily. According to the Embassy of India in Myanmar, bilateral trade has risen from USD 328 million in 1997-98 to USD 921.19 in 2006-7; USD 2.18 billion in 2013-14 and USD 2.17 Billion in 2016-17. Sharma also underlined that China has been a constant factor in India's ties with Myanmar and this would continue to be the case in the coming months also. India has to ensure that Myanmar does not allow China to carry out activities that could negatively impinge on India's security, he added. According to the Indian embassy in Myanmar, as a democracy and close neighbour, India has been involved in the democratic transition process in Myanmar and in this context has worked with various stakeholders in developing capacities on democratic systems and practices. India proposes to renew these efforts for Myanmar to emerge as a stable, democratic, federal union in accordance with the wishes of the people of Myanmar, the embassy said. India shares a long land border of over 1600 Km with Myanmar as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Four north-eastern states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share boundaries with Myanmar. In a recent development in Myanmar, deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four-year imprisonment for inciting dissent against the military and breaching Covid rules. Suu Kyi, 76, faces almost a dozen charges including incitement, violation of Covid-19 protocols and violation of the Official Secrets Act, which add up to a combined maximum sentence of more than 100 years. However, she has rejected all allegations. Meanwhile, several countries including India have expressed their concerns over the verdict. In addition, Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing had declared himself prime minister of the country saying he plans to be in charge for two years during an extended state of emergency before holding an election in 2023. (ANI) The Department of Health (DOH) detected three local Omicron variant cases, one in Metro Manila and two in the Bicol Region, southeast of Metro Manila. "The epidemiological investigation on the three local cases indicates there is a high possibility of local transmission," the DOH said in a statement, adding that all the three have recovered.Aside from the three local cases, the DOH also confirmed seven more Omicron cases from inbound travellers. With the detection of the local Omicron cases, the DOH warned of a "high probability of exponential growth" of COVID-19 infections "in the coming days or weeks." Meanwhile, the Philippine government announced it is raising the COVID-19 alert level to three on a scale of five starting from January 3 till January 15. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the alert status bans "high-risk" activities that can fuel virus transmission, such as the gathering of people from different houses. The DOH reported 2,961 new COVID-19 infections on Friday, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 2,843,979. The Philippines is experiencing a new spike in COVID-19 infections that authorities attribute to poor compliance with public health guidelines and an increase in mobility of people amid the holiday season. (ANI/Xinhua) Around 160 Indian pilgrims, selected by Indian organisers, will cross over to Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border on January 1, sources said on Friday and noted that Islamabad had planned to invite a select group of people from India to visit Teri temple in a "non-transparent manner" which was not acceptable. The sources said Pakistan's plan was also contrary to the spirit under which the two sides conducted pilgrimages. "Pakistan had planned to invite a select group of people from India to visit Teri temple in Pakistan in a non-transparent manner. This was not acceptable to us. This was also contrary to the spirit under which the two sides conduct pilgrimages. Now around 160 Indian pilgrims, selected by Indian organisers, will cross over to Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border tomorrow," a source said. The sources said that as in the past, the Indian government is fully committed to providing all assistance to the Indian pilgrims. Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit their religious shrines in Pakistan every year under the framework of a bilateral protocol. (ANI) "S. Balachandran presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Suriname, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to Barbados with residence in Paramaribo, said the ministry in a statement issued today. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. (ANI) North Korea welcomed the New Year 2022 with a firework display near the Taedong River. Australia welcomed the new year with spectacular fireworks at Sydney Harbour. New Zealand's Auckland became the first city in the world to welcome the new year. Fireworks lit up the night sky in Auckland and beams over the SkyTower in Auckland Harbour Bridge marked the new year celebrations today. With the help of multi-coloured fireworks, millions of people enthusiastically ushered in 2022 in New Zealand. As the clock struck 12, there was an annual fireworks display from the Sky Tower. As the time zones differ from country to country, every country enters the new year at different times. Auckland welcomed the new year 2022 at 4:25 pm IST. (ANI) Pakistan's human rights group, the Defence of Human Rights (DHR) on Thursday appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Army Chief to address the issue of enforced disappearances or else it will hold a sit-in in Islamabad from Jan 31, according to Dawn. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, DHR chief Amina Masood Janjua said 32 people disappeared in 2021, out of which 12 were released and five others traced. "Despite our problems, the new year brings new hopes for the return of our loved ones. Human rights defenders, as well as families, will continue their struggle and we demand that the government must take steps to resolve the burning issue of the disappeared as a top priority now," she said. Janjua alleged that the National Commission on Human Rights was not cooperating with the families of missing persons. "Political leaders while in the opposition assure us that they will speak about the issue but after coming to power they forget their promise," she said. "DHR alone filed over 20 cases of enforced disappearance in different high courts in 2021," she added. Moreover, a new law regarding missing persons will create problems for the families of missing persons rather than those who were involved in the heinous crime. The hopelessness derived from the commission led the victim families, human rights organisations to plead their cases in the courts. The press conference also witnessed the presence of Advocates Imaan Hazir Mazari, retired Col Inamur Rahim, Raja Mushtaq and Omer Sohail. Speaking at the occasion Col Inamur Rahim said cases of 8,000 missing persons were filed with the commission till Nov 30. "It is unfortunate that when I started raising my voice I myself became a missing person," he said. "The law regarding enforced disappearances was nothing but an eyewash. We demand that former Supreme Court judge Dost Mohammad should be appointed as head of the commission on enforced disappearances," he added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022 on January 10 in a glittering function at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, in the presence of a galaxy of leaders from 26 countries, business magnates, and investors from India and overseas. Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022 scheduled from January 10 to 12 will set new benchmarks as 26 partner countries, 15 Foreign Ministers and 4 Foreign Governors will attend the mega-event. The most awaited 10th Edition of the Summit is set to be a grand affair. The mega-event scheduled has received tremendous response from partner countries, business leaders, Heads of States and Governments, industries, and thought leaders, according to the Statement. For the first time, Heads of States and Heads of Governments of five nations would attend the Summit. They include Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Mozambique, Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister of Nepal, and Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia. The 26 countries that have partnered for the VGGS 2022, will further enhance the reach and engagement of the Summit with the international business and knowledge community. Over the past two decades, the Summit has established Gujarat's position as the world's gateway to India, the land of opportunities. Among those gracing the occasion will be global business tycoons and CEOs. They include Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (DP World), Didier Casimiro (Rosneft), Tony Fountain (Nyara Energy Limited), Toshihiro Suzuki (Suzuki Motor Corp), Vivek Lall (Global Atomics Global Corporation), Maeda Tadashi (Japan Bank for International Cooperation), Salil Gupte (Boeing India Pvt Ltd) and William L. Blair (Lockheed Martin India Pvt. Ltd.). Despite challenging times globally, the Summit is on course to succeed and showcase the State's potential to the world, according to the statement. The prominent Indian business leaders that will be participating in the Summit include Mukesh Ambani (RIL), Gautam Adani (Adani Group), KM Birla (Aditya Birla Group), Sunil Bharati Mittal (Bharati Enterprises), Ashok Hinduja (Hinduja Group), N. Chandrasekharan (Tata Group) and Harsh Goenka (RPG Group). The participation of these industrial titans reiterates Gujarat's dominance as the most preferred destination in India for global businesses. Also, the wide area of sectors these stakeholders represent includes, among others aviation, automobiles, financial services, energy, defense, retail, and realty. They demonstrate Gujarat's expansive opportunities and capabilities to industries and businesses worldwide. This VGGS will indeed surpass expectations and lay the foundation for the next growth phase for the State, according to the statement. Commenting on the preparations, Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel said that we are delighted by the response we have received and are confident that Gujarat will deliver on the PM's clarion call of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. "We have confirmed participation from 15 foreign ministers, four foreign governors and Heads of State alike, and the CEOs from global brands. The VGGS 2022 will set new benchmarks for stakeholders, the State, and the country," he said. (ANI) Taliban officials are taking new actions to restrict women's freedoms and dismantle democratic institutions as they appeal to the world to release frozen humanitarian aid funds and bank accounts. The top two international concerns that have kept most foreign aid at bay as a cold winter looms for millions of destitute Afghans, according to Washington Post. Over the past week, the powerful ministry for Islamic guidance has issued rules requiring women to fully cover their heads if they ride in a public taxi and to be accompanied by a male relative if they travel more than 45 miles. The above instructions also require cab drivers to refuse to carry female passengers who do not comply and to stop playing music while driving because it is "un-Islamic." Further action includes the armed occupation and shutdown of the national independent bar association. Rights groups and analysts see the moves as signals that the new, deeply conservative Islamist rulers are both tightening and widening their grip across Afghan society -- despite initial promises of leniency after they took power in mid-August, according to Washington Post. "The Taliban are reverting to their repressive policies of the past, shattering the myth of a kinder and more moderate Taliban 2.0," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center in Washington. Kugelman and others said Taliban authorities do not appear to be overly concerned about Afghanistan looming humanitarian crisis that international aid agencies predict could engulf the poor, drought-plagued nation of 39 million this winter. Further, Taliban demands for the release of foreign funds are more a contest of wills -- a game of chicken with the West than a sign of real urgency over the collapsing economy and worsening levels of hunger and cold, Washington Post. (ANI) China's live-streamers harnessed e-commerce, social media and personal star power to fuel the rise of a multibillion-dollar industry in recent years but the influencers are now targets in Chinese President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" campaign, a wide-ranging crackdown that is bringing celebrities and Internet companies to heel in the name of addressing inequality. Part of the regulatory blitz that has ensnared tech companies, private tutors and others, the campaign targeting live-streamers is about more than just showing Internet upstarts who is boss, according to Washington Post. "Common Prosperity" is a wide-ranging crackdown that is bringing celebrities and Internet companies to heel in the name of addressing inequality. Further, it is also an effort to inject ideological rigour into the new economy after years of explosive growth and exert more control over which industries prosper as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's economic vision. But the focus on getting people to buy as much as possible is at odds with Xi's campaign, which calls for redistributing wealth and promoting sustainability. The regulators are simultaneously also targeting the internet giants at present on competition and privacy and cryptocurrency issues, according to Washington Post. Xi's common prosperity goal is being flayed by the big business on the ground it defies logic of China becoming an economic superpower in the last two decades that was completely based on a public-private partnership. Hyper-consumerism and displays of wealth are discouraged. The crackdown also signals a shift in official attitudes about what industries should be promoted to improve the country's competitiveness. There are fears in China's tech sector that the crackdown has to do with the tighter control of consumer and government data and reassertion of the government's authority over the private sector while humbling the growing numbers of tech billionaires. Also, the crackdown on an Internet industry populated by celebrities underlines another government target: those the ruling Communist Party views as having too much influence. (ANI) The Tibetan government-in-exile has strongly condemned the Chinese Embassy's letter to Indian parliamentarians and said that Tibet has never been a part of China. "We condemn such letter which was sent to the Indian Parliament members and as a democratic country, the Parliament members have their rights to look at what they think and over the last, so many years, we have so many supports and solidarities from the Indian parliamentarians and many great leaders of India. So there has been a tradition," a spokesperson of Tibetan government-in-exile Tenzin Lakshay said. "In fact, all-party Indian parliamentary forum for Tibet was in existence since 1970. It was in continuation under the leadership of many great Indian leaders. So this letter in fact if you look at the content of the letter it was a purely propagandist letter that threatens Indian parliament members not to interfere in Tibetan affairs. Lakshay said, "The letter said that Tibet was historically a part of China since ancient times which was not true. But Tibet was an occupied state after the PRC was formed in 1959 and we have been living in exile for the last 60 years." "But the letter said that Central Tibetan administration is an illegal separatist political group. We reject that with a confirmation that the central Tibetan administration is working on a policy which is a middle way policy to get genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese constitution," added Lakshay. Stressing that this is not about separatism, Lakshay said that it is about willing to integrate to share and to fulfil the aspirations of Tibetan people inside Tibet. "So we reject the content of the letter completely and hope that the Chinese leaders have a wisdom with a new year coming, they have the wisdom to fulfil the aspirations of Tibetan people and resume the dialogue to resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict," said Lakshay. The condemnation came after Zhou Yongsheng, political counsellor, Chinese Embassy to India, wrote a letter to members of the Indian parliament for attending an event held by all party Indian parliamentary forum for Tibet and their interaction with Tibetan parliamentarians in exile earlier this month. (ANI) Dec. 30With a new year looming ahead of us, it's time for me to take out my oh-so accurate crystal ball that I stole from my son's room and ask the trapped spirit inside the question that is certainly on everybody's mind... Will 2022 be the year that The Lion King finally returns to Toledo? A few gentle turns and shakes and a few more after that because this thing is kinda old the answer floats to the surface to reveal...that it, "Cannot predict now." That answer is so 2021. And just the type of response one should expect from a "spirit" trapped in a sphere. Rather than staying annoyed over not getting the answer I wanted, I'm choosing to look on the bright side that 2021 is soon to be history and we can spend these last few days of the year comforting ourselves that we'll be leaving our problems of the past 365 days or so behind us and can hope that 2022 will surely be better than its predecessor. As I previously demonstrated, no fortune-telling device can tell us what next year will bring or if it will be better than than the year before after all, how many of us thought 2020 would surely be better than 2019? But take it from this amateur diviner that all signs point to better things to come. I come to this divination not from looking into the future, but from what the past has shown us. A lot has changed since the early days of the pandemic, particularly for theater in the past year. We went from wondering when indoor crowd capacity limitations and other restrictions would be lifted as well as whether audiences were ready and willing to attend live theater performances to finally seeing a resurgence of local theater performances. And with that, the return of Broadway just in the past two months. I believe this past year was just a taste of what's to come, with both the Stranahan and Valentine theaters hosting Come From Away and Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience, respectively, along with Waitress this January and February followed by Beautiful The Carole King Musical in March. Story continues This should give us plenty to quench our Broadway thirst before a slew of other shows in the spring and summer, which will be capped off with Hamilton in August at the Stranahan. And just across the Michigan border, the Croswell Opera House gave an early look into the future when it announced earlier this month its Broadway lineup with Company in May, Footloose in June, Little Shop of Horrors in July, Anything Goes in August, Kinky Boots in September, Peter & the Starcatcher in October, and Miracle on 34th Street in November and December. And, because the Croswell loves to keep us in suspense, organizers plan to announce soon an additional special show for Christmas next year. At this time last year, no one knew if live shows, much less Broadway, would be returning anywhere close to "normal," much less to live audiences the following year. Fast-forward to the present and the calendar of events below. Omicron not withstanding. As my crystal ball would say: "You may rely on it." Upcoming shows: Come From Away: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4-6, 8 p.m. Jan. 7-8, and 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Whisky-tasting fund-raiser for Black Swamp Players: 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Black Swamp Players theater, 115 E. Oak St., Bowling Green. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by going to blackswampplayers.org. The Choir of Man: 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Valentine Theatre. The Legend of Georgia McBride: (times vary) Feb. 18-27 at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St., Toledo. Waitress: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Feb. 18-19, 2 p.m. Feb. 19, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Stranahan Theater. The Simon and Garfunkel Story: 7:30 p.m. March 16 at the Stranahan Theater. Beautiful The Carole King Musical: 7:30 p.m. March 17 at the Valentine Theatre. Our Town and Middletown: (times and show dates vary) March 24-27 at the Rep. Ten Tenors Love is in the Air Tour: 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the Valentine Theatre. Black Violin IMPOSSIBLE TOUR: 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo. It Shoulda Been You: (time unannounced) April 29 at the Black Swamp Players' theater, located at 115 E. Oak St., Bowling Green. Jeff Schmucker writes about theater for The Blade. Send news of theater and comedy events at least two weeks in advance to theater@theblade.com. Three Pennsylvania siblings who were found dead on the same day in October all died from COVID-19, the county coroner said this week. Ruth Kinsey, 68, and brother Richard Kinsey, 70 were found on Oct. 25 inside a Daisytown-area home, about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh, while the body of Donald Kinsey, 62, was found in a camper on the property, The Tribune-Democrat reports Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said Wednesday that the siblings all had underlying medical conditions. At the time of the deaths, it was odd that you have three individuals deceased within a short period of time in the same proximity to each other, said Lees, noting that was the basis for ordering an autopsy, as well as toxicology and microbiology reports. Ruling the deaths as natural, Lees said, The forensic facts are what they are. It is unknown whether the siblings were vaccinated against the virus. Cambria County as of Wednesday has fully vaccinated 66,801 residents, according to state-compiled data. Guess what? You probably don't need to buy more skin care products. Instead, think about whittling them down. (Photo: Anna Efetova via Getty Images) Achieving healthy, glowing skin doesnt happen overnight. The new year is a great time to revamp your skin care routine and commit to habits that will help you achieve healthier skin, but wheres the best place to begin? We asked four board-certified dermatologists to share some approachable skin care resolutions, as well as their definition of healthy skin. Dermatologist Joyce Parkdefines healthy skin as skin that successfully performs its job as your main barrier against the outside world. Healthy skin is strong, not prone to cracking or breaking, and looks even and radiant, she said. She added that the definition of healthy skin can vary from person to person, as skin concerns and goals can differ. For me personally, if my skin is in a healthy state, that means Im not suffering from my chronic enemy of hormonal acne, she said. Resolution #1: Wear sunscreen every day rain or shine, hot or cold We know youve heard this one before (and youre probably rolling your eyes at us), but sunscreen is an everyday skin care must-have. Theres a reason dermatologists stress the importance of regular sunscreen use. I know sunscreen isnt sexy, but you know all the other skin care products that help to smooth, tighten, brighten and otherwise promote glow? You might as well throw them all in the trash if youre not using sunscreen every day, Papri Sarkar, a dermatologist based in Brookline, Massachusetts, told HuffPost. It all comes down to protecting your skin. No matter what age, ethnicity, skin tone or gender you identify with, every person does better with some shielding from that beautiful ball of warmth and UV radiation in the sky we call the sun, Sarkar said. She tells her patients to find a sunscreen they love and truly dont mind wearing every day. Another tip for sticking to this resolution is to not base your sunscreen use on the weather. Think of it like brushing your teeth, Sarkar said. Just like you dont check to see if its sunny outside before deciding whether to brush your teeth, you shouldnt let clouds sway your sunscreen application. Make wearing sunscreen a habit so that its as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth and hair. Story continues Park added that if you cant wear sunscreen or prefer not to, sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses are also good options. Check out these doctor-recommended sunscreens for winter. Resolution #2: Add a face mask to your skin care routine No, not the COVID kind. Give your skin care regimen an extra boost once weekly with a face mask thats appropriate for your skin type and addresses any concerns you may have. Whether you are using a mask to treat acne, deliver moisture or calm inflamed skin, think of it as extra TLC for your face, said Annie Gonzalez, a dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami. The benefits of masks, whatever their designated purpose, is that they enable ingredients to more effectively penetrate into your skin in a relatively short window of time. She explained that face masks create a film that, depending on the ingredients, helps to moisturize, exfoliate or hydrate the skin. Sheet masks (as seen here) or masks that you slather on from a jar can help your skin with myriad benefits. (Photo: Ada Summer via Getty Images) To choose an effective face mask, you first need to figure out what your skin type is and what your skin care goals are. Gonzalez notes that gel masks generally work for most skin types because theyre gentle, lightweight and can quickly absorb into your skin. They hydrate and calm while tightening and firming. For people with oily, acne-prone skin, a clay mask can be a good option, as they soften and smooth the skin and remove debris buildup. Clay masks also remove blackheads, firm your skin and work wonders for the T-zone area, Gonzalez said. Check out the selection of face masks available at Sephora. Resolution #3: Wash your pillowcases more often than you think Its probably time to wash your pillowcases. Like, right now. Sarkar recommends washing them at minimum one to two times per week, or at least changing them out with fresh ones. People tend to stretch a blowout as long as possible, she said. All that oil, sweat and product that builds up on your hair? It gets on your pillowcases and over time can get on your face and increase the possibility of clogged pores and acne. In a similar vein, resolve to remove your makeup (including eye makeup) before going to bed. Gonzalez explained that when you sleep, your skin renews and repairs itself, so sleeping with makeup on impedes this process. This tip is especially important for people who are acne-prone, as most makeup is oil-based. Sleeping with makeup on can increase the odds of breakouts because the makeup mingles with built-up debris, making it the perfect storm for clogged pores, blackheads, acne and even cysts, she said. Resolution #4: Take stock, shuffle and simplify In a time where were constantly bombarded with marketing and skin care advice, its especially important to put yourself first and find what works best for you. Keeping it simple is a good place to start forget the FOMO. Find a regimen that addresses the core tenets of anti-aging and also targets your particular skin problems and focus on those, advised Corey L. Hartman, a dermatologist at Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. Resist the urge to follow every marketing ploy that youre presented with; I know there are many. You dont have to try every product that you hear about. The new year is a great time to take stock of how your skin feels and how its behaving. From there, figure out what it needs and cut out the filler. This process is something that Sarkar does at the start of every season. Every year I whip my skin care routine into an effective but minimalist one and then somehow new products creep into it, and suddenly my vanity is covered in skin care bottles again, she said. For her, five to six products work best, but the number for others may be more or less. No matter what your number is, make sure youre using skin care deliberately and tackling what your skin needs at each time of the year, she said. And dont waste money or time on filler products unless they bring you joy! If you arent sure what parts of your skin care routine should be added or removed, consulting with a board-certified dermatologist can help. Resolution #5: Commit to consistency Whether you have a 10-step skin care system or a basic cleanser and moisturizer, sticking to a routine over the long haul will be the most beneficial to achieving healthier skin. The products and the regimen are secondary to a commitment to actually using them regularly, Hartman said. This one simple tactic will take you farther than the most expensive product or in-office procedure. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... CALIFORNIA A lot happened in 2021, and Californians made frequent appearances in the news cycle. Some burst onto the national scene for the first time, while other figures made leaps in their careers. Here are eight California residents whose stock rose ahead of the new year. 1. Kamala Harris The Oakland native and former California senator and attorney general was sworn in early in 2021 as the nations first woman, first Black and first Asian American vice president. Harris, 57, has been floated as a potential presidential candidate in 2024. 2. Larry Elder The longtime Los Angeles conservative talk radio host ventured into the political world in 2021 as a candidate to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in the gubernatorial recall election. Newsom prevailed in the recall by a comfortable margin, but Elder received the most votes out of the list of candidates to succeed Newsom should he be recalled. Elder, 69, is mulling another run for the governorship in 2022 which would set up a rematch with Newsom. 3. Kevin McCarthy McCarthy, a Bakersfield native and the current minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, appeared poised to become the next speaker of the House should the Republicans take control in the 2022 midterm elections. McCarthy, 56, is in his eighth term in Congress and has steadily risen up the GOP ranks. 4. Olivia Rodrigo From Drivers License to Good for U, Olivia Rodrigo provided one of the best post-breakup soundtracks of 2021. The 18-year-old pop sensations debut album, Sour, spent a record five weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart and earned Rodrigo seven Grammy nominations. Rodrigo was even invited to the White House in July as part of an effort to promote COVID-19 vaccinations among younger people. 5. Mayim Bialik Mayim Bialik, the San Diego native and former "Big Bang Theory" star, earned quite the role this year: She was named one of the new co-hosts of TV's "Jeopardy!" The competition to replace the late Alex Trebek initially went to the shows producer, Mike Richards, but reopened after controversy surrounding Richards past. Story continues Bialik, 46, was then named a co-host, along with Ken Jennings. 6. Britney Spears The Free Britney movement was front and center in 2021, culminating in a judges order in a Los Angeles courtroom in November to terminate the pop stars conservatorship after 13 years. Spears legal battle with her father, Jamie Spears who had been Britney Spears conservator since 2008 drew legions of fans and ignited a debate over how conservatorships should be implemented. Spears had called the conservatorship cruel and abusive. Spears, 40, was a teen pop sensation in the early 2000s. Her future plans are uncertain, but she told Rolling Stone that she wasnt sure she wants to tour again. 8. Prince Harry And The Former Meghan Markle The British royals and recent California residents made headlines in May during a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they discussed their rift with the royal household and accused a member of the royal family of voicing concerns about the skin tone of their baby, Archie, while Markle was pregnant. The interview, seen by nearly 50 million people worldwide, and its bombshell revelations led to criticism of the royal family. Meghan and Harry moved to Montecito, a seaside community near Santa Barbara, in 2020. This article originally appeared on the Across California Patch The Daily Beast It speaks volumes about the state of conservative politics in 2022 America that the sight of Liz Cheney on Fox News Thursday afternoon was genuinely surprising.The Republican congresswoman appeared from Capitol Hill with Bret Baierthe networks last remaining anchor even capable of delivering straight news after Chris Wallaces recent departureand did not hesitate to tear into former President Donald Trump for his leadership role in inciting the insurrection one year earlier.After praising s EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ East Brunswick has issued an indoor mask mandate effective Friday, Dec. 31, the Township announced Thursday evening. The mandate will be in effect until January 31, 2022. The mask mandate is effective in all areas of public indoor spaces including government facilities, restaurants, bars, gyms, dance studios, recreation facilities, retail stores, cafes, supermarkets, places of worship, salons, barbershops, banks, health care facilities, and other commercial establishments. Residents, visitors, and patrons of the above public facilities must wear a face mask at all times except when eating or drinking, when socially distanced at least 6 feet apart, when performing for an audience or when conducting worship services, the township said. Children under the age of three are exempt from the mask requirements. The mandates follow several other New Jersey towns, that have re-instituted mask mandates for any business or public building. This article originally appeared on the East Brunswick Patch The BBC is facing renewed criticism for running an interview with Ghislaine Maxwells brother Ian in which he claimed her sex-trafficking trial had been unfair. Ian Maxwell told BBC Radio 4 his sisters appeal to overturn five child sex-trafficking charges would claim the harsh conditions she faced in jail made it impossible to mount a proper defence. He said the appeal would also follow arguments made in court by Maxwells defence team, who portrayed the four victims who took the stand as being motivated by money, and misremembering the events they described. Critics claimed the BBC had again given a platform for the Maxwell family and supporters to attack the credibility of the four victims who testified. It came days after the network controversially interviewed lawyer Alan Dershowitz about the conviction without mentioning he had previously represented Maxwells partner in crime Jeffrey Epstein. Soon after the verdicts were reached on 29 December, Mr Dershowitz appeared on the BBC News Channel where he was introduced as a constitutional lawyer, but no reference was made to his links to Maxwell and Epstein. Mr Dershowitz has been accused of sexual crimes by Virginia Giuffre, who also claims she was abused by Epstein, Maxwell and Prince Andrew. The 83-year-old and the Duke vehemently deny any wrongdoing and have not been charged with any crime. Mr Dershowitz used the airtime to denigrate Ms Giuffres claims against himself and the Duke of York. Afterwards, the BBC said the interview did not meet the its editorial standards and promised to look into how this happened. Ms Giuffres claims against Maxwell did not form part of the prosecutions case but were raised during the trial. Maxwell, 60, was convicted on five out of six charges after a month-long trial related to the grooming and trafficking of young girls for the late paedophile Epstein to molest. Businessman Ian Maxwell, brother of Ghislaine Maxwell, during a previous interview in November (AP) She faces up to 65 years in prison. Prior to her conviction, the Maxwell family had appealed to the US Attorney General and the United Nations claiming the conditions she was being held in were torture. Story continues During Mr Maxwells interview with experienced broadcaster Mishal Husain, he said his sisters appeal would reiterate claims made in court by her defence attorneys. One woman, an actor who testified under the pseudonym Jane, was accused of making up her story as if she was playing another television role. Others came under lengthy cross-examination over payments they received from a compensation fund set up to help Epsteins victims. In one segment aired by the BBC, Mr Maxwell said: Im not saying that [the victims] are lying, it may well be that they were victims of Jeffrey Epstein, but I do not accept that they were victims of Ghislaine. Thats my position and thats also her position. Husain pushed back against some of Mr Maxwells claims in the segments aired on the network. Radio 4 also made clear that it would take something huge for the convictions to be overturned. A jury found Ghislaine Maxwellserved up victims to be abused by Jeffrey Epstein (VIA REUTERS) But the BBC still faced stinging criticism for the interview. SNP party MP John Nicolson wrote on Twitter: Another odd decision by the BBC post #GhislaineMaxwellTrial - this time to allow her brother Ian Maxwell a lengthy opportunity to tell #r4today that her victims are lying. Are we to assume that all high profile, well connected sex offenders will now be allowed to use a high profile BBC platform to attack witnesses post conviction? Meral Hussein-Ece, a member of the House of Lords, said: Ghislaine Maxwells brother is given a platform on #r4today to proclaim his sisters innocence - incredibly based on no evidence other than my own view. Trying to recall last time the defenders of anyone convicted of a serious crime were offered such an opportunity on BBC News. In a statement to The Independent, the BBC pushed back on the criticism. The BBC has covered the guilty verdict against Ghislaine Maxwell extensively, including interviews with her victims on multiple outlets. The interview on the Today Programme with Ian Maxwell was about the familys decision to appeal the verdict; he was robustly challenged and his arguments were critiqued directly afterwards by a barrister. In a separate interview with Sky News, Mr Maxwell declined to apologise to the four women who testified at his sisters trial, but said he did feel empathy for them. They clearly had a terrible experience, he said. Alan Dershowitzs links to Epstein were not mentioned during his interview on the BBC (Screengrab BBC) I accept that these accusers were victims of Jeffrey Epstein. What I do not accept is that they were victims of Ghislaine Maxwell. Mr Maxwell added that his sister was unlikely to flip on others in the hopes of receiving a reduced sentence. Happy new year! Let's start today off on an informed note. Here are the most important things going on in Bedford today. First, today's weather: Mild with rain and drizzle. High: 47 Low: 41. Shoutout to our premier local sponsor: Have you stopped by T-BONES Great American Eatery off River Road lately? If you buy a $25 gift card from now through New Year's, you'll get another $5 thrown in for free. Learn more here. Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started. Here are the top stories in Bedford today: The Town of Bedford has purchased undeveloped land that will be preserved for generations. The Town of Bedford announced the conservation of 123 acres of land formerly owned by the Marcia Marston Trust in Bedford and Goffstown. The Marston Trust considered selling the land on Wallace Road to developers but instead sold the land to The Town of Bedford and The Piscataquog Land Conservancy . The million-dollar purchase was made through the towns conservation fund with no impact on town taxpayers. The land had priority for protection because of its proximity to other conservation lands, demand for development, existing natural conditions, and scenic opportunities. Dave Gilbert, chair of the Bedford Town Council said, The Town is grateful for the Marston Trusts commitment to protecting the rural character of Bedford for future generations. (Press Release Desk) Manchester police added a lovable, gold and white member to the department. A Shetland comfort pony named Eddy joined the Manchester Police Mounted Unit. According to the department, the 20-year-old Shetland pony has a friendly demeanor, and easy-going attitude, and "is all about meeting and greeting people." Officer Kelly McKenney of the Manchester Police Mounted Unit said, "We love bringing the horses to meet people." McKenney said she found Eddy through a miniature horse rescue program. Say a friendly hello if you happen to see Eddy out and about around Manchester. (WCVB) A big turnout is expected for the state's second Booster Blitz on Jan. 8. Signups will begin on Monday, with more than 13,000 COVID-19 booster shot appointments available. The state announced 14 new booster shot locations for New Hampshire's next Booster Blitz, including Memorial High School in Manchester. Almost 90 percent of appointments were filled within the first 24 hours during the last Booster Blitz, according to state health officials. To sign up, visit vaccines.nh.gov. You can read more and find appointment locations here: (WMUR) Story continues From my notebook: Bedford N.H. Police Department: "With a new year approaching, start it off in the right direction. If you plan on drinking, make sure you're not driving." (Facebook) Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: "Join Mickey and his Disney friends as your favorite stories come to life at Disney On Ice on Jan. 28 in Manchester, N.H.!" (Facebook) Bedford Cannons Lacrosse: "Registration is open for the spring season and you have until the ball drops in Times Square to be a part of our Registration Raffle. We've purchased hundreds of dollars in gift cards from local, family-owned businesses." (Facebook) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: If you love the Bedford Daily, here are all the ways you can get involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe for free Get your local business featured in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com That's it for today. I'll see you soon! Paula Constance About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. This article originally appeared on the Bedford Patch Betty White, the beloved television icon whose career spanned eight decades, died Friday just weeks before she was to turn 100. Her agent, Jeff Witjas, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in a statement to People, confirmed her death. "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," Witjas said. "I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again." Los Angeles authorities confirmed that officers responded to her address for what was believed to be a "natural cause of death," but did not provide further details. Fire officials said they responded to a "medical aid request" and confirmed the death of a 99-year-old woman. White, 99, was best known for her role as naive St. Olaf native Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, which ran from 1985 to 1992 and earned White an Emmy Award and six nominations. Earlier this week, White told People that she felt "so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age." My 100th birthday I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of @people is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow. https://t.co/kTQnsbMDGK 05:25 PM - 28 Dec 2021 While her part on the endlessly rerun series may have gotten her the most name recognition, White's career began long before The Golden Girls and went on for decades after. White's first TV appearance was in 1939, a few months after her high school graduation. She began working in radio in the 1940s before getting her first regular TV gig on the variety show Hollywood on Television in 1949. In 1951, she was nominated for an Emmy in the Best Actress on Television category, the very first time the award was given (it went to Gertrude Berg). Story continues White worked steadily through the 60s and 70s, with memorable appearances on game shows like What's My Line?, Match Game, and Password. She married Password host Allen Ludden in 1963, and they remained together until his death in 1981. ("I had the love of my life," White told Anderson Cooper in 2011. "If you've had the best, who needs the rest?") In 1973, White began her stint as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She proved adept at capturing the contrast between Nivens' sweet on-air persona as "The Happy Homemaker" and her sarcastic, sexually voracious real-life demeanor. She won two Emmys for her performance. After The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended in 1977, White continued to take on guest and recurring TV roles. In 1983, she became the first woman to win a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Game Show Host category (for the NBC series Just Men!). Two years later, she landed her career-defining part on The Golden Girls. White was originally considered for the role of Blanche, but director Jay Sandrich believed she should do something different after playing man-hungry so memorably on Mary Tyler Moore. For the rest of her career, White would continue to take on roles where she played up the surprising dirty side beneath her sweet exterior. While she continued acting after the cancellation of The Golden Girls in 1992 and its ill-fated spin-off The Golden Palace in 1993 her major resurgence didn't begin until the late 2000s, thanks to her role in the 2009 romantic comedy The Proposal and a 2010 grassroots campaign that propelled White into hosting Saturday Night Live. At age 88, she became the oldest person to host the show. That same year, White joined the cast of TV Land's Hot in Cleveland. Her character, Elka Ostrovsky, was written just for the pilot, but White's performance had her upgraded to a regular for all six seasons of the series. Outside of acting, White was a devoted animal rights advocate, working for decades with organizations like the Morris Animal Foundation and the Los Angeles Zoo Commission. She was awarded the American Veterinary Medical Association's Humane Award in 1987. Beyond her charity work, White was a symbol of making the most out of one's later years: She enjoyed the most popularity and acclaim at an age long after most retire. When she was awarded the Guinness World Record for longest TV career for a female entertainer, White said, "I have no regrets at all. None. I consider myself to be the luckiest old broad on two feet." News of White's death sparked an outpouring of grief and remembrances on social media. Seth Meyers, comedian and former SNL cast member, said the Golden Girl was the only celebrity host he saw get a standing ovation at the show's after-party. "A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end," Meyers tweeted. This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter. More on this Betty White, the star of television shows including The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland, has died aged 99. Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever, agent and friend Jeff Witjas told People magazine in a statement on Friday. I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I dont think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again. White was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on 17 January 1922. Her family moved to California a year later, arriving in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. She began working in television in 1939, but put her career on hold to volunteer with the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II. In 1952, White co-created the sitcom Life With Elizabeth which ran until 1955 and made her the first female sitcom producer in Hollywood history. She remained a fixture on American television during the Sixties, and from 1973 to 1977 won great acclaim with her hilarious turn as fictional TV host Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. From 1985 to 1992, White played Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, the role for which she remains best known. White won the Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for the first season of the show and went on to be nominated in the same category every year the show ran. In 2010, White had another sitcom hit, starring in Hot In Cleveland alongside Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick. She celebrated her 90th birthday in 2012 with an all-star television special featuring her old co-stars Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner and Carl Reiner, as well as comedians influenced by her including Tina Fey. At the time of her death she had been preparing to mark her 100th birthday celebrations on 17 January 2022 with the release of a new documentary Betty White: 100 Years Young A Birthday Celebration. The film includes contributions from celebrity friends and fans includingRyan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin Manuel- Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli and James Corden. By Xie Yu HONG KONG (Reuters) - China Evergrande Group on Friday dialled back plans to repay investors in its wealth management products, in a move that highlights the deepening liquidity squeeze at the property developer that has failed to meet its offshore debt obligations. Evergrande, whose $19 billion in international bonds are deemed to be in cross-default by rating agencies after the developer missed a deadline to pay coupons earlier this month, did not pay offshore coupons due earlier this week. The developer has been scrambling to raise cash by selling assets and shares to repay suppliers and creditors. Evergrande said on Friday that each investor in its wealth management product could expect to receive 8,000 yuan ($1,257) per month as principal payment for three months starting this month irrespective of when the investment matures. Once China's top selling developer and now reeling under more than $300 billion in liabilities, Evergrande had earlier not mentioned any amount and had agreed to repay 10% of the investment by the end of the month when the product matures. It had also agreed to make follow up payments to the wealth management product investors every three months afterwards, until the debt Evergrande owed to an investor is cleared, according to state media reports earlier this year. Evergrande said in a statement posted on the wealth unit's website on Friday that the company would "actively raise funds", and update the repayment plan in late-March. The company did not elaborate. The situation is not "ideal", the statement said, as the development's wealth unit tries to recover capital from the projects it invested in previously and, therefore, the original repayment plan was hard to implement. Evergrande, in common with other heavily-indebted conglomerates, had issued high-yielding wealth management products to investors - a popular way of borrowing from mom-and-pop investors that sidesteps government lending restrictions. Story continues As the liquidity crisis deepened at Evergrande, the firm's wealth unit https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/with-gucci-bags-dyson-appliances-evergrande-wooed-retail-investors-2021-09-21 in late September missed a payment on one of its products, leading to protests by investors who fear they will never get their money back. Some of its wealth investors had refused to accept the embattled company's plan to provide payment with discounted apartments, offices, stores and parking units. ($1 = 6.3606 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Xie Yu; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and David Evans) U.S. Customs and Border Protection is conducting a review of a secretive division that uses some of the countrys most sensitive databases to investigate the travel and financial records and personal connections of journalists, members of Congress and other Americans not suspected of any crime. A review is underway to ensure that the activities in question during the prior Administration remain an isolated incident and that proper safeguards are in place to prevent an incident like this from taking place in the future, Luis Miranda, a spokesperson for CBP, told Yahoo News. CBPs internal probe was prompted by Yahoo News reporting earlier this month on Operation Whistle Pig, a leak investigation targeting reporter Ali Watkins and her then boyfriend, James Wolfe, a Senate staffer. The investigation was launched by Jeffrey Rambo, a border patrol agent assigned to CBPs Counter Network Division who was looking at whether Wolfe provided classified information to Watkins and other reporters. James Wolfe, former director of security for the Senate Intelligence Committee. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) As many as 20 national security reporters were also investigated during this time, according to an FBI counterintelligence memo included in the Department of Homeland Security inspector general report obtained by Yahoo News. The DHS inspector general investigation was launched in response to an article in the Washington Post identifying Rambo as a border patrol agent who used a fake name to meet with Watkins, then a reporter for Politico. During the meeting, he questioned her about her sources and about her relationship with Wolfe, and also discussed leak investigations. At the end of their two-year probe, investigators referred Rambo, his supervisor Dan White and a colleague Charles Ratliff for potential criminal charges including conspiracy and misuse of government computers. White was also referred for multiple potential counts of making false statements. Federal prosecutors declined prosecution, citing, among other reasons, the lack of policies and procedures governing their work. Story continues Rambo told Yahoo News he was authorized every step of the way, and records included in the DHS investigative report show that his supervisor Dan White ordered him to expand his probe into journalists. White is still working at the Counter Network Division, and Rambo is currently employed as a border patrol agent in San Diego. The Counter Network Division regularly investigated potential contacts, including journalists, as part of a process it referred to as vetting. As part of this process, the subject would be run through multiple databases, including a terrorism watch list. Jeff Rambo at his coffee shop in San Diego. (Sandy Huffaker for Yahoo News) The division regularly conducts database checks on reporters to determine personal connections, Rambos supervisor Dan White told investigators, according to the DHS investigation report obtained by Yahoo News. Charles Ratliff, another CBP employee brought in to assist Operation Whistle Pig, used the vast resources and databases available to the division to build what investigators later described as a phone tree of contacts mapping out connections between people to identify a hidden network. Such work, which was used to track terrorists, was also directed at Americans, including congressional members and staffers and journalists.. When Congressional Staffers schedule flights, the numbers they use get captured and analyzed by CBP, Rambos supervisor, White, told investigators. White stated that Ratliff does this all the time inappropriate contacts between people. Ratliff regularly compiled reports on members of Congress with alleged ties to someone in the Terrorist Screening Database, according to the investigative report obtained by Yahoo News. CBP marshaled those same resources to identify journalists' confidential sources, which was then passed to the FBI. Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press reporter Martha Mendoza was one of the journalists vetted by the Counter Network Division targeted only because shed reported on forced labor, one of the issues related to CBPs work. Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington was also swept up in its dragnet. There is no specific guidance on how to vet someone, Rambo later told investigators. In terms of policy and procedure, to be 100 percent frank there, theres no policy and procedure on vetting. Martha Mendoza, a journalist with the Associated Press. (Khairil Yusof/Flickr) The Counter Network Division also investigated NGOs, members of Congress and their respective staffs. Enough Project, a nonprofit named by CBP as one of those organizations investigated by Rambos team, told Yahoo News it was troubled by the revelations. If the Enough Project was in fact targeted for extreme vetting by a United States government agency for our work to improve mineral supply chains originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and investigate corruption that robs the Congolese people of their countrys natural resource wealth, it would be deeply troubling, the organization said in a statement to Yahoo News. Such invasive and arbitrary targeting of human rights defenders would be a violation of privacy, a hindrance to this important work, and a waste of public resources. A CBP official who asked not to be named told Yahoo News that the National Targeting Center has put in place new procedures and training designed to ensure that the First and Fourth amendments are not being violated. The official declined, however, to specify what those measures were. Congressional oversight committees have also begun looking into the divisions activities. Rep. Benny Thompson, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Carolyn Maloney, chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to the DHS inspector general requesting the report. We write you regarding disturbing reports that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Counter Network Division used government databases to vet journalists, government officials, congressional members and their staff, NGO workers, and others by obtaining travel records as well as financial and personal information, they wrote in a Dec. 14 letter to the DHS inspector general. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated at least one Counter Network Division employee, Mr. Jeffrey Rambo, who used government databases to gather information on an American journalist Ali Watkins, Thompson and Maloney wrote the DHS, citing reporting by Yahoo News. Ali Watkins during an interview regrading her reporting on Russian espionage on PBS on June 1, 2017. (PBS/YouTube) Chairs Thompson and Maloney requested a copy of the Office of the Inspector General report for its investigation into Rambo and any other reports related to conduct by the Counter Network Division by Dec. 21, 2021. The DHS inspector general has to date not provided the committees with the requested information, according to congressional sources. Sen. Ron Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight over CBP, has also requested a copy of the inspector general report, but a spokesman for Wyden said he has still not received a copy. The inspector general did not respond to a request for comment from Yahoo News about the congressional requests. The DHS has declined to answer any questions posed by Yahoo News about Operation Whistle Pig and the activities of the Counter Network Division. However, in a statement, the department said that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is deeply committed to ensuring the protection of First Amendment rights and has promulgated policies that reflect this priority. We do not condone the investigation of reporters in response to the exercise of First Amendment rights, the statement continued. CBP and every component agency and office in the Department will ensure their practices are consistent with our values and our highest standards. WASHINGTON Chief Justice John Roberts made a case Friday for maintaining the independence of the federal judiciary after a year in which the other branches of the government eyed changes big and small to the way the courts do their business. Roberts used an annual year-end report on the federal judiciary to draw attention to one of his predecessors: William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States who went on to serve as chief justice the only person in history to hold both jobs. "He understood that criticism of the courts is inevitable, and he lived through an era when federal courts faced strident calls for reform, some warranted and some not," Roberts wrote of Taft in his nine-page report. "As chief justice, Taft took vital steps to ensure that the judicial branch itself could take the lead in fulfilling that duty." Roberts' message wasn't hard to glean: The judiciary can take care of itself. Chief Justice John Roberts on Oct. 1, 2021. The report came at the end of a year in which a commission created by President Joe Biden studied a wide range of potential changes to the Supreme Court, including the possibility of adding justices to the nine-member bench or setting term limits. The panel was created in response to calls on the left to blunt the impact President Donald Trump's three nominees to the court, where conservatives now enjoy a 6-3 advantage. The commission, which wrapped up its work in early December, noted "profound disagreement" over adding justices and made no recommendations. SCOTUS study: Supreme Court commission submits report to White House Congress, meanwhile, is considering legislation that would change how the federal courts are run, including some bills that have bipartisan support. Lawmakers have advanced a measure that would make opinions and other legal documents free online. Another bill would require federal judges to provide additional information about their financial investments. Story continues That legislation, which has already passed the House, gained momentum this year after an investigation by the Wall Street Journal found more than 130 federal judges oversaw court cases involving companies in which they or their family owned stock. Roberts wrote in his annual report that judiciary officials were responding to the story by increasing training and reviewing software judges use to identify financial conflicts of interest. "Let me be crystal clear: the judiciary takes this matter seriously," Roberts wrote, adding that the "violations likely entailed unintentional oversights in which the judges conflict-checking procedures failed to reveal the financial conflict." From left, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, pay their respects as the casket of former Sen. Bob Dole lies in state in the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 9, 2021. Roberts' response was unlikely to satisfy advocates who have called for significantly more transparency from federal judges, including members of the Supreme Court. "Chief Justice Roberts is taking a page from his old playbook: Acknowledging institutional deficiencies in the judiciary but telling the public that only we judges can fix them," said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonpartisan group that has pushed for greater transparency and other changes to federal courts. "The problems of overlooked financial conflicts and sexual harassment are endemic and harm the public's trust in our courts," Roth said. "So Congress has every right to step in and, via legislation, hold the third branch to account, which I expect to happen in 2022." Roberts, who has tried to steer the court clear of partisan politics throughout much of his tenure, made no mention of criticism that has been lobbed directly at the Supreme Court for its handling of major controversies on its emergency docket or "shadow docket" to the high court's critics. That pushback grew this summer when the court allowed a Texas ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy to remain in effect. Abortion: Texas abortion ruling renews criticism of Supreme Court's 'shadow docket' Without oral argument or signed opinions, the court also unwound Bidens eviction moratorium, required the Biden administration to keep migrants seeking asylum in Mexico, and rebuffed a series of challenges to state vaccine mandates. Since then, the court has sent signals it is prepared to respond to the criticism. Most recently, it took the unusual step of scheduling oral arguments for Jan. 7 in a high-profile emergency challenge to Biden's federal COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing mandate. The court also held subsequent arguments over the Texas abortion ban and issued a signed opinion on Dec. 10 that once again allowed the law to remain in effect. Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts on Oct. 1, 2021. Roberts also used his annual report to discuss "inappropriate behavior in the judicial workplace." Allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination within the federal court system have been amplified by a lawsuit brought by a former public defender from North Carolina that is pending in the Virginia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Olivia Warren, a former law clerk to Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, also drew attention to the issue when she told members of Congress in 2020 that she and other female clerks were routinely sexually harassed and that she was afraid to report it. Reinhardt died in 2018. 2020 report: Amid election turmoil, Roberts lauds judiciary for pandemic response Congress is considering legislation to extend federal prohibitions on discrimination in the workplace to judicial employees who are currently not covered by those laws. Roberts wrote that he appreciated "that members of Congress have expressed ongoing concerns" and said judicial officials "remain fully engaged" in addressing the issue. "The judiciarys power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and co-equal branch of government," Roberts wrote. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chief Justice Roberts sends hands off the courts message to Congress Reuters A complaint of discrimination previously dismissed by Britain's highest court against a bakery that refused to make a cake with a pro-gay message was inadmissible, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Thursday. Ashers Baking in Belfast was found guilty of discrimination in 2015 for refusing to make a cake for a customer iced with the words "Support Gay Marriage" because of the owners' Christian beliefs. The bakery failed in an appeal to the local courts in 2016 but the Supreme Court, the UK's highest judicial body, overturned that decision two years later, saying the bakers' objection was to the message on the cake, not to any personal characteristics of the messenger, or anyone with whom he was associated. This 2019 photo provided by the Lakewood Police Department shows Rogel Aguilera-Mederos. Aguilera-Mederos, who was convicted in October 2021 of causing a fiery pileup that killed four people and injured six others on Interstate 70 west of Denver in April 2019, was sentenced Monday, Dec. 13 to 110 years in prison. Associated Press Truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced to 110 years for his role in a deadly crash. The lengthy sentence prompted outrage, with millions signing a petition calling for it to be reduced. Gov. Jared Polis reduced the sentence on Thursday. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday reduced the sentence of a 26-year-old man who was sentenced to 110 years in prison for his involvement in a deadly crash in 2019. Polis said he was reducing the sentence to 10 years, saying a life sentence was not warranted by a "tragic but unintentional act," NBC News reported. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver from Texas, said the brakes on his truck failed in April 2019 in Lakewood when he fatally struck four people. He received the lengthy prison sentence earlier this month due in part to what was required under Colorado law, according to the judge. More than 5 million people signed a Change.org petition calling on the governor to grant clemency or commute Aguilera-Mederos' sentence. "This accident was not intentional, nor was it a criminal act on the driver's part. No one but the trucking company he is/was employed by should be held accountable for this accident," the petition said. Earlier this week, a Colorado district attorney also asked a judge to lower Aguilera-Mederos' sentence. Read the original article on Insider A new legal ethics complaint from a businesswoman charged in a prosecution involving unregistered foreign lobbying threatens to roil two major cases in the Justice Departments high-profile effort to crack down on foreign influence in the U.S. political system. The complaint was filed with the Justice Department last month on behalf of Nickie Lum Davis, a Hawaii- and California-based businesswoman. The submission alleges that Public Integrity Section Principal Deputy Chief John Keller acted unethically by negotiating a plea deal for her last year with Davis attorney at the time, Abbe Lowell, while Keller was investigating Lowell in a separate inquiry into what a judge called a bribery for pardon probe. At no point in time did Mr. Keller alert Ms. Davis that he was investigating Mr. Lowell, nor did Ms. Davis even become aware until much later that Mr. Lowell knew of Mr. Kellers investigation while simultaneously negotiating the plea on her behalf with Mr. Keller, Davis new attorney, James Bryant, wrote in the complaint filed with the Justice Departments Office of Professional Responsibility and obtained by POLITICO. The allegations in the complaint raise questions about whether Davis understood important aspects of her predicament in August 2020 when she pleaded guilty in a Hawaii federal court to aiding and abetting violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act by failing to publicly disclose a campaign to persuade the Trump administration to end a probe into the looting of a massive Malaysian investment fund, 1MDB. The unregistered lobbying effort also involved Elliott Broidy, a former Republican National Committee deputy finance chair, who pleaded guilty to a similar charge two months later. But Broidy scored a pardon from his longtime friend President Donald Trump just before Trump left office in January. Davis hired a lobbying firm to seek a pardon, but no clemency grant for her was forthcoming. She is currently set to be sentenced in April, but that could be impacted by the new complaint, which asserts that her guilty plea was coerced. Story continues Complaints filed with Justices Office of Professional Responsibility, which oversees the conduct of department attorneys, often take months or years to resolve. But the more immediate question is whether U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi, an appointee of former President Barack Obama based in Honolulu, proceeds with the sentencing of Davis despite claims in the new complaint that a key aspect of her admissions at the August 2020 hearing was false. During that plea hearing, held by video conference, Davis said she pressed on with the lobbying work even after concluding that she was obligated to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. As the work continued on, I realized that the contacts being made required registration under FARA, but I deliberately avoided taking the steps necessary that might confirm what I had suspected, that registration was required, the businesswoman told Kobayashi. However, the new complaint says Davis wasnt actually aware of the obligation to register and had some indication that it wasnt required because others involved with greater experience had also not registered. Mr. Keller coerced Ms. Davis into making a false admission, the complaint says. Nowhere in the thousands of pages of communications is there any evidence that Ms. Davis even *suspected* that she had an obligation to register under FARA, let alone that she believed Mr. Broidy thought that he needed to register. Spokespeople for Justices Public Integrity Section and for OPR declined to comment on the new complaint. Keller did not respond to a message seeking comment. Davis new attorney, Bryant, declined to comment on the complaint or whether his client intended to seek to withdraw her guilty plea. We do plan on filing a motion to address this issue with the court, Bryant said Thursday, without elaborating. Whatever the impact in the case against Davis, her apparent change of heart may also pose complications for a related, higher-profile prosecution against Prakazrel Pras Michel a well-known rapper and member of the Fugees, a legendary hip-hop trio. Michel was indicted in May 2019 on charges of funneling about $865,000 in foreign funds into Obamas 2012 reelection campaign. Last June, a grand jury in Washington returned a new indictment against Michel, accusing him of taking part in the same unregistered lobbying effort that Davis and Broidy mounted on behalf of 1MDB and a Malaysian businessman, Jho Low. Davis was expected to be a key witness against Michel. Indeed, weeks before the expanded indictment was returned, a POLITICO reporter observed Davis and Bryant emerging from the federal courthouse in Washington where a grand jury was scheduled to be meeting, according to a court filing. Michel has pleaded not guilty. The next hearing in his case is set for Jan. 10 before a judge in Washington. No trial has been scheduled. The alleged conflict of interest at the heart of the complaint began to emerge publicly last December when the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Beryl Howell, unsealed an opinion shed issued in August authorizing prosecutors to examine emails involving an attorney as part of an investigation into what she called an alleged bribery-for-pardon scheme. All names were redacted from the opinion Howell released, but the New York Times and other outlets soon identified Lowell as one of the attorneys involved. The scheme Howell described included an alleged effort by Sanford Diller, a California billionaire, to donate more than $300,000 to Republican Party causes in a bid to secure a pardon from Trump for Hugh Baras, an associate serving prison time for tax evasion, according to people familiar with the investigation. Broidy and Lowell were also part of the back-and-forth about a pardon for Baras, they said. No pardon for Baras was ever issued, and no charges ever emerged from the bribery-for-pardon probe. Diller, the funder of the effort, died in 2018. Davis doubts about the interactions between Keller and Lowell were fueled by an email exchange that the complaint says was accidentally forwarded to her that showed the pair interacting privately during the August 2020 video hearing where Davis guilty plea was entered. During the hearing, Keller raised with the judge that the government and the defense had filed a sealed addendum to the plea agreement, a transcript of the session shows. That addendum, which the judge later released, said Davis had waived any concerns about a potential conflict of interest that wasnt further described. According to the email exchange quoted in Davis complaint, Lowell seemed concerned when Keller mentioned the addendum. Why Did You Raise That, Lowell wrote to the prosecutor while the hearing was still underway, the complaint says. It needed to at least be acknowledged in some capacity. I avoided any details that could reveal the substance, Keller replied, according to the complaint. Lowell has insisted that all his actions related to Davis were appropriate. While I am unable at this time to respond as I would like, the assertions regarding any inappropriate conduct on my part are no more accurate or fair now than when made earlier in the year, Lowell said in an email responding to a request for comment. I complied with my ethical obligations in advising Ms. Davis. Davis complaint also says the law required that any potential conflict in the case be discussed directly with her by the judge. The court needed to be fully informed, and then, in turn, the judge needed to personally ensure that Ms. Davis understood the nature and extent of the conflict before waiver could become effective, the complaint says. Kobayashi did have questions about the conflict waiver during the August 2020 hearing, but only about why it was being kept from the public. There was never any public discussion or any exchange by the judge with Davis about the nature of the conflict now complicating her case and, potentially, others. I just want to point out that thats a concern with regard to the fact that its filed under seal, the judge said at the time. But that may be another thing for us to address at another day. A group of 47 Republican senators and 136 House members is asking the Supreme Court to block enforcement of President Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees, arguing that the president and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are exceeding their authority. "Vaccine mandatesa prototypical state police power are not within the purview of the Occupational Safety and Health Act," the members tell the Court, "let alone something on which Congress intended OSHA to take unilateral action under its emergency powers." SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS ON CHALLENGE TO BIDEN VACCINE MANDATES The Supreme Court recently scheduled an unusual Jan. 7 oral argument on an emergency appeal related to the vaccine mandate. The court normally decides such appeals on the briefs only. The argument will consider a request to bar the Biden administration from enforcing the mandate while lower courts decide whether it is constitutional. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently initially blocked the mandate, but the Sixth Circuit overruled that in a consolidated appeal, triggering a flurry of requests for the Supreme Court to reinstate the stay from opponents of the mandate. READ THE FILING HERE The amicus curiae Latin for "friend of the court" brief from the Republican members of Congress argues that they are "concerned with the executive overreach seen in the current administrations response to the COVID19 pandemic. KAVANAUGH ASKS BIDEN TO RESPOND TO FLOOD OF VACCINE MANDATE APPEALS, SCOTUS SET TO TAKEUP HIGH-STAKES CASE "Congressional members have an interest in the powers they delegate to agencies not being abusedthe legislative authority vested in the federal government belongs to Congress, not the Executive branch," the brief continues. "In this case, the promulgation by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) of a sweeping, nationwide vaccine mandate on businesses intrudes into an area of legislative concern." Story continues Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., has been one of the most active members of Congress fighting President Biden's vaccine mandate on private businesses. Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Rick Allen, R-Ga., and Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., are leading the brief. It follows a bipartisan effort in the Senate to pass a Congressional Review Act resolution aimed at blocking enforcement of the rule, which requires employees at large companies to either get vaccinated or get tested weekly. BIDEN DENIES VACCINE MANDATE WILL HURT SUPPLY CHAINS But the House is unlikely to take up the legislation, leaving the courts as mandate opponents' only option to block what they see as a major overreach of bureaucratic authority to dictate an outcome in a hugely controversial political debate. "A vaccine requirement is functionally an outside-the-workplace requirement that individuals take action to provide themselves with better individual outcomes when they do contract the virus," the brief says. "But thats not OSHAs job. It was never meant to be the health police, protect[ing] unvaccinated working people from themselves based on highly personal medical decisions." The brief also argues that OSHA was never meant to protect workers from viruses like COVID-19, but instead to protect them from specific workplace hazards. "The ETS provision of the OSH Act allows OSHA to address only grave danger in the workplace, which includes any toxic or physically harmful agent," it says. "In the statutory scheme established by Congress, these conditions are a meaningful restraint on the agency. OSHA, however, aggressively reads the restrictions as an opportunity for the agency to branch out into public healthcare policy." The Biden administration, meanwhile, says the coronavirus is a major threat to workers' health and that mandate opponents' arguments are not based in the law. House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is one of the members of Congress leading an effort to fight President Biden's vaccine mandate on private businesses. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Tom Williams GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE "The novel COVID-19 virus is both an agent that is physically harmful and a new hazard," the administration argued at the Sixth Circuit. "OSHA can address dangers in the workplace, and Congress did not limit OSHAs authority to petitioners atextual and undefined subset of dangers." "OSHA properly determined that employees are exposed to a grave danger from COVID-19 in the workplace. COVID-19 is widespread in Americas workplaces, and, as a result, every day workers are being hospitalized and many are dying," it added. The numerous groups that sued to invalidate the vaccine mandate include the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Retail Federation, the Texas Trucking Federation, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Job Creators Network and many others. The justices on the same day will also hear challenges to Biden's vaccine mandate for health care workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has left tens of thousands of children without a parent or primary caregiver. Stepping into that void are grandparents, aunts, cousins kinship caregivers now facing their first new year as a new family unit. Public health researchers know traumatized children often fare better when they live with a relative instead of a foster parent they dont know. But most of these families, experts say, are informally taking in a child without becoming a legal guardian, adopting the child or becoming official foster parents. That means specific benefits to help meet these childrens needs are out of reach, increasing the challenge for caregivers. Advocates say that has to change. Its an enormous issue, said Kecia Blackson, who leads family and kinship care support services at Southwest Human Development in Arizona. We'll see the effects of this for years to come. Children of color account for most of the 140,000 U.S. children whove lost at least one parent to COVID-19, according to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers estimated about 21% of those children will need a relative caregiver. Imani Alexander holds a photo of her and her mother outside of her grandmother's home in Quincy, Florida on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Alexander's mother died from COVID-19 in January. One of the families Blackson helped was a grandmother who had been raising four children. After the 48-year-old woman died of COVID-19, the young kids were sent to another state to live with their aunt, who already has two kids. Now raising six children under one roof, the woman in her mid-20s is also mourning her mother. You have to have a healthy caregiver in order to support children who have also been traumatized, Blackson said. I don't know most people who could accommodate for additional dependents without financial assistance, and sometimes that lags behind because of all of the bureaucratic red tape that you have to go through to get the benefits changed over. Informal caregivers also arent offered the same training foster parents receive to help raise a child who is grieving or to process their own grief. Story continues Imani Alexander shares portraits taken years ago of her and her mother Shannon Robinson Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Robinson died in January from COVID-19. Older caregivers have unique challenges when taking in a child. Housing can be an issue if the adult is living in an assisted living facility or small apartment. Health concerns that come with age or are disproportionately represented in Black and brown people can also make childrearing difficult, Blackson and other experts said. Many "grandfamilies" or other kinship families are low-income and disproportionately of color. A recent report by Generations United, a relative caregiver support and advocacy group, outlined several policy recommendations to benefit grandfamilies, such as increasing access to physical and mental health assistance; boosting financial, housing and child care support; improving and sustaining state kinship navigator programs; and expanding Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding. Generations United estimates the average TANF grant for kids being raised by grandparents is $249 a month, compared with $511 for a foster care monthly payment. Obtaining those TANF grants, which are one of the only financial support benefits for relative caregivers, can come with challenges, said Ana Beltran, an attorney and director of Generations United's National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families. "States create hurdles. There are (TANF) application requirements that are confusing," she said. "Families can't figure out how to apply for them." Additionally, enrolling a child in Medicaid or health insurance can be more complicated for a non-legal guardian. While children being raised by relatives qualify for Medicaid or a state childrens health insurance program, caregivers might not know about the programs and requirements. The systems just weren't designed to support them, Beltran said. More: At least 140K US children have lost caregivers to COVID-19. Children of color have taken the brunt of it. Imani Alexander, 15, holds her grandmother Lisa Herring's hand as Herring speaks about her daughter Shannon Robinson, who died from COVID-19 in January, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Thousands of foster children live with relatives. Yet more than 108,000 of those children living with relatives or family friends did not receive a foster maintenance payment because their caregivers aren't licensed, according to Generations United. Most states take between 90 and 120 days to license a relative caregiver, said Angelique Day, a professor at University of Washingtons School of Social Work. There is no uniformity across the country in licensing guidelines for relatives. States really have a lot of leeway to make their own policy, Day said. Some states make it easier or harder for kin to become licensed. For example, in Washington state, only a small percentage of kinship caregivers become licensed. Which makes you ask, why is it so hard for relatives to be able to get those supports?" she said. "We know that licensing relatives comes with a much more robust base of resources to support those families. Sylvie deToledo, a social worker and co-founder of the Alliance of Relative Caregivers in California, runs support groups to help kin caregivers and connect them to services. "It's absolutely devastating, and there's a domino effect," she said. "The kids have the same needs as kids who are within the (foster care) system. They just aren't offered all the opportunities." Alliance co-founder and support group facilitator Pam Meeker-Stolz said the crisis is just the tip of the iceberg. "We're already stretched thin trying to help relative caregivers," she said. "The relative caregivers are going to be grieving the loss of their child and now trying to take in the grandchild or the relative." Beltran said the pandemic has exposed how siloed social support systems can be, and how grandfamilies bear the brunt of that separation. "There might be a 65-year-old grandma living in our studio apartment, and here come two grandkids, and she didn't expect this plan for this. How is she supposed to meet their needs?" she said. "Why shouldn't we, as a society, help her when she's helping those kids and keeping them together?" Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@usatoday.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19 took their parents. Now kids' caregivers face many hurdles. Devin Hester. Could. Go. All. The. Way ... to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former Bears star who holds NFL records for the most kick-return, punt-return and any-kind of-return for touchdowns on Thursday was named a 2022 finalist for the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Former Bears Star Devin Hester Named 2022 Hall Of Fame Finalist Devin Hester. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) Nice. High: 46 Low: 38. Happy New Year! This will be the last Chicago Daily newsletter until next week. Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez says students will return to in-person learning Monday as planned , even as coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket. The city's top doctor, Dr. Allison Arwady told reporters, "Schools can be open and safe. There will be disruptions. As we are seeing more cases in the community we will see more cases in school." (ABC7) Is searching for a new job on your list of New Year's resolutions? Metra is planning a big hiring push. (Patch) Looks like Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton will spend New Year's Eve quarantined. The 56-year-old tested positive for coronavirus. On Thursday, Stratton said she was experiencing mild symptoms. (Patch) Be prepared for gusty winds, slick roads and snow on New Year's Day. Forecasters say as much as 6-inches of the white stuff could fall Sunday. (Patch) Today's Chicago Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community and to get access to this amazing technology click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Chicago! For A Good Time, Click: Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel ( 9:00 PM ) New Year on the Pier at Navy Pier (8 p.m.) Zoo Years Eve at Lincoln Park Zoo (9 p.m.) New Years Eve Chicago at Center Street Chicago (9 p.m.) Kaytranada at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom (9 p.m.) Motion City Soundtrack at House of Blues (8:30 p.m.) Story continues Motion City Soundtrack. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) Just The Links: More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Events: Gigs & services: Loving the Chicago Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at mark.konkol@patch.com Mark This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch Actor Michael B. Jordan is responding to people who are comparing him to his mentor, movie star Denzel Washington. Washington directed Jordan in the new film A Journal for Jordan. In a Dec. 21 interview with E! News, when asked about the comparisons between Washington and himself, Jordan gave Washington his well-deserved flowers. He also said that Washington wanted the Creed actor to be the best version of himself, not another Washington. NEW YORK, NEW YORK DECEMBER 09: Michael B. Jordan and Denzel Washington attend the world premiere of A Journal For Jordan at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on December 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures) Its an honor, said Jordan. Without Denzel, there would be no me. You know, like, in a sense. So, youve gotta respect that. Thats a fact. But at the same time, he wants me to be the best version of myself. He doesnt want me to be another him. The 34-year-old actor was compared to Washington prior to the actors collaboration on A Journal for Jordan. Critics first noticed him after he starred in Fruitvale Station in 2013 and said that Jordan reminded them of a younger version of Denzel Washington. The New York Times spoke with the actors in 2018 and discussed the comparisons. The Wire actor was humbled by the comparisons to the Washington after only one film and said he used them as motivation while building his career, hoping to one day get recognition from the movie star. When someone says youre like your idol, its like: Really? You see that in me? Id only done that one movie. But then I started using it as motivation, said Jordan. I wanted to pop up on Denzels radar. Hes the O.G. If I could get recognition from him, I know Im going down the right path, you know? And here we are, Mike! Looks like its working out already, added Washington. Jordan was just 15 years old when he landed his role as Wallace on the HBO crime drama The Wire. Actors Michael K. Williams and Idris Elba were also part of the cast. The young actor went on to star in Friday Night Lights and Parenthood before being cast in Fruitvale Station. Jordan also told E! News that he could have never passed up an opportunity to work with Washington. When Denzel calls you, you answer, said Jordan. So, to have an opportunity to work with him so closely was an opportunity I couldnt pass up. Story continues The Equalizer actor returned the compliment and said the sky is the limit for Jordan regarding his acting career. Michael is talented, sweet, humble, grateful, eager to learn. The skys the limit for him. The skys the limit for Michael, said Washington. A Journal for Jordan is currently in theaters. More Stories from Our Partners: Yall Not Finna Try Unc: Fans Come to Denzel Washingtons Defense After Veteran Actor Says Hes Never Heard of Snowfall Star Damson Idris The Top Five Boxing Matches Of 2021 Why Erika Alexander Collaborated With Ex-Husband for an NFT My heroes are now in their 70s and 80s. That may seem like a strange thing to say given our youth-obsessed culture, but a 10-day road trip over the summer, during which I interviewed veterans of the fight for civil rights in 1961, convinced me that courage is the greatest superpower and that lessons learned 60 years ago can guide the fight against voting restrictions today. Imagine the American South circa 1961. The Ku Klux Klan and white citizens' councils called the shots and enforced, through deadly terror, a system of racial segregation that stained everything from the law to customs. Any Black person who dared to buck the system risked their life. And countless Black people were beaten, raped and murdered during that era for challenging the white establishment. Yet thousands of people fought back against the system of racial apartheid in 1961 and won. They did it not with bullets and violence, but with acts of civil disobedience, conviction and raw courage. Let me introduce you to five of them: David Williamson Jr. of Rock Hill, South Carolina, took a stand by sitting down at a segregated lunch counter. After being arrested, Williamson refused bail, forcing a segregated government to pay to keep him behind bars and feed him for almost a month. Williamson and the "Friendship Nine" provided a template for bringing about change through nonviolent civil disobedience, and others across the South soon followed this jail, no bail strategy. The resulting strain on public coffers forced an end to segregated lunch counters. Phyllis Hyatt, a friend of Williamsons and a fellow resident of Rock Hill, proved that theres more than one way to fight back against racial discrimination, and that every action in opposition to injustice matters. Hyatt was one of Rock Hills City Girls who risked life and limb to protest segregation alongside their male counterparts. Phyllis Hyatt was one of Rock Hills City Girls who risked life and limb to protest segregation alongside their male counterparts. USA TODAY Opinion: Get our best columns in your inbox with our daily newsletter Story continues Dr. Tom Ellison of Birmingham, Alabama, embodies what a lifetime commitment to social justice looks like by not just talking the talk but walking the walk. Ellison has been in the thick of the fight for equality since childhood, inspired by his minister father who was a friend and colleague of such civil rights icons as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Hezekiah Watkins of Jackson, Mississippi, has been a civil rights leader since he was a child. Mistaken for a Freedom Rider, the then-13-year-old was arrested and placed in a cell on death row with two condemned criminals. After a lifetime of leadership, Watkins, who by his own count has been arrested more than 100 times, now shares his story of hope as a guide at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. A lifetime of fighting for social justice> Richard Gleason took a temporary leave from his job as a youth minister in public housing in Chicago to join the Freedom Riders in 1961. Gleason proves that faith can be a powerful motivator in the fight for social justice. Everyone has value and is deserving of liberties, and Gleason has devoted his life to that fact. Richard Gleason took a temporary leave from his job as a youth minister in the public housing developments of Chicago to join the Freedom Riders in 1961. The equality these civil rights activists fought for is again under attack six decades later. Numerous states across the country are erecting barriers to voting, many of which are aimed directly at Black Americans. All the veterans of the civil rights movement I interviewed share a deep concern over this assault on voting rights in 2021 America. Augmented Reality: Inside, the bus filled with smoke. Outside, a mob waited to attack. What do you do? Go inside a Freedom Ride. My hope is that sharing the hope and courage of these civil rights heroes will inspire people today. We have much to learn from those who came before us; they provide a blueprint for using nonviolent civil disobedience to fight back against the racially motivated attacks on voting rights plaguing America in 2021. Americans stood up to racism in 1961 and changed history. This is their fight, in their words. These five drum majors for change and justice know that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today arent a guarantee. Lets learn from them and, following their lead, take action. Follow Mike Thompson's cartoons and commentary on Facebook and Twitter. Reach him at mthompson600@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Civil rights leaders of 1961 about resisting injustice today SAN ANGELO Freezing temperatures are expected to arrive in San Angelo shortly after the sun sets on New Year's Day. Matt Groh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said there will be a strong cold front moving through the Concho Valley during the evening of Saturday, Jan. 1. The high temperature on Jan. 1 is forecast to be in the low 70s but will drop to the low 20s by Sunday morning with a wind chill around 10-15 degrees. Groh said with the hard freeze expected, everyone should think about the '4 P's': people, pets, pipes and plants. It's suggested to protect your pets, bring sensitive plants inside, cover exterior pipes, and dress for warm weather if you'll be outside. Ice covers a car window on the morning of Dec. 14, 2020. "We have seen a lack of winter weather, and this chill will remind us that it is winter season," Groh said. The NWS highly recommends people stay home and off the roads. Keep an eye out for road conditions, which can be viewed at drivetexas.org. Here's more information to protect your family, pets and home: How to prepare your home for freezing temperatures People should ensure their carbon monoxide and fire detectors are working properly. If someone uses an alternate heating source, make sure nothing is around it. If you have a generator, make sure it is not blowing into the home. Fire safety is a concern at this time. It's also important to have plenty of nonperishable food, water, blankets and tools needed to clear snow and ice. People could also use weather stripping or install a plastic window insulation kit to keep the cold out. With the potential for power outages, make sure you have an emergency kit. The kit should have: Flashlights A battery-operated radio Portable phone chargers Batteries Candles Matches Mike Avila, general manager for San Angelo's Westlake ACE Hardware, said people who need to water things outside should consider getting a heated water hose. One product at ACE that is selling fast, he said, is ice melt. Other substitutes for ice melts are: Story continues Pool salt Water softener salt which will not harm the concrete Oil dry Cat litter Hoarfrost covers vegetation along the Concho River Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, in San Angelo. How do you prevent pipes from freezing? Information from Westlake ACE Hardware stresses the importance of protecting your pipes at home. Here's how: Disconnect all hoses and insulate outside faucets. You can use foam faucet covers. Insulate water pipes. You can use pipe insulation or tape to cover the exposed pipes. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes. Leave a trickle of water running. If you are leaving town, set your thermostat to 55 degrees or higher. At ACE, faucet covers are flying off the shelves, Avila said. If you can't get one, he offered these substitutes: Wrap a towel around the outside faucet and wrap a bag around it Spray insulation foam around the pipes Pipe insulation and wrapping it with duct tape How do you keep pets and livestock safe in the cold? Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, discussed what people should do to keep animals safe and the dangers they face. "Pets are very similar to what you're going to be going through," Kratt said. "If it is too cold for you to be outside, it is too cold for your pet. Their hair coat helps them a little bit, but it doesn't make them immune to this. Especially if they are used to warmer weather." If left in the cold, animals can experience frostbite, hypothermia or can hurt themselves by slipping or cutting themselves on the ice. For people using de-icers, make sure to clean your pet's paws and do not put it on the pet. Livestock need more water than usual when it is cold, so using a heating element or breaking it up is encouraged. Provide some type of shelter for the livestock. "If there are ways to give them breaks, to be out of direct wind, that will help," Kratt said. Kratt stated people should make sure they have plenty of food and water for their animals, along with any medications. The American Veterinary Medical Association website also warns to check your vehicle before driving off, because cats could hide in or around it as a heat source. Unattended vehicles in cold weather are "like a refrigerator, and can rapidly chill your pet," according to the site. Avila added that "feathered friends" could benefit from a heating element in a ceramic birdbath as well. San Angelo 7-day forecast Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3 a.m., then a chance of showers after 3 a.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. New Year's Day: Sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 49. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Sunday night: Clear, with a low around 25. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Tuesday night: Clear, with a low around 39. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Weather in San Angelo: 2022 will quickly bring freezing temperatures On a recent flight from Atlanta to Mobile, Alabama, I saw the future of travel: an unmasked toddler racing up and down the aisle in economy class, screaming for his mama. It was the ultimate kids-on-planes nightmare. Meanwhile, Mom was safely strapped into her seat as the aircraft started its descent. Flight attendants eventually cornered the child at the first-class partition and whisked him back to his family. Maybe you've noticed how quiet air travel has been in the last two years. One reason is that families, especially those with young kids, have taken a break from air travel. But with the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 5, the kids on planes have returned. "In a very real sense, 2022 is shaping up to become the year of family travel," says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com, a travel insurance marketplace. "Between the surge in family travel bookings for 2022 and the reopening of international borders after nearly two years, not everything will go smoothly." A renaissance in family travel "In a very real sense, 2022 is shaping up to become the year of family travel," says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com, a travel insurance marketplace. "Between the surge in family travel bookings for 2022 and the reopening of international borders after nearly two years, not everything will go smoothly." New research by Vrbo suggests families will travel differently this year than they did during the first two years of the pandemic. Parents must feel a little guilty about staying home for two years. Half of the customers Vrbo surveyed said they intend to give their kids a bigger say in vacation planning compared to before the pandemic. We expect family travel to surge in 2022 and parents want to make family vacations bigger and better for their kids, says Vrbo spokeswoman Alison Kwong. A recent American Express survey on family travel underscores how much of a renaissance this might be. A majority of consumers 68% also said they would be happy to forego gift exchanges with their family to go on a vacation with them instead. More than half of parents surveyed say they are willing to book a trip even if they might have to cancel or modify it later. And almost 10% of all personal travel bookings tracked by TripActions bookings were for more than two travelers. Story continues "Family travel bookings will continue to increase," predicts TripActions spokeswoman Kelly Soderlund. So this is probably a good time for a refresher on traveling with kids, both for families with young kids and those who have to share a flight with them. What are some of the challenges of air travel with young kids in the age of masks and social distancing? What would make it better? And what are some survival strategies? The Daily Money: Get our latest personal finance stories in your inbox Idea for kids on planes: a special section for families I asked a manners expert what airlines could do about the influx of kids on planes. Adeodata Czink, who runs the etiquette consultancy Business of Manners, had a surprising response: Let's create a "kids only" section on the plane. "They can cry together, play with each other, and leave the rest of the passengers in reasonable peace," she says. "And before you ask yes, I have children." Full disclosure: So do I. But her idea isn't that strange. Airlines have toyed with the idea of a family section for years. Right now, they unofficially do have a section for junior passengers. The back of my last flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco was filled with families that had babies and toddlers. In the meantime, airlines might do their youngest passengers a favor by voluntarily adding the language of the Families Flying Together Act to their passenger contracts, which would allow families to sit together without having to pay extra for a seat assignment. That would make it less likely that the screaming toddler on the loose incident would repeat itself on your next flight. But it's not a guarantee. Kids have minds of their own, you know. CDC monitoring 92 cruise ships for COVID: Here's how to check whether your ship is on the list. How to handle all the kids on planes So how to cope with this barrage of babies on planes? Let's review the basics, courtesy of Canadian family travel expert Jody Robbins. "Being in a confined space for an unknown amount of time is challenging enough for adults," she explains. "But when kids feel they have no power, they tend to act out." Distraction and surprise are the best tools for keeping the young'uns from freaking out. Robbins recommends packing a "surprise bag" with fun items to parcel out during the flight. And bring plenty of food, but go easy on the sugar. Let's just say too much of that can make your offspring misbehave. How do you keep the mask on? For younger kids on planes, Lauren King likes to turn it into a game. She uses an app called Class Dojo to track the goals for each of her four young children and offers corresponding rewards for responsible masking. "For example, if the child is compliant in the mask for 30 minutes, he receives 10 points. A collection of points can lead to a souvenir, a piece of candy, or a cash reward," says King, a travel advisor with Key to the World Travel. For older kids, she recommends an honest conversation about the importance of masking. But as I've always said, when it comes to flying, it's not the kids you have to worry about it's the adults. The experts I talked to said kids are actually more cooperative than adults when it comes to masking, and after what I've seen lately, I'm inclined to believe them. Freebie alert: You can enter any of America's national parks for free on these 5 days OK, but seriously, is there anything new? The rambunctious toddler on my flight to Mobile was just the beginning. As I write this, I'm sitting one row away from a baby on an 11-hour overnight flight from San Francisco to Lisbon. I feel lucky that I'm on one of the new, super-quiet Airbus A330neo jets, but I also know babies and this one certainly has the potential to prevent anyone in the main cabin from sleeping. So is there anything you can do besides avoid air travel? Maybe. The solution to unruly kids on planes lies mostly with parents. Sometimes you have to fly with your kids. But if you have a choice, at least make sure your children are prepared for the experience. "Family travelers may face everything from long lines and flight disruptions to vaccine checks, COVID testing and food shortages," says Dr. Gene Delaune, an emergency room physician and senior medical consultant for Allianz Partners. "Parents can, however, plan ahead for these situations." Of course, the same could be said for adults. But that's another story. Ready for a chilly vacation? Here are the best national parks for families to visit this winter Tips for flying with kids this year Don't overdo it. Dr. Yvette McQueen, a travel physician, says parents can avoid a meltdown by planning responsibly. "Try to limit the number of flights," she says. That means if you have to spend a little extra for a nonstop flight, do it or face the consequences. Have a conversation about the masks. "Start talking about the requirement to wear a mask while traveling early in the planning process," advises Tracy Schatz, president of Elite Travel Journeys. Also, find a mask that your child likes, and teach your offspring to wear it properly. Make a plan in case your kids test positive. That's the advice of John Gobbels, chief operating officer of Medjet. "Its absolutely possible for just one of the kids to test positive and the rest of the family to test negative, even if youve all been doing the same activities, eating the same meals." You need to know what to do before it happens. Will one parent stay behind? The entire family? Are you staying at a hotel that will allow you to extend your stay for a quarantine, if necessary? Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't The views and opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family travel is coming back in 2022: Here's how to cope. Dec. 30BEAVER FALLS Although the decision by town of Diana leadership to remove the Lewis County Health System from the Harrisville Health Center really had nothing to do with Dr. R. Brian Shambo, it has impacted him like no other and he has a few things to say. The family health practitioner serving the community at the Harrisville site has been relocated to Beaver River Health Center. "I'm more upset about the failure of local government than I am about me moving to Beaver Falls," Dr. Shambo said in an interview earlier this week. "They failed the people they are supposed to serve and it just so happened that it was in a medical way but they completely failed those people because of a vendetta ... That just sticks in my craw." Dr. Shambo said that the Health System asked him to move his practice from Lowville to Harrisville in 2019, because the physician assistant who had been running the Harrisville clinic for a number of years was no longer the best option and was instead being offered a position closer to her supervising physician in Lowville. Although the Diana Town Board, which is the Health System's landlord as the owner of the clinic building, was notified of the change, the board says it was not consulted. That caused outrage, as expressed by constituents during an April 2019 town meeting that was well attended by supporters of the PA, Brittani L. Bickel. According to the 2019 meeting minutes, then Town Supervisor David E. Parow, who was at the time and continues to be a patient of Ms. Bickel, requested and received permission from the four town board members to do whatever it took, for however long it took, to bring back the PA. To Dr. Shambo over the board's other complaints against the Health System related to building repairs it was that "vendetta" that led to the town's decision to cut ties with Lewis County Health to pursue the PA's current employer, Clifton-Fine Hospital, to run the clinic. Story continues "The people that live in the town knew what it was about for the most part," Dr. Shambo said. "The patients were almost universally very angry ... none of them were fooled about what this was about." The timing of the decision, in the middle of the pandemic's latest surge, was another point of contention for the doctor because the clinic was the only place providing same-day COVID-19 testing for the Harrisville Central School District and local businesses. The decision has also meant the loss of easy access to health care for community members without transportation, like Dr. Shambo's older patients who would walk to their appointments. "I'm upset about what it's going to do for health care in general in the community and my patients in particular. There are people in that town who don't have transportation, and now they don't have their doctor," he said. "It seems like they weren't even taken into account." The board, Dr. Shambo added, "just didn't even consider the people." "And there's a lot of people," he said. "We were busy." The board stepped back from the Clifton-Fine negotiations after public outcry at another well-attended special board meeting on Nov. 30, after news of the board's decision to cut ties with Lewis County Health became public. The town now plans to issue a request for proposals to run the clinic from a number of north country health care providers, including Clifton-Fine and Lewis County, after building upgrades are complete. The timeframe for completion, however, was estimated by engineers to be much longer than anticipated due to ongoing supply chain challenges, so the town tried to negotiate with Lewis County to continue with Dr. Shambo in the clinic. An agreement was not reached before state paperwork severing the relationship had to be sent. Although the doctor said he never believed Mr. Parow and the board were necessarily being earnest in those negotiations either, he did say that things might be different under the new leadership of Zachary Smith, who he referred to as a "mouthpiece" for Mr. Parow's plans to break off the relationship with Lewis County Health. Mr. Smith, a town board member and Mr. Parow's deputy supervisor, is now acting supervisor following Mr. Parow's resignation due to retirement. "The tragedy in a situation like this is that we're not talking about a sewer (project)," Dr. Shambo said of the difference between the clinic and typical town business. "We're talking about a medical clinic that they've had for about 50 years (in that building). It's so frustrating." Over the years, Dr. Shambo has had to move his practice around the county and has patients from LaFargeville, Gouverneur, Copenhagen, Lowville and now, Diana. "I'm not taking it personally because they haven't directed it personally at me." Dr. Shambo said, adding that when residents ask for the PA back, "it's not like they're asking for a stranger, they're asking for a person they like." Even if an agreement is one day reached between Diana leadership and the Health System which he credits for being committed to providing health care to the entire county Dr. Shambo doesn't see himself in the picture. "Up until the 15th (of December), I was ready to stay there," Dr. Shambo said, alluding to the last day he saw patients at the Harrisville building. "But now, it's not going to happen. I'm not that long until retirement. I'm not going back and doing that again." Lewis County Health Chief Executive Officer Gerald R. Cayer said he enjoys "an engaging and instructive relationship" with medical staff, noting that "their opinions matter to me." He also said he wouldn't expect to move Dr. Shambo's practice again in the future. "We've been fortunate that we had a highly skilled medical team in Harrisville. Dr. Shambo and the staff have provided great service to the community, but right now, the best way to serve Harrisville is for Dr. Shambo and his team to be at the Beaver River Health Center," Mr. Cayer said. Encouraged by the tone of negotiations with Mr. Smith, Mr. Cayer maintains that the Health System will look at the town's request for proposals "and evaluate if it is something we can do." Because recruiting physicians to work in rural areas is "nearly impossible" across the country, Mr. Cayer said the Health System is likely to make a different plan for Harrisville if the relationship with Diana is rebuilt. "We would recruit a family nurse practitioner that would make a long-term commitment to the community and really try to follow the approach we engaged in Copenhagen (Health Center)," he said. CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, this article has been corrected to indicate that former town of Harrisville Superintendant David Parow resigned due to retirement. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Taylor Funk scored 18 points and Saint Joseph's pummeled Richmond 83-56 on Thursday night in an Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both teams. Erik Reynolds II scored 17 points for the Hawks and Cameron Brown had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Hall had 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for Saint Joseph's (7-5). Richmond (9-5) had a season-low 24 points after halftime and finished 27.8% shooting and saw its six-game win streak come to an end. Grant Golden had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Spiders (9-5, 0-1). Tyler Burton scored 11 points and Jacob Gilyard distributed six assists. ___ For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 ___ This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com CONAKRY (Reuters) - Guinea's junta has allowed former president Alpha Conde to leave the country for a medical check-up, according to a statement read on state television on Friday. The junta or National Rally and Development Committee (CNRD), which ousted Conde in September, said the former president could not remain abroad for more than a month. The September coup has been condemned by Guinea's neighbours and international partners, and led to its suspension from the African Union and the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 15-nation bloc. Conde, 83, who had been in power since 2010, was detained by the CNRD after his ouster, alleging concerns about poverty and endemic corruption. (Reporting by Samb Saliou; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Betty White in 2010. White died Friday at 99. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press) A couple of weeks shy of her 100th birthday, on the last day of an already cruel 2021, Hollywood legend Betty White died Friday. News of her passing prompted an outpouring of condolences and remembrances on social media from former co-stars and longtime admirers of the beloved actress, whose work and popularity spanned nearly eight decades. Known for her memorable sitcom performances, most notably as flirtatious TV host Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and ditzy widow Rose on "Golden Girls," as well as her animal activism, White died at her home in Brentwood at age 99. Henry Winkler, who appeared opposite White in the 1973 episode, "The Dinner Party," of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," posted on Twitter that it "is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT are .. Thank you for [your] humor, your warmth and your activism." Steve Martin shared a memory on Twitter of his encounter with White in 1974 while he was the opening act for Linda Ronstadt at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. While passing through the lobby, he saw White and husband Allen Ludden waiting in line: "I loved Betty White, so I went up to them: 'Im so honored to meet you both.' And then I said, 'Isnt Linda great?' She said, 'We came to see you.' I said, 'Why?' 'Because we heard you were funny.' I was elated." Comedian Kathy Griffin also went down memory lane with a string of tweets, beginning with the first time she met White on the set of the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan." "I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day," Griffin wrote, recalling that White yelled "from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear, 'Wheres that redheaded bitch who stole my parking spot?' SWOON. A friendship was born." Ryan Reynolds, who played White's grandson in the 2009 romantic comedy "The Proposal," tweeted: "The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret." Story continues Actress and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher offered a statement on behalf of the Hollywood union that praised White's talents and the longevity of her career: Betty was the best! A kind woman, sensitive to the feelings of all animals. A talented woman blessed with a long life. She enjoyed being recognized by her peers in her lifetime and it was well deserved, Drescher said. In this biz, in this town, to have that kind of longevity in ones career is rare and wonderful. G-d bless you Betty, now youre with all the doggies you loved and lost over the span of your 99 years! In 2010, White received the union's Life Achievement Award, delivering a memorable acceptance speech that showcased her signature wit and grace: I should be presenting an award to you for the privilege of working in this wonderful business all this time. Being in show business is like living in a small town. People greet you like neighbors, not like strangers. And through the mail you form friendships that last for years with people youve never even met, she said. Back when I first started it would never even have occurred to me to imagine such a thing as this moment. And I still cant believe Im standing here. This is the highest point of my entire professional life. White would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 17. She was this week's People magazine cover girl, where she discussed the prospect of reaching the big milestone: "I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age," the veteran actress told the outlet. "It's amazing." Debbie Allen offered a touching promise to White, saying, "we will celebrate your 100th birthday and the many decades of Joy you have given the world." Another brilliant talent has made her transition. I had the pleasure of getting to know Betty White and shared a few giggles with her. May she rest in well-earned peace. Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 31, 2021 A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing. Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021 RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end. Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021 RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever. You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace.youve earned your wings https://t.co/7wpeLHgySy Viola Davis (@violadavis) December 31, 2021 So sad to hear about Betty White passing. I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy. Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh! https://t.co/iOkmHLrW21 Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 31, 2021 RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years. roxane gay (@rgay) December 31, 2021 Yall, with the passing of #BettyWhite we have lost one of the best humans ever! LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 31, 2021 Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!! Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 31, 2021 Betty White dying three weeks before she turned 100 is the final act of performer whose timing was always sharp, always unexpected, and even with the warmest of characters, always a little dangerous. No one else could live to 99 and so perfectly leave us wanting more. Guy Branum (@guybranum) December 31, 2021 God bless Betty White. As my mom would say, we were so lucky to have her.https://t.co/pXzu6JezOg Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) December 31, 2021 I Watched Her on her first TV Show Life With ElizabethWhen I Was 7 Yrs Old.When She Did S&C I Got a Chance To Tell Her. I Was Embarrassed cause tears came to my eyes.She put her arms around me, & I Felt 7 again. Some Ppl Are Called ICONS, BETTY IS A TRUE ICON. Cher (@cher) December 31, 2021 What an exceptional life. Im grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us. Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021 Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021 Saddened to hear that @BettyMWhite has passed. I loved her comedic wit and endearing charm. She definitely was a sweetheart to the world and a gift to the entertainment world. William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 31, 2021 Betty White. Oh noooooooo. I grew up watching and being delighted by her. She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesnt take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels. Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) December 31, 2021 Man, 2021, you just couldnt slip out without one more punch in the face, could you? So sad to hear comedy legend Betty White has passed. Its hard to imagine a world without her. Itll be a much less funny place, thats for sure. RIP Genius Betty. https://t.co/7oFn6q5jWI Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 31, 2021 This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NextShark A bluefin tuna was sold for about 16.88 million yen (approximately $146K) at Tokyos annual New Year tuna auction in Japan. It was sold on Jan. 5 to Yukitaka Yamaguchi, the president of Yamayuki, a Japanese intermediary wholesaler and a Michelin-starred Onodera Group sushi restaurant, according to The Korea Times. The first annual auction of the year is held at Tokyos largest fish market, where fish wholesalers make a tradition of participating in the event in hopes of bringing in good luck and gaining publicity. Hundreds of Muslims gathered Thursday to pray for the soul of Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam, an Islamic leader who was found dead last week in what police are calling a homicide. Mourners joined together in a daily call to prayer and performed the Janazah, or funeral prayer at the Ibnu Taymiyah Masjid and Islamic Center on Mock Road on the Northeast Side and afterward attended Adam's burial at the Islamic Cemetery of Columbus on Sunbury Road. Imams, or religious leaders, from all over the world traveled to Columbus to participate in the funeral procession, organizers said. Men pray during a memorial service for slain Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam at Ibnu Taymiyah Masjid and Islamic Center on Thursday. "We as believers, as Muslims, believe that every soul will taste death. And we believe and hope and pray that Dr. Mohammed is with Allah and in a better place," said Nihad Awad, executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. "We will not rest until we found answers. Who committed this crime?" Adam, 48, was found dead Dec. 24 inside a vehicle that was parked in an unpaved and overgrown lot in the 1400 block of Windsor Avenue, near the intersection of Joyce and Windsor avenues. Police are treating his death as a homicide, but have not yet specified a cause. The body of Mohamed Hassan Adam was found Dec. 24, in a vehicle behind this chain link and metal fence, located in the 1400 block of Windsor Avenue on the city's North Side. Columbus police also have not identified suspects nor given a motive for the crime, though authorities have said that no information has arisen so far to suggest Adam was targeted for his role as an imam. Adam, who was an imam at Masjid Abu Hurairah mosque on the Northeast Side, was first reported missing Dec. 23. He was last seen the day before after he left home to pick up his child from a day care center on Oakland Park Avenue and never arrived. Those who attended the funeral service on Thursday remembered Adam as a pillar of the Muslim and Somali communities of Columbus. Men pray during a memorial service for slain Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam at Ibnu Taymiyah Masjid and Islamic Center on Thursday. He was a respiratory therapist, father, husband, and someone who helped found groups including Ask a Muslim and the Islamic Association of North America (IANA), a Minneapolis-based nonprofit group. Story continues Had he not been killed, Adam would have been in Mecca by now, organizers said, which all Muslims must visit at least once in their life. Mohamed Hassan Adam, an imam and leader of the local Muslim and Somali communities, was found dead last week in what authorities are calling a homicide. "To us, he is the founder of a lot of Islamic centers in the Somali community," said Imam Horsed Noah, outreach director of the Somali Islamic Centers of Ohio. "He is someone who would always fund-raise for the orphans. He had a program where he would feed the homeless. Him and I used to run a project where we would encourage the youth to stay away from drugs, overdoses and gang violence. In fact, we were supposed to finish our sessions before he disappeared." At the Islamic Cemetery of Columbus on Sunbury Road, hundreds of people crowded around Adams' grave as an excavator turned earth, paying their respects and saying goodbye. Mourners watch as the grave for slain Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam is buried at the Islamic Cemetery of Columbus on Thursday. "There is a tradition in our religion where we saw God brings the righteous people when a righteous person dies," Noah said. "All of these people coming from different places is testimony that he was a righteous person." Noah knew Adam for nearly two decades and counted him as one of his best friends. "Two days before he disappeared, he and I had a long conversation and dinner. We were cracking jokes," Noah said. "He had a slogan that is still fresh in my mind. He would always say 'aspire to inspire before you expire.'" Mourners watch as the grave for slain Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam is covered at the Islamic Cemetery of Columbus on Thursday. A march and vigil for Adam is planned for 2 p.m. Friday. Participants will meet at First Congressional Church, 444 E. Broad St., and walk to City Hall to call for justice and accountability. Adam's family is asking that anyone with information about his death to call police at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS. The family has also set up a fund to help cover the cost of Thursday's service and to help continue Adam's charity work. Donations can be made at http://launchgood.com/MHA. As of Friday evening, more than $50,000 had been raised. mtrombly@dispatch.com @MonroeTrombly This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hundreds gather at funeral service to mourn death of local imam After allegations emerged that Old National Bank (ONB) has been redlining Black residents in Indianapolis, the 187-year-old bank agrees to an eight-digit settlement with the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI). The financial institution will pledge $30 million in loans and programs to help Blacks interested in purchasing a home qualify for mortgages. Wikipedia Commons As part of the settlement, the bank has also agreed to invest in predominantly Black neighborhoods. The agreement between ONB and FHCCI was announced on Thursday, Dec. 16. A detailed press release published by FHCCI states that a major part of the settlement is the opening of two branch offices in majority-Black communities in Indianapolis. These branches will first open as loan production offices and after two years and regulatory approval will become full-service branches. They will also be staffed by the bank with two mortgage loan officers and one community outreach specialist to cater to the communitys needs. Amy Nelson, executive director of the FHCCI, stated that the agreement will counteract lending disparities for Black home seekers in Marion County by providing needed mortgage lending opportunities, bank branches, neighborhood stabilization grants, and fair lending education. Over the next three years, under the plan and through the development of a Special Purpose Credit Program, ONB will originate a minimum of $20 million in single-family purchase loans in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Indianapolis. This will be designed to assist in readying Black residents for loan qualification. The agreement notes that ONB will set aside $1.1 million in loan subsidies, up to $10,000 per transaction, to support down payment assistance, mortgage insurance premiums, premiums, and closing cost assistance in majority-Black census tracts and will expand the use of its Home Manager Mortgage product, which permits loans with up to 97% LTV [loan-to-value ratio] with no PMI [private mortgage insurance] requirement, and has revised the program guidelines to increase eligibility. Story continues At least $7.5 million in loans are slated to go to affordable multifamily housing developments in the city and $1.3 million for grants will go to local CDCs and community organizations serving or based in Black neighborhoods in the city. The bank has also committed to hiring a consultant firm to assess lending practices to Black and brown applicants in other cities outside of Indianapolis, such as the Indiana cities of Evansville and Fort Wayne, as well as Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In October 2022, the FHCCI filed a federal court complaint against ONB, alleging that the institution used race to unlawfully discriminate in its residential mortgage lending practices. The complaint stated that despite 28 percent of Marion County residents identifying as Black, ONB only awarded 37 mortgage loans to Black borrowers in the Indianapolis metro area in 2019 and 2020. Over those two years, there were 2,260 applications from Black potential borrowers. A total of 2,250 mortgage loans were made in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson metropolitan area in that same time period. According to the complaint, the primary factors leading to the discrimination was a lack of branches in Black neighborhoods, discrimination by loan officers and a lack of Black employees handling mortgage loans. The FHCCI and ONB have created a guide for other financial institutions to address their own disparities and ensure fair lending opportunities for all, Nelson concludes. As a part of this deal, FHCCI will receive a $350,000 donation from ONB to support fair lending education opportunities and programs. More news from our partners: We Werent Allowed to Arrest White People: Pioneering Tampa Officers Honored for Striking Blow Against Discrimination In Police Department Nobody Is Victimizing You | Domonique Foxworth Comes For Aaron Rodgers Again Not Just About the Dollars: Why Building Wealth Is About More Than Money and How Black America Can Close the Wealth Gap SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ As COVID-19 cases in the Township spike, South Brunswick has issued an indoor mask mandate effective Friday, Dec. 31, the Township announced Friday evening. The South Brunswick school district will be operating remotely for the next two weeks, beginning Jan. 3 to Jan. 14. Over the past 24 hours, health officials have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases across the Township. From Dec. 20 to Dec. 30 saw a dramatic increase in cases, by nearly 400 percent, health officials said. The mandate will be in effect until January 31st at 11:59 p.m. Mayor Charlie Carley has signed the executive order requiring masks to be worn indoors to mitigate and combat the spread of COVID-19, effective New Years Eve. Masks will be required in all areas of South Brunswick public indoor accommodations including, not limited to: Government Facilities Restaurants Bars Gymnasiums Dance Studios Recreation Facilities Retail Stores Cafes Supermarkets Places of Worship Commercial Establishments Salons Barbershops Banks Health Care Facilities Hotels Residents, visitors, and patrons of the above public facilities must wear a face mask at all times except: When actively eating or drinking When socially distanced at least 6 feet apart from all others for an extended period of time, such as in an office setting when seated at desks, when performing for an audience or when conducting worship services. Children under the age of three are exempt from the above requirements. We believe there is already wide compliance with this safety guideline throughout the Township. Schools Go Remote: On the evening of Friday, Dec. 31, school Superintendent Scott Feder told parents and guardians that the district was going remote for two weeks, "due to an exponential growth in community spread of COVID-19 along with an anticipated staff shortage due to COVID exclusions." Feder said the decision was made after consulting the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and local and district physicians. Story continues "A decision of this magnitude did not come easily and has been a collaboration between the district, the Health Department, County Executive Office, the DOE and local health officials," Feder said. "Community spread has increased by 400% in the last 10-days and our staffing challenges continue to grow as more and more people are quarantined for exposure or positive tests. In no way, was this what we wanted to see happen, but as we have maintained since March 11, 2020, safety of our students, staff and community will always be the priority." During the week of Jan. 10, Feder said he would reach out the community to confirm schedules. Many school districts across the state have gone virtual as COVID-19 cases spike. New Jersey reported another record-breaking day on Thursday, Dec. 30 with 27,975 positive cases and 34 deaths in a single day. Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news This article originally appeared on the South Brunswick Patch RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian assailant running towards them with a knife at a bus station in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the army said, and the Hamas militant group claimed him as a member. Citing an initial investigation, an army statement said that the man had arrived at a junction near the Jewish settlement of Ariel in a car, got out and "armed with a knife, ran toward the bus station where civilians and IDF soldiers were standing". The Palestinian health ministry identified the dead man as a resident of Qarawet Bani Hassan, a nearby village. Hamas claimed him as a member, saying in a statement that he had mounted an "heroic stabbing operation" against "the enemy and its settlers"". The Israeli army said it was pursuing whoever else was in the vehicle, which had fled the scene. The West Bank has seen sporadic violence since U.S.-sponsored talks on founding a Palestinian state alongside Israel stalled in 2014. (Writing by Dan Williams, Ali Sawafta and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Alison Williams, Kevin Liffey, William Maclean) Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty Donald Trumps January 2021 coup attempt failed to overturn the election; but Trump has succeeded in transforming the GOP into an ever more radicalized party that rewards extremism, and punishes, or even banishes, those members who fail to support ever more audacious attacks on democracy and the nations electoral process. The Republican Party is now institutionally oriented to work towards the anti-democratic aims of its charismatic leader, Trump. As the one-year anniversary of the Capitol insurrection approaches, we are only beginning to gain a picture of the full scope of what can now fairly be described as a coup scheme, intended to void the outcome of a presidential election. The scheme was encouraged, if not planned, by the White House, with Trumps chief-of-staff Mark Meadows serving as field general for the putsch, and encouraging the pursuit of various extreme proposals and bizarre conspiracy theories from a range of co-conspirators, including members of Congress as well as state legislators and freelance neo-fascists such as Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, and John Eastman. It is essential that Congress Jan. 6 committee, as well as the Justice Department and other law enforcement agencies, continue to seek out every relevant item of evidence regarding this effort to take down the nations democracy, and identify the role of each of the schemers. The evidence may well establish that individuals, potentially including Trump himself, are guilty of federal crimes arising from the putsch scheme, such as obstruction of the congressional electoral vote counting proceedings. If Merrick Garland Doesnt Charge Trump and His Coup Plotters, Our Democracy Is Toast Yet regardless of what additional facts the congressional and law enforcement investigations establish, we already know that Trump has succeeded in a broader goal of transforming the Republican Party into a vehicle for ever more radical and extreme attacks on the democratic foundations of the nation. His success is reflected in the fact that Trump no longer needs to tell followers inside and outside of government to play their parts in undermining democracythey now take the initiative to anticipate Trumps desire for extreme actions and act upon them. Story continues Historian Ian Kershaw famously described the Third Reichs operating principle as working towards the Fuhrer. Party members anticipated the steps its leader wanted, particularly attacks on political opponents and undesirables like Jews, and frequently took them without being asked. Over time, it became clear that those who pursued the most radical, and often violent, steps to serve the party would be met with approbation, while those who hesitated would be met with disfavor or worse. While Trump is, of course, no Hitler, he and his acolytes have used a similar reward-and-punishment dynamic to relentlessly move the GOP towards a dynamic of ever greater extremism, in which adherence to legal and moral norms is viewed as intolerable weakness. During 2016, Trumps most devoted acolyte, his namesake son, responded to news that the Russian government was illicitly aiding his fathers presidential campaign by exclaiming I love it in an email, and arranging a meeting in the hope of getting dirt on Hillary Clinton from Russia. In early 2021, after Trump lost the election, Meadows likewise responded to fellow extremists plans to undermine the electoral vote count by replacing duly designated electors with Trump shills by, likewise, declaring I love it. The Eyes Have It: Junior Just Wants Daddys Love We do not know if Trump expressly blessed either scheme beforehand, but it is clear that both Don Jr. and Meadows understood that they would risk Trumps ire if they failed to pursue the most extreme attacks on American laws and democratic norms available in Trumps name. The GOPs dynamic of rewarding extremism, and penalizing restraint, has only strengthened since Trump lost the election. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy disavowed his initial support for an investigation of Jan. 6, and ultimately supported the sanctioning of Liz Cheney for participating in the Congressional inquiry into the coup attempt. Cheney and fellow Jan. 6 committee member Adam Kinzinger are now facing a call for their expulsion from the GOP caucus from prominent party activists and institutions that are now singularly dependent on Trump, such as Matt Schlapp and the Club for Growth, as virtually all of their House colleagues cower in silence. Meanwhile, McCarthy, recognizing that his hope to be elected Speaker depends on maintaining the support of Trumps most radical allies, gives free license to members like Paul Gosar, who recently disclosed evidence establishes was an active participant in the coup effort and who recently joked about murdering a House colleague. At the state level, the impetus within the GOP to work towards Trump is likewise even more powerful than it was during the weeks following the election. Trumps now-infamous call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, demanding that he find additional votes for Trump, failed to induce Raffensperger to corrupt the election, and Trumps rejection of the election results likely contributed to the runoff losses of both GOP incumbent senatorscosting Republicans control of the senate. Yet during the succeeding months, Trumps relentless attacks on Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp have induced other Republicans to join in attacking the two for not undoing the outcome of the 2020 election, and to induce opponents who share Trumps extremist agenda to plan primary challenges against them, making radicalism the norm in the party. How Donald Trump Could Help Stacey Abrams Win Georgia The story is the same in many other states, including Wisconsin, where a GOP legislative leader has responded to Trumps loss there by attacking the states bipartisan election commission (including a commissioner he appointed), while some Wisconsin Republican leaders, including Sen. Ron Johnson, are calling for what amounts to a GOP takeover of the administration of elections in the state. In Arizona, an audit that confirmed Trumps loss has nonetheless served as a rallying cry for efforts to undermine voting rights in that state and others. Across the country, people who claim the 2020 election was stolen by Biden are running to take control of the local election machinery to ensure that the next election can be stolen by Trump. While they rarely direct these actions, Trump and his acolytes have praised these extremists while often threatening retaliation against party members who question such a radical approach. A case in point is Michigan, where Trump supporters have demanded an Arizona-style audit of the election, despite the fact that a GOP-sponsored probe found no evidence of election fraud. A group of Trump supporters, some of them members of the state legislature, have commenced a campaign to intimidate state party leaders to support this audit, as a sign of support for Trump, declaring that their effort is the first step in a revolution against the electoral system. This brings us back to Jan. 6. Trumps address to a crowd of supporters that day came after a presidential term in which he openly praised neo-Nazi rioters, encouraged gun-wielding protesters to go to state capitals to liberate them from COVID restrictions, and wielded a Bible in front of a church after a crowd of protesters had been cleared for him by a violent police and National Guard attack. It followed weeks during which Trump himself had waged a relentless campaign to delegitimize the results of the election, commencing even before it was held and using every legal and political lever that he could to get himself reinstalled against the will of the people. The former president claims that he didnt tell the crowd that gathered for his speech on Jan. 6 to attack the Capitol, but virtually all of the people who did believed they were acting in his interests, and had every reason to believe that their attack would meet with his approbation. Indeed, evidence that has come to light during recent months has only added further support for their belief. Trump has confirmed that he was wholly unconcerned with Pences safety during the insurrection, and failed even to call him as the siege proceeded. We are also now learning that Trump ignored entreaties from legislators inside the Capitol, and even from Don Jr., and Sean Hannity, to call off his supporters siege, as only he could have done. It is also becoming increasingly clear that, as the siege proceeded, Trumps acolytes, including Rudy Giuliani, and (as reported by The Daily Beast) possibly Peter Navarro, may well have been employing the disruption in the proceedings as an the opportunity to attempt to encourage more legislators to vote against certificationor to at least to delay it until they could engineer the naming of replacement electors. We now know that in the weeks before Jan. 6, a group of legislators had been working hand-in-glove with Meadows and other Trump allies to implement the coup scheme. Most GOP members of Congress had not joined the scheme. But the insurrection contributed to making more of them more pliant Trump allies. Freshman GOP Rep. Peter Meijer has recounted that, in the immediate wake of the insurrection, a number of his colleagues who had planned to vote in favor of certifying Bidens election reversed course, some out of fear for their own lives. Since that time, most GOP politicians have routinely endorsed, or at least chosen not to oppose, the extreme attacks on democracy and the electoral system that have become core tenets of the GOP. As I have previously discussed, appeals to an extremist base are now such a central element of the partys political strategy that GOP leaders fear losing support if they dont support conspiracism and anti-democracy. For example, during a recent Minnesota GOP senate debate, all five of the candidates resisted acknowledging that Biden had won the 2020 election. Even Trump himself has found that his power as a leader of an extremist movement depends on his own reliably continuous appeals to extremism. This was starkly evident last week when Trump himself faced criticism from some of his most fervent followers for acknowledging that the COVID vaccine saves lives, and admitting that he received a booster dose. In short, extremism is Trumps calling card, and the force that fuels his movement. Accordingly, whether or not Trump ordered the insurrection, he clearly chose to allow it to continue by his silence, likely because Trump believed the attack on the Capitol served his own ends. And during the months that have followed, GOP activists encouraged by Trump have normalized the goals and even the tactics of the insurrectionistswho are now frequently described by Trumpist Republicans as harmless tourists, or patriots. The party is working towards Trump. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet resigned Friday, weeks after a video surfaced that depicted her using racist remarks as she and her family watched security footage of an attempted burglary at their home. I take full responsibility for the hurtful words used to describe the individual who burglarized the vehicles at my home. I am sorry for the pain that I have caused my community and ask for your forgiveness, as my words did not foster the publics confidence and integrity for the judiciary, Odinet said in a letter submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court filed by her attorney Dane Ciolino. Ciolino told HuffPost Odinet understands that this is the end of her public service, but only the beginning of what she must to do to earn the forgiveness of the community. Odinet confirmed the video, published by The Current on Dec. 13, was shot in her home. It depicts a television showing security footage of a burglary as several voices laugh and recap the incident while repeatedly using the N-word. Ciolino told The New York Times Odinet was one of the voices heard using a slur in the video. After the video surfaced, Odinet asked for forgiveness and understanding, claiming she had taken a sedative at the time of the video and had zero recollection of the incident. She requested an unpaid leave of absence before being temporarily disqualified from the bench. Ciolino told HuffPost Odinet, who has four adult children, is humiliated, embarrassed and sorry for what she has done and the trouble that she has caused to her community. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Sydney gears up for New Year's despite record Omicron surge Sydney, the Australian city worst-affected by the Omicron wave, will press ahead with New Year's Eve celebrations on Friday, with authorities encouraging revellers to come out and enjoy the festivities despite a record number of COVID-19 cases. Thousands are expected to flock to prime harbourside spots to watch Sydney's famous fireworks, the traditional 12-minute pyrotechnic display to ring in the New Year, with queues forming at many vantage points since early morning. South Africa lifts curfew as it says fourth wave peaks South Africa has lifted a midnight to 4 a.m. curfew on people's movement with immediate effect, believing the country has passed the peak of its fourth COVID-19 wave driven by the Omicron variant, a government statement said on Thursday. The country made the changes based on the trajectory of the pandemic, levels of vaccination and available capacity in the health sector, according to a press release issued by Mondli Gungubele, a minister in the presidency. South Africa is at the lowest of its five-stage COVID-19 alert levels. Quebec announces curfew, Ontario cuts isolation period Canada's Ontario and Quebec announced new measures to combat COVID-19 on Thursday as the country faces a rise in cases that has forced tens of thousands into isolation, made tests difficult to access and burdened its healthcare sector. Quebec, Canada's second-most populous province, will ban private gatherings and dining out, as well as impose a night curfew from New Year's Eve in an escalation of curbs to rein in rapidly rising coronavirus cases due to the Omicron variant. Ontario, home to Toronto, Canada's biggest city, announced new measures from Friday, shortening the isolation period for vaccinated individuals with COVID-19 to five days from the onset of symptoms, the province's chief medical officer, Kieran Moore, told reporters at a briefing. Story continues Israel approves fourth vaccine shot for most vulnerable Israel is to go ahead with second COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people with weakened immune systems, the top government health official said on Thursday, but a final decision on wider usage is pending. An Israeli hospital administered fourth shots to a test group of health workers on Monday, in what it called the first major study into whether a second round of boosters will help see off the Omicron coronavirus variant. Results are expected within two weeks. Scientists to test high dexamethasone doses in severely ill patients British scientists will be studying whether higher doses of a cheap and widely used steroid called dexamethasone could work better for patients with severe COVID-19 compared with the standard low doses, they said on Thursday. The large trial, dubbed RECOVERY, will compare a higher dose of 20 mg of dexamethasone given once daily for five days, followed by 10 mg once daily for another five days, to the usual low dose treatment given for up to 10 days, the trial's website showed. (Compiled by Karishma Singh) By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was released from prison on Friday nearly five years after being convicted of corruption, fuelling debate over whether she would play any role ahead of a March presidential election. Park, 69, was the country's first democratically elected leader to be thrown out of office when the Constitutional Court upheld a parliament vote in 2017 to impeach her over a scandal that also led to the imprisonment of the chiefs of two conglomerates, Samsung and Lotte. South Korea's top court in January upheld a 20-year prison sentence imposed after Park was found guilty of colluding with a friend, who is also in jail, to receive tens of billions of won from the companies, mostly to fund her friend's family and non-profit foundations. President Moon Jae-in granted a special pardon to Park last week, citing her deteriorating health and expressing hope to "overcome unfortunate past history and promote national unity". Justice ministry officials delivered the pardon to Park at the hospital where she has been staying for a month at midnight on Thursday, the Yonhap news agency reported, adding she remained there on Friday. The hospital declined to comment. Her lawyer has said Park, the daughter of a former military ruler, had offered an apology for causing public concern and thanked Moon for making a "tough decision". Park's release comes as her old party, the main opposition conservative People Power Party, and Moon's Democratic Party are in a tight presidential race. Her imprisonment divided the country, with right-wing, pro-Park groups staging weekly rallies to denounce Moon and his policies and call for Park's release, until COVID-19 distancing rules stifled the rallies last year. Hundreds of Park's supporters braved freezing temperatures to flock to the hospital where she was staying late on Thursday to celebrate her release, with more than 1,000 bouquets of flowers arriving. Story continues About 200 people held a protest in downtown Seoul against her release, Yonhap reported. It was not clear if Park would resume any political activity but she said in a memoir released on Thursday that her conviction was politically motivated and she expressed hopes to "meet the people again one day". People Power's presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, who investigated the Park scandal as prosecutor-general, said on Friday he had done his job as a public servant, adding he would like to visit Park when her health improved. (This story corrects to Park remains in hospital and has not left it, paragraphs 5-6) (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Robert Birsel) Good morning, Lake View! Nicole Fallon-Peek here, filling in for your usual curator, Georgi. Like many of you, the Patch team is taking some time off to celebrate the New Year, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of this slight pause in our schedule, and we'll be back on Monday with your next edition of the Lake View Daily! Now, here's everything happening around town today. First, today's weather: Some sun, then clouds. High: 46 Low: 35. Rent this space: Are you a local business owner or marketer in Oak Park-River Forest? We want to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Learn more about how it works. Here are the top 3 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest: Looking for some New Year's weekend fun in the Oak Park-River Forest area? There are plenty of events in the area to help you ring in 2022, including Noon Year's Eve events for the kids at the River Forest Public Library, a meditation New Year's celebration at Oak Park's Kadampa Meditation Center, and more. (Oak Park-River Forest Patch) If you need a COVID-19 test, head over to nearby Forest Park to get tested for free, with no appointment or insurance necessary. Northshore Clinical has two open locations (321A S. Harlem Ave. and 7216 Circle Ave.) with rapid and PCR tests. The Center for COVID Control is also operating a clinic at 1527 S. Harlem Ave. and recommends calling ahead at 224-269-2397 to confirm PCR tests are available. (Forest Park Review) Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans is requiring all of his employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All court reporters, administrative staff, and workers at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center must at least get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the next three weeks, Evans said. There is no deadline for employees to receive their second dose, nor are employees required to get a booster shot if they've been vaccinated. (WLS-TV) Story continues Today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community and to get access to this amazing technology click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Oak Park-River Forest! Today in Oak Park-River Forest: Noon Year's Eve At River Forest Public Library (10:30 AM and 11:30 AM) New Year's Eve Celebration At Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago In Oak Park (7:30 PM and 9:00 PM) From my notebook: As a reminder, b eginning Jan. 3, anyone age 5 and older must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to dine, drink, work out, or gather indoors in large groups in suburban Cook County. (Facebook) The Cook County Sheriff's Office's Treatment Response Team has responded to more than 150 overdose calls this year and has used Narcan on individuals in need nearly 100 times. (Facebook) Check out the Oak Park Public Library's top book picks of 2021! See the full list of titles at oppl.org/lists to browse their recommendations by category. (Instagram) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Events: Get a medical cannabis card in 24hrs, and for 33% off, for the rest of 2021 (December 31) Watchnight New Year's Eve ("An Evening with Kingdom Impact Theater, Ep. 12") (December 31) Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31) Protect yourself & Family-Illinois Concealed Carry Classes / 3 Hour CCL renewals & a Free law class (January 15) Add your event Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Become a supporter (there are perks!) Get your local business showcased in front of readers Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. Have a very happy new year! Nicole Fallon-Peek About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. This article originally appeared on the Oak Park-River Forest Patch BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of maintaining a "strategic focus" in his 2022 New Year address and of being mindful of "potential risks" in the Communist Party's long-term vision to turn China into a global power. Xi in 2021 declared that China had achieved its aim of building a so-called "moderately prosperous" society, a milestone on its road to becoming a global leader in 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. "We must always keep a long-term perspective, remain mindful of potential risks, maintain strategic focus and determination, and 'attain the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute'," Xi said in a televised speech. China, where the coronavirus was first identified in late 2019, has placed a focus on its achievements past and present, including quickly bringing COVID-19 under control as its economy lost steam after rebounding from a pandemic slump and as relations with the United States plumbed new lows. Xi said the complete unification of "the motherland" was an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, referring to the self-ruled island of Taiwan which it considers "sacred" territory. "I sincerely hope that all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation will join forces to create a brighter future for our nation," he said. Earlier this week, a Beijing official warned that China would take "drastic measures" if fiercely democratic Taiwan makes moves towards formal independence. Xi also stressed the importance of stability in the former British colony of Hong Kong and the former Portuguese-run enclave of Macau, which returned to China in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Under the handover deal, Hong Kong was promised that its wide-ranging individual freedoms, including freedom of speech, would be protected. Story continues But activists complain that those freedoms have been eroded since China passed a new national security law in 2020 crushing dissent in the wake of at times violent pro-democracy, anti-China street protests a year earlier. Chinese and Hong Kong officials have defended the law as necessary to restore order. Unlike in previous years, Xi did not talk about China's gross domestic product in his address. (Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Nick Macfie) LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles police officer who opened fire in a Burlington department store days two days before Christmas, killing an assault suspect and a 14-year-old girl in a dressing room, was identified Thursday as a veteran of the force who also operated a non-profit for low-income children. The Los Angeles Police Department identified William Jones, who was assigned to the North Hollywood area of the nation's second-largest city, as the officer who fired at least three shots with his long rifle. He has worked at the department for about a dozen years, according to a profile published last year by the University of Louisville, his alma mater. The LAPD released an edited video package online Monday that included 911 calls, police radio transmissions, body camera footage and surveillance video from the Dec. 23 shooting. The array of footage showed the suspect's erratic movements in the store, his attacks on multiple customers and the moment Jones fired his weapon. The 911 calls show police received conflicting information, first being told the suspect was assaulting people with a bicycle lock then later that the suspect might be armed and was shooting inside the store. Soledad Peralta and Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, the parents of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, attend a news conference outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters on Tuesday. In the footage, police officers including Jones didn't give any commands to the suspect, who was shot down the aisle from a bloodied assault victim. He could be seen holding the metal bike lock, which he used in the assault, and a piece of artwork when he was shot. No firearms were found. The LAPD said one of Jones' bullets pierced a wall behind the suspect and hit Valentina Orellana-Peralta, 14, who was in a dressing room with her mother trying on dresses for Christmas. Valentina dropped to the ground, started convulsing and died in her mother's arms. "I tried to wake her up by shaking her, but she didn't wake up," the teen's mother, Soledad Peralta, said in a statement read at a news conference this week. 'HEART HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT': Mom of teen killed by LA cop in Burlington store prayed, held daughter as she died Story continues Valentina Orellana-Peralta The footage released by police shows Jones was told to "slow down" more than a dozen times by other responding officers before shots were fired. He has been placed on administrative leave, the department confirmed to USA TODAY. Tom Saggau, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents LAPD officers, told USA TODAY that Jones had been a model officer before the shooting. Jones launched a non-profit with his wife, called Officers For Change, that aimed to help children in low-income households, he said. The charity collected and solicited donations primarily from other officers, allowing them to hand out school supplies and backpacks ahead of the school year, Saggau said. In his spare time, Jones also helped coach a football team, he added. "There wouldn't be a department in the country who wouldn't want him as a police officer," Saggau said. "This was horrendous and tragic. But this wasn't an officer with an obvious character flaw or something." NEWS AT NIGHT: Sign up for USA TODAY's free Evening Briefing newsletter Jones grew up in Kentucky and moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue work in the entertainment industry, according to the profile published online by the University of Louisville. He became interested in police work while out West and finished his communications degree online while working with LAPD, the profile says. The story, published in December 2020, notes he "spent eight years on patrol and the past three years working as a community relations officer." Police yellow tape blocks the scene where two people were struck by gunfire at a Burlington store in North Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 23. Saggau said inaccurate reports of an active shooter likely fueled a mindset that officers needed to quickly stop the threat to prevent death. In those situations, he said, officers prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is why Jones came prepared with a long rifle, instead of a less-lethal weapon. Since the shooting in 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado, police departments across the country have changed procedures and protocols on responding to active shooters. Instead of securing an area and waiting for backup, law enforcement officers have been trained to engage immediately on the scene. A bulletin sent in 2003 to all Los Angeles police officers, which LAPD confirmed to USA TODAY is still in effect, defined an active shooter as someone armed "who has used deadly force on other persons and aggressively continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims." Flowers and balloons are left at a makeshift memorial on Monday for the teenage girl who was killed by a stray police bullet at a Burlington store in North Hollywood, California. While the suspect, identified by police as Daniel Elena Lopez, 24, wasn't armed with a gun, officers can be heard in released police footage saying he was in the midst of attacking a woman in the seconds before they approached. The bulletin noted officers have to "assess the situation objectively, evaluate their options and act accordingly." It notes a variety of dangerous situations, from suspects who are actively shooting to those who have hostages, and says misunderstandings of the term active shooter had caused "a premature response" with rapid deployment tactics used in an active shooter situation. An active shooter presentation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which has jurisdiction for a large area surrounding the city, notes the primary goal when law enforcement officers contact a suspect is to "stop suspect's deadly behavior" and "take the suspect into custody" with the least amount of force necessary. Officers should "give clear and concise orders to the suspect." On why Jones did not yell any commands to the suspect, including to drop any weapons or to come out with his hands up, Saggau said that will be a focus of investigators. "None of us know what was going through that officer's mind," he said. "I would never dare put myself in the position of those officers. They'll be plenty of investigations and questions, but what the public should do is try to put themselves in the shoes of that officer in that moment." Contributing: Mary Ramsey, Louisville Courier Journal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles police ID cop who killed teen girl in Burlington shooting The largest teachers union in Massachusetts called Friday on the education commissioner to keep public schools closed Monday, when most students were scheduled to return to the classroom after the holiday break, so staff members can come in and get tested for COVID-19. The request was made with input from the Massachusetts Teachers Association's environmental health and safety committee and public health experts, union President Merrie Najimy said in a statement. "To protect the public health and the safety of our communities, it is urgent to allow districts to use Jan. 3 for administering COVID-19 tests to school staff and analyzing the resulting data," she said. "Without a strategic plan to make the tests available before this weekend, the ability to ensure safe learning environments for our students and staff by Monday morning is greatly reduced," said MTA President Merrie Najimy. https://t.co/OP1k4MrQG4 Massachusetts Teachers Association (@massteacher) December 31, 2021 The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced this week that it had purchased 200,000 COVID-19 rapid tests that would be distributed statewide for faculty and staff testing. Test distribution: New Bedford Public Schools to distribute COVID rapid test kits to NBPS staff But without a strategic plan to make the tests available before this weekend, the ability to ensure safe learning environments for our students and staff by Monday morning is greatly reduced," Najimy said. A spokesperson for the state Executive Office of Education rejected the idea of keeping students out of school Monday. The commissioner is not going to close schools Monday, and asks teachers to be patient as we work to get tests in their hands this weekend," Colleen Quinn said in a statement. It is disappointing that once again the MTA is trying to find a way to close schools, which we know is to the extreme detriment of our children. Story continues Gov. Charlie Baker has consistently said keeping children in school is of paramount importance. There are a lot of tools and capabilities available to keep kids and adults safe in school, and we should do everything in our power to make sure that kids stay in school," the Republican said Thursday. Test and stay program: New Bedford Public Schools to offer in-school COVID testing to keep absentee rates down While acknowledging that delaying the start of school by one day would pose a hardship for some families, Najimy said there would no hesitation to close schools if there were a blizzard Sunday night. With the omicron variant spreading and COVID-19 positivity rates in the state surpassing 16% in the most recent seven-day average and with Massachusetts now reporting more than 1 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic it is fair to say that the health and safety risks we face from COVID-19 far surpass those presented by a noreaster," she said. Making Monday a COVID-19 test day will help school districts make more informed staffing decisions and ensure that in-person learning continues, she said. The union represents about 110,000 teachers, faculty, professional staff and education support professionals at public schools, colleges and universities. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: MA teachers union: Close schools Monday for staff COVID testing The COVID-19 pandemic changed so much for Knoxville-area nonprofits, including the organizations that help them thrive. United Way of Greater Knoxville, Alliance for Better Nonprofits and Volunteer East Tennessee leaders hope that East Tennessee nonprofits will be stronger now that the three organizations have merged. Though there are still some logistical hurdles, leaders say the goal is to have one stronger organization that can help nonprofits serve out their missions. EMPTY STOCKING FUND:Nonprofit prepares to 'ramp up' beyond the holidays NONPROFITS: Five East Tennessee nonprofits receive Gannett grants to fuel missions Alyson Gallaher, Chief Community Engagement Officer; Jerry Askew, president of Alliance for Better Nonprofits, and Brewton Couch, Chief Strategy Officer at United Way, pose for a portrait together at the United Way office. The United Way of Greater Knoxville has merged with the Alliance for Better Nonprofits and Volunteer East Tennessee, a move executives say will strengthen the nonprofits in East Tennessee by providing one hub where they can find volunteers, donors and resources. "At the end of the day, more of the philanthropic dollar gets to go to the people we're serving, and less to the administrative overhead," president for Alliance for Better Nonprofits Jerry Askew told Knox News. Why merge? Volunteer East Tennessee merged with the local United Way on July 1, which then merged with Alliance for Better Nonprofits on Nov. 1. Askew said the merger means there is now one hub for nonprofits to find volunteers; donors and companies to locate nonprofits that need funding; and beneficiary organizations to receive training to use the money they're receiving. Brewton Couch, chief strategy officer of United Way of Greater Knoxville, said this move helps United Way become a "more modern" organization. "As United Way, if we have an organization that's looking for funding, but maybe they don't have the capacity for the level of funds they think they need, now that ABN's in house, we can provide that capacity-building piece," Couch said. The United Way office on Hannah Ave. in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. The United Way of Greater Knoxville has merged with the Alliance for Better Nonprofits and Volunteer East Tennessee. Alliance for Better Nonprofits teaches nonprofit leaders skills like hiring, marketing, leadership and fundraising anything that helps an organization run better, Askew said. Though nonprofits are built on passion, a nonprofit leader needs business skills to fulfill an organization's mission, said Alyson Gallaher, chief community engagement officer of United Way of Greater Knoxville and executive director of Volunteer East Tennessee. Story continues Couch said on the flip side, if an organization is looking for board members with a certain skill set, Volunteer East Tennessee can help organizations connect with the right people. What COVID-19 taught the organizations Like most things, the pandemic affected the way the three organizations operated. Nonprofits started working more closely with each other as they tried to combat the common enemy of the virus, Askew said. They also had to find a way to do that without meeting in person. "It also forced us to address disaster or crises in a different way," Gallaher said. "Usually, it's like all hands on deck, as many people as possible to address something. And really, this was the reverse of that. We could not have all hands on deck, we needed to be able to do more with fewer people. And coordinating that was difficult. Alyson Gallaher, Chief Community Engagement Officer, at the United Way office on Hannah Ave. in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. The United Way of Greater Knoxville has merged with the Alliance for Better Nonprofits. "Because it was like relearning how to respond to your clients, the people in need that you work with every single day across these nonprofits. And it changed the landscape permanently, I think, with how nonprofits work together through things like this." The pandemic also changed the way nonprofits raised funds. Many of them canceled in-person events, which have historically helped generate the donations needed to operate. According to a United Way of Greater Knoxville and Alliance for Better Nonprofits co-published report, 85% of the organizations surveyed with an event scheduled for spring 2021 planned to modify their in-person plans in some way. Some switched to a virtual event, canceled the event, moved the event date to later in the year or created a hybrid in-person and virtual event. That same report said local nonprofits lost $12.5 million in revenue in 2020. Some of the funds were recovered through the Paycheck Protection Program, grant applications and donor support. How will this work? United Way will act as the umbrella company, under which Volunteer East Tennessee and Alliance for Better Nonprofits will operate. The merger did not result in any layoffs and the new organization will employ 34 people, Couch said. Askew, who is active in his church and chair of the Knoxville Utilities Board, is retiring in January to spend more time with wife and grandchildren. President and CEO of United Way of Greater Knoxville Matt Ryerson said the new United Way has to work out how it will serve nonprofits across the region in a meaningful way. He said he hopes that happens by spring 2022. United Way on Hannah Ave. in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. The United Way of Greater Knoxville has merged with the Alliance for Better Nonprofits. Alliance for Better Nonprofits has a 25-county footprint, Volunteer East Tennessee serves 11 counties and UWGK serves four counties, Ryerson said. There are also still some logistical hurdles, like merging payroll and email systems. "So there's going to be a period of culture building, really get our teams fine tuned," Ryerson said. "But, you know, we are so thrilled because the ABN team is just so darn talented that we really feel like we've gotten this dream team of nonprofit leaders that we can invest into our community." Isabel Lohman reports on children's education, health, welfare and opportunities in East Tennessee Twitter | Email | 865-207-9279 (mobile) Live each day with the knowledge you need for you, your family and your community by subscribing to Knox News. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How United Way merger will impact Knoxville nonprofits in 2022 Nicolas Cage has said he would rather be called a thespian than an actor. The Ghost Rider star explained his perceived difference between the two words, and why he was more inclined to self-identify as a thespian, in a new interview with Variety. On the latest episode of Varietys Awards Circuit Podcast, which was released on Thursday (30 December), Cage said: For me it always implies, Oh, hes a great actor, therefore hes a great liar. So, Cage said, he prefers the term thespian despite the risk of sounding like a pretentious a**hole. Thespian means youre going into your heart, or youre going into your imagination, or your memories or your dreams, and youre bringing something back to communicate with the audience, said the 57-year-old, who has starred in more than 100 films since the 1984 rom-com Valley Girl catapulted him to fame. Most recently, Cage starred in Michael Sarnosis debut film Pig, which was released in July. Cages portrayal of a reclusive Oregon chef, desperate to rescue his kidnapped truffle hunting pig from gangsters, in Sarnosis revenge-thriller earned him rave reviews. In her four-star review for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey said Cages performance in Pig was a beautiful demonstration of his ability to forge a profound connection with the role of Robert Rob Feld. The Oscar-winner said he was surprised by the films success but that it was nice to have an enthusiastic response, in an earlier interview. In September this year, Cage claimed he would never retire from acting, likening his profession to a guardian angel. Im healthier when Im working, I need a positive place to express my life experience, and filmmaking has given me that. So Im never going to retire. Where are we now, 117 movies? he had said. The Daily Beast University of KansasA University of Kansas fraternity houses locker room was covered in vomit, liquor, pee, old food, trash, and who knows what else, one prospective member told investigators. But when some of the frats pledges started to clean it up, they were ordered by its members to go immediately to bed without showering. That night, the student alleged, the pledges were forced to sleep in vomit-encrusted sheets.The sickening incident was one of several incidents uncovered by outside in As Patrice Melnick moves through the rooms of exhibits at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center, she feels fortunate to be the executive director of what she describes as a hidden jewel. Three centuries of city and St. Landry Parish culture and history await visitors scrutiny at the newly re-opened museum at 315 N. Main St. in the downtown business district, and Melnick is more than anxious to present an eclectic group of historic displays now tucked inside the moderately sized building. Melnick began in August preparing the museum to reopen after it was closed by city officials for 18 months due to COVID-19 precautions. The museum doors officially swung open again Dec. 28 somewhat quietly, as Melnick says she preferred a more subdued beginning in order to build sufficient interest and momentum after the museum was closed for such a long time. Director Patrice Melnick stands outside the in downtown. The museum reopened recently after being closed for 18 months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I want to work first with what we already have here and then continue building, Melnick said. I like challenges and I like to create and use my imagination and working (at the museum) will give me that opportunity. When people begin coming in again, they will see a reflection of such a deep and impressive culture that represents our area. During the past five months following her appointment as director, Melnick has been assessing the numerous items in a building that has been used as a funeral home, municipal library and a private business. That assessment phase included determining the overall condition of the museum, the donated exhibits that were already there as well as writing grants in order to obtain funding, Melnick explained. I love to write and I love history. We have so many fascinating items here, and I want to be able to communicate that to other people, Melnick added. The culture and music of the area are fascinating and the people are so welcoming. They speak to you when they say hello. So far, through Melnicks grants, the city has obtained a St. Landry Parish Tourism Marketing Grant, another from the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Grant Program, the LEH Poet Laureate and an additional allocation from CLECO. Story continues Louisiana poet laureate Mona Lisa Saloy is scheduled to host a writing workshop along with a poetry reading in June, while Opelousas artist Jerome Ford plans an art exhibit at the museum in 2022, Melnick notes. In order to learn more about her role as a director, Melnick has enrolled in online certification classes through the American Association of State and Local History. Melnick, who moved to Louisiana and eventually St. Landry Parish about two decades ago, has been fascinated about what already exists in the display rooms. A glass showcase in the main hallway features the medals, memorabilia and awards that Opelousas native Rodney Milburn won during his track career at Southern University. In 1972, Milburn won a Summer Olympics gold medal in the hurdle events. A glass showcase in the main hallway of the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center features the medals, memorabilia and awards that Opelousas native Rodney Milburn won during his track career at Southern University. In 1972 Milburn won a Summer Olympics gold medal in the hurdle events. Moving into one of the larger rooms, there is a featured display of life-sized historic characters such as Huey Long performing and talking, sometimes to one another. Opelousas inventor Charles Lanusse designed the characters, their personalities and the intricate mechanisms that control movements and speech. Several rooms include the massive doll and doll house collection of Geraldine Welch Smith. Some of the estimated 400 dolls were purchased, but Melnick said Welch made several of them from Styrofoam cups and pipe cleaners. The exhibition also includes several large dollhouses. Museum director Patrice Melnick poses next to the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center's massive doll and doll house collection of Geraldine Welch Smith. While some of the estimated 400 dolls were purchased, Melnick said, Welch made several of them from Styrofoam cups and pipe cleaners. The areas music is represented by artifacts from parish zydeco, rock 'n roll and French musicians. Also Melnick is attempting to more adequately archive videos and articles from the annual Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival. One corner of the largest museum room contains agricultural items used before the tractor and combine area of farming. Melnick says one family who already toured the museum seemed fascinated with the number of dolls in the Welch collection. Some of the younger children, Melnick noted, were enthralled with the talking animals and characters created by Lanusse. This article originally appeared on Opelousas Daily World: Opelousas Museum reopens after COVID-19 pandemic forced it to close Lee and Cherie Thompson, along with the chocolate lab MJ, traveled to Mayfield, KY on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 to see the tornado damage. Tornadoes ripping through the region this month didnt discriminate in their destruction. Lives at all stages were snuffed out and violently turned upside down by perhaps the most dreadful and devastating twisters in Kentuckys history. Yes "twisters" as in plural. Weather experts now believe there were three tornadoes that touched down in Bowling Green alone and as many as 44 in nine states. Found in the rubble left behind were young, middle-aged and elderly, those from different socioeconomic backgrounds, native citizens and hard-working immigrants. A judge. Babies. Candle makers and factory workers. Blue collar. White collar. Retired. A sign posted in appreciation of the first responder in Mayfield, KY on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Neither did the communities sizes matter. Larger urban and smaller rural areas trapped in the storms paths were equally pummeled. And all just two weeks before Christmas. How could a pastor whose church building and congregation were both devastated encourage members during such tragedy, and so close to a holy day known for its joy and celebration? "I guess that depends on your perspective," Dr. Milton West, senior minister of First Christian Church in Mayfield, told NBCs Today show while standing amidst the rubble. "You know, our faith gives us reasons to experience joy." Not "happiness" but "joy." Happiness depends more on circumstances; joy, however, isnt determined so much by what happens around us but a firm demonstration that faith is present within. Downtown Mayfield, Ky. after deadly tornados ripped through the small community. Dec. 11, 2021 Dec. 11, 2021 A demonstrative reminder of such firmness occurred when First Christians communion table featuring a carving of Michelangelos The Last Supper was found. It was rescued, even as the structure around it weakened by the moment, intact and with the cross still standing on top. Nothing like a cross to bring a diverse group of tax collectors, zealous politicians, religious Pharisees and hot-tempered fishermen together to save the world. While these tornadoes were indiscriminate in their destruction, they received a strong response in their aftermath by a correspondingly determined and diverse citizenry. Story continues I was privileged to work at New Life Church in Bowling Green alongside neighbors and fellow citizens as we unloaded the first semi tractor-trailers loaded down with food and supplies to arrive from wonderful disaster relief organizations, including Convoy of Hope and Operation Blessing. OH Somers Elementary School Teacher Christine Brinkley is spearheading a donation drive in Mogadore. The gifts will be driven to Mayfield, Ky. Sunday to help tornado survivors. Hours are being spent filling care packages with those supplies in a sanctuary where tables replaced pews and were filled with everything from Gatorade to grits in a volunteer-fueled effort rivaling Santas workshop. Only this operation isnt happening at the distant North Pole but rather a few short blocks from the devastation. There we were young, middle aged and old; those of means, others on fixed incomes. Native citizens. Immigrants. Different political views and various cultural backgrounds. Nothing like a storm to bring us together and prevent neighbors and fellow citizens from surrendering to the despair which could easily occur in such times. National pundits and politicians swear were how many times have you heard it "more divided than ever." Such a narrative may drive up ratings, but its no truer than claiming the flags surviving the storm and pulled from beneath Mayfields courthouse and fire station by #kentuckystrong citizens and National Guard members had lost stripes or stars. Like all the rest, those flags are made from red and blue. A U.S. flag placed in front of tornado damaged homes in Mayfield, KY on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. And while there will always be a place for political discourse and debate, how much more constructive could it all be with a renewed sense of our common concern for our fellow citizens? "We may squabble and disagree, but this is what we do; we come together, and we work to build," Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart ONan told reporters as recovery efforts began. I dont know the politics of most of the Good Samaritans alongside whom I was working. Or, as Pastor West puts it, "those differences dont matter when youre trying to rebuild your lives." After all, when a forklifts needed to get baby food from the semi to the sanctuary, what difference does the drivers politics make? It really does all depend on your perspective. Jim Waters is president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentuckys free-market think tank. Read previous columns at www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com and @bipps on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: Nothing like a storm to bring us together Wilfried Zaha was sent off during Crystal Palaces recent defeat at Tottenham (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire) Osian Roberts has praised the demanding nature of Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha and backed him to help take the club to the next level. The Ivory Coast international will return from suspension for the New Years Day clash with West Ham after he was sent off during the 3-0 loss at Tottenham last weekend. It will be Zahas last domestic game before he jets off to Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on January 9. Since the winger graduated through the Eagles academy more than a decade ago, he has regularly been criticised externally for his perceived poor attitude and body language on the pitch, where he can from time to time be seen gesticulating with his own team-mates. However, current boss Patrick Vieira has often praised the winning mentality of Zaha and his assistant echoed those sentiments on Friday. I can only go on personal experience over the last few months and I think Wilfried is a top professional who is hungry for success, Roberts said while filling in for the isolating Palace manager. He wants to be successful as an individual and successful in a team environment. In order to do so you have to push yourself, you have to push your team-mates and always demand. Patrick is always saying to our group of players you must demand more from each other and Wilfried is one of the first to do that. If we want to raise the bar and achieve more moving forward, which the players are ambitious to do, then players like Wilfried are really important in that process. He is not one who is going to accept mediocrity, he will expect excellence every day in training and in every game. He has a major part to play and it is important players like Wilfried, who have that experience and ability, pass on their experience and help lead this group of players to the next level. New Years Day opponents West Ham have gone through the transformation Palace are eager to follow from being a mid-table club to a team competing in Europe, albeit with significant investment. Story continues While Roberts did not wish to be drawn on parallels between the sides, he was more than happy to talk up the managerial exploits of Hammers boss David Moyes who has rebuilt his reputation at the London Stadium following difficult spells with Manchester United and Sunderland. The Eagles assistant said: Every club is very different and I am sure the situation will have many differences to it but I am a huge fan of David Moyes. I used to go to Bellefield and watch the Everton first-team train when he was manager and Alan Irvine was assistant. They would allow me to go in and watch training many years ago so I have been a huge fan of Davids for a long time. I am so pleased that everybody now is realising he is a top, top manager. Maybe some opinions changed for a short while after he left Everton but you dont become a bad manager overnight. The experience he has gained and the way he has his teams play deserves the utmost respect. Palace are awaiting the results of routine PCR testing conducted on Friday which could allow boss Vieira to return to the touchline following a bout of Covid-19. Palestinian journalists have raised the alarm over what they describe as unjust suppression of their content on Facebook, a claim backed by rights groups but rejected by the social media giant. On December 4, Palestine TV correspondent Christine Rinawi posted a video on her Facebook account in which Israeli security forces were seen shooting a Palestinian on the ground, killing him. He had just carried out a knife attack on an Israeli civilian. Shortly after she posted her video, Rinawi, who has nearly 400,000 followers, noticed it had been removed from her account. This was not her first experience with Facebook's enforcement, and Rinawi said her account had already been restricted after she shared footage of a November attack in Jerusalem. In both cases, Facebook said it intervened because the posts violated the platform's standards. A spokesperson for Facebook's parent company Meta said its policies "were designed to give everyone a voice while keeping them safe on our apps". "We apply these policies to everyone equally, regardless of who is posting." Allegations of pro-Israeli bias at Facebook have simmered for years and were renewed in October when Human Rights Watch, a vocal Israel critic, said the platform had "suppressed content posted by Palestinians and their supporters speaking out about human rights issues in Israel and Palestine". Palestinian reporters have cited multiple incidents they describe as censorship. One popular online news outlet, Maydan Quds News, may even have to fire reporters after its main Facebook page with 1.2 million followers was deleted, a source who requested anonymity told AFP. The Meta spokesperson told AFP it has "a dedicated team, which includes Arabic and Hebrew speakers, who are focused on keeping our community safe by making sure we're removing harmful content". It also strives to address "any enforcement errors as quickly as possible so people can keep sharing what matters to them". Story continues In the midst of a bout of fighting in May between Israel and armed factions in the Gaza Strip -- the worst in years -- Facebook had acknowledged widescale deletion of Palestinian posts, ascribing it to a technical bug that it sought to fix. - 'Silencing the voice' - According to Palestinian social media monitoring centre Sada Social, 600 Palestinian accounts or pro-Palestinian Facebook posts were restricted or deleted in 2021, a record. The centre helped launch a social media campaign called "Facebook Censors Jerusalem". Rama Youssef, a Jerusalem-based journalist who volunteered for the campaign, said Facebook hews to an Israeli point of view and has "double standards". The Arab Center Washington DC think-tank said the Israeli government also pushes to censor "tens of thousands of posts and accounts" that support a Palestinian point of view. Meta did not answer AFP questions about requests from the Israeli government. But the company denied accusations of bias, saying its community standards prohibit violence, terrorism, hate and large-scale criminal activity, as well as posts supporting those subjects. Israeli officials have also accused various social media platforms, including Facebook, of failing to curb anti-Semitism. In February, then-diaspora affairs minister Omer Yankelevich presented Facebook, Google, TikTok and Twitter with proposals to beef up the fight against anti-Semitism, saying it was "running rampant" online. - Call for more transparency - Media expert Iyad al-Rifai of Sada Social said he regularly meets with Facebook representatives to ask for more transparency. He said the site appeared to target the word "shahid", Arabic for martyr, which Palestinians frequently use to describe people killed by Israeli forces, including those who carried out attacks. Rifai told AFP that Facebook insisted it is bound by American standards which consider "attackers to be terrorists", not martyrs to a political cause. But he said censoring the term wholesale ignored the wider context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meta did not respond to a question about its policies regarding the use of the word "shahid". But it said it reviews posts according to its own policies, as well as "local laws and international human rights standards". Rifai said he was concerned that deleting accounts might discourage Palestinians from "engaging with pivotal issues" for fear of losing "their digital history and presence". He said he obtained from Facebook "promises to improve the working mechanisms of the algorithms so as to differentiate between journalistic content and ordinary content", but he feared they offered "temporary rather than radical solutions". ha/dac/bs/jsa/hkb Dec. 30State police gaming enforcement officers are asking for the public's help as they try to identify a man accused of taking an 85-year-old woman's purse at Rivers Casino early Sunday. The victim forgot her purse which contained her cellphone, an unspecified amount of cash and credit cards at a slot machine just after 1 a.m., according to police. Video surveillance shows a white male finding the purse and wrapping his sweatshirt around it and leaving the casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore, police said. Police posted a report and photographs of the suspect on the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers website Wednesday and said an unspecified reward is being offered for information leading to the man's arrest. Anyone with information can contact crime stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or at pacrimestoppers.org. Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@triblive.com or via Twitter . ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports If you thought the Antonio Brown saga couldnt get any weirder, you were wrong. A social-media influencer who once licked a toilet seat on an airplane in an effort to get COVID (I have never been closer to retiring than in this precise moment) claims that Brown snuck her into his hotel room in New [more] Action Press/Shutterstock Elon Musk showed his lighter side when he hosted Saturday Night Live in May. While theres no word on how much NBC mightve paid the billionaire boss of Tesla and SpaceX, the Sun reported that hosts can expect to walk away from the gig with a cool $5,000. Not bad for a single nights work for most people. Take a Look: Just How Rich Are Elon Musk, Donald Trump and These Other Big Names? Find Out: Heres How Much You Need To Earn To Be Rich in Every State Elon Musk is hardly most people. He built two of the most innovative, exciting and successful companies in the world, both of which have staked a claim to a sizable chunk of the future. Along the way, Elon Musk has become the richest man in the world and 2021 was his career year. Heres why. See: Jeff Bezos $5.5 Billion Space Flight and More Billionaire Spending in 2021 He Dunked on All the Other Billionaires As of Dec. 6, Forbes ranks Elon Musk as the richest person in the world by a mile with a net worth just shy of $266 billion. Thats $70 billion more than No. 2, Jeff Bezos $195.6 billion. For context, Michael Bloomberg one of the 20 richest people in the world has $70 billion in total. Not one member of the Walton family has as much money as the sea of cash that separates Musk and the next-richest billionaire. After adding $140 billion to his net worth in 2020 he started 2020 with $30 billion, according to CNBC Musks wealth continued to snowball throughout 2021. By the start of fall, Musks fortune was historically epic. At the end of September, Musk became the third person ever to cross the $200 billion mark, according to Forbes. By mid-October, CNBC was reporting that Musk was worth more than Warren Buffett and Bill Gates combined. By the end of October just one month after eclipsing $200 billion Musk crossed the $300 billion mark. A few days later on Nov. 1, Musks fortune was estimated at more than $335 billion more than one-third of a trillion dollars. He was three times richer than Buffett, and 12 figures were needed to count the difference between Musks net worth and that of his next-closest rival. Story continues Year in Review: Take a Look Back at the Top Money Topics and Happenings of 2021 He Got Into the Rental Car Business On Oct. 26 at the peak of his legendary Halloween run Forbes reported that Elon Musk has emerged as the richest person in the history of the world. That day, Musk got $14 billion richer when Hertz announced it would be purchasing 100,000 rental cars from Tesla, mostly Model 3 sedans. It was a game-changing moment for the mainstreaming of EVs. The mega-order from Hertz, which started in 1918 renting out Ford Model Ts, represented the biggest purchase of electric cars in history, according to Bloomberg. For Tesla, the deal meant $4.2 billion in new revenue. Dont Sink The Ship: 28 CEOs That Have Saved or Sunk Major Corporations He Found Himself in Charge of a $1 Trillion Company On Oct. 26, 2020, Tesla had a market cap of less than $400 billion. Exactly one year later to the day, Tesla joined the smallest and most exclusive fraternity in the corporate world when the company crossed $1 trillion in market cap. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple are the only other U.S. corporations that require 13 digits to measure their value. He Flexed His Crypto Clout Musks history of crypto-tweeting can be traced back to 2017, but throughout 2021, his power to move markets with just a few words on social media was put on display over and over again. At the end of January, Bitcoin shot up by 15% just minutes after Musk simply added #Bitcoin to his Twitter profile page, according to Bloomberg. He sent Dogecoin to a record high in February with a single tweet, but the real boost went to Bitcoin that same month. The original cryptocurrency shot up by a full 20% when Musk announced that Tesla was making a $1.5 billion investment in Bitcoin and that it planned to accept it as currency from car buyers. Just as he buoyed Dogecoin with support in February, he sent the altcoins price tumbling in May just by joking about it on SNL, according to Reuters. A few days later, he sank not only Bitcoin, but the entire crypto market when he tweeted that Tesla would cancel plans to accept Bitcoin over objections to the amount of energy that goes into mining it. Read More: 65 Splurges of the Filthy Rich He Won the Battle for Space Here on Earth When American astronauts return to the moon for the first time since 1972, its almost certain that theyll get there in a spacecraft built by Elon Musks company. In April, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract worth nearly $3 billion to build a moonlander that Jeff Bezos desperately wanted for his Blue Origin rocket company. Bezos launched a series of lawsuits that sought to have the award overturned on the grounds that NASA awarded it unfairly but Musk fought him off. In early November, a federal judge rejected the last of those challenges and SpaceX is moving forward with the lunar lander. Money Talks: Bill Gates and 15 More Rich People Who Wont Leave Money to Their Kids So, Whats Next for the $300 Billion Man? It appears that the future belongs to Elon Musk both here and in space and building electric cars and moon machines arent his only ventures. Also in 2021, CNBC reported on Musks plan to build Tesla Bot, a 5-foot-8-inch 125-pound humanoid robot that can lift 150 pounds and run 5 miles per hour. A prototype is planned for 2022. Its also very possible that Elon Musk might soon look back and laugh at a time when the world thought $300 billion was a lot of money for one person to have. Barrons recently laid out a compelling case for a near future where the success of Tesla and SpaceX combine to make Elon Musk the worlds first trillionaire. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Reaching $300 Billion and Influencing Crypto: A Look Back at the Year for Elon Musk The Supreme Court justices, standing, from left, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett; seated, from left, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. (Fred Schiller / U.S. Supreme Court) Federal courts need to do much better at enforcing conflict-of-interest laws that are supposed to prevent judges from deciding cases in which they hold stock, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said in his year-end report on the judiciary. He was responding to a report in the Wall Street Journal in September that from 2010 through 2018, federal judges participated in 685 cases involving companies in which they or their spouses held stock. When contacted, many of them said they were unaware of the stock holdings because a money manager handled their investments. The chief justice said federal law requires judges to recuse themselves from a case in which they have a direct financial interest, no matter how small. Let me be crystal clear: the Judiciary takes this matter seriously. We expect judges to adhere to the highest standards, and those judges violated an ethics rule, he wrote. We are duty-bound to strive for 100% compliance because public trust is essential, not incidental, to our function, he continued. Individually, judges must be scrupulously attentive to both the letter and spirit of our rules, as most are. He said professed ignorance of the ethics rule or the failure of computer software designed to prevent such conflicts were no excuse. Most judges rely on a computer program to alert them when a case coming before them includes a company in which they hold stock. Sometimes a relevant company slips by the software if it is a subsidiary of a larger corporation. Roberts said that may explain some lapses, but not for judges who had multiple violations. For them, there is a more serious problem of inadequate ethics training.... our ethics training programs need to be more rigorous. That means more class time, webinars, and consultations. But it also requires greater attention to promoting a culture of compliance, even when busy dockets keep judicial calendars full, he said. He noted, however, that ethics violations appear to be rare. Of the 2.5 million civil cases handled by federal district courts in the nine years that were examined, he said the 685 violations account for less than three-hundredths of 1%. Thats a 99.97% compliance rate, he said. Story continues Moreover, he said the newspaper story did not report that the judges actions in any of those cases often just routine docket management actually financially benefited the judge. The chief justice said the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is working on improving technology and training to deal with the problem. Judges are not prohibited from owning direct shares of stock. If their shares are held indirectly in mutual funds, they are not required to step aside. He did not suggest imposing penalties for repeat violators. For the most part, federal judges are responsible for deciding when they should remove themselves from a case. As chief justice, Roberts serves as the leader of the federal judiciary. Roberts received the highest job approval rating of 11 U.S. leaders in a Gallup poll taken in early December and released earlier this week, with 60% approving of how he is handling his role. Only two other leaders received positive job approval ratings from a majority of Americans surveyed: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell (53%) and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to President Biden (52%). Roberts was the only leader who received majority approval from both Republicans (57%) and Democrats (52%). He fared much better in the poll than elected leaders. Biden was approved by 43%, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) by 40% and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) by 34%. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ryan Reynolds is slamming the media in the most hilariously tongue-in-cheek way for "exploiting" his alleged former romance with television legend Betty White. On Thursday, the "Deadpool" star, 45, tweeted a link to a People article celebrating White's upcoming 100th birthday. In the article, Reynolds gushes over the former "Golden Girls" star, who repays Reynolds by joking that he's harbored a crush on her for years. "Ive heard Ryan cant get over his thing for me," said White, "but Robert Redford is The One." Reynolds kept up the cute ruse in his tweet, writing, "Im absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks." It's not the first time that Reynolds, who played Whites grandson in the 2009 comedy "The Proposal," has pretended to pine for White. In fact, in his birthday tributes to White each year, he revives the rumor (that either he or White happily started) that the former co-stars are more than just friends. In January 2019, Reynolds posted a throwback pic of him and White appearing together on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." "I dont usually post about ex-girlfriends," he captioned it. "But Bettys special. Happy Birthday to the one and only, @bettymwhite." The year before, the Canadian actor, who's been married to Blake Lively since 2012, helped White ring in her 96th birthday by sharing an image of his "Deadpool" character celebrating with two of White's favorite foods, a martini and a hot dog, alongside a portrait of White enjoying her own hot dog. And last year, Reynolds honored White's 98th birthday by enlisting Sandra Bullock, who starred alongside him and White in "The Proposal," to join him in a video that found them competing for Whites affections. While Bullock's tribute to White was rated PG, Reynolds couldn't help but once again reference his undying passion. Story continues In a message that would have delighted Sue Ann Nivens, White's sex-obsessed "Mary Tyler Moore Show" character, Reynolds reminded White just why she should choose him over Bullock. "What does Sandy do for you every year?" he asked. I mean, does she show up and hand-deliver flowers for you? Wearing nothing but black socks and a dozen gold bracelets? Just like you requested? Reynolds answered his own question with a desperate "doubt it." Related: Thirteen South Carolina law enforcement officers were accused of committing violent crimes against women in 2021. The law enforcement officers, mostly everyday street cops, were charged with some form of violence or harassment against women. In the previous 10 years, an average of nine officers were accused each year of committing similar crimes. In April, The State reported on the number of police officers accused or found guilty of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, rape, kidnapping, assault, stalking and gun violence from 2010 to 2020. The vast majority of the crimes were committed while the officers were off duty and were against a spouse or romantic partner. Survivor advocates and a police policy specialist said the average number of attacks is likely low and doesnt given an accurate picture of the amount of violence because victims dont always report abuse, fearing further abuse. Of the 13 officers charged in 2021, eight were accused of domestic violence. Other charges included rape and kidnapping. In one case, a Gaffney Police Department officer raped a mentally incapacitated woman in January, state police said. He was fired from the department for misconduct and charged with criminal sexual conduct by state police. The charge is pending. In September, state police charged a Barnwell County deputy with abusing his girlfriend from March 2020 to July 2021. In one incident, he pulled his pregnant girlfriend off a bed by her legs, making her hit the floor, and took her cell phone, police said. His arrest more than a year after the initial assault drives home the point made by survivor advocates that more violence is likely happening than is reported. The charge is pending. The domestic violence charge was dropped against at least one of the 13 officers, but survivors and advocates say a dropped charge doesnt mean abuse didnt happened. Victims may not want to go forward with charges to protect themselves or their children. Very few South Carolina police agencies have specific policies for dealing with officers accused of domestic violence even though proposed policies are available from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. A proposal awaiting debate in the S.C. State House would require police agencies to have certain policies, but a policy concerning officers and domestic violence is not one of those being debated. In this article: FARGO, N.D. (AP) Baylor Scheierman tied a season-high 22 points and South Dakota State beat North Dakota State 90-86 on Thursday night. Luke Appel added 20 points for the Jackrabbits (12-4, 3-0 Summit League), Douglas Wilson scored 14 and Matt Mims 13. Sam Griesel scored 25 points for the Bison (9-5, 1-1), whose four-game winning streak came to an end. Rocky Kreuser added 17 points and Grant Nelson 15. ___ For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 ___ This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com Ryan Reynolds is putting the jokes aside to share his sadness over the death of television legend Betty White. After a rep for White confirmed on Friday that the Emmy winner who starred in "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Hot in Cleveland" had died at 99, Reynolds, who played White's grandson in the 2009 comedy "The Proposal," honored White in a heartfelt tribute on Twitter. "The world looks different now," the Canadian actor, 45, wrote next to a photo of White giving two thumbs us. "She was great at defying expectation," he continued. "She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret." Until Friday, Reynolds' tributes to White on social media have typically featured jokes about an alleged past romance between the pair, who had a 45-year age difference. Just the day before he posted about White's death, the "Deadpool" star tweeted a joke about the media "exploiting the former co-stars' fling for clicks. Reynolds tweeted a link to a People article celebrating Whites upcoming 100th birthday. In the article, Reynolds gushed over the White, who repaid Reynolds by joking that hes harbored a crush on her for years. Ive heard Ryan cant get over his thing for me, said White, but Robert Redford is The One. Reynolds wrote in his tweet, Im absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks. Reynolds kept up the ruse that he and White were once more than friends in several birthday tributes he posted about White over the years. In January 2019, Reynolds posted a throwback pic of him and White appearing together on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I dont usually post about ex-girlfriends, he captioned it. But Bettys special. Happy Birthday to the one and only, @bettymwhite. In 2020, Reynolds helped White celebrate her celebrate her 98th birthday by enlisting Sandra Bullock, who starred alongside him and White in The Proposal, to join him in a video that found them competing for Whites affections. Story continues During the clip, Reynolds, who's been married to Blake Lively since 2012, shared a saucy message for White that would have thrilled Sue Ann Nivens, her man-crazy Mary Tyler Moore Show character. What does Sandy do for you every year? he asked, referring to Bullock. I mean, does she show up and hand-deliver flowers for you? Wearing nothing but black socks and a dozen gold bracelets? Just like you requested? "Doubt it," said Reynolds, looking just a bit desperate. The Chicago area will get its first blast of hard-core winter to greet the new year, with up to 9 inches of snow on New Years Day, forecasters said, creating hazardous travel conditions. The city and surrounding suburbs will have a bulls-eye over it, caught between a winter storm sweeping in from the southwest, and a northeasterly wind blasting from Lake Michigan, creating a lake effect snow machine of up to an inch per hour. Winter has finally arrived, weather service meteorologist Brett Borchardt said. We knew it was going to happen at some point. Precipitation will likely start as rain south of the city Saturday morning, before changing over to a wet, heavy snow by late morning, and lasting through midnight. A swath of 4 to 8 inches of accumulation is likely from west of the city, south to Kankakee, north to the Wisconsin border, and into northwest Indiana, with lesser amounts to the north and south. Forecasters advised avoiding travel, especially during the most intense snowfall, from about noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Wind gusts up to 40 mph, strongest near Lake Michigan, could create near-blizzardlike poor visibility, with blowing and drifting snow. After a warmer than usual Friday, with an expected high near 49 degrees, temperatures were expected to drop to 19 overnight, before reaching a high of 38 Saturday. But then temperatures could plunge, falling into the teens or single digits by Sunday morning. Wind chills may hit 5 to 15 degrees below zero Sunday night, before rebounding to a more normal range Monday and Tuesday. For anyone waiting at a bus stop or outside Monday morning, its important to dress in layers and limit your time outside, Borchardt said. For those alarmed by the late arrival of snow in Chicago this winter, fear not. More chances for snow are expected by Wednesday or Thursday. Were settling back into a more typical pattern for Chicago, Borchardt said. The Illinois Department of Transportation warned to expect extremely slick roads and poor visibility, especially with a wintry mix between I-80 and I-70, and urged drivers to consider postponing unnecessary travel. Fog and freezing drizzle, especially on bridges, were also possible around Rockford and points northwest, the weather service warned. Ice jams were likely on the Rock, Fox, and Kankakee rivers. Story continues For those who must travel, officials urged drivers to slow down and increase the distance between vehicles, and to make sure someone knows your route and schedule. They also suggested packing each vehicle with emergency supplies including a cellphone, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, a first-aid kit, washer fluid and an ice scraper. In case of emergency, drivers in Chicago may dial *999 for help. rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com We may receive commission from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Begone, outside noise! Sony's earbuds will help you listen -- and work -- in peace. (Photo: Sony) Now that 2021 is in the rear-view, you deserve a little treat, don't you think? I can think of few better options than a set of premium earbuds, which can elevate your music and reduce anxiety-inducing noise. Apple AirPods Pro, you say? Sure, that's a great product, but not everyone looks like the look of AirPods or the Apple ecosystem. Instead, consider the Sony WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling earbuds, currently on sale at Amazon for $248 (save $32). (Pro tip: If you have Amazon Prime, youll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day Amazon Prime trial here.) $248 $280 at Amazon Available in black or white at that price, Sony's earbuds are smaller and more discrete than AirPods; they sort of blend into your ears rather than protrude from them. I haven't tried them myself, but countless reviews indicate superb sound quality, top-of-class noise canceling and very good phone-call performance. They're also splash-proof (meaning safe for sweaty exercise) and equipped with a charging case that can sit flat (what a concept, Apple, cough-cough!) and recharge wirelessly. And here's one cool feature AirPods can't match: If you want to have a conversation with someone while you're wearing the earbuds, just start talking. Sony's speak-to-chat technology will automatically pause playback and enable ambient-sound mode so you can hear the other person. (Thankfully, this can also be disabled in case you're someone who likes to sing along with the music.) Another nice perk: built-in Alexa, great if she's your preferred voice assistant for things like information and smart-home operation. She's optional, though: You can use Google Assistant or Siri if you prefer. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention there are plenty of very good noise-canceling earbuds available for $100 or less. But if you want arguably the best earbuds, period, consider Sony's. Story continues $248 $280 at Amazon Looking for more great Amazon deals? Check these out: TV deals: Headphones and earbud deals: Smartphone and tablet deals: Video game deals: Smart home deals: Vacuum deals: Fashion deals: Kitchen deals: Beauty deals: Bedding deals: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Life's newsletter. The South African government lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions Thursday, including a midnight to 4am curfew, with officials saying the country has "passed the peak of the fourth wave" driven by the Omicron variant. Why it matters: South Africa alerted the world to the Omicron variant in November and has been the worst-hit country in Africa, per Reuters. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. What he's saying: Mondli Gungubele, the minister in the presidency, said in a statement Thursday that the country lifted its restrictions "based on the trajectory of the pandemic, the levels of vaccination in the country and the available capacity within the health sector." Yes, but: South African residents are still mandated to wear face masks in public, and gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors. Details: There was a 29.7% decrease in the number of new cases detected in the week ending Dec. 25, compared with the number of new cases detected the previous week, according to data from the Department of Health. Throughout the pandemic, South Africa has reported nearly 3.5 million COVID-19 cases and nearly 91,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. South Africa lifted a Covid-19-related curfew on Thursday as officials believe the fourth Covid-19 wave driven by the Omicron variant has receded, a cabinet statement announced. The South African cabinet statement noted there was only a marginal increase in fatalities, as deaths remained low compared to previous surges. The announcement comes as the number of cases fell by roughly 30 percent to just under 90,000 for the week ending on December 25, down from roughly 127,000 in the prior corresponding period, government data obtained by the Washington Post show. Hospitalizations have fallen over the past week and a half as well. While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves, the statement said. This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services. Officials lifted a midnight-to-4 a.m. curfew on movement and announced they would allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol past 11 p.m. Gatherings will be restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors and no more than 2,000 people outdoors, the cabinet added. While other countries currently being slammed by the highly transmissible Omicron wave will likely look to South Africa as a ray of hope, the director of the Africa CDC has warned that because South Africa is in the middle of summer and has a younger population, it will not be a perfect model for how the virus may play out in other countries with different circumstances. We should interpret the data from South Africa with a lot of caution and in the context that this is early days, director John Nkengasong said at a news briefing last week. Lets be careful not to extrapolate what we [are] seeing in South Africa across the continent or across the world. Early studies suggest that the Omicron variant causes milder disease than the original Covid-19 strain or other variants. In a peer-reviewed paper released Tuesday, South African researchers found a decreased severity of disease when studying data of 466 Covid-19 patients hospitalized in Tshwane. The data showed that patients required an average of four days in the hospital half the time needed earlier in the pandemic. Story continues Fareed Abdullah of the South African Medical Research Council, who was the studys lead author, wrote in a tweet: A clearer picture has emerged now that we are well beyond the peak of this wave. This Omicron wave is over in the City of Tshwane. It was a flash flood more than a wave. More from National Review South Africans on Friday took their last chance to pay their respects to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on the eve of a funeral for the revered anti-apartheid fighter. Since Thursday, nearly 3,000 mourners have filed through Cape Town's St. George's Cathedral before the simple pine casket containing Tutu's remains. Members of Tutu's family hugged and consoled each other as the coffin returned for the second and final day of the lying in state and a band, which included a preschooler trumpeter, played in his honour. The archbishop's successor, Thabo Makgoba, waved a chalice of burning incense over the coffin before pall bearers -- Anglican vicars -- took the coffin from a silver Mercedes SUV hearse. They slowly walked up the stairs into the cathedral where Tutu had preached for a decade. The body will spend the night in the cathedral until the funeral, which will be presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Tutu died peacefully aged 90 on Sunday. His passing unleashed nationwide grief at the loss of the last great hero of the anti-apartheid era, and tributes from world leaders for a man cherished for his righteous anger and humour. - 'Aquamation' - Tutu carefully set down details for his funeral, insisting that his coffin be "the cheapest" available, and that it be adorned by a simple bunch of carnations. Mourners are being asked to donate money to his charitable foundations instead of sending flowers -- and even the disposal of his remains is being conducted in an eco-friendly way. The dean of the cathedral, Michael Weeder, told AFP that Tutu had asked for "aquamation" -- a process that supporters say releases just a tenth of climate-alterng carbon dioxide gases compared to traditional cremation. In aquamation, bodies are dissolved in a heated solution of water and alkali in a stainless steel vessel, leaving behind the bones, which are then turned to ash by cremation. The ashes are to be interred at the cathedral. Story continues The burial "might be Sunday", he said in a text message, adding the "family will decide whether it will be private or open to others". - 'Moral compass' - An artist Libane Serenji from Johannesburg came to pay respects. He painted portraits of Tutu on a canvas attached to a big tree outside the cathedral. He saw it fit "to come all the way and paint... because he played also a significant role in my life like everyone from Africa," he said. Another mourner, Antonia Appels had come all the way from the capital Pretoria to stand in line. Tutu was a "moral compass" who had helped to haul country out of the darkness of the apartheid era, she said. South Africa is marking a week of mourning for Tutu, with the country's multi-coloured flag flying at half-mast nationwide and ceremonies taking place every day. The cathedral's bells have been pealing in his memory for 10 minutes at midday. Tutu was for years the emblem of the struggle to end white-minority rule as Nelson Mandela and other leaders languished behind bars. After apartheid was dismantled and South Africa ushered in its first free elections in 1994, Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which exposed the horrors of the past in terrible detail. He would later speak out fearlessly against the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for corruption, incompetence and failures to tackle the country's AIDS epidemic. Weakened by advanced age and prostate cancer, Tutu had retired from public life in recent years. He is survived by his wife Leah and four children, and several grand and great-grandchildren. vid-sn/ri Local foodies know well what effect the past two years have had on the restaurant industry. This year alone, eateries old and new have closed in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. As 2021 comes to a close, here's a look at a few of the restaurants that we already miss. Do you have a favorite food memory from such a business? We'd love to hear about it. Email aballard@gannett.com. Lumina Station at 1900 Eastwood Road in Wilmington, N.C., Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. Background: More than 30 restaurants closed in the Wilmington area since the COVID-19 pandemic began 1900 Restaurant & Lounge Ever since it opened more than 8 years ago in Lumina Station, this restaurant has been home to popular local chefs and an important part of the Wrightsville Beach area social scene. More: More Wilmington-area restaurants announce closings A & Gs Bar-B-Que & Chicken The owners decided to retire and close this spot that served classic Southern cooking in Carolina Beach. Fortunately, new owners have taken over the space and now Butts-N-Such is serving barbecue and more at 802 S. Lake Park Blvd. It does the heart good to see they are still serving specials like Chicken and Pastry. Batson's Galley in Surf City recently closed its doors after years of service to the area. Like us on Facebook: Join the conversation of great Wilmington food at Port City Foodies Batsons Galley What's a great beach town without a classic seafood spot? That's what this restaurant was for locals and visitors for more than 17 years. A temporary closure in Nov. 2020 led to a permanent one for this family friendly breakfast/lunch/dinner restaurant in Surf City. More: 'I really never expected to do this': Surf City mainstay restaurant closes after 17 years The Cross Eyed Crab One of the most recent local restaurant closings is this bar and grill on Boardwalk Way in Carolina Beach. It was a popular spot for comfort food, and dishes like crab balls and house-made vegetable beef soup. The owners cited a dissolving partnership as the reason for the closure. Spam Banh Mi sandwich from Detour Deli & Cafe. STARNEWS FILE PHOTO Detour Deli & Cafe I know I'm not alone in wishing I could enjoy one more sandwich from this deli that closed in April on Red Cross Street. Maybe a Bahn Mi, or one of the tortas. Partners in the project announced that they'd be taking on new projects. Let's hope we can see the results in 2022. Story continues Coffee cake at the former Love, Lydia bakery at the corner of Greenfield and Third streets. STARNEWS FILE PHOTO More: Sandwich spot popular with Wilmington foodies is closing Love, Lydia Bakery Great coffee, avocado toast, deliciously adorable lunch box cakes... what was not to love at this cafe and bakery at 1502 S. 3rd St.? Pastry chef Lydia Clopton announced the closure in January and she and chef Dean Neff have since opened Seabird in downtown Wilmington. Her former bakery space is now home to Mariposa Tapas Bar. More: Bakery in Wilmingtons South Front district announces closing More: 9 things to expect at Seabird in downtown Wilmington Niche Kitchen and Bar This restaurant at 5954 Carolina Beach Road announced it would close after 11 years in business in June 2021, citing staffing problems. In that time, it had become popular for an eclectic menu and a patio dining area that continued to grow and evolve during the pandemic. Oak Island Restaurant recently closed in Brunswick County. More: Just add heat: Wilmington area restaurants ready for winter diners Oak Island Restaurant Although owner Dave Sigmon died more than a year ago, it wasn't until September that his family announced that they sold this restaurant with a 22-year history in Oak Island. Over the years, it became a well-known destination for seafood and home-style meals. The new owners plan to bring a different concept to the space. Parchies owner Dave Wishon serves customers in the file photo. STARNEWS FILE PHOTO More: Brunswick County's Oak Island Restaurant closes, sold to new owners after 22 years Parchies It may be especially difficult to say goodbye to those restaurants that have been around for so long that generations of diners have enjoyed the food and atmosphere. This restaurant behind New Hanover High School has been serving students, and all types of locals, for more than 37 years before it closed in April. Rest in peace, Parchies fried chicken. Soif de Vin in the Monkey Junction area. STARNEWS FILE PHOTO Prior reporting: Longtime Wilmington restaurant Parchies to close soon More: Is beer bringing buzz back to Wilmington's Soda Pop District? Soif de Vin Amy Siler and Shawn Underwood added a small kitchen to their bottle shop in an effort to expand their business during the pandemic. They were usually crafting the ever-changing menu themselves, often with the thought of what wines and beers would pair well with the dishes. Unfortunately, they had to close the restaurant in September due to a lease dispute, but they said they are looking for the right space to bring their restaurant back. Meanwhile, the wine shop is still open for business at 5226 S. College Road. More: Wilmington cafe and shop to close after 37 years in business Temptations Gourmet Cafe Another long-term business that closed in 2021 is this cafe and wine-and-candy shop, which has also been a part of the local food scene for almost four decades. It might have been the go-to lunch spot near Hanover Center on Oleander Drive. Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Restaurants that closed 2021 in Wilmington, Pender and Brunswick Zack Oddo (14) of Green takes a shot while being guarded by Kevin James (3) and Jovan Jovicic (right) of Jackson during their game at Green on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL GREEN 67, SOLON 57 Four Bulldogs scored in double figures and Green won its fifth straight with a victory at Solon. Brady Rollyson scored 15 points, Zack Oddo 14, Trey Martin 13 and Jarrett Taylor 10 for Green (7-1). The Bulldogs outscored Solon 35-21 over the second and third quarters to take control. Rayquan Thompson hit four 3-pointers and led the Comets with 27 points. More: North Canton Hoover, Louisville hope ugly boys basketball game leads to beautiful moments in tournament BAY VILLAGE 60, PERRY 55 Joel Brown scored a game-high 18 points in the Panthers home loss. Luke Wolf scored 15 points and fellow freshman Kyson Walker added 10 for Perry. Sam Houk led Bay Village with 17 points. More: Upcoming high school, college schedule and Stark County-area box scores for Thursday, Dec. 30 CANTON SOUTH 50, MINERVA 43 Cam Haut scored 13 points and Tyler Karovic added 11 as the Wildcats won on the road in EBC play. South (6-3, 2-1), which snapped a three-game slide, built a 40-28 lead after three quarters. Connor Shingleton led Minerva (2-5, 1-3) with 15 points. Brandon Davis scored 13. Marlington's Connor Evanich tries to split the defense of Southeast's Caden Bailey, and Aidan Fischer in the second half at Mount Union on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. MARLINGTON 54, SHENANDOAH 36 The Dukes gained their second win in as many days during the Todd Kalivoda Holiday Showcase at Toronto High School. Connor Evanich scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Marlington (7-1), which beat Indian Valley 65-42 at the Showcase on Wednesday. Evanich combined for 40 points in the two wins. Tommy Skelding totaled nine points and 10 rebounds on Thursday, while Drew Denham added seven assists for the Dukes. WEST BRANCH 64, RAVENNA 45 Dru DeShields scored 26 points as the Warriors improved to 6-0 on the season with a rout at home. Jaxon Hendershott added 10 points for West Branch. Mason Ross led Ravenna (3-4) with 15 points and Emmanuel Miller scored 11. TUSLAW 71, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 57 Nate Frascone scored a game-high 27 points and Troy Harbeitner added 19 as the Mustangs won at home. Story continues Ty Pratt contributed 14 points for Tuslaw (6-3), which built a 35-22 lead at the half en route to its third straight win. Frascone, Harbeitner and Pratt combined to go 14-for-15 from the foul line. Ethan Bower made four 3-pointers and scored a team-high 20 points for Lake Center (1-7). Charlie Christopher added 16 points for the Tigers. More: Tuesday boys basketball roundup: Green rallies past Richmond Heights; Northwest, Tuslaw and Triway earn PAC-7 wins FAIRLESS 51, EAST CANTON 45 Brody Pumneo scored 18 points and Tayler Buttermore added 16 as the Falcons gained a non-conference road win. Buttermore connected on four 3-pointers for Fairless (5-5), which led 39-29 after three quarters and held on from there. Caleb Shilling led East Canton (3-5) with 17 points. Luke Riley added 11. MALVERN 62, CALDWELL 41 Four Hornets scored nine points or more as Malvern stayed undefeated with an impressive win during the Todd Kalivoda Holiday Showcase at Toronto High School. JAllen Barrino scored 14 points for Malvern, which moved to 8-0 and handed Caldwell just its second loss of the season. Dylan Phillips and Noah Ball scored 10 points each, while KJ Thomas scored nine. Connor Lefevre grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for Malvern. Bede Loris 21 points led Caldwell (7-2), which committed 34 turnovers and shot 32.4% from the floor. HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN 55, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 53 Deshaun Leishman scored 15 points and Moses ONeal added 13 as the Knights suffered a close loss. Jonathan Bertovich led Heartland with 19 points. Katie Boron of GlenOak takes a shot during their game against Strongsville at GlenOak on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL GLENOAK 55, KENMORE-GARFIELD 33 Kaitlyn Boron hit three 3-pointers and scored a team-high 14 points as the Golden Eagles cruised to a home win. GlenOak led 14-2 after the first quarter and 32-9 at halftime. Kiley Dyrlund, Chandler Vaughn and Jordan Weir added nine points apiece for the Golden Eagles (8-1), who bounced back from their first loss of the season last week against Newark. More: GlenOak helps head coach Paul Wackerly reach major milestone in win over Hoover MT. LEBANON (PA.) 43, HOOVER 27 Ashleigh Connor scored a game-high 21 points and the visiting Blue Devils handed Hoover its second loss in as many days. Mt. Lebanon, from the Pittsburgh area, led 18-14 at halftime, then broke the game open by outscoring the Vikings 19-9 in the third quarter. Angela Roshak and Grace Craig scored eight points apiece to lead Hoover (8-4), which lost to Blackhawk (Pa.) on Wednesday and now has lost four of its last six after a 6-0 start. Gina Smith added 10 points for Mt. Lebanon. DOVER 38, LAKE 35 Morgan Kiser totaled 11 points and five rebounds as the Tornadoes won at Lake. Tori Jones contributed nine points for Dover (3-8), which scored 19 points in the fourth quarter after a two-point third quarter. Serenitee Johnson led Lake (4-8) with 13 points. Emma Anderson added eight points and five rebounds. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 57, SOUTHINGTON CHALKER 31 Jo Smith registered a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds as the Knights earned a road win. Avery Bussey added 14 points and Paris Everett 12 for Aquinas (4-6). Leading 37-23 after three quarters, the Knights outscored Chalker 20-8 in the fourth quarter to win going away. CARROLLTON 47, CENTRAL CATHOLIC 28 Lauren Marmo totaled 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Warriors to a road win. Marmo connected on four 3-pointers for Carrollton (5-5), which led 41-22 after three quarters. Central went 10-for-24 from the foul line. Mount Union's Christian Parker puts up a three pointer with pressure from Wooster's Turner Kurt in the first half at Mount Union Wednesday, November 24th , 2021. MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL MOUNT UNION 107, LYCOMING (PA.) 61 Christian Parker led six Purple Raiders in double figures as No. 16 Mount Union rolled to a home win Thursday. Parker scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Ethan Stanislawski went for 20 points and six assists. Stanislawski shot 6-of-8 from the floor while making all four of his 3-point attempts. Logan Hill scored 14 points for Mount (9-1), which shot 58.3% from the floor. Darrell Newsom, Braedon Poole and Andrew Keller added 10 points each. Mo Terry led Lycoming (7-5) with 12 points. Steven Hamilton and Matt Ilodigwe added 10 apiece. WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL OHIO WESLEYAN 64, MOUNT UNION 59 A rally by the Purple Raiders fell short in the championship game of the Ohio Wesleyan Bishop Classic at Branch Rickey Arena in Delaware. Trailing by as many as 16 in the third quarter, the Purple Raiders (4-5) cut their deficit to two points on two Madison Hensley free throws with 4:23 left in the game. But Kasey Schipfer answered with a bucket in the paint for Ohio Wesleyan and Mount never got closer than three points from there. Kelsie Glass scored all 18 of her points in the second half to lead Mount. Emma Cannon scored 16 points, while Hensley added 14. Cierra Joiner led Ohio Wesleyan (9-3) with 20 points and nine rebounds. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County-area high school and college basketball roundup for Dec. 30 According to the press release, Isaiah Jamal Foster has been charged with one count of aggravated robbery in the first degree and one count of assault in the third degree after the 18 year olds mother called police to report that she was certain this was her son as she recognized the coat he was wearing. https://bit.ly/3JvmnbC Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed the date for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which will be celebrated on Jan. 17, 2022. Former President Donald J. Trump will hold a rally in Arizona in January, a political action committee called Save America that is affiliated with the 45th president announced Thursday. Trump will speak at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 in Florence at the same location where the Country Thunder music festival is held. It will be his first rally appearance of 2022. Trump's last visit to Arizona was July 24 at a two-hour rally where he repeated his false claim that he lost the Grand Canyon State to Joe Biden due to massive voter fraud. He came to the state seven times in 2020 prior to the election. Kari Lake, one of several Republican candidates for governor in Arizona, announced her attendance for the upcoming rally on Twitter. She was endorsed by the former president in late September. MLK's family to rally in Phoenix on Jan. 15 Trump's rally is not the only political action Arizona will see that Saturday. Arizona also is scheduled to host another rally Jan. 15: one to ensure that the vote is accessible to all eligible participants. The date marks what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 93rd birthday, and Martin Luther King III, the son of the slain civil rights leader, is coming to Phoenix with members of his immediate family to rally Congress to pass national voting standards. Phoenix is the launching point for rallies across the country in the lead-up to the national holiday Jan. 17, culminating in Washington, D.C. Tara Kavaler is a politics reporter at The Arizona Republic. She can be reached by email at tara.kavaler@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @kavalertara. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former President Donald Trump announces Arizona visit on Jan. 15 Sudanese security forces have released two journalists from Saudi Arabia's Asharq television channel, a day after detaining them as deadly violence flared during renewed protests against the military government, the station said Friday. During Thursday's protests in and near Khartoum, "five uniformed security officers" held journalists Maha al-Talb and Sally Othman and their teams in their office for several hours, the channel said. Sudan has been gripped by turmoil since military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan launched a coup on October 25 and detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Hamdok was reinstated on November 21, but mass protests have continued as demonstrators distrust Burhan's promises of seeking to guide the country toward full democracy. Protesters charge that the deal simply aims to give the cloak of legitimacy to the generals, whom they accuse of trying to continue the regime built by former autocratic president Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in 2019 following mass protests. In the worst street clashes since Hamdok's return, five demonstrators were killed and dozens wounded by bullets on Thursday, said the independent Doctors' Committee, which is part of the pro-democracy movement. Authorities also cut phone lines and the internet and cracked down on media, also including the Saudi-funded satellite channel Al-Arabiya. Othman was interrupted by security forces in the middle of a live broadcast and can be heard saying in a clip shared widely on social networks: "I will not be able to continue, the authorities are now forbidding me to continue with you". Sudanese police blamed the incident on "reprehensible individual actions" which would be investigated. The Doctors' Committee charged that "crimes against humanity" were committed in Omdurman, twin city of the capital Khartoum, on Thursday. It said five demonstrators were killed by bullets to the head or chest, and that ambulances were blocked and at least one seriously injured person was forcibly removed from an ambulance by the security forces. Story continues A police spokesman said four people died in Thursday's unrest and 297 people were injured, "including 49 police officers". He also said "three police vans were set on fire" and accused protest "leaders clearly hostile to the security forces" of having sought to "turn a peaceful march into violence and confrontations with the security forces". Street clashes since the October coup have claimed 53 lives and left hundreds wounded, and supporters of civilian rule in Sudan have continued to call for protests. bur/mon/sbh/fz/hc Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images On this New Years Day, its a good bet that Rhode Island state Rep. Patricia Morgan and the one Black person she knows will not be sitting down to eat black-eyed peas and collard greens together. Its an even safer bet that she and her fellow Republicans will spend zero mental energy on the history of the New Year as a terrifying time for enslaved people in America. Rep. Morgan, you may recall, tweeted a few days ago that she had a black friendemphasis on the past tensebut this unnamed Black token had recently become hostile and unpleasant, which the Rhode Island lawmaker concluded must be because of critical race theory, because she herself hadnt done anything to her, except be white. CRT, according to Morgan, is the issue thats really divid[ing] us because of skin color. This is really quite the take during an era in which Confederate flag-waving insurrectionists have stormed the U.S. Capitol building, the FBI identified white terrorists as the greatest threat to national security, members of Congress openly aligned with self-identified white nationalists and promoted their ideologies, hate crimes against Black folks rose precipitously, and Rep. Morgan herself proposed one anti-CRT bill and stonewalled another that would incorporate the teaching of Black history in Rhode Island schools. Its tempting to think that Morgan is just misinformed about CRTan esoteric legal concept for examining systemic racism that no Rhode Island school is teaching, and that the far right has become obsessed with over the last year. But in a later appearance, Morgan unwittingly admitted that her issue isnt with CRT, but with the idea that history might be taught in a way that fully acknowledges how anti-Black racism has defined every aspect of America, taking full stock of the devastation caused by white American supremacy. That would be too much of a bummer, according to Morgan, who claims that with CRT, theres no redemption, because it does not focus on the good part of our history. Story continues Thats really just a way of saying that she opposes a history that isnt filled with supremacist fables and other ahistorical nonsense. Not to mention that she also isnt a fan of white folksafter centuries of omitting Black folks from the historical recordhaving to share the historical spotlight. Im genuinely concerned that critical race theorythis centering of the Black experience, this making race the center of everything in our societyis really dangerous, Morgan said in an interview. And its chipping away at the things that bind us together as Americans. Rhode Island Lawmaker Who Sponsored Anti-CRT Bill Whines That Black Friend No Longer Likes Her This is what CRT opponents truly fear, summed up by Morgan. Perhaps because she would prefer that Rhode Island schoolkids not know that their home states General Court of Electionmeaning Morgans own legislative predecessorspassed a law in 1652 that ended lifelong Black enslavement in two cities, and would pass another law proscribing Native slavery in 1676, only to completely ignore that legislation in favor of racial capitalism. Laws curtailing slavery would also be passed in the state in 1774, 1784, and 1787, though those didnt end the barbaric system either. In fact, almost half of all of Rhode Islands slave voyages occurred after trading was outlawed, as USA Today reported. When the American Revolution began in 1775, Rhode Island was the largest slave trading colony in British America, according to Leonardo Marques, author of The United States and the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the Americas. Newport, and then Bristol, were major ports in the trans-Atlantic importation of human beings trafficked from Africa to the colonies in the 18th century, and had more enslaved Black folks per capita than any New England state of the colonial era. The state would finally constitutionally abolish slavery in 1843. While its now considered a celebratory moment across the U.S., the end of the year was filled with trauma and trepidation for Black folks living under the yoke of slavery. Enslavers would settle their accounts as the year came to a close, and that meant those they enslaved might be hired out to other enslavers, or sold on the first day of the year. Among enslaved Black folks, New Years Eve was spent worrying that they might be ripped from family and loved ones, auctioned off to the highest bidder to erase an enslavers debt. And as such, New Years Day was known as Hiring Day orin words that more precisely named the cruelty they experiencedHeartbreak Day. Of all the days in the year, the slaves dread New Years Day the worst of any, Lewis Clarke, who fled enslavement and became an outspoken abolitionist, stated in 1842, one year before Rhode Island banned legalized racial bondage. For folks come for their debts then; and if anybody is going to sell a slave, thats the time they do it; and if anybodys going to give away a slave, thats the time they do it; and the slave never knows where hell be sent to. Oh, New Years a heart-breaking time in Kentucky! Clarkes account is an American truth, as historically relevant as those stories that Morgan and many other Republicans might prefer we continue to center on this and every day. Its a history that Morgan wants to be whitewashed until it fades from collective American memory. But its critical that these storieswhich tell us how we arrived at the present moment, and why we cant seem to ever get beyond the residual impact of a past Morgan would like to forgetbe told. Theres an old Black saying, borne of Hiring Day, that states New Years will define your coming year. Slaves went to a place [on Hiring Day] called the hiring grounds to hire their labors out for the next year, Sister Harrison, a formerly enslaved freeperson told an interviewer in 1937. Thats where that sayin comes from that what you do on New Years Day youll be doing for the rest of the year. That likely means that Morgan and other white conservatives, whove been using CRT as a boogeyman for the last year, will continue to do so straight through 2022. But its all more white-supremacist propaganda. Heres hoping in the new year there will be more pushback against the racist campaign to legally ban the teaching of verifiable history. And that Morgans absurd efforts to block those truths loses her yet more friends who were just barely tolerating her anyway. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Veronique de Rugy This time of year, dear readers, is when us writers curate lists. Some are about the best movies, top kitchen appliances or favorite new songs of 2021. This year, I'd like to recommend three books to read after the tumultuous events of 2021. My first is a new and important book by law professors Randy Barnett and Evan Bernick: "The Original Meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment." The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, and before it, no individuals of African descent including slaves and free persons could become U.S. citizens. While the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, it didn't make African Americans citizens, and Southern states enacted "black codes" to reinstitute slavery-like practices. As such, the 14th corrected this deficiency. This is at issue each time you hear about a First or Second Amendment challenge to state legislation. While the Bill of Rights didn't originally apply to the states, the 14th Amendment required that individual protections guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution must also pertain to state and local governments. Fiscal irresponsibility: Veronique de Rugy: Inflating the costs of government's fiscal irresponsibility Unfortunately, just a few years after its ratification, the Privileges or Immunities Clause of the 14th Amendment was virtually written out of the Constitution by a series of Supreme Court decisions. The result was increased difficulty for people trying to vindicate their civil rights in court or fight racial and economic discrimination in the states. Anyone interested in racial justice should know about the 14th Amendment. Frederick Douglass believed the U.S. Constitution was an anti-slavery document, meaning that the Founding Fathers had not enshrined slavery but instead guaranteed the rights of self-governance, liberty and human rights. Barnett and Bernick see things in a different way, and yet their book gives us a path to fulfill the promise of the American project and Douglass' dream. Doing so would require that Supreme Court Justices reconsider some long-standing assumptions about the 14th Amendment by looking at its original meaning. Story continues The second book is by the late economist Walter Williams, called "Race & Economics." As Williams writes in the preface: "There is no question that (African Americans) suffered gross violations of basic human rights in the form of chattel slavery, discrimination under Jim Crow laws and customs, and personal violence -- lynching, beatings, and arson. But an acknowledgement of and consensus on those injustices, and on residual discrimination, do not carry us very far in evaluating what is or is not in the best interest of blacks nowadays." Williams examined how throughout some of the most shameful parts of our history, African Americans worked in both skilled and unskilled roles, owned businesses and in many cases accumulated wealth. The relative color blindness of the market compensated for some of the discrimination brought about by private racism and government rules. Meanwhile, many wage regulations supposedly designed to help workers not least the minimum wage represented active discrimination against black people and prevented many from making the first step up the income ladder. Today, those who would meddle with economic freedom and opportunity should remember that it keeps countless struggling Americans afloat. Without it, things could be much worse. The final book I recommend is called "Hate: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech." It's by Nadine Strossen, the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008 and one of our nation's foremost champions of free speech. At a time when we hear people incessantly use the term "hate speech," Strossen's book offers an important reminder that this has no consistent legal definition under U.S. law. There is also no legal definition for evil ideas, rudeness, unpatriotic speech or other speech that people find offensive. This fact is important in an era when many people are clamoring for crackdowns on free speech on the internet and in other forms of media. With very few exceptions, speech that makes us uncomfortable can't be restricted in ways that are consistent with our Constitution. It also explains why it's so hard to draft anti-hate-speech legislation, and why those laws that do exist often backfire, as we've seen in multiple other countries. Strossen recommends drowning out hate speech with more and freer speech. Identifying ways to improve our society and country is important. But it's only half of the battle. The other half is figuring out how to achieve those goals without causing other harms. I believe these books will help in answering this challenge in 2022 and beyond. Veronique de Rugy is the George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Veronique de Rugy: Three books for liberty-loving readers in 2022 Rudy Giuliani speaks to the media in the car park of Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Getty Images) Damian McBride suggested this list after the Tesco Express in Westminster was identified as the source of provisions (crisps, cheese, wine) for gatherings for work purposes in Downing Street at Christmas a year ago. 1. Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale. The first Co-op shop started trading in 1844. Nominated by Rob Dex. 2. Roberts post office and grocery in Grantham. The Roberts family including Margaret, later Thatcher, lived above the shop. Thanks to E M Rogers and Will Wormell. 3. Four Seasons Total Landscaping, Philadelphia. Press conference held by Rudy Giuliani, lawyer for Donald Trump, to explain legal challenges to counts for the 2020 presidential election held four days earlier. The Trump campaign meant to book the Four Seasons hotel, near where the Pennsylvania count was taking place. One of Damian McBrides opening nominations. 4. Threshers, Notting Hill, and Threshers, Paddington. Both closed now; featured in the curious story of Norman Lamont, chancellor, who was alleged to have bought cheap champagne and cigarettes in the second when he had actually bought wine in the first. He was set up, said Nick Macpherson, who worked at the Treasury at the time. Nominated by Andy Ledger. 5. Greggs. Visited by Ed Miliband, Ed Balls and Rachel Reeves in a photo opportunity to exploit George Osbornes embarrassment over the pasty tax in the 2012 Budget. Thanks to Tom Railton, Greg Dash and Matthew Bailey. 6. Contemporary Ceramics. Tony Blairs favourite shop according to a feature in the Sunday Express magazine in 1993. I thought there wasnt much I didnt know about Blairs self-promotion as shadow home secretary, but Liebeskind proved me wrong. 7. The Truman and Jacobson Haberdashery, Kansas City, Missouri. Nominated by Ivor Crewe and Exexpat19. Eddie Jacobson later persuaded Harry Truman as president to see Chaim Weizmann, against Trumans instinct, and this meeting was crucial in the US becoming the first major power to recognise the state of Israel, added Daniel Finkelstein. Story continues 8. The whelk stall. Am I to take my orders from these political Admirable Crichtons who fancy themselves Pitts and Bolingbrokes, but who havent got the brains and the ability to run a whelk stall! John Burns, Radical/Liberal MP for Battersea, first used the phrase in 1894. Thanks to James Johns. 9. Cup Foods convenience store in Minneapolis. Its reporting of George Floyd allegedly trying to pay with a fake $20 bill led to his killing by police officer Derek Chauvin. From Matthew Hoffman. 10. An unknown Wuhan market stall. Nominated by Sean Rogers. And thanks again to James Johns for reminding me that it was Adam Smith, not Napoleon, who called us a nation of shopkeepers. Next week: Words people hadnt heard of in January 2020, such as the rona, furlough and Omicron. Coming soon: Soundbites that sound good on first hearing but when thought about are revealed to be nonsense, such as: No one is safe until everyone is safe. Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) The judges of a Michigan university's cheeky annual Banished Words List" have a message for texting and tweeting Americans: Your wait, what? joke is lame. The phrase topped Lake Superior State University in Michigans Upper Peninsula lighthearted list of 10 winners chosen from among more than 1,250 submissions of overused, misused and generally groan-inducing words or phrases. Wait, what? irritated nominators who felt the phrase intended to show astonishment or disbelief is overused. I hate it, one wrote. Another added: I dont want to wait. The second slot went to another misused and overused phrase: No worries. Nominators said its dismissive. "If Im not worried, I dont want anyone telling me not to worry, one contributor said. If I am upset, I want to discuss being upset. The 10 winners were chosen from among more than 1,250 submissions to the judges of the cheeky annual exercise. The university began compiling an annual list in 1976. Past nods have gone to detente, surely, classic, bromance, and COVID-19." There are only three entries associated with the pandemic this year after it dominated last year's list. One possible takeaway from all this about the act and art and science of disclosing something is the more things change, the more things stay the same," said Peter Szatmary, executive director of marketing and communications at the university. "At the very least, its complicated. New normal is ranked No. 8, and nominators criticized its overuse and questioned the logic behind the phrase. After a couple of years, is any of this really new? one wrote. You're on mute, and supply chain, rounded out the list a nod to our continued reliance on virtual meetings and widely reported shortages of consumer products ranging from computer chips to furniture. Supply chain issues have become the scapegoat of everything that doesnt happen or arrive on time and of every shortage, one nominator said. Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 cases have climbed rapidly in the past week at Centras Lynchburg General and Southside Community hospitals. As of Thursday afternoon, 94 patients with COVID-19 occupied beds at the two hospitals, up from 67 one week ago and closing in on the September high of 109 patients. Of those 94 patients, 68 were not vaccinated. The number of patients in Centras intensive care unit as of Thursday afternoon stood at 15, of whom 12 have been placed on ventilators. Of those patients in intensive care, 10 are unvaccinated. We have seen a very significant increase in our COVID patient census at LGH as well as Southside Hospital, with a particularly rapid increase over the last 3 days, according to a news release Wednesday evening from Centra. While we do not yet have confirmation from VDH typing of COVID samples from our region, it is very likely that a portion of this increased COVID activity is due to the Omicron variant in addition to increased viral circulation at holiday gatherings. The rapid increase in COVID-19 cases has contributed significant stress on area emergency rooms, creating long waits. The release noted the hospital census at all Centra facilities is at or beyond normal capacity and the testing capability in the Lynchburg area is strained. Centra requests patients needing a COVID test due to direct exposure or symptoms call its Coronavirus hotline at (434) 200-1225. Centra also asks that those who are asymptomatic or who have had indirect exposure to follow safety guidelines and refrain from seeking testing until symptoms appear. Case counts in the Lynchburg area as reported by the Virginia Department of Health have risen sharply, too. In Lynchburg, the VDH reported 109 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, down from a peak of almost 300 cases reported per day in mid-September. However, the week began with just 29 cases reported on Monday. The seven-day average of new cases per day has jumped to 61 for Lynchburg. In the surrounding counties, another 160 cases were reported Thursday compared to 77 reported at the same time last week. In Lynchburg, 44.6% of the population is fully vaccinated and 17.6% have received a booster shot, according to the health department. Across the Central Virginia Health District, which includes the city plus the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell, vaccination rates range from 47.5% to 51%. Centras catchment area for Lynchburg General Hospital and Southside Community Hospital covers Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, the Farmville area and several smaller satellite locations. From staff reports 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. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The suspect in a deadly building arson in the western Japan city of Osaka about two weeks ago died on Thursday, making it hard to unravel motives behind the attack, which killed 25 other people. The suspect, Morio Tanimoto, who was 61, had burns on his face, arms and legs in the fire and was taken to a hospital in state of cardiopulmonary arrest. He resuscitated later but remained in a critical condition, leaving police unable to question him. The fire occurred at a clinic in a multi-tenant building in the citys Kita Ward in the morning of Dec. 17. Security camera footage shows that Tanimoto set the fire soon after arriving at the clinic and blocked people there from evacuating. At the scene, 27 people were found without vital signs. Of them, 26 were discovered deep inside the clinic, and the other, Tanimoto, was lying near the entrance. The police have so far confirmed no trouble between the clinic and the suspect, according to informed sources. Although a diary was found where Tanimoto is believed to have lived in the same citys Nishiyodogawa Ward, it contained nothing helpful in identifying his motives. About a year ago Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffetts company, decided to invest 5% in Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo, all commercial agents, which put Japan in the crosshairs of mutual fund managers. In general, in the eyes of Westerners, the culture of Japanese companies has little to do with the Anglo-American model of shareholder capitalism to which a mutual fund manager is accustomed. What did W. Buffett see in these companies, mentioned above, if especially this type of company they distance themselves even further from the westernized vision? This type of business, commercial agents, has been formed with the evolution of the history of Japan since the 19th century with the zaibatsu and keiretsu systems of corporate loyalty and cross-participation. Between the decades of the 50s and the 80s they acted as intermediaries traveling the world in search of energy, metals and minerals. helping underpin the Japanese economic miracle. Later they invested in mines and hydrocarbons to increase the boom in raw materials that China led and then switch to something more common and they started to buy everything, from small shops to telephone. In the process they accumulated assets faster than they were able to sell, the results make them difficult for a mutual fund manager to handle. Mitsubishi sells everything from coking coal to KFC. Itochu, the most profitable, calls its consumer division the eighth company, which implies that they have run out of names after having to name another seven units. This footage from 1907 offers A grand tour of Japans major cities, including scenic views of the streets and daily life. This travelogue visits diverse locations, including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Yokohama and Tokyo. The first half shows panoramic views of rivers, such as the Dotonbori Canal in Osaka, the Sumida River in Tokyo, and the Shijo Bridge spanning the Kamo River in Kyoto. The flowing water of those rivers, shot either from a boat or over a bridge, adds to the vibrancy of urban life. The film's second half focuses on street life, from the bonsai market to the noodle vendor. The film also bears witness to the zeitgeist of Meiji Japan. In a scene set in Yokohama, we see the annual parade celebrating Japans victory in the Russo-Japanese War. The victory in Manchuria gave the Japanese public a sense of pride and confidence, as can be seen on the triumphant faces of flag-wavers. The original black and white footage have been colorized and upscaled for a modern look. Jordan Hofer is hoping to find warm homes for dogs like Quavo and all the other animals at Midlands Humane Society. Hofer was born and raised in Council Bluffs, but went to school across the river around the Omaha area. She graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School in 2004, and then furthered her education back home at Iowa Western Community College. She earned a degree in criminal justice, a field she said had always interested her while growing up. After graduating from Iowa Western, Hofer started working as an animal control officer for the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha. As an animal lover, the job was a great fit for Hofer. She later took a step up in her law enforcement career, working for the Mills and Fremont county sheriffs offices for the past eight years. While Hofer said she loved the departments and the people she served, she had to put her career on the backburner after learning she was pregnant with twin boys a few months ago. Hofer is still working, though, and her passion for animals led to her taking a position at Midlands Humane Society. Shes only been there for about six weeks, but she said it feels right at home for her. I love it, she said. Everyone here is super nice and helpful, especially with me being pregnant. I just love helping the animals find their homes. Outside of work, Hofer and her husband, Darin, are busy getting ready for the arrival of their twin boys. She said shes due in May and that their names with be Archer and Tripp. Their middle names remain a secret. She also keeps busy taking care of their three dogs: Grits, an American bulldog and basset hound mix; Duke, a German shepherd mix; and Harper, a yellow labrador. Hofer said shes hoping for a safe and happy 2022 for her family, and everyone in southwest Iowa. Quavo is a 3-year-old male pitbull and French mastiff mix who is currently available for adoption. Hes a big boy with a lot of love to give, which was apparent Wednesday at the shelter when he was begging for kisses and attention when he was let out his kennel for a photo shoot. Staff members said he has a lot of energy and doesnt realize his size, so potential households should have older kids, if any. Hes a good boy, but could also stand to get some leash and obedience training. His adoption fee is $150, and current city laws require Quavo to be adopted outside Council Bluffs. In other shelter news, today is the last day to donate to Midlands annual Bark Friday fundraiser. The shelter has been raising money since the Thanksgiving season, and this year up to $40,000 be matched by an anonymous donor. Kori Nelson, director of development and marketing at the shelter, said they can receive postdated checks, as well. She thanked animal lovers all across Pottawattamie County and beyond for their giving spirit all year long. More information about fostering, volunteering and donation opportunities can be found at midlandshumanesociety.org or by calling 712-396-2270. Like their Facebook page to keep up with daily shelter news. The shelter can also be found at @midlandshumane on Twitter and @midlandshumanesociety on Instagram. Joe Shearer Nick Jedlicka, director of Pottawattamie County Veterans Affairs, plans to leave the post around the end of January, he confirmed Thursday. I told the Board of Supervisors and the (Veterans) Commission I would stay around to train my replacement, he said. Jedlicka bought into fiber-splicing company Arc Fiber Solutions of Bellevue, Nebraska and will be a partner with Brandon Kirvanek, a friend, comrade and former co-worker, he said. He was in my unit in the Guard, he said. He was a medic in the Guard. Years ago, we used to splice cable for Cox Cable in Omaha. Jedlicka has lived in Council Bluffs since 1995 and joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 1996. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1997. For eight years after joining the Iowa National Guards 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, he was not deployed. In 2004, he was sent to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a battalion ammunition chief. He returned home in July 2005. He was called up again in August 2010 and served as a platoon sergeant based at Combat Outpost Dand Patan, Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. On April 11, 2011, Jedlicka and others from his unit set out in a combat patrol convoy to go further into Afghanistan. They were in a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle leading the convoy when an improvised explosive device exploded underneath the vehicle. Brent Maher of Council Bluffs, who was in the gun turret, was killed. Jedlicka, Dustin Morrison of New Market and Justin Christiansen of Nebraska City, Nebraska were seriously injured. Jedlicka had to spend months in army hospitals and additional time after dismissal recovering. He retired in May 2018 at the rank of sergeant major. Jedlicka became director of the VA in 2019. I had a hard time deciding to leave my job at the VA, he told the Nonpareil. The people there have been good to me. It just came down to being a good time for me and the family to do this. And who doesnt want to be their own boss? Im pretty excited about it. Jedlicka will now be in a position to help veterans in a different way. My focus is going to be to hire veterans get more veterans in the business, he said. Jedlicka plans to stay involved in helping veterans in the community, he said. Im actually going to try to get on the Commission the next time that comes around, he said. Jedlicka has a wife, Penny; stepdaughter, Kailey Rochholz, a senior at Treynor High School; and a son, Noah, in seventh grade. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When the USS Arizona exploded and sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago, brothers died with brothers, childhood friends with childhood friends, a father with his son. Some of the men were seasoned sailors. Many were teenagers, including several who lied about their age at enlistment because they were too young to serve. Now profiles of all 1,177 sailors and Marines have been compiled for the first time by a Tucson woman who spent more than five years researching their stories. Bobbie Jo Buel Bobbie Jo Buel has written profiles of all 1,177 sailors and Marines who died on the USS Arizona. Former Arizona Daily Star Editor Bobbie Jo Buel scoured newspaper archives and public records, collected snapshots and personal letters and tracked down relatives of the men. Her work began in May of 2016 with Joseph John Borovich, a 22-year-old seaman first class from Central California who was rejected by the Navy because of blurred vision but kept coming back to the recruiting depot until they took him in July 1940. Buel finished the last profile on Sept. 22 of this year a bare-bones sketch, stitched together with Navy records and census reports, of 22-year-old Boilermaker Second Class Harold Richard Mathein from Illinois. Buel was in talks earlier this year to make all of the stories available through an easily searchable smartphone app, so visitors to the USS Arizona Mall Memorial could stand in the outline of the ship and read about the men whose names are engraved on bronze medallions just east of Old Main on the University of Arizona campus. That agreement recently fell through, so she has been reposting the stories on social media one every 30 minutes while she looks for another permanent home for them. By Dec. 14, all 1,177 profiles should be available on the USS Arizona Mall Memorials Facebook page. These guys deserve to have their stories told, Buel said. My goal is just to have the information shared widely. The Detroit four Even before the attack, a surprising number of Arizona crewmen were already bonded by blood or history. Of the 1,514 men assigned to the ship, Buel estimates close to 200 had relatives or friends from back home on board with them. According to the National Park Service, caretaker of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Machinist Mate First Class Thomas Augusta Free, 50, and his son, Seaman Second Class William Thomas Free, 17, both died on the ship, as did 23 sets of brothers. Buel said the list of casualties also includes cousins, uncles, nephews and best friends, many of whom enlisted, served and then died together. A story that sticks with her more than most involves four teenagers who enlisted together at a Navy recruiting office in Detroit on a snowy day in November 1940. One of the boys, Chester John Miller, was just 15 at the time, but he was allowed to sign up anyway. Miller, Clarence W. Lipke, Charles W. McClelland and Byrl Eugene King trained together at Great Lakes Naval Station 30 miles north of Chicago, and all four ended up on ships anchored at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Miller and Lipke, both firemen second class, died on the Arizona. King, on the battleship Nevada, and McClelland, on the light cruiser Helena, survived the attack, though McClelland was hurled in the air by a torpedo blast and broke his leg. McClelland was still aboard the Helena when it was sunk in the South Pacific in July 1943. His life raft carried him to an island held by the Japanese, where the locals hid him and his crewmates for a week until they were picked up by Navy destroyers. Shared hardship Buel added details about the men to spreadsheets as she went, so she could better understand not just the individuals but the collective story they told as a crew. Many of the Arizona men were also connected by shared hardship. They were children of the Great Depression for whom the Navy offered an escape from poverty made worse, in a startling number of cases, by family tragedy. Buel said nearly a quarter of the men lost one or both parents before the age of 18. At least 6% saw their parents divorced a figure almost certainly underreported but still three times the national rate in 1940. Buel also tracked the size of the communities the crew members came from. She said as many as half of them grew up on farms or in towns with populations of less than 1,514. In other words, the Arizona was the biggest place theyd ever lived, she said. As she researched the story of Vincent Tommy Thomas and Lloyd Bryant, two lifelong best friends who enlisted together from rural Illinois, Buel discovered among the Arizonas dead two more young men, Edward Smith and Joe McGlasson, from the same small county. Five thousand people (in all of Greene County, Illinois), and you just lost four guys. And that was day one of the war, Buel said. For a lot of families in small towns, it was an even greater loss than we kind of understand. Seaman Second Class James Randolf Van Horn was the only Tucsonan lost on the battleship that day. The 17-year-old had never seen the ocean before, but he dropped out of Tucson High School to join the Navy. He requested the Arizona because it represented his home state. In an interview with the Tucson Daily Citizen in 1958, his mother, Bonnie Cope, said her son decided to enlist after attending a recruiting talk at Tucson High by Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd in the spring of 1941. Kidd later died on the Arizona, right along with the Tucson teenager he inspired to join him there. Nationwide search The research project began as a companion piece for the USS Arizona Mall Memorial, which Buels husband, David Carter, designed at the UA. At the time, Buel figured someone had already compiled the mens stories. She just needed to find whoever did the work and get permission to share it. She planned to spend the first two weeks of her retirement from the Star pulling the information together so it would be ready to go when the memorial was dedicated a few days before the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Then she discovered that there was no existing collection. At least some of the sailors and Marines had never been profiled before. Their names were etched in marble at the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, but their histories had gone untold. She would have to do it herself. I joke about it now, but I never would have started if I had known it was going to be five plus years, Buel said. I have library cards now from the New York Public Library, the L.A. Public Library, the North Dakota State archive. I mean Ive been to the state archives in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York state, California, Kansas. Its 20 something states weve been to. The search took her and her husband to major cities and tiny towns to scan reels of microfilm or comb through bound copies of old newspapers in search of obituaries. She couldnt just page through the December 1941 editions, either. Some families werent notified that their loved ones were dead until months later. I think with common names, (the notifications) took longer in some cases, Buel said. And there were also just a shocking number of mistakes made at first. There were families who were told your guy is dead. Oh, no, your guys alive. Oh, no, he is dead. Online resources like Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com provided crucial leads. When the internet failed her, Buel said she would mail letters to still-living family members of the men or cold-call small-town libraries or the local American Legion or VFW post. Along the way, she recruited friends and fellow researchers to track down stories of the men, and she forged friendships with some of the strangers who helped her. It was a big network, she said. When a group of former reporters volunteered to help, Buel handed them a few of her toughest files. OK, retired journalists, lets see how you do, she recalled with a laugh. About a dozen of the profiles were researched and written by the relatives themselves, who took on the task as a way to learn more about their family histories. Missing messmen Eager for some early successes, Buel began with the men she thought would be the easiest to find the ones with unique names or from small towns, where their deaths would earn big write-ups in the local paper. I think there were like 10 guys on the ship whose last name was Jones Harold Jones, John Jones and was I like, OK, Im not starting there, she said. The ones she couldnt find anything on went into what she called the dead man file, Buel said. Sick journalism humor. That file gradually emptied, as she refined her searches and got better at knowing where to find what she was looking for. Her technique improved so much that she later went back and reviewed all the work she had done over the first 18 months or so to flesh out as many of the portraits as she could. Some of the hardest to track down, at least early on, were the crewmen of color, who were often disrespected in death by the same institutions that disrespected them in life. If you were Black or from Guam or the Philippines, you could only join a branch called the messmen. They were basically like servants, Buel said. They couldnt get promoted, it was the lowest pay and it didnt matter what their skills were. It still just boggles my mind that you would put your life on the line for a country that treats you like that, she said. For Black crew members whose deaths got little to no mainstream media coverage, she turned to newspapers run by and for the African American communities in places like Memphis, Tennessee, and elsewhere. For some Filipino crew members, she combed through the applications they filled out to become U.S. citizens a treasure trove of biographical information, once she discovered that such records were publicly available. The newspaper in Guam didnt publish anything about the Arizonas dead at first, because Guam was invaded like nine hours after Pearl Harbor was attacked, and it wasnt taken back by the Americans until the summer of 44, Buel said. I dont think the families of the guys from Guam even knew they were dead until then. In the years after the war, though, the islands lost Arizona crewmen began to show up in the newspaper there as part of Pearl Harbor anniversary tributes or the obituaries for their relatives. Letters home Despite Buels best efforts, some of the finished profiles remain frustratingly thin. There was one guy, I found literally two (documents) about him, she said. I know from the final muster roll the date he enlisted, and I know, of course, what his position was on the ship. And I know the name of the woman he married. That is all I know about him. Buel searched for the mans wife but never found her. So there were a few like that, where its like I wrote three sentences, she said. Others fill up more than a page rich portraits brimming with color from old newspaper accounts, the firsthand recollections of relatives and, in some cases, the mens own words, preserved in letters to their loved ones. Sailor Walter Hamilton Simon wrote often to his ailing father and teen-aged sister in New Jersey, starting with a note he jotted on the back of the Oath of Allegiance after he enlisted in Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 1940. A year later, on board the Arizona in November 1941, the 23-year-old wrote to his family about a friend who was really homesick. I was that way for a long time myself, Simon says in his letter, but now I just grin and bear it, because I know that Ill be home with you at my first possible chance. Buel ended up with about 10 sets of letters penned by Arizona crew members. With all 1,177 profiles now finally finished, she has arranged to turn the correspondence over to UA Libraries Special Collections, where it will be added to an extensive historical archive from the states namesake battleship. She said the letters home offer a window into the lives of the men on the Arizona and their growing anxiety about the approach of war. They know its getting serious. There are guys who write about being on watch at night, and the burden of feeling responsible for the lives of 1,500 people who are on that ship with (them), Buel said. Every letter seems to end the same way, she said: Please write. Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 573-4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean DES MOINES The 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. 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 (150 kilometers) 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. Iowa Attorney General Tom Millers New Years resolution for his fellow state attorneys general is to make consumer protection, including investigating Big Tech, their priority in the coming year. As the recently elected president of the National Association of Attorneys General, Miller gets to choose an area of emphasis for 2022. Consumer protection, he said, is a really unifying set of initiatives for attorneys general because the practices he wants to target affect consumers throughout the nation. Hes calling the initiative Consumer Protection 2.0: Tech Threats and Tools, but plans to address consumer protection issues broadly. We want to focus on a better and quicker early warning system for consumers on the basic fundamental frauds, such as Social Security and IRS fraud and utility shut-offs, Miller told reporters on a call Thursday. Miller, a Democrat and the longest serving attorney general in the nations history, also wants to bring the attorneys generals weight to bear on more contemporary consumer protection issues posed by social media companies, where technology meets consumer protection. The algorithms used by companies, such as Facebook, Amazon and others, have just enormous significance, Miller said. Algorithms can produce negative results, can produce harm, and they're not that visible. His investigation will be guided, in part, by the disclosures by whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former product manager at Facebook, who grew up in Iowa City. Facebook is just such a big set of issues, Miller said, referring to Haugens disclosures during congressional testimony. Hes particularly concerned about what he called dark patterns that make it difficult for consumers to sever ties with the sites. A consumer may have to click through more than a dozen steps, which Miller called misleading. If you make it all the way through there, a person comes on to try and talk you out of leaving, he said. They have ways to sort of pull them back in (that are) bad enough when they're doing that with adults, but to do that with kids seems to be deceptive and certainly not fair. In addition to the questionable use of algorithms is dark patterns, which Miller said makes it difficult to for a person to permanently leave a social media platform. We want to take a good look there and be respectful of what's going on the investigation concerning kids and algorithms and the investigations concerning Cambridge Analytical, but maybe get to some of the fundamental issues on the algorithms and treatment dark patterns, he said. As part of his effort, Miller will host a summit for state attorneys general Aug. 8-10 in Des Moines just in time for them to also attend the Iowa State Fair. Miller, who is seeking re-election, also wants to focus on sentencing reform, which Iowa as well as other states and Congress have started to address. 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 Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, in pre-trial detention since June in a case of alleged corruption, was admitted Wednesday night to the military hospital in Nouakchott for urgent care, one of his lawyers announced Thursday. Ould Abdelaziz, who led Mauritania from 2008 to 2019, has been transferred to this hospital for urgent care () We have not been able to meet with him so far, said one of his lawyers Mohameden Ould Icheddou, calling on the authorities to evacuate his client abroad for intensive care. Members of his family have visited him and felt that his situation is worrying, but stable, Ould Icheddou said. He said he had again asked the judge to release Mr. Ould Abdelaziz on bail after his hospitalization. The Court of Appeal in Nouakchott had in early November again rejected a previous request for provisional release of the former Mauritanian leader. In a statement issued Wednesday evening, his family said they fear his physical liquidation by the regime, which has failed in its attempts to liquidate him politically. The former head of state was charged in March with corruption, money laundering, illicit enrichment, squandering public property, granting undue advantages and obstructing the course of justice. He was detained in June in a Nouakchott prison for failure to comply with his judicial supervision and for disturbing the peace. Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. Libyas interim Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah chaired a government council meeting on Thursday to mark his official return to office, after taking time off to run in the aborted presidential election. The political situation is critical, Dbeibah said, as Libya has failed to hold a presidential election scheduled for Dec. 24 the first by a head of state with universal suffrage in Libya long expected to be the outcome of the UN-sponsored peace process. A parliamentary committee concluded that it was impossible to hold the election two days before it was due to take place, due to insurmountable disagreements, particularly concerning the legal basis of the election, in which several divisive candidates were to compete. The High Electoral Commission subsequently proposed postponing the election to January 24. But the parliament did not endorse the date, leaving the election intended to bring the country out of a decade of chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafis regime in 2011 in limbo. The transitional government based in the western city of Tripoli has been weakened by the fact that its mandate was supposed to end on December 24. The parliament, which sits in Tobruk (east), is now considering a possible government reshuffle. Mr. Dbeibah, himself a candidate for the presidency after pledging not to run for it when he was appointed head of the interim government in February, defended his record. We have worked to restore security and sustain stability, he said Thursday, urging his ministers to prepare for a strong (economic) recovery in 2022. The executive is also shaken by judicial cases involving two of its ministers. On Wednesday, a preventive detention order was issued against the Minister of Culture in an investigation for corruption, after a similar procedure against the Minister of Education for negligence in the performance of his duties. Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. The Libyan Public Prosecutor has ordered the arrest and the pre-trial of Culture Minister Mabrouka Tougi, over accusations of corruption in administration and finance transactions. Tougi was interrogated on Dec. 29 and has been detained pending an investigation against her over allegations of corruption following a decision by the prosecution. A brief statement by the Attorney-Generals office indicates that Tougi is accused of unauthorized spending of state funds, forging documents, and obstruction of audit review. The office added that Tougi and other employees at the Ministry were implicated in corruption cases in the project of maintenance of Book and Publication Centers building, meetings hall at the Ministry, and the roundabout outside the Ministry building despite the fact that all those operations were done last year and documented in the expenditures of the Ministry. She is the latest minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh to be investigated for corruption. Earlier this month, Libya Update reports, Education Minister Musa Al Maqrif was arrested over his ministrys failure to authorize the spending of allocated funds for school textbooks. For every kid who grew up with a pile of comic books next to the bed, in a drawer, or in the closet, American Comics: A History by Jeremy Dauber (W.W. Norton, $35) is a must-have. Here, Dauber follows comics from their political roots to todays activist cartoons, and how we went from Katzenjammer Kids to MAD Magazine to comix as we know them. The bonus is that Dauber puts comics into fascinating historical perspective. Did you buy your lottery ticket this week? If you did, itll make a fine bookmark for Jackpot: How the Super-Rich Really Live and How Their Wealth Harms Us All by Michael Mechanic (Simon & Schuster, $28). You might think twice about the burdens of wealth after reading this book and you might re-examine your thoughts on what one persons wealth does to everyone else... Readers who love memoirs will enjoy Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome (HMH $26), who writes about growing up, being in love with the boy who abused him, and the father who did, too. Its a coming-out tale thats sometimes funny and always graceful, one that will sometimes make you gasp, and that youll be glad you read. How do you feel about how the county redistricting went? I was very pleased to get the districts as close in population as we did, and very appreciative that the commissioners understood the changes, accepted the changes and adopted the plan. The fact that we didnt have to is a result of doing it that type 10 years ago. Technically, we could have gotten away without redistricting this time, but that will guarantee that 10 years from now, wed have had to make a bigger change. By getting it this tight 10 years ago, this time were within limits. However, by going ahead and doing it, what weve hopefully done is mature to 10 years down the road. We might not be out of bounds yet. That one man, one vote principle is pretty important. If you vote in District 1, District 2, then our vote will remain the same. When I first came to work here, we had one district with over 30,000 people and one district with less than 10,000. Whats one of the County Commissions biggest focuses next year? One thing that has taken a good part of this past year is our solid waste issue, and thats still a work in progress. Lee County has not provided carts to county residential addresses, but we are hoping that the cart service is going to start March 1. Our solid waste system has literally run over us like a truck. If you look at what we built in the late 1980s and early 1990s and the number of people it served versus the number it serves today, 30-40% of the volume of trash we handle comes from people who dont pay the county garbage fee, and we just cant sustain that level of unauthorized use. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There are plenty of local destinations to celebrate the new year, as 2021 comes to a close Friday night. Check out the list of New Years Eve events happening in Auburn-Opelika below: New Years Eve Bash at Marriott Grand National: For those 21 and older, hors doeuvres, live music from DJ Judah and chances to win prizes for spa treatments, cabana rentals and more. Friday 9 p.m. 12 a.m., 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, tickets $30, purchase online at marriottopelika.ipoolside.com. New Years Eve at Lucys: Celebrate and enjoy new cocktails at this modern American eatery. Friday 6 10 p.m., 2300 Moores Mill Road, Auburn, Call 334-521-0391 or go to the website www.lucysauburn.com to make reservations. Putin requested the call, the second between the leaders this month, ahead of scheduled talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials Jan. 9 and 10 in Geneva. The Geneva talks will be followed by a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on Jan. 12 and negotiations at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna on Jan. 13. White House officials said Thursday's call lasted 50 minutes, ending after midnight in Moscow. Biden told Putin the two powers now face two paths: diplomacy or American deterrence through sanctions, according to a senior administration official. Biden said the route taken, according to the official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, will "depend on Russias actions in the period ahead." Russia has made clear it wants a written commitment that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO and that the alliance's military equipment will not be positioned in former Soviet states, demands that the Biden administration has rejected. Biden told Putin a diplomatic path remains open even as the Russians have moved an estimated 100,000 troops toward Ukraine and Kremlin officials have turned up the volume on their demands for new guarantees from the U.S. and NATO. BRADLEY, Ill. (AP) Authorities were searching Thursday for two people believed to have been involved in the fatal shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel. The two Bradley police officers were shot late Wednesday while speaking to people in a room at a Comfort Inn along a highway in Kankakee County, the county sheriff's office said. The officers were taken to nearby hospitals, where one died and the other was listed in critical condition and undergoing surgery, said the Bradley Police Department. The county coroner identified the slain officer as Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, 49. Illinois State Police identified the other as Officer Tyler J. Bailey, 27. An arrest warrant was issued for 25-year-old Darius D. Sullivan of Bourbonnais, and the sheriff's office posted a Facebook request for the public's help in finding him, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous. Police also obtained a Kankakee County arrest warrant for Xandria A. Harris, 26 of Bradley, but her role in the shootings wasn't clear. SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR GHISLAINE MAXWELL? She needs to be sentenced, but a date has yet to be set. A family statement the night of the verdict said an appeal had already been started. And she faces another trial, on two counts of perjury that were spun off from her indictment. WHY IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CHARGED WITH PERJURY? Those counts are based on her answers during 2016 depositions in a since-settled lawsuit brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre. She's accused of lying by saying I dont know what youre talking about in response to a question about whether Epstein had a scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages. She's also accused of lying by saying she didn't recall whether there were sex toys or devices at Epstein's Florida home and by saying she wasn't aware Epstein was having sex with anyone but her. Her lawyers argued those depositions shouldn't be used at the criminal trial because of a court-approved agreement her answers would stay confidential. WHAT WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL UP TO BEFORE HER ARREST? As the world races towards a greener tomorrow, OPEC+ officials have noted that the energy transition, if not managed well, could lead to underinvestment in oil and gas, which could mean even higher prices. 2021 was a challenging year for OPEC+ as prices began to recover, presenting a temptation that has always been difficult to resist. OPEC+ did some surprising things in the past two years. First, it broke up at the start of the pandemic with its two leadersSaudi Arabia and Russiaturning on each other because of differences of opinion on how the crisis needed to be handled. Then the two made up, and the group united around the deepest production cuts in the history of OPEC in response to the demand destruction caused by the pandemic, also unprecedented. All in all, 2020 was a year of unprecedented events. But this year was not that much different. It was a challenging one for OPEC+ as prices began to recover, presenting a temptation that has always been difficult to resist, especially for the most oil-dependent economies in the Gulf and Africa. And yet resist they did, sticking to a production increase plan seen adding 400,000 bpd in combined oil production every month. This plan is still in action, at least until January, when OPEC+ may reconsider as some analysts warn of looming oil oversupply. OPEC's analysts are not among thesethe cartel expects a mild and temporary effect on demand from the omicron variant of the coronavirus. But the cartel has proved in the past two years that it could be cautious. Bloomberg's Julian Lee earlier this week reminded us that ever since its inception, the extended OPEC+ cartel has had its work cut out for it. From the very beginning, when members decided to reduce production in response to the U.S. shale boom, to this year, when they had to be flexible with production amid wave after wave of Covid-19 infections, it's been a challenging five years for OPEC+. The challenging nature of the cooperation was only to be expected given the often different priorities of member states. And yet it somehow worked, even with bumps along the road such as Iraq's inability to stick to its production quotas, for which it had to be "punished" by getting additional cut quotas. And this may well have made the group more resilient to any future shocks. According to analysts, the first challenge would be excess supply. It would not be much of a challenge, however, as it is seen as temporary, only until the omicron wave passes, and assuming it would be as bad as previous waves, which is a bit unlikely for a very pragmatic reason: most governments cannot afford another long lockdown. A much bigger challenge, as noted by oil industry observers and OPEC members, is dwindling spare production supply. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, OPEC's spare capacity could fall to 5.11 million bpd in the final quarter of next year. This is down from 9 million bpd in the first quarter of 2021. The Energy Information Administration defines spare oil production capacity as oil production that can be started within 30 days and sustained for at least 90 days. The International Energy Agency defines spare capacity as production that can be cranked up in 90 days. Whatever the definition, the world's spare oil production capacity is falling because it is not a static pool of oil. Oil reservoirs that are not exploited tend to diminish in resourcesone big reason why so many oil producers were reluctant to start plugging wells when the pandemic killed demand. Once you plug a well, it may or may not return to full or any production. Speaking of plugging wells, these may well be part of the reason Russia is now near its capacity of producing oil, and it's a much lower level than before the pandemic. Before, Russia was pumping north of 11 million bpd. Now, according to a Reuters report citing Russian oil companies, total output is nearing capacity at 10.9 million bpd, even though Deputy PM Alexander Novak has argued Russia's oil production will rebound to 11.33 million bpd by May. Related: Is SpaceX Blocking Out Rivals In The Satellite Race? Most of the spare capacity, therefore, will be in OPEC, and more precisely, in the Middle East. But even that spare capacity needs maintenance, and maintenance means investment. And investments in oil production are getting harder to come by these days. "We're heading toward a phase that could be dangerous if there's not enough spending on energy," Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said earlier this month. The sentiment was echoed by Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan: "We have very serious concerns that the world could run short of energy if we are not careful in managing the transition." It's not just the Saudis that are warning about underinvestment, either. IHS Markit's Daniel Yergin said the world is painting itself into a corner featuring a series of energy crunches because of insufficient investment in oil and gas. And it's public knowledge that U.S. oil companies are prioritizing returning cash to investors rather than production growth while Big Oil is pouring billions in low-carbon energy to clean up its reputation. What all this means is that the world may be in for a few more tough years in terms of energy security, especially parts of it. OPEC+, on the other hand, may be in for some more windfall profits as the supply of oil remains tight for purely fundamental reasons. Of course, there is always the possibility of another demand destruction event in case the pandemic continues to surprise us, but OPEC+ has already been there and has done that. It will survive and maybe even become stronger. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Europe may be in the grips of an energy shortage and forced to reopen retired coal plants to cope but climate activists insist that it is time to part company with fossil fuels, the sooner, the better. According to them, this is a simple solution to the worlds emission problems. It is overflowing with too much carbon. The world cant absorb any more, said Tom Goldtooth, an activist and the executive director of the North American Indigenous Environmental Network on the sidelines of COP26, as quoted by CNBC. The simple solution, that we are still demanding, is the world has to turn the valve off. Yet the solution of turning off the valve appears to not be as simple as it may sound. Goldtooth is neither the first nor the last activist to call for an immediate end to oil and gas production. Earlier this year, following the release of the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the very head of the UN, Antonio Guterres slammed oil and gas. "This report must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels before they destroy our planet," he said, adding "Countries should also end all new fossil fuel exploration and production, and shift fossil fuel subsidies into renewable energy." Also earlier this year, the International Energy Agency published a roadmap to net zero, in which it called for the end of all new oil and gas exploration. Only a few months later, the IEA called on OPEC to boost new oil and gas exploration in order to ensure an adequate supply of hydrocarbons amid fast-growing demand. The IEAs contradictory stances are a perfect illustration of how challenging the simple solution of turning the oil taps off is in reality. Shells chief executive put it succinctly in comments on the historic court ruling that obliged the supermajor to cut its carbon footprint substantially. Related: U.S. Oil Industry Warns Of Sharply Higher Costs Imagine Shell decided to stop selling petrol and diesel today, Ben van Beurden wrote in a LinkedIn post. This would certainly cut Shells carbon emissions. But it would not help the world one bit. Demand for fuel would not change. People would fill up their cars and delivery trucks at other service stations. It is the demand side of the hydrocarbon equation that climate activists regularly appear to choose to overlook, focused with laser precision on the production side. When the pandemic started last year, many, including BP, claimed we are already past peak oil demand. As lockdowns eased, however, reality reasserted itself and it turned out that demand for oil has not, in fact, peaked at all. Now, investment banks, the International Energy Agency, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration are all forecasting greater demand still next year. Investment banks are also projecting higher oil prices because they expect demand to be greater than supply after the first quarter. In fact, some are forecasting much higher prices for oil. What this means, aside from market speculation, is that the supply of oil is expected to remain too tight to meet expected demand for most of 2022. What this context suggests for calls to turn off the valve is not exactly a better world, although it would certainly be a lower-emission world, for a while. Global emissions fell last year while hundreds of millions stayed home during the lockdowns. As soon as the lockdowns were over, people got out and emissions began to rise. It is hardly a wonder that the idea surfaced that we needed the equivalent of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns in order to cope with emission control. This idea may yet gain traction amid activist calls for an end to oil and gas. Activistsand scientists, by the waywarn that the Paris Agreement targets are impossible to achieve with current efforts. In fact, scientists have estimated that we need to put a lot more effort into reducing emissions, halving current levels over the next eight years, in order to have a chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goals and chiefly the goal of reducing the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. To be fair, the 1.5-degree scenario was until recently commonly referred to as the more ambitious and therefore less likely to succeed scenario. The 2-degree scenario was the one recognized as more within our powers. Now, it appears that the 1.5-degree scenario is the one we should strive for, whatever it takes. And whatever it takes might include national lockdowns and, if activists get heard at a high enough level, cuts in oil and gas production, which, as IHS Markits Daniel Yergin warned earlier this year, would lead to more energy crunches like the one currently ravaging Europe. Because demand for energy is going nowhere. In fact, demand for energy on a global scale is set to increase substantially in the coming years. Policy-makers and activists both need to refocus their attention on that part of the hydrocarbon equation. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: With less nuclear, insufficient natural gas pipelines, and no LNG available to save the day, New England is one cold snap away from a substantial disaster. A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. Carl Reiner At its core, the human body is a symphony of chemical reactions. The complexities and interdependencies of the molecular machinery that makes our bodies function are almost too staggering to ponder. As any chemist can attest, chemical reactions are usually quite sensitive to temperature, and sensitivity to temperature varies substantially across reaction pathways. As such, temperature control not only dictates reaction rates, but it also influences product and byproduct distributions. At one temperature, two reagents might react cleanly to produce a desired product with high purity. At a different temperature, an undesirable pathway might become more kinetically favored, leading to the accumulation of unwanted impurities. One of the miracles of the body is its ability to maintain strict internal temperature control, which allows it to regulate the speed and product distributions of the myriad of chemical reactions that are occurring inside you as you read this. The equilibria are delicate, so much so that fluctuations of a mere few degrees can be fatal. This concept of normal body temperature is widely understood, but its direct, vital connection to the core chemical reactions occurring inside you is less well known. Because internal temperature is critical to sustaining life, the body has developed elaborate heat management systems, including discomfort nudges (like shivering and sweating) that are meant to directly generate or shed heat and motivate you to relocate to a more suitable environment. If you stand outside for a few minutes in the winter wearing nothing but shorts and a t-shirt, you become uncomfortable rather quickly. Return inside to a warm fire and a rewarding comfort envelops you. Just dont get too close to the fire, lest the body be forced to nudge you back outside. Thermal comfort is the technical phrase that describes the human need to maintain a reasonable temperature and humidity environment, and it is generally accepted that people are most comfortable when the temperature is between 67F and 82F and the humidity is between 30% and 60%. It should come as no surprise to most readers that we invest a staggering amount of energy on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to keep ourselves in such favorable settings. The US Department of Energy estimates that 40% of the countrys CO2 emissions can be traced back to the need to achieve thermal comfort, significantly more energy than is used in the transportation sector. When we at Doomberg say energy is life, we arent just referencing the energy that goes into producing food or clean water exposure to the elements and lack of thermal control will kill you much faster than a shortage of either of those. Consider Boston, Massachusetts, the unofficial capital of New England (for our international readers, New England consists of six states in the US Northeast, namely Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Given its northern latitude, the citizens of Boston experience cold and sometimes brutal winters, but more reasonable summers. Globally, far more people die from exposure to cold than to heat, and this makes winter energy policy especially consequential. In the chart below, weve plotted the daily average high and low temperatures for the city and overlaid the thermal comfort zone for easy reference. Not surprisingly, the coldest months of the year are December, January, and February. During these months, an enormous amount of energy is consumed as the population seeks to achieve thermal comfort, and the amount of energy needed to do this is bounded by the laws of physics it scales with the delta from the thermal comfort zone and, as a practical matter, the tactics deployed at the extremes are highly inefficient. In her excellent book Shorting the Grid: The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid, Meredith Angwin describes how a combination of bad policy, complicated governance, and dense bureaucracy has made the entire electric grid of New England incredibly vulnerable to collapse, especially during winter cold snaps (you can buy Angwins book here and follow her Twitter account here). She tells the story of how Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) like ISO New England have evolved to oversee bulk electric power systems and transmission lines, and how producers of electricity must subordinate their natural gas consumption for use in home heating during extreme cold weather events. Of course, the demand for electricity skyrockets during these same extreme events as people supplement their home heating needs with electric space heaters, further exacerbating the problem. Angwin goes on the tell the story of how New Englands electric grid nearly collapsed during cold snaps in late December 2017 and early January 2018. In the book, she quotes from an op-ed she wrote for the Valley News shortly after the incident (emphasis added throughout this piece): Around 5:00 P.M. on January 6, 2018, I snapped a light on as the sun went down. The temperature was around minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit. It had been zero at lunchtime and would be minus 15 the next morning. As usual, the light went on. As grid operator ISO New England had planned, oil had saved the grid. During that very cold week, about one-third of New Englands electricity came from burning oil. The people at ISO-NE might think it is unfair to say that they planned to save the grid with oil, but they did, because of the Winter Reliability Program. Related: Oil Perks Up With Another Crude Inventory Draw She goes on to describe that while burning oil had averted disaster, it had only barely done so. The grid was hours away from rolling blackouts before the weather thankfully turned warmer. The book then covers the broken interplay between policy, markets, and fuel security, how renewables impact the grid, and her thoughts on a more rational path forward. It is well worth a full read. You would think that the near-collapse of their energy grid would have motivated the good people of New England to get serious about shoring up their energy needs ahead of future cold snaps. You would be wrong. Instead, they have set about the task of systematically dismantling existing critical infrastructure and blocking the development of proven technologies. In 2019, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was shuttered, leaving New England with only two nuclear power facilities. There are no plans to build more. New England Nukes, Photo Credit EIA More urgently, virtually every attempt to expand the regions natural gas pipeline infrastructure has been delayed, blocked, or abandoned. Heres a sobering report from InsideSources from mid-2019 that describes the situation: As activists become more adept at enlisting government in their war on oil and gas pipelines, even small projects are becoming difficult to build. Last month, voters in Longmeadow, Mass., approved a non-binding ballot measure encouraging the town to buy land to block a local natural gas metering and transfer station. This past Earth Day, the mayor of Holyoke, Mass., announced his opposition to a proposed 2.1-mile, 12-inch natural gas pipeline that would increase capacity to meet rising demand. He asked federal regulators to reject the pipeline. In March, the Bristol, Vt., Selectboard voted to cancel a license agreement with Vermont Gas that would have allowed Bristol residents to connect to a gas line that runs from Colchester to Middlebury, vtdigger.com reported. From large, interstate pipelines to small lines connecting towns and neighborhoods, anti-fossil fuel activists have proven highly successful at blocking, through regulations or lawsuits, new natural gas infrastructure in the Northeastern United States. Just last month, voters in Maine killed an electricity transmission line project that would have brought renewable hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts. Heres a report from the Boston Globe: In what appears to be a stunning setback to Massachusetts climate goals, Maine voters on Tuesday rejected a referendum on a transmission line that would bring hydroelectric energy from Canada to the Bay State. As of just before midnight, with 421 of the states 571 precincts reporting, a yes vote to stop the $1 billion project that is already under construction had garnered 60 percent support, according to unofficial results. Energy from the line is a key part of how Massachusetts plans to achieve its goal of halving emissions by the end of the decade. The Maine vote does not spell the immediate end of the project, as the lines supporters are already saying they will contest the referendum in court, but even that will likely result in a set-back to the projects planned timelineand there is no time to waste. The great irony of the situation is New England sits only a few hundred miles from the most prolific natural gas producing region on Earth the Appalachian Basin. According to the US EIA, if the region were a standalone country it would have been the third-largest natural gas producer in the world in the first half of 2021, behind only Russia and the rest of the US. And yet, by refusing to build the necessary pipeline infrastructure, New England has opted out of sharing in this critical domestic bounty. If any thought leaders from the region are reading this piece, the Doomberg team put together this handy guide to solving your regional energy problems: If New Englands refusal to use natural gas from right next door is ironic, how it sources liquefied natural gas (LNG) is downright perverse, albeit for reasons mostly beyond its control. Weve written before about how the US has become a substantial player in the LNG market, and how the energy crisis in Europe spread to Asia, causing a bidding war for LNG supply. As luck would have it, New England is a now victim of that bidding war and is facing the prospect of dramatically less LNG supply this winter. How did this happen? One of the most controversial laws in the US is the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more commonly known as the Jones Act. The law is meant to help ensure a healthy US merchant marine fleet and to support domestic shipbuilding. These are considered critical to national security, especially during times of war. A key stipulation of the law is that foreign-owned ships cannot transport goods between two US ports only ships built, owned, and crewed by Americans are permitted to do so. While the US has become the largest producer of natural gas and an ever-larger exporter of LNG, the country does not produce LNG carriers. Since there are no US LNG carriers, New England cannot benefit from the build-out of LNG export facilities along the Gulf of Mexico, despite having significant LNG import facilities like the one in Everett, Massachusetts. That means New England is in the same bidding pool as Europe and Asia. Amazingly, most LNG imports to the Everett terminal have come from Trinidad and Tobago! Instead of simply building pipelines to its land neighbors, New England pays for boats to sail more than 2,000 miles burning fossil fuels and polluting the oceans as they do so and pays a substantially higher price for the privilege. Bonkers! As we head into the depths of winter, New England is substantially behind in procuring LNG from the international market. Heres how S&P Global described the situation last week: So far this winter season, New England has received just a single cargo at the region's Everett LNG import terminal, which delivered the regasified equivalent of about 2.9 Bcf on Nov. 3. From November to March last season, Everett received seven cargoes carrying 20.5 Bcf. During the 2019-2020 season, the terminal took nine cargoes carrying nearly 23.5 Bcf, Platts Analytics data shows. We leave you with a tweet we posted a week ago today that went viral. At the time of this writing, it has been seen by nearly 250,000 people and has over 1,900 likes. With less nuclear, insufficient natural gas pipelines, and no LNG available to save the day, New England is one cold snap away from a substantial disaster. If you live there, prepare your thermal comfort zone accordingly. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. Department of Energy approved on Thursday a third exchange of two million barrels of crude oil for release to ExxonMobil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as part of the Biden Administrations efforts to boost fuel availability and lower gasoline prices. So far, the U.S. DOE, as authorized by President Joe Biden, has provided more than seven million barrels of SPR crude oil to companies, including the two previous exchanges awarded earlier in December. As with all exchanges, companies that receive SPR crude oil through the exchange agree to return the amount of crude oil received, as well as an additional amount, dependent upon the length of time in which they hold the oil, DOE said on Thursday. The exchanges are part of the Administrations intention announced at the end of November to release 50 million barrels of oil from the SPR in a bid to lower high gasoline prices in a coordinated effort with other major oil-consuming nations. The U.S. Department of Energy will make available releases of 50 million barrels from the SPR, of which 32 million barrels will be in the form of an exchange over the next several months, releasing oil that must be returned to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the years ahead. Another 18 million barrels will be released as an acceleration into the next several months of a sale of oil that Congress had previously authorized, the White House said at the time. The SPR release was largely priced in by oil market participants and hasnt contributed to lowering significantly gasoline prices in America, which hit a seven-year high in the autumn. Prices at the pump have dropped in recent weeks in lockstep with the decline in international crude oil prices due to market fears that the Omicron COVID variant would slow global oil demand recovery. U.S. gasoline prices havent peaked yet, fuel savings platform GasBuddy said earlier this week. The gas price surge isnt over: $4 per gallon national average could happen in 2022 before any relief arrives, GasBuddy said in its 2022 Fuel Price Outlook. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Parliament of Guyana, where more than 10 billion barrels of oil equivalents have been discovered over the past half-decade, voted this week to amend its Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act that will govern a sovereign wealth fund managing the proceeds from oil. The Parliament also passed the so-called local content bill requiring foreign companies to ensure they use Guyanese individuals and companies for everything from catering services to accounting by the end of next year. The sovereign wealth fund currently stands at US$534 million, Guyana says, and notes that the bill to amend the Natural Resource Fund Act also contains several provisions to ensure transparency, proper governance, and accountability. Guyana is a resource rich, underdeveloped economy. Oil revenue is a bonus to accelerate Guyanas economic transformation, modernization, diversification, and development over the next decade, said the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, which backed the bill. One of South Americas poorest countries, Guyana, became a major holder of oil and gas reserves in 2015 when ExxonMobil found oil in its waters in what turned out to be a block with resources estimated at 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels and counting. Now Guyana wants to capitalize on the large oil and gas discoveries over the past half-decade to build up an economy powered by its own energy resources. The South American nation became a crude oil exporter in early 2020, thanks to Exxons huge discoveries offshore Guyana. Over the past two years, the U.S. supermajor and Hess Corp, its partner in the prolific Stabroek Block, have made a dozen more discoveries, while the Liza Phase 1 project is very profitable for the oil corporations and for Guyana. Liza Phase 1 and 2 developments break even at around $35 a barrel and $25 per barrel Brent, respectively, Hess says. Liza Phase 2 start-up is expected in the middle of 2022 via a floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Contractors including medical providers make up about a quarter of employees at the Vacaville prison, but only 37% are vaccinated as required. They make up nearly one in five employees at the prison in Stockton, with 61% vaccinated. That compares to about 80% of permanent employees vaccinated at the two prisons. State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomas Aragon last week expanded on the vaccination order for all paid and unpaid individuals who are regularly assigned to provide health care to inmates or work in prison medical settings or in local jails. They were supposed to be vaccinated by mid-October, and his order now requires them to get booster shots by Feb. 1. Citing the new omicron variant that he said may be two to four times as infectious as the delta variant, Aragon warned that "even a moderate surge in cases and hospitalizations could materially impact Californias health care delivery system within certain regions of the state. The federal court-appointed receiver who controls medical care in California prisons said officials are working to get boosters in all eligible inmates by year's end. Of about 70,000 eligible inmates, nearly three-quarters had received one by mid-December. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Seattle Times reports UW Medicine said Thursday appointments will be limited to only those with symptoms or known exposures. Of UW Medicines 12 community testing sites, nine will soon start limiting appointments. Three will close temporarily. The positivity rate is measuring more than 40% at some South King County testing sites and the high rate is slowing scientists ability to parse out which samples are actually positive. The chair of laboratory medicine and pathology at UW Medicine Dr. Geoff Baird says scientists normally opt for pool testing where they take four or five samples from testing sites, extract a small portion of each and then mix them together in one vial for testing. The problem when the positive test rate gets very high is that all of the pools are positive, meaning they have to go back and examine the individual tests to see which was actually positive. Baird said that significantly decreases capacity. The change will go into effect next Tuesday, and last until scientists have confirmed samples positivity rate has fallen back down to an average of below 10% to 15%. In a bid to stave off concerns, Belgrade city authorities provided 50,000 face masks and had rapid virus test sites and disinfection tools at the entrances to fenced-in areas for the New Year's Eve concerts. But the COVID-19 vaccination passes that are required for bars and restaurants are not mandatory for outdoor events in Serbia. We plan to stroll around and attend the concert, said Vesna Svilar, who lives in Denmark and came to her native country for the holidays. Svilar added she is not afraid because we have face masks, we are vaccinated. Others had no fears about of getting infected. Why would I be afraid? We must live our lives, said a Belgrade resident who gave only her first name, Zeljka. I am not even vaccinated, but I dont think about (COVID-19) at all. People die every day anyway. Since the start of the pandemic, Serbia, a nation of about 7 million, has registered nearly 1.3 million cases and seen 12,714 people die from COVID-19. Currently, COVID-19 passes detailing a person's vaccination status are mandatory in bars and restaurants, but only in the evening. Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Fridays trash and recyclables collection in Omaha was suspended late Friday morning because of the slick conditions around town, the city announced. Fridays collections will resume Monday. Collections for next week are on a normal schedule, but some delays are possible. Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will be closed Saturday because of the snow. In addition, the Siena Francis Houses community warming center is set to be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. City Public Works Director Bob Stubbe said that when it became clear streets were getting slick, crews were mobilized to put down salt. Most of the citys preparations have been for the snow, which was expected to begin falling very early Saturday. When the snow starts, Stubbe said, 100 city trucks will be out to begin clearing major thoroughfares. Then, when the snowfall begins to lessen, up to 150 contractor trucks will be sent into residential neighborhoods to clear snow. They will be followed by city trucks putting down salt. NORMAL "Five ... four ... three ... two ... one! Happy Noon Year!" Kids and families shouted with excitement as colored paper blasted overhead at the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal, counting their way into the New Year. Or at least, partly way into the new year. As adults prepared for evening New Year's Eve celebrations, 800 kids and their families headed to the children's museum for the 22nd annual Noon Year's Eve Party. Its a great time for parents and kids and maybe grandparents, families, friends, to experience New Years together at noon," said Shelly Hanover, museum director of experiences and engagement. "So, youve had your party and if you dont make it to midnight, its OK. We also have a lot of parents come out, enjoy Happy Noon Year, go home, take naps, and maybe dont feel quite so guilty if they go out later in the evening. The celebration was split into two morning events, each allowing up to 400 people to attend. While playing games and exploring the 101 E. Beaufort St. museum, kids created a variety of celebratory toys, such as confetti poppers and maracas. Last year, the museum could not hold any in-person celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the event came back in a big way leading up to 2022, selling out all tickets available. The party usually brings in 1,000 visitors. Last year, we did a virtual countdown," said Hanover. "We worked with 10 other museums in Illinois and Indiana and hosted a YouTube party where families could pick up activity kits at the museum and participate at home. Were just thrilled to have everybody back in the museum to celebrate today. Museum volunteer Pat Schick of Saybrook was assisting siblings Lucy Lello, 3, and Leo Lello, 2, tape together spoons to create a colorful noise maker similar to a maraca. A local wind technician, Schick said he enjoys volunteering at the museum when he has time. "I think the event is great," he said. "Kids come in, they get to make noise, they play, they laugh, you can just see the joy in their eyes. They just light up when they come in here, it's just fantastic." Lucy and Leo Lello's mother, Steffanie Lello of Champaign, agreed. The family is a member of the museum, but it was their first time celebrating the Noon Year's Eve event. "It's been really great," said Steffanie Lello. "It's really nice when you can bring your kids and you don't have to have the activities set up at home and you can make your mess here and let them play and explore." In the confetti-blaster-maker room, Calvin Moy was helping his eight-year-old son, Ben, of Pontiac, to create the perfect popper to set off during the count down to "Noon Year." The blaster consists of a paper cup and a balloon, which projects the confetti into the air. Ben Moy showed off his confetti cannon, which was decorated with blue gems and stickers. Of the museum he said, "Everything is my favorite. I love it all!" Calvin Moy said it was his family's first time back to the museum since the pandemic. It was also their first Noon Year's Eve event, which they said was a great opportunity to play and get a "sense of normalcy." "It definitely helps that they limit the number of people who can be here, so it makes it feel safer," said Calvin Moy. "It's hard because with how long the pandemic is, they don't remember what it was like before. This gives them a really good sense of normal and being able to interact with people." Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD Illinois reported more than 128,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week, along with 386 deaths. The McLean County Health Department reported 542 new cases since Wednesday, along with two new deaths. The Illinois Department of Public Health released its last weekly update of the year on Thursday, which shows a total of almost 2.15 million cases since the pandemic began, with 27,821 deaths. There were 128,246 new cases reported since Dec. 23. McLean County has now seen 30,079 cases and 306 deaths caused by COVID-19, Thursday's news release said. The new deaths include two men in their 60s, neither associated with long-term care. MCHD's report had county records for new cases and positivity rate. With 2,346 people in home isolation and 31 hospitalized, it also is a record of active cases. IDPH's website shows Thursday as also having by far the most daily cases in the state, with more than 30,000 new cases reported. The last record was 21,131 set on Dec. 24. However, daily deaths remain far below the peaks in late spring 2020 and last winter. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was among the new cases announced Thursday. She said on Twitter than she had mild symptoms and was isolating. Stratton is fully vaccinated and has received her booster shot. The state recorded a seven-day test positivity rate of 14.4% from Dec. 23 through Dec. 29. The case positivity rate for the same period was 10.2%. McLean County's seven-day positivity rate was 17.4%. As of Wednesday there were 5,689 people in state hospitals from COVID, including 1,010 in the ICU. The hospital numbers include 31 McLean County residents and 47 people in McLean County hospitals. Testing sites and vaccination clinics can be found on the MCHD website at health.mcleancountyil.gov and www.vaccines.gov. The Chicago Tribune contributed reporting to this article. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON The McLean County Board of Health will reconvene on Monday to resume its Thursday meeting after not having quorum on Thursday. The board was planning to hear from McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight on the department's plan for pandemic response next year. This week has been busy in pandemic news, including the Illinois Department of Public Health's decision to centralize contact tracing. Three contracts for COVID-19 grant positions were on the agenda for Thursday night. The contracts are updates to the former contact tracer contracts, McKnight told the Pantagraph in an email on Thursday. The board will reconvene directly following the County Board Health Committee meeting on Monday in the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St. The committee meeting is at 4:30 p.m. in room 400. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Pantagraph is counting down the Top 10 stories of 2021. This is No. 6. What do you think are the top stories of the year? Join our conversation here. BLOOMINGTON Jelani Days name was chanted, tweeted, TikTokd, hashtagged, reported and remembered in 2021. The Pantagraphs No. 1 story of the year is the disappearance and death of the 25-year-old Danville native and Illinois State University graduate student who sparked marches and demonstrations calling for justice. Day, who was studying speech language pathology on his way to becoming a doctor, was reported missing from Bloomington on Aug. 25. The next day his car was found in a hidden wooded area near the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru, a small city an hour north of ISU that his family said he had no connection to. His body was found in the Illinois River near Peru on Sept. 4 and confirmation of his identification was released to the public Sept. 23. When he was still considered missing, Days family pushed to bring his story to national attention, calling out disparities in national medias treatment of missing person cases. Their energy and efforts grew after his death, joining with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his nonprofit organization the Rainbow People United to Serve Humanity Coalition, leading marches through Peru and Bloomington and demanding justice. Days family, especially his mother, Carmen Bolden Day, has appeared on national platforms including Good Morning America, The Doctor Oz Show and The Tamron Hall Show as well as other cable and digital news programs. While they are adamant that Day was murdered, the LaSalle County coroner determined he died by drowning, though the autopsy report states, The manner in which Mr. Day went into the Illinois River is currently unknown. Limited information has been released and few questions have been answered despite the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement investigation now deemed the Jelani Day Joint Task Force exceeding its fourth month. The task force currently includes the LaSalle County Sheriffs Office, the Bloomington, Peru and LaSalle police departments, Illinois State Police, Illinois Attorney Generals Office, FBIs Chicago office and the FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit. Days family, backed by civil rights attorney Ben Crump in December, has pleaded with the bureau to take the lead on this investigation, but so far the FBI has declined. Bureau officials have told The Pantagraph the FBI will not take over the case unless a federal crime has been committed, which no authorities have indicated is the case. Jackson has said a hate crime in Days case could be the nexus that brings the FBI to the lead role, comparing Days death to that of Emmett Till, the Black teenager who was lynched in 1955 Mississippi. Till's attackers brutalized, shot and dumped him in the Tallahatchie River. His body was unrecognizable when he was found. Two weeks ago the FBI announced the task force is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for substantial information regarding Days final hours leading to the identification of new witnesses or evidence. Bolden Day and her family have offered a $25,000 reward for information about his death. After the FBIs announcement, she said this renewed push by investigators is not enough, demanding nothing less than the FBI as the lead agency to find out what happened to her son. Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Authorities are searching for two people believed to have been involved in the fatal shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel. The recent surge of cases brought on by the omicron variant has brought a serious threat to our state, and Im glad that this ruling will protect nearly 10,000 state workers and all of the people at these facilities, Pritzker said in a statement. Protecting the health and safety of workers and residents across the state remains a top priority for my administration and I look forward to continued discussions with our labor partners as we move forward with the task of keeping our employees and residents of our congregate facilities safe. WAYNE COUNTY, Ill. The family of a sheriff's deputy who was killed by a man who went on to carjack, rob and shoot more people during a two-state manhunt this week said Friday their son, husband, father and friend was a hero. Deputy Sean Riley's family in a written statement thanked the thousands of people who offered their support. "Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same," the statement said. "But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life to the fullest, he loved his family and friends deeply and he died doing what he loved." A visitation, funeral and burial are planned for Monday in Fairfield, Illinois, roughly two hours east of St. Louis and 30 minutes west of the Indiana border. The man accused of fatally shooting Riley is 40-year-old Ray Tate of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Illinois State Police said Tate took Riley's squad car immediately after the shooting then drove a few minutes east where he held a semitrailer at gunpoint and forced him to drive to St. Peters, Missouri. Tate carjacked and shot another person at a gas station there before committing a "series" of carjackings, robberies and shootings on his way back to Illinois, police said. Authorities eventually caught up to him in Clinton County, Illinois, where he held a person hostage in a home. State police eventually went into the home and arrested Tate. The family's full statement is below: The Family of Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley mourns the loss of their husband, father, son and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement or the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support. To the public, he became a hero on December 29th, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero. Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived life to the fullest, he loved his family and friends deeply, and he died doing what he loved. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. -Matthew 5:9 Visitation for Sean Riley will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Monday January 3, 2022, at the Fairfield Community High School Gymnasium, with a first responder walk thru at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at the Fairfield Community High School Gymnasium, with law enforcement procession and burial to follow at Cisne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in his honor may be made to the Sean Riley Benefit Fund at the Trust Bank in Cisne. Memorials will be accepted at the services and the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, IL which is assisting with arrangements. Additional information will be released in the coming days. We ask the community to show their support by lining the procession route. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD More than 250 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers returned home in November and December, just in time to celebrate the holidays with their families. Twenty soldiers with the 176th Cyber Protection Team, based in Bloomington, returned home just before Christmas, according to a news release. The unit had served in Fort Meade, Maryland, since October 2020. The Springfield-based 233rd Military Police Co. deployed two separate teams to the Middle East, a five-soldier personnel security team and about 60 soldiers for base security and military law enforcement operations. Approximately 65 soldiers returned to their families just before Christmas after a nearly 10-month deployment, the news release said. Approximately 55 soldiers of the 616th Engineer Utilities Detachment are moving from Beardstown to Macomb following the units return from the Middle East in November. Based primarily in Kuwait, the unit provided construction and facilities repair for base camps and ensured compliance with local construction and utility standards, among other duties. The largest unit, the 1970th Quartermaster Co. based in North Riverside, was sent home Nov. 5 after serving as part of a federal mission at the U.S.-Mexico border for approximately a year. Contact Robyn Skaggs at (309) 820-3244. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) This sentiment is expressed in at least five other places in the Bible, and yet perhaps the most erudite institution of biblical scholars has just released 20,000 changes in the Bible. An update to the New Revised Standard Version was released digitally this month and is to be in print next May. As you can imagine, such a task is not undertaken lightly. The update represents more than four years of intense work of the National Council of Churches and a large group of scholars in the Society of Biblical Literature. The result is careful and creative revisions. Like all new biblical translations and updates over the past millennium, including the King James Version, this brings new meanings to biblical texts. Each iteration of the Bible addresses some need in the culture at that moment. I hope the updated edition (known as NRSVue) fuels a wider public discussion about what the Bible is becoming in our era. For instance, the reasons for revisions vary greatly, prompting the overall textual meanings to spin out in many directions and broadening dialogue. For the past 70 years, the Revised Standard Version and 1989s NRSV have been the go-to English Bible for students and scholars. This months NRSV update is especially well suited to opening a broader public conversation because it is not revised with a single-minded agenda by one denomination or faith, but with multiple nuanced goals by a joint working group including Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic scholars. For the public then, these revisions are not so much fine-tuning of doctrine as expansion of the Bibles range. A handful of examples give a taste of that potential. Mark 14:69 (and similar verses) NRSV: And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, This man is one of them. NRSVue: And the female servant, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, This man is one of them. This revision brings with good reason feminist consciousness to take away a demeaning translation that calls a woman a girl. So the female servant quickly becomes someone with more agency and character. Literally the revision makes her a bigger person, and the readers of the Bible today themselves have more room to be engaged. Leviticus 4:8 (and more than 125 other verses with the same issue) NRSV: He shall remove all the fat from the bull of sin offering. NRSVue: He shall remove all the fat from the bull of purification offering. The scholars explain that this improves upon an earlier distortion of Hebrew hattat. The notion of sin has been removed, because they believe purification offering more closely reflects the ancient Hebrew word. This revision opens up new biblical conversation and subject matter without taking sin out of the larger biblical picture. With this revision, the 21st century Bible now joins the many world cultures in which purifying is a regular practice but is less entangled in sin considerations. Matthew 4:24 NRSV: So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. NRSVue: So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them. The scholars explain: When context permits, NRSVue avoids translations that identify people in terms of a disability. This brings a modern sensibility to bear, because we now believe that an illness or symptom is something a person has, not who they are. This rewording is helpful for scholarly, church and public readers. The reference to demon possession well, modern audiences can make of that what they will, no matter how we phrase it. Each change illuminates not only how the old and new language speak to us, but also how we filter and frame the texts we consume. As this edition attempts to both modernize and improve historical accuracy, we need to notice some of the stunning cross-purposes in play within and about the Bible in any particular era. To consider these 20,000-plus revisions, and to observe how our own understanding changes, is to see why many scholars refer to living biblical texts. The real character of such material develops and is alive in new ways for each different time and situation. Those texts from the first few centuries of multiple Jesus groups were full of creativity, rich with nuance from a time of great diversity. The word christian certainly did not mean a member of a religion in the early centuries. The word hardly existed at all in the first century and varied widely in meanings among the second and third century users of the term. These authors concept of gender was full of fluidity, which manifested in word choice and practice. Dont look to the latest biblical revision to settle theological questions, but to raise important new ones, urging us to look deeper and wider into the texts as well as into ourselves. The updated edition of the New Revised Standard Version is its own act of unveiling. Hal Taussig is the editor of A New New Testament and co-author of After Jesus Before Christianity. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 AARP is the nations biggest and most influential advocacy group for seniors. It has about 38 million members more than 11% of the U.S. population. From lobbying for better conditions in nursing homes to getting travel discounts for members, the organization has done much to help retired people over the years. When it comes to one of AARPs signature products, though, it may not always be putting its members first. The problem is that the organization is dependent on revenue from insurance companies. And while sometimes the interests of insurance companies and seniors align, at times they dont. This potential for conflict of interest has become starkly visible in recent months, as Congress seeks to pass drug pricing measures that would hurt seniors and help insurers. Lets pull back the curtain. AARP earned $1.7 billion in revenue last year. About 45% $752 million came from deals between the organization and insurance companies to sell AARP-branded plans. AARP gets paid every time one of its members signs up for one of these branded policies. Millions of Americans trust the AARP name, making these insurance plans highly popular. More than 10 million seniors hold health plans just through AARPs partnership with insurance giant UnitedHealthcare, according to a recent report from the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. That means AARP has a vested interest in insurance companies getting their way in policy debates, regardless of the outcome for seniors. This may account for the organizations support of the $2 trillion Build Back Better Act. The bill would make a host of sweeping changes to Medicare, the federal health insurance program that serves some 60 million seniors. One such change would allow the government to impose price controls on prescription drugs a move thats expected to save the federal government about $160 billion over a decade. It would also save insurers billions of dollars both by making medicines cheaper for those that sponsor Medicare drug plans and by giving the companies more leverage to demand lower drug prices for their other plans as well. Unfortunately, though, the drug pricing measures in the bill are not designed to actually save money for patients. And they could have a devastating impact on seniors. Specifically, the price caps would slash drug company revenue, dismantling their business model in one fell swoop. Research and development budgets would quickly shrink. Analysts at the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office have evaluated several proposed price-cap measures and concluded that they would slightly decrease the development of new treatments and reduce access to many advanced medicines. Moreover, a study by a University of Chicago economist estimated that an earlier version of the drug pricing bill would prevent up to 342 new drugs from being invented over the next two decades. Any one of those medicines could be a cure for Alzheimers, heart disease, diabetes or any of the dozens of other ailments that disproportionately plague seniors. Yet AARP has spoken favorably about the Build Back Better drug pricing plan. At the same time, it opposes letting consumers count cash rebates from pharmaceutical companies toward their insurance plan deductibles a policy that would help patients but hurt insurers. AARP presents itself as a champion for older Americans, and in some respects, it has been. But as a major beneficiary of insurance industry profits, its hard to see how it can represent its members fairly. Today the organization is supporting policies that will lead to barer medicine cabinets tomorrow. Terry Wilcox is the executive director of Patients Rising. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency Hon. Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi has added his voice to calls for Ghanaians to accept vaccination against COVID 19. According to him, the surge in cases of COVID 19 coupled with the emergence of a new variant known as Omicron makes it even more important for Ghanaians to take the vaccine in order to protect themselves and others as well. He explained that vaccine helps to mitigate the impact of the virus hence appealing to Ghanaians all misconceptions about being administered with the vaccine. He made this known when he organized a free health screening for residents in the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency who received medical care on various health-related issues including COVID 19, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Blood Pressure among others. NHIS REGISTRATION & COMMUNITY FUN FAIR The occasion also saw the registration of over 100 residents onto the National Health Insurance Scheme. Hon. Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi explained that this is to ensure that majority of his constituents also enjoy the benefits of the NHIS. The Ceremony was also climaxed with Fun Fair and Games where the young and old were involved in various activities such as bouncy castle, ludo games, cards among others. ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2022 Hon. Dr Adomako Kissi also outlined some achievements during his tenure as the Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom and further stated his plans for the coming year. Inauguration of a new party office for the constituency at Sowutuom. Donation of items and cash worth about GH5000 to the old and vulnerable residents both within and outside the constituency. Donation of one hundred and three (103) new sewing machines to seamstresses and tailors in the constituency to support and encourage them to work more efficiently. Commissioning of six committees to facilitate development in the Constituency; - The Education and School placement committee - The Health and Wellness check committee - The Communication committee - The Agriculture committee - The small businesses, sanitation and waste management committee - The Job Creation and Job placement committee. Support to the Weija Fire Service both in cash and in-kind to inspire workers to carry out their duties more effectively and efficiently. The introduction of Free NHIS cards and the renewal of cards at Agape to enhance accessibility to healthcare by the residents. Intensive training of the youth in fire prevention and the graduation of two hundred (200) youth from Nationwide Fire Academy NAFA. This was done to give the youth first-hand information on safety and fire prevention to support their communities. Free health screening exercise for residents in the constituency and its environs. Donation of computers, furniture and cabinets to the newly built polyclinic at Anyaa. Participation in numerous community engagements in the constituency such as Funerals, weddings, baby naming ceremonies etc. Awarded tuition and scholarship support to the youth at various levels of Education. Mobilization of workers for the resurfacing, shaping of roads and pavement preservation activities within the constituency to improve driving conditions. Hon. Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi also reiterated his commitment to reducing the unemployment rate in the Constituency as well as improving road infrastructure at Anyaa Sowutuom in 2022. Source: Pius Baidoo Banson, Peace FM Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana's leading agrochemical company, K.Badu Agrochemicals has set another milestone by opening an office complex in the Ashanti Region. K.Badu Agrochemicals, with its Chief Executive Officer being Dr. Augustine Kofi Badu, opened the office complex for its agrochemicals and K.Badu Rentals at Aprade Junction off Ejisu road. The new office is part of the objectives to expand the business and also create more jobs. Commissioning the establishment was the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, who speaking to the staff of the company; encouraged them to work hard and also support the vision of Dr. Kofi Badu, popularly called K.Badu. He advised them not to exploit the business to enrich themselves overnight, stressing ''if you collapse the business, it's all of us who will stay home. We don't want the business to collapse''. The Regional Minister touted the immense contributions of the K.Badu Agrochemicals in the private sector, therefore urging the management and staff of the company to ''help the company to grow and when it grows, you will also be rewarded accordingly''. About K.Badu The Chief Executive Officer of K. Badu Agrochemicals, Dr. Augustine Kofi Badu, in 2021, received an International Honorary Fellowship Award (Agri-Business Management) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School. His exceptional entrepreneurial qualities attracted the attention of the George Fox University, USA and upon recommendations by the Rectitude International Mission (RIM) and its affiliate with the Bureau of Research on Governance, Commerce, and Administration (BORGCA), he was honored. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Israel has started to administer fourth Covid vaccine shots to people with weakened immune systems, amid a surge in cases driven by Omicron. It is one of the first countries in the world to do so. Heart transplant patients at a hospital near Tel Aviv were among the first to get the jab. The Israeli health ministry has also approved the fourth shot for residents in retirement homes and geriatric patients. Israel rolled out its Covid-19 vaccine programme at the world's fastest rate and was the first country to routinely offer a booster shot in the summer. The BBC's Tom Bateman in Jerusalem has previously said the evidence favouring a fourth shot has not yet been released, and one expert from a national pandemic committee said there was a "paucity of data" on whether immunity from the third shot was waning. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Emir of Kano and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, HRH Mohammed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has commended Ghana's Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his efforts at spearheading Ghana's acclaimed digitization drive. The renowned cleric, banker and economist, who is in the country at the invitation of the leadership of the Muslim community to participate in a special end-of-year Quran recitation and prayers for sustainable peace in Ghana and the sub-region, called on the Vice President on Wednesday morning in Accra. Speaking at the meeting, Sanusi Lamidor, who was Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before ascending the throne as Emir (King) of Kano, praised Dr. Bawumia for his good works, including leading Ghana's digital reforms and payment systems. "Your Excellency, I have heard so many good things about your work in Ghana," Sanusi Lamidor told Dr. Bawumia. "Your digital work I am aware of because I happen to be on the global board of MTN and we have an operating office in Ghana so we get reports in Johannesburg on what is happening in different countries so we do know what is happening in the digital space, Fintechs and so on within Ghana," he added. The revered banker also commended Ghana's Central Bank for leading the way in digital payment systems, adding that Ghana's success story has been partly due to the enormous experience of Dr. Bawumia in banking and digital payment regulations. "I must say I am jealous because the Bank of Ghana has gotten ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Fintech and others. "We all started with banking modules, but I think you quickly realized it was limited and you broke off. But I am happy the central bank of Nigeria is on now, the roles are being reversed and we are now copying from Ghana. "Im sure that (Ghana's digitization drive) was largely due to your input and experience from central banking and regulation of digital payments." The renowned banker and economist is also a revered Islamic cleric with the title Khalifa. He is the spiritual head of the Tijaaniya Order in Nigeria. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Kweku Baako Jnr has asked the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin to "step aside" if his health is going to be a challenge to his work in Parliament. The Speaker went 'missing' on Monday, December 20, 2021, during the voting on the controversial E-levy bill. According to the Majority leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, he asked the First Deputy Speaker to take over and was later seen driving away in his car. Others have accused him (Speaker) of deliberately frustrating government's efforts. The Minority Caucus explained the Speaker was unwell; hence his absence. Explaining his side of the story, the Speaker said his absence was not deliberate and that, "I can give you a copy of my closing remarks which when I was leaving I passed through my Usher to give to them. It was after 10 pm the night, and I had to go and take a rest because you delayed in sitting, I had to compel the house to sit after 2 and decided and said let's discuss E-levy, you say no, vary the order of business, I kept on varying the order of business, we did about 6 important items, approving other loans until I had to hand over getting to 6: 30 to the first Deputy Speaker now they say I refuse to preside that is why some numbers were not in the house." "I'm not a Chief whip of any political party, I'm not entitled to bring members to the house, that's not my duty. I am to preside and apply the rules and I've applied them fairly, according to my understanding through literature, through experience," he added. Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kweku Baako said if the Speakers health will be a challenge, he can "step aside". "Even though I don't have hardcore evidence, the coincidence is quite remarkable; considering the issue at stake and the numbers...I've heard others saying his action was due to his health status...if it continues then he might as well look at the option of stepping aside" he indicated. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has spoken publicly about his health and explained he underwent brain surgery in the United States of America (USA), which cost US$283,000 to remove a tumor. In a radio interview with a local radio station in the Assin area of the Central Region, Mr Agyapong denied reports that he had a stroke. He said he slipped in the bathroom and knocked his head, the right side of his head. Some days later, he said he experienced a continuous headache for about five days and so he decided to go for a check-up. He said a CT-scan at Lancet at East Legon in Accra detected a tumor on the left side of his head, which the doctor said was not from the fall and that it had been there for some time. When the doctor recommended that it should be removed, Mr Agyapong said he travelled to the USA for further checks, which confirmed the tumor in the left side. He said the doctor in the USA was able to tell him how long it had been there and commended the doctors at Lancet for being able to detect it. He said the doctor in the USA also confirmed the size of the tumor, which had been detected by the doctor at Lancet to be almost the size of a computer mouse. He was advised to remove it before it becomes cancerous and so he went ahead to remove it. Mr Agyapong said that was the medical condition he recently underwent in the USA and disputed reports that he had a stroke. His interview at the radio station also touched on his philanthropic activities where he talked about the things he was donating to residents in his constituency for the Yuletide. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " We sing the words every New Year's Eve but does anyone know what they mean? martin-dm/Getty Images You know that song you hear every New Year's Eve? The one about not forgetting old acquaintances. Did you ever wonder what that phrase is in the chorus? Is it: For old ang zine Far hold ang zyne For old aunt Gzyne Farheld ang zyne Farheld ang sign For old ang sign For old angsign Foothold and sign Actually, it's not any of these. On New Year's Eve, the most common song for most English-speaking people to sing is "Auld Lang Syne." Isn't it funny how it's possible to sing and hear a song so many times and have no idea what it means? And wouldn't it be funny if it meant "Big Pink Elephants"? Advertisement A good sub-question is, what language is it? It turns out that "Auld Lang Syne" is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s. Robert Burns is the person whose transcription got the most attention, so the song is associated with him. "Auld lang syne" literally means "old long since" or, more conversationally, "times gone by." So (incorporating a couple of other translations) when we sing this song, we are saying, "We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for times gone by" [source: Herbert]. The song became associated with New Year's Eve when Guy Lombardo and his band played it at a New Year's Eve concert in 1929 that was broadcast on radio. Advertisement Originally Published: Apr 1, 2000 " " Female impersonator Sushi takes a test run descending in a giant high-heel shoe in preparation for a New Year's celebration Dec. 31, 2004 in Key West Florida. The red-shoe drop (which still goes on) is not even the wackiest "ball drop" out there. Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau via Getty Images Every Dec. 31, throngs of revelers eager to ring in a new year crowd into New York City's Times Square. In the final minute of the year, as the clock ticks away seconds toward midnight, an opulent, oversized ball descends from above and when it reaches its destination the crowd cheers, Happy New Year! The New Year's ball drop has its roots in naval history, inspired by the Time Balls introduced in the early 1800s. These devices were affixed to towers in coastal towns and would drop a ball at a precise moment of the day to alert nearby ship captains when to precisely set their navigational tools, called chronometers. In 1833, the Astronomer Royal, John Pond, set up a Time Ball at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The current New Year's tradition is a particularly American affair, and the Times Square ball drop has inspired numerous imitators across the United States, and even around the world. Here are some of the most surprising things people drop to ring in the new year. Advertisement 1. Bologna Drop in Lebanon, Pennsylvania For 25 years, a city in central Pennsylvania has celebrated the turn of the calendar by dropping a massive bologna. The spiced tube meat is popular in the region, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is home to several producers. Plus, there's an annual bologna festival in January. For the first 20 years of the New Year's event, a single 200-pound (91-kilogram) bologna was lowered by an industrial crane right before midnight. In 2016, though, the tradition shifted from one massive bologna to 20 individual blocks of bologna weighing in at 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) each. The reason for the change? The organizers of the annual event donated the meat to charities after the drop, and it took too long in the hours after midnight to slice up one gigantic bologna. 2. Onion Drop in St. George's, Bermuda Revelers who spend New Year's Eve on the island of Bermuda don't just get to celebrate a few hours before most of the rest of the Western Hemisphere. They get to watch a gigantic onion drop at the stroke of midnight. Musicians, artists, street food vendors and other performers liven up King's Square. St. George's, founded in 1612, was Bermuda's first English settlement, and the Atlantic island became a major producer and exporter of onions. A glittering golden onion covered in light bulbs descends above the square, which overlooks Hamilton Harbour, and a laser show and fireworks traditionally follow the event. 3. Peeps Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania The folks of Pennsylvania are a creative bunch. In addition to the bologna that drops in Lebanon, less than two hours away the city of Bethlehem celebrates with an enormous Peep drop that wraps up two days of celebration known as PeepsFest. The sugary (and divisive) marshmallow confection is generally produced in the shape of a bird, and is most common in U.S. stores around the Easter holiday. Just Born, the Bethlehem-based candy company responsible for Peeps, also makes Mike & Ikes and Hot Tamales. The giant Peep dropped on New Year's Eve weighs 400 pounds (181 kilograms) and stands at 4 feet and 9 inches tall (149 cm). 4. Deuce of Clubs Drop in Show Low, Arizona This central Arizona locale gets its unique name from its days as a frontier town without a name. Two rival cowboys and ranch co-owners named Corydon E. Cooley and Marion Clark were playing an extended game of poker. The loser would vacate the city, letting the other keep hundreds of acres of land. The deciding hand, according to city lore, would belong to whichever cowboy could "show low" by holding the lowest-value card possible and the winner turned over a two of clubs. These days, not only is the city's main street named Deuce of Clubs, but Show Low drops a colossal illuminated playing card every Dec. 31, just a block away from where a statue commemorating the card game once stood. The statue accidentally burned down during a candlelight vigil in 2016, so the fiberglass statue was replaced by a bronze one. Advertisement 5. Idaho Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho Idaho's signature holiday event features the dropping of a giant potato. Dylan Cline, a fourth-generation Idahoan, got the idea after he traveled many hours to see the famous Times Square ball drop in New York City. Each year since 2013, tens of thousands of onlookers have gathered in downtown Boise to witness the potato drop at the Idaho State Capitol. In 2017, the 17-foot (5-meter) tall potato sculpture was upgraded to fit a LED light box inside it, and is now known as the "GlowTato." 6. Red High Heel Shoe Drop in Key West, Florida What started as a one-off crazy stunt has become a beloved New Year's Eve Key West tradition. Since 1996, a celebrity drag queen named Sushi has sat in a giant red high-heeled shoe as it's lowered from the balcony of the Bourbon St. Pub on Duval Street, Key West's main street. Over the course of an hour, the size 8 shoe (made of fiberglass and stainless steel) complete with the 4-foot (1.2 meter) heel, is lowered 20 feet (6 meters) to the ground. For good measure, Key West also features a conch shell drop and a "pirate wench" drop on New Year's Eve. Let the revelries begin! Now That's Cool The current Times Square ball is the seventh version to perform the duty of ringing in the new year. The tradition began in 1907, when a ball made of iron and wood and covered in 100 light bulbs descended a flagpole. The latest version of the ball boasts 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and 32,256 LED light modules. Advertisement Originally Published: Dec 28, 2017 Credit: Wikimedia Commons The number of cougars spotted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has risen over the years. But barriers to the big cats' eastern migration have so far kept them from establishing reproducing populations here. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed 11 sightings of cougars in the U.P. so far this year, slightly down from the high of 15 sightings last year, the most since the state began looking in 2008. Multiple sightings were likely of the same few western U.P. cats, said Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist for the DNR based in Marquette. All told, 75 cougar sightings have occurred since 2008. "The numbers have definitely been going up," Norton said. Once a native species in Michigan, cougars were hunted to extinction as the state was settled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now wildlife managers are monitoring the first inroads of the big cats back into the Great Lakes Stateand while not assisting a potential repopulation here, are allowing nature to take its course. Modern technology is aiding cougar identification, Norton said. Not long ago, a person seeing a potential track would have to call a DNR official to come examine it, and hope wind or rain didn't wash it away first. Now, a person carries a camera with them on their smartphone, and can take a photo of the track in the moment, he said. And photos from motion-triggered trail cameras make up the majority of confirmed cougar sightings. "We're definitely getting a lot better at being able to confirm these, and document them when they happen," Norton said. A study published earlier this year authored by Mariella Gantchoff, ecologist at the State University of New York Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, examined the quality and connectivity of suitable habitat for cougars in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. It found "high regional connectivity in a generally west-east direction"significant because that's the direction from which stable, reproducing populations of cougars are found in the Black Hills region of Wyoming, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. To date, researchers have only confirmed lone male cougars in Michigan. That includes the recovery of two poached cougar carcasses and DNA samples that staff were able to take in the wild, said Norton, who worked with Gantchoff on her study. The poached cougars were related genetically to a population in South Dakota, Norton said. "As of right now, we've never been able to document a female, or kittens, or any sort of reproduction" in Michigan, he said. Young male cougars often leave groups when they are out-competed. "In general, it's a lot harder to get a mate when there's a bigger, badder male in the area," Norton said. But females don't typically disperse as far or as often as males. "That's kind of a limiting factor," he said. "Is a female going to make its way over here, where a population could actually get established? Or are we just going to continue to see these lone males out looking for a female and never having any luck?" And those lonely male cats are known to make a major effort to find a mate. One radio-collared, male cougar out of South Dakota in 2010 was tracked moving through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The radio collar ultimately stopped providing a signal, but the cougar is presumed to have moved into Ontario eastward, then down into Connecticut, where it was hit by a car and killedabout 2,000 miles of travel from its original home. Habitat conducive to cougars includes rugged terrain with hills and elevation changes, as well as densely forested areas with tree falls. "Cougars are ambush predators," Norton said. "If you have blow-downs, if you have a lot of thick cover areas and elevation where they can ambush and attack a deer or whatever prey source, they are going to generally do better there." Connectivity of their range is also important. "For them to move between these high-quality patches of habitat, if you have too many roadways or other physical barriers, that's going to make it hard for them to move around," Norton said. Although cougars are associated with mountains, they were actually the most widely distributed land mammal in the Americas before European colonization, Norton saidfound throughout North America, including deserts and areas of Florida (the famous Florida panthers are a type of cougar), Central America and South America, he said. "They are super-adaptable," he said. Given cougars' adaptability, and the suitability of the habitat in Michigan, why aren't greater numbers of cougars being seen here? The answer likely lies in the Midwest's "bread basket," Norton said. Areas west of the Dakotas are "all agriculture," he said. "That might be OK habitat when corn is up, when those crops aren't harvested. But in the winter, when those get harvested, it's a pretty open, flat-as-a-pancake landscape. "In western and southwestern Minnesota, where we don't have forested areas, where it's more of that agriculture, you can see those (cougar) sightings show up right along river corridors. They are using river corridors as an area to travel and try to keep moving. And some of them head east and end up in Michigan." Norton said there's a hope that research similar to Gantchoff's study will be done in North and South Dakota, to better understand cougar movements and limitations from the easternmost sustained population of the cats in the U.S. Of the 75 confirmed cougar sightings in Michigan, 74 have occurred in the Upper Peninsula. Only one confirmed cougar sighting has happened in the Lower Peninsula, in Clinton County's Bath Township, about 20 miles northeast of Lansing, in 2017, where a resident photographed the big cat as it crossed a road. That one still puzzles wildlife managers. "We don't have genetic material or anything from that animal to verify it's a wild animal versus maybe a captive that could have escaped temporarily," Norton said. While cougars have a route of suitable habitat eastward through Minnesota and Wisconsin into the Upper Peninsula, for a cat to make it into the Lower Peninsula would require either crossing miles of frozen Great Lakes ice from the U.P., or coming around the barriers of Lake Michigan and heavily populated areas around Chicago and northern Indiana. "For it to not show up anywhere else, coming to that location or leaving that location ... you would sure think it would be spotted; other people would get pictures; we'd get flooded with other reports, given how many people live in that area," Norton said. "It leaves us kind of scratching our heads for how that cat got there." The DNR has no management plan for cougars like it does for wolves or other species with more abundant populations in the state. But cougars are an endangered species in Michigan, and thus protected, he said. "There are no plans to pick any up, bring them here and help them get established," Norton said with a chuckle. "But if a female did show up, or if we did see reproduction, we would not try to deter that from happening. We would allow natural recolonization to happen." Although the prospects of a potentially deadly apex predator lurking in Michigan's woods might be disconcerting to some, conflicts between humans and cougars are exceedingly rare, and typically only occur in high-density cougar populations in the west, Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states, Norton said. "If we had a population, they do occasionally have conflicts with people as well as livestock. So that would be something we'd have to be mindful about and monitoring, and trying to give good information to the public. But it's extremely, extremely rare and probably not too much cause for concern." "Of the 11 sightings this year, 10 came from the public; one from DNR staff," Norton said. "The public is our way of monitoring when these animals show up. It's a huge help for us." Explore further A cougar's epic journey east 2021 www.freep.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain On Tuesday, the EPA announced it approved a request that it study health impacts of dozens of "forever chemicals" industrial waste detected in the Cape Fear River. But that is misleading, say members of North Carolina environmental groups who filed a petition seeking the studies. The EPA said that it had granted a petition filed by six environmental groups calling upon the agency to test the toxicity of 54 per- and polyfluoroalykl substances identified in the Cape Fear River basin. Scientists have evaluated the health impacts of very few of the 4,700 known PFAS compounds, but those that have been studied are linked with health impacts ranging from high blood pressure to weakened immune systems to certain kinds of cancers. In its response this week, the EPA said its national testing plan announced in October would cover 30 of the chemicals identified in the Cape Fear basin, with seven of the substances being tested directly under the category-based strategy. Another nine chemicals could be tested later, and the EPA said that 15 of the substances don't meet the testing strategy's definition of PFAS. The response has infuriated petitioners from groups including Cape Fear River Watch, Clean Cape Fear and the NC Black Alliance. It is effectively a denial, they say, and simply includes taking actions that were previously announced. The EPA also did not agree to launch an epidemiological study of PFAS impacts in Southeastern North Carolina, start studying mixtures of the substances that are found in region or immediately develop analytical standards that would help scientists identify many of the compounds in water samples. All are steps that the groups argue are key to understanding both decades of exposure and potential ongoing contamination. "An administration that has such strong ties to the North Carolina community and understands what we've been going through seems to have lost touch... I'm at a loss for finding any rationale for their denial of this petition," said Dana Sargent, executive director of Cape Fear River Watch. She was referring to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, a former secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. EPA: PFAS tests let us 'do more' Regan was the DEQ secretary in 2015 when Chemours' decades-long contamination of the Cape Fear River with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances became public. His agency hit Chemours with a $12 million fine, the largest environmental fine in state history, and required the company to provide new water supplies for nearly 3,000 households with contaminated wells around the plant. Despite those efforts, there has long been a sense that regulators failed to adequately protect downstream communities from PFAS contamination. In a statement released Tuesday after deciding on the permit, Regan said, "Communities in North Carolina and across the country deserve to know the potential risks that exposure to PFAS pose to families and children. By taking action on this petition, EPA will have a better understanding of the risks from PFAS pollution so we can do more to protect people." This is the second time the environmental groups have seen their efforts frustrated by the EPA. In January 2021, the Trump Administration's EPA denied the petition. The groups asked the EPA to re-open the petition in March, and the EPA agreed to do so in September. Bob Sussman, a former EPA deputy administrator who is representing the petitioners, said in a written statement that the federal agency can compel the requested studies in order to better understand how the chemicals impact people and the environment. "It is tragic that EPA is failing to use the authority it has to assure that manufacturers pay for essential testing on dangerous chemicals that are in the drinking water and blood of hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. EPA is putting the financial interests of industry ahead of protection of devastated front-line communities," Sussman wrote. An approach with 'limited value' Most of the chemicals and mixtures identified in the petition will be evaluated using computational models under the EPA's testing plan. That approach would have "limited value" to people exposed to PFAS, according to a letter dozens of scientists signed in support of the petition. Several scientists with North Carolina ties signed the letter, including Linda Birnbaum, the former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, and Carolyn Mattingly, the head of N.C. State's biological sciences department. Health impacts can change based on how the PFAS interact with each other, petitioners argue. They proposed studying mixtures that are found in communities downstream of Chemours, in the blood of area residents and in the facility's emissions and discharges. "We need to understand what these things are doing in the real world," Sargent said. The petitioners also asked the EPA to require Chemours to fund an epidemiological study of the downstream communities. DuPont, which built and ran the Chemours plant for decades, was required to undertake a similar effort in Parkersburg, West Virginia, after the company's plant there exposed residents and the ecosystem to several PFAS. Some of those were phased out after their dangers became public knowledge. "We've all been contaminated for at least 40 years, and we have so much knowledge here that can be gained from this community, by an epidemiological study of this community, that can support PFAS research across the entire globe," Sargent said. The EPA's letter to petitioners said it is "contributing to and reviewing" human studies and is considering how to help or expand those efforts. During an October visit to Raleigh to announce the EPA's PFAS Action Plan, Regan told The News & Observer that testing for PFAS by categories would be used to address some of the unknowns about the thousands of PFAS compounds. "We know that the industry is going to be prepared," Regan said in October. "And we're going to follow the science, we're going to follow the law and we're going to move as aggressively as we can, looking at these categories in a way that we can produce durable regulations that are not legally vulnerable." In response to the EPA's decision, Lisa Randall, a Chemours spokeswoman, wrote, "Chemours supports national, industry-wide PFAS-related regulatory and testing requirements that are data-driven and based on the best available science. In this regard, the EPA's National PFAS Testing Strategy and participation of all manufacturers is important to a complete, holistic evaluation of PFAS compounds." The co-petitioners have been meeting throughout the holidays to discuss next steps, Sargent said, but weren't ready to announce them publicly. 2021 The Charlotte Observer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The big cat sustained a wound to its back leg when it was caught in a trap. An endangered leopard captured in Iraq's mountainous north had its hind leg amputated on Friday following a trap-inflicted wound, an AFP photographer said. The Persian leopard, taken in a day earlier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region near the border with Turkey, had injured two people, said Colonel Jamal Saado, head of the environmental protection police in Dohuk province. Residents of a village near the town of Zakho lost around 20 sheep before realising a leopard was attacking their flocks, he said. The big cat sustained a wound to its back leg when it was caught in a shepherd's trap, but managed to escape before villagers helped police track it down. Saado said the leopard was given anaesthetic before it was captured. "We had two or three similar cases in Arbil province" several years ago, he said, adding that an animal of the same subspecies had previously been found dead near a village in Dohuk province. Persian leopards are a panther sub-species native to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and the Caucasus. They are extremely rare and have been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Fewer than 1,000 are believed to exist in the wild, with another 200 in captivity. Veterinarian Soleiman Tamr, who conducted the amputation at Dohuk zoo on Friday, said the animal weighed around 90-100 kilogrammes (200-220 pounds). "We will monitor it for a long time," said the vet, who also heads an animal protection society in Iraqi Kurdistan. "If it can't be returned to the wild, it will live at the zoo," he said. Explore further Indian officials capture rare snow leopard, send it to zoo 2021 AFP Good grief! Two years of this damn pandemic. A total of over 53 million cases counted in the U.S. so far, and more cases occurring each day than ever as new waves break over us. Air flights canceling, health care workforce depleting, Broadway closed, vaccine and mask mandates threatening. Shifting and sometimes confusing guidelines from authorities on how best to manage ourselves. Uncertainty. Mistrust. Pandemic fatigue. No end in sight. What are we to make of all this? For what it is worth, here is how I think about some important things that are going on. The omicron variant is building hugely nationwide. Horrifying, given how many are ill, how stressed our hospitals are, not to mention how tattered our nerves. But listen: this wave can also be viewed as moving toward the taming of the pandemic. Some facts. First: yes, it is super contagious, but it is also less nasty than the delta variant. With it among us, the likelihood of your getting infected is really high, especially if you are not good at masking and social distancing. But if you get it, and especially if you have been vaccinated, you are less likely to be badly sick or to die. Indeed, you may be infected and have no symptoms at all ... yet still be able to spread the infection to your circle. Next facts: the study of previous pandemics over centuries shows us that it is usual for mutations to occur frequently in a viral pathogen, and usual for mutations to move the pandemic toward a more transmissible and less nasty disease. The eventual evolution is toward a pretty benign dominant strain that becomes endemic in the world. So, for instance, we still live with a descendant of the Spanish influenza that flattened the world in 1918. It currently causes a fairly mild wave of the flu annually. It is a good COVID-19 prediction that we will live for decades or even centuries with a descendant of current variants which has morphed into a quite contagious but mild common cold-like illness. Omicron is a step in that direction. Yea! But how do we cope with this nasty new wave now? How do we keep ourselves safe, keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed, and also keep our society open for at least some business? Certainly, we must continue to take COVID-19 very seriously. Although omicron is less nasty, it will still make very many of us very sick. It will still kill some of us. Because so many more will get it, that means the numbers of sick and dying will remain high. Additionally awful, it is hitting our kids harder than previous variants. Our hospitals are near to buckling under the strain. More health care workers are becoming ill with COVID-19. Others are burning out. So there is an ongoing major public health disaster. However, bad as it is, we really do know how best to tame the impact of the pandemic. It is still transmitted exactly the same way, and the countermeasures we must take are exactly the same. Vaccines. Masks. Social distancing. Hand hygiene. They work! Please do them. I am vaccinated and boosted. I am careful when out and about, shopping, etc. But careful as I am, I can still be infected. I am old, vulnerable and could get sicker than stink. And I have a new grandson. I really really dont want your germs. What about the role of testing? Right now, home testing kits are hard to come by. It is hoped that big supplies will soon be available to us, and maybe will be provided for free. That will be terrific. The tests are easy to use and are very helpful in certain circumstances. For example: take a test if you start feeling unwell with maybe just achiness and fatigue, maybe with headache and slight fever, maybe a stuffy nose or cough. If the test is positive for COVID-19, you should take great care not to spread the disease; you should self-isolate. If negative, you can just be usually cautious as you would have before the pandemic its just a cold or a hangover. For another example: take a test even if you feel fine but are planning a big family get-together. Make everyone do a test. If your uncle is positive, even if he feels fine and protests loudly, it is best that he doesnt join your party and that he self-isolates. Final example: a person known to be infected with COVID-19 can take a test after five days to document that it is going away, after which isolation is no longer necessary. Speaking of quarantine guidelines, the CDC is no longer saying that 10 days of isolation are necessary even if the infected person has no more symptoms. Now, CDC suggests only five days. Their shifting advice is not a whim. It is based in studies of when and how long a person with the average infection is contagious. Notably, such a person is most able to spread disease for a couple of days before he becomes ill, then remains able to do so for maybe 3 days after symptoms start. Thereafter, he becomes non-contagious. This is the usual course. However, if someone with infection still does have symptoms at five days, and if the home test remains positive, then best to remain isolated until all that is gone. What about keeping the economy going, keeping our paychecks going, keeping our restaurants open and social gatherings possible? Whats with the changing guidelines? What about that we are all so sick of this damn pandemic? No surprise all of us are asking the same questions. But here are the answers. COVID-19 is here to stay for months, maybe years. We have to endure it. Meanwhile, we are learning lots about it, day by day. When science informs us, advice and guidelines may change. But for sure we now know that as long as the germ is dangerous we must each protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities as best we can. No one will be safe until all of us mask, social distance and wash hands, and is vaccinated. The pandemic wont end until we all do much better. Seems overwhelming, I know. But start at home! If each of us is protected and protective, we can indeed keep our economy and our socialization going, and we can hasten the end of this plague. Just do what is smart and proven to work! Come on, we can do this if we do it together. Richard P. Leach, M.D., is an internist, infectious disease consultant and travel and tropical medicine specialist. He practiced in Glens Falls for 35 years, also serving as Glens Falls Hospitals infection control officer and hospital epidemiologist. Retiring from private practice in 2011, he continued to provide travel medicine counseling at the Warren County Clinic until COVID-19 forced its cancellation. Warren County keeps him on as a medical director and consultant to the Tuberculosis Program. Dr. Leach is known for his role as co-founder and president of the Adirondack AIDS Task Force in the 1980s and 1990s, as the founder and president of the Glens Falls Medical Mission and its Project Guatemala in the 1990s, as the husband of Dr. Loren Baim, as the father of Christina Johnston, Timothy Leach, Molly Leach and Marta Leach, and as the grandfather of Rhone and of 3-week-old Thatcher James. Dec. 31, 2021: Most classes to start remotely Jan. 10, stay virtual for three weeks Dear Spartans, Earlier this week I wrote to you about the start of the Spring 2022 semester and updated you on what had been reported on our campus and in the surrounding region with cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. I promised that we would continue to monitor the situation in mid-Michigan and beyond for any changes in the pandemic that required new actions. In the 48 hours since that note went out, a surge in cases has been reported, presumably due to the Omicron variant, with the state of Michigan reaching an all-time high in cases per day. Given this intense surge in cases, we now feel the best decision for our campus is to start classes primarily remotely on Jan. 10 and for at least the first three weeks of the semester. For those who were planning to move back to our residence halls next week, they will still be open and available. Some students may choose to remain in their other homes or locations during these weeks of online classes, and that is fine. For those returning to our residence halls during these three weeks, food and dining options will be available in our dining halls, and the library and IM facilities will remain open. I realize that students prefer to be in person, and so do I. But it is important that we do so in a safe manner. Starting the semester remotely and de-densifying campus in the coming weeks can be a solution to slowing the spread of the virus. During the first three weeks, my leadership team and I will be reviewing case numbers and other COVID-19 trends regularly to determine what additional protective measures will be enacted. Most classes will be done remotely to start the semester, although there will be some labs and professional school programs that need to meet in person. Students will be hearing from their instructors in the coming week with more details. Please reach out to your instructors closer to the Jan. 10 start date if you have any questions about the format of your class. Faculty and academic staff who have questions about transitioning lessons to remote formats can reach out to their college leadership or the Office of the Provost. Employees should consider their existing working arrangements in light of the current situation, and as has been the case, supervisors should consider allowing remote work where possible given operational needs. Employees who work in person should continue to follow the best practices to help deter the spread of the virus and to keep our campus safe. These measures can be found on the Together We Will website. Research projects can continue, and additional guidance will be sent to researchers if needed. Employees and students who are required to take part in the Early Detection Program must resume testing upon arriving back to the East Lansing area. In the coming weeks, there also will be additional information shared on the vaccine and booster requirements, and we are still requiring all vaccinated students, faculty and staff to receive their booster if and when they are eligible. Please continue to watch for these emails and check the Together We Will website for the latest information. Sincerely, Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. (he/him) President According to a statement from the city Monday, this rating will save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars on their insurance premiums. Only 26 other fire departments in the state and 1,789 in the United States can claim this recognition. This was no easy accomplishment for the North Wildwood Fire Department, as evidenced by the select few who have been able to attain this honor, said Rosenello. It is the dedicated efforts of our public servants like the North Wildwood Fire Department that continue to make this town a great place to both live and vacation. Crest commissioners honor Gould Even as mayor, Don Cabrera saw Joyce Gould as the face of Wildwood Crest, praising the longtime official for her dedication to the borough. Often outspoken on matters large and small, Gould has served seven terms on the three-member governing body before narrowly losing her reelection bid in November. She fell 10 votes short in the crowded field. Originally from Chicago, Gould was named mayor in 1989 and has remained a visible figure in the borough since. She has also twice run for county office, falling short each time. Data, however, indicates the variant may not yield severe illness in those who contract it. The information remains in an infancy stage, which shouldnt trigger people to become too lax with taking precautions, health officials have said. Cape May County remains a top spot in New Jersey for vaccinations. Residents have pushed Cape into a top-five spot among the states 21 counties for having the highest percentage of vaccinations, having reached Gov. Phil Murphys targeted threshold of 70%, officials said. The county particularly has a high number of seniors, of whom fewer than 300 residents 65 or older remain unvaccinated. The county will host weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Avalon beginning next week. The clinics will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Avalon Community Center at 3001 Avalon Ave. This is a walk-in clinic, and masks, identification and a COVID-19 vaccine card (if applicable) are required. They will provide Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccinations, including booster doses. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. Betty, who was gracious enough to be a guest star on the episode of Kathy Griffin My Life on the D List, where we get my mom Maggie a play date with Betty White, was a bucket list memory, touching and hilarious at the same time. We surprised Maggie, so when Betty shows up at Sizzler Senior Early Bird Special, my Mom about fell OUT! And I got to spend the day on film and off camera, with my mom and Betty White. It was basically a dream girls day. Betty legit treated my mom like a friend. She answered every question, acted very shocked atevery word out of my mouth, which was mandatory. She hung out with my mom, like a peer. She treated me like we were in the same club or something. She actually treated me like an equal in the comedy gurrrl world. She was as sharp and funny as she was soft and wiseand no matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White. Kathy Griffin, on Twitter TRENTON A former northern New Jersey township manager who claims she was fired because of her gender after a run-in with the towns police chief had her case revived by the state Supreme Court Thursday. The unanimous ruling reversed two lower courts that had ruled against Michele Meade in her suit against Livingston Township. Meade, whom Thursdays filing said was the only female town manager in Livingstons history and the only town manager to be terminated involuntarily, claimed she was fired in 2016 and replaced with a male manager to appease the towns male police chief, with whom shed feuded. The town claimed Meade was fired due to poor work performance. Meade is seeking compensation for lost wages and benefits and damage to her reputation, as well as punitive damages. Thursdays ruling sent the matter back to a lower court for trial. Ms. Meade and I are very grateful the Supreme Court saw that an injustice had occurred and that the case should be presented to a jury, her attorney Christopher Lenzo said. Its an important decision in terms of recognizing that sometimes biased subordinates can actually undermine the employment of their supervisors. Its impossible to get inside the Russian leaders head. But Putins brinksmanship has already paid modest dividends. President Joe Biden has offered diplomatic off-ramps to Putin, such as a NATO-Russia summit and high-level bilateral meetings to explore ways to ease tensions and address Russias security concerns with NATO and Ukraine. Bidens intention here is to prevent a catastrophic war. But his response has also emboldened Putins regime. Just consider Russias list of demands earlier this month to the U.S. and Europe. Putins diplomats are now asking for a treaty commitment to end any further expansion of NATO and to remove advanced weapons from NATO members that border Russia. Instead of publicly ruling out such concessions, the Biden administration has spoken vaguely about the Russia proposal. A senior administration official said some of the Russian proposals we will never agree to, while others may be the basis for negotiations. But the official declined to specify which proposals were unacceptable. It said that 41 people required hospitalization, and that no passengers hit with omicron had been taken to the hospital. We dont like to see even one case, but our experience is a fraction of the comparable statistics of virtually any other comparable location or industry. Few businesses are subject to such intense scrutiny, regulation and disclosure requirements by so many authorities, said Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean. Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated. Iris Krysty, 76, of Hamburg, New Jersey, and her husband are supposed to leave on a 10-day Caribbean cruise Jan. 19. This latest CDC warning leaves travelers like them in an unfair bind, she said. Krysty was told Thursday they can only get a refund if they test positive before the trip. So, they will go to avoid losing thousands of dollars a decision their daughter and son-in-law are not happy with. I know theyre upset about us going but thats a lot of money for us to lose, Krysty said. As far as we know, were going and hope well be OK." Authorities eventually caught up to him in Clinton County, Illinois, where he held a person hostage in a home. State police eventually went into the home and arrested Tate. The family's full statement is below: The Family of Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley mourns the loss of their husband, father, son and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement or the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support. To the public, he became a hero on December 29th, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero. Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived life to the fullest, he loved his family and friends deeply, and he died doing what he loved. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. -Matthew 5:9 No one knows why omicron is more contagious than other variants a more efficient virus so less virus needed to become infected maybe its able to bind better to its target sites than previous variants. It doesnt matter which strain of the virus, it depends on the correct use of the mask, the mask needs to be over the nose and the mouth because when you breathe both the nose and the mouth can breathe out the virus or breathe in the virus if youre around somebody who is contagious, Mercon said. Segreti agrees. Theres nothing about omicron that makes it more likely to avoid someones mask. If you wear the right mask, and you wear it correctly, it works just as well against omicron as it does against any other variants, he said. The doctors arent advising against New Years celebrations, but they say if its not with immediate family, a mask should be worn as much as possible. Avoid crowded areas that are poorly ventilated with people you dont know. A smaller group of people that you know are vaccinated is safer. Its not entirely zero risk, but its safer. In the company of her grandparents, Sho-Shanna Piper discovered that history could be nourishing. They taught me, my cousins and my friends about Lakota history, said Piper, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a sophomore at Rapid City High School. They would take us to Sun Dances They would tell us stories, teach us about what they did back then. They would tell us where we came from. Those are the kinds of lessons that helped to instill within Piper a love for her culture. And that love of culture made the removal of Native terms from a draft of South Dakotas social studies standards up for periodic revision particularly disturbing to Piper. She decided to take action. She raised the issue during a Rapid City Youth City Council meeting last fall. Piper, whos been a member of the council for about a year, orchestrated an effort to send a memorandum to several state offices emphasizing the importance of specific inclusion of Oceti Sakowin culture in the standards while the states revision process is still underway. The memorandum is addressed to the South Dakota Board of Education Standards, Social Studies Standards Revision Commission, and Department of Education. On Wednesday, Rapid City's Legal and Finance Committee voted 2-1 in favor of a request to send the memorandum. Council member Lance Lehmann opposed the measure but stated, 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." The measure now moves to the City Council, where members will vote on Monday whether or not to approve sending the memo. The Youth City Council is officially a committee of the Rapid City Council, and so the larger councils approval is necessary for this action. The memo, about two and a half pages, reaches a kind of crescendo near the end. The Rapid City Youth City Council encourages those collectively responsible for this matter, it says, to ensure that Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards are included in authentic and meaningful ways in the South Dakota Social Studies Standards. As reported earlier this year, multiple references to education connected to the Oceti Sakowin were removed from a draft of the states social studies standards during a revision process. South Dakota Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson defended the revisions late last summer. We did make some recommendations or some revisions to the work groups recommendation to us to ensure that schools have the ability to teach about all cultures that make up the fabric of South Dakota, including our Native American, or Oceti Sakowin people, the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people of South Dakota, Sanderson told the state Legislatures Joint Committee on Appropriations in August. A little more than a month later, after widespread public commentary and demonstration in Pierre by the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition and NDN Collective, Gov. Kristi Noem made an announcement about the review of the states social studies standards. I have asked the Department of Education to restart the process from the beginning, she said in October. I want to ensure we propose standards that accurately reflect the values of South Dakota ... More work needs to be done to get this right, and we are committed to seeing that process through. Its in this context, while the process of crafting social studies standards is still in motion, that the Rapid City Youth City Council is working to send its memorandum. There are not many Lakota speakers, and my generation and the next one are slowly losing interest and not learning about (the language), Piper said. I think its very important to teach students at a young age. I think its important for my culture and for other cultures. Specific focus on Native culture, Piper said, can also help students who arent of Native heritage to deepen their reservoir of historical knowledge and also ease students from different backgrounds into more harmonious relations. Other kids can learn what we went through as the settlers were coming in, she said. She suggested, too, that learning about Native culture can also create better understanding between students. Most people dont know why we keep our hair long, she said. Our hair is very sacred, and ultimately its very important to us. If Piper is eager to share stories from her culture with others, shes also hungry to absorb as many stories as she can both within and outside of her heritage. I like cultural topics, she said. I study a lot of other topics by myself. I study Greek mythology. I study other parts of the world on my own because I find them very interesting to learn about. Tae Swanson, secretary of the Youth City Council, presented the proposal to send the memo to the Legal and Finance Committee on Wednesday, along with Dhruv Goyal, a fellow Youth City Council member. Swanson, a senior at Stevens High School, explained that Piper brought the issue to the Youth City Councils attention. We believe, especially as youth going through the school system, that Lakota history should be taught in schools because its part of United States history and an especially important part of South Dakota history, Swanson said. After the meeting, the two youth council members reflected on the measure. For our Lakota friends and neighbors, its very important that they are represented, Swanson said. It makes schooling for them easier. It makes experiencing their community a lot easier. It makes them feel more included in our city, which is always very important. Goyal, a junior at St. Thomas More High School, described the importance of using specific Native names in the standards, rather than generic terms such as culture. If you want to talk about European culture, we can denote that. But when we want to talk about Lakota we should mention Lakota, Goyal said. Otherwise its just a general population thats going to get mixed up and thrown out. Sean Binder, an adult mentor for the Youth City Council, noted some of the unique power students bring to discussions such as this. He said students are teaching us how to govern in the way they follow their convictions and put those convictions into action. They dont wait for the red tape, he said. They dont even see the red tape. Binder is also a teacher, advisor and internship coordinator for Rapid City High School. Kristin Kiner, also an adult mentor for the Youth City Council, observed the way the councils collective actions tended to bolster students confidence. The more informed they become, the stronger their voices (are) and the more confidence they have, said Kiner, youth engagement coordinator for Rapid City Area Schools/Teen Up. Eighteen students serve on the council. Kiner said the chair and vice chair of the youth council serve on the selection committee, along with adults in the community. Kiner, too, underscored the way contact with other students can nourish students efforts to create change. Its easier together, she said. Its easier to move forward together in creating change and advocating than doing it on your own. Piper noted that working through the youth council helped her to discover that other students shared her views about the standards particularly once they began discussing the issue. I know multiple other Youth City Council members who are agreeing with me and want this to happen as well, she said. I was pretty shocked. I thought no one would find it interesting, but all of the council did. The memorandum is signed by Rapid City Youth City Council Chair Sadie Colbeck, Vice Chair Kiran Kelly and Secretary Tae Swanson. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New businesses, COVID-19, fires and death make up the top 10 online stories of 2021. Overall, the Journal published more than 5,000 stories in 2021. Here are the stories that attracted the most pageviews: 10. Bokujo Ramen opens downtown The restaurant opened in March at 518 Mount Rushmore Road with online-only ordering. Bokujo, meaning "pasture" in Japanese, is a nod to the fresh and local ingredients used in Justin Warner and Brooke Sweeten's latest venture. 9. Sinkhole displaces Blackhawk families Residents are still dealing with the sinkhole that exposed an abandoned gypsum mine in a Black Hawk neighborhood. The story focuses on what the residents saw, heard and felt as the sinkhole collapsed around 5:30 p.m. in May 2020. 8. Ex-lawmaker issued protection order Former state Senator Lyndi DiSanto was ordered not to contact the wife of a missing Wyoming man after a judge ruled she was stalking her under Wyoming law. The man, Chance Englebert, went missing July 6, 2019, in Gering, Nebraska. 7. Schroeder Fire The Schroeder Fire burned 2,224 acres west of Rapid City and started the morning of March 29. An investigation found that the fire was caused by a large permitted slash pile lit March 16 on a property on Schroeder Road. 6. Rapid City couple opens bar The Iron Phnx opened in January with local beer, art and live music, and a late '80s to early '90s vibe. The venue since added liquor to its sales and stores. 5. NDN Collective CEO confronts police A video showing NDN Collective CEO Nick Tilsen yelling at Rapid City Police officers during a routine traffic stop to leave the parking lot of the Pawn with Us Express building at 418 Knollwood Drive, which NDN purchased in December 2020. 4. Rapid growth in Black Hills Growth was one of the main themes of 2021. The area saw a strong housing market and an influx of out-of-state residents. A large percentage of those moving to the Black Hills are millennials and young families. 3. School board changes COVID protocols The Rapid City School Board spent a few meetings discussing COVID-19 protocols for Rapid City Area Schools, but the one that caught the most attention was when the board voted 5-2 to not impose a temporary two-week mask mandate and to remove the district's COVID email notifications. It was standing room only during the meeting with protests for and against the changes before the meeting even began. 2. Bison tosses woman A woman was tossed by a bison while walking back to her cabin from a wedding at the Custer State Park pavilion in August. Park officials said the woman got too close to a cow and her calf. She did not sustain any major injuries, was checked by EMTs, and left on her own accord. 1. Central High student dies The district announced a student's death was being investigated as an unattended death in February. Students and families can contact a school mental health professional by calling 605-593-2556. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 For the past six years Ive been writing about the South Dakota Legislature. Well, enough is enough. From 2016 to 2020 I worked for the Community News Service run by the South Dakota Newspaper Association. The stories I wrote during the session were sent to about 60 weekly and daily newspapers in the state. CNS shut down due to the pandemic and I monitored the 2021 session via the Internet and sent my stories to the Rapid City Journal. My boss at SDNA didnt know if CNS would be resurrected this year. I told him I would bow out, citing the drive from my home in Brookings to Pierre, the unpredictable winter weather and concern about working in a building full of strangers during a pandemic. What I didnt tell him was the truth. I just couldnt take the crazy any longer. I couldnt take the effort wasted on legislation thats designed to bully and hurt. I couldnt muster the vigor it takes to write objectively about resolutions that are good for nothing more than political posturing. When they arent considering legislation, lawmakers are passing resolutions 21 in the House last year and 13 in the Senate. The resolutions dont have the weight of law, but are supposed to offer an insight into the way legislators think about certain issues. Six years of watching these people and I could never tell who was asking them what they think. House Concurrent Resolution 6011 asked legislators to support the opinion that Tayamni should be recognized as the official state constellation. That failed in committee. House Concurrent Resolution 6041 asked legislators to acknowledge and honor Native American children who were survivors of the states boarding schools. That passed the House but died in the Senate with just nine votes. Senate Concurrent Resolution 607 asked legislators to support the right to bear arms, just in case the federal government tries to revoke the Second Amendment. That sailed through both houses. Resolutions take time and effort with hearings in committees and in both houses. SCR607 was successful, but at the end of the day all its sponsors have is a piece of paper that says a majority of the South Dakota Legislature likes guns. Is that really what the people that we send to Pierre should be doing with their time? Each year the largely Republican Legislature seems to have its priorities in the wrong place. Bills that pick on the transgendered pass easily while last year members of the GOP said, Theres nothing to see here as they killed bills that would have shed light on state airplane usage and the governors security costs. Often, when lawmakers want to make it safe for the rest of us to go to the bathroom or make abortions impossible to get or guns easier to get, they are getting their marching orders from outside the state. When the bill is heard in committee, its national backer will testifyoften over the phone or via Skypeseeming to give the bill stature by saying that the same legislation is being considered in 20 or 30 statehouses. The most egregious example of this took place in 2020 with the consideration of HB1225, which would prohibit state funding of any abortion. It apparently didnt matter to the bills sponsor, Rep. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, that South Dakota already had such a law on the books. The bills real sponsor, former military lawyer Christopher Sevier, testified via telephone. He grandly assured the committee that when South Dakota and other state Legislatures endorsed bills like HB1225 it would send a clear message to Congress that America needs to end abortion once and for all. This is the same Christopher Sevier who, in an attempt to protest gay marriage laws, sued states that would not recognize his marriage to his laptop. Two veteran lobbyists, one representing South Dakota Right to Life, testified against passing the legislation, saying it was largely incomprehensible and that those parts of the bill they did understand were already covered by state law. To its credit, the House State Affairs Committee defeated the bill. Scratch your head over this, though: the vote was 10-3. The humiliation from that debacle didnt do Frye-Mueller any harm. She was elected to the State Senate. Bills like these arent legislation so much as theyre choreography designed to see which member of the Republican majority can lean the furthest to the right. With elections for every seat in the Legislature in 2022, during the upcoming session the more moderate Republicans may find themselves trying to defy gravity as they hold their noses and vote for some wacko right-wing bills rather than face primary challenges for not being conservative enough. If I had to place bets on the outcome of the next legislative session, Id say that some lawmakers will be working overtime to enhance their conservative credentials. There are likely already efforts under way to write legislation that mimics the Texas monstrosity that turns citizens into anti-abortion vigilantes. Im Catholic and believe in the sanctity of life, but laws that pit citizen against citizen are not what this country should be about. In journalism circles in South Dakota, we often bemoan the fact that there are fewer and fewer reporters writing about the Legislature. Now theres one less and I feel bad about that. But not bad enough to force myself back into the press box and try to write objectively about legislation and resolutions that I know are by turns silly, symbolic, wrong-headed and cruel. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 12 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 10 Angry 0 JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi is receiving $543 million from the federal government to implement health measures to keep K-12 schools open during the ongoing pandemic and provide internet access, tutoring and mental health support to students. The money is part of a $1.6 billion federal package Mississippi has received as part of its portion of American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The U.S. Department of Education is providing $130 billion in American Rescue Act funds for K-12 education to all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Mississippi received its first funding allotment more than $1 billion in March. State officials needed to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Education for the rest of the money; U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced Wednesday that Mississippi's plan had been approved. Mississippi Department of Education officials say they have hired 25 new medical staff on-site in schools and encouraged districts to host vaccination drives on campus. The department is also using the federal funds to support a new behavioral telehealth project staffed by school staff in response to mental health concerns that may have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Educators will also be trained on behavioral management techniques. In addition, the department will use the funding for intensive tutoring, summer learning and extended day programs and for improving internet connectivity and access to technology for all students, particularly for rural students and students from low-income backgrounds. About 442,630 students are enrolled in Mississippi's K-12 public schools this academic year, according to the Mississippi Department of Education. As of December, nearly all U.S. schools are open for full-time, in-person instruction, Cardona said. The education secretary said the American Rescue Plan money is necessary to ensure states have the resources they need to stay open. The approval of these plans enables states to receive vital, additional American Rescue Plan funds to help keep schools open for full-time, in-person learning; meet students academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs; and address disparities in access to educational opportunity that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic," he said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This drug is one of the most widely used oral drugs of all time. It is estimated that 1-2% of adults in the developed world are prescribed this medication. Prior to its use as a drug in the early 1950s, it was used as a pesticide to kill rats and mice; in fact, its still used for this purpose even today. In the 1920s, cattle in Canada and the United States were afflicted by an outbreak of an unusual disease that was characterized by fatal bleeding, either spontaneously or due to even relatively minor injuries. Moldy silage originating from sweet clover was thought to be the culprit, but exactly what was going on was a mystery. In 1940, University of Wisconsin biochemist Karl Link, along with his Ph.D. student Harold Campbell discovered an anticoagulant in sweet clover. This was the root cause of cattle dying from clover-infused silage severe internal bleeding. Two years later, Link synthesized a product, which was initially approved as a rodenticide in 1948. By 1954, it had also been approved for human use, but fortunately for an entirely different purpose. In 1955, Link's drug was given to then-President Eisenhower who had recently suffered a coronary thrombosis (aka, heart attack). In 1974, Ike's former VP Richard Nixon was put on a regimen of Link's drug after he had suffered from a deep leg thrombosis. Nixon would later die from a stroke even though he was still taking this drug. By the time of Links death in 1978, his discovery had earned the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) a considerable amount from the drugs royalties (Link did not profit since he had been an employee of the University of Wisconsin). While it is highly effective for its intended purpose, this drug is the number three drug that leads to hospital admissions due to inherent issues. Two major factors are thought to be the reason. One is the lack of monitoring of patients taking this drug. Of course, the more closely patients are monitored, the more expenses are incurred. And since health insurance companies are not keen on incurring additional expenses, extensive patient monitoring is discouraged. Another contributing factor is settling on an appropriate dosage, as each patient's situation is slightly different. Too little and its not effective; too much and it can result in serious complications. So, what drug am I describing? Warfarin a portmanteau name derived from Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), and arin from coumarin (an anticoagulant contained in sweet clover). Warfarin is the most widely prescribed anti-coagulant for people who have experienced blood clots or have had heart attacks. Of course, its other use is for killing rodents. For instance, the formulation for Warfarin is part of the rodent killer Rodex. So, how does it kill rodents? It does its damage by causing extensive internal bleeding in mice and rats, eventually leading to their demise. However, it requires multiple ingestions before achieving its intended purpose. Over time, rodents have evolved to become Warfarin-resistant by producing extra vitamin K (vitamin K counteracts bleeding by producing more clotting factors). So, Warfarin is both a life-saver for humans and a life-ender for rodents. In this respect, its not unlike a fake Saturday Night Live product Sparkle is both a food topping and a floor cleaner, all in one. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 FDA rejected our application based on a certain test that they have repeatedly told the industry is not required, he said. The FDA said the products lacked sufficient evidence that they have a benefit to adult smokers sufficient to overcome the public health threat posed by the well-documented, alarming levels of youth use of such products. Specifically, the FDA cited vaping products with flavorings it contends would appeal to underage users and sold under brand names such as Apple Crumble, Dr. Cola and Cinnamon Toast Cereal. Xu contends that Avail Vapor took steps to prevent sales of its products to minors at its stores. He contends that the real reason for rising youth use of vaping products is a political backlash over the widespread availability of disposable vaping products that are sold at convenience stores, along with marketing tactics by some companies that appeal to youth. The FDA had an immediate reaction and tried to blame the flavors, which is not really the root cause, he said. In Europe, they have flavors, but they do not have a youth problem. It is really a marketing problem. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Emergency authorities said utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldn't tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed, he said. I mean, it happened so quickly. Ive never seen anything like that. Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire. On Thursday, the government in South Africa, where scientists first discovered omicron, said health data showed it was past the peak of omicron cases. It said the omicron surge had resulted in less severe cases there than previous waves. VCU Health officials also said Thursday that there has been a surge of new cases, emergency department visits and demand for COVID-19 tests because of holiday travel and family gatherings After a holiday, it is not uncommon to see our emergency department visits rise, said Dr. Michael Stevens, interim hospital epidemiologist at VCU Health. What is uncommon is to see so many people come here just to get a COVID-19 test, leading to longer wait times for those who need urgent care. Our emergency departments wont turn anyone away, but there are better options that are faster and cheaper for testing, including primary care practices and county testing sites. Parker said emergency departments and other providers will not turn away patients, but that some facilities may not have the capacity to test low-risk patients if their symptoms are only mild and supplies are limited. The majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations are from unvaccinated patients, he said. As of Friday, the Pacific Boys had rowed more than 1,200 miles and had less than 1,400 to go. They stood in 12th place overall among all boats and fourth among trios, as the race includes crew configurations from solo rowers to a single boat with five crew members. Mackey, 27, a 2012 graduate of Atlee and a 2016 graduate of the University of Virginia, is a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is working on a doctorate in computer science. Besides his obvious smarts, Mackey is also an athlete, having achieved all-state status in wrestling at Atlee and competing in a number of triathlons over the years. At UVA, he joined Virginia Rowing and fell in love with the sport hed never done. His mother recalled that it was while he was in Charlottesville that somehow he got a wild notion, casually mentioning, Oh, I want to row across the ocean. The Atlantic being a long way from Rivanna Reservoir, where Virginia Rowing trained, the Mackeys responded as any self-respecting parent might: Are you crazy? Until Delia Lopez Figueroa patched an uncovered vent with duct tape, cockroaches rained down on the bed where she changes her infants diaper. No matter how many times she replaces the familys mattresses, bedbugs bite her almost-2-year-old daughters arms and legs. And the glue traps she sets dont stop mice from burrowing into the walls and scratching their claws against the drywall long after her sons bedtime. When her neighbors use the shared laundry room outside the front door of her two-bedroom apartment, wastewater spills into the hallway. The runoff seeps into the living rooms vinyl floors where her children play with their toys. The familys ground-level apartment floods when it rains, feeding the humidity that causes mold to spread across the closet ceiling. This is what the 26-year-old pays $955 a month to rent at The Communities at Southwood, a sprawling complex in a South Richmond neighborhood thats home to the largest concentration of Latinos in the city. She cant afford to leave. I was making two to three calls every day, Lopez Figueroa said in Spanish, cradling her youngest. The [leasing] office doesnt even pay us attention when we go. They send us to maintenance and say theyre going to send someone. And then no one comes. The dangers Lopez Figueroa and her three children face are so common, families who live in the apartment complex joke about them. Then they ask one another if the landlord has made fixes after telling management in desperate calls that ignoring the problems could threaten their kids health. No, the answer usually goes. Over the course of three months, Richmond Times-Dispatch reporters interviewed residents and visited seven Southwood homes. They observed mold climbing the walls and covering air vents, broken or obsolete appliances, mouse droppings in living areas, kitchens and mechanical closets, cockroaches and damaged flooring, ceilings and walls. These issues arent isolated to those units, according to a survey of about 100 residents conducted this year by New Virginia Majority, a statewide advocacy organization that focuses on issues facing immigrant communities. Of the 98 unique respondents, 88 said they have had mice in their unit and 78 reported seeing cockroaches. Seventy-two said they had both rodents and roaches, and 23 indicated an issue with bedbugs. Roughly 60% reported mold in their apartment, and the same percentage said their ceilings, doors, floors or walls were in bad condition. Carroll Steele, Southwoods property manager, declined months of interview requests before agreeing to answer questions in writing. In responses sent Dec. 23, she blamed tenants for the bugs and rodents and for not reporting maintenance issues in a timely fashion to her office. A vast majority of our residents are very easy to work with and have little to no complaints. We do have some residents from third-world countries that have poor housekeeping issues and have brought the pest control issues with them upon moving into their apartment, Steele wrote, replying to questions about three apartments where repairs had not been conducted. She said the inquiry was the first her office had heard of the survey, or issues at those particular units. Repairs at each began that same week, she added. Because of the size of the property we receive hundreds of work orders per month and each work order is taken care of within hours or days depending on the severity. We respond to emergencies and mildew complaints immediately but the resident needs to inform us of the issue if we are to address. Residents said it was normal for management to dismiss their concerns when requesting repairs or follow-up work on unaddressed requests after maintenance visited their homes. Latinos in the Richmond region were also the most likely to worry that making a request to their landlord for repairs would result in a rent increase or eviction, according to a federally mandated report from PlanRVA last spring. The assessment of barriers to fair housing found the hesitation is worse if a person doesnt have what most apartments require upon applying: a Social Security number, or un social in Spanish. This means undocumented immigrants live where they can, not where they want, the report stated. These are always some of the problems that we have, Lopez Figueroa said. We fear for anything. The 1,287-unit complex is located in one of the citys poorest areas, where the U.S. Census Bureau estimates 1 in 4 households lives in poverty and 8 in 10 people are Hispanic. The pandemic made the crisis worse. In April 2020, national unemployment rates among Latinos surged to 19%, the highest ever recorded. If they werent laid off, their employers cut their hours at work. And as the conditions at home deteriorated, the coronavirus ripped through their families. Meanwhile, Southwood Apartments LLC, the owner of the complex and an affiliate of Charlottesville-based Seminole Trail Properties, has collected $3.2 million in rent relief funds through a state program meant to keep tenants safely housed during the pandemic. The sum was the third most of any rental company in the state as of mid-December, according to data provided by Virginia Housing. Still, tenants said, the infestations and poor living conditions remain. Evan Peters, a home repair project manager with nonprofit Project: HOMES, visited three separate Southwood apartments in November. He saw mold, severe pest infestations, exposed electrical wiring, significant water damage and failed condenser units, according to a letter laying out his findings. I am personally concerned for the livelihood of tenants residing at Southwood Apartments due to the conditions of units caused by lack of maintenance or improper repairs, Peters wrote. I would recommend extensive repairs to ensure the health and safety of tenants. Peters said most of these issues could have been prevented if the landlord had conducted regular maintenance by a licensed professional as state law requires. Instead, he wrote, they have been neglected to the point where extensive repairs are necessary. Over the summer, Elena Camacho and Claudia Arevalo community organizers with New Virginia Majority sent a letter on behalf of tenants to Seminole Trail Properties, Southwoods owner. They asked for a meeting to address the physical condition of our apartments, negligent maintenance practices [and] the manner in which we have been mistreated by management staff, among other concerns. The rental companys director of property management, Cynthia Smith, pushed back. Southwood had major renovations over the last 10 years and is in good working order, Smith said in a June response to the organization. On Thursday, Steele accused New Virginia Majority and Project:HOMES of having an agenda to make Southwoods management look negligent and interfering with communication between tenants and the office. Steele also said New Virginia Majority is targeting them because management supports police and the organization doesnt, referring to a 2020 tweet saying defund the police. In October, more than 60 residents convened with organizers inside a police precinct with the help of Richmond police officers. Here at Southwood, we have an excellent working relationship with city inspectors, city police officers, and city officials, Steele said. We have been praised many times on the quickness and efficiency of taking care of any issues within our community. That praise includes a January 2021 letter from Michael Jones, who represents the area on the Richmond City Council. Jones told The Times-Dispatch in late November that the Project:HOMES letter was the first he had heard of the issues I dont want people living that way, he said and followed up with Steele to make clear the problems needed fixing. A spokesperson for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney also said the mayors office was unaware. The mayor believes that all Richmond residents deserve a safe, clean and dignified place to live and is troubled and concerned by the conditions described in the Project:Homes letter, said Jim Nolan, Stoneys spokesperson, adding that the letter had been shared with the citys Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement division. There were no active code enforcement cases at the complex as of early December, officials said. For city inspectors to enforce building code violations present inside apartments, a tenant must file a complaint with the city. Taking the step would invite an inspection, which could lead the city to deem a unit or building unfit for habitation until violations are corrected. For residents with few other housing options in a region amid an affordable housing crisis, that would mean jeopardizing their familys shelter. The average two-bedroom at Southwood rents for $900 a month, well below the Richmond Metro Areas average of $1,340, according to data provided by Costar, a real estate information company. The average household income in the neighborhoods census tract is under $36,000, per census data. Some residents earn and pay even less. With pandemic-era protections for renters expiring, the threat of eviction looms in a worsening public health crisis that has already devastated Southwoods largely immigrant population. Between 2015 and 2018, Southwood Apartments LLC received eviction judgments against roughly a quarter of its tenants annually, according to an analysis of Richmond General District Court data by the RVA Eviction Lab at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. The landlord has filed far fewer eviction cases in the past two years, as state and federal leaders restricted eviction of renters for nonpayment. Even then, one in 20 Richmond tenants who received an eviction judgment in 2020 lived in Southwood. Thats why people stay quiet about these hazardous conditions, Camacho said. Out of fear. An immigrant herself, Camacho has spent two years reminding residents of their power, of the bravery it takes to leave behind their families and the country theyve called home in hopes of building a life that would make their children proud. And one by one, more than 200 Southwood residents joined a WhatsApp group chat to try and fight back. You are a leader, Camacho tells them. This is nothing. And if you and your neighbor and everybody got together, we dont have to be scared. To force management to do repairs, organizers proposed residents take advantage of a legal solution state lawmakers approved in 2020. Called tenants remedy by repair, the law allows a renter to notify their landlord of needed maintenance in writing. If the landlord does not make the fixes within 14 days, the tenant can hire a licensed contractor to make the fixes, then deduct the cost of the repairs from the rent they owe their landlord up to $1,500. As many as 25 households were prepared to take this step in October, but Arevalo and Camacho said they held off because of pending rent relief applications. One [resident] told me, Woman! They could throw us out of there. And theyre helping us so much with the rent, said Hilda Villatoro, a Southwood resident seen as a mother of the neighborhood. And I tell them, No, because if we dont raise our voice, this is going to continue. They receive the money for the rent relief but that doesnt mean theyre listening to us about how these apartments are no good. In November, two longtime tenants who were current on rent turned in a formal request for repairs. Among them: leaking toilets, uncovered vents and filthy ducts, and exposed wiring beneath a kitchen sink. That same day, about two dozen residents and advocates gathered to support them at a rally held in front of Southwoods leasing office. Bullhorn in hand, Villatoro rallied anyone who would listen from the passenger seat of a moving Toyota Camry. She pleaded for her neighbors to advocate for their kids to have a safe place to play to not live with mold, mouse droppings and cracked open floors. A few mothers picking their children up from the bus stop perked up at her urging. Hay que seguir palante, she said. Mejor llegar tarde que nunca. We have to keep going. Its better to arrive late than not at all. What organizers and tenants saw as empowerment, Steele viewed as a threat to the complexs bottom line. Rental income pays for maintenance and security, she said. Most insect issues are created by the resident leaving trash bags in the apartment, leaving greasy pots on the stove and the sink with food. Some residents also do not clean their stoves, Steele continued. In many of these cases, the work orders relate to some tenants neglect and do not reflect the condition of the apartment when they moved in. The propertys grounds crew routinely worked overtime to remove trash and furniture residents heaped by dumpsters at the complex, she added. Lopez Figueroa and other tenants said pests and mold routinely soiled their belongings, contributing to excess trash. At least five Latino community leaders in interviews traced the dilapidated housing conditions in Southwood back at least 20 years. After Seminole Trail Properties purchased the property a decade ago, the company replaced every roof, HVAC system, electrical panel, water heater, toilet, stove, microwave and kitchen cabinet, among other fixes. The landlord also installed new laundry machines and smoke detectors, according to a list Steele said amounted to a $10 million renovation. The landlord has spent an additional $400,000, or about $311 per unit, replacing appliances and fixing flooring and HVAC issues in the community in the past year, Steele said. Another $150,000 a year, or $116 per unit, goes toward pest control. But the problems have persisted. A woman who lived in Lopez Figueroas apartment four years ago told her she encountered rodents and roaches, too. Then when Lopez Figueroa moved in, the mold covered her bedroom walls. She said the office advised her to paint over it and use plug-in air fresheners to help with the smell. And after the mice gnawed on her microwaves wires, rendering the appliance inoperable, the property management office told her the incident stemmed from her carelessness, she said. It took two and a half months to replace. Faced with no other choice, some tenants use their own money to try to fix the problems in their units themselves. Melany Sura spends up to $200 per month on cleaning supplies twice what she makes on an average day of disinfecting other peoples homes to limit the risks the mold could have on the health of her 9-year-old daughter, who has had severe bronchitis in the past and has been prone to illness since she was born. The chemicals leave the apartment with a lingering chlorine-like odor from the bleach. She buys stain remover for any mice dropping residue. Two cans of Raid per week to keep the cockroaches under control. Then theres her two cats, Duki and Dany named after the Spanish version of Dennis the Menace who hunt the mice that run through a hole behind the stove, underneath her sink and through the wall next to her dining table. The infestation would be worse without them, she said. If she doesnt keep up her three-year-long daily routine of cleaning before and after meals and before and after she goes to work, its like the mold comes from every which way. Almost all of us are sick [in some way], Sura said. But I always say, If your hands are OK and your legs are OK, then were OK, too. Last Thursday, Steele said management had made repairs stemming from the two legal requests submitted through New Virginia Majority in November. After reporters asked whether the infestations in Lopez Figueroas apartment had been addressed, Steele said work started on Dec. 22. But maintenance has left Lopez Figueroa with mostly promises a week later, outside of patching up one of multiple holes the rodents wiggle through and painting over the mold visible on her walls temporarily covering but not killing or preventing its toxic growth. They vowed to return to exterminate the cockroaches, replace her floors and cover any dugouts where pests have made homes. Mice continue to roam and leave their feces on the kitchen counters she disinfects three times a day, she said Wednesday, and a New Years Day forecast of rain means a soon-to-be soaked living room. It does make me a little afraid since I dont know how this will end, Lopez Figueroa said. I hope that things get better because its not just for us but for our kids, who are growing up here. They deserve a clean home a good future, she said. South Africans from all corners of retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu's rainbow nation filed past his plain pine casket by the hundreds on Friday to pay their respects to his life of activism for equality for all races, creeds and sexual orientations. He was a moral giant. He was a moral and spiritual giant loved and revered for fighting for equality for all people, said the Rev. Michael Lapsley, on the steps of the historic St. George's Cathedral after Tutu's coffin was carried in amid music, incense and prayers. Anglican clergy women and men, Black and white, young and old lined the street to honor the cortege carrying Tutu's body to the church. Members of the Tutu family accompanied the casket into the cathedral. More than 2,000 people visited the cathedral on the first day of viewing on Thursday and on Friday the line stretched nearly a mile. A requiem mass for Tutu will be held on New Year's Day before he is cremated and his remains placed in a columbarium in the cathedral. View a gallery from the cathedral at the end of this story. Virginia marked the last days of 2021 with record-breaking COVID-19 case numbers. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were all reported to be the highest single-day case totals since the pandemic began. The state reported 17,618 new COVID-19 cases on Friday sailing past Wednesday and Thursdays records of more than 12,000 and 13,500 respectively. Virginia reported 69,182 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the cumulative total during the pandemic to more than 1.1 million, the Virginia Department of Health reported Friday. The newest COVID-19 variant, omicron, is more transmissible than previous variants. Coupled with the holiday season bringing more people together, case counts have surged across the country. Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts Director Cynthia Morrow said the region can reasonably assume that many of the newly identified cases of COVID-19 in the district are due to the omicron variant. She said case totals may also be underreported because people who take at-home tests often do not report the results to the health department. But she said its important to use at-home test kits or attend local testing events instead of turning to hospitals or emergency rooms. As COVID continues to spread in our communities, it is critical that we reserve our hospital emergency rooms, urgent care centers and rescue squads for medical emergencies only, Morrow said. Using these resources unnecessarily can prevent people who are ill or injured from getting the medical care they need. The health department will operate free drive-thru testing events from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday at the Salem Civic Center through January. Virginias near southwest region, which includes hospitals from Lynchburg to the Roanoke Valley, had 348 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Friday, including 101 in intensive care. The state reported 1,516 more hospitalizations over the past seven days, increasing the total number of people hospitalized during the pandemic to 41,862, although the VDH website notes that hospitalizations are underrepresented. Virginia reported 293 new virus-related deaths over the past seven days, for a total of 15,587 since the start of the pandemic. Morrow said vaccination is still the best defense against infection, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. She said the department is still seeing people come in for their first doses, but the majority are receiving second doses and boosters. The vast majority of our new cases, our hospitalizations and our deaths occur in people who are not yet vaccinated, Morrow said. Looking at the last week, people who were unvaccinated developed COVID at about 9.5x the rate as people who were vaccinated. As of Friday, 78.1% of Virginias adult population had been fully vaccinated. Children ages 5-11 have been approved to receive a vaccine, which are available at the community vaccination center in the former Sears store at Valley View Mall, located at 4812 Valley View Blvd. People can make appointments at vaccinate.virgina.gov or by calling 877-829-4682. Walk-ins are also open for adults and children. The Roanoke Times contributed to this report. Lessons learned during rehab in Roanoke continue to benefit young Sarah Hattersley at home in the United Kingdom, six months after her family navigated choppy travel restrictions to access rare therapy at Virginia Tech Carilion. With help again from family and friends, plus a forming foundation, the Hattersley familys resolution in 2022 is to further support 3-year-old Sarah, and the specialists studying CASK gene mutation on behalf of children like her, said mother Laura Hattersley. Mutation of the human bodys CASK gene is known to affect fewer than 100 people worldwide, resulting in severe developmental difficulties. Sarah Hattersley in June received four weeks of intensive therapy from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institutes Neuromotor Research Clinic at VTC, enabling her to move and respond like never before, just in time for school to begin, her mother said during a video call Tuesday. Shes been off school most of this half term, like half of the autumn. But when she is well, shes so much better than she was, Laura Hattersley said of her daughter. Shes still a lot stronger. After all the conundrum navigating international travel restrictions to and from the United States this summer, little Sarah and her toddler brother Felix came home and caught the coronavirus, from which they are recovered, Laura Hattersley said. Sadly, weve not been able to work on all the therapy as much as we really had hoped, Hattersley said. Partly because of school, and her little brother is now in a nursery. They keep getting ill. But the plan is to plow on into next spring, practicing the same therapeutic techniques Sarah learned this summer in Roanoke, Hattersley said. Sarah can sit up unsupported now for short spells while mum reads beloved books, showing further improvement of strength and balance. We still have some funds left from our fundraiser, so weve organized another intensive therapy, but this time in Europe. Thatll just be for two weeks, Hattersley said. Its in Slovakia. Services offered at Fralin Institute are unlike anything available elsewhere for Sarah, her mother said. Roanoke is the only place the family has found a full four weeks of intensive therapy, and a lab here exclusively studies the CASK gene mutation, its underlying causes, impacts and potential for treatment. We have looked and looked, and theres nothing anywhere else in the world that seems to do that kind of therapy, that understands the children so well, and will provide that much intensive, she said. After a June meeting with Konark Mukherjee, who since 2011 has studied the CASK gene mutation at the Fralin Institute, Hattersley said she wanted to find a way to support his team and similar scientists. Since meeting him and finding out that he struggles to get funding for his research because CASK gene disorders are so rare, Hattersley said, I was inspired to start my own UK charity, because we dont have anything here, which is solely aimed at funding research into the CASK gene. Pending registration paperwork, the CASK Research Foundation will provide scientists with grants to further investigate the gene and related disorders, Hattersley said. There are foundations with a similar focus in the United States and Australia that together can create change, she said. Its given me some kind of hope, and more of a purpose that I feel like I can really help Sarah, and all her little CASK friends all over the world, Hattersley said. It feels like we could really make a massive difference to these childrens lives. Studying drugs that might someday help make such a difference is Mukherjee, who said he recently received a grant from the Australia-based CASK research foundation to continue his work. The support, the parent groups, its international. People from England, from Australia and all over the world are united in this common mission, which is really encouraging, Mukherjee said. Im really thankful to them This basically gives me a sense of purpose, why I have to get there. He said he is often asked why he studies such a rare disorder. The biggest criticism that we have is we are dealing with something which is very rare, which does not affect a lot of people, Mukherjee said. But we really think that this principle in general is applicable to a large number of pediatric disorders which give rise to developmental delays, including Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, even fetal alcohol syndrome. There are a few drugs Mukherjee and his team are testing, and they hope to know within the coming months whether the substances are useful. To what extent can we reverse or even prevent degeneration? Mukherjee said. We think what we find here might have applications in conditions that we still have not yet physically studied. Even so, there is a long way to go in unraveling the mystery of CASK gene mutations, first described in medical literature relatively recently, in 2008. We are trying our best to find out something. But even when we find something in animal models, it takes time to actually realize any real potential, Mukherjee said. Science still remains a slow process. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RICHMOND The city of Richmond and state officials are planning to give Confederate monuments to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, including the statue of Robert E. Lee and its graffiti-covered plinth. As part the transfer, which requires authorization by the Richmond City Council, the Black History Museum will partner with the Valentine and other local cultural organizations to decide what to do with the monuments that were toppled by protesters or removed by the city and state since last year. State and local officials announced the plan Thursday, nearly 18 months after a wave of protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis led Gov. Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to order the removal of the monuments in the former capital of the Confederacy. Symbols matter, and for too long, Virginias most prominent symbols celebrated our countrys tragic division and the side that fought to keep alive the institution of slavery by any means possible, Northam said in a news release. Now it will be up to our thoughtful museums, informed by the people of Virginia, to determine the future of these artifacts, including the base of the Lee Monument which has taken on special significance as protest art. Officials said they reached the transfer decision after concluding that it would be best to let local museums determine how the monuments should be interpreted. A city news release says officials think it will also generate philanthropic support and streamline the public engagement process. Entrusting the future of these monuments and pedestals to two of our most respected institutions is the right thing to do, Stoney said. They will take the time that is necessary to properly engage the public and ensure the thoughtful future uses of these artifacts, while we reimagine Monument Avenue, focus on telling our history fully and accurately in places like Shockoe Bottom and lift up residents throughout the city. Richmond originally received about two dozen requests for its Confederate monuments in 2020 from museums, preservation groups and cultural organizations. The Black History Museum was not among them. Still, four of the citys nine council membersKatherine Jordan, Kristen Larson, Stephanie Lynch and Michael Jones said Thursday they are open to the plan. Eighth District Councilwoman Reva Trammell said she is largely concerned with other matters, but did not indicate she would vote against the plan. The other four council members could not be immediately reached for comment. Marland Buckner, interim executive director of the Black History Museum, which was founded in 1981 and opened to the public in 1991, said the organization is looking forward to engaging the public about what should be done with the monuments. Our institution takes very seriously the responsibility to manage these objects in ways that ensure their origins and purpose are never forgotten: that is the glorification of those who led the fight to enslave African Americans and destroy the Union, Buckner said. We believe with this responsibility also comes opportunity opportunities to deepen our understanding of an essential element of the American story: the expansion of freedom. We hope this process will elevate public dialog about our shared history and in so doing encourage and invite more citizens into fact based, respectful conversations about the profound challenges we face as a nation. While the City Council was expected to manage the disposition of the monuments, the process largely stalled before the council requested help from the mayors administration to reach a decision. Jordan said she is particularly supportive of the idea because it will free up city staff to focus on other priorities. During [the COVID-19 pandemic], there really hasnt been a good opportunity for people to focus on this, the 2nd District councilwoman said. Fourth District Councilwoman Kristen Larson said shes also open to transfer the monuments to the Black History Museum, but has misgivings about how council members were not informed of the plan until Wednesday evening. I dont think weve received a public update in a while. I had received some updates that they were continuing to work on it, but I didnt know, she said. Its just not transparent. While the plan does not include the monument of A.P. Hill thats still standing at the intersection of Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road, the city will accept the 12-ton tribute to Lee and its 40-foot pedestal before transferring it to the museum. City officials said they will not transfer the Hill monument as discussions with his descendants about the monument and buried remains of the Confederate officer underneath it are still ongoing. As the state needed another year to resolve litigation challenging Northams removal order for the state-owned Lee monument, the governor only recently revealed plans to transfer control of the monument to the city, about three months after the statue was removed from the pedestal. Chelsea Higgs Wise, a local grassroots activist and host of the podcast Race Capitol, said in an interview Thursday that she worries the process could drag on for too long. She noted that the Charlottesville City Council recently approved plans to give its own statue of Lee to a museum that plans to melt it down and create new public art. Maybe we dont need more conversations around these monuments, she said. A lot of people did a lot of work to get them out of sight and out of mind. And it seems like we could make decisions more geared around like what Charlottesville did. The Charlottesville decision has been controversial, however, with a lawsuit filed challenging the order. On the other hand, Albemarle County officials met complaints from area residents last year when they gave the countys statue of a Confederate soldier to a battlefields foundation in the Shenandoah Valley. Northam and Stoney ordered monuments taken down last year, just weeks before a newly amended state war memorial law allowing their removal was slated to go in effect on July 1, 2020. The law was changed after years of debate about Confederate iconography and memorials in public spaces. Republicans largely defended them, while Democrats, who gained majority control of the General Assembly in 2019, sought to allow their removal. A Northam aide earlier this month said it was important to the Democratic governor to see the land transferred to the city before he left office. Republican Glenn Youngkin will be inaugurated as governor on Jan. 15. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Thousands of residents in two communities near Denver have been ordered to evacuated because of wind-fueled wildfire that engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies With a guilty verdict in the sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, heres a look at what the once high-flying Jeffrey Epstein confidante was accused of and whats next for her With a new and more infectious coronavirus variant sweeping California, attorneys representing inmates say violations of health orders by prison staff risk a repeat of the outbreaks that killed dozens in the first year of the pandemic Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@Gmail.com. Also, visit dennisbeaver.com. " " Mike Norton /Flickr South Carolina's Angel Oak sits in its own park, Angel Oak Park, on Johns Island and even has its own address, 3688 Angel Oak Road. What's so angelic about a gnarly oak tree purported to be at least 400 to 500 years old? For those who've seen the stunning Angel Oak, the name suits even though it actually derives from the original owners of the land, Justis and Martha Waight Tucker Angel. Located in 18-acre (7-hectare) Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina (a city well-known for its reverence for all things ancient, especially its own history), the Angel Oak is one of the Lowcountry's most extraordinary examples of the Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana). The Angel Oak stands 65 feet (20 meters) high, unusually tall for a live oak, but it's the canopy that makes this tree unique, extending an astonishing 17,200 square feet (1,598 square meters). The lower, heaviest boughs and branches reach out from the thick, main trunk about 28 feet (8.5 meters) in circumference and appear to rest on the ground as if weary from age. Advertisement According to historical accounts and documents, the tree stands on property that was purchased from the Cussoe Indians by a representative of Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper in 1675. The land was later part of a 96-acre (39-hectare) land grant to colonist Abraham Waight on July 25, 1717. In 1810, Waight's daughter, Martha, married Justus Angel (thus the name) and their descendants owned the land until some time in the mid-1900s. Because of its history as slaveholding plantation land, there are more than a few local tales of ghosts of former slaves appearing around the Angel Oak, and of those spirits now protecting the tree. During the days of segregation, black families often picnicked under the oak's protective branches. The Angel Oak site was purchased by the city of Charleston in 1991. The Angel Oak has withstood multiple natural disasters, including numerous hurricanes that have threatened its existence. More recently, the tree was under attack from developers, but thanks to the civic-minded, tree-loving people of Charleston, the Angel Oak is protected by the city and is a popular tourist destination. In 2000, the Angel Oak was named a Millennium Tree and in 2004 it was the South Carolina Heritage Tree of the Year. Learn more about the Angel Oak in "The Angel Oak Story" by Ruth M. Miller and Linda V. Lennon. HowStuffWorks picks related titles based on books we think you'll like. Should you choose to buy one, we'll receive a portion of the sale. Now That's Interesting Wood from the Southern live oak is considered solid and sturdy. The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel, was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" because its oak hull survived repeated cannon fire without breaching during the War of 1812. " " The Mississippi River at Kaskaskia, Illinois (pictured here in 2019) experienced a 100-year flood in 1993. Scott Olson/Getty Images A 100-year flood, like a 100-year storm, is one so severe it has only a 1 percent chance of hitting in any given year. Unfortunately, many people believe that if they experienced a 100-year flood this year, they will not see another one like it for 99 years. It just doesn't work that way. In reality, the chance of being flooded next year, and the year after that, is the same as it was when the house flooded the first time 1 percent. One percent is the same as a 1-in-100 chance. Hence, the shorthand: 100-year flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses that measure when it drawsflood plain maps the maps that show which areas are most likely to be flooded and that insurers use when they set rates. Because of the confusion, many flood plain managers want to do away with the term "100-year flood," but that creates another problem. People generally do not have a good sense of risk as expressed as a probability, especially when that probability appears small. Look no farther than COVID-19, where about half the U.S. population was not concerned about a 1 percent chance of dying from infection while hundreds of people in the country were dying from it every day. Advertisement Why Knowing Flood Risk Matters A better way to understand the risk is to think about a home with a 30-year mortgage. What's the minimum risk of a home being flooded over 30 years if it's in a 100-year flood plain? At least 26 percent, since we're looking over a longer period and there's not a guarantee of seeing a 100-year storm. Given that homes tend to be the biggest investment most Americans make, that probability may cause people to think about buying flood insurance. In some cases, the risks are even higher. Since some homes sit lower than their neighbors, risk in a 100-year flood plain isn't consistent across the entire area. A homebuyer might consider their choice more carefully if the property actually has a 50 percent chance of flooding over 30 years. At some point, we'll have better tools to easily assign risk home by home. Advertisement Why Are There So Many 100-year Floods Now? With climate change, the flood risk can grow over time with stronger storms and heavier rainfall. For example, an update of rainfall statistics for the Austin, Texas, area led an expansion of the 100-year flood plain to cover more of what had been considered 500-year flood plain. A 500-year flood plain suggests a 0.2 percent chance of flooding, meaning thousands of people faced far greater risk than they realized. Flood plain statistics can be confusing, and that confusion can be deadly. Developing better tools to estimate flood risk and finding better ways to talk about that risk can better inform people of the actual risks. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here. Robert Maceis the executive director and chief water policy officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a professor of practice in the department of geography at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas. 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 that 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. Polemique sur les femmes celibataires en Libye Le premier ministre libyen par interim Abdel Hamid Dbeibah a declenche une vaste polemique suite a ses declarations sur les femmes celibataires. Les demandes dexcuses aux Libyennes se sont multipliees, y compris de la part des hommes. En voulant promouvoir la prime de mariage mardi 28 decembre, le chef du gouvernement a insinue vouloir instaurer un bonus pour encourager le mariage des Libyennes dage murs, considerant qu'une femme non mariee n'est pas accomplie. Ses propos comparant la femme a une marchandise ou presque avaient choque la societe civile. L'un des candidats a la presidentielle, Othman Abdeljalil, fait partie de ses hommes qui se disent outres. Selon Oum el-Ezz el-Farsi, membre du Forum libyen du dialogue politique, les propos du Premier ministre ne respectent ni l'homme ni la femme . La femme n'est pas une marchandise que l'on vend et l'on l'achete , a-t-elle replique. L'indignation a ete egalement relayee par des centaines de femmes universitaires, juristes, politiciennes et intellectuelles. Toutes ont estime que le chef de l'Etat par interim avait depasse les limites de l'acceptable et doit s'excuser. Lorsqu'un premier ministre considere que la femme est presque une marchandise, et qu'elle est incomplete si elle n'est pas mariee, alors que le statut social ou l'etat civil n'a rien a voir avec les qualifications ou la personnalite d'une personne, cela implique qu'il n'a qu'une vision simpliste de la femme celibataire : selon lui elle ne chercherait qu'a se marier. Une incomprehension, selon le Premier ministre Plus surprenant, la position de Faiza al-Bacha, dirigeante a la faculte des droits a l'universite de Tripoli. Elle a invite Abdel Hamid Dbeibah personnellement a assister a la conference du 4 janvier qui porte sur la violence verbale contre la femme . Sun Life Logo (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Inc.) TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) announced today that it completed the redemption of all of its issued and outstanding Class A Non-Cumulative Rate Reset Preferred Shares Series 12R. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.39 trillion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars Media Relations Contact: Krista Wilson Director, Corporate Communications T. 226-751-2391 krista.wilson@sunlife.com Investor Relations Contact: Yaniv Bitton Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets T. 416-979-6496 investor_relations@sunlife.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sun-life-financial-inc-redeems-class-a-non-cumulative-rate-reset-preferred-shares-series-12r-301452432.html SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2021/31/c1601.html SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP) One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. Colorado residents driven from their neighborhoods by a terrifying, wind-whipped wildfire got their first, heartbreaking look at the damage the morning after, while others could only wait and wonder whether their homes were among the more than 500 feared destroyed. At least seven people were injured, but remarkably there were no immediate reports of any deaths or anyone missing in the aftermath of the blaze outside Denver. Cathy Glaab found that her home in the town of Superior where she lives with her husband had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that burned to the ground. The mailbox is standing, Glaab said, trying to crack a smile through tears. She added sadly, So many memories. Despite the devastation, she said they intend to rebuild the house they had since 1998. They love that the land backs up to a natural space, and they have a view of the mountains from the back. Rick Dixon feared there would be nothing to return to after he saw firefighters try to save his burning home on the news. On Friday, Dixon, his wife and 21-year-old son found it mostly gutted with a gaping hole in the roof but still standing. Only smoldering rubble remained where several neighboring homes once stood in a row immediately next to theirs. We thought we lost everything, he said, as he held his mother-in-laws china in padded containers. They also retrieved sculptures that belonged to Dixons father and piles of clothes still on hangers. The wildfire erupted Thursday in and around Louisville and Superior, neighboring towns about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. Tens of thousands were ordered to flee as the flames swept over drought-stricken neighborhoods with alarming speed, propelled by guests up to 105 mph (169 kph). At a Costco in Superior, two store employees came running toward the checkout lines, one of them shouting, Everyone evacuate, evacuate, evacuate! said Katrina Peterson, who was inside. A video she made showed dark skies and whirling debris outside. The falling ash filled her ears, and she had to squint to keep it from getting in her eyes. The store was left standing. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Emergency authorities said utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldn't tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed, he said. I mean, it happened so quickly. Ive never seen anything like that. Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire. By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky had subsided and the winds had died down. Light snow soon began to fall, and the blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles (24 square kilometers), was no longer considered an immediate threat. We might have our very own New Years miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life, Gov. Jared Polis said, noting that many people had just minutes to evacuate. The wildfire broke out unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow so far. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said more than 500 homes were probably destroyed. He and the governor said as many as 1,000 homes might have been lost, though that wont be known until crews can assess the damage. Its unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we dont have a list of 100 missing persons, the sheriff said. The sheriff said some communities were reduced to just "smoking holes in the ground. He urged residents to wait for the all-clear to go back because of the danger of fire and fallen power lines. Sarah Owens, her husband, adult son and their dog got out of their Superior home within 10 minutes of learning about the evacuation from a Facebook post. But as everyone tried leaving by way of the winding streets of the well-to-do Rock Creek neighborhood, it took them 1 hours to go 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The good news is I think our house may be OK, Owens said. But from now on, she said, she plans to have a bag packed in case of another fire. I never thought a brush fire could cause this kind of destruction, Owens said. I want to stay here. No matter where you live, there are always going to be natural disasters." Superior and Louisville are filled with middle- and upper-middle-class subdivisions with shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is between Denver and Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and it hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. Bruce and Mary Janda faced the loss of their Louisville home of 25 years in person Friday after learning it had been destroyed through a neighbors photos. We knew that the house was totaled, but I felt the need to see it, see what the rest of the neighborhood looked like, Bruce Janda said. Were a very close knit community on this street. We all know each other and we all love each other. Its hard to see this happen to all of us. Associated Press writer Thomas Peipert in Louisville, Colorado, and Thalia Beaty in New York contributed to this report. Nieberg 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. Associated Press writer Brady McCombs contributed to this story from Salt Lake City. The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ABOUT THE DONOR: The Crary Huff Law Firm was founded in 1896 and has grown into one of the largest law firms in Siouxland. The firm has a team of attorneys and support professionals with diverse areas of experience providing legal services from offices in Sioux City and Dakota Dunes. Over the course of more than a century, Crary Huff has developed a deep commitment to its clients and to Siouxland. The firm utilizes a team approach and provides legal services on a wide range of matters. BANGKOK (AP) Members of a China-centered Asian trade bloc that takes effect Jan. 1 are hoping the initiative, encompassing about a third of world trade and business activity, will help power their recoveries from the pandemic. The 15-member Regional and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, includes China, Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries. It does not include the U.S. or India. The deal slashes tariffs on thousands of products, streamlining trade procedures and providing mutual advantages for member nations. It also takes into account issues such as e-commerce, intellectual property and government procurement. But it has less stringent labor and environmental requirements than those expected of countries in the European Union or the smaller Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes many of the same countries but not China. RCEP is expected to boost trade within the region by 2%, or $42 billion, both through increased trade and also through diversion of trade as tariff rules change, experts say. The accord is a coup for China, by far the biggest market in the region with more than 1.3 billion people. Extra help will be needed: Two years of lockdowns, border closures, mandatory quarantines and other restrictions have cost millions of people their jobs while also contributing to disruptions in manufacturing and shipping that are snarling supply chains worldwide. Countries confronted with outbreaks of the fast-spreading omicron coronavirus variant have reined in recent moves to reopen to international travel. Regional economies contracted by 1.5% in 2020. Theyve bounced back, with the Asian Development Bank forecasting growth at 7.0% this year boosted by low year-before figures. But next year growth is expected to slow to 5.3%. The pandemic slowed progress in ratifying the trade deal for some countries. China was the first to ratify RCEP, in April, after it was signed in November 2020 at a virtual meeting of leaders from its 15 member countries. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Phlippines have yet to do so, though they are expected to ratify it soon. Myanmar, whose government was ousted by the military on Feb. 1, ratified it but that is pending acceptance by other members. Beijing is fully prepared for the new trading bloc, having already fulfilled 701 binding obligations for RCEP, Chinese vice minister for commerce Ren Hongbin said Thursday. RCEP is of great significance building new development patterns and a milestone in opening up our economy, Ren said according to a transcript of a news conference on the ministrys website. He said the block would draw member economies closer and greatly boost confidence in economic recovery from the pandemic. The Chinese-initiated RCEP appeals to other developing countries because it reduces barriers to trade in farm goods, manufactured goods and components, which make up most of their exports. It says little about trade in services and access for companies to operate in each others economies, which the United States and other developed countries want. RCEP originally would have included about 3.6 billion people. Minus India, which pulled out, it still covers more than 2 billion people and close to a third of all trade and business activity. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the retooled version of the North American Free Trade Agreement under Trump, covers slightly less economic activity but less than a tenth of the worlds population. The EU and Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, the revised version of an agreement that former President Donald Trump rejected, also are smaller. RCEP includes six of the 11 remaining CPTPP members. Like any trade deal, RCEP has its detractors. In a recent legislative hearing shown on YouTube, government officials urged Indonesian lawmakers to pass RCEP, one of three backlogged trade arrangements. But Elly Rachmat Yasin, a member of a commission responsible for agriculture, the environment, forestry and marine affairs, questioned Indonesias trade minister, Muhammad Lutfi, about the wisdom of Indonesia's involvement, noting that India opted out largely due to fears that Chinese imports would swamp its markets. Lutfi responded that RCEP would help boost exports and attract extra inflows of up to $1.7 billion in foreign investment by 2040. Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says he expects lawmakers there to ratify the pact in January, after running out of time to get it done in December, when the government was busy dealing with the aftermath of a typhoon that struck on Dec. 16, leaving 375 people dead and hundreds of thousands without adequate housing. The trade bloc is expected to open many service sector jobs to workers in member countries a big draw for countries like the Philippines that rely heavily on remittances from migrant workers. RCEP will uplift GDP and lower poverty incidence. It will open up more market access for our exports and widen sourcing of needed inputs that will improve competitiveness of our manufacturing sector and exporters," Lopez said. There is no reason nor logic not to ratify RCEP," he said, adding that failing to do so would be catastrophic" since investors would likely favor countries within the trading bloc. Associated Press writers Jim Gomez in Manila and Niniek Karmini in Jakarta contributed. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The U.S Postal Service pulled out all the stops to avoid a repeat of the 2020 holiday shipping disaster, and it worked. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Lower state income taxes and stronger mandates addressing the mental health of law enforcement officers in North Carolina take effect with the new year. Among the roughly 20 laws going into effect in whole or in part starting Saturday are the start of a multiyear reduction in the individual income tax rate and another round of higher income deductions. The two-year state budget bill written by Republican legislators and signed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in November reduces the current 5.25% individual rate to 4.99% for 2022. The law directs that the rate fall incrementally until it reaches 3.99% in 2027. The budget law also raises the amount of income not subject to taxes through the standard deduction. For example, a married couple filing jointly won't have to pay any taxes on the first $25,500 of income for the 2022 tax year, compared with $21,500 in 2021. And the per-child tax deduction grows in 2022 by $500. Families making up to $40,000 will now receive a $3,000 per-child deduction an amount that phases out as incomes increase. Most tax filers wont see these changes when they file their returns this coming April, since refunds or payments are based on 2021 rules. Rather, they will surface when returns are filed in early 2023 or estimated tax payments made in 2022. Still, the increased deductions will result in an another 215,000 state resident returns that won't owe any income tax in 2022, according to Senate leader Phil Berger's office, citing the legislature's nonpartisan staff. That's above the roughly 1 million returns that would have zero tax liability without the changes, Berger's office says. Even for those folks that are not dropping off of the tax rolls, the tax bill that they will have to pay will be lower, Berger said this week. The tax cuts follow a decadelong effort by Republicans to reduce income taxes, which they say has contributed to sustained economic growth. In 2011, the year GOP lawmakers took control of the General Assembly, there were three individual income tax rates, with the rate reaching 7.75% for the top wage-earners. Critics have said rates have fallen too much for the rich, to the detriment of additional income for items such as education. Another new law requires law enforcement recruits to receive psychological screenings from a licensed psychologist to determine their suitability for police work before being formally employed to work as an officer or deputy. Such a requirement had previously been set in administrative rules that could be subject to change and hadn't applied to sheriffs' deputies, according to training officials. This and another Jan. 1 requirement that officers get access to regular training of mental health and wellness strategies were contained in wide-ranging police reform legislation signed by Cooper in September. Another law effective Saturday creates a new felony when an elected local government official asks for or receives financial benefits from the public body the person represents. And public officials in medium- and large-sized cities and counties would be prohibited from awarding money to nonprofits with which they are associated. The law followed a stinging state audit involving the city of Rocky Mount and a council member. Other laws taking effect Saturday: will raise monetary allowances to serve adult care home residents and to assist parents of foster and adopted children. require local magistrates to receive 12 hours of continuing education annually up from every two years. require the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to make a good-faith effort to provide all liquor brands available to all local boards, which sells the products in their stores. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A Memphis cotton gin was shut down on Wednesday for failing to obtain an air quality permit, the Commercial Appeal reported. Lawrence Smith, with the Shelby County Health Department, said the gin owner has refused to get a permit, likening his continued operation of the plant to driving without a license. The gin processes cotton waste and short fibers so they can be reused. It emits cotton particles and dust into the air, and longterm exposure to those particles can lead to lung disease, Smith said. Gin owner E.W. Atkinson told the paper that issues around operating permits and missed fees were the result of a miscommunication with the department. He said he would immediately take the necessary steps towards restoring the plants ability to operate. For the sake of my employees, Id like to resolve it quickly, Atkinson said, although he did not know how long it would take. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Commercial Appeal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday for failing to comply with COVID-19 mandates as the spread of the virus statewide accelerates at its fastest rate in more than a year. In the Las Vegas area where thousands of tourists gathered to celebrate New Years Eve officials said Friday 3,363 new cases had been reported a day earlier. The spike broke the Southern Nevada Health Districts previous record for the most cases reported in a single day. State health officials attributed about one-fourth of the new cases to the omicron variant. The 14-day moving average for cases statewide stood at 1,072 as of Wednesday. Before this week, the cases reported daily as measured by a 14-day moving average had remained below 1,000 since the end of September, after dropping to a low of 150 in early June and then rising to 1,184 in mid-August. We are in the midst of seeing a significant increase, which we have not seen since early November 2020 at the beginning of the winter surge that tested our hospital capacity, DuAne Young, Gov. Steve Sisolaks policy director, told reporters on Thursday. He said hospitalizations are on the rise in both northern and southern Nevada. And he expects the surge to continue in the coming weeks. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents deadlocked 6-6 Thursday on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate at universities and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Employees who did not provide proof of vaccination by Friday faced termination. Higher education officials said Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. The pandemic has underscored the importance of delivering a safe and effective in-person educational experience for our students and the vaccine will help our institutions achieve that goal, Regent Amy Carvalho said in a statement. With the staff mandate remaining in effect, universities are set to begin the semester with a mandate on staff and without one on students. Last week, an emergency mandate imposed on students by the state Board of Health expired and a state legislative panel on a 6-6 vote decided against making it permanent. Regents in support of the mandate said it was the best way to maintain health on campuses, while those opposed said it was unfair to impose a mandate on staff but not on students. Kyra Morgan, Nevadas state biostatistician, said the latest surge appears to be at least in part a result of the contagious nature of the omicron variant. But she also noted that while most mask requirements remain in place, businesses are subject to fewer restrictions than at this time last year. Sonner reported from Reno. Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A man called 911 to report that he was possessed and that his mother was controlling his mind. When two police officers arrived at the home, they found the mother outside screaming for help, saying her son was cutting his throat. Colorado wildfires burn hundreds of homes, force evacuations DENVER (AP) An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. At least one first responder and six others were injured, though Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle acknowledged there could be more injuries and deaths could be possible due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph). The first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored with no structures lost, Pelle said. A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., ballooned and spread rapidly east, Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) and has engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies and sent residents scrambling to get to safety. The activity of the fires, which are burning unusually late into the winter season, will depend on how the winds behave overnight and could determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims. US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers SEATTLE (AP) The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated. Its just so heartbreaking, said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious-disease expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. "It was hard enough last year, but now you know that you have a way to prevent all this. During the week of Dec. 22-28, an average of 378 children 17 and under were admitted per day to hospitals with the coronavirus, a 66% increase from the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The previous high over the course of the pandemic was in early September, when child hospitalizations averaged 342 per day, the CDC said. On a more hopeful note, children continue to represent a small percentage of those being hospitalized with COVID-19: An average of nearly 10,200 people of all ages were admitted per day during the same week in December. And many doctors say the youngsters seem less sick than those who came in during the delta surge over the summer. Biden talks sanctions, Putin warns of rupture over Ukraine WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) President Joe Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday that the U.S. could impose new sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine, while Putin responded that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. The two leaders spoke frankly for nearly an hour amid growing alarm over Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine, a crisis that has deepened as the Kremlin has stiffened its insistence on border security guarantees and test-fired hypersonic missiles to underscore its demands. Further U.S. sanctions "would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences, said Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters in Moscow after the Biden-Putin phone conversation. He added that Putin told Biden that Russia would act as the U.S. would if offensive weapons were deployed near American borders. White House officials offered a far more muted post-call readout, suggesting the leaders agreed there are areas where the two sides can make meaningful progress but also differences that might be impossible to resolve. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said 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. Nursing home workers are urged to get boosters as cases soar WASHINGTON (AP) Federal health officials on Thursday pressed nursing home workers to get their booster shots amid a spike in COVID-19 cases among staffers and a concerning lag in booster vaccination for residents and staff. The omicron variant "is lightning fast, and we can't afford another COVID-19 surge in nursing homes," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a livestreamed appeal to the industry. You know that. I know that. Higher numbers of COVID cases would likely once again have a devastating impact on our loved ones ... and we know we just have to work doubly hard to keep them safe." Nursing homes are a testing ground for President Joe Bidens assertion that the United States is much better prepared to handle a surging virus than it was last winter. Although residents are a tiny proportion of the population, they represent a disproportionate share of Americans who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year the advent of vaccines brought the virus under control in nursing homes and allowed them to reopen to visitors. But that return to normalcy could be in jeopardy as omicron pushes COVID-19 cases to new highs for the nation. Cases among nursing home staffers jumped to 10,353 for the week ending Dec. 27, a rise of nearly 80% from the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staff deaths increased to 58, tripling from the previous week. Among residents, who are more heavily vaccinated, cases went up slightly and the data showed no increase in deaths. With medical experts advising that a booster shot is critical to defend against omicron, Becerra said only 57% of nursing home residents and 25% of staff and have gotten boosters. That's clearly behind a booster rate of nearly 66% among people age 65 or older and about 45% for adults of all ages, according to statistics from the White House. Israel approves 4th vaccine dose for most vulnerable TEL AVIV (AP) Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, an official said Thursday, becoming one of the first countries to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant. Nachman Ash, the director general of the Health Ministry, announced the decision at a press conference, saying the doses would initially be given to those with weakened immune systems. We will continue to track the data on a daily basis and we will see if we need to broaden this recommendation to more of the population," he said. The Sheba Medical Center later said it would begin administering the fourth dose to heart transplant patients early on Friday. Israel launched trials of the fourth dose at the center earlier this week, administering it to some 150 medical personnel who had gotten a booster in August. Israel was among the first countries to roll out Pfizers coronavirus vaccine a year ago and began rolling out boosters last summer. But it still saw a wave of infections blamed on the delta variant, and officials have warned of another driven by the fast-spreading omicron. What's next for Ghislaine Maxwell after guilty verdict? NEW YORK (AP) With Wednesday's guilty verdict in the sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, here's a look at what the once high-flying Jeffrey Epstein confidante was accused of and what's next for her: WHO WERE GHISLAINE MAXWELLS ACCUSERS? The prosecution hinged on the accusations of four women Annie Farmer and the pseudonymous Jane, Kate and Carolyn who say they were teenagers when Maxwell and Epstein sexually exploited them in the 1990s and early 2000s. ON WHAT CHARGES WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CONVICTED? The trial focused on six counts: Colorado governor slashes trucker's prison term to 10 years DENVER (AP) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday shortened the prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years, drastically reducing his original 110-year term that drew widespread outrage. The decision on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis. The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years. Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges in the explosive 2019 pileup that killed four people. Aguilera-Mederos testified that he was hauling lumber when the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. His truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction crash and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway. Myanmar military reverts to strategy of massacres, burnings BANGKOK (AP) When the young farmhand returned to his village in Myanmar, he found the still smoldering corpses in a circle in a burned-out hut, some with their limbs tied. The Myanmar military had stormed Done Taw at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7, he told the AP, with about 50 soldiers hunting people on foot. The farmhand and other villagers fled to the forest and fields, but 10 were captured and killed, including five teenagers, with one only 14, he said. A photo taken by his friend shows the charred remains of a victim lying face down, holding his head up, suggesting he was burned alive. I am very upset, it is unacceptable, said the 19-year-old, who like others interviewed by the AP asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. The carnage at Done Taw is just one of the most recent signs that the Myanmar military is reverting to a strategy of massacres as a weapon of war, according to an AP investigation based on interviews with 40 witnesses, social media, satellite imagery and data on deaths. The massacres and scorched-earth tactics such as the razing of entire villages represent the latest escalation in the militarys violence against both civilians and the growing opposition. Since the military seized power in February, it has cracked down ever more brutally, abducting young men and boys, killing health care workers and torturing prisoners. CDC warns against cruises, regardless of vaccination status MIAMI (AP) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant. The CDC said it has more than 90 cruise ships under investigation or observation as a result of COVID-19 cases. The agency did not disclose the number of infections. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if people are fully vaccinated and have received a booster, the CDC said. The Cruise Lines International Association said it was disappointed with the new recommendations, saying the industry was singled out despite the fact it follows stricter health protocols than other travel sectors. The decision is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard, a statement said. The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore. Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? Yes, but U.S. health officials say early data suggests they may be less sensitive at picking it up. Government recommendations for using at-home tests haven't changed. People should continue to use them when a quick result is important. The bottom line is the tests still detect COVID-19 whether it is delta or alpha or omicron, says Dr. Emily Volk, president of the College of American Pathologists. Government scientists have been checking to make sure the rapid tests still work as each new variant comes along. And this week, the Food and Drug Administration said preliminary research indicates they detect omicron, but may have reduced sensitivity. The agency noted it's still studying how the tests perform with the variant, which was first detected in late November. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday signed new maps for Georgia's congressional delegation, state Senate and state House into law, resulting in three immediate lawsuits challenging the maps, even as candidates gear up to run under the new lines. The new districts are designed to increase the number of Republicans in Georgia's 14-member congressional delegation from eight to nine, turning the suburban Atlanta 6th District now held by Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath into a strongly Republican district. McBath has already announced that she's jumping to the new 7th District in Gwinnett and Fulton counties, which was made much more Democratic, to mount a primary challenge against fellow Democratic U.S. Rep Carolyn Bourdeaux. The state Senate map is projected to keep 59%, or 33, of the Senates 56 seats in GOP hands. Thats down from 34 right now. The state House map is projected to keep 54% of House seats, or 98 of 180, in Republican hands. That's down from 103 Republicans now. The Republican Kemp's decision to delay signing the maps reduces the amount of time for a lawsuit before candidates qualify in March and voting begins in advance of the May 24 party primaries. The short period could allow the state to ask a judge to delay a decision until after the 2022 elections are run under the maps Kemp signed. Democrats say the new lines, especially for Congress and the state Senate, grab too much power for Republicans, considering President Joe Biden carried Georgia with a narrow majority last year and two Democratic senators won seats in January. Critics also allege that the maps violate the federal Voting Rights Act by unnecessarily dividing minority populations, especially because nonwhite people make up most of the new Georgians added in the past decade. The Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda and the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund filed suit challenging all three maps. The most sweeping of the three lawsuits, it alleges lawmakers drew districts for the express purpose of impermissibly discriminating against voters of color and asks judges to throw out 11 congressional districts and dozens of legislative districts. The suit also asks that Georgia be put back under federal supervision for all voting changes for the next 10 years. Democratic lawyer Marc Elias sued in federal court in Atlanta over the congressional map on behalf of six voters. The suit claims the lines are unconstitutional because they dilute Black voting strength by not drawing as many Black-majority state Senate and House districts as possible. Particularly, the suit contends lawmakers should have drawn an additional Black majority district centered on Cobb and Douglas counties, instead of packing many Black voters into some districts and cracking other Black population concentrations among multiple Republican-dominated districts. The General Assembly could have instead created an additional, compact congressional district in which Black voters, including Plaintiffs, comprise a majority of eligible voters and have the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates, the suit states. The American Civil Liberties Union sued in federal court on behalf of the historically Black Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Sixth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church covering Georgia, and several individual voters. The suit challenges three Senate districts District 16 in part of Fayette and all of Spalding, Pike and Lamar counties; District 17 in parts of Henry, Newton and Walton counties and all of Morgan County; and District 23, which includes parts of Richmond and Columbia counties as well as all of 11 other east Georgia counties. The lawsuit also argues that at least five more majority-Black state House districts could have been drawn, including at least three in Atlanta's southern and eastern suburbs, at least one more around Augusta, and at least one more in southwest Georgia. The U.S. Supreme Court in the last decade has ruled out challenges based on partisan gerrymandering. But although the court struck down the requirement that Georgia and other areas with a history of racial discrimination get preclearance for new district maps from the U.S. Justice Department, the way remains clear for people to sue in court alleging racial bias after lawmakers pass maps. Republicans say they were careful to follow the dictates of the Voting Rights Act. They also note that their maps split fewer counties. Fair Districts Georgia, a group that analyzed the maps with an eye toward preventing gerrymandering, said all three maps would have fewer districts where each party would have a competitive shot at winning than under current lines. The General Assembly must redraw electoral districts at least once every decade to equalize populations after the U.S. census. Follow Jeff Amy at http://twitter.com/jeffamy. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Nebraska Republican gubernatorial candidate Theresa Thibodeau has announced plans for a statewide campaign trip, starting Monday. Thibodeau said she will embark on an eight-day "listening tour" to meet with voters. Thibodeau is a former Nebraska state senator, business owner and chairwoman of the Douglas County Republican Party. She was initially chosen as the running mate of another GOP gubernatorial candidate, Charles Herbster, but later withdrew from that campaign. She announced her intention to run for governor in November. I'm excited to continue the important mission of listening to the concerns and ideas of Nebraskans, Thibodeau said in a statement. From Omaha to Scottsbluff, Valentine to McCook, every Nebraskan deserves an opportunity to have their voice heard by the candidate who wishes to represent them. Thibodeau's campaign said it will release specific stops on the listening tour on Sunday. Thibodeau is hoping to win a compeititive Republican primary that includes Herbster, University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, state Sen. Brett Lindstrom, and Omaha information technology manager Breland Ridenour. State Sen. Carol Blood, of Bellevue, is running on the Democratic side. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's highest court has declared there are two paths that an individual justice can take when weighing a request to be removed from hearing a case due to an alleged conflict of interest. The order, filed last week by the state Supreme Court but emailed to attorneys Thursday, applies to all cases before the justices. It allows a justice to either decide on their own or ask the rest of the court to act on a recusal or disqualification motion. Whichever option is used, the ensuing ruling is final, the order said. But this resetting of recusal procedures resulted from one of several pending legal challenges to North Carolinas photo voter identification law. The order should allow that case, delayed in the summer and while the Supreme Court grappled with whether to alter its recusal standards, to resume soon. Two of the seven justices are the subjects of a motion from lawyers seeking to block voter ID by having them disqualified from the case. One justice is Phil Berger Jr., the son of state Senate leader Phil Berger, who is a defendant in the lawsuit that challenges in part the legality of a 2018 statewide referendum that enshrines a voter ID mandate in the North Carolina Constitution. The other justice is Tamara Barringer, who as a senator voted in favor of holding the referendum on the voter ID amendment. The court's four-paragraph order would appear to ease concerns by some Republicans and their conservative allies that a majority of the court could remove Barringer and Berger Jr. against their will. Registered Democrats hold a 4-3 seat advantage. The lawsuit plaintiffs had argued that justices should not be allowed to judge their own impartiality, and that leaving a disqualification decision to colleagues was best for objectivity. In recent North Carolina history, the identified justice has usually decided on the request. Recusal denials for an individual justice have been issued by the full court on extremely rare occasions. In late September, the Supreme Court took the unusual step of asking lawyers in the case to address in court filings more than 20 questions related to recusals. Outside lawyers, professors and groups also filed friend-of-the-court briefs to weigh in. The order says the court shall assign a recusal or disqualification motion to the justice who is the subject of the motion to make a determination. The justice, however, could decline to decide on the motion themselves and instead refer the motion to the full court without their participation. A majority of the court would have to vote to disqualify the judge. Any order reporting the result of a recusal motion must indicate whether the justice or the remaining members made the decision, the order said. The North Carolina NAACP, which through its attorneys is challenging two constitutional amendments and seeking to disqualify Berger and Barringer, said in a news release that the order brings much-needed transparency to a previously opaque process for the first time in history." Justices now have a clear pathway to allow the full court to make decisions about their potential impartiality, and will be able to remove themselves when necessary from a decision-making process that can be fraught with implicit bias, the release from the civil rights group and the attorneys said. Senate leader Phil Berger and private lawyers representing him and House Speaker Tim Moore in the case had no comment, a Berger spokesperson said Thursday. The actual disqualification motion had not been ruled on as of Thursday, said Kym Hunter, an attorney representing the state NAACP. The NAACP challenges amendments put on ballots by the Republican-controlled General Assembly creating a photo ID mandate and a provision to reduce the cap on income tax rates. A trial judge struck down the amendments in 2019, declaring that since many legislators were illegitimately elected from what were previously declared as racially biased districts, they lacked the power to put the questions on the ballot. But an appeals court overturned that decision in 2020, sending the case to the Supreme Court. A law implementing the voter ID amendment remains blocked. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO (AP) A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, authorities said Friday. Darius Sullivan, one of two people suspected in the shooting of the two Bradley police officers, was arrested Friday morning at a home in North Manchester, Indiana, Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police said at a news conference. Sullivan, 25, surrendered to a SWAT team that was assisting the U.S. Marshals with a search warrant for the property about 110 miles (177 kilometers) east of Bradley. Sullivan's arrest came a day after Illinois authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The Illinois State Police did not release any updates on the investigation Friday other than a written statement confirming that Sullivan had been arrested and would be taken back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Fifield said he didn't have any details on the investigation into the shooting. He did name three other men but wouldn't discuss whether their arrests were connected to the officers' shootings. Two of the men were arrested after police said they ran from their car during a traffic stop in Fulton County, Indiana. The third was arrested at the home where Sullivan was taken into custody. Fifield said police found weapons and drugs in the car that the two men fled from and at the North Manchester home. Authorities are still searching for 26-year-old Xandria A. Harris, of Bradley, who investigators believe was at the hotel when the shootings happened, the Illinois State Police said. The two officers were speaking to people in a room at a Comfort Inn along a highway in Kankakee County when they were shot, according to the county sheriffs office. They were taken to nearby hospitals, where 49-year-old Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic died. The other officer identified by the Illinois State Police as 27-year-old Tyler J. Bailey underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition on Thursday, according to the Bradley Police Department. Messages left with the department and Illinois State Police on Friday to update Bailey's condition were not immediately returned. The officers were at the hotel to investigate a report of dogs that were barking in an unattended vehicle in the parking lot, the sheriffs office said. They found the room where the vehicles possible owner was staying and were shot while talking to the people in that room, it said. Authorities arrested two other people Thursday on charges alleging they impeded the search for Sullivan and a woman also suspected in the shootings. Nichele Newton-Carroll, 42, and Jelman Sullivan, 21, face charges of obstructing justice/leaving the state, the (Kankakee) Daily Journal reported. Neither had an attorney listed Friday in court or jail records. Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe identified Newton-Carroll as Sullivan's mother. Rowe said he is not sure of the connection between Jelman Sullivan and Darius Sullivan. The hotel shootings came hours after a sheriffs deputy was fatally shot while responding to a motorist assist call on a highway near Mill Shoals, roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Bradley. The Wayne County Sheriffs Office said Deputy Sean Riley was found dead by a second officer who later arrived at the scene, and the deputys squad car was later found abandoned on I-64, police said. Authorities arrested a Kentucky man suspected in that attack and a carjacking in Missouri. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA -- Jose Antonio Ramos thought the sawed-off shotgun was empty the gun that his 17-year-old friend was playfully pointing at people on Mothers Day 2020. When the 17-year-old pulled the trigger, Ramos found out otherwise. The shot blew a hole in the chest of one of his best friends, 15-year-old Manuel Gijon-Villa. Thats when Ramos, then 19, and the shooter, Marcos Garza-Calderon, panicked. Calderon placed his hands in the gaping wound and the two drove away, Manuel dying in the back seat. Initially, they thought they would go to the hospital. But, attorneys in the case say, a cocktail of drug use and teen angst led them to drive for hours. Finally, nine hours from home, they ran out of gas and drifted off to the shoulder of a road just off Interstate 80 in central Wyoming. Thats where they left Manuel, to be found later by a Wyoming state trooper. For that, Douglas County District Judge Michael Coffey sentenced Ramos last week to the equivalent of 3 to 5 years in prison on charges that he was an accessory to Manuels death. The week before, Coffey sentenced Calderon to the equivalent of 8 to 12 years in prison for manslaughter. Ramos attorney, Randy Paragas of Omaha, said his client is torn apart by what happened to Manuel. Hes just broken up, Paragas said. These guys were complete friends. There was no animosity involved here. Its hard to quantify how much remorse my client has. In an earlier hearing, Calderons attorney told the judge that everyone in the white Toyota Corolla was passing around the shotgun and pointing it at each other that day. Paragas disputes that. Only Calderon was pointing it at people, including a girlfriend and another female friend of the group, Paragas said. Paragas also took issue with a notion in the community that Ramos was a snitch. All my client did was tell the truth of what happened that day, Paragas said. Had his client not told the truth, Paragas said, he and Calderon both were looking at first-degree murder charges, and the possibility of life in prison. Ramos laid out the tragedy, noting that the three were all friends and that Calderon didnt mean to shoot Manuel. The three some of whom had ties to the Surenos gang had been using cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol prior to the shooting, attorneys say. Asked why Ramos and Calderon drove across Nebraska and much of Wyoming without seeking help for Manuel, Paragas said they were distraught and frenzied. It was a combination of their age and the drugs and alcohol, Paragas said. As you know, its a combination that leads to horrible decisions. After running out of gas near Rawlins, Wyoming, Ramos and Calderon had hitched their way farther west, to Salt Lake City, and were on their way to California. Wyoming detectives caught up with them. Calderon initially didnt say much other than Manuel was my homie. Manuels family has described the then-15-year-old sophomore at Omaha Bryan as hard-working and earnest, an only boy surrounded by three sisters. He used to help his uncle on his painting crew and loved working on cars alongside his father. He would have been on track to graduate from Bryan High School this May. Calderon eventually described his horror at shooting his friend. At his sentencing hearing, Calderon told Manuels family: For as long as I live, I will never forget what I did to someone I love. It hurts because he was not just like a friend but he was like my brother. Likewise, Ramos was beside himself in conversation with detectives. It hurts a lot. I know what I did, he told detectives. Something happened somethings in the car that shouldnt be. Paragas said he flew out to Utah to represent Ramos and assess what had happened, as much of society was shutting down at the start of the pandemic. The airports and planes were practically empty. So was his client. It was surreal, he said. And so sad. Just a terribly sad case. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) picked a curious moment to ease up on its recommendations for the isolation of people infected with COVID-19. On Monday, the CDC announced it has shortened the recommended isolation time for people with COVID-19 from 10 days to five days if they dont exhibit any symptoms and a test is not required. Additionally, they are advised to wear a mask around others for at least five more days beyond that. The recommended quarantine time for vaccinated people exposed to the virus has also been reduced to five days The moment to announce these alterations for what are already confusing guidelines is striking since COVIDs omicron variant is surging around many parts of the country. (Given our pandemic history, this is likely a preview of coming attractions for this area.) However, officials said they are making the changes in part BECAUSE of the surge in the new variant. Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact, many are going to be asymptomatic, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told The Associated Press. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science. The social media reaction from health experts to the CDC recommendations has been extremely mixed. For instance, Dr. Lean Wen, who is a CNN analyst, tweeted that the modification is necessary to prevent collapse of critical infrastructure. The US will soon surpass our previous peak of infections & could top 1 million new cases a day. However, Dr. Eric Fiegl-Ding, an epidemiologist, health economist and a senior fellow with a Federation of American Scientists (and who, by the way, was raised in South Dakota), criticized the recommendations, saying, this lackadaisical pandemic management approach will only PROLONG the pandemic and worsen the transmission and hospital system crisis longer! He also questions (and rightly so, sadly) the reliability of the honor system, which would trust people to decide for themselves when they are well enough to return to work. While understanding the need for the CDC to adapt to changing science, this decision at this time does seem nervously questionable, especially given that the variant now marching around the globe and across the U.S. has only been on our radar for a little more than a month. While early indications suggest that omicron infections may not be as severe as past COVID waves, there are still segments of the population that are susceptible to the variant including younger people, who are seeing their infection numbers rise. And while keeping businesses and infrastructure including health care facilities up and running is certainly important, its also essential to get a handle on the surge and contain its impact. They best way to do that is to proceed on the side of caution, and that still includes getting vaccinated and masking up in public situations when you cannot socially distance. And it should also embrace the most conservative measures to keep the spread of the variant in check. The CDC may ultimately be proven wise in this approach, but at this juncture, with a new surge on the rise, it doesnt seem like a good time to gamble on that possibility. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said yes to Donald Trump and his conditions. The former president had issued an endorsement of Dunleavy earlier this week, but it came with strings attached. Trump said that the incumbent governor would have his support only if he doesnt back Sen. Lisa Murkowskis bid for reelection. Dunleavy, who for now is facing five challengers, accepted that condition in a sign of how much Trump continues to hold power in Republican circles. Murkowski was one of seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump on an impeachment charge of inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Of the seven, Murkowski was the only one who faces reelection in 2022. Advertisement Trump issued a statement Thursday evening saying Dunleavy had accepted his condition and endorsement. Please tell the president thank you for the endorsement, Dunleavy said in the statement. With regard to the other issue, please tell the president he has nothing to worry about. I appreciate all 45 has done for Alaska and this country. As some were quick to point out, its unclear whether the governor meant for that statement to become public. The version of the statement posted by Trumps spokesperson Liz Harrington doesnt include Dunleavys statement. Instead it just includes what Trump said: This is why Mike Dunleavy of Alaska has been, and will be, a great Governor. He also called Murkowski the disaster from Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unclear if Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy meant for this note to Trump, promising he wont endorse Lisa Murkowski, to be public but it is now! pic.twitter.com/VfefySAbOW Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) December 31, 2021 Trumps conditional endorsement sparked waves in Republican circles with former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman accusing Trump of trying to be a dictator and saying it was an example of why its a scary time for our democracy. The former governor also said Dunleavy should think twice before accepting the endorsement because Alaskans are pretty independent and they dont like being told what to do. Republican leaders in Alaska cautioned that Trumps conditional endorsement would cause unnecessary divisions within the party at a time when the GOP is trying to recapture control of the Senate. The Alaska GOP is already fractured in a big way, a Republican operative in the state told the Washington Examiner. Trumps conditional endorsement of Dunleavy was just another straw. Ryanair cuts Spain flights in January due to Covid Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia will all have fewer flights in the new year Covid restrictions have had a devastating effect on international travel in the past two years and, with the whole world firmly in the grip of the Omicron variant, budget-airline company Ryanair has decided to cut some of its routes in the new year. More than 80 routes in and out of Spain are being temporarily suspended, with Ryanair blaming Covid travel restrictions for their struggle to fill up seats. These cancelations in and out of Spain come after the airline announced that all of its routes with Morocco were suspended until at least February 2022, due to the strict travel ban imposed by the African country back in November Palma de Mallorca Airport in the Balearic Islands will bear the brunt of the cancellations, with ten routes being cut in January. Menorca and Ibiza will also have fewer flights, three and two cancelations, respectively. The Comunidad Valenciana is also having its services cut drastically with Valencia Airport losing nine routes, Alicante -Elche Airport losing eight and Castellon Airport losing another. A further 20 flights to the Canary Islands airports have also been retracted for the time being. Andalusia hasnt escaped the extensive cuts either, with six routes each scrapped from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport and Seville Airport. Meanwhile, Ryanairs decision to scrap their Wednesday route between Manchester and Corvera Airport during January will mean that the Region of Murcias only airport will see its traffic reduced even further. Flights and passengers, which were already scarce, at the Murcia International Airport have been decimated during the pandemic, leading to concern about the airports future. Image: Ryanair If the law is proposed to parliament, it would not gain enough support. There is another option. PM Eduard Heger received the first AstraZeneca shot on May 1. (Source: SITA) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled In theory he is the most powerful man in the country as prime minister, but though PM Eduard Heger says he unambiguously supports a Covid vaccine mandate, he is rather alone with that opinion among the ruling coalition representatives. Heger (OLaNO) has the strongest allies in this issue in Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) and the head of the smallest coalition party Za Ludi, Veronika Remisova. Both are in favour of introducing a vaccine mandate. The heads of the other two coalition parties, Richard Sulik of SaS and Boris Kollar of Sme Rodina, are both against, and the head of Heger's party OLaNO, Igor Matovic, does not see the point in mandatory vaccination. Related article Related article How Slovakia failed to vaccinate its population Read more The possibility of a Covid vaccine mandate sailing through the parliament thus appears unrealistic for now. Another option is that chief hygienist Jan Mikas would introduce the mandate with a simple ordinance. Medical law expert Ivan Humenik says that this is in fact all it takes to introduce mandatory vaccination. Lengvarsky and Mikas avoided commenting on such an option. It may also be due to the lack of support for mandatory vaccination among the coalition partners. https://sputniknews.com/20211231/2021-modi-governments-decisions-that-may-influence-indias-foreign-policy-in-years-to-come-1091945804.html 2021: Modi Government's Decisions That May Influence India's Foreign Policy in Years to Come 2021: Modi Government's Decisions That May Influence India's Foreign Policy in Years to Come The year 2021 wasn't kind to India, as it suffered setbacks such as the catastrophic second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and the US withdrawal from... 31.12.2021, Sputnik International 2021-12-31T18:45+0000 2021-12-31T18:45+0000 2021-12-31T18:45+0000 pakistan joe biden climate change chinese people's liberation army (pla) narendra modi vaccine us russia vladimir putin china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/11/1089152357_72:0:1210:640_1920x0_80_0_0_26311fa4cb9906ee6902545c15a9d2be.jpg "The purpose of partnerships for us is to increase capabilities; you don't do a partnership for the sake of partnership", Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on 14 December. He underscored that things like national competition and advancement of national ambitions are very much a reality despite economic globalisation. The statement neatly summed up India's approaches to dealing with its allies and rivals in 2021, with New Delhi seeking to forge new alliances and seeking a balance in its political decisions throughout the year.Sputnik has taken a look at some of the Modei government's decisions that are likely to influence India's strategic moves in the coming years.Net Zero EmissionsPrime Minister Narendra Modi surprised the world in November when he announced India's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Just about a week prior to Modi's announcement, India, along with a bloc of 23 developing nations known as Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), blasted developed countries for proselytising net zero by 2050 as a universal goal. The LMDC vowed not to pledge "net zero emissions", as they believe it is against "climate justice". Several experts have expressed concerns over Modi's announcement as they fear it will weaken the LMDC against the developed world and hamper New Delhi's interests in South Asia.However, India made a strong statement on 13 December at the UNSC when it voted with Russia and China in opposition to a resolution that would include climate-related security risks as a "central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies of the United Nations".On the domestic front, the net zero emissions target is set to affect everything energy supply, transport, industry, air quality, and jobs. First-Ever Talks with TalibanIndia had taken a strong position against any kind of engagement with the Taliban for years. But the country was left with no option but to work with the Taliban following US-led NATO forces' withdrawal from Afghanistan without taking "New Delhi into confidence". In October, New Delhi held its first bilateral talks with the Taliban, signalling a decisive shift in its approach towards the Islamist group.The eight-nation Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was seen as a strong effort by New Delhi to combat the notion that any lasting solution to Afghanistan can be discussed without India in the room. S-400 Delivery and Inaugural 2+2 Summit with RussiaDespite looming threats of US sanctions over the S-400 deal, India announced the delivery of the Russian air missile defence system during President Vladimir Putin's visit on 6 December.The two countries also renewed military-technical cooperation for the next decade.Experts dubbed the renewal of the agreement as a "major signal to Washington that despite [the] CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sword in the background, India is not likely to reel back imports of Russian defence equipment in the near to midterm."The beginning of the foreign and defence ministers' level talks between India and Russia is significant for Asia and the Pacific. Experts believe this mechanism will dilute the existing hurdles and hedges between Russia and India that evolved under the new geopolitical situation, i.e., India's alignment with the Quad and Moscow's closer ties with Beijing.Disengagement with ChinaIndia and China agreed to withdraw troops from forward posts in the Pangong Tso areas in February.Buffer zones were also created on the Indian side, denying the right to patrol, deploy, or develop infrastructure which the Indian Army had until April 2020.India hoped to negotiate with China on settling issues at other friction points, such as the Depsang Plains and Gogra Heights.But several military commander-level talks proved defence analysts somewhat right, as China refused to vacate its positions in the Depsang Plains, and satellite imagery shows that the People's Liberation Army has developed infrastructure near Pangong Tso.Both countries have now stationed over 50,000 troops at forward military posts in eastern Ladakh, which could flare up in the coming months. https://sputniknews.com/20211221/india-deploys-1st-squadron-of-its-newly-acquired-s-400-triumf-system-along-pakistani-border-report-1091685114.html pakistan china afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg pakistan, joe biden, climate change, chinese people's liberation army (pla), narendra modi, vaccine, us, russia, vladimir putin, china, afghanistan, taliban, s-400, subrahmanyam jaishankar, indian army, nato, india https://sputniknews.com/20211231/aocs-aide-calls-israel-racist-european-ethnostate-in-instagram-story-1091931132.html AOC's Aide Calls Israel Racist European Ethnostate in Instagram Story AOC's Aide Calls Israel Racist European Ethnostate in Instagram Story AOCs Aide Calls Israel Racist European Ethnostate in Instagram Story 2021-12-31T03:53+0000 2021-12-31T03:53+0000 2021-12-31T08:14+0000 us israel palestine instagram alexandria ocasio-cortez /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/0d/1082616665_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_d35598cf0b232deed1bf89d1739e6352.jpg Hussain Altamimi, associate of the New York congresswoman and Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has called Israel a "racist European ethnostate," according to social media posts.Altamimis comments, who joined Ocasio-Cortez office as a legislative assistant, came in an Instagram story as he replied to a post from account "Lets Talk Palestine,'' which describe itself as nonprofit organization.Its post talked about the principle underpinning Israeli apartheid, which is "not about where youre born," according to the publication.Altamimi replied in a story last week, saying that "Israel is a racist European ethnostate built on stolen land from its indigenous population!"The screenshot of his story is now circulating on Twitter.Ocasio-Cortez, as well as other members of the Squad, is a constant critic of Israel that vigorously calls on to deeply review the relations between Washington and Tel Aviv. Opposing US financial and military support of Israel, the congresswoman earlier spoke against a separate bill to provide $1 billion in aid to Israel for the purchase of missiles needed for the Iron Dome missile defense system.When the lower chamber approved the bill by a 420-9 vote, Ocasio-Cortez burst into tears, saying later that she wept at the complete lack of care for the human beings that are impacted by these decisions and at Congress for choosing a path of maximum volatility and minimum consideration for its own political convenience. https://sputniknews.com/20211101/is-donald-trump-right-that-israel-literally-owned-congress-before-progressive-democrats-1090401815.html Hess "European" is a loaded word. Israel is NOT European. It is a Neo-fascist. There is very little similarities between East Europe and West Europe. It is an insult to compare Poles, or Hungarians with Germans or with Swiss. Israel is a collection of tribes mostly from East Europe, including Russia. There is no such thing as the "Jewish people". One small cliques discriminate against the rest of tribes. 6 Jorma Myyrylainen First of all Israel is not in Europe but in Asia Minor. So Israel is an Asian country. 5 13 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Alexandra Kashirina Alexandra Kashirina News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Alexandra Kashirina us, israel, palestine, instagram, alexandria ocasio-cortez https://sputniknews.com/20211231/biden-talked-to-senator-manchin-right-after-latter-rejected-bbb-bill-white-house-official-says-1091945151.html Biden Talked to Senator Manchin After Latter Rejected BBB Bill, White House Official Says Biden Talked to Senator Manchin After Latter Rejected BBB Bill, White House Official Says Member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein has stated in an interview with CNN that US President Joe Biden discussed the Build Back Better bill with Democrat Senator Joe Manchin after the latter refused to back the legislation. 2021-12-31T12:37+0000 2021-12-31T12:37+0000 2021-12-31T13:39+0000 joe biden us sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia) build back better /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/19/1082451956_0:177:3011:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_3fa9bec412ab910efbafddd8afecf314.jpg Member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein has stated in an interview with CNN that US President Joe Biden discussed the Build Back Better bill with Democrat Senator Joe Manchin after the latter refused to back the legislation.Bernstein did not elaborate on whether Biden made progress towards convincing the senator to support the bill.Manchin was the last Democrat in the 50-50 split Senate who was unwilling to vote for the Build Back Better bill. The senator repeatedly said that he would only vote for it after seeing its full price. Manchin engaged in long negotiations with other Democrats trying to bring down the costs of Biden's ambitious plan, intended to boost investments in green energy, social services, and welfare.After long talks with other Democratic Party leaders, Manchin was close to backing the bill. However, once initial reports regarding decades-high inflation in the US emerged, the senator renewed his concerns regarding the BBB bill's costs. He ultimately refused to vote for the bill at the end of December, effectively blocking the passage of the legislation in 2021.The lawmaker elaborated at the time that he saw no way of fixing the bill. Meanwhile, no Republican senator was willing to back the BBB plan, citing its high price tag for the American economy, which has been hit by a combination of slowed growth and high inflation. Many Democrats condemned Manchin's refusal to back the BBB bill, blaming him for Americans being unable to reap the benefits of it in 2022 an election year that threatens the party's control over Congress. https://sputniknews.com/20211219/everybody-hates-joe-fellow-democrats-attack-manchin-for-effectively-killing-bbb-bill-1091653434.html Sim Nyla Biden is a pathetic person 2 Ladyshadow Makes you wonder, sounds like the US is becoming its own warped version of an autocratic country, if one person can make decisions that would affect millions, isn't that what we say about Russia or China? 1 2 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg joe biden, us, sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia), build back better https://sputniknews.com/20211231/bidens-year-in-review-highs-lows-and-whats-next-for-the-white-house-1091806344.html Biden's Year in Review: Highs, Lows, and What's Next for the White House Biden's Year in Review: Highs, Lows, and What's Next for the White House Over 11 months, US President Joe Biden's administration has managed to lower unemployment, sign a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, and reverse a number of Trump-era executive orders. Despite these and more accomplishments, a large portion of US voters remain unimpressed by the work of Biden and Democrats, who control Congress. 2021-12-31T19:00+0000 2021-12-31T19:00+0000 2021-12-31T19:00+0000 france joe biden donald trump us-mexico border pandemic us climate change white house approval rating us environmental protection agency (epa) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1a/1091805701_0:134:3073:1862_1920x0_80_0_0_c27cde98b6fc51b6053fa4a6fb8eecb0.jpg Upon entering office in January, one of Biden's main goals was to carry out a proper rollout for COVID-19 vaccines, setting a goal of administering 100 million jabs within his first 100 days in the White House.The US president would go on to achieve this goal within 58 days, just days after he signed into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill geared toward repairing the US economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The legislation not only delivered direct cash payments to Americans, but also provided enhanced unemployment benefits and additional funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.However, the Biden administration has not been as successful with managing misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines, which likely explains why the US is trailing behind other countries with comparable means.As of this article's publication, more than 204 million Americans have been vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 61.7% of the US population, according to the CDC.In September, the administration received staunch legal pushback from Republicans and even Democrats after issuing two executive orders that required federal employees and government contractors to be vaccinated against the contagious disease and called for companies of 100 or more individuals to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, or implement regular testing schedules.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in November, moved to suspend the government's vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more workers, pending a court order.The US 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, however, has since lifted its legal block on the matter, which opens the way for enforcement in 2022. OSHA has said it will not issue citations for non-compliance prior to 9 February, though the federal mandate is slated to begin 10 January.Climate Change and Environmental Protections Combating climate change was also a top priority and campaign promise of the Biden administration so much so that the US president moved to immediately sign two executive orders on climate change during the same day as his inauguration.The move included Biden's commitment to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, which the US officially withdrew from in November 2020, under then-President Donald Trump.Earlier this month, Biden issued another related executive order that set new greenhouse gas emission reduction standards in three major areas: buildings, electricity generation, and transportation.Per the order, the government plans to use 100% net-zero electricity by 2030, with 50% of that energy being generated from wind and solar sources. Federal buildings are expected to halve their emissions by 2032, and reach net-zero by 2045.The US is currently committed to a clean energy path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by 2050 at the latest.Biden achieved another environmental win for his base with the rejection of a key border crossing permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, a contentious tar sands pipeline project intended to transport crude oil from western Canada to Steele, Nebraska. The 1,200-mile (1,931-kilometre) pipeline project spanned three presidential administrations and endured opposing executive orders.Despite appeals from Canadian government officials, Biden refused to reverse his decision, which led to the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project by government agencies and TC Energy, a Canadian energy infrastructure company providing corporate backing for the project.While many Americans lauded the act and subsequent abandoning of the project as a win for the environment, critics claimed that Biden's order was responsible for the loss of well over 10,000 US jobs tied to the construction.The Biden administration has expressed commitment to reversing a number of Trump-era environmental rollbacks, including one regarding water regulations. In November, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the reinstatement of a law that effectively restored federal protections to hundreds of thousands of water sources around the nation.Judicial Appointments During Trump's tenure in the White House, Congress confirmed approximately 234 Trump-nominated judges, including Supreme Court of the US Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.With a conservative-stacked US Supreme Court, Democrats have found themselves on the offensive regarding judicial appointments. Since Biden took office, the Senate has confirmed a total of 40 nominated judges, the most appointed in a president's first year since former US President Ronald Reagan was in office.Of those appointed, 80% of the judges are women and 53% are people of colour, according to the White House.A total of 76 nominations have been submitted by Biden.While Trump averaged around 61 judicial appointments per year, the Senate only confirmed 18 circuit and district court judges during his first year.West Wing vs Vice President Kamala Harris Despite these accomplishments over the past several months, it would appear that the White House has not been running as efficiently as possible.Both current and former White House staffers broke their silence on the inner discord last month, after a USA Today-Suffolk University poll found that 28% of US voters approve of Vice President Kamala Harris' work, while a whopping 51% of those surveyed disapprove of Harris' efforts. Biden was not popular with the masses either, as his approval rating at the time plummeted to a new low of 38%, with 58% of respondents disapproving of the president's performance.White House aides, as well as nearly three dozen former and current aides of Harris, Biden administration officials, Democratic operatives, political donors, and outside advisers were interviewed by CNN and documented their side of the squabble between the president and vice president's camps.According to key West Wing aides at the time, Biden's team was worn out by Harris and her camp amid a frenzy of public criticism and an approval rating worse than that of the US president.On Harris' side, aides and supporters claimed that, despite the campaign promise of bringing about a transformational government, Harris was being left out and placed in a losing situation with the public, likening the sidelining to a satirical article from The Onion: "White House Urges Kamala Harris to Sit at Computer All Day in Case Emails Come Through".One of those losing situations happened to be her appointment as the Northern Triangle diplomacy point-person, which Harris' allies viewed as a "no-win political situation" and an attempt to dash any future presidential aspirations.Other individuals were also caught in the report's crosshairs, like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a former contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.Those from Harris' camp pointed out that the White House was quick to come to Buttigieg's defence when he received backlash for being granted paternity leave, but appeared laissez-faire when it came to media criticism of the vice president.Neither Biden, Harris, nor Buttigieg engaged in commentary on the report, and the White House rebuked the claims, arguing that the vice president is valuable to the administration.But Harris' allies are not letting up on the issue.In a 23 December report from The New York Times, both Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and Mark Buell, a prominent Democratic donor in San Francisco, California, came to the vice president's defence."I think she was an enormous help to the ticket during the campaign", said Mark Buell, one of Harris' earliest fundraisers since her first race for district attorney in San Francisco. "I would like to see her employed in the same way, now that they're implementing their objectives or goals".Their comments came ahead of Harris' interview with CBS' Margaret Brennan, who directly asked the vice president to name her "biggest failure" during her vice presidency."People have a right to know and believe that their government actually sees and hears them", she said during a "Face the Nation" broadcast. "And my biggest concern is I don't ever want to be in a bubble when it comes to being aware of and in touch with what people need at any given moment in time".AUKUS and Relations With FranceIn September, Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson each delivered an address in which they announced the formation of AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership for advanced defence-tech sharing between the three nations.The moment of unity did not last too long, however, as the leaders also revealed that their first initiative would be to deliver Australia its first nuclear-powered submarine fleet.The initiative, which relies on the US and US-based contractors, ultimately led to Australia cancelling an estimated $37 billion deal with France's Naval Group, which expressed "deep disappointment" in the decision to reject its diesel-powered submarines.France, despite being a Western ally, only found out about AUKUS hours before the announcement.At the time, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the pact as a "stab in the back" and the French government recalled its ambassadors to Washington and Canberra for consultations.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has since met with French President Emmanuel Macron and has spoken with Le Drian on several occasions.A test of US-French communication may be on the horizon, as the US State Department has approved a $9.4 billion foreign military sale geared toward the modernisation of Greece's Hellenic Navy MEKO Class frigates and the delivery of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) ships.However, Naval Group is also intending to secure a tentative $3.4 billion deal to sell Greece three frigates, with the option for the future procurement of a fourth frigate. Athens has also signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" regarding negotiations.2022 and Beyond Per a recent Politico-Morning Consult survey, some 41% of registered US voters claimed Biden and the Democrats in Congress have failed to meet expectations and underperformed during 2021. Meanwhile, 32% of respondents said their expectations were met, and 10% claimed Biden and his Democratic allies performed beyond their initial belief.The Biden administration and Democrats' inability to pass voting rights legislation following the 2020 presidential election has unnerved many, including religious leaders led by Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, who recently urged Congress to take action "for the work that remains unfinished".The stalling has been mainly due to Republicans successfully filibustering the proposed legislation on four separate occasions.On the most recent occasion, it was the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named after the late civil rights leader and long-term congressman. The proposed legislation seeks to outlaw excessive gerrymandering, and implement early voting, mail-in voting, and same-day voter registration.The removal of the filibuster would move the vote threshold for passage from 60 to 50 votes, and, in the event of a tie in the 50-50 split Senate, Harris, president of the Senate, will be the deciding vote.Another key issue up in the air is Biden's "Build Back Better Act", which is now in jeopardy of being shaved down yet again after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) refused to back the bill.Per The Washington Post's Jeff Stein, Manchin's proposal to the White House included a wealth tax for billionaires, which may trigger backlash from Senatore Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), who has expressed opposition to raising revenue through such means.With pandemic pressures progressing into their third year and the 2022 midterm elections drawing near, it will be on the Biden administration next year to increase Democrats' favourability and electability by making further progress on a wide range of issues, like racial equity, climate change, healthcare, and immigration. https://sputniknews.com/20211218/appeals-court-reinstates-bidens-vaccine-or-testing-mandate-rules-for-large-businesses--1091625511.html https://sputniknews.com/20210823/keystone-xl-pipeline-spilled-11000-barrels-of-oil-in-2017-2019-report-1083694732.html https://sputniknews.com/20211116/despite-photo-ops-biden-harris-admin-clearly-experiencing-less-unity---gop-strategist-1090762107.html https://sputniknews.com/20211212/ally-anxiety-us-may-block-another-french-naval-deal-after-approving-94-bln-sale-to-greece-1091450751.html https://sputniknews.com/20211216/dems-hold-closed-door-meetings-on-reforming-filibuster-amid-sinema-manchin-obstruction-1091582442.html Nonyank He can only go up because he is already at the bottom...both him and the Witch! 1 Barros Sure, the job for Biden old man is to rob the other countries. 1 3 france white house Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead france, joe biden, donald trump, us-mexico border, pandemic, us, climate change, white house, approval rating, us environmental protection agency (epa), voting rights, kamala harris, vaccines, covid-19, biden administration, aukus, build back better https://sputniknews.com/20211231/car-bomb-blast-in-central-african-republic-injures-3-un-peacekeepers-1091940017.html Car Bomb Blast in Central African Republic Injures 3 UN Peacekeepers Car Bomb Blast in Central African Republic Injures 3 UN Peacekeepers MOSCOW (Sputnik) A car carrying UN peacekeepers was blown up in the southwest of the Central African Republic (CAR), injuring three workers, the UN... 31.12.2021, Sputnik International 2021-12-31T09:04+0000 2021-12-31T09:04+0000 2021-12-31T09:04+0000 central african republic africa blast /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/0b/1082316383_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c4ea802d699bf75b54b18b360b391f19.jpg The incident occurred on Thursday at around 11.00 local time (09:00 GMT) when a convoy of peacekeepers left the city of Berberati towards temporary military posts located about 62 miles away.MINUSCA decried the use of explosive devices by CAR armed groups, which led to numerous casualties across the country, it read.Hostilities broke out in CAR in 2013 after then-President Francois Bozize was toppled by rebels, who also took over the CAR capital of Bangui. The city has since turned into a battlefield between militants of former Islamist movement Seleka and its Christian-majority antagonists, known as Anti-Balaka.Next year, the UN deployed a contingent to the conflict-torn country to ensure the protection of civilians amid the conflict. central african republic Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 central african republic, africa, blast https://sputniknews.com/20211231/colorado-governor-says-biden-approved-declaration-of-emergency-in-state-over-wildfires-1091949520.html Colorado Governor Says Biden Approved Declaration of Emergency in State Over Wildfires Colorado Governor Says Biden Approved Declaration of Emergency in State Over Wildfires Colorado Governor Jared Polis has said that he discussed the introduction of the state of emergency in the state in response to wildfires with US President Joe Biden, noting that POTUS approved of his plans. 2021-12-31T17:15+0000 2021-12-31T17:15+0000 2021-12-31T17:51+0000 us joe biden wildfires /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091948946_108:0:2440:1312_1920x0_80_0_0_0709b885a5e15a5779f9389f5215789a.jpg Colorado Governor Jared Polis said that he discussed the introduction of a state of emergency in the state in response to the wildfires with US President Joe Biden, noting that POTUS approved of his plans. The state of emergency would allow Colorado to tap into disaster funds for relief.Around 6.5 square kilometres (1,600 acres) of land were engulfed by the wildfire in Boulder County, outside Denver, Colorado on the night between 30 and 31 December. So far, six people have been hospitalised with burns.The fire has already destroyed at least 580 homes and prompted the evacuation of 30,000 people from two Colorado cities Louisville and Superior. A portion of Highway 36 was also blocked due to the fires.The mayor of Superior said that entire neighbourhoods had been set ablaze as locals were "literally watching it burn".Local broadcaster KDVR reported, citing state officials, that the wildfire is already considered one of the worst in terms of the number of homes destroyed.The wildfire reportedly started after a power line was downed, setting off sparks that ignited dry grass. Most of Boulder Country has been suffering from a drought since the middle of summer. The blaze also quickly spread around the area thanks to strong winds, which are still preventing state emergency services from putting out the fire, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle stated.At the same time, weather forecasts project that a heavy snowstorm will hit the area later on 31 December, according to CBS Denver. Snow hydrologist Keith Musselman suggested in an interview with the AP that had the snow fallen earlier, there would not have been a blaze like that in Colorado. He also suggested that the projected snowfall will bring substantial relief. https://sputniknews.com/20211209/us-police-arrest-two-suspects-in-huge-california-wildfire-case-attorney-says-1091375395.html Barros Amazing to see US burning. 7 Sick Knoll Looks Like Irak, where the dimwited small sick usa creatures Destroyed everything. Is it the Revanche of the destroying of the Irak from the devil small usa? 2 2 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg us, joe biden, wildfires https://sputniknews.com/20211231/delta-covid-wave-protesting-farmers-border-tensions--more-events-that-shaped-2021-for-india-1091940499.html Delta COVID Wave, Protesting Farmers, Border Tensions & More: Events That Shaped 2021 for India Delta COVID Wave, Protesting Farmers, Border Tensions & More: Events That Shaped 2021 for India As the world rings in 2022, Sputnik takes a look back at 10 crucial domestic and external developments of the year that affected Indians as well as garnered significant attention outside the South Asian country. 2021-12-31T18:44+0000 2021-12-31T18:44+0000 2021-12-31T18:44+0000 new delhi narendra modi usa vladimir putin india putin narendra modi jammu and kashmir india coronavirus /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/13/1090847360_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f6db017d77ca3c4547ca292b168c8b18.jpg India-China Border StandoffIn February last year, India and China began to disengage their troops from major friction points in the eastern Ladakh region in a bid to resolve a deadly border standoff that erupted in May 2020.After meeting with initial success, the disengagement talks partly broke down during the 13th military commander-level meeting on 10 October. New Delhi accused Beijing of not being able to provide any forward-looking proposals, while Beijing said that India was making unreasonable and unrealistic demands.As of today, the two militaries have disengaged their troops from several friction points Galwan Valley, the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso Lake, and the Gogra Post. However, reports in the Indian media have claimed that the PLA has refused to back down on its claims in other disputed areas, including Depsang Plains and Hot Springs.The two nations have reportedly amassed nearly 50,000 troops and advanced weapon systems near the joint border as the ongoing standoff approaches its second anniversary this year.India Winds Down Its Presence in AfghanistanNew Delhi suffered a major diplomatic jolt in August after the Taliban took over Kabul and proclaimed its rule over Afghanistan. This prompted New Delhi to end its diplomatic presence in the country.India was also the largest regional donor to Afghanistan during the government of former President Ashraf Ghani, having contributed almost $3 billion in developmental aid and constructing civil, educational, and infrastructure projects in every Afghan province before the Taliban takeover.The capture of Kabul prompted India's prime minister to hold a high-level meeting in Delhi. It was decided to evacuate Indian-origin Hindu and Sikh communities from Afghanistan over their safety concerns under the new Islamist government.New Delhi has also expressed grave concerns about anti-India terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) setting up and expanding their bases in Afghanistan under the new authorities. India has consistently raised its concerns on global platforms, including during its rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in August as well as during a regional security dialogue on Afghanistan that New Delhi hosted in November.In September, India for the first time also acknowledged that it had held a meeting with the Taliban in Doha.First-Ever Quad Leaders Summit at the White HouseThe first leaders summit of the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue", a group comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the US, was organised at the White House on 24 September. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, like his Australian and Japanese counterparts, flew down to Washington for the summit and held his first in-person meeting with Joe Biden after the latter's win in the US presidential election last year.In the Quad's joint statement, the four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, called for respecting the territorial and maritime integrity of countries, and expressed concerns over the situation in the East and South China Seas.The meeting was held amid the ongoing border dispute between China and India, as well as Beijings "nine-dash line" claims in the South China Sea and its dispute with Japan in the East China Sea.China has been scathingly critical of the Quad grouping, referring to it as an Asian version of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Chinese state media warned after the summit that Washington would dump Australia, India, and Japan once its geopolitical objectives were met.However, ties between India and the other Quad nations have been expanding. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited India in July. In September, India and Australia held the third edition of their 2+2 Dialogue involving their foreign and defence ministers.Russian President Vladimir Putin Visits India for Annual Summit With PM ModiRussian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on a day-long visit on 6 December for the 21st Russia-India Annual Summit with Prime Minister Modi. The last time the two leaders held the annual affair was in 2019, when the Indian PM attended the fifth edition of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok. The annual summit remained suspended in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID pandemic.During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between New Delhi and Moscow, besides vowing to further expand military and trade ties.President Putin expressed the hope that two-way trade between the two nations could reach the $30 billion mark by 2030. The two countries also signed a military-technical cooperation agreement for the decade 2021-2030. The foreign and defence ministers of Russia and India also held their first-ever 2+2 Dialogue on the same day.India also received its first shipment of Russian S-400 "Triumf" surface-to-air defence systems just ahead of Putins arrival in New Delhi.AUKUS Pact AnnouncementThe announcement of the tri-nation AUKUS alliance comprising Australia, the UK, and the US on 15 September became a hotly debated issue in the South Asian nation. Prominent former diplomats and military veterans expressed concerns over the unpredictability of Washington as a partner for New Delhi.The AUKUS pact's first initiative will see Australia getting advanced technology, to be used for developing at least eight nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) by 2040, from the US and the UK.The concerns in India primarily centre on whether the Quad grouping has been undermined by the AUKUS announcement.The US decision to supply SSN technology was also a snub of sorts to New Delhi, which is reported to have approached Washington for help with its nuclear attack submarine programme. Moreover, several Indian experts have also expressed concerns that China could replicate the example of the US to transfer its SSN technology to Pakistan.Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has, however, downplayed the public concerns, stating that AUKUS doesnt undermine the Quad. Separately, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters after a meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the Quad summit in Washington that the Indian leader backed the AUKUS pact.India's Second COVID Wave DisasterIndia witnessed overloaded graveyards and healthcare facilities, with hospitals running out of beds and oxygen among the grim images that emerged during the second COVID wave in the country in April. Daily new cases rose to 400,000 and India had to rely on the international community to get oxygen, vaccines, and medical supplies to tackle the situation. India's West Bengal State ElectionThe West Bengal legislative assembly polls held in March and April saw some of the fiercest state elections in India. The vote was seen as a direct contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and State Chief and Trinamool Congress head Mamata Banerjee.Banerjee easily won the election and was re-elected as the state chief for the third time. Weeks after winning the election, Banerjee announced that she would expand her party nationwide and challenge the BJP in other state elections. Massive Farmers' Protest Comes to an EndThousands of farmers arrived on Delhi's border on 26 November 2020 for a three-day protest against the Narendra Modi government passing three farm laws. But as the government stopped the farmers from entering at the city border, farmer unions opted to camp there.The protest went on throughout 2021, drawing global attention and prompting intervention from the country's top court. After 14 months, it ended on 9 December as the Modi government revoked the laws and agreed to accept the farmers' demands.Will AFSPA Be Removed From Nagaland? A botched anti-insurgency operation and retaliatory violence resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians and one soldier on 4-5 December in Nagaland state.Nagaland is one of the Indian states where the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or, the AFSPA has been enacted by the federal government, empowering the military to shoot to kill, or carry out searches without warrants. However, the recent killings have seen a massive uproar from civilians and political parties calling to repeal the AFSPA. In a first, the federal government has now decided to set up a committee to look into the AFSPA's withdrawal.Political Churning in Jammu and KashmirThe year witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi convening an all-party meeting on 24 June to reach out to Jammu and Kashmir's mainstream political parties.This was the first such meeting since the erstwhile state's special status was abrogated and made into a federally administered union territory on 5 August 2019. The meeting saw the participation of political representatives and senior political leaders who had otherwise been demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood throughout the year.By the end of the year, Jammu and Kashmir signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai for real estate development, industrial parks, super-speciality hospitals, and much more. These are expected to open new paths of growth in 2022 and before the expected 2022 state assembly elections. https://sputniknews.com/20211202/indian-fm-china-has-unrealistic-expectations-border-tensions-have-spilt-into-other-areas-1091205806.html https://sputniknews.com/20210908/pakistani-imprint-ex-envoys-say-new-taliban-cabinet-in-afghanistan-isnt-good-news-for-india-1088873633.html https://sputniknews.com/20210925/china-warns-us-will-dump-india-australia-and-japan-as-four-nations-convene-for-quad-summit-1089391336.html https://sputniknews.com/20211206/india-and-russia-sign-number-of-military-agreements-and-contracts-1091277314.html https://sputniknews.com/20210921/an-unpredictable-ally-does-the-aukus-pact-undermine-the-quads-significance-1089264886.html https://sputniknews.com/20210505/nothing-less-than-genocide-indian-court-slams-authorities-as-people-die-from-oxygen-shortage-1082803004.html https://sputniknews.com/20210804/with-2024-elections-in-sight-mamata-banerjees-tmc-is-taking-on-pm-modi-on-all-fronts--1083525438.html https://sputniknews.com/20211208/indian-farmers-agree-to-call-off-year-long-protest-after-government-promises-to-meet-demands-1091353202.html https://sputniknews.com/20211216/thousands-hold-protests-demanding-withdrawal-of-indian-army-from-remote-nagaland-province-1091570783.html new delhi india jammu and kashmir afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari new delhi, narendra modi, usa, vladimir putin, india, putin, narendra modi, jammu and kashmir, india, coronavirus, covid-19, afghanistan, taliban, aukus https://sputniknews.com/20211231/ex-afghan-president-ghani-says-he-was-made-scapegoat-for-fleeing-blames-trump---report--1091930561.html Ex-Afghan President Ghani Says He Was Made 'Scapegoat' for Fleeing, Blames Trump - Report Ex-Afghan President Ghani Says He Was Made 'Scapegoat' for Fleeing, Blames Trump - Report The Taliban* forces captured the country in just a few weeks after a rather chaotic withdrawal of US troops present there began in summer. 2021-12-31T03:27+0000 2021-12-31T03:27+0000 2021-12-31T03:27+0000 ashraf ghani us middle east afghanistan taliban war in afghanistan taliban legacy afghan government afghan war afghanistan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091930790_0:0:2891:1626_1920x0_80_0_0_811a5b01cf65b0fabd5331540923d5ce.jpg When security officials recommended him to leave Kabul as Taliban forces drew in on the city this past August, the former president of Afghanistan claimed he had no idea he would be escorted out of the war-torn country, seemingly for good.In an interview with the BBC, Ashraf Ghani said that when he awoke on August 15, he had "no inkling" that it would be his last day in Afghanistan. Ghani claimed that Taliban forces had promised not to enter Kabul as the day began, but "two hours later, this was not the case."The former president, who has been heavily chastised and accused of abandoning the country and is currently residing in the United Arab Emirates, consented to let a few close friends and family members leave Kabul, including his wife, who he emphasized did so reluctantly.Ghani claimed he waited for a car to take him to the ministry of defense after his national security advisor left the nation, as well.The picture of the chaos of that Sunday is added by the fact that the driver never showed up, according to Ghani. Instead, the national security advisor and the "terrified" chief of presidential security returned and told Ghani that if he took a stance, they would "all be killed."Ghani admitted that at that time he "did not know where we will go," and that only onboard the plane he realized that he was leaving for good.Furthermore, in the interview, they raised the issue that Ghani allegedly fled the country with suitcases and supposedly even a helicopter laden with money. Again, he categorically rejected such accusations and even welcomed an international probe that he said would clean his name.Interestingly, Ghani admitted to making mistakes, such as "assuming that the patience of the international community would last."He did, however, point to an agreement reached between the Taliban and the United States under then-President Donald Trump, which in some way opened the way for the events of August 15.Ghani stressed that the manner the agreement was done "erased us."Ghani stressed that the manner the agreement was done "erased us."The US promised to reduce its forces and those of its partners as part of the 2020 accord with the Taliban, as well as provide for a prisoner transfer, in exchange for the movement agreeing to negotiations with the Afghan government.The talks failed, as we all witnessed this year. By the summer, the Taliban had swept over Afghanistan, capturing city after city, despite President Joe Biden vowing to withdraw the last troops by September 11.Given the turn of events that threatened the entire course of the operation, the American troops had to leave the country in a hurry before August 31, effectively leaving behind tons of expensive equipment and even their own citizens, not to mention those Afghans who collaborated with the US during the occupation and were afraid for their lives under the new Islamist government.Ghani stated that what occurred, in the end, was "a violent coup, not a political agreement, or a political process where the people have been involved."Ghani admitted he is able to take responsibility for some of the factors that contributed to Kabul's fall, such as relying on "our international partnership."Ghani's escape was widely panned in Afghanistan and across the world, including by his vice-president, Amrullah Saleh, who described it as "disgraceful."*The Taliban is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations in UNSCR 1267. https://sputniknews.com/20211228/observers-after-20-year-war-us-simply-abandoned-afghanistan-without-political--economic-solution-1091863905.html FeEisi Ghani is right. The withdrawal started under Trump and Biden agreed to go along with them. The Afghan withdrawal hurt Biden's approval and helped bring more media attention to Trump who boasted how he'll do better and complained about abandoned US military equipment. The Afghan withdrawal made Trump more media relevant and voiced all his complains. 5 Hess Ghani is a chronic lair. He had enough time to steal millions of dollars from the Afghan treasury, packed his car and leave. 1 2 afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Kirill Kurevlev Kirill Kurevlev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Kirill Kurevlev ashraf ghani, us, middle east, afghanistan, taliban, war in afghanistan, taliban legacy, afghan government, afghan war https://sputniknews.com/20211231/gazprom-respects-all-contracts-with-european-countries-hungarian-fm-says-1091934736.html Gazprom Respects All Contracts With European Countries, Hungarian FM Says Gazprom Respects All Contracts With European Countries, Hungarian FM Says Russia's Gazprom is fulfilling its contractual obligations with all European countries, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday 2021-12-31T06:35+0000 2021-12-31T06:35+0000 2021-12-31T06:35+0000 europe energy crisis russia gazprom hungary gas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/11/1082102602_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_2e570b100801820982a8880d2099dfa8.jpg "The Russian Federation and Gazprom have always been very reliable partners for Hungary ... All the contracts have been respected And, as far as I understand, no one in Europe complains about Gazprom violating contracts", Szijjarto told RT.The Hungarian foreign minister made the comment shortly after Gazprom said that it remains ready to provide Europe with additional gas under long-term contracts, which would be less expensive than spot prices.A spokesman for the Russian energy giant also slammed the accusations against Russia and Gazprom by several Western nations, claiming that the company was not supplying enough gas to the European market.Gazprom's practice is to book transit capacities to pump as much gas as contracted by clients, he said, adding that European countries like Germany and France have already taken their contracted volume of fuel but have not placed any new orders.Russian President Vladimir Putin has also rejected the West's accusations that the country is trying to manipulate the European gas market, saying the European gas crunch resulted from the EU's decision to buy on spot markets. The president said the problems the EU created should be solved by them, but Russia is ready to help.He further accused the EU of reselling the Russian gas it bought at long-term contract prices on the lucrative spot markets, and suggested that Germany is reverse-pumping Russian gas to Ukraine through Poland. He pointed to a pipeline connection between Poland and Ukraine that has the same capacity 3 million cubic metres per day as what is being pumped from Germany to Poland.He specifically addressed allegations coming from Kiev and Brussels that Russian energy giant Gazprom is responsible for the situation, criticising them as completely false."There is no truth here. This is just an attempt to turn everything upside down again... Yes, they lie all the time, that's why they muddy the waters", Putin said.He added that Gazprom supplies the entire volume of gas requested under existing contracts. Moreover, the company has increased gas supplies to countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States, the president stressed. Later, Putin assured Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that the country will have enough gas for the winter after the latter said that he had discussed the possibility of contracting an additional 2 billion cubic metres of gas per year with Gazprom. Gas prices in Europe have been on the rise for several months, hitting a historic record of over $2,150 per 1,000 cubic metres on 21 December. The energy crisis is believed to be driven by an increased demand for natural gas globally and heavy dependence on foreign energy deliveries, as well as the uncertainty around the launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, among other factors. https://sputniknews.com/20211225/gazprom-says-its-ready-to-send-more-gas-to-europe-under-cheaper-long-term-contracts-1091801755.html https://sputniknews.com/20211227/observers-blaming-eu-gas-crunch-on-russia-is-cheap--dishonest-way-to-cover-up-europes-own-faults-1091836733.html hungary Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 europe, energy crisis, russia, gazprom, hungary, gas https://sputniknews.com/20211231/germany-to-extend-saudi-arms-export-ban-into-2022-reports-say-1091947194.html Germany to Extend Saudi Arms Export Ban Into 2022, Reports Say Germany to Extend Saudi Arms Export Ban Into 2022, Reports Say The new German government will extend a ban on weapon exports to Saudi Arabia into next year after it expires on Friday, according to the Economy Ministry's response to the media. 2021-12-31T13:44+0000 2021-12-31T13:44+0000 2021-12-31T13:44+0000 saudi arabia germany arms embargo /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104470/77/1044707721_0:223:4272:2626_1920x0_80_0_0_468e01907a4c8316bb190c599ce602a7.jpg Angela Merkel's conservative government banned arms exports to Saudis in 2018 after the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at an embassy in Turkey. The embargo has been renewed every six months.The Greens pushed for a blanket ban while they were in the opposition, citing Saudis' human rights violations, but there are no signs that the new cabinet will pull the brake on joint NATO exports to the oil-rich Gulf monarchy, including the Eurofighter jet, a Franco-German collaboration. saudi arabia germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 saudi arabia, germany, arms embargo https://sputniknews.com/20211231/hell-breaks-loose-after-elon-musk-posts-controversial-meme-about-covid-19-1091941537.html Hell Breaks Loose After Elon Musk Posts Controversial Meme About COVID-19 Hell Breaks Loose After Elon Musk Posts Controversial Meme About COVID-19 The tech mavericks stance on the pandemic can be described as controversial. He downplayed the risks of SARS-CoV-2 and claimed US authorities were overcounting coronavirus-related deaths, but at the same time helped Californian hospitals by purchasing ventilators 2021-12-31T10:31+0000 2021-12-31T10:31+0000 2021-12-31T10:31+0000 elon musk pandemic meme social media viral tesla vaccine hesitancy covid-19 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/0d/1082881779_0:113:2157:1326_1920x0_80_0_0_1677bea37a64483f59faecf9e347eced.jpg Elon Musk set social media on fire after he posted a meme that some netizens deemed controversial. The image depicts what appears to be an unvaccinated person without a mask alongside an individual who has a QR code on his forehead, is wearing a mask, and whose body is covered in syringes. Both wonder why the other isnt dead.The post has received over 11,000 comments, 306,000 likes, and been shared over 54,000 times. People in the comments were divided over the meme. Supporters of safety measures and vaccines have criticised Musk for downplaying the severity of the pandemic.Individuals who regard the coronavirus restrictions as violating their freedoms as well as opponents of vaccines appeared to back the tech maverick.Many users argued that the meme was not support for either of the sides.Still others simply joked about the issue.This is not the first time that Elon Musk has made statements on the coronavirus pandemic that have raised eyebrows. At the beginning of the pandemic, he came under harsh criticism for downplaying the severity of COVID-19. He claimed US authorities had overcounted COVID-19 deaths and went as far as to suggest that by April 2020, the country would have "close to zero" cases. In addition, Musk criticised "stay at home" orders, calling them "fascist".At the same time, he purchased 1,200 ventilators used to treat individuals with severe cases of COVID-19 and sent them to California as the state was facing a shortage of medical equipment. Musks company Tesla also commissioned a study on the disease to see how the immune system reacts to the virus. Thomas Turk Author MaxG ill-inormed or CORRUPTED? ...EM claimed US authorities were over counting CV related dearhs... '' of course they were, Max! Otherwise how could they scream... PANDEMIC? coronavirus-related deaths'' US Dr. Elisabeth Eads studies noted that the PCR test gives 97% false positives. WHO on Jan. 20, 2021 in their Directive #202005 stated that the PCR test is of NO VALUE.. this superseding their Jan.20.2020 advice to do PCR tests. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is finally withdrawing the PCR test for COVID for it is seriously flawed and is incapable of distinguishing between COVID and influenza virus.. considering NO such virus has been identified. The Identity of the Virus: Health/ Science Institutions Worldwide Have No Record of SARS-COV-2 Isolation/Purification. By Christine Massey, December 05, 2021. Please.. Sputnik writers, give us just one truthful COVID essay... we do know it took you awhile before you stopped screaming.. Crimea was annexed!! , 1 1 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev elon musk, pandemic, meme, social media, viral, tesla, vaccine hesitancy, covid-19 https://sputniknews.com/20211231/huge-asteroid-larger-than-big-ben-approaching-earth-report-says-1091947030.html Huge Asteroid Larger Than Big Ben Approaching Earth, Report Says Huge Asteroid Larger Than Big Ben Approaching Earth, Report Says At the end of the 20th century, NASA launched the Near-Earth Object Programme aimed at finding and tracking the movement of celestial objects whose orbits could bring them into close proximity to our planet. 2021-12-31T13:53+0000 2021-12-31T13:53+0000 2021-12-31T13:54+0000 asteroid tech astronomy space nasa european space agency (esa) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107927/25/1079272579_0:0:3641:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_93ddc6b097819bfb6b27f60885e82912.jpg A huge asteroid larger than Big Ben is approaching the Earth, NASA records show. According to the space agencys Asteroid Watch Dashboard, the celestial body, named 2013 YD48, is approximately 104 metres wide, which makes it bigger than the iconic British tourist attraction. The asteroid, travelling at break-neck speed, will swoosh past Earth on 11 January. Prior to 2013 YD48's visit, three other asteroids will fly close to Earth at the beginning of January, with their sizes varying from 4 to 12 metres. But dont let the numbers confuse you these celestial bodies are quite dangerous. For comparison, the 17-metre meteor that exploded in the atmosphere over Russia's Chelyabinsk Region in 2013 damaged over 7,000 buildings and resulted in $33 million in damages.Although all of the asteroids were categorised as near-Earth objects, NASA says a collision is highly unlikely. But dont rush to make long-term plans well, at least not for after the 2080s, because the European Space Agency has discovered an asteroid that could hit the Earth at the end of this century. Identified as 2019 SU3, it is ranked fourth in the list of most dangerous celestial bodies and may hit our planet on 16 September 2084. Rokenbok Bullseye is Washington, 100 points 11 TruePatriot How many points for Hel Aviv? 5 3 space Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev asteroid, tech, astronomy, space, nasa, european space agency (esa) https://sputniknews.com/20211231/iran-says-current-us-administration-bears-responsibility-for-general-qassem-soleimanis-killing-1091948626.html Iran Says Current US Administration Bears Responsibility for General Qassem Soleimani's Killing Iran Says Current US Administration Bears Responsibility for General Qassem Soleimani's Killing The White House is still "responsible" for the killing of Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani and Tehran plans to persecute those complicit in his death, Iran's Foreign Ministry has stated. 2021-12-31T21:12+0000 2021-12-31T21:12+0000 2021-12-31T21:12+0000 joe biden us iran general soleimani qasem soleimani /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091948574_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_51e6e973cd63d858e097ff46af021998.jpg The White House is "responsible" for the killing of Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani and Tehran plans to persecute those complicit in his death, Iran's Foreign Ministry stated, ahead of the second anniversary of Soleimani's assassination by the US.Tehran cited global legal standards to support the narrative that the US bears "definitive international responsibility" for assassinating Soleimani on 3 January 2020 as he was leaving Baghdad International Airport in a car. The general, who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' foreign branch, had arrived in Iraq on that day to pass a diplomatic note to Saudi Arabia, with Baghdad's mediation.Iran's Foreign Ministry noted in its statement that it has adopted a number of measures to combat what it described as the "impunity of criminals" and to hold accountable those responsible for the general's assassination via the courts.Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in 2020, ordered by then-US President Donald Trump. Trump and his administration justified the assassination by baselessly claiming that Soleimani was planning a series of attacks on American "interests" in the region. The US embassy in Iraq at the time regularly came under rocket and mortar fire from various local militant groups, but Tehran never claimed responsibility for these attacks. Washington claimed at the time that Tehran backed these groups.Responding to the general's assassination, Iran launched a massive missile strike on two military bases in Iraq hosting US troops. While no American servicemen died in the course of the attack, several received what was described by the Pentagon as traumatic brain injuries from the explosions. After the retaliatory attack, Tehran continued to observe that it is yet to avenge Soleimani's death, prompting fears of new attacks a year later, on the second anniversary of the general's assassination. https://sputniknews.com/20211217/us-bracing-for-attacks-on-troops-in-iraq-as-soleimani-assassination-anniversary-nears-1091611899.html vot tak "for which the White House is now responsible" ... Exactly. While the political regime was not the one who ordered the war crime they have made it clear they support it. So legally are accessories after the fact and guilty. The military and bureaucrats who participated are stll mostly around and are guilty as well. Do the warcrime, you should swing on the line. No exceptions. 7 Curmudgeon It would be amusing if they got Trump using a drone strike while he was golfing. 7 10 iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg joe biden, us, iran, general soleimani, qasem soleimani https://sputniknews.com/20211231/israel-to-procure-attack-helicopters-air-tankers-from-lockheed-martin-boeing-1091942908.html Israel to Procure Attack Helicopters, Air Tankers From Lockheed Martin, Boeing Israel to Procure Attack Helicopters, Air Tankers From Lockheed Martin, Boeing Israel has signed a deal with the US government to buy military aircraft worth $3.1 billion from the two American defence giants - Lockheed Martin and Boeing. 2021-12-31T14:20+0000 2021-12-31T14:20+0000 2021-12-31T14:20+0000 us middle east israel lockheed martin boeing /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105980/31/1059803122_0:0:2049:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_1a80e1b61b66d99c544a29d838146542.jpg Israel has signed a deal with the US government to buy military aircraft worth $3.1 billion from two American defence giants - Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The Israeli Defence Ministry said that the deal includes two Boeing KC-46 refuelling planes and 12 Lockheed Martin Corp CH-53K cargo helicopters. The deal also includes an option to buy extra six CH-53K helicopters.According to the ministry, the deal is seen as an upgrade of the Israeli Air Force's capabilities. The first Boeing KC-46 air tankers will arrive in 2025, while the first CH-53K helicopters will be delivered to Israel in 2026.The deal comes as Israel has intensified its threats to take action against Iran if it considers the country's nuclear programme too dangerous. Iran has repeatedly warned Tel Aviv against making the mistake of attacking the country and stressed that it does not seek to create a nuclear weapon.In the light of Israel's threats, reports of the purchase of refuelling planes were seen by local media as a sign of preparations for possible strike missions against Iran in the future. However, the chief of materiel for the Israeli Air Force, Brigadier-General Shimon Tsentsiper, assured Israel's Army Radio that the country already has the capabilities to carry out its missions, but did not delve into details.The procurement of new military aircraft takes place amid Israel's criticisism of efforts by the US and other countries to resurrect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Negotiations are being held in Vienna on how best to return to compliance with the accord after Washington's withdrawal from it in 2018 practically rendered it useless. However, little progress has been achieved so far in finding common ground on restoring the deal. https://sputniknews.com/20211227/israel-ready-to-act-alone-to-prevent-nuclear-iran-foreign-minister-says-1091844482.html vot tak $3 billion for 14 aircraft. That averages out to more than $200 million per aircraft that the american taxpayer will be providing boeing and lockheed in corporate welfare as part the the american's colonial service to their israeli massa. 10 USSuxRuskyNuts Another expensive transfer of wealth from the US citizens to the Zionist regime! Only in America! Hahaha 8 4 israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg us, middle east, israel, lockheed martin, boeing https://sputniknews.com/20211231/lavrov-to-sputnik-russia-suggests-creating-legalising-new-system-of-security-agreements-1091936821.html Lavrov to Sputnik: Russia Will Take Measures to Eliminate Threats If US Ignores Security Proposals Lavrov to Sputnik: Russia Will Take Measures to Eliminate Threats If US Ignores Security Proposals Russia's proposals on security guarantees are aimed at creating and legalising a new system of agreements in the field of security, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Sputnik. 2021-12-31T07:52+0000 2021-12-31T07:52+0000 2021-12-31T08:52+0000 world joe biden russia ukraine us vladimir putin security nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/16/1091715577_0:0:3225:1815_1920x0_80_0_0_635d7f4085760547daac44b7601401b1.jpg Moscow will take measures to ensure strategic balance and eliminate threats if the United States and NATO do not respond to the proposals on security guarantees in an adequate time frame, Russia's top diplomat has stressed.The foreign minister mentioned that Moscow's proposals on security guarantees envision the non-expansion of NATO to the east and deployment of strike weapons near Russia's borders, but they all contain other elements that in the end should "form those very reliable, legally binding security guarantees"."Participation of high-ranking military personnel of the United States and the countries of the [NATO] alliance is fundamentally important for us", Lavrov said, adding that Russia will not allow the US and NATO to delay the process with "endless discussions".The foreign minister's comments follow a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, where the two focused on the security guarantee talks set for early January 2022 amid simmering tensions over Ukraine.The security guarantees talks will be held in three formats: between Russia and the US in Geneva on 10 January, followed by a Russia-NATO Council meeting on 12 January, and Russia-OSCE consultations on 13 January.During Thursday's phone call, the US president emphasised the special responsibility that Russia and the United States share for ensuring stability in the world, and informed President Putin that Washington will hold consultations with its allies on the security guarantee talks. Moscow, meanwhile, once again pointed out that Russia needs legally binding agreements on the security guarantees. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stressed that it is important that the upcoming bilateral talks on the matter do not turn into meaningless chatter. The call, the second this month, was arranged at President Putin's request. The Russian head of state has repeatedly stressed that the nation needs firm guarantees from the United States and NATO that the alliance will not expand to the east, and Ukraine will not become a member of the bloc, which he described as a "red line" for Moscow."Our actions will depend on the unconditional guarantees of Russian national security, rather on the course of negotiations [on the security guarantees]. We made it clear that NATO's expansion to the east is unacceptable. The US is on our doorstep with its missiles. How would Americans react if we were to deploy our missiles on the US border with Canada or Mexico?", he wondered during his annual press conference last week.The Russian president also pointed out how the United States and its allies have repeatedly cheated Russia by saying they wouldn't extend NATO into Eastern Europe before doing precisely that.Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic ascended to NATO in 1999, followed in 2004 by Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Albania and Croatia joined the alliance in 2009, Montenegro was included in 2017, and North Macedonia became the latest addition in 2020. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation currently consists of 30 member states.What is Russia Proposing?In mid-December, the Russian Foreign Ministry laid out two comprehensive draft agreements on security guarantees between Russia, the United States, and NATO.Under the draft proposals, Russia and NATO will "exercise restraint in military planning and conducting exercises to reduce the risks of eventual dangerous situations in accordance with their obligations under international law, including those set out in intergovernmental agreements on the prevention of incidents at sea outside territorial waters and in the airspace above, as well as in intergovernmental agreements on the prevention of dangerous military activities".The proposals also stipulate the creation of "hotlines" for emergency contacts between the parties.In the drafts, Russia also suggests that the US commit to not setting up military bases in ex-Soviet republics that are not NATO members and refrain from further expansion of the alliance to the east. https://sputniknews.com/20211230/putin-biden-call-came-to-end-kremlin-spokesman-confirms-1091924744.html https://sputniknews.com/20211217/russian-foreign-ministry-publishes-draft-agreements-on-russia-us-nato-security-guarantees-1091600278.html Rokenbok It was the right thing to do for Crimea and its citizens. 21 Golem No it isnt, if the Russians hadnt been swift to react and taken over Crimea they would now have the US naval fleet parked across from mainland Russia in Sevastopol which was what the vermin were planning all along to happen as they already had tenders out for construction work to house US personel in Sevastopol, president Putins swift action put a spoke in their plans which is why they are all upset now about Crimea and keep claiming that Russia "annexed" it. 20 33 ukraine us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 world, joe biden, russia, ukraine, us, vladimir putin, security, nato https://sputniknews.com/20211231/nhs-chief-says-dont-panic--as-bojo-warns-britons-to-get-covid-19-booster-1091945695.html NHS Chief Says Dont Panic as BoJo Warns Britons to Get COVID-19 Booster NHS Chief Says Dont Panic as BoJo Warns Britons to Get COVID-19 Booster Soaring COVID-19 case numbers since the outbreak of the Omicron variant in the UK have not translated into an increase in deaths, which are in fact falling... 31.12.2021, Sputnik International 2021-12-31T17:13+0000 2021-12-31T17:13+0000 2021-12-31T17:13+0000 omicron covid strain britain great britain uk boris johnson national health service (nhs) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091945408_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_01b97afb0674382b21b9d22a2200df36.jpg The head of the National Health Service (NHS) hospitals body has insisted there is no need for COVID-19 lockdown measures despite rising hospitalisations.Chris Hopson, CEO of NHS Providers which represents public hospitals, ambulance services and other healthcare trusts, told Friday's edition of The Times that unlike earlier in the pandemic, few of the nearly 12,000 patients in hospital with the virus were seriously ill pensioners.He said the the "threshold" for further restrictions had not yet been reached despite the rapid spread of the Omicron variant since its arrival in the UK on November 27."Trust CEOs know that the government has a high threshold to cross before it will introduce extra restrictions and can see why, in the absence of that surge of severely ill older people, that threshold hasn't been crossed yet."The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported another record high of over 189,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday evening roughly one-in-eight of the 1.5 million people getting tested daily.Another 332 deaths within four weeks of testing positive were added to the figures, but only due to a backlog of reporting over the Christmas. True daily mortality continued to fall to an average of less than 100 per day the same level as in early October, two months before the Omicron outbreak.Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty brandished estimates by the Office for National Statistics that one in 25 people in England had been infected in the week before Christmas, warning: "The wave is still rising and hospital admissions are going up."According to The King's Fund, the NHS has a total of around141,000 hospital beds, 5,900 of which are classed as 'critical care'. Hopson's comments came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a New Year's Eve message warning the public that they could end up in hospital if they do not get a third booster jab. "So make it your New Year's resolution, far easier than losing weight or keeping a diary, find a walk-in centre or make an on-line appointment," the PM added. "Get that jab and do something that will make 2022 a happy new year for us all."The booster campaign has accelerated since Johnson and Whitty's warnings over the Omicron variant in early December. 33.5 million people 58 per cent of the eligible population over 12 had received their third doses as of Thursday evening, way over the original target of 30 million.On Wednesday Johnson claimed that nine out of 10 patients in hospital intensive care units had not had the booster although a Downing Street spokesman later clarified that he was repeating "anecdotal" information from only "some NHS trusts".UKHSA statistics show that only a quarter of those in hospital with the new Omicron variant are unvaccinated, while around 45 per cent per cent of all emergency hospital admissions have not been immunised.And the Mail Online recently reported that two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in hospital only tested positive after admission, and up to 40 per cent of infected patients in London were in fact in hospital for other reasons. https://sputniknews.com/20211230/uk-covid-19-cases-soar-as-deaths-slump--is-this-the-omicron-effect-1091915956.html Thomas Turk But, but Bojo WHAT is in the injections/booster? You dunno? Then WHY advise? UK Dr. Sam White was fired for being anti-vax pro Ivermectin. Reinstated by court order, now has his legal team challenging the UK Med. Auth. to explain the injection ingredients within 7 days or it goes to the high court.. The opening para. of the injunction.. These injections are unsafe, still in clinical trial, and should be withdrawn immediately. Your failure to investigate known concerns amounts to gross negligence in office and renders you and the executive board liable for serious misconduct in office, mal or misfeasance in public office and, or, rendering all the office holders potentially liable for corporate manslaughter in that you have been wilfully blind to the known harms of the SARS-CoV-2 injections. You have taken no action. You have a lawful duty to protect the public, and you have wilfully failed in that duty. 0 Thomas Turk Sure, Bojo, lets all get boosted with what? As of December 3, 2021, the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) has logged 19,886 COVID jab related deaths. Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi, Never More Brilliant, Lays The Utter Truth Out - Autopsies Prove Vax BioWeapon. Caused Autoimmune Attacks And Death.. (Based on 70 autopsies done by Germany's top pathologist, Prof. Dr. Arne Burkhardt).. 'Banned Video'' Chemist/Dr. Andreas Noack, Austria, beaten to DEATH, after releasing video confirming graphic oxide in the injection, and calling it.. razor blades into the blood. EuropeMedAgency. Through May 8, 2021 they had recorded 10,570 deaths and 405,259 injuries following injections of four mRNA injections. YouTube.. Spike Protein Goes to Nucleus and Impairs DNA Repair (In-Vitro Study) Stochholm U. Forbidden knowledge. Medical Bombshell: Pfizer Vax Attacks Human Blood Creating Clots Under Microscope. and so on ad infinitum.. 0 2 britain great britain Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png britain, great britain, uk, boris johnson, national health service (nhs) https://sputniknews.com/20211231/prince-andrew-seen-visiting-queen-in-windsor-breaking-cover-for-first-time-after-maxwell-verdict-1091951140.html Prince Andrew Seen Visiting Queen in Windsor, Breaking Cover for First Time After Maxwell Verdict Prince Andrew Seen Visiting Queen in Windsor, Breaking Cover for First Time After Maxwell Verdict An alleged madame of late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, was found guilty of several sex trafficking counts earlier in the week. She, Epstein and the embattled Duke of York used to enjoy a friendly relationship. 2021-12-31T20:46+0000 2021-12-31T20:46+0000 2021-12-31T20:47+0000 ghislaine maxwell prince andrew uk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/0d/1083595724_0:220:2863:1830_1920x0_80_0_0_22c18842a361b995991653d2c3c91854.jpg Prince Andrew has been spotted visiting his mother, the UK's Queen Elizabeth II, in Windsor Castle, The Daily Mail reported Friday.It is the first time the embattled British royal has appeared in public after his former friend Ghislaine Maxwell, the ex-girlfriend and purported sexual procurer for Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted on sex-trafficking charges.Prince Andrew is facing a civil lawsuit from a reported victim of Epstein, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accuses him of sexually abusing her when she was 17. Over the course of his ongoing legal defense, Prince Andrew has largely remained in hiding in his Windsor lodge, away from the public eye.Following Maxwell's guilty verdict, many suggested that it may be a bad signal for Prince Andrew, given the severity of charges against Epstein's ex-girlfriend. The Duke of York previously expressed confidence that the Giuffre lawsuit would be overthrown.The UK royal denied any wrongdoing, and subsequently accused Giuffre of trying to capitalise on his fame. To convince the judge to dismiss the case, the Duke's lawyers challenged the legal mechanism Giuffre addresses in her case - the New York Child Victims Act - along with her residency status.According to Prince Andrew, Giuffre, who was 17 at the time of the sexual abuses, had reached the age of consent for New York state. As for residency status, he claims that Giuffre is not a US citizen and therefore the US court does not have jurisdiction over the case.Giuffre welcomed the guilty verdict against Maxwell underlining that as the latter "didn't act alone", "others must be held accountable". vot tak The israeli mossad blackmail team of epstein and maxwell probably blackmailed and extorted hundreds of influential people in their service to israel. Yet the only ones they blackmailed you will find mentioned in zio-media are andrew and bill clinton, mainly andrew. Now why is that? Why do the zio-media protect the others, but single out andrew and clinton. Why do they excuse trump's long association with epstein, yet demonize andrew and clinton? Think about that for awhile. 7 GioIta queen is not in windsor castle ...I dont what they are talking about!!! 0 3 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Daria Bedenko ghislaine maxwell, prince andrew, uk https://sputniknews.com/20211231/ted-cruz-mocked-online-for-mixing-up-washington-state-with-western-australia-in-rant-on-covid-19-1091944468.html Ted Cruz Mocked Online For Mixing Up Washington State With Western Australia in Rant on COVID-19 Ted Cruz Mocked Online For Mixing Up Washington State With Western Australia in Rant on COVID-19 Acronyms can be quite tricky and together with geography and a pinch of irony they make a dangerous cocktail, which can confuse even graduates of Harvard University. 2021-12-31T13:31+0000 2021-12-31T13:31+0000 2021-12-31T13:31+0000 australia ted cruz blunder gaffe western australia viral coronavirus covid-19 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/0a/1090608361_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_06fabd331b5346613034dee3c02efcec.jpg Acronyms can be quite tricky, and combined with geography and a pinch of irony, they make a dangerous cocktail that can confuse even graduates of Harvard University. This is what apparently happened to US Senator Ted Cruz, who mixed up the state of Washington with Western Australia.The 51-year-old posted a screenshot of a conversation on social media where a woman named Gillian asked whether it is allowed to have private New Year parties. The government of Western Australia, whose handle is WA on social media, responded saying that masks are not allowed at private residences and jokingly added that "dancing is strictly not permitted".Ted Cruz apparently believed that WA stands for Washington state and even Western Australias coat of arms with kangaroos seen on the accounts post was unable to disabuse him of his conviction.The senator then posted the following statement on his social media:But it seems like several thousand sarcastic comments later, he realised that something wasnt right and decided to delete the post, but the Internet remembers everythingNews of his blunder went viral and sparked a torrent of mocking comments.Some users were stunned that Cruz, who graduated from Harvard and Princeton, made such a mistake and recollected some of his past gaffes.Others ridiculed him for failing to get out of the situation, instead simply deleting the tweet.Many users recalled a debacle Cruz found himself in earlier this year when he travelled to Mexico when Texas, the state he represents, was struggling with days-long power outages due to storms.One user thought that the lawmaker was joking.Cruzs post even received criticism from members of his own party.This is not the first time that Ted Cruz has crossed paths with Australia. In October, he harshly criticised the countrys authorities for reimposing strict coronavirus restrictions.According to data available on the website of Australias government, there are 32 active cases in Western Australia, compared to over 6,000 in Washington state. The total number of cases in Australia so far during the pandemic stands at over 395,000, while 2,200 people have died from the disease. The US has had 54.2 million cases and 824,000 people have succumbed to the virus (numbers provided by Johns Hopkins University). vot tak "Ive always said Australia is the Texas of the Pacific." ... What an offensive insult to the people of australia. 1 1 australia western australia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev australia, ted cruz, blunder, gaffe, western australia, viral, coronavirus, covid-19 https://sputniknews.com/20211231/virginia-guiffres-lawyers-demand-prince-andrew-prove-his-inability-to-sweat-1091938200.html Virginia Giuffre's Lawyers Demand Prince Andrew Prove His 'Inability to Sweat' Virginia Giuffre's Lawyers Demand Prince Andrew Prove His 'Inability to Sweat' The Duke of York faces accusations from American Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced into an intimate relationship with Andrew when she was a minor. 2021-12-31T08:37+0000 2021-12-31T08:37+0000 2021-12-31T11:00+0000 uk ghislaine maxwell prince andrew jeffrey epstein sexual abuse sex trafficking virginia roberts giuffre /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107755/42/1077554263_0:2:2852:1606_1920x0_80_0_0_9d8da1aff1b3b3f374a973212f0ab9df.jpg Prince Andrew's battle with Virginia Giuffre has reached a new level bitterness after the woman's lawyers asked the royal to substantiate his claim about being unable to sweat, the Daily Mail has reported, citing court documents. According to the outlet, the attorneys submitted a motion demanding the Duke of York hand over documents about the "alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis".They have also demanded to provide information about the following issues:Prince Andrew's lawyers have since rejected the motion, describing it as "harassing", "oppressive", and "overbroad".Connection to Sexual Offender and the Sweat ClaimVirginia Giuffre (nee Roberts) is one of the alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein, a US financier, who was charged with running a sex trafficking network of minors in 2019. Long before that, in 2008, he served a prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution, but thanks to a plea deal received a lenient punishment. Epstein had many friends in high circles, including Prince Andrew, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell groomed girls and young women for the financier, offering them jobs as masseuses in the house of the millionaire. That is how Giuffre ended up working for Epstein. The mother of three claims that when she was 17, which is considered a minor in most US states, she was trafficked to London, where she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew. She was introduced to the royal at a nightclub before the four of them headed to Maxwell's mansion, where the royal reportedly slept with the girl.Giuffre also claims that the Duke of York had sex with her on two other separate occasions without her consent. The woman came forward with the accusations in the 2010s, but the case only received attention in 2019 after Epstein's arrest.That same year, Prince Andrew gave an interview to the BBC where he tried to explain his relationship with Epstein as well as address the allegations made against him. The royal categorically denied the accusations. He claimed he had an alibi for the day the purported sexual intercourse occurred in London - he went with one of his daughters to a PizzaExpress restaurant.He also commented on Giuffres claim that he was "profusely sweating" while dancing with her at the aforementioned nightclub. The royal said he is unable to sweat due to a "peculiar medical condition" he has suffered from since participating in the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982. The Duke of York is a trained helicopter pilot and back then flew on multiple missions.After he made the claim numerous UK media outlets published photos, showing the royal sweating.Prince Andrew also claimed that he never met Giuffre, something which has been questioned as there is at least one photo showing the royal standing with the girl with Ghislaine Maxwell behind them (he maintains it could have been doctored). Two people also claimed to have seen him with Giuffre at a nightclub and on Epstein's private island, where the financier and his powerful friends are believed to have sexually abused girls and women.Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit in New York seeking "accountability" from Prince Andrew and demanding an unspecified amount in damages from the royal. His lawyers have attempted several times to have the case dismissed under various pretexts. Reports say that next week a judge in a federal court in New York will decide whether the lawsuit can be thrown out. If not, then the trial is expected to begin in late 2022. efrhyivdzyjopvuvbr Andy - 'Mummy, make this nasty woman go away'. Mummy - "Don't worry my little parasite, it's all taken care of already" 7 Rokenbok Yes, Yawn. One question is that most of us at 17 were in school thinking about future jobs and maybe university with our parents helping us. Why was this young women playing with elites and billionaires flying around the world and did her parents approve of it. 3 6 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev uk, ghislaine maxwell, prince andrew, jeffrey epstein, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, virginia roberts giuffre https://sputniknews.com/20211231/weekly-news-wrap-up-president-xi-supports-russia-in-tense-standoff-on-russias-border-1091929836.html Weekly News Wrap Up; President Xi Supports Russia in Tense Border Standoff Weekly News Wrap Up; President Xi Supports Russia in Tense Border Standoff President Xi Jinping has indicated that he strongly supports the Russian position as President Putin demands breathing room along his nation's eastern border. 31.12.2021, Sputnik International 2021-12-31T08:17+0000 2021-12-31T08:17+0000 2021-12-31T08:17+0000 nicaragua chile cuba putin f-35 uae ndaa the critical hour president xijinping /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091929796_24:0:1268:700_1920x0_80_0_0_9e8c6f07e548c31aa2c6d915264f0753.png Weekly News Wrap Up; President Xi Supports Russia in Tense Standoff on Russia's Border President Xi Jinping has indicated that he strongly supports the Russian position as President Putin demands breathing room along his nation's eastern border. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst and Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector joins us to discuss Eastern Europe. The US is at a tense standoff on the border of Russia that has the potential to end in a disastrous war. Also, we talk about President Putin's options if the West rejects his security demands and the inherent instability of the US colonial protectorate Ukraine.KJ Noh, activist, writer, and teacher and George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, join us to discuss China. We discuss the aftermath of the Putin Xi meeting in light of the current standoff between the US and Russia. Also, the UAE has scrapped a deal with the US for F/35 fighter jets and the US is having little success building an anti-China coalition in Asia.Danny Shaw, Professor of Latin Studies and Teri Mattson, Latin America coordinator for Code Pink joins us to discuss the Global South. China has taken the social and economic offensive in the Global South as many nations that faced oppression and genocide at the hands of the US empire now turn eastward for strength.Dr. Colin Campbell, DC senior news correspondent, and Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," come together to discuss this week's stories. The democrats face disaster in 2022 as the failure to keep campaign promises exposes President Biden as a corporate politician. Also, the NDAA budget passes at 778 billion dollars and TV news channels are crashing after the loss of the Trump ratings bonanza.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com nicaragua chile cuba uae Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Garland Nixon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg nicaragua, chile, cuba, putin, f-35, uae, ndaa, the critical hour, president xijinping, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20211231/west-virginia-approves-key-permit-for-controversial-natural-gas-pipeline--1091953147.html West Virginia Approves Key Permit for Controversial Natural Gas Pipeline West Virginia Approves Key Permit for Controversial Natural Gas Pipeline The Mountain Valley Pipeline, led by Equitrans Midstream Corporation, seeks to transport natural gas to US markets in Mid- and South Atlantic regions. The... 31.12.2021, Sputnik International 2021-12-31T23:24+0000 2021-12-31T23:24+0000 2021-12-31T23:25+0000 environment us pipeline gas pipeline west virginia natural gas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/1f/1091952944_0:100:1921:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_65749ab5e5656ddf55d13416e9760b15.jpg West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) moved to grant on Friday a key permit to the Mountain Valley Pipeline, certifying that the proposed pipeline project has met the state's water quality standards. The water protection individual permit allows for the construction of the proposed pipeline to proceed in West Virginia. According to the department, the pipeline is estimated to impact 1,276 feet of streams, and less than one-half of an acre of wetlands. Over 20,000 feet of streams and 12 acres of wetlands will be temporarily impacted by construction, the WVDEP noted. West Virginia's approval was also required before the US Army Corps of Engineers could proceed with the project's dredge-and-fill permits. The fossil fuel pipeline, currently projected to cost $6.2 billion, is slated to run from Northern West Virginia to Southern Virginia. The 303-mile system will pass through the West Virginia counties of Wetzel, Harrison, Doddridge, Lewis, Braxton, Webster, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Fayette, Summers, and Monroe. Equitrans has projected that the pipeline could begin service by summer 2022. However, the project will likely be impeded by legal challenges that have already commenced in Virginia. The Friday announcement was immediately opposed by both the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) coalition and Appalachian Voices. Anderson also called on the administration of US President Joe Biden to intervene and join public opposition to the "unneeded project" that "is not in the public interest." Roberta Bondurant, co-chair of the POWHR coalition, panned the project as "unnecessary and harmful," and called on West Virginians to fight climate change by relinquishing an ongoing "greed and gluttony for massive fossil fuel infrastructure." vot tak So corporate corruption wins over environment and local people in another american manure hole neo-confederate state. 4 Bob Dylan So you admit all of russia's pipelines negatively impact the environment. Now you look stupid moron. 1 3 us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead environment, us, pipeline, gas pipeline, west virginia, natural gas https://sputniknews.com/20211231/what-did-the-simpsons-predict-right-for-us-in-2021-1091929262.html What Did 'The Simpsons' Predict Right for US in 2021? What Did 'The Simpsons' Predict Right for US in 2021? The prophetic animated series has been credited with foreseeing everything from 9/11 to the COVID-19 outbreak during its astounding 32 seasons. 2021-12-31T02:23+0000 2021-12-31T02:23+0000 2021-12-31T02:23+0000 society predictions memes oracle the simpsons us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105291/39/1052913987_0:0:1001:563_1920x0_80_0_0_88bcfa75493edee90aa46ef1df57ec7b.jpg According to the fans of the cult animated series, if it happened on "The Simpsons," it must also happen in real life, and so they try year after year to find similarities between an animated parody of reality and fact. This year was not at all an exception to practice.One of the more seemingly successful "predictions" is undoubtedly the historic Virgin Galactic tourist space flight of businessman Richard Branson in July.A clip from a 2014 episode was a dead ringer for footage published this summer of the 71-year-old Virgin Airlines executive hovering inside his Virgin Galactic rocket, as fans of the long-running series observed. An animated version of Branson can be seen lying back and appreciating a picture while drifting aboard his interstellar spacecraft in the prescient Season 25 episode "The War of Art."Some users wondered how the show manages to "predict every damn thing" while the official Branson's space company account followed up by posting the pics compasion, adding that "The Simpsons predicted it" with a clapping hands emoji.However, as some commentators pointed out, the Emmy-winning animation in this case may not have been entirely foresighted: Virgin Galactic was formed in 2004 by the philanthropist with the goal of taking tourists to space, so the event would still have to happen, sooner or later.Perhaps the most significant of the predictions this year was the post-presidency of Donald Trump (the show predicted him as president way back in a 2000 episode), and the historic first woman, albeit not a president, but in the second most important public office.And as if Trump's election prediction wasn't creepy enough, the cartoon crystal ball is now being credited with foreseeing another major political event: Kamala Harris' stepping into the vice president's office.Users on social media referenced the episode of "Bart to the Future" from 2000, in which Lisa Simpson becomes the first "straight" female president of the US. And Bart's sister does wear the identical purple ensemble as Harris did for the January 2021 inauguration, right down to the pearl necklace and earrings.More for the January events, in another eerily similar to reality coincidence, some saw a direct parallel with the events of the January 6 riot, when Trump supporters broke into the Capitol in a bid to stop the certification of 2020 US election results.Fans praised two episodes apparently foreshadowing the January 6 riots, as following the attack, Twitter user uploaded a scene from the 1996 episode "The Day the Violence Died," in which a Capitol Hill lawmaker holds a newly enacted, anthropomorphic amendment to the Constitution allowing cops to beat "those liberal freaks."Users on Twitter have also credited 2020's "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween episode with foreshadowing the invasion. Homer falls asleep and dreams of voting in the episode, missing his actual opportunity to vote. On Inauguration Day, the town is in ruins, with security robots swarming the streets.As for the actual January 20, Biden's inauguration was a more low-key ceremony, bolstered by a TV special presented by Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, due to fears about the possibility of another Capitol riot and the pandemic.For fans, it looks like The Simpsons may have foreshadowed this as well, with Hanks giving a similar address to the nation in a scene from 2007's The Simpsons Movie.In February, Texas, located deep in the south of the country, was covered with unprecedented frosts, exactly at which moment Republican Senator Ted Cruz decided to go with his family to the hot Mexican resort town of Cancun.Needless to say, social media jumped on the opportunity to compare the gag from the show to Ted Cruz's bad choice of time for a family vacation. A total of 210 people died as a result of the extreme weather. Cruz eventually conceded the trip was "a mistake," but not before the Twitter meme machine shredded him.Humanity is very fond of trying to guess what the future will be, and the more interesting it seems to search for "obvious" hints in the works of the past, when the event has already taken place. Therefore, we can all be sure that next year will bring us no less "shocking" and maybe really surprising similarities between the reality of the yellow characters and ours. https://sputniknews.com/20211119/throw-enough-darts-simpsons-showrunner-explains-shows-bizarre-predictability-1090844450.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Kirill Kurevlev Kirill Kurevlev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Kirill Kurevlev society, predictions, memes, oracle, the simpsons, us https://sputniknews.com/20211231/wish-you-well-in-hell-woman-groomed-by-ghislaine-maxwell-celebrates-her-guilty-verdict-1091935123.html 'Wish You Well in Hell': Woman Groomed by Ghislaine Maxwell Celebrates Her Guilty Verdict 'Wish You Well in Hell': Woman Groomed by Ghislaine Maxwell Celebrates Her Guilty Verdict On Thursday, after five days of deliberations, the jury found the British socialite guilty on five of six counts, including the most serious charges sex trafficking of a minor. Maxwell groomed young women and girls for late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who in 2019 was charged with running a sex trafficking network of minors. 2021-12-31T06:46+0000 2021-12-31T06:46+0000 2021-12-31T06:46+0000 society ghislaine maxwell jeffrey epstein rape sexual assault manipulation sex trafficking sex trafficking ring /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/04/1091241548_0:242:2783:1807_1920x0_80_0_0_ef6cc803630415d280031cfd4d3c4f99.jpg Chauntae Davies, one of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims, has celebrated the results of the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 41-year-old described Maxwell as a "monster" who "deserves to die" in prison for the atrocities committed against Chauntae and other young girls and women."I wish her well in hell. She and Epstein destroyed my life in every way. My relationships. My family life and my health. She and Epstein will meet each other in hell when her time comes", Davies says.Her story matches those of other individuals, who became victims of Maxwell and Epstein Davies was a masseuse, who in 2001 after encountering the British socialite at a five-star hotel in Los Angeles, was offered a job in Florida in the house of the millionaire.Unlike some other individuals, who were below the age of consent, Chauntae Davies was 21 when she met Ghislaine Maxwell, something which leaves her wondering and blaming herself for not seeing Epstein and Maxwell for what they really were.Trip to Little Saint James and First AssaultHer first massage session with Jeffrey Epstein ended with the financier performing a sex act on himself. Davies left his home that same day, but was "manipulated" by Maxwell to return. Things took a dark turn when Epstein and his entourage travelled to the financier's private island Little Saint James. It was there that Davies realised what she got herself into, but she says there was nowhere to run.One night she was reading a book in her bungalow when Epstein's assistant Sarah Kellen knocked on the door and said that he was ready for a massage."I froze. It was late, I thought we were all going to bed. I knew I was brought here to work as their massage therapist, but I also knew this late-night call on an island where I already felt isolated did not feel right", Davies says.Epstein entered the room naked and started talking, supposedly to avoid awkwardness, the 41-year-old says. The financier kept talking to Davies asking her all sorts of questions before telling her that he had strained a muscle in the gym. Then at some point Epstein changed and grabbed her by the arms. This was one of many nights when he raped the young woman, Davies says.The 41-year-old admits now that she realises the financier boasted about his powerful acquaintances such as Prince Andrew to "induce his power and privilege". Davies says Epstein adorned his mansions with pictures showing himself together with high-profile figures and celebrities. He once bragged about how he had lent money to Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife.The royal himself has been accused by one of Epstein's alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre. He has categorically denied the accusations and claimed he never met the woman. The Duke of York, who is said to have been friends with Epstein for several years, said he had never seen anything inappropriate while visiting his mansions and the private island. Chauntae Davies questions this remark.Epstein himself was found hanged in his prison cell on 10 August 2019, a month after he was arrested. The New York City Medical Examiner's Office concluded that his death was a suicide. However, a forensic pathologist hired by his family suggested that evidence pointed to the financier potentially having been strangled.Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty on five out of six counts, including the most serious charges sex trafficking of a minor. Her lawyers and family vowed to appeal the verdict. Prince Andrew has been sued by Virginia Giuffre. That trial is expected to begin in late 2022. Nevi'im They certainly were not hostage and were willing high end social climbers as are many like them. It not as if the were even under aged in natural law? 3 Hess She is a tiny fish in a big pool of wealthy Paedophiles, corrupt politicians, honey traps, and Israeli spies. None of that exposed in a farce trial. 3 6 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev society, ghislaine maxwell, jeffrey epstein, rape, sexual assault, manipulation, sex trafficking, sex trafficking ring A special Saturday night (Jan. 1) card at Cal-Expo finds Dave Goldschmidt winner A Major Omen headlining the Open Pace, while Joe Lighthill hero Pridecrest gets top billing in the co-featured Open Trot. Watch and Wager LLC has carded nine races Saturday with the action set to get underway at 6:40 p.m. PST. A Major Omen has been victorious in both his starts since coming in from Kentucky for his owner-trainer-driver, Gerry Longo. The five-year-old son of Art Major has $185,000 in his bank account and a 1:49.2 mark set last year at The Meadowlands. In the December 10 Goldschmidt, A Major Omen was used hard to the lead past the quarter, was hooked turning for home, but dug in gamely to prevail by a head that night as the heavy favourite. He came right back with another victory, and will do his work from the outside of the eight-horse field. Pridecrest is three-for-three at the meet since returning from a summer campaign at Running Aces. He races for Chris Schick, is conditioned by Kathie Plested, and will once again have Mooney Svendsen guiding from the assigned outside post. He established the Cal-Expo track record four years ago, when he toured the Sacramento oval in 1:53.3, and he is eying his 49th lifetime trip to the winners circle with $420,000 in his bank account. Sent off at 1-9 in the Dec. 12 Lighthill, Pridecrest left into the pocket behind Silverhill Volo, was out to engage that rival by the half, and prevailed by a head in a stretch-long battle with that tenacious rival. Gerry Longo Readies To Join 3,000 Win Club With his next trip to the winners circle, Gerry Longo will record his 3,000th career driving victory and hes about to reach this plateau at age 76. It all started for Longo when he was in his in his teens and worked with his mother in the carnival on the California fair circuit. They used to have two harness races, two Quarter Horse races, and eight Thoroughbred races back in those days, he recalled. When we had a break, I would go over and watch them, and thats where I met Larry Gregory. Gregorys grandfather had harness horses, and that was Longos introduction to the backstretch, eventually leading to him following Gregory to Batavia Downs in New York after his graduation from high school. It was about two years later that I started driving, he related. My first winner was in 1966 at the Tiffin Fair in Ohio. Now Im about to get number 3,000. Who knew? One of Longos best years came in 1972, when he set two world records and beat Joe OBrien for the driving title at Hollywood Park. And Longo's secret to success and longevity? No drinking, no smoking, no drugs and a lot of hard work, he answered without missing a beat. (Cal-Expo) In addition to the donation, WNCCs current and prospective Diesel Tech students will also be eligible to apply for NMCs Student Sponsorship Program that includes two years of paid tuition, books, fees, a complete toolbox and tool set, a personalized mentorship and guidance over the course of the program, paid internship(s) with hands-on experience, and employment and career progression opportunities with NMC. To learn more about the NMC Student Sponsorship program, visit nmccat.com/careers/student-programs. The first cohort of Diesel Tech students started in the Fall 2021 semester, completing courses such as Basic Shop Skills, Safety and Emergency Response, Introduction to Welding, and OSHA-10 for General Industry. Originally, the program was to be hosted at the Aulick Industries building on Avenue I in Scottsbluff, but due to overlaying schedules with Scottsbluff High Schools existing Diesel program, it was determined that the Aulick space would not accommodate both programs. BALTIMORE (AP) An explosion at a CSX facility in Baltimore created a loud boom Thursday, but officials said no injuries were reported. Coal was moving though tunnels near Benhill Avenue when the explosion happened, Baltimore Fire Department spokeswoman Blair Adams said. No contractors were in either of the two tunnels that the coal moved through, Adams said. CSX spokeswoman Cindy Schild confirmed in an email that an explosion took place at the CSX Curtis Bay Coal Terminal, but did not elaborate. She said the cause was still under investigation, that all employees were accounted for and there were no injuries. There was no fire but fire crews were on the scene as a precaution "to make sure there arent any collapse hazards, she said. Social media lit up with Baltimore-area residents reporting hearing a loud explosion. The first is that the use of social media, originally designed to connect people, can facilitate social disconnection. Social media has become rife with misinformation. This leads citizens who consume news on social media to become cynical not only toward established institutions such as politicians and the media, but also toward fellow voters. Second, politicians, the media and voters have become scapegoats for the harms of fake news. Few of them actually produce misinformation. Most misinformation is produced by foreign entities and political fringe groups who create fake news for financial or ideological purposes. Yet citizens who consume misinformation on social media tend to blame politicians, the media and other voters. Theyre to blame, not us! Truth is the blame falls on all of us. We need to stop the ridiculous hate and bullying toward those we disagree with. If we really want those on the other side of the alley to seriously listen to our side we MUST listen to their side. It doesnt mean we have to change our mind, we can stand as firmly as before, but we need to listen to one another. I remember a three year debate I had with an atheist professor. As a Bible believing Christian we had very little in common. He believed I was wrong, I believed he was wrong, however we enjoyed the running debate. We respected one another, though our beliefs were radically different. We listened to one another, really listened. When I moved away for the community I hadnt changed his mind, he hadnt changed mine, but we were still friends. The ongoing debates strengthened my beliefs because I had to think about them and defend them. There is no need to hate those who we disagree with, no need to attempt to bully them, IF you are secure in your beliefs. Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Current Affairs Kaylam Pratt, 23, and Pendieno Brooks, 20, of Big Blue Collective, successfully passed the International Kiteboarding Organisation (IKO) exams to become TCIs first local level 1 IKO kiteboarding instructors. Their course and exams took place in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, where they trained for two weeks during September of this year. Kaylam and Pendieno both work at Big Blue Collective as eco guides and have strong interest and passion for the marine environment. In the run up to their IKO courses they spent a lot of time on the beach and water, learning, training, and preparing as part of Big Blues kite team. Hours were spent shadowing head instructor, Tom Fuller, to understand the nuances needed to progress from hobbyists into full time instructors. It was clear from day one that both young men have a love for the water and the wind, what was not so obvious was that they would be keen to also become instructors. That became clearer the more time we spent on the water together said Tom Fuller, himself a professional with over 15 years experience. Philip Shearer of Big Blue Collective, said: We have been running a kite school here since 2010, helping introduce this sport not only to these islands but also by placing TCI on the international map as one of the worlds best places to kite. While hiring and training islanders as eco guides, scuba instructors and captains has been possible, finding the same who to want to be kite instructors has been exceptionally difficult but was always been our dream. We only had to look south to the DR to see how many local riders they had there to know it was possible to one day find and train our own instructors here. With Kaylams and Pendienos obvious skill, progression, and desire to fulfil their potential as instructors, the decision to sponsor and support their next steps into the professional world of kite instruction was an easy one for Big Blue Collective to then make. As a team we always look to build and enhance skills through in house, on the job training. Sending individuals off to do courses abroad requires another level of personal commitment so that any investment becomes worthwhile not just as a short-term fix, but as a long-term solution to build a team that have a love for these islands in their blood. Kaylam and Pendieno embody the passion, commitment and professionalism that we always look for," Shearer added. Pendieno said he began kiteboarding in 2020 and became addicted. "I wanted to do this course so I could be able to share the same feeling that I had with others. Thanks to love and support from my family, friends and Big Blue, I can now live and work this dream, he said. Kaylam said he was lucky enough to join the IKO instructor program in the Dominican Republic thanks to the support of Big Blue Collective. "What an experience. Im hoping that the younger generation of islanders will join us out on the kite beach and that one day it would be great to have a kite community where everyone helps and encourages each other in a community spirit," he said. Both Kaylam and Pendieno are now teaching on the Long Bay beach as full time instructors helping new riders and visitors learn this ever-growing water sport. When not teaching they are often riding while also focusing on the next steps to becoming fully licensed boat captains and dive masters at Big Blue Collective. These two are part of Big Blues young guns imitative with focus, attention and training aimed toward the upcoming generation of Turks & Caicos Islander aspiring to work on the water. Increased referrals and delayed admittance for state-run inpatient mental health treatment have led to dropped charges in an alleged September bank burglary in Woodland and almost dismissed charges for an alleged September kidnapping in Kelso. The defense for both cases argued the deadline to transfer defendants to state facilities for treatment had passed and defendants were incarcerated for weeks longer than legally allowed because of extended delays to be admitted. When people are charged with crimes, they can receive state evaluations to ensure they understand and can assist in their defense. State law says inmates must be evaluated within 14 days of court orders and transferred to mental health treatment facilities within seven days of court orders if they are found to be in need of services like therapy or medication to restore competency. The timelines are very difficult or unable to be met, said Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen. Because the state is unable to meet deadlines, we are seeing dismissals. The extended wait times are a problem locally and throughout the state. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, which manages the treatment facilities, reports only 13% of patients in need of competency restoration were admitted for inpatient care in November 2020 within the required seven days. Delays Extended wait times has been an ongoing problem, reports DSHS, because the demand for all forms of mental health services far outweighs what is available in the state. The problem also is exacerbated when admittance is delayed due to the pandemic. DSHS Behavioral Health Spokesman Tyler Hemstreet said the hospitals cannot admit people into certain wards for seven to 10 days when staff or patients test positive for COVID-19. The department offers treatment at Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital, as well as residential treatment facilities in Lakewood and near Centralia. Kelso man arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping, assault after search After an hours-long search around the Coweeman River, Kelso police arrested a Kelso man Wednesday evening after he allegedly tried to lure awa Both the Woodland bank robbery suspect and the Kelso kidnapping suspect could not be transferred for more than a month after their competency evaluations were filed due to limited capacity at state treatment facilities, according to court documents. The Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense could not be reached directly for comment. Cases Two felony charges for Mitchell Hunt, 28, were dropped in the fall after Hunt was arrested in September and accused of breaking into the Goerig Street U.S. Bank in Woodland. Public Defender Justin Morehouse wrote in an Oct. 18 motion that Hunt had a tentative admittance date at a state treatment facility about 60 days after the court filed for his competency restoration. Hunts case was dropped Oct. 25 and he was ordered to receive a state evaluation for involuntary commitment, according to court records. Jurvakainen said these orders for civil commitment evaluations take priority over competency restoration cases at state treatment facilities, further delaying people in line to have competency restored to stand trial. In a different case, Morehouse requested felony kidnapping charges be dropped for Jordan Hotchkiss, 43, after Hotchkiss allegedly tried to abduct a 12-year-old in September in the 200 block of Catlin Street in Kelso. Morehouse wrote in a Nov. 1 motion, Hotchkiss transfer deadline was Oct. 13, and there was no guarantee he would be transferred to Western State Hospital in the next 60 days. Morehouse wrote that Hotchkiss due process rights have already been, and continue to be, violated every day he is detained without being transported for competency restoration. Hotchkiss dismissal was not approved by Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Marilyn Haan. Nov. 5 court documents state the court ruled the safety of the community outweighs the rights of the defendant. Hotchkiss was transferred in December to Western State Hospital and a hearing to review his competency is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2022, according to court records. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Take a peek at fixer-uppers with potential to beautiful old homes around Lower Columbia Area The ABC series Women of the Movement airs on television in January. A book written by Longview-born Devery Anderson formed the backbone of some episodes. Anderson also plays a juror in the latter half of the series. The series, which airs on Jan. 6, 13 and 20 on ABC and will stream on Hulu the day after, is based on the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till. The three-week limited series stars Adrienne Warren as Mamie Till-Mobley, Tonya Pinkins as Alma, Cedric Joe as Emmett Till, Ray Fisher as Gene Mobley, Glynn Turman as Mose Wright, Chris Coy as J.W. Milam, Carter Jenkins as Roy Bryant and Julia McDermott as Carolyn Bryant. There have been several red carpet premieres already. According to a series press release, Mamie Till-Mobley, who in 1955 risked her life to find justice after her son Emmett was brutally murdered in Jim Crow Mississippi, chose to bear her pain on the worlds stage, emerging as an activist for justice and igniting the Civil Rights movement as we know it today. In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American boy from Chicago, was kidnapped from his uncles house, beaten and lynched for an alleged flirtation at a country store in Money, Miss. Tills body was discovered weighted down in the Tallahatchie River three days after his kidnapping. The two men suspected of the murder were found not guilty in court. A year later they publicly admitted they killed Till, but they were protected from prosecution by the double jeopardy standard that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. After he learned of Tills murder in 1994, Anderson said the case, and the book that came out of his research, became his passion. Born and raised in Longview, Anderson moved to Utah that same year after being laid off from Reynolds Metals. The plant later closed permanently. In the next 10 years I took several trips to the south and Chicago and was doing so much to get the book done because I wanted to write a very comprehensive book and I wanted to correct a lot of the myths associated with the case, he said. He interviewed Till-Mobley for the first time in 1996, and kept a friendship with her until her death in 2003, Anderson said. That friendship shifted the project away from just being a historical moment. It became very personal to me as I came to know her and met other family members over time, Anderson said. In 2015, Andersons book, Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement, was published by the University Press of Mississippi to widespread acclaim. It still is considered the definitive work on the case, he said. The Emmett Till case had been such an important case in the civil rights history, and some people had written about it, but there wasnt anything that told the story in full, he said. He included information from when the U.S. Justice Department reopened the case in 2004. The case was reopened again more recently in 2017, but was again closed this year without change. I knew it would get some attention being the first book that tried to tell the story comprehensively, Anderson said, and he was the first one so far to write the details about the investigation. For all of that I knew it would get attention, but I didnt see Hollywood coming, he said. In 2016, HBO started talks with Anderson about making a miniseries based on the book, but in the summer of 2017 HBO decided not to move forward with the project. The producer kept looking, Anderson said, and in ABC showed interest in 2019. A year later they green lit the project in August 2020, and after that it just moved quickly. Within seven or eight months it was all filmed and now it airs in January, Anderson said. Its all exciting. At first, his only official involvement was he wrote the book. However, COVID-19 rules meant nobody besides essential staff would be allowed on set to watch the filming, and Anderson wanted to see the book and case he had researched for decades come to life. I knew if I wanted to see any of it get filmed I had to be in it somehow, he said. I knew for the courtroom they would need a lot of extras, people to be jurors and sit in the gallery. I thought if I sat in the gallery, those people would change every day, but the jurors would stay the same. If I could be a juror I knew I could be there for the entire trial. He sent in an audition tape and was selected. While at first he had a line, it was cut from the final version. Still, Anderson said, it was worth it to see the trial filmed. The original county courthouse where the murder trial took place recently was restored back to how it looked in 1955 for Tills case. To sit where the jurors sat and see the defendants sitting where they sat and the witnesses, it was just like reliving that, Anderson said. For so many years I had pictured that murder trial in my head and to be there and live through so much of it re-enacted was surreal. There are no words to describe what it was like being there. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The illustration of the Google doodle today, has been decorated with candies, lights and more. As we are just a few hours away from the New Year, which is the year 2022, Google Doodle today is bidding goodbye to 2021. Google has unveiled a celebratory doodle to welcome the next year, 2022 too. The doodle went live at 12 am on December 31 and is decorated with lots of confetti, candies and jacklights. Yes, it is a celebration of the past year as well as a welcome for the new one. A big candy captioned '2021' is placed right in the middle of the word 'Google'. The candy looks ready to pop as soon as the clock strikes midnight on December 31 to welcome the New Year 2022. The other letters of the word Google are also colourfully decorated in the doodle with jacklights and some extra confetti to enhance the celebratory mood of the doodle. That's a wrap for 2021 Happy New Year's Eve! wrote Google on its doodles' archive documenting the new design. This time, Google has kept the design plain and simple but innovative. Looking back at 2021, we can say that the year was marred by the coronavirus pandemic which was detected first in 2019 in China and spread to other parts of the world. The virus also resulted in multiple waves of infections, hospitalisations, and millions of deaths across the world. Coronavirus has killed more than 5.4 million people, triggered economic crises and seen societies ricochet in and out of lockdowns. Currently the entire world is fighting Covid-19's latest variant, Omicron. With people across the world getting into the festive and partying mode, governments are a bit concerned as this may lead to faster and wider spread of the virus, especially the highly contagious new variant - Omicron. Many cities across the world have restricted the celebrations for New Year in the wake of the Omicron variant spreading rapidly across the many parts of the world. Though the year is ending on a grim note, a new year will bring a lot more excitement and celebrations with itself. However, people are advised to take care of themselves and follow the Covid-19 protocols. Germany will shut down three of its last six nuclear power plants on Friday, a further step towards phasing out nuclear energy by focusing on renewable energies melted in 2011, when an earthquake and a tsunami in the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl destroyed the coastal power plant 25 years earlier for three and a half decades in operation. The last three nuclear power plants Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II will be shut down by the end of 2022, the largest economy with ambitious climate targets and is faced with rising energy prices. "For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final," said Kerstin Andreae, managing director of the energy industry association BDEW. The six nuclear power plants contributed around 12% to electricity production in Germany in 2021, as preliminary figures from the BDEW show. The share of renewable energies was just under 41%, with coal generating just under 28% and gas around 15%. By expanding the wind and solar energy infrastructure, Germany intends to cover 80% of its energy needs from renewable energies by 2030. Economic and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday that he did not see the anti-nuclear consensus in Germany weakened. the true end of the nuclear age in Germany. "We have to say that there will continue to be uranium enrichment plants in Germany like the one in Gronau," said Arne Fellermann, managing director of the environmental association BUND, to Reuters. "There is also a research reactor in Garching that is still operated with weapons-grade uranium," Fellermann continues. When asked about possible job losses, the mayor of Gundremmingen, Tobias Buhler, said that the plant employees were busy dismantling the reactor after the shutdown. The shutdown will certainly take another decade or two, said Buhler. E.ON estimates the total costs for the decommissioning at 1.1 billion euros (1.25 billion US dollars) per plant. E.ON set up provisions of 9.4 billion in 2020 for the nuclear aftercare phase, which includes the decommissioning of the facility, packaging and cleaning of radioactive waste. The shutdown is expected to be completed in 2040. The Japanese government on Tuesday presented a plan to dump contaminated water from the paralyzed Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, angering neighboring countries China and South Korea. Happy New Year In Advance To Everyone The world began on Friday with the inauguration of 2022 after another turbulent and pandemic-ridden year, limited by new restrictions, a rising number of cases, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times. The first Olympic Games without spectators and the dreams of democracy from Afghanistan to Myanmar to Hong Kong are being smashed by authoritarian regimes. But it was the pandemic, now entering its third year, that once again dominated most people's lives. More than 5.4 million people have died since the coronavirus was first reported in central China in December 2019, and countless more have fallen ill, exposed to outbreaks, bans, bans and an alphabetical spaghetti of PCR testing, LFT and RAT. The year 2021 began with hope when life-saving vaccines were used in around 60 percent of the world's population, though many of their poor still have limited access and some of the rich believe the coups are part of an unclear plot. When it came to an end, the appearance of the Omicron variant caused the number of new cases of Covid-19 to rise to more than a million for the first time, according to an AFP balance sheet. France became the last country to announce on Friday that Omicron is now its dominant coronavirus strain. In the UK, the US and even Australia, a long-standing haven from the pandemic, the variant's prominence is generating new record cases. Parts of the Pacific nation of Kiribati were the first to greet the New Year from 1000 GMT. In San Francisco, the festivities have been canceled or reduced again as infections increase. One notable exception, however, was South Africa, which was the first country to report Omicron in November, where the curfew was lifted to allow the festivities. Health officials said a drop in infections over the past week shows the current wave has peaked, crucially without a significant increase in deaths. Sydney, Australia's largest city, has also opted for fireworks that will light up the city, port, despite being one of the fastest growing cases in the world. The country's Conservative government says its decision to abandon a "Covidzero" approach was based on vaccination rates and increasing evidence that Omicron is less lethal. Tens of thousands of night owls were expected to populate Sydney Beach, although AFP journalists said the city was quieter than normal at nightfall. "I'm just trying to focus on the positive things that happened this year instead of thinking about all of the bad things that happened," said Melinda, a 22-year-old medical student. Howard, part of an enthusiastic but smaller than usual crowd waiting at the Opera House for the show to begin. Despite numerous infections in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is planning fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. Meanwhile, the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is trying to break two world records with huge fireworks. "Just a wish" In Rio, the celebrations on Copacabana Beach will take place in a reduced format, although many night owls are still expected. "People have only one wish to leave their homes, to celebrate life," said a 45-year-old waiter on Copacabana Beach said Francisco Rodrigues. Some Brazilians are more careful, like Roberta Assis, a 27-year-old lawyer. "This is not the time for big meetings," he said. The authorities in Seoul are showing similar caution and instead prohibit viewers from ringing the traditional midnight bell. In India, fearing a repetition of the devastating surge in the virus that overwhelmed the country in April and May, cities and states have imposed assembly restrictions and Delhi put a curfew at 10 p.m. Mumbai police put nighttime bans on people on Friday Enact visiting public places such as city beaches and boardwalks, which are usually popular attractions in the New Year, with two-week restrictions. The health organization warned of difficult times, saying Omicron could lead to "a tsunami of cases"."This ... will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems that are on the verge of collapse," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. But the restrictions have again led to frequent, loud and sometimes violent protests against the blockade, vaccinations and the government. Experts and non-experts alike hope that 2022 will be remembered as the new, less deadly phase of the pandemic. "Be better for everyone," said Oscar Ramirez, a 31-year-old Sydney night owl. Everyone in the world needs a big change. If you like this post then buy me my first coffee The Xian Industrial and Technology Center in China reported more than 100 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, making the number of locally transmitted infections the highest in any Chinese city this year. Xian reported 155 new local cases on December 29th. December, official data showed. This brings the number of local infections to more than 1,100 since the outbreak began on December 9, forcing authorities to lock down the city of 13 million people. It has been since the 23rd. "Xian has entered a brisk phase in its fight against the virus," Zhang Fenghu, a city government official, told Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology, two of the world's largest manufacturers of memory chips, before the blockade could affect its chip manufacturing facilities in the area. Xian is also a major tourist destination, drawing visitors to its collection of terracotta warriors who were buried with China's first emperor more than 2,000 years ago. The authorities have launched several rounds of testing across the city to monitor the transmissions. Round six started on Thursday, a day later. Restrictions have restricted access to everyday necessities and many people cannot go out and shop, leaving them dependent on supplies. Deliveries and the government are working to resolve the issue, a Xian government official said Wednesday. WUHAN ANNIVERSARY A Xian resident surnamed He told Reuters that she tried to order groceries through the online app from Alibaba-backed supermarket chain Freshippo, but was unable to secure many items such as potatoes and cucumbers. The app posted a message saying "Delivery staff is not available" under many articles. Based on a screenshot you provided. Several boroughs have organized free grocery deliveries to some residential complexes, state media said. The total supply of essential items in Xian is sufficient, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce told reporters. Now on its eighth day, it coincides with the second anniversary of the first signs of the coronavirus outbreak in downtown Wuhan. an "unknown cause," according to state media. In addition, on Thursday, thousands of people left messages on the social media account of the late COVID-19 whistleblower Li Wenliang on the anniversary of the day, also on December 30, 2019, in which he learned of the possibility of a causative virus. Pneumonia in Wuhan: As of Wednesday, mainland China had reported 101,890 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including local and imported, with a death toll of 4,636. Health experts warned Americans on Thursday that a rising tide of COVID19 cases, led by the Omicron variant, threatened major disruptions in their lives, from schools to shopping, and urged them to prepare now for a challenging month. The United States had a record seven-day average of new cases, with more than 290,000 new infections reported daily, a Reuters tally showed. According to the record, at least 18 states and Puerto Rico have set pandemic records for new cases. Maryland, Ohio and Washington, DC also saw record hospital admissions as U.COVID hospital admissions rose 27%. The increase is due to an increase in vacation travel as New Years celebrations are yet to come and schools grapple with students returning to classrooms after the winter break. "We will see the number of cases in this country rise so dramatically that it will be difficult for us to keep everyday life going," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert from the University of Minnesota, told MSNBC. "Next month is going to be a viral blizzard," he said. "It is putting pressure on society as a whole. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease official, said Wednesday that cases are likely to increase by the end. " He and other U.S. health officials said early data shows Omicron appears less severe, but they have continued to push for vaccines, masks, and physical distance. Services, schools and retailers among others in the coming weeks. "We have to be very careful not to underestimate Omicron too much," said Dr. Peter Hoetz, an infectious disease expert at Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN. It is also worrying that healthcare workers are being marginalized with their own COVID cases as well as less effective therapies, said Hoetz. "We are at a pretty serious time. As early as early 2020, 825,663 people in the United States have died of COVID, the data showed, with the latest wave of hospital admissions for the unvaccinated being driven. " President Joe Biden announced new news this month. plans to tackle the Omicron-powered wave, including federal reinforcements to hospitals and more testing, but some experts say it's too little and too late. So far, however, the economy appears to be stable, even if some economists are cautioned. While air traffic was largely disrupted and stores closed and events canceled in some troubled areas, other measures such as the Christmas sales were maintained. The labor market is also holding up: the new applications for state unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in the pandemic era, the Ministry of Labor announced on Thursday. small businesses, he said he expected the first week of January to be slower than Omicron's forecast. "The rest of January will likely depend on state and community health policies and epidemiological data," Greenberg told Reuters. Keys, especially for working parents, with systems in Washington and New York promising to stay open with further testing. Education Minister Miguel Cardona admitted the problem was staffing but urged schools to take measures to keep the children in classrooms. Unlike last year's closings, we now have better tools. They should stay open, he told MSNBC, adding that federal funding continues to be available to increase staffing levels and testing. In the meantime, some universities have postponed their next semesters or have gone online. "We have light at the end of the tunnel," said Osterholm. But now you have to duck. Image Credit:Samsung Samsung has commenced teasing its subsequent flagship cellphone SoC predicted to be known as the Exynos 2200 in advance of a January eleventh statement with a tantalizing tidbit of information: the brand new chipset will function a GPU powered through AMDs RDNA 2 pics architecture, higher regarded for powering the subsequent-gen pics at the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and AMDs RX 6000-collection pics cards. Of course, for the reason that the Exynos 2200 may be powering a cellphone, the brand new GPU wont be magically allowing subsequent-gen pics on par with the maximum effective consoles and gaming PCs. But it probable will allow a few upgrades in pics, along with something different improve Samsung has up its sleeve for its modern flagship chip. #PlaytimeIsOver. The gaming marketplace is about to get serious. Stay tuned for the next #Exynos with the new GPU born from RDNA 2. January 11, 2022. pic.twitter.com/0H2MeVUbeS Samsung Exynos (@SamsungExynos) December 30, 2021 A successor to the 2021 Exynos 2100, the Exynos 2200 is expected to power some of Samsung's top performing phones in 2022, including the alleged Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra. Limited to international models of their upcoming flagships, with the US variants presumably configured for the recently announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset from Qualcomm. Fortunately, we don't have to wait long for more details on the Exynos 2200 (or whatever Samsung calls it) as the company promises an official debut on January 11th. U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged warnings about Ukraine on Thursday but were optimistic that diplomatic talks in January could ease rising tensions. In a 50-minute call, their second conversation this month, Biden said he had to see Russia downsize its military near Ukraine, while Putin said sanctions threatened by Washington and its allies could lead to a break in relations. "President Joe Biden reiterated that substantial progress in these dialogues can only be achieved in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the call created "a good background" for future talks. The exchanges of heads of state and government laid the groundwork for lower-level engagement between countries, including a security meeting between the United States and Russia in January 9-10, followed by a Russia-NATO meeting on January 12 and a wider conference that will be attended by Moscow, Washington and other European countries, scheduled for January 13th. Despite talks about diplomacy, officials on both sides described the tone of the call as "serious". And none of the countries detailed any significant progress towards a solution or the outline of an agreement. In Kiev, leaders worry about the 60,000 to 90,000 Russian soldiers who have gathered in the north, east and south. Washington wasn't convinced by a report over the weekend that Russia would withdraw about 10,000 soldiers, and officials said they saw little evidence of a reduction. Airspace for the first time earlier this week, although various types of surveillance aircraft are common in the area. For his part, Biden reiterated his threat of unprecedented sanctions if Russia chooses to invade Ukraine. "Joe Biden has taken two avenues," including diplomacy and deterrence, including "serious costs and consequences," said a senior civil servant. Both leaders admitted that there are likely areas where we could make significant progress and areas where agreement may not be possible, and that upcoming talks would define the outline of each of these categories. Ushakov said Putin "reacted immediately" that any sanction now or later "could lead to a complete severing of ties between our countries". Moscow's troop deployments over the past two months alarmed the West after the Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula was captured in 2014 and separatists supported troops on its own soil as it chooses. South Africa lifted the nightly curfew at 4 a.m. The course of the pandemic, vaccination rates in the country and available capacity in the health sector, according to a press release from Mondli Gungubele, Minister of the Presidency, South Africa is currently at the lowest of its five phases of alert. "All indicators suggest that the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at the national level," said a statement from the special cabinet meeting on Thursday. Health ministry data showed an increase in the number of newly discovered cases in the week ending Jan. Health ministry data showed an increase in the South Africa was the hardest hit country in Africa during the pandemic, with around 3.5 million infections and 91,000 deaths in both cases. In addition to lifting restrictions on public movement, the government said meetings will be limited to no more than 1,000 people indoors and no more than 2,000 people outdoors. It also ruled that liquor stores would be allowed to operate beyond 11 p.m. (2100GMT) could revert to full licensing terms, which is a welcome boon for merchants and businesses hard hit by the pandemic and looking to recover over the holiday season. The Omicron variant is highly transferable, there were lower hospitalization rates than in the previous waves, "said the cabinet, adding that the use of masks in public places was still mandatory. Masking when required is still a crime in South Africa. A truck driver, Rogel Aguilera Mederos, whose 110-year prison term caused outrage over a fatal accident, had his sentence reduced to 10 years on Thursday. More than 4.5 million people, including reality TV star Kim Kardashian, called for a reduction in Rogel Aguilera Mederos's sentence. Aguilera Mederos, a Cuban immigrant, was moving lumber in April 2019 when his brakes failed on a downhill stretch and he was not using an emergency route. Exit ramp. His runaway truck crashed into traffic, killing four people and injuring several others. Aguilera Mederos was convicted on 27 counts, including multiple homicides, by a jury, and a judge sentenced him to 110 years' imprisonment, which he believed was the minimum mandatory under Colorado law. Colorado Governor Jared Polis acted Thursday to reduce what he said was "arbitrary and unfair" earnings. "The length of his 110-year sentence is simply not proportionate to his actions or the sentences imposed on others for similar crimes," he wrote in a letter to Aguilera Mederos. There is an urgent need to correct this unjust judgment and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and as a result, I have decided to commute your sentence now 5 years. Travelers line up for flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh More canceled flights frustrated air travelers on the final day of 2021 and appeared all but certain to inconvenience hundreds of thousands more over the New Year's holiday weekend. Airlines blamed many of the cancellations on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections, along with wintry weather in parts of the United States. United Airlines, which suffered the most cancellations among the biggest U.S. carriers, agreed to pay pilot bonuses to fix a staffing shortage. By early evening Friday on the East Coast, airlines had scrubbed more than 1,550 U.S. flightsabout 6% of all scheduled flightsand roughly 3,500 worldwide, according to tracking service FlightAware. That pushed the total U.S. cancellations since Christmas Eve to more than 10,000 and topped the previous single-day peak this holiday season, which was 1,520 on Dec. 26. The disruptions come just as travel numbers climb higher going into the New Year's holiday weekend. Since Dec. 16, more than 2 million travelers a day on average have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints, an increase of nearly 100,000 a day since November and nearly double last December. Led by Southwest and United, airlines have already canceled 1,500 U.S. flights on Saturdayabout 700 at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, where the forecast called for a winter stormand 700 more on Sunday. Travelers check in at the airline ticket counters at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Canceled flights began rising from a couple hundred a day shortly before Christmas, most notably for United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways. On Friday, United canceled more than 200 flights, or 11% of its scheduleand that did not include cancellations on the United Express regional affiliate. CommutAir, which operates many United Express flights, scrubbed one-third of its schedule, according to FlightAware. United decided to spend more money to fill empty cockpits. The airline reached a deal with the pilots' union to pay 3.5 times normal wages to pilots who pick up extra trips through Monday and triple pay for flights between Tuesday and Jan. 29, according to a memo from Bryan Quigley, United's senior vice president for flight operations. JetBlue canceled more than 140 flights, or 14% of its schedule, and Delta grounded more than 100, or 5% of its flights by midday Friday. Allegiant, Alaska, Spirit and regional carriers SkyWest and Mesa all scrubbed at least 9% of their flights. Travelers walk through Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh FlightAware reported fewer cancellations at Southwest, 3%, and American, 2%. The virus is also hitting more federal air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration said that more of its employees have tested positive it didn't provide numbers Friday which could lead controllers to reduce flight volumes and "might result in delays during busy periods." While leisure travel within the U.S. has returned to roughly pre-pandemic levels, international travel remains depressed, and the government is giving travelers new ore cause to reconsider trips abroad. On Thursday, the State Department warned Americans that if they test positive for coronavirus while in a foreign country it could mean a costly quarantine until they test negative. Since March 2020, U.S. airlines have received $54 billion in federal relief to keep employees on the payroll through the pandemic. Congress barred the airlines from furloughing workers but allowed them to offer incentives to quit or take long leaves of absence and many did. The airlines have about 9% fewer workers than they had two years ago. Travelers line up for flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Travelers wear face masks as they wait for their flight at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Travelers check information screens for flight status at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Travelers walk through Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Kurt Ebenhoch, a former airline spokesman and later a travel-consumer advocate, said airlines added flights aggressively, cut staff too thinly, and overestimated the number of employees who would return to work after leaves of absence. It was all done, he said, "in the pursuit of profit ... and their customers paid for it, big time." Many airlines are now rushing to hire pilots, flight attendants and other workers. In the meantime, some are trimming schedules that they can no longer operate. Southwest did that before the holidays, JetBlue is cutting flights until mid-January, and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific is suspending cargo flights and reducing passenger flights because it doesn't have enough pilots. Other forms of transportation are also being hammered by the surge in virus cases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that it is monitoring more than 90 cruise ships because of COVID-19 outbreaks. The health agency warned people not to go on cruises, even if they are fully vaccinated against the virus. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the new omicron variant pushed the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. above 350,000, nearly triple the rate of just two weeks ago, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Explore further Flight cancellations drag on as airlines short-staffed 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Future Christmas dinners could see slaughter-free meat, algae sides and insect pies. Credit: Jill Wellington/Flickr In the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge's final transformation from miser to philanthropist is marked by the big juicy turkey that he orders for the struggling Cratchit familyand which has inspired Christmas menus across Britain and North America ever since. A family-sized turkey with all the trimmings, including mashed potatoes and stuffing, made for an impressive Christmas dinner centrepiece in Victorian households. Turkeys were also largely within economic reach for those on modest incomescompared with the grander cuts of venison and beef enjoyed by the upper classesmeaning festive feasting could be celebrated by all. Depending on your own personal traditions, it might be hard to imagine Christmas without a turkey. Yet festive menus in the UK looked very different before the 19th century. They often included a variety of meats, cakes and liquors, and there was little to distinguish Christmas food from that of other celebrations and holidays. Two hundred years on from the Dickensian turkey boom, it seems our festive favourites might be due for another radical rethink. Slaughter-free meat and soilless vegetables are just some of the innovations that are predicted to revolutionise food production. Many of these technologies have emerged in response to turbulent times for traditional agriculture. In the UK, turkey farmers are currently battling Brexit and COVID disruptions, plus a highly contagious outbreak of avian flu. Globally, meat and dairy producers face mounting pressures from the climate crisis, rising antimicrobial resistance and the growing popularity of plant-based alternatives. Even Christmas vegetables are threatened by drought, floods and the loss of agricultural land to soil erosion. We've watched enough sci-fi films to know that predicting exactly what the future will look like is a pretty futile task. Instead, we've served up a menu of possible food futures based on technologies that are currently in development. A traditional turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as typically enjoyed in the UK. Credit: John Keogh/Flickr, CC BY-ND Christmas gets cultured According to culinary historian Cathy Kaufman, one of the legacies of A Christmas Carol was "an awful slaughter of Christmas turkeys". Now, slaughter-free meatalso known as "cultured" or "cultivated" meatis under development. This approach uses animal cells to grow flesh outside the body in bioreactors (artificial systems supporting biological environments). Techniques like precision fermentation and genetic engineering are also being used to reprogramme yeast and bacteria cells to create cow-free milk and chicken-free eggs. Cell-cultured turkeys probably won't be at the centre of Christmas tables for some time. The first cultured meat product to hit the market was a hybrid chicken nugget, made of a mixture of cultured cells and plant-based ingredients, in 2020. But we don't yet have the technical ability to create the more complex structures of larger joints of meat, though a lot of money is currently being thrown at this challenge. We're already growing some of our fruit and veg in artificial, sustainable environments using soil-free hydroponic farmsit's a safe bet that the tomatoes in your fridge were grown hydroponically. This trend is set to continue, with brassicas like broccoli and Brussels sprouts now being grown without soil. Yet many uncertainties remain over whether these technologies will be able to compete with industrial livestock production, or to deliver on the environmental and ethical leaps their advocates have promised. A traditional turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as typically enjoyed in the UK. Credit: John Keogh/Flickr, CC BY-ND Going hybrid Hybrid meat substitutes can offer meaty tastes and textures with a potentially smaller environmental footprint than conventional animal-based products. For a festive example, think hybrid pigs in blankets made from cultured pork and fat cells with added soy or pea proteins. Hybrid products like these represent incremental steps in meat reduction rather than an immediate radical overhaul of the food system. Yet whether they provide a gateway for a long-term shift away from meat, or simply add to consumers' options, remains to be seen. If there's an overall reduction of meat production and consumption across the world's biggest meat-eating nations like the UK and US, then high-quality "real" meat from smaller, climate-conscious producers could be reserved for celebratory occasions like Christmas. For the rest of the year, we could follow a menu of plant-based foods and meat alternatives. But a key challenge is whether people are willing to reduce meat to this extent. Beyond turkey The turkey dinner is, of course, only one version of many seasonal menus enjoyed by different cultures around the worldmeaning that we don't necessarily have to follow its formula when imagining future Christmas feasts. We might be dining on insect-based Christmas pies with robot-harvested algae on the side, consuming festive-flavoured nutrient drinks, or eating imitation meats made from air-fed microbes. Alternatively, we might ultimately reject conventional meat and ultra-processed protein products and embrace a meatless menu of vegetables and legumes as already enjoyed in some Christmas traditions across the world. Many of these scenarios have far-reaching implications for the future of food and farmingfrom changing agricultural livelihoods and landscapes, to deciding which industries are in control of our food systems. While turkeys may vote for many of these options, it's important to understand who else is set to benefit or lose in each case and what other solutions might be missing from the table. Change in food systems is nothing new. Considering how that change is made is, however, essential if we are to serve up the most sustainable and equitable futures for all. Explore further It could take 12 hours of walking to burn off your Christmas dinner This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Samsung's plan to build a $17 billion next-generation semiconductor factory in Taylor is being called the largest direct foreign investment in Texas history. The amount of publicly funded incentives that sealed the deal for the small town northeast of Austin is of similar historic significance. South Korea-based Samsung is set to receive property tax breaks from the city of Taylor, the Taylor school district and Williamson County totaling $954 million over the life of the agreements, according to an American-Statesman analysis. Combined with a $27 million grant from a state incentive fund, the package adds up to $981 million and easily ranks No. 1 in a database compiled by the public-interest group Good Jobs First of the biggest such corporate incentive deals in Texas history. It's the most expensive deal even without including about $260 million in infrastructure improvements near the future site of the Samsung factorysuch as new roads and water linesnearly all of which will be funded by Williamson County, the city of Taylor or the state. Officials said the roads were on long-range plans to be built eventually anywaywith some work started before the Samsung dealand the company will pay back the cost of extending water and sewer service through its user fees. Still, the landmark size of the Samsung tax breaks has provided fresh kindling to the debate over so-called corporate welfare and whether economic development that requires extensive taxpayer subsidies is worth it. 'A real, bottom-line benefit' Supporters of the project say the positive side of the ledgerwhich includes about 2,000 direct Samsung jobs, the strategic benefit of retaining a top chip manufacturer in Texas and a transformational development for a small town that has remained something of an afterthought amid the region's economic boommakes the answer a resounding yes in this case. "In terms of the incentive package from the city of Taylor, we spent countless hours undertaking an economic impact analysis and turning this deal every which way," Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell said in a recent interview. "Whether we would end up on some list and wind up being criticized for the project, that is not something we were concerned about," he said, referring to the Good Jobs First ranking of the combined value of the incentives being provided to Samsung. The company picked the Taylor site over a property it already owned adjacent to its semiconductor plant in Austinits only U.S. manufacturing facilityand competing sites in Arizona and New York. The new fabrication plant is expected to be the most advanced for Samsung, which is among the world's largest makers of memory chips and smartphones. The plant will expand Samsung's ability to compete with other chipmakersincluding Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which makes chips for Apple's iPhonesand it could play a key role in production of even more advanced chips as the innovation race continues. Rydell said he's confident the project will be a boon to Taylor, a city of about 17,000 known for its barbecue and small-town feel that has yet to achieve the prominence of some of Austin's better-known suburbs, such as Round Rock and Pflugerville. In addition to bringing high-paying jobs to the community and a global employer in a cutting-edge industry, Taylor officials have calculated that the Samsung project will net the city about $52.2 million in new property tax revenue over the 30-year life of the incentive dealcompared with a nominal amount of property tax revenue if the 1,200-acre tract where the factory will be built had remained undeveloped over that time. "That was at the forefrontthe city needed to realize a real, bottom-line benefit from Samsung locating here, and we do that," Rydell said. "Landing Samsung would have been cold comfort if we were digging ourselves into a hole." But the amount of property taxes that Taylor stands to net from Samsung is only a fraction of what the company would pay if it went ahead with the project at the location without the city's tax break. Under Taylor's incentive deal with Samsung, the company will be rebated 92.5% of its city property taxes during the initial decade of the project, 90% in the second decade and 85% in the third. The city has estimated the combined value of those rebates at $467.8 million, based on an assumption that there will be no change to its property tax rate over the 30-year life of the agreement. Taylor also will extend water and sewer service to the site of the development, at an estimated cost of $18 million. It plans to issue a revenue bond next year to pay for the work, saying the funds will be recouped over time through Samsung's utility charges. Other incentives being provided to Samsung are: $172.1 million in property tax rebates from Williamson County over 20 years, assuming no change in the property tax rate. The county's agreement calls for a 90% property tax rebate for Samsung during the first 10 years of the project, with an extension for another 10 years at 85% if the company is in compliance with the terms. The American-Statesman calculated the total value of the county tax rebates based on the same development schedule for the project used by the city of Taylor. The county also will foot the bill for about $120 million in roadwork near the site, such as improvements to County Roads 401 and 404, and portions of the planned Southeast Loop to connect Texas 130 to U.S. 79. Those projects were already in the long-range transportation plan, county officials said, although they'll be accelerated in certain cases. A $314 million, 10-year property tax break from the Taylor Independent School District. Samsung will still pay all of its school taxes that go to fund school district debt, but it will pay just a fraction of the portion earmarked for maintenance and operations over the duration of the deal. The tax break is being granted under the state's Chapter 313 incentive program, which will expire Dec. 31, 2022, because it wasn't renewed during the recent session of the state Legislature. The expiration won't affect deals put in place before then. $27 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, a deal-closing tool used by the governor's office as a final carrot to sway corporate decisions in competitive situations. In addition, the Texas Department of Transportation will pay $80 million of the cost for section 3 of the Southeast Loop. Funding for about $40 million of construction costs for section 2 of the loop has yet to be identified, Williamson County officials said. 'A dubious distinction' Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, said the combined $954 million value of the city, county and school district tax breaks for Samsung is probably a minimum figure because "everybody knows that tax rates are bound to go up over time," which would increase the value of the tax breaks. Even so, the incentive package already ranks at the top of the list of Texas "megadeals" compiled by LeRoy's Washington-based organizationsupplanting an $802 million deal in 2011 that brought Berkshire Hathaway-owned Nebraska Furniture Mart to The Colony north of Dallas. It also will rank No. 20 nationwide, according to the Good Jobs First database. "It's a dubious distinctionI think Taylor is going to be thought of as the tax-giveaway capital of Texas now," said LeRoy, whose group is critical of most big taxpayer-funded incentive deals to corporations, including the one for Samsung. Another recent incentive deal in the state has the potential to leapfrog Taylor for the top status, however. Texas Instruments will receive large tax breaks from local governments and the school district in Sherman, north of Dallas, to build up to four chip fabrication plants at a total cost of $30 billion, although an estimated dollar amount for the incentives the company stands to receive hasn't been calculated yet. Regardless, LeRoy said such huge incentive agreements seldom pay off for local governments, in terms of generating enough new tax revenue to offset costs associated with the increased demand for services that the projects create. "If Samsung is going to be the most valuable property in the city and is going to induce a lot of growth, everybody else is going to get stuck with higher property tax bills and higher property tax rates to cover that growth" if the company isn't paying its fair share, he said. "There is no such thing as free growth." But Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said it's unrealistic to think Samsung would have picked a location for the chip factory that didn't provide significant public incentives. Comments to the contrary "are clearly made by people who are not involved in decision-making by county or state government" and haven't had to engage in high-stakes economic development competitions, Gravell said. He said he expects the project to spark a lot of ancillary development and benefits for the region and the Taylor school district that will make the incentives well worth itpartly because he doesn't expect Samsung to stop at a single chip plant. Gravell said Samsung officials have indicated as much to him without actually committing to more. "The play here by Williamson County from my perspective was never for one (fabrication) facility," he said. "My expectation is that they they will build one (fabrication) facility, and if the relationship is strong and positive you will see them build a second and a third and a fourth," he said, describing the estimated 1,200-acre tract as more than needed for just a single factory. "Personally, I think you will see construction on that site for the next 20 years." Gravell also said the project is a strategic coup for the state and the nation overall amid a global shortage of semiconductors, which are used in everyday devices ranging from laptops and cellphones to automobiles and refrigerators. The U.S. government has been looking for ways to encourage more domestic semiconductor production, and Samsung is eventually expected to receive federal incentives for the Taylor facility on top of its local and state help. "To incentivize something that involves national security didn't seem like a complicated decision," Gravell said. "I didn't want this built in China." China doesn't appear to have been in the running for the Samsung plant because the company didn't publicly list it as such in its applications for tax breaks. But the potential site in Austin, which is only about 25 miles away from Taylor's winning location and within the same metropolitan area, was considered the frontrunner through much of this year. In its opening salvo in negotiations for incentives at the Austin site, Samsung had sought tax breaks from the city of Austin, Travis County and the Manor school district valued at about $1.8 billion combined. But those negotiations never advanced to even a tentative agreement with any of them that progressed to the point of a public hearing, so the size of a final package that the company might have accepted is unclear. Nathan Jensen, a University of Texas professor who studies taxpayer-funded incentives, said Samsung probably just played one community off against another for the best deal it could get to expand in a region where it intended to do so anywaywhich is among his criticisms of such taxpayer-funded agreements. "The biggest benefit of Samsung for the local community is the taxes" it would generate, Jensen said. "But Taylor's strategy to attract Samsung is to give away these benefits." Explore further Samsung says it will build $17B chip factory in Texas 2021 Gannett Co., Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Both Saturday and Sunday nights freezes are expected to last for multiple hours, so Wong recommended people consider the four Ps people, pets, plants and pipes. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} She said outdoor pipes and plants that cannot be moved indoors need to be covered to protect them. Wong suggested using old sheets or blankets to protect plants if they cannot be brought indoors, especially plants that are sensitive to the cold. Pets also should be brought inside or given proper shelter with heating, if possible, and people should check on their neighbors, especially those who are elderly or might not have heat. Monday is expected to warm into the mid-50s, and Wednesday afternoon the high temperature will be back into the 70s, according to the NWS 10-day forecast. It will not be as warm as it has been, Wong said, because a second cold front could move into the area Thursday. While the front will bring below-normal cold temperatures, it will not bring much rain, Wong said, noting drought conditions are returning to the region. The Drought Monitor shows parts of the Brazos Valley being in abnormally dry conditions. Gilbert expressed sorrow for the victims repeatedly during his parole hearing. I mean, nothing repairs the horror and damage of the crime, nothing, Gilbert said. He said nothing makes up for what the families went through, wives carrying on without husbands and children without fathers and, as you pointed out, a number of other people wounded, a whole community's sense of safety and security are shattered, so justice in that sense, there's no way to repair that or make up for that. During the hearing, which one of the commissioners said lasted four and a half hours, Gilbert went over his history as a teenage supporter of the civil rights movement and a student activist at Columbia University who grew increasingly radicalized and joined the Weather Underground, a militant split-off from the activist group Students for a Democratic Society. At the time of the Brink's robbery, Gilbert had been underground for several years living under assumed names to escape the law as his fellow radicals planned bombings of government facilities. Gilbert said his role was mainly as an educator, leading classes and discussion groups while others were building bombs. Get rid of victim blaming In the Dec. 21 issue of The Eagle, a column by Christine Flowers, an former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, makes some troubling assertions. In the column "Get rid of Christine Blasey Ford Time" Flowers asserts that its hard to understand why a victim of sexual assault in the U.S. would wait years to come forward. She invokes the we have a woman vice president trope to blame female victims who wait, stating that its not justice they are after once the statute of limitations has passed. As if living in a country with a woman vice president makes us any less sexist than living in a country with a black president made us any less racist. The truth is that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), one in six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. Kayaking and child advocacy may seem like a stretch, but Sue Gallagher has merged her two passions to help hundreds of children in the area. The lake resident has paddled the perimeter of Smith Mountain Lake twice to raise money for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Now she is embarking on a fundraising campaign to pay off the mortgage of the Southern Virginia Advocacy Center, which houses CASA and other services for the region. Some of my cases really get to me and thats why I kayak, said Gallagher who as volunteered with CASA for 15 years. I spend a lot of time in my kayak when I have a really tough case also when I just want to have fun. Thats how the two came together. Gallagher was 68 when she kayaked the lake for the first time by herself to raise money. That time she raised $40,000. Two years later I did it again with another CASA volunteer Jane Marvin, continued Gallagher. That year the duo's fundraising efforts topped out at $77,000 until an last minute donation helped them to surpass $100,000. Gallagher said an anonymous donor had heard she had a goal of $100,000 and wanted to help her reach that with a $25,000 donation. Kayaking the lake took three months, kayaking every other day for eight hours a day. During the pandemic people would wait on their docks to see her and Marvin, offering water, snacks, and encouragement as well as donations. In October Gallagher decided she was going to raise money to pay off the Southern Virginia Advocacy Centers mortgage which is $350,000. Around the same time, she met the woman who had made the anonymous $25,000 donation, at the home of mutual friend. While thanking her for the donation she mentioned her next fundraising goal. I went to get this woman a pinwheel and when I got back, she said, Im going to start your mortgage fund off with $25,000. I was overwhelmed and then she said, no Im not. Im going to give you $100,000 in matching funds. I could not take this in, said Gallagher. And I turned to our friend and said what does this mean. It meant a big boost for the mortgage fund. At the time of this writing, they had raised $41,000. The pinwheels Gallagher mentioned are given to donors. A $100 donation gets a pinwheel, larger pinwheels are given to donors of $500 and $1,000 donations garner a large pinwheel and a brick. The pinwheels symbolize the childs ability to get overcome their abuse, Gallagher said. What we want everyone to know is that anyone can make a difference, said Joyce Moran, executive officer of Southern Virginia Advocacy Center. Sue takes that to the next level. Her engagement is true and real. She speaks from experience so that carries genuineness. She has kayaked the lake not once but twice because she knows how one person can impact the life of a child for the better because they engage. The Burn the Mortgage Campaign ramps up in early January 2022, culminating with a silent and live auction event the last weekend in March at the Pavilion at Black Water Junction. The owner Melba Seneff has donated the venue for the event and her husband Russell has donated his auctioneering services, Gallagher said. The couple has also donated a stay at the cabin on the premises as an auction item. Gallagher is seeking other items for auction as well. Paying of the mortgage will be one way to help the Southern Virginia Advocacy Center, CASA and its volunteers. CASA volunteers work for the courts to gather information. With a court order they are permitted to review medical records, speak with counselors, school representatives, doctors and investigators. Every time a case goes to court the judge gets a report from a CASA volunteer Several judges have told us it is the first thing they read because it encompasses the whole case whereas other reports may just encompass a section of the case, Gallagher said. Everything is confidential I can only talk with paid CASA workers about a case. All the information in the report must be what I observe not what I think, just the facts. Then at the end I can write my concerns and what my recommendations are. The judge makes the decision as to what happens to the child." Paying off the mortgage would free up nearly $3,000 a month to either apply to programs or reduce operating costs of the center. We cover Franklin County primarily thats our foundational area where we do all of our CASA services, said Moran. We provide services in Pittsylvania County. We also provide team services for Henry County, Martinsville City and Patrick County. When I say we served 714 people last year thats not just Franklin County because it doesnt matter where you live for us, if youre a child and youve been a victim its not a land boundary we care about, its that every child have the opportunity to be safe, have permanency, and have an education, and health care. That is whats important to us. Anyone interested in making a donation can send a donation to the Southern Virginia Advocacy Center located at 300 S. Main Street in Rocky Mount. Donors should write mortgage fund in the memo section. Taco lovers in and around Rocky Mount have cause for celebration. La Casa Del Burrito Taco Shop opened for business on Dec. 13. The owners, brothers Angel and Edgar Vasquez, are no strangers to the taco business. They opened their first location in Vinton in 2018. They also started operating a food truck in 2019 that served tacos in Rocky Mount up until their new 948 Tanyard Road location opened. The food truck operated Wednesdays through Saturdays. Now that a physical location has been opened in Rocky Mount, they do not anticipate the truck will continue to be used. We were trying to bring the type of food we were used to in Cali to Virginia, Roxy Vasquez, Angels wife who helps run the business, said. In California, there are taco shops on almost every corner you go to. Its more like fast food, but we cook everything fresh. Everything is cooked when you order it. Our prices are very convenient. For example, our breakfast burritos are huge but the price is very reasonable. Theyre $4 or $5. One of the shops most popular items is its California burrito. Some people may be surprised to learn that the burrito contains French fries made from fresh potatoes. Despite their love of California-style tacos, Roxy said the three of them were more than a little nervous about bringing those types of tacos to the area. The taste is a little different from what people around here are used to, she noted. The food truck, she said, allowed locals to get used to the unique taste of their tacos before they went all in by opening a store front. The question of whether it was right to open a second location while the COVID-19 pandemic is still on-going also weighed heavily on their minds. However, the overriding desire to give their customers a place to come in and sit down instead of ordering from a food truck while standing in a parking lot won out. We wanted to give our customers the opportunity to actually sit down and eat and try our food freshly made, she said. All things considered, Roxy reports that business is good. Both the Vinton location and the food truck continued to operate throughout the early days of the pandemic. We stayed strong. There were days that were bad, but we made it through them. We continued to make ends meet, she said. The Vasquez family moved to Rocky Mount from California in search of a more affordable lifestyle. A family member who lives in this part of Virginia suggested that they relocate here. Roxy said that the prospect of not having to work multiple jobs and the ability to spend more time with their children was a major selling point. Its amazing out here, she said. Im able to enjoy my children here. The two shops are primarily staffed by family members. Angel and Edgar serve as the primary cooks. They, along with Roxy, constantly go back and forth between the Vinton and Rocky Mount locations. Looking ahead, Roxy hopes that the business will continue to expand and that they will be able to continue satisfying customers. She isnt ruling out the possibility of a third location. Were hoping people will try us out. Let us know what you think. Well definitely change it. We want to satisfy people, she said. Were definitely excited and amazed to be in Rocky Mount. Were looking forward to what we can bring to the town. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. After the Christmas celebration a lot of people are ready to move on to other things. I like some of the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church. They stretch out the Christmas celebration for 12 days beyond Dec. 25. They celebrate the 12 days after Christmas until Epiphany on Jan. 6. They have rituals with Bible readings, songs and prayers. In Israel in Jesus day, celebrations werent just one and done. Weddings lasted about a week. (Who would want relatives around that long?) Funerals lasted a week also. Even today people have many special days and celebrations in Israel. When I was in Jerusalem one time I wanted to stop at a t-shirt shop. We stopped two times and it was closed for some minor event. The third time it was open. There are some things about the Christmas season we want to remember for the whole year. One of the big concepts we want to remember and celebrate all year long is the word Emmanuel. It means God with us. Working from a picture, a Texas artist whipped up an impressive drawing of Grand Islands Eagle Catcher statue in just two days. Frank Tirrell, 85, says the bronze statue is breathtaking in its context. This is such a beautifully done piece of work, he said in a phone interview. If miniature versions of the Eagle Catcher were available, he said, hed buy one for his living room. Tirrell, who lives in Gilmer, Texas, has never seen the statue in person. Years ago, he saw a similar work in Santa Fe, N.M. Recently, he looked it up but found that the gallery had closed and the statue taken away. In his online search, the Grand Island Eagle Catcher statue popped up, and he started to look into it. Eventually, Tirrell connected with Independent photographer Josh Salmon, who sent him photos. The 2,000-pound statue was given to the city by Dr. Jose Nader, a Grand Island cardiologist, and his wife, Erla, in 1996. Tirrell took up drawing recently after doing oil paintings of Native Americans of the Southwest for 30 years. Hes also an experienced silversmith. KEARNEY After 14 consecutive weeks buried in the red pandemic zone, the Two Rivers Public Health Departments COVID-19 risk dial has inched into the orange elevated risk zone. The red zone means there is a severe level of risk for contracting the virus and becoming ill from it. With the needle moving into the orange level, the risk of contracting COVID is somewhat less. Fourteen weeks is the longest span in the red zone since the pandemic began on March 20, 2020. The dial in the orange level reflects an improved situation in the seven-county Two Rivers District. One hundred eighty-six cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Two Rivers between Dec. 22-28, according to Katie Mulligan, planning section supervisor for Two Rivers. A little over 10% of all tests recorded in the district are positive. Between Dec. 12-25, omicron made up 3% of COVID specimens sequenced in the state of Nebraska. Mulligan also reported: TINLEY PARK As Cook County's mandate requiring patrons of some businesses to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination looms, some south and southwest suburbs say they will play no role in helping enforce it. Starting Monday, both the county and city of Chicago will require customers, age 5 and older, of businesses that serve food and beverage and patrons of health clubs and fitness centers to prove they've been vaccinated for the virus. Along with vaccination evidence, those 16 and older will have to show identification such as a driver's license or school ID that matches the information on the vaccination card, which can include the physical card or photo of the card, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health. Officials in Blue Island, Flossmoor, Orland Park and Tinley Park said that they won't take responsibility for monitoring whether businesses are complying with the county order, and it's not exactly clear who will enforce it. "That's not something that is clearly detailed or outlined," Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson said. She said Flossmoor doesn't have too many businesses that would fall under the new mitigation, and expected them to follow the new rule on their own. Nelson said there are no plans at this point to monitor businesses. "We are extremely fortunate to have some amazing business owners who place a priority on the health and safety of their customers and their employees," Nelson said. "They would rather comply than shut down." Dr. Rachel Rubin, the public health department's senior medical officer, said last week businesses that violate the order can be fined, but said the department would first try to reach out to the businesses. Those with multiple complaints may be referred to the Cook County state's attorney's office, Rubin said, but he also said they would reach out to suburban governments for assistance. Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, R-Palos Park, said he has heard from mayors in his 17th District who are telling him they have no plans to enforce the order. "They are not sending the police to harass business owners," he said Tuesday. Orland Park's Village Board voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose the county mandate and officials said they would take no steps to help enforce it. Police chief Joe Mitchell said officers are already busy with day-to-day tasks, and that "I simply do not have, nor would I devote, crucial resources" to monitoring business compliance. Trustee Michael Milani said he hoped other suburbs would follow Orland Park's lead, and questioned why some businesses are not required to follow the guidelines. He noted patrons of Orland Square mall would not need to show proof of vaccination to enter, but that it would be required at the mall's food court. "Our local businesses can't take another hit to their bottom lines," Milani said. Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said he doesn't support the mandate and that the village wouldn't take a role in enforcing it, noting the county's public health department has the sole responsibility for ensuring businesses are complying. Blue Island Mayor Fred Bilotto said the city will work with "our public health officials and our local business owners to help ensure all of our city is complying with public safety regulations," but there are no plans by the city to take on the task of keeping an eye on whether businesses are following the order. "We recognize the strain these past two years have put on our local businesses and we are committed to helping them create a safe environment where they can survive and thrive," Bilotto said. Along with restaurants, other businesses that serve food or beverage, such as movie theaters and event venues, will also be required to ask for proof of vaccination. Customers of a restaurant picking up a carryout order who aren't sitting down to eat won't have to show a vaccination card, according to the county. Along with requiring proof of vaccination from customers, the order requires employees of affected businesses to either be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for the virus. "You have people waiting four days to get tested," Morrison said, noting regular testing of workers could be difficult for businesses. The requirement that patrons show proof of vaccination could cause a burden for south and southwest suburban hotels that host public and private events, according to Jim Garrett, president and chief executive of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's going to have an impact," he said. "It is what it is and we'll have to adjust." Morrison said he has talked with other county commissioners since the mandate was announced, and that several of them are concerned about the ramifications. He said he was unsure whether he and other commissioners could overturn the mandate at the county board level, but if enough commissioners put pressure on board President Toni Preckwinkle it might happen. If not, the mandate might be pulled back when case numbers drop, Morrison said. "Maybe some common sense will prevail," he said. Morrison said he predicts the mandate will result in lawsuits, and that police will ultimately be involved if a business request for vaccination proof is met with resistance. "If there's yelling and screaming going on, who's going to respond to the incident?" he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CARLYLE Police have arrested a Kentucky man in connection with the fatal shooting of an 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 State's 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 east of St. Louis. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Nichole Lauko never complains about her desk being in a closet with a utility sink, vacuum cleaner and shelves full of office and cleaning supplies. The Millstadt Library director is too busy trying to drum up support for construction of a new library building. For the first time in decades, it seems like a potentially reachable goal due to a state grant that would pay nearly a third of the $4 million cost, she said. Key to the effort are two questions on next year's primary ballot that will ask area voters to expand the library district, leading to a property tax increase for those who live within Millstadt Community Consolidated School District 160 but outside the village of Millstadt and Smithton and Belleville library districts. "There's just such a clear need for it," said library board member Norm Sanders, 59, of Millstadt. "We're not building a Taj Mahal. We just want a modern, state-of-the-art facility to serve the community." The library has been sharing an octagon-shaped building with Millstadt Village Hall since 1969, and until August it was a village department instead of an independent public library district. Its collections, programs and services have grown, but not its 1,500-square-foot space. The circulation desk is about the size of a large elevator. Books and other items are stashed anywhere and everywhere. "I love the space, the history (of the building), the brick and the wood," said Lauko, 27, of Millstadt. "It's like a time capsule. But there's not enough room. We're just so crammed in." $1.2 million grant Millstadt Library staff applied last April for a Public Library Construction Act Grant from the Illinois State Library, which is part of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. They pitched their project as a way to meet needs created by population growth and an aging facility. Eight other libraries applied for the grant in the same category, according to Mark Shaffer, grant program specialist. Their circumstances were examined using a point system that ultimately verified Millstadt's challenges. "When we applied the ranking criteria and the rules to the nine libraries, ( Millstadt and another library) ranked the highest," Shaffer said. The top four were deemed eligible for grants before appropriated funds ran out. Millstadt will receive $1.2 million in grant money for construction of a new building, but only if it can come up with $2.6 million in matching funds by June 30, 2022, either by raising money or taking out a loan. Shaffer said this week he hasn't visited the Millstadt library personally, but photos and measurements indicate a space shortage. "It's only 1,500 square feet, and when you think about that, that's the size of a small home for a library," he said. "And they're proposing to build a 9,800 square feet (structure). And they're proposing to build it right next to a grade school, so location-wise, it would be ideal." Shelves on wheels Millstadt Civic Club founded Millstadt Library on the St. James Catholic School campus in 1964, five years before it moved into the municipal building. Today, the library has about 10,000 books, CDs, DVDs, archive and reference materials, magazines and six computers for public use. It also orders books through the Illinois Heartland Library System. Lauko said staff members are constantly having to "weed out" books to make room for new arrivals. They use metal shelving units on wheels that can be rolled out of the way to make room for summer reading programs and other group activities. Only about 10 children can fit. One of the library's biggest fans is Christine Branum, who stops in once a week with her daughter, Cate, 7, and son, Conner, 10. "My kids love to read, and they go through books way too fast for me to buy them," Branum said. "It's incredible the amount of money we've saved by checking out books." Cate is hooked on the " My Weird School" series and National Geographic Kids magazine. Conner is interested in Greek mythology, including tales narrated by the character Percy Jackson. Branum, 38, of Millstadt, sees a new library building as a way to increase opportunities for children in and around the village. "I think if they could get a bigger library, they could get bigger crowds for their activities, and they would be able to host more," she said. Preliminary plans The Millstadt Library board started talking in the late 1980s about the need to construct an addition or new building to accommodate future growth. The construction didn't happen, but the growth did. The village of Millstadt's population has gone from 2,168 people in 1970 to 4,071 people in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. " Millstadt is more spread out than it seems," Sanders said. "There are subdivisions on almost every edge of town. (The library isn't) just serving the town. We're serving the surrounding area, too." In 2017, the library board bought three acres of land along Illinois 163, across from Liederkranz Park, near Millstadt Primary Center. In August, St. Clair County, village and library officials approved formation of a separate Millstadt Library District while keeping the same property tax rate (.15% of assessed valuation). "We told the village we weren't going to raise taxes," Lauko said. The library board has hired a consultant and architect to design the proposed new building and contracted with Poettker Construction in Breese. Preliminary artist renderings show a 9,800-square-foot, masonry and glass structure with space for community meetings. In recent months, local residents have been raising money for a library construction fund, holding bake sales, painting parties and silent auctions. So far, they've raised about $10,000, Lauko said. Everyone seems to agree that donations would have to be combined with a construction loan for the new building to become a reality. June election Millstadt Library District includes only property in the village of Millstadt. Board members want to significantly expand it to include most of Millstadt Community Consolidated School District 160. They say a larger tax base would help them obtain and pay off a 20-year construction loan. Next year's primary election will be held on June 28. Voters in the current library district will be asked to allow residents of the surrounding area to join it, and voters in the surrounding area will be asked to join. If both ballot measures pass, residents of the surrounding area would begin paying .15% of assessed valuation in property taxes to the district. "Someone who owns a $200,000 house would pay $95 a year or $8 a month," Lauko said. Earlier this year, the Illinois General Assembly postponed the 2022 primary election from March 15 to June 28 because the COVID-19 pandemic delayed receipt of census figures used in redistricting. This complicates things for Millstadt Library District. Public Library Construction Act Grants require recipients to prove that they have matching funds whether saved, raised or borrowed "in the bank" by June 30, 2022, according to Shaffer, the grant program specialist. That's two days after the election, making it unlikely that the Millstadt library board could have all its financing in place for a new building. The board is asking for an extension. "It's something that we are well aware of," Shaffer said. "... We're looking at all the options. We just haven't finished that or come to a decision or come to a policy on how we're going to handle that. "We have to be careful because the rules are set forth in the administrative code, and we just don't know how much leeway we have to be able to adjust, given the fact that the legislature changed the date on the election." If all the pieces fall into place, the Millstadt library board would like to break ground on a new building next fall and complete it by summer 2023. Sanders, like Lauko, plans to spend the next six months trying to convince Millstadt-area residents that a larger, better-equipped library would enhance their quality of life. "When you live in a community, you want it to have the best resources available for everyone," he said. "... A library isn't just a place for checking out books. It's offering meaningful, educational and fun activities that children and their parents can participate in." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 South Africans from retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu's rainbow nation filed past his plain pine casket Friday. But many African leaders remain uncomfortable with his support for LGBTQ rights, democratic freedom and environmental issues. Jacki King, the women's minister at Second Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas, first felt a call to ministry as a college student. She decided to follow it, giving up her pre-med major and her spot on a college softball team for ministry training at a small Bible school with a mostly male student body. She picked Criswell College because it was where her pastor was a dean. She wanted to teach the Bible the way he did. King thought at the time she only had two options for ministry marrying a pastor or serving as an overseas missionary. "I really didn't want to be married to a lead pastor," she said. But God, as the saying goes, had other plans. She met Josh King, an aspiring preacher at Criswell, fell in love and married him. They went into ministry together with his pastor role opening doors for her. Today, King is an author as well as a Bible teacher, and worries that too much of the conversation about women's roles in the church is focused on what they cannot do namely, serve as senior pastor in a Southern Baptist church rather than what they can do. The Bible shows women and men as partners and portrays women leading in the early church, King said, pointing to Phoebe, who is mentioned in the New Testament book of Romans, along with other women leaders. "Women are part of the Great Commission," she said, a reference to Jesus' command to spread his teaching around the world. Few congregations could function without the work of female members. Still, there is tension in the Southern Baptist Convention over the role of women, mainly over how to put a section of the denomination's statement of faith, known as the Baptist Faith and Message, into practice. That section, based on the SBC's interpretation of Bible verses like 1 Timothy 2:12 and Titus 1:5-9, deals with leadership in churches. "While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture," the statement reads. But local Southern Baptist churches, because they are governed autonomously, are free to decide how to implement that teaching. For some in the nation's largest Protestant denomination, the statement of faith means the senior pastor must be a man, but staff and other pastoral roles can be filled by women, including teaching the Bible to both men and women. For others, pastoral duties, especially preaching, are limited to men, and women are only allowed to teach the Bible to other women and children. These two views clashed in spring 2019, when Beth Moore, then a beloved Southern Baptist women's Bible teacher, tweeted about speaking at a Mother's Day church service. It led to a social media firestorm and renewed criticism of women preachers and teachers from more conservative Southern Baptists. In the spring of 2021, Moore left the SBC, citing a number of concerns, including how the denomination has handled sexual abuse allegations, as well as sexism and racism within its ranks. "At the end of the day, there comes a time when you have to say, this is not who I am," she told Religion News Service at the time. This ongoing fight has left some women leaders who feel called to ministry in a bind. "Until we stop debating or demanding an ever-narrowing conformity, we will continue to circle a revolving door of unnecessary controversy," said Katie McCoy, a women's ministry director for a state convention and former seminary professor, in an email. Jacqueline Scott, a member of Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Illinois, and women's Bible study teacher, said being a leader is a natural outgrowth of her faith, and she has always felt called to encourage people to reach their potential. "I've realized that being a leader is just something that is almost ingrained," she said. "You don't even realize that you're doing it." Scott believes her faith frees her from some of the limitations society puts on her gender. But she said Christians put up boundaries too, restricting what people can do for God and how they share the Gospel forgetting everyone has a place in the church's mission. Still, Scott believes the Bible limits the role of pastor to men and she thinks they are better suited for that role. "On the other hand, do I believe that women can be preachers?" she said. "Yes, I do." In 2019, King, McCoy and other faithful Southern Baptists launched the SBC Women's Leadership Network to foster female leaders across the evangelical denomination. "I get to have tons of conversations with women across our convention about how they're serving and how their creativity and resilience is changing communities and schools and churches," King said. "None of that is platformed. None of that is shared to the world." King pointed to the examples of Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong, legendary missionaries in Southern Baptist life. Two of the largest denomination-wide offerings are named after the women. Leadership is more than high-profile ministries, McCoy said. It can look like women hosting college students for the holidays, mentoring young moms and organizing community service projects, she said. "Leadership is influence, not necessarily position," McCoy said. Called to ministry at 22, McCoy, who holds a doctorate in systematic theology, said her parents, professors and peers encouraged her to pursue leadership in Baptist life. Today, she is the new women's ministry director for Texas Baptists, recently making the jump from an SBC seminary to the state convention. Texas Baptist churches seemed to have worked out how to cooperate despite their differences over the role of women, and they do it "without the controversy or perennial acrimony the SBC experiences," McCoy said. It is a local church matter and not a test issue for joining the state convention, she said. "Many of our 5,300 churches are just as conservative as the SBC, affirming the same confessional documents," McCoy said, adding that others allow women to preach or teach, but limit pastor and elder positions to men. When McCoy previously worked at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, she said she felt valued by the administration and supported by President Adam Greenway but felt limited as an employee of an SBC seminary. "I felt that, as a woman, I couldn't grow beyond where I was," McCoy said. Despite her credentials, McCoy knew teaching in the School of Theology wasn't an option. It would be, she said, "at best, fodder for the next alarmist documentary, and at worst, a call for investigations and resignations" at the SBC's national gathering. "If the SBC ever looks around and realizes it has lost a generation of women leaders, it won't be because those women drifted into liberalism. It will be because they're exhausted," she said. Instead, McCoy was named an assistant professor of applied theology and women's studies, but in the School of Educational Ministries, which prepares students for church ministry more practically. She doesn't fault Greenway. "I do, however, fault a religious culture that so caters to its fundamentalist fringe that it views women teaching theology courses as a more imminent threat to its doctrinal purity than decades of infighting and rancor," McCoy said. Ashley Allen, a women's ministry professor and the director of news and information at Southwestern seminary, does not feel restricted by the denomination's beliefs. "I abide by what Scripture says," Allen said. "But at the same time, Scripture provides opportunities for me as a woman." In college, Allen knew she was being called to a Christian vocation, but she refined that calling through the example and guidance of the ladies at her church many of whom didn't carry a title. "They were what I define leadership to be now, which is influencing," Allen said. "When you are influencing somebody else, you're leading them good or bad." Men, including a seminary dean, a professor and a state convention leader, also championed Allen along her career path. Allen said they invested in her, ran interference and recommended her for different positions. Today Allen is doing the influencing, and she would like to see more women in Southern Baptist life fostering leadership among their peers in "whatever it may be, but really coming alongside those ladies and giving them opportunities to be able to serve and to use their gifts." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DENMARK The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has approved a Voorhees College masters program. The master of education in teaching and learning, approved at the SACSCOC annual meeting in December, will launch in January 2022. Classes for the program are scheduled to begin in March. As we prepare to become Voorhees University, I am excited about the SACSCOC approval of the master of education in teaching and learning degree. It is our first masters degree program and a stellar example of how we are taking Voorhees to the next level of excellence, said Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees College. The master of education in teaching and learning degree has two concentration options: education systems improvement or PreK-12 education. The 12-month degree program is designed to prepare educators in a range of education settings to leverage deliberative teaching strategies and educational practices. It is designed to eliminate persistent achievement disparities through a culturally responsive curriculum. Gwenda Richburg Greene, founding dean of graduate studies, shared her enthusiasm about providing this level of quality education for Voorhees and the Denmark community. This is my birth community. I have fond memories of stellar educators who have traversed in this area. I am more than proud to be on the cutting edge of our institution building on those legacies, she said. According to Greene, the masters degree program will prepare educators to become scholar practitioners with the critical consciousness and cultural dexterity to effectively employ content knowledge, pedagogy and disciplined inquiry. It also will prepare educators to apply the principles of improvement science in schools, districts and education organizations in response to clearly defined problems of practice in diverse settings. Damara Hightower Mitchell, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the program will continue to honor the legacy of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, who founded Voorhees College in 1897. Establishing the first graduate program in education at Voorhees has particular significance for me because it is in complete alignment with the intent of our founder. Offering an advanced degree that will prepare educators to effectively teach all learners and address educational inequities is an opportunity to honor our historical legacy and commitment to uplift our community through the success of the educators we will prepare as well as the students and families they will serve, Mitchell said. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fritz Hollings would have been 100 years old on New Years Day. I worked for him for 15 years and knew him as a friend for 50. For me he was a model of what a public servant should be dedicated to moving his beloved South Carolina and his country forward, committed to straight talk with his constituents, and possessed of a knack for policy and politics that was both visionary and practical. He had an almost intuitive feel for policy and politics the likes of which I have never encountered; it was in his brain and in his gut. His brilliance, humor and commanding personality made him the most impressive man I ever met. Graduating from The Citadel in the famous class of 42, young Fritz went straight into World War II, winning a Bronze Star and seven combat stars as he fought across North Africa and Europe. Returning home, he garnered a law degree in just two years. Soon thereafter the 26-year-old up-and-comer was asked to run for the South Carolina House. He quickly became speaker pro tempore, and then was elected lieutenant governor. By age 37, he was governor of the state. He traveled the nation recruiting hundreds of millions of dollars in business investment for new jobs in South Carolina. His visionary technical education program became a model for other states. Educational television (SCETV), teacher pay raises of 38% over his term-limited four years, and a Triple A credit rating for the state budget were other highlights of his governorship. As current U.S. House of Representative Majority Whip James Clyburn eloquently noted at Hollings funeral in 2019, Fritz had an amazing capacity for growth, and he grew to be a leader for equal opportunity and civil rights. In a history-making gesture in 2015, Hollings asked that his name be removed from the federal courthouse in Charleston and proposed that it be named instead for former Federal Judge J. Waties Waring, a pioneering civil rights jurist whose decisions had played a major role in setting the stage for Brown vs. Board of Education. At Hollings request, congressional legislation was passed and the buildings name was changed. To the best of my knowledge, no sitting or retired senator had ever asked for removal of their name from a federal building. That said a lot about Fritz. He was, of course, known for his quick wit and witticisms. When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles scream and shout he would say about certain politicians. The ox is in the ditch, when the nation encountered tough sledding. Theres no education in the second kick of a mule. A man convinced against his will is a man of the same opinion still. On the way through life make this your goal keep your eye on the doughnut and not the hole. There were scores more which would take a small book to recapture. On occasion, a particularly pungent utterance would get him into trouble. But Fritz, being Fritz, said what he thought. While often humorous, Fritz Hollings was a serious man engaged in serious business. He dove deeply into every issue. I know, because I was there. And what an amazing record of legislative accomplishment came out of his leadership. NOAA, Coastal Zone Management, protection of marine mammals and fisheries, the Ocean Dumping Act, funding for cancer research and other health priorities, building stronger national defense, the Automobile Fuel Economy Act, telecommunications legislation, strengthened port and airport security, are just some of the issues on which he led. His widely read 1970 book, The Case Against Hunger played an important role in focusing attention on the need for nutritional and anti-poverty programs like Women, Infants & Children Feeding. Education was another Hollings priority: The only way we can raise the income level of any is to raise the education of all. He fought mightily to limit campaign spending, convinced that the untoward role of big money was undermining our elections and corrupting democracy. No one spoke more candidly about this continuing challenge. Fritz believed that office-holding brought with it the duty to really learn about issues and to share what he learned with his constituents. I seldom saw him go off for the week-end without a serious book tucked into his briefcase. He was not a man for thirty second soundbites that obscured issues. Instead, he traveled the state explaining what the challenges really were, and he wrote regular fact-filled newsletters to keep his fellow citizens informed. Even when some people disagreed with him on an issue, they knew they were being treated as mature citizens by a leader for whom integrity truly mattered. Fritz had a great appreciation and love for those who worked for him during his many years of public service. He wasnt just our boss, but our friend, too. We should do more today than just commemorate his centenary. We should seek out and find more leaders like Fritz Hollings who put the common good first. Michael J. Copps worked for Sen. Hollings from 1970-1985. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Across the nation, civic groups, faith leaders and alarmed citizens are staging hundreds of candlelight vigils and marches in support of voting rights and contacting Congress to mark one year since the ransacking of the U.S. Capitol. Originally, the Stop the Steal movement sought to reverse the 2020 election results and organized the Jan. 6 attack. But the insurrection isnt over: It was a dress rehearsal for whats coming next. The movement still thrives and is redoubling its efforts at the state level for another effort to subvert our democratic system of government. Heres a few things we can expect in the year ahead: State-level Republicans will continue to pass more voter-suppression laws and take steps allowing them to throw out election results they dont like. Already, the Stop the Steal movement is taking over offices that supervise elections; obstructing mail-in balloting; limiting the number, hours and availability of election polls; imposing harsher voter ID requirements; expanding voter roll purges; and securing partisan oversight over final election tallies. According to the Brennan Center, so far 19 states have enacted 33 laws to make it harder for Americans to vote, and we can expect more. Many of these anti-voting laws are quite extreme, and all of them will disproportionately affect minorities and low-income people targeting constituencies that tend to vote Democratic. For example, Georgia residents may be charged with a crime for handing out water to voters waiting in long lines at the polls. In Texas, election administrators may face felony charges if they encourage voters to request mail-in ballots. And in Iowa and Kansas, people could be criminally prosecuted for helping voters deliver their ballots, for example, if they assist voters with disabilities. In other states, Republican legislatures have undermined the nonpartisan administration of elections by elevating the role of state lawmakers in overseeing election officials and even inserting themselves into the election count. Saving our democracy from these attacks and confronting the filibuster will be the most crucial fight of 2022, and it is not at all clear if our democracy will survive. Democracy is not down and out yet, but it is getting dangerously late. Two essential legislative measures have been introduced in Congress that would overturn many state voting restrictions: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Freedom to Vote Act would protect and expand vote-by-mail, enact automatic voter registration, simplify voter ID laws, make voting polls easily accessible, and mandate paper ballots, rein in secret political spending, and more. The Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring that no eligible citizen is denied the right to vote. The U.S. House already passed the Freedom to Vote Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act. In the Senate, they enjoy the support of a narrow majority, but so far have been blocked by a Republican filibuster. Calls for modifying the filibuster rules to get these voting rights measures passed into law are mounting, with even President Biden speaking out. This will be the decisive fight of 2022, with consequences that likely will reverberate for decades to come. If the election results are close, state-level Republicans will attempt to overturn those that dont go their way using bogus claims of election fraud as the pretext. Stop the Steal efforts are being coordinated across states by a network of pro-Trump election lawyers, touting their goal of reining in election fraud, despite the reality that no meaningful record of election fraud exists. Voter fraud conspiracy theories have been widely debunked by election officials, legislative hearings, academic scholars and the courts. Most recently, three Trump supporters from a Florida retirement community were charged with voting more than once. But the wild notion that voter fraud is pervasive and affected the 2020 election results is accurately known as the Big Lie. 2022 is the year that either will remake our democracy for the 21st century leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can participate or break it entirely. Its up to all of us and our lawmakers to save it. Craig Holman is the government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Several of Wyomings known uranium reserves have landed in optimistic new hands. Uranium Energy Corp, a mining and exploration company based in Corpus Christi, Texas, announced on Dec. 20 that it had acquired Uranium One Americas, a subsidiary of Russian-owned Uranium One. Included in the $112 million deal are seven not-yet-developed projects in the Powder River Basin, five in the Great Divide Basin and numerous potential sites for future development. The company already owns the Reno Creek mining project in northeastern Wyoming. Its a really exciting development, not just for our company, but I think for Wyoming as well, said Scott Melbye, executive vice president of Uranium Energy Corp. I couldnt be a bigger believer that the U.S. uranium industry of which Wyoming can certainly be the leader in that regard certainly can be producing a lot more than we have. In the 1960s and 70s, Wyoming housed a bustling uranium industry that employed 5,000 workers. Then high-profile accidents at Three Mile Island in 1979 and Fukushima in 2011 stalled growth and flooded the global market, causing prices to tumble and most U.S. mines to shutter. Today, most of the uranium used to power the countrys nuclear reactors is imported from Canada, Australia, Russia and Kazakhstan; in Wyoming, there are only about 115 uranium workers left. The domestic uranium industry now sits largely dormant as producers wait for those low market prices to climb back up. Melbye believes the industrys fortunes may be about to shift. In the coming five years, I think were going to see uranium prices at that level that supports production, and youre going to see a lot of employment and development in the sector, he said. For most U.S. producers, competitive pricing begins around $50 per pound. The cost of uranium has remained below that benchmark since 2014, and sank to $33.27 last year. But according to Melbye, global demand is finally recovering to pre-Fukushima levels, and prices are likely to climb as demand continues to grow. He expects uranium from close to a dozen more mines to be needed in the coming years, particularly if nuclear power continues to supply a significant share of many countries low-carbon electricity. And he hopes some of that additional uranium will come from the U.S. There is a limit to how long these American mining companies can kind of tread water and ramp back up, but I think were in a phase now where Im confident that uranium prices will recover to that level that we need to get restarted, Melbye said. The process of permitting and constructing a uranium mine could take a decade, he said. But the Reno Creek project and three of Uranium Energy Corps newly acquired Powder River Basin projects are already fully permitted. Whenever market conditions become favorable again, Melbye expects it to take between six months and two years for those permitted mines to start operating. That sounds like a long time, he said. But in the scheme of things, those are some of the earliest responders to any sort of price movements. Most of the projects are located on private land, meaning that royalties from any future mining would go to the landowner, while severance taxes would go to the state. There is currently no federal production tax for uranium. Industry hopes itll stay that way. Love 10 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There is an amendment to Gov. Mark Gordons proposed budget in the works that would seek to address Wyomings incarceration rate of juveniles, which is one of the highest in rates in the nation. The Wyoming Youth Justice Coalition is currently ratcheting up an effort to get a budget amendment passed that would allocate $3 million towards funding County Juvenile Service Boards, county-level outfits dedicated to keeping juveniles out of the formal correctional system, like detention, and in their communities. As the budget stands, there are zero dollars allocated for the County Juvenile Service Boards (CJSBs). The counties are the frontlines for preventing kids from entering the system and helping kids get out of our formal youth justice systems, said Donna Sheen, director of the Wyoming Childrens Law Center, the organization thats home to the Wyoming Youth Justice Coalition. Without the CJSBs, advocates and experts argue, more juveniles will be taken out of their communities and put into detention facilities like the Wyoming Boys School and the Wyoming Girls School, which have adverse outcomes and tends to land them back in detention. Community placement helps kids, said Dr. Kayla Burd, an assistant professor of psychology and law at the University of Wyoming. Specifically for detention of youth, 70% end up returning within one year. Crook Countys CJSB had their number of youth heard in district or juvenile court reduced from 40 to 15 in three years, saving the state roughly $22,000 per child for a total of $550,000. I certainly agree that we need to put emphasis on Community Juvenile Services because ultimately it is better to keep kids in their community, said Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, whos a member of the Joint Judiciary Committee. After Gordons sweeping budget cuts following the onset of the pandemic and the downturn of the energy industry, funding for the CJSBs was cut from the Department of Family Services Budget. The $3 million they plan to ask for is roughly $2 million more than was budgeted for the CJSBs in the 2021-2022 biennium, but advocates plan to argue that the state needs to make up for even more money than was lost to just the budget cuts. Not only did Wyoming lose money for the CJSBs, the state also lost grant money because the Volunteers of America, the group responsible for obtaining the grant money, had their application denied and will not be applying for this state funding moving forward, according to the State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justices year-end report. Most states do not have to apply for this grant money, however. States can join a federal program that provides funding to address juvenile justice issues, but Wyoming has not participated since 1996. Part of the reason Wyoming does not re-apply for the federal dollars, Sheen said, is because the money may be taken away in a year if Wyoming does not meet certain benchmarks set by the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. The examples Sheen gave were detaining status offenders and housing juveniles in adult facilities. Under the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, children cant be housed in adult facilities and youth who commit status offenses cant be institutionalized to receive the annual federal funds. A status offense is a behavior thats only punishable because of a persons status as a child. If the same person were to perform this act as an adult, it would not be a crime. For example: underage use of tobacco and alcohol, curfew violations and truancy are status offenses. Sheen said it might be time to attempt to get that federal money again. Although Provenza has hope for what the amendment could do, she maintains some skepticism about how the money it provides will be distributed. Part of my concern is the equitability, she said. In some counties you might have a judge whos more likely to send kids to detention than others. I think its a step in the right direction at least for now until we can create a juvenile justice structure thats honestly completely different. It was revealed in June that roughly 2,000 kids went through the juvenile justice system (as a whole, not just detention) in 2019 across 14 of Wyomings counties and that over a quarter (about 550) were in the system for status offenses. Of those, children were mostly punished with a fine, Narina Nunez, a member of the state advisory council on juvenile justice, told the Legislatures joint judiciary committee this summer. Only about 11% of the kids in the system were charged with a violent crime or what is referred to as a Crime against a Person. Roughly 54% of those were charged with simple battery, which is defined as: the intentional touching of another in an angry manner or the intentional use of force or violence against another. Grabbing someones arm, pushing or punching a person, or striking a victim with an object all are crimes of battery. Ten percent of the violent offenders were charged with simple assault which is defined as the threat or attempted injury of another individual. Despite no physical contact, bodily injury, or battery being required. One hurdle the CJSBs ran into in the past was the lack of funding for the smaller counties, because allocation of money is based on population. That system resulted in less populous counties getting so little money they could not successfully build out community services for juveniles. This time around, Sheen hopes, the base amount that counties get will be higher, while some of the funding will still be based on population so the bigger counties can have adequate funds. Advocates drafting the amendment are still early in the process and do not yet have a sponsor. This draft comes at a time when the Joint Judiciary Committee voted to sponsor a bill for the upcoming budget session that would create a data-collection system about the youth who enter the justice system, something the state has lacked and has for years. The thinking is that if that bill is successfully enacted, it will be far easier to address Wyomings high juvenile incarceration rates since much more robust data will be available. Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. The new year is just one week old, but already the pace of events is enough to make anyone dizzy. Against the background of the relentless Covid-19 pandemic of illness and death, the public has been hit by one price increase after another. Flour and its derivative products, including bread, doubles and some biscuits, milk and beer are among the products subjected to price hikes. Add to that cement, steel, electricals and other construction materials which have been steadily on the rise over the past year, and one gets an idea of the pummelling that consumers are taking. This story was made possible by a grant awarded to La Estrella de Tucson by Solutions Journalism Network, an organization dedicated to promoting journalism that analyzes community responses to specific problems. Two years ago, Monique Ortega, 26, felt trapped. A single mom of two young children, she was struggling to find work that was stable enough for her to qualify for a child care subsidy from the Department of Economic Security. At the time, she was living in Phoenix and the cost of living was high. She struggled to pay $50 a week for basic child care so she could go to work. In Spanish Read this story in Spanish The stress was constant and demoralizing, she said. I just felt helpless. I had no support system when I was in Phoenix. It was really just me on my own, said Ortega, who dropped out of high school when she was 16. Although she got her GED, all of her job prospects seemed like dead ends, she said. After moving to Tucson, she found the Pathways for Single Mothers program, a project of the Womens Foundation of Southern Arizona. The program provides wraparound services, including scholarships for full-time, high-quality child care, transportation, tuition and an emergency fund for parents pursuing a qualifying certificate or degree program. I dont think I ever had that experience in my life, where I felt like, actual support, she said. Being a mom, its always about your kids. Ortega chose a logistics and supply-chain management certification program through Pima Community College, and finally, she felt hope. I didnt know anything about logistics, but this sounded like something that could really help me get on my feet, she said. It was a way out. I didnt want to keep doing the same cycle and not having anything to show for it. Thanks to a new amendment to Arizona statute, more low-income parents will have the opportunity for social mobility. HB 2016, signed by Gov. Doug Ducey in April, waives a 20-hour-per-week work requirement for parents receiving Arizona Department of Economic Security child care subsidies. That means low-income parents who are already qualified for DES child care subsidies will have the option to enroll at an accredited educational institution or employment training program and still maintain their child care subsidy. The legislation is already in effect, but the benefit to parents is still a ways off. DES is currently establishing contracts with colleges and universities to create a scholarship program which will help outline eligibility requirements, DES spokeswoman Tasya Peterson said. The expanded eligibility should be in effect by spring 2022. Child care scholarships will be available to students pursuing degrees in programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency, including nursing, early childhood education and K-12 education. DES is also partnering with the Womens Foundation to make sure the new scholarship program is successful, Peterson said. Currently, 36,439 Arizona families qualify for DES child care subsidies. The success of the Pathways pilot program, now in its second year, demonstrated the need for HB 2016, said Amalia Luxardo, CEO of the Southern Arizona Womens Foundation, one of the major proponents of the legislation. So far, 23 women have participated in Pathways for Single Mothers, and 13 of them are Latina. Tens of thousands of low-income women in Southern Arizona could benefit from HB 2016, Luxardo said. Research from the University of Arizona, commissioned by the Womens Foundation, estimates that 33,000 low-income single mothers in Southern Arizona have no postsecondary education and could dramatically improve their financial situation with targeted training and education programs, such as the one-year certificates in fast-growing industries offered by Pima Community College. But completing those training programs almost always requires access to child care. By covering the cost of child care, the state could save $20,000 for each family who is able to achieve financial self-sufficiency and get off public assistance, Luxardo said. Youre talking about millions of dollars that could be reallocated to other things, Luxardo said. And the legislation will be of particular help to Latino families, she said. In Arizona, there are 323,558 households led by single women with children, according to a Womens Foundation analysis of data from the 2019 American Community Survey, a program of the U.S. Census Bureau. About 40% of those holdholds 129,681 of them are led by Latina women, the data showed. While many may have extended family to rely on, theres only so much our families can do for us before we get to a point where were all overextending ourselves, Luxardo said. Single mothers are half as likely as other women to have a four-year degree, driving lower wages for that demographic, according to a research brief from the University of Arizona. None of the five most common occupations for single mothers of young children provide a median wage higher than $30,000, the brief said. Even working full-time, these mothers are still likely to live in or near poverty and require public assistance to survive. HB 2016 brings self-sufficiency into the reach of more families, said Magdalena Verdugo, CEO of YWCA Tucson. Its a huge win, Verdugo said. Supporting women on the path to self-sufficiency is the goal of much of YWCAs programming and services, and YWCA has also connected women to the Pathways program, introducing them to careers that they possibly never thought they could have, she said. The Pathways program intentionally focused on promising career pathways that dont require a four-year degree and in which women can earn a true living wage. But many of those fields, like logistics and building construction technology, have been traditionally male-dominated, and women may have been reluctant to pursue them in part due to a sense that they wouldnt be as flexible for the needs of working parents, Verdugo said. Consistency, particularly in housing and education, is crucial for kids, but achieving that requires parents to be stable first, Verdugo said. We need to stabilize the mom or parent in order to extend that stability to the child, she said. During the pandemic, with child care centers and schools shutting their doors, many are realizing how crucial child care is for families, Verdugo said. Yet much of the child care burden has fallen to women during the pandemic, who put their lives and careers on hold to stay at home with their children, she said. Advocates are hopeful that there is growing momentum around support for high-quality preschool, in terms of its benefits for both children and parents. If theres anything good that came out of COVID its that it revealed to a lot of people the critical role that child care plays for two generations, said Liz Barker Alvarez, policy director for state agency First Things First, the states early childhood agency, funded by a tobacco tax, which supports early learning and development of children ages birth through 5. More and more policymakers at all levels are starting to recognize that early learning is something we do need to invest in. Game-changer Leaders at Pima Community College were cautiously hopeful that HB 2016 would pass this year, said Brian Stewart, vice president of Pimas Northwest Campus. It does tell us theres a shift in our community, recognizing that children really are our future and our lifeblood, he said. Pima Community College is working to add on-campus child care capacity to accommodate an anticipated influx of parents taking advantage of HB 2016, Stewart said. Pimas research shows that the Desert Vista and West campuses have fewer existing high-quality providers of early childhood education, he said. Without convenient child care options for students, its more likely theyll struggle with their studies, he said. Students have to drive somewhere, drop their kids off, run to campus, run back to pick up their kids at child care, he said. That means they take less classes, or they miss classes. Theres no back-up support. Construction of new child care centers will begin first at the Desert Vista campus on the south side, where 60% of students are Latino, Stewart said. The center should be complete by summer 2022, and it will start small, serving 15 to 20 children ages 3 to 5, then grow as needed, he said. We really want to support parents who are putting their child in high-quality early learning programs, which exist but theyre necessarily right next to our campuses, he said. Existing child care deserts in Tucson areas with an undersupply of licensed child care providers have been exacerbated by the pandemic, he said. What we know is a lot of child care providers closed during COVID, he said. Theres already a desert, it just makes the desert worse. (In surveys,) our students were speculating that without child care, they will not come back to school. Its just not possible. In talks with parents about their child care needs, First Things First staffers learned that lack of access to child care was a significant barrier in furthering their education, said Jessica Harrington, senior regional director in Southern Arizona for First Things First. Fast-track programs, like the 13-month licensed practical nursing program at Pima Community College, are better options for working parents but missing even one class due to a child care emergency could derail a students studies, she said. That coursework is incredibly important, but if you miss a day, your education could be jeopardized. You have to be there every single class, and making up classes is really hard, she said. With HB 2016, We think this is going to be a huge game-changer, Harrington said. Well see a lot more interest from families to be able to be in a position now to access and to focus on their higher education. Arizona at work HB 2016 will make a real difference in the lives of parents seeking to improve their financial position, said Pam Valencia, a workforce enrollment specialist at Pima Countys Arizona at Work program, a statewide workforce development network, formerly known as One Stop. Between 85% and 90% of her clients are Latina, the majority single moms, she said. For years, Valencias clients faced a massive waiting list for DES child care subsidies. And for her clients who needed child care so they could go back to school, those subsidies were unavailable, she said. That was a common situation: Valencia recalled one client who was working as a caregiver and who hoped to become a licensed practical nurse and secure a higher wage. But without access to child care for her children, she was stuck in the same low-paying job, Valencia said. Thats really rough when you see somebody whos making, at that time, $10 an hour, who probably could be making $20-something an hour with training, she said. But before HB 2016, pursuing that training would have required giving up DES child care subsidies, she said. They lose hope. I would see a lot of clients that were frustrated, like, Im trying to better myself. Dont they see it? she said. It was disheartening to see that, but there was nothing I could do at the time. HB 2016 has removed at least that one barrier for her clients, she said. Looking ahead While HB 2016 is a start, state leaders must truly commit to supporting early childhood education, said Barbie Prinster, program director for the Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, a membership-based nonprofit that represents licensed child care centers and advocates with the legislature. The pandemic brought an infusion of federal emergency relief dollars to the state, which has helped rescue the child care industry. But the states general fund only devotes $7 million to child care for children in the custody of the Department of Child Safety, the states child welfare agency. Thats compared to $85 million general fund dollars, before massive cuts that were prompted by the 2008 recession, said Nicole Fyffe, assistant to County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry. The question a lot of us have is whether the state will step up and restore general funding to at least pre-2008 recession levels, after COVID federal funding ends, Fyffe said. During the 2008 recession, then-Gov. Jan Brewer defunded the low-income working parent portion of child care assistance, and it was never restored, Prinster said. Were so thankful for the federal money, Prinster said. But, she said, If all the federal funding today went away, we still wouldnt be funding working families. Its really kind of contradictory to the governors messaging around Arizona is open for work. Advocates must continue to lobby the state legislature to devote funding to child care, she said. Child care is part of our infrastructure. Its part of our economy, she said. For Pathways program participant Ortega, education has become a steppingstone to a better life. Ortega said when she was growing up, her father instilled in her the importance of education. But when he died of cancer when she was a teen, Ortega said she lost all motivation, dropping out at age 16. I gave up on myself, she said. She gave birth to her daughter Aaliyah at age 18, around the time she got her GED, and then she had her son Dominick at age 20. Today, Ortega is throwing herself into her pursuit of higher education. Her logistics classes count toward the associates degree shes now pursuing at Pima Community College, and she plans to get her bachelors degree after that. Ortegas children are now 6 and 8 and in elementary school, so she doesnt need child care support anymore. But she said the other support services offered by Pathways have been critical to her success. If HB 2016 had been around when she desperately needed access to child care, she would have started pursuing her new career path years ago and avoided a lot of stress, she said. How to apply HB 2016 allows the Arizona Department of Economic Security to waive the 20-hour-per-week work requirement for parents who are already receiving child care subsidies, and who want to transition to a qualified education program. That waiver will likely be in effect by spring 2022. But parents do need to be working to secure the DES subsidies in the first place. Only then will they have the option of maintaining those subsidies, while enrolling as a full-time student in a vocational, technical, or trade certification, or an associate degree or bachelor's degree program, that is tied to the parent's employment goals, DES spokeswoman Tasya Peterson. Parents interested in applying for DES child care subsidies should visit des.az.gov/child-care and click on the Families tab near the bottom of the web page. To be eligible, a familys household income cannot exceed 165% of the federal poverty level, which is $43,725 for a family of four. If that legislation had been around earlier, I would have started all this earlier, she said. I would recommend it to any woman, anybody who feels like theyre stuck in a situation like mine. What does this story mean to you? Knowing how this story may have influenced you can help steer future reporting that provides value to readers. Please let us know what you think by taking our survey at tucne.ws/1igc Participated in this series: Journalists: Caitlin Schmidt, Gloria Knott, Emily Bregel, Ashley Morales. Photographers: Mamta Popat and Rebecca Sasnett. Photo Editor: Rick Wiley. Graphic Artist: Chiara Bautista. Web Designer and Producer: Johanna Eubank, Mabhy Camou. Translators: Mariana Alvarado, Jose Ma. Rodriguez. Editors: Liliana Lopez, Alexis Huicochea. The number of recorded Border Patrol encounters with migrants at the southern border is higher than ever, but many experts say that doesnt necessarily mean there are more people coming to the U.S. than ever before. The high number is misleading for a few reasons, including a high percentage of people crossing more than once and fewer people crossing undetected. That said, many experts also agree that rising levels of violence and worsening economic and political situations, exacerbated by both the pandemic and in some cases climate change, are driving more people from their homes, from Mexico all the way to Brazil. The number of times Border Patrol agents encountered migrants in the U.S.-Mexico border region in fiscal year 2021, which wrapped up at the end of September, was the highest on record going back to 1960. There were more than 1.7 million encounters, compared to about 458,000 in 2020, 977,500 in 2019, and 521,000 in 2018, both at ports of entry and on land in between. In the Tucson Sector, which covers 262 miles of border from the Yuma County line to the Arizona/New Mexico state line, the number of encounters is the highest since 2010, at about 191,200. There were nearly 66,100 in 2020 and 63,500 in 2019. The shrines position in Barrio Viejo as a symbol of Mexican identity is also important, Reyes said. In the past, he has taken his teenage son and 6-year-old daughter to the shrine to light candles, connect with their heritage and introduce difficult conversations. Its a way to make it easier to talk about death and to think about those who have died, Reyes said. Teresa Shaar grew up in Tucson and spent much of her childhood visiting the shrine with relatives or playmates. The story she heard was that a priest who had fallen in love was buried under the arch and that three other people were buried behind it. As a child, it was always very sacred to me, Shaar said. I was raised Catholic, and still when I drive by, I cross myself. Today, she owns El Minuto Cafe right next to the shrine. Border deaths commemorated Shrines also offer a place to grieve when traditional spaces arent available, such as for relatives who passed in another country, or for those who died in the desert of the borderlands. Local journalism is important and producing it costs time and money. To continue viewing content on tucson.com, please sign in with your existing account or subscribe. SBCO Scholarship Recipient Stresses Scholarship Benefits Not Only Him, But Those He Is Able to Help A good portion of our clientele were people who worked downtown, he said. But when you know that companies like ONEOK, PSO and AT&T, which had offices downtown, are now having their employees work from home, and that they may not be coming back until September, if then... that was kind of the last straw for us. When Billy Bayouth announced he would be closing Billys on the Square, his iconic downtown burger restaurant, after 36 years, he told the Tulsa World: Weve been through some hard times before. We made it through 9/11, when we had to move, when they tore down Main Mall and (the original) Bartlett Square, road construction and even when a cornice fell off the building, but weve never seen anything like this (COVID-19 pandemic). It was a difficult and emotional decision for us not to renew our lease, but this just seems like the right time, Bayouth said, adding, there arent that many people downtown right now, anyway. Josh Evans, who opened The Greens on Boulder in 2015, said the main reason for closing down was the loss of sales because of the pandemic. Owners of the recently shuttered Glacier Dessert Bar in the Tulsa Arts District said a lack of traffic contributed to their decision to close. MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday wished Russians positive changes in the new year, hailing their solidarity and strength in the face of tough challenges like the coronavirus pandemic. In a televised address broadcast just before midnight in each of Russias 11 time zones, Putin said the nation of nearly 146 million has faced colossal challenges but has learned to live in those harsh conditions and solve difficult tasks thanks to our solidarity. We have continued to battle the dangerous pandemic that has engulfed all continents and isn't retreating yet," Putin said. "The treacherous disease has claimed tens of thousands of lives. I would like to express words of sincere support to all those who lost their dear ones. Russias state coronavirus task force has registered a total of about 10.5 million confirmed infections and 308,860 deaths, but the state statistics agency that uses broader criteria in its tallying system has reported nearly 626,000 virus-linked deaths in Russia since the start of the pandemic. Silzer said the rancher who now owns the cattle called her Thursday morning to ask whether she had seen the white doe because he had not seen her since Christmas Eve and he knew she had roamed onto other property as she sometimes did where people were hunting on Christmas Day. He had heard someone killed her and took her to a processor, and so I started calling around, she said. She found a processor who said they took in a white doe, and she couldnt help but be emotional, Silzer said. I have watched over her since she was just a baby, she said. They told me they were very sorry for my loss. I tried to call them back to see if they could confirm it was her because of the notch she has in her ear, but I dont think theyre taking my calls anymore. People often saw the deer with the herd of cattle and pulled off the two-lane blacktop to watch with binoculars. The deer was featured in Tulsa World stories in 2017 in which residents said if any hunter killed the deer he or she likely would be run out of town by a mob of angry Christmas fans. Weve always had a good relationship with the state with respect to hunting and fishing, but were exercising our God-given right as Choctaw people, Tribal Council Speaker Thomas Williston said. I feel it is a sad state of affairs nowadays that we have had to go to extremes such as this. As approved, the measure only applies to Choctaw Nation citizens who hunt or fish within the reservation boundaries, which covers almost 11,000 square miles in southeastern Oklahoma. Those citizens will be required to complete a hunter safety course and register any kills via an online portal before taking the animals to a processor or taxidermist. Bag limits will still apply under the terms of the tribes legal code, and federal guidelines will still be in place for duck stamps. Additionally, hunting and fishing are still prohibited on private property without the owners permission. Nontribal citizens will still be required to have a valid state-issued license to hunt or fish within the reservation. Export prices of rice from Vietnam touched their lowest level in four months this week as sales dipped, while nearby India and Thailand also witnessed a slowdown in demand moving into the year-end holidays. Vietnam's 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $395-$400 per tonne, the weakest levels since the week of Aug. 26, versus $395-$405 per tonne a week earlier. "Sales are slow due to the holidays," said a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City, adding that "domestic supplies are running low and won't start to build up until the winter-spring harvest from February." Rice exports in 2021 from Vietnam were forecast to drop 0.5% to 6.2 million tonnes, with revenue from rice exports expected to rise 5% to $3.3 billion. Thailand's 5% broken rice prices slightly narrowed to $387-$396 per tonne from $385-$396 last week. Traders said demand had been flat due to the lull of the market during the holiday period. A Bangkok-based trader said prices may go up after the new year holidays, on the back of domestic demand and exporters wanting to buy rice due to the current low prices. Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety rates held steady at $355-$360 per tonne, unchanged from last week as demand was subdued due to holidays. "Overseas buyers have taken a pause because of year-end holiday. Inquiries have fallen sharply," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Domestic rates for the staple in neighbouring Bangladesh were high despite good crops and hefty imports, hitting consumers. Officials attributed the high prices to hoarding by middlemen to create artificial crisis to make windfall profits. Vietnam-Russia oil and gas joint venture Vietsovpetro raked in US$1.684 billion in revenue in 2021, beating its target by 49 percent despite coronavirus-related setbacks, according to the company's general director Nguyen Quynh Lam. Vietsovpetro exploited over 3.1 million tons of crude oil this year, approximately 105.5 percent of its target, Lam announced at a conference held on Wednesday to review the firms fiscal year and set new targets for 2022. According to Lam, Vietsovpetro also produced 0.91 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2021, 9.7 percent higher than planned. Such success led to the joint venture contributing $922 million to the state budget over the course of the year, $317 million more than expected. The company ended the year with a registered profit of $282.5 million, 73.2 percent higher than its target. Such numbers came as a surprise to many given the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to the oil and gas industry over the past year, including issues with oil price fluctuation, risks of production chain disruption, and an increase in the cost of oil production supplies and equipment. The company also embarked on an expansion plan over the past year, including the ahead-of-schedule completion of two oil rigs BK-18A and BK-19 which contributed to maintaining high production numbers despite oil supply chain disruptions caused by the epidemic. A lightweight oil rig of Vietsovpetro is prepped for launch in 2020. Photo: Dong Ha / Tuoi Tre Vietsovpetro also cut $17 million in overhead this year, 80 percent higher than its target, thanks to an effective cost optimization plan. In 2022, the firm is targeting to produce nearly three million tons of oil and more than 65 million cubic meters of natural gas. At a base oil price of $62 per barrel, the joint venture expects to achieve $1.31 billion in revenue from its oil sales, equating to $189.9 million in profit and an addition of $679.1 million to the state budget. Vietsovpetro also plans to continue building the RC-RB1 and RC-10 oil rig projects and expects to put them into operation during the last quarter of 2022, according to PetroTimes, an e-magazine produced by the Vietnam Petroleum Association. The joint venture was established in June 1981 in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement signed by Vietnam and the Soviet Union which called for cooperation in petroleum exploration and production on the southern Vietnamese continental shelf. The Russian Federation took over the Soviet Unions rights and interests in Vietsovpetro in 1993. The company has been operating under an updated intergovernmental agreement signed between Vietnam and the Russian Federation on December 27, 2010 which dictates the continuation of cooperation in petroleum exploration and production in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! South Korea said on Friday it will extend stricter social distancing rules for two weeks amid a persistent surge in serious coronavirus infections and concerns over the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant. The government reinstated the curbs on Dec. 18, six weeks after easing them under a "living with COVID-19" scheme, as record-breaking numbers of new infections and serious cases put a huge strain on the country's medical system. Daily tallies have since decreased, with 4,875 new cases on Thursday, after spiralling near 8,000 two weeks ago, but the number of critically ill patients still hovers around their highest level of 1,000, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The extension is also aimed at bracing for a further spread of Omicron cases by using the time to secure more hospital beds and encourage a booster vaccine shot campaign, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said. "We should reserve sufficient beds that can cover some 10,000 cases a day, and we should also speed up booster shots and children's vaccinations," he told an intra-agency meeting. The curbs, which will be effective until Jan. 16, ban gatherings of over four fully vaccinated people, and require restaurants, cafes and bars to close by 9 p.m. (1400 GMT) and movie theatres and internet cafes by 10 p.m. Unvaccinated people can only dine out alone, or use takeout or delivery services. Nearly 91% of South Koreans aged 12 or older are fully vaccinated. Total infections stand at 630,838, including 894 Omicron cases, with 5,563 deaths, the KDCA said. Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol told a briefing the Omicron variant is likely to be dominant in the near future, as seen in the United States and much of Europe. South Korea has cancelled its traditional midnight bell-ringing ceremony for the second straight year, as the coronavirus stifles New Year celebrations and scaled back other festivities around the globe amid efforts to contain rampant transmission. At least four people in a family from the northern Vietnamese province of Hung Yen have died of suspected food poisoning following a meal on Sunday. The latest victim, 25-year-old Nguyen Thi Tinh, passed away at a hospital on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The incident took place at the house of Nguyen Van Sang in Lai Ha Trung Village, Hung An Commune, Kim Dong District, Hoang Van Bac chairman of the commune administration confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday. On Sunday afternoon, nine people including Sang, his wife, their two daughters, as well as their husbands and children gathered for lunch at the house. Following the meal, the two daughters 27-year-old Nguyen Thi Tuoi and 25-year-old Nguyen Thi Tinh and their family members returned to their own homes. Tuois eight-year-old son and Tinhs four-year-old daughter experienced stomachache and nausea that night before passing away at their homes. Tuoi and Tinh also had similar symptoms and were hospitalized. The former died at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon, while the latter could not make it on the following day. Tuois husband did not have any symptoms at first but fell into a coma on Tuesday evening. He is being monitored at the hospital. Local authorities are working to find out the cause of death. The family did not allow police to perform an autopsy on the two deceased children. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detained a man for not protecting his eight-year-old daughter who died over a week ago after being tortured by his fiancee, who had allegedly abused the little girl for a long time. Nguyen Kim Trung Thai, 36, was arrested on Thursday night for an investigation into his offense of maltreatment or abuse of one's grandparent, parent, spouse, child, grandchild, or caregiver, as prescribed by the Vietnamese Penal Code, police of the citys Binh Thanh District said. Thai is the father of N.T.V.A., who was beaten to death on December 22 by his 26-year-old fiancee Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang, at their apartment in the district, where they have lived together since May 2020. Trang was taken in on December 23 and has been charged with torturing others. Police apprehended Trang following a hospital report on the unusual death of A., who had been taken to the hospital in a coma, accompanied by a cardiac arrest and apnea. As doctors found various wounds on her body, police on the scene suspected that Trang had beaten A. to death. Police have also collected some relevant proof from the apartment and questioned Trangs neighbors, who said they had heard A.s screams while she was being beaten on the afternoon of December 22. Before Thais arrest, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Childrens Rights had issued a document to local police requesting that Thai be prosecuted for not protecting his daughter from domestic violence, and that the offense of torturing others determined for Trang be revised appropriately. Thai had failed to take any measures to protect his daughter from being brutalized by Trang though he knew that the brutalization had taken place for a long time before A. was beaten to death, the association said. The man even covered up Trangs violent acts by saying to others that they were just aimed at educating his daughter. This supplied image shows Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang, who was arrested for allegedly beating her fiance's eight-year-old daughter to death in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, December 22, 2021. On December 11, Thai took A. to hospital for stiches over a head wound caused by Trang, but he falsely told doctors that she had been injured due to a fall." Thai's cover-up had facilitated Trangs continued brutalization that led to the tragic death of the girl, the association concluded. The association also emphasized that the offense committed by Trang must be considered as intentionally causing injury that resulted in fatal consequences, as prescribed in the Vietnamese Penal Code, instead of torturing others, which is much lighter than the crime the woman had committed repeatedly for a long time. One day before Thais arrest, Nguyen Thi Hanh and Nguyen Quang Vinh, the mother and the uncle of A., filed a petition to the police department and the Peoples Procuracy requesting that Thai be criminally prosecuted for his covering up of Trangs crime that led to the death of the girl. Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has also directed local police and authorities to strictly handle this serious case, without missing any related offenders. The case has drawn attention from UNICEF Vietnam, whose representative Rana Flowers on Wednesday released a statement to express "its deep sadness and concern over the recent violent death of a young girl at the hands of someone who she should have been able to trust, to protect her [sic]. Flowers emphasized that a strengthened protection system for women and children is urgently needed in Vietnam. Such a system, the statement read, should not be comprised of volunteers or untrained welfare officers, but instead should consist of qualified professional social workers who can identify, intervene, and respond to the needs of children and women in order to ensure their safety. This system should also include training for law enforcement and legal officials, such as judges, and should be centered on a zero-tolerance attitude toward violence. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Ministry of Health reported 16,515 COVID-19 cases throughout the country on Friday, while logging 18,642 recoveries and 226 mortalities. The latest infections, including 39 imported and 16,476 domestic transmissions, were recorded in 60 provinces and cities, the ministry said, adding that 11,337 patients caught the pathogen in the community. Hanoi registered 1,914 of the newest local cases, Vinh Long Province 1,080, Ca Mau Province 1,063, Binh Phuoc Province 1,003, Khanh Hoa Province 799, Tay Ninh Province 776, Tra Vinh Province 571, Ho Chi Minh City 557, Hai Phong City 520, Thua Thien-Hue Province 404, Can Tho City 293, Lam Dong Province 259, Binh Thuan Province 217, Quang Nam Province 188, Dong Nai Province 178, Quang Ninh Province 155, Da Nang 154, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 152, Binh Duong Province 107, and Hoa Binh Province 97. Vietnam had detected 19,848 domestically-acquired infections on Thursday. The country has confirmed 1,725,518 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27. A combined 1,352,469 of them have recovered from COVID-19. Ho Chi Minh City tops the caseload with 503,244 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 290,671, Dong Nai Province with 97,718, Tay Ninh Province with 75,109, Hanoi with 46,040, Dong Thap Province with 44,181, Can Tho City with 40,867, Long An Province with 40,360, Tien Giang Province with 33,720, Khanh Hoa Province with 33,005, An Giang Province with 32,461, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 26,320, Binh Thuan Province with 25,900, and Da Nang with 11,189. Vietnam found a mere 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves. The health ministry announced 18,642 recovered patients on Friday, taking the total count to 1,355,286. The toll has spiraled to 32,394 deaths after the ministry logged 226 fatalities on the same day, including 34 in Ho Chi Minh City, 18 in Dong Nai Province, 18 in An Giang Province, 15 in Vinh Long Province, 15 in Can Tho City, 14 in Dong Thap Province, and the remainder in 19 other provinces and cities. Vietnam has reported 1,731,257 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country early last year. Health workers have administered almost 151 million vaccine doses, including 1,964,508 shots on Thursday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8. Above 77.5 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while over 68.4 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 4,944,591. 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. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A court in Vietnam has sentenced a man to 12 years in prison for running an illegal ring that produced and traded about 190 million liters of counterfeit gasoline in many provinces and cities across the country. The Peoples Court in Dak Nong Province concluded on Thursday the ten-day trial of 55-year-old Trinh Suong, who hails from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, and 38 other defendants. Suong, who was director of My Hung Company in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, was handed a 12-year jail term and required to pay a VND100 million (US$4,380) fine for manufacturing and trading fake goods. He must also pay back VND151 billion ($6.6 million) he earned from the illegal activity. The other 38 defendants, including several company directors, received sentences ranging from a 2.5-year suspended term to 8.5 years in jail for similar offenses. The indictment showed that Suongs racket had produced more than 192 million liters of fake gasoline from solvents, base gasoline, chemical compounds, and colorants between 2017 and 2019. The ring had sold more than 188 million liters of the bogus fuel. The trial took place at the Peoples Court of Dak Nong Province in Vietnam, December 30, 2021. Photo: Dinh Cuong / Tuoi Tre The Dak Nong Department of Public Security launched an investigation into the illicit activities in June 2018. From January to March 2019, officers arrested and pressed charges against multiple suspects involved in the supply and production of solvents, an important ingredient in making fake gasoline. The Ministry of Public Security later decided to investigate the crime. From May 28 to June 2, 2019, 200 officers raided various locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hau Giang, and Soc Trang and apprehended 28 suspects, including Suong and the key members of the racket. Police also caught the suspects red-handed mixing and transporting counterfeit gasoline. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! After the first Omicron infection was recently recorded in Hanoi, 14 Vietnamese passengers returning to central Quang Nam Province from South Korea and the U.S. have been confirmed to carry the variant by genome sequencing. Among the positive cases, eight arrived in neighboring Da Nang City on a flight from the U.S. on December 24, while the remaining six touched down in the coastal city aboard three flights from South Korea on December 21, 23, and 24, the provincial Department of Health said on Friday. The flight from the U.S. carried 177 passengers and 17 crew members, while the three flights from South Korea transported 520 passengers and 42 staff in total. All the Omicron cases, most of them showing no COVID-19 symptoms, have been put in a separate quarantine facility in Quang Nam, while the other passengers have been isolated at local hotels for a fee. A seven-day isolation period has been applied to all the arrivals. That means those arriving on December 21 and 23 have completed their quarantine while the passengers landing on December 24 will end their isolation on Friday. These new Omicron cases have brought the total infections of the coronavirus variant in Vietnam to 15. The first Omicron infection in the Southeast Asian country was detected in a man who arrived in Hanoi from the UK on December 19 and was quarantined upon arrival. After he tested positive for COVID-19, health experts conducted genome sequencing and officially confirmed he was carrying the Omicron variant on December 21. The patient, who has not shown any clinical symptoms, has been receiving treatment at 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi and was reported in stable conditions. The Omicron mutant, a.k.a. the B.1.1.529 variant, was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern on November 26, two days after it was first reported to WHO by South Africa. Omicron has now been found in over 100 countries, with health experts stating it appears to be more contagious but less virulent than previous strains. As of Thursday, Vietnam had documented 1,714,742 COVID-19 cases, with 1,336,644 recoveries and 32,168 fatalities, the Health Ministry reported Health workers have administered more than 149.3 million vaccine doses since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8. By Thursday afternoon, 89.2 percent of the countrys adult population had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, while 99 percent had been given at least one dose. The ministry called on all localities to make more efforts to complete the coverage of second vaccine doses for children aged 12 to 17 in January 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Last time a narrative series was set at The Lodge, all hell broke loose. That was At Home with Julia on the ABC in 2011 when the PM got up close and personal with the First Bloke under the Aussie flag (fun fact, same director here for later episodes). ABC ME returns to a faux Lodge for The PMs Daughter, a -presumably- safer backdrop for a new 10 part tween drama from Fremantle. Episodes centre around the frustrations of Cat (Cassandra Helmot), the spirited teen daughter of the newly-installed PM Isabel Perez (Claire Fearon) -the first Australian PM with Spanish ancestry. They move from Perth to Canberra with aunt Jacinta (Cecilia Yeomans), given that her husband and Cats father had previously died. While her mother is happy to no longer be in FIFO-shuttle mode, Cat isnt happy about so much change. Even her pets had to stay behind due to biosecurity laws. Bummer. But Cat encounters a new troupe of friends at high school, provided she can get past Federal Police, including the fast-talking political junkie Sadie (Natalie English), Ollie (Jaga Yap) who is also son of Deputy PM Tim Duong (Anthony Brandon Wong), Mirro (Nya Cofie) a diplobrat son of a US dignitary and the very princessy Georgina (Amelie James-Power) who is daughter of the Opposition Leader. Cat has also inherited her mothers former activist streak and rails against all the trappings of Canberra -from a stuffy olde worlde bedroom to being forced to wear girly dresses. Her mother tries to empathise but concedes, The sad fact is I do have to consider appearances whether I like it or not. Im a woman in politics. I guess shes seen plenty of of Annabel Crabbs series? Or the writers have Cats also passionate about climate change and hates that her mother is the target of local protestors, the Action Uprising group. I should be out there with them, she sighs. But when youre the PMs daughter, there are rules everywhere, even when you try to switch off. I cant even turn on the TV without mum telling me what to do. The series also features a plum-in-mouth head of staffer Henry (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) who is on hand to curtail any sense of teenage fun under his watch. Thankfully he gets to do some gags with real-world relevance. Dry sense of humour. Reminds me of John Howard, he quips. Theres even a Katter-like akubra on one pollie and use of ABC News studios. The series created by Tristram Baumber and Matthew Allred endeavours to view Canberra through teenage eyes, with a sense of humour whilst maintaining a social conscience relevant to kids. Its also the second drama, following Stans Bump, to centre around a Chilean-Australian family. Theres a poppy soundtrack (Im sure I heard Montaigne), which adds to the freshness. ABC ME is kicking off 2022 with another promising show in its scripted drama. The PMs Daughter screens 5:30pm today on ABC ME. China Taiwan Nicaragua In this photo released by Chinas Xinhua News Agency, representatives Laureano Ortega Murillo, son of and advisor to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, left, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu display their jointly signed communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries in northern Chinas Tianjin Municipality, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Taiwan lost Nicaragua as a diplomatic ally after the Central American country said it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. (Yue Yuewei/Xinhua via AP) MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) China opened an embassy in Nicaragua on Friday for the first time since 1990, acting just over three weeks since President Daniel Ortegas government broke off relations with Taiwan. Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said there is an ideological affinity between the two countries. Moncada also thanked China for donating one million doses of the Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine. Ortega established relations with China in 1985, but after he lost the presidential election in 1990, the government of Nicaragua's new president, Violeta Chamorro, recognized Taiwan. The Nicaraguan government broke relations with the Taiwanese on Dec. 9 and last week it seized the former embassy and diplomatic offices of Taiwan, saying they belong to China. However, China's new embassy is located elsewhere, and it is unclear what China will do with the Taiwan building. Before departing a week ago, Taiwanese diplomats attempted to donate the properties to the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Managua. But Ortegas government said that any such donation would be invalid and that the building in an upscale Managua neighborhood belongs to China. Taiwans Foreign Relations Ministry condemned the gravely illegal actions of the Ortega regime, saying the Nicaraguan government violated standard procedures by giving Taiwanese diplomats just two weeks to get out of the country. It said Taiwan also condemns the arbitrary obstruction by the Nicaraguan government of the symbolic sale of its property to the Nicaraguan Catholic church. Monsignor Carlos Aviles, vicar of the archdiocese of Managua, told the newspaper La Prensa that a Taiwanese diplomat had offered the church the property, but added: I told him there was no problem, but the transfer was still in the legal process. The Central American country said in early December it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. The move increased Taiwans diplomatic isolation on the international stage, even as the island has stepped up official exchanges with countries such as Lithuania and Slovakia, which do not formally recognize Taiwan as a country. Taiwan has 14 formal diplomatic allies remaining. Story continues China has been poaching Taiwans diplomatic allies over the past few years, reducing the number of countries that recognize the democratic island as a sovereign nation. China is against Taiwan representing itself in global forums or in diplomacy. Taiwan depicts itself as a defender of democracy, while Ortega was reelected as Nicaragua's leader in November in what the White House called a pantomime election. The arbitrary imprisonment of nearly 40 opposition figures since May, including seven potential presidential candidates, and the blocking of political parties from participation rigged the outcome well before election day, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement in November. Days after the UAEs decision to cancel the agreement regarding purchase of F35 jets from the US, a CNN report stated that assessments of senior US officials suggested that transfers of sensitive ballistic missiles had taken place between China and Saudi Arabia, Modern Diplomacy writes. One of the reasons for UAE to cancel the deal with the US, was that it did not want to be caught in any sort of cold war between both the US and China. Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Adviser to UAEs leadership while speaking at a think tank in Washington DC earlier this month said: I think we, as a small state, will be affected negatively by this, but will not have the ability in any way to affect this competition even positively really. While the US has been uncomfortable with UAEs use of Chinese 5G technology, with Washington warning UAE that the latters use of technology will impact security ties between both countries, the findings of US surveillance that China was trying to build a military installation in Khalifa port, close to Abu Dhabi, led to serious differences. While construction work on the site in Khalifa port was cancelled (though both UAE and China insisted that the facility was purely commercial in nature), and both UAE and US have publicly stated that their relationship is still strong, there is no doubt that recent events have cast a shadow on the bilateral relationship. If one were to look at the case of Saudi Arabia developing ballistic missiles, it is important for a number of reasons. First it shows the increasing security imprint of China on the Middle East -specifically two Gulf Cooperation council (GCC countries) Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) considered to be close to the US, and the fact that ties with China could emerge as a bone of contention in relations between Washington and Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. A Senior Chinese official did not deny cooperation, in the sphere of ballistic technology, between Saudi Arabia and China while saying that both countries are comprehensive strategic partners. Said the official: Such cooperation does not violate any international law and does not involve the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Interestingly, China also shares robust economic ties with Iran and has been pitching for revival of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA/Iran nuclear deal while UAE and Saudi Arabia, like US, Israel and other countries have expressed worries with regard to Irans nuclear ambitions. China and Iran had also signed a 25 year cooperation agreement, referred to as strategic cooperation pact in March 2021 which sought to bolster economic and security linkages between both countries. Iran has also hinted that if the JCPOA does not revive it would go ahead and trade with China and other countries. Second, the development of ballistic missiles by Saudi Arabia will have a significant impact on the Middle East, and make it tougher for the US and other countries to prevent Iran from developing a ballistic program. US ties with Saudi Arabia While information pertaining to Chinese assistance for Saudi development of ballistic missiles was available to the US even earlier, the Trump administration did not put much pressure on the Saudis on this issue. Biden Administrations ties with Riyadh have been strained (as a result Saudi Arabia has been attempting to reorient its foreign policy significantly), though in recent months, the US has been working on remoulding ties. One of the reasons why did not impose sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS even though declassified reports of CIA pointed to the fact that MBS was clearly involved in the Jamal Khashoggi murder (a number of Saudi officials were put on a no travel list, while financial sanctions were imposed on some officials) was that US did not want to allow ties with Saudi Arabia to further deteriorate GCC countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE, which have shared strong economic and strategic ties with the US have been altering their foreign policy within the Middle East (one important example of this has been attempts by both countries to improve ties with Iran) as well as outside it. One of the propelling factors for the reorientation in foreign policy of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi is the belief that US will be less involved in the region in the future. While in the past, the China factor has never been a major issue in US ties with Saudi Arabia and UAE, with greater security and technological cooperation this could prove to be a thorny issue. Apart from its increasing economic clout, the biggest advantage which China possesses in the Middle East is that apart from strong ties with Gulf countries it also has good relations with Iran. In the heart of Rome, the Quirinal has been Italy's most important palace for centuries. First, as the residence of the popes, then of the House of Savoy, and since 1946 it has been the seat of the presidency of the republic. In recent years, it has once again become Italy's temple of power, EuObserver writes. Italy is a parliamentary republic: the post-fascist constitution of 1947 is wary of an over-powerful head of state or government. But with the nationwide investigation into political corruption of 1992 known as 'Mani pulite' and the consequent collapse of then mass parties as well as a succession of political crises, the role of the president of the republic has become increasingly important. Two examples are Giorgio Napolitano nicknamed 'King Giorgio' because he was president for almost nine years, from 2006 to 2015, a one-off in the history of republican Italy and incumbent Sergio Mattarella, who was decisive in the rise of Mario Draghi as prime minister. "The presidents of the immediate post-war period had a lower profile, the leading role was played by the political forces," says Marco Follini, a Berlusconi-era deputy prime minister. "Over time, the function of the president has become more and more crucial. Partly because presidents have chosen to interpret their mandate in a way that is not merely notary-like. And partly, and most importantly, I would say, because the parties that dominated the political arena until a few years ago have lost much of their influence", Follini added. The head of state is elected by the members of parliament Chamber of Deputies and Senate gathered in a single session plus a number of representatives from each region. Electing a president from one's own political area represents a huge opportunity: more and more, it means influencing the general policy and balance of the country. Draghi vs Berlusconi So, who will the 1,008 'great electors', as MPs and representatives of the regions are called, elect in January? They are unlikely to reappoint Mattarella, who has made it clear that he does not want to be re-elected. Yet the Draghi-Mattarella pairing "has been phenomenal, also in relaunching Italy's image internationally," notes Antonella Seddone, associate professor of political science at the University of Turin. "An example of this was the Quirinal Treaty signed by Macron and Draghi in front of Mattarella. Such international convergences have been found because two figures like Mattarella and Draghi reassure. They make other countries, and also the markets, feel that they can rely on Italy", Seddone said. For much of the Italian press, the perfect candidate for the presidency is Draghi. Some commentators are even calling for changes to the Constitution to make his actions more effective. "With the exception of a few scattered critical voices, the media are completely focused on the praise of Draghi, who is represented as the saviour of the country and the panacea for all the ills of the republic," says Francescomaria Tedesco, professor of political philosophy at the University of Camerino. "This is a grotesque attitude, a sinister fascination with technocracy. It should be unnecessary to recall how silly, and dangerous, the idea of the single man in charge is. All the more so if that one man is the result of an endogamic reproduction of the ruling classes", Tedesco said. Part of the Italian political spectrum would be happy with Draghi in the Quirinal. It would be a way of prolonging an all-too-comfortable phase, in which it gets the benefits and visibility of power, but it lets Draghi and his advisers the responsibility of governing. According to former prime minister Matteo Renzi it is up to the Italian centre-right to elect the head of state: Napolitano was a leading member of the Italian Communist Party until 1991, and Mattarella is a left-wing Christian Democrat. Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right party League, would like to see former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi elected. But for many parts of the left and of the public opinion the idea is unacceptable. Chunks of the centre-left, among them Five Stars Movement's leader Giuseppe Conte, are calling for the election of a woman. It would be the first time in Italian history. "Unfortunately, I believe the gender card might be played in an instrumental way, to appease political actors unable to agree on the most substantial characteristics that the president of the republic should have," states Fedra Negri, a political science researcher at the University of Milan. "It would not be a choice dictated by the desire of seeing a woman in an apical position, at last, but by the need to cover a decision-making gap", Negri said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a New Year message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. In his message, the Syrian leader expressed hope for the further strengthening of bilateral relations between Syria and Russia. He pointed out that cooperation between Damascus and Moscow had produced excellent results, positively impacting the live of people in both countries. The Kremlin press service said earlier on Thursday that Vladimir Putin in a holiday message to Bashar al-Assad had "reaffirmed Russias intention to further provide all-round support to friendly Syria in the fight against international terrorism to help achieve a comprehensive political settlement and post-conflict reconstruction". Greece reported a single-day record high of 35,580 COVID-19 infections on Thursday as the highly contagious Omicron becomes the dominant variant in the country. It was the third successive daily record of cases, with infections more than tripling since the beginning of the week. "It seems that the raid of Omicron is very intense," Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga said during a press briefing, adding that more than 60% of new cases relate to the new variant. The country's Health minister announced on Wednesday new restrictions on the hospitality sector, bringing forward measures planned for early January. read more From Thursday evening, bars, nightclubs and restaurants will close at midnight, with no standing customers and no music, with the exception of New Year's Eve when they can stay open until 2 a.m. The government announced earlier on Thursday subsidies for employees and musicians kept from working in January due to the new restrictions. The country, with 11 million people, has reported 1,170,293 infections since the first case was detected in February 2020 and 20,708 COVID-related deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call on December 30, according to the press service of the White House. The leaders started their phone call at 15:35 Washington time (23:35 Moscow time), the talks between President Biden and President Putin ended at 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time (00:25 Moscow Time, on Friday). According to the Kremlin, the talks were conducted with a goal of reaching a compromise taking into account each others principled positions. Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said that Putin and his U.S. counterpart spoke about the security guarantees without touching upon the issues of bilateral agenda. "You know, this conversation was fully devoted to the issues of security guarantees, the particular issues of bilateral agenda were not touched upon," Ushakov said. Meanwhile, Ushakov noted that the sides stressed that if the talks on security guarantees were successful, this will certainly "somehow normalize or even improve bilateral ties." Speaking on what was the difference between this phone call and the December 7 video summit, Ushakov stressed that during the first contact Biden suggested tasking teams to follow up on the items. "Todays conversation was a follow-up to this topic. Biden was well-prepared and made substantive remarks. For our part, we also outlined key principles for the upcoming talks," he stated. Ushakov said that Biden agreed when Putin said Russia was seeking results in the talks on security guarantees. Putin told Biden about the principles that underlie Russias security proposals, the aide said. The president said talks were important but the key goal for Russia was its security and the country will seek to achieve that goal, Ushakov said. "The U.S. president has generally agreed with that point of view and his reaction made sense and was quite serious," the aide said. Putin also said Russia is concerned about deployment of offensive weapons near its borders and it will act just like the U.S. would act if it had to confront a deployment of such weapons near its own borders, Ushakov said, adding that Putin elaborated on the subject to drive the point home. Ushakov noted that the Kremlin is satisfied with the talks between the leaders, viewing them as constructive. "Overall, we are satisfied with the conversation, since it was frank, meaningful and specific. I would say that <> these talks were quite constructive," Ushakov said. The Kremlin aide noted that the presidents were well prepared for the conversation, it was "really serious, although it was quite natural that the leaders congratulated each other on New Years holidays, wishing success to the Russian and American peoples." "It is important that the American side has demonstrated its willingness to understand the logic and essence of Russian concerns <>," the Kremlin aide stated. Speaking about the progress in reaching a compromise, Ushakov noted that "it was not yet clear what could be considered as a compromise." "<> The main thing for us is not to reach a compromise but to ensure the security guarantees that we urgently need," the Kremlin aide said. The U.S. President "mentioned massive sanctions" and Putin responded they would be a huge mistake that could cause a complete severance of relations Biden didnt say exactly what Russian actions could trigger sanctions, Ushakov said when asked if Biden explained what kind of escalation on the Russian-Ukrainian border could set off the restrictions. "That wasnt discussed in detail," he said. Biden "mentioned massive sanctions" and Putin responded they would be a huge mistake that could cause a complete severance of relations. Questions were asked to clarify what is meant by severance of relations with the West. "It doesnt mean anything because we dont know what these massive sanctions are, but we know they would be a colossal mistake that could lead to most serious consequences," Ushakov said. "We hope that wont happen," he said. "Thats why we, the Americans and other Western countries are starting a negotiating process along three tracks.". According to the aide, Putin and Biden agreed to continue contacts next year and the exact date will depend on progress at the security talks. "The presidents, very importantly, agreed to continue the dialogue in the new year," Ushakov said. The latest talks were "good, constructive and candid" and set a good tone for the negotiations in Geneva on January 9-10, he said. There are two other tracks for the talks: Russia-NATO in Brussels and Russia-OSCE in Vienna, he said. The president agreed to stay in contact by phone as they supervise the Geneva and the other talks, Ushakov said. "They will talk as need be and will instruct their teams," he said. He said he was unaware when Putin and Biden will talk next. Its quite possible the need for a conversation will arise immediately after January 10, he said. Putin said Russia attaches great importance to the talks but they shouldnt descend into meaningless chatter, according to Ushakov. Russia is looking for a concrete result and will draw conclusions about the talks after several meetings, he said. The Kremlin believes its important to hold bilateral talks with the US, even as the US wants to consult with its allies, Ushakov said. The aide said Biden reacted affirmatively. This is the second conversation between the presidents over the past month. On December 7, Putin and Biden negotiated for two hours via video linkup. The sides focused on the situation around Ukraine, touched upon bilateral relations, cyber security and the Iranian nuclear deal. Russia maintains working contacts with representatives of the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) that came to power in Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "We maintain businesslike contacts with representatives of new Afghanistans authorities, including through our embassy in Kabul. The humanitarian sphere is becoming a particularly important area of practical interaction in conditions of the socioeconomic crisis," TASS cited Lavrov as saying. Russia delivered several batches of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in November and December and helped Afghan students to come to Russia for continuation of education, the Minister noted. "Our colleagues from the Russian Defense Ministry make a huge useful contribution to these friendly efforts," he stressed. December 31 marks World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. The last day of December is annually celebrated as a day of Azerbaijani unity. The main idea of this holiday is the unity and solidarity of the Azerbaijanis from all over the world, respect of national and spiritual values. On December 6, 1991, at a meeting of the Supreme Assembly of Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, chaired by Heydar Aliyev, it was decided to establish the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. The Supreme Assembly sent an appeal to the countrys parliament - the Supreme Council to adopt a legislative act in this regard. Taking into account the appeal, Azerbaijans Supreme Council adopted a law declaring December 31 as the International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis. In 1993, December 31 was announced as the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day in accordance with the presidential decree. Meanwhile, the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis was held in Baku on November 9-10, 2001, The congress contributed to the strengthening of the national identity, increasing the organization and activity of Azerbaijani communities in various countries. This was a new movement in the country`s socio-political life, a new direction of state policy. The establishment, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated July 5, 2002, of the State Committee for Work with the Azerbaijanis Living in Foreign Countries, the adoption, on December. 27 of the same year, of the Law On a state policy regarding the Azerbaijanis living abroad further stepped up the process of organizational development of world Azerbaijanis. A meeting of the Coordination Council held at the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis Dec. 18, 2008 in Baku, the adoption of the World Azerbaijanis Charter at the meeting increased unity and organization, strengthened ties with the historical Motherland, and reaffirmed that independent Azerbaijan is a center of attraction for the world Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and New Year. A photo depicting the Shusha fortress was posted on President Ilham Aliyevs official Facebook and Twitter accounts. The photo says: Happy World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year!. First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a photo on her official Instagram page on the occasion of 31 December. A photo, depicting the Maiden Tower, says: Happy World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year!. Turkeys presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that Turkey is ready to play a role in solving Russia-Ukraine crisis. "Our advice to both parties is to lower this tension as soon as possible and take the necessary steps to prevent a military conflict in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine," he noted. "In this regard, our president told Zelensky and Putin that if Turkey or himself is expected to play a role in this issue, they can do their bid. Here, of course, reducing the tension is in everyone's interest," Anadolu agency cited Kalin as saying. "If there is a role for Turkey in this direction, Turkey will certainly play it. Because Turkey has good relations with both countries at the same time," Turkeys presidential spokesman stressed. The special envoys of Turkey and Armenia are expected to meet in January in Moscow, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said as the two countries are taking steps toward normalizing their ties. "The date for the first meeting between special representatives of Turkey and Armenia has not yet been set but it is expected to be held in January," Cavusoglu said in an interview broadcast live on 24 TV. According to him, the envoys at the first meeting will exchange views to chart out a road map and accordingly take steps, including confidence-building efforts, Daily Sabah reported. On Dec. 18, Cavusoglu announced that Moscow would host the first meeting between Turkish and Armenian special envoys to discuss steps for normalizing the bilateral relations. On Dec. 15, Turkey appointed Serdar Klc, a former ambassador to the U.S., as its special envoy to discuss steps for normalization with Armenia. Three days later, Armenia appointed its special representative for dialogue with Turkey, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan. Civil servants have been told to stop saying 'Brexit' and to refer to the UK's departure from the European Union using the date of '31 December 2020,' Daily Mail reported. A 'style guide' advises staff to avoid the word 'Brexit', arguing it should only be used when necessary for 'historical context'. Staff have also been told to steer clear of the term 'transition period' which refers to to the months when the UK and Brussels were hammering out the terms of their future relationship. The Government's 'style guide' entry for Brexit, first spotted by The Telegraph, states that civil servants 'can use the term "Brexit" to provide historical context, but its better to use specific dates where possible'. It states: 'For example, use: "31 December 2020" rather than "Brexit" or "when the UK left the EU", "before 31 December 2020" rather than "during the transition period", "after 1 January 2021" rather than "after the transition period".' China and Russia are boosting cooperation in space exploration, in the energy segment and in the trade sphere, President of China Xi Jinping said in the New Year greetings telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "China and Russia achieved new records in bilateral trade; we are scaling up cooperation in major strategic projects in the energy sector and in the aerospace sphere," the Chinese leader said. China and Russia have successfully completed the year of scientific and technical cooperation, Xi Jinping noted. "We are closely interacting on regional and international matters, adhere to genuine multilateral principles and protect such universal human values as peace and justice, development and equality of rights, democracy and independence," he stressed. Georgia's president Salome Zurabishvili has issued pardons for 14 inmates, nine of which are set to be released on Friday, ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. The convicted individuals received the pardons as has become a custom for end-of-year presidential reviews. Of these cases, the president's office revealed she had granted a reduction of time behind bars for one individual, leading to their release, and reduced non-detentive convictions for four others, Agenda.ge reported. Among the latter were decisions on lifting rulings on home arrest, probation and restriction of driving permits, Zurabishvili's administration said. The president pardoned five convicts during the Christmas and New Year's Eve season last year. She also granted decisions for releasing four female inmates during the St Nino Day, a celebration of one of the most important religious figures in Georgia, in June this year. Finance companies are digitizing to provide loans more quickly and conveniently. But to do so, they need to have the right to access the citizen database. Asked about problems in providing consumer loans, a representative of a credit institution said its difficult to learn about the legitimate borrowing needs of people. Some people who have needs find it difficult to access loans because they cannot prove their solvency. Meanwhile, others provide inaccurate information which causes problems for credit appraisal, thus making it difficult for lenders to make decisions. A report from the SBV (State Bank of Vietnam) Department of Credit for Economic Sectors pointed out that bottlenecks to access official lending sources force people to seek black credit. Pham Thi Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the department, said the information provided by clients is not clear enough, and there is no regulation about the clients responsibility of providing sufficient information. Its difficult to collect information about clients income from State management agencies. Clients have many different kinds of personal documents with different validity, and there are no standard data about population and customer identification. In addition, the data are not connected with the banking system. Tung said it is difficult to appraise clients because of insufficient and inaccurate information. Its worse because of Covid since clients find it difficult to prove their payment capability. In order to kill black credit, the information sharing process needs to be better. If so, credit institutions will have enough information to make decisions on providing credit. The digital transformation plan of the banking sector by 2025 with a vision towards 2030 sets a lot of goals. Its expected that 50 percent of the decisions on loan disbursement by commercial banks and financial companies for small loans and personal consumer loans will be digitized by 2025. The figure will rise to 70 percent by 2030. About 70 percent of documents are expected to be stored and handled in the digital environment by 2025 and 90 percent by 2030. At a seminar on non-cash payment held in early November 2021, Pham Tien Dung, SBV Deputy Governor, made two proposals to accelerate digital transformation in the banking sector. First, completion of standards for connecting with the national citizen database, allowing banks to exploit information from chip-based ID cards; and supporting the authentication and identification of customers with eKYC. Second, amending the 2005 Law on Electronic Transactions to create a legal basis for ministries and branches to carry out digital transformation, promote facilitation of electronic transactions, and enhance trust in electronic transactions. Mai Ha Ministry of Public Security explains reasons for late delivery of chip-based ID cards Major General Pham Cong Nguyen, Director of the Police Agency or Administrative Management of Social Order (C06), Ministry of Public Security explains why the delivery of the chip-based ID cards is behind schedule. Vietnam Airlines is planning to resume regular international flights linking Vietnam with 15 countries and territories in the first half of 2022. A plane of Vietnam Airlines (Photo: VietnamPlus) The resumption will be carried out in two phases and depend on relevant agencies approval. In the first phase, scheduled to begin on January 1 next year and last for about two weeks, the national flag carrier will conduct round-trip flights between Vietnam and the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Each route will have one to four flights per week, and the frequency will gradually increase basing on passengers demand and anti-pandemic requirements. Meanwhile, the firm is set to reopen air routes connecting the country with the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Australia, Hong Kong (China), and Malaysia in the second phase. Telling an online discussion on December 23, General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said if the country lags behind in the resumption of international flights, it will lose chances for not only attracting tourists but also recovering other sectors, including the aviation industry. He noted that over the last nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused extremely negative impact on every aspect, with tourism and aviation are among the first to be hit hard. These two sectors are forecast to continue facing numerous difficulties in the time ahead. The reopening of commercial international flights is an urgent need, especially in the year-end period when people, especially overseas Vietnamese, have high demand for returning to the homeland, the official added. Vietjet AIr plans to resume international flights on January 1, 2022 With permission from the authorities of countries, budget carrier Vietjet Air expects to reopen regular international flights starting January 1 next year. These flights will be operated on routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (Taiwan - China), Singapore, and Bangkok (Thailand). In the first stage beginning in January, all routes will see one return flight operated a week. The number of flights will be increased gradually in line with the demand of passengers and the approval of competent management agencies to ensure effective pandemic prevention. In the next stage, the airline expects to resume all of its international routes to countries in the region and farther to India and Russia. Flight schedules are published on Vietjet Airs official website www.vietjetair.com, its smartphone application, Facebook page www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam, and official ticket offices and agents. The resumption will follow directions and requirements of countries involved, with passengers asked to seriously comply with regulations on pandemic prevention and entry-exit procedures./ Source: VNA Its necessary to be daring and set a high goal of exporting $50 billion worth of farm produce in 2022 as agriculture is a pillar of the economy, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a conference on December 29. At the conference The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported that in 2021, Vietnam exported $48.6 billion worth of farm, forestry and seafood produce and total food output reached 44 million tons. The added value of the entire agricultural sector was estimated to increase by 2.85-2.9 percent. Digital transformation has begun, bringing some positive effects. Hai Duong Chair Trieu The Hung said the province has been accelerating digital transformation and following a digital, green field strategy, putting 300 farm produce items on sale on e-commerce platforms. Hai Duong had a bountiful crop of litchis in 2021. Thanks to effective branding, Hai Duong litchis sold well, bringing revenue of 1.4 trillion, higher than the VND600 billion in 2020. In Dong Thap, digital transformation also helped farmers increase the yield of crops and reduce production costs. At smart fields, smart villages and digital cooperatives, farmers use their smartphones to irrigate crops and operate drones that spread pesticide on the fields. As for digital transformation in agriculture, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said the good news is that localities all consider digital transformation as a key solution. According to Hung, there are three new trends based on digital transformation. First, marketplaces. PostMart and VoS o, for example, are two large e-commerce platforms for farm produce sales. Second, decentralization. Digital transformation helps farmers access information as businesses do. This allows brands for every farming household. Third, dematerialization, digitization of land, crops and the environment. Hung said that 2022 would be the year of digital transformation in agriculture. Of the 34 national digital platforms which have been assigned by the Prime Minister to build infrastructure for the development of digital Government, digital economy and digital society, there are nine platforms for the agriculture sector, including digital data, farm produce traceability, e-commerce platforms and supply chain optimization. Hung suggested that MARD set up a steering committee in charge of digital transformation in the agricultural sector, with Minister Le Minh Hoan the head of the committee. He also advised choosing some large technology firms as strategic partners to quickly create platforms for digital transformation in the agriculture sector. Small in production scale, weak in processing, preservation Many localities and enterprises at the conference also mentioned digital transformation, saying that their production is still at a small scale. The lack of a growing area programming makes it difficult to make products for export and to export local products. Meanwhile, poor preservation puts pressure on farmers on busy harvesting days. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien noted that though farm produce can bring high revenue, the agriculture sector still cannot satisfy the requirements set by choosy markets such as the US, EU and Japan. Dien said the problem lies in small, fragmented production and the low technology content. In addition, there is no closed connection among the links of the value chain, thus posing disruption risks. The radical and sustainable solution to the problems is cooperation to improve quality management so as to boost farm exports, especially exports to China through official channels. He also suggested that MARD strengthen the cooperation with relevant ministries and branches to accelerate multi-valued integration and digital transformation, and build sustainable connection chains. Agriculture: pillar of the economy Concluding the conference, Chinh repeated the motto that the farmer is the center, rural area is the foundation, agriculture is the driving force. He said the awareness of the importance of agriculture has improved and Vietnamese farmers know they can improve their material and spiritual life with both their hands and their brains. However, Chinh pointed out the problems facing agriculture. Its developments are not commensurate with the potential and advantages. Farmers still dont take the initiative in developing their production as oriented, but they remain passive and dependent on markets, weather conditions and other factors. There are also many problems in market and climate change forecasts. The other problems of the agriculture sector mentioned by Chinh include unsustainable development, the lack of flexible adaptation to new circumstances and the lack of post-harvesting technologies. Also, export markets are not diverse and Vietnam still cannot build the brands of international stature. Regarding tasks for 2022, Chinh said there are both advantageous and disadvantageous conditions anticipated. The agriculture sector needs to set higher goals for growth rates and exports. You need to be daring to set the goal of $50 billion worth of farm exports, Chinh said, adding that agriculture is a pillar of the economy, and if the pillar is weak, this will pose difficulties for the economy. Improving the quality of national and regional products is necessary, as well as processing capacity, production of agricultural products with high value, food safety, traceability and geographical indications. MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the ministry was straining every nerve to build a strategy on sustainable and responsible agriculture. Tam An Vietnamese farmers benefit from high-tech In recent years, thanks to the introduction of digital technology into agricultural production, Vietnamese farmers have earned millions of US dollars or even tens of millions of dollars. The number of civil servants with doctoral and master's degrees in Vietnam in 2019 were 2,347 (0.8%) and 19,136 people (6.5%), respectively. Illustrative image After over 10 years doing the job of receiving incoming documents, sending dispatches and other archival work at a state agency, one day, Mrs. Thu applied for a master's course in business administration. Upon receiving her agencys decision to grant 50% of the tuition fee, Thu burst into tears because all of her colleagues who applied for a master's degree course were granted 100% of the tuition from the budget. Thu complained that she was treated unfairly. Over 21,000 Vietnamese civil servants hold master's and doctoral degrees A 2019 study by the University of Torrens (Australia) showed that most of the ministers of Australia only had a bachelor's degree. Of the 44 ministers of the ruling party and opposition party surveyed, only nine had a master's degree and one had a PhD degree. The most popular degrees belong to three fields: Social Science, Law and Economics. According to the Australian Public Service Commission, of 148,736 federal government employees (as of December 31, 2020), 2,645 had a doctorate degree (1.78%) and 9,324 had a master's degree (6.27%). In Vietnam, according to statistics in 2019, the number of civil servants with doctoral degrees was 2,347 people (0.8%), and master's degrees were held by 19,136 people (6.5%). The agencies with many PhDs were the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Finance. Why do civil servants need master's, doctoral degrees? At a meeting of the HCM City People's Committee in March, Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Dung said: "I don't know why our civil servants need to be PhDs because PhDs are committed to scientific research. We have too many public servants who hold doctoral degrees. For example, I know a civil servant at a ward-level agency who applied for a doctoral course in biotechnology, while the public system needs expertise in public governance, public finance, public investment, and public administration. Dung's comments immediately caused a stir, although the question he posed was not new. Why did Thu, who works as a clerk, want to get a masters degree of business administration? All employees at Thu's agency have a master's degree (except drivers and security staff), which were all paid by the state budget, or in other words, the people's tax money, but did their effectiveness at work improve after they got the degree? How does the degree match with the job they are doing? In Vietnam, there are probably no specific statistics on this. But many people implicitly understand that for civil servants who hold a masters or doctoral degree the opportunity to be promoted is higher, and the degree brings fame for them. A few years ago, public opinion was stirred up when some officials at an office of a ministry applied for the title of associate professor even though they had not spent time on teaching, writing books, giving instructions to students... In fact, there are a number of civil servants who want to further study to improve their qualifications. In this case, the pursuit of master's and doctoral degrees is a self-need and is study for the sake of research, so it is a very good thing. However, when budget resources are limited, it must be clearly analyzed why the state should grant funds for civil servants to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. It is suggested that attending higher education levels such as master's and doctorate will improve civil servants' thinking and research capacity. After that, their advice for policy formulation is more effective. I don't know what their scientific thinking is like. But in order to make an effective, feasible and humane policy, there is no degree that can create this," said a Vietnamese-born official working at the Australian Federal Tax Service, adding that it is necessary to avoid turning knowledge into a wasteful race. This is not unreasonable, when looking at some regulations set by the Ministry of Education and Training, one of the state agencies with the highest rate of employees holding masters and doctoral degrees. In a circular issued by this Ministry in February on teacher recruitment and teacher ranking, the Ministry set different ethical criteria for each ranking of teachers. A few years ago, this Ministry caused a stir with the regulation that students who are involved in prostitution for four times will be expelled from school. The South Australia government has recently tightened funding for staff members studying for masters and doctoral degrees. Many training programs are held for public servants, but most are short courses, from a few hours to a few days. The number of public servants who are granted full funding to study for a master's degree is 1-2 people/year, usually for managers or officials who are about to be appointed to important positions. The reason is that master's and doctoral degree holders often do in-depth research on a particular subject, while a government employee's daily work requires someone with thinking experience and adaptive experience. So, if public servants want to get a master's or doctorate, they have to pay themselves. Dr. Truong Nguyen Thanh, University of Utah (USA), said: It is true that there are positions that require a doctorate. In the advisory policy research institutes, researchers have a very high level of expertise. And there are professors at universities working with these institutions that provide additional expertise. But why does one who is not in a position of research and advisory work need a PhD degree? Phu Sa PhD production plan: Will Project 89 go a new way? Before launching Project 89 that aimed to produce 7,300 more lecturers with a doctoral degree, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) ran two projects on preparing human resources with doctoral and masters degrees, worth trillions of VND. The Covid-19 pandemic has turned out to be a golden opportunity for e-commerce platforms as online shopping was the only alternative to obtain essentials during lockdown. In 2020, when the pandemic broke out, some e-commerce marketplaces began selling dried and processed food such as instant noodles and sweets. Later, they also sold vegetables and fruits when joining forces with localities to rescue farm produce. With experiences from the rescue campaigns, marketplaces took one more step by selling fresh food, including pork and beef. With the move, they were squeezing into every corner of the market to approach consumers. Lazada, Shopee, Tiki and Sendo, the big four e-commerce in Vietnam, all have fresh food stalls serving consumers in Hanoi and HCM City. Postmart and Voso, the two marketplaces belonging to postal companies, have also jumped on the bandwagon. iPrices report shows that the sale of necessities and groceries on marketplaces in Vietnam are witnessing hot growth, though they were not the key products of marketplaces. The number of orders soared on lockdown days. Tiki took 10,000 orders of essentials a day and distributed 10 tons of vegetables and fruits. Shopee also reported a sharp increase in sales, about 30 tons a day. Meanwhile, Lazada retailed 5-10 tons of vegetables and processed food. The decision by marketplaces to sell fresh food provides one more consumption channel to farms, and suppliers of safe and organic meat. Minh Tan, the owner of Foodmap stall, said the orders for fresh food and farm produce have increased rapidly. The purchasing power last week was 4-5 times more than usual. According to Doan Thanh Tuyen, TopMeal stall receives 500-600 orders for frozen pork a day. Usage of technology in sale and transport has allowed products to reach consumers fast in the best state. Also, producers can sell directly to consumers, thus optimizing their input costs. Because of Covid-19, physical trade activities have been interrupted, while online activities have been promoted. Analysts believe that Vietnams e-commerce market will maintain its growth trajectory in 2022 and the upcoming years. Vietnamese consumers are now familiar with e-commerce platforms like Lazada, Sendo or Voso. Farm produce distribution Thousands of tons of Bac Giang litchis and Hung Yen longan were for the first time officially sold on all the six biggest marketplaces in summer. The products were transported throughout the country via Gian hang Viet truc tuyen quoc gia (Vietnams goods online stall) organized by Vietnam e-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency. This was also the first time Bac Giang litchis were exported to Europe under cross-border e-commerce via Voso. This was significant in the context of the pandemic, when farm produce consumption faced difficulties. Farm produce has been put on sale in many marketplaces since early 2021 under different scales, from Giang hang Viet truc tuyen for local specialties to Vietnams Farm Produce Day. Usage of technology in sale and transport has allowed products to reach consumers fast in the best state. Also, producers can sell directly to consumers, thus optimizing their input costs. Vu Thi Hau, Chair of the Vietnam Retail Association (VRA), said that businesses are following the right track when putting products on sale on marketplaces. By doing this, their products can easily approach consumers, not only Vietnamese, but overseas as well. She hopes that marketplaces will continue selling fresh food in the future when the pandemic ends. Farmers have also reaped fruits thanks to the support of e-commerce platforms. Tran Van Nghe, 57, the owner of the durian granary in Phu An Commune of Dong Nai province, said he was worried when Covid broke out again in May 2021. But sales turned out to be better than previously. He could sell durian at VND45,000-55,000 per kilogram, VND15,000-20,000 higher than the same period last years. Non-cash payments Payment service providers had to spend many years to familiarize Vietnamese consumers with non-cash payments. And the pandemic has helped speed up the process. Reports show that non-cash payments have increased by 10-13 times. A survey by Visa found that Covid-19 has accelerated the shift to non-cash payments, applied to small spending items. Seventy-seven percent of Vietnamese consumers know about digital banking and 31 percent of consumers use digital banking services. The service of bill payment is the most favored one, followed by money transfer. Meanwhile, 6 percent of surveyed people thought there was no need to use cash any longer. This means that even as Vietnam enters the new normal, the habit of cashless payment will be maintained. According to Sendo, non-cash payments rose sharply by 70-80 percent during the pandemic, while the figure was half of that, 30-40 percent. Particularly, payments via e-wallets soared. On Singles Day on November 11, the number of payments via Shopee Pay wallet on Shopee marketplace were nine times higher than on ordinary days. Records Shopee has reported two records of Singles Day: more than 2 billion products were sold, breaking the record set in 2020; the number of people accessing the platform increased by 5.5 times compared with ordinary days. Local sellers reported sharp growth in sales with the number of orders increasing by 18 times. Meanwhile, Lazada reported that revenue and orders on the platform increased by twofold compared with 2020, while the number of brands and sellers participating in the sale promotion campaign increased by 50 percent. Tiki said this was its most successful campaign so far with sales increasing by 9 times. Grab has reported a high growth rate in orders for GrabFood, in comparison with the period before May 30, and also for GrabMart, the shopping service. Duy Anh Which Vietnamese goods sell well on Amazon? Every minute, 14 Made-in-Vietnam products are sold on Amazon. Which products sell well? What should Vietnamese businesses do to compete on this platform? Getting married at an older age, being 'afraid' of giving birth and expecting to have only one child are alarming facts in Vietnam, especially when the countrys aging is four times faster than that of other countries. More young families are choosing not to have children or to have only one child. Illustration At the age of 37, Dang Thu Hoa and her husband, a couple in Hanoi, drive their car to tourist sites or join a backpacking group every weekend. Before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, they traveled abroad once or twice a year. The couple are satisfied with their life and they are unanimous on three things: focusing on career, not cooking on weekends and not having children. My husband is a financial manager for a foreign company. I work in the media industry. Both of us are very busy during the week so on weekends we want to spend time resting and relaxing. We are not ready to be parents because we are afraid of responsibilities. If we do not take good care of and raise our children well, we will feel guilty," said Hoa. Ignoring advice from their parents and friends, Hoa believes that each person has his or her own choices, and the most important thing is to always feel happy. Another couple in Hanoi, Duc Anh and his wife Thu Huong, chose to have only one child. During the hard days of raising the child, Huong suffered from postpartum depression, which made them decide not to have more children. They were advised to hire a maid, but they could not afford it. They wanted to save the money, an average VND5-7 million/maid/month, to invest in their childs study. This year, their son will enter the first grade. The couple planned to send him to a private school, with monthly tuition of VND7-9 million. With a total income of VND23 million, this couple does not have savings. Our generation could play and grow up by ourselves. But now, taking care of and raising a child is not easy, especially when everything is expensive. So, we decided to have only one child to save the best things for him," Duc Anh said. With a total income of VND13 million per month, Nguyen Thi Phuong, 35, and her husband from the northern province of Bac Giang also decided not to have more children even though they have only a 4-year-old daughter. We are living in a rented house, so we want to save up to buy a small piece of land. If there are more children, monthly expenditures will rise a few million more," said Phuong. 21 provinces with low birth rate Mai Trung Son, Deputy Director of the Population Size Department of the General Department of Population and Family Planning, said that the tendency of hesitating to have children is widespread in Vietnam. This is alarming. If the fertility rate is low for a long time, it will lead to the consequences of rapid population aging, labor shortage, and social security-related issues such as pensions and medical care," Son said. Currently, 21 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam have low fertility rates below the replacement level of 2 - 2.1 children per adult woman. Most of them are in the southern region such as Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, and Khanh Hoa. In these provinces, the common fertility rate is from 1.5 to 1.7 children per adult woman. The rate once fell to 1.24 children per adult woman in Ho Chi Minh City. In 2019, it was 1.39 children/adult woman and inched up to 1.53/adult woman in 2020 in the city. However, according to experts, although this is an initial improvement, it will take more time to evaluate the stability. According to Son, Vietnamese are increasingly afraid to have children due to the trend of late marriage, urbanization and economic development that results in greater pressure to find jobs, rising housing prices, living costs, and expenditures for education and taking care of children. Son cited examples that workers earn a few million VND in monthly salary, but they have to pay VND3 million to send a child to kindergarten, not mentioning other living expenses. Meanwhile, the government does not have a policy to encourage people in these areas to have two children. Some couples delay giving birth as they want to have more time and leisure for themselves. Notably, the more educated women are, the more reluctant to give birth. According to data collected by the General Statistics Office in 2019, Vietnamese women with a university degree had only 1.85 children/woman. This rate was 1.91 for women with a college degree; 2.59 children for women who had never gone to school; and 3.71 children for women with primary education. Nguyen Doan Tu, Head of the General Department of Population and Family Planning Since 2011, Vietnam has entered the period of population aging and its aging rate is 4 times faster than that of developed countries. The country is facing the risk of "getting old before getting rich". In 2011, the proportion of people over 60 years old in Vietnam accounted for less than 10%, but by 2018 it increased to 11.95%. In 2019, this rate continued to rise to 14%, of which people over 65 years old were approximately 8%. Nguyen Doan Tu, Head of the General Department of Population and Family Planning, said that without appropriate policies, the proportion of people over 60 years old in Vietnam will increase to over 20% by 2038, equivalent to 21 million people, of which people over 65 years old will account for over 14%. The General Department of Population and Family Planning and the Ministry of Health have proposed many solutions to raise fertility in the provinces with low fertility rates. However, Tu admitted that this is not easy. In fact, many countries have done very well in reducing fertility, but no country has succeeded in stimulating fertility. It is easier to encourage people to reduce the birth rate rather than increase the birth rate, Tu said. He said that Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore have also faced the same situation - low fertility rate - for more than 20 years. They have applied many policies to push up the fertility rate. South Korea spends about $2 billion per year, while Japan allocates up to $20 billion each year to this purpose but the effectiveness is still low. In South Korea, the fertility rate was 1.6 children/woman in 1996. Ten years later, it continued to decrease to 1.08 children, although the state allows mothers to take maternity leave for two years without losing their jobs. In Japan, the fertility rate in 2018 was only 1.42 children per woman. This rate has been falling for three consecutive decades while this country expects to raise the fertility rate to 1.8. Multiple fertility models trialed In April 2020, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed Decision 588 approving the program to adjust fertility rates that suit areas and subjects by 2030, which includes measures to encourage marriage before the age of 30 and encourage women to give birth to the second child before the age of 35. For provinces with low fertility, the program sets a target to increase the total fertility rate by 10% by 2030. On March 10, 2021, the Ministry of Health issued Circular 01/2021 guiding localities implementation of regulations related to the steady maintenance of the replacement fertility rate; control of sex imbalance at birth and improvement of population quality. In order to control the sex imbalance at birth, local authorities can choose policies to encourage and support couples who have two children of the same sex and commit to not have more children. The policies include honoring the couples for raising the children well; exempting or reducing tuition; giving financial support for insurance and dairy products; and other measures. The communes with 100 percent of hamlets which commit to control sex imbalance at their village conventions may receive rewards in cash or in kind. In the 33 provinces listed as having a high fertility rate, hamlets and communes with families which do not give birth to three or more children for three consecutive years may get in-cash or in-kind rewards from district authorities. If the achievement is gained for five consecutive years, they will get rewards from the provincial authorities. The women of childbearing age who already have two children and voluntarily apply long-term contraception will receive cash and in kind. In 21 provinces listed as having a sub-fertility rate, the communes which for three consecutive years have at least 60 percent of couples (of childbearing age) with two children, will get rewards in cash or in kind from district authorities. The rewards will be from provincial authorities if the achievement can be maintained for five years. In these areas, women who have two children before they turn 35 years old will get support in cash or in kind, to be decided by the local authorities. The budget for implementing the solutions to encourage and reward collectives and individuals for their implementation of the population work will be sourced from local budgets and other legal sources. Tu said that the state does not prohibit people from having a third child. However, more than 5 million members of the Communist Party of Vietnam have to comply with the current Party Charter of having no more than two children. Thuy Hanh The generation with only one child Having only one child or no children has not become common in Vietnam, but it can be seen clearly in some provinces and regions. Covid-19 in the last few years brought the worlds tourism to its knees. Current opportunities exist but if Vietnam starts the new race later than other countries, it will lose. Oxalis CEO Nguyen Chau A at a recent workshop said the news about the failure to connect related parties to open the Dong Hoi Chiang Mai air route some years ago to receive foreign travelers again shows that complicated procedures are still hindering the development of the tourism sector. A said that Oxalis supported Quang Binh province to set up the air route but it existed for only one year because the company could serve only Thai and Vietnamese travelers who did not need visas to travel. Meanwhile, there was no regulation on granting visas to international tourists going through domestic airports. As a result, Oxalis lost a high number of European tourists from Chiang Mai. He urged management agencies to grant visas online to attract travelers. He also wants to see the procedures simplified, and visas valid for one year. Cao Tri Dung, Chair of Da Nang Tourism Association and Chair of Vietnam Travelmart, noted that the resumption of visa waiver has not been done for countries which once enjoyed visa waivers prior to 2019. As a result, his firm has to work with agencies on each case. Tran Dinh Thien, a respected economist, said that complicated procedures are one of two problems of Vietnams tourism. Vietnam pursues a policy of making friends with all countries, but it still cannot turn this into strength to develop tourism. Travel firms are concerned about the inconsistency of policies. The biggest fear for travel firms is the unpredictability of policies: they are told to open today and asked to close their door tomorrow. Unsustainable market Covid-19 in the last few years brought the worlds tourism to its knees. Current opportunities exist but if Vietnam starts the new race later than other countries, it will lose. Mr A listed a number of factors that explain why Vietnams tourism still cannot develop in a sustainable way, especially in receiving inbound travelers. In 2019, Vietnam received 18 million travelers, but it relied on China and South Korea (60 percent of market share), followed by Japan and Taiwan (5 percent each), and Europe (2 percent). The heavy reliance on a few markets puts Vietnam at a high risk. This has happened with the Chinese market: when the Chinese Government tightens control to fight the pandemic, Vietnam cannot receive travelers from the market of more than 1 billion people. Meanwhile, Thailand receives 40 million travelers a year, 30 percent of which is from China, while the remaining are from many other countries, with 10 percent on average. Thailands tourism has developed in a sustainable way. He said that Vietnam pays too much attention to B2B (business to business) model (80 percent), i.e. businesses creating tours and selling products to foreign travelers who do marketing. Vietnams firms should serve travelers under the programs agreed to with their foreign partners. The advantage of the B2B model is that Vietnam doesnt have to do marketing and sales. However, the disadvantage is that they rely on partners. Its estimated that only 20 percent of Vietnams travel firms can apply the B2C (business to customer) model, i.e. travel firms creating products and selling products directly to travelers and bringing them to Vietnam. The figure is 40 percent in Thailand. Following the B2B model, many travel firms have shut down when their foreign partners closed or disappeared. Many others lost markets if their foreign partners stopped cooperation. A said he hopes that large corporations with powerful financial capability will help advertise the Vietnamese brand, and approach targeted markets without intermediary partners. If Vietnam doesnt have a new strategy and reasonable policies, it will be defeated by rivals, not only in the number of travelers, but also as a destination. Can Van Luc, chief economist of BIDV, said that 35 percent of the worlds tourism has recovered, while Vietnam is still slow in reopening tourism. Vietnams revenue from tourism dropped by 60 percent in 2020, and another 15-20 percent in 2021. So, it will take at least two more years for Vietnam to see the golden days of 2019 returning. Nguyen Sy Dung, a senior expert, said Vietnam needs to reopen the country. Its necessary to simplify the procedures further and integrate procedures, so that foreign travelers only have to knock one door when they need to solve a problem, Dung said. Regarding marketing and tourism promotion activities, Vietnam has been mostly doing this via trade fairs instead of popularizing the national destination. So it still cannot approach many travelers in targeted markets. The budget for trade fairs is also modest. Why doesnt Vietnam think of organizing one international event every month, like the Da Nang organizes firework festival? Thien said. This kind of event will create regional and local competitions, but have international stature, attracting foreign travelers to Vietnam. This way of promoting tourism will create a new vision about Vietnam, he said. No haste over reopening To recover the tourism industry, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu emphasized opening. He believes the best support is opening, from road border gates to airways. The diplomatic sector also needs to help bring foreign travelers to destinations. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said in order to open tourism, Vietnam needs to fight the pandemic effectively to prepare to receive guests. The opening today and closing tomorrow is more dangerous than only opening after thorough preparation, he said. Ngoc Ha Vietnam to welcome back foreign tourists via sea, road: ministry The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to welcome back international tourists via sea route and roads in the time ahead, after piloting the vaccine passport programme on the air route. A number of welfare packages worth trillions of dong were launched to help workers, employers, Covid-19 patients and others during the pandemic. Government Resolution 68, VND26 trillion On July 1, the Government released Resolution 68 with the support package worth VND26 trillion from the State budget o support 12 groups of workers and employers, including freelancers. The reports of labor departments from 63 cities and provinces showed that as of November 25, the total expenses to implement the resolution had reached VND28.45 trillion, delivered to 28.27 million subjects, including 377,431 employers, 27.9 million workers and others. HCM City gave support to 11.2 million subjects, totaling VND12.03 trillion. Some localities reported high expenditures, including Binh Duong (VND2.64 trillion), Hanoi (VND2.055 trillion), Dong Nai (VND2.03 trillion), Ba Ria Vung Tau (VND1.473 trillion), Bac Giang (VND706 billion) and Long An (627 billion). The total expenditures to give support under three insurance policies was VND5.39 trillion, addressing 375,820 employers and 11.391 billion workers. Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has reviewed and notified 375,000 employers that they entitled to a reduction in insurance premiums for occupational accidents and disease from July 2021 to the end of June 2022, totaling VND4.32 trillion. On September 24, the Government issued Resolution 116 on launching a support package worth VND38 trillion targeting employers and workers affected by Covid-19, sourced from the unemployment insurance fund. The estimated reductions from October 2021 to September 2022 amounted to VND7.595 trillion. Resolution 116, VND38 trillion VSS checked and sent the lists of workers subject to the support package to 357,861 employers, and 1,868,907 workers received the support. The number of workers who stopped paying unemployment insurance premiums but still asked for support was 1,289,332. As many as 28,038 workers continued paying unemployment insurance, but voluntarily refused support. The total amount paid was VND28,798 billion for 12,149,585 workers. Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said that Resolutions 68 and 116 have helped people overcome difficulties. The policies not only target workers but also cover disadvantaged people, including older people, orphans and the disabled. On October 28, 2021, the Vietnam Labor Federation (VLF) announced a plan to give financial support to workers to celebrate Tet. A budget of VND2.4 trillion has been reserved for 8 million laborers (VND 300,000 each). A report showed that the number of officially employed workers was 15.1 million people in the third quarter of the year, down 468,900 people compared to the previous quarter and 657,000 compared with the same period last year. HCM City: VND9.8 trillion, 3 campaigns The city has launched three support packages in cash from the budget and delivered 2 million welfare bags from sources mobilized by the Fatherland Front. The first support campaign was organized in July 2021, under which VND886 billion was delivered to 366,000 freelancers, more than 56,000 workers who had to take unpaid leave, and 199 workers who became unemployed but did not meet the requirements to receive unemployment benefits. The city also gave support to 5,900 business households which had to suspend their operation and more than 17,000 merchants at traditional markets. The support of VND50,000/head/day, applied to lockdown days, was given to freelancers who lost jobs or had revenue decreasing sharply because of social distancing, workers residing legally in the city who did not have income, and workers who had income of below VND4 million a month. Petty merchants at traditional markets (first-class market) received VND300,000 a month. The support was VND210,000 a month for second-class markets, and VND150,000 for third-class ones. The business households which had to stop operation in the areas that imposed lockdown in accordance with the Prime Ministers Direction 16 received another support of VND2 million each. According to HCM City leaders, the complicated developments of the pandemic and long lockdown period caused big difficulties. The municipal authorities decided to launch a second support campaign, under which VND900 billion was budgeted to support three groups of people, implemented on August 5-10. The second package targeted poor workers and those who were not subject to the first package. Everyone received VND1.5 million each. About 250,000 people got support. On September 23, the HCM City Peoples Council once again approved a resolution on supporting people in difficulties under which each individual received VND1 million. There were five groups of people covered by the policy, with the total number of 7.3 million. To date, support has been delivered to 6.1 million beneficiaries, and the delivery is continuing in some districts. Since August 4, 2021, the citys welfare center has delivered 2,587,095 welfare bags to 22 districts and Thu Duc City. Nguyen Van Lam, Deputy Director of HCM City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said the total spending in three campaigns to support people in difficulties is VND9.8 trillion with 8.4 million beneficiaries. More than 88 percent of the third package has been disbursed. Gia Van - Ho Van Adjustments to social welfare policies needed to not leave anyone behind: Experts Statistics from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs showed that 28.2 million people across the country have been affected by COVID-19, including 4.7 people losing jobs, accounting for 16.5 percent. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam does not take side while he was addressing the 31st diplomatic conference on Wednesday. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the 31st diplomatic conference, Hanoi, December 15, 2021. Photo: VGP The Government chief went on to emphasize that Vietnam chooses peace, friendship, cooperation and development. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh tasked the sector to actively contribute to institutional building, human resource development, green technology and green finance development, effective implementation of the free trade agreements, COVID-19 prevention and control, and socio-economic recovery. Speaking at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said the conference takes place at a crucial time when the diplomatic sector and the nation are entering a new development period and striving to successfully implement the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress. Pointing to the rapid, complex developments in the world and domestic situations, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, Bui said the diplomatic sector has made concerted efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges to synchronously carry out major tasks on foreign relations. The sector has gained important results, particularly maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, significantly contributing to protecting national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, expanding and deepening relations between Vietnam and many partners, and maximizing external resources to serve socio-economic development. It has continued to promote the image of Vietnam as a nation of independence and self-reliance with a rich culture, which is resolved to pursue reforms and make active and responsible contributions to major international issues and forums, Son said, highlighting Vietnams fulfillment of its duties as Chair of the ASEAN in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term, helping to raise the countrys position in the international arena. Source: VGP Vietnam has a strong voice and gains trust from the world, especially countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the US. Vietnam and representatives from member countries of the United Nations Security Council attend a discussion on Yemen in May 2021. (Photo: VNA) As Vietnam started its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 2020, UN Deputy Secretary-General in charge of peace activities Jean-Pierre Lacroix told Vietnam News Agency that he believed Vietnam would be an active and effective member of the council. Lacroix's comments, along with the almost absolute yes votes for Vietnam to become a member of the council, showed the strong confidence and expectation of the international community in Vietnam's capacity and responsible engagement in the common efforts for peace, stability and security in the region and the world. The reality has affirmed that in its post, Vietnam has taken part in discussing and seeking solutions to all issues included in the UNSC agenda for all regions, including conflicts in Africa, humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, and other important matters such as the prevention of mass destruction weapon proliferation, the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, maritime security, climate change, and COVID-19 response. Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN, affirmed that Vietnam has a strong voice and gains trust from the world, especially countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the US. UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Barbara Woodward highlighted that Vietnam directly engaged in settling many important issues, affirming that Vietnams contributions are valuable. Meanwhile, UN Antonio Guterres said that as the President of the council (in January and April 2020), Vietnam showed its ingenuity and the role of a mediator and bridge in supporting the settlement of conflicts, creating a peaceful atmosphere among world powers. Particularly, as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, and the only ASEAN representative at the UNSC, Vietnam upheld the central role of the association in coping with regional security issues as well as strengthening cooperation between the ASEAN and the UNSC as well as the UN as a whole. Ambassador Nathalie Estival-Broadhurst, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the UN said that Vietnam has been very successful in connecting ASEAN with the UNSC. Meanwhile, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) underscored Vietnams contributions in promoting the comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN. Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the UN, underlined that Vietnam has made considerable contributions to the enhancement of the voice and image of the ASEAN at the UNSC. Meanwhile, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo affirmed that by adding ASEAN matters to the UNSC agenda, Vietnam has helped to raise the blocs image to a new level and enhance relations between regional organisations and the UN, especially the UNSC. Looking back on active and effective contributions that Vietnam has made to the UNSC, Director-General of the UN Office Tatiana Valovaya said during a meeting with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in late November that hailed Vietnams excellent performance as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021 with many initiatives and practical contributions to global issues./. Source: VNA Vietnam's engagement in UN peacekeeping operations over the past seven years has achieved many positive results, and at the same time opened up many new directions of deployment. Vietnam debuts the Vietnamese engineering unit rotation 1 in November to be deployed to UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. VNA/VNS Photo Trong Duc Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations Mac Duc Trong spoke to Vietnam News Agency about these achievements. Vietnam has recently sent a military engineering unit to join a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan for the first time, marking a new development in expertise. What is the meaning of Vietnams expansion of participation in such peacekeeping missions, and the establishment of the military engineering unit? Compared to the level-2 field hospitals that Vietnam has deployed before, the military engineering unit is larger in number, with 184 professional officers and soldiers. In terms of equipment, the unit will deploy about 2,000 tonnes of equipment to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), including around 150 machines. In terms of expertise, the key tasks of the military engineering unit are building roads and barracks for the UN, performing road transport missions and building humanitarian works for local citizens and works for UN organisations where the unit is stationed. The preparation for the unit was made from 2017, including selection of personnel, training and purchase of new equipment. A long time for preparation is a huge advantage. Besides, we have received great support and direction from the Party, State and Army. However, we also met many difficulties in preparation. This is the first time the unit will be deployed to a mission, which called for careful research. Transport is also complicated. The units personnel will travel from Vietnam to Khartoum, capital of Sudan, by air, then they will go to a transit airport and travel for another long journey before reaching the base. Meanwhile, equipment will be transported by waterway to the Sudanese port and then transported by road for around 3,200km to Abyei area where the unit is deployed. The journey must be carried out during the dry season. Another challenge is their tasks. The engineering unit with 184 professional officers and soldiers is assigned with a huge amount of work: ensuring smooth traffic of the road system in the area, including 250-300km of dirt roads which need to be upgraded after each rainy season. The unit is also in charge of building UN barracks. They have to build roads leading to the area where the barracks will be based and then build the barracks themselves. Due to the nature of the work, most of the tasks are done outdoors and they need to bring along materials to ensure logistics such as cooking, electricity generation and water. Each task can last from one to four weeks. The officers and soldiers must go through many stages while travelling from Vietnam to the countries where they are deployed. Each region will have its own regulations and laws. They will have advantages when going through regions with political stability while regions with complex political situations will have a negative impact on travelling. Which measures will we take to effectively carry out training for officers and soldiers in Vietnam as well as ensure safety for soldiers in areas where they are deployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic? Regarding training, Vietnam often invited foreign experts to come to teach and share experience in this field. However, due to the pandemic, we have to organise training courses ourselves without foreign experts. Luckily, Vietnam has some experience in this field thanks to the deployment of Vietnamese officers and soldiers to UN missions over the past years. Those who returned from the missions will help train officers and soldiers who will join the next missions. These training courses are recognised by the UN. We have to submit the curricular and profiles of teachers to the UN before training. Officers and soldiers graduating from these training courses have well performed when joining the UN missions, meeting knowledge and professional requirements and are highly appreciated by the UN. However, the pandemic has created many difficulties for management tasks as well as supply of medical materials and chemicals from Vietnam to areas where the missions are based to help maintain operation of field hospitals. The UN appreciates Vietnam for meeting the proportion of female soldiers taking part in peacekeeping activities following the UN Resolution 1325 about Women, Peace and Security. Could you talk more about this? The UN is promoting the role of gender equality and has clear goals. For example, it set a target of having 25 per cent of women serving peacekeeping forces by 2025. However, the increase of the rate of female peacekeepers is a challenge for not only Vietnam but all countries participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Vietnam has basically met UN expectations for the proportion of female peacekeepers but in order to fulfill the target of 25 per cent by 2025, the country needs to strive to make careful preparations in selection and training. The UN set that goal due to real demand because peacekeeping operations are now multi-dimensional tasks involving many factors, including soldiers, police, civilians and international organisations. The main targets of peacekeeping operations are protecting civilians, women and children, and particularly issues related to sexual abuse prevention and control. Therefore, women play a special and important role in peacekeeping operations. In Vietnam, all ministries, agencies and sectors have commitments to meet the proportion of women, to help join hands in addressing issues relating to peace and global security. Are there plans to make more contributions to peacekeeping missions in the future? In the future, we set the target of successfully deploying the first military engineering unit to the UN peacekeeping mission and finish all the tasks assigned by the UN for the humanitarian mission. Vietnam will continue to keep up the good quality of its level-2 field hospitals to maintain its existing reputation among the missions. It is also necessary to prepare personnel to meet higher posts at the missions. For long-term plans, we need to prepare models of units following the Resolution 130/2020/QH14 of the National Assembly on joining the UN peacekeeping operations, to take part in UN peacekeeping operations more deeply and widely. Source: Vietnam News In one exchange, Melovidov and Myers-Melovidov texted about scanning the boy's head at the hospital. Gees and we've been hitting his head. Please delete our texts now, Myers-Melovidov wrote, according to the affidavit. In requesting $250,000 bond, Assistant Attorney General Sam Vandergaw told the judge he's concerned about how the couple discussed deleting text messages and how ship traffic in St. Paul could make it easy for them to flee on a boat. Judge Gregory Miller granted the bail request and ordered that the couple have no contact with their 8-year-old daughter. The daughter is not a victim but a potential witness, Vandergaw said. According to the affidavit, the couple instructed the girl to lie to investigators about what happened in the home. According to an obituary for the toddler's mother, he has a sister who was 16 when their mother died. She listened to the hearings by phone and declined to comment when the judge asked if she wanted to say something about bail. Melovidov and Myers-Melovidov participated in their arraignments by phone from jail. Melovidov said he works in custodial maintenance. Myers-Melovidov said she doesn't work and receives financial support from her husband and an annual check from an Alaska Native regional corporation. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. They said the prince has claimed he has no documents that would be responsive to the majority of requests by Giuffre's lawyers, including of any communications with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell or the late financier Jeffrey Epstein or relating to his trips to Florida, New York or various locations in London. And they said he's also denied having documents supporting a claim that he has a medical inability to sweat, an alibi he offered in a media interview. As for their client's residence, they said her domicile is in Colorado, where her mother resides, and noted that she is registered to vote there. They said those facts and additional evidence establish her Colorado citizenship. A message seeking comment was sent to attorneys for the prince. Maxwell, 60, was convicted Wednesday of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges after a month-long trial. Her lawyers had argued that she was made a scapegoat by the U.S. government after Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan federal lockup in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was arrested a year later. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The study, conducted by First National Capital Markets, suggests that the school district would save nearly $3.7 million per year by choosing a single-campus configuration. The study presents three possible paths the district could take and the costs and benefits associated with each. The first option involves no new construction just repairs and improvements to the existing facilities. That route, according to the study, would cost the district approximately $3 million in the next decade. The second option is to build a new PK-5 building on the existing high school campus using a $14.3 million bond. The third would be to construct a new high school building (that would include a performing arts center), and the high school building would become the PK-8 building. That path would be paid on a $25 million bond. Among the factors considered in the study are the districts expected growth, the social and emotional benefits of K-12 schooling at one campus, and the cost to the district of staff traveling between the different school buildings each day. WAVERLY At a special meeting on Dec. 20, the Waverly Board of Education approved new ward boundaries for its district. The new boundaries will not go into effect until May or November 2022, depending on how many candidates challenge for school board seats in the May primaries. Residents living in a certain ward elect a representative to serve on the board of education. Superintendent Cory Worrell said the goal of redistricting is to draw a map that balances out the populations in each ward as much as possible. The board hired local government software company Works to draw the new boundaries. Works aimed for each of the districts six wards to contain 1,891 people; the ward with the highest deviation from the target number was Ward II, with 1,805 people. The redistricting balancing act is not without its flaws, though, and members of the board took issue with the new ward boundaries around Eagle. Board member Jessie Zuniga, who represents Ward 1, pointed out in a previous meeting that the new wards make it possible that all six members of the school board could be Waverly residents by address. Since Christmas, thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled throughout the country, leaving nervous customers stuck as a growing number of airline employees are out of work due to COVID. The airline industry has been preparing for the Christmas season for months, assessing plans, and putting together reserves of employees. However, it was insufficient to mitigate the impacts of the rapidly spreading Omicron coronavirus and the effects of heavy snow and strong winds in the western United States. According to the air travel monitoring website FlightAware, the impact was still felt on Thursday, with more than 1,200 cancellations of flights to, from, or within the United States reported by the afternoon. According to the data, on Friday, the site said more than 640 cancellations. As the Omicron virus continues to spread, caseloads have continued to rise at a rapid pace; nevertheless, deaths and hospitalizations have remained relatively consistent. The ongoing interruption comes when the country is seeing an average of more than 260,000 new coronavirus infections per day. Northeastern and Midwestern states have some of the highest infection rates in the country. The growth has had a significant impact on more than just air travel. The pace of life in New York City has slowed to a crawl as the disease has reduced the number of subway staff and emergency personnel on the streets. On Wednesday, it was announced that a state of emergency had been proclaimed in Cincinnati to aid with staffing issues within the city's Fire Department, which a spike had exacerbated in coronavirus cases that corresponded with expected holiday vacations. Many New Year's Eve celebrations have been canceled or scaled-down. More broadly, the virus has caused months of chaos in the food and beverage supply chains. JetBlue was one of the airlines that was particularly heavily affected on Thursday, with 17 percent of its total flights canceled. JetBlue said on Wednesday that it will shorten its flight schedule until January 13. AirTran Airways said in a statement that it has "had an increase" in sick calls due to the Omicron strain, making it difficult to adequately staff its flights even though it entered the Christmas season with more people than at any other time since the outbreak started. According to the company, we expect the number of Covid cases in the Northeast, where the bulk of our crew members are stationed, to continue to grow over the coming week or two. According to the assessment, "there is a high likelihood of more cancellations until the caseload begins to fall." Alaska Airlines canceled 14 percent of its scheduled flights this year. Because of the unrelenting snowfall and record-breaking low temperatures in the Pacific Northwest last week, flights were grounded, and it snowed again in Seattle on Thursday. To help relieve its staffing shortage, the aviation sector has lobbied the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to shorten the recommended isolation period for people infected with Covid-19 who live in the United States. The FDA has advised patients who have received a positive test result to isolate themselves for a period of 10 days after getting the results. Individuals who were not having any symptoms and those who were not suffering any fevers and whose other symptoms were lessening were given an extension of five days starting on Monday. As one of the first firms to comply with the new standards, Delta Air Lines was one of the most successful. Following the implementation of a new policy on Tuesday, employees who test positive for the coronavirus to isolate after being vaccinated will be entitled to five days of paid vacation. The message was obtained by The New York Times from an internal message sent to business management at the company. In addition, employees who test positive on Day 5 will be given two additional days of paid time off, which is one step further than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, which does not recommend further testing. Delta is also offering two additional days of paid time off to employees who test positive on Day 5. In contrast, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the airline's rules do not mention whether returning staff should have better symptoms upon their return. As many readers will know, Australias Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) designed and built a number of different airframes based upon the North American Aviation NA-16, a trainer which eventually evolved into the legendary T-6 Texan/Harvard. The Wirraway was one of CACs more successful designs. A number of different Wirraway variants evolved, some of them armed, but the type primarily served in the training role within Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), a function which it performed admirably between 1939 and 1959. While CAC built more than 750 Wirraways at their factory in Fishermans Bend, near Melbourne, Victoria, the type is pretty rare today, with fewer than two dozen survivors in any recognizable form today, and of these, just a handful are presently capable of flight. This is why the recent news of Rodney Knights expedition to recover the substantial remains of a Wirraway from Lake Corangamite near Melbourne, Victoria is such welcome news. The aircraft in question, CA-16 A20-714, had lain more or less embalmed in these muddy waters since October 20th, 1950, when RAAF trainee pilot, Vance Drummond ditched the Wirraway during an instructional flight with No.1 Flying Training School from Point Cook, Victoria. The following story, as related by Rodney Knights to our longtime antipodean correspondent, Phil Buckley, describes A20-714s history, her pilot and his accident and, of course, Knights subsequent recovery of the Wirraway some seven decades later CAC CA-16 Wirraway A20-714 CA-16 A20-714 was one of 755 Wirraways which CAC built at their factory in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne. It rolled off the production line during the early summer of 1945. The RAAF formally accepted the trainer on July 9th, 1945 with the aircraft initially going into storage with No.1 Aircraft Depot (AD) at RAAF Station Laverton near Melbourne. No.7 AD took her on strength the following month at Tocumwal, but the airframe continued in various categories of storage until receiving an upgrade to Cat C Special Reserve in July, 1946. The aircraft saw its first active use with No.1 Flying Training School (FTS) after arriving there on May 21st, 1948. Accident 1100 hrs 05/11/48 when aircraft made a precautionary landing at Echuca due to engine cutting out in flight. On November 5th, 1948 the aircraft made a precautionary landing at Echuca due to an in-flight engine failure with F/Lt P.W. Symons and F/Lt W.D. Ephgrave aboard; neither were injured. Repaired soon after, the aircraft returned to service in its training role. Vance Drummond Vance Drummond originally came from Hamilton, New Zealand, being born there on February 22nd, 1927. By the time WWII arrived, Vance was still too young to do his bit unlike his older brother, Frederick, who joined the RAAF (and, sadly, later perished). Vance had to wait until May 1944 before he could enlist in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), training to become a navigator. He graduated with the rank of Sergeant in September 1945, but with the war now over, the RNZAF no longer needed his services, discharging him that October. Vance, still looking to serve his nation, joined the New Zealand Military Forces in March 1946. A few months later, he found himself part of J Force, New Zealands contribution to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. In October 1948, Vance returned home, seeking a transfer to the RNZAF where he hoped to become a pilot. Oddly, the RNZAF considered him too old for such a slot, even though he was just 21! Despite this rejection, Vance persisted with his aeronautical ambitions, having better luck with the RAAF, who accepted him for flight training in August, 1949. Lake Ditching By the fall of 1950, Drummond was well on his way to becoming a pilot with No.1 FTS at RAAF Point Cook. Trainee pilots would often conduct their practice flights above nearby Lake Corangamite due to its lack of obstacles, and it was over this location, on October 20th, 1950, that Vance met with an accident while flying Wirraway A20-714. Vance departed RAAF Point Cook at 9:48 am on the fateful training flight. By 10:30am, Vance was conducting a low level solo flying exercise over Lake Corangamite, traversing the waters at altitudes ranging from 50 to 200 feet. While still over the lake, Drummond adjusted his compass setting, but accidentally nudged his control column in the process, causing the Wirraway to dip slightly, its propeller tips striking the water. Drummond immediately attempted to gain altitude, but the now-bent propeller caused such violent vibrations that Vance realized he had no option other than a forced landing. The pilot quickly prepared his Wirraway for ditching, locking his canopy open and gently lowering the aircraft, in a tail-down attitude, onto the lakes surface. The trainer then splashed into the lake with some force, Drummond suffering slight injuries when his face struck the cockpit deck panel. A witness, Harry Hynes, described his view of the accident, stating: A sheet of water leapt 40 feet into the air, and there was a terrific crash. The aircraft came to a halt rapidly and began sinking. A20-714 soon settled into the murky shallows, digging into the muddy bottom beneath 8 feet of water. Drummond, still in the cockpit, struggled for some two minutes underwater to escape his seat and parachute harness. Reportedly, after his rescue, he stated: My lungs were almost bursting when I freed myself. After extricating himself, Vance was still some 800 feet from the shoreline and encumbered by his bulky flight clothing. To keep his head above water, the pilot clung to his Wirraways tail, which still protruded above the surface. Meanwhile on shore, Pat Hynes, Harrys brother, saw the pilots predicament and rushed out into the lake atop a horse to attempt a rescue. But the horse struggled in the water and gloopy mud, thwarting this plan. Pat then rang the local police station, hoping they could quickly arrange for a boat to arrive. While awaiting his salvation, Drummond stripped down to his underclothes in case the plane sank any further and he needed to swim for shore. He remained clinging to the Wirraways tail for another two hours before the police were able to haul him aboard a boat they retrieved from Camperdown. An RAAF post-crash investigation determined that, although Drummond was technically at fault, there were outside contributing factors such as the glassy nature of the lakes surface (making altitude hard to determine visually) and the awkward position of the Wirraways compass. While Vance Drummond earned a reprieve which allowed him to continue with his flight training, the Wirraway was obviously in a tighter spot. The RAAF wrote off the airframe, ordering its conversion to parts on January 22nd, 1951. With much of the airframe now buried under mud, however, its recovery was economically impractical at the time. While a crew did remove the Wirraways vertical tail assembly on February 6th, 1951, the rest of the airframe was left where it lay, essentially forgotten about until 2005. Drummonds Post-Crash RAAF Career Following his ditching incident in A20-714, Vance continued his RAAF flight training, graduating first in his class as a sergeant pilot in February, 1951. Posted to RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales, Drummond joined No.78 (Fighter) Wing which was then operating the iconic North American P-51 Mustangs alongside the RAAFs first generation jet fighter, the de Havilland Vampire. By June 1950, RAAF pilots were involved in the Korean War. In August, 1951 Drummond received orders to join No.77 Squadron, then flying Mustangs in combat out of Kimpo in Korea. By the time he arrived at Kimpo, the squadron had transitioned to the Gloster Meteor F.8. No.77 operated over Korea, flying as far as the Yalu River in conjunction with US Air Force F-86 Sabres. Their missions involved a mixture of combat air patrols and bomber escorts, shepherding American B-29s. On December 1st, 1951, Vance Drummond was flying as part of a formation of twelve RAAF Meteors when they were attacked by a superior force of Soviet-manned MiG-15s. Three Meteors fell to the MiGs that day, including Drummonds. Drummond ejected from his stricken jet fighter, floating down behind enemy lines where North Korean troops captured and imprisoned him. In April 1952, Drummond and four fellow Prisoners of War escaped their camp, only to suffer recapture two days later. Vance suffered a beating for his part in the escape, along with a month in solitary confinement. Following the armistice announced on July 27th, 1953, formal combat came to an end in Korea, and this allowed the exchange of POWs by both sides. Drummond gained his release on September 1st, 1953, and found his way back to Australia soon afterwards. Upon his return to Australia, Drummond continued his RAAF career, taking part in the 8 Advanced Navigation Course. In April 1954, he was one of six navigators in Avro Lincoln bombers who made a graduation flight from East Sale, Victoria to New Zealand. Vance then received a posting to No.2 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAAF Williamtown for flying duties where he undertook the No.3 Fighter Combat Instructors Course. In November, 1954 the RAAF established the Sabre Trials Flight (flying CAC-built variants of the North American F-86 Sabre) as part of No.2 OTU; Drummond was a founding member. On May 30th, 1955, Drummond received a promotion to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. In 1959, Drummond joined RAAF Headquarters Operational Command at Glenbrook, New South Wales. Two years later, he entered the RAAF Staff College in Canberra, receiving a posting upon matriculation in 1962 as a Flight Commander with No.75 Squadron and, soon after, a promotion to Squadron Leader. The squadron flew CAC Sabres and fielded the Black Diamonds aerobatic display team. This team appeared at events across Australia, showcasing both the Sabre and the RAAFs flying prowess to the public. By October 1962, Drummond was leading the Black Diamonds. In December 1964 received another posting, this time to Canberra where he joined the staff at the Department of Air. In December 1965 he gained promotion to the rank of acting Wing Commander, and was soon in Saigon, South Vietnam on secondment to the US Air Forces Second Air Division. His primary role in Vietnam was to observe American methods for aerial transport, reconnaissance, ground attack, and defense. By July 1966, he put in a request to join the US Air Forces 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron as a forward air controller (FAC), flying the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. FACs had a significant, though highly risky role. They would fly low over enemy territory searching for enemy ground targets, such as troops or high-value structures, and then guide strike aircraft to attack these targets. They would often follow up on missions, assessing their outcomes. Drummond had the distinction of being the first in a number of RAAF personnel to serve as FACs with the USAF during the Vietnam War. By October 1966, concluded his tour as a FAC, having a tally of 381 sorties and several awards. In January 1967, Drummond received a promotion to Wing Commander, taking command of No.3 Squadron in the month following. The squadron had recently returned to RAAF Williamtown from overseas duty at RAAF Butterworth in Malaysia. The unit soon began transitioning to the brand new Dassault Mirage III-O. In April 1967, Drummond began his conversion to the type, entering the No.9 Mirage Course with No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). On May 17th, Drummond was flying on a training exercise at high altitude with 3 other Mirages some 90km off the coast north east of Williamtown. Sadly, this flight was to be Drummonds last; without explanation, his Mirage fell out of formation suddenly and dove into the ocean. Although neither his body nor the airframe were ever recovered, there was strong circumstantial evidence from his widow, Margaret, during the subsequent court of enquiry, that Vance may have suffered a mid-flight heart attack, causing the crash. Vance Drummond was only 41 at the time of his death, a highly experienced and capable leader; the RAAF awarded him a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross. The Rediscovery of Wirraway A20-714 As already mentioned, the RAAF recovery crew did remove some components from Drummonds Wirraway soon after the crash, but left most of the airframe sitting where it had fallen. The wreck sank further into the mud over the succeeding decades, presumably forgotten forever. In 2005, however, a Colac-based crop-duster named Gordon Wilson spotted the remains in the lake during one of his sorties, rekindling the chance for its recovery. Rodney Knights, a local resident first learned about the Wirraway wreck from an archaeologist. Knights has a keen interest in vintage military aviation, which included volunteering with Pierce Dunns Warbirds Aviation Museum at Mildura Airport during the 1980s. He had also spent time as a commercial salvage diver and developed a working relationship with Heritage Victoria following various collaborations with the organization, so in many ways, he was ideally equipped to take on the challenge of recovering the Wirraway. Knights surveyed the wreck and determined that some 70% of what remained sat below the mud, and appeared to be in good condition. Whatever lay above the mud, however, had deteriorated significantly due to the lakes significant salinity. He noted that others in the area had expressed interest in removing the Wirraway from the lake, but their efforts had not progressed far at that point. Not wanting to tread on any toes, Rodney decided to shelve his own endeavors, to allow others the opportunity to raise the Wirraway. However, he used the interim to formulate a plan for his own recovery, should the opportunity arise. Knights Plans the Recovery In the end, no one else stepped forward to save the Wirraway, so Rodney decided that he should take on the challenge. Rod was still in his 40s at this point, and knew the restoration would be a longterm proposition. Nevertheless, he was determined to see it through. Before he could even begin executing his plan to retrieve the airframe, however, Rod knew that he would need formal permission from a number of different parties. He began the process by approaching the various potential stakeholders, a list which eventually totaled twelve different entities including the RAAF, Worksafe Victoria, Corangamite Shire, Corangamite Catchment Management, Aboriginal affairs, Victoria Heritage and of course the EPA. Not all of these organizations liaised easily with one another either. The biggest problem centered around the crash sites location, as it lay in an environmentally delicate heritage area this would have a significant impact upon any recovery plans. Rod had to undertake numerous studies on the lakes ecology, including a review of bird life at the lake covering the previous 50 years. The specific content required for this report took a lot of juggling back and forth between Rod and the agency in question. Part of the permits conditions included a comprehensive study of the bird life at the lake, but Rods team could only visit in wintertime, with a window between March and August each year, so as not to disturb the birds while they raised their young. However, visiting the lake in winter meant that Rods team would have to traverse a lot of boggy ground, making travel to the lake quite a task. Of course, Rod also had to provide a study of the flora and fauna around the lakes edges and nearby land. Another study required investigating any potential impact which the recovery might have on local farming land engaged in Rods recovery strategy. He also had to employ a shipwreck archaeology specialist to perform a study of the entire lake, to make sure no other historical sites would be affected. The Victoria Heritage permit approval process seemed to drag on and on Another required survey involved a complex analysis of the mud and water in and around the submerged airframe, to make sure that digging up the aircraft wouldnt expose excessive toxins to the local environment. Despite all of the obstacles and the length of time involved, Rodney made continued progress. The first big breakthrough came in 2011, when the RAAF granted Rod both ownership and permission to recover the Wirraway. He also received approvals from all three Aboriginal groups which supported him rescuing the aircraft. In the end, it took Rod 12 years to obtain all of the assorted local and national Government permits to raise the Vance Drummonds Wirraway. From his careful pre-planning, Rodney Knights knew that getting heavy machinery down to the lake and out to the crash site would pose a significant challenge. The Wirraway was situated some 800 metres offshore, but this could vary significantly with lake levels, especially during periods of heavy drought. Rods recovery methodology had to account for all potential situations. Looking for the most efficient way to rescue the Wirraway, Rodney designed and built some specialized equipment for the purpose. Due to the typically soggy state of farming terrain during local winter conditions, Rods team had to move all of their tools and gear to the lake by hand and then travel to the crash site in small boats. While awaiting permit approvals, Rod had used the downtime to build some of the recovery equipment he would need. This included construction of a lifting frame which he could bolt to a barge to raise the aircraft from the water. His plan was to construct a platform around the aircraft and use a gantry system to carefully extract it before placing the fuselage and wings into fresh water pools. However, due to the massive amount of time involved in the planning and permit process, some of the assorted permits expired and he had to be reapplied for. And them the onset of the pandemic in early 2020 added extra delays to the recovery effort. Given the arduous permit requirements needed to salvage this Wirraway, it is unsurprising that none of the other 19 submerged aircraft wrecks in Victoria have been recovered so far 2021 Recovery! While Lake Corangamite is shallow, being typically no more than 2 meters deep, it is the largest such body of water in Victoria, and located in the Australian states western district some 25km from Colac. Water levels are seasonal, however, and the hot summer months can even dry it out completely. The poor Wirraway had sat in an alternating wet and dry environment for over 60 years, enduring the lakes high saline content and acidity. When it first re-emerged in 2005, the airframe sections which showed above the mud were in relatively decent condition, but corrosion damage had accelerated in the intervening years. Oddly though, the sections of airframe resting below the mud in an anaerobic environment gained a red bacterial crust, a concretia if you will, which seems to have slowed down further damage. Finally, in August 2021 a window opened for Rod and his team to recover the Wirraway. Early that month, they undertook the first small scale recovery effort, salvaging some test components, such as the elevators, to gain greater understanding for how complex the rest of the recovery process would be. This endeavor persuaded Rod that the airframe was generally intact and salvageable. The next step involved raising the propeller and engine to the surface, which they achieved successfully. Rod and his volunteers then began the next recovery goal, which involved lifting the fuselage using the steel gantry system he had devised. They accomplished this step successfully during the last two weeks of August, 2021. Of course, there were some complications due to wind and the need to remove the bolts holding the fuselage to the centre section, but these didnt cause too significant a delay. Once the fuselage was raised, the team placed it onto the barge and towed it to shore. At this time of writing, the condition of the wings cannot be determined easily under the water. They could be damaged but Rod does not know yet. The Wirraways wings and centre section are set to remain in the lake, for now, awaiting retrieval at a later date. Due to lake access ending with the antipodean winter at the close of August 2021, further recovery missions will next be able to take place in March 2022, when the permits will again allow access. So far, Rod has moved the recovered engine and fuselage into a controlled environment a set of above-ground fresh water pools with a slightly alkaline pH to both desalinate and minimize further corrosion. This will be a longterm process, and Rod is receiving advise from a top corrosion expert on the best practices to apply in this first stage process. Restoration Plans Rod and his team have moved the Wirraway to Lethbridge Airport in south east Victoria. Here they will begin the arduous process of restoring the aircraft back to airworthy condition. Once out of the fresh water pools, the first step will involve dismantling the airframe into components. This will enable Rod and his team to inspect, treat and restore each component and section as and where possible. Rodney is also preparing the groundwork for the step-by-step process of returning the Wirraway to flight status an ambitious, long term goal. While they have found no original photographs of the aircraft during its service life, based upon residual evidence still present on the airframe, Rod believes the Wirraway wore an overall yellow paint scheme at the time of its crash, but he may choose to restore the aircraft in an overall silver scheme. He has tentatively chosen to nickname the aircraft Corangamite Siren. Many thanks to Rodney Knights and Phil Buckley for this story, and to Jonn Stewart for the recovery photos. Here is hoping that Rod and his team succeed in retrieving the Wirraways wings next March, and that the restoration can begin soon after! BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A federal judge has sided with local law enforcement in a case brought by Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrators alleging excessive use of force by police at a protest site in North Dakota in 2016. The Bismarck Tribune reported that temperatures dropped below freezing the night of Nov. 20 as police and protesters faced off on a highway just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Officers sprayed protesters with water during the incident. Attorneys for the protesters who brought the suit say police fired rubber bullets and exploding munitions indiscriminately into the crowd and also used tear gas. Some of the demonstrators were injured that night. Lawyers for law enforcement, including Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, say officers were outnumbered and were concerned for their lives and safety. They sought to have the protesters legal claims dismissed. U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor issued the order granting their request on Wednesday. Morton County Assistant States Attorney Gabrielle Goter said in a statement that she was pleased with the ruling. An attorney for the plaintiffs did not immediately comment on the case. The lead plaintiff is Vanessa Dundon, a member of the Navajo Nation whose eye was injured the night of the incident. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Bismarck Tribune. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 At the end of 2020, it seemed hard to imagine a worse year for misinformation on social media, given the intensity of the presidential election and the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. But 2021 proved up to the task, starting with the Jan. 6 insurrection and continuing with copious amounts of falsehoods and distortions about COVID-19 vaccines. To get a sense of what 2022 could hold, we asked three researchers about the evolution of misinformation on social media. Absent regulation, misinformation will get worse Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University While misinformation has always existed in media think of the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 that claimed life was discovered on the moon the advent of social media has significantly increased the scope, spread and reach of misinformation. Social media platforms have morphed into public information utilities that control how most people view the world, which makes misinformation they facilitate a fundamental problem for society. There are two primary challenges in addressing misinformation. The first is the dearth of regulatory mechanisms that address it. Mandating transparency and giving users greater access to and control over their data might go a long way in addressing the challenges of misinformation. But theres also a need for independent audits, including tools that assess social media algorithms. These can establish how the social media platforms choices in curating news feeds and presenting content affect how people see information. The second challenge is that racial and gender biases in algorithms used by social media platforms exacerbate the misinformation problem. While social media companies have introduced mechanisms to highlight authoritative sources of information, solutions such as labeling posts as misinformation dont solve racial and gender biases in accessing information. Highlighting relevant sources of, for example, health information may only help users with greater health literacy and not people with low health literacy, who tend to be disproportionately minorities. Another problem is the need to look systematically at where users are finding misinformation. TikTok, for example, has largely escaped government scrutiny. Whats more, misinformation targeting minorities, particularly Spanish-language content, may be far worse than misinformation targeting majority communities. I believe the lack of independent audits, lack of transparency in fact checking and the racial and gender biases underlying algorithms used by social media platforms suggest that the need for regulatory action in 2022 is urgent and immediate. Growing divisions and cynicism Dam Hee Kim, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Arizona Fake news is hardly a new phenomenon, yet its costs have reached another level in recent years. Misinformation concerning COVID-19 has cost countless lives all over the world. False and misleading information about elections can shake the foundation of democracy, for instance, by making citizens lose confidence in the political system. Research I conducted with S Mo Jones-Jang and Kate Kenski on misinformation during elections, some published and some in progress, has turned up three key findings. The first is that the use of social media, originally designed to connect people, can facilitate social disconnection. Social media has become rife with misinformation. This leads citizens who consume news on social media to become cynical not only toward established institutions such as politicians and the media, but also toward fellow voters. Second, politicians, the media and voters have become scapegoats for the harms of fake news. Few of them actually produce misinformation. Most misinformation is produced by foreign entities and political fringe groups who create fake news for financial or ideological purposes. Yet citizens who consume misinformation on social media tend to blame politicians, the media and other voters. The third finding is that people who care about being properly informed are not immune to misinformation. People who prefer to process, structure and understand information in a coherent and meaningful way become more politically cynical after being exposed to perceived fake news than people who are less politically sophisticated. These critical thinkers become frustrated by having to process so much false and misleading information. This is troubling because democracy depends on the participation of engaged and thoughtful citizens. Looking ahead to 2022, its important to address this cynicism. There has been much talk about media literacy interventions, primarily to help the less politically sophisticated. In addition, its important to find ways to explain the status of fake news on social media, specifically who produces fake news, why some entities and groups produce it, and which Americans fall for it. This could help keep people from growing more politically cynical. Rather than blaming each other for the harms of fake news produced by foreign entities and fringe groups, people need to find a way to restore confidence in each other. Blunting the effects of misinformation will help with the larger goal of overcoming societal divisions. Propaganda by another name Ethan Zuckerman, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Communication, and Information, UMass Amherst I expect the idea of misinformation will shift into an idea of propaganda in 2022, as suggested by sociologist and media scholar Francesca Tripodi in her forthcoming book, The Propagandists Playbook. Most misinformation is not the result of innocent misunderstanding. Its the product of specific campaigns to advance a political or ideological agenda. Once you understand that Facebook and other platforms are the battlegrounds on which contemporary political campaigns are fought, you can let go of the idea that all you need are facts to correct peoples misapprehensions. Whats going on is a more complex mix of persuasion, tribal affiliation and signaling, which plays out in venues from social media to search results. [Over 140,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today.] As the 2022 elections heat up, I expect platforms like Facebook will reach a breaking point on misinformation because certain lies have become political speech central to party affiliation. How do social media platforms manage when false speech is also political speech? Anjana Susarla receives funding from the Omura-Saxena Professorship in Responsible AI at Michigan State University and from the National Institute of Health. Dam Hee Kim received a research gift from South Korea's NAVER Corporation and funding from Arizona's Social & Behavioral Science Research Institute. Ethan Zuckerman receives funding from the MacArthur Foundation, the Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He is affiliated with the Danielle Allen for Governor (MA) campaign. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) Federal health officials on Thursday pressed nursing home workers to get their booster shots amid a spike in COVID-19 cases among staffers and a concerning lag in booster vaccination for residents and staff. The omicron variant "is lightning fast, and we can't afford another COVID-19 surge in nursing homes," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a livestreamed appeal to the industry. You know that. I know that. Higher numbers of COVID cases would likely once again have a devastating impact on our loved ones ... and we know we just have to work doubly hard to keep them safe." Nursing homes are a testing ground for President Joe Bidens assertion that the United States is much better prepared to handle a surging virus than it was last winter. Although residents are a tiny proportion of the population, they represent a disproportionate share of Americans who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year the advent of vaccines brought the virus under control in nursing homes and allowed them to reopen to visitors. But that return to normalcy could be in jeopardy as omicron pushes COVID-19 cases to new highs for the nation. Cases among nursing home staffers jumped to 10,353 for the week ending Dec. 27, a rise of nearly 80% from the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staff deaths increased to 58, tripling from the previous week. Among residents, who are more heavily vaccinated, cases went up slightly and the data showed no increase in deaths. With medical experts advising that a booster shot is critical to defend against omicron, Becerra said only 57% of nursing home residents and 25% of staff and have gotten boosters. That's clearly behind a booster rate of nearly 66% among people age 65 or older and about 45% for adults of all ages, according to statistics from the White House. We've got to change that, Becerra said. The administration is urging some 1,400 federally funded community health centers across the land to partner with local nursing homes in a renewed vaccination campaign. Nursing home workers were supposed to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 under an earlier order issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which required staff at health care facilities that receive government money to get their shots. That directive got ensnared in litigation and the Supreme Court has set a special session next week to hear arguments on it, along with the much broader Biden administration vaccine mandate for workers at larger companies of all kinds. Together the orders would affect about 100 million employees. Once again nursing homes are really the ground zero, said Harvard health policy professor David Grabowski, who has tracked the impact of the pandemic on residents and staff. How well we do in combating this virus can often be discerned by just looking at the nursing homes. Grabowski said the Biden administration is right to raise the alarm now. We see this time and time again: When staff (infection) rates go up, resident rates go up, he explained. Staffers unwittingly bring in the virus from surrounding communities, a common trigger for nursing home outbreaks. Vaccines enabled nursing homes to weather the delta variant surge earlier this year, and timely booster shots should go a long way toward blocking omicron. The more vaccines and boosters we have, the more lives we are going to save over the course of the winter, Grabowski said. But some states are already seeing trouble. COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes have almost doubled in the past week, and officials say that indicates the state is probably heading into another major surge of virus cases and hospitalizations. There were 63 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes Monday, about twice the number reported last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers wrote in a midweek memo to Mississippi hospitals and health care providers. Along with other data, that points to very rapid growth of COVID-19 infection and transmission...we have now entered our 5th wave of COVID-19 in the state, Byers wrote. One of the major nursing home industry groups is backing the administration's push on boosters. The American Health Care Association said in a statement it's asking members to "double down on their efforts to get as many residents and staff fully vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. Associated Press writer Leah Willingham in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A California man was arrested Dec. 21 in Iowa after telling police he was driving straight to the White House to kill persons in power and was found with an assault rifle and body armor, according to federal court records. Kuachua Brillion Xiong, 25, of Merced was pulled over for driving aggressively on Interstate 80 in Cass County, Iowa. He had an AR-15-type rifle, ammunition and a grappling hook, among other items, authorities said. He told a sheriffs deputy that he disapproved of the government and President Joe Biden and that he was traveling to Washington, D.C. He was carrying a hit list of targets saved from TikTok videos, according to a six-page criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Iowa and unsealed Wednesday. Authorities described Xiongs vehicle as lived in, with several empty cans of Red Bull energy drink. Xiong agreed to let Cass County Sheriffs Sgt. Tyler Shiels search his car and admitted he had a weapon and ammunition. Shiels found loaded magazines, boxes of ammunition, several items of body armor and medical kits, according to his report. Xiong said he was not suicidal but would use the weapons to defend himself. Police also found money in the vehicle earmarked for Xiongs funeral expenses, and his GPS was set for the White House. Shiels said Xiong complied when he was taken in for questioning. According to online records, Xiong was booked in Pottawattamie County in Iowa shortly after 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Xiong admitted to a U.S. Secret Service agent that up until a few months ago, he had worked at a grocery store in Merced to maintain his cover until he was called upon by God to combat evil demons in the White House. Xiong believes that he is the only person remaining who can free the United States of evil and it is necessary for him to kill those in positions of power, Special Agent Justin Larson with the Secret Service said in the affidavit. Investigators said Xiong allowed them to look at his phone to corroborate his claims. His calendar and notes included entries for survive supplies on Oct. 19; safe life defense order, which was related to body armor, on Oct. 19; and rifle pickup on Oct. 29, with a silencer order on Nov. 5 and save USA on Nov. 20-21 and Nov. 27, according to the affidavit. Sometime around Dec. 18, Xiong left his home near Sacramento and started driving to the White House. He told investigators he downloaded TikTok videos on his phone to compile a list of individuals he intended to kill, which included politicians and public figures. There were approximately 100 videos on Xiongs hit list, according to investigators. Targets included former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, according to the affidavit. He also detailed his plan to get into the White House through what he described as a weak spot and how he would use a grappling hook to climb over the perimeter fencing. Xiong told investigators he would do whatever it takes to complete his plan, and if he were released from custody, he would continue traveling to the White House. Xiong stated that he has no intention of returning to California to see his family because he plans on dying while fighting evil demons at the White House, according to the affidavit. The arrest and court filing were first made public in a tweet on Wednesday by Seamus Hughes, a counterterrorism expert who is the deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. The docket and affidavit are publicly available on the federal courts online records-retrieval system. A Pinterest account with Xiongs name shows pinned images with angel iconography, swords, knives and body armor. Xiong was scheduled to appear before a federal judge in a detention hearing Thursday. The federal government says he should remain in custody for making a threat against a former president, which is a federal crime. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Our world is changing, for better or for worse, and museums, of necessity, are responding. The coronavirus pandemic led to costly and lengthy shutdowns, but it gave administrators a chance to confront some of the persistent social issues facing all of our institutions: the insistent demands for justice and equality coming from Black Lives Matter (BLM) and LGBTQIA+ communities; and equity demands from the Me Too Movement and others. The responsibility of the curator has never been more urgent, said Christina Yang, who begins full time as chief curator at the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) in January. Its time for change. Yang is one of five recently appointed curators we spoke to for this roundup of new faces. Four of the five are women. Only two were born in the United States. One of the five is South African and one is African American. Two are ethnic Chinese and one is Italian. All are passionate about their work. Natasha Becker, Curator of the African Art Gallery at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Right: Becker's first museum acquisition "Modern Magic (Studies of African Art from Picassos Collection) V." Images courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Natasha Becker | FAMSF Becker, born and raised in South Africa, has just made her first acquisition as the inaugural curator of the African Art Gallery at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF). It is a work by renowned British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare that will be shown at a future date. Shonibare makes work that examines the legacy of Western colonialism and its lingering traces on the world today, and this work speaks to the story of European modernism and shows how the avant-garde period was inspired by African objects. The acquisition fulfills one of Becker's first goals, and that is to bring contemporary African art pieces into conversation with the gallerys collection of 300 core works, mostly sculpture. The gallery will close next year for renovations that will include construction of a mini space for contemporary pieces. Her vision certainly is influenced by the experience of growing up under apartheid in a segregated suburb of Capetown. She described her first visit to a museum as uncomfortable. Images of black people were either nonexistent or they were depicted as natives. European art was in a separate building. At university, her first love was photography, but her transformative experience came as she encountered contemporary artists in Capetown, and she saw how they were approaching history, current issues, and global affairs from a burning desire for liberation. Becker holds a masters degree in African history from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and has completed her PhD coursework in Art History at Binghampton University in New York. She has worked steadily since her arrival in the US in 2003, most recently as curator-in-residence at FactionArtProject in Harlem. Though Becker acknowledges that significant changes have been made in major institutions of art, with her FAMSF appointment as an example, she says, This is a time for accountability, for asking real questions, and for transformation in U.S. museums." Elena Gross, Director of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of the African Diaspora. Left: "Bella Sontez, 2019" by Amoako Boafo, from "Soul of Black Folks," currently on view at MoAD. Images courtesy MoAD. Elena Gross | Museum of the African Diaspora Elena Gross, who last summer was promoted to Director of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), wants to provoke a different conversation. She says that since the uprising following the murder of George Floyd a lot of the cultural conversations center around How do white institutions reckon with race? While she does not think thats a bad idea, As a black woman and a curator, my interest is to move that conversation to looking at blackness in its fullness and complexity. Gross holds a BA in Art History from St. Marys College in Maryland and an MA in Visual and Critical Studies from the California College of the Arts. She was the creator and co-host of the podcast "what are you looking at?" published by Art Practical before joining MoAD and heading its Emerging Artists Program. The mark I want to leave is that in the work I do here, we work from an artist-centered and artist-prioritized approach. She wants to show the beautiful diversity and wide breadth of work thats out there right now, referencing the increasingly appreciated works of West African and African American artists. In the past, sculpture, particularly that collected during colonization, is what people thought of when they thought of African art. She said theres exciting and wide-ranging work being done. There are five exhibits currently being shown that include 20 works by Ghanaian portrait artist Amoako Boafo that interrogate the black gaze as well as the first major exhibition of Johannesburg-based artist Billie Zangewas collage and textile works that examine intersectional identity. Christina Yang, Chief Curator at BAMPFA. Right: "Boundless Compassion, 1993," from the upcoming "Spiritual Mountains: The Art of Wesley Tongson." Images courtesy BAMPFA Christina Yang | BAMPFA Sharing both Becker and Gross' desire for change is Yang at BAMPFA, an institution with more than 28,000 works of art and 18,000 films and videos. She hopes to participate in de-colonizing the historic collection, confronting social injustice and re-imagining what constitutes an inclusive experience. Museums, she said, are going through a reckoning. In addition to confronting social issues, theres the effects of the pandemic. Museums, she argues, have a civic responsibility as places for gathering to show concern for human wellness. Art heals, she said. Art saves lives. UC Berkeley is a good fit for Yang who did her undergraduate work in History and Art History there and interned at BAMPFA. She returns following a 30-year career which included a 14-year tenure at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City and most recently she served at the Williams College Museum of Art as Deputy Director of Engagement and Curator of Education. And the Bay Area is a good fit for Yang given its rich Pacific Global culture. Born to ethnic Chinese parents who immigrated here in the 1950s, she spent part of her youth in the South Bay and part in Europe. She speaks five languages. Hoi Leung, Curator Chinese Cultural Center Right: Sofia Cordova, film still from upcoming exhibit dawn_chorusiii: the fruit they dont have here." Images courtesy CCC. Hoi Leung | Chinese Cultural Center Born working class in Hong Kong, Hoi Leung and her family moved to the U.S. in 2004, when she was a young girl. After graduating from U.C.L.A. with a degree in art, Leung started volunteering at the Chinese Cultural Center. It appealed to her because of its 50+ year roots in San Franciscos Chinatown and its long-standing commitment to social and racial justice. Leung took on increasing responsibilities and was named the Centers curator in 2019. I owe my knowledge to the neighborhood. I learned how to curate from Chinatown. She practices community building curating, starting from the ground up and cultivating long-term relationships with artists and local partners, being at the intersection of art and community. Covid, Stop Asian Hate and BLM have only heightened the Centers commitment to its years-long mission: being a voice elevating the underserved on issues like racial justice, urban development, gentrification, queer aesthetics, and diasporic identities. Opening this month is "dawn_chorusiii: the fruit they dont have here." A video work telling the stories of six Bay Area women who came to the U.S. as refugees. The Chinese Cultural Center and artist Sofia Cordova worked closely on this two-year long storytelling project along with other community-based organizations. Curator Furio Rinaldi pictured at the exhibition "Color Into Line: Pastels from the Renaissance to the Present Image courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Furio Rinaldi | FAMSF In May 2020, when Rinaldi joined FAMSF as Curator of Drawings and Prints, the museum was closed due to Covid, but this time of less activity had a silver-lining in that he had more time to discover the oftentimes hidden treasures of the museums 90,000+ holdings of works of art on paper: drawings, prints and artist books. The collection, the largest on the West Coast, spans the 15th through 21st centuries, and is housed within the museums Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts. Raised in Italy with a Ph.D from the University of Rome, Rinaldi's area of expertise is Italian drawings from the 15th and 16th century, particularly the schools of the Renaissances greats Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. He considers drawings the father of art. After all," he says, "painting, sculpture and architecture generally start with drawings. Within less than two years, Rinaldi curated "Color into Line: Pastels from the Renaissance to the Present." In the process of setting up the exhibition, two important re-attributions, based on his scholarship, were made. Two key acquisitions were also made: an 18th century pastel landscape by Elisabeth Louise Vigee-LeBrun and a 21st century pastel depicting a homeless encampment by Donna Anderson Kam. Each gallery contains works by male and female artists including three women artists starting with the 18th century Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera, whose pastel portraits were widely acclaimed. Works by Impressionist artists Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and Eva Gonzales are highlights of the exhibition. Going forward, both the museum and Rinaldi have bold plans to showcase the Achenbachs collection with an ambitious program of exhibits. This article was written by Dorothy Reed for SF/Arts Monthly. Dorothy is an award-winning journalist, writer and editor. She earned her M.A. in Creative Writing at USF and studied American Literature at Stony Brook University, NY. She was an Assistant Professor and director of the journalism program at Long Island University. As we begin the last day of 2021, my mind wanders to Santa Fes stalwart restaurants and the visionaries behind their longevity and unparalleled success. While Santa Fe has many restaurants with 20, 30 or more years of history, one stands out among the crowd as a culinary leader. Long before local, seasonal and organic were en vogue, this was the bedrock on which owner and chef Katharine Kagel built Cafe Pasquals. Named for the patron saint of cooks and kitchens, after 42 years, Cafe Pasquals remains a highly-regarded institution where both tourists and locals venture for wildly creative and seriously consistent dishes. For the 25 years I visited Santa Fe before moving here, Pasquals was our first stop. And, yes, we bought the requisite branded coffee mugs, bowls, calendar and cookbook. As locals, its still in our repertoire, especially when we have friends in town because Pasquals represents everything we love about Santa Fe. Kagels commitment to buying local ingredients, pastured meats and sustainable fish is one of the reasons the food is so fresh and flavorful. Woven throughout the menu are influences of Mexico and New Mexico, which gives every plate myriad textures, colors and spices that make each dish unforgettable. For these reasons, Cafe Pasquals received a prestigious James Beard award in 1999 and they havent lost an iota of the passion that continues to fuel them and feed us. Pasquals honors the reality that breakfast is the most important meal of the day by serving it from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., while lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Its inherent popularity means you will likely wait for a table, so you can either stroll the nearby shops or chat with others who are patiently waiting outside. Dinner requires both a reservation and proof of vaccination and is served from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Located one block south of the Plaza in an adobe building built in 1905, your spirits lift the moment you enter the restaurant. Colorful papel picado and ristras wrapped in white holiday lights drape from the ceiling, vivid murals by Leovigildo Martinez dress the walls, hundred-year-old, hand-painted Mexican tiles adorn the dining room and music plays in the background to create a festive space that speaks to all of your senses and ignites a celebration. Having eaten at Pasquals too many times to count, its possible to close your eyes, point anywhere on the menu and be happy. Each dish is carefully prepared, thoughtfully plated and exceeds your expectations. But do yourself a favor and start this culinary adventure with Amys Hippie Dippie Green Drink ($8). A bright and bold combination of kale, cilantro, parsley, ginger, lemon juice and apple juice will give you the energy and nutrition you need in one cold mug. Slightly spicy from the ginger and dark green from the kale and herbs, its so good you may be inspired to make this juicy concoction at home. We also ordered a chai but, sadly, received a seriously sweet hot chocolate instead, though it was made with the almond milk we requested. When we inquired if this was in fact the chai, the waiter admitted he made a mistake and I was disappointed he did not offer to replace it. So we drank the hot chocolate. I ordered and received the Durango Omelet ($19) and cleaned my plate. Big enough for two people or two meals, this was the only meal I ate and it was one of the best things I can remember eating in a long time. Three organic, fluffy eggs are stuffed with diced rosemary ham, sauteed cremini mushrooms, scallions, a touch of Monterrey jack cheese and sour cream with roasted tomatillo salsa. Though it is served with guacamole, I requested it on the side as I am not a fan of hot guac and they were happy to oblige. For sides, I chose the seeded bread which is naturally gluten-free and reminded me of a recipe on my blog called Life-Changing Bread but this was better. The enormous plate of food was accompanied by soft, oven-roasted sweet potatoes lightly tossed with red chile powder to give them the slightest hint of heat and a gorgeous burnt orange hue. My husband ordered Pasquals Favorite ($18), with two eggs any style, a side of red chile mole, protein of choice and two pancakes with maple syrup. He went with the homemade sausage which was some of the best we have ever had. The ground pork is seasoned with a generous amount of fennel, along with herbs and red chile flakes. The spicy sausage plays well with the softly fried eggs and the two sweet but light whole wheat pancakes. The breakfast menu is eclectic and ranges from Magas Golden Blintzes ($17) to Smoked Trout Hash ($18), two types of burritos for those who dont eat anything but burritos for breakfast, Huevos Motulenos ($17) and Corn Pancakes ($18). For something lighter, there is granola ($17) or a smoothie ($8). Lunch options are a bit more varied, which honors Kagels mother who celebrated life by serving all kinds of cuisines which informed her outrageously diverse palate growing up in Berkeley, California. The dishes also pay homage to Kagels favorite childhood Mexican restaurant, Don Pequins. Start with a shrimp cocktail ($19) or share a tempting salad with your tablemates ($16). Entrees feature several Mexican plates including Oaxacan Tamale ($11), enchiladas or carne asada ($21). Or go all in with your choice of hearty sandwiches ($18) or a classic, but kicked-up green chile cheeseburger made with bison ($21). Dinner brings inspiration from the Yucatan, El Salvador and Guatemala with Mole Enchiladas ($27) and Cochinita Pibil ($36), seafood dishes, such as Mahi Mahi Creole Stew ($33) and grilled shrimp ($31), as well as grilled lamb ($41) and beef ($47). One who continues to be moved by global flavors, Kagel welcomes the insights her talented kitchen staff bring to the table. For three day parts, each menu provides a wealth of options and ensures you will never leave Cafe Pasquals hungry. Emblazoned on the bowls they sell is the classic Mexican phrase, Panza llena, corazon contento which translates to full belly, happy heart and as we start a new year, this is exactly what we all need more of. Read more about the Santa Fe food and hospitality scene at Heather Hunters blog, The Cowgirl Gourmet in Santa Fe, at thecowgirlgourmetinsantafe.com. Vara Winery and Distillery continues to make waves in the world of spirits. Varas tasting room sits along Alameda Boulevard, across the drainage channel from Balloon Fiesta Park, and offers wine, liquor and a full menu. Its sister company, which is onsite, is the Taylor Garrett Spirits brand. Founder Scott Feuille is the distiller for both Taylor Garrett and Vara. The relatively young Vara establishment recently came home with 10 medals from the 2021 Pr%f Awards, which is sponsored by Food and Beverage Magazine and Delta Sky Club. The yearly award ceremony takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and recognizes excellence in distilling. Our group of dedicated professionals strives to create the most delicious and true-to-style spirits possible, Feuille said. We pay close attention to detail during all phases of production, from mash to fermentation and all stages of distillation. Recognition from the judges at Pr%f, from all around the spirits industry, is the highest form of praise and shows us that we are on the right track. The people responsible for getting the product into the hands of the public, including retailers, distributors, and purchasers for bars, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels, judged the competition. Varas Rum Anejo was the big winner, taking home double gold in the unmasked competition, which looks at the total package, and silver in the masked competition double-blind tasting. Varas Rum Blanco won two silvers. The Taylor Garrett Rye won gold in the unmasked portion and silver in the masked competition, the Imperial Malt won sliver and bronze respectively and, finally, the Taylor Garrett Whiskey won silver in the unmasked competition and the bronze in the masked segment. Feuille said its always nice to have their hard work appreciated. Whats extremely special about these awards are the whiskey, because of the way its aged, he said. It has not been sitting in a barrel for several years. Its a validation of the process for us. He said the distillery uses white oak barrels to age the whiskey and he has developed a method that speeds up the aging process. Vara president Xavier Zamarripa said for him the awards are about his people. Zamarripa said he had always intended to start distilling when he opened a few years ago, but the original plan was to release a few products a year. The pandemic changed that. Looking for a way to keep people employed, Zamarripa said they decided to move up their production schedule. They used the downtime when they could not be open to the public to develop and create their spirits line. I truly believe our greatest asset is our people, Zamarripa said. Its their award. They are highly regarded. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Prosecutors in the child death trial of Fabian Gonzales may have been recently exposed to COVID-19, prompting a judge Thursday to delay the trial until mid-2022. Gonzales, 37, had been scheduled to begin trial on Monday in the 2016 death and dismemberment of 10-year-old Victoria Martens. The delay means Gonzales is unlikely to be tried until some six years after Victorias killing in August 2016. At a brief emergency hearing Thursday, state District Judge Cindy Leos said prosecutors in the case failed to properly answer one of the courts COVID-19 screening questions. Under New Mexico Supreme Court rules, Deputy District Attorneys James Grayson and Greer Rose are prohibited from entering the courthouse, Leos said. The question the attorneys failed to answer properly reads: In the past 10 days, have you been in contact with anyone who you know has COVID-19, has traveled to New Mexico from another country, OR who is required to self-quarantine? Anyone who answers yes to the question is prohibited from entering a New Mexico courthouse. Gonzales attorney Stephen Aarons said Thursday he was extremely disappointed by the delay in the case, which is already more than five years old. I mean, its been five and a half years, which is a record in my 40 years of practice, Aarons said. The 2nd Judicial District Court had tapped some 160 potential jurors to arrive at the Bernalillo County Courthouse next week for jury selection. The trial now is unlikely to begin until June or later, Aarons said. Gonzales is charged with child abuse, recklessly caused, resulting in death. He also is 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 indictment. Gonzales is the last of three defendants facing charges in connection with the killing of Victoria, whose burning body was found by Albuquerque police in a West Side apartment complex. Two other defendants, Jessica Kelley, Gonzales cousin, and Michelle Martens, Victorias mother, have accepted plea deals and are scheduled for sentencing in February. Albuquerque police on Wednesday arrested Isela Camarena on a warrant charging her with arson in connection with fires set at the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Early on Nov. 29, security cameras captured a woman setting fire to items from a trash receptacle outside a door into the Islamic Center, as well as in an outdoor playground area. Police released an image from that video, which generated tips identifying Camarena. A warrant was subsequently issued for her arrest, charging her with arson and negligent arson. Mosque spokesman Tahir Gauba said the same woman is believed to have entered the building prior to the start of Sunday school on Nov. 7, and tried unsuccessfully to start a fire in the prayer hall. She is also the same woman who is believed to have entered the building during the evening of Oct. 31, where she confronted the imam, Mahmoud Eldenawi, and threatened to burn the mosque down, Gauba said. Mosque leadership, as well as the Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic relations, is calling for authorities also to charge Camarena with a hate crime. Prev 1 of 8 Next Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal We all hoped that 2021 would be a better year, the year we kicked down the pandemic and things started to return to normal. It didnt exactly turn out that way. Things are closer to normal. Many of us are back in our workplaces, and restaurants and schools are open once more. But COVID-19 is still with us. Vaccines have been a boon in the battle against the virus, but it continues to take its toll, having killed nearly 6,000 New Mexicans. The pandemics persistence makes it one of the top 10 stories of the year. Some of the others are just about, or maybe even more, disturbing. Albuquerque set a single-year record for homicides. One of those involved the shooting of a 13-year-old boy by another 13-year-old boy. A shooting death on a New Mexico movie set brought unwanted international attention to the states movie-making industry, while a tragic hot-air balloon crash killed five people and a State Police officer was shot to death during a traffic stop. But not all the top stories were tragic. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico became the first Native American appointed to a Cabinet position, a Virgin Galactic rocket ship carrying six people roared from the New Mexico desert into space and the state legalized the recreational use of marijuana by adults. Hows that for some high points. NEW MEXICOS TOP 10 STORIES Balloon crash kills five: New Mexicos deadliest balloon crash occurred on June 26 when a hot-air balloon crashed into power lines on Albuquerques West Side, killing pilot Nick Meleski, 62, and his four passengers, Martin Martinez, 62, a longtime officer with Albuquerque police and Albuquerque Public Schools; his wife, Mary Martinez, 59; Georgia OKeeffe Elementary School assistant principal Susan Montoya, 65; and her husband, John Montoya 61. Teachers and co-workers had chipped in to purchase the balloon ride as a gift for Susan Montoya, who was about to transfer to another school. A toxicology report later revealed that pilot Meleski had marijuana and cocaine in his system when the crash occurred. Recreational pot use legalized: On April 12, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill legalizing the adult use of recreational cannabis, as well as a companion bill that promised to erase some cannabis-related possession convictions from the records of thousands of New Mexicans. The cannabis bills were passed during a two-day special session called by Lujan Grisham in March after they failed to win approval during the regular session. Fiscal forecasts predicted the new law will result in $20 million in revenue for the state by 2023, but state GOP Chairman Steve Pearce warned of increased crime and more use of marijuana among minors. Shooting death on movie set: New Mexicos bustling film industry took a tragic turn on Oct. 21 when actor Alec Baldwin, 63, fired a prop gun that killed director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and wounded film director Joel Souza, 48, on the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set near Santa Fe. It was later determined that the prop gun was loaded with a live round. The incident occurred during the filming of a Western titled Rust, and touched off a flurry of calls for enhanced safety measures on movie sets. No charges have been filed in the case, but the investigation continues. Haaland first Native American Cabinet member: U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., was confirmed as Interior Secretary on March 15, making her the first Native American to serve as a member of a presidents Cabinet. Haaland called the moment a culmination of so many of the sacrifices that my ancestors made. Haaland is a Laguna Pueblo member and former San Felipe Pueblo tribal administrator who was elected to represent the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District in 2018. Haaland, a strong advocate of environmental causes, faced fierce opposition by Republicans and the oil and gas industry, and was confirmed by a narrow margin. Albuquerque sets homicide record: By early August, Albuquerque had already matched its record of 81 suspected homicides in a single year. That record had been set in 2019. But there were still five months remaining in 2021. With one day still remaining this year, the record now stands at 116. Albuquerque is among cities large and small that have experienced increases in the number of homicides this year. Circumstances vary widely in Albuquerques homicides in 2021, but Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said in August that, up to that point, significantly more homicides had been related to domestic violence and drugs. Pandemic takes grim toll: COVID-19 deaths in New Mexico surpassed 5,000 on Oct. 25 and, as the year comes to a close today, the number of state COVID-19 fatalities stands at 5,855. The pandemic invaded the state in March 2020, but vaccines were not readily available to adults until the spring of this year. By that time, more than 3,000 New Mexicans had already succumbed to the virus. Now, about 76% of state adults are fully vaccinated, as are 57% of those aged 12-17 and 16% of children aged 5-11. Schools and businesses began to reopen early in the year as more of the population received vaccinations. However, wearing masks indoors is still required and, although vaccines tamped down the number of deaths for a time, recent virus variants have sent the number of deaths spiraling upward once more. State Police officer killed: Omar Cueva, the target of a federal drug sting, shot and killed State Police Officer Darian Jarrott, 28, on Feb. 4 after Jarrott stopped Cueva for a traffic violation on Interstate 10, east of Deming. Authorities then pursued Cueva, 39, in a car chase that ended with the shooting death of Cueva in Las Cruces. In June, Jarrotts widow filed a lawsuit, alleging that the State Police and Homeland Security Investigations had Jarrott make the traffic stop without any backup, protective gear or knowledge that Cueva was a dangerous individual. Sam Bregman, the attorney representing the widow, said Homeland Security hoped Cueva could be arrested on a traffic violation in order to protect the identity of a confidential informant. Unity soars into space: Southern New Mexicos Spaceport America was the launch site for a pioneering probe into space on July 11 when Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, two pilots and three other crew members rode the passenger rocket ship Unity nearly 54 miles above Earth. It marked the first time a spaceship company founder had hurtled into space on his own rocket ship with a crew. Unity took off from Spaceport America at 8:40 a.m., attached to mothership Eve, broke free 45 minutes later and soared into history. It then glided to a safe landing on the spaceport runway at about 9:40 a.m. Nothing can prepare you for it, Branson said of the experience, which included three minutes of floating in the microgravity of Unitys cabin. Stapleton facing racketeering charges: New Mexico House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigned from the House in late July, shortly after search warrants were served on her home seeking evidence that she had routed more than $950,000 intended for vocational education at Albuquerque Public Schools to businesses and charities in which she had an interest. She was subsequently indicted on 26 state felony charges, including racketeering, money laundering and soliciting or receiving kickbacks. Until she was fired on Aug. 31, Stapleton was APS coordinator and director of Career and Technical Education. The Albuquerque Democrat had represented District 19, east of the University of New Mexico, since 1994. School shooting: On Aug. 13, just three days into the school year, 13-year-old Washington Middle School student Juan Saucedo Jr. reportedly shot and killed fellow student Bennie Hargrove, also 13. According to investigators, Saucedo took a gun to the school near Park and 13th SW. Hargrove intervened when he saw Saucedo bullying friends and, police say, Saucedo used the gun to shoot Hargrove multiple times. He stood up for a friend and tried to de-escalate a violent confrontation between classmates, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said of Hargrove. Saucedo was charged with an open count of murder and unlawfully carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. OTHER BIG STORIES IN 2021 Fentanyl became more prevalent on Albuquerque streets, with seizures of the drug happening at record pace and overdoses increasing. The state Public Regulation Commission voted in December against a proposed merger between PNM Resources and Connecticut-based energy giant Avangrid, accepting a PRC hearing examiners conclusions that the risk to New Mexico consumers outweighed potential benefits of the deal. Albuquerque police announced this summer that investigators had identified a suspect in three unsolved slayings of young women dating back more than 30 years. Paul Apodaca, 53, was arrested by University of New Mexico police and confessed to three decadesold murders, according to police. He allegedly confessed to killing Althea Oakeley, 21, in June 1988; 13-year-old Stella Gonzales in September 1988; and 18-year-old Kaitlyn Arquette, daughter of author Lois Duncan, in July 1989. Police believe he may have been motivated by a dislike for women, but his attorney argues that the cases arent that clear cut. Tim Keller, Albuquerques Democratic mayor, cruised to another four-year term by beating Sheriff Manuel Gonzales and talk radio host Eddy Aragon in what became a bruising, bitter campaign, while Democrat Melanie Stansbury was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after winning a special election. But more conservative candidates also prevailed in local elections. Albuquerques city council lurched a little to the right this year, with Republicans gaining an extra seat to cut into the Democratic majority in the chamber, which is now at 5-4. Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education also saw a shake-up this year, with business-backed candidates winning three of four seats up for election. Housing prices in the Albuquerque metro area skyrocketed in 2021. In November, the single-month median sales price for a single-family home was $310,000, more than 20% higher than the year before. New Mexicans are also seeing rising costs for goods and services, and employers have struggled to find workers both nationwide trends that have emerged during the pandemic. A security officers report of a foul odor coming from a parked pickup truck at the Albuquerque International Sunport in March led police to four bodies, two of which were at least partially dismembered, in the truck. Police have arrested Sean Lannon on suspicion of murder. His ex-wife was among the victims. A temporary city landscaper is back on the job after an inspector general probe into allegations the employee was being sassy and smoking marijuana while tending to some Old Town greenery. The case dubbed the Parks and Recreation Employee incident in Old Town was among five the Office of Inspector General closed recently after failing to substantiate the original allegations or determining the complaints were unfounded. According to the case synopsis released publicly last week, the person who made the complaint a city of Albuquerque employee took an Oct. 23 lunch break stroll through Old Town when they saw two other city employees working on the flowers in Old Town, and began to ask questions. According to the OIG memo: The complainant stated that one of the employees was rude when the complainant requested the name of the employee. The employee responded by stating, I dont have to give you my name, [expletive]. The complainant asked the other employee, who did identify himself as E-1 and provided the co-workers name as E-2. While leaving the premises, the city employee smelled weed, turned around and observed E-2 smoking a joint. The OIG one of the citys independent accountability agencies investigated and found the employees were temporary hires from a staffing agency, and that the city cannot enforce city policies on temps. It can, however, dismiss them. Since the allegation that the temp was smoking a joint and being rude could not be proven or disproven at this time, according to the OIG memo, the employee was returned to the staffing agency. However, the inspector general memo states that the Parks and Recreation Department did its own investigation, finding there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations and the employee was permitted to return to the temporary employment. Parks and Recreation Director David Simon said the contracted maintenance employees mentioned in the complaint are both very high-performing, exemplary employees and while the city can terminate temporary workers if circumstances warrant, that was not the case here. We investigated the complaint and we found no evidence to substantiate it, Simon said. FAREWELL: December marks the final month on the job for four of Albuquerques nine city councilors: Don Harris and Diane Gibson, who did not seek reelection; and Cynthia Borrego and Lan Sena, who lost their positions in the Nov. 2 election. While Sena has had to assert her intentions to serve all the way through Dec. 31, despite outcry from her victorious election opponent Louie Sanchez who said he should replace her sooner because she was an appointed councilor who had never won election Harris seemed more than ready to hit the eject button. The District 9 representative decided to skip the last 90 minutes of his final meeting as a city councilor. Harris, wrapping up his fourth term, left the councils Dec. 20 meeting with nine voting items left on the agenda. Im on the East Coast and on vacation, so Im going to beg out of this meeting, Harris said before the dinner break during the councils final scheduled meeting of 2021. From the bottom of my heart, I really loved being a city councilor. I love serving Albuquerque. I gotta go. Im signing off. Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com November and December are typically marked by a faster pace and excitement as people and businesses alike prepare for the holiday season. And Sawmill Market, at 1909 Bellamah NW, was no exception. The past several months were not only marked by holiday festivities, but also by the addition of multiple vendors at the food hall and open-concept market. Among the new vendors are Roti NM, which specializes in rotisserie chicken; a new drink stop, Lemon & Brine; and Mexican-street-food-inspired Paleta Project and Churro y Corn. The former Heritage Hotels and Resorts-operated Mercantile Wine Bar was also swapped out in favor of West Cocktail & Wine Bar. The addition of several vendors isnt unexpected since the market was envisioned in part as an incubator for small businesses looking to get their start without committing to a traditional brick-and-mortar shop. When the 33,000-square-foot market opened just days before the pandemic began in spring of 2020, it had 19 vendors. That number has now grown to 26, according to the markets website. At that time, developers and concept creators said the goal was to create a space that highlighted local foods and specialties unique to New Mexico and Albuquerque. Roti NM Chef Gilbert Aragon was already familiar with Sawmill Markets owner Heritage Hotels when he opened Roti NM shortly before Thanksgiving. He did, after all, serve as the executive chef for the upscale hotel company. But the chance to open up the rotisserie chicken restaurant in Sawmill Market represented more than just another project with the company he has worked for over the last 12 years. For Aragon, it was a breath of fresh air. Roti came out of, actually, I think not only a passion for food, but just out of a necessity, he said. I needed to become happy again with food and I think this has really invigorated me. Aragon said he began developing a concept for Sawmill Market during the early stages of the pandemic and looked into what the market lacked, eventually landing on the rotisserie chicken concept. I think chicken is one of those dishes that everyone can get around, he said. Its not heavy, its healthy, you still get the protein. Roti serves two types of rotisserie chicken, one made with a traditional French brine of lemon, garlic and herbs, and another made with a New Mexican-inspired brine with red chile and onions. Customers can order whole chickens, partial chickens, chicken wings, salads and homemade roti style bread. Born and raised in New Mexico, Aragon said he has been working in kitchens since he was a teenager, with most of his career spent as a hotel catering chef. He said it was important to him to bring those southwestern roots to his new restaurant by offering chicken that makes use of a red chile brine. The chance to open a stall at Sawmill also allowed Aragon to change settings and learn to work in a small, compact space and to perfect a recipe. While Roti has only been open for a little over a month, Aragon said he could see the concept outgrowing Sawmill Market and eventually having several locations. But for now, Roti remains at Sawmill Market and staffed mostly by members of Aragons family. Lemon & Brine Lemonade might not be the first drink you think of during winter months, but Lemon & Brine owner Jordan Long said that hasnt stopped customers from coming to his newly opened space at Sawmill Market. Lemon & Brine, which also opened shortly before Thanksgiving, specializes in craft lemonade and pickles. Customers can order a regular lemonade or one muddled with mint or basil or lemonade served with homemade fruit syrups. Regular pickles and pickles brined with roasted green chile are also sold. We put a lot of love and care into all the handcrafted syrups we make, he said. Long, who has worked as a bartender for several years, said he wanted to bring his experience from the bar and extend it to nonalcoholic drinks. Every drink is handmade and shaken, like a cocktail, before being served to customers. Though his shop serves a particularly summery drink, Long said he was thankful to open up during the cold season because it gave him time to figure out how to operate his new business. Now that weve found a formula that works I think Im really excited for the summer season, he said. I wasnt sure how well we would do in the winter, but Im finding a really thriving community of people who love to come out and eat and have a good time. Paleta Project and Churro y Corn The husband and wife team behind Sawmill Markets XO Waffle have branched out with the addition of two new concepts at the central market. Cindy and Ray Campos opened Paleta Project and Churro y Corn shortly after Thanksgiving, according to a Heritage Hotels spokeswoman. Paleta Project specializes in Mexican popsicles made from fruit and Churro y Corn focuses on street-fair inspired offerings like elote and churros. West Cocktail & Wine Bar One of the original tenants of the market, Mercantile Wine Bar is no more. Instead, the space has been converted to the West Cocktail & Wine Bar, which, like its predecessor, will serve a variety of wines by the bottle or glass in addition to craft cocktails and small plates. According to a spokeswoman with Heritage Hotels, the bar serves items like Tarte Flambee with eggplant, herb ricotta, roasted peppers and apricot, and charcuterie and cheese boards. Sawmill Market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit sawmillmarket.com. Pilar Martinez covers retail and commercial real estate for the Journal. She can be reached at pmartinez@abqjournal.com.
SANTA FE Six-term state Rep. Alonzo Baldonado announced his abrupt resignation from the New Mexico state House on Friday, saying it was time to step aside for new blood. Baldonado, a Los Lunas Republican, said he had been thinking about stepping down and almost didnt run for re-election in 2020. He ultimately ran and won, and the two-year term he was elected to runs through 2022. When I first ran in 2011, I knew I kind of had a self-imposed term limit, Baldonado told the Journal. Baldonado was the House GOP whip while Republicans held a majority in the 70-member chamber from 2015 through 2016. But Democrats retook control of the House in the 2016 general election and Baldonado cited frustration with the current party breakdown Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 45-24 margin, with one independent and Republicans inability to halt or help shape Democratic-backed bills. New Mexicos better when its balanced and I hope we get back to better numbers soon, Baldonado said. For now, Baldonado said he plans to focus on his work as a real estate broker. He did not rule out a future run for elected office, but no such campaign is currently in the works. Like some other legislators who have stepped down in recent years, Baldonado also cited the financial burden of serving in the nations only unsalaried Legislature. New Mexico lawmakers do get per diem payments intended to cover food and lodging expenses. Serving in the Legislature, you dont get paid I dont know if a lot of people know that, he said. During his 11 years in the House, Baldonado pushed unsuccessfully for legislation requiring parental notification before a minor could get an abortion. He also sponsored bills dealing with real estate issues, and hunting and fishing rules. Baldonado was also a supporter of Donald Trump even when some Republicans were still publicly wary of his presidential campaign, and helped introduce Trump at a campaign rally in Albuquerque in October 2016. Per the state Constitution, the Valencia County Commission will pick a replacement to serve out the year remaining on Baldonados term representing House District 8. The district stretches from Los Lunas to Belen, primarily along the west side of the Rio Grande. Its boundaries will shift farther east into Peralta under a new House map approved during a special session on redistricting in December. At least three incumbent state House members have also said they do not plan to seek reelection in 2022 Reps. Deborah Armstrong, D-Albuquerque; Daymon Ely, D-Corrales; and Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences. DENVER (AP) - Several hundred homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle says only one injury has been reported, but didnt rule out finding out later about more severe injuries or death. The wildfires engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies on Thursday. The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighboring towns are roughly 20 miles northwest of Denver. ANDERSON, Calif. - A laptop was able to help bring a Sacramento man into custody for a burglary in Anderson, according to the Anderson Police Department. Around midnight on Thursday, police received a report of a burglary alarm on the 20000 block of Solomon Peak Dr. Officers found a sliding glass window in the back of the residence was broken and a person had entered. When the owners arrived, they discovered items were stolen, including a laptop with a GPS tracking system. Police said the laptop was in the Red Bluff area after they checked its location. Red Bluff Police Department responded while officers from the Anderson Police Department were able to give a description of the suspect and his vehicle from video surveillance. The suspect, 40-year-old Michael Estorga of Sacramento, was located near the Holiday Inn on Main Street in Red Bluff, according to police. Police said Estorga was found in possession of the stolen laptop and other property that was stolen from a separate burglary in the Anderson area. He was arrested by Red Bluff officers on charges of stolen possession. Estorga was transported to the Shasta County Jail. SHASTA COUNTY, Calif.- A new state law will give every registered voter in California a mail-in ballot for future elections. This law wont change much for the upcoming recall election of to decide if Shasta County District 2 Supervisor Leonard Moty will be replaced. Cathy Darling Allen is the Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters. She told Action News Now that the new law extends the mail-in ballot voting measures seen over the past two elections due to COVID. Allen also said almost 79% of people in Shasta County requested a mail-in ballot in the last election. People will still be able to vote in person at one of 12 polling locations on election day, but election officials recommend bringing their mail-in ballot for an easy voting experience. The fastest service for folks is going to be if they bring their ballot with them, said Allen. However, if you dont, were sure going to be able to help every voter who appears to vote, but it does provide a little bit of a smoother transition if they bring their ballots with them. People can also vote early starting next Monday, January 3, if you go to the Shasta County Election Office at 1643 Market Street. While most people will likely vote by mail, Allen wants to remind people that only people living in the old Shasta County District 2 will be voting during the recall. People who were moved into the new District 2 boundary are not eligible to vote in this election. Since the 2020 Presidential Election, some voters have expressed their concerns over the integrity of mail-in ballots. Allen said since then her staff spends a lot of time trying to educate people on the security of elections. Every person who works in this office, and every person that Ive ever met that works in elections across the country, has a very fundamental understanding of what it is that we do and the fact that voting is the fundamental right that leads to all others in our republic, said Allen. Allen admitted it can be a challenge trying to help skeptical voters trust the election process, but knows the best way to help is to open her doors to everyone. When people call us have questions and concerns about how anything works in the election process, we invite them to come in, said Allen. Come see what we do, come meet the people who actually hold your ballot, process your ballot, produce it, mail it, get it back. Allen also said there is a balance between revealing every security protocol and making sure people with bad intentions dont know how to try and mess with the election process, but is glad to be as transparent as possible. Anmol Feeds Pvt. Ltd. ventured into the livestock feed industry over two decades back and recently launched its products under the umbrella brand Nouriture to meet the growing challenge of quality livestock feeds in the market. Nouriture embodies the motto of a more forward looking, technology driven, future-ready and contemporary brand that can meet the needs of the livestock farmers across India. The company today, announced their first brand ambassador maverick actor Mr. Pankaj Tripathi for its cattle feed brands Nouriture Godhenu Gold, Milk-o-milk plus and Super 20 plus that aims to change perceptions through its positioning of 'Sirf chusti nahi, pushti bhi'. Speaking on the campaign, Mr. Amit Saraogi, Managing Director, Anmol Feeds, stated, We wanted to create a high recall for our cattle feed brand, Nouriture Godhenu Gold, and our superlative product deserved a brand ambassador like Mr. Pankaj Tripathi who has a unique appeal across the country with his own inimitable style. He is an energetic and versatile actor with a rich legacy of work. Pankajs common man personality resonates with our brand values, and we believe the association will go a long way in not only achieving the desired top-of-the-mind brand recall but also in bringing about a paradigm shift in farmer behaviour towards the right feed. Our campaign aims to educate and inform the farmers about why they need the right cattle feed for better yield. We hope the words, Sirf chusti nahi, pushti bhi is embedded in the minds of every farmer and stays for a long time." The Indian animal feed market reached a value of INR 942.4 billion in 2020. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during 2021-2026. Cattle feed involves 20% of the overall market share and is an ever growing and ever evolving category in the Indian rural market. Yet, there is a huge need gap when it comes to awareness amongst the farmers about the right compound feed for optimum benefits from the cattle. Mr. Pankaj Tripathi, Actor and Brand Ambassador of Nouriture Godhenu Gold, stated, Being a farmers son myself I could relate to the brand language of Nouriture. I come from a place where education about the right livestock feed is much needed for rejuvenating the dairy business. Nouriture, has over the years shown a distinctive pedigree of innovation be it in product launches or brand building initiatives, the new commercial has been conceptualised to target the farmers and I am thankful to the management for thinking I can do justice to the brand. Sukanta Samal, Chief Marketing Officer, Anmol Feeds, stated, We have always been at the forefront, leading the change in market offerings. We thank Mr. Pankaj Tripathi for being a part of this exciting journey of Nouriture. With this campaign, we seek to not just make the farmers aware of the need for a proper cattle feed, but also generate top of mind recall for Nouriture Godhenu Gold. The positioning of brand Nouriture and its marketing initiatives are skewed towards strengthening the changing dynamics of the livestock feed industry. The film driven campaign features a simpleton farmer who arrives at the village milk Market to sell his share of milk. But he is greeted by Mr. Pankaj Tripathi who throws a very odd question at him which leaves him thinking. He compares the farmer's cow to a goat after seeing his milk canister's size. He then proceeds to educate him about how a cow needs a good cattle feed like Godhenu Gold for her proper health and better milk production. Shreyansh Baid, Founder Director, Debdarsan Dutta (Chief Creative Officer) & Vaishakh Jhunjhunwala (Creative Director), Shreyansh Innovations associated with the conceptualizing of the advertisement stated, Cattle feed advertising has largely been restricted to very loud and run of the mill kind of work. It lacks the necessary punch and argument that helps farmers make a conscious decision. the film's plot, the dialogues, and the choice of brand ambassador have been crafted in a manner that ticks all of the above boxes and brings in a newness to this category." The campaign is live across social media, outdoor, print and on ground channels. l Overview: State officials resumed executions after a six-year moratorium and mounting issues at the Oklahoma County Jail drew national attention. Inside state prisons, corrections officials distributed vaccines to the incarcerated and ended prolonged restrictions on prisoner movement and family visitation. Looking forward to 2022, court rulings and state legislative votes will have a lasting impact on the future of criminal justice in Oklahoma. There was no shortage of criminal justice news to cover in Oklahoma in 2021. State officials resumed executions after a six-year moratorium and mounting issues at the Oklahoma County Jail drew national attention. Inside state prisons, corrections officials distributed vaccines to the incarcerated and ended prolonged restrictions on prisoner movement and family visitation. Looking forward to 2022, court rulings and state legislative votes will have a lasting impact on the future of criminal justice in Oklahoma. Here are five justice-related issues worth following in the coming year: Lethal Injection Protocol Trial A trial on the constitutionality of Oklahomas lethal injection drug mix is set to begin on Feb. 28 at the U.S. District Courthouse in Oklahoma City. Death row prisoner Richard Glossip filed the lawsuit in federal court in June 2014, weeks after Clayton Lockett died of a heart attack 40 minutes after state officials injected him with execution drugs. Dozens of condemned men have since joined the complaint. In August, U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot ruled that the lawsuit could proceed to trial. The prisoners argue that the states use of the sedative midazolam causes unconstitutionally cruel and unusual suffering. The state contends that its protocols, not the drugs, caused prior execution mishaps, and it has since worked diligently to tighten up its execution procedures. If the court rules Oklahomas lethal injection protocol is unconstitutional, the state constitution permits execution by nitrogen gas and firing squad. Both methods would likely face legal challenges by death row prisoners. Oklahoma carried out two executions in 2021, executing John Marion Grant on Oct. 28 and Bigler Jobe Bud Stouffer II on Dec. 9. Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones to life without the possibility of parole just before noon on Nov. 18, four hours before he was scheduled to die. Grant convulsed two dozen times and vomited after the sedative midazolam was administered, media witnesses reported. Stouffers execution was carried out without the same issues. The state plans to carry out two executions in 2022: Donald Grant on Jan. 27 and Gilbert Postelle on Feb. 17. Sentencing Code Reform Proposal Lawmakers will weigh an overhaul to Oklahomas criminal sentencing code that could cause the state prison population to creep up over the next decade. Unlike most states, Oklahoma doesnt use a sentencing matrix. Criminal offenses are instead scattered throughout the state statute with a sentencing range set by the legislature. In April, the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Reclassification and Coordination Council finalized a proposal to categorize all felony offenses by severity. A group of 22 state lawmakers, district attorneys, law enforcement agency officials and a retired judge served on the task force. Members were instructed to make recommendations that would reduce or hold neutral the state prison population. Taskforce members say the classification system would give criminal justice stakeholders, from defense attorneys to prosecutors to jurors, a better grasp of the criminal code and how long a person sentenced to prison would be incarcerated before becoming eligible for release. Justice reform advocates said the plan could lead to longer prison sentences for people convicted of drug and property offenses. During an October interim study, FWD.us criminal justice policy analyst Felicity Rose told lawmakers that the reform proposal could increase the state prison population by 1,000 over the next decade. The legislature can accept, modify or reject the task forces proposal. The legislation filing deadline is Jan. 20 and the regular session convenes on Feb. 7. New Oklahoma County Jail Construction Plans Oklahoma County officials could in 2022 finalize plans to build a new detention center. The current Oklahoma County Jail facility, which opened in 1992, has been chronically overcrowded and understaffed for decades. In a 2008 report, The U.S. Department of Justice detailed violence, extreme overcrowding, abuse of detainees and medical neglect inside the facility. The same issues persist more than a decade later. On Nov. 29, the Oklahoma County Jail Trust voted unanimously to recommend a new 1,800-bed detention center, with 400 beds for detainees with mental health or medical issues, be constructed. Its suggestions were forwarded to the Oklahoma County Commissioners for further consideration. The proposed jail would cost about $300 million and open sometime in 2025 or 2026. Construction of the facility would likely be funded through a combination of citizen-approved general obligation bonds and money from the American Rescue Plan. Expanded Access to Competency Treatment State lawmakers will consider legislation that would expedite access to competency restoration treatment for individuals deemed not mentally unfit to stand trial. State Sen. Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed a bill this month that would allow pretrial detainees to receive competency treatment at their place of incarceration under certain circumstances. Currently, defendants deemed not competent to stand trial must wait several months for bed space to open at the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita. The Forensic Center simply doesnt have enough bed space to meet the demand, Bergstrom said in a statement. For men awaiting competency treatment, theres a five month wait, and its six months for women. Under my legislation, treatment may be made available at the jail, reducing the backlog and ensuring trials can move forward in a more timely way. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would be authorized to provide off-site treatment if bed space at the forensic center is unavailable within 30 days of a person being deemed incompetent to stand trial, Bergstrom said. The Frontier published an article in June that found people suffering from severe mental illness were waiting months in county jails for treatment at state hospitals. Solutions to Prison Understaffing Watch for legislation that would increase starting pay for state correctional officers or modify the Department of Corrections hiring requirements. The agency is struggling to hire and retain prison officers. Budget documents show that as of Oct. 31, the corrections department employed 1,288 corrections officers, down from 1,588 on Dec. 31, 2020. While businesses nationwide have reported hiring difficulties, the consequences of understaffing are greater in correctional facilities, where a shortage of workers can increase the likelihood of violence or lead to substandard living conditions for prisoners. Low starting pay and demanding working conditions have made it difficult for the agency to keep frontline workers. The starting hourly wage for a correctional officer is $15.74, a rate many restaurants and retailers are now competing with. Bobby Cleveland, executive director of the Oklahoma Corrections Professionals group, said in an interview earlier this month that he plans to push legislation that would raise the agencys starting wage from $15.74 per hour to $20 per hour. That higher starting wage would allow Oklahoma to more effectively compete with neighboring states like Texas and Kansas, which pay correctional officer recruits at least $18 per hour. The Department of Corrections believes younger workers could help alleviate staffing shortages. During an Oct. 27 meeting, the Board of Corrections approved a legislative request that would lower the agencys minimum hiring age from 20 to 18. Its too early to tell if lawmakers will take up the bill. Prison officials have not yet detailed where the teenage detention officers would be authorized to work, though the agencys request states that 18- and 19-year-olds would have limited job responsibilities. Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit organization that produces in-depth and investigative journalism on important public-policy issues facing the state. The organizations website is at http://www.oklahomawatch.org. The Nixon Conspiracy: Watergate and the Plot to Remove the President by Geoff Shepard 373 pages, hardcover $30.00, Kindle $14.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-64293-715-2 Bombardier Books, Post Hill Press, New York, 2021 In 2019, I wrote here and here at American Thinker of the work of Geoff Shepard certainly the reigning expert on the Watergate Affair because of his long history of scholarship and archive- and document-diving. At the time, I interviewed Mr. Shepard. I asked him to assess what he knew about Watergate and to compare the Watergate affair to what was happening in D.C. with the Trump coup attempt. I also solicited his opinions on what is being called the Deep State and its role in the Russia/Trump collusion plot. By that time, both Mr. Shepard and I were convinced that there were some lessons to be learned, but he withheld his opinions because he is a careful writer and attorney and had not investigated the Trump matters in depth. Mr. Shepard grew up in Southern California, graduating from Whittier College (1966) and Harvard Law (1969). He was a Nixon White House fellow, then a staffer, and then deputy director for John Ehrlichman's Domestic Policy Group. When Watergate exploded, he became a member of the White House legal defense team. After the Nixon resignation, Shepard remained on in the Gerald Ford White House and later entered private life as an attorney/executive in the insurance business, a specialty he pursued for the rest of his professional career. Now retired, Mr. Shepard has finished up his assiduous scholarship in the National Archives and other documentary and investigative resources obtained through FOIA requests and library searches such as the Harvard (Archibald Cox/James Vorenberg) and Baylor (Leon Jaworski) Law libraries that house the personal papers of the two special prosecutors. Both special prosecutors took inappropriate liberties to remove official documents of import when they left Washington, and those vital documents were discovered only after diligent searching by Mr. Shepard. Squirreled away in Waco and Cambridge, the Baylor and Harvard documents were a late arriving treasure trove of materials documenting prosecutorial misconduct. Recently, Mr. Shepard was successful after five years in getting the D.C. district courts to unseal the Watergate Grand Jury session materials showing prosecutorial lies about a so-called "road map" that convinced the grand jury to name Nixon as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Watergate matter. When the Trump opposition was warming up, I read Mr. Shepard's 2008 book, The Plot to Make Ted Kennedy President (Sentinel, 2008), then the second, The Real Watergate Scandal: Collusion, Conspiracy, and the Plot That Brought Nixon Down (Regnery, 2015). I then went to his website to read his evidence and documentation. I found stunning documentary evidence memoranda that document the professional and judicial misconduct of the key players, sometimes in their own hand. Examples abound: Multiple ex parte contacts between lawyers and Democrat players of the Watergate congressional investigative committee and Watergate prosecutor lawyers with John Sirica, the chief judge of the D.C. district courts, who appointed himself to be presiding judge of all the Watergate-related trials. Ex parte meetings of prosecutors with federal D.C. Circuit (appellate supervising) court chief judge David Bazelon to protect any Sirica convictions and sentencing from reversal of what was planned by the prosecutors, judiciary, and political apparatchiks as a series of trials and convictions of all the Nixon administration persons indicted and brought to trial. A series of ex parte meetings of journalist Clark Mollenhoff, an anti-Nixon partisan before and after Nixon brought him on as White House ombudsman, with Judge Sirica. Sirica's unprecedented and corrupt threat to convicted Watergate defendants that they would receive maximum sentences that could be reduced if they agreed to testify for the congressional investigative committee. The Shepard books go into great detail on the treacherous, deceitful, and dissembling John Dean. Dean set up the criminal intelligence activities, starting with the plumbers. He then ran a botched cover-up, and, when in trouble for his perfidy, he jumped ship and turned witness against the Nixon administration. His treachery earned him praise from the Nixon-haters as some kind of virtuous hero. Horrified by the prospect of imprisonment, Dean emerged as a liar and false accuser, never spending a day in jail. Sirica was instrumental in the scam intended to make Dean a sympathetic figure while the judge himself was a malignant and mendacious miscreant. Mr. Shepard exposed in the first and second books a dark side of Washington, D.C. that implicates partisan politicians, judges, prosecutors, and media. He supplements his exposition in the third book. Nixon and his top aides, Ehrlichman and Haldeman, were victims of a sordid political coup. Judge John Sirica, a hair-on-fire partisan, assigned the Watergate cases to himself. Time Magazine selected him as man of the year how apropos, since he was the hit man for the Nixon-haters. In 2019 Mr. Shepard and I talked Watergate details the players and the misconduct in a telephone interview, but he wouldn't comment on the question of the Trump coup since he had not done the research he requires on the matters in dispute. Mr. Shepard is disinclined to use the term "Deep State," since he points out, correctly, I think, that the Deep State of today is just the imbedded partisan and corrupt government bureaucracy of the past. Shepard shows in his first two books that judges and prosecutors in the Watergate matter were culpably unethical and allowed partisanship to corrupt justice. For example, they violated the law by withholding exculpatory evidence. Shepard's books, articles and essays cite documentary evidence assiduously. Shepard has a compelling series of twelve lectures at Temple University, Philadelphia on the Watergate coup d'etat. It is impressive what one man has done to take apart Watergate to reveal and expose the sins of many major figures in the matter. This third book the climactic third movement closes the loop on his lifetime achievement and is written with a more complete record and conclusory analysis and commentary. Shepard is arguably the most knowledgeable expert on the Watergate affair extant. He was an eyewitness and deeply engaged participant. For example, he transcribed personally the "smoking gun" tape. His conclusion is that Watergate was a bloodless coup accomplished by Democrat partisans from D.C. and Massachusetts, the two electoral entities that voted for McGovern in an otherwise landslide Nixon re-election victory in 1972. Anti-Nixon D.C. bureaucrats, lawyers, judges, and politicians put together the coup to reverse an election sound a little too familiar in 2021? Another elemental parallel in the scenarios of 1972 and today is Republican Party establishment pooh-bahs who didn't raise a finger for Nixon again a warning of what happened recently to Trump. This third Shepard book displays important details that make it the best of the three, although the first two were excellent. Those elements include the following: Shepard gives the reader an excellent and vivid picture of the character and behavior of major and minor players. He tells a compelling and fast-moving story with excellent descriptions of the actors and action in the drama. The lawyering on both sides is described well and is understandable not just for lawyers, but for the lay reader. The result is a sort of spellbinding and fast-paced run through a year and more of action. Evidence of the misconduct by the prosecutors and judges is described in horrifying detail. Inappropriate deceit by the prosecutors in the grand jury is exposed because Shepard was able to get the "road map" deceit the prosecutors presented to the grand jury unsealed so they could get the jury to name Nixon as an unindicted conspirator a pure lie, as Shepard shows in detail and with great effect. The counterproductive conduct of the Nixon defense team and the White House disarray is displayed and discussed with no holds barred. Shepard's explains the mistake that was made about the significance of what he thought was the "smoking gun" tape it wasn't about cover-up or hush money, but about avoiding revelations of donors to the campaign. I think Shepard regrets that Nixon was condemned for something he didn't do, and he explains it in depth. Shepard makes a well supported argument that Nixon was not culpable and that the prosecution put together a case that was enabled to a great extent by the efforts of traitor John Dean, who was willing to lie to avoid incarceration. His deceit was enabled by unethical prosecutors and partisan judicial decisions. I couldn't help but think after reading this third of a trilogy that Mr. Shepard has been hard at work trying to distill and organize the research of the last 20 plus years so that the reader will benefit from a riveting and fast moving tale that just happens to be one of the most important political events of our lifetimes. He also offers some analysis and comparisons of Watergate with present-day D.C. dynamics and the lessons to be learned about the power of the entrenched Democrats and their media allies, the danger of an establishment Deep State with an allied media that can cancel an elected president. When you read this book, you don't have to be reminded that Watergate looks like dress rehearsal or an opening act for the events of 2015 to 2021. Image: David via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. An AOC staffer was caught in an antisemitic rant, something that's newsworthy insofar as it reminds us of the garbage that routinely emanates from the left, the members of which are often graduates of once-reputable colleges and universities. The Fox News report is straightforward: A staffer for "Squad" Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., referred to Israel as a "racist European ethnostate" on social media. Hussain Altamimi joined Ocasio-Cortez's office in November as a legislative assistant, posting shortly after a picture of him and the congresswoman on Instagram with the caption "New beginnings." Then, last week, Altamimi targeted Israel in an Instagram story calling the U.S.'s key Middle Eastern ally a "racist European ethnostate." "Israel is a racist European ethnostate built on stolen land from its indigenous population!" Altamimi wrote on Christmas Eve, according to a screenshot obtained by Fox News Digital. In making that comment, Altamimi was simply echoing a post from an Instagram account named "Let's Talk Palestine," a "Nonprofit Organization" that insisted that Israel is racist against everyone who isn't Jewish. The account is pure Palestinian propaganda, with open support for Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, both violent terrorist groups that are open about their dream of committing genocide against Jews in Israel. Image: A member of the ANSWER Coalition, a communist group, protests Israel by Ted Eytan. CC BY-SA 2.0. There are a couple of points to be made: First, this claim is ahistorical, non-factual, antisemitic garbage. Thanks to the 850,000 Jews welcomed into Israel after the Arab nations summarily expelled beginning in 1948 and continuing through the 1970s, Israel has a huge population of Jews who don't have a drop of European blood in them. Genetically, they are true Middle Easterners, with their Jewish lineage going back well over 2,000 years. Israel's racial make-up became even less European in 1991, thanks to Operation Solomon. That was the year that Ethiopian political instability was so extreme that Jews around the world feared for the safety of the Beta Israel tribe in Ethiopia, a tribe of Black Jews who had lived there either since biblical times or starting in the 14th to 16th centuries. In 36 hours, Israel airlifted over 14,000 Beta Israelites from Ethiopia to Israel. Again, there was nothing European about this group, either. Israel is a true pluralist nation. While it is the Jewish nation, all people who live legally within its borders have full civil rights. As Steve Apfel wrote at American Thinker, no matter the fulminations of antisemitic Christian sects, Israel is a haven for Christian Arabs, who are thriving there. In addition, the Muslim population, which has increased tenfold since modern Israel's founding (no genocide there), has more rights than Muslims in almost any other Middle Eastern country, and most Israeli Muslims like living in a free country like Israel. The charge that Israel stole land from the indigenous population is wrong, too. Jews have lived continuously in Israel since the days of the Old Testament, which means for at least 4,000 years. It's the Arabs who are the imperialists who have been taking the land since Mohamed's time. Indeed, the Palestinians are especially late arrivals, for most of them trace their lineage back no farther than the 19th century. To the extent Ottoman potentates owned land there before World War I, Jewish groups bought that land. After 1947, Israel acquired more land by right of conquest fighting defensive wars. Second, although Altamimi has destroyed his LinkedIn account, what still exists reveals that he is a product of an American college education, at least when it comes to his Masters of Art, which he received from the University of Washington: Altamimi's education matters because his view isn't just a Muslim view. It is the dominant view on America's college campuses, especially among the burgeoning number of "diversity administrators": American universities are becoming hotbeds of antisemitism. This is happening, in part, because of the expanding number and power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices that, rather than restraining hostility toward Jews, actually foment it. Their focus on political activism against the Jewish state of Israel clearly crosses the line from legitimate concern for human rights into outright antisemitism, providing encouragement and assistance to others on campus to do the same. Yes, the Squad, with its Muslim members (Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar), brings a decided Muslim cast to these views, but they are also heard on every college campus across America. These colleges are not Muslim; they are leftist. AOC, who has also ignorantly called Israel an apartheid state, isn't Muslim; she's a leftist. Until American Jews start figuring this out, they'll still keep funding and voting for leftists, until they have woven all the rope the leftists need to hang the Jews in a second Holocaust. A week ago, I wrote this article regarding the false claim by the Associated Press about an imaginary consensus on vaccination of children against COVID. I have just followed this up with the following letter sent to the Associated Peress: Dear Fact Checker: On December 15, 2021, Associated Press ran an article titled How a Kennedy Built an Anti-Vaccine Juggernaut Amidst Covid-19. The article, written by Michelle Smith, discussed the efforts of Robert Kennedy, Jr. to warn against what he perceives are the risks associated with the current Covid vaccines, and particularly how those risks pertain to children. The second paragraph of the piece reads as follows: It is criminal medical malpractice to give a child one of these vaccines, Kennedy contended, according to a video of the event, one of his many assertions that ignored or went against legal, scientific and public health consensus. The obvious implication of the above is that there exists a broad positive consensus on the issue of vaccinating children against Covid-19. This claim, however, is demonstrably untrue. Anybody who takes the trouble to do even a little research will quickly find out that no such consensus exists. This is very easy to show. To wit, less than a week before the Associated Press filed its report an international conference was held. It was co-sponsored by an organization called Global Covid Summit, which is an international alliance of physicians and medical scientists committed to speaking truth about Covid pandemic research and treatment. This organization has more than fifteen thousand members from around the globe, many of whom are recognized as top experts in their fields. The organizations website prominently features a post titled: Over 15,000 Physicians and Scientists Reach Consensus on Vaccinating Children and Natural Immunity. It opens with the following paragraph: Consensus is clear among MDs and medical PhDs: following 20 months of exhaustive research, millions of patients treated, hundreds of clinical trials performed and scientific data shared worldwide, they conclude that healthy children and COVID recovered should be excluded from vaccine mandates and social restrictions. On December 11, the Global Covid Summit held a symposium whose main purpose was to speak against mass vaccination of children against Covid. One after another the speakers argued that vaccinating children against this disease does not make sense from a medical and scientific point of view. On the contrary, it was shown that vaccinating healthy children against this disease poses undue dangers and goes against the principles of science, good medicine, and common sense. One of the participants at this event was Dr. Robert Malone, who delivered a statement via livestream. Dr. Malone is one of the best known and accomplished vaccine scientists in the world today. Here is a brief summary of his credentials: Dr. Malone is the original inventor of mRNA vaccination as a technology, DNA vaccination, and multiple non-viral DNA and RNA/mRNA platform delivery technologies. He holds numerous fundamental domestic and foreign patents in the fields of gene delivery, delivery formulations, and vaccines: fundamental DNA and RNA/mRNA vaccine technologies. Dr. Malone has authored approximately 100 scientific publications with over 12,000 citations of his work. He has been an invited speaker at over 50 conferences and has sat on or served as chairperson on HHS and DoD committees. He currently sits as a non-voting member on the NIH ACTIV committee, which is tasked with managing clinical research for a variety of drug and antibody treatments for COVID-19. Here are some of the things Dr. Malone had to say about vaccinating children against Covid: I ask you to ask yourself, as a fellow parent, if you want your own child to be part of the most radical medical experiment in human history. There is no benefit for your children or your family to be vaccinating your children against the small risks of the virus, given the known health risks of the vaccine that as a parent, you and your children may have to live with for the rest of their lives. The risk/benefit analysis is not even close with this vaccine, for children. [M]y strong recommendation to you is to resist and fight to protect your children. You can read the full text of Dr. Malones statement here. Dr. Malones position is shared and endorsed by thousands upon thousands of experts and health professionals who are members of Global Covid Summit. You can read their position, which is known as the Rome Declaration, at this link. This is what it says about Covid vaccines for children: RESOLVED, THAT HEALTHY CHILDREN SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FORCED VACCINATION Negligible clinical risks from SARS-CoV-2 infection exist for healthy children under eighteen. from SARS-CoV-2 infection exist for healthy children under eighteen. Long term safety of the current COVID vaccines in children cannot be determined prior to instituting such policies. Without high-powered, reproducible, long term safety data, risks to the long-term health status of children remain too high to support use in healthy children. prior to instituting such policies. Without high-powered, reproducible, long term safety data, risks to the long-term health status of children remain too high to support use in healthy children. Children risk severe, adverse events from receiving the vaccine. Permanent physical damage to the brain, heart, immune and reproductive system associated with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based genetic vaccines has been demonstrated in children. from receiving the vaccine. Permanent physical damage to the brain, heart, immune and reproductive system associated with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based genetic vaccines has been demonstrated in children. Healthy, unvaccinated children are critical to achieving herd immunity . Natural immunity is proven to tolerate infection, benefiting community protection while there is insufficient data to assess whether Covid vaccines assist herd immunity. Not only do these health professionals oppose mass vaccination of children, but they also believe that it is critical that children acquire natural immunity by being exposed to the live virus so that broader herd immunity can be achieved. At the bottom of the statement, you can view photos and brief biographies of some of the prominent co-signers of this declaration, many of whom are among the worlds most respected authorities in their respective fields of endeavor. The declaration ends with the statement informing us that this document has been signed by thousands more physicians, medical scientists and researchers from around the globe. Their view is shared by additional hundreds of thousands of physicians, scientists and health professionals across the world who know that the risks of vaccinating children against Covid far exceed the risks posed by the disease itself (which are extremely small for healthy children). Among those who hold this view is also Professor Luc Montaigner a virologist who won the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery of the virus that causes AIDS. The sheer number of scientists, doctors, and medical professional who oppose mass vaccination of children against Covid clearly shows that there exists no positive consensus on this question. Quote to the contrary, there are large numbers of highly competent and accomplished medical practitioners who strongly reject this notion. By spreading misinformation about the alleged consensus, the APs false reporting will result in serious harm as some parents will believe what they read and rush to have their children vaccinated. Some of those children will experience serious side effects and some of them will die. The deaths of those healthy children will be unnecessary, because they were never in real danger from the coronavirus in the first place. By falsely claiming there is a consensus, the Associated Press is spreading untruths on a sensitive subject. We, therefore, request that you investigate this matter, check the facts, and issue an appropriate evaluation of the APs attempt at misinformation. May we suggest a wording that accurately reflects the reality of the situation: In an Associated Press article titled How a Kennedy Built an Anti-Vaccine Juggernaut Amidst Covid-19, which ran on December 15, 2021, it was implied that there exists a broad positive consensus on vaccination of children against Covid-19. This statement is wholly false as no such consensus exists. There are tens of thousands scientists, doctors and medical professionals across the globe who oppose mass vaccination of healthy children. Some of them are members of an international association called the Global Covid Summit which has more than fifteen thousand members from around the world. You can read their position on the subject of children vaccination against Covid in a document titled Over 15,000 Physicians and Scientists Reach Consensus on Vaccinating Children and Natural Immunity, which you can access at this link. We would be grateful if you would acknowledge this email, and we are looking forward to your fact check of this instance of attempted misinformation by the Associated Press. Vasko Kohlmayer was born and grew up in former communist Czechoslovakia. You can follow his writings by subscribing to his Substack newsletter "Notes from the Twilight Zone." To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. A drastic lockdown is shutting down semiconductor production in the Chinese city of Xian, where China acknowledges a mere total of 1,000 cases (not hospitalizations or deaths) during the current outbreak in a city with a population of 13 million. By comparison, New York City, with a population of 8 million, had 40,856 cases on December 30 and a 7-day average of 28,808 cases per day. Last week: 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. (snip) "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." Hazmat-suited patrols are on the deserted streets and are delivering emergency food supplies: State broadcaster CCTV aired a story today showing building staff assembling free grocery deliveries for the residents of an apartment complex in Xi'an. The deliveries included a box of 15 eggs, a 2.5kg bag of rice and some green vegetables. Residents could also expect either some chicken or pork, it said. YouTube screen grab. YouTube screen grab. CNN Business reports on the shutdown of semiconductor production in Xian and its global supply chain implications. Two of the world's biggest chipmakers are warning that Covid-19 outbreaks and stringent lockdowns in a major Chinese industrial hub are hampering their operations. Samsung and Micron said this week that they've had to adjust operations in the northwestern city of Xi'an, which is experiencing one of China's worst community outbreaks of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities have responded by enacting sweeping measures with an intensity and on a scale rarely seen since Wuhan, the pandemic's original epicenter. Any slowdown in output from the city risks worsening the global chip shortage, an ongoing crisis that has limited the supply of everything from iPhones to new cars. Samsung said Wednesday that it had to "temporarily adjust operations" in Xi'an. The South Korean giant added that protecting its workers in the city remains its "top priority," and that it plans to take "all necessary measures, including leveraging our global manufacturing network, to ensure that our customers are not affected." My guess is that the outbreak is far worse than China is reporting and that the cases are far worse than the mild cold-like symptoms reported by most omicron sufferers. I doubt that the drastic and expensive lockdown is mere theatre. China, home to the Wuhan virus, knows more about it than we do in all likelihood. With the semiconductor lockdown, they are only encouraging the re-shoring of semiconductor production in countries like the United States, South Korea, and Japan. But we can't rule out sabotage of offshore production of finished products like automobiles, where lack of chips can shut down an entire factory. Is a worse variant than delta rampaging in Xian? We can't rule that out, either. And we know that we can't trust the Chinese media to tell us the truth if it would reflect badly on the Chinese Communist Party. As we approach the end of annus horribilis 2 (also known as 2021 A.D.), it seems worthwhile to to look back and summarize the events that have brought us where we are in the COVID-19 saga. Here, in ten sentences, is how we got here. Since at least 2014, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), through Anthony Fauci's NIAID division, have sent millions of U.S. tax dollars to communist China to fund research involving the genetic alteration of coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Around October 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic began when a new coronavirus leaked out of the same Wuhan Institute of Virology and into the human population. The Communist Chinese Party imposed a tight lockdown of its own population, while simultaneously allowing international travel to and from China, facilitating the virus's worldwide spread. As the pandemic unfolded, public health officials and the media used grossly overestimated death rates and false promises of self-limited measures ("two weeks to flatten the curve") to promote unprecedented policies of prolonged, widespread quarantine of heathy populations, which continue to this day two years later. Simultaneously, in places such as New York State under former governor Andrew Cuomo, authorities knowingly put sick COVID-19 patients into close contact with highly vulnerable persons such as nursing home residents, resulting in tens of thousands of unnecessary and avoidable deaths. Despite definitive evidence from the early stages of the pandemic that COVID-19 poses minimal risk of severe illness and statistically zero chance of death in children, and that children are not significant drivers of its spread, the Democrat party and the public teachers' unions with the help of health officials and the mainstream media have forced schools to close for in-school learning for multiple school years, and continue to push for renewed school closures in many areas of the country. As cheap, existing, and safe medications and treatments were identified that showed effectiveness in treating COVID-19, a systematic, worldwide movement to suppress and discredit such treatments was instigated by Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, the mainstream media, Big Pharma, and social media corporations, to protect their financial interests in vaccines and other proprietary medicines they had in development, resulting in tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths. As COVID-19 vaccines became available in the U.S. through Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA, these extremely new treatments were heavily promoted by Fauci, Gates, the media, Big Pharma, and social media under knowingly false pretenses, including repeated false claims that the vaccines 1) would provide herd immunity, 2) were equal or even superior to natural immunity, 3) stopped contraction and transmission of the virus, and 4) were safe and effective for all ages. Even as the COVID-19 vaccines have now been shown to 1) lose effectiveness in a matter of weeks; 2) be ineffective at stopping transmission and spread of the virus; and 3) be inferior to natural immunity, and even as more than 20,000 vaccine-related deaths have been reported in the CDC's own Vaccine Emergency Reporting System (VAERS) with a similar level of reports in EudraVigilance (the E.U.'s reporting system), the likes of Fauci, President Joe Biden, current New York governor Kathy Hochul, and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio continue to press ever harder for repeated doses of these same vaccines, including among young children. Although the current dominant strain of COVID-19 the omicron variant has been demonstrated to be more transmissible and much less deadly than prior strains, as well as dramatically mutated from the original strain after which the vaccines were modeled, Fauci, the Biden administration, the Democrat Party, and the mainstream media are now employing a policy of endless boosters with the increasingly obsolete yet lucrative vaccines, alongside the systematic scapegoating of unvaccinated persons, rather than employing the focused protection of the vulnerable and promotion of normal life and natural immunity among the healthy that has already been successfully implemented in numerous "free" states. What conclusions can we draw from this series of events? Here are a few: First, the "health care industry" is largely a syndicate run by government bureaucrats like Tony Fauci and Francis Collins, Big Pharma, and ultra-rich investor-influencers like Bill Gates. Second, the mainstream media and major social media platforms like Google, Facebook, and Twitter are diametrically opposed to freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas. In fact, their goal is the opposite: an Orwellian thought control of the population and the suppression of all dissenting voices. Third, the Democrat party is utterly corrupt and power-hungry, while the Republican Party is hopelessly gutless and ineffective. Lastly, the formula has been revealed for the permanent extinguishing of the civil liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights: declare an emergency, terrify the populace, control the message, stifle all dissent, and revoke the citizens' freedoms indefinitely, all while grabbing and consolidating political power. Coming soon: the climate "emergency." Happy 2022! Image: qimono via Pixabay, Pixabay License. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. In George Orwell's Animal Farm, the famous allegorical novella about Stalin's Soviet Union, two pigs begin a revolution by announcing that "all animals are equal." However, as they become increasingly powerful and start perceiving enemies around them, that slogan changes to the now famous "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." When it comes to equality before the law, events in federal courts in D.C. and Portland establish that violent leftist animals are way more equal than the conservative animals arrested for events on January 6. Beginning after George Floyd died while in police custody (apparently sticking fentanyl up your derriere, while ingesting multiple other drugs and having advanced heart disease, isn't good for you), violent riots swept America. While these riots crested and then died off in most Democrat-run cities, Portland was different. In Portland, in addition to attacking ordinary people on the streets, Antifa members engaged in full-fledged warfare against federal and state government buildings and federal and state law enforcement officers (LEOs). The protesters tried to set buildings on fire and attacked LEOs with rocks, bottles, biological weapons (urine and feces), mortars, lasers, and flames. Meanwhile, on January 6, actors who were probably associated with the FBI made it impossible for people drifting over from the peaceful Trump rally (which was ongoing at the time) to know they were entering onto areas that were made off-limits for the day or to know that they shouldn't enter the Capitol. Most people involved peacefully walked through the Capitol, and no one at all has been charged with insurrection. The police weren't so peaceful for they brutally beat people in the Capitol tunnels and shot Ashli Babbitt to death. Those caught up in events on January 6 have been denied bail, kept in inhuman conditions for almost a year by a jailor who boasts about how much she hates them, and have been given extraordinarily harsh penalties for charges that essentially boil down to trespassing. Those who have appeared in court were forced to recant in Maoist-style struggle sessions. Image: Joshua Warner. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Things are different, though, if you're a member of Antifa who was part of the non-stop violence in Portland. Or at least that's the case if you're Joshua Warner, a so-called "transgender man" who is also an Antifa activist charged with repeatedly assaulting officers. In that case, you're let off with virtually no punishment at all: A Portland Antifa rioter charged last year with assaulting police officers has had a federal case dropped after completing 30 hours of community service, according to court documents. Eva Warner of Beaverton, Oregon, who police said was also known as Joshua Warner, was charged in September 2020 with felony civil disorder. On the evening of August 8, 2020, authorities declared a riot at the Portland Police Association office on North Lombard Street in Portland after Antifa members broke windows and set fire to the office. The rioters had also used vehicles and Dumpsters to illegally block traffic, according to the Justice Department. Warner wasn't peacefully wandering around, admiring government buildings. Instead, he tried to blind LEOs with a high-powered laser and then violently resisted arrest. He was promptly released without bail, only to be arrested a second time for second-degree criminal mischief after he was involved in another riot. Once again, he was released without bail. He immediately participated in another protest, including interfering with a police officer, and was again arrested and again released without bail. The U.S. Marshals finally caught up with him and arrested him, after which he was again released without bail. On December 21, the federal acting U.S. attorney in Oregon made known the government's preferred disposition of Warner's case. Prosecutors could have asked for a five-year prison sentence; demanded that Warner recant his loyalty to Antifa, a fascist, Marxist organization; or insisted that Warner should be used as an example against someone who engaged in repeated violence and tried to blind LEOs. But Scott Eric Asphaug didn't do any of that. Instead, [t]he government moves the Court for an Order under Fed. R. Crim. P. Rule 48(a) to dismiss with prejudice the indictment against Defendant, in the best interests of justice. Defendant has successfully complied with the terms of the Deferred Resolution Agreement, including performing at least 30 hours of community service. The U.S. District Court judge, Michael H. Simon, an Obama appointee, thought that was a fine idea. Without equal justice before the law, you don't have a constitutional, free, democratic republic. Instead, you have a tin-pot tyranny, which, in this case, is governed by a man who is either a demented clown in Depends or a Machiavellian operator hiding behind befuddlement but is, either way, a truly bad human being. The new year is our last chance to push back. If Democrats retake Congress in 2024, we're looking at the future: a favored class of violent leftist animals who are way more equal than almost entirely peaceful constitutional-conservative animals. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. There are, I think, only two possibilities with respect to the appellate arguments on behalf of The New York Times in its current legal bout with Project Veritas. Counsel for the Times either are convinced that appellate judges do not read the opinions under appeal or are convinced that judges will be intimidated by the identification "counsel for The New York Times." There can be no other explanation for the legal mindset of counsel for The Times, as reported in The New York Times by Michael Grynbaum in the December 29 print edition of the paper and in the Business section, to boot. According to lawyers for The Times, as related by Grynbaum, a New York state appellate justice was advised that the paper will be harmed, irreparably, by the order of Justice Charles D. Wood that the paper destroy or turn over legal memoranda, protected by the attorney-client relationship, that The Times obtained by "irregular" means, as determined by Justice Wood. As it happens, the "irreparable harm" argument used by The Times represents a blatant steal from Project Veritas to explain the impact on Project Veritas, by The Times, in trashing the attorney-client relationship, by publishing legal memoranda drafted by counsel for Project Veritas, by its counsel. Justice Wood noted in his opinion that the irregularly obtained legal memoranda predated the defamation action brought by Project Veritas against The Times and are not relevant to the instant libel action brought by Project Veritas against the paper. Granting the requested order by Project Veritas that The Times return hard copies of the memoranda and destroy electronic copies, Justice Wood found that the paper had improperly obtained the copies and "prejudiced the rights of the Plaintiff [Project Veritas] by directly compromising the confidential legal advice rendered by counsel." In effect, Justice Wood had determined that the egregious conduct by The Times against Project Veritas did not warrant tossing aside the protection afforded this plaintiff by the attorney-client relationship. Jonathan Stempel, covering the Project Veritas lawsuit for Reuters, December 28, reported that Justice Wood's return and destroy order "alarmed First Amendment advocates." Mr. Stempel neglected to disclose that his employer, Reuters, joined the legion of media outlets reflexively supporting The Times as amici curiae. He also cited the concern expressed in The Times attack editorial against Project Veritas and Justice Wood. The editorial, falsely, I submit, asserted that Justice Wood's ruling would encourage "frivolous" lawsuits against The Times. Mr. Stempel might have informed Reuters's readers that courts in the United States do not look with favor upon "frivolous" lawsuits and, indeed, could very well impose penalties upon those members of the bar who would be so unprofessional foolish as to bring frivolous actions into courtrooms to assail media defendants, or for other purposes. Project Veritas was quoted by Justice Wood as calling the action by The Times, in publishing its confidential legal memoranda, "an affront to the sanctity of the attorney-client privilege and the integrity of the judicial process that demands this court's attention." Civil liberties advocates should reflect on the damage to the attorney-client relationship caused by media outlets that use their self-asserted First Amendment rights as battering ram against aggrieved plaintiffs. Not insignificantly, Justice Wood, citing judicial precedent, explained that attorney-client privilege, in part, was intended to encourage full and frank discussions between attorney and client. He pointed out that the privilege "is not solely tied to the contemplation of litigation," an argument raised by the lawyers for the paper. Another observation in the opinion by Justice Wood merits consideration by "First Amendment advocates" as well as by appellate jurists. Justice Wood noted: "There is nothing in the record to show how The Times obtained the privileged memoranda." How did reporters from The New York Times "obtain" those legal memoranda from attorney Benjamin Barr to his client Project Veritas? It is not enough for The Times to explain that the memoranda were acquired through "newsgathering efforts." I tremble that the following is not an unthinkable thought: that the "newsgathering" process The New York Times tolerates to obtain confidential, purely private information could come from an FBI "smash and grab" at the home of a conservative activist. Law professor Jonathan Turley sarcastically asks if the FBI will raid the New York Times as it did Project Veritas over stolen documents. It is not unlikely that the current aspect of the litigation between Project Veritas and The New York Times will be appealed to the highest levels of the Judiciary. May the Almighty grant that reviewing judges have the wisdom to perceive that a media outlet hostile to dissenting views is not a "First Amendment advocate" by shouting "free press, free press!" to advance the cause of totalitarianism. Any and all judges who review the media campaign to intrude upon the attorney-client relationship should uphold the ruling of Justice Wood uphold democracy, really with one possible exception. Justice Wood denied the request by Project Veritas for sanctions against counsel for The Times. That denial should be revisited. The December 23, 2021 order of New York State Supreme Court justice Charles D. Wood, sought by Project Veritas against The New York Times Co. et al., Index No. 63921/2020, should stand. Nancy Pelosi has grown very rich while in public office. She's amassed a reported $120-million fortune on a $223,500 annual congressional salary. And like Hillary Clinton, she's an expert stock picker. In her case, she trades a lot on stocks of companies she writes the laws for, and somehow, it always seems to go her way. Last year, her pick was Tesla. This year? All about Big Tech. She's laying the money down. According to Mediaite: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) placed up to $3 million in bets this month on a handful of companies to succeed in 2022 including Google, SalesForce, and Disney. Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, put the money on call options in the four-day period from Dec. 1721, according to disclosures made public on Thursday by the House Clerk. Their largest investment was for call options for SalesForce, valued at $500,000 to $1.250 million. The options came with a strike price of $210 on Jan. 20, 2023, compared to $65 as of Dec. 29. Google ranked as their second-highest investment, with $500,000-$1 million for calls at a strike price of $2,000 on Sept. 16, 2022, compared to $109 on Thursday. Other investments included $250,000-$500,000 on call options for Micron Technology, at a strike price of $50 on Sept. 16, 2022; the same amount for calls on Roblox, at a price of $100 on Jan. 20, 2023; and $100,000-$250,000 for calls on Disney at $130 on Sept. 16, 2022. The disclosures, which members of Congress are required to file, reveal monetary ranges for their investments, but not exact figures. The Pelosis, both 81, have developed a reputation for prophetic ability when it comes to picking stocks. Their trades last made headlines in January, when they purchased between $500,000 and $1 million in call options in Tesla at a strike price of $500. That stock hit a new historical high last month in excess of $1,200. To explain those options what she's betting is that a company like Google's stock price is going to rise and be at a certain level. When she buys an option, she's buying a derivative that gives her the right, but not obligation, to purchase that stock at a certain "strike price," meaning she thinks everyone else is going to have to buy it at a higher price. That's where the money is to be made. In the case of Google, she's betting the price of a share of that company will be well above what it is now (currently at around $2,900 today) by the strike price date of Sept. 16, 2022. But she will have the right to buy it cheaper, which should be very profitable should she decide to sell it afterward. For instance, and to take a hypothetical example, if the share price of Google goes up to $3,000, and she exercises her call option to buy her share at $2,000, well, she can then sell the share at a $1,000 profit, which is a nice piece of cake. The price of the call option is not the same as the price of the stock since it's a derivative of the stock. According to Investopedia: The price difference between the underlying stock price and the strike price determines an option's value. For buyers of a call option, if the strike price is above the underlying stock price, the option is out of the money (OTM). In this case, the option doesn't have intrinsic value, but it may still have value based on volatility and time until expiration as either of these two factors could put the option in the money in the future. Conversely, If the underlying stock price is above the strike price, the option will have intrinsic value and be in the money. A $2,000 call, versus a previous $109 call price? She obviously thinks Google is in for some good times. According to Mediaite, she's really good at this: By some estimate, Pelosi and her husband made a 45.59 percent return on stocks last year, along with a 66.7 percent return on options trading. Most fund managers would kill to make those kinds of returns. These are comparable to the kinds of profits only art geniuses such as Hunter Biden can make on their "output," while real artists make quite a bit less. See the problem? And sure enough, the New York Post has reported that Pelosi herself is blocking legislation that would force Google and some of the other tech baronies to level their playing fields on commercial search results. The Post ran this on Nov. 4: As a bipartisan group of Washington lawmakers mounts a battle to rein in Big Tech, some insiders say it faces a formidable and possibly surprising obstacle: Nancy Pelosi. The 81-year-old Democratic House majority leader has made symbolic gestures to defy Silicon Valley such as refusing to take calls from Mark Zuckerberg and declaring 2019 that the era of self-regulation is over. Nevertheless, insiders say shes slow-walking legislation, including a so-called non-discrimination bill that would put a major dent in tech firms including Google and Amazon. The proposal would prohibit the practice of the companies giving their own products favorable treatment in search results. The bill sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) was one of six that passed the House Judiciary Committee in June. A nearly-identical companion bill sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was introduced last month in the Senate and is gaining steam. That sounds a little funny now that Pelosi is laying money down on where she thinks the price of Google's stock is going to be. Pelosi herself has defended these smelly moves, the idea of Congress members trading on stocks in industries they make laws for, as the work of a "free market economy" (free for whom?) while the tech barons at Twitter have banned a popular Twitter page called Nancy Pelosi Portfolio Tracker, or @NancyTracker which must have bothered Pelosi mightily. Now we see one last galloping call in favor of Big Tech, which she is all too willing to go to bat for in Congress and, given Big Tech's heavy-handed censorship and other manipulations of the 2020 U.S. election, she obviously owes political favors to. See how this works? She ought to be forced by a bipartisan group of Squadsters and Republicans to hold a vote on the measure she's blocking this year. And come November, Republicans at the helm should put a stop to this kind of activity, and send in the special counsels to investigate these curious investing activities of Pelosi's. It ought to be Item A on the agenda. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. (ANSA) - ROME, DEC 31 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio conferred by phone with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, the foreign ministry said, focusing on "coordination on dialogue with Moscow" and reaffirming support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine". They also discussed the electoral process in Libya and coordination in support of political and economic reforms in Tunisia," the ministry said. (ANSA). Kerry Washington has shared some of her highlights of 2021 and thanked her fans for being with her through everything. The US actress, 44, known for films including Django: Unchained, admitted there had been both low points and high points to the year. Posting a collage of nine photos to her Instagram she said: WHOA! This year has been a RIDE. Yes, there were some downs. But there were also a lotta ups. Including these #TopNine. So grateful to you all for being with me through everything! What were some of your favorite memories from 2021?! The post included career-related moments like the release of US miniseries Little Fires Everywhere, and the 15th anniversary of the film The Last King Of Scotland remembered with a photo of Washington and co-star James McAvoy. The actress also included a picture posted following the election of US vice-president Kamala Harris, the first woman of colour to hold the role. Washington has won multiple awards throughout her career including the 2020 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). In 2013 she received the BET Best Actress Award for her role in Django: Unchained and ABC drama series, Scandal. Washington was also among the host of celebrities who paid tribute to the actor Michael K Williams following his death in September. Presenting the prize for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series at the 2021 Emmy Awards, she described The Wire star, who was nominated, as a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being. What does woke mean?' was one of the most commonly asked questions this year based on millions of searches on Yahoo. Heres why it was such a common question in 2021 - and why the search term peaked on 7 March and in the middle of May. Where does the term 'woke' come from? The phrase "stay woke" was used in a 1938 protest song Scottsboro Boys by blues musician Huddie Ledbetter. In the song, Ledbetter also known as Lead Belly tells a story about nine black teenagers who were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train in Scottsboro, Alabama, in 1931. Ledbetter warns black people that they best stay woke, keep their eyes open", when travelling through Alabama. Three decades later in 1962, African American novelist William Melvin Kelley wrote an article in the New York Times titled If You're Woke, You Dig It, in which he describes a 'woke' person as someone who's aware of the experiences of black people in the United States. The term gained popularity on social media in 2014 following the killing of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old who was fatally shot by a white police officer in Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. Protesters marching in New York in 2019 to commemorate the five-year anniversary of Mike Brown's death by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. (Getty Images) After prosecutors said that they did not have enough evidence to bring charges of murder or manslaughter against the officer, protests took place nationwide, with the slogan "stay woke" being used to shed light on instances of police brutality against Black people. How has its meaning changed? While it originally meant becoming woken up or sensitised to issues of justice, its meaning has changed over time into a political slur, according to linguist Tony Thorne. The labels 'woke warrior', 'wokerati' and 'woke worthies' are often used to insult people on the left, who are seen by conservatives as a threat to freedom of speech. When leaving office in January 2021, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo tweeted: "Censorship, wokeness, political correctness, it all points on one direction authoritarianism, cloaked as moral righteousness." Censorship, wokeness, political correctness, it all points in one direction authoritarianism, cloaked as moral righteousness. Its not who we are as Americans. Its time that we simply put woke-ism to sleep. pic.twitter.com/NuRFjwp1TS Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) January 13, 2021 'Woke' gained popularity in the UK following the Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020. After the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol, government ministers promised to protect statues of other British figures in what many political analysts called a 'war on woke.' At the beginning of 2021, then communities secretary Robert Jenrick promised to defend other statues from being pulled down by woke worthies. So, the term has developed a new meaning in recent years which is similar to other political jibes like 'snowflake' and 'social justice warrior.' Consequently, some of those who are sensitised to issues of injustice chose to define themselves as 'empaths' instead. Why has the word 'woke' been in the news in 2021? On 7 March, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they claimed that a member of the Royal Family had questioned the skin colour of their future baby while Meghan Markle was pregnant with Archie. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey was watched by 11.1 million people when it was broadcast on ITV on 7 March. (CBS) Prince Harry also criticised his family for not addressing the "colonial undertones" in certain articles written about Meghan. The interview was met with criticism by some who thought that the Sussexes were promoting a 'woke agenda.' The front page of the Daily Telegraph said that: "Harry and Meghan embody the woke generation." "Harry and Meghan are the perfect leaders of the new international woke elite," wrote the Telegraph's Nick Timothy. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Harry and Meghan embody the woke generation'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/tlYMNUKPpjpic.twitter.com/4wXW399s14 The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 7, 2021 Meanwhile, Loose Women's Janet Street-Porter wrote a column in the Daily Mail referring to Meghan as the "Duchess of woke" and, in the Spectator, writer Joanna Williams accused the pair of using "woke lingo" to convince viewers that they were victims of bullying by the press and the rest of the Royal Family. Twitter was filled with similar criticisms. Actor and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox tweeted: "The woke duchess of victim hood has smeared the whole royal family with a charge of racism." Others said that Meghan and Harry had joined the "woke creed" and that there were too many "woke people on Twitter jumping on the bandwagon". The woke duchess of victim hood has smeared the whole royal family with a charge of racism. Her majesty should take the titles away from these greedy, hypocritical, freeloading, narcissistic brats. They are the exact thing they accuse everyone else of. Yawn Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) March 8, 2021 The negative connotations of the word have meant that most British politicians do not want to be identified as "being woke". In May, Tony Blair launched an attacked on what he called the "woke left" in the Labour Party, who were damaging the party's electability. Writing in the New Statesman on 12 May, the former prime minister claimed that Keir Starmer had to complete total deconstruction and reconstruction" is he was to win the next general election. He added: "He [Keir] lacks a compelling economic message. And the cultural message, because he is not clarifying it, is being defined by the woke left, whose every statement gets cut-through courtesy of the right. As the only living Labour leader to win a general election, Tony Blair had a lot to say about the Labour Party under Keir Starmer. (Getty Images) Though the word has become extremely popular in British politics in recent years, studies show that many voters are not sure what 'woke' means. A YouGov survey published on 18 May found that 59% Britons did not know what "woke" means, 30% had never heard of the term and just 12% would describe themselves as such. It also revealed that 74% of 2019 Conservative voters saw wokeness as a bad thing, while 42% of Labour voters saw it as good, and another 43% viewed it as neither good nor bad. Is being woke a good or bad thing? All Britons Good 11% Bad 15% Neither 14% Dont know what woke means 59% Among those who say they understand the term woke Good 26% Bad 37% Neither 33%https://t.co/hN7QoxalScpic.twitter.com/4TfgJnGZym YouGov (@YouGov) May 18, 2021 The results led to a surge in the number of people asking "what does woke mean?". Neither Boris Johnson or Starmer have given a clear answer on their views on the term. The prime minister was caught off guard when asked by a journalist whether US president Joe Biden was woke following his inauguration in January. Johnson said: "I can't comment on that. What I know is that he's a fervent believer in the Transatlantic Alliance and that's a great thing and a believer in a lot of the things we want to achieve together and in so far as there's nothing wrong with being woke. "But what I can tell you is that it's very, very important for everybody and I would put myself in the category of people who believe it's important to stand up for your history and your traditions and your values and things you believe it." Gaslighting is a form of manipulation which can be difficult for victims to detect as there are often no physical signs of abuse. (Getty Images) What is gaslighting was one of the most commonly asked questions this year based on millions of searches on Yahoo. Heres why it was such a common question in 2021 including why questions peaked about it on 26 August. What does it mean? The origins of the term come from a 1938 play called Gaslight, which was developed into a more widely known film in 1944. In the movie, a husband manipulates his wife by turning the gas lights down in their home and then denying it has been happening, causing her to question her sense of reality and eventually check into a mental institution. Since then, the term has been used to describe a form of manipulation which takes place in abusive relationships. According to the charity Women's Aid, gaslighting is "a form of psychological abuse which makes someone question their perception of reality". Charity Cheshire Without Abuse says that a person might gaslight you by "undermining your confidence or intelligence, questioning your version of events, persistent lying and accusing you of going crazy, losing the plot or being mentally unstable". This enablers abusers to control their victims. Gaslighting leaves victims questioning their perception of reality. (Getty Images) In 2015, the UK government made the use of coercive or controlling behaviour a criminal offence which carries a maximum of five years imprisonment, a fine or both. Still, this type of behaviour continues to be a big problem in relationships. In July, the producers of Love Island were accused of enabling gaslighting on the show. Women's Aid issued a plea to ITV which asked the broadcaster to "recognise coercive control when it is happening on the show", as two male contestants were accused of using "gaslighting, possessiveness, and manipulation" towards their partners. ITV responded, insisting that it takes the emotional well-being of the Islanders "extremely seriously" and has "robust protocols" in place to monitor what's going on. Some have accused Love Island of enabling manipulative and coercive behaviour in relationships. (Getty Images) But, contrary to popular belief, gaslighting is not exclusive to romantic relationships. Experts say that gaslighting can also take place between family members, friends, colleagues. The term is also frequently used in politics. Political theorists argue that some politicians use 'collective gaslighting' against the public, in order to consolidate their power. What is the problem with gaslighting? Confusing someone makes them vulnerable to being manipulated, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This makes it difficult for victims to detect when it's happening in a relationship as there are often no physical signs of abuse. When it occurs in a personal relationship, it can erode someone's self-esteem, self-worth and create a dependency on their partner, which can in turn lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. Academic Natascha Rietdijk argues that gaslighting in politics can undermine democracy by making the public less capable of resisting abuses of power. Why has gaslighting been in the news in 2021? In August, a US veteran and former CIA analyst accused the Biden administration of "gaslighting the country" over their handling of the exit from Afghanistan. Matt Zeller, who fought in Afghanistan, criticised the US government for their treatment of Afghan refugees and for allegedly meeting with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar. President Joe Biden's approval ratings dropped in the days following the US evacuation from Afghanistan. (Getty Images) Zeller said: "Let's be clear, the president has got to stop gaslighting the country. "We could have done this [withdrew from Afghanistan] in a very orderly fashion. A plan existed all along. "If the visa programme had actually functioned as designed, many of them would have gotten out years ago." He also claimed that the US was "going to be judged by one number and one number alone for the rest of history, and thats how many people did we leave behind. Not how many people did we save, but how many people did we leave behind". Shortly afterwards, Zeller's interview went viral. "Let's be clear, the president has got to stop gaslighting the country." Afghanistan veteran and former CIA analyst Matt Zeller pic.twitter.com/qvvWgNt2Tf Mediaite (@Mediaite) August 24, 2021 Biden is not the first US president to be accused of gaslighting. After the Capitol Hill Riots in January, CNN accused the Trump Administration of gaslighting Americans by trying to make them remember the 6 January insurrection in a way which "isn't, actually, how it played out". Still, many agreed with Zeller's claim that the US should have stayed in Afghanistan for longer than their evacuation date on 31 August. Chris Purdy, from Veterans for American Ideals, a non-partisan group which helped evacuate Afghans, told Politico: They [Biden Administration] keep saying this was inevitable, but there absolutely was a way to avoid this - if thats not the definition of gaslighting, I don't know what is. The Taliban captured Kabul on 15 August. Allied forces, including Britain, entered Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks and stayed to provide security for the new government once the Taliban were driven out. Disturbing scenes from Kabul Airport showed Afghans desperately trying to leave the country with the Americans, with some even clinging to the US Air Force's plane as it took off. There are currently 2.6 million UNHCR-registered refugees from Afghanistan, most of whom are in neighbouring countries Iran and Pakistan. Biden continues to defend the decision to leave, saying that the US will "continue to work to help more people leave the country who are at risk". One of Ghislaine Maxwells accusers, who testified at the socialites trial, has said she feels tremendous relief following the verdict. Annie Farmer said she wasnt sure that this day would ever come, after Maxwell was convicted on Wednesday of sex-trafficking young girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse. Speaking on ABCs Good Morning America, she said: Its a tremendous relief. I just feel so grateful that the jury believed us and sent a strong message that perpetrators of sexual abuse and exploitation will be held accountable, no matter how much power and privilege that they have. Ms Farmer, the only accuser to testify under her full name, told jurors at Maxwells New York trial that she was left frozen when the socialite asked her to undress for a massage and rubbed her breasts. Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA) She said the defendant encouraged her to have a massage after teaching her how to rub Epsteins feet, at the age of 16. In the ABC interview, Ms Farmer said that ultimately, seeing the inspirational stories of other women telling about what had happened to them and creating momentum for criminal charges to be filed, I felt like it was the time for me to do so. She added: I understand completely why it might not have been the right time for others, so I think its really important that women dont have to do that, but for me it felt like it was the right time and it was important to be able to do so. She added that in her work as a psychologist she recognised it was a very rare opportunity to tell ones story in court and to see the person who perpetrated the abuse held accountable. Asked if the verdict felt like justice, Ms Farmer said it was a complicated term, but when speaking to another survivor in the case they had said it was one important step towards justice, and that she hoped others involved in perpetrating the abuse would now be held accountable. Ms Farmer said there needed to be more public education of the ways in which perpetrators groom their victims, and that when she had met Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell she had not understood what grooming meant and had never heard that term. Consumer champion Martin Lewis believes savings from switching will likely relatively reduce (Steve Parsons/PA) Motor and home insurance customers will stop paying a loyalty penalty when their deal comes up for renewal from January 1. New rules mean that insurers will be required to offer renewing customers a price that is no higher than they would pay as a new customer. But those who regularly shop around for a cheaper deal, who are often younger customers, could end up paying more, with discounts potentially becoming smaller. Many firms have increased prices for existing customers each year at renewal in a practice known as price walking. This has distorted the market as new customers may have been offered below-cost prices by firms to attract them in and then ended up paying more over time if they renewed their insurance. Regulators have found that millions of customers were being unfairly charged higher prices, including an extra 1.2 billion in 2018 alone. Writing previously on MoneySavingExpert.com, the websites founder Martin Lewis warned: In the short run this change could see a spike in prices for switchers. Mr Lewis wrote: My best guess is firms wont just cut renewal prices to match those for newbies rates will meet nearer the middle (as happened in 2012, when insurers were barred from gender price discrimination). This will mean savings from switching will likely relatively reduce. Giving general tips for finding insurance on the website, Mr Lewis said that timing matters when buying insurance and 23 days before renewal is the sweet spot for car insurance, while for home insurance it is 21 days. People may also want to try haggling with their existing provider He also suggested checking at least two comparison websites; comparing these deals to Direct Line and other deals that comparison websites do not include; seeing if a multi-car policy would be cheaper; and checking cashback websites. People may also want to try haggling with their existing provider and seeing if comprehensive cover could be cheaper than third-party motor insurance, he suggested. Some insurers will view customers as lower risk if they opt for comprehensive motor cover. Those struggling to find cover may also want to check the British Insurance Brokers Associations website at insurance.biba.org.uk/find-insurance. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has introduced the measures, has said they are likely to bring an end to unsustainably low-priced deals to some customers. But officials said that overall, people will save 4.2 billion over 10 years. The new rules will also make it easier for customers to cancel automatic renewal of their policy and require insurance firms to do more to consider how they offer fair value to their customers. Insurers will also have to send data to the FCA so the regulator can monitor the market more effectively. Sheldon Mills, executive director, consumers and competition at the FCA said: Our interventions will make the insurance market fairer and make it work better. Insurers can no longer penalise consumers who stay with them. You can still shop around and negotiate a better deal, but you wont have to switch just to avoid being charged a loyalty premium. We are keeping a close eye on how insurers respond to our new rules, to ensure that the benefits of a better insurance market are delivered to consumers. Firms will still be able to offer competitive deals to new customers The impact of the shake-up will be reviewed in 2024. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) believes firms will still be able to offer competitive deals to new customers, with a range of different policies at different prices, albeit that prices could increase for some who shop around regularly. Previous research by the ABI found motorists paid 429 on average for a policy in the third quarter of 2021 marking a fall of nearly 40 (39.47) during that year. Fewer claims made during the coronavirus lockdowns have helped to keep motor insurance costs relatively low, although there are pressures around repair costs. Malcolm Tarling, spokesperson for the ABI, said: These significant rule changes mean that when existing home and private motor insurance customers renew their insurance policy, the price charged by their insurance provider cannot be more expensive than the price that they charge to an equivalent new customer for the equivalent policy. These rule changes will lead to a re-balancing of premiums between new and existing customers. An award-winning artist who collaborated this year with Joe Wicks on his first childrens book is to become Northern Irelands new childrens writing fellow. Paul Howard, who has accepted the position based at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University Belfast, said he wants to use his experience to make literature accessible to young people across Northern Ireland. Howard, who lives in Belfast, is best known for illustrating Jill Tomlinsons classic The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark and, more recently, The Burpee Bears, a new picture book series from fitness guru Joe Wicks. The new book which Joe Wicks and Paul Howard released this year (Harper Collins/PA) Howard said: As an illustrator, primarily, I aim to bring a new dimension to the role through promoting visual literacy as an alternative, accessible gateway for students and children of all literacy levels to engage in, building enough confidence in them to read and create their own stories. The fellowship will also enable me to use the opportunity to take my story-building workshops to schools, which, for whatever reason, have never experienced an author or illustrator visit before, endeavour to seek creative inspiration outside of the classroom and shine a light on the incredibly rich heritage of childrens literature we have in this corner of the country. He added: Im truly honoured to be appointed our new childrens writing fellow, adding to the amazing achievements of my previous fellows, Myra Zepf and Kelly McCaughrain. After gaining a degree in graphic design and illustration in 1989, Howard worked at the Natural History Museum before becoming a full-time illustrator. His work has since won acclaim from the publishing industry and children across the world. Paul Howard with Kelly McCaughrain (left), the previous childrens writing fellow, Glenn Patterson (centre), director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University Belfast, and Paul McVeigh, acting head of literature at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (Brian Morrison/PA) During his 30-year career he has collaborated with some of the best known names in childrens literature, such as Allan Ahlberg, Michael Rosen, Geraldine McCaughrean, Anne Fine, Trish Cooke, Martin Waddell and John Boyne. He has won prizes including a Blue Peter Award for The Bravest Ever Bear and The Primary English Award for The Year in the City. Howard has lived in Belfast for over 20 years with his wife and their three children. Seamus Heaneys daughter, Catherine Heaney, said: With his decades of experience as an author and illustrator of childrens books, Paul knows exactly how to connect with young people in the classroom and beyond, firing their imaginations and encouraging them in their own reading and writing. We look forward to seeing him build on the incredible work done by his predecessors, Myra Zepf and Kelly McCaughrain, and wish him every success in the role. Professor Glenn Patterson, director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University Belfast, said: Paul is a respected and award-winning childrens author and illustrator. It is not just children of school age who will benefit from this appointment: our own students will learn much from, and be inspired by, his vast creative knowledge and wealth of experience. Paul McVeigh, acting head of literature at the Arts Council for Northern Ireland, added: In his role, Paul will be working with children of all ages and stages of reading to explore the joy of books, as well as encouraging them to embark on their own storytelling adventures through illustration and words. Howard will take up his post in January 2022. The fellowship was created as part of Queens University and the Arts Council of Northern Irelands joint 10-year Seamus Heaney legacy project supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies. Howard will be based at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens for two years, working with students and engaged in outreach activities. LONDON (AP) Prince Andrew wasnt on trial in the Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case, but her conviction is bad news for the man who is ninth in line to the British throne. With the conclusion of the Maxwell case, attention will now turn to a U.S. civil suit in which the plaintiff alleges Maxwell and long-time boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein took her to London, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands to have sex with Andrew when she was underage. Andrew denies the allegations, but Wednesdays verdict shows that at least one American jury was willing to believe the young women trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell in a criminal case, where the standard of proof is higher than in civil cases. To the extent theres overlap of evidence with respect to Prince Andrews case, it certainly doesnt bode well, said Bradley Simon, a former U.S. federal prosecutor who now works as a defense attorney in complex civil cases. But, as I said, every case hinges on its own specific facts and the judges will always instruct the jury on that. Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges after a monthlong trial in New York. While U.S. criminal cases must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, civil defendants can be ordered to pay financial damages if they are found responsible based on a preponderance of the evidence. The verdict is problematic for Andrew because he has long been friends with Maxwell, daughter of the late rags-to-riches media tycoon Robert Maxwell. Even after Epstein was charged with sex crimes, Andrew failed to distance himself from her. FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019 file photo, Britain's Prince Andrew arrives at ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Prince Andrew wasnt on trial in the Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case, but her conviction is bad news for the man who is ninth in line to the British throne. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, file) Those links have already diminished the princes standing. Andrew was forced to give up his duties as a working member of the royal family after a disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC that only increased public concern about his ties to Epstein and Maxwell. The prince was widely criticized for his explanation of why he maintained contact with Epstein after the financier was accused of sexual misconduct and for failing to show empathy for Epsteins victims. Although the Maxwell trial didnt offer any sensational new allegations about Andrew, it once again reminds people about the sordid allegations and weakens his standing with the public, said Chris Scott of Slateford, a London law firm that specializes in reputational issues. It just adds credibility to the accounts of people, Scott told The Associated Press. You have a criminal court finding now in the U.S. supporting that there was the trafficking going on. In a sense, it becomes much harder for people to run the angle that this is all made up when you do have that credibility building up. So I think that that will be very problematic for him. The civil suit against Andrew was filed last August by Virginia Giuffre, who says she was 17 when she was flown to London to have sex with Andrew at Maxwells house in Belgravia, an upscale neighborhood that is home to many foreign embassies and wealthy expatriates. Other encounters with Andrew occurred at Epsteins homes in Manhattan and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to her lawsuit. Giuffre, who wasnt part of the criminal case, has described Maxwell as a Mary Poppins figure who made young girls feel comfortable as they were lured into Epsteins web. It was at Maxwells home in London that a photo of Andrew with his arm around Giuffres waist is alleged to have been taken an image that has long been central to Giuffres allegations. In the BBC interview, Andrew suggested the image had been faked. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, he said. None whatsoever. Given the high stakes for Andrew, one question surrounding the civil suit is whether it will ever get to trial. Gloria Allred, who represents a number of Epsteins victims, told the BBC she expects the princes attorneys to file a series of procedural challenges to try to derail the case. This strategy has already been on display. Andrew initially denied that he had been legally served with court papers notifying him of the lawsuit. Then in October, his lawyers asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to throw out the suit, saying the prince never sexually abused Giuffre and that they believed she sued Andrew to achieve another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him. Last week, they mounted another challenge, arguing that Giuffres lawsuit should be thrown out because she no longer lives in the U.S. Andrew met Maxwell while she was studying history at the University of Oxford in the early 1980s. Like her formidable and well-connected father, Ghislaine Maxwell became a master networker, building a long list of contacts in the world of wealth and power in which she grew up. After graduating, she worked for the family publishing empire in a variety of roles. In 1991, at the age of 29, she became her fathers U.S. emissary after he bought the New York Daily News amid efforts to compete with fellow media tycoon and New York Post owner Rupert Murdoch. Robert Maxwell died later that year when he fell off his yacht the Lady Ghislaine in the Canary Islands, an event some saw as an accident and others a suicide. Investors soon discovered that his wealth was an illusion: Maxwell had diverted hundreds of millions of pounds from his companies pension funds to prop up his publishing empire. Soon after her fathers death, Ghislaine Maxwell was photographed sitting next to Epstein during a memorial event at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. Maxwell brought star power to her relationship with Epstein, and the two were soon attending parties with the likes of Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Andrew would later invite Maxwell and Epstein to Windsor Castle and Sandringham, Queen Elizabeth IIs country estate. Ian Maxwell said Thursday that the family still believes his sister is innocent and will support efforts to appeal her conviction. We are very disappointed with the verdict, the family said in a statement on Wednesday. We have already started the appeal tonight, and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated. Andrew has in recent years sought to distance himself from Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Andrew told the BBC that he saw Epstein a maximum three times a year and sometimes stayed at one of his homes when he was in the U.S. The prince said he stopped meeting with Epstein in 2006 after he became aware of a sexual abuse investigation that eventually led to the financier serving 13 months in jail. Andrew said he had one last meeting with Epstein in December 2010 to tell him they couldnt remain in contact. It would be a considerable stretch to say that he was a very, very close friend, Andrew said. Harry Reid, then Senate majority leader, speaks to reporters after a Democratic caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on June 17, 2014. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Harry Reid, who died Tuesday, was right to go nuclear in ending the Senate filibuster for most presidential nominees, including for lower court judgeships. That action in 2013 could be perhaps the most enduring legacy of his eight years as Senate majority leader. At the time, I didnt think he was justified. But after years of reporting, I changed my mind. Reid was a self-professed fighter, literally as a former boxer, and figuratively in the Senate. And the brazen obstruction of the Republicans left him little choice. To end or change the filibuster is easy, in theory. By a simple majority vote, senators could repeal or alter the rule that allows a minority to block action unless the other side musters a 60-vote supermajority to force a bills passage or, in the past, a nominees confirmation. But they call it a "nuclear option" for a reason. While both parties fulminated for years about the others obstructions when each had a majority, each avoided tampering with the filibuster, fearing that whichever party ended it would be disarmed, once back in the minority, of its best weapon against the majoritys bills and nominees. Also, some in both parties long contended that the threat of filibusters encouraged the two sides to compromise. Some still do, but theyre wrong. Compromise has become anathema for most Republicans (see: Sen. McConnell, Mitch). In 2013, Reid finally had enough after years of Republican obstructions of President Obamas legislative priorities and, especially, of his judicial nominees. Six weeks after Obama took office in 2009, all 41 Republican senators just enough to sustain a filibuster had signed a letter telling him theyd oppose any nominee for a judgeship unless Obama had advance approval of a Republican senator from the nominees state. Obama had already consulted with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana before nominating a federal district judge from Indiana, David Hamilton, to the federal appeals court for the 7th circuit. Yet McConnell lined up every other Republican against Hamilton. The White House and Senate Democrats, including Reid, were stunned. Republicans message was clear: They are not going to give Obama anyone without a fight, Vermont Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told his staff. For Obamas entire first term, for example, Republicans prevented him from filling four vacancies on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, second in prestige to the Supreme Court. They argued, as they had in the Clinton administration, that the D.C. court wasnt busy enough for more judges. During George W. Bush's presidency, however, Republicans had made sure the Senate confirmed three of his nominees to the court. One of us is fighting with a rolling pin, Kristine Lucius, a former counsel to Leahy, said to me about the Democrats. And the other is fighting with a gun. Thats a lament common among Democrats today. But in 2013, Democratic senators were still loath to break the institution's norms. Yet when Republicans continued their obstruction into Obamas second term, Reid dropped his longtime opposition to the nuclear option. On Nov. 21, 2013, he led Democrats in nuking the filibuster rule for nominations other than for the Supreme Court. Some Democrats went along reluctantly, including New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Reids successor as Democratic leader. Three Democrats voted no, including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin III. You will regret this, McConnell said. Just over three years later, as majority leader, McConnell had his party end the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, too. President Trumps three picks Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett wouldnt have been confirmed otherwise. Some Democrats blame Reid for opening the door to McConnells action in 2017. But anyone who thinks McConnell wouldnt have gone nuclear absent Reids precedent hasnt paid attention to just how far McConnell will go to capture the courts for conservatives. In the year after Reids nuclear strike, the Democrats were able to place more than 100 Obama nominees onto the federal bench before losing their majority. Most of those nominations would have been blocked by the Republicans otherwise. In September, just three months before he died, Reid wrote that he was proud of what hed done. He had every right to be. @jackiekcalmes This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Manchester City fullback Joao Cancelo and his family reportedly found themselves in a scary situation on Thursday, and he unfortunately did not escape unscathed. Cancelo shared a photo of himself with a cut and bruising around his right eye on his Instagram story, with a caption explaining he was assaulted by "four cowards" while with his family. Per Cancelo, the burglars took his jewelry after hurting him when he tried to resist. Screengrab of Joao Cancelo's Instagram story. Cancelo's full explanation: Unfortunately today I was assaulted by four cowards who hurt me and tried to hurt my family. When you show resistance this is what happens. They managed to take all my jewelry and leave me with my face with this state. I don't know how there are people with such meanness. The most important thing for me is my family and luckily they are all ok. And after so many obstacles in my life, this is just one more that I will overcome. Firm and strong, like always. Shortly after Cancelo posted his story, Manchester City published a tweet describing the assault as a burglary at Cancelo's home and pledging support for their player. Joao and his family are being supported by the Club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter. (2/2) Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2021 Cancelo has played for Manchester City since 2019, when he joined the team on a transfer valued at 65 million. He remains one of the best fullbacks in the world, earning PFA Premier League Team of the Year honors last season with the Premier League champion squad. While the Biden administration has once again extended the pause on student loan repayments, some progressives have said that unless more is done, it could cost Democrats in the midterms in 2022. The progressive wing of the Democratic Party is sounding the alarm over potentially losing voters and subsequent races if the campaign promise of canceling student loan debt goes unfulfilled by the Biden-Harris administration. Before the pause was extended, several prominent Democrats voiced their concerns about payments starting again and how it could cost them the midterms. PHOTO: Rep. Cori Bush speaks to media during a press conference to announce the Fix Clemency Act, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10, 2021. (Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via AP) Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., tweeted, that "forcing millions to start paying student loans again" will cost Democrats the midterms. The total amount of student loan debt in the U.S. currently stands at $1.75 trillion. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said it would be "delusional" to believe that Democrats can get reelected without taking action on student debt. It is actually delusional to believe Dems can get re-elected without acting on filibuster or student debt, Biden breaking his BBB promise, letting CTC lapse, 0 path to citizenship, etc Esp when they run from convos abt race+culture (which is what 1/6 was abt) We need to act now Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 17, 2021 Natalia Abrams, president of the Student Debt Crisis Center, a nonprofit focused on ending the student debt crisis, told ABC News that "Democrats and lawmakers need to be careful because this is something the public has said they want." "If you can afford to pause student loan payments over and over again, you can afford to cancel it," NAACP President Derrick Johnson tweeted after President Joe Biden announced his administration would extend the federal pause on student loan repayment for the third time in December. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an infrastructure announcement at AFL-CIO, Dec. 16, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris responded to Ocasio-Cortez's comment in a recent interview with CBS News, saying that Secretary of Education Cardona is looking into what the Biden administration can do to alleviate the pressure that borrowers are enduring from student loan debt. However, Harris also acknowledged the impact student debt is having on individuals across the country. "Graduates and former students across our country are literally making decisions about whether they can have a family, whether they can buy a home," she said. Harris was then asked if the Biden administration needs to deliver on its promise of forgiving student loan debt before the 2022 midterms in which Harris agreed. "Well, I think that we have to continue to do what we're doing and figure out how we can creatively relieve the pressure that students are feeling because of their student loan debt. Yes." During the 2020 election, Biden promised to forgive a minimum of $10,000 of federal student loans per borrower. Additionally, we should forgive a minimum of $10,000/person of federal student loans, as proposed by Senator Warren and colleagues. Young people and other student debt holders bore the brunt of the last crisis. It shouldn't happen again. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 22, 2020 There are two major issues standing in the way of Democrats tackling student debt. First, there's no agreement within the Democratic Party on who has the power to cancel student debt. Several Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have pushed the Biden administration to use executive authority to cancel federal student loans. Still, the Biden administration has pushed back, saying they do not know if Biden has the authority to do so. When asked about Biden's campaign promise to cancel $10,000 of federal student loan debt in mid-December, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that if Congress sent Biden a bill to cancel student debt, he would be "happy to sign it." PHOTO: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Dec. 20, 2021. (Bronta Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Polaris) Back in July, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a press conference that President Biden does not have the legal authority to use executive action to cancel federal student loan debt. "People think that the president of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness; he does not," said Pelosi. "He can postpone, he can delay, but he does not have that power, that has to be an act of Congress." Another issue that stands in the way of Democrats making any headway on student debt is that there seems to be no consensus on how much to cancel. MORE: Biden rejects $50,000 student loan forgiveness plan, faces progressive backlash Several Democrats, including Schumer and Rep. Ayanna Pressley D-Mass., have urged canceling $50,000 of federal student loan debt, which Biden said he would "not make happen" when asked about it during a CNN town hall in February. MORE: Congressional Democrats propose up to $50,000 in debt cancelation, Biden not sold In that same town hall, Biden reiterated his support for canceling $10,000 dollars in student loan debt. Democrats have about five months before the pause on federal student loans repayment expiries. "I think one of the best things that Democrats can do to secure midterms would be to cancel student debt," Abrams told ABC News. "At the very least keep loans on pause." Progressives warn inaction on student debt could hurt Democrats in midterms originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Biden administration is urging the Supreme Court to keep in place its controversial mandate requiring large businesses either mandate Covid-19 vaccinations or test workers regularly. The brief, filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), came after employers and other interests groups who say the requirement is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court will decide the fate of the mandate, which comes as an emergency order through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), during a special hearing in January. DOJ lawyers argued that the 1970 law that established OSHA 'falls squarely within OSHA's statutory authority.' The mandate is scheduled to take effect next month and will cover roughly 84 million employees. OSHA has estimated the order will save 6,500 lives and prevent around 250,000 hospitalizations over the next six months. The high court will also decide on the lawfulness of a separate vaccine requirement for health care workers at hospitals that receive federal funding. The brief court order said the justices will hear oral arguments on January 7 in the two cases, with rulings likely to follow swiftly after. The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, delayed action on emergency requests in both cases that sought an immediate decision. The workplace mandate is currently in effect nationwide, while the health care worker mandate is blocked in half the 50 U.S. states. An appeals court earlier this month allowed the workplace mandate, which covers 80 million American workers, to go into effect - prompting businesses, states and other groups challenging the policy to ask the Supreme Court to block it. The other case concerns whether the administration can require health care workers at facilities that treat federally funded Medicare and Medicaid patients to receive shots while litigation continues. The Biden administration asked the court to allow the policy to go into effect in 24 states in which it was blocked by lower courts. It is also blocked in Texas in a separate case not before the justices. Biden in September unveiled regulations to increase the adult vaccination rate as a way of fighting the pandemic, which has killed more than 820,000 Americans and weighed on the economy. Among the challengers are 27 mostly Republican-led states, various individual businesses and business groups, and two groups of religious entities, including the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Business challengers include the National Federation of Independent Business, a trade group that represents small businesses. Last week the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati lifted a November injunction that had blocked the workplace rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which applies to businesses with at least 100 workers. The health care worker rule, also challenged by mostly Republican-led states, required more than two million unvaccinated health care workers to receive a first vaccine dose by December 6. (REUTERS) YEREVAN, DECEMBER 31, ARMENPRESSS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accompanied by the top leadership of the Republic visited "Yerablur" military pantheon, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the memory of the Armenians who sacrificed their lives for the defense of the Motherland in the Artsakh war, laid flowers at the monument to the missing soldiers, at the tombs of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan and Andranik Ozanyan, and laid a wreath at the memorial to the fallen soldiers. According to a video published on Youtube on December 29, 2021, the Norwegian version of the South Korean K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tank (MBT), called K2NO, has arrived in Norway to participate in a winter trial. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link The K2NO main battle tank arrives in Noway to conduct winter trials. (Picture source Print Screen Youtube video Mogens Rasmus Mogensen) In November 2020, Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen has presented Norwegian defense plans for the renewal of the countrys MBTs. According to these plans, Norway intends to field the new tanks from 2025. So far, it has already selected two possible contenders, after having evaluated up to nine options, the last of which were to acquire new platforms or upgrade the current fleet of Leopard 2A4 tanks currently operated by the Norwegian army. Norway purchased 52 Leopard 2 A4 MBTs from the Netherlands in 2001 and adapted them to Norwegian requirements, with 36 currently active. Norway has rejected the option to upgrade its fleet of Leopard 2A4 Finally and has opted for the acquisition of a new main battle tank. Two candidates are shortlisted: the South Korean K-2 Black Panther tank and the German Leopard 2A7. Norway plans to acquire 200 MBTs and the winner could be selected in 2025. In November 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Korean Company Hyundai Rotem has unveiled the K2NO, the Norwegian proposal of the South Korean K2 Black Panther MBT during the ADEX 2021 defense exhibition in South Korea. According to technical features published by the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, the K2NO will be based on the original South Korean K2 MBT but modified according to specific requirements of the Norwegian armed forces. The K2NO has a crew of three including a commander, gunner, and loader. The tank has a combat weight of 61.5 tons with a length of 10.8 m, a width of 3.6 m, and a height of 2.4 m. The K2NO seems to keep the design of the K2 MBT but fitted with a new turret fitted with additional active protection armor as well as the Israeli APS (Active Protection System) with radar antennas mounted on each side at the front of the turret. The trophy is a military active protection system (APS) designed by the Israeli company Rafael to protect combat vehicles from ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades, anti-tank rockets, and tank HEAT (High-explosive Anti-Tank) rounds. The K2NO is armed with a CN08 120 mm 55 caliber smoothbore gun indigenously developed by Agency for Defense Development and Hyundai Wia. The 120mm gun can fire about 10 rounds per minute. With a total supply of 40 various rounds, the Black Panther can rain hellfire on an enemy position for nearly three minutes before needing resupply. A total of 16 rounds are stored in the autoloader and 24 rounds are stored inside the hull. The top of the turret is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station from the Norwegian company Kongsberg which is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The K2 is motorized with an MTU MT-883 Ka-501 4-cycle, 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developing 1,500 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission. The tank can reach a maximum road speed of 65 km/h and 50 km/h in off-road conditions with a maximum cruising range of 450 km. The suspension on each side consists of six dual rubber-tired road wheels, track-return rollers with the drive sprocket at the rear, and idler at the front. More than 17 crore informal sector workers have registered themselves on the e-Shram portal The Code on Social Security provides for creating a social security fund that will help in bringing informal sector workers under the social security net as well as welfare schemes. (Representional Image: PTI) New Delhi: Ushering in a big wave of reforms by implementing the four labour codes, setting up the national social security fund to cover over 38 crore informal sector workers and improving the ease of doing business will top the agenda of the labour ministry in the New Year. In a major move, the ministry launched the e-Shram portal on August 26, 2021 for creating a national database of over 38 crore informal sector workers. It will help the government to ensure last-mile delivery of benefits of various social security schemes to the informal-sector workers. So far, the progress in pushing ahead with the labour codes, has been considerable as most of the states are ready with draft rules for the four codes and the Centre had firmed up the rules from its end, back in February 2021. The latter is a prerequisite for enforcing the new codes. On the tall order of enforcing the codes in 2022, that would eventually aid creation of the social security fund for the informal sector workers, Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav told PTI, "we are working on that. We are committed to social security. We are committed to the welfare of labour. For that purpose, whatever will be (required), we want to do." More than 17 crore informal sector workers have registered themselves on the e-Shram portal. The central government has notified four labour codes. The Code on Wages, 2019, was notified on August 8, 2019 while the three others -- the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 -- were notified on September 29, 2020. The Code on Social Security provides for creating a social security fund that will help in bringing informal sector workers under the social security net as well as welfare schemes. Expressing hope that all informal sector workers will be registered on the e-Shram portal in 2022, Yadav said, "we have taken many initiatives which show our government takes care of poor persons, especially the e-Shram portal launched by our ministry under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which got a huge response. "The purpose is to register the data of the unorganised workers and that is the mandate under the social security code. I am also happy that all trade unions have wholeheartedly supported this mission." About the progress on the implementation of the labour codes, Yadav, earlier this month, told the Rajya Sabha that Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code is the only code on which the least number of 13 states have pre-published the draft rules. The highest number of draft notifications are pre-published on The Code on Wages by 24 states/UTs followed by The Industrial Relations Code (20 states) and The Code on Social Security (18) states. Experts are of the view that the implementation of labour codes will not be that easy as it appears because there are differences with trade unions as well as the industry. One of the key issues is about the definition of wages which caps allowances at 50 per cent and provides for higher deduction of provident fund and gratuity. Once implemented, such a move will mean that eventually the take home salary of employees will come down and the employers will also be required to restructure the salaries' structure. Besides, there is a provision in the industrial relations code that any unit with up to 300 workers will not need permission from the appropriate government for closure, retrenchment and lay off. At present, the threshold is 100 workers. Besides, the trade unions also claim that there are other provisions which make forming trade unions a little cumbersome. "We are also ready to talk on issues under tripartite (arrangement). So many forums have already been active," Yadav said. According to the minister, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) meetings have been regularised. "For the purpose of human resource management, infrastructure, IT, capacity building and public grievances, we have already appointed sub-committees under EPFO as well as ESIC. It will boost the functioning of the ministry," he pointed out. Regarding evidence-based policy making in 2022, the minister mentioned four surveys on migrant labour, domestic workers and two institution surveys. "Those reports will come (in 2022) and will definitely fulfill the Prime Minister's views and mission, that is evidence-based policy and targeted last-mile delivery. I think that will happen with that. Apart from that, we are strengthening our NCS (National Career Service) portal," he said. As on December 28, 2021, NCS platform has 1.34 crore active jobseekers with around 1.7 lakh active employers and around 2.21 lakh active vacancies. In 2021, the ESI Scheme was expanded to 52 districts, bringing 2,31,495 employees along with their family members under it. The scheme is now available in 592 districts and it is proposed to extend the coverage of the scheme to all districts in the country by 2022. Under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY), as on December 18, total benefits of Rs 2,966.28 crore have been given to 42,82,688 beneficiaries through 1,20,697 establishments. Mr Modi inaugurated six projects worth Rs 3,420 crores and laid the foundation stones of 17 others worth Rs 14,127 crores New Delhi: Accusing successive Congress governments in the border state of Uttarakhand of ignoring national security and looting the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 17,500 crores, including the Rs 5,747-crore multi-purpose Lakhwar project, which was pending for over four decades. Mr Modi, who addressed a massive public rally in Haldwani, accused the Opposition of spreading lies against the BJP, which he said was committed to develop the state. This was Mr Modis second visit to the poll-bound state this month. Along with connectivity, every aspect of national security was ignored earlier; made our Army only wait for One Rank, One Pension, modern weapons, bulletproof jackets and even to give a strong answer to terrorists. They (previous governments) always insulted our Army Uttarakhand has completed 20 years of its formation. In these years, you have also seen such people running the government who used to say you may loot Uttarakhand, but save my government. These people looted Uttarakhand with both hands, said the PM at the gathering. Saying the public now knows their (Oppositions) truth, Mr Modi said: These people have started a new business of rumours manufacturing, spreading, and then screaming about it. These Uttarakhand rebels are spreading rumours about the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line as well. Accusing successive Congress governments at the Centre and in the state of dragging their feet for decades on development projects meant for the states people, forcing them to migrate from their villages, Mr Modi said: Wasnt it sinful on the part those who were in power before us to delay the project. Would you forget their sin? Mr Modi inaugurated six projects worth Rs 3,420 crores and laid the foundation stones of 17 others worth Rs 14,127 crores. The inaugurated projects include three different stretches of the Char Dham all-weather road, which have been widened, Nagina-Kashipur National Highway, Suring Gad hydel project and sewage works under the Namami Gange programme at Nainital. An AIIMS satellite centre for Kumaon worth Rs 500 crores, the Moradabad-Kashipur four-lane road, improved road connectivity with Nepal and an Aroma Park in Kashipur are among key projects whose foundation stones were laid by the PM. The Lakhwar multi-purpose project will produce 300 MW of electricity. The 330 million cubic metres water in its reservoir will supply irrigation and drinking water to six states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. On his last visit to Uttarakhand on December 4, Mr Modi had unveiled projects worth over Rs 18,000 crores in Dehradun, besides addressing an election rally. Corbevax was recently granted emergency approval by the Indian govt and will be manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E Houston: Corbevax, a 'recombinant protein sub-unit' vaccine developed by Texas-based vaccine developers, was recently granted emergency approval by the Indian government and will be manufactured by the Hyderabad-based company Biological E, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers. This "old school" coronavirus vaccine has been developed by Prof. Peter Hotez, co-director of Texas Children's Hospitals Center for Vaccine Development and the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, along with his longtime collaborator Maria Elena Bottazzi. The scientist duo is already in discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO) for vaccine approvals to vaccinate developing and under-vaccinated world. "Biological E has started the discussions with the World Health Organization. We have been in some discussions as well. We want to make this as widely available as possible, especially to people who live in poverty," Prof Hotez told ANI in a virtual interview. Hotez stressed how Corbevax "checks many of the boxes" for global health and is easy to scale, has a great track record of safety, simple refrigeration and more. "It's really almost ideal target product profile. So we are finding out from the World Health Organization, what they need, either for pre-qualification or emergency use listing. I think those discussions are now underway," the vaccine developer further added. Corbevax has been given emergency use authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). It's expected to roll out in India and then be made available in other under-vaxxed countries after that. The Government of India has already ordered 300 million doses of the vaccine. BioE plans to produce 100 million or more doses per month starting in February. Approximately 150 million doses have already been produced and are ready to roll out. In addition BioE plans to deliver more than one billion additional doses to other countries. "Corbevax is an old school vaccine and is made through microbial fermentation in yeast, similar to the process used to produce the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine," explains Hotez. Experts are of the opinion that protein-based COVID-19 vaccines could be game-changing in the coming days. "I think the advantage of the mRNA technology is you can make a piece of mRNA very quickly. So you can go into populations quickly the disadvantage of mRNA and like any brand new technology, there's not that steep knowledge of how to make it in the billions of doses right away," Hotez adds. "A balanced portfolio with a vaccine-like ours that takes a little longer to make because it takes longer to make protein than mRNA. But in the end, you'll make it because you can scale it up for the world because it's made locally," says Hotez. Pegged as a low-cost yet highly effective vaccine, Hotez and his team aims to achieve global vaccine equity and overcome vaccine hesitancy and refusal. "Delta [variant] rose out of an unvaccinated population in India earlier this year and look at Omicron it arose out of an unvaccinated population out of southern Africa. So Mother Nature is telling us what she has in store for us. As long as we refuse to vaccinate Africa, Asia and Latin America, she will continue to throw variants around the world and it's amazing that people do not seem to understand that they somehow think that if they vaccinate their own populations in Europe and North America that seems to be good enough and, and it's not," Prof Hotez asserted. Hotez and Bottazzi would not personally get a penny from it and Corbevax is being shared patent-free. "It's been my dream to use science to help humanity," Hotez exclaimed. "It's it kind of brings things full circle that we have been able to make this contribution where we don't seek to make money we seek to help help the world," Prof Hotez told ANI. For some vaccine developers the pandemic resulted in billion of dollars in profits apart from receiving huge amounts of public funding to produce the vaccines, developers Hotez and Bottazzi developed CORBEVAX with USD 7 million from mostly private investors and minimal help from the U.S. government. "The problem was an upstream failure. That there was so much reliance on new technologies what I sometimes call "the shiny new toys," Hotez said. "The problem was we never got support. I mean, it was no we never got real support from the US government or from the G7 countries. So it was a very dark time for me personally, early on in this pandemic," Hotez told ANI. When asked about the efficacy of the vaccine and how much impact the vaccine will have Hotez asserted that DCGI approval is a strong sign that the vaccine is safe and effective. "they're (DCGI) not letting any vaccine out the door unless it's both safe and effective. So, I think you'll have a pretty good choice." In India where only 40 per cent of the country's 1.38 billion people are reported to be fully vaccinated, Hotez says there is an urgent need for everyone to be vaccinated "whatever your physician or healthcare provider recommends get that vaccine." Corbevax has completed two Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 at 33 study sites across India. The vaccine was found to be safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic according to BioE. India is slowly turning its focus towards vaccinating children against the coronavirus, having administered over 100 crore doses to adults. Hotez reckoned Corbevax can make a difference. For now, the vaccine is approved for 18 years and above, but Hotez is confident that going forward Corbevax could be used for pediatric healthcare and even as boosters. From the general of repression in Myanmar to the courageous nun in Kabul, from the voices of freedom in prison in Hong Kong to the Jesuit who died after eight months in jail in India: we retrace these twelve months in Asia through the stories of some key figures that we have told on AsiaNews. Denied freedoms and testimonies of hope, emerging political leaders and simple people who have done something extraordinary for others: this is how we have described Asia over the past twelve months in the articles of AsiaNews. On the last day of 2021, we would like to try to retrace the main events in Asia through 10 symbolic figures who in our opinion have marked the year that is coming to an end. MIN AUNG HLAING (Myanmar) Myanmar's dramatic year 2021 has the face of a lone military ruler - sadly re-emerging from the past -: the face of General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, whose coup on 1 February cancelled the results of the elections of 8 November 2020, which had been won decisively by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, now once again in prison. The self-proclaimed prime minister cracked down on pro-democracy street protests with an iron fist and multiplied atrocities against the insurgent ethnic militias. According to the online newspaper Irrawaddy, at least 1,382 people have been killed by the military in Myanmar since the beginning of February. JIMMY LAI and LEE CHEUK-YAN (Hong Kong) If there is a date that more than any other symbolises 2021 for Hong Kong, it is 17 June, the day of the police raid on the headquarters of Apple Daily, the independent newspaper of pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai, who has already been in jail for months for his participation in the vigil that commemorates the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre in Hong Kong every year and in the demonstrations in support of democracy in 2019. Stifled financially after the passing of the Beijing-imposed national security law that wiped out any possibility of freely expressing one's opinion, Apple Daily was forced to close down. Appearing before the court, Lee Cheuk yan described the annual 4 June vigil in memory of the 1989 Beijing crackdown as 'the fight of memory against forgetting'. ZHAO LIJIAN (China) In Beijing, 2021 was another year in the sign of Xi Jinping, with his mark on the centenary celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party but also with the "historic resolution" with which the Plenum elevated him to the rank of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. This leadership has not been immune to economic difficulties and internal struggles within the Party, but strongly projected on the international scene. It is also for this reason that in the past twelve months, the face of Zhao Lijian, the fierce spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the undisputed leader of the "wolf warriors" of Chinese diplomacy, has been increasingly affirmed. From misinformation on Covid-19 to broadsides on Taiwan, Zhao is increasingly the interpreter of Xi's aspirations for China-s place in tomorrow's world balance. STAN SWAMY (India) Not even a year of pandemic bringing India to its knees has stopped the violence of Hindu nationalists against local Christians, which in some states such as Karnataka has reached unprecedented levels. However, one face above all summarizes this drama for 2021: that of Fr Stan Swamy, a Jesuit who died in a hospital in Mumbai on 5 July after more than eight months spent in prison on charges of "terrorism" for his commitment to tribal rights in Jharkhand. Left in prison at the age of 83 with Parkinson's disease on the basis of false accusations fabricated with sophisticated computer systems. A victim of violent persecution endorsed by Indian institutions, even before the Covid contracted in prison fatally weakened his body. ALEXEJ NAVAL'NYJ (Russia) 2021 was also the year of Aleksej Naval'nyj, the Russian anti-corruption blogger who has become the best-known face of the opposition to Vladimir Putin. Arrested on 17 January on his return to Russia five months after an attempted poisoning in Siberia, Naval'nyi was sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment, which he is serving in Pokrov correctional camp no.2. In September, the elections once again saw the party of President United Russia secure an absolute majority in the Duma, allowing it to amend the Constitution at will. SHANHAZ BHATTI (Afghanistan) Kabul back in the hands of the Taliban was the news that dominated the summer of 2021. A heavy return, an icon of the profound contradictions of twenty years of Western presence, the price of which has been paid by the Afghan civilian population with the rights denied to women and now also with the extremely serious food crisis affecting millions of people. Within this gigantic drama in 2021, we told the story of Sr Shanhaz Bhatti, a Pakistani nun who built bridges of friendship in Kabul by taking care of a group of disabled people through the association "Pro Bambini di Kabul". She too was forced to leave the country in August, but the seed she sowed in this land remains alive through the relations she continues to maintain from Italy with those who have been abandoned to their fate without support in Kabul. In the hope of being able to return one day. MARIA RESSA (Philippines) 2021 was also the year that the Nobel Peace Prize returned to Asia, when Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, founder of the independent website Rappler, was awarded the prize together with her Russian colleague Dmitri Muratov. The Nobel Prize to Maria Ressa has put the spotlight on the serious human rights violations in Rodrigo Duterte's Philippines and on the convulsive electoral campaign for the 2022 presidential elections where the main favourite today is Fernando Marcos Jr, the son of the former dictator deposed in 1986. But in her acceptance speech in Oslo, Maria Ressa also took task with the social media industry, which she blamed for the crisis of democracy and the spread of violence in countries such as the Philippines. FUMIO KISHIDA (Japan) After pandemic mismanagement overwhelmed predecessor Yoshihide Suga, Japan saw the rise of a new premier, Fumio Kishida, in the final months of 2021. A former foreign minister, he surprisingly won the Liberal Democratic Party primaries in late September and passed the first election test on 31 October. The recovery of the Japanese economy after the shock caused by Covid-19 is the main challenge facing the new premier. MANSOUR ABBAS (Israel) For Israel, 2021 was the year when the 12 year reign of Benjamin Netanyahu came to an end when he had to step down as head of government. His place has been taken by Naftali Bennet, a politician who also comes from the Israeli right, but at the head of a very heterogeneous coalition that also includes an unexpected ally until yesterday: the Arab Ra'am party of the pragmatic Islamist Mansour Abbas. By guaranteeing his (decisive) support, Abbas has broken a taboo by officially bringing a representation of Israeli Arabs, to the government. These are Arabs who are to all intents and purposes citizens of Israel as descendants of those who in 1948, especially in Galilee, decided not to abandon their homes, but to remain living in Israel. He pragmatically aims to obtain results for their communities but in a difficult balance in a government that does not hold back at all on the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. CAMILLA HADDAD (Iraq) Among all of our stories from the Middle East in 2021, the tale of Camilla Haddad, an elderly Christian woman from Mosul, saved by a Muslim family stands out. The family took her in and hosted her during the early stages of the rise of the Islamic State in Mosul, when the jihadist militias imposed sharia law through violence and massacres. Elias Abu Ahmed and his wife looked after her, while their children regarded her as their grandmother. Today she is 98 years old, still in good shape and in recent months she met the Chaldean Patriarch in Baghdad. There was a time though when Dodge represented far more than just a three-vehicle brand. A time when it made something America has an incredible love for, namely pickup trucks. In fact, well into the modern age, trucks were one of companys main products, as who can forget it was the Dodge Ram that was spun off into a separate brand dedicated to this type of vehicle?Dodge began making trucks as far back as 1914, and the models of those early years are still desirable for some car collectors. Enough so that old Dodge pickups with modern touches are still being sold from garages all over America.We found this 1935 example sitting on the lot of cars sold by Classic Auto Mall. Street rodded to some degree, it wears a price tag that is higher than what Dodge is asking for its entry-level muscle cars today, namely $37,000.For that, the future owner gets a purple machine with some sort of airbrush art on its body, riding on 14-inch wheels up front and 15-inch ones at the rear, and an interior, accessible by means of suicide doors, that comes in gray vinyl, purple paint cut wood, and touches of chrome.Making the truck stand out in the crowd is the lack of a tailgate to hide the teak, mahogany and chrome bed at the rear. Somehow, the unnamed builder of this truck managed to integrate the lack of a tailgate perfectly into the design, giving one the feeling thats how the thing was supposed to be from the get-go.At the opposite end, the open hood hides a 350ci (5.7-liter) crate engine of undisclosed power, rocking 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetors and a 4-speed manual transmission. According to the garage selling this, there are no miles on the engine since the build was completed. You may know him as the man whose $66 million donations to the Smithsonian Institute allowed for an official annex of Washington D.C.s Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. What we can gather from this is that Mr. Udvar-Hazy is A, a very big fan of aviation, and B, richer than most of us can comprehend. But that would be a gross oversimplification of a life lived perpetually at the turning point of history. A story of a man who escaped authoritarian regimes to find his way in America.Before Steven Udvar-Hazy was the executive chairman of the Air Lease Corporation, he was a typical son of working-class Hungarians born in Budapest shortly after the end of the Second World War. Hungary, along with most of its neighbors were absorbed into the emerging Warsaw Pact in this time period. It was a life full of drudgery, oppression, and a lack of access to opportunities that Udvar-Hazy could only dream of as a child.Like so many of us, Udvar-Hazy's kindled a lifelong love of all the machines that fly. Further still, the young Hungarian had always wished to access the model airplanes that children in the west took for granted or even neglected. In a spurt of genius that foreshadowed his rise to fortune, he decided to take matters into his own hands.After emigrating to the United States via New York City at the age of 12, Udvar-Hazy became a frequent visitor to New York's Laguardia and Idlewild (later John. F Kennedy) Airports. There, he observed the airliners in the area and carefully mapped out their flight paths. It was an experience that came in very handy when he opened one of the first airliner leasing ventures, International Lease Finance Corporation. Udvar-Hazy left the company to found Air Lease Corporation in 2010.Using common household items like paper, nail polish, chewing gum, and matchsticks, Udvar-Hazy forged his very own models. Models that depicted western aircraft like that, according to the communist party, didn't even exist officially. Icons like the Douglas DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation airliners. But also lesser-known models like the Curtis Commando cargo freighter and the Grumman S2F Tracker AWACS aircraft.Long after most mass-produced models of the period have fallen apart and been lost to history, Udvar-Hazy's models remain. Encased for all to see in the museum's main lobby that Udvar-Hazy helped bring to life. Check back for more from our visit to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center real soon, right here on autoevolution Just for a laugh, let's bring you one of the silliest aircraft designs of the war, the Bell P-39 Aerocobra. Bell Aircraft had a bit of a dodgy beginning in its time before it transitioned to helicopter manufacturing full time. How the public viewed the company's aircraft depended on which Air Force you served in.If you were an American about to be shot to pieces over the Pacific Ocean by Japanese Zeroes, you probably didn't have much to say about it, assuming you lived to tell the story. But if you were a Soviet pilot duking it out with German Bf-109s, you probably had a more favorable opinion.The failure of the Bell Airocuda didn't help matters. The twin-engined pusher plane had a habit of dumping toxic smoke into the cabin whenever its machine guns were fired. More so, it also had a nasty habit of turning its crew into sausage filling if they tried to bail out in front of the rear-facing propellers.Bell needed something unique to stay in the good graces of the U.S. Military. Their answer to a request for an Allison V-1710 V12 powered interceptor was a mid-engined single-propeller aircraft with its powerplant mounted behind the cockpit in the middle of the fuselage behind a series of access doors.Thus was the genesis of the original XP-39. It was to carry a General Electric turbo-supercharging system that would soon be adopted by other aircraft in Allied forces. Unlike in supercars, the primary purpose of mounting the engine middle in such an aircraft was not the weight distribution, like in a Ferrari.Instead, it was to ensure enough room in the nose section to mount a devastating air-to-air machine cannon. Bell would settle on the 39 mm M4 autocannon for this purpose. The engine was connected to the propeller at the front of the aircraft via a very long driveshaft.The aircraft was one of the first to employ a tricycle landing gear rather than the traditional tail-sitter configuration. More than enough historic firsts than lots of other aircraft of the period. Ultimately, opinions on the design differed more by country than any other reason. American pilots quickly realized the Airacobra was more or less useless at high altitude dogfighting in the Pacific Theater.To add to problems, the mid-engined layout meant the Airacobra didn't stall in a deliberate and relatively easy to recover manner. Instead, the engine's weight sitting right in the middle of the airframe would cause it to fall out of the sky in a flat spin like a brick. A pretty horrifying notion when the sky is full of Japanese Zero fighters ready to make you a statistic. The Soviets countered this issue in two ways.Firstly, by fighting at low to medium altitudes instead of higher ones and not stalling the aircraft in the first place. For every bit of contempt the Americans may have felt towards the P-39, the Soviets equally adored it. Soviet pilots lauded the plane for its impressive medium-altitude performance and its hard-hitting main cannon. It was enough firepower to counter the FW-190 and ME-109 Bf onslaught levied by the German Luftwaffe day after day on the Eastern Front.Further still, pilots learned that removing the wing-mounted guns made the P-39 just as maneuverable as its German rivals. Over four thousand Airacobras were Lend-Leased to the Soviet Union, many serving until the end of the 1940s. The Airacobra also served with the Italian, Portuguese, and Australian Air Forces during its career. Its most iconic moments came not with American forces but ones abroad.Today, Airacobras are on display in museums across the globe. But for our money, the very coolest example sits inside the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Here, a P-39Q variant of the Aerocobra is portrayed in a large winter diorama that shows a model ground crew servicing the aircraft with an engine block heater during the time of the Aleutians Campaign in 1942.During this campaign, the airframe was flown by Lt. Leslie Spoonts of the 57th Fighter Squadron. Displayed next to the aircraft is a true-to-life replica of how an Airacobra drive train and armament system functioned. It's beyond bonkers that such intricate technology was implemented into an airplane that was meant to be built quickly, cheaply, and promptly.That didn't stop Bell from building nearly ten thousand of them. Most Ferraris don't get made in those numbers, and they claim to be experts in mid-engined designs. Stay tuned for more airplane profiles right here on autoevolution. So how did the Netflix sensation show get to have a Shelby Cobra replica? It all started in April 2020, when Brad Gouldsmith, CEO of Preston Ashford Media Group, reached out to Cobra Kai's producer, Jon Hurwitz, with the idea to put a Cobra replica on the show.Gouldsmith offered to coordinate the project and knew exactly who to turn to. As a media creator for replica cars builder, Superformance , he introduced CEO Lance Strader and Hurwitz. What the company usually does is build a complete car without the engine and transmission, leaving the final customer to pick the power unit he wants.Together with Downforce Motorsports, they selected the vehicle that would become Terry Silver's Cobra. The model in question is a 1965 Shelby Cobra replica car, and the chosen Superformance MKIII is the only Cobra replica built under license from Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc.Its power comes from a Smeding Performance 351W base 427-cubic inch engine, and is transferred through a TKO600 five-speed manual transmission, delivering 592 horsepower (600 ps). For an aggressive look and better handling, the vehicle has been fitted with Halibrand wheels.Terry Silver's Cobra couldn't be any other color but silver, and they knew it since October 2020, even before actually choosing the car, which was to happen later, in December 2020. Its exterior is finished in Viper Steel Grey with black LeMans stripes and red pinstripes. Inside, the replica is all black. In March 2021, the car arrived on set, all ready to shine.This project has taken its sweet time to complete, spreading over one year and a half until the show premiered, but the result was satisfying. Unfortunately, the MKIII doesn't have a leading role in the show, and it briefly appears as one of Terry Silver's cars in his driveway for a few-seconds shot, between his Ferrari California and Mercedes-Maybach.When filming for the fourth season of Cobra Kai ended, the vehicle was sold to a private owner who lives in South Carolina.The Karate Kid Part III's actor Sean Kanan also stopped by Superformance's showroom to check it out, and was amazed when he checked out the models they have there, saying that it was like a childhood dream come true. The ad for the crossover was released earlier this month and features pop star Amr Diab as the male lead. He is the owner and driver of the C4, and its through his eyes that viewers get to experience the many features on the French car, including the front-facing camera on the rearview mirror. It is this one that got Citroen in trouble since Diab uses it to take a strange womans photo without her permission.You can see the ad in full at the bottom of the page. While the carmaker has pulled it from its media channels, it is still available online on Diabs Twitter.Diab is shown at the wheel of the C4 , driving through town, when he almost runs over a woman at a crossing. Mesmerized by her beauty, he uses the rearview mirror camera to snap her photo and, later on, is shown in a relationship with her. According to countless viewers and public figures, the fact that he took her photo without her permission and maybe used it to track her down so he could ask her on a date is nothing short of sexual harassment. And this ad normalizes this kind of behavior.The video came under heavy fire on social media, where it was labeled anything from creepy to very poor taste, the BBC reports. Against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, the French carmaker was left with no other choice but to pull the ad and apologize for it.Citroen cares for all communities in the countries where we operate and we do not tolerate any form of harassment, the carmaker says. We deeply regret and understand the negative interpretation of this part of this film. With our business partner in Egypt, we took the decision to withdraw this commercial from all Citroen channels and we present our sincere apologies to all offended communities by this film.This isnt the first time, and it will certainly not be the last when a carmaker is backed into a corner and forced to pull marketing materials for being offensive or just plain wrong. The frequency of this occurrence is a commentary on how carmakers and PRs must work harder to read the proverbial room before making a statement or face backlash from the same community theyre trying to cater to. Videos shared online show the ice-clad carrier ship in the port of Vladivostok while unloading its cargo. Instead of cars, the crane started hoisting more like car-shaped ice cubes from the deck of the Sun Rio Roll-on-Roll-off carrier. People who witnessed the event said the ice was 6-inch thick on some cars . The weather was particularly harsh in Vladivostok this time, and at -2F (-19C) there was no point in waiting for the ice to melt. Instead, the cars had to be removed from the ice crust using crowbars and other unconventional tools.Some cars were more affected than others, as the waves broke the windows and the cars' interiors filled up with water before freezing. Were not sure whether these cars are still worth anything, but being Russia we assume they might not be scrapped. Salty seawater and metal dont make a very good combination, but were sure the cars will look pristine when theyll reach the market, if only for a while.This is by no means an isolated event, as humid sea winds coupled with sub-zero air temperatures often result in ship icing. It is a dangerous phenomenon too, as the icy build-up makes the ship top-heavy, which increases the risk of capsizing, reports Marine Insight.Sun Rio is one of the smaller cars carriers with a gross tonnage of 7,578 tons. It was built in Japan in 1911 by Yamanishi Shipbuilding & Iron Works. Unlike other more specialized car carriers, this one does not carry all its cargo below deck. As such, some cars are completely exposed to the elements during the crossing. SUV As company representatives noted, they have a 90 percent overall sell-through rate, and the added total of the vehicles that were sold through them is the highest in the entire industry this year on a global scale.Unfortunately, we cannot verify that claim since we do not have data from Mecum's competitors across the world. However, browsing through their auctions this year would prove that they sold numerous valuable vehicles, and they do add up if you think about it.Their first auction of the year resulted in $141.2 million in sales, which was the highest-ever total in Mecum's history. That auction resulted in the sale of Carroll Shelby's personal 427 Cobra , which exchanged owners for $5.94 million. Evidently, that made it the most valuable 427 Cobra ever sold at a public auction and too expensive to drive on public roads ever again.Mecum Auctions also helped sell the most expensive Ford Bronco in the world, which also became the most valuableever sold at a public auction. We are referring to " Big Oly ," which sold for $1.87 million.The Bronco in question won the 1971 and 1972 Baja 1000 races, as well as the 1972 Baja 500 and 1973 Mint 400. It came from Parnelli Jones' personal collection, and he was also the person to drive it to victory, which made everything even cooler.Mecum also sold $18 million worth of motorcycles during its April 2021 Las Vegas auction, which started out with 1,214 units for sale and had a 95 percent sell-through rate. The latter is considered astounding in the industry. The sell-through rate measures the amount of inventory sold within a period relative to the amount of inventory received in the same time period. SUV In case someone is worried about how winter might affect the potential of ultra-luxury automakers to showcase their latest special edition crossover SUVs, there is something to alleviate the concerns. In a casually snowy environment, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Europe has proudly highlighted on social media the Moscow, Russia-based debut of a bespoke collection of ultra-posh SUVs. At night and during a snowfall!But it seems the five Cullinans did not mind that at all. After all, theyre part of the new, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Moscows exclusive Black and Bright collection of bespokefashion statements. The custom luxury crossovers have been inspired by the mood of Moscow as it shifts to night.And they would be easy to observe even in pitch darkness because theyre not members of the boring white or gray category. They are not even that black, although all five do belong to the Black Badge series. Instead, Rolls-Royce opted for a range of brightly colored bespoke paintjobs: Twilight Purple, Forge Yellow, Magma Red, Orange Metallic, and Turchese.On the other hand, theyre not entirely original either. Rolls-Royce itself notifies us that it is not the first time we are seeing a Black and Bright collection. As such, the custom Black Badge Cullinans follow in the footsteps of a successful Black and Bright Wraith collection from a couple of years earlier. So, perhaps its not necessary to book the first flight to Moscow to secure an example, after all...Besides, the luxury British automaker has refrained from giving too many specific details. So, there is no word on technical capabilities (one can assume its a stock 6.75-liter V12 story in there). As well as no clues towards the colorful one-of-a-kind interiors and their bespoke, exposed carbon-fiber and posh leather arrangements...Luckily, we do have a couple of videos embedded below in exchange for the mystery. While everyones eyes are on the adventures of the James Webb telescope, Russia performed a third demonstration flight of its Angara A5 rocket. This is not only the newest heavy launch vehicle designed and built by Russia after the fall of the USSR 30 years ago, but it also has a strategic importance. According to NASA, the new rocket was meant to be launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which meant that the country would no longer rely exclusively on the Baikonur one. Having more space launch sites is essential for ensuring a significant presence in space.Its been a very long road for the Angara rocket, which started its development process in 1992. The first model conducted the first launch 22 years after the project began. The Angara A5, which is the heavy-lift variant, was also launched in 2014 from Plesetsk. Its second flight would only come six years later.The demonstration conducted on December 27 marks Angara A5s third flight. The rocket was supposed to deliver a 5,291-lb (2,400 kg) payload to the near geostationary orbit (GEO). The mass simulator represented a geostationary communications satellite that was meant to be placed in what is called a graveyard orbit. However, it seems that the Persei upper stage only reached the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) before an engine failure caused it to stop.Although technically there was a Persei failure, which NASA says could call for additional tests, the Angara A5 rocket completed the three demonstrations flights that confirm its operational status. Three more flights are scheduled for 2022. In a short time, Russia hopes to be launching as many as 20 Angara A5 rockets per year, Zenger reports. When you get your hands on a car for the first time, you need some space, and Sergi Galiano and his team got just that. While they were in Gran Canaria, they had the famous Circuito Maspalomas all to themselves to test out the upgraded version of Audi R8. He didn't acknowledge that, though.With 19-inch light-alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch on the rear axle, the car came in Ascari Blue Metallic, and its as beautiful as powerful. Its powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine which delivers 562 horsepower (570 ps) and makes it flash its way from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 3.8 seconds.While Audi is known for its four-wheel drive, one of the most notable features of the R8 Performance is that it comes with rear-wheel drive, a feature introduced in 2018 wit the RWS version and continued to the R8 RWD in 2019 and 2021 Performance version. It's something Galiano fails to mention in the over eight-minute video.The next generation, however, will see a substantial change for the Audi R8, if there is even one . Similar to other famous automakers, the German brand will also switch to all-electric starting 2023.Coming back to Sergi Galianos testing, he gives us a tour of the inside of the supercar, which comes with beautifully sewn outlines on the two seats, and a lot of carbon fiber inserts all across the dash, the center console, and a/c vents. The Performance version has a steering wheel with four control satellites for the Audi drive select, and a button to activate the performance mode and control the screen that is part of Audi's virtual cockpit.As he drives it, he shares he doesnt want to get to the danger zone, so he keeps it almost casual with some donuts in the coupe version , and trying out the Launch Control option with the Spyder with the top down, which he absolutely loved. Nathan, his camera man, also jokes that, after sprinting from zero to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in the 3.8 seconds, he has a broken rib.While filming, Sergi and Nathan were interrupted by a fan who wanted to take a picture with the R8 Performance, because, who wouldnt? The car enthusiast also politely asks Galiano to turn on the engine to hear it roar, but he was in for a surprise because the Supercar Blondie host offered to let him do that. It really looked like Christmas, Easter, and New Years Eve all in one for the lucky fan who got to sit in the Performance version of the supercar. He wasnt allowed to drive it, just turn on the engine, but hey, its still an achievement. That brings the total number to 675,059, but it is sure to rise even more. The Model S is only produced in Fremont. That means all Model S units in the world are also subject to this recall if they were built between September 16, 2014, and December 23, 2020, as SAMR disclosed Concerning the Tesla Model 3, it is a bit more complicated. Apart from being produced exclusively in Fremont until Giga Shanghai started manufacturing operations on October 14, 2019, units made in China are also affected. Tesla said that there are 144,208 Chinese Model 3s among the affected cars, which includes those made from when the factory began production until December 27, 2020.It seems that the correction Tesla promoted on September 30, 2020, in Fremont only reached Giga Shanghai on December 27. But theres more: those 144,208 that will be recalled in China are the ones that remained in the country. Giga Shanghai became an export platform, meaning that there are probably many more of these defective EVs in Europe, Australia, and other markets that get these cars.Apart from the 144,208 locally-made EVs, China will also have to fix 35,836 Model 3 units imported from the U.S. and 19,697 Model Ss, leading to the 199,741 EVs that will require repairs in that country.Soon we will have news about the same measures in other countries. Considering how many Tesla Model 3 units Giga Shanghai exports, It would not surprise us that the number is much higher than the 675,059 we have so far. After all, the Model 3 is Tesla's best-selling car and a big chunk of the more than 1 million cars it has produced so far. Also last month, Toyota received a report from a dealer alleging a sudden loss of power steering assist and fluid leak from the gear assembly involving a vehicle that had been repaired with a new power steering gear assembly.JTEKT, which is the company that supplied the assembly, informed Toyota of an incorrectly shaped groove where the circlip is fitted because one of the four pieces of equipment that machine this groove had damaged teeth on the cutting tool. Although the root cause is cut and dried, Toyota says the power steering assist loss depends on the vehicle driving condition.Increased steering effort isnt exactly the end of the world if youre accustomed to older cars, but nevertheless, losing power assistance while tackling a winding road is a terrifying development even for those with decades of driving experience. Due to an increased risk of a crash, Toyota had to call back certain 2008 to 2022 Sequoias and 2007 to 2021 Tundras.The first recall involved 22,462 vehicles of which 25 percent were estimated with the aforementioned issue. On this occasion, Toyota has added 151 vehicles to the grand total, trucks and SUVs that received faulty service parts. These vehicles will have their steering gear assemblies replaced at no charge whatsoever. Owner notifications will occur by February 21st, 2022.Toyota may have updated the half-ton pickup from the ground up for 2022, but curiously enough, the Japanese automaker hasnt mentioned when the Sequoia will follow suit. The carparazzi spotted a heavily camouflaged prototype with production-ready body panels in September 2021 in Texas, which means that its most likely coming for the 2023 model year. Still to this day, that was one of the best nights of my life. The Kakimoto cat-back exhaust felt deafening and the acceleration was visceral, to say the least. And the car felt so amazingly controllable, even when going sideways. But that night quickly became a disaster, as I went overboard with my driving, and snapped the The climb is tough, but the view from the top is worth it His passion for the Japanese brand kept growing, and he added two more cars to his garage: a But Mike's plan was clear all along. Although there are several benefits to having a twin-turbo RX-7, he wasn't going to stop at 320 horsepower. The moment I found out what his master plan was, I started shivering with excitement. For years and years, I had been drooling over FEED's monster of a single-turbo FD, and now my fellow rotor head buddy was about to go down the same route. He went down t The way the car feels right now, even while running at about 0.5 bars of boost, is hard to describe in words. The turbo almost sounds like an HKS T51R, and by the time the car gets dyno-tuned, with the help of Xeno, the FD should be up to about 450 horsepower. And if you've ever experienced a rotary car before, you'll understand how impressive that is, especially for a car that's meant to be driven on public roads and not at the racetrack. Still to this day, that was one of the best nights of my life. The Kakimoto cat-back exhaust felt deafening and the acceleration was visceral, to say the least. And the car felt so amazingly controllable, even when going sideways. But that night quickly became a disaster, as I went overboard with my driving, and snapped the FD 's diff. About two months later he managed to bring in a replacement from Japan.And that's one thing about RX-7s you should consider before buying one. You might have to order parts from Japan quite often, as certain replacements are difficult to come by. And ever since Mike got his car, not a month goes by without a new upgrade. The car became even more savage as he fitted an HKS downpipe and mid-pipe. Whenever he's in an underground parking lot, every single alarm will go off, so occasionally he makes use of a silencer as well.His passion for the Japanese brand kept growing, and he added two more cars to his garage: a Mazda 2 and a Mazda 5. The list of upgrades on the 7 also kept getting longer and I'll just point out some of the basics: a kit of SuperPro polyurethane bushings from Australia, a kit of uni-ball bushings from J-Auto in the USA, a Mishimoto thermostat, AEM smart ignition coils, an AEM AFR gauge, and it doesn't stop there.But Mike's plan was clear all along. Although there are several benefits to having a twin-turbo RX-7, he wasn't going to stop at 320 horsepower. The moment I found out what his master plan was, I started shivering with excitement. For years and years, I had been drooling over FEED's monster of a single-turbo FD, and now my fellow rotor head buddy was about to go down the same route.We managed to come across a massive Borg Warner EFR 8374 turbo, which had been used on a drift car before. Mike quickly called the guy and bought it from him, and that's where phase 2 of his project kicked off. Believe it or not, he performed the single-turbo conversion in an underground parking lot, by himself, with a limited set of tools and almost no prior experience in this kind of an operation.He went down t he same ECU route as I did , using an Adaptronic M2000 unit, 4 Bosch 1,650cc injectors, a Turbosmart fuel pressure regulator, a 525 LPH Walbro Hellcat fuel pump, and a lot of other parts required for the conversion. He even did all the wiring from scratch, as he had previously done for my FC. All in all, it took him several months to get it done. Right now, we've done several tests with the new turbo, but it's not over yet.The way the car feels right now, even while running at about 0.5 bars of boost, is hard to describe in words. The turbo almost sounds like an HKS T51R, and by the time the car gets dyno-tuned, with the help of Xeno, the FD should be up to about 450 horsepower. And if you've ever experienced a rotary car before, you'll understand how impressive that is, especially for a car that's meant to be driven on public roads and not at the racetrack. Back when I got my FC Turbo II, I was the only RX-7 driver in my hometown. Of course, I've heard numerous suggestions like: "You should have gotten a BMW, or a Supra instead". But I knew I wanted a turbo rotary from the moment I started browsing the classifieds. I decided on doing a compression test for my engine, and that's how I met Mike Dendyuk. When we first met, he had already been considering getting into the rotary game. The idea had first crept into his mind circa 2012!I guess seeing and hearing the FC was all he needed to make a move. Just two more weeks after our encounter, he was already actively searching for an RX-7 of his own. But he wanted an FD and one that would not require much tinkering for that matter. He found a pristine-looking, 1992 model, some 1,553 miles (2,500 km) away from our hometown. The car already had a bunch of basic upgrades, and it seemed to be the perfect choice for him.His FD cost almost three times as much as my car did, and that would only be the beginning. The 13B-REW engine had been rebuilt just 8,000 miles (12,874 km) before the moment of purchase. The car had been dyno tuned to 318 horsepower and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, using an Apexi Power FC. On the outside, the car was still rather stock, except for the Ultralite GT2 rims. It came on Michelin tires, but those were quickly replaced by a set of Yokohama Advan AD08R semi-slicks.These work great during summer days, on dry tarmac. But the car can seem a bit wild if it's raining outside, and you'll be countersteering a lot if you've got a heavy right foot. Mike's FD initially had a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R fuel pump, but that was also replaced by a more capable Walbro unit. One thing's for sure, you can't just get an RX-7 and go by without performing any upgrades.The seemingly flawless machine started showing signs of wear and tear as Mike drove it around town. The brakes, suspension, and clutch were all faulty and needed replacing or upgrading. On a particular spring evening, he called me and asked if I'd like to take the car to a local Mazda meeting. I honestly couldn't believe that was happening to me, as I had been dreaming about that moment for more than a decade. 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. Tule elk auto safari What: Talk, guided tour of visitor center and guided drive out through reserve When: 10 a.m. Saturday Where: Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, 8653 Station Road, Buttonwillow (head west out of town on Stockdale Highway; after crossing Interstate 5, proceed one mile to Morris Road. Turn left on Morris, continue to Station Road and turn right.) Cost: $8 per vehicle More information: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=584 or 661-764-6881 The emergence of omicron, a new variant of concern, has shined a spotlight on the way that coronavirus cases are sequenced. So 2021 wasn't exactly the "normal" year San Antonio hoped for, but it still gave MySA headlines that didn't have to do with COVID-19. This year, there was no shortage of celebrity fodder, from Kylie to Drake to Harry. As the end of 2021 nears, let's take a look back at the top 10 celebrity stories, shall we? MEGA/GC Images Liam Payne and Maya Henry's on again, off again love story. Payne called off the 10-month engagement on Steve Bartlett's The Diary of a CEO podcast, saying he was "just not that good at relationships." "I feel like more than anything at this point, I'm more disappointed in myself that I keep hurting people," Payne said in the podcast. The celeb couple created a frenzy just a few weeks later when the British tabloids spotted the pair out and about. Are they? Aren't they? Who knows. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for HS Harry loves S.A. Speaking of One Direction, Harry Styles gave San Antonio an extra dose of sugar during his San Antonio stop for his "Love on Tour." Local fans were treated to freebie merchandise, the Spurs food truck serving fans waiting in line to enter the AT&T Center, and photo opportunities during his appearance. Fans worldwide noticed the extra attention Styles lavished on the Alamo City, and it's unclear if the buzz stemmed from the tour being only days in or if the city was really spoiled. Either way, San Antonio "Harries" were dubbed the "favorite child" of the fan base. Prince Williams/WireImage ... and so does Drake Drake gave a shoutout to the 210 on his anticipated album Certified Lover Boy. In the intro to the track "TSU," a chopped voice says "what's up to all the ladies" in San Antonio. It's not clear who shouted out to San Antonio "ladies" on the track, but an annotation on Genius claimed its famous chop star OG Ron C, who co-founded the well-known Houston rap label Swishahouse. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Bennifer 2.0 move to Austin (briefly) Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez rented a "luxury condo" in Austin, where Affleck filmed Hypnotic, a new Robert Rodriguez movie. McConaughey toyed with a gubernatorial run ... and our hearts Matthew McConaughey almost considered a run for political office in Texas. On an episode of the Set it Straight: Myths and Legends podcast, the actor said he was considering challenging Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. Country trio Midland, who are the podcast hosts, urged the actor to run, saying they admire his ability to spread awareness and positivity. Of course, McConaughey removed himself from consideration just two weeks before the candidate filing deadline for the Texas primary, but he said he was honored to be considered for "political leadership." "It's a humbling and inspiring path to ponder," McConaughey said in a video he posted on his Twitter account. "It is also a path that I'm choosing not to take at this moment." Kylie breaks the internet Earlier this year, Kylie Jenner revealed she wouldn't mind living in Texas during a Vogue interview. When interviewer Joe Sabia asked Jenner if she could live in any other city in the country, she said Houston. Jenner resides in Los Angeles, but has visited the city several times with her partner, Houston-born rapper Travis Scott. Jenner and Scott welcomed their daughter Stormi Webster in 2018 and are expecting their second. Hollywood, Texas Elizabeth Olsen filmed HBO Max's newest series in both Kyle and downtown Hutto. The city of Hutto confirmed that filming began on Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs, which is based on a Texas Monthly article from the 1980s. Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman is producing the project, which stars Olsen. The Texas Monthly series turned book turned HBO Max series tells the story of "two church going couples enjoying small town family life in Texas until somebody picks up an axe." Horror at Astroworld Travis Scott made national headlines after Scott's fatal Astroworld festival in Houston where 10 people died and scores more were injured. As the lawsuits against the Houston rapper piled up, many plaintiffs also named Live Nation Entertainment and Austin-based subsidiary Scoremore among the defendants. Scoremore had a large presence in San Antonio with its Mala Luna Music Festival, and Sascha Stone Guttfreund, who runs the firm, partnered with Scott on his Houston-based festival since its 2018 inception. TikTok conspiracy theories Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson are officially dating and the buzz surrounding the new romance came not long after the Astroworld tragedy. The timing of the new romance had some TikTok users wondering it was a public relations stunt to distract others from Travis Scott and his closest ties to the Kardashian family. Scott is Kylie Jenner's partner, and the father of her daughter, Stormi, and another baby on the way. Jenner and sister Kendall were also at Astroworld when the crowd surge happened. Sadie Layher/MySA/Allen Berezovsky / Stringer/Getty Mark Cuban buys a whole Texas town Shark Tank host and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban purchased an entire Texas town because his buddy needed to sell it. What a great friend, right? Located just south of Corsicana and northeast of Waco, the 76-acre town boasts of population of 23 people and little else. Mustang originally bucked onto the market in 2017 for $4 million, though the price was eventually dropped to $2 million. What Cuban eventually paid for it is unknown. "I don't know what if anything I will do with it," he told the Dallas Morning News in an email. Authorities are cautioning the community to think twice before popping off illegal fireworks or celebratory gun fire for the New Year. Despite the Beaumont Police Departments hope that people will make smart choices, the New Years and Fourth of July holidays bring a significant number of calls for people who pop fireworks and fire shots, despite it being against the law to do so within city limits, said Beaumont PD Officer Haley Morrow. Sometimes it is difficult for people to tell the difference between fireworks because a lot of them sound similar, but we do find that celebratory gun fire is something that occurs and it is scary, Morrow said. It is something that people should really, really think hard about before they make a decision like that. Anything that goes up has to come down, she continued. We have been lucky in the Beaumont area not to experience anything tragic with celebratory gun fire but across the country there have been instances where celebratory gun fire has led to death and severe injury from people being outside and being struck by that. Last year, a senior nurse was killed by after being struck by a stray bullet from an unknown location in a suburban cul de sac in Harris County. She had been at a New Years Eve celebration where her family had been shooting fireworks before she cried out that she had been shot, according to The Houston Chronicle. Related: Nurse killed by stray bullet during New Years Eve celebration A 24-year-old Houston woman also was shot in the stomach when a man, believed to be in his 60s and described as heavily intoxicated, entered the back yard of a home and started firing his gun in a celebratory fashion last New Years Eve. An 8-year-old Houston boy also was wounded on the holiday in a separate incident when a stray bullet ripped through a wall of the apartment where he was sleeping and struck his hand. Police caution people to use good judgment. A couple years ago, the police department was able press charges and file cases against several people who were seen on social media shooting off celebratory gun fire. Our special assignment unit investigated it and was able to identify the suspects and put cases on them, Morrow said. It is something that we are pretty serious about and again we just want people to make good choices and not do something that could hurt an innocent bystander, a child, or anyone else that could be out celebrating on New Years Eve. Related: Boy, 8, and woman, 24, among wounded by apparent celebratory gunfire in Houston The holidays already see increased calls for service, the result of increased consumption of alcohol, family disturbances and intoxicated driving, Morrow said. So, when you add the fireworks displays and/or shots fired it taxes our resources and it takes us away from priority one calls that are going to be those major calls for services that we will still get even though it is a holiday, Morrow continued. Firing off shots could bring jail time. And if the gun is shot at a person, house or vehicle, it can then become deadly conduct. If someone already has prior felony convictions, they could face additional charges such as for unlawfully carrying a weapon. The Beaumont Police Department is absolutely serious about it and our officers will do what is best to keep people safe and if that means that someone needs to go to jail then that could happen on New Years and that would not be a great way to start off 2022. Fire officials also are putting out a safety message to the public ahead of the holiday. The Port Neches Fire Department is urging area residents to make 2022 a healthier and more fire-safe year. Most people say they feel safest at home. But U.S. Fire Administration data shows that 83% of all fire deaths in the U.S. actually happen in homes, a PNFD news release said. These preventable fires result in more than three-quarters of all fire deaths and thousands of injuries. PNFD recommends ensuring your home is protected by working smoke alarms, which can wake you up in the case of a fire. Half of all home fire deaths happen at night, when people are sleeping, says Fire Chief Eloy Vega. So install one on every level of your home, in every bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. A Hardin County couple and their pet were killed in a house fire that fully engulfed their home around 3:30 a.m. in late November. The house did not have working smoke detectors. Related: Cause remains undetermined for fatal Hardin County house fire The fire department also recommended making sure that everyone in the household knows how to get outside and where to meet if the smoke alarm sounds. Smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old or if they do not make a sound when tested. You need a working smoke alarm on every level of the home, including the basement, the release said. Interconnected smoke alarms provide the best protection because when one sounds, they all sound. A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. Resolve to test all of your smoke alarms to make sure that they are working. Cooking is the main cause of home fires and home fire injuries, the release said, reminding residents that safety is the first ingredient while preparing healthier meals. Fire officials recommend staying in the kitchen while cooking at high temperatures, including while frying, broiling, or boiling. Fires start when the heat gets too high. So, if you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off. Officials also recommended looking for fire or burn dangers from a childs point of view when children are visiting or living in the home. Never leave cigarette lighters or matches where children can reach them, Vega said. Keep smoking materials inaccessible to children. Never play with lighters or matches when youre with children. For additional fire safety information, contact the Port Neches Fire Department at (409)722-5885 or online at ci.port-neches.tx.us. Visit us on Facebook at Port Neches Fire Department meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie NEW YORK (AP) Lawyers for the woman who says Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 insisted in a court filing Thursday that shes a U.S. resident even though the princes lawyers say otherwise. Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre filed their response to papers earlier this week in which Andrews lawyers say shes really living in Australia, where she has resided for all but two of the last 19 years. Lawyers for the prince said the lawsuit she filed in August in Manhattan federal court in which she claimed the prince sexually abused her on multiple occasions in 2001 should not proceed until it is determined whether she is qualified by residency to file the U.S. lawsuit. They've already asked a judge to toss out the lawsuit on multiple grounds, saying the prince never sexually assaulted Giuffre. The prince's attorney, Andrew Brettler, has called the lawsuit baseless. But lawyers for Giuffre called the action by Andrew's attorneys to temporarily halt progression of the lawsuit toward trial a transparent attempt to delay discovery into his own documents and testimony. They said the prince has claimed he has no documents that would be responsive to the majority of requests by Giuffre's lawyers, including of any communications with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell or the late financier Jeffrey Epstein or relating to his trips to Florida, New York or various locations in London. And they said he's also denied having documents supporting a claim that he has a medical inability to sweat, an alibi he offered in a media interview. As for their client's residence, they said her domicile is in Colorado, where her mother resides, and noted that she is registered to vote there. They said those facts and additional evidence establish her Colorado citizenship. A message seeking comment was sent to attorneys for the prince. Maxwell, 60, was convicted Wednesday of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges after a month-long trial. Her lawyers had argued that she was made a scapegoat by the U.S. government after Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan federal lockup in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was arrested a year later. Betty White, whose television career spanned more than 80 years, died Dec. 31, 2021. She was 99. Her death was confirmed by Jeff Witjas, her longtime agent and friend. I truly never thought she was going to pass away," Witjas told The Associated Press. She meant the world to me as a friend. She was the most positive person I've ever known. Witjas said White had been staying close to her Los Angeles home during the pandemic out of caution but had no diagnosed illness. White, who continued to act late into her life, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Considered to be a trailblazer of the small screen, Whites career was longer than any other female entertainer, having worked in the industry since 1939. Known for her iconic sitcom roles on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Golden Girls," White is considered to be the first woman to create a television sitcom and also was a staple of many popular game shows of the 1960s, all of which helped give her the title of "first lady of television." Throughout her career, Whites work earned her eight Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, three American Comedy Awards and one Grammy Award. She was the first woman to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host for "Just Men!" in 1983. White was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995 and named a Disney Legend in 2009. In an interview with journalist Katie Couric to celebrate the actress' 95th birthday, White said she considered herself the "luckiest old broad on TV." Off-screen, White was known for her love of animals, working with several organizations over the years whose efforts focused on animal rights and welfare. White married three times her first marriage lasted less than one year. Two years later, in 1947, she married Hollywood agent Lane Allen. It was her third marriage to television personality and game show host Allen Ludden in 1963 that White said she cherished the most. "I've been married three times and I probably still would've been married three times even if I knew what I know now, she told Couric. "Then, all of a sudden, you find the right one and it makes everything fall into place." She met Ludden during her time on the wildly popular "Password" game show. Ludden proposed twice before White accepted. The two married in 1963. The couple had no children together, but she became the stepmother to his three children. Ludden "The love of my life," White said of him died in 1981 of stomach cancer. In a 2014 interview with longtime television host Larry King, White said she never considered remarrying after Ludden died. "Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?" she told King. "I made two mistakes before Allen, but the love of your life doesn't come along in every life, so I am very grateful that I found him." One of Whites secrets to life was to never look back: "One day at a time. You don't look ahead and you try not to look back, but of course, you cant help that." Betty White's Beginnings Born Betty Marion White on Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, she was the only child of Christine Tess and Horace Logan White. Less than two years after she was born, White's family moved from Illinois to Alhambra, California, due to her fathers job transfer. The family eventually moved to Los Angeles. During the Great Depression, White said her father built radios on the side. Unable to sell radios in a depressed economy, he traded them for dogs. "Now, the radios didn't eat, but the dogs did which was not the best business thing in the world," White said in a 1997 interview with the Television Academy. As a child, White's dream was to become a forest ranger, but that was short-lived as women were not permitted to be rangers at the time. In 2010, the U.S. Forest Service named White an honorary forest ranger . Realizing that she could not become a forest ranger, White turned her career aspirations to writing. That is, "until I wrote myself into the lead in our graduation play at Horace Mann Grammar School. It was then that I contracted showbiz fever, for which there is no known cure," she wrote in her book, "Here We Go Again: My Life in Television," published in 1995. Just three months after her 1939 graduation from Beverly Hills High School, White landed her first television gig on an experimental television show that broadcast White and others performing the "Merry Widow Waltz" from a sixth-floor makeshift studio to the buildings first floor. White paused her acting career when World War II began and volunteered for the American Women's Voluntary Services. After the war, she resumed looking for acting work, but was denied multiple times because she was considered " unphotogenic ." White pursued radio jobs, which was a popular medium of the time. She landed roles reading commercials and short lines, and even landed some game shows. On some shows, she performed for no money. White landed a big break when popular disc jockey Al Jarvis asked her to be part of his "Hollywood on Television" talk show. The pair would ad-lib for 5 hours a day for six days a week. In the early 1950s, White co-founded Bandy Productions, which led to her first national show, "Life with Elizabeth." With that show, White became one of the few women to have complete creative control of a program at the time. She also won a regional Emmy her first of six Emmy wins spanning her career. A 1954 variety show "The Betty White Show" ran on NBC, but faced criticism from television stations in the South for having Arthur Duncan, a Black cast member, as a regular performer. Whites response was simple: "I'm sorry. Live with it." She then gave Duncan more air time as a result. Duncan, who was the first Black regular cast member of a television variety show, has credited White with launching his career . In the mid-1950s, White began a nearly two-decade stint as co-host of the Rose Parade on NBC. After a few short-lived shows on ABC, including a brief resurrection of her self-named variety show, White starred in her first live theater production "Third Best Sport" in 1959 at the then-Legion Star Playhouse in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. In a signed photo of White that hangs in whats now the Ephrata Performing Arts Center, White wrote, " To my Ephrata friends : You were my first time 'on stage,' and aren't we both thrilled to see how we can grow? So many congratulations, Love, Betty White." 'First Lady of Game Shows' Out of work in the early 1960s, White set her sights on television game shows. From 1961 to 1975, White appeared as a celebrity guest on "Password," where she met her eventual husband, Ludden. It was not the only game show White appeared on. Along with updated editions of "Password," White also appeared on "Whats My Line," "To Tell the Truth," "Ive Got a Secret," "Match Game" and "Pyramid." Her lengthy list of game show appearances dubbed her the " first lady of game shows ." In 1983, White hosted the short-lived "Just Men!" game show on NBC. Despite its 13-week daytime run, White became the first woman to earn the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host. Her love of game shows, perhaps, grew as a child playing games with her parents. "Mom and Dad and I had always played games since as far back as I can remember," White wrote. "Some we made up as we went along at the table, in the car, wherever so playing on TV was a bonus. Where else can you spend a couple of hours playing games with nice people and get paid for it?" she wrote in her book. Turning Down 'Today' In the mid-1960s, White turned down a co-host role on NBC's "Today" show. She called the opportunity "terribly interesting and a great idea," but White, who favored living on the West Coast, was not keen on moving her life to the East Coast despite the network offering a chance to get home to California on weekends. "Thats not a bad idea," White recalled thinking at first. But White said the eight-hour flight between New York City and Los Angeles was not appealing. "I thought, 'That's not going to be terribly practical," White recalled thinking in a Television Academy interview . White said her agent at the time called her "nuts" for passing over on the popular morning show. "Poor NBC was stuck with a gal named Barbara Walters, and, you know, they somehow managed to muddle through it," White joked. 'The Happiest I've Ever Been on Television' White continued to set her sights on other television programming, and, in 1971, blended her love of animals and television with "The Pet Set." The show centered around White interviewing celebrities and their pets. Though the show lasted 39 weeks, it featured many high-profile guests, including Mary Tyler Moore, Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day, as well as animal experts and, of course, a variety of wild animals. White considered the show to be "the happiest Ive ever been on television." The program highlighted White's love for animals, which began at an early age. "Animals have been such a big part of my life all my life. My folks were probably worse animal nuts than I, if possible," White said in a Television Academy interview. White served as a trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for decades, and, in 2011, published a scrapbook noting her favorite animals and animal-related stories, titled "Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo." "There isnt an animal on the planet that I dont find fascinating and want to learn more about," White said in a 2012 interview with Smithsonian magazine. In that interview, she discussed turning down a movie role because the script called for dropping an adorable puppy in an apartment building laundry chute. "I said as long as that scene was in the film, I wouldnt do it," she said. In addition to a love for animals, White amassed a large collection of stuffed animals, which Couric noted in her interview. "I'm a little strange for stuffed animals," White told Couric. "I'm a little strange for all animals except, possibly, the two-legged kind." 'Icky Sweet Betty White Type' In 1975, White picked up a role that would again launch her career to new heights that of "man-crazy" Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" on CBS. While the role was not specifically for White at least initially, producers had set out for an " icky sweet Betty White type ." "Well, I guess they couldn't find anybody sickeningly sweet enough , so they finally called me," White said in a 2011 interview with NPR. Fans of the show, of course, know that Nivens was anything but "sickeningly sweet," with White describing the character as "evil." The role landed White her second and third Emmy wins back-to-back wins for outstanding supporting actress. It was during Moore's show that NBC ended White's run as co-host of the Rose Parade. She soon after began a decade's run hosting the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" on CBS. When "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" ended, CBS offered White her own sitcom, which would become the fourth show in her career named "The Betty White Show." It lasted for one season. The 'Golden' Years In the early 1980s, White landed another situational comedy, playing Ellen Harper Jackson in "Mamas Family," alongside Vicki Lawrence, Carol Burnett and eventual "Golden Girls" co-star Rue McClanahan. White brought the character to "Mama's Family" from an ongoing sketch on "The Carol Burnett Show" called "The Family." The series with White lasted two seasons on NBC, though it found a resurgence in a revived version without White as she had already landed her next big role the ditzy, overly nice Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls." The groundbreaking show saw four, widowed older women Dorothy Zbornak (Beatrice Arthur), Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) and Rose Nylund (White) living together. The show was progressive for its time, discussing LGBTQ rights, suicide, HIV/AIDS, immigration and stigmas surrounding older people. White had initially been cast for the role of Blanche, a sex-crazed woman from the South, which was similar to her role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Before shooting the pilot, a director suggested White and McClanahan swap roles. "Now, Rose isn't slow-witted; she just marches to a different drum, that's all," White said in a 1987 "Today" show interview . "Rose believes anything anybody tells her and she takes each word at its surface meaning; she never looks for the overall meaning. And sometimes she backs into unfortunate situations." The show ran for seven seasons. White reprised her role of Rose in the short-lived spinoff "The Golden Palace," as well as in episodes of "Empty Nest" and "Nurses." After 'Golden Girls' After the success of "The Golden Girls," White guest-starred in several sitcoms and primetime dramas. In 1988, she made two cameo appearances on NBC's "Days of our Lives" as part of a contest for viewers to find White in episodes of the network's then-daytime lineup that also included two other soap operas, "Another World" and "Santa Barbara." Years later, from 2006 to 2009, she appeared in more than 20 episodes of CBS's "The Bold and the Beautiful." White also went back to her game show days, making an appearance in a 2008 rendition of "Password." At the age of 88, White became the oldest person to host "Saturday Night Live" on May 8, 2010, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award. The "SNL" appearance happened after a Facebook group of more than 500,000 users urged NBC to invite White to host the show. "When I first heard about the campaign, I didn't know what Facebook was," White said during her "SNL" monologue. "And now that I do know what it is, I have to say, it sounds like a huge waste of time." From 2010 to 2015, she starred in the TV Land sitcom "Hot in Cleveland," alongside Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli. In 2012, White won a spoken word recording Grammy Award for her bestseller "If You Ask Me." In a 2014 Harper's Bazaar personal essay, White discussed fashion, eating habits and aging. "People take a very dim view of aging not just in show business but in almost every business. They're always looking for the young people coming up, which I understand," White wrote. "But make yourself as useful as possible so that they'll find a place for you too! And don't complaintry to accentuate the positive rather than the negative. If you're complaining, you're not fun to be around, and fun is the name of the game." Perhaps, one of her final roles was voicing Bitey White a tiger named for her in Disney/Pixars "Toy Story 4," released in 2019. Through all of her endeavors, White, in an interview, said she lived by a simple motto: "The life you live is always more important than the job you do." The Associated Press contributed to this report. New Year's Day 2022 welcomes a slew of new laws taking effect in the Lone Star State, including making it easier for third-party apps to deliver alcohol and new laws to prevent animal cruelty. Also beginning New Year's Day is a new a tax break for places of religious worship and new protections for residents 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. Meanwhile, HB 2535 prevents tax assessors from including any improvements made to a property for the use of personal food consumption. For example, if a homeowner has added a chicken coop or rabbit pen, those structures may not be included in the annual appraisal. 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. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Snow showers. High 29F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. About one inch of snow expected.. Tonight Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. The largest teachers union in Massachusetts is calling on the education commissioner to keep public schools closed to students on Monday Reader beware: The following article contains optimism. Yet, as this is a year in review piece, its important to remember that, as always, there have been difficulties, disappointments, and the inevitable losses in the dance world in 2021. Nevertheless, dear dance lovers, Im looking forward, and placing my bets on silver linings, rather than stormy clouds. While we continue to struggle to navigate the ever-shifting atmospheric effects of life in a pandemic, artists continue to do what artists so often do better and usually far sooner than others: they react, they adapt. They evolve. This optimism isnt based on my belief that, for example, the business of dance in 2022 is going to get fully back to normal, if by normal we mean all in-person classes, rehearsals and live performances in front of live audiences, all the time. As we saw in 2021, it turned out that the creative shape-shifting that the dance community at large began making in March 2020 was not just a temporary curse/blessing (along came delta), but rather an important new muscle that will need to be intermittently exercised (here comes omicron). For many dancers around the world, taking class, rehearsing and performing (on balconies, in kitchens, living rooms, and dorm rooms), the Zoomasphere is both a marvel of technology and a serious drag on the ability to move freely, expansively, to fly: its hard for a dancer to, as the saying goes, eat up space while waltzing in a closet. But they did it gotta dance! in 2020, throughout 2021, and if current events are any indication, 2022 may see a return to an abundance of virtual viewing. As I write this, for example, the end of the series of long-awaited live performances by the mighty Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in its home theater, have been cancelled, as have the remaining performances of The Radio City Rockettes popular Christmas Spectacular. No doubt, if youre reading this, in the past 20-plus months youve sampled your share of virtual dance performances, from local dance schools yearly presentations, or those courtesy of the professional venues in our region, or from the offerings of dance companies around the world. Though inspiring, this adaptability, its not the end-goal. Surely the biggest takeaway weve gleaned from this glut of streamed dance is the reminder that theres nothing like the real thing (in-person, live performance). And live dance did, finally, burst back on to live stages in 2021: it helped that many of those stages were outdoor, whether in the traditional sense structures with floorboards and raised platforms or with nature itself serving as both surface and backdrop. The return to live performances at our beloved Jacobs Pillow Dance where the majority of the live dance performances I attended in 2021 happened was doubly heartwarming. For, not only was its 2020 Festival entirely cancelled for the first time in its long history, but then, in November 2020, one of its two indoor theaters was destroyed in a fire, a shocking heartbreak to the dance community here and afar. Although by early summer (when the annual Pillow Festival began), many were beginning to feel safer about attending public events, the decision had already been made to hold all performances outdoors. As the summer progressed and the delta variant gained a foothold, this decision seemed not only prescient, but reassuring. (The other, older, deeply historic indoor theater, named after Pillow founder Ted Shawn, was offline as previously planned renovations began taking place. Indeed, a highlight of the upcoming 2022 Pillow Festival will be the grand reopening of the Shawn Theatre, just in time to celebrate the Pillows 90th anniversary.) Conveniently, the Pillow has a rather gorgeous outdoor stage, on which, in former years, free performances were offered as part of the Inside/Out series. This year, by necessity, the professional, ticketed shows that would have happened indoors were moved here, with new, handsome yet humble wood benches installed in place of the rustic logs that used to serve as seating. The scenery is spectacular: dancers perform backed and flanked by the glorious you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it Berkshire hills. Some of my most delicious memories of the glorious buffet I was privileged to sample at the Pillow (with quotations from my reviews) include: the spirited cadre of terrific dancers of Ballet Hispanico, celebrating its 50th anniversary; Brian Brooks Moving Company in his poetic, ingeniously constructed Closing Distance and Brooks himself in his new haunting and hopeful solo Quiet Music; the generous, joyful elixir served up by the dancers and musicians in LaTasha Barnes Jazz Continuum, with Barnes the matriarch/force of nature at its center; the performances of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, presenting its virtuosic style of contemporary movement in a triple bill that often reminded us of absolute beauty that is present, in this existence; and Houston Ballet dancers Karina Gonzalez and Harper Watters, who possess one of those surprisingly rare true dance partnerships, performing, as part of the Ballet Coast to Coast program, the sublime pas de deux from Stanton Welchs Sons de Lame. It must be noted, that although not listed in the Pillows performance calendar, Mother Nature ended up, um, upstaging many of the performers; turns out that July 2021 was, as Pillow Director Pamela Tatge noted recently, one of the rainiest on record. Thus, a lot of performances had to be canceled. Kudos to the mighty Pillow, however, for rolling with the punches; were there any disgruntled patrons? If so, what can one say but ... on second thought, in keeping with the holiday season spirit: never mind. Holiday spirit is as good a segue to my aforementioned optimism as anything, I suppose. As with many industries, there have long been outcries about systemic abuses and egregious disparities and discrimination in the field of dance. During the pandemic, however, several social justice movements seemed to gain greater prominence and thus greater traction within the broader dance world. This pause has, in fact, given many pause: time and space to step back, to consider, to refocus and thrillingly, to reject, loudly and clearly, the crimes and misdemeanors that have been allowed to exist in the dance world. Naturally some pessimism casts a shadow over my optimism many, many, many have been protesting the presence of outright racism, misogyny, classism (and, alas, etc.) for ages, and yet here we are, still protesting but the lights of certain silver linings guide me onward. Lately, it often seems that the misguided gatekeepers of yore are fading into the background, while new torchbearers are flinging those gates wide open. Some major dance companies and schools are being shaken up, with more women and people of color rising up to leadership roles; dancers mental health is being talked about openly, with an eye toward offering real support and services rather than stigmatization (and there is recent chatter about the dangerous policing of dancers weight, and calls to dispense with the silly practice of weighing dancers); companies featuring differently-abled dancers have received more attention from the media; and, though many companies and schools are still, after all this time, far off the mark in terms of truly diverse rosters, when there are promotions or appointments of dancers of color, or when female and/or people of color and/or non-binary choreographers are commissioned within largely white spaces, the news is lauded, loudly. As I finish this piece, I quickly scrolled through Dance Magazines 25 to Watch list, which arrived in my inbox about an hour earlier. Oh, the gorgeous array of skin tones, of dance genres, of gender expression! Somewhere, over this rainbow, is where my optimism lives. Business writer Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224. 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. PITTSFIELD Life and learning at Pittsfield Public Schools will resume in-person as scheduled on Monday following a holiday break that has been dominated by news of the increasing spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. While life in the classroom will continue as before the holiday break, the district is implementing new state guidelines around isolation and quarantining to Pittsfield coronavirus safety policies and offering staff testing kits to use to check for the virus before returning to work. [The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] has made no changes to their expectations on in-person learning, Eric Lamoureaux, the districts emergency and safety coordinator, said in an email Wednesday evening. School will resume in-person as planned on Monday. The district updated its isolation requirements for students or staff members with a positive coronavirus result and close contacts to match new state guidance released Thursday afternoon that matches the current thinking from the Center from Disease Control and Prevention. Under new state protocols if someone tests positive for the coronavirus they are required to self-isolate for five days following the positive test. On the sixth day a student or staff member can return to school only if they are symptom-free and continue to wear a mask for the next five days. The Pittsfield school district said that schools will make arrangements for lunch time for people who have returned to school and are completing the five-day masking period. Berkshire students aren't opting in to pooled testing. Is that a problem? Maybe. Low participation rate in Berkshire County schools' pooled testing means the program, long touted by the state, still cant quite serve as the testing safety net that school, district and state officials had hoped for. For close contacts of COVID-positive students or staff, district rules have been tweaked slightly to account for vaccination status. Fully vaccinated people without symptoms only need to monitor for symptoms for 10 days while continuing to go to school as normal. Unvaccinated students and staff can choose to do the districts test and stay program which is a daily test for five days after contact for in-school contacts only. A negative result each day allows students and staff to stay in school through the testing period. School community members can opt in to the test and stay program by visiting the districts website and filling out an online consent form. If school members choose not to do the test and stay program, they must quarantine outside of school for five days. After the five days of test and stay or out of school quarantine, students and staff are allowed to return to school as long as they mask for an additional five days. The Pittsfield American Federation of School Employees published an email on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon from the superintendent to the union, letting the union president know that the district would be providing free at home coronavirus test kits to all district staff on Friday. We will offer these kits to all staff on Friday morning so they may test on Sunday night before returning to school, Curtis wrote in the email. This is OPTIONAL of course. Curtis confirmed that the district would be giving district employees tests in an email to The Eagle on Thursday. About 70 staff members have reported a coronavirus case since the start of this school year. Of the staff cases this year, about 20 have been reported in the last two weeks. The majority of coronavirus cases reported in the school community this year come from students. The district has enrolled 4,747 in-person students this year and about 1 in 10 of those students has reported a coronavirus case in the first semester. Morningside students are back after a COVID outbreak. Here's what would happen if cases rise again Only a handful of students at Morningside Community School remain out of class after the Thanksgiving break. The majority of the school's coronavirus cases have recovered after an outbreak late last month. Cases have been particularly high in district elementary schools where until recently the majority of the student population was ineligible for coronavirus vaccines. Elementary students make up about 50 percent of the in-person student population but have accounted for about 60 percent of all cases in the district. Though thats not to say that the situation in all elementary schools is the same. At Capeless Elementary School 14 students or about 8.8 percent of the student body has reported a coronavirus case. At Morningside Elementary School 61 students or about 18 percent of the student body has reported a case. EAGLE INVESTIGATIONS: The people who run Berkshire County's nursing homes agree with their critics that workers need better wages and the buildings need more staff to provide a higher quality of care. They disagree on how to achieve this. The Baker administration says Massachusetts public school students should return to classrooms Monday, despite a call by the states largest teachers union to cancel classes so that educators could get COVID-19 tests before returning from the holiday break. The Massachusetts Teachers Association on Friday called on state Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley to allow districts to use Jan. 3 for administering COVID-19 tests to school staff and analyzing the resulting data, union president Merrie Najimy said in a statement. The unions call followed word that the shipment of rapid COVID-19 tests for teachers was delayed. The shipment was expected to arrive in Massachusetts on Thursday, and the plan was to distribute the tests to educators to check their health status before classes resume Monday. Educators and the MTA have long been demanding greater access to COVID-19 tests, leading the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Wednesday to announce the arrival of 200,000 tests for school staff, Najimy said. But without a strategic plan to make the tests available before this weekend, the ability to ensure safe learning environments for our students and staff by Monday morning is greatly reduced. The states education department Friday declined the unions call to close schools statewide Monday. State leaders are working to get tests in [teachers] hands this weekend, said Colleen Quinn, communications director for the Executive Office of Education. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education worked hard this week to make at-home rapid tests available to all public school teachers and staff in light of the testing shortages being experienced around the country, Quinn said. Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states supplying rapid tests to its teachers. It is a not a requirement for teachers to return to work, or necessary to reopen schools after the holiday break. The commissioner is not going to close schools Monday, and asks teachers to be patient as we work to get tests in their hands this weekend. It is disappointing that once again the MTA is trying to find a way to close schools, which we know is to the extreme detriment of our children. The Pittsfield Federation of School Employees, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, said this week that the rapid testing kits purchased by the state were expected to be distributed to educators Friday. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday blamed the delay in the tests arriving in the state on national supply chain issues, according to WCVB. The vendor that agreed to ship at-home test kits has informed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that they will not be able to deliver the tests by Friday as promised, Quinn told WCVB. Asked Friday morning about the status of the kits, Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis said he had no information. As of Friday, at least two Massachusetts school districts, including Burlington Public Schools, announced local decisions to close school Monday. Curtis said Pittsfield Public Schools will be open Monday, as planned, unless Riley reverses course and orders a one-day delay. No other local school district had yet signaled whether it planned to alter Monday schedules as of 4 p.m. Friday. Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday reiterated his stance that students should be learning in classrooms. If we learned anything from this pandemic, its the damage that was done to kids should never be repeated. We have the tools and capabilities to keep people safe, Baker said. Najimy said the MTA recognizes that delaying some students return to school poses challenges for families, but she said if there were a blizzard on Sunday evening, nobody would question the wisdom of declaring Monday a snow day. With the omicron variant spreading and COVID-19 positivity rates in the state surpassing 16 percent in the most recent seven-day average and with Massachusetts now reporting more than 1 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic it is fair to say that the health and safety risks we face from COVID-19 far surpass those presented by a noreaster, Najimy said. Idaho Fish and Game officials efforts to measure the intensity of the chronic wasting disease outbreak in the state is on pause pending laboratory testing results from hundreds of outstanding samples. Emergency hunts designed to collect tissue samples for testing ended last week. They were implemented in December after two mule deer tested positive for the illness in October marking the first time the disease has been found in Idaho. The hunts yielded 233 samples, well short of the 750 that Fish and Game officials hoped to gather. But the agency was also able to collect more than 300 samples from the fall hunting season before the start of the emergency hunts. Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever said the agency and its governing commission will base its next steps on the outcome of the testing. So far, 288 samples of the 561 collected have been processed and the only positive results are the original two submitted by mule deer hunters in October. The rest have been negative for the presence of CWD, which is an always fatal degenerative neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. Schriever said 213 samples were collected from Game Management Unit 14, which is considered the epicenter of the outbreak since that is where the original positive results came from. Of those, 110 samples have tested negative and 103 are still pending. I think what happens next is going to be informed by the results and Im pretty comfortable to say if they all come back negative we are going to hold pat on the number of samples we have and the ability to say what we can from there, Schriever said. If some of the pending results come back positive, Schriever said whether more samples are sought will likely hinge on factors such as the number and the location of the positive tests. He also said the agency would consult the Idaho Fish and Game Commission even though the seven-member board gave him authority last month to implement surveillance hunts. Its expected to be weeks before all the test results are in. We are not going to have the information to take the next step until after the first of the year, he said. The commission established a Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone that encompasses Unit 14, which stretches from about Cottonwood to Riggins, and Unit 15 along the South Fork of the Clearwater River. Rules prevent hunters from removing carcasses containing brain or spinal tissue of deer, elk and moose taken in the zone. The rules also apply to those who salvage road-killed animals. Chronic wasting disease is similar to mad cow disease in cattle, scrapie in sheep and Jakob Creutzfeldt disease in people. There are no known cases of CWD jumping from deer to humans. Even so, the Center For Disease Control and Prevention recommends against consuming meat from infected animals. The disease is caused by misfolded proteins called prions that are shed by the animals and can persist for months and even years in the environment. The study was conducted in two to 18 year age group Bharat Biotech International announced that BBV152 (COVAXINO), its whole-virion inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has proven to be safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic in paediatric subjects in phase II/III study. Bharat Biotech had conducted phase II/III, open-label, and multicentre studies to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity COVAXIN in healthy children and adolescents in the 2-18 age group. The clinical trials conducted in the paediatric population between June 2021 to September 2021 have shown robust safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity. The data was submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) during October 2021 and received an emergency use nod for children aged 12-18 from DCGI, recently. In the study, no serious adverse event was reported. 374 subjects reported either mild or moderate severity symptoms with 78.6 per cent getting resolved within one day. Pain at the injection site was the most commonly reported adverse event. Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech, said, COVAXINs clinical trial data from the pediatric population is very encouraging. The safety of the vaccine is critical for children, and we are glad to share that COVAXIN has now proven data for safety and immunogenicity in children. We have now achieved our goal of developing a safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children. Vaccines are a great preventive tool; the power of vaccines can only be harnessed if used prophylactically. Omicron and newer emerging variants have been portrayed as a cause of concern globally as several low and middle-income countries have not been able to immunise their citizens due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, it was in the double-vaccinated South African individuals that the Omicron variant was first discovered. The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) had promised two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to a total of 92 low-and middle-income countries that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism. But, it has managed to deliver only about 95 million doses as developed nations hoarded surplus doses of the vaccines. Approximately 75 per cent of the 4.5 billion first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were rolled out, went to affluent countries. Can emerging variants make vaccine inequity a bigger challenge than it already is? Let's unravel. 2021 saw the approval of various vaccines and drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, in the new year, we are faced with another mutation of the COVID-19 virus, Omicron that is spreading rapidly across the globe. Omicron as per early research data is capable of escaping the immune response of vaccines adding fuel to the ever-increasing reasoning behind the need for booster doses to help maintain the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines against severe infection and death. So far approximately 89 countries have reported cases of Omicron with the United Kingdom reporting 12 deaths due to the variant. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 cases are doubling every 1.5-3 days in countries that are dealing with community transmission of the variant. The growth advantage that Omicron has over the Delta variant that caused the second wave in India will soon become the most dominant variant globally. Addressing vaccine inequity Omicron and newer emerging variants are a cause of concern globally as several low and middle-income countries have not been able to immunise their citizens due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines globally. COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) promised to deliver two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to a total of 92 low-and middle-income countries that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism but has managed to deliver about 95 million doses as developed nations hoarded surplus doses of the vaccines. Approximately 75 per cent of the 4.5 billion first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were rolled went to the people in affluent countries, emerging variants could make vaccine inequity a bigger challenge than it already is. Expressing her views during the Global Technology Summit 2021 on the impact of vaccine inequity on the global population, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, Bengaluru expressed, It is very interesting that the biggest vaccine makers in the world are in India but the western vaccine companies chose to use contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) in the western world who didnt have any experience with vaccines and I think many of the problems that we have today in the supply chain is because of that mistakes that vaccine companies have made. Sharing his views during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021 (BTS 2021), Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), London, England commented, We need to have equitable vaccine manufacturing capacity globally. If all regions have some access to these rapid response platforms and some ability to address their own national or regional health security, we will be much positioned to reduce the equity gap that has emerged during this pandemic. Dr Gagandeep Kang, Professor, Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu reiterated the importance of vaccine equity during the fireside chat with Hatchett during BTS 2021. She commented, Partnerships are critical for vaccine equity and access, CEPI has shown the way and will be doing more in the next ten years. Hatchett further added, We need new capacity in regions that dont have the capacity and that capacity needs to be sustainable for the long term. The challenge that we face in ensuring that capacity can be sustainable, is the new COVID-19 vaccines on the new platforms. COVID-19 vaccines are the only vaccines currently authorised on those platforms, so we need to expand the application of those platforms to other diseases that are important for the region where vaccine manufacturing is occurring. Approval of booster doses There is early evidence to support the fact there is reduced efficacy with time and a certain section of the population (elderly, immunocompromised, diabetic, etc.) may require booster doses to keep them protected against COVID-19 infection. The WHOs interim statement on booster doses dated October 4, 2021, states: The degree of waning of immunity and need for booster doses of vaccine may differ between vaccine products, target populations, circulating SARS CoV-2 virus, in particular variants of concern (VoC), and intensity of exposure. For some vaccines, restricted booster indications have been included into the product label of some jurisdictions. Mahima Datla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Vaccines and Branded Formulations, Biological E Limited, Hyderabad, Telangana shared, The evidence is out there that different vaccines have waning antibody levels post four to six months post-vaccination some much more than others which is why there is a pretty determined need to include boosters. What is unclear is that a lot of information isnt published or arent spoken of is how these vaccines are working against the existing variants and the new variants. One thing that seems to be clear is that if the antibody levels stay high, it seems to be preventing any kind of severe disease even if there is a variant change. As the debate for booster doses rages on, several countries have approved booster doses and several nations are mulling over approving booster doses. Speaking on whether India should approve booster doses or not Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw expressed, I think we dont have enough data of the waning antibody if it is not protecting us against severe disease. I think that data needs to be shared because right now it suits everyone to say let us go for an extra booster, but I would like to see data that says that if you have two doses you are fairly well protected against severe disease and whilst it is nice to boost your antibody levels with a booster dose, can we not make sure that everybody in the world has at least has their shot of the vaccine. A transparent, equitable approach The pandemic is far from over and newer emerging variants, waning efficacy of vaccines, shortage of vaccines in developing nations is a cause of concern. Another cause of concern is the rising number of deaths due to adverse events post-vaccination. India as of December 21, 2021, has vaccinated 138 crore of its citizens, out of which 54.8 crore (39.7 per cent) are fully vaccinated. There have been about 10,664 deaths reported by the Indian mainstream media so far (Data collated by Awaken India Movement). Scientists have been exploring a plethora of options for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 infections, single-domain Variable New Antigen Receptors (VNARs) could be a possible therapeutic that is being explored, it is derived from the immune system of sharks. VNARs may not be available to treat COVID-19 as of this writing, but it could be helpful in future SARS CoV-2 outbreaks. 2022 may or may not be the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is better prepared to handle a crisis on a global scale. 2021 saw pharma majors and academia coming together and forging partnerships to address the challenge at hand and fast-tracking, scaling of live-saving solutions. The newer generation of vaccines, drugs in development and late stages of clinical trials, which could eventually lead to the pandemic becoming endemic. However, there is a need to address concerns of transparency in vaccine and drug development, clinical trials and preventing deaths from the COVID-19 infections as well as adverse events. Prabhat Prakash prabhat.prakash@mmactiv.com Cape Town has seen almost 5,500 bottles of alcohol, the equivalent of 2.941 litres, confiscated by its enforcement staff 16 December. Source: Oliver Sved 123rf In 2019 the City confiscated 5,089 (2,748 litres). In 2020 only 1,510 bottles (983 litres) were confiscated. This low figure was due to lockdown regulations that were in place at that time.Cape Town City has by-laws that prohibit alcohol in public spaces.These statistics are most concerning, as it means that people simply are not heeding our calls to leave their alcohol at home, showing very little regard for the law, their personal wellbeing and the safety of others around them, says the Citys mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. The New York Times, more than any other Western media outlet, was instrumental in covering up Soviet dictator Josef Stalins engineering of the horrific 1932-33 famine which killed 7 to 13 million people in the Ukraine, Caucasus, and Kazakhstan. Walter Duranty, the NYTs Moscow bureau chief, won the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for his dishonest and deceitful reporting about the premeditated genocide perpetrated by Stalin to collectivize farms and destroy Ukrainian society. Stalin expropriated all available grain and livestock, imposed impossible production demands, and used the resulting starvation to break the back of the peasantry. Duranty, a NYT Soviet apologist who supported Stalins brutal collectivization program, went on to defend Stalin in the Moscow Trials of 1938 which led to the execution of many defendants opposed to Stalins dictatorship. Today the New York Times is covering up another genocide thats set to dwarf Stalins man-made famine in size, scope and evilthe vaccine-induced killing and permanent maiming of millions of people around the world with an experimental, untested, unnecessary genetic-modification treatment, falsely labeled a vaccine, proven to kill or severely damage those injected. As independent journalist Stephen Lendman has documented (StephenLendman.org), the NYT and CNN lead the vanguard in the campaign to suppress the voices of hundreds of thousands of eminent doctors, scientists, healthcare workers, independent news media, whistleblowers, vaccine victims, and ordinary citizens who question the false Official Narrative that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The Mainstream Media, the Big Tech censors, the health bureaucrats, and the fact checkers, heavily funded and controlled by Big Pharma and ruling-elite Big Money, have misled four billion people worldwide to be injected with a demonstrably injurious poison that will have long-term health consequences for those who are not killed quickly by the jab. This insanity has only one conceivable explanation: a carefully-orchestrated operation led by a globalist cabal determined to bring about a Great Reset of humanity through population reduction, endless vaccination, the pauperization and elimination of masses of people, technofascist control and enslavement. In the 1930s and after, many liberals and progressives in the West supported Stalins totalitarian rule. Todays self-styled liberals and progressives (who are actually illiberal and regressive) support the vaccine mandates and coercive measures of Joseph Stalin Biden, a senile puppet who is largely controlled by Davos globalists and Communist China. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. notes in his blockbuster expose The Real Anthony Fauci, Most Americans are unaware of all this carnage [i.e., reports of vaccine-caused deaths and injuries worldwide] because the mainstream and social media companies immediately scrub injuries reported by doctors, victims, and families. Media outlets like CNN and the New York Times ignore the tsunami of vaccine injuries and deaths while reflexively inflating those deaths they can blame on COVID. (emphasis added) As Kennedy explains: The public never received facts about infection fatality rates or age-stratified risks for COVID with the kind of clarity that might have allowed them and their physicians to make evidence-based personal risk assessments. Instead, federal officials relied on vagueness and deception to recklessly overestimate the dangers from COVID in every age group. All of these deceptions riddled virtually every mainstream media report particularly those by CNN and the New York Timesleaving the public with a vastly inflated and cataclysmically inaccurate impression of its lethality. Public surveys showed thatCNN viewers and New York Times readers were catastrophically misinformed about the facts of COVID-19. The New York Times canonized to sainthood the massively corrupt, lying Dr. Anthony Fauci, whose dependable allies at the newspaper smeared ivermectin and hydroxychloroquineinexpensive, effective remedies to treat and cure COVID-19 infection. Kennedys book also documents how Bill Gates paid hundreds of millions of dollars to media outlets to stifle all dissenting opinion regarding the pandemic and vaccines. The NYT, BBC, CNN and other establishment mouthpieces support Gatess global ambitions by ridiculing those who question his self-serving advice on lockdowns, masks, and vaccines. Gates is glorified as a public health expert although this self-appointed Global Health Czar never graduated from college and has zero medical training. Ironically and tragically, Carlos Tejada, New York Times Deputy Asia Editor, died of a heart attack at age 49 less than a day after receiving his Moderna booster shot on December 17th. His death is typical of hundreds of thousands people who drop dead or suffer severe damage within hours to days after getting the COVID-19 Genetic-Modification Biologic Agent (vaccine). You can read their heartbreaking stories, heavily censored by the presstitute media, at websites such as VaccineInjuryNews.com, VaccineDeaths.com, 1000CovidStories.com, SorryIGotVaxxed.com, CovidVaccineReactions.com, WeWantToBeHeard.com, NoMoreSilence.world, RealNotRare.com, VaxTestimonies.org/en, Pandemic.News, TheCovidBlog.com, VaccineImpact.com, NoJabForMe.info, HealthImpactNews.com, TheEmpoweror.com, TheCOVIDWorld.com, and C19VaxReactions.com. The response to this slaughter from the NYT/WaPo/CNN/MSNBC Ministry Of Truth has been: Look the other way. Say nothing. Or else, Its just a coincidence, no relation to the vaccines. Will the New York Times change its evil, dishonest policies after Mr. Tejadas death? Dont hold your breath. In fact, the NYT article about his death makes no mention of his Covid shot, but you can read the full, uncensored story at The National Pulse (https://thenationalpulse.com/2021/12/26/ny-times-editor-49-dies-one-day-after-moderna-booster-shot). Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls for resistance against what he terms the Biosecurity State, which has launched an unprecedented assault on humanity through governments captive to the pharmaceutical industry and their globalist backers. Kennedy is calling for massive civil disobedience at every level, and he ends the book with these stirring words: Join with us to take back our democracy and our freedom. Ill see you on the barricades. Despite the Fear Campaign, propaganda and censorship imposed by the mainstream media, by Big Tech and governments, the ruling elites Covid scam is starting to unravel, with pushback in the form of massive protests, at least outside the USA. But much more widespread resistance is needed. Morbidly obese Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a former Raytheon board member hired for reasons of "diversity," fired dozens more troops this week for not getting "vaccinated," citing combat "readiness concerns." Does this man look ready for combat to you? Unless our troops need emergency breastfeeding, I can't imagine Lloyd would be much help were a war to break out. It probably takes two men just to help him get out of bed in the morning. From Politico, "Marines kick out 206 troops for refusing Covid-19 vaccine": The Marine Corps announced Thursday that it has kicked out more troops for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine. The total number of discharges has risen to 206, up from 169 last week. The fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, dictates that the military services cannot dishonorably discharge members for vaccine refusal. The discharges must be either honorable or general under honorable conditions. Where things stand: Overall, 95 percent of all active-duty Marines have received at least the first dose, while 86 percent of the Reserve force has received the first shot. The service received 3,247 requests for religious accommodation, with 3,115 of those having been processed and zero requests approved citing readiness concerns. Most of these troops already had covid and recovered and they're doing us and the world a favor by not getting "vaxxed" and risking the creation of more variants. They have far better immunity to covid than any of the troops who just took the therapeutics that only work for a few months (allegedly). We know this whole vax mandate has nothing to do with "combat readiness" because they're actively gutting combat readiness standards as we speak in the name of "diversity." This is purely about purging the military of intelligent free thinkers (what Austin's handlers call "extremists") in an effort to turn our military into a domestic occupation force that will serve the regime rather than the American people. [Header image has McDonalds bag added for comedic effect.] Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds, Parler and Telegram. Never did Rick Chrest imagine he would someday be leading Brandon through a global health crisis when he first announced his candidacy for mayor in 2014. Advertisement Advertise With Us TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Mayor Rick Chrest at Brandon City Hall. Never did Rick Chrest imagine he would someday be leading Brandon through a global health crisis when he first announced his candidacy for mayor in 2014. But here he is, 22 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, approaching the final year of his second term as the head of city council. As mayor, you do not know the challenges your community will face. The one thing you can guarantee is that there will be challenges. "No matter what you envision the issues, challenges, ups and downs will never be precisely what you expect because theres always going to be unforeseen things," Chrest told the Sun in a year-end interview earlier this month. "That said, though, you do expect that you may be dealing with emergencies." Brandon had no shortage of emergencies this year. In addition to the pandemic, the city faced significant fires, consequences from climate change disasters, and its own legacy in relation to the discovery of bodies at former residential school sites. A second pandemic year meant the city had some of the tools necessary to navigate another round against the health crisis. Months after the provinces vaccine rollout began, Chrest was happy to report that close to 85 per cent of the Brandon population has been immunized against the virus. Vaccines meant the local economy could reopen to full capacity and cherished community events that were cancelled last year could return to the city. "Were in a better place, obviously, for the economic health of our community and our residents [a] much better place," Chrest said. "That said, some of the social considerations in our community continue to be a challenge. And, over the period of the pandemic, we have, unfortunately, definitely seen an uptick in some elements of poverty, homelessness, food access, mental health issues, addictions." To combat some of these challenges, the city developed and supported a number of initiatives this year, including the Community Wellness Collaborative, a community housing and wellness co-ordinator, and the Downtown Wellness and Safety Task Force. The task force, designed to identify issues of cleanliness and security in downtown Brandon, as well as develop solutions to those matters, received an overwhelming number of applications. "That was very gratifying to see that there [were] that many people that were interested in putting up their hand and wanting to help out the situation," Chrest said. "The virtue of Brandon is that were big enough to have lots of things, lots of amenities, lots of organizations, lots of individuals that are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get involved. And yet were still small enough where most of the people kind of know each other. And so therefore, the opportunity to connect the dots and work collaboratively is better." Not only was collaboration possible at the community level, but with provincial and federal levels of government, too. Brandon has enjoyed a positive relationship with the province, as well as the Liberal members of Parliament in Winnipeg, who have direct access to the federal governing party, Chrest said. This has helped the city secure funding from both levels of government for projects like the Sportsplex for which $11.5 million has been committed and a substantial water treatment plant upgrade and expansion, which has received $125 million. The water plant "the biggest project in Brandons history" will be especially important moving into the future, Chrest said, considering the impact climate change has had on other communities in Manitoba. The City of Morden, for example, applied strict water restrictions in the spring to deal with the threat of water shortages amid extreme drought conditions. The mayor noted the success of this years Flood Protection Subsidy Program, for which the city initially allocated $100,000 in spring. Last years major flooding event precipitated the citys funding initiative for sump pumps and backwater valves. "Almost every municipalitys infrastructure could [have] never been designed and built to take these huge surges that weve had. We had a couple of pretty big ones this summer. But certainly, the big kahuna was the summer of 2020, where we had probably two months worth of rain in a few hours, just overcharged everything and caused enormous flooding. "So as a result of that, were kind of responding with significant planning. Youll see the possibility of significant investments that were going to be needing to make." The citys upcoming budget deliberations in January could reveal such investments. It will be the current councils last budget before voters head to the polls on Oct. 26, 2022. Chrest could not say for sure if he plans on seeking re-election, but told the Sun it is a decision he intends to reveal in February. With zero competition in 2018, he was acclaimed Brandons mayor. Although it allowed him to continue serving the city, Chrest admitted it is healthy to have some competition. "Elections do draw out ideas and energy. Its the way our system was designed and the way our system works the best. We need strong competition for every position every ward, mayors seat, school board. Thats the best for our community." In terms of civic engagement, Chrest said voters heading to the polls is another thing he is concerned about. "Voter turnout has been going backwards, and that troubles me." There was an approximate 2.64 per cent voter turnout in the Ward 5 (Meadows-Waverly) byelection in May. Chrest noted the unusual pandemic circumstances may have contributed to this. However, the unofficial voter turnout in the 2018 municipal election was only 16.86 per cent, according to media reports. "Weve got a very engaged, thoughtful, spirited community," he said, but hopes Brandonites will pay more attention to civic politics in the future. On a final note, there was possibly only one other theme that dominated 2021, aside from the pandemic. Reconciliation. Chrest said the year was marked by efforts of collaboration between Brandon and surrounding First Nations communities and confronting the impacts of the former Brandon Indian Residential School. He highlighted the efforts of the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council (BUAPC) to facilitate these relationships. "[Theyve] done just a fabulous job of building bridges in our community between First Nations organizations and non-First Nations organizations. Its just come a long way." BUAPC co-ordinated many of the local elements of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which Brandon recognized through a weeklong series of events in September. "I think that Brandon we have a long way to go, but were on a pretty good path," Chrest said. "But I believe our community is trying hard to follow our own path of reconciliation, and were making improvements every day." shildebrandt@brandonsun.com cslark@brandonsun.com Services supporting Brandons vulnerable downtown population are rallying to provide help to those in need as COVID-19 cases in the province continue to rise. Advertisement Advertise With Us TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN In this file photo, beds had been spaced six feet apart at the Samaritan House Ministries Safe & Warm Shelter in accordance with COVID-19 precautions. Services supporting Brandons vulnerable downtown population are rallying to provide help to those in need as COVID-19 cases in the province continue to rise. An important community has been established at the Blue Door Project, said Ask Auntie Brandon co-ordinator Florence Halcrow. The strong community ties established at the warming shelter are helping people identify if someone is experiencing mental duress or showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. "Everybody knows where everybody is with this community atmosphere," Halcrow said. The warming shelter recently had a regular face at the Blue Door who became sick. Halcrow said everyone was able to communicate and ensure they were looked after and received the care they needed. These actions have largely been made possible through the ability to partner and communicate with other local organizations such as the Safe and Warm Shelter. The Blue Door Project has personal protective equipment available, she said, and support provided by Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has been essential. PMH has helped administer the COVID-19 vaccines and rapid tests at the Blue Door. "Without the rapid tests, its really hard to sit and think, well, do they have COVID or do they have pneumonia?" Halcrow said. "Im very pleased with us being able to get the rapid tests. Now if they have symptoms, we can do the test and half an hour later we are good to go." She added another critical aspect at the Blue Door has been helping unhoused people with their personal identification, including proof of vaccination QR codes, using a community mailbox. A community ID bank is also on site. It is not easy navigating COVID-19 while being unhoused, Halcrow said, especially if there is ever a need to isolate. In 2020, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation helped create alternative isolation accommodation spaces for those needing to quarantine. Unhoused individuals would be able to stay in a unit for the duration of their time in quarantine. Halcrow said they knew the rooms were needed and worked to get them running as soon as possible initially at the Redwood Motor Inn, Colonial Inn and Motel 6. "Thank goodness, they were able to let us use those rooms," Halcrow said. "We know where they are. We used it in 2020. They have their own space." The alternative isolation accommodation spaces are now located solely at the Redwood. It was a challenging time to navigate based on determining who had COVID-19 and who had been exposed to the virus and could potentially test positive. These issues have been alleviated by the Blue Door Project, she said, allowing for better communication and care of the vulnerable people living in Brandons downtown. "They have a place to go during the day, and now we can watch if they have symptoms. We can get rapid tests for them and test them ourselves," Halcrow said. "If they have COVID or if they are close contact, we call Prairie Mountain Health and then they put them into the Redwood." She added the project also works with the 7th Street Access Centre, the Safe and Warm Shelter, Brandon Bear Clan and other organizations to provide wrap-around supports and services. If someone tests positive, they will be provided RAM services, clothes, food hampers and other essential items needed to survive two weeks in quarantine. "I like that we have the rapid tests and I like that we have the community, because without the community, I found that people were having a lot of mental health issues," Halcrow said. "This is helping a lot of people." It was incredibly concerning to see the spike in languishing mental health in January due to the increased isolation people were experiencing, she said. This loss of connection was keenly felt by Indigenous communities because there was a need to be together to offer support during challenging times. "Thats their family," Halcrow said. Samaritan House Ministries Inc. executive director Barbara McNish said she appreciates the Blue Door Project because now there is only half an hour where Brandonites do not have a warm place to go in the Wheat City between the project and the Safe and Warm Shelter. The project has been a great addition to the city, offering important coverage through everyone working together to make sure nobody is left out in frigid temperatures during the height of winter. "Thats our greatest strength, is to be able to rally around and support one and other," McNish said. The Safe and Warm Shelter remains open, and the organization is actively screening for the virus and working with public health and PMH to help manage the fourth wave of the pandemic. "Weve got some plans in effect, and were just doing what were supposed to be doing," McNish said. "The shelter right now, I have no concerns about it. We know its out there, so we are doing all the things we possibly can do." McNish was unable to comment on case numbers, but said anyone who needs to be tested is being referred to PMH. The shelter is practising public health measures and recommendations, including physical distancing, to help protect the 30 individuals who use the space each night. "The groups of people that come in are families they are friends and they are therefore family, and they take care of each other. Its really important that they manage. They dont want their family to be sick any more than you or I do," McNish said. As a shelter, they appreciate the support provided by the community, the City of Brandon, PMH, the province and other agencies. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the province, the measures and practices at Safe and Warm have gone largely unaffected, McNish said, but the Samaritan House Food Bank has been forced to pivot. The food bank is currently providing more than 100 food hampers each day and has gone to a once-a-month double hamper delivery to limit people gathering for the month of January. The number of people allowed in the food bank at a time is currently limited to six. The hours at the non-profit have been extended to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m to ensure they can provide hampers in a safe method. "Right now, were managing, so Im just waiting to see what the need might be down the road its good," McNish said. A PMH spokesperson provided written comments regarding COVID-19 supports and cases at the Blue Door and Safe and Warm Shelter. The regional health authority was unable to confirm if any or how many cases have been reported in these communities. The spokesperson said in an email statement that in December 2020, there was an increase in cases or contacts in Brandons vulnerable population. They noted 2021 has been different, as PMHs vaccination outreach has helped protect the vulnerable people in the community. Clients who are COVID-19 positive or close contacts are provided accommodations and services that may include primary care, public health and mental health services at an alternate isolation unit. Clients are checked on at least daily and provided meals and other services they require. "The pandemic creates additional challenges for more vulnerable clients who may not have a safe place to isolate, and PMH works in partnership with community stakeholders to provide alternate isolation accommodations and additional supports to meet client needs," said the spokesperson. ckemp@brandonsun.com Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp A look at news events in April 2021: 1 - More than five million Canadians had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose -- or almost one in six. About 690,000 of those had received both doses. Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said 384 serious reactions to vaccine shots had been reported. 2 - Air Canada and Transat came to a mutual agreement to terminate their planned merger. The companies announced the demise of the $190-million deal initiated more than two years ago and amended due to COVID-19's impact on the transportation sector. It came after Air Canada and the tour company that operates Air Transat were advised by the European Commission that it would not approve the transaction. 2 - Johnson & Johnson said it was expanding its clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 12 and 17. In a statement, the company said it would begin testing 16- and 17-year-olds in the United Kingdom and Spain, later adding teenagers in that age group in Canada, the United States and the Netherlands. 3 - Britain's medicines regulator said it had identified 30 cases of rare blood clot events associated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said those 30 cases related to a period when more than 18 million doses of the vaccine had been administered. 3 - Canada reached more than one million cases of COVID-19. The national tally topped the grim threshold when British Columbia reported 2,090 new infections. Canada had been recording about 100,000 new cases every three to four weeks, surging past the 900,000 mark on March 13. 5 - Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein appealed his rape conviction. Weinstein said he was made a "media villain'' and put on trial in a "highly volatile and prejudicial atmosphere'' that failed to safeguard his right to a fair trial. 8 - Newly elected Premier Andrew Furey was sworn into office in a small, socially distanced ceremony in St. John's. Furey promised bold decisions to tackle Newfoundland and Labrador's towering financial troubles, which include $16.4 billion in net debt. 8 - Alberta's top doctor said the three more contagious variants of COVID-19 in the province had become the dominant strains. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said those who tested positive could assume they were infected with the one first reported in the United Kingdom. The province also had infections linked to the variant first detected in South Africa and the strain first identified in Brazil. 9 - Officials with Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Queen's 99-year-old husband -- Prince Philip. The royal couple were married in 1947, and Philip was the longest-serving consort in British history. Struggling with failing health, he retired from public engagements in 2017. 9 - Rapper DMX died in a hospital in White Plains, N.Y. -- a week after he suffered catastrophic cardiac arrest. The Grammy nominee was 50 years old. DMX made his mark as one of hip-hop's most recognizable names, and as an actor. 10 - Prince Charles spoke publicly for the first time since his father died. He said the Royal Family was grateful for the outpouring of support they received following the death of his father, Prince Philip. He said his "dear papa'' would have been amazed at the touching things people were saying about him. 11 - "Nomadland'' won four prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards. The film's director, Chloe Zhao, became only the second woman to win the best director trophy. Star Frances McDormand was named best actress. 12 - Princes William and Harry issued separate statements paying tribute to their grandfather, Prince Philip. William said his grandfather was an ''extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation.'' Prince Harry described Philip as a man who was ''authentically himself'' and ''cheeky right till the end.'' 12 - Ottawa reached a deal with Air Canada to give the airline access to as much as $5.9 billion in loans and equity financing. Under the agreement, which took months to negotiate, Air Canada had to refund passengers whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19, cap executive compensation at $1 million and restore service to regional airports. 13 - Canada recorded its first case of blood clots in someone who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Unlike the doses linked to reports of blood clots in Europeans, the vaccine in the Canadian case was produced at the Serum Institute of India. 14 - Liberal MP William Amos issued a mea culpa after being caught on camera in his birthday suit during a virtual House of Commons session. Amos, who had represented the Quebec riding of Pontiac since 2015, said his video was accidentally turned on while changing from his jogging clothes into his work clothes. 15 - Health officials in Nunavut confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Iqaluit, the territory's largest community. 15 - Europe surpassed one million deaths from COVID-19. 15 - Canada's three biggest wireless network operators were dealt a blow by the Canadian telecommunications regulator. The CRTC said regional networks that meet certain standards will be able to operate as "mobile virtual network operators'' or MVNOs -- in areas where competition is limited. That means they pay wholesale for access to the major networks while maintaining a distinct customer base. 17 - The global COVID-19 death toll reached more than three million -- about equal to the population of Kyiv, Ukraine, or Lisbon, Portugal. But the true number was believed to be significantly higher because of possible government concealment and the many cases overlooked in the early stages of the outbreak. 17 - Prince Philip was interred in the Royal Vault at St. George's Chapel following a service that honoured his lifetime of service to the United Kingdom, the Crown and his wife of 73 years. But it will likely not be his final resting place. After the Queen's death, she and Philip are expected to be buried in the Royal Burial Ground on the Frogmore Estate close to Windsor Castle. 17 - An Alberta man in his 60s who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was Canada's second case of the blood clot disorder. 20 - Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. The jury deliberated about 10 hours over two days in a city on edge against another outbreak of unrest. At the Minneapolis intersection that has been dubbed George Floyd Square, about 100 people gathered around a large painting of Floyd. 20 - One in four Canadians had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The data came from provincial and territorial governments, who said more than 9.5 million Canadians had received their first dose. 20 - A third Canadian developed blood clots after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health said the patient in their 30s received the vaccine in mid-March, before its use was limited to people over the age of 55 due to a slightly elevated risk of the extremely rare blood clot disorder. 21 - There was celebration in the streets across the U.S. in the wake of the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer in the murder of George Floyd. Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges against him in the death of the Black man last May, which was caught on video and viewed by millions around the world. 22 - Ontario Premier Doug Ford admitted his government got it wrong when it gave police power to stop and question people for being out of their homes during the pandemic. Many police forces refused to enforce such a measure, and it was eventually scrapped. 23 - Canada's advisory body on vaccines said the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine could be given to people 30 years of age or older. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization said the vaccine is safe, despite rare cases of blood clots linked to its use. 23 - Ontario reported its first case of a rare blood clot in a person who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The province said it was the fourth case of the rare clotting condition in Canada, out of more than 1.1 million AstraZeneca doses given across the country. 23 - Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie, got their first shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy in Ottawa. 24 - Ontario reported a second case of a rare blood clotting condition stemming from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, chief medical officer of health for Hamilton, said a man in his 60s was diagnosed after his first dose of the vaccine. 24 - Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole joined the ranks of the partially vaccinated. He and his wife, Rebecca, received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot from a masked and shielded health-care worker while sitting in their car. 25 - Chloe Zhao made history at the Academy Awards. Zhao won the Oscar for best director for ''Nomadland,'' becoming just the second woman and the first woman of colour to win the award. 26 - A Quebec woman pleaded not guilty to added charges related to allegations she mailed a letter containing ricin to former U.S. president Donald Trump. U.S. federal prosecutors allege Pascale Ferrier sent a note saying that if the poison didn't work, the writer would use their gun. Ferrier faced new charges of sending threats through the mail and violating biological weapons prohibitions. 26 - The minority Liberal government survived the last of three confidence votes on the budget. The House of Commons approved the government's general budgetary policy. The vote was 178-157. Liberals were joined by New Democrat MPs in voting in favour. Conservative, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs voted against. 27 - A Quebec woman in her 50s died of a blood clot that occurred after she received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. 29 - A late night for the House of Commons ended with MPs approving legislation to put an end to a strike that had shut down one of Canada's busiest ports for days. Conservatives joined forces with the minority Liberal government early in the morning to pass Bill C-29 by a vote of 255-61. Provided the market continues to trade at these levels, my view is well see a number of parties coming out early in the new year to try and aggressively push IPOs even prior to the half-year results, he says. The multiple-billion-dollar floats partly reflect the sophistication of the pre-IPO market, which gives companies access to funding alternatives to help develop their business ahead of an IPO at higher valuations. A lot of those companies have chosen to access private capital and stay private longer, and come to market when theyve got more mature business models, Cunningham says. APM Group chief executive Michael Anghie and executive chairwoman and founder Megan Wynne. Judo Bank is a case in point. It raised hundreds of millions of dollars over five rounds of private funding before listing in November with a $2.3 billion market valuation. [An IPO] is an option thats open to us, but equally the capital that weve got means that its something that we can do on our terms and our conditions and our timing, co-founder David Hornery said in June after the companys final pre-IPO round of funding. It successfully listed in November. Hotel commerce platform Siteminder was another billion-dollar-plus IPO in November that relied on private capital to build its business before staging one of the most successful sharemarket floats this year. IT service management company Airwallex and graphic design site Canva are each worth billions and have yet to go public. The big floats may have set a record, but the sheer number of floats still deserves attention. The ASX views 120 annual listings as an average outcome in the current IPO cycle, which began 2013, and 140 listings is considered good. Just before Christmas, the ASX had recorded 240 listings - the highest number since a record crop in 2007 which topped 300. Were well, well above forecast, Cunningham says. In 2020, the ASX listed just 114 companies despite a strong lift in the second half of the year. No single sector has dominated this years IPOs, which included health (the $800 million Australian Clinical Labs), industrial (Peter Warren Auto, $483 million) and tech stocks (Airtasker, $255 million), consumer discretionary (My Food Bag, $440 million), fintechs (PEXA, $3 billion) and, of course, mining (29 Metals, $960 million). Investors have not been put off by the fact that many prominent floats have not performed to plan this year. This includes consumer finance provider Pepper Money, which is trading materially below its IPO price. So has Latitude Financial, which finally made its way to market on the third attempt. Loading The multi-billion dollar float of APM Human Services has never traded at the $3.55 paid by investors ahead of its IPO. Others, like property conveyancer PEXA, were treading water before recent M&A speculation gave it a boost. There were also late disappointments like Chalice Minings gold assets spin-off Falcon Metals. It dropped 37 per cent below its 50c IPO price at its trading debut on the Wednesday before Christmas. Hogg says technology and healthcare companies are expected to underpin anther hot year for IPOs in 2022, but warns that the IPO window of opportunity could close quickly if the market loses confidence. An hour beforehand, as red dirt blew hard in our faces, Josie turned to me, spitting out dirt, and asked: So Margaret, where do you see yourself in five years? The next long university break, we flew to Perth, hitchhiked to Kalgoorlie, and then tried to make our way up north to the town of Leinster and across to Geraldton. Miners told us it was possible, but it was a stupid plan. We waited eight hours on the side of the road, smoking rollies when we didnt normally smoke and drinking all our water plus a bottle of Erin Cream. Wed endured a dust storm and an ants nest before a man pulled up amazed and said: What the hell are you doing out here? We did all of it, and for a young person whod spent most of her life living in small rural towns it was a mixture of shock and awe. On our own and with just enough money to scrape by on, the trip raised in me the possibility of a bigger life. In 1990, my cousin and I hitchhiked from Adelaide up the Stuart Highway to Darwin. I was 19, Josie was 21. Our intention was to catch a flight to Kupang, Timor, and then make our way in eight weeks across the islands to Bali, where wed find a flight back to Darwin, hitch back down the highway again and return to Melbourne in time for the uni semester to begin. Afterward, we made our way back down to Perth, up to Broome and across to Darwin the ride in a brown Valiant with three blokes wed met in the backpackers. Windows down, Pink Floyd blaring, we drank cask wine and sped with wild abandon across glorious Kimberley skies. Down the Stuart again and back to university. Repeat the following semester break and the next and - when wed graduated - overseas. Out of all our adventures and mishaps and laughs, I keep coming back to the hitchhiking. Sitting there, on the side of the road with my cousin, sometimes for hours in the hot sun, waiting. What did we talk about on those long days? I dont remember being bored. We sometimes made up dances for each other and performed them in the middle of the road. We sang a lot from the Jesus Christ Superstar movie, Whats the buzz, tell me whats happening, whats the buzz ... and we talked - about life, about the future, about families and about nothing at all. Sometimes I would tell stories and Josie would listen, nodding her head. She might ask a question about a character or say what she liked about the plot. Sometimes the stories went on for weeks today I have no idea what they were about. The people we hitched with were mostly good. We favoured lifts with truckies, because they had a place to be and deadlines to meet. Young, single men were OK, more than two men were generally not. Older people in caravans rarely picked us up and to this day I have an aversion to the motorhome. The lifts we enjoyed most were with older women. These were rare, but oh, it felt so safe and relaxed to be with ladies who could be our mothers, who admonished us for hitchhiking and then let us sleep in the back seat. No need to be upbeat, engaging and funny all the time with them. I feel like the bok bok manok [shredded chicken with onion, pickles, cheddar and tangy mayo] has got that classic Pinoy salady element. But to me, the thing that sends me back to my childhood is the sweet treat [sliced banana, cream cheese, salted caramel coconut jam]. My dad grew up on a sugarcane plantation so hes got a real sweet tooth when we were kids we would always have a spoon of coconut jam and a banana, and youd suck on the spoon and eat the banana. Migrant Coffees sweet treat bagel, with coconut jam. Credit:Jason South The modest order comes to two bagels to share and one coffee for me. The conversation about music and family quickly jumps back two generations. My family scattered all over so for a long time we didnt go back there, MoJu says of their fathers homeland. My grandparents were in Hawaii, which actually has quite a big Filipino population I was probably 15, 16 when I went back and really absorbed it and kind of understood something about my family. It had a massive impact on me. Did it feel like home? Yes and no. It was a culture shock too I felt like an alien, so it gave me an understanding of myself. I grew up feeling very alone and very isolated and like I didnt fit in anywhere but then going there, I was just, like, Oh, wow. I felt privileged, too. I really understood that at the time, though I didnt necessarily have the language to articulate it. The language of music, meanwhile, was fully formed and all-encompassing. Mums James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Sade and Tracey Chapman records were big. Dad was into blues and rocknroll. Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, the Beatles. He lived in San Francisco in the 70s, so hed reminisce about seeing Sly and the Family Stone and Fleetwood Mac. Loading I feel like my biggest influence came from my grandparents, MoJu says. My mums parents were big jazz buffs so when we were really little, wed go to jazz festivals with them. For my granddad, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday were like saints. Thered be a recording on and hed be like, Whos this? And you go, Oh, its Billie Holiday and he goes, No, whos playing the clarinet? Hed know every musician on that cut, where it was recorded, what year that taught me an appreciation of every player in the band, you know? Young Mojo [the name change to Moju came in 2021] inherited a Boosey & Hawkes clarinet from an uncle at seven or eight. You can hear the jungle jazz influence of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway on the Mojo Juju album of 2012, though by then the switch to guitar and piano was a done deal to let that low, liquid voice take the lead. My grandmother would sing hymns. Gospel. I sang in the church choir for a time. Early on, my parents realised, whether or not I was good, that I liked singing. So I started singing lessons really young. My dad didnt love it, necessarily, that I was obsessed with music. He was always like, Youve got to have a real job. But every now and then he would do little things that would contradict that. I think the first time he was impressed was when I learned to play a Jimi Hendrix song in my bedroom. I was really lucky I was encouraged but it was something I was really passionate about from a young age. There are photos of me from when I was, like, eight, playing dress-up, sitting in a tux or something at an organ and I look like a baby Fats Waller! Hey, Fats was cool. Funny too. I think thats one of the things I love about that kind of music is the humour. Louis Jordan as well I think humour informed a lot of that. The crisp suits and snappy style of 50s jazz and jump blues was part of Mojo Jujus act when they started bringing some old school class to the festival circuit nearly 15 years ago. But that character was just a comfortable fit at the time for an artist with plenty of other ideas percolating. I think theres all this ... expectation on women and particularly people of colour to be political and authentic, says MoJu. Credit:Jason South There was a lot of self-preservation in that character. There were times when I wasnt always comfortable in my own skin. I guess you wear a bit of armour in order to be able to stand on stage. Im totally an introvert. And I think I just leaned into that whole idea: Im an entertainer. I dont need to give away so much of myself. That changed almost by accident in 2018. I dont speak my fathers native tongue / I was born under the southern sun / I dont know where I belong, proclaimed the opening lines of Native Tongue. My great granddaddy was Wiradjuri / My father came here from the Philippines, were proud statements of fact, but in a world obsessed with identity politics, Mojo was forced to engage with culture warriors left and right. Sometimes I think theres all this pressure and expectation on women and particularly people of colour to be political and authentic and all this stuff. And theres a part of me that resents that a little bit. Because these other artists like Waits and Dylan and Paul Kelly and Nick Cave, theyre heroes and icons. They write fictions, but with truth in it. Id really like to just be an artist and be acknowledged for that. Im good at telling stories. Im good at entertaining people. Receipt for lunch at Migrant Coffee. With the leap to Native Tongue and beyond, I think it just took me some time to get to the point where I was brave enough to tell my own stories, because I spent my whole life not fitting in and trying to blend. I didnt want to be different. I used to recoil from queerness and butchness and all these things because it was often portrayed as unattractive. Actually, I was just hurting myself. Theres was this internalised homophobia; internalised racism. I didnt want to have to talk about it. Earlier on, industry pressure to not be too alienating sealed Mojos resolve on that score. Now, I felt like I knew myself well enough. It also felt urgent and important to tell certain family stories; to honour my grandparents. That was a big thing for me because Im so close to them. Dry January or Drynuary, for the initiated offers your body and mind a chance to reset and reflect after the seasonal bloat and weariness. For a vocal movement, the approach of scaling back drinking to live more fully in the moment can, and should, happen year-round. Rather than cutting out alcohol entirely, though, a growing number of people are sober curious, exploring elements of a booze-free lifestyle without fully abstaining. Mindful drinking, a phrase and philosophy that brings the self-reflection of meditation to a glass of wine or beer, has become increasingly commonplace in recent years, said Rosamund Dean, a journalist in London who published a book based on the term in 2017. She wanted to become more intentional about her relationship to drinking, she said, instead of seeing alcohol as a habit or a crutch. Interrogating ones drinking habits often leads people to adopt more mindful drinking strategies. Credit:iStock It was going to the work event where there was nasty, cheap white wine and knocking it back, or putting the kids in bed after a busy day and cracking a bottle open, she said. Its the drinking you do without really thinking about it. Mindful drinking, by contrast, means bringing awareness to your behaviours in terms of your decision to drink alcohol. For example, tallying how many cocktails you consume in a given night, or paying close attention to why, where and when youre drawn to drinking. This moderation mindset might appeal to people searching for ways to scale back on troubling habits they developed during the pandemic. Studies have shown a dramatic increase in problematic drinking over the past year, especially among women. As the pandemic slogged on, we had a real spike in people coming to us, said Millie Gooch, who founded the Sober Girl Society collective in 2018. The community connects sober and sober curious women for events like boozeless brunches and virtual breakfast discussions. Its unpleasant, but imagine being Ghislaine Maxwell right now. Despite your Oxford education and royal connections, youve just beaten out organised Eastern European gangs to become the worlds highest profile sex trafficker. You turned 60 in prison on Christmas Day. Youre reviled equally by strangers and former friends. Your husband didnt show once to your trial. Youre $7 million in the hole to lawyers who couldnt save your skin. Youre facing decades behind bars. Ghislaine Maxwell, the worlds highest profile sex trafficker. Credit:AP Its worse than being Joe Root. At least he can just go home. If nothing else, Maxwells sex trafficking conviction in a New York court is fresh education on the power of schadenfreude. As the prison doors slam behind the former socialite, youd be hard pressed to find anyone anywhere not feeling satisfaction at Ghislaines plight. Measures beyond masks, including a ban on large indoor gatherings such as nightclubs, are necessary at least in the short term, he says. The debate is particularly intense in the lockdown-weary states of Victoria and NSW, where cases are rocketing to record levels each day. Governments are toeing the line of managing infection numbers to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed, without impinging on their already fragile economies and the social and psychological wellbeing of their citizens. Governments are battling the question of whether we will all catch COVID and, if so, how it should unfold. Credit:Scott McNaughton Professor Francois Balloux, the director of University College Londons genetics institute, delivered a message this week that, for the world, it is time to give in soon. Vaccine protection rates are as high as they may ever be in many places, and now weve got a couple of decent drugs, Balloux said on Twitter. Pretending we remain in control, of sorts, is just becoming too costly. Gradually removing all restrictions in coming months would end the pandemic, he said, by building population immunity and transitioning COVID-19 into an endemic virus that spread every year like the flu. Ahead of a 2022 election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is eager to normalise COVID, but the states bear ultimate responsibility for hospitals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Professor Nancy Baxter is the head of Melbourne Universitys School of Population and Global Health and a member of OzSage, a group of health experts who have urged more caution in the response to COVID-19. Baxter is scathing about the national cabinets shift this week. The change will result in a major underestimate of case numbers as many people will now not be identified as close contacts, will not be tested, she said. Short term, the case numbers may stop increasing the way they have been, but I would expect our positivity rate to go up substantially. Hopefully with the high vaccination rate and the mildness of Omicron, we can manage from an ICU perspective, but the hospitals and ER will be like the 10th circle of hell. Baxter advocates freely available and free or subsidised rapid antigen tests not just for close contacts of confirmed cases in homes but for all those who have come into contact with a COVID-19 case. A statement from OzSage on Thursday focused on the NSW governments response, which they described as let it rip, and rejected the redefinition of close contacts. Risk is not limited to arbitrary four-hour time frames within households, it said. Settings like nightclubs and restaurants have been sites of superspreading events, and if people exposed in these settings cannot get a PCR test, spread will accelerate. Yet Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly advocated for the changes, citing as evidence new research from South Africa. The research found the Omicron variant to be 73 per cent less severe than previous variants and Kelly said the emerging research should provide reassurance that, despite skyrocketing case numbers, intensive care admissions should remain low. Hours-long testing lines and waiting times of up to six days for results have accompanied the boom in cases. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone The South African government announced this week that data suggested the country had passed its Omicron peak without a big spike in deaths. The speed with which the Omicron-driven fourth wave rose, peaked and then declined has been staggering, said Fareed Abdullah of the South African Medical Research Council. Kelly said on Thursday that just 1481 out of 110,000 cases in Australia had led to hospitalisations, with 122 in intensive care and 51 on ventilators nationwide. It is a different virus, very different from previous versions of the virus we have seen over the last two years, he added. Loading Health Minister Greg Hunt pointed out that two-thirds of people in ICU as a result of contracting COVID-19 were unvaccinated. That emphasised the need for booster shots as soon as people are eligible. With only 11 per cent of people over 16 having received third-dose booster shots, the race is on to accelerate the program in January. But Roderick McRae, president of the Australian Medical Association Victoria, representing hospital workers, says staffing is becoming an urgent issue. Healthcare workers are also going out to see family, to the shops. They have a risk of exposure in the community just like everybody else with so many cases around, he says. Kerry Chant, the Chief Health Officer in NSW, where Premier Dominic Perrottet removed nearly all restrictions this month before reinstating some, said she did not want to see measures that put pressure on hospital capacity and might lead to measures such as the suspension of elective surgery. We are conscious that even though we might not have a lot of severity, just the sheer numbers are going to be a challenge for us, she added. Morrison spoke of the latest rule changes as practical, but there is tension between the practical and the pure health advice. In Victoria, Chief Health Officer Brett Suttons recommendation last week for all residents to wear a mask indoors was accepted by Health Minister Martin Foley, who has the final say under new pandemic laws. Sutton also advised the government to implement density limits in hospitality venues and prohibit dancing on dance floors, but both proposals were ignored by the minister, who cited the need to balance the economic, social and human rights impacts of tougher rules. Health Minister Martin Foley has the final say over Victorias restrictions, rather than Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, under new pandemic laws. Credit:Chris Hopkins The truth is, nobody knows what will happen in coming months, and the dilemma in Australia is mirrored across the world. Some countries are reinstating harsh restrictions while others are maintaining health measures such as masks indoors but accepting that Omicron will become widespread and loosening their rules to allow a form of normality to return. What is certain is that cases are skyrocketing. For the first time this week, the global tally of new cases passed 1 million a day on average, with the World Health Organisation warning that Omicron could create a tsunami of infections. The United States shattered its record for new daily coronavirus cases on Wednesday, topping 488,000 cases, according to the New York Times. But as the Times reports, those increased cases have not resulted in more severe disease, as hospitalisations have increased only 11 per cent and deaths have decreased slightly in the past two weeks. In Portugal, one of the few nations with a higher vaccination rate than Australia, the government ordered a mini-lockdown days before Christmas, forcing nightclubs and bars to close and instructing people to work from home for at least two weeks. If we do not adopt these measures now, the consequences on everyones lives will be much worse after Christmas and the new year, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said. Despite a higher vaccination rate than Australia, Portugal imposed a mini-lockdown before Christmas. Credit:AP Disparate approaches suggest there is no clear answer on whether now is the time to let Omicron spread and, if so, how to do it responsibly. There has been a major move away from PCR tests to reliance on rapid antigen tests. A close contact who has no symptoms now only needs to take a rapid test. Only symptomatic close contacts require a PCR test. Health and education workers as well as priority vulnerable groups will be provided with rapid tests along with close contacts of positive cases. The aim is to slash the long waiting times for PCR tests and to relieve businesses who are losing staff to isolation when they are not symptomatic. For those who are not close contacts, the rapid tests will need to be bought at a cost of about $15 each, although there are reports of price-gouging at pharmacies and supermarkets. The Prime Minister said that private industry had sought assurances that governments would not provide them free to all. It was agreed today that will not be the policy in Australia, he added on Thursday. Both NSW and Victoria have announced large orders of rapid tests in recent days, and Perrottet said on Wednesday a day before national cabinet that its order of 50 million tests would be distributed to the states residents for free from the end of January. In Victoria, the government has not released the details, but there are reports that Victorians will need to have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 to receive a free test. If Australians are to increasingly rely on rapid antigen tests into 2022, those who will struggle to afford the tests will be disadvantaged. At the Grattan Institute, Duckett said the policy was misguided: The United Kingdom has been distributing rapid tests to everyone who wanted one since April. We have just been so far behind the contemporary best practice in testing strategies, its ridiculous. Professor Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases expert with the Australian National University, says Australia is moving to a harmonised middle ground of what our lives should be like for at least a year, possibly several. Loading Even for the common cold, we need to change this soldier on attitude. For masks, I think there has been a culture shift of acceptance that we need to keep established, he says. While it is plausible that these projections might not come to pass, and it is appropriate not to overreact, it is equally plausible that they might come to pass, and it would be reckless to ignore them entirely, Professor Suttons advice states. In Victoria, cases have been surging dramatically in those aged in their 20s and 30s, and many respected epidemiologists have been calling for the closure of nightclubs, considering them too big a spreading risk. Doctor and infectious diseases epidemiologist Paul Van Buynder said: We are all really worried about case numbers four or five days after New Years Eve. When you see some of these nightclubs that look like one giant mosh pit with everybody with their arms in the air yelling at the top of their voices, theyre just total transmission sites. More than 32,000 COVID-19 infections were reported in Australia on Friday, with the highly infectious Omicron variant driving record daily cases across all states bar Western Australia. More than 1200 COVID-19 patients are in hospital in NSW and Victoria, an increase of about 60 per cent in a week. Epidemiologists and public health officials say the actual number of COVID-19 cases in the community is likely to be significantly higher than reported because some returning positive rapid tests are bypassing swamped state testing sites. More than a dozen Victorian sites were closed on Friday because of snaking queues or extreme heat. Victorias COVID-19 response commander, Jeroen Weimar, confirmed on Friday that officials were exploring ways to allow the public to upload the result of their rapid antigen tests. Were working on some options at the moment. Well make some announcements in the coming days, he said. Rapid tests are much cheaper but also less sensitive than PCR tests, meaning they occasionally produce false negatives. Those approved for use in Australia must identify at least 80 per cent of PCR-confirmed cases, and the rate of error diminishes significantly if at-home tests are completed over consecutive days, according to University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely. So the marginal gain of going and confirming that result with a PCR is minimal, he said. In the UK, the public is encouraged to report the result of their rapid tests to the National Health Service no matter the result, using a QR code or ID number printed on the test. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said there were no plans to introduce a reporting system for rapid antigen tests in her state. A month ago, the positivity rate from PCR testing was 2 per cent in Victoria and just 0.3 per cent in NSW. On Friday it was close to 9 per cent in Victoria and more than 14 per cent in NSW from 66,774 and 148,410 tests conducted respectively. Professor Allen Cheng believes most Australians will be exposed to COVID-19 at some point. Credit:Nicole Reed Epidemiologist Allen Cheng, who has been a key government adviser throughout the pandemic, said the high positivity rate from the PCR testing was an indicator there was a reasonable amount of COVID-19 cases in the community going undetected. Asked if it was inevitable that most Australians would get COVID-19, Professor Cheng said he believed most would be exposed to the highly infectious virus. Whether well actually get COVID depends on vaccinations and all the other things that we do, he said. If you look at places like the UK and the US where theres been a lot of infection, the proportion that have antibodies would suggest infection was probably well over 50 per cent in some places. In an attempt to ease the pressure on the PCR testing system, significant changes were made to testing requirements this week, with a decision of national cabinet meaning the public will no longer need to get a PCR test if they are exposed to COVID-19 at places such as cafes, schools and supermarkets. While Omicron is now thought to be significantly milder than previous strains, and the majority of seriously ill people are unvaccinated, there are still concerns the sheer number of active cases will put severe strain on hospitals through sick patients. Large numbers of staff being forced into isolation could also prove challenging. Professor Paul Van Buynder, who works with Ambulance Victoria on COVID-19 case management, said he was hoping and praying that emerging evidence suggesting people with Omicron were up to 70 per cent less likely to be hospitalised compared with Delta turned out to be true for Australia. Due to a lag between people testing positive and falling ill, he said, the biggest impact of the tens of thousands of cases reported on Friday was still a week or two away, and health services were now looking at compromises that could be made to ensure staff were available to look after the ill. He said even though the Omicron variant seemed like it was milder than Delta, the fact remained that case numbers in Victoria were now almost 10 times higher than the 2020 COVID-19 second wave. We may still have strain on our system, just through pure numbers, if youre 70 per cent less likely to end up in hospital but there are 20 times as many of you, the public health physician said. Loading The key message for everyone remains the booster dose Two doses is insufficient after four or five months to protect you against Omicron. Professor Van Buynder said it was not possible to control the variant through quarantine and instead the focus needed to switch to sensible public health measures such as masks, ventilation and restrictions on some gatherings. The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in NSW has increased from around 150 early in December to more than 800 and is now inching close to the peak of the Delta wave, where over 1200 people with COVID-19 were admitted. Numbers in intensive care have remained much flatter to date and are now at 69, an increase from 53 a week ago. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size As the cloud of dust in front of Senior Constable Brett Fortes four-wheel-drive cleared, it revealed a terrifying sight a wanted violent offender standing beside his ute with an automatic rifle in hand, ready to open fire. Ricky Maddison filed 27 rounds into the police 4WD, six penetrated the cabin. Senior Constable Forte was hit twice. One bullet hit his right forearm and the second went through the footwell and hit his groin. The frantic and, at times, panicked effort to escape Maddison was revealed in a video released by the coroner on Friday. Senior Constables Forte and Catherine Nielsen were in vehicle TW573, with a second crew following in TW269. TW269: Automatic gunfire. Automatic gunfire. Urgent, automatic gunfire. A police car has rolled. Automatic rifle, were getting out of here. Advertisement TW269: Shots fired. Need urgent assistance, theres a vehicle, a police vehicle, that has rolled. Hes shooting automatic gunfire at us. Full automatic. Senior Constable Nielsen: Urgent. Urgent. Urgent. TW269: That vehicle is in a lot of trouble. Hes only about 50 metres away with full auto. TW269: Weve rolled as well. Weve got two vehicles rolled. Weve got to try and get out of here. Senior Constable Nielsen: Can someone help? Senior Constable Forte, the husband to fellow police officer Susan and father to her three children, died less than 15 minutes later as officers tried to free him from his overturned vehicle. As soon as he [Maddison] has started to fire, Brett yelled out hes out. [Senior Constable Forte] got it into reverse, got his foot down, that act essentially saved my life, Senior Constable Nielsen said. Advertisement I got my gun out and started shooting through my windscreen. The car tipped onto Bretts side. I got the glass out of the way in case I had to shoot again. I couldnt lift Bretty, the car was a mess it was like something out of the streets of Beirut. I realised there was a huge amount of blood and his arm was a mess. I wasnt sure if he had been shot or banged his head on the car, he was making groaning noises. Senior Constable Catherine Nielsen leaves the coronial inquest at Toowoomba Magistrates Court after giving evidence this week. Credit:Toby Crockford For the past two weeks, a coronial inquest has delved into Senior Constable Fortes death on May 29, 2017, and the demise of his killer, Maddison, who was shot dead by police after a 20-hour standoff. For two months before the fatal showdown, police had been searching for Maddison to interview him about domestic violence offences. Advertisement But they had received public tip-offs about Maddisons hide-out and an arsenal of weapons in the four months leading up to the fatal chase that ended on Wallers Road near the rural town of Gatton about 80 kilometres west of Brisbane. Loading In February 2017, a female resident in the area reported hearing automatic gunfire and when she rang to follow up she was told by a police officer: It could not possibly be automatic gunfire. Other residents reported hearing the same thing in April 2017, the month before Senior Constable Forte was killed. One heard automatic gunfire coming from the Wallers Road area, where Forte was killed and Maddison had set up a hide-out. Another even recorded the sound on her phone and supplied the recording to police but was told by an officer it had limited evidentiary value. Detective Senior Sergeant Fiona Hinshelwood, involved in the police services internal investigation of Senior Constable Fortes death, conceded nothing was done in response to those reports and agreed police put it down to regular gunfire in the Gatton area for hunting. The police convoy - which featured motorbike, horses and dogs - during the final goodbye to Senior Constable Brett Forte in Toowoomba on June 7, 2017. Credit:Chris Hyde Advertisement Toowoomba detectives who had hunted Maddison for two months only learnt about these residents reports a week before Senior Constable Fortes death. Detectives were also unaware that Gatton police had placed a motion-activated camera on a property beside Maddisons hide-out to monitor who was coming in and out of Wallers Road. These were some of the police communication breakdowns highlighted by the coronial inquest. Loading In fact, Senior Constable Forte told his wife just days before he was gunned down that he had been told zip about the search for his eventual killer, Maddison, because he was in the B-Team. On the day Senior Constable Forte died, he answered a phone call at Toowoomba police station. Maddison was on the other end of the line. He requested to speak to a more senior officer. That call went to Sergeant Peter Jenkins, who told the coronial inquest he kept Maddison talking while officers searched public phone boxes, because investigators believed he had called from one. Advertisement Paul Edbrooke had just driven across the bridge exiting Phillip Island when the sound of sirens started blaring from his phone. The state Labor MP for Frankston had been surfing with his two teenage boys the day before New Years Eve, but his afternoon was about to take a serious turn. The siren sound came from an emergency Good Samaritan app, GoodSAM. It alerted him to a person drowning nearby. He was only a few streets away, so he rushed to the address in San Remo. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke at Frankston pier. Credit:Wayne Taylor I went over the fence and saw the mum dealing with an unconscious child, he recalls. A seven-year-old had been dragged out of a backyard pool. She had no pulse and was lifeless. The MP explained to the girls family that he was a former firefighter trained in first aid and CPR. It was not until several days later and only after multiple former students came forward with their own allegations that the college notified the wider Mount Scopus community that complaints have been made by a number of former students that a member of staff had previously engaged in inappropriate conduct with secondary students, in breach of college protocols and policies dealing with staff and student interactions. Following an independent investigation, the staff member no longer works at the college, Rabbi Kennard wrote on December 9. Rabbi Kennard later told staff at an end-of-year meeting that he regretted sending the initial email that failed to reveal any details of Mr Alfords alleged misconduct. There was absolutely no attempt to sweep this under the carpet, as evidenced by the fact that I went straight to the CCYP [Commission for Children and Young People], he told The Age. Mr Alford was hired at the school as a media teacher in 1997, then helped to develop what he has described as its young, innovative informal education team, a role that involved regular informal one-on-one meetings with students as well as accompanying them on camps and other activities outside of school hours. Loading Sources said he was a charismatic member of staff who was popular among students and known for having an edgy and sometimes inappropriate sense of humour. Mr Alford denied the allegations, but said it was very important that students and former students can come forward to share any concern of this nature and that they are supported to do so and have them investigated. I can say that I have never and, there has never been any finding that, I engaged in any sexual offence, he told The Age. I never engaged in any behaviour towards a student for any sexual purpose on my part. Fallout over the issue has expanded to the synagogue that Mr Alford regularly attends and volunteers at, the Blake Street Hebrew Congregation in Caulfield South. Manny Waks, the chief executive of an organisation dedicated to combating misconduct towards children in the global Jewish community, outed Mr Alford as the subject of serious allegations by multiple former students of Mount Scopus Memorial College in a letter to synagogue president Andrew Davis. The Jewish Community Council of Victoria wrote to Blake Street on December 15 expressing concern that its child protection policy was inadequate and lacked a strategy for managing complaints. In the absence of risk management strategies and safety planning, there is the potential for the protection and wellbeing of children and other vulnerable members of the community to be compromised, stated the letter, which requested a copy of a revised policy by January 31. A report has also been made to the Commission for Children and Youth by a member of the Jewish community, alleging Blake Street Synagogue failed to notify the commission within three days of becoming aware of allegations of misconduct regarding a volunteer. A spokesman for the commission said it was legally prevented from confirming whether it was investigating. Mr Davis, president of Blake Street, said the synagogue had commenced discussions with the Jewish Community Council of Victoria regarding its child protection policy, which was updated in August. In relation to this current situation, Blake Street Hebrew Congregation is taking all appropriate steps to deal with allegations that have been made against one of its members, but notes there is no suggestion that any wrongdoing has occurred in respect of Blake Street Hebrew Congregation, its activities or any of its members, he said in written responses to The Age. Mr Alford told The Age he will not attend the synagogue during the investigation. Mount Scopus is Melbournes largest Jewish school, with more than 1300 students. The high-fee non-government school is renowned for consistently achieving among the best VCE results in the state, but also champions its informal education program as a cornerstone of an education there. The initial independent investigation into Mr Alford was completed by Peta Nowacki of Working Together, a private investigator. John Howard was warned just weeks before the Tampa affair of an impending flood of boat arrivals which would exhaust Australias detention capacity and place major strain on existing security resources ahead of a summit of international leaders in Brisbane. Secret documents given to federal cabinet in 2001, released after two decades on Saturday by the National Archives of Australia, show confidential contingency plans were drawn up to deal with intelligence reports suggesting an increasing pool of 6500 asylum seekers in the smuggling pipeline was awaiting passage across the seas. An Australian Army vessel patrols the waters near the Norwegian freighter Tampa in 2001. Credit:AP They also warn of the need for a demonstrated commitment from the federal government to border security to both reassure the Australian community and send a clear message to potential future arrivals and existing immigration detainees. The submission, stamped cabinet-in-confidence and dated July 6 2001, was circulated just six weeks before a small Indonesian fishing boat, the Palapa, overloaded with 433 mainly Hazara asylum-seekers from Afghanistan, became stranded in international waters about 140 km north of Christmas Island. Pharmacies and other outlets have been limiting the sale of tests per person and sometimes selling out due to high demand, with state governments jostling to secure enough supply on the global market. What Im being very clear about ... is the governments of Australia, Commonwealth, state and federal are not going to do that [provide unlimited free tests to everybody], Mr Morrison said on Thursday. We will be providing them only where it is recommended to us that they need to be provided. He said those settings would include tests for close contacts and those in high-risk settings such as aged care. Federal, state and territory governments are currently working on how to provide access to tests for low-income and concession card holders. The government also plans to arrange testing for schooling and was looking at supplying free tests for vulnerable populations including Indigenous communities through pharmacies. The model proposed by the Pharmacy Guild includes a pharmaceutical benefits scheme-style concession for low-income people, such as pensioners, to ensure they can afford the tests. Mr Morrison said this week the government was discussing concessions for pensioners. Loading We need to ensure free stocks are available for those who cant afford to pay but we also dont want it fully subsidised as the worried-well will overwhelm the system, Mr Twomey said. The Department of Health recently contacted stakeholders including aged care facilities to determine where there was need for rapid tests. Major worker and employer groups such as the Business Council of Australia, Australian Council of Trade Unions and Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia confirmed they had not been consulted by the government about rapid testing. A consultation earlier this week organised through Home Affairs included major supermarkets, pharmacies and medical organisations and focused on the test distribution. A Woolworths Group spokesman said the supermarket chain had not sought to influence the governments decisions on the distribution and cost of tests. Households relying on income support payments such as JobSeeker might not be able to afford the rapid tests, Australian Council of Social Service president Peter McNamara said. JobSeeker is worth $629.50 a fortnight for a single person and at-home tests typically cost $10 to $20 each. Mr McNamara said it was irresponsible for the federal government not to cover the cost of these tests for 3 million people across the country who received support payments. While some states including NSW and Victoria have ordered tens of millions of rapid antigen tests and announced plans to provide them for free, there is uncertainty about who will be eligible. We know that the hardest hit by COVID-19 and all variants are people who are homeless, people with disabilities, First Nations people, especially those who live remotely, the elderly, single-parent households, people relying on JobSeeker and young people on Youth Allowance, Mr McNamara said. Loading We need to prioritise these groups and the community sector that support them who are on the frontline, and who see and respond to this crisis first. He said the NSW and Victorian governments needed to provide more clarity about how people could access free rapid tests. ACOSS has also requested more specific data from health departments about infection, vaccination and death rates among groups experiencing disadvantage. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said the group had met with the federal government multiple times but had not specifically advocated for free rapid tests as other tests had been available. If rapid tests became mandatory, he said they should be free. Loading Equity of access to RATs is an important consideration and government subsidies for non-mandatory RATs would be supported by the AMA, Dr Khorshid said. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele ONeil said the federal government was leaving Australians facing a lottery of lack of supply and differing state and territory approaches to rapid antigen testing. Ms ONeil said a single test could cost up to $20, which was unaffordable for many families. She was also concerned many pharmacies were selling out. New York: In the pre-vaccine pandemic days, as shutdowns dragged on, odes to the lost joys of the dance floor became a motif in media. Recollections of sweaty nights out in crowded clubs captured much of what COVID-19 had taken from us: community, freedom, gloriously messy physical proximity. When restrictions began to loosen, teeming dance floors became a symbol of recovery around the world. At SWG3 an arts centre in Glasgow, Scotland, that hosts some of the citys largest dance parties tickets for club nights sold briskly during the summer and autumn of 2021, before the arrival of the Omicron variant. The appetite for these events has been stronger than ever, and its fuelled by the long period of time we were all denied it, said Andrew Fleming-Brown, SWG3s managing director. Weve missed that shared body heat experience, being packed together in a full venue. SWG3 is one of Scotlands biggest independent venues. Here clubbers dance to Sport Team, an English Band. What if dance floor catharsis could be good not only for the soul but also for the planet? This month, SWG3 and geothermal energy consultancy TownRock Energy will begin installing a new renewable heating and cooling system that harnesses the body heat of dancing clubbers. The plan should eventually reduce SWG3s total carbon output by 60 per cent to 70 per cent. And it may be replicable. TownRock and SWG3 recently started a company to help other event spaces implement similar technology. There is poetry in the idea: the power of dance, made literal. Conversations about sustainability can be pretty abstract, said David Townsend, founder and CEO of TownRock. But if you can connect it to something people love to do everyone loves a dance that can be very meaningful. Wilmington, Delaware: US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have again exchanged warnings over Ukraine but conveyed some optimism that upcoming diplomatic talks in January could help ease spiralling tensions. Despite the talk of diplomacy, the tone of their 50-minute call on Friday (AEDT) was described by officials on both sides as serious. And neither side detailed significant progress towards a resolution. Shamans in Lima, Peru, hold photos of US President Joe Biden and Russias Vladimir Putin during a year-end ritual where thy asked world leaders be cleansed, so they can make wise decisions in the coming year. Credit:AP For his part, Biden reiterated his threat of unprecedented sanctions if Russia chose to invade Ukraine. Biden laid out two paths, including diplomacy, said a senior administration official. The Gurugram-based bootstrapped start-up Agaamin Technologies is going live this Friday-Saturday midnight with the country's maiden internet offering with the vernacular smart name, which can be used in lieu of the dotcom (.com) or dotin (.in), with the Devanagri equivalent of dotbha (.bha) the first alphabet of the word Bharat. Agaamin means 'future' in Sanskrit, and the founder Sajan Nair said the Indian internet that he is launching can go a long way in "bridging the digital divide between India and Bharat". Nair added that the Indian internet with '.bha' as a smart name is not only the first in the country but also across Asia and probably the second/third globally when it comes to "the smart name registry for the world of dWeb or decentralised Web". Agaamin also plans to have emojis and surnames as top-level domains (TLDs) shortly. The first 'smart TLD' to be launched is in Devanagri (Hindi) and it will be a single letter TLD that will be the first alphabet of the word Bharat. Agaamin will also in phases roll out the same alphabet in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Manipuri, and all other languages, Nair told PTI on Friday from While the maiden offering is in Hindi, plans are afoot to launch the Bengali version (the .bha equivalent in Bengali) by February and Malayalam version by April, and of Urdu by May, Nair said. Some of the immediate ways in which one can use a smart name are the unique names in the metaverse or the unique wallet address just like a phone number is for UPI; or the domain name for the website that can be the universal log into all the apps, among others. Stated differently, it means that such smart names allow every individual to build anything she/he wishes on the internet. Apart from the registration of smart names, he is also planning to create a secondary market where users can buy and sell their smart names thus creating value for the holders of the smart names. The only remotely similar offerings in the country in dWeb is the few vernacular TLDs that the government offers but they aren't smart names as they cannot be used for anything except website naming and no application on the Web3/dWeb, he said. He added that "you could say we are incremental in the way an aeroplane is incremental over a bicycle". Agaamin's TLDs are rooted in a decentralised protocol called 'Handshake' instead of the legacy Internet which is managed by a centralised organisation called the US-based ICANN. An open-source protocol like Handshake ensures that the net remains free and open. Users can easily access dWeb sites via the Beacon Browser for IOS and the Puma Browser for Android. On the desktop/laptop, one can install a free opensource resolver called Fingertip so as to access all of dWeb and the legacy internet securely, said Nair, who has spent over two decades in advertising and marketing. The three-decades-old internet as we know it today is commonly referred to as Web2.0 and it is about to be disrupted by the 'New Internet' also known as the dWeb or decentralised Web or Web3.0. The dWeb is not just a better version of the current internet but is designed from the ground up in such a way that it is fundamentally and structurally different from how the legacy Internet functions. One of the fundamental building blocks of the internet is its "namespace" that is now built on TLDs such as .com, .org, .in etc. The names created on these TLDs are used as names for websites. For instance, in google.com, 'google' is the name and '.com' is the TLD. In Web2.0, one's digital ID is given by centralised entities like Google and Facebook as user name that is then also used to log into other apps. However, on the other hand, "in the dWeb, your user ID belongs to you and you controlled it, which means that unlike the current namespace that is relevant only to website owners in the dWeb, namespace is relevant to everyone", Nair said. On the future of smart namespace, Nair said he will have "something for everyone; apart from vernaculars, we'll soon also have emoji combos as TLDs, such as the tricolor, music, doctor, or engineer emojis". (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 indirect taxes (I-T) department has detected goods and services tax (GST) evasion of around Rs 40 crore by Zanmai Labs Private Ltd, which manages exchange WazirX. The department recovered Rs 49.2 crore in dues. Officers of central GST, Mumbai East committee, have detected evasion of Rs 40.5 crore on commission of Wazir X They recovered Rs 49.2 crore in cash as GST, interest and penalty on December 30 from Zanmai Labs, said CGST Mumbai Zone of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Twitter. As per a detailed press release by the government late on Friday, Wazir X exchange is managed by Zanmai Labs Pvt Ltd and 'WRX' is owned by Binance Investment Co. Ltd, Seychelles. WazirX was registered as Zanmai Labs in December 2017 as a domestic cryptocurrency startup. The exchange provides option to a trader to transact in Rupee or WRX, which has to be purchased on the WazirX platform. WazirX chief executive and founder Nischal Shetty is one of the two directors of Zanmai Labs. Business Standard contacted Shetty, who declined to comment, but referred a Zanmai spokesperson. Zanmai has been diligently paying tens of crores worth of every month. There was an ambiguity in the interpretation of one of the components that led to a different calculation of GST. However, we voluntarily paid additional GST in order to be cooperative and compliant. There is no intention to evade tax, the spokesperson said. We believe that regulatory clarity is the need of the hour for the Indian crypto industry. It will also provide us with more clarity on taxation so that we can work in sync with the lawmakers, and continue to be a responsible industry player, he said. According to the CBIC, the matter relates to WazirX launching its own currency, but not paying GST on it. During the investigation it came to notice that the firm used to collect revenue from commission as trading fees, deposit fees and withdrawal fees. It was paying GST only on commission earned in rupee but was not paying GST on commission earned in WRX, the press release stated, adding that GST at the rate of 18 percent is applicable on this transaction fees. This action comes even as there is continued uncertainty over laws and regulations governing cryptocurrencies. platforms and saw a spike in orders on New Years Eve (NYE) with cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai placing curbs on celebrations amid new Covid variant. Both the foodtech unicorns said around 9 pm on Friday that they had crossed 2 million orders for the day. saw 6,000 orders per minute at around 7pm--its highest ever--on Friday and it expected the number to shoot up further and peak at 8:30 PM, according to Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal. He also tweeted that the foodtech app was seeing very high app openings by users and the number of live orders touched 165,000 just before 7 PM. Rival tweeted just a few minutes later that it had hit 6,600 orders per minute. On Swiggys first NYE in 2014 as a 3-month-old platform, we did 1 order every 3 minutes. How times have changed, said Founder and CEO Sriharsha Majety. He added that he would come out of his comfort zone to share New Years Eve ordering updates on the microblogging platform. Sharing order metrics for Blinkit (previously Grofers), in which invested $100 million for a stake of around 10 per cent in 2021, Goyal tweeted: 7,000 packs of nachos have been ordered already. And 43,000 cans of aerated drinks. Not going to share the stats on condoms. It will be a quiet New Years Eve at restaurants and bars due to night curfews and bans on celebrations in various states. Cafes and clubs have either canceled or scaled down their events depending on local restrictions. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have imposed a night curfew while Chennai has banned all vehicles except emergency ones from Friday midnight to 5 am on Saturday. A spokesperson for Swiggy said earlier it hoped to fulfill the expected surge in orders smoothly. We have beefed up our teams as we expect a surge in orders for New Years. We have completed hyperlocal demand-supply planning and identified the specific slots which would see an increase in demand due to early ordering patterns. Delivery partners incentives and schemes are also tailored to satisfy this early ordering pattern, said a spokesperson. We expect this year to be no different and are fully geared for it. We have expanded the capacity of our delivery fleet and our support and operations staff to ensure customers have a great experience on the platform on the day, a Zomato spokesperson told 'Business Standard' on December 30. Apples contract manufacturer has got the governments approval to restart operations at the unit which was shut earlier this month following protests sparked by a food poisoning incident. Operations can be started in a phase-wise manner, a senior state government official told Business Standard. However, with Apple putting the unit on probation early this week for not complying with its standards, the chances of an immediate restart of operations are unlikely, according to sources aware of the development. We have given them all the necessary clearances from the state governments side to restart the operations a few days ago. They are likely to start work very soon, said a state government source on the condition of anonymity. At least 260 people got affected and around 159 had got hospitalised early this month after an incident of food poisoning at one of the staff hostels of the unit. Following this, Apple had conducted a third-party audit, based on which it found the dormitory and dining facilities not meeting the handset makers international standards. This led to Apple putting the unit on probation. Restarting the operations may take some time, maybe a few weeks. Unless they meet the Apple standards, it is unlikely, said a source close to the development. In December 2020, Apple had put Wistrons facility at Narasapura in Karnataka on probation, after a rampage by its workers over alleged non-payment of wages. Wistron suffered losses of around Rs 430 crore. After the incident, it took at least three months for Wistron to restart the operations in March 2021. As a corrective measure, Foxconn, too, had announced the restructuring of its management. Apologising to its employees, the company said it was taking measures to enhance facilities at its dormitories. A senior district-level official told Business Standard there is no roadblock from the side of authorities to restart operations. However, the local police is also investigating the food poisoning incident and the protests that led to the blocking of the Chennai-Bengaluru highway. The state government had also asked to provide basic amenities . After Hindustan Unilever, it is now Palmolive India. Distributors have decided to stop supplying products of Palmolive India ( India) in in phases from January 1 owing to the issue of price disparities between the traditional trade and organised channel, which includes players like Jiomart, Metro Cash & Carry, and commerce B2B like Udaan, and Elastic Run. This move is similar to the action the traditional distribution channel will take on Hindustan Unilevers (HULs) products in the state. Distributors will first stop procuring Colgate MaxFresh from the company and stop supplying it to retailers from January 1, and eight days later they will stop supplying Colgate Vedshakti also. Mid-January onwards, they will stop supplying Colgate toothbrushes, said at least two distributors. Traditional distributors in the state will stop the supply of all Colgate products from February 1. Colgate India, in a response to Business Standards query, said: Our strong relationship with distributors, developed over the past eight decades, has been based on mutual trust and transparency. We continue to keep the best interests and growth of our partners as a key priority, irrespective of their size or scale. We have engaged with our distributor network and are looking to address their challenges ... According to a distributor, the toothpaste major had told its traditional distributors in the state at a product launch event in Pune that the company sold its products across all channels at the same price. The distributors, however, do not agree. Distributors resorted to this move after their apex body sent two letters to FMCG companies, complaining about the price disparities between traditional distributors and other organised business-to-business (B2B) distribution firms, both online and offline, which have entered the sector in the last few years. This issue began as traditional distributors offer retailers margins of 8-12 per cent against 15-20 per cent offered by big-box B2B stores and online distributors. The organised trade channel of distributors commits higher volumes to FMCG than a traditional channel distributor does, thus making it easier for big box B2B players to offer higher margins to retailers. As a result, retailers have increasingly started lifting stocks from the organised channel. The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which has over 450,000 members, had sought a meeting with FMCG firms to resolve the issue. In its first letter sent earlier this month, the AICPDF stated if its demands were not met, it would start a non-cooperation movement against FMCG from January 1. In its list of demands, distributors asked for uniform pricing and schemes across distribution channels (traditional, organised B2B). So far, Nestle India, ITC, Dabur, and Marico have discussed the issue with traditional distributors, according to distributors, but the issue still remains unresolved. On Friday, HUL said in an exchange filing that it would ensure supplies of its products remain uninterrupted and that it had had no engagements with the AICPDF so far. HUL has a long-standing relationship with its distributors that is based on trust Our distributors have overwhelmingly conveyed to us that they will rebuff any attempts to create a wedge between the company and our trusted distributors, HUL said in the exchange filing. The company also said it remained committed to enhancing capabilities in its GT (general trade) network and had taken action such as deploying technology for order placements through its eB2B app, Shikhar, and supporting its distributors to increase their direct reach, and introduced specially tailored programmes with reputed academic institutions to help them hone their business skills and become future-ready. Meanwhile, Edelweiss Securities said in its report that these issues (the company and distributors) had happened earlier and expected HUL and distributors to come to an agreement soon. Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd (RNESL), an arm of Ltd (RIL), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 per cent stake in UK-based Faradion Limited for an enterprise value of GBP 100 million. With its patented sodium-ion battery technology, Faradion is one of the leading global and has a competitively superior, strategic, wide-reaching and extensive IP portfolio covering several aspects of sodium-ion technology, said RNESL in a press release on Friday. RNESL will also be investing another GBP 25 million into the entity as growth capital to accelerate commercial roll out, the firm said. RIL will use Faradions state-of-the-art technology at its proposed fully integrated energy storage giga-factory as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project in Jamnagar, the company added. "This will further strengthen and build upon our ambition to create one of the most advanced and integrated New Energy ecosystems and put India at the forefront of leading battery technologies. The sodium-ion technology developed by Faradion provides a globally leading energy storage and battery solution which is safe, sustainable, provides high energy density and is significantly cost competitive. In addition, it has wide use applications from mobility to grid scale storage and back-up power, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, was quoted as saying. Linklaters LLP acted as the legal advisor and Ernst and Young as the accounting and tax advisor to Reliance on this transaction, said the company. The company aims to work with Faradion management and accelerate its plans to commercialize the technology through building integrated and end-to-end giga scale manufacturing in India. "We believe this will be one of our many steps that will also enable, accelerate, and secure large scale energy storage requirements for our Indian partners developing and transforming Indias EV mobility and transport sector, Ambani added. Together with Reliance, Faradion can bring British innovation to India and globally, as the world increasingly looks beyond lithium. We look forward to being part of Indias Net Zero mission, James Quinn, chief executive officer at Faradion was quoted as saying. On Thursday, Sterling & Wilson board of directors approved allotment of 2.93 crore equity shares to Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL) at a price of Rs 375 per share, aggregating to Rs 1,099 crore. Post allotment, RNESL will hold 15.46 per cent of the total paid-up equity share capital of the firm. On consummation of the transaction, RNESL will become a promoter of the Sterling & Wilson along with existing promoters and promoter group of the firm. Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd (RNESL) has signed definitive agreements to acquire UK-based sodium-ion battery technology company Faradion for an enterprise value of GBP 100 million, both announced on Friday. RNESL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), will acquire 100 per cent shareholding in Faradion Limited, with plans to invest GBP 25 million as primary investment to fund and accelerate commercial roll out. RIL said the acquisition will help secure India's energy storage requirements for its large renewable energy and fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) charging market. This will further strengthen and build upon our ambition to create one of the most advanced and integrated New Energy ecosystem and put India at the forefront of leading battery technologies, said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd. The sodium-ion technology developed by Faradion provides a globally leading energy storage and battery solution which is safe, sustainable, provides high energy density and is significantly cost competitive. In addition, it has wide use applications from mobility to grid scale storage and back-up power. Most importantly, it utilises sodium, which will secure India's energy storage requirements for its large renewable energy and fast-growing EV charging market, he said. Reliance will incorporate Faradion's state-of-the-art technology at its proposed fully integrated energy storage giga-factory as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project at Jamnagar in Gujarat. Ambani said the deal means that RNESL will work with Faradion and accelerate its plans to commercialise the technology through building integrated and end-to-end giga scale manufacturing in India. We believe this will be one of our many steps that will also enable, accelerate, and secure large scale energy storage requirements for our Indian partners developing and transforming India's EV mobility and transport sector, he added. Based out of Sheffield and Oxford in the UK, Faradion is among the world's leading battery technology Faradion has been one of the first to champion sodium-ion battery technology, said James Quinn, CEO of Faradion. Reliance is the perfect partner for supporting Faradion's growth in the rapidly expanding Indian market and to jointly speed up the transformation of the global energy market. Becoming part of the Reliance group validates the incredible work our team has done in advancing sodium-ion technology, Quinn said. Dr Chris Wright, Chairman and Co-Founder of Faradion, said: Dr Jerry Barker, Ashwin Kumaraswamy and I founded Faradion in 2010 to develop sodium-ion technology and bring it to market, with funds from Mercia Asset Management. This deal with Reliance firmly establishes Faradion's sodium-ion batteries as an integral part of the global value chain for cheaper, cleaner, more sustainable energy for decades to come. Faradion's proprietary sodium-ion battery technology claims to deliver leading-edge, cost-effective solutions for a broad range of applications, including mobility, energy storage, backup power and energy in remote locations. (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.) Social commerce platform Trell said content creators drove 300 per cent growth in during its flagship sale event The Grand Trellion Sale, which ended on December 20. While over 8 million people created videos during the event, the top 5 content creators sold products worth more than Rs 2.5 crore. These creators earned about Rs 1,00,000 each during the sale. The platform, which is backed by investors such as Mirae Asset, H&M Group, and LB Investments, witnessed traffic sessions of over 350 million users from content to commerce pages. Over 80 million users visited in just 24 hours. We are overwhelmed to have received such a positive response to our first flagship sale. With millions of creators creating informative and entertaining content for our audience and platform, the outcome has been far beyond expectations, said Pulkit Agrawal, CEO and co-founder, Trell. The creators ability to provide the perfect mix of content and information was the catalyst for The Grand Trellion Sales success. The major factor driving growth was content across 12 regional languages. This resulted in 10 billion views in 5 days, a 500 per cent increase in views, and a 250 per cent increase in engagement compared to usual. The company said over 75 per cent of shoppers drove demand from Tier 2, Tier 3, and beyond. The year-end event featured over 1,000 established and D2C brands across beauty, personal care, wellness, fashion, and mom and baby care categories. Trell says over 45 million users viewed over 200,000 products on the platform with the intent to purchase. Beauty and fashion categories performed the best, with make-up, skincare, and ethnic wear emerging as the most popular products. Bhopal, Thane, Jaipur, Nagpur, Beed, Jalgaon, Nashik, Patna, Bardhaman, Ahmednagar, Dhanbad, Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, Varanasi, and Raipur are among Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities that contributed to revenue during the event. Among metros, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore drove demand. Top D2C brands in beauty, grooming, and fashion categories including Lakme, Bewakoof, Campus Sutra, Revlon, MamaEarth, Bombay Shaving Company, Juniper, and Wow Skin Science among others, performed well during the sale. According to a report by consulting firm RedSeer, social commerce players are seeing the most growth from tier 2 cities. It is estimated that the e-commerce industry will grow to $140 billion by 2025 from $38 billion in 2020 and major social commerce players will contribute at least 5 per cent by then. Other players in social commerce are SoftBank-backed Meesho, BulBul, GlowRoad, Mall91, simsim, DealShare, and Flipkarts social commerce platform Shopsy. will sign a deal with Lanka Corporation (LIOC) to restore 75 oil tanks as the country moves to secure a $500 million fuel credit line from India, its energy minister said on Friday. The island nation is facing dwindling foreign exchange reserves and has nearly $4.5 billion worth of debt repayments in 2022, prompting it to look at innovative ways to bring in foreign exchange. The facility, with 99 storage tanks, is located next to a harbour off Sri Lanka's east coast and though India and agreed to jointly develop it in 1987, negotiations dragged on for decades. The cost of restoration is pegged at about $1 million per tank. The latest round of negotiations between the Sri Lankan government, its Indian counterpart and LIOC began in August 2020. Under the proposed agreement, LIOC, a subsidiary of Corporation (IOC), will be given 14 tanks on a 50-year lease and a 49% stake in 61 other tanks that will be held jointly with State-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the minister said. Sri Lankan government will retain the remaining 24 tanks. "This is a historic moment for Sri Lanka," Udaya Gammanpila told reporters. "We hope to receive Cabinet approval on Monday and once it is given, we will sign the agreement." is also separately negotiating a $500 million credit line from India's Exim Bank which is near completion, the minister added. The credit line will enable Sri Lanka to buy refined petrol and diesel from Indian suppliers. Sri Lanka spends about $3.5-$4 billion per year on fuel. "Most probably the credit line will be signed in the next 3-4 weeks," the minister said. The credit line is expected to give Sri Lanka some breathing space ahead of a $500 million bond repayment due on Jan. 18. Sri Lanka is also negotiating an additional $1 billion credit line from India, two sources at the Finance Ministry confirmed to Reuters. (Editing by Swati Bhat and Kim Coghill) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The Reserve Bank on Friday said West End Housing Finance Ltd has applied for 'on tap' licence for setting up a small finance bank. In August, Cosmea Financial Holdings Pvt Ltd and Tally Solutions, too had applied for the licence. "In continuation to the press release dated August 30, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India has received an application under the guidelines for 'on tap' Licensing of Small Finance Banks dated December 5, 2019 from West End Housing Finance Limited," the said in a statement. West End Housing Finance is headquartered at Mumbai. In April, VSoft Technologies Pvt Ltd, Calicut City Service Cooperative Bank Ltd, Shri Akhil Kumar Gupta, and Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services Pvt Ltd applied for the licence. USFB, promoted by Centrum Financial Services along with Resilient Innovation Pvt Ltd as 'joint investor', was granted a licence in October 2021. USFB started functioning on November 1. Currently there are about a dozen small finance banks in the country. The guidelines for 'on tap' licensing of universal banks and SFBs in the private sector, were issued on August 1, 2016 and December 5, 2019, respectively. As per the guidelines, the initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a universal bank should be Rs 500 crore. Thereafter, the bank should have a minimum net worth of Rs 500 crore at all times. The minimum paid-up voting capital/net worth for SFBs should be Rs 200 crore. In case of urban cooperative banks desirous of voluntarily transiting into SFBs, the initial requirement of net worth is Rs 100 crore, which will have to be increased to Rs 200 crore within five years. The RBI, in March this year, had announced a Standing External Advisory Committee for evaluating applications for universal banks and small finance banks. (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.) Decades-old inter-state boundary disputes and militancy problems are expected to make a significant headway in 2022, while work for India's first international multi-modal logistic park (MMLP) at Jogighopa in western would witness a considerable progress in the new year leading to a big boost to the connectivity with the neighbouring countries. Ministers, officials, experts and economists are optimistic that the crucial issues of Assam, including the long pending inter-state boundary disputes, are likely to achieve a vital outcome in 2022 as these issues have seen progress being made since 2020 with all the stakeholders working together with seriousness. Sushanta Talukdar, a renowned political commentator in the Northeast region and writer, said: "The concerned Northeastern states, specially have taken joint efforts and already held a series of meetings in 2020 to resolve their inter-state boundary disputes. The Central government already asked the Northeastern states to mutually settle the boundary disputes through bilateral talks." "The MMLP at Jogighopa is expected to achieve a major change in connectivity with the neighbouring countries leading to boost trade, tourism and people-to-people relations. The ambitious project would be a game changer not only for but also for the other Northeastern states," Talukdar, the editor of multilingual online portal 'Nezine', told IANS. The MMLP at Jogighopa with an initial investment of Rs 693.97 crore and an overall investment of Rs 3,000 is scheduled to be completed by 2023. The MMLP at Jogighopa being made by state-owned National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, will provide direct air, road, rail and waterways connectivity to the people and is being developed under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana of the Government of India. Assam, which shares borders with six other Northeastern states -- Nagaland (512.1 km), Arunachal Pradesh (804.1 km), Manipur (204.1 km), Mizoram (164.6 km), Tripura (46.3 km) and Meghalaya (884.9 km) -- has boundary disputes at least with four Northeastern states -- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, besides Mizoram. The state's border dispute cases with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are before the Supreme Court, but there are no cases on the inter-state disputes with Meghalaya and Mizoram. According to the Government of India documents, of the seven inter-state border disputes in the country, four are in the Northeastern region and these include Assam-Arunachal Pradesh, Assam-Nagaland, Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Mizoram. The worst-ever violence along the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26 left six Assam Police personnel dead and nearly 100 civilians and security personnel of the two neighbouring states injured. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who already held separate meetings with his counterparts of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to resolve the border disputes, said that in the New Year the long-pending border issues would be resolved to a large extent. "I have held several meetings with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. Assam and Meghalaya would resolve the six of the 12 inter-state border disputes before January 15. I have also recently held separate meetings in New Delhi with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the ways and means to resolve their border issues amicably," Sarma added. Renowned economist and writer, Apurba Kumar Dey is hopeful that the decades-old insurgency problem would get a big headway in the New Year as at least three major militant outfits -- United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) and Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) are in a peace mode. "If the ULFA-I and other militant outfits in Assam come to the negotiation table and held peace talks with the government, it would facilitate negotiations with the other militant outfits of the Northeastern states, including Manipur and Nagaland," Dey told IANS. While a large number of KLO and DNLA cadres have surrendered to the government after declaring the ceasefire, the outlawed outfit ULFA-I had announced a unilateral ceasefire for three months on May 15 immediately after the new BJP-led government headed by Assam Chief Minister had assumed charge on May 10. The ULFA-I headed by self-styled Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua extended their ceasefire for three times since May 15. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who repeatedly urged the militant outfits of the Northeast region to talk with the government about their issues, if any, said that he has been given full responsibility (by Union Home Minister Amit Shah) to start the preliminary talks with the ULFA-I. A back channel talks between the Assam government and ULFA-I are on, the Assam Chief Minister added. More than a thousand militants belonging to different outfits in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and the three hill districts -- Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong -- surrendered to the government with their arms. Assam has taken a massive crusade against the illegal drug menace. Former senior police officer and security expert, Pranab Saikia said that drugs and arms worth crores of rupees are smuggled from Myanmar through the Mizoram and Manipur borders ferried through Assam. "The Assam government in association with the central and state security forces has taken concerted and coordinated efforts to prevent the illegal transportation and trade of drugs. If the drugs smuggling from Myanmar and their transit route through Assam can be stopped, then the drug menace in the Northeastern region would be tamed to a large extent," Pranab Saikia told IANS. The Assam Police earlier in December held a meeting in Guwahati with top officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau and security officials of the Northeastern states as well as senior officials of Central Paramilitary forces to finalise the ways and means to curb the illegal drug trade. The Assam Chief Minister said that the drugs smuggled into India originate from Pakistan, and from across the borders along the Northeastern states from Myanmar. To make the people aware about the drug menace, seized drugs worth Rs 170 crore were burnt publicly in Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Hojai and Nagaon districts of Assam recently. The Assam Police have so far seized drugs worth nearly Rs 250 crore in separate incidents since May and arrested nearly 2,100 drug peddlers. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) --IANS sc/khz/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.) With daily COVID-19 cases doubling within one day, the School Education Department has asked teachers and non-teaching staffers having cough, cold or mild fever to not attend schools till they test negative for the infection. The state registered more than 1,000 fresh cases on Wednesday after a gap of nearly six months. The daily count crossed 2,000 on Thursday. "Primary, secondary and higher secondary schools have been asked to ensure that teachers and non-teaching employees don't come to the institutions if they have a cold, cough or mild fever. "Also, they must get tested for COVID-19, and will be allowed to enter the schools only if the results return negative. They will have to produce the reports to the health department," an official told PTI on Friday. While physical classes for standards 9-12 have resumed on November 16, the state government has been mulling to restart lower classes in the offline mode in a phased manner from next year, Education Minister Bratya Basu had earlier said. However, with the fresh spike in cases, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently said that the government will review the situation and take steps accordingly, keeping in mind the safety of the students. (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 Friday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on reports of renaming 15 places in in their own language and calling the north-eastern state as South Tibet. "A few days back, we were remembering India's glorious victory in the 1971 war. Wise and strong decisions are necessary for ensuring the security and victory of the nation. You cannot win with empty rhetoric," former President Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter, referring to a news report on the Chinese move. Chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala described the Modi government as "weak" and accused Prime Minister Modi of remaining "silent" on Chinese "threats" to India's territorial integrity. "As the year ends, threatens our territorial integrity and sovereignty. has already transgressed & occupied Depsang Plains & Gogra Hot Springs in Eastern Ladakh. China has set up a village in Arunanchal. Mr. 56" refuses to say a word. Weak Govt, Mum PM," Surjewala said on Twitter, the 56-inch-chest jibe being a reference to Modi's assertion during the 2014 parliamentary election campaign that he would adopt a strong policy on national security. Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesman Gourav Vallabh wondered when the Prime Minister would "look China in the eye" and take strong steps to counter its moves. "Will our response be limited to banning Chinese apps, while India-China trade crosses the 100-billion-dollar mark," Vallabh asked. He said the government should respond to Chinese moves strongly and assured the support of Congress in every such step. According to the Chinese state-run Global Times, the country's Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on Wednesday that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of 15 places in Zangnan, the Chinese name for India had strongly rejected China's action and asserted that has "always been" and "will always be" an integral part of India and that assigning "invented" names does not alter this fact. (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.) Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawala on Friday said the vaccines major has applied to Indian authorities for full market authorisation of Covishield, stating supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine have exceeded 125 crore doses. SII had partnered with the developer of Covishield, AstraZeneca, for the supply of the vaccine to the Indian government, which had in January this year granted emergency use authorisation in the country. "Supplies of the COVISHIELD vaccine in India, have exceeded 1.25 billion doses. The government of India now has enough data for full market authorisation, and therefore @SerumInstIndia has applied to the @CDSCO_INDIA_INF (DCGI) and @MoHFW_INDIA for this permission," Poonawala said in a tweet tagging the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Covishield, along with Bharat Biotech's Covaxin were the first two vaccines approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in January this year, under emergency use authorisation against the pandemic. Already in the US, Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine has received full USFDA approval for use in individuals 16 years of age and older, transitioning from an earlier emergency use authorisation (EUA) approval. EUA is granted by authorities during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products after determining that the known and potential benefits of a product, when used to prevent, diagnose, or treat the disease, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product. In case of full market authorisation, the vaccines need to undergo the standard regulatory process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. In October this year, the Pune-based SII had submitted the final phase 2/3 clinical study report of India with its application for grant of regular market authorization for Covishield. The firm had also submitted phase-3 clinical study results of 24,244 subjects from the UK, Brazil and South Africa on June 8, 2021, to the CDSCO. Also, phase-3 clinical study results of 32,379 subjects from the US, Chile and Peru were submitted on July 9. Earlier this week, SII's COVID-19 vaccine Covovax, Biological E's jab Corbevax and anti-COVID pill Molnupiravir were granted emergency use authorisation in India. Prior to that, six COVID-19 vaccines -- SII'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. (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 Friday reported a net increase of 8,959 in active cases to take its count to 91,361. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 0.32 per cent (one in 313). The country is thirty-third among the most affected countries by active cases. On Thursday, it added 16,764 cases to take its total caseload to 34,838,804 from 34,822,040 an increase of 0.1%. And, with 220 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 481,080, or 1.38 per cent of total confirmed infections. With 6,665,290 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Thursday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 1,445,416,714. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 34,266,363 or 98.36 per cent of total caseload with 7,585 new cured cases being reported on Friday. Now the thirty-third-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases and recoveries, India has added 66,178 cases in the past 7 days. India now accounts for 0.32% of all active cases globally (one in every 313 active cases), and 8.84% of all deaths (one in every 11 deaths). India has so far administered 1,445,416,714 vaccine doses. That is 4148.87 per cent of its total caseload, and 103.33 per cent of its population. Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (204915197), Maharashtra (137898935), West Bengal (107987388), Madhya Pradesh (104689926), and Bihar (101131466). Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Delhi (1457887), Gujarat (1453192), Jammu and Kashmir (1408089), Kerala (1392915), and Uttarakhand (1340070). Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 88 days. The count of active cases across India on Friday saw a net increase of 8,959, compared with 5,400 on Thursday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Maharashtra (4333), West Bengal (1049), Delhi (890), Gujarat (469), and Karnataka (452). With 7,585 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 98.36%, 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 7,805 220 deaths and 7,585 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 2.81%. 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 1440.1 days, and for deaths at 1515.4 days. Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Maharashtra (5368), Kerala (2423), West Bengal (2128), Delhi (1313), and Tamil Nadu (890). India on Thursday conducted 1,250,837 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 677,878,255. The test positivity rate recorded was 1.3%. 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 (12.69%), Sikkim (11.42%), Goa (11.12%), and Maharashtra (9.68%). Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added are Mizoram (9.65%), Goa (7.23%), West Bengal (5.47%), Maharashtra (4.53%), and Kerala (4.14%). 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 (1740078), J&K (1409954), Kerala (1157942), Punjab (1083728), and Karnataka (834543). The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6670754), Kerala (5244501), Karnataka (3006505), Tamil Nadu (2746890), and Andhra Pradesh (2076979). Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 5368 new cases to take its tally to 6670754. Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 2423 cases to take its tally to 5244501. Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 707 cases to take its tally to 3006505. Tamil Nadu has added 890 cases to take its tally to 2746890. Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 130 to 2076979. Uttar Pradesh has added 193 cases to take its tally to 1711359. Delhi has added 1313 cases to take its tally to 1446415. The on Friday directed Hospital to place on record the genome sequencing test report of a youth, who tested positive for COVID-19 at the international airport here upon arrival from the UK and was now not being discharged for lack of clarity on the virus variant. A vacation bench of Justice Anu Malhotra issued notice to Hospital at Vasant Kunj and also asked it to again conduct RT-PCR test on the 18-year-old student and place the report before the roster bench on January 4. The court further asked the hospital to supply copies of both the reports, genome sequencing and RT-PCR, to the petitioner who is mother of the patient, and the central and Delhi governments. The court was hearing a plea of the mother seeking to know the status and outcome of the genome sequencing test carried on her son who tested positive for COVID-19 at the airport here and was not being discharged by the hospital. Advocate Bharati Raju, representing the Centre, said according to the December 29 report, the youth has tested positive for Omicron variant and the Delhi government was managing the whole scenario. According to the guidelines, Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) provides the report to the state government which in turn has to inform the patient. However, advocate Arun Panwar, appearing for the Delhi government, said on testing positive for COVID-19, the youth was taken from the airport to LNJP Hospital from where he took discharge against medical advice and is now admitted to the private hospital and the Delhi government was not having the genome test report which must have been directly sent to the private hospital by NCDC. Advocate Vikram Hegde, representing the petitioner mother Archana Vaidya, said the son was shifted from LNJP Hospital to Hospital as the facilities in terms of hygiene and comfort were inadequate there and this private hospital is declared a COVID-dedicated facility by the Delhi government. He said that it's been over a week since the youth tested positive for the virus and he should be tested again for RT-PCR and be discharged if it turns out to be negative. On being asked by the court if the genome test report was a confidential document as it was not shared with the patient, the counsel for the Centre replied in negative. The high court had on December 29, sought responses of the Centre and Delhi government on the woman's petition and had said while the protocols imposed by the authorities ought to be followed, the petitioner mother was entitled to know the genome test result which was not a secret. "They (governments) have to tell who has done the genome sequencing and when the report is going to come. The court will ensure that it comes to you (mother) and for that, we have to give them a day's time... It's your son and his genome sequencing. Why shouldn't you know it. I don't understand if there is any secret in that," the court had earlier told the mother. The court was earlier informed that as per its latest guidelines, samples for genome testing of the virus have to be mandatorily sent in case of positive cases at the international airport. Counsel for the petitioner had informed the court that upon the arrival at the Delhi international airport from one of the at-risk countries on December 24, the son tested positive for the virus and then a second swab was collected by the authorities for genome sequencing but no "lab reference number" was provided to enable the patients to track the report. The petitioner, who was present in person, claimed that her son was in isolation in a private hospital since the morning of December 25 and was not being discharged to await the result of the genome sequencing test. She claimed that in spite of her son being a mild case of COVID-19, the private hospital was not re-testing him. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 60-year-old woman was arrested from east Delhi's Kalyanpuri area for allegedly supplying illicit liquor, police said on Friday. The accused has been identified as Nanki Kaur, a resident of Kalyanpur, they said. On Wednesday, policemen were patrolling in Kalyanpuri. Around 1 pm, when they reached near mother dairy, they saw a woman sitting with a polythene bag in her hand, a senior police officer said. After seeing the police, the woman started running away with the polythene bag, but was later apprehended. Police recovered illicit liquor from her possession, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Priyanka Kashyap 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.) More than 2,800 flights were cancelled and nearly 12,000 more were delayed around the world on Thursday as the variant of the caused staff shortages at airlines, the tracking website FlightAware showed. "We strongly urge flyers with non-essential travel scheduled before January 2, 2022, to consider changing their travel to a later date using our flexible travel policy," the airline JetBlue said in a statement, encouraging passengers to think about rescheduling nonessential flights during the holidays. JetBlue said it expects the number of cases to surge in the US northeast, where most of its crew are based. Along with the variant overrunning the United States and sickening flight crews, winter weather has caused numerous flight cancellations. Health officials have acknowledged that the variant is more transmissible but the cases are mild and no deaths have so far been reported. (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.) has lifted overnight curfew rules that were first imposed nearly two years ago, with officials saying the country may have passed the peak of its fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. The decision announced by the Presidency on Thursday followed meetings of the National Command Council (NCCC) and the President's Coordinating Council (PCC), which received updates on the management of the current fourth wave of COVID-19 in The wave is currently being driven by the variant, which was first detected in last month. "The curfew will be lifted. There will therefore be no restrictions on the hours of movement of people, the Presidency said in a statement. The number of people permitted at public events has also been increased. "Gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors and no more than 2,000 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used. All other restrictions remain in place," according to the statement. The Presidency cited several reasons for the decisions, which have been welcomed by the restaurant industry and members of the public who were cautioned on Wednesday by Minister of Police Bheki Cele that they would be arrested if they were out in public after midnight on Friday to celebrate the advent of the New Year. The curfew was in place from midnight to 4 am under the lowest level of South Africa's five-level lockdown strategy. "All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level, the Presidency said, adding that cases had declined in all but two of the country's nine provinces over the past week. Other factors included the levels of vaccination in the country; lower rates of hospitalisation, which have not resulted in capacity being overloaded as with previous waves; and the marginal increase in the number of deaths in all provinces. Conceding that the risk of an increase in infections is still high given the high transmissibility of the variant, the government called on all organisers of gatherings to ensure that all health protocols are observed at all times and that all attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated. The restaurant industry welcomed the decision to remove the restriction on serving alcohol at restaurants licensed to do so beyond 11 pm. "The NCCC will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make further adjustments as necessary, particularly if pressure on health facilities increases, the statement said as it also reminded people that wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence. With schools due to start opening in the next fortnight, parents have also been encouraged to use the available time to get their children older than 12 years to get vaccinated before then. This will avoid learners losing school time as a result of testing positive or as a result of contact with people infected with COVID-19, the Presidency said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after reported its first Omicron case, Chief Minister on Friday said that the third wave of COVID-19 has begun in the state and urged people to remain vigilant. He also mooted opening a genome sequencing laboratory in the state. " has recorded the first Omicron case. Everyone has to be alert. The state is witnessing a sharp rise in cases, with the maximum being registered in Patna and Gaya. A large number of people from other states reside in these two places, and this could be a reason behind the spike in cases in these areas," he told reporters. "The third COVID wave has begun in the state. We are fully prepared to tackle this wave. The health department has upgraded hospital infrastructure," Kumar said. The chief minister said that a review meeting will soon be convened to assess the situation, and the possibility of imposing curbs will be discussed. "People from outside the state are being tested for COVID-19, and if anyone's result is returning positive, his/her samples are being sent to Delhi for genome sequencing. We will discuss in the review meeting on opening a genome sequencing laboratory in the state," Kumar said. A senior health official said that the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) at Patna already has the required permission to open a genome sequencing laboratory. The first case of the Omicron strain was detected in Patna on Thursday. The 26-year-old patient, a resident of Kidwaipuri locality of the state capital, had recently returned from Delhi. registered 100 COVID-19 cases on the previous day. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 150 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar, which was on Friday left with an active caseload of 488, a nearly 15-fold rise since the beginning of the month. According to the health department, Patna district is bearing the brunt of the fresh spike, accounting for 105 of the 158 cases. A resident of the capital city had on Thursday tested positive for omicron, which became the first confirmed case of the latest variant. On the brighter side, there has been no casualty in the past few days and the death toll has remained constant at 12,096. The recovery rate is also a healthy 98.27 per cent. Out of the 7,26,896 people who caught the contagion since the pandemic struck, 7,14,311 have recovered. The testing rate continues to be high. About 1.75 lakh samples were tested in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has said that the recent spike indicated a "third wave", though did not warrant restrictive measures as of now, chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of the health department. Besides ordering maintenance of adequate stocks of drugs and oxygen cylinders, he called for introducing a genome sequencing facility in the state, which would facilitate timely detection of omicron cases. He also expressed satisfaction over the pace of vaccination. Till date, more than 10 crore shots have been administered in the state. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 26-year-old resident of Patna, who had recently visited Delhi and met a relative upon return from abroad, has been found to be infected with the variant of COVID-19, a top official said on Thursday. Sanjay Kumar Singh, the Executive Director of State Health Society, confirmed the first case of the new, fast-spreading variant, in The patient is a resident of the Kidwaipuri locality in the city. He had visited the national capital last week to meet the relative, who tested positive for COVID-19 a day after he returned to Later, the relative was found infected with the latest variant and the man, who was in home isolation, got his sample collected and sent for testing in a lab. "The Kidwaipuri resident, too, has contracted the variant. The area in his vicinity has been made a containment zone, said Singh. (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.) Prime Minister should condemn the incident of hate speech at Dharam Sansad in Raipur made by Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj, said Rajasthan Chief Minister on Thursday. Speaking to media persons, Gehlot said, "PM should condemn the incident (of hate speech) at Dharm Sansad in Raipur. On one hand, you are accepting Gandhi and on the other, you are not saying anything when derogatory words are used against Gandhi." His remarks came after Kalicharan made derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and provocative statements against minorities at 'Dharam Sansad' (religious council) held in Raipur on December 26. He was arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Following the incident, Kalicharan has been sent to police remand for two days by the Raipur court in this case. "Police asked for his (Kalicharan) remand when he was produced before the court today. We opposed the demand made by police, however, the court sent him to two days' remand, that is, till January 1," Saurabh Mishra, Kalicharan's Advocate told ANI. A case has been registered against him in Tikrapara Police Station of Raipur. Following his arrest, the Madhya Pradesh government has alleged that Chhattisgarh's government violated the interstate protocols by arresting Kalicharan Maharaj without informing the Madhya Pradesh police. (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 Arvind Kejriwal government on Thursday demanded that the Centre allocate funds to municipal corporations also as it does in the case of the civic bodies in states. Deputy Chief Minister raised the demand at a pre-budget consultation called by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government said in a statement. "The national capital is the face of the country, but today the municipal corporations in are facing acute shortage of funds and are not able to maintain the cleanliness and development in the capital. Therefore, funds should be provided to the municipal corporations of Delhi like (funds are provided to civic bodies) in other states," the statement quoted Sisodia as saying in the meeting. The Deputy chief minister noted that the 15th Finance Commission allocated grant-in-aid of Rs 4,36,361 crore for the local bodies for 2021-2026. "But the local bodies of NCT of Delhi were omitted from this on a technical ground that only states are covered under the scheme. This does not help the constitutional mandate of strengthening the local bodies," he contended. At the meeting, Sisodia also demanded that the Union government increase the central assistance for Delhi to Rs 2,020 crore in the next budget.. "For the last 21 years, Delhi has been getting only Rs 325 crore out of the central tax. Now, it is necessary that the central government increase it. The Central assistance used to be 5.14 per cent of Delhi's budget 21 years ago. It has now come down to 0.9 per cent," he said. "When its comes to giving funds to municipal corporations of Delhi, Delhi government is is asked to follow the Finance Commission like other states do. But, when the Delhi government asks for funds from the Finance Commission, it is told that Delhi is a Union territory and thus its share in central taxes cannot be raised," he said, demanding that "this contradiction" must be addressed by the Central government. The Deputy Chief Minister also urged the Centre to provide funds to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) so that it can set up charging points for e-vehicles in the national capital "Kejriwal government has brought an e-vehicle policy to remove Delhi's pollution. But, it will be successful only if we make more and more charging points. Since DDA has land (in Delhi), it can set up charging points. The central government should support the DDA with funds for the same," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Omicron cases are rising in the Union Territory of Puducherry, the government has imposed night curfew with immediate effect from 11 As per the official order, the government has resorted to night curfew to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. The government in a notification said that though the number of fresh positive cases has come down, there is detection of the Variant of Concern (VoC), "Omicron" in the samples from Hence, it is necessary to keep the vigil on COVID-19 transmission, the official 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.) Tourists and local people gathered at the Ridge maidan here were evacuated from the ground on Friday evening amid fears of the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi said. Negi told PTI that thousands of people had gathered on the Ridge maidan on the eve of the new year and the district administration thought to vacate the overcrowded Ridge Maidan to check the Omicron spread. About the presence of a bomb disposal squad on the Ridge, Negi said the squad along with fire tenders were deployed as a precautionary measure. The Shimla administration decided to vacate the overcrowded Ridge to check the spread of omicron, he added. Thousands of tourists from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and nearby areas and local people had gathered at the Ridge Maidan but the police suddenly started vacating it at around 7.30 pm, a tourist said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government on Thursday directed the authorities to take stern action against people violating the ban on New Year's celebrations, and enforce the night curfew strictly. Issuing a fresh set of guidelines, the government said strict action will be taken against the people who violate the ban on celebrations on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Random checking will be conducted at picnic spots, malls, shopping complexes, hotels, clubs, restaurants, parks, convention halls and Kalyan Mandaps to check violations of mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining a distance of six feet between two individuals, it said. "In case of violation of COVID-19 protocols, heavy penalty will be imposed which will be decided by the local authorities," as per an official notification. The new guidelines, which will be in force from 5 am on January 1 till 5 am on February 1, said political gatherings should be limited to a maximum of 100 persons. Exhibitions, trade fairs, expos and melas will remain prohibited. However, official events may be allowed with prior approval of the government, it added. Night curfew will be enforced in all urban areas of the state from 10 pm to 5 am strictly. "There shall be no movement of vehicles except for exigencies on production of proper evidence," it said. The government also barred educational institutions from organising excursions and picnics till the end of January. Annual day celebrations have also been prohibited. However, cultural programmes, cultural competitions, open-air theatres, dramas, street plays and other such performances will be allowed, it said. Auditoriums, assembly halls and other similar facilities will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity. Cinema halls and theatres will remain open with up to 50 per cent capacity, while in closed places, the number of persons shall not exceed half the hall capacity. (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.) industry plays a major role in boosting India's economy and the central government must consider this as a potential industry which can help India boost its presence across the world, Deputy Chief Minister said on Friday. Sisodia made the comments at the GST Council meeting where along with others opposed the decision to hike GST on textiles from 5 pc to 12 pc and demanded its withdrawal Heeding to demands made by several states, the GST Council on Friday put on hold a decision to hike the tax rate on textiles to 12 per cent from 5 per cent. The panel, the highest decision-making body for indirect taxes, met under emergency provisions after states made a request for deferring the January 1 hike in GST tax rates on textiles. "The Central government should pay special attention to development of industry as 4 crore people of the country get employment from it. In this way this industry is running 4 crore families. There are huge job opportunities in this industry. Food, clothes and shelter are the basic needs of every human being. Therefore, while making any policy for the industry, NITI Aayog should make a policy for textile industries by keeping the common man in consideration. "Central government should focus on creating policies to boost job opportunities in this sector. NITI Aayog along with textile traders should work on strategies and policies to address the basic operational and taxation issues being faced by the traders and work on creating more jobs," he said. Sisodia, who also has the finance portfolio in Delhi, said that the textile industry plays a major role in boosting India's economy, especially in the import and export industry. "The central government must consider this as a potential industry which can help India boost its presence across the world. The Central Government should work on policies and strategies that will increase textile export in future," he said. "It is to be noted that exports account for 60 pc of the Rs 55,000 crore Indian home textiles industry. NITI Aayog along with traders should create more jobs in this sector, which can help the industry to boost the production and exports in future," 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.) Omicron scare: Amid sudden Covid-19 surge, Centre flags eight states India's R naught value, which indicates the spread of Covid-19, is 1.22, the Union government said on Thursday, warning that cases are increasing, not shrinking. It asked Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Jharkhand to remain vigilant following a significant rise in weekly infections and positivity rate there. Read more Domestic mutual funds' foreign holdings balloon 229%, shows data Mutual funds investment in shares of companies listed abroad surged this year, increasing to Rs 33,078 crore as of November from Rs 10,042 crore in December 2020. Read more India's technology start-ups set to continue IPO rush into 2022 Year 2021 belonged to Indias technology startups. And that's not just because they raised more than $36 billion from the private market or that 43 of them became unicorns. And the IPO rush for startups is set to continue in 2022, according to industry watchers and tech entrepreneurs. Read more At EGM, IndiGo shareholders back resolution to scrap RoFR clause Shareholders of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, have voted to scrap a clause in the articles of association (AoA) that gives the airlines two promoters a right of first refusal (RoFR) over the acquisition of each others shares. Read more 2021, the year that was: Firms may no longer share higher cost burden At a broad and rough level, wholesale mandis were selling goods at prices 2.5 per cent higher at the beginning of 2021 than those a year earlier. On the other hand, consumers were getting goods and services at 4.06 per cent higher prices over this period. By November, the situation took a dramatic turn and wholesale mandis sold goods at 14.23 per cent higher prices year-on-year, while consumers shelled out 4.91 per more in the month on a yearly basis. Read more Fairy dust year for fund-raising: Rs 1.8 trillion raised via equities Year 2021 was another great year for fund-raising through equities. A total of Rs 1.8 trillion was raised through initial public offerings (IPOs), qualified institutional placements (QIPs), and rights issues, against the Rs 1.7 trillion raised in the previous year. Read more New Delhi, Dec 31: High end would be looking at India for their growth in the post Covid phase. With a population of 1.3 billion, making it the worlds second-most populous country, India is a potential luxury behemoth, said Vogue Business. India has one of the highest numbers of ultra high networth individuals (UHNIs) in the world. According to a Knight Frank study, individuals with a net worth of over $30 million can be classified as UHNI. India with a luxury market of $6 billion, has 6,884 UHNIs in 2020 but the number is set to rise 63 per cent by 2025. The number of high networth individuals (HNIs) -- people with liquid assets of $5 million to $30 million -- were estimated at over 3.5 lakh. Jing Daily, a digital publication in China representing the luxury consumer trend noted that Beijing is undergoing a historic transformation, with its crackdown on the private sector which has alarmed global brands in turn. "And while leaving China for good is unrealistic, looking to India as a strategic way to expand could be a winning strategy for luxury brands," the publication said in a recent article. It further said that flow of foreign direct investment, political stability, and more highly-skilled workforce development have helped India accelerate its economic prosperity. "The luxury market is set to significantly expand in the coming years, it is a wide open sky," brand consultant Harish Bijoor told India Narrative. Though India cannot be compared with China, the post pandemic phase and the recent clampdown in China would push these to look at India more seriously, he said. "Luxury shopping is skewed in India as more HNIs make their luxury purchases outside India but with the new economy and the growing millennials, that could change," Bijoor said. India has over 912,000 millionaires, representing 2 per cent of millionaires globally. Consumer behaviour has already changed considerably with a higher disposable incomes. are now set to cash in on that. However, high import duties on luxury items make a large number of items more expensive in India compared to other countries. "If brands do not want to miss the great growth opportunity present in Indian market, they should match the products and prices on par with their offers in other international markets," Indiaretailing.com said. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative (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 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to defer the hike in tax rate on textiles from 5% to 12%, announced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday. At a media briefing, Sitharaman said the GST meeting was called under the "emergency provision", and that the only had a brief meeting with one agenda. "Gujarat FM requested for deferment of decision taken in the Sept Council meet on inversion of tax structure," she said. Hike of GST rate on textiles from 5% to 12% was to come into effect from January 1. has decided to defer the correction of inverted duties for textiles and will again be referred to the "rate rationalisation panel", said FM. The Council's decision comes after several states on Thursday flagged higher tax rate on textile products from January 1 and demanded that the rate hike be put on hold. Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy told reporters after the 46th meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that several states said in the meeting that there was no clarity on GST to be imposed on apparel, clothing and textile products. The GST Council meeting has decided to retain the status quo on GST rate on textile to 5% and not raise it to 12%. The issue of GST rate on textile will be sent to the tax rate rationalization committee which will submit its report by February: FM Nirmala Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/DCjIvNTp2Z ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021 "Several states including Andhra Pradesh requested the Council to take back the earlier decision to increase the GST on textiles from current 5% to 12% from January 1 2022," he said. Even there was no clarity on the rate of GST that would be imposed on nylon and cotton fabric as well as man-made and natural textiles. There were also no estimates available with the Council on possible increase in refund if to be given, he said. Currently, tax rate on man made fibre (MMF) is 18%, MMF yarn 12%, while fabrics are taxed at 5%. Stating that any hike in GST on textiles will impact Andhra Pradesh the most, Reddy said it is because there are about 3 lakh handloom weavers and most people wear cotton clothes unlike nylon in other states. "...we requested the Council to take a call on increasing the GST on textiles after conducting a thorough study and assessing the data," he added. Friday's GST Council meeting is significant as it is taking place ahead of the Union Budget for 2022-23, which is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2022. In the pre-budget meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states like Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu said that they are not in favour of a hike in GST rate on textiles to 12 per cent, from 5 per cent currently. The Council, in its previous meeting on September 17, had decided to correct the inverted duty structure in footwear and textile sectors. With effect from January 1, 2022, all footwear, irrespective of prices, will attract GST at 12 per cent, and all textile products, except cotton, including readymade garments were to have 12 per cent GST. West Bengal's former finance minister and current advisor to state Chief Minister Amit Mitra had earlier urged the Centre to roll back a proposed hike in textile from 5 per cent to 12 per cent saying this would lead to closure of around 100,000 textile units and 1.5 million job losses. Telangana Industries Minister KT Rama Rao too had made a case for withdrawal of its proposed plan to increase GST rates. Industry too has opposed the rise in tax from 5 per cent, citing higher compliance cost especially for the unorganised sector and MSMEs besides making poor man's clothing expensive. The Goods and Service Tax Council, in its 46th meeting in New Delhi on Friday, decided to defer a hike in the rate for to 12 per cent from 5 per cent. The matter has been referred to an existing Group of Ministers on rate rationalisation, Finance Minister said. It was a brief meeting, triggered by a letter sent to me by the finance minister of Gujarat. We will retain the status quo and not go to 12 per cent from 5 per cent, in the case of textiles, Sitharaman said at a media briefing after the Council meeting. She said that while the issue of rectifying inverted duty structure in had been discussed in multiple Council meetings, the matter needed to be revisited as apart from the political opposition, she had received representations from many textile industry bodies. Industry bodies like the Confederation of All India Traders welcomed the decision. The CAIT said the move would bring relief to textile traders of the country who were under immense stress for more than a month. Like textiles, it is also necessary to postpone the decision to increase the GST rate on footwear, it said in a statement. The decision to defer the GST hike for the textile sector is a welcome move, especially in view of the impending third wave. It is good to see the government acknowledging the concerns of the industry and acting on it, said Rajat Bose, partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. But analysts and government officials in private concede that reversing inverted duty corrections would close avenues for states to increase their GST revenues, at a time when compensation cess is slated to end in June 2022. At the end of the day, the is a political body. The decision to raise the rates had been taken in September after multiple rounds of deliberations and analysis of the sector, said a senior government official. ALSO READ: GST Council meeting sans talks on Omicron, life saving Covid drugs "While the rollback of the GST rate hike proposed on many textile products would benefit the sector, especially SMEs and MSMEs, it would be necessary to find out a solution to the problems of the inverted duty structure in the textile sector, said M S Mani, partner, Deloitte India. Mani said the decision to roll back the proposed GST rate increase in the case of textile products would make the footwear sector expect a similar treatment. At the 45th Meeting in Lucknow on September 17, the Council had decided to rectify the inverted duty structure for footwear and Subsequently, the rate for footwear and textiles for any value was raised to 12 per cent, effective from January 1, 2022. Earlier the GST rate was 5 per cent for sale value up to Rs 1,000 per piece in the case of apparel and per pair in the case of footwear. When asked on Friday whether the decision on raising rates in footwear stays or not, Sitharaman said that no new decision has been taken. Regarding textiles, while experts had hailed the rate hike decision earlier, a section of the clothing industry decried it, saying that only a small group of the sector had an inverted duty structure. Many trader organisations have been demanding a rollback of the rate hike. At a pre-Budget meeting between the Centre and states on Thursday, many, including Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiagarajan, and Rajasthan Technical Education Minister Subhash Garg had asked that the rate hike be reversed. Former West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra and Telangana Industries Minister K T Rama Rao had earlier urged the Centre to roll back the proposed hike in textiles. The (Narendra) Modi government will commit another blunder on January 1. By raising GST on textiles (from) 5 per cent to 12 per cent, 15 million jobs will be lost and 100,000 units will close, Mitra had tweeted. The problem of inverted duty structure arises when the finished product is in a lower tax bracket when compared to the input raw materials. However, this usually leads to a rise in the rates of finished products. There has not been as much opposition to the rate hike in footwear, compared to textiles, and that hike will come into effect from January 1. At the Lucknow meeting, the Council had set up two GoMs. One group was tasked with suggestions on rationalising rates and correction of inverted duty structure and is led by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. The tenure of this group has been extended and it will submit its report on the rate hike on textiles by February 2022, Sitharaman said. "The proposed recommendations of the rate rationalisation committee expected in the next two months would be keenly watched by many sectors, including the textile sector, said Mani. The other group has been tasked with recommending ways to review IT systems, potential sources of evasion, and data analyses in order to expand the tax base and maximise returns. This GoM is headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. on Friday welcomed the Council's decision to defer the proposed hike on textiles. According to reports, the council has deferred the proposal on the back of reservations from state governments and industry. The proposal intended to hike rate on apparel from 5 to 12 per cent. "A big relief to the and clothing industry - we enter 2022 with a fresh bout optimism as the big fear recedes -AAa great and timely gift by the GST Council," said Sanjay K. Jain, ICC National Textiles Committee Chairman and MD, TT Limited. "Cannot express in words the big relief we are feeling, after living in fear from September." According to Bimal Jain, Chair of IDT Committee PHDCCI said the deferment will give a much needed impetus and support to the sector. "Large number of small and medium scale taxpayers were worried with the proposal to hike GST rates and this decision of GST Council is in the right direction and it is advisable to build confidence among traders before hiking GST rates in future." Besides, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also hailed the decision. Furthermore, the confederation urged to postpone the decision to increase the GST rate on footwear as well. CAIT has urged the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to constitute a "task force" to consider the intricacies of the taxation system, simplification and rationalisation, increase in tax base and revenue to the government. The task force, said CAIT in a statement may be formed under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes, which should include representatives of trade beside senior officials. Additionally, the confederation said that it has been more than four years since the implementation of GST and till now GST has not become a stable tax system. "GST portal is also not working properly. Contrary to expectations, GST has turned out to be a very complex tax system due to huge anomalies in the tax system," the statement said. --IANS rv/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Battered by raw material shortage and supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the more than 150-year-old industry failed to meet demand for foodgrain packaging in 2021. Around 4.8 lakh bales of bags worth Rs 1,500 crore could not be supplied and were replaced by plastic in November and December 2021 as mills could not supply the environment-friendly packaging material. "More such moves are on the cards as millers are facing difficulties in procuring the raw material at notified prices and they are unlikely to meet gunny bag demand," an industry source said. The sector, which provides employment to nearly 3.7 lakh workers and several lakh farmer families in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura, was "under stress in 2021 with an unprecedented rise in raw price, closure of manufacturing units and job losses, and the industry will remain so unless the raw material issues get resolved", a mill owner said. The sector regulator has capped the price of raw jute for mills at Rs 6,500 a quintal when the market price was over Rs 7,000. This has become a contentious issue as mills that consume the maximum amount of the golden fibre for manufacturing sacks meant for foodgrain packaging could not procure the raw material at the officially-set price. According to industry source,s the regulator did not consider the request of the millers' body to do away with the ceiling price mechanism or at least fix it at a market rate of Rs 7,200 per quintal. We have advised mills not to procure raw jute at prices over Rs 6,500 per quintal after the Union Textile Ministry did not accept our proposal to either scrap the ceiling price or at least revise it to the market price of Rs 7,200 per quintal, Indian Jute Mills Association chairman Raghavendra Gupta said. The raw jute price is currently at around Rs 7,000 a quintal. The raw jute supplies to mills in Kolkata have "shrunk drastically" after the government fixed the price, which, according to traders, was not remunerative, Jute Balers' Association Secretary A K Palit said. Jute Commissioner's office, however, said the price intervention move was taken to stop hoarding by traders and millers. IJMA however projected that at the current level of production and availability of raw jute, millers can supply approximately 32 lakh bales of hessian sacks annually for foodgrain packaging as against the requirement of 45-46 lakh bales. Dilution of hessian sack orders was effected during the year even though the Narendra Modi government approved reservation norms for mandatory use of the golden fibre for 100 per cent foodgrain packaging and 20 per cent sugar packaging for the Jute year 2021-22 (July 2021-June 2022), the industry source said. The reservations norms under JPM Act provide direct employment to lakhs of mill workers and four million farmers in the jute sector, an official said. JPM Act, 1987 protects the interest of jute farmers, workers and people engaged in jute goods production, he said. West Bengal Labour Minister Becharam Manna alleged that the Centre is not protecting the interest of the that provides direct employment to 2.5 lakh people in the state and instead promoting plastic packaging materials. Our state is a major jute producing state. The sector is set to face a very difficult situation as the BJP government is promoting the plastic and synthetic sector and destroying the in Bengal where lakhs of people are directly and indirectly dependent on it. I am trying my best to reopen mills, he told PTI. The Centre purchases jute sacking bags worth approximately Rs 8,000 crore every year for packaging foodgrains, hence ensuring a guaranteed market for millers, the official said. Around 75 per cent of the total production of the industry is sacking bags of which 90 per cent is supplied to Food Corporation of India and state procurement agencies and the rest is exported or sold directly by millers. (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.) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Thursday promised to the trading and business community that his party will eliminate the alleged 'Inspector Raj' and corruption from Punjab if it is voted to power in the 2022 state assembly polls. Bharadwaj heard the problems of the trading and business community here. "The main problem for all the traders is the 'Inspector Raj'. Officers and leaders together loot business here by collecting bribes, he said. He said that when the formed the government in Delhi in 2015, the businessmen used to be harassed by the officers. Then a decision was taken that no inspector or officer will go to any factory or industry, he said, adding that many problems of the traders then got resolved on their own. Bharadwaj promised that corruption and Inspector Raj would be eliminated as soon as the Aam Aadmi Party formed the government in Punjab. He further said that to address the problem of unemployment, it is necessary to promote industries and trade. The more industries grow, the more employment will be provided, he said. He appealed to the people of Punjab to give a chance to the Aam Aadmi Party once. "We will not disappoint you. (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.) Punjab Congress chief on Thursday targeted former chief ministers and Amarinder Singh for allegedly "looting" the state over the last 25 years. He blamed the previous governments led by Badal and Singh for leaving the state with a heavy debt burden. "For 25 years, two chief ministers looted Punjab," said Sidhu while addressing a gathering here. "They (Parkash Singh Badal, Amarinder Singh) left the state in such a situation that the youth do not want to stay here," he alleged, referring to youngsters' preference to go abroad. The Congress leader said Punjab is carrying a heavy debt burden. The state does not generate enough revenue to be able to meet its total expenditure of Rs 1.40 lakh crore. It pays Rs 30,000 crore as interest on debt, he claimed. Sidhu said the GST compensation from the Centre will stop in June next year and this will add to the state's fiscal deficit. He also stressed the need to empower panchayats in the state and said it can be done with the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment that was aimed at allowing gram panchayats to operate as self-governance units. Sidhu said his Punjab model of governance will implement the 73rd Constitutional Amendment to give powers to sarpanches. Without the approval of panchayat secretaries, village heads have no power to work for the welfare of villages, he rued. Later, Sidhu raised the issue in a series of tweets. "Punjab Model will revive legendary vision of Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji empowering the panchayats Freeing them from clutches of officers, decentralising power, giving resources back to the people by ensuring self reliance of villages. This is the base of our pyramid of democracy," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister will visit on Friday to address a public rally at GIC ground under Sadar Assembly seat. At 10:15 AM, Shah will visit Shri Hanumangarhi Temple in After this, at 10:30 am, he will visit Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Temple in Ayodhya. At noon today, Shah will address a public meeting in Ayodhya (Rural), the official Twitter handle of the Bharatiya Janata Party informed on Thursday. After this, the Union Home Minister is scheduled to hold a public meeting program at 2 pm at Sant Kabir Nagar in Gorakhapur. Following this, at 4:00 pm, Shah will hold a roadshow in Bareilly and will address an Organizational meeting in Bareilly at 7 PM. This visit by the Union Minister holds importance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. 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. (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.) Passengers going to Jhansi will now have to use 'VJLB' as code to book tickets instead of 'JHS', as per the changed name, a railways official said on Thursday. "The earlier code for Jhansi was 'JHS'. Now, with the name being changed to Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station, its code has been changed to 'VJLB', Chief Public Relations Officer of North-Central Railway, Shivam Sharma, who is based in Prayagraj, told PTI. The Uttar Pradesh government announced renaming of Jhansi as 'Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station' on Wednesday after Rani Laxmibai -- the queen of Jhansi. The announcement was made by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday in a tweet in Hindi. A notification issued to this end stated that the station's name was changed following a no-objection given by the Ministry of Home Affairs in a letter dated November 24, 2021. Earlier the Mughalsarai Railway Station was renamed as Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction and the Faizabad Railway Station as Ayodhya Cantt. Since coming to power, Adityanath government has changed names of several establishments including those of Faizabad and Allahabad districts, which were renamed as Ayodhya and Prayagraj, respectively. (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.) Three Chinese military planes entered air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, said the Taiwanese defence ministry, marking it the 23rd intrusion of the month. One People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane, one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance airplane, and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). In response, sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defence missile systems to track the PLAAF planes, News reported. A total of 83 Chinese aircraft have been spotted in Taiwan's identification zone so far in December, including 46 fighter jets, 2 bombers, and 35 spotter planes. Since September last year, has increased its use of gray zone tactics by routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ, with most occurrences taking place in the southwest corner of the zone. Taiwan on Thursday said it witnessed 950 intrusions by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military planes into its Air Defence Identification Zone in 2021 so far, a 60 per cent increase from the previous year. Moreover, Taiwanese media reported that the island is anticipating a further rise in the number of intrusions as has ramped up sorties over the past few years. The number of flights is expected to increase further as tensions rise over major political events on two sides of the Taiwan Strait in 2022, Taiwan News reported. Dismissing these claims, boasted that it sent more than 940 fighters planes for routine drills which are more than what Taiwanese authorities have said. 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. (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 newly formed strategic alliance involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the will form a pivotal role in shaping the strategic affairs of the system. The AUKUS will be a cornerstone of strategic alignment supplanting Quad and vice versa according to the situation. AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, announced on 15 September 2021 for the Indo-Pacific region. Under the pact, the US and the will help to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. It's understood that Quadrilateral Security Initiative 2.0 is an informal proposed maritime alliance involving the United States, India, Japan, and for strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific The concept of Quad though was mooted by Japan, India, or at different times, it's true that the happens to be the hub around which the spokes of the wheels of the Quad are extended. It's understood that under US President Joe Biden the contours of the Quad will be clearly seen in the upcoming months. The contours of the Quad is formed at a time when the US is confronted by rising and resurgent powers and an absence of consensus on how nation-states should behave in such transitional times. On the other hand, Joe Biden will continue the Obama-era "pivot" or "rebalance" to Asia strategy, which had set specific targets for relocating the US military away from the Middle East and concentrating maximum US naval assets to ring-fence China in its backyard. Since Biden is also a professed believer in a multilateral US foreign policy, it's expected that Washington will team up with other China-wary countries and form a united front. Despite the shortcomings, the US will take a stronger line on Chinese influence in the Pacific, which will include reassertion of US naval dominance in the wider Indo Pacific waterways and sea lanes of communication used by the Chinese for trade and the prioritization of US defense ties to the countries surrounding countries. As a subset of the Quad initiative, it's true that the US will continue to work to cement its chain of security partners throughout the region, which now includes Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia as well as Australia and New Zealand (the US is also pursuing improved security ties with Malaysia and Vietnam, both of whom have their own concerns about Chinese regional expansionism and in the Vietnamese case history of enmity with its larger neighbor). The US' defense treaties with Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines have often been seen as a strategic partner's reiteration of its commitment to the security of these countries. Through the rebalancing strategy, the US seeks to reassure its allies that it stands by them in the face of an increasingly assertive China. US' grand strategy as part of its long-term national interests considers engagement with other countries of the Indo-Pacific as vital to its foreign policy objectives. The seriousness of the US in 'rebalancing' to the Asia-Pacific can be gauged from some of the decisions of the earlier US administration, such as the closing down of two military bases in Europe and shifting its military weight to the Asia-Pacific despite the defense budget cuts. This makes it clear that the US is prepared to go the distance if required but will not compromise the core components of its 'rebalancing' strategy. The United States' Pivot approach to China was a continuation of the Grand Strategic vision envisaged under Barack Obama's presidency continued under Trump administration which is likely to be inherited under Joe Biden's presidency also First, it was understood the pivot under the Barack Obama administration was intended to demonstrate commitment to give greater priority to focusing U.S. power and resources toward the Indo-Pacific region. Earlier, the Quad 2.0 was formed on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and East Asia Summit held in November 2017 with the proposal for the maritime alliance being mooted by Japan. (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.) US President spoke with his Russian counterpart on phone amid heightened tensions over Biden on Thursday urged Russia to "de-escalate tensions with Ukraine" and made it clear that the US and its allies and partners will "respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," according to a statement by White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki on the phone call. The US President 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, said the statement. Biden reiterated that "substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," the statement added. Thursday's phone call was the second conversation between Biden and Putin in December. The two leaders spoke on December 7 in a video conference that ended with a pledge to restart diplomatic discussions, Xinhua news agency reported. --IANS int/khz/ (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.) US President told his Russian counterpart repeatedly during his phone call that nuclear war must not be started and it cannot be won, said aide Yuri Ushakov. "It is very important that President Biden several times said during the conversation that nuclear war must not be started and cannot be won," Sputnik quoted Ushakov as saying. The phone call between the two leaders lasted for 50 minutes. "President Biden's call with President Putin concluded at 4:25 PM EST," White House said on Thursday (local time). The call began at 3:35 PM EST. Emphasising that the presidents discussed all key topics, Ushakov said that the conversation was very businesslike, meaningful, and the presidents, which is also very important, agreed to continue the dialogue after the new year. "In principle, we are satisfied with the talks as they were frank, substantive and specific. And I can also say that the spirit of these talks was constructive," Ushakov said. The aide also said that during the talks, maintained that Washington is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons to Ukraine. "Biden has clearly said that the United States is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons to Ukraine," said Ushakov. (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.) British Prime Minister used his New Year's Eve message on Friday to celebrate the UK's COVID-19 vaccination programme with over seven in 10 eligible adults in England boosted so far, an increase of 8 million top up jabs this month amid the Omicron spike. Johnson declared that the government has met the target to offer the chance to get a COVID-19 booster to every eligible adult by the end of 2021 and urged those who haven't yet been jabbed to take up the offer of a booster, or even their first or second dose. His message comes as the country's daily COVID infections remain at record highs of 183,213, largely driven by the Omicron variant, with experts hopeful these will not translate into a similar spike in severe disease and hospitalisations. Happy New Year. 2022 is almost upon us. And whatever the challenges that fate continues to throw in our way and whatever the anxieties we may have about the weeks and months ahead, particularly about Omicron and the growing numbers in hospitals we can say one thing with certainty our position this December the 31st is incomparably better than last year, said Johnson. And as I speak tonight on New Year's Eve, we've met our target, we've doubled the speed of the booster roll out. And it's precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all, he said, urging caution with New Year's Eve celebrations. Addressing the minority who are opposed to vaccines, he said people who think the disease can't hurt them should look at those going into hospital now, that could be you. So, make it your New Year's resolution far easier than losing weight or keeping a diary find a walk-in centre or make an online appointment. Get that jab and do something that will make 2022 a happy New Year for us all, he added. On November 30, the British government announced plans to offer all adults the chance to get their top-up booster jab by the end of January 2022. This target was brought forward earlier this month through the "Get Boosted Now" campaign, aiming to offer all adults a top-up booster by the New Year in response to the surging Omicron variant. Since then, the National Health Service (NHS) in England said it has broken record after record including the highest number of vaccinations ever recorded in a single day: 830,000 top-ups reported on December 18. This was also the day the UK hit over 1 million vaccinations in total, including first, second, third and booster doses jumping from 928,000 the previous day. Our world-leading vaccination programme has meant tens of millions of people have been able to see their loved ones this Christmas knowing they have the protection of the booster, said UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid. I am delighted to confirm we have hit our target of offering a COVID-19 booster to all adults by the New Year. I am incredibly proud of the work the NHS has done to accelerate the programme and offer my thanks to the frontline staff, volunteers, Armed Forces and British public who have made it possible for us to meet this commitment, he said. The dose interval between the second dose and booster dose was reduced from six months to three months on the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) with bookings made available one month in advance. I am hugely grateful for the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff and volunteers this year, who have gone above and beyond to roll out the NHS vaccination programme and who, in just over 12 months, have administered more than 110 million life-saving COVID-19 jabs, said Dr Emily Lawson, the head of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme. The NHS notes the UK's booster programme is one of the fastest in the world, as the second country in Europe after Iceland and third in the world for the number of boosters per 100 people in the total population. In all, 33.5 million top-up jabs have been administered in the UK, as well as 51.7 million first and 47.4 million second doses. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Friday defended the renaming of 15 more places in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that the southern part of Tibet is an "inherent part" of its territory. India on Thursday strongly rejected renaming 15 places in and asserted that the state has "always been" and will "always be" an integral part of India and that assigning "invented" names does not alter this fact. India's reaction came in response to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs announcing Chinese names for 15 more places in which Beijing claims as South Tibet. "We have seen such. This is not the first time has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi. "Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact," Bagchi said. Asked for his reaction to India's assertion, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that the southern part of Tibet belongs to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of Chin and it has been China's inherent territories. People of different ethnic groups have been living in that area for many years and have given many names for that areas, he said. For standardised management of the area, the competent authorities in China in accordance with relevant regulations have published the names for the relevant area. These are matters that is within China's sovereignty, Zhao said. This is the second batch of standardised Chinese names of places in Arunachal Pradesh released by China. The first batch of the standardised names of six places was released in 2017. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet which is firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an "inseparable part of India". Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC). China's renaming of the places in Arunachal Pradesh came in the midst of the lingering eastern Ladakh border standoff that began in May last year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New Year shorn of mass celebrations beckoned Friday for millions around the world as the number of daily Covid infections, driven by the Omicron variant, surged through another symbolic high. Coronavirus, first detected two years ago and declared a global pandemic in March 2020, has killed more than 5.4 million people, triggered economic crises and seen societies ricochet in and out of lockdowns. The latest variant, Omicron, while tentatively considered to cause milder illness, has pushed infection levels to record levels in recent days in the United States, Britain, France and other European countries, forcing governments to reimpose restrictions. The number of daily new Covid cases worldwide crossed one million for the first time, according to an AFP tally Thursday, with more than 7.3 million in the last seven days. From Greece to Mexico, from Barcelona to Bali and across swathes of Europe, authorities have cancelled or curtailed public gatherings, either closing or imposing curfews on nightclubs. Only South Africa, the first country to report the Omicron variant, was bucking the trend. It lifted a midnight to 4 am curfew to allow celebrations to go ahead, after health officials said that a dip in infections in the past week indicated the peak of the current wave had passed. In France, wearing masks outdoors will be compulsory while walking the streets of Paris from Friday for everyone over the age of 11. Nightclubs have been closed until well into January. In Spain, public festivities have been cancelled across most regions and in the biggest cities except Madrid, where a stripped-down gathering is scheduled with the crowd limited to 7,000 people compared to 18,000 in 2019. Britain's National Health Service said it would start opening temporary field hospitals to contain a possible overspill of patients in England, where the government stopped short of mandating curbs on New Year festivities. 'War footing' "Given the high level of Covid-19 infections and increasing hospital admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing," National Medical Director Stephen Powis said. Indonesia, which has reported more than 4.2 million confirmed cases, warned that foreign travellers may be deported from the resort island of Bali if they are caught violating Covid health rules that bar carnivals, fireworks and gatherings of more than 50 people over the holidays. "Get ready to be kicked out," said Bali immigration office head Jamaruli Manihuruk. Mexico City has cancelled its massive New Year's Eve celebrations as a preventative measure after a rise in cases. "I feel that this casts doubt on a lot of what we thought was already secure, because it is scary, it is worrying," said engineering student Aaron Rosas. Israel meanwhile became one of the first countries to greenlight a fourth booster shot for immunocompromised people. Authorities in Saudi Arabia reimposed social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, after recording the highest number of infections in months. "I am highly concerned that Omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'Brink of collapse' "This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse." Omicron has already started to overwhelm some hospitals in the United States, the hardest-hit country, where the seven-day average of new cases has hit 265,427, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker. Harvard epidemiologist and immunologist Michael Mina tweeted that the count was likely just the "tip of the iceberg" with the true number likely far higher because of a shortage of tests. US health authorities advised people to avoid taking cruises over the holiday period, even if they are fully vaccinated. By Kavya Guduru (Reuters) - rose in thin trade on Thursday, giving up earlier losses as the U.S. Treasury yields eased from one-month highs, offsetting pressure from a firm dollar. Spot gold was last up 0.5% at $1,813.16 per ounce by 1347 EDT (1847 GMT), while U.S. gold futures settled up 0.5% at $1,814.10. "We're in an extremely low-volume holiday-type trading. I think gold is comfortable right around either side of $1,800," said Phillip Streible, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures in Chicago. could find more of a direction with volumes expected to pick up into next week, Streible added. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields dipped from one-month highs with no major catalysts to drive market direction and many traders out before the New Year's holiday. This reduced the opportunity cost of holding bullion which pays no interest. [US/] [USD/] are down about 5% so far this year and on track for their biggest fall since 2015, as economies recovered from the impact of the pandemic, reducing demand for safe-haven bullion. Prices hit a one-month high on Tuesday but slipped to a one-week low in the next session. The back and forth seen over the last two days is less to do with any fundamental catalyst and is more an example of the market being very thin, meaning volatility is amplified, DailyFX currency strategist Ilya Spivak said. Limiting bullion's gains, U.S. stocks rebounded on renewed risk appetite as a drop in weekly jobless claims allayed fears over the economic damage from a rampant surge in COVID-19 infections in the United States. [.N] Spot silver gained 0.8% to $22.98 an ounce, platinum was down 0.6% at $961.94 and palladium rose 0.1% to $1,984.31. (Reporting by Kavya Guduru and Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad; Editing by Alison Williams and Maju Samuel) (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.) Holdings Plc. won regulatory approval to take full control of its life venture in China after more than one and half years waiting, marking an initial success in mending frayed relations with Beijing. will buy the remaining 50% stake in Life China from The National Trust Ltd. after the approval by the China Banking and Regulatory Commission, according to a statement from the regulator Thursday. Europes largest lender is steering billions of dollars in capital toward Asia to lift its profitability while shrinking or exiting operations in other parts of the world. Key to its growth strategy in Greater China is capitalizing on the rising affluence in the worlds second-largest economy. However, they have come under attack in China over its cooperation in a U.S. probe into Huawei Technologies Co. since 2019. Its public support of a security law imposed on Hong Kong, its biggest market, has also drawn criticism from activists in the city and western politicians. The latest approval comes three months after Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou struck a deal that released her from a U.S. extradition request that had kept her under house arrest in Canada for two years. Still, the Biden administration has shown no signs of easing the sanctions imposed on Huawei. Meanwhile, China opened its vast $54 trillion financial industry to allow foreign to take full ownership in businesses spanning insurance, investment banking and funds management. HSBCs Chinese venture was formed in 2009 and is present in ten key mainland cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The push fits well into the vision of HSBC Chairman Mark Tucker, who has formerly run AIA Group Ltd. and Prudential Plc. HSBC last month appointed Greg Hingston global CEO of HSBC Life and Insurance Partnerships starting January 1, 2022. Growing our insurance business is key to delivering on our strategic priority of being a leading wealth manager in Asia, David Liao, HSBCs co-chief executive officer in Asia Pacific, said in a statement. Full ownership of HSBC Life China brings us closer to this goal, and shows our commitment to expanding our broader wealth offering in mainland China. HSBC has also been investing in insurance and wealth business in China through Pinnacle -- a personal financial planning business launched last year. Nearly 700 digitally-enabled wealth planners are already onboard in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, and the bank aims to recruit up to 3,000 wealth planners in total by 2025. The US sanctions have hit hard and the company has warned that it will see "serious challenges" in 2022 amid "politicisation of technology", and further "deglobalisation". The Chinese conglomerate is expecting 634 billion yuan ($99.45 billion) in revenue in 2021, a 28.88 dip from 891.4 billion yuan in 2020. In a New Year letter to employees, Huawei's rotating chairman Guo Ping, said that its carrier business had stayed "stable" and its enterprise unit saw growth. "An unpredictable business environment, the politicisation of technology, and a growing deglobalisation movement all present serious challenges," Ping said. "Against this backdrop, we need to stick to our strategy and respond rationally to external forces that are beyond our control," he added. US President Joe Biden in November signed the law to ban Chinese tech like and ZTE from getting approval for network equipment licences in the country. Last year, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks -- making it harder for US firms to buy equipment from them. Ping said that Huawei would push ahead with its focus on infrastructure and smart devices, and look to respond more quickly to customer needs with shorter "management chains". This meant creating "integrated teams" and "domain-specific subsidiaries," reports ZDNet. He said that Huawei in 2022 would look to streamline its business decision-making processes by giving more autonomy to local offices. He added that Huawei would increase its investment in HarmonyOS and EulerOS. EulerOS is pitched as Huawei's infrastructure platform that supports both on-premises and cloud computing services. It runs on Huawei's version of Linux OS. HarmonyOS currently supports more than 220 million Huawei devices and there are more than 100 million devices developed by third-party vendors that currently run on HarmonyOS, according to Huawei. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr had said: "Once we have determined that Huawei or other gear poses an unacceptable national security risk, it makes no sense to allow that exact same equipment to be purchased and inserted into our communications networks as long as federal dollars are not involved. The presence of these insecure devices in our networks is the threat, not the source of funding used to purchase them". --IANS na/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.) Led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world's 10 richest people added nearly $402.17 billion (India has a forex reserve of about $635 billion) in 2021. According to the Bloomberg Index, Musk added $121 billion to his net worth in 2021, becoming the world's richest man who briefly saw his net worth cross $300 billion. As of December 29, Musk had a net worth of $277 billion. At the second place, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, however, did not add much to his net worth. He only added $5 billion, to stay at the second spot with $195 billion in his kitty, reports CNBC. The third spot was taken by Bernard Arnault at $176 billion (he added $61 billion in 2021). Arnault is the CEO of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Givenchy. At the fourth position, philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates saw his net worth soar to $139 billion, adding $7 billion in 2021. Google co-founder Larry Page with $130 billion net worth (and adding $47 billion in 2021 owing to the strong performance of Alphabet) was the fifth richest person on earth. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg with a net worth of $128 billion was at the sixth place. He added a cool $24 billion this year. Zuckerberg owns a 13 per cent stake in Meta (formerly Facebook), which has grown in value by more than 20 per cent this year. At the seventh place, another Google co-founder Sergey Brin with $125 billion net worth added $45 billion in 2021. Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, added $41 billion in 2021 to see his net worth reaching $122 billion, according to Bloomberg Index. Cloud major Oracle's Chairman and Founder Larry Ellison with $109 billion (and adding $29 billion in 2021) was at the ninth place while Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, finished 10th with $109 billion net worth and adding $21 billion in 2021. --IANS na/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.) is permanently raising the problem of normalizing issuing visas during the contacts with the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik. "During the contacts with the at various levels, we are permanently speaking about the need to normalize the process of issuing visas," the minister said. "However, amid the degradation of the bilateral relations, Washington is unlikely to soften the policy," Lavrov 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.) has lifted night that was first imposed nearly two years ago to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision announced by the Presidency on Thursday evening followed meetings of the National Command Council (NCCC) and the President's Coordinating Council (PCC), which received updates on the management of the current fourth wave of COVID-19 in The wave is currently being driven by the Omicron variant, which was first detected in last month. "The will be lifted. There will therefore be no restrictions on the hours of movement of people, the Presidency said in a statement. The number of people permitted at public events has also been increased. "Gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors and no more than 2,000 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used. All other restrictions remain in place," according to a statement. The Presidency cited several reasons for the decisions, which have been welcomed by the restaurant industry and members of the public who were cautioned on Wednesday by Minister of Police Bheki Cele that they would be arrested if they were out in public after midnight on Friday to celebrate the advent of the New Year. The was in place from midnight to 4 am under the lowest level of South Africa's five-level lockdown strategy. "All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level, the Presidency said, adding that cases had declined in all but two of the country's nine provinces over the past week. Other factors included the levels of vaccination in the country; lower rates of hospitalisation, which have not resulted in capacity being overloaded as with previous waves; and the marginal increase in the number of deaths in all provinces. Conceding that the risk of increase in infections is still high given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the government called on all organisers of gatherings to ensure that all health protocols are observed at all times and that all attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated. The restaurant industry welcomed the decision to remove the restriction on serving of alcohol at restaurants licensed to do so beyond 11 pm. "The NCCC will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make further adjustments as necessary, particularly if pressure on health facilities increases, the statement said as it also reminded people that wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence. With schools due to start opening in the next fortnight, parents have also been encouraged to use the available time to get their children older than 12 years to get vaccinated before then. This will avoid learners losing school time as a result of testing positive or as a result of contact with people infected with COVID-19, the Presidency 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.) has agreed to sign a fresh deal with India to lease out 14 out of the 99 tanks at the strategic World War II-era oil tank farm for 50 years in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said here on Friday. Gammanpila said the deal will be signed next week after getting approval from the Cabinet. The new agreement will be an extension of the 2002 agreement with the local operators of the Indian Oil Company, LIOC. in 2002 entered the original deal with India on the island's most strategic oil storage complex, which was used as a supply base during World War II. India at all times had shown a strategic interest in the Trincomalee tank farm which the British rulers had built to refuel Allied warships and aircraft. The LIOC will have the control of just 14 of the 99 tanks over a 50-year lease, Gammanpila said while speaking to reporters here. He said 61 tanks out of the total number of 99 tanks would be run under the newly-established joint venture company Trinco Petroleum Terminals Ltd. formed between the state oil entity, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the LIOC with CPC holding the majority 51 per cent stake. Gammanpila, who had previously said his intention was to reacquire complete control of the tanks, claimed the new deal was a triumph for In October, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told visiting Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla that Indian investors are invited to invest in the island nation and Sri Lanka was keen to resolve the situation regarding the Trincomalee oil tanks in a manner that is beneficial to both countries. The World War II-era oil storage facility in the strategically advantaged port district of Trincomalee has been a key bilateral economic partnership link for decades. Since 2003, the Lanka IOC, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of India's oil major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has the leasing rights to 99 tanks at the facility for a period of 35 years for an annual payment of USD 100,000. Shringla had also visited the oil storage site during his trip to Sri Lanka. The visit was considered significant as oil sector trade unions in the country have demanded that the tanks be brought under the control of the state fuel entity Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). The formalisation of the agreement next week will come in the background of Sri Lanka seeking India's help to tide over its current economic woes exacerbated by the ongoing foreign exchange crisis in the local Officials said that the island nation has shut its only refinery for its inability to pay for crude oil and was negotiating a credit line with India for fuel purchases. (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 welcomes the dialogue between Russian President and US leader on security and strategic issues, UN associate spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino told Sputnik. On Thursday, the two presidents held a telephone call to discuss escalating tensions over Ukraine and the upcoming talks on the issue. "We always welcome dialogue between the Member States," Soto Nino said when asked about the phone call. 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. On December 17, Russia released proposals on security guarantees to NATO and the United States that seek to prevent the alliance's further expansion eastward and ban the deployment of US and Russian intermediate and short-range missiles within reach of each other's territory, among other items. Negotiations on security guarantees between Moscow and Washington are scheduled for January 10, followed by a Russia-NATO Council meeting to discuss the issue on January 12, and the summit of Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe the following day. (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.) Chinese President on Friday flagged unification of Taiwan with the mainland as an aspiration in his New Year address, as he highlighted the ruling Communist Party's achievements, including its recent key meeting that paved the way for his unprecedented third term in power. The complete reunification of our motherland is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Xi said in his New Year-eve television address to the nation. His Taiwan reference is considered significant as has increasingly come under pressure from the US, the European Union and other western countries, who have stepped up support to Taipei, much to Beijing's chagrin. China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of the mainland, had ratcheted up tensions by sending over hundreds of military planes into Taiwan's Air Identification Defence Zone in recent months and conducted military drills close to the island. Xi devoted a major part of his 10-minute speech to highlight the completion of 100 years of the ruling Communist Party of (CPC), and its plenum meeting held last month that virtually paved the way for his continuation in power, perhaps for life. My greetings to you all. The year 2022 is approaching. From Beijing, I extend New Year wishes to all of you!, Xi said in his speech. The past year has been a year of exceptional significance. We have lived through landmark events in the history of our Party and our country, he said. At the historical convergence of the Two Centenary Goals, we have set out on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects and are making confident strides on the path towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he added. Xi, 68, holds all three of China's power centres General-Secretary of the CPC, Chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), which is the overall high command of the military, and the Presidency of which he is set to complete his second five-year tenure next year. Politically, the meeting is regarded as significant for Xi, who in the last nine years of his tenure in power, has emerged as the most powerful leader after party founder Mao Zedong. He is widely expected to continue for a third term unlike his predecessor, Hu Jintao, who retired after two terms and perhaps may remain in power for life, in view of a key constitutional amendment passed in 2018, which removed the two-term limit for the Chinese President. Xi was also appointed core leader' of the party in 2016, a status previously enjoyed by Mao. Xi was expected to begin his third five-year term as CPC General Secretary at the party's once in five-year Congress to be held sometime in the middle of 2022. In his address, the Chinese President also praised the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police for their devotion to building a strong military and protecting our country. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The price of 10 gram of gold decreased by Rs 250 on Friday, with 24-carat gold trading at Rs 48,760 and 22-carat at Rs 46,760. The price of 1 kg of silver decreased by Rs 900 with the precious metal selling at Rs 61,600. In Delhi, the price of 24-carat gold stands at Rs 51,320, while in Mumbai it is at Rs 48,760, according to the Goodreturns website. The price of 10 gram of 22-carat gold in Delhi and Mumbai is at Rs 47,050 and Rs 46,760, respectively. In Chennai, 10 gram of 24-carat gold is selling at Rs 49,120 on Friday, while 10 gram of 22-carat gold is selling at Rs 45,020. In Kolkata, 24-carat gold is selling at Rs 49,750, while 22-carat gold's price is at Rs 47,050, 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 65,500 on Friday, while in Delhi and Mumbai, the metal is selling at Rs 61,600. Silver is selling at Rs 61,600 per kg in Kolkata and Bengaluru, while in Hyderabad, the metal is selling at Rs 65,500 a kg. Today is the last trading day of the calendar year 2021, the key benchmarks have logged strong gains so far this year, and seem to be on course for more upside in the New Year, with midcap and smallcaps likely to continue the outperformance as suggested by market analysts. READ MORE Today on Friday, the key benchmark indices may witness yet another range-bound trading session due to lack of significant triggers. As of 08:10 AM, the SGX Nifty January futures were quoted flat around 17,270. Meanwhile, here are the top stocks to focus in trade on Thursday. Textiles stocks: GST Council headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the recently announced hikes in GST rates for textiles, which comes into effect from January 1. Select states have been asking for a roll-back. READ MORE Shareholders of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, have voted to scrap a clause in the articles of association (AoA) that gives the airlines two promoters a right of first refusal (RoFR) over the acquisition of each others shares. The removal of the clause will now allow either side to sell or transfer shares to a third party without giving each other notice. READ MORE The private lender has set in motion the process of merging IDFC Ltd and IDFC Financial Holding Company with itself. Both entities form part of the bank promoter group. The bank, however, did not elaborate on the timeline for the merger. SBI: The largest PSU bank in India said it will acquire about 10 per cent stake in the India International Clearing Corporation (IICC). IICC is the first international clearing corporation set up at GIFT-IFSC that acts as a central counterparty providing clearing and settlement and risk management services. expects to buy up to 9.95 per cent stake, subject to a maximum investment of Rs 34.03 crore, by March 31, 2022. READ MORE PB Infotech: The parent company of has informed the stock exchanges, that the board has approved an investment of Rs 700 crore in one or more tranches in Insurance Brokers, and an investment of almost Rs 300 crore in PaisaBazaar Marketing and Consulting Private Limited. Cars24: One of the leading e-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles has collaborated with Bajaj Finance to lift the veil from used car financing and facilitate a quick, frictionless and streamlined shopping experience. This move follows a Series G funding round announced in December 2021 where the firm raised $400 million at a $3.3-billion valuation. READ MORE NTPC: The state-owned power giants arm NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL) will float a global engineering procurement and construction tender to set up a 3GW renewable energy project with a battery storage system worth around Rs 15,000 crore by February 2022. READ MORE Mahindra & Mahindra: The auto-maker has informed BSE that CRISIL has reaffirmed its CRISIL AAA/ Stable/ CRISIL A1+ ratings on the bank facilities and its various debt instruments. Indo Amines: The company has fixed January 15 as the record date for its proposed stock split in the ratio of 1:2. Consequently each equity share with a face value of Rs 10 will be sub-divided into two equity shares of Rs 5 each. Stocks in F&O ban: There is not a single stock in the F&O ban period today. CMS Info Systems: Shares of cash management systems player CMS Info Systems will debut on the bourses today, 31 December 2021. The issue price is Rs 216 per share. Reliance Industries (RIL): Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries (RIL), has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% shareholding in Faradion for an enterprise value of GBP 100 million. In addition, RNESL will also invest GBP 25 million as growth capital to accelerate commercial roll out. State Bank of India: The PSU bank announced maximum investment of Rs 34.03 crore for 9.95% stake in India International Clearing Corporation (IFSC). Power Grid Corporation of India: The company has approved investment proposal for 'expansion of POWERGRID telecom into data centre business and to establish a data centre at Manesar at an estimated cost of about around Rs 322 crore. Biocon: Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (USCAFC) has upheld the U.S. Patent and Trademark Appeal Board's decisions for unpatentability of five device patents for Sanofi's Lantus SoloSTAR, as well as a district court decision on one of these patents. PB Fintech: The board of directors of the company has approved further investment of an amount not exceeding Rs 700 crore in one or more tranches in subsidiary Policybazaar Insurance Brokers during FY22 and FY23, and up to Rs 299.99 crore in subsidiary Paisabazaar Marketing and Consulting. Mahindra Lifespace Developers: Mahindra World City (Jaipur) (MWCJL), a subsidiary cum joint venture company of the company, has executed two lease deeds, for leasing in aggregate 40.81 acres of land in the Domestic Tariff Area - II. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The GST Council's 46th meeting was held today in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The GST Council has recommended to defer the decision to change the rates in textiles recommended in the 45th GST Council meeting. Consequently, the existing GST rates in textile sector would continue beyond 1st January, 2022. The GST Council had earlier decided to raise the rate on textiles from 5% to 12%. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries (RIL), signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% stake in Faradion for an enterprise value of GBP 100 million. Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries (RIL), entered into an agreement with Faradion and its shareholders to acquire 100% of the equity shares of Faradion through secondary transactions for a total value of GBP 94.42 million based on an enterprise value of GBP 100 million as follows: (a) 88.92% of the equity shares of Faradion for an aggregate consideration of GBP 83.97 milllion at closing which is expected in early January 2022 and (b) 11.08% of the equity shares of Faradion within 3 years from closing for an aggregate consideration of up to GBP 10.45 million. RNESL has also agreed to subscribe to new equity shares of Faradion for an aggregate consideration of GBP 31.59 million, of which GBP 25 million is as growth capital for accelerating commercial roll out and the balance for repayment of debt and other fees. Faradion is a global battery technology companies, based out of Sheffield and Oxford in UK. It is a private limited company incorporated on 6 August 2010 in the United Kingdom. The turnover of Faradion for FY 2020, FY 2019 and FY 2018 were GBP 197,561, GBP 81,975 and GBP 25,669 respectively. RIL will use Faradion's state-of-the-art technology at its proposed fully integrated energy storage giga-factory as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project at Jamnagar, India. Linklaters LLP acted as the legal advisor and Ernst and Young as the accounting and tax advisor to Reliance on this transaction. On a consolidated basis, RIL reported 46% increase in net profit to Rs 15,479 crore on 50.7% rise in net sales to Rs 1,67,611 crore in Q2 September 2021 over Q2 September 2020. Shares of RIL rose 0.58% to Rs 2,370 on BSE. RIL is India's largest private sector company. Its activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries has signed definitive agreement to acquire 100% shareholding in Faradion (Faradion) for an enterprise value of GBP 100 Mn. In addition, RNESL will also invest GBP 25 million as growth capital to accelerate commercial roll out. Based out of Sheffield and Oxford in UK and with its patented sodium-ion battery technology, Faradion is one of the leading global battery technology companies. It has a competitively superior, strategic, wide-reaching and extensive IP portfolio covering several aspects of sodium-ion technology. Reliance will use Faradion's state-of-the-art technology at its proposed fully integrated energy storage giga-factory as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project at Jamnagar, India. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The key equity barometers continued to trade with decent gains in mid-morning trade. The Nifty was trading above the 17,350 mark. Metal stocks witnessed some bit of bargain buying after a two-day fall. At 11:22 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 440.9 points or 0.76% to 58,235.22. The Nifty 50 index added 149.40 points or 0.87% to 17,353.35. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 1.06% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.93%. The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2424 shares rose and 804 shares fell. A total of 115 shares were unchanged. Economy: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the pre-budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories for Union Budget 2022-23 in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Finance, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, Finance Ministers, Ministers and Senior Officers from the States and Union Territories and the Union Government. The Finance Secretary welcomed all the participants to the deliberation and informed the importance of this particular consultation meeting. Most of the participants thanked the Union Finance Minister for financially supporting their States and Union Territories during the worst months of pandemic, by enhancing borrowing limits, providing back to back loans to States and through special assistance for capital expenditure. The participants also gave numerous suggestions to the Union Finance Minister for inclusion in the Budget Speech. Sitharaman thanked the participants for their inputs and suggestions towards Union Budget 2022-23 and assured to examine each of the proposals. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Metal index rose 2.34% to 5,543.20. The index had declined 2.20% in the past two sessions. Hindalco Industries (up 4.93%), National Aluminum Co. (up 3.33%), Vedanta (up 2.76%), SAIL (up 2.71%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 2.66%), JSW Steel (up 2.55%), Hindustan Copper (up 2.41%), Welspun Corp (up 1.83%), Tata Steel (up 1.69%) and NMDC (up 1.33%) advanced. Global Markets: Asian stocks were trading mixed on Friday in thin year-end trading, with markets in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand closed for holidays while those in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong are set to close early. China's factory activity saw an acceleration in growth during December, with the official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) coming in at 50.3 for that month from November's reading of 50.1, according to data released Friday by the country's National Bureau of Statistics. Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, retreating late in thin holiday volume from record highs set early in the session on strong U.S. data including a drop in weekly claims for U.S. unemployment benefits. On the data front, new claims for US unemployment benefits fell in the week leading up to Christmas and benefits rolls slid to their lowest level of the coronavirus pandemic era the week earlier, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to a seasonally adjusted 198,000 for the week ended December 25 from a revised 206,000 a week earlier. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI/TPT): Media Trendz's founder Rohit Kumar has recently been honoured with "Bihar Vibhuti Samman" at the Bihar Entrepreneurship Conclave 2021. The event, which was held at NDMC Convention Centre New Delhi, was organized by Let's Inspire Bihar. The young entrepreneur received the award from Senior IPS Officer and Special Secretary, Home Department, Government of Bihar Vikas Vaibhav who is the chief patron & the brain behind Let's Inspire Bihar. On the occasion, Vikas Vaibhav said "The conclave aimed to connect such committed individuals, who have on a voluntary basis opted to contribute towards future building on any of the core themes. The inspiration emanating from Bihar's magnificent heritage, which since the most ancient times had made its mark felt in the then contemporary world, is the main driving force behind the initiative" Supreme Court Lawyer & President of the Bar Council Vikas Singh, Delhi University Prof. Dr Sangeet Ragi, Senior Journalist Pramila Dixit & Convenor of Delhi NCR Chapter of Let's Inspire Bihar Alok Ranjan were among the dignitaries present at the occasion. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Rohit who hails from Patna has been working closely with the start-ups to help them to stay relevant in the marketplace amidst a global economic crisis through his marketing venture Media Trendz. It was born out of the need for an able media and advertising agency that can assist budding businesses during their initial stage of branding and growth. Their key offerings include Communication Strategy, Media Planning & Buying services, Branding & Identity Designing, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising Campaign management, and Digital / Social Media Solutions. The media and advertising firm also cover everything from web development to app development to e-commerce development to digital marketing to brand creation. Currently, they are also planning to conduct online conferences to share tips and tricks of running a successful business in the post-covid19 reality. "My relationship with the media and communication industry is long and something that I have always cherished. It has helped me throughout my entrepreneurial journey with Media Trendz. My only tip for aspiring entrepreneurs will be to embrace hard work and patience if you want to emerge as an accomplished businessman. Nothing comes overnight and success is no exception. Success only comes to those who work with passion, dedication and patience," shares Rohit after winning the award. As a former journalist, Rohit has always been well-aware of the crucial role that media and advertising play in the branding efforts of a company. During his tenure as a Media Consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, he has worked closely in several marketing projects broadening his exposure in the world of media, communications and marketing. Today, his company Media Trendz is working across 22 cities and clients from various industries including Real Estate, Healthcare, Educational Institutions, Hospitality, and Public Figures amongst others. Under his guidance, Media Trendz is designing high-value PR, marketing, and branding campaigns for its clients and hoping to continue the same. This story is provided by TPT. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/TPT) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], December 31 (ANI/NewsVoir): This new year, the Ardas of millions worldwide, to watch Gurbani Kirtan from Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, in full HD format, is getting fulfilled. PTC Play will now be airing the exclusive Gurbani Telecast from Sri Harmandir Sahib in full HD. Revealing this great news, the Managing Director & President - PTC Network, Rabindra Narayan, said, "Waheguru has blessed us with another milestone. The exquisite telecast of Gurbani will now be available live in full HD to viewers worldwide. This was a long pending demand of devotees and we are grateful to Waheguru to have blessed us with this service." The Gurbani telecast was started by Narayan and his team on November 1 in 1998. Subsequently it went live and is now also available in 360 degrees VR. Golden Temple is the only place on earth from where daily Live 360 degree Virtual Reality telecast happens. Constantly endeavoring to spread the message of Gurus and their wisdom worldwide, PTC Network has been working tirelessly in bringing new technology and bringing the teachings of Sikhism to everyone worldwide. PTC Play is available on Google play store, Apple app store and Amazon fire stick and offer its audience Latest Punjabi Songs, Punjabi Movies, Punjabi Web Series, Live Award Shows, Reality Shows, Punjabi Virsa, Punjabi Short Films, Kids Special Content and Live News Updates from India and abroad in English and Punjabi language in both Android and iOS. With PTC Network's official app 'PTC Play', viewers get on-the-go access to LIVE telecast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and Sri Huzoor Sahib, Nanded, besides other Gurudwaras in India. In short, 'PTC Play' is the one-stop solution for everything related to Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat. For more information, please visit (https://www.ptcplay.com). To download PTC Play app from Google play store visit: (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ptcplayapp) To download PTC Play app from Apple app store: (https://apps.apple.com/in/app/ptc-play/id1440258102) This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Falguni Nayar In the male-dominated clique that is India Inc, few women have gained entry. Indias women labour participation rate is just 21%, and one would be surprised that even in the upper echelons of the Indian business world, with all their talk of gender inclusion, female representation is dismal. In 2019, out of 1,814 chief executives and MDs of NSE-listed companies, only 67, or 3.69% were women. And last year, India had just one woman chief executive among Nifty50 companies, just as in 2019. Given this state of affairs, CEO Falguni Nayar, much like her startup, is a unicorn. The entrepreneurial bug bit her when she was 50. And the online internet beauty business was a complete break for Nayar, who came with 18 years of experience as an investment banker with Kotak Mahindra. In November this year, nine years after being founded in 2012, Nykaas parent company FSN Ecommerce Ventures listed on Indian bourses. While 2021 saw several startups going for IPOs, was one of the rare ones that was profitable. As Nykaas valuation crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark after its public listing, the net worth of Nayar, who owns around 52.56% stake in the company, surged to $7.90 bn. In the process, Nayar, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, has become the wealthiest self-made woman in India and is among the countrys 20 richest people, the only woman in this all-boys club, or as various publications have called it: the among Nayaks. Adar Poonawalla Someone who is on the Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People Of 2021 list, is an obvious choice for this wrap. The only son of Cyrus Poonawalla -- who established the Serum Institute of India (SII) in 1966-- Adar Poonawalla was sent to boarding school in London when he was nine years old. Adar returned over a decade later with a degree in business management from University of Westminster and joined the family business in 2001, without even an official designation. The next decade was spent under the shadow of his father, before Poonawalla became CEO of the company in 2011. And his moment of reckoning took almost another decade to arrive, when the world was under the grip of pandemic. Rising to the occasion, Poonawalla took a calculated risk and ramped up vaccine production, without waiting for government sanctions. The 40-year-old pumped in around $800 Mn into his companys Pune facility to manufacture millions of doses of the then unproven AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19. At the beginning of this year, SII delivered its first batch of AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccines for the Indian population. As of now, over 80% of the Indian population has received at least one shot. And over 90% of them had rolled up their sleeves for Covishield. But Poonawalla had his share of controversies. His plan of exporting a large chunk of its Covishield output hit a roadblock when the deadly second wave of Covid-19 hit India in April. By that time, just about 2% of Indias population was fully vaccinated. India banned the export of vaccines, hitting the supply of Covishield to poorer countries. While many hailed Poonawalla for SIIs role in Indias vaccination drive, global commentators flagged what they called lack of transparency in his statements. In June 2020, Poonawalla had said that his company would manufacture one billion doses of Covishield for low and middle income countries, of which, 400 million would be ready by the end of 2020. But, in January 2021, SII had a stockpile of just 70 million doses. Poonawalla also faced criticism for offering the vaccine at different rates to the Centre and the state governments. Nevertheless, as the year draws to a close, Poonawallas, and consequently, Indias worries, seem to have eased somewhat. The company recently announced that it will reduce Covishield production by half as it has fulfilled its orders to the Indian government and has a stockpile of 500 million doses. Meanwhile, another of Serum Institute of Indias Covid vaccines, Covovax, has been authorised for restricted use in emergency situations. While his initial plans of supplying 1 billion doses for low-and-middle income countries might have gone awry, Adar Poonawalla and his company hold the key to ending this pandemic. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala 2021 could not be a better year for eternal India bull as he completed six decades of his life. The best measure of this, his wealth, has more than doubled to $5.9 billion this year, according to Forbes. Shares of The Titan Company, Jhunjhunwalas biggest listed holding, surged 55% year-to-date in one of their best annual performances. The 4.9% stake he holds in the jewellery and watch maker is now valued at Rs 10,500 crore. He also reaped a windfall from some of his private investments after three of his portfolio companies hit the public markets this year. In March, gaming company Nazara Technologies got listed on the stock exchanges, followed by Barbeque-Nation Hospitality in April and Star Health and Allied Insurance and footwear retailer Metro Brands in December capping the year. The year was not without controversy though. Jhunjhunwala, his wife Rekha Jhunjhunwala and eight others settled a case on alleged insider trading in shares of Aptech by agreeing to pay more than Rs 37 crore to SEBI. This includes settlement charges as well as disgorgement of ill-gotten gains. But, the highlight of this year has been Jhunjhunwala donning the entrepreneurial hat and plunging into an industry where the likes of Vijay Mallya and Naresh Goyal failed. He co-founded Indias newest ultra low cost airline Akasa Air. For this, Jhunjhunwala brought on-board former Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube and IndiGos former President Aditya Ghosh. Akasa unveiled its livery and tagline last week, two months after receiving initial clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to start operations. Akasa is expected to take to the skies next year, having placed a multi-billion-dollar order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX jets in November. With Jhunjhunwala catching the fancy of aviation, he should remember what Sir Richard Branson famously said, If you want to be a Millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline. Tata Group Indias oldest and biggest conglomerate added more value to itself this year. The country's national carrier Air India, once owned by it, came back into its fold. Nationalisation had taken it away. And now, privatization has brought it back. retained the title of Indias most valuable brand by a considerable lead with a brand value of $21.3 billion. Its crown jewel TCS also became the first Indian IT company to cross $200 billion in market capitalisation. But for the group, 2021 will be marked as the year where it laid the foundation for the future. It is expanding to consumer-facing digital businesses, green energy and electronics. Its Chairman N Chandrasekaran is injecting new life into what was being seen as just another big conglomerate. It is first connecting several brands across the Tata universe through its super up TataNeu, expected to launch early next year. To expand its offerings it has acquired online grocer BigBasket, online pharmacy 1MG and invested in Curefit. But arguably the most visible deal for Tata was its acquisition of Air India. The national carrier is returning to the Tatas after 68 years. This has raised speculations of a possible consolidation of Tatas aviation interests, which include Vistara and AirAsia India. Having said that, Tatas are emerging as a credible challenger to the dominance of IndiGo, which has been ruling the market. Its not just aviation, the is also stepping up its green energy game. This is an area where Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani have started a massive infrastructure building exercise. Tata Power has installed renewable power capacity of 4GW, with plans to ramp it to 15GW by 2025. This month it was awarded the contract to build Indias largest solar and battery storage project worth Rs 945 crore. Just as the government unveiled an incentive scheme to secure a semiconductor supply chain for India, is reportedly planning to set up a semiconductor assembly and test unit. Tata is already building a high-tech electronics manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. With the entry of Tata, the competition in the Indian sky will be a sight worth gazing at. And consumers will reap the benefits. Watch video Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk through the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai Whats new: Expatriates working in China can enjoy preferential tax policies for income from certain benefits and compensation for one more year until the end of 2023 as part of the countrys broader tax incentives to boost domestic spending. The Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration Friday announced (link in Chinese) the extension of the tax exemption for foreign expatriates fringe benefits additional perks offered by employers to people working abroad including subsidies on rent, language training and childrens education. The exemption, offered since Jan. 1, 2019, was originally set to expire at the end of 2022. Why it matters: Multinationals had been worried that the imminent termination of tax breaks for expatriates might lead to an exodus of top talent due to rising living costs. Some business groups urged tax authorities to postpone the change, Bloomberg reported. The extended tax benefit for foreign residents is part of Chinas recently released tax relief measures as the government moves to encourage household spending to stimulate growth. The taxation authority earlier this week said some personal income tax breaks will be extended into the new year, and preferential taxes on year-end bonuses will also stay in place until the end of 2023. Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (hello@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. Photo: Twitter - @sarahlhagerty UPDATE: 9:27 p.m. Mike Guanella and his family were relaxing at their Colorado home and looking forward to celebrating a belated family Christmas later Thursday when reports of a nearby grass fire quickly turned into a concerning pre-evacuation notice and then within minutes into an order to leave immediately. The Guanellas were among tens of thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes outside Denver as wildfires fueled by winds that gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph) engulfed parts of two cities and burned an estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center. Instead of opening Christmas presents at home in the city of Superior as they had planned, Guanella and his wife, their three children and three dogs were staying a friends house in Denver and hoping their house was still standing. Those presents are still under the tree right now. . . we hope, Guanella said. At least one first responder and six others were injured in the fires that began Thursday morning, unusually late in the year and following an extremely dry fall and a winter so far nearly devoid of snow. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle acknowledged that more injuries and also deaths could be possible due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region. This is the kind of fire we cant fight head on, Pelle said. We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun, he added. As night fell, officials were watching how the winds behaved and the fires reacted to determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims. Evacuations were ordered earlier in the day for the cities of Louisville and Superior, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver and home to a combined 34,000 people. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down. The neighboring towns are filled with middle and upper-middle class subdivisions surrounded by shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is in between Denver and Boulder, a foothills college town home to the University of Colorado. Residents evacuated fairly calmly and orderly, but the winding streets in the subdivisions quickly became clogged as people tried to get out. It sometimes took cars as long as 45 minutes to advance about a half mile (less than a kilometer). Small fires cropped up here and there in surprising places on the grass in a median or in a dumpster in the middle of a parking lot as wind gusts caused the fire to jump and spread. Shifting winds caused the skies to turn from clear to smoky and then back again as emergency sirens blared nearby. One video captured by a bystander outside a Superior Costco store showed an apocalyptic scene with winds whipping through barren trees in the parking lot surrounded by gray skies, a hazy sun and small fires scattered across the ground. Leah Angstman and her husband saw similar skies while returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. As they were sitting on the bus going toward Boulder, Angstman recalled instantly leaving clear blue skies and entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip, she said. The visibility was so poor that the bus had to pull over and they waited a half-hour until a regional transit authority van escorted them to a turnaround on the highway. The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes, she said. Vignesh Kasinath, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado, evacuated from a neighborhood in Superior with his wife and her parents. Kasinath said the family was overwhelmed because of the sudden evacuation warning and anxious from the chaos while trying to leave. Its only because I am active on Twitter I came to know about this, said Kasinath, who said he did not receive an official evacuation notice from authorities. Pelle said the first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored with no structures lost. A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., ballooned and spread rapidly east, Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers). Some of the several blazes in the area Thursday were sparked by downed power lines. The fires prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of a emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds. Colorados Front Range, where most of the states population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Denver set a record for most consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10. It hasnt snowed since, though snow was expected in the region Friday. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. A historic drought and heat waves have made wildfires harder to fight in the U.S. West. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. With any snow on the ground, this absolutely would not have happened in the way that it did, said snow hydrologist Keith Musselman, who was at home when Thursday's fires broke out not far away. Musselman said this severe fire risk is expected in September and October following a dry summer, but the lack of any precipitation this late in the season is highly unusual. The National Weather Service predicts up to a foot of snow could fall tomorrow in Boulder, and that moisture would bring substantial relief, Musselman said. Guanella said he heard from a firefighter friend that his family's home was still standing Thursday night. And now he can only wait to see whether that holds. Youre just waiting to hear if your favorite restaurant is still standing, if the schools that your kids go to are still standing, Guanella said. Youre just waiting to get some clarity, hopefully tomorrow. UPDATE 4:25 p.m. Several hundred homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said only one injury has been reported, but didnt rule out finding out later about more severe injuries or death. The wildfires engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies. The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighboring towns are roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver. The blaze was one of several that started in the area Thursday, at least some sparked by downed power lines, as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph), according to the National Weather Service. Six people who were injured in the fires were being treated at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, spokesperson Kelli Christensen said. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down. Colorados Front Range, where most of the states population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Snow was expected Friday in the region though. Leah Angstman and her husband saw dark skies while returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. As they were sitting on the bus going toward Boulder, Angstman recalled instantly leaving clear blue skies and entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip, she wrote in a message to The Associated Press. The visibility was so poor that the bus had to pull over and they waited a half-hour until a regional transit authority van escorted them to a turnaround on the highway. There she saw four separate fires burning in bushes across the freeway, she said. The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes, she said. Angstman later ended up evacuating, getting in a car with her husband and driving northeast without knowing where they would end up. Vignesh Kasinath, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, evacuated from a neighborhood in Superior with his wife and her parents. Kasinath said the family was overwhelmed because of the sudden evacuation warning and anxious from the chaos while trying to leave. Its only because I am active on Twitter I came to know about this, said Kasinath, who said he did not receive an official evacuation notice from authorities. The fires prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of a emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds. UPDATE 3:00 p.m. Thousands of residents in two communities near Denver were ordered to evacuate Thursday because of a wind-fueled wildfire that engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies. The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighboring towns are roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down because of fire. The blaze near the towns was one of several that started in the area Thursday, at least some sparked by downed powerlines, as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph) and sent flames racing through barren trees, according to the National Weather Service. ORIGINAL 1:41 p.m. All 13,000 residents of a northern Colorado town were ordered to evacuate Thursday because of a wildfire driven by strong winds. The evacuations in Superior were ordered because of a fire that has spread northwest of town, according to a notice sent to residents. The town is about 32 kilometres northwest of Denver. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 was also shut down because of the fire. It was one of several fires that started in the area Thursday, at least some sparked by downed powerlines, as winds have gusted up to 169 km/h, according to the National Weather Service. A scene straight out of an apocalyptic movie was captured in bystander video outside a Costco in Superior. It shows winds whipping through the barren trees in the parking lot surrounded by grey skies, a hazy sun and small fires scattered across the ground. Colorado's Front Range, where most of the states population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Extreme conditions like these are often from a combination of unusual random, short-term and natural weather patterns heightened by long-term, human-caused climate change. Scientists have long warned that the weather will get wilder as the world warms. Climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Medical tents for vaccinations are set outside the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, on Dec. 18, 2020. The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated. Its just so heartbreaking, said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious-disease expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. "It was hard enough last year, but now you know that you have a way to prevent all this. During the week of Dec. 22-28, an average of 378 children 17 and under were admitted per day to hospitals with the coronavirus, a 66% increase from the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The previous high over the course of the pandemic was in early September, when child hospitalizations averaged 342 per day, the CDC said. On a more hopeful note, children continue to represent a small percentage of those being hospitalized with COVID-19: An average of nearly 10,200 people of all ages were admitted per day during the same week in December. And many doctors say the youngsters seem less sick than those who came in during the delta surge over the summer. Two months after vaccinations were approved for 5- to 11-year-olds, about 14% are fully protected, CDC data shows. The rate is higher for 12- to 17-year-olds, at about 53%. A study released Thursday by the CDC confirmed that serious side effects from the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 are rare. The findings were based on approximately 8 million doses dispensed to youngsters in that age group. Dr. Albert Ko, professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases at the Yale School of Public Health, noted that the low vaccination rate is, in part, a matter of timing: Younger children were not approved for the vaccine until November, and many are only now coming up on their second dose. Offit said none of the vaccine-eligible children receiving care at his hospital about a week ago had been vaccinated, even though two-thirds had underlying conditions that put them at risk either chronic lung disease or, more commonly, obesity. Only one was under the vaccination age of 5. The scenes are heart-rending. They're struggling to breathe, coughing, coughing, coughing, Offit said. A handful were sent to the ICU to be sedated. We put the attachment down their throat that's attached to a ventilator, and the parents are crying. None of the parents or siblings was vaccinated either, he said. The next four to six weeks are going to be rough, he said: This is a virus that thrives in the winter. Aria Shapiro, 6, spent her 12th day Thursday at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. She tested positive for COVID-19 after getting her first dose of the vaccine Dec. 17. Aria, who is considered medically fragile because she has epilepsy, suffered prolonged seizures in the hospital, and a breathing tube had to be put down her throat at one point, though she has since improved. We lived our life in for two years to prevent her from getting COVID, finally went for the vax, and the one thing that we didnt want to happen happened, said her mother, Sarah Shapiro. It wasnt enough time for her body to build antibodies. She did end up getting COVID. Overall, new COVID-19 cases in Americans of all ages have skyrocketed to the highest levels on record: an average of 300,000 per day, or 2 1/2 times the figure just two weeks ago. The highly contagious omicron accounted for 59% of new cases last week, according to the CDC. Still, there are early indications that the variant causes milder illness than previous versions, and that the combination of the vaccine and the booster seems to protect people from its worst effects. In California, 80 COVID-19-infected children were admitted to the hospital during the week of Dec. 20-26, compared with 50 in the last week of November, health officials said. Seattle Children's also reported a bump in the number of children admitted over the past week. And while they are less seriously ill than those hospitalized over the summer, Dr. John McGuire cautioned that it is early in the omicron wave, and the full effects will become apparent over the next several weeks. New York health authorities have also sounded the alarm. The number of children admitted to the hospital per week in New York City with COVID-19 went from 22 to 109 between Dec. 5 and Dec. 24. Across all of New York state, it went from 70 to 184. Overall, almost 5,000 people in New York were in the hospital with COVID-19. COVID-19 deaths have proved rare among children over the course of the pandemic. As of last week, 721 in the U.S. had died of the disease, according to data reported to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The overall U.S. death toll is more than 800,000. Photo: Contributed A 2-year-old Alaska boy has been killed by his guardians months after his father strangled his mother, authorities said. Steven Melovidov Jr. and Sophie Myers-Melovidov killed the boy in their home on a remote island in the Bering Sea and attempted to mislead investigators, authorities said. They were charged with first-degree and second-degree murder and fourth-degree assault. Pleas of not guilty were entered for them during court hearings Thursday. Earlier this month, the toddler, Joshua Rukovishnikoff, was medevaced from St. Paul Island to Anchorage with a serious head injury, according to state troopers. The boy died at an Anchorage hospital, and an autopsy was conducted. Both of the suspects made statements to investigators that proved to be false after further investigation," said Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel. The child's mother, Nadesda Lynette Rukovishnikoff, was killed in September on St. Paul Island, and the couple became his guardians in October, McDaniel said. McDaniel said he didnt have details about the custody arrangements. The mother's husband, Joshua Rukovishnikoff, strangled her and was indicted in her death, according to the Alaska Department of Law. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges, according to court records. The Alaska Public Defender Agency, which represents him, declined to comment on his case Thursday. A judge on Thursday appointed a public defender to represent Melovidov, 31, and Myers-Melovidov, 28, at their arraignments. The Public Defender Agency declined to comment after the hearings. It's likely attorneys from another agency will be appointed later. Melovidov repeatedly struck Joshua in the head, which resulted in a brain bleed and ultimately resulted in Joshua's death, a trooper said in an affidavit filed in court. On Dec. 11, St. Paul Police received a call for a 2-year-old boy having seizures, the document said. The couple told investigators the boy fell at home. An autopsy showed at least five separate head injuries, consistent with homicide, the affidavit said. Additionally, there were multiple suspicious bruises on Joshua's genitals that were not consistent with medical treatment, the document said. The document included various text messages between the couple, where they discussed what they told authorities, a fear of going to jail and deleting their messages. In one exchange, Melovidov and Myers-Melovidov texted about scanning the boy's head at the hospital. Gees and we've been hitting his head. Please delete our texts now, Myers-Melovidov wrote, according to the affidavit. In requesting $250,000 bond, Assistant Attorney General Sam Vandergaw told the judge he's concerned about how the couple discussed deleting text messages and how ship traffic in St. Paul could make it easy for them to flee on a boat. Judge Gregory Miller granted the bail request and ordered that the couple have no contact with their 8-year-old daughter. The daughter is not a victim but a potential witness, Vandergaw said. According to the affidavit, the couple instructed the girl to lie to investigators about what happened in the home. According to an obituary for the toddler's mother, he has a sister who was 16 when their mother died. She listened to the hearings by phone and declined to comment when the judge asked if she wanted to say something about bail. Melovidov and Myers-Melovidov participated in their arraignments by phone from jail. Melovidov said he works in custodial maintenance. Myers-Melovidov said she doesn't work and receives financial support from her husband and an annual check from an Alaska Native regional corporation. Disappointed to see Costco gas bar has their lights on like a circuseven when it is closed. What happened to saving power? Also, one might want to check the traffic lineups of people (waiting) to fill up. I believe the officials said there would be no traffic lineups. Maryann Tulloch China's censors have tried to clean the Internet of the news about an affair and potential marriage between Chinese starlet Tong Liya and one of the China Communist Party's (CCP) most senior propagandists, Shen Haixiong. Tong -- an entertainer and Xinjiang native of the Xibe ethnic group -- announced her divorce from film director Chen Sicheng earlier in the year, according to Taiwan News. However, this month China's social media sites erupted with news that she recently remarried powerful state-media mogul Shen Haixiong, the deputy minister of the CCP's Central Propaganda Department and the president of the China Media Group. Though some reports about Tong remain unconfirmed, they hit a nerve with the censors. Such was the speed of erasure that "the quick censorship itself became somewhat of a spectacle" per WhatsonWeibo, with all posts on the topic Tong Liya's Remarriage completely vanished, according to Taiwan News. However, China authorities could not quash all the follow-up reports. Tong soon went to the police to request extra assistance in combating the online rumours. Users desperate to continue discussing the scandal later resorted to foreign languages and even Morse code, per WhatsonWeibo. There was a lot of outrage about the extent of the censorship, per one Vice reporter, according to Taiwan News. The case is supposedly being investigated by Beijing police. (ANI) National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case against some "Khalistani elements" and member of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani, sources said on Friday. The anti-terror agency registered the case late on Thursday following orders received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The move comes following a series of reports that allegedly exposes the Khalistani terrorists plans to cause large-scale disturbance in poll-bound Punjab in cahoots with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Multani, a prominent member of the designated terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has allegedly been linked to the Ludhiana court blast case. A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana court complex on December 23 that killed one and injured two others. Multani was held by police in Germany on December 22. He has been residing in Erfurt, Germany. A police officer said that during the investigation names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany, both from banned Sikh organizations, have emerged. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. Intelligence agencies had earlier raised an alert about Harvinder Singh Sandhu, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist who is currently in Pakistan, and Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, residing in Germany, about their involvement in the Ludhiana blast. Multani recently came to notice for allegedly arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades from across the border to Punjab. These weapons were sent with the help of his Pakistan-based operatives and arms smugglers. He has been allegedly planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments through gangsters and extremists in the state. Multani is also learnt to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada and others. (ANI) Also Read: NIA team will travel to Germany for questioning Ludhiana blast suspect Multani A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Germany to question the member of designated terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana blast case, said a senior officer on Friday. According to the officer, NIA will initiate the proceedings to bring Multani to India but before that, the agency is in the process to register a case against Multani and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other Indian Penal Code sections. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. "These Pro Khalistan supporters were radicalising youth in Punjab and using social media platforms to propagate their agenda and terror activities. Ahead of Punjab elections, there is a sudden surge in their activities to destabilize peace in the state," the officer said. "Multani has been detained by German police and is being questioned. He is on their radar. After registering FIR, a team of NIA will be reaching Germany to question him in detail because we have got strong evidence of his involvement in the Ludhiana blast case and further planning of more such attacks in the country," he said. When asked regarding a video released by SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu claiming Multani had not been arrested, he said Multani has been detained not arrested. Sources stated that the agency will make all efforts through diplomatic channels to bring him back to India for investigation. The NIA is also keeping watch on other pro-Khalistan groups and supporters operating from other countries. During the investigation into the Ludhiana blast case, it was found that the banned outfits and their operatives have been raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives through the smuggling networks in Punjab for carrying out terror attacks. A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana court complex on December 23 that killed one and injured two others. (ANI) Also Read: Mumbai on high alert after inputs of possible terror attack by pro-Khalistan groups This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. on Thursday announced progress in key metrics gauging its commitment to its communities and team members. Released earlier in 2021, the companys Corporate Responsibility Report outlines metrics to strengthen community involvement and programs that support its nearly 10,000 team members through an inclusive and diverse workforce. Progress this year includes: Community Partnerships U.S. Xpress places a priority on serving and engaging with the communities where it does business, particularly supporting organizations aligned with its four pillars of giving: safety and well-being, military veterans programs, education and innovation, and families and health. By 2025, the company has a goal of doubling its community engagement through increased funding, in-kind giving, and volunteer hours. This year, the company provided $114,200 in sponsorships and cash donations to more than 30 local, regional, and national organizations. U.S. Xpress provided an additional $68,000 in in-kind donations to non-profits through service donations and vendor partnerships. Employee Education & Giving U.S. Xpress and its family of companies provides free college education to drivers, shop technicians, and their dependents through the Full Ride program. Since its 2018 launch, the company has funded more than $1.1 million of coursework for nearly 850 team members and dependents. This year, U.S. Xpress funded $294,000 for 292 completed classes. In 2021, the company funded an additional $73,000 in tuition reimbursement for its office employees pursuing continuing education. Through the companys Xpress Cares program, employees can support fellow team members experiencing personal hardships through a company-matching contribution. Since the programs 2016 inception, it has distributed more than $391,000 to 234 team members, and this year, Xpress Cares provided more than $82,000 to 39 employees. Inclusion & Diversity U.S. Xpress is made up of a diverse population of employees from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. In 2021, the Company met its goal of establishing three employee resource groups (ERGs) to better support specific segments of its workforce. These groups include womens, veterans, and multicultural ERGs, each with an executive sponsor and individual leadership. U.S. Xpress also grew its existing Inclusion & Diversity Council and brought on Wade Hinton as its first chief inclusion partner. Mr. Hinton and his team are working closely with company leadership and the Inclusion & Diversity Council to define goals, map strategies, and outline specific deliverables to becoming a more inclusive organization. Multiple websites are reporting there are over 300,000 new cases of COVID every day in the United States. That is 2.1 million cases in one week and that is unprecedented since the coronavirus first showed up two years ago. It is unlike anything we have ever seen, said Dr. James Phillips, the chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University, who called the latest surge driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant -- worse than when COVID-19 was at its peak. Far more sobering is the Centers for Disease Controls data that deaths are up 18 percent, now over 1,500 a day, and the CDC is saying the nation could see 44,000 deaths in the first two weeks of the New Year. And when you believe nothing can get worse, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday that those who are unvaccinated are 17 times more likely to get the disease and 20 times more likely to die from it than those who are fully vaccinated. CDC data shows that 62 percent of the American people are fully vaccinated and 33 percent have gotten booster shots. It is believed the nations ICU resources are 78 percent occupied (about 20 percent are COVID patients) but hospitals are badly strained, they are understaffed, and battle fatigue is not an adequate description anymore. The Guardian reports that on Wednesday there were 488,000 cases of the virus in the U.S, according to a New York Times database. However, even that figure is likely a serious undercount of the true numbers of positive cases, the newspaper read, due to the rising popularity of home tests and people who are infected but asymptomatic. * * * MARINE CORPS DISMISSES 206 OVER VACCINE MANDATE FROM POLITICO.COM: The Marine Corps announced Thursday that it has kicked out more troops for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. The total number of discharges has risen to 206, up from 169 last week. The fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, dictates that the military services cannot dishonorably discharge members for vaccine refusal. The discharges must be either honorable or general under honorable conditions. Where things stand: Overall, 95 percent of all active-duty Marines have received at least the first dose, while 86 percent of the Reserve force has received the first shot. The service received 3,247 requests for religious accommodation, with 3,115 of those having been processed and zero requests approved citing readiness concerns. The Marine Corps has 1,007 administrative or medical exemptions. The other services: Overall, 95 percent of airmen and guardians are vaccinated, while the Army says 98 percent of its active-duty force has at least one shot, and the Navy says 99 percent of sailors have received the first dose. The Air Force has separated 27 airmen, while the Army and Navy are waiting until January to discharge soldiers and sailors for refusing the vaccine. The Air Force and Space Force received more than 10,000 religious accommodation requests for the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,100 were disapproved. * * * TENNESSEE GETS FIRST SHIPMENT OF ORAL MEDS On Thursday the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) announced the state has received shipments of the Merck and Pfizer oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for molnupirvar by Merck and an emergency use authorization for Paxlovid by Pfizer as oral antiviral treatments of COVID-19. Early studies indicate these treatment options may reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19 including hospitalization or death. These treatments are recommended for individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 or have underlying medical conditions. Both drugs require a prescription. The press release read: The Tennessee Department of Health coordinated a distribution plan of molnupiravir and Paxlovid with Walmart pharmacies across the state. This treatment is free, and Tennesseans can visit www.walmart.com/covidmedication to find a participating Walmart pharmacy near them. Initial supply in the state is limited as the first allocation from the federal government was 5,000 courses of molnupiravir and 1,000 courses of Paxlovid. TDH anticipates additional allocations in the coming weeks as production increases. While antivirals may help treat COVID-19, vaccination is the best approach to prevent infection. Tennesseans aged 5 and above are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals ages 16 and above who received an mRNA vaccine may also be eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after they complete the initial series. For adults ages 18 and older who received single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster dose is recommended at two or more months after the initial vaccine. More information on vaccine locations, including available vaccine products, is available at vaccines.gov. royexum@aol.com As a multi-faceted storm rolls from the Rockies to the Midwest during the first half of this weekend, severe thunderstorms are expected to break out across portions of the South Friday night and proceed eastward through the lower Mississippi Valley on Saturday and then the Tennessee Valley and central Gulf Coast late Saturday and Saturday night. In addition to damaging winds, there is the potential for tornadoes. Not only may some of the tornadoes be rain-wrapped during the day, but many may occur after dark. Residents are strongly encouraged to monitor local forecasts for warnings. Farther north and east, the main concern will be flooding rainfall in portions of the upper Tennessee and Ohio valleys into Saturday afternoon. Some locations may end up with five or more inches of rainfall during the period, which may cause urban and flash flooding. Motorists traveling through the region should be prepared for delays due to poor visibility in heavy rainfall and water-covered roadways. On Sunday and Sunday evening, the risk of severe thunderstorms may increase in portions of the Carolinas, Georgia, northern Florida and southeastern Virginia. Storms in this zone have the potential to become strong enough to produce high winds, flash flooding and perhaps a few isolated tornadoes. Bobby Giancola from Below Deck Mediterranean plans to go big for New Years Eve, whereas Colin Macy-OToole said hed rather be well-rested when he greets 2022. Along with their agent Gabriella Schwager from Stars Marketing Group, the Below Deck Galley Talk crew members dished about New Years Eve plans with Showbiz Cheat Sheet, which could ultimately mean welcoming a new family member for Giancola. Hes hoping to adopt, A little potato, a little Frenchie, he shared. But before Giancola becomes a dog dad he plans to attend an epic New Years Eve party in his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bobby says hes going to get buck wild while Colin will rock the sweatpants Giancola joked, Im gonna get buck wild because were doing [New Years Eve] at this restaurant I invested at called No Mans Land, were doing a big party there, he said. So basically, we have five booths that were doing for $1,000 a booth. And then weve got a big one for $2,000. Were also doing a $50 general admission. And were actually taking all the bar stools out just so its kind of one big party. Its going to be a blast. I cant wait. Colin Macy-OToole and Bobby Giancola from Below Deck Mediterranean on Below Deck Galley Talk | Photo Colin Macy-OToole Macy-OToole will be hanging out closer to home for New Years Eve. You like to party, Im more of a sweatpants and hanging out with my friends and their kids, Macy-OToole said. While Macy-OToole is all for socializing hes not a big New Years Eve kind of a guy. New Years is my number one least favorite holiday of the year, he admitted. Its like you just feel theres so much pressure like making plans. Its so annoying, like Shes doing this and hes doing that, like, what am I doing? You know? They shared what theyll be sipping when they toast the New Year Macy-OToole and Giancola always have a cold beverage when they watch Below Deck on Galley Talk, so what will they drink to ring in 2022? Ill be drinking an Old Fashioned, Giancola said, adding that his restaurant specializes in the drink. Oh yeah, you like the fancy stuff, Macy-OToole joked. But what will Macy-OToole be sipping? Im a champagne guy on New Years, he said. Give me that bubbly. Hes not picky about the specific brand and leans toward whatever is tasty. RELATED: Below Deck Med: Colin Macy-OToole Explains Why the Series Costs $10 Million to Produce (Exclusive) And while Macy-OToole will be more casual this year, Giancola plans to bust out the tuxedo which he wore briefly on Below Deck Galley Talk. Im wearing a tux on Friday night, he said. So its gonna be fun. Thats whats nice about this place, its kinda a little hoity-toity. So, you know, theres a dress code. Youve got to dress nice, even on a regular night, you know, regardless of New Years. So its nice. Like, I always go in a collared shirt, nice pants. Bobby may also be ringing in the New Year with a new puppy Hopefully, Giancola gets some rest after going buck wild on New Years Eve because his plan is to adopt a puppy on New Years Day. He is looking at several puppies throughout Florida and was on his way to meet one of the puppies all girls. RELATED: Below Deck Meds Bobby Giancola Reveals How Kate Chastain Inspired Him to Get Into Yachting And the Show (Exclusive) Im obviously going to make an Instagram for the dog and that Instagram is going to get all the attention, he exclaimed. My Amazon account, my cart is already packed with like pink, you know like the little backpacks and the leashes and the collars and the toys, the bowls and the potty pads and everything. Hes even chosen a name for the puppy. Coozie! Little Coozie, he smiled. The world met Pauly DelVecchio in 2009 when MTV introduced Jersey Shore. It didnt take long for the reality star to become known for his positivity and pranks in the shore house. Theres a library of Jersey Shore moments featuring Pauly D to choose from. But these are the most hilarious moments DelVecchio gave fans in the original Jersey Shore. Pauly DelVecchio | Larry Marano/Getty Images You stalked my whole life on the boardwalk In season 1 of Jersey Shore, DelVecchio had a fling with a woman named Danielle. DelVecchio started calling her a Stage 5 Clinger when their relationship got too serious too quick. She wanted a commitment, but DelVecchio wanted a single summer down the shore. Fans will remember the shirt Danielle gave DelVecchio that read I Heart Jewish Girls. Her gift and the conversation she had about taking the Jersey Shore DJ to Israel raised red flags for the reality star. But Danielles call telling DelVecchio she didnt like to be played was the last straw. In an iconic moment from the MTV reality series, DelVecchio tells Danielle its over. You stalked my whole life on the boardwalk and then when I got home, I had every intention of calling you but you had already called and you said you [werent] gonna call, DelVecchio explained, continuing: So you stalked my whole life on the boardwalk its my turn to talk. You stalked my whole entire life and I dont like that. During his explanation, DelVecchio delivered another iconic Jersey Shore line: I went on one ride; God bless me its f****** summer. DelVecchio concluded the call by calling Danielle a stalker and the two didnt see each other again. Pauly DelVecchio becomes Tony Guido in Italy season of Jersey Shore The cast of Jersey Shore filmed season 4 in Italy. In episode 6, DelVecchio and Vinny Guadagnino dressed up like Louie and Tony. The duo was all about the FPC fist pumping, pushups, and chapstick. DelVecchios look was complete with slicked-back hair in a mohawk, a sweatband, and a white Italia jacket with the collar popped. Im gonna fist pump until my f****** arm falls off, DelVecchio shouted at the confessional camera. Together, he and Guadagnino created what has become one of the most popular Jersey Shore gifs. Im watching Jersey Shore Family Vacation and theyre setting up Ron on a Bachelor-style dating show. I am so here for a) someone from Jersey Shore being the next Bachelor lead b) having Pauly and Vinny host next season pic.twitter.com/XK94VsAkzY Kirbie Johnson (@kirbiejohnson) April 10, 2021 RELATED: DJ Pauly D Has an Instagram Account Not Many Fans Know About Pauly DelVecchio and Vinny Guadagnino prank Deena Cortese After pulling dozens of pranks on his roommates in the original series and the 2018 spinoff series Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, DelVecchio is officially known as the Prank War Champion among Jersey Shore fans. But one of the best pranks took place in episode 7 of the final season of the original Jersey Shore. As the easiest one to prank in the house, Deena Cortese was often the subject of DelVecchios shenanigans. So, Delvecchio got Guadagnino involved in a prank to replace photos of her boyfriend. DelVecchio and Guadagnino went to the boardwalk to find a photo booth. There, they reenacted Corteses pictures with her boyfriend and put them in Corteses frames. Prank war champion! DelVecchio exclaimed. Their prank quickly went south when Cortese returned from the store earlier than expected. But DelVecchio distracted Cortese while Guadagnino put the new pictures in her room. Fortunately, Cortese found the entire prank hilarious. Relive all of the Jersey Shore memories. Watch the first six seasons on Hulu. RELATED: Jersey Shore: How Much It Costs to Rent the Seaside Heights House Director Oliver Stones Alexander was bursting with star power. Starring Colin Farrell, the film boasted an ensemble cast that included actors Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, and Rosario Dawson. Dawson, whose career was gaining momentum, grabbed Stones attention in many ways. And one of those ways was because the actor looked strikingly similar to Angelina Jolie. How Rosario Dawson got the role in Alexander Rosario Dawson | John Britt/Getty Images Rosario Dawson was determined to feature in an Oliver Stone project. However, there was a point where Dawsons scheduling wouldve prevented her from being a part of Alexander. Initially, the Rent star thought her chances of getting the role were slim. I had auditioned for it and there was this whole thing about, they probably still wont be able to hire you, Dawson told Tribute. Theres a certain quota of European actors he has to hire because he had a lot of European financing. Dawson started exploring roles in other films as Stone hadnt made up his mind on casting her. She nearly signed onto a contract that wouldve made her unavailable. Fortunately for Dawson, however, her agent interfered. So my agent called him up and gave him the ultimatum. Like, Listen, she doesnt have time for you to go to France and figure out what you want to do. You make her an offer now or you dont at all, Dawson recalled. And Im like going, What are you doing, you dont give Oliver Stone an ultimatum. I really, really want this part. You know, kiss his butt. Thats what I want you to do for me. Much to Dawsons relief, Stone called her a couple of days later to let her know that she secured the role. Oliver Stone cast Rosario Dawson in Alexander because she looked a lot like Angelina Jolie According to Contact Music, part of the reason Rosario Dawson managed to nab the role in Alexander was because of The Mandalorian actors resemblance to Jolie. Director Oliver Stone felt that the similarities between Dawson and Jolie would play upon Alexanders Oedipus complex. He was looking and looking at me and he said, On-camera you look a lot like Angelina Jolie the strong jaw, the lips, Dawson shared. Director Oliver Stone felt that the similarities between Dawson and Jolie would play upon an Oedipus complex Stone commented believed Alexander experienced. Dawson also agreed with Stones sentiments about Alexanders Oedipus complex. (He said) He (Alexander) was notoriously gayand I like to think that something about Roxane reminds him of his mother. An Oedipal thing. I want to play off that, Dawson added. How Rosario Dawson being naked in Alexander impacted her future film roles Rosario Dawson had a bit of a difficult time after shooting a nude scene in Alexander. The Sin City alum revealed that, because of Stones film, many casting directors wanted her in more revealing clothes. A preference that annoyed Dawson. Id perform my ass off, and the casting directors would be like, You are perfect for this role, but can you wear something a little less shapeless? Dawson confided to The Guardian. Im like, Ugh, fine, but these stupid conversations needed to be had, because unfortunately, dont believe what they tell you, theres very little imagination in Hollywood. Dawson noted that her nude scene in Alexander is available all over the internet. No, not at all, Dawson answered when asked if that fact bothered her. My point being: then dont complain, We dont know what she really looks like. Are you kidding?! Do your research. Dawson further illustrated her point by recalling what she heard an executive once say about her. She looks a little fat right now, she remembered. Really? Theyre called breasts There was definitely a period for a couple of years where I rebelled against it. It probably cost me a lot of really big jobs, but I was just so angry. RELATED: How Many Kids Does Rosario Dawson Have? In Netflixs new limited series Stay Close, Richard Armitage plays a former documentary photographer turned paparazzo with links to two mysterious disappearances. The eight-episode series, which drops on Dec. 31, is the streamers latest adaptation of a Harlan Coben book. Its also the second show based on one of the authors best-selling novels that Armitage has starred in, after 2020s The Stranger. Richard Armitage plays a new character in Stay Close Richard Armitage in Stay Close | Netflix/James Stack In The Stranger, Armitage played a man named Adam who learns a devastating secret about his wifes past. In Stay Close, long-buried secrets also resurface, affecting the life of Ray Levine (Armitage) along with working mom of three Megan Pierce (Cush Jumbo), detective Michael Broome (James Nesbitt), and Megans old friend Lorraine Griggs (Sarah Parish). Stay Close and The Stranger are both based on books by Coben. But Armitage says theres no other connection between the two stories. That convinced him to sign on to the new show, the actor told Hello! My first question was, Is the character going to be different enough from the one Ive just done, because I didnt want to show up doing the same thing, but they were aware of it as well, he said. They were like, Its a different character, hes going to look different, hes going to feel different. The actor also said he was drawn to the project because he love[s] the themes that Harlan plays with, identity and reinventing yourself and your past catching up with you and how do you hide yourself? Its peoples fantasy and worst nightmare that they try to invent themselves and the past comes back to haunt them. The Hobbit star explains how he envisioned his character in Netflixs Stay Close The Hobbit star went on to explain how he came up with ways to differentiate the Ray character from Adam. [T]he way that the writers and producers work is that theyre so democratic that they say yes to everything, and theyre really open to ideas and suggestions, he said. The whole thing about Ray having tattoo sleeves was an invention because I wanted to give him a very different visual identity which was different to the previous character. I wanted him to map his lost memory in visual form, and they were like, Great, lets do it! he added. Armitage also said that he studied the work of British photojournalist Tim Hetherington when developing his Stay Close character. Hetherington, who directed the 2010 documentary Restrepo with Sebastian Junger, died in 2011 while covering the civil war in Libya. Harlan Coben weighs in on Armitages role in Stay Close Coben works closely with Netflix on the adaptations of his books. He says there was no issue with having an actor from an earlier series play a completely different character in Stay Close. I dont like to work with the same actors for obvious reasons, but this character (Ray) was so different from what Richard played in The Stranger that I thought hed really enjoy that kind of test of being able to defy a lot of the expectations, he told BT.com. Stay Close is streaming on Netflix from Dec. 31. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! RELATED: Stay Close: New Harlan Coben Series Coming to Netflix in December 2021 The Beatles songs John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote together are among the bands biggest hits. John Lennon and Paul McCartney also wrote some songs by themselves, as did their bandmates George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They would prove mighty successful after The Beatles too, with Lennon writing classics like Imagine and McCartney the likes of Live and Let Die with Wings, Maybe Im Amazed and even Wonderful Christmastime. When they were together with The Beatles, McCartney says there was a very simple reason he and Lennon still sometimes wrote solo. L-R: Paul McCartney and John Lennon | David Redfern/Redferns McCartney was a guest on the Fresh Air podcast on Nov. 3. Discussing his new book, Paul McCartney: The Lyrics, McCartney went deep with host Terry Gross about how he and Lennon would write Beatles songs both together or apart. John Lennon or Paul McCartney solo songs happened when they couldnt meet The Beatles did a lot of touring together as a band. However, sometimes they spent time apart. The creative impulse wouldnt stop then, so both Lennon and McCartney would still write if they couldnt be together. McCartney has said he shared an unspoken love with Lennon. It was just a question of location really, McCartney said on Fresh Air. If I was on holiday and I wanted to write a song, John wouldnt be there. So I would just write the song and I wouldnt think, Oh, Ive got to wait until I see him. The same happened with him. I would just be somewhere feeling the song and it was often just that, proximity. If we werent able to just meet up that day, but you still had an idea for a song. One Beatles song came to Paul McCartney in a dream Theres no one right way to write a song, and indeed The Lyrics details the different processes for each song. The Beatles classic Yesterday first came to McCartney in a dream. Then he used some drive time to write the lyrics. RELATED: The Beatles: Get Back Director Peter Jackson Discovered the Lovely John Lennon Paul McCartney Describes And then when I was on holiday in Portugal, it was a long drive from Lisbon down to the south coast, and I put the lyrics together there, McCartney said. So it was just a different process. John Lennon still got credit on the Beatles song Yesterday Yesterday is still credited to both Lennon and McCartney. Thats because after dreaming and writing the song, McCartney still wanted to consult with Lennon. McCartney wanted to be sure it was really his own original melody, and Lennon confirmed it was. But McCartney said they usually consulted each other at some point in songwriting anyway. Happy holidays everyone how great its been to Get Back with you all this year! With hugs, From The Beatles pic.twitter.com/k7ka5bIJ63 The Beatles (@thebeatles) December 24, 2021 John had always a little bit of an influence but often I might have written the whole thing myself and then when we came to record it, there would be some influence, McCartney said. I cant remember whether he wanted to change a word or something but when the songs were songs that I mainly presented to him and the band as a finished piece, then thats what Ive done in the book is to put my name first. RELATED: Paul McCartney Admits He Found Women Wanting to Sleep With The Beatles Comforting The top five stories read on cherokeephoenix.org in 2021 included a story chronicling the deadliest day in U.S. Marshal Service history, a recipe for a Cherokee dessert, feature on a local individual missing for more than two years, the finalists for the Cherokee Phoenix Student Art Contest and a story on the tribes announcement of $2,000 payments directly to citizens for Covid-19 relief. Its the official end of 2021. What a year. It has been an interesting start to this new decade, thats for sure. When the next chapters in our history books are written, you know several of them will be dedicated to these last two years. Our world continues to struggle through a pandemic. We continue to argue over how best to attack this public health crisis, and what steps to mitigate transmission will and wont work. Those debates, started in 2020, are carrying over into 2022, and we can only hope that, this time next year, they have, one way or another, been settled. As is customary, the end of the year invites some reflection on the previous 12 months. Before looking forward, we tend to look back. In this weeks edition of The Herald, we have our Year in Review, taking a look at a few of the events that dominated our headlines in 2021. But what was happening 40 years ago? Or how about 50 years in the past? What were the issues preoccupying Cheshire four and five decades ago, as the years 1971 and 1981 came to a close? There was no talk of pandemics or vaccine clinics in 1971. No one was asking about mask mandates or the need to social distance. Instead, the focus was on the changing tide of government, and how Cheshire had moved from a town meeting-style of governance to a manager/council model. The last town meeting for Cheshire was held on Dec. 29. Officials admitted, according to a Dec. 21, 1971 article in The Herald, that the timing was unfortunate, given that it came smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season, which was likely to depress turnout. However, as Ralph Smith, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, stated, the hope was that, since it would be the last such meeting in Cheshire, there would be a sizeable crowd willing to take time away from their holiday festivities. On the docket for that last meeting? The possible approval of nearly $50,000 to improve the towns industrial park, expenditures Smith billed as a statement of involvement and commitment on the part of the townspeople. Yet, while town officials were focused on money, another end-of-year item may have caught more attention from the general public. Right below the town meeting update on the front page of The Herald that week was a rather unusual headline: Fox Hit By Car; Driver Collects Bounty Of $5. The incident occurred on a Friday, when a Mr. William J. Devin, Jr., showed up at Cheshire Town Hall carrying a dead fox. Mr. Devin had accidentally hit the fox with his vehicle, the story explains, but instead of leaving it on the side of the road or alerting local authorities to come collect the body, the Tanglewood Circle resident picked up the deceased animal and carted it to Town Hal where he was paid $5. Evidently, according to The Heralds reporting, a bounty could be collected on a fox killed by a Cheshire resident within the municipal boundaries, as long as it was done between Nov. 1 and Feb. 29. The bounty, which was established in Cheshire when the community was rural in nature and evidently attempting to control the fox population in order to prevent attacks on local livestock, most commonly chickens, also had a state tie-in. Connecticut reimbursed the town for any bounties paid. According to The Herald, it had been a while since anyone had attempted to collect on a dead fox nearly two years. Mr. Devin was considering stuffing the fox, but decided instead to skin it and use the pelt for a wall hanging, the article concluded, in rather gruesome detail. In the last edition of The Herald in 1971, the paper looked forward to the coming year, hinting that problems could already be arising for the newly-formed Town Council, whose approved by-laws, if enacted as approved by the group earlier in the month, could actually run counter to the revised Town Charter, which brought the Council into existence in the first place. The year 1971 may have been a pivotal year for the town, opined The Herald, in its final editorial of the year. Decisions were made and actions were taken whose consequences will be felt in the next 12 months and beyond. From this vantage point, they look like decisions and actions that point to further progress for the town. Fast forward to 1981 and new challenges were facing Cheshire. A national recession was making business difficult, although, as the lead story in the Dec. 24, 1981 edition of The Herald indicated, a slow economy and concerns about the future werent enough to keep local shoppers from checking off items on their Christmas list. A spot check on Tuesday afternoon of various Cheshire shops indicated that local merchants are for the most part ringing their cash registers handily this holiday season, The Herald informed its readers. Gift-buyers who are financially able to do so are seeking out quality merchandise, and pessimism about the nation economy hasnt daunted local shoppers very much at all. Over at the Board of Education, a new chair was about to take his seat as the new year began, but did so amidst controversy. Richard Shanley was voted by his colleagues to be the next chair, however the Cheshire Taxpayers Action Committee (CTAC) formally protested the move, suggesting that, because Shanleys wife was a teacher in the district, there would be too many conflicts of interest. In fact, CTAC went beyond protesting Shanleys advancement to the chairmanship, and insisted that either he resign his position on the Board immediately, or Shanleys wife resign from her position and find employment in another district. Suffice it to say, neither Shanley nor his wife complied, although Shanley did pledge, during the first meeting of the BOE, to recuse himself from all discussions related to teacher contracts in future meetings. On the editorial page, The Heralds attention had turned to matters overseas on Christmas Eve 1981. In particular, The Herald raised concerns about events in Poland, where the communist ruling party in that country declared marshal law in an attempt to quell anti-communist opposition. Everyday life for Poles was significantly impacted, and The Herald pointed the finger at the Soviet Union. After striving for months toward improvements in their economy and society that Americans would consider appropriate and desirable, the Poles have found themselves victims of the long arm of the Kremlin, in effect, prisoners in their own country, the Dec. 24, 1981 editorial reads. The President was elected by an enormous mandate of the people to provide the kind of international leadership that had been sorely lacking in previous administrations. It was precisely this kind of blatant trampling on Western principles and values gone unanswered that elected Ronald Reagan in the first place. The time has come for the President to take action. By the time New Years Eve arrived, The Herald had turned its attention inward once more. This time, the focus was on things more personal in nature. At The Cheshire Herald office the year was marked by shock, sorrow, and difficult readjustment with the sudden loss of August Loeb, our beloved editor and publisher. Although almost in a daze at first, the staff dedicated itself to the one thing that would have mattered to the boss continuing to publish each week a newspaper that would have come close to meeting his journalistic standards, which were high. The editorial went on the reflect on how Loeb personally handled the Year in Review section of the last edition of the year, and how difficult it had been for the staff to pick up the task after his demise. While never able to recapture his own particular genius, we have done our best to emulate it. We hope that the 1981 Year in Review will be regarded in the light of a tribute to a man from whom we have all learned much and whom we sorely miss. This year 2021 has undoubtedly and tragically been one of loss for many. COVID-19 has taken too many from us, and there will be people missing at New Years celebrations this year who were present 12 months ago. We can only hope that 2022 will be a year of addition, in all things, for everyone, and that, at a time when it appears the world only wants to take, life begins to give back once again. I entered 2020 without a New Years resolution, but several months in, I found one. Quietly and without fanfare, I resolved to never read the book of Jeremiah again. I had been partway through this longest book of the Bible as we entered the pandemic, and I completed it in the same way one might push through a grueling workout, trusting it was for my betterment. Against the backdrop of a COVID-ravaged world, the book's theme of judgment stood out in harsh relief. When I finished chapter 52, I closed my Bible with a satisfying thud, wondering if I should next turn to Job for some relief. And this is when God showcased His sense of humor. A few months prior, I had eagerly agreed to support two HOPE International executives, Peter Greer and Chris Horst, on a book project exploring how leaders hold on to hope long after experiences in life and leadership snuff out their idealism. We were in one of our biweekly meetings when Peter said, I think we should focus on the book of Jeremiah. I hope my face didnt reflect my heart, but Im afraid both sank. I had just finished slogging through Jeremiah, and in my mind hope wasnt the predominant theme. Or even a theme. But as Peter read from Jeremiah 17:5-8, I heard words that I needed to hear. This is what the Lord says: Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. After months of pandemic living, my strength was flagging. Solutions our family readily embraced to weather a short-term crisis werent serving us well as the months continued. My younger daughters preschool closed, and my older daughter engaged in virtual learning, in only the loosest interpretation of the word engaged. In response, I became a reluctant homeschooler, juggling the demands of working from home, creating meaningful learning experiences, and refereeing two youngsters ennui-driven arguments. I felt far more like a stunted shrub than a verdant tree. I visualized various finish lines... Yet month after month, these hopes failed to materialize. I visualized various finish lines. It would all be better when we could be vaccinated ... when we could get back to church when schools reopened ... when we could finally reclaim some sense of normalcy. Yet month after month, these hopes failed to materialize. We planned trips and cancelled them. We sent our daughters back to school, only to have one quarantined on her first day back in the classroom. My emotions yo-yoed frenetically. Words Chris had written in the book reverberated in my mind: It's an illusion to believe that peace in our circumstances will lead to peace in our hearts. We werent exactly focused on the mundane challenges of finding work-life balance or deriving enjoyment from an overabundance of family togetherness, but nevertheless I began to adopt some of the practices the book referenced. There was one nonprofit founder in Lebanon who began every day by asking God, Could You give me one sign of hope today? God had called this man to the work of rebuilding a nation shattered by occupation and war. His circumstances were far more dire than my own, but for humanitarian leaders or discouraged homeschooling moms alike, the question felt resonant. And each time that I asked God for a sign of hope, He faithfully delivered it. God also helped me reconsider the message of Jeremiah a difficult book with unclear dialogue, a complicated historical context, and fuzzy timelines. There is a lot of judgment. But as I truly studied the text, my understanding of the key messages shifted. Jeremiah wasn't the story of a wrathful God exacting judgment on His people. It was the story of a brokenhearted God beckoning "Return to Me." He invited Judahand He invites us stillfind your strength, place your allegiance, root your hope in Me alone. It might be one of the hardest lessons for do-gooders to learn: That rooted in our own strength we cannot conjure hope or sustain service. We are eager to try harder and do more. We're ready to sacrifice and dig deep within, but what we need has never been within us. A pandemic wasnt the worst time to read Jeremiah; it may have been the best. Studying Jeremiahs 52 chapters might be the perfect New Years resolution for the weary. This season, support the work of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which provides resources like the Spiritual First Aid course for pastors and church leaders. Jill Heisey is an Executive Writer for Hope International. This is a season for taking stock of who we are, how we live, and what we are building. It is the best season, perhaps, to ask ourselves the question of poet T. S. Eliots choruses from The Rock: Have you built well? In 1934, Eliot penned The Rock to fundraise for 45 church buildings near London. Appropriately, his frequent theme was buildingnot only churches but also the church as a thick community, an institution, a people seeking knowledge of God, a sanctuary from alienation and futility. The Church must be forever building, for it is forever decaying within and attacked from without, Eliot said. So, how are we building? When we think of the church community and institutions the church has founded, our workmanship is mixed at best. In society at large, distraction, alienation, and futility seem to have only escalated since Eliots day, while the church in the West shows many signs of decay. Religious disaffiliation is rising rapidly, and even we who remain in the faith often cant escape the inattentive, disintegrating tendencies of modern life. We too live amid the breakdown of the local relationships, businesses, and civil society analyzed by Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America and eulogized by Robert Putnam in Bowling Alone. With us, as Eliot saw in his society, a sense of community can be too weak, with people settled nowhere, And no man knows or cares who is his neighbour Unless his neighbour makes too much disturbance. In this state of communal disrepair, Eliot advised, The good man is the builder, if he build what is good. His words echo James 2s contention that faith without works is dead (v. 26), that its possible to have right beliefs without acting in service to God and others. Eliot warns us against relying on the work of past generations and doing nothing to shore it up. Eliot says we can learn to build well from things that are now being done, / And some of the things that were long ago done, and from the work of the humble. For building ideas now being done, we might look to parts of the church both near and far. For example, Im fascinated by the Bruderhof, a network of Anabaptist communities in which members live and work together, keeping a common purse. As the Bruderhof website notes, this exact model of dailyand even financialinvolvement in each others lives isnt necessary to faithfully follow Jesus. But its a striking witness and a healthy challenge to my own faith and assumptions about what Christian community should look like, what it can ask of me, and how much of my life it should shape. As for things long ago done, church history is a wealth of wisdom and warning. One hopeful evangelical trend is renewed interest in the liturgical calendar. None of the six evangelical churches I attended before college observed Lentor anything beyond Christmas and Easter. Now its not unusual for evangelicals to use the calendar to break through the din of ordinary life with a reminder of the kingdom, a prompt to reorient ourselves toward God through a chapter of Gods story of salvation. Other things built long ago that would aid our building: formalized catechism, memorization of Scripture, and habits of Sabbath. With so many other claims on our attention, we cant expect to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds by social osmosis (Eph. 4:23). We need to dust off these tools of deliberate discipleship for new use. The warnings in our history bring me to the work of the humble. We cannot build what is good if we build to increase our own power, wealth, or glory. Our task is to prefigure the coming kingdom in love and service of God and neighbor, to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). It is not to serve ourselves. Without humility in building, we risk the sin of Babel. But with it, and with Gods grace, this year we may build what is good. And we must, for there is much to build, much to restore, as Eliot charged. Let the work not delay, time and the arm not waste. Bonnie Kristian is deputy editor at The Week and the author of A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Some Finnish Lutheran leaders, their families, and a few politicians gathered under a tent in August 2021 for the elevation of Juhana Pohjola to bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF). The canvas protected them from the summer sun, but as they celebrated Pohjolas investiture, they worried about facing a different kind of heat. Pohjola, 49, and one of his guests, politician Paivi Rasanen, 62, are facing criminal charges. According to the nations top prosecutor, the two people are accused of violating the equality and dignity of LGBT people. Though Finland has legal protections for free speech and the free exercise of religion, Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen says Rasanen and Pohjolas actions are criminal incitement against a minority grouphate speech. According to the prosecutor, Rasanen has fueled intolerance and contempt of LGBT people three times: in comments she made on a nationally syndicated talk show on Finnish state-supported radio; in a 2019 tweet where she quoted Romans 1:2427 to criticize the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF)one of Finlands two national churchesfor its affiliation with Helsinki Pride; and in a 23-page booklet that Rasanen wrote titled Male and Female He Created Them. Pohjola is being charged for publishing Rasanens booklet, which argues against same-sex marriage, contrasts LGBT identities with the Christian notion of what it means to be human, and describes same-sex attraction possibly as being inherently sinful and possibly the result of a negative developmental disorder. It was released in 2004 by Luther Foundation Finland, the legal entity behind the ELMDF. The bishop is not too worried for himself, but he does worry about the long-term impact if the courts rule that Rasanens quoting Romans and publishing a book about the Bible and sexuality are considered criminal incitement. I do not so much fear the outcome of the court case, he told CT, but the strong signal it gives to many: to be silent. I fear self-censorship and intimidation. The trial, due to begin on January 24, has stirred strong feelings in Finland. More than 70 percent of Finns support same-sex marriage, which has been legal in the country since 2017, and many see defending the dignity of LGBT people as the critical civil rights issue of the day. This is even true in the state church, which does not allow same-sex marriages. Around two-thirds of Finlands 5.5 million inhabitants belong to the ELCF, and according to a recent study, 54 percent of them agree that the church should also marry couples of the same sex. Despite the ELCFs position on marriage, a small group of pastors broke away from the national church in the early 2000s, in part because of the growing acceptance of LGBT people, as well as other issues such as the ordination of women. These churches later organized as the ELMDF, which became a separate body in 2013. I confess the God given dignity, value and human rights of those who identify themselves as homosexuals but at the same time call homosexual acts sinful and in discordance with the created order and the will of God as found in the Bible, Pohjola said. We are all called to live according the good order of creation. According to the Christian view sexual life is meant to be in the confines of marriage between one man and one woman. Rasanen has consistently voiced opinions in keeping with the ELMDFs position on same-sex marriage, principally that the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman and that homosexual acts are sin and shame. As former chairperson of Finlands Christian Democrats and former Minister of the Interior from 2011 to 2015, Rasanen led the opposition against the passage of a law recognizing same-sex marriage in Finland. She knew that position was unpopular with many, but Rasanen was shocked to find out she was facing criminal charges. Being criminally charged for voicing my deeply held beliefs in a country that has such deep roots in freedom of speech and religion feels unreal, she told CT. I do not see I would have in any way defamed homosexuals whose human dignity and human rights I have constantly said to respect and defend. The case has also caught international attention, stirring strong support for Pohjolas and Rasanens right to free speech and religious freedom. The International Lutheran Council (ILC), the global association of confessional Lutherans, released a signed statement in June entitled A Protest and Call for Free Religious Speech in Finland. Fearing the case will be appealed and end up in the European Court of Human Rights, the ILC objected to the unjust treatment of Pohjola and Rasanen and warned the case portends a slippery slope that may lead to the curtailing of other fundamental rights, religious and otherwise. Faith must remain free, the statement said. Indeed, if government oversteps its bounds and encroaches on religious freedom and religious speech, what other rights shall it take away? A recent open letter addressed to the Finnish prosecutor and signed by more than 227,000 supporters further argues that punishing individuals such as Rasanen sets a very dangerous precedence apart from the fact that it shuts down honest, open public dialogue and effectively makes following Jesus a criminal act. Pohjola also sees this as a matter of faith. For me this is not primarily a legal issue, he said. The gospel of Jesus Christ is at stake. ELCF-affiliated theologians have for the most part resisted the argument that the prosecution is essentially about theology and the state deciding that some theological ideas are unacceptable in Finland. Niko Huttunen, for example, a theologian with the ELCFs Church Research Center, said the case is really about whether LGBT people are adequately protected from intolerance in Finland. Huttunen believes that Rasanens reading of the Bible is hermeneutically naive, and he wonders how educated Christian leaders in the ELMDFsuch as Pohjolacan uncritically accept a politicians interpretation of Scripture. But he hurries to add, My aim is not to say how Rasanen must or must not read the Bible. Rasanen is being prosecuted for inciting hate towards homosexuals, one of the minorities which are seen to be in need of a special protection under Finnish law. According to a press release from the Office of the Prosecutor General, Rasanen's statements are more than offensive; they actually endanger people and are likely to cause intolerance, contempt and hatred towards homosexuals. Thus, the prosecutor concluded, Rasanens statements violate the equality and dignity of homosexuals and thus transcend freedom of speech and religion. Sakris Kupila, chair of the Finnish LGBT rights group Seta, said the January trial is mainly important as a kind of test case. While Kupila believes Finland has seen a lot of progress toward protecting minorities in recent years, the prosecution of a politician and a bishop will show how far the country has really come. We want the justice system to do its work in peace, Kupila said. This has been compromised by the international campaign. According to Kupila, international information about the case has often been permeated with false claims and filled with homophobic and hostile messages. He said the pressure could convince other prosecutors in the future that protecting the dignity of LGBT people is not worth it, and they will decide not to enforce the law. Some Lutherans in Finland who hold to traditional Christian teachings on homosexuality nonetheless are uneasy with the international campaign to defend Rasanen and Pohjola. Samuli Siikavirta, the 36-year-old pastor of an ELMDF congregation Pohjola founded in Helsinki, said some conservative Christians are apprehensive about the use of the term persecution. This is opposition to the freedom to be a Christian and to teach according to holy writ, he said. However, it makes me a bit uneasy to say that we are being persecuted. Siikavirta said the real challenge for Christians in the ELMDF and other conservative traditions will not be facing fines or even possible imprisonment. The real challenge will be figuring out how to teach Christianity to a culture that finds it so strange. Its very clear from this case that people are estranged from Christian terminology, he said. We are not trying to conform law to our beliefs, but now, even basic Christian language sounds a lot more hateful than it would if people understood the context. Christians will need to become much more skilled at communication. The church has a gift to offer the world, he said, but we cant assume people will understand it. Sudanese forces kill 4 civilians during protests against military coup, doctor group says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Four protesters were reportedly killed Thursday by security forces in Sudan as thousands nationwide took to the streets in opposition to an October military coup that overturned a civilian-led transitional government that ousted longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, four civilians were killed in Omdurman by the live ammunition of security forces while participating in anti-coup protests. Thursday marked another round of civilian demonstrations since the Oct. 25, 2019, coup that led to the initial removal of Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and the arrest of key officials. Hamdok was reinstated as part of an agreement with Sudans top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in November. The deal calls for Hamdok to lead an independent technocratic cabinet until elections are held. However, the military would maintain oversight of the cabinet. According to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the agreement was not made between military and civilian actors but between al-Burhan and Hamdok. In opposition to the deal, the pro-democracy movement wants a fully civilian government to oversee the transition. The agreement did not give the civilian coalition that shared power with the military, Forces for Freedom and Change, a role in the transitional government. The U.S. Embassy of Khartoum condemned Thursdays killings. The U.S. Embassy condemns the killing of at least four protesters and injury of dozens during demonstrations today, a statement posted to Twitter reads. We also deplore the violent attacks by Sudans security services on media outlets and journalists, and urge authorities to protect the freedom of the press. The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reports that the death toll among civilians has risen to 52 since the Oct. 25 coup, including 10 civilians who were killed after the deal agreed between the Junta & the prime minister. Hundreds have been injured by security responses to the demonstrations. According to The Associated Press, the medical committee is affiliated with the Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella group of Sudanese trade unions that took a prominent role in the protests leading to Bashirs ouster in 2019. The association accused state-backed militias of intercepting ambulances so they could not reach those who were wounded. The protests Thursday were preceded by an internet blackout. Protesters demonstrated in the capital, Khartoum, as well as neighboring cities like Omdurman and Bahri, as they tried to march toward the presidential palace. A witness told Reuters that security forces confronted protesters about a mile away from the palace and used tear gas and stun grenades. Bridges leading into the capital were also blocked. At least three of the protesters killed Thursday were in Omdurman. Witnesses also reported protests in Kassala and Port Sudan, cities in the east, AFP reports. For many years, Sudan was labeled one of the worst countries globally when it comes to human rights and religious freedom violations. Sudan was often listed as a country of concern for religious freedom by the U.S. State Department until 2019, when it was removed from the list amid promising signs under the transitional government. Before Bashirs ousting, Sudan was ranked as the sixth-worst country in the world for Christian persecution by the watchdog group Open Doors USA, which said Bashir ruled the country as an Islamic state with limited rights for religious minorities. Following the October coup, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom voiced concern that the Sudanese military take over could very well threaten all the gains made by the ousted civilian-led transitional government. The coup leader General Burhan and his deputy General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemity, were both key figures in the former regime of Omer al-Bashir, which committed grave human rights violations, including of religious freedom, USCIRF warned in a November policy update. Sean Feucht: God is the 'answer and hope for America' amid 'darkness' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A prominent musician and worship leader stressed the importance of turning to faith at a time of national strife, describing God as the answer and the hope for America. Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, Sean Feucht reflected on his efforts to bring the Word of God to as many people as possible as cities across the U.S. imposed worship restrictions in an appearance on Fox News Primetime Tuesday. Feucht, who describes himself as a missionary, artist, speaker, author [and] activist, founded the Let Us Worship movement, a series of outdoor worship events that took place as coronavirus restrictions banned in-person church services and, in some cases, prevented people from singing. Feucht discussed his latest endeavor with Fox News host Ben Domenech, where he mentioned that he was launching a new tour kicking off in Miami on New Years Eve. After recalling how it always seemed like religion was coming last for so many of our political leaders who didnt seem to think it was all that important that people actually be able to gather and worship together during the pandemic, Domenech asked Feucht why was it important for you to make sure that that still happened? It wasnt America that founded religious liberty, religious liberty founded America, Feucht replied. Its essential to who we are. Feucht concluded that religious liberty was even more essential especially in a time of a pandemic; especially in a time where theres such division and theres such isolation. He maintained that we got to get together, we got to worship, we got to seek God. He is the answer and the hope for America. Both Feucht and Domenech lamented that many professing people of faith elected to go along with the policies that were put in place without any kind of objection. According to Feucht, We sing these songs, we preach these sermons and yet, when the moment comes, when we got to practice them, its like people were deserted, they just ... fell at the feet of the government. Feucht also pushed back on the misconception that the Let Us Worship movement was political in nature: This is not political, this is biblical. We have a mandate as believers, weve been doing it for 2,000 years. Weve been gathering together despite pandemics and persecution and fear and crazy tyrannical governors like we have here in California. Weve been gathering together and weve been worshiping, he added. Now more than ever, when Americans are facing such darkness, you know, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Feucht elaborated on how the Let Us Worship movement held events in cities ravaged by riots in the weeks after George Floyds death in May 2020. Violent rioting nationwide led to over 20 murders, and the torching of homes and small businesses, leaving many people homeless and causing billions of dollars in damages. We went to some of the hardest and darkest cities, cities of rioting like Seattle and Portland. We went through Los Angeles, South Chicago, and everywhere we went, the story was the same: people gathered needing hope, people gathered needing life. It was like theres this connection that comes in community that people didnt have but also a connection to God. And the testimonies are crazy, Feucht said. People getting saved, people getting healed, people giving their life to Jesus, getting rid of their addictions. I mean, this is why we did this. This is why we launched Let Us Worship, and were not stopping now. Feuchts appearance on Fox News Primetime comes as states and cities across the U.S. are re-implementing coronavirus restrictions, specifically mask mandates, as the Omicron variant of the virus spreads and the U.S. sees a doubling of COVID-19 infections since 2020, setting a new record this week for the average number of daily cases. In addition to the New Years Eve event in Miami mentioned by Domenech, Feucht has already scheduled several Let Us Worship events in 11 states throughout 2022. In addition to attending Let Us Worship events, Americans had the opportunity to weigh in on restrictions on religious worship at the voting booth. Earlier this year, 62% of Texas voters supported Proposition 3, which bans the state from prohibiting or restricting religious services in the future during any pandemic or natural disaster. More churches burned down by Myanmar military amid massacres in predominantly Christian state Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two Christian churches were among over 50 buildings burned down by Myanmar military troops on Thursday in the Thantlang township of the Chin state as the junta has razed several villages in recent months in the predominantly Christian province. The Chin Human Rights Organization reported that the Assembly of God Church and a church belonging to the Thantlang Association of Baptist Churches were burned down by military forces. The watchdog further claimed that Light Infantry Battalions 222 and 269, as well as Light Infantry Division 66, were responsible for the arson fires. Drone image taken today of the arson fire on Dec 30 confirms the destruction of the Assembly of God Church and one of the office buildings of Thantlang Association of Baptist Churches (TABC), the largest religious organization in the Township, a tweet from the human rights group reads. Over 50 buildings were destroyed. The Assembly of God Church & one of the Thantlang Association of Baptist Churches' buildings are among over 50 structures burned down by junta troops on Dec 30. LIB 222, 269 & LID 66 are blamed for the arson fires, which started from 4 different blocks & lasted for nearly 9 hrs. pic.twitter.com/5NcpWM0rGv ChinHumanRightsOrg (@ChinHumanRights) December 30, 2021 Since the military coup of February 2020 that saw the overthrow of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, security forces have re-embraced scorched-earth tactics to combat opposition militias in various regions of the country, killing civilians along the way. The Buddhist nationalist military had used similar tactics in the past to target ethnic minority groups, such as its genocide of the predominantly Muslim Rohingya people that began in 2016 and attacks against predominantly Christian Kachin and Karenni ethnic minorities. This year, the Myanmar military known as the Tatmadaw has stepped up operations in the northwest Chin state and neighboring Sagaing. This month alone, several villages have been razed and civilians killed or abducted. According to Salai Za Uk Ling of the Chin Human Rights Organization, post-coup violence has led to more than 20% of the states population (about 500,000 people) becoming displaced. In the Sagaing region, more than 80 have died in killings of three or more since August, according to data compiled by the Myanmar conflict watchdog group Assistance Association for Political Prisoner. The group estimates that at least 1,384 people have been killed since the military coup as of Thursday. An Associated Press investigation based on interviews with 40 witnesses and satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies suggests that at least 580 buildings have been burned down in Thantlang since September. An attack on Dec. 7 saw over 50 soldiers chasing civilians on foot in the Chin town of Done Taw. While many fled, 10 were captured and killed, including five teenagers, according to a 19-year-old farmhand who spoke with AP. A witness interviewed by AP said the victims of the Done Taw attack were just normal workers on the betel-leaf plantation. Witnesses told AP that nine people, including one child, were reportedly killed during an attack in the Magway region on Dec. 17. On Christmas Eve, the Karenni Human Rights Group reported that as many as 35 displaced people, including elders and children, were killed and their bodies burned near Mo So village of Hpruso town of the Kayah state, an eastern region home to the ethnic minority. Thursdays attack was not the first time churches were burned in Thantlang township. On Dec. 4, a United Pentecostal church and its clergy quarters were among 19 buildings set on fire in an arson attack carried out by the military, according to Chin Human Rights Organization. Former regional minister Salai Isaac Khin reported on Facebook that ousted Vice President Henry Van Thio used to attend the Pentecostal church, according to the United States-based watchdog group International Christian Concern. St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Thantlang was burned down on Nov. 27. According to the Chin Human Rights Organization, at least 22 churches were burned down or destroyed between August and November in the Chin state, the Union of Catholic Asia News reports. Myanmar is recognized by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom. Open Doors USA, which monitors Christian persecution in over 60 countries, ranks Myanmar as the 18th-worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution. ICC Regional Manager Gina Goh previously stated that the Myanmar military is notorious for its relations with the ultranationalist ultra-Buddhist group the Ma Ba Tha and targets religious minority groups like Muslims and Christians. She warned earlier this year if the military regained power, it would resort to things they were doing before they passed the power to the civilian government. In November, the U.S. State Department condemned the Myanmar military after setting over 100 homes and two churches on fire in the Chin state. We condemn such brutal actions by the Burmese regime against people, their homes, and places of worship, which lays bare the regimes complete disregard for the lives and welfare of the people of Burma, the State Department stressed. We are also deeply concerned over the Burmese security forces intensification of military operations in various parts of the country, including in Chin State and the Sagaing Region. We call on the regime to immediately cease the violence, release all those unjustly detained, and restore Burmas path to inclusive democracy. Record number of abortion restrictions passed in 2021, Guttmacher Institute reports Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A pro-abortion think tank is decrying 2021 as the worst year for abortion rights in nearly 50 years as dozens of laws aimed at restricting access to abortion have passed at the state level in 2021. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization formerly affiliated with Planned Parenthood, released a report earlier this month titled State Policy Trends 2021: The Worst Year for Abortion Rights in Almost Half a Century. The report is the latest of several Guttmacher Institute publications highlighting the passage of numerous laws at the state level this year, which the organization and other pro-choice advocates characterize as setbacks for abortion rights in the United States. Authored by policy associate Elizabeth Nash, the report notes that 106 abortion restrictions had been enacted in 19 states during 2021, marking the highest total in any year since abortion rights were affirmed by the US Supreme Court in 1973. The number of pro-life laws passed in 2021 exceeded the previous record of 89 abortion restrictions enacted in 2011, Nash states. In 2021, many states enacted legislation limiting abortions after a certain point in pregnancy, ranging from heartbeat bills restricting abortions to the first six weeks of pregnancy to the more traditional pain-capable bans on abortions after 20 or 24 weeks gestation. Additional laws that took effect this year include a ban on abortions of an unborn baby based on a Down syndrome diagnosis and a similar law in Arizona that prohibits abortions of unborn babies who have genetic abnormalities. Other states took action to liberalize their abortion laws in 2021. Many cited the concern that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. Abortion advocates fear that a ruling in the case could alter longstanding abortion jurisprudence. Delaware and New Mexico repealed unenforceable abortion bans passed before Roe. New Jersey and Hawaii repealed laws that required doctors to perform abortions instead of other medical professionals such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, thereby expanding the pool of people qualified to perform the procedure. Washington state began requiring college health insurance plans that cover maternity care to cover abortions, while Colorado allowed Medicaid to cover the abortions sought by sexual assault survivors. But the Guttmacher Institute contends that the number of pro-life laws passed in 2021 far exceeds the number of abortion protections enacted (10). A report published by the Guttmacher Institute in October noted that the state with the most new restrictions is Arkansas (20), followed by Oklahoma (16), then Indiana, Montana and South Dakota (nine each). [T]he damage to abortion rights is profound, the report reads. Abortion access is already very limited for many people, including Black and Brown people, low-income individuals, LGBTQ individuals and young people, as well as those living in the South, the Plains and the Midwest. Many states in these regions have enacted bans that violate the US Constitution in the hope that the Supreme Court will soon eliminate federal constitutional protections for abortion. Kristan Hawkins, the president of the pro-life campus outreach group Students for Life of America, said in an email to supporters on Christmas Eve that she believes "2022 will blow this past year right out of the water as there is much to do as we prepare for the end of Roe v. Wade on our campuses and in our communities." "[A]nd you can expect the pro-abortion movement and their allies in government and media are going to try to stop us at every step of the way," she stressed. "But Im honored to alongside you and the rest of the Pro-Life Generation as we work to become the first Post Roe Generation." The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization by June. The state of Mississippi is asking the justices to overturn a lower court decision finding that the ban on abortions after 15 weeks gestation violated the U.S. Constitution. Lawyers arguing on behalf of abortion providers and the Biden administration want to see the lower court decision affirmed. A ruling in favor of Mississippi would significantly weaken the precedent set by Roe and the subsequent decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey. But the central finding of Roe, that a woman has a right to obtain an abortion at some point in her pregnancy, could remain in place. While the law at the center of the Dobbs case was passed three years ago, another law that took effect this year has also faced legal challenges. On Sept. 1, Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect, banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually at around six weeks gestation. The law remains in effect as litigation continues. Other states have sought to implement near-total abortion bans that have not passed muster with the courts in 2021, including Arkansas and Oklahoma. The abortion ban in Arkansas provides an exception for life endangerment, and the Oklahoma abortion ban has an exception for serious threats to the patients health. As the coronavirus pandemic broke out in the U.S., abortion activists pushed for the loosening of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for abortion pills, also known as a chemical or medication abortion. The REMS previously required women to see a doctor in person before taking the abortion-inducing drugs. The Food and Drug Administration recently eliminated the requirement for chemical abortion to be administered in person, allowing women to obtain abortion drugs by mail. Eight states worked to counter the federal push to ease safety protocols for chemical abortions by implementing their own restrictions on medication abortions: Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. In addition to the states passing pro-life legislation, 25 cities supported the pro-life movement by declaring themselves Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn, bringing the total number of towns outlawing abortion within the city limits to 41. The Biden administration has worked to reverse many of the Trump administrations policies related to abortion. After taking office in January, President Joe Biden reversed the Mexico City Policy, which prevented taxpayer dollars from funding nongovernmental organizations that perform or promote abortions overseas. The administration rolled back the Trump administrations Protect Life rule that prevented abortion providers from receiving family planning funding under Title X. Religious freedom in crisis under Biden admin. Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In November, Secretary Bilken traveled to Nigeria, and within weeks of returning home, Nigeria was no longer designated a "Country of Particular Concern" for its gross violation of religious freedom, namely the massacre of thousands of Christians every year. Genocide Watch refers to Nigeria as "a killing field of defenseless Christians" because the ethnic Fulani militants, consideredthe world's deadliest terrorist group, wipe out whole Christian villages but leave Muslim villages unharmed. Though the Secretary reprimanded Nigeria for its lack of free press and dismal human rights record, he ultimately removed Nigeria from the list of egregious offenders. Some analysts defend the move by claiming it was a balance of interdependent and co-equal US foreign policy interests. In contrast, others were appalled at the decision and felt it was a severe blow to religious freedom in the region. In an unrelated conflict, Turkey and Azerbaijan renewed their aggression against their Christian neighbor, Armenia, timing the assault to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. They attacked its churches and cultural heritage, sending a strong message that the war was not just about land but about faith. Though Biden is the first US President who formally acknowledged the genocide, within days, Blinken approved millions of dollars in new military aid to Azerbaijan without an assurance they would stop the assault on Armenia. Emboldened by that signaling of tacit support, Azeri President Aliyev sent troops and invaded Armenia proper, killing more than a dozen Christians. Still worse, the US government is allegedly preventing the rescue of thousands of endangered Christians stuck in Afghanistan after the recent withdrawal. Despite the eyewitness accounts of Christians being executed on public transport for owning a Bible app, the White House remains the biggest hindrance to their evacuation. Glenn Beck of the Nazarene Fund had this to say about it: Everyone else has been working together, putting aside differences and trying to get these people to safety. The State Department and the White House have blocked us every single step of the way. More than 340 million Christians cope with persecution regularly. Fifty countries, primarily in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, have very high levels of persecution, which means 1 out of every 8 Christians faces severe consequences based solely on their faith. Back in March of this year, I opined that the plight of Christians worldwide would worsen under the Biden Administration, and sadly, it has. It is not just the outcome of partisan politics; it represents a principle with far-reaching consequences. This administration believes in the interdependence of human rights, where religious freedom is one of many democratic rights balanced with competing interests. However, Trump's Administration placed religious liberty as the first right from which all others flow. Secretary Pompeo made sure religious persecution of Christians was at the forefront of his foreign policy, and world leaders knew it would be a central part of the diplomatic negotiations. As the head of the International Religious Freedom office said recently about the current policy, "Secretary Pompeo did express his view that there was perhaps a hierarchy of rights concept and that's a view that this administration does depart from." Yet as American Christians, we should know the "God first" policy did not originate with the Trump Administration. The Lord says the greatest of all commandments is "'Love the Lord your God with all your heartsoul.strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" When we love God with everything we got, it is the well from which we draw love for everyone around us. It is the essence of justice because there is no discrimination based on race or religion, no judgment of right or wrong, simply the love for humanity, which emanates from our love of God. It is not meant to be exclusionary or intolerant; it is how we manifest the fruit of the Spirit kindness, goodness, forbearance, and self-control. By no accident, the free exercise of religion is the first right bestowed in our Constitution. The founding fathers knew a government centered on the supremacy of God and man's obedience to His commandments, as opposed to the political aspirations and self-interests of men in power, would make America exceptional. As Benjamin Franklin put it, "Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God." Therefore, we should protect and defend religious liberty as a guiding principle of American foreign policy, not because it is a campaign slogan for one side of the political divide. We do it because it is the morally right thing to do. The fall of the Evil Empire Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I have been shocked by the almost complete lack of media attention to one of the most significant and extraordinary events of the 20th century the collapse and fall of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day, 1991. Born in horrific bloodshed in 1917, The Bolshevik Revolution slaughtered tens of millions of people in its bloody march through the heart of the 20th century until its incredible collapse in 1991. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged from the catastrophic destruction of World War II as one of the two world super powers, along with the United States. As the American foreign policy of containment, inspired by George Kennan and the U.S. foreign policy establishment, attempted to contain Soviet aggression and expansionism in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed by the U.S. and her Western European allies. The Cold War began in earnest, spawning events like the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961. A British general asked me in the early 1970s, you know why NATO was formed, dont you? Not waiting for my reply, he answered his own question, To keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down! There were several moments during the 74 years of the Cold War that America and her allies came perilously close to a full-fledged war with the USSR, which would in all probability become nuclear. Perhaps the most dangerous moment in that 74 years of often tense confrontation was the missiles of October when the Soviet Union tried to place Intermediate Range and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in Cuba in October 1962. And then, with breathtaking, unprecedented and unanticipated speed, the Soviet Union collapsed. I will personally never forget watching on live television as the blood red Soviet flag was lowered over the Kremlin while the tricolor of the Russian Federation was raised in its place. The flag ceremony followed immediately after Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachevs speech announcing the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the transferring of the nuclear codes to Boris Yeltsin, the president of the Russian Federation on Christmas Day, 1991. History had never previously seen such a sudden and swift, and relatively bloodless disintegration of such a powerful empire as the Soviet Union. In the mid-1990s, I had occasion to visit with my old undergraduate Princeton history professor, the then Librarian of Congress, James Billington. I reminded Dr. Billington (a world-renowned expert in Russian history) that when I was his student in 1966-67 he had predicted that the Soviet Union was not sustainable and would eventually come apart from inherent centrifugal forces built into the systems DNA. He responded that yes, he did believe that, but he never for a moment thought it would happen either that rapidly or that bloodlessly. And it should be said that Mikhail Gorbachev should be given credit for helping thwart the attempted coup by hardliners in August 1991. Mr. Gorbachev was not willing to use the repressive organizations of the Soviet state to shed the blood of his own people to perpetuate what he had clearly come to understand was a corrupt and failed nation-state and empire. I had the extraordinary opportunity to have a ringside seat as these events were unfolding. Less than a fortnight before the Soviet Union ceased to exist, in early December 1991, I was privileged to be part of an official delegation of religious liberty advocates sent by Sen. Jesse Helms, then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Helms had assigned us to advocate for religious freedom for Baptists and other religious groups in the Soviet Republic of Georgia, in particular, and in Russia, in general, and report back to him upon our return. It was a truly remarkable trip. I was deeply impressed, and humbled, by the strong, vibrant faith of the Georgian Baptists, who seemingly were flourishing in spite of severe discrimination bordering on persecution from the government. I will never forget the visual images of Georgian Baptists standing outside the church in the snow, attending the Sunday worship services and receiving communion, unable to squeeze into the standing-room only crowd in the church sanctuary. However, the biggest surprise for me and the other members of our delegation, some of whom had visited the Soviet Union previously, was how dilapidated and non-functioning things were both in Georgia and in Moscow. The whole time we were there (7 days) in the USSR, there was little or no toilet paper, sugar, soap or milk (even in the major hotel we stayed at in Moscow). Additionally, there were large sections of the sidewalks that were blocked off because the facades were falling off buildings both in Tbilisi and Moscow. Even more shocking was the general sense of nihilism, ennui, and despair evident among the people. It was heartbreaking to see 12- to 15-year-old boys (obviously not in school) chain-smoking cigarettes and drinking beer and vodka at 10 or 11 in the morning. In some subsequent meetings with our delegation and some Russian Evangelical leaders in Moscow, I asked about this prevailing sense of existential despair that seemed to permeate large segments of the population. I will never forget their collective reply. They explained (from the perspective of December 1991) that while the Baltic Republics (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) came under communist rule in 1940, and the Eastern European Countries and East Germany came under communist rule between 1946-1948 and Mainland China in 1949, that Russia had been communist since 1917. Consequently, in all the other countries there were still people alive who could remember what it was like before communism. No one in Russia had such a reference point or memories. In Russia there was no collective memory of life before the communist dictatorship. Russian young people had no understanding or hope of anything other than the stifling atheism of the communist state. It was also why the average age of death for Russian men was trending lower and lower and the leading cause of death was complications related to alcoholism. In fact, one leading Evangelical pastor explained to us that this long exposure to communism had warped the Russian soul. All the other Russian Christians in the room vigorously agreed. When I asked what they meant, they told me two jokes by way of illustration. The first joke involved a Jewish man who was studying Hebrew on a park bench in Moscows Gorky Park. A KGB man walking by informed him that it was illegal to study Hebrew. The man replied, I only want to know the language of Heaven. The KGB agent asked, Well, what if you woke up in Hell? to which the man replied, I already know Russian! The second joke involved a peasant trying to extract a living from his infertile soil on the windswept Russian steppes. His plow uncovered a genies bottle and a genie popped out. The genie informed the peasant, I can grant you a single wish if you want. The peasant replied, You know how my neighbors land is fertile and mine is not? You know how his children are industrious and respectful and mine are lazy louts? You know how his wife is a loving and respectful spouse and mine is a witch? The genie, who was increasingly impatient, interrupted, and you want to be like your neighbor? The peasant replied, Oh no. I want my neighbor to be like me! All freedom-loving people should celebrate the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Evil Empire. And we should also remember that resolute, wise, and brave national political leadership does make a huge difference in world affairs and that godly and resolute political leadership is a sign of Gods blessings on a nation and its absence is a sign of Gods judgment. It was not inevitable that the bloated albatross of evil known as the Soviet Union had to collapse when it did. In spite of its internal spiritual decay, it could have tottered on causing untold human misery to those under its control or influence for another 30 years or more. It was given a hard push onto the ash heap of history by President Ronald Reagan, the first American President who was dedicated not to co-existing with the Soviets, but causing their downfall. President Reagan repeatedly made it clear his goal was to win the Cold War. It is clear from his personal papers housed in the Reagan Library that he intuitively understood the Soviet Unions fundamental weakness and corruption and that if we increased the pressure on their economy by just marginally increasing our defense spending, the Soviets would implode economically. The pivotal role played by President Regan in hastening the demise of the Soviet Empire is told in riveting and voluminous fashion in two marvelous books. The first is Derek Leebaerts The Fifty-Year Wound. How Americas Cold War Victory Shapes Our World (2002), a towering history of the Cold War by the first professional historian to have virtually unfettered access to the formerly classified Soviet archives. This marvelous book is 646 pages long with 56 pages of footnotes and a 17-page bibliography (both in exceedingly small print). The second book is John OSullivans The President, the Pope, and the Prime Minister (2006), which tells the exciting story of how President Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher plotted and planned to bring down the corrupt and evil Soviet colossus. Freedom-loving people around the world should rejoice over the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the USSR. We should also draw inspiration and encouragement in order to face an even greater peril to world freedom and American independence Communist China, which is already a greater economic threat than the Soviet Union ever was, or could hope to be and is just as determined on a course of world domination at the expense of human freedom everywhere. Let us all remember the crucial role of leadership. The current President and the current Prime Minister could never be confused with President Reagan or Prime Minister Thatcher. Its up to us to elect leaders capable of doing what Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher did. And, of course, Pope Francis is no Pope John Paul, II. Obviously, we do not elect the pope, so we will have to leave that to divine intervention. Its up to us, as Americans, to elect a similarly consequential president and its up to the British to elect a similarly consequential prime minister. A factcheck on anti-vaccine religious celebrities Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Earlier this month, Marcus Lamb, the founder of Dayspring Television, the second largest Christian broadcaster in the world, died of complications from COVID. His network ran a steady stream of commentary in opposition, not just to mandates, but to the vaccine itself (Covid-19 Crisis (daystar.com)). Lamb was 64 and a diabetic. In March, talk show host Eric Metaxas told his Twitter followers, "Don't get the vaccine. Pass it on." One can hope that the "it" refers to the Tweet, and not to the virus. More recently, Metaxas announced that he and his family had become infected with Covid and his 94-year-old father was hospitalized as a result. Metaxas had promoted claims published in The Stream (founded by religious broadcaster James Robison) that the shots were a "dead baby vaccine," despite the fact that none of the vaccines have any fetal tissue in them at all. The connection to abortion is indirect: research pertaining to the vaccine used copies of copies of copies (over a few thousand generations) of tissue procured from an abortion performed in Denmark in 1973. Metaxas also offered this strange argument against vaccinations: "Americans need to understand that if the government, or everybody, is telling you you have to do something, we dont have dissent, no dissent, you need to understand thats not the American way, folks. And if only to be a rebel, you need to say, Im not going to do that. Talk show host Bob Enyart, who also succumbed to COVID, had urged Christians to boycott the vaccines because, as his website claims, "as those firms admit, they tested these three products on the cells of aborted babies." (Source and more detailed quotes here: Aborted baby vaccine? A truth check). White House Correspondent for Newsmax TV, and outspoken Christian, Emerald Robinson warned her followers: Dear Christians: the vaccines contain a bioluminescent marker called LUCIFERASE so that you can be tracked. Read the last book of the New Testament to see how this ends She mentioned the luciferase angle more than once and that is a common claim among Christian vaccine opponents. It's time for Christians to leave behind unsound thinking when it comes to vaccinations, to leave behind 9th-commandment-deficient rumor-mongering, and to engage in serious moral reasoning instead of a spirit of hype and rebellion. Let's start with basic facts. The vaccine contains no "dead baby" parts. Not even the sources which vaccine opponents cite support this claim. Bob Enyart cited the Charlotte Lozier Institute, which is, indeed, a responsible pro-life source of information, but does not support the claim that there is aborted fetal tissue in the vaccines. The accurate account of the abortion connection is that research pertaining to the development of most of the vaccines used what are called "immortalized" stem cell lines, i.e. clones of clones over thousands of generations from abortions decades ago. Per the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the AstraZeneca and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines use stem cells descended from abortions in development and/or production, not just in testing pertaining to the vaccines. A wide array of medicines, including Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, alternate treatments favored by vaccine opponents such as Lamb, also have used stem cells descended from tissue from aborted children. In fact, a very wide variety of medicines and even foods have been tested using stem cells remotely descended from abortions. One might debate whether it is morally permissible to benefit from evil deeds, such as an abortion in 1973 in which one had no role or input, but before getting to that topic in moral theology, we should all get the basic facts right first. Another example is the alleged presence of the compound luciferase. Luciferase is a name derived from the Latin words for "light" and for "bearing." Luciferase is an enzyme that under certain conditions creates light. It has nothing to do with the devil. It is a compound created by God, and found, for example, in fireflies. It is used in many testing procedures, not just related to viruses such as COVID, but in tumor detection, testing immune reactions and for organ transplantation. The ability of the compound to create light helps researchers trace the progress of various compounds through tissue. It's not in the vaccine, and it has no more to do with the devil than your summer fireflies. This week in Christian history: It came upon a midnight clear published, Pentecostal movement leader weds Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown by most people. This week Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 marks the anniversary of the first time the Christmas carol It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was published, the founding of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and the Father of the Pentecostal movement gets married. 1 2 3 4 Next State Department adds Nigeria, 9 other countries to list of worst religious freedom violators Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. State Department has added Nigeria to its list of "countries of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act, making it the first secular democracy to appear on the list. In a press statement Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the State Departments updates to the annual list of state actors that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. The United States is designating Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, he said. Gayle Manchin, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, praised Pompeos decision to add Nigeria to the list: We are gratified that the State Department has named 10 countries as CPCs. We particularly welcome Nigerias designation for the first time as a CPC for tolerating egregious violations of religious freedom, which USCIRF had been recommending since 2009. Nigeria is the first secular democracy that has been named a CPC, which demonstrates that we must be vigilant that all forms of governments respect religious freedom, she added. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom describes itself as an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. The Rev. Johnnie Moore, an international religious freedom advocate who serves on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, recently told Fox News that the situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to the point where thousands of churches have been torched, children massacred, pastors beheaded, and homes and fields set ablaze by the tens of thousands, with people being targeted for their Christian faith alone. According to Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who co-wrote a book with Moore about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, titled, The Next Jihad: Stop the Christian Genocide in Africa, there is little to no price to pay for the kidnapping, extortion, burning of churches, or for mayhem and murder of Christians. Even when police or military actually captures the perpetrators, the judiciary wont hold deal seriously with the criminal/terrorists. Cooper and Moore wrote their book after traveling to Nigeria earlier this year. After meeting with dozens of victims of terrorism, they concluded that the terrorists aim is to ethnically cleanse northern Nigeria of its Christians and to kill every Muslim who stands in their way. It seems very, very clear to us that for various reasons, the government is failing at its fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens, Moore said in a previous interview with The Christian Post. Across every facet of Nigerian society, whether the religious leader was Muslim or Christian or whether the victim was describing something that happened to them in the center of the country or at the hands of ISIS or Boko Haram in the northeast, it was really clear that everyone felt like the government wasnt doing enough or wasnt able to do enough. In addition to labeling Nigeria and nine other sovereign states as CPCs under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the State Department announced that it's also "placing the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. A country on the special watch list does not meet all the criteria for presence on the list of CPCs but still engages in or tolerates severe violations of religious freedom. While all 10 of the nations singled out as CPCs by the State Department were recommended for placement on the list by USCIRF, the organizations 2020 annual report also recommended the designation of India, Russia, Syria and Vietnam as CPCs. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America expressed deep disappointment about the decision not to designate India as a CPC. The addition of Nigeria was not the only change made to the State Departments list of CPCs and special watch list. Sudan and Uzbekistan were removed from the special watch list based on significant, concrete progress undertaken by their respective governments over the past year. In Defense of Christians, an advocacy organization for Christians and religious minorities in Africa and the Middle East, commended Pompeo for the CPC designations and noted that the secretary also designated the following groups as Entities-of-Particular Concern: al-Shabaab, al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban. We want to commend Secretary Pompeo for his leadership in advancing international religious freedom, said IDC President Toufic Baaklini. The designation of Nigeria as a CPC is a much needed first step in responding to the Christian genocide there. Saudi Arabia once again is deserving of its CPC designation and we encourage the Secretary to refrain from issuing the kingdom the sanctions waiver it has been receiving annually since 2006, he added. Christian group cautiously optimistic after Sudanese govt allows building of Orthodox Church Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In a country where churches are often destroyed, the Orthodox Church in Sudan was finally granted permission to build a church on its own land in a residential area after previously being denied that right by the government. Permission was given to the church to start building on July 16 after the government asked Khartoum state Governor Ayman Khalid Nim to review the case, sources told Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a human rights organization working on behalf of persecuted Christians. Even though the Orthodox Church owns the land, the government has the authority to deny planning permission for the building of churches. It also has the right to demolish a church a year after it has been built if the Urban Planning Department denies its permit. The church project was initially denied by the Urban Planning Department, which said a church couldn't be built on a residential property. At the time, a representative of the department, Hassan Isa, told the Orthodox Church that in order for the church to be able to use their land as a place of worship they must change their registration from residential to commercial use and must seek the permission of all neighboring properties." Another hurdle for the Orthodox Church was that if any two residents in the area opposed the building of a church, the plans would be denied. While mosques are allowed to be built in residential areas and Muslims are allowed to use their homes as places of worship, Christians are not allowed those same rights. Mervyn Thomas, founder president of CSW, released a statement celebrating the Orthodox Churchs ability to build a place of worship on its own land. CSW welcomes the reversal of the legally questionable and discriminatory decision to deny the Orthodox Church the right to build on its own land; however, we remain concerned by the lack of a clear process for the registration and construction of churches, Thomas said of Sudan, which has a history of church buildings being attacked or destroyed. Thomas also commended the dismissal of Nagi Abdalla, the former executive director of the Khartoum Bahri locality, who reportedly was responsible for violations against the Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian Church where a church was demolished and authorities arrested 37 people during a prayer service. We also welcome the dismissal of Nagi Abdalla, and now call for an urgent review of the contracts he signed which led to the destruction of church properties in Khartoum Bahri, Thomas said. Abdalla reportedly signed numerous contracts with illegitimate committees, which led to the destruction of properties belonging to the church, according to CSW. While we welcome the positive steps taken in this case, we remain concerned by the way the Sudanese government appears to resolve these cases on an ad-hoc basis, Thomas continued. This decision-making process was adopted by the previous regime and it fundamentally undermines rule of law and good governance. Thomas called for the equal treatment of all religious groups, starting with a better process for registering places of worship. We call for the formulation and implementation of clear and transparent processes for the construction and registration of places of worship, in order to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally, Thomas said. In an emailed statement to The Chrisitan Post, CSW said the procedure to register churches on unregistered land in Sudan is complicated and unclear, which has resulted in many being destroyed. CSW said the granting of permission to the Orthodox Church came from external pressure. Even after the governors decision, the Urban Planning Department tried to oppose the permission. CSW said the land needs to be permanently defined as a service purpose rather than residential since the land is still vulnerable while listed as residential property since the Urban Planning Department could refuse to renew the buildings property within a year. Even if the church is built, it will still be at risk, theoretically, as it will be built in residential land and the Urban Planning Department retains the right to demolish it, CSW told CP in an email. Sudan is ranked No. 13 on Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians face the worst persecution due to a very high level of Islamic oppression though it has made strides toward religious freedom recently due to a transition in government after its dictator was ousted in 2019 and a new constitutional declaration was issued. Sudan was also one of the countries no longer recommended for the U.S. International Religious Freedom Commission's Special Watch List designation since its conditions had improved and it no longer met the requirements for that second-tier State Department classification. Sudans population of around 43.5 million is home to nearly 2 million Christians. Sudan arrests 9 Muslim extremists tied to church burnings, threats against churchgoers Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Police in Sudan have arrested nine men in connection with a series of arson attacks on church property and for threatening churchgoers in the Dar El-Salam area of Omdurman in the capital, Khartoum, according to a report. The arrests of nine, out of 14 accused, were made in a case of the burning of property of Sudanese Church of Christ in Omdurman on five separate occasions, said Shanbago Awad Mugadam, a lawyer assisting Christians with legal aid, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. The churchs temporary meeting structure was destroyed most recently on Aug. 7. Prior to that, it was burned on Jan. 28, on Jan. 19, on Jan. 4. Last year, it was set afire on Jan. 19. After the first four attacks, the church chose not to register a complaint as the churchgoers had been threatened against it. However, after the fifth time, they decided that they wanted the persecution to end. They attempted to report to the police, but were told that no report would be filed for them, ICC said. The Christians then hired Mugadam as their attorney, who was able to bring the matter to the courts. The police opened a case in December and have arrested nine since then. Urging Christians to pray that the case would be justly fulfilled and that attacks against Christians in Sudan would end, ICC called it a good sign for growing freedom and democracy in the country that the court system forced this issue. While a transitional government, led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, was sworn in last year, an Islamist deep state rooted in former President Omar al-Bashirs 30 years of power remains influential. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cautiously acknowledged improvements in the countrys religious and political atmosphere after the commissions chair at the time, Tony Perkins, visited Sudan in February. We are grateful to Prime Minister Hamdok and other members of the countrys bold transitional leadership who met with USCIRF to convey their explicit desire to bring a new era of openness and inclusivity to their country that suffered for 30 years under brutal and autocratic religious repression, he said at the time, according to Crux. At the same time, we understand that the countrys challenges are deeply-rooted, and we urge the leadership to move quickly to turn that optimism into tangible and meaningful reforms for all people across Sudan, such as acting to formally repeal Article 126 of the 1991 penal code, which outlaws apostasy. Prime Minister Hamdok and other transitional government officials met with USCIRF in Washington, D.C., during a visit last December the first time in three decades that Sudanese leaders had visited Washington. The officials also shared at the time how they planned to expand religious freedom in a country that is ranked as the seventh worst in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs World Watch List. New Year's resolutions about a relationship with God are popular among young Americans: Poll Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A relationship with God is among the three most common subjects of New Years resolutions, particularly among younger Americans, according to a new Lifeway Research survey. The online survey, released Tuesday, questioned 1,005 Americans about the topics they have addressed with a New Years Resolution in the past. The survey, conducted between Sept. 3 and 14, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. The Lifeway Research poll found that 44% of respondents said theyve made a resolution about their health in the past. Additionally, 29% said theyve made a resolution about their relationship with God, and another 29% have made a resolution about their finances. Those ages 18-34 (35%) and 35-49 (35%) were more likely to make faith the subject of their New Years resolutions than those 50-64 (25%) and 65 and older (17%). About half (48%) of Christians who attend a worship service at least four times a month said theyve made a resolution about their relationship with God. By contrast, just 20% of those who attend less than once a month have done so. Black Americans (41%) are more likely to have made a resolution about God than white Americans (27%), and the religiously unaffiliated were much more likely to have made a resolution about money (36%), time (29%) or work (22%) than about God (14%). New Years resolutions reflect the changes people aspire to make, asserted Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell in a statement. The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced or encouraged more people to make changes outside of the annual reminder a new year brings. But a New Years resolution is still something most Americans have made at some point in their lives. Making a New Years resolution doesnt reveal who or what a person is relying on to make that change in their life, nor how successful such resolutions are, McConnell added. But higher numbers seen among younger adults, those who attended at least some college, and church-going Christians indicate they have higher motivation to make such changes at least in the form of New Years resolutions. Among all Americans, other popular resolution topics include those about relationships with a family member (26%), use of time (22%), work (18%) and relationships with a friend (15%). The Lifeway Survey comes on the heels of an earlier study conducted this year by Evangelical pollster George Barna and the Family Research Council, which found that only 6% of Americans have a biblical worldview. A previous study conducted last year revealed that the most common religious identity among young adults in the U.S. is none, and that the majority of Americans do not see a belief in God as necessary for someone to be moral and have good values. However, amid the pandemic, more Americans were likely to say that the outbreak bolstered their religious faith, Pew Research found. Nearly three in 10 Americans (28%) reported stronger personal faith because of the pandemic. Bible sales also increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lifeway Christian Resources. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, and host of the radio program Turning Point, told The Christian Post in a previous interview that amid the pandemic, the Church is more responsive now than I can ever remember except for the possible exception of 9/11. What weve learned from all of this is God doesnt need a building for there to be a church, he said. When everything in which we have trusted is taken away and we are left with ourselves, we have to ask the hard questions. If this is it, what happens to me now? Theres a renewed interest in the Gospel and a desire to know what the Bible has to say. Man who stole 2,000 checks from churches, religious institutions sentenced to 4 years in prison Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Romanian man living in Florida has been sentenced to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1 million for a bank and wire fraud conspiracy which involved more than 2,000 checks from churches and other religious institutions, the Department of Justice said. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Nicolae Gindac, a 52-year-old Romanian national and resident of Dania Beach, Florida, to 54 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Gindac was also ordered to pay restitution, along with co-conspirators, in the amount of around $1.1 million for the conspiracy, the DOJ said in a statement. According to the DOJ, from June 2018 to January 2021, Gindac and at least five co-conspirators stole and negotiated checks from the U.S. mail intended for churches in Ellicott City and La Plata, Maryland. The co-conspirators executed the thefts by driving to roadside mailboxes and directly removing the mail from the religious institutions mailboxes," the statement added. Gindac, who was arrested in February, pleaded guilty in June for aiding in the theft and faced a maximum of 30 years in prison. Law enforcement arrested Gindac and recovered approximately $7,930.38 in cash, as well as a yellow-gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex men's watch. Gindac also used some of the stolen proceeds of the conspiracy to purchase a BMW 745i Sport sedan, according to the statement. The conspiracy involved 2,477 stolen checks worth $1,065,282.53. Two of Gindacs partners have been extradited from Romania and the United Kingdom to the U.S. for trial, while four others are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty. As part of the scheme to defraud, Gindac and other co-conspirators opened fraudulent bank accounts at several victim financial institutions under false identities and negotiated stolen checks by way of ATMs, the DOJ said. Gindac deposited stolen checks into fraudulent bank accounts held in the names of his family members, including a minor family member, and others. Gindac and his co-conspirators subsequently withdrew the stolen funds and spent them using debit cards associated with fraudulently opened bank accounts and other bank accounts, it added. Last month, a 52-year-old woman, Lisa Dawn Stabeno from Lubbock, Texas, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in federal prison, as part of a plea deal, for using more than $450,000 from Church on the Rock funds for personal expenses, the DOJ said at the time. Stabeno worked as an accounts manager for Church on the Rocks Dream Center, an outreach program for underserved individuals. In a separate fraud case reported by The Christian Post, a Maryland pastor was indicted in October for allegedly arranging fraudulent marriages of foreign nationals with American citizens to give them permanent residence in the U.S. in exchange for thousands of dollars. Joshua Olatokunbo Shonubi, a 50-year-old pastor at NewLife City Church, Inc. in Hyattsville, allegedly arranged 60 fraudulent marriages between January 2014 and January 2021 to secure permanent residence for foreigners, according to the indictment, ABC 7News reported at the time. Church leaders pay tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who died at age 90 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a pivotal figure in ending apartheid in South Africa, has died at age 90. Tutu, known affectionately as 'Arch,' was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and worked closely with Nelson Mandela to end racial segregation in South Africa. He also broke barriers in the Anglican church, becoming the first black archbishop of Cape Town. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called Tutu a "pioneer" and said his death was "a great loss." He said he had received news of Tutu's death with "profound sadness" but also "profound gratitude" because of the impact of his life. "Arch's love transformed the lives of politicians and priests, township dwellers and world leaders. The world is different because of this man," he said. "Archbishop Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action, one who embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life. He was a man of extraordinary personal courage and bravery: when the police burst into Cape Town Cathedral, he defied them by dancing down the aisle. "He was a man of enormous vision: seeing the possibilities for building the Rainbow Nation long before anyone else, except perhaps President Mandela. "His vision and bravery were allied with a canny political sense and wisdom, enabling him to be a healer and apostle of peace while so many still saw wounds and war." The present Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, remembered Tutu as a man who took God, prayer and the Scriptures "deadly seriously." "Prayer, the Scriptures and his ministry to the people God entrusted to his care were at the heart of his life," he said. He also remembered him as someone committed to justice who leaves behind a legacy of "moral strength, moral courage and clarity." "He wanted every human being on Earth to experience the freedom, the peace and the joy that all of us could enjoy if we truly respected one another as people created in the image of God," he said. "Because he believed this, and because he worshiped God, he feared no one. He named wrong wherever he saw it and by whomever it was committed. "He challenged the systems that demeaned humanity. He could unleash a righteous anger on those especially the powerful who inflicted suffering upon those the Bible calls 'the least of these, my brothers (and sisters).' "And when the perpetrators of evil experienced a true change of heart, he followed the example of His Lord and was willing to forgive. "Desmond Tutu's legacy is moral strength, moral courage and clarity. He felt with the people. In public and alone, he cried because he felt people's pain. "And he laughed no, not just laughed, he cackled with delight when he shared their joy." The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said Tutu was "a giant" not only of the faith but of his nation of South Africa. "One of the great and abiding images of the second half of the 20th century was Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela dancing in the courtroom at the end of the closing session of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Cape Town. Nelson Mandela asked his friend Desmond Tutu to chair the Commission," Cottrell said in a statement. "It was a bold and creative way of helping a nation divided brutally between black and white learn to live in glorious technicolor by facing up to the horrors of its past and by putting the Christian imperative for forgiveness alongside the need for truth as the only way of achieving reconciliation. "And Desmond Tutu was asked to chair it because this incredibly joyful little disciple of Jesus Christ was one of the few people in South Africa other than Nelson Mandela himself, who could unite the nation and carry the trust of everyone. "In this respect, he was a giant. "The world itself feels a little smaller without him." The World Council of Churches called him "a unique character." "His contagious sense of humor and laughter has helped to resolve many critical situations in South Africa's political and church life. He was able to break almost any deadlock. He shared with us the laughter and grace of God many a time," it said. South African newspaper TimesLive reports that church officials are planning a weeklong send-off for the church leader that will include a lying in state ceremony, an ecumenical service and a requiem mass. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Tutu for the gift of "a liberated South Africa." He said Tutu's death marked "another chapter of bereavement in our nation's farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of Tutu. "He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humor," he said. Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama called Tutu a "true humanitarian." "The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished," he said. Originally published at Christian Today Early Christian Good Shepherd ring discovered in 3rd century shipwreck off coast of Caesarea Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Archeologists discovered hundreds of artifacts scattered underwater off the coast of Caesarea in Israel from two separate shipwrecks some 1,000 years apart. One of the finds discovered by the Marine Archaeology Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority was a gold ring featuring a green gemstone engraved with the figure of the Good Shepherd carrying a sheep or a ram on his shoulders, according to IAA. In a Facebook post, the IAA said the image of The Good Shepherd "is one of the earliest and oldest images used in Christianity for symbolizing Jesus; it represents Jesus as humanity's compassionate shepherd, extending his benevolence to his flock of believers and all mankind." The owner of the right was most likely an early Christian aboard a ship that sank it was heading into the port of Caesarea, the location of one of the earliest Christian communities. "The ships were probably anchored nearby and were wrecked by a storm," IAA added. "They may have been anchored off shore after getting into difficulty, or fearing stormy weather because sailors know well that mooring in shallow, open water outside of a port is dangerous and prone to disaster." Helena Sokolov, a curator at the IAA's coin department who researched the Good Shepherd ring, told Agence France-Press that the image of the Good Shepherd on a ring is a rare find. "This was a period when Christianity was just in its beginning, but definitely growing and developing, especially in mixed cities like Caesarea," she told AFP, noting the rings small size might indicate that it belonged to a woman. The other artifacts that were uncovered, which are believed to have been owned by people living in the Roman and Mamluk periods (1,700 to 600 years ago), consisted of hundreds of coins, silver and gold rings, rare gems, figurines, bells, the remains of the ships cargo and the remains of their wrecked hulls. Among the items was a red gemstone for setting in a "gemma" ring, IAA added, with a carving that shows a lyre, which is called Kinor David or David's harp in Jewish tradition. Other items discovered by the Marine Archaeology Unit of the IAA include: Vandals caught on camera desecrating historic church in India after Christmas prayers Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The morning after Christmas Day, 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. The statue was vandalized between 12:30 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. Sunday after two unidentified men arrived on a motorbike and jumped over the main gate of the 19th century Holy Redeemer Church in Ambala districts cantonment area, the parish priest, Patras Mundu, told The Hindu newspaper. The suspects first damaged the lighting and the decoration inside the premises and then threw bricks at the glass cage that housed the statue of Jesus, the priest said. While one of them was pulling down the lighting, the other was recording it on his phone. They were also in contact with someone over phone as if taking instructions. The face of one of the suspects is clearly visible and should not be difficult for the police to trace him, Fr. Mundu was quoted as saying. The priest added that the suspects appeared to be acting at someones behest, adding: The agenda seems to disturb the Christian community." Police told the media they are analyzing the footage of the incident. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh states Agra city, about 280 miles from Ambala, Hindu nationalists burned effigies of Santa Claus, accusing Christian missionaries of using the tradition of gifts to commemorate the birth of Christ to convert people to Christianity, Republic World reported. As December comes, the Christian missionaries become active in the name of Christmas, Santa Claus and New Year. They allure children by making Santa Claus distribute gifts to them and attract them towards Christianity, Ajju Chauhan, the regional general secretary of the extreme Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, claimed. While Christians make up only 2.3% of Indias population and Hindus comprise about 80%, the countrys radical Hindu nationalists have been carrying out attacks on Christians under the pretext of punishing the minority for allegedly using monetary rewards to convert Hindus to Christianity. Several Indian states have passed anti-conversion laws that presume that Christians force or give financial benefits to Hindus to lure them into converting to Christianity. While some of these laws have been in place for decades, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion. Days before Christmas, the southern state of Karnataka became the 10th state in India to pass an anti-conversion law. India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List. The group warns that since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has increased. Open Doors USA reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences. Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a foreign faith and blamed for bad luck in their communities. Human rights groups in India said in October they had documented over 300 incidents of Christian persecution in just the first nine months of 2021. They warned that this year might be the worst in terms of the number of such incidents in the countrys history. Life in the cold can be difficult for animals. As the body chills, organs including the brain and muscles slow down. The body temperature of animals such as reptiles and amphibians mostly depends on the temperature of their environment but mammals can increase their metabolism, using more energy to warm their body. This allows them to live in colder areas and stay active when temperatures drop at night or during winter months. Although scientists know mammals can increase their metabolism in the cold, it has not been clear which organs or tissues are using this extra energy to generate more heat. Staying warm is especially challenging for small, aquatic mammals like sea otters, so we wanted to know how they have adapted to survive the cold. We assembled a research team with expertise in both human and marine mammal metabolism, including Heidi Pearson of the University of Alaska Southeast and Mike Murray of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Understanding energy use in animals adapted to life in the cold may also provide clues for manipulating human metabolism. Sea otter metabolism It is especially difficult for water-living mammals to stay warm because water conducts heat away from the body much faster than air. Most marine mammals have large bodies and a thick layer of fat or blubber for insulation. Sea otters are the smallest of the marine mammals, and do not have this thick layer of blubber. Instead, they are insulated by the densest fur of any mammal, with as many as a million hairs per square inch. This fur, however, is high maintenance, requiring regular grooming. About 10% of a sea otters daily activity involves maintaining the insulating layer of air trapped in their fur. Grooming is a never-ending job. Dense fur is not enough, by itself, to keep sea otters warm. To generate enough body heat, their metabolic rate at rest is about three times higher than that of most mammals of similar size. This high metabolic rate has a cost, though. To obtain enough energy to fuel the high demand, sea otters must eat more than 20% of their body mass in food each day. In comparison, humans eat around 2% of their body mass about 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) of food per day for a 155-pound (70 kg) person. Where does the heat come from? When animals eat, the energy in their food cannot be used directly by cells to do work. Instead, the food is broken down into simple nutrients, such as fats and sugars. These nutrients are then transported in the blood and absorbed by cells. Within the cell are compartments called mitochondria where nutrients are converted into ATP a high-energy molecule that acts as the energy currency of the cell. The process of converting nutrients into ATP is similar to how a dam turns stored water into electricity. As water flows out from the dam, it makes electricity by spinning blades connected to a generator similar to wind turning the blades on a windmill. If the dam is leaky, some water or stored energy is lost and cannot be used to make electricity. Similarly, leaky mitochondria are less efficient at making ATP from nutrients. Although the leaked energy in the mitochondria cannot be used to do work, it generates heat to warm the sea otters body. All tissues in the body use energy and make heat, but some tissues are larger and more active than others. Muscle makes up 30% of the body mass of most mammals. When active, muscles consume a lot of energy and produce a lot of heat. You have undoubtedly experienced this, whether getting hot during exercise or shivering when cold. To find out if muscle metabolism helps keep sea otters warm, we studied small muscle samples from sea otters ranging in size and age from newborn pups to adults. We placed the muscle samples in small chambers designed to monitor oxygen consumption a measure of how much energy is used. By adding different solutions that stimulated or inhibited various metabolic processes, we determined how much energy the mitochondria could use to make ATP and how much energy could go into heat-producing leak. We discovered the mitochondria in sea otter muscles could be very leaky, allowing otters to turn up the heat in their muscles without physical activity or shivering. It turns out that sea otter muscle is good at being inefficient. The energy lost as heat while turning nutrients into movement allows them to survive the cold. A mother sea otter hand-feeds her baby bits of crab. Moro Bay, California. PhotoviewPlus/Moment Open via Getty Images Remarkably, we found newborn pups have the same metabolic ability as adults, even though their muscles have not yet matured for swimming and diving. Broader implications Our research clearly demonstrates that muscle is important for more than just movement. Because muscle makes up such a large portion of body mass, even a small increase in muscle metabolism can dramatically increase how much energy an animal uses. [More than 140,000 readers get one of The Conversations informative newsletters. Join the list today.] This has important implications for human health. If scientists discover ways to safely and reversibly increase skeletal muscle metabolism at rest, doctors could possibly use this as a tool to reduce climbing rates of obesity by increasing the amount of calories a patient can burn. Conversely, reducing skeletal muscle metabolism could conserve energy in patients suffering from cancer or other wasting diseases and could reduce food and resources needed to support astronauts on long-duration spaceflight. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Traver Wright, Texas A&M University; Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Texas A&M University, and Randall Davis, Texas A&M University. Read more: Randall Davis has received research funding from the National Science Foundation and NOAA. Melinda Sheffield-Moore and Traver Wright do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved In the latest trading session, Sony (SONY) closed at $125.92, marking a -0.61% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.3% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.25%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.2%. Heading into today, shares of the electronics and media company had gained 6.13% over the past month, outpacing the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 1.32% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.11% in that time. Wall Street will be looking for positivity from Sony as it approaches its next earnings report date. On that day, Sony is projected to report earnings of $1.56 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 40.91%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $26.01 billion, up 0.72% from the year-ago period. For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $6.18 per share and revenue of $91.15 billion, which would represent changes of -30.09% and +7.24%, respectively, from the prior year. Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sony. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-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. Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Sony is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Sony has a Forward P/E ratio of 20.52 right now. This represents a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 12.56. We can also see that SONY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.76. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Audio Video Production stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.55 based on yesterday's closing prices. The Audio Video Production industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 115, which puts it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries. The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our 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. Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions. Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. Its bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest? Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today its free. Discover 7 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sony Corporation (SONY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The weather forecast in Texarkana this week probably didn't predict light showers with a chance of fish. But the fishy phenomenon actually happened as strong thunderstorms moved through the East Texas city Wednesday afternoon. James Audirsch, who works at a used car dealership called Orr Maxx, told KXAN News that around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, he and his coworker Brad Pratt heard loud noises. When they looked outside, they were shocked to see fish slapping onto the sidewalk from above. "There was a loud crack of thunder and when we opened up the bay door, I looked outside and it was raining real hard and a fish hit the ground," Audirsch told KXAN. "And then I said, 'It's raining fish!' Brad was like, 'No it's not,' and I'm like, 'No, it really is!' and fish were dropping here and everywhere." All that remained as evidence of the post-apocalyptic-esque scene were small, 4-5-inch-long fish, silver and white in color, scattered throughout the parking lot of the dealership, at a dealership across the street and a tire shop next door, according to KXAN. However, local residents told the Texarcana Gazette that at least four locations in the town experienced the fish downpour. While some people said they only witnessed a few fish come down from the sky, others reported seeing up to 30. In a Facebook post, the city told residents that the rare and bizarre sighting was not a trick or a joke and explained that aquatic creatures can sometimes get swept up in strong storms like the one they were experiencing that day. In comments responding to the post, residents shared photos of the fish they found. "Animal rain is a phenomenon that occurs when small water animals like frogs, crabs, and small fish are swept up in waterspouts or drafts that occur on the surface of the earth," officials wrote in the post. "They are then rained down at the same time as the rain. While its uncommon, it happens, as evidenced in several places in Texarkana today." CHICAGO (AP) A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, authorities said Friday. Darius Sullivan, one of two people suspected in the shooting of the two Bradley police officers, was arrested Friday morning at a home in North Manchester, Indiana, Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police said at a news conference. Sullivan, 25, surrendered to a SWAT team that was assisting the U.S. Marshals with a search warrant for the property about 110 miles (177 kilometers) east of Bradley. Sullivan's arrest came a day after Illinois authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The Illinois State Police did not release any updates on the investigation Friday other than a written statement confirming that Sullivan had been arrested and would be taken back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Fifield said he didn't have any details on the investigation into the shooting. He did name three other men but wouldn't discuss whether their arrests were connected to the officers' shootings. Two of the men were arrested after police said they ran from their car during a traffic stop in Fulton County, Indiana. The third was arrested at the home where Sullivan was taken into custody. Fifield said police found weapons and drugs in the car that the two men fled from and at the North Manchester home. Authorities are still searching for 26-year-old Xandria A. Harris, of Bradley, who investigators believe was at the hotel when the shootings happened, the Illinois State Police said. The two officers were speaking to people in a room at a Comfort Inn along a highway in Kankakee County when they were shot, according to the county sheriffs office. They were taken to nearby hospitals, where 49-year-old Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic died. The other officer identified by the Illinois State Police as 27-year-old Tyler J. Bailey underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition on Thursday, according to the Bradley Police Department. Messages left with the department and Illinois State Police on Friday to update Bailey's condition were not immediately returned. The officers were at the hotel to investigate a report of dogs that were barking in an unattended vehicle in the parking lot, the sheriffs office said. They found the room where the vehicles possible owner was staying and were shot while talking to the people in that room, it said. Authorities arrested two other people Thursday on charges alleging they impeded the search for Sullivan and a woman also suspected in the shootings. Nichele Newton-Carroll, 42, and Jelman Sullivan, 21, face charges of obstructing justice/leaving the state, the (Kankakee) Daily Journal reported. Neither had an attorney listed Friday in court or jail records. Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe identified Newton-Carroll as Sullivan's mother. Rowe said he is not sure of the connection between Jelman Sullivan and Darius Sullivan. The hotel shootings came hours after a sheriffs deputy was fatally shot while responding to a motorist assist call on a highway near Mill Shoals, roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Bradley. The Wayne County Sheriffs Office said Deputy Sean Riley was found dead by a second officer who later arrived at the scene, and the deputys squad car was later found abandoned on I-64, police said. Authorities arrested a Kentucky man suspected in that attack and a carjacking in Missouri. PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona appellate court has upheld a lower court's decision to deny a request for COVID-19-related medical records it said could include information that should be kept private. J.D. Ball of Scottsdale represented himself in a lawsuit initially filed in Maricopa County Superior Court against the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2020 after it refused to provide him with documents he requested concerning the coronavirus outbreak. Ball argued he needed the information for a book he was writing about COVID-19 so he could source the data because he believed there is no public health emergency in the state of Arizona. A telephone number registered to a J.D. Ball in metro Phoenix rang unanswered Friday. A message addressed to an email address associated with that name was not immediately returned. A three-judge Arizona Court of Appeals panel said in its decision Tuesday that in addition to death certificate data, Ball specifically requested data concerning confirmed cases, hospitalizations, laboratory testing, hospital bed usage and availability, ventilator usage and availability, and COVID-19 specific metrics.' The appellate court said that the broad categories Ball laid out include medical information that falls under the definition of medical records." It said that even if identifying data for patients were redacted as he suggested, a danger remains that patient identity could be inferred. The ruling also said Ball also demanded answers to administrative, political, and scientific questions that had nothing to do with the requesting of public records. Ball sued after the Arizona Department of Health Services denied his request for the records it used when preparing its publications about the disease, including an online dashboard. The state health agency said it could not divulge private medical information, communicable disease information, or death certificates. Ball countered that he didn't want personal health-related data, only public records proving that COVID-19 exists as a pandemic virus and is a communicable disease in Arizona. Arizona has reported over 1.3 million cases and more than 24,000 deaths from the coronavirus during the pandemic. On Friday, the state reported over 7,700 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, the most reported on a single day since last January. State officials said earlier this week that some daily reports of additional cases would be larger than normal because of reporting delays over the Christmas weekend. Fridays report of 7,720 additional cases is more than double Arizonas latest seven-day rolling average of daily new cases. That rolling average doesnt include cases reported Friday or the 5,687 on Thursday. Connecticut received shipments of more than 426,000 rapid COVID-19 tests Friday, a day after the planned procurement of over 3 million such tests fell through. Gov. Ned Lamont, speaking at a distribution warehouse in New Britain, said that other purchase orders are in place and that many more tests are expected soon to help meet the demand caused by a recent surge in infections. We went up the food chain, Lamont said. We talked to the most senior people we could. We got ourselves to the front of the line. The tests will be distributed through five regional hubs to municipalities across the state. Lamont said he's not sure all the tests could be delivered Friday and asked local leaders to make sure they first go to essential workers, educators and those exhibiting symptoms before being made available to everybody. More to come, he said. And as those more to come, we'll be able to get them more widely distributed get them available in our schools, get some available in hospitals and other forward-facing folks. On Thursday, the governor announced that a promised order of 3 million COVID-19 at-home tests, about 1 million of which were supposed to be distributed to the public by local municipalities and public health districts, has fallen through. The governor blamed misrepresentation by the supplier, which had previously worked with the state to secure personal protective equipment earlier during the pandemic. Lamont deflected questions about that problem Friday, saying the state would have time later to do a postmortem on what happened. He said his focus now is working on quickly getting as many tests to the state as possible. Lamont also said that Connecticut public schools will begin in-person learning on Monday, with the ability to switch individual classes and schools to remote learning on a case-by-case basis, if as an example, a teacher is immunocompromised. But otherwise, we want everybody back in school, he said. We know that there's no compromise with in-person learning. We found a year and a half ago we can do it safely. I believe, even now, in this omicron day, we'll be able to do it safely as well. No matter how you look at it, 2021 was a bumpy ride for President Joe Biden. Washington pundits are already declaring his agenda D.O.A., and at least one says Biden's had the worst first year of any president. Ever. In the current era of political hyperbole and 24/7 cable news commentary, such a claim is hardly a surprise. But from the standpoint of history, it has to be labeled #FakeNews. Looking for a rough rookie presidential year? Try William Henry Harrison. He stood in bitingly cold weather without a coat or hat and delivered a two-hour inaugural address, the longest in history. It was hardly a surprise when the 68-year-old died of pneumonia 31 days later, the shortest presidency in history. (The evidence suggests a longer Harrison administration wouldn't have been any prize.) But Harrison's short-lived presidency can be dismissed as an outlier. Not so with President Bill Clinton. Widely viewed as a political wizard later in his career, Clinton's first year in office was almost amateurish. His first two nominees for attorney general went down in flames over not paying their nanny's Social Security tax. He ran afoul of the military's big brass over whether openly gay Americans should be allowed to serve in the military, resulting in the embarrassingly convoluted and highly ridiculed "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. Clinton announced early on he would raise taxes (always a crowd-pleaser in the polls), and he pushed his tax-hiking 1993 budget through the House with just a 218-216 margin. His Department of Justice's calamitous raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, left 75 people dead. Travelgate and Troopergate were born, and a controversial healthcare reform commission headed by first lady Hillary Clinton was launched with the same fanfare the Titanic received when it set sail ... and ultimately suffered a similar end. Now that's a bad first year. But most historians agree the president who suffered through the absolutely worst first year of all was Abraham Lincoln. Elected with just 39.8% of the popular vote in an election where turnout topped 81%, seven states had left the Union to create their own country before he'd even taken office in March 1861. His early attempts to keep more states from seceding left him looking weak. Lincoln's presidency was born in war (the first shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter just before sunrise on April 12, 1861) and began with few successes. Union forces were soundly defeated at Manassas, Virginia, and Wilson's Creek, Missouri, in the war's first major battles. Then there were the political gaffes and diplomatic stumbles. The secretary of war (forerunner of today's secretary of defense) was openly corrupt. When a Union general freed slaves in Missouri without authorization from Washington, Lincoln quickly rescinded the order to avoid escalating tensions in the crucial border states. He lost much support among abolitionists for that. His administration bungled badly by declaring a naval blockade of Southern seaports. Under international law, a nation can only declare a blockade against another nation. Britain seized on that to grant the South belligerent status, one step shy of full diplomatic recognition. (John F. Kennedy avoided repeating that blunder a century later when he announced a "naval quarantine" instead of a blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis.) Worst of all, in late 1861 a U.S. warship stopped a British commercial steamer on the open sea. Two Confederate diplomats bound for England and France were seized at gunpoint and tossed into a Boston prison. Lincoln looked decisive to Northerners but infuriated Britain. Her majesty's government demanded the emissaries be immediately freed then sent 12,000 British soldiers to neighboring Nova Scotia as a reminder Washington was dealing with a global superpower. Faced with the real prospect of wars on two fronts, Lincoln humiliatingly released the pair in December. Lincoln's support nose-dived. Biden's first year the worst ever? Not even close. At the same time, it's hardly been a resounding success, either. And as bad as it's been, many political observers expect it to get worse: His party's almost certain to lose control of at least one chamber of Congress, his vice president is pulling down his poll numbers and few D.C. insiders expect Biden to run again. Once it's clear he's a lame duck, his political influence will fall even further. So while Joe Biden didn't have a great first year of his presidency, the irony is it may turn out to have been his best. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Superintendents of the western Kentucky school districts affected by December's tornadoes asked this week for an extended freeze on a school funding formula that ties average daily attendance to money. The program known as Support Education Excellence in Kentucky allocates state funds to local school districts for costs that include transportation and help for low-income and special needs students. The formula was already frozen because of school disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic. The General Assembly passed a bill this year allowing districts to use attendance data from either the 2018-2019 or the 2019-2020 school years to calculate the average daily attendance for the 2021-2022 year. KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) A western Montana man has been sentenced to 55 years in the Montana State Prison for using a cement brick to beat another man to death in July 2019. Leigh Garrett Medina, 46, was sentenced Thursday by District Court Judge Dan Wilson, who rejected a defense request that 30 years of the sentence be suspended, the Flathead Beacon reports. RENO, Nev. (AP) A Washoe County sheriffs search team rescued a 50-year-old man who had been stranded in his car for two days in deep snow in a backcountry area north of Reno. The crew found him on Thursday in the Rancho Haven area where driving winds caused deep snow drifts and difficult traveling conditions on the nearby dirt roads. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday for failing to comply with COVID-19 mandates as the spread of the virus statewide accelerates at its fastest rate in more than a year. In the Las Vegas area where thousands of tourists gathered to celebrate New Years Eve officials said Friday 3,363 new cases had been reported a day earlier. The spike broke the Southern Nevada Health Districts previous record for the most cases reported in a single day. State health officials attributed about one-fourth of the new cases to the omicron variant. The 14-day moving average for cases statewide stood at 1,072 as of Wednesday. Before this week, the cases reported daily as measured by a 14-day moving average had remained below 1,000 since the end of September, after dropping to a low of 150 in early June and then rising to 1,184 in mid-August. We are in the midst of seeing a significant increase, which we have not seen since early November 2020 at the beginning of the winter surge that tested our hospital capacity, DuAne Young, Gov. Steve Sisolaks policy director, told reporters on Thursday. He said hospitalizations are on the rise in both northern and southern Nevada. And he expects the surge to continue in the coming weeks. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents deadlocked 6-6 Thursday on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate at universities and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Employees who did not provide proof of vaccination by Friday faced termination. Higher education officials said Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. The pandemic has underscored the importance of delivering a safe and effective in-person educational experience for our students and the vaccine will help our institutions achieve that goal, Regent Amy Carvalho said in a statement. With the staff mandate remaining in effect, universities are set to begin the semester with a mandate on staff and without one on students. Last week, an emergency mandate imposed on students by the state Board of Health expired and a state legislative panel on a 6-6 vote decided against making it permanent. Regents in support of the mandate said it was the best way to maintain health on campuses, while those opposed said it was unfair to impose a mandate on staff but not on students. Kyra Morgan, Nevadas state biostatistician, said the latest surge appears to be at least in part a result of the contagious nature of the omicron variant. But she also noted that while most mask requirements remain in place, businesses are subject to fewer restrictions than at this time last year. ___ Sonner reported from Reno. Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Minimum wage increases, animal protections, police accountability, cutting and increasing taxes are all part of a series of new laws taking effect across the country on Saturday, the first day of 2022. Some of the laws such as abortion restrictions in New Hampshire or police reform measures passed in Illinois, Oregon and North Carolina address some of the most contentious issues of our time. Others, such as a Maine law passed in the aftermath of a September 2019 explosion that killed a firefighter and injured a number of others, are more narrowly focused and were passed to remedy specific situations. The Connecticut Parentage Act allows unmarried, same-sex or nonbiological parents to establish parenting rights through a simple form that gives parents legal capabilities immediately after a child is born. In Kansas, people will be allowed to buy specialized license plates featuring the Dont Tread on Me and coiled snake symbol featured on whats known as the Gadsden flag. Critics suggested that the Gadsden flag has become a racist symbol that has been adopted by some far-right groups. Here is a rundown of some of the new laws taking effect Saturday across the country: ___ ABORTION In New Hampshire, abortion will be prohibited after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for the mothers life or physical health. Democrats have already drafted legislation seeking to repeal the new restrictions. Some also want to include the right to make reproductive medical decisions a constitutional right. The new law in New Hampshire comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could severely erode abortion rights that have stood for half a century. Republican lawmakers across the country are ready to further restrict or ban abortions outright while Democratic-led ones are seeking to ensure access to abortion in their state law. ___ ANIMAL WELFARE Come Saturday California will have the nations toughest living space standards for breeding pigs. Industry lawsuits failed to block the measure that is the result of a 2018 ballot 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. Maryland will join a number of states with a new law that will prohibit the sale of any new cosmetic product if it contains ingredients that were tested on animals. In Vermont, a new law outlaws the trade in parts or products from a number of exotic animals, including elephants, giraffes, sea turtles, endangered sharks, whales and certain primates. The law includes exemptions for law enforcement, educational or scientific uses. The law also allows for the trade in antiques that contain small amounts of the animal product or is a fixed component of a firearm; knife; or a legally acquired, small musical instrument. ___ DRUG LAW CHANGES Recreational marijuana will become legal in Montana. State voters approved the change in a November 2020 initiative. Under the new law, only businesses that had been providing medical marijuana prior to Nov. 3, 2020, are eligible to grow, manufacture and sell adult-use marijuana, concentrates and edibles through June 30, 2023. A new Mississippi law eliminates the requirement for a prescription to buy decongestants that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Under the new law, the medicine will be available behind the counter of pharmacies, and pharmacists will be required to keep track of how much is sold to one person. Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. Some consumers complained that nonprescription decongestants were not strong enough. ___ MINIMUM WAGE California will become the first state to require a $15-an-hour minimum wage for businesses with more than 25 employees. A number of other locations across the country have already reached the $15 threshold. More than 20 other states are also increasing their minimum wages to amounts of less than $15. A handful of states have no state-level minimum wage law, meaning they rely on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. ___ PHYSICAL DISCRIMINATION In both Illinois and Oregon, new laws take effect that ban discrimination based on physical characteristics, such as hairstyle. In Oregon, the bill known unofficially known as the Crown Act will ban discrimination based on physical characteristics that are historically associated with race, including hair styles such as braids, locs and twists. In Illinois, the legislation is known as the Jett Hawkins Law after Gus Jett Hawkins, a Black student who at age 4 was told to take out his braids because the hairstyle violated the dress code at his Chicago school. His mother, Ida Nelson, began an awareness campaign after the incident, saying stigmatizing childrens hair can negatively affect their educational development. She called the it monumental when the bill was signed last summer by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. ___ POLICE REFORM Spurred by the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and other Black people killed by police, a number of states passed new criminal justice laws in 2021 the first full year of state legislative sessions after Floyd's death. An Illinois law standardizes certification of police officers by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and allows for decertifying officers for repeated errant or unethical behavior, instead of only when theyre convicted of a crime. In North Carolina, law enforcement recruits now must receive psychological screenings by a licensed psychologist to determine their suitability for the job before they can work as an officer or deputy. A previous mandate didnt apply to everyone. In Oregon, a new law requires a police officer who witnesses another officer engaging in misconduct or a violation of the states minimum moral fitness standards to report it to a supervisor within 72 hours. A police agency must complete an investigation within three months and report findings of misconduct that rises above minor violations to the state. ___ TAXES In Georgia, a new law increases the amount people can earn before they start paying state taxes. The tax cut will save individual tax filers up to $43 a year, and married couples filing jointly up to $63. Georgia teachers who agree to work in certain rural or low-performing schools could get up to $3,000 a year off their state income taxes for five years. In Oklahoma, the top individual income tax rate is dropping from 5% to 4.75%. Lawmakers also slashed the corporate income tax rate from 6% to 4%. Ive pledged to make Oklahoma a top 10 state for business and making our business taxes among the lowest in the nation is another tool that will help us continue to recruit and retain companies, Oklahomas Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said after signing the bills. In New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the states Democrat-led Legislature added a new 2.75% surtax on health insurance premiums. The tax increase will be used in large part to underwrite health-exchange insurance offerings for low- and moderate-income individuals along with employees at small businesses, starting in 2023. ___ Associated Press writers across the country contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the flag with the coiled snake is the Gadsden flag, not the Gadsen flag. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Oregon has recorded its second-highest single day of coronavirus cases fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant. Officials at the Oregon Health Authority reported 2,948 cases on Thursday. Currently the record number of daily cases in the state is 3,207 on Aug. 27. Although the number of cases is rapidly rising prior to this week, the average number of daily cases in December was 854 a new projection from Oregon Health and Science University shows that the state is expected to see far fewer omicron-linked COVID hospitalizations than originally feared. The adjusted forecast estimates 1,250 will be hospitalized at the peak of the omicron surge in mid-February, a drastic decrease from the original prediction of 3,000 people hospitalized. Erik Robinson, the senior communications specialist for Oregon Health and Science University told Oregon Public Broadcasting this week, that the forecast reflects changes in assumptions about omicron, including new data from Europe that indicates a lower hospitalization rate from this variant than from other strains of the virus. In addition, the most recent forecast uses data from Denmark that shows the hospitalization rate appears to be about 70% lower with omicron than from illness caused by the delta variant. Peter Graven, a data scientist at Oregon Health and Science University and author of the influential COVID-19 statewide forecast, predicts that if people take steps to reduce the spread of the virus such as getting vaccinated and boosted the surge in hospitalizations would be similar to the number of people hospitalized during the peak of the delta variant, 1,187 people on Sept. 1. If people dont take steps to mitigate the spread of the virus, the forecast shows as many as 1,700 people could be hospitalized by February. That has the potential to overwhelm Oregons hospitals. According to the latest figures from the Oregon Health Authority, a total of 440 people are presently hospitalized due to COVID-19 across the state. There currently are only 50 available adult intensive care unit beds and 94% of the states staffed adult non-ICU beds are full. During previous surges, to free up space hospitals have postponed elective procedures. In addition, last week Gov. Kate Brown extended Oregons declaration of a state of emergency as health officials prepare for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the coming weeks. The declaration is necessary in order to provide resources for the states COVID-19 response and recovery efforts allowing for the use of volunteer medical providers in hospitals and at vaccination clinics, providing flexibility around professional health licensing and ensuring that the state has access to federal disaster relief funds. Following confirmation of the omicron variant in Oregon earlier this month, Brown and state health officials urged Oregonians to get booster shots immediately. Currently 74% of people in Oregon who are 18 or older are fully vaccinated, based on data from the state health authority. Nearly one-third of Oregons adult population have received a booster shot. On Thursday officials announced that the Oregon Health Authority ordered 6 million COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits. Each kit contains 2 tests, which means there will be 12 million tests coming soon to the state. The kits, which can be performed at home with results available in 15 minutes, will be free and distributed throughout January, officials said. __ Cline 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. SHEDAI CAMP, Afghanistan (AP) In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter. Aziz Guls husband sold their 10-year-old into marriage without telling his wife, taking a down-payment so he could feed his family of five children. Otherwise, he told her, they would all starve. He had to sacrifice one to save the rest. Many of Afghanistans growing number of destitute people are making such desperate decisions as their nation spirals into a vortex of poverty. Afghanistans aid-dependent economy was already teetering when the Taliban seized power in mid-August amid a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The international community froze Afghanistans assets abroad and halted funding, unwilling to work with a Taliban government given its reputation for brutality during its previous rule 20 years ago. The consequences have been devastating for a country battered by war, drought and the coronavirus pandemic. State employees havent been paid in months. Malnutrition stalks the most vulnerable, and aid groups say more than half the population faces acute food shortages. Day by day, the situation is deteriorating in this country, and especially children are suffering, said Asuntha Charles, national director of the World Vision aid organization in Afghanistan, which runs a health clinic for displaced people near the western city of Herat. Today I have been heartbroken to see that the families are willing to sell their children to feed other family members. Arranging marriages for very young girls is common in the region. The grooms family pays money to seal the deal, and the child usually stays with her parents until she is at least around 15. Yet with many unable to afford even basic food, some say theyd allow prospective grooms to take very young girls or are even trying to sell their sons. Gul, unusually in this deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society, is resisting. Married off herself at 15, she says she would kill herself if her daughter, Qandi Gul, is taken away. When her husband told her he had sold Qandi, my heart stopped beating. I wished I could have died at that time, but maybe God didnt want me to die, Gul said, with Qandi by her side peering shyly from beneath her sky-blue headscarf. Each time I remember that night ... I die and come back to life. Her husband told her he sold one to save the others, saying they all would have died otherwise. "Dying was much better than what you have done, she said she told him. Gul rallied her brother and village elders and with their help secured a divorce for Qandi, on condition she repays the 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000) her husband received. Its money she doesnt have. Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to authorities. The Taliban government recently banned forced marriages. Gul says she isnt sure how long she can fend off the family of the prospective groom, a man of around 21. I am just so desperate. If I cant provide money to pay these people and cant keep my daughter by my side, I have said that I will kill myself, she said. But then I think about the other children. What will happen to them? Who will feed them? Her eldest is 12, her youngest - her sixth - just two months. In another part of the camp, father-of-four Hamid Abdullah was also selling his young daughters into arranged marriages, desperate for money to treat his chronically ill wife, pregnant with their fifth child. He cant repay money he borrowed to fund his wifes treatments, he said. So three years ago, he received a down-payment for his eldest daughter Hoshran, now 7, in an arranged marriage to a now 18-year-old. The family who bought Hoshran are waiting until she is older before settling the full amount and taking her. But Abdullah needs money now, so he is trying to arrange a marriage for his second daughter, 6-year-old Nazia, for about 20,000-30,000 afghanis ($200-$300). We dont have food to eat, and he cant pay his wifes doctor, he said. His wife, Bibi Jan, said they had no other option but it was a difficult decision. When we made the decision, it was like someone had taken a body part from me. In neighboring Badghis province, another displaced family is considering selling their son, 8-year-old Salahuddin. His mother, Guldasta, said that after days with nothing to eat, she told her husband to take Salahuddin to the bazaar and sell him to bring food for the others. I dont want to sell my son, but I have to, the 35-year-old said. No mother can do this to her child, but when you have no other choice, you have to make a decision against your will. Salahuddin blinked and looked on silently, his lip quivering slightly. His father, Shakir, blind in one eye and with kidney problems, said the children had been crying for days from hunger. Twice he decided to take Salahuddin to the bazaar, and twice he faltered. But now I think I have no other choice. Buying boys is believed to be less common than girls, and when it does take place, it appears to be cases families without sons buying infants. In her despair, Guldasta thought perhaps such a family might want an 8-year-old. The desperation of millions is clear as more and more people face hunger, with some 3.2 million children under 5 years old facing acute malnutrition, according to the U.N. Charles, World Visions national director for Afghanistan, said humanitarian aid funds are desperately needed. Im happy to see the pledges are made, she said. But the pledges shouldnt stay as promises, they have to be seen as reality on the ground. ____ Abdul Qahar Afghan in Shedai Camp, Afghanistan, and Rahim Faiez in Islamabad contributed to this report. ___ Follow Becatoros on Twitter on: https://twitter.com/ElenaBec BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Boisterous New Years Eve celebrations kicked off Friday in the Serbian capital of Belgrade where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, mass gatherings were allowed despite fears of the fast-spreading omicron variant. Large crowds gathered in the city for outdoor concerts, fireworks and a light show at a newly-constructed Dubai-style glass tower that has become a trademark project by Serbias right-wing populist government. With its numerous nightclubs and bars and relatively low prices, Belgrade has become a major attraction for mostly young partygoers coming in from neighboring Balkan states. Serbias state RTS television reported that about 100,000 visitors have flocked to Belgrade for the holidays, filling up the citys hotels and rented apartments. Restaurants and bars have been packed. Belgrade deputy mayor Goran Vesic said hes proud of the thousands out on the streets for this New Years Eve, saying the Serbian capital tonight is the center of Europe. Serbian officials have ignored warnings by medical experts, who say that mass festivities should be scrapped as long as omicron is racing through the continent. Most European nations have imposed restrictions and banned New Years celebrations to try to contain the virus that has fueled record numbers of new infections. Serbian epidemiologist Zoran Radovanovic, meanwhile, compared the state-sponsored gatherings to premeditated mass murder. Radovanovic predicted that Serbia will see thousands of new COVID-19 infections after the holidays. In a bid to stave off concerns, Belgrade city authorities provided 50,000 face masks and had rapid virus test sites and disinfection tools at the entrances to fenced-in areas for the New Year's Eve concerts. But the COVID-19 vaccination passes that are required for bars and restaurants are not mandatory for outdoor events in Serbia. We plan to stroll around and attend the concert, said Vesna Svilar, who lives in Denmark and came to her native country for the holidays. Svilar added she is not afraid because we have face masks, we are vaccinated. Others had no fears about of getting infected. Why would I be afraid? We must live our lives, said a Belgrade resident who gave only her first name, Zeljka. I am not even vaccinated, but I dont think about (COVID-19) at all. People die every day anyway. Since the start of the pandemic, Serbia, a nation of about 7 million, has registered nearly 1.3 million cases and seen 12,714 people die from COVID-19. Currently, COVID-19 passes detailing a person's vaccination status are mandatory in bars and restaurants, but only in the evening. __ Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) Authorities in Maryland have identified a man who was fatally shot by police officers during a traffic stop in Silver Spring. The office of Maryland's attorney general identified him Friday as Osman Sesay, 27, of Silver Spring. Police said that Sesay had pointed his gun at the officers before they shot him Wednesday morning. The shooting is being investigated by the Independent Investigations Division of Maryland's Office of the Attorney General. The division was created as part of police reform legislation called the Maryland Police Accountability Act. The attorney general's office said the incident began when an off-duty Montgomery County police officer was alerted to a shooting. The off-duty officer shared a secondhand description of the suspects car to on-duty officers who were responding to the scene, the office said. Police said the officers saw a car matching that description and pulled it over. Police said Sesay got out of the car, contrary to officers orders, and pointed a handgun at them. Four officers fired at him. The officers who were involved are part of the Montgomery County Police Department, the office said. They have been identified as Nathan Lenhart, Karli Dorsey, Dennis Tejada and Eric Kessler. Their body-worn cameras were active during the incident, the office said. The Independent Investigations Division said it will generally release such footage within 14 days. The races of the officers and the man who died have not been released. MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) Manchester police are investigating the disappearance of a young girl who was last seen more than two years ago. Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said police were notified this week that Harmony Montgomery was last seen at a Manchester home in October 2019, when she was 5. WMUR-TV reported that police have been in touch with multiple family members but they haven't said who reported the girl missing. GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina man was jailed Friday for attempted murder and other charges after firing at police officers as they tried to apprehend him on a city street, authorities said. Gastonia police ultimately arrested Charles Thomas Cole after officers with a search warrant for a home found him inside, according to a police news release. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A motorist accused of breaking a man's leg after being cut off in traffic in a Minneapolis suburb has been arrested in Kentucky after two months of evading law enforcement. The 60-year-old man was arrested in Kentucky last week after being charged with third-degree assault for an October incident, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. The man and his attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee Planned Parenthood building was destroyed by an early morning fire on Friday, Planned Parenthood officials said. Knoxville Fire Department crews were called about 6:40 a.m. after heavy smoke was seen coming from the back of the structure, Assistant Fire Chief Brent Seymour told the Knoxville News Sentinel. The fire had already engulfed portions of the building, with flames coming out of the roof, by the time fire crews arrived, he said. Ashley Coffield, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, released a statement to the media saying that no one was injured in the fire. The building has been closed since Dec. 7 for renovations. This is a huge loss for the community, and we hope that there are no resulting injuries or damage to neighboring properties, Coffield said. "We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they assess the cause of the fire. Seymour said on Friday afternoon it was too early to know what caused the fire. Parts of the building were still unsafe to enter. Knoxville fire investigators were working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Knox County Fire Departments investigation unit while federal agencies have offered help if the fires origin is deemed suspicious. The fire comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could severely curtail abortion rights that have stood for half a century. Any fire in a structure like that ... everything gets investigated, Seymour said. In January 2021 someone fired a shotgun at the doors of the same Knoxville clinic, shattering the glass and peppering the reception area with holes. At the time of the shooting, the clinic was closed and unoccupied. KEYSTONE, W.Va. (AP) Residents of one West Virginia community have something to look forward to in 2022: after more than 10 years of having to boil water, they are being connected to a new water system, West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports. Many of the current water systems in parts of the southern coalfields were installed in the early 1900s by coal companies and have been failing for years. Residents in McDowell County's Keystone community have been on a boil water advisory since 2010, but that is finally changing. Stefan Wachter / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm MEXICO CITY (AP) The Six Flags amusement park in Mexico City announced Thursday it is dropping a ban on affectionate behavior after complaints over two gay friends being taken out of a line at a ride for kissing. The incident happened Wednesday, when the two customers were surrounded by security guards for kissing, though the pair was not expelled from the park. Following a jam-packed 2021, it would be hard to blame Midlanders if they are ready for a break. Still, it appears 2022 wont provide rest for the weary. Governments will be ready to return to normal, but 2022 also provides Midlanders ample opportunity to decide on the direction of government. Midland ISD, the city of Midland and Midland County will be among the entities with elections. Even if there wasnt a local election of note, there will be plenty of region and statewide elections. A new state senator for Midland-Odessa? Midlanders will have an opportunity to cast a ballot there. The same will be said for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, which might be the most competitive of them all. COVID will again be in the community. Will there be the higher death tolls of 2020 and 2021? That is tough to forecast as are the total number of cases. At the beginning of 2020, few people would have known about delta or omicron. Still, there will be things we do know will take place, and heres a first look of the things to look forward to in 2022. City elections 2021 told us there wasnt much to the power of incumbency. Two of the three incumbents in competitive elections were voted out. This year, the mayor and representatives of District 3 (central Midland) and District 4 (west Midland) have their turn with the electorate. Those elected officials are Mayor Patrick Payton, District 3 Councilman Jack Ladd and District 4s Lori Blong. County elections For those on the commissioners court, there are three spots up for grabs. Because Democrats wont have a candidate in November, all three will be decided in the Republican Partys primary. The seats up are Precinct 2, Precinct 4 and county judge. All three have competitive races. Midland ISD elections Three of the seven seats will be on the ballot in November. They are District 3 (Tommy Bishop), District 5 (John Trischitti III) and District 6 (Rick Davis has already stated he will not seek reelection). Will there be another bond election in 2022? It is difficult to get a read whether the Midland ISD board is ready to pull the trigger on a bond election. Midlanders have been told facilities and grade reconfiguration have been issues. There also are concerns whether the current administration needs more time to show what it can do and whether overall sentiment about bonds is good. Midland County voters nixed a tax election in November. Greenwood ISD voters also handily voted down a bond referendum. Also, initial polling in Odessa shows no appetite for a bond referendum for Ector ISD. Legacy, MHS head to UIL realignment Every two years, public high schools across Texas go through the University Interscholastic League's realignment process to determine classification and districts. That happens in February. Will the district that includes Legacy High School and Midland High face changes? That could happen if schools around Lubbock, Abilene or San Angelo show enrollment changes one way or another. Also area schools, especially those with increasing enrollments, might be impacted. A direct flight to Austin Southwest has announced that direct service from Midland to Austin will return in March. Southwest announced that service to and from Texas capital will return for the first time since 2009. The city of Midland has stated the tentative schedule for the flights include a departure out of Midland at 6:30 a.m. (arriving in Austin at 7:30 a.m.). The return flight is scheduled to leave Austin at 7:50 p.m. (arriving in Midland at 8:55 p.m.). Celebrating 10 years The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center turned 10 in November and will spend much of 2022 celebrating. Acts already on the calendar include Ron White, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Tim Allen and the centers 10-year anniversary concert on May 5 Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band. Calendar Midland Countys 70th annual Livestock Show & Sale, Jan. 12-15 Midland Chamber of Commerce State of Oil & Gas, Jan. 26 Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference, Feb. 22-24 Midland Childrens Rehabilitation Centers Steers and Stars, Feb. 26 Primary elections, March 1 MCs Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series presents Bob Woodward, April 7 Midland RockHounds home opener, April 12 Permian Basin Gives, May 17 Midland ISD graduations, May 28 Midland County Fair, Aug. 25-28 Maybe its not the best idea to drive for hours just to get dinner at a ritzy Tahoe hotel during record-breaking snowfall over the past week. The Reno Gazette Journal found some arresting details of stubborn, sometimes obstinate, drivers who ignored Caltrans and California and Nevada Highway Patrol officials advice to avoid driving around Tahoe for nonessential purposes. Even as Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 have opened up solving the key bottlenecks for most drivers flocks of tourists continue to come in, so much so that the city of South Lake Tahoes emergency operations center will remain open through New Years weekend, the Gazette Journal reported Wednesday. Some of these drivers over the past week have not only delayed key services like gas trucks and electrical repairs from getting into the area, but have seemingly putting other drivers at risk. One driver, Nevada Highway Patrol Officer Charles Caster told the newspaper, tried evading a closed-off highway, Nevada state Route 431, in order to take his wife to dinner to the Ritz Carlton in Truckee. (Caster said it wasn't clear if they made it up there at all.) ALSO READ: Without power or fuel, a Sierra community is facing a crisis exacerbated by Tahoe tourists Another had 30 inches of snow on his vehicle, a Ford Bronco. And perhaps, most baffling of all, one stopped traffic on Interstate 580 to repair a tire chain. As the Gazette Journal notes, most drivers should have four when driving through icy conditions. But most, ultimately, just tried to circumvent the massive highway closures earlier this week, taking poorly maintained and less-traveled throughways directed by Google Maps. Earlier this week, Caltrans District 3 spokesperson Steve Nelson told SFGATE that the agency saw drivers trying to skirt highway closures via side streets, only to end up stranded in these back roads. And while I-80 and Route 50 have now dropped chain controls for drivers, it's certainly still worth being alert and cautious as you drive through snowy conditions. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Nurses are exhausted and leaving the profession due to frustration over punishing workloads and, in Ontario, pay raises limited to one per cent. Called heroes, they deserve better. So do their patients who keep getting shunted aside so that hospitals can treat the latest wave of Covid sufferers, most of whom arent vaccinated. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 31) The country has fully vaccinated 50 million individuals against COVID-19, missing its target of vaccinating 54 million Filipinos by yearend. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr said vaccination efforts were greatly hampered by the destructive Typhoon Odette that hit the country mid-December. However, he is optimistic vaccination of the remaining four million to reach the target will be completed by the second week of January next year. The government is also targeting to fully vaccinate 77 million Filipinos by the first quarter of 2022. The previous target was to inoculate 77 million by the end of 2021 to achieve herd immunity. Meanwhile, the official said the government will focus on reaching 1.5 million unvaccinated vulnerable senior citizens who are more prone to severe COVID-19 as the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant looms larger. "Iyon ang nakikita naming magooverwhelm sa ating mga health facilities," he said. [Translation: We see that that could overwhelm our health facilities.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 31) Metro Manila will return to the stricter Alert Level 3 on Jan. 3-15 after the country confirmed its first local Omicron cases, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles announced just hours before New Year. Nograles also said there's a "high possibility of local transmission" of the dreaded variant, based on the government's epidemiological investigation into the three local infections. He also warned of a spike in active cases in the days ahead. Before the announcement, the capital region was supposed to stay under Alert Level 2 until mid-January. What to expect under Alert Level 3 Under Alert Level 3, activities allowed under the current Alert Level 2 status like face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs, live voice and wind instrument events are prohibited. Intrazonal and interzonal travel will be allowed subject to restrictions imposed by local governments. Operational capacities in select establishments and tourist attractions will also be scaled down to 30% indoor and 50% outdoor venue capacity. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals would still be allowed. Operations of casinos are still prohibited. Gatherings in residences of individuals not belonging to the same household are also not allowed. 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 Punlocker.com scored 43 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 7 Nov 2017, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the punlocker homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the punlocker homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if punlocker has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the punlocker homepage on Twitter + the total number of punlocker followers (if punlocker has a Twitter account). 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Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for punlocker.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND TPS=NO HTML_BYTES=73228 DESTINAZIONE=http://www.ehealthdirectory.net/ DOCTYPE=HTML 5.0 KEYWORDS_ESTRAPOLATE=tai chi, treatment, chinese, medicine, stress, people, the body ALEXA_POS=9999999 IPs=143.95.148.72 RSS=https://www.sciencedaily.com/rss/top/health.xml HTML_LINGUA=en-US HTML_CHARSET=UTF-8 HTML_TITOLO=Alternative Medicine News and Information | eHealthDirectory.net HTML_DESCRIZIONE=Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and other meditative forms of martial arts have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. These meditative forms of martial arts are occasionally named internal forms. Forms such as 8 palms or BaGua are based off the numerology of works such as the I Ching. These martial art forms concentrate on body posture and alignment, relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing. This article will talk mostly about Tai Chi, although any Chinese internal art could apply to what is being discussed here. Tai Chi is a great remedy for stress and helps promote good posture as well. A lot of Tai Chi practitioners claim that they never need to visit a chiropractor. Chinese medicine has a great influence on Tai Chi practice, which is a holistic approach to well being that integrates what Westerners might call homeopathy, massage, and physiotherapy as well as acupuncture and ideas of how the body works. A lot of highly sought after and highly priced medical physicians are also naturopaths and homeopaths and have taught themselves the system of Eastern medicine. A typical session of Tai Chi lasts about an hour. Students are encouraged to focus their attention on the basic movements and relax. These movements are designed to enhance balance, body awareness, coordination, flexibility, and strength. Also a major part of internal Chinese martial arts like Tai Chi is deep breathing exercises. If practiced properly, these arts can be used for self-defense. Tai Chi teaches sticky hands drills, search hands, and push hands for training on how to knock someone to the ground, search for the center of a person' In a 2021 study, 77% of South Asian descent respondents reported experiencing some form of caste discrimination when being processed for housing A number of state and federal laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on a persons race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected characteristics. It is illegal to be denied rental housing or to be treated differently based on caste/race, ancestry/ethnicity, or the color of your skin. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related services. The Fair Housing Act legally ensures that lies in the fact that brokers, sellers, lenders, and insurers cannot adopt discriminatory policies against people in the protected class. It seeks to ensure that nobody is discriminated against in property transactions on the basis of his or her protected class. Despite these legal protections, We must acknowledge that discrimination in housing continues today and that individuals, including people of color [caste] and those with disabilities, continue to be denied equal access to rental housing and homeownership, said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L Fudge, in a press statement on June 25, 2021. The ICDR has been gathering information for litigation against caste-based housing discrimination and harassment imposed by home owners and landlords who refuse to show or rent available properties to prospective tenants because of his or her caste, race, ancestry, or national origin. In such litigations, ICDR seeks an injunction against homeowners and landlords in order to stop their deceptive, unlawful, and discriminatory practices, as well as restitution and penalties for violating Fair Housing and non-discriminatory laws. The victims and communities should not be silent but file a complaint with ICDR and the local, state, and federal agencies, such as the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). --- *President/Founder, International Commission for Dalit Rights The International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR) and civil rights groups are concerned about increasing caste-based housing discrimination, harassment, and intimidation in the United States. In 2021, ICDR received more than 150 complaints from across the country alleging housing discrimination due to caste while attempting to rent or renting a house or apartment.The ICDR received more than five calls each month from victims across the country complaining about caste-based discrimination in housing or renting processes. The ICDR advocacy team reviewed each complaint and verified the facts of the incidents.The findings demonstrate that South Asian house owners, master tenants, and landlords often discriminate by asking renters about their caste while engaging in the negotiation. We found this occurred with victims in California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas and other parts of the country.The risk of caste-based housing discrimination in the United States is an ongoing problem and has likely increased as the population of South Asians in the United States has increased; there are currently almost 5.4 million people of South Asian descent in the United States. In a 2021 study, 77% of South Asian descent respondents reported experiencing some form of caste discrimination when being processed for housing.Even outside housing negotiations, ICDR and other civil society groups have substantial documented evidence of dominant caste people discriminating against subordinate caste people, many of them Dalits, in every section of American society regardless of religion, nationality and profession.On August 18, 2021, Sanjeev Bimali, a Nepali descent and a San Francisco, California landlord, denied renting an available unit to another Nepali descent on account of caste. Bimali initially agreed to rent his available unit for $900 per month to a renter (the victim), who was also a Nepali descent living in the same location.Bimali asked for a $500 security deposit, which he received immediately from the victim through an electronic money transfer app. Both the victim and Bimali exchanged their phone numbers and agreed on a move-in date of September 1, 2021. About six hours later, Bimali contacted the victim to inform him that the unit was no longer available because family is coming from Nepal and current two renters would be disturbed, despite previously stating that the unit was available and the current renters would not have any problem.The victim was shocked by the sudden change and asked Bimali what had happened? Bimali stated that his other renters threatened to leave if the new renter moved in. The victim felt discriminated against, humiliated, and disturbed.While asking why are you not renting available unit for me?, Bimali responded without mentioning caste and noting there was no reason to discriminate, and that the victim was overthinking the incident. Bimali returned the security deposit and sent a screenshot of the transaction as a proof.This testimonial is one example of the caste-based housing discrimination and harassment in the United States that ICDR and civil rights groups have observed. Clearly, Bimali refused to rent an available unit because of the victims caste.Unfortunately, this victim is not alone in his experience; caste-based discrimination in the housing/renting process is something weve been seeing more frequently within the South Asian descent in this most difficult time of pandemic, probably because there has been more attention paid to this issue, and more victims are coming forward when they are faced an unfair housing discrimination, particularly when the South Asian descendants rent their available unit to another South Asian descendants.Caste discrimination is a form of ancestry, national origin, and racial discrimination. The concept of national origin, ancestry, and race discrimination are defined and embedded in US law and are sufficient grounds to protect individuals from caste-based housing discrimination. On December 22, 2021, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an alert reminding tenants of their fair housing rights and protections. The Butler is the true story of White House butler Eugene Allen (renamed "Cecil" in the movie for some reason), who worked under eight white presidents before finally meeting the first black one. Born on a plantation, Allen proceeds to Forrest Gump his way through historical moments like the Kennedy assassination, the civil rights movement, and that one time Lyndon Johnson whipped out his huge dick and dropped it right on the table. The Weinstein Company Continue Reading Below Advertisement Or that time Eisenhower went on a wacky 45-minute monologue in faux German. The Reality: Right from the beginning, the movie gets to work on making Eugene/Cecil's life as miserable as possible: As a kid, his father gets murdered and his mother gets raped. Sure, that's some heavy shit to drop in the first 15 minutes, but how could they leave it out if it really happened? Only of course it didn't -- the filmmakers threw that in to, you know, spice things up a bit. What about Allen's son dying in Vietnam, and his other son joining the Black Panthers? Nope and nope. He had one son who went to Vietnam, but he totally survived and went on to work for the State Department, which as far as we know isn't a wing of any revolutionary organizations. In the movie, his drunken wife (played by a possibly-not-acting Oprah) deals with her alcoholism by having an affair, but that's complete hogwash too. We're guessing the screenwriters added the drunkenness/adultery combo so they could cross off two items in their "tragic biopic shit" bingo. The Weinstein Company Continue Reading Below Advertisement In a deleted scene, her abusive closeted brother/lover gives her a miscarriage, resulting in cancerAIDS for all involved. To recap, that's four close family members treated brutally by the filmmakers just to give Eugenecil an excuse to get off his ass and get a job at the White House. Even the way he got that job is a ridiculously convoluted fabrication: He didn't get caught stealing cake from a hotel, get hired as a waiter, and later impress a White House administrator who happened to be there. He just applied for the job. Like a normal person. RENO, Nev. (AP) A winter storm warning has been issued for southeast Nevada and the mountains west of Las Vegas through Friday afternoon. And a winter weather advisory runs through 10 p.m. Friday in parts of east-central and northeast Nevada, where overnight lows could drop into the negative teens by early Saturday. The remnants of a series of storms that dumped more than 10 feet (3 meters) of snow on the top of the Sierra over the past week spread into the rest of the state on Thursday with rain and snow in the east and upper elevations in the south. BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) As world leaders rely on public health specialists to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus, Brazil's government is asking the online public for guidance. In recent weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro has staked out a position against immunizing kids aged between 5 and 11, and his administration took the unusual step of creating a platform that could validate a stance that is widely opposed by experts. Since his government on Dec. 23 unveiled its online questionnaire on the issue, the president's supporters have been highly engaged on messaging apps trying to pressure parents to swing the results. One widely shared post Wednesday on the Telegram group Bolsonaro Army, which has about 37,000 members, said the vaccine is experimental and suggested that receiving shots could be more harmful than getting infected, although several studies have shown the opposite is true. It also included a link to the governments survey, which other people were posting along with instructions to relay to friends and family. The rally for resistance resembles online behavior observed earlier this month, which catapulted Bolsonaro to the top of the heap in TIME magazines readers poll for Person of the Year, David Nemer, an expert on Brazils far-right groups on messaging apps, told The Associated Press. Bolsonaro garnered about one-quarter of the more than 9 million votes nearly triple that of the runner-up, former U.S. President Donald Trump. The magazine's editors instead chose Elon Musk as 2021 Person of the Year. This time, however, online efforts are aimed at something far more significant than bestowing an honorific on the president. The survey, which concludes Jan. 2, stands to shape vaccination policy in Latin Americas most populous nation, home to 20 million kids aged 5 to 11. Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga has said they will soon be eligible for vaccination, but survey results will help determine guidelines including whether shots could only be administered with parental consent and a doctors prescription. This is a tool of democracy, it widens the discussion on the topic and it will bring more ease for parents so they can take their children to immunize against COVID-19, Queiroga said Wednesday. Health experts, for their part, are aghast. Some Brazilian states health secretariats have already pledged to ignore any health ministry guidelines on childhood vaccination if based on the public consultation. Gonzalo Vecina, founder and director of Brazils health regulator between 1999 and 2003, says public consultation on vaccines is unprecedented. Bolsonaro is against the vaccine and his employee, the health minister, believes that health is a matter of public opinion. It is a spurious and nonsensical approach, Vecina told the AP. If only deniers send their opinion in the public consultation, is the government going to say that the vaccine doesn't have to be used? Denialism from the top in Brazil is a bit of deja vu. Even as COVID-19 exploded, driving the nation's death toll to the second highest in the world, Bolsonaro spent months sowing doubts about vaccines and was obstinate in his refusal to get a shot. He has cited the fact he contracted the coronavirus in 2020 to claim, incorrectly, that he is already immune, and routinely characterizes vaccination as an issue of personal choice rather than a means for ensuring the common good. So when Brazils health regulator authorized use of Pfizer's shot for children on Dec. 16, Bolsonaro was stunned. Kids are something very serious, he said the same night in his weekly live broadcast on social media. We dont know about possible adverse future effects. Its unbelievable Im sorry what the agency did. Unbelievable. A study released Thursday by U.S. health authorities confirmed that serious side effects from the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 are rare. The findings were based on approximately 8 million doses dispensed to youngsters in that age group. Bolsonaro added that he would name and expose the public servants who issued the approval, prompting a union representing health agency workers to express concern about online abuse or even physical attacks. Despite fervent support among his base, Bolsonaros anti-vaccine stance hasnt gained as much traction in Brazil which has a proud history of inoculation campaigns as in the U.S. More than two-thirds of Brazilians are fully vaccinated, as compared to 63% in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University's vaccination tracker, though American children have been eligible for shots since early November. In neighboring Argentina, the government has allowed kids 12 years and older to be vaccinated since August, and more recently began giving shots to children as young as 3. In the face of subsequent criticism, the nations health ministry cited the recommendation of the nations association of pediatricians. In Chile, two-thirds of kids aged between 3 and 17 have already received both their shots, after the nations health regulator analyzed an immunization study of 100 million children. For the time being, Mexico isnt vaccinating children except those 12 years or older with illnesses that put them at greater risk. Mexicos point man for the pandemic, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, said Tuesday the World Health Organization hasnt recommended vaccinating children aged 5 to 11, and that countries with ample vaccine coverage, like Mexico, shouldnt vaccinate kids until developing nations with limited coverage can raise their adult vaccination rates. In Brazil, Mauro Paulino, general director of prominent pollster Datafolha, said one problem with the Bolsonaro government's survey is the way questions are framed, repeatedly asking interviewees, Do you agree that...? Such failure to present questions neutrally can induce responses. Datafolha always gives the two possible alternatives: whether the interviewee agrees or disagrees with the statement, he said. "Both sides of the question are necessary." Bolsonaro told supporters on Tuesday that pressure to inoculate kids stems from the vaccine lobby a veiled reference to pharmaceutical companies. Many Bolsonaro supporters the next day were sharing a post from the Telegram group Doctors for life, which has more than 60,000 followers and frequently echoes the presidents unscientific COVID-19 advice. One Telegram post with more than 200,000 shares said no child should be a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry. Tens of millions of doses have been administered to children around the world, with rare serious side effects. While few children die from COVID-19, vaccinating them can minimize the virus spread in society. Bolsonaro also said this week he won't allow the vaccination of his 11-year-old daughter. Meantime, his wife and politician sons received their shots, along with at least 16 of his 22 ministers including Health Minister Queiroga. Politicians from the party Bolsonaro joined to run for re-election in 2022 have advocated not only for vaccination, but also requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain places another supposed infringement on personal liberties Bolsonaro opposes. His chaotic management of the pandemic since its onset has been roundly criticized, and a Senate investigative committee recommended he face criminal charges. But the president and his die-hard supporters on Telegram and WhatsApp arent backing down. Many interpreted his comments regarding his daughter in particular as a directive to reject the immunization of kids. There are a lot of messages about the dangers of vaccines, studies that arent true, said Nemer, the expert on far-right groups, and an assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. Theyre bringing a lot of disinformation about vaccinating kids to motivate the base. Pro-Bolsonaro messaging app groups brought the topic back hours before the New Year arrived after the president once more attacked child vaccination in a six-minute national address on television. We defend that vaccines for kids between ages 5 and 11 are only given with the consent of parents and a medical prescription. Liberty must be respected," Bolsonaro said. Many Brazilians went to their balconies to bang on their pots in protest against the president. _____ Associated Press writer Debora Alvares reported this story in Brasilia, AP writer Mauricio Savarese reported from Sao Paulo and AP writer Marcelo Silva de Sousa reported from Rio de Janeiro. AP writers Eva Vergara in Santiago, Chile, Debora Rey in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report. LAS VEGAS The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters. Convention organizer The Consumer Technology Association announced in a statement Friday that CES will run from Jan. 5-7, one day shorter than planned. The event still has over 2,200 exhibitors confirmed to show off their products at the Las Vegas convention, spokeswoman Jeanne Abella said. The announcement follows the withdrawal of tech giants from CES last week citing health risks of the omicron variant, including cellphone carriers like T-Mobile, whose CEO had been slated to deliver a keynote speech. Computer maker Lenovo and social media companies like Twitter and Facebook parent company Meta also canceled plans to attend. News outlets including CNN said they would cancel or reduce coverage. CES was held entirely virtually last year. It will be a hybrid of online and in-person this year, with organizers offering digital registration allowing access to around 40 livestreamed events, Abella said. On the convention floor, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Muted New Years Eve celebrations around the world as omicron rages on US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers UK estimates 1 in 15 had virus in London before Christmas amid omicron surge New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY: NASHVILLE, Tenn. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing some last minute changes in the concert lineup for Nashvilles famed annual New Years Eve bash. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation is organizing the New Years Eve show airing live on CBS and Paramount+. It says in a statement that Sam Hunt, the Zac Brown Band and Elle King will not perform as scheduled. Despite taking precautions, Ive tested positive for COVID-19, Zac Brown wrote on Twitter. Neither Hunt nor King immediately released a statement explaining why they wouldnt be there. The yearly celebration will feature performances at a dozen downtown Nashville locations. ___ TAMPA, Fla. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported more than 75,900 new cases of COVID-19 in Florida. That tally raises the 7-day average daily to 42,600, which is twice as high as it was at the peak of this summers surge when the delta variant fueled a surge of infections in the state. Fridays report marks a single-day record for the number of new cases in Florida. It breaks the record set a day earlier when more than 58,000 cases were reported in the state. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has spiked in Florida and across the nation over the past few weeks. Soaring numbers during the holiday season have sent tens of thousands of people to COVID-19 testing centers across Florida, resulting in long lines in many areas. Three people collapsed while waiting in line at a Tampa testing site on Friday morning. ____ CARSON CITY, Nev. Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday, a day after the state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on Thursday deadlocked 6-6 on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Gov. Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Higher education officials said on Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. ___ PARIS Describing himself as resolutely optimistic, French President Emmanuel Macron has used the last New Years address of his current term to express the hope that, with vaccinations, 2022 will see the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Macron stopped short of saying that he will stand for re-election in April. He said only that he intends to continue serving the French whatever my place and the circumstances. The president appealed to the 5 million unvaccinated but eligible people in France to get coronavirus jabs, saying: All of France is counting on you. France has lost 123,000 people to COVID-19 and new cases are at unprecedented levels, surging with the highly contagious omicron variant. France reported a record 232,200 new cases on Friday, its third day running above the 200,000 mark. ___ ROME Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, has used the last New Years Eve speech of his term take to task those who waste opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, calling that choice an offense to all those who havent been able to receive the injection. In a televised speech to the nation Friday night, Mattarella, who is head of state, noted that he was serving in the final days of his seven-year term, with Parliament to elect his successor in the first weeks of 2022. Referring to recent COVID-19 surges in Italy and many other countries driven by virus variants, Mattarella noted a sense of frustration over the setbacks. ___ ALBANY, N.Y. Federal ambulance teams and additional National Guard members are headed for New York City, and western New York hospitals are getting more federal help as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations keep rising. State officials announced the new deployments Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said students at state universities and the City University of New York will have to get coronavirus vaccine booster shots to be on campus in the spring semester and must test negative before returning from the holiday break. New confirmed case counts have been breaking records by the day in the state, topping 76,500 on Thursday, Hochul said at a news briefing. An average of 53,000 New Yorkers a day tested positive in the week that ended Thursday, compared to 13,000 per day two weeks earlier. Over 7,900 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide, up 67% in a week. ___ AUSTIN, Texas Texas officials on Friday requested federal aid for increased COVID-19 testing and treatment following reports that the state is running low on the antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the omicron variant. In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Division for Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services made the request. They are seeking federal resources for additional COVID-19 testing locations in six counties, increased medical personnel and more sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the more-transmissible omicron. Abbott called on the Biden administration to step up in this fight and provide the resources necessary to help protect Texans. ___ GAITHERSBURG, Md. Novavax Inc. said it filed data Friday with the Food and Drug Administration to support clearance of its long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, a different kind of shot than current U.S. options. Novavax said the data package is the last requirement before the company formally submits its emergency-use application next month to become the fourth U.S. COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement comes shortly after the European Commission and World Health Organization cleared use of the Maryland-based companys two-dose shot. Novavax developed a protein vaccine, similar to shots used for years against other diseases and a strategy that might appeal to people hesitant to use COVID-19 vaccines made with newer technologies. But Novavax, a small biotech company, faced months of delays in finding manufacturers to mass-produce its vaccine. ___ LONDON Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp says three of his players have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sundays English Premier League soccer game at title rival Chelsea in London. Klopp did not name the trio and remains hopeful the game will go ahead. A continuing coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle led to its EPL game at Southampton on Sunday being postponed. That brought the total to 18 EPL games postponed in three weeks. The French league postponed the home game between Angers and Saint-Etienne on Jan. 9 because of 19 coronavirus cases in the Angers squad. ___ ROME Italian health officials are warning that the rate of occupation by COVID-19 patients of hospital beds both in intensive care units and in regular wards has surpassed the critical level nationally. A top Health Ministry official, Gianni Rezza, also said on Friday evening that the incidence of cases is growing, with 783 confirmed COVID-19 infections per every 100,000 residents in Italy. The country hit another high for daily new caseloads 144,243 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. Nearly 12% of some 1.234 million swab tests conducted since Thursday resulted positive, according to the ministry, which urged vaccinated persons to get a booster shot if they are eligible. With the nation slammed by a surge of infections largely driven by the omicron variant, the government banned public New Years Eve celebrations. ___ DALLAS Flight cancellations surged again on the last day of 2021, with airlines blaming it on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections. By late morning Friday on the East Coast, airlines scrubbed more than 1,300 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compared with about 1,400 cancellations for all of Thursday. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the new omicron variant pushed the rate of new daily infections in the U.S. well above 200,000 a day, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. LONDON (AP) Officials have warned revellers in Scotland and Wales to think twice before travelling to England to ring in the new year, highlighting how the four parts of the U.K. were again taking starkly different approaches to coronavirus restrictions amid record-high infections and soaring hospitalizations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resisted tightening restrictions in England despite the rapid spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, instead focusing on frequent self-testing and an expanded vaccine booster program to control the spread of infections. Meanwhile Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which set their own public health rules, imposed new restrictions this week that closed all nightclubs and limited social gatherings. Bars and pubs have had to return to table service only. In Edinburgh, which traditionally hosts one of Europes largest New Years Eve parties, people have been urged to stay at home. While no formal travel ban is in place to stop Scottish party-goers from making their way to England on Friday, Scotlands deputy leader John Swinney said travelling would be the wrong course of action. Opinions have been divided on whether Johnsons Conservative government was taking a risky gamble in not enforcing tougher coronavirus measures in England as the omicron variant drives infections to record high numbers. About one in 25 people in England or about 2 million people had COVID-19 in the week before Christmas, the Office of National Statistics estimated Friday. That figure jumped to 1 in 15 in London, the capital, the body estimated. Figures released Friday showed the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.K. rose to 12,395, up 68% from a week earlier and the highest number recorded since February. Confirmed new daily cases hit another record, at 189,846, and the government reported a further 203 deaths. Although the numbers are going up and going up increasingly rapidly, the absence of large numbers of seriously ill older people is providing significant reassurance, Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, told The Times. But immunologist and government scientific adviser Peter Openshaw warned that while U.K. hospitals havent yet reached the threshold of being overwhelmed, it looks like that will be reached quite quickly. Johnson has urged people to take a rapid coronavirus test before going out and meeting with others on Friday, or to celebrate outdoors if possible. While firework displays have been cancelled in London for the second year in a row, many parties were going ahead and many revellers were still expected to turn out in the capital later in the day. Some believe Johnsons strategy is dangerous and that large crowds gathering indoors for New Years Eve will likely lead to a further rise in infections. It is quite risky, given the fact were now approaching 200,000 cases per day - there is a high rate of infection in the community, Dr. Azeem Majeed, head of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, told Times Radio. Health officials said the government has met its goal of offering a vaccine booster shot to all adults in the country by Dec. 31. About 82% of all over 12-year-olds in the U.K. have received a second vaccine dose, officials said. ___ Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. A promised order of 3 million COVID-19 at-home tests, about 1 million of which were supposed to be distributed to the public by local municipalities and public health districts, has fallen through but Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday he expects a lot more testing to come to the state in the next 72 hours. Dr. Manisha Juthani, the states public health commissioner, said things were misrepresented to state officials by the vendor, which previously worked with the state to secure personal protective equipment earlier during the pandemic. "We were given pictures and confirmation that the product was being loaded and on the way. Those were misrepresented to us, she said, adding how the state had a contract with the vendor and a purchase agreement, but that no money exchanged hands. Lamont, a Democrat, likened the situation to the early days of the pandemic when the state struggled to obtain PPE. There are a lot of brokers in this game. Its not like you just walk into Wal-Mart and say, Heres the price. Its $7.' You put down seven and you get it, he said. Youre working through brokers and there are a lot of people putting money on the table and trucks were turning around." Lamont acknowledged state officials got a little ahead of ourselves, to tell you the truth" in first announcing the procurement. Lamont said Monday that cities and towns would start to receive allotments of the hard-to-find rapid tests beginning Wednesday. He also called up about 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard to help with the distribution. Some municipalities planned to give out the two-dose test kits as early as Thursday, but postponed those plans after getting word that the state's shipment had not yet arrived. The National Guard still distributed about 1 million N95 masks Thursday. Max Reiss, a spokesperson for the governor, said state officials began making arrangements with other vendors to obtain kits when it appeared the original deal was falling through. We're going to have a lot more testing coming in the next 72 hours and in time for schools reopening after the holiday break, said Lamont. Meanwhile, the president of the state's largest teachers union said in a message sent to members on Thursday that the Connecticut Education Association is pushing for consistent protocols and safety standards, including testing and infection monitoring, before schools reopen next week. A spokesperson from CEA stressed the union is not calling for a return to full remote learning, but the letter states that an ongoing survey of local union presidents has so far found that most so far prefer a fully remote learning option at this time, calling the current COVID situation a perfect storm. So far the state has been reluctant to allow remote options, but with a surge in the positivity rate, an increase in the number of children contracting the virus, inadequate supplies of N95 masks and at-home COVID tests, and the lack of consistent protocols regarding at-home testing, we will continue to stress the need for stronger actions to protect our school communities, wrote CEA President Kate Dias. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 1,824, an increase of 68.7%. There were 1,412 new cases per 100,000 people in Connecticut over the past two weeks, which ranks ninth in the country for new cases per capita. One in every 114 people in Connecticut tested positive in the past week, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins. New state data released Thursday show there were more than 7,700 positive cases reported to the state since Wednesday, while the number of COVID hospitalizations grew by 38 since Wednesday, for a total of 1,151. Meanwhile, the number COVID-associated deaths has grown by 83 since last Thursday, for a total of 9,160. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said his city still plans to resume in-person schooling Monday following the holiday break, noting the city has secured enough testing kits to make sure it can test essential employees, including teachers. Iline Tracey, the city's superintendent of schools, said switching to entirely remote learning is a decision that can only be made by the governor or the General Assembly. She noted that the schools have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment. In the meantime, Elicker said local officials will continue to monitor the data and will make classes remote on a case-by-case basis as they receive information about infections. Families should be prepared for the possibility that their class may go remote or even multiple classes or even potentially a school may go remote if there are so many cases or if there is a lot of staffing shortages that they need to do that," he said. STORY LINK Pound Euro Exchange Rate News: GBP/EUR Trades at 22-Month High amid UK Economic Optimism GBP/EUR Mixed as Omicron Case Numbers Increase Pound (GBP) Firms amid Investor Optimism Euro (EUR) Directionless amid High Coronavirus Cases GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: GBP and EUR to be Steered by Coronavirus Decisions Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is muted in the beginning of todays session, buoyed by new optimism from GBP investors despite increasing case numbers of Omicron.At the time of writing, the GBP/EUR exchange rate is trading at approximately 1.1924, with minimal market movement.The Pound (GBP) is steady against the Euro (EUR) this morning as investors are increasingly hopeful that the UK economy will not be derailed by the latest strain of coronavirus, Omicron.Scientific research has shown that Omicron is less likely to lead to hospitalisations than the previous strain, Delta.This has been reiterated by the New Year speech delivered by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.Johnson has said that Britain is in a comparably better situation than this time last year due to the high number of people getting vaccinated and has appealed to the currently unvaccinated individuals to get that jab, and do something that will make 2022 a happy new year for us all.Johnson claimed that every adult in England has now been offered a boost jab.Moreover, Johnson highlighted the 30 billion invested into UK hi-tech industry throughout 2021 twice the amount of Europes largest economy, Germany.However, The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has stressed the current cost of living crisis which is likely to be a major concern for the beginning of 2022, capping Sterlings potential as we head into the new year.Additionally, on Thursday, UK data showed that coronavirus cases hit a new record high, exceeding 189,000, which is further dampening GBPs potential.Meanwhile, the Euro is trading in a narrow range against the Pound this morning due to change in many European countries coronavirus policies despite high numbers of cases.Spain and Portugal have announced that they will be easing the quarantine period from 10 days to 7, and Italy will be revoking the need for newly-vaccinated individuals to self-isolate should they come into contact with a person who has been tested positive for Covid-19.However, many health officials are asking that these policies are reconsidered, arguing that the highly-contagious Omicron could stall Europes economy.Moreover, in Eastern-Europe, coronavirus deaths have surpassed 1 million, which is heightening concern than the healthcare systems in these countries are not able to handle the rise in cases.This is limiting the single currencys appeal and leaving it subdued in year-end trade.Looking ahead, the Pound Euro exchange rate is likely to remain vulnerable to market movements and coronavirus advancements due to an absence of data scheduled to be released during todays session.As many markets will close over the bank holiday, GBP and EUR are susceptible to government decisions surrounding coronavirus policies.If the UK government reinstates restrictions in the new year in a bid to curve the rising number of case numbers, its likely that GBP will soften.However, if the UK government continues to resist calls to tighten restrictions, it may keep Sterling buoyed.The Euro will also be subject to coronavirus reports, and the announcements of both European leaders and health officials. 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. TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts Can Prince Andrew save himself? Or are his reputation and good name about to be dragged further into the gutter, damaging not only him but the monarchy as well? No one can yet answer these questions definitively because no one other than Prince Andrew and a handful of people know whether he is wholly innocent of allegations made by Virginia Giuffre (formerly Roberts) that he sexually abused her in London and New York and on a Caribbean island in 2001 when she was 17. If he is blameless, as he vehemently insists that he is, it is obviously in his interests and those of the Royal Family for him to strain every sinew to convince the world of his innocence. This he has so far not done. The spotlight is shining much more powerfully on Prince Andrew writes STEPHEN GLOVER Until this week the prince had just about got away with a combination of stone-walling, evasion and obfuscation, though at enormous cost to his credibility. The conviction of his friend Ghislaine Maxwell as a child sex trafficker demands an entirely new approach on his part. Things have suddenly got an awful lot worse for him. The spotlight is shining much more powerfully on Andrew partly because we now know that the woman whom he invited to Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Sandringham is both depraved and wicked. So that famous photograph of a smiling Prince Andrew with his arm wrapped around the bare midriff of Virginia Giuffre, as Ghislaine Maxwell beams in the background inside her house, inevitably takes on a deeper significance. What exactly happened that night? What on earth was the 41-year-old prince doing with his arm around a 17-year-old girl who was part of a sex trafficking ring of underage girls nurtured by Maxwell for her friend, the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein? The infamous photo of Virginia Roberts, Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell was taken at Maxwell's home in Belgravia Prince Andrew pictured during his interview with BBC's Newsnight in 2019 Virginia Roberts' statement on Maxwell verdict 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 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. 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. Advertisement The spotlight also homes in on Andrew because the allegations of Maxwells and Epsteins victims have now been believed and upheld by a jury, though Virginia Giuffre herself was not called as a witness during the trial. Can the prince seriously believe that his previous policy of bobbing and weaving he told BBCs Newsnight in a disastrous interview in 2019 that he couldnt even remember meeting Giuffre is remotely sustainable following Maxwells conviction? Just look at the way he and his lawyers have conducted themselves over recent months. Andrew was accused of trying to dodge, duck, run and hide in his mothers palaces to avoid legal papers being served on him after Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against him. He should have accepted them like a man. His aggressive US attorney, Andrew Brettler, attempted to argue simultaneously that Giuffres claims were baseless and potentially unlawful whilst also saying that the court papers had not been properly served. Judge Lewis Kaplan reasonably responded: Lets cut out all the technicalities and get to the substance. In October, the princes lawyers changed tack by branding Giuffre as a money-hungry sex kitten who had initiated this baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday. Their latest swerve was to suggest earlier this week that Virginia Giuffre was pretending to be a US citizen but lives in Australia, and therefore the American court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. The judge will consider the arguments on Tuesday. Whether in relation to Giuffres lawsuit, or to other charges that may lie along the road in the wake of Maxwells conviction, Prince Andrew is going to have to stand and defend himself. If he declines to do so, the world will increasingly conclude that he is guilty with possibly calamitous consequences for the monarchy. The prince has hitherto conducted himself as though the accusations against him are entirely his business. He apparently believes that if he wishes to give an interview and shoot himself in the foot, or duck court papers, or unleash attack-dog lawyers who use abusive language, it is only a matter for him. Prince Andrew strongly denies Ms Giuffre's (pictured at court in New York on August 27, 2019) allegations that he slept with her after she claimed to have been trafficked to him Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City on Wednesday Its not, of course. Andrews reputation is on the line, and he has so far managed to guard it in a spectacularly clod-hopping way. But there is something infinitely more important at stake the position of Her Majesty the Queen as she approaches the 70th anniversary of the start of her reign. If the entitled and haughty prince continues to give the impression that he believes there is one set of laws governing the behaviour of people like him, and another for the rest of us, the monarchy is certain to suffer lasting damage. That is why he must not go on running the show in such an incompetent and haphazard fashion. He should give a proper account of himself, and attempt to explain his close relationship with the child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein who killed himself in a jail cell. An innocent man should have nothing to fear from the law. The prince has every right to insist on a fair hearing, but once that right has been granted, evading very serious charges becomes shaming, contemptible and destructive. He is a foolish man who kept bad company, and is accused of doing bad things. Few people give a fig for him, but millions of us cherish the monarchy. Prince Andrew must not be allowed to bring it to ruin. Since she married Prince Harry three years ago Meghan Markle has worn a parade of designer outfits from brands such as Dior, Givenchy, Prada and Chanel and an array of expensive accessories. And despite quitting the royal family in March and moving to California, the Duchess has continued to showcase her love of a very pricey wardrobe. This year, Meghan wore a wardrobe worth 58,388. It is 14,000 more than her 2020 total, when the Duchess wore clothing and jewellery worth 44,188. This is despite the fact that the public have seen Meghan less this year compared to last, due to the fact she has no official royal duties and her maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Lilibet in June. The value of her wardrobe even surpassed Kate Middleton, whose 2021 outfits were valued at 48,000 in research carried out by FEMAIL. While a working member of the royal family, the cost of Meghan's clothes for work engagements was covered by Prince Charles through the budget he gave the couple from the Duchy of Cornwall. But after the couple said they wanted to be financially independent, it is not clear who is picking up the bill for Meghan's clothes, or whether the Duchess always pays full price for her clothing, or receives discounts from designers. Here FEMAIL calculates the value of Meghan's wardrobe, only taking into account the cost of items once and not counting recycled pieces. Despite quitting the royal family in March and moving to California, the Duchess of Sussex has continued to showcase her love of a very pricey wardrobe, including a 3,500 Armani dress when she sat down with Oprah Winfrey in March this year Her most expensive outfits came during her trip to New York in September alongside Prince Harry, when the royal wore a staggering amount of designer items. On one occasion, as she stepped out to Global Live Citizen event - donning an outfit worth 8,537. However the vaue of her 2021 clothing collection is also a drastic reduction on 2019, when her wardrobe was valued at more than 211,693. Her most expensive outfits came during her trip to New York in September alongside Prince Harry, when the royal wore a staggering amount of designer items (pictured left and right, two of Meghan's outfits worth more than 8,000) It is not clear who is picking up the bill for Meghan's clothes, or whether the Duchess always pays full price for her clothing, or receives discounts from designers. Advertisement A University lecturer has accused Magnet Kitchens of 'acting like cowboys' after charging her more than 7,000 for a mis-measured fitted kitchen and forcing her to buy a 'fake' electrical certificate and leaving her a with a sink that doesn't drain. Debbie Pearson from Southampton first contacted her local branch of Magnet Kitchens in Hedge End in January 2021 booking a kitchen installation for July - when she wouldn't be needed to lecture on Zoom due to the summer break from lectures. She paid 7227.65 for a fitted kitchen, which included a stud wall removal, new counters, a new sink, dishwasher and fridge/freezer unit. But the marketing lecturer faced her first disappointment when the fitting was pushed back to October - meaning her son was forced to temporarily move out of the two bedroom flat so she could repurpose his bedroom as an office to work in while the kitchen was fitted. This was the start of a year of pain for the Debbie, who says the lack of a kitchen, has caused her 'massive distress'. Magnet have also charged Debbie 139 for an electrical safety certificate - which she has described as 'unfair trading' because the certificate can only be awarded by a qualified electrician, which she had then had to pay separately for. She claims they have also asked her to pay for unnecessary bags to get rid of industrial rubbish at 175 each, and left her unable to use the kitchen which includes a sink that doesn't drain. A University lecturer has accused Magnet Kitchens of 'acting like cowboys' after she charging her 7,000 for a mis-measured fitted kitchen, charging her for a fake electrical certificate and leaving her a without running water. Pictured: How Magnet left her kitchen Debbie Pearson, 60, from Southampton first contacted her local branch of Magnet Kitchens in Hedge End in January 2021 booking a kitchen installation for July - when she wouldn't be needed to lecture on Zoom due to the summer break. Pictured is the 3D rendering of her kitchen that was promised When the fitter first came, months after planned, the kitchen was mis-measured by the sale consultant who told Debbie she couldn't have a full size dishwasher and was forced to instead purchase a slimline version - despite there being space for a full one. Due to the mismeasurement, the fitted kitchen ends short meaning there is a gap where the oven sits - a trap for food falling down. Debbie claims is was agreed that the fitters wre required to remove tiles, take down a wall and lay floor - which never happened - and that when the wall of her kitchen was taken out, the fitters left a 'huge hole' in her ceiling. 'The consultant was advised of this by two fitters, and an appointment was made for the consultant to re-visit and re-measure - but he failed to keep the appointment,' she explained to FEMAIL. The Darlington-based company, who have 222 stores nationwide, argue that the fitting is provided by third parties and is outside scope of contract. However, they do provide third party fitting services, and Debbie only had a contract with Magnet - not any fitters. Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, the marketing lecturer explained: 'They've been total cowboys, it's been an absolute nightmare. 'I haven't been able to fully use my kitchen for months, they completely mis-measured and mis-sold the kitchen and are taking no responsibility for it'. 'I don't have the full size dishwasher despite wanting one, and there's a gaping hole to the side of my oven which is going to be a nightmare to clean. Due to the mismeasurement, the fitted kitchen ends short (pictured) the consultant was advised of this by two fitters, and an appointment was made for the consultant to re-visit and re-measure - but he failed to keep the appointment Not quite what she ordered! Debbie's rendering showed a swanky fitted kitchen, which is far from what she received The kitchen was also left with a hole in the ceiling following the removal of the wall During the process of the fitting, Debbie's sink stopped draining (left) which she described as 'critical' when she was trying to clean up. Left: How it was left by fitters, right: when it wasn't draining The incorrect plumbing left to the sink leaking (left) while fitters also left holes gaping in the ceiling (right) Timeline: What went wrong with the Magnet kitchen? January 4 2021: Debbie orders the kitchen to be fitted in July June 2: Consultant visits Debbie's home and mismeasures the kitchen September 21: Branch manager visits to remeasure kitchen and told Debbie the fitter would not be able to carry out cosmetic work. When asked what cosmetic meant, he replied painting. There was no mention of the tiling and flooring work not being carried out. September 23: A Hippobag was ordered directly by the customer, following a conversation with the branch manager, who gave the specification, price (175) and contact details. He suggested this was necessary for the disposal of the kitchen wall. This was in addition to the 424.70 already paid to Magnet for Hippobags October 4: Fitter arrives and tells Debbie he is not fitting the flooring or doing the tiling as Magnet had not allowed enough time for the works to be carried out. He also advises that the specifications of the bags via the Magnet invoice (424.70) were adequate for the disposal of the wall and the removed kitchen units. The requirement for the removal of the wall was discussed when the order was placed in January. The poor advice was raised by the customer to Magnet. October 6: , The branch manager sends Debbie e-mail stating, I have found someone who may be able to help with the floor. October 7: Oakleys Electrical Services visited the property. An electrical certificate was issued on the same day, directly from the electrical company. The invoice from Oakleys Electrical Services shows a charge of 60.00 for the issue of the electrical certificate. (According to Magnet, this is third party work, which is a private arrangement.) The contract documentation from Magnet includes issue electrical work certificate at a charge of 139.00. October 9: The sink is stops draining. October 10: Debbie raised complaints with Magnet's CEO, Daniel Carr October 11: A customer care agent, stated, we will ask a panel of fitters if they would like to quote.. Also tells Debbie we will refund the additional Hippobag that is a total of 175. An executive assistant responded with, At Magnet, we pride ourselves in the high level of service we provide for our customers and have requested that someone personally investigate the matter on Mr Carrs behalf. The customer has not been contacted. October 12: Customer care agent tells Debbie: You have paid Magnet for an electrical certificate to certify the installation of your new Fridge Freezer and Dishwasher. They also stated, As a goodwill gesture, Magnet are happy to refund you 60 for the additional electrical certificate payment. October 20: ' Magnet email Debbie to say: 'Please find the attached Electrical Certificate. The attached document was the same certificate already sent from Oakleys Electrical Services. There is no documentation relating to fridge/freezer and dishwasher. 'With regards to the electrical certificate. You have paid Magnet for an electrical certificate to certify the installation of your new Fridge Freezer and Dishwasher. 'As you have had private works done this needs certifying separately which is why you have paid for two certificates. The second certificate formed part of the quote for the additional works and as such both certificate costs are payable. November 2: Customer care agent tells Debbie: 'The refund for the additional Hippobag is not due from us as you paid Hippobag direct for this service, you can get a refund from them direct which we can facilitate should you give us a copy of your receipt. November 3: Customer care agent says they cannot assist with tiling. They add: 'As a goodwill gesture we are prepared to offer you 150.00 in final settlement of this matter for the minor delay incurred. Advertisement As part of the installation, Debbie had a new dishwasher and a fridge/freezer installed. Magnet charged 139 for an electrical safety certififate by Magnet. But she was was later charged 60 by a third party electrician to issue the certificate. Because Magnet themselves are not qualified electricians, they cannot provide the safety certificate. When Debbie queried this with customer services and asked why she'd been charged twice, they claimed she had been charged once for the installation of the fridge and a second time for the dishwasher - despite only receiving a certificate for the fridge. A spokesperson from Magnet told FEMAIL: 'We appreciate that the process of getting a new kitchen can involve many moving parts and can be complicated especially when additional building work with other suppliers is involved. 'At Magnet we always strive to create beautiful kitchens, supporting customers through the process and informing them of other items to consider, even areas outside of Magnet's remit. 'In this case, the agreed scope of Magnet's installation work with the customer did not extend to Magnet undertaking the tiling, flooring, the removal of a stud wall or the electrical works arising from this. 'Instead the customer arranged and paid the installer directly for the stud wall and electrical work elements. We pride ourselves on creating beautifully designed kitchens and excellent customer service and we take it very seriously when a customer is unhappy. 'We are aware of the situation with this customer, have investigated it and believe that our team has tried to help at every step of the way. 'Our review has highlighted that the Magnet team have gone over and above what they are contractually responsible for to assist this customer, helping finding tradespeople for the additional aspects required, while also offering to help secure a refund from a third party supplier that the customer paid directly. 'We are still committed to helping this customer, and would love for them to get in touch again with our customer care team and/ or the local store manager so we can further support them in getting things resolved, so that the customer can enjoy their new beautiful new kitchen'. Debbie, disputes these claims and says she only had a contract with Magnet - and says she struggled to get help from the customer service team throughout. Debbie added that the fitter advised Magnet had not booked enough time for him to complete the work, but failed to advise her of this, or engage in providing alternative solutions. As a 'goodwill measure' for the disruption cause, Magnet have offered Debbie a 150 final settlement for what they call a 'minor delay' of 10 months. But Debbie argues this is like 'tipping 10p on a 100 restaurant bill' as they have overcharged her including for a 'fake' electrical certificate and additional hippo bags - a strong, large and waterproof bags used like a small skip to dispose of walls and industrial waste. 'In September a Hippobag was ordered directly, following a conversation with the branch manager of Southampton Hedge End, who gave the specification, price (175) and contact details,' Debbie explained. 'This was in addition to the 424.70 already paid to Magnet for Hippobags. 'Weeks later, the fitter advised the specifications of the bags via the Magnet invoice were adequate for the disposal of the wall and the removed kitchen units. 'A customer care agent stated, "we will refund the additional Hippobag that is a total of 175, but days later the same customer care agent stated, "The refund for the additional Hippobag is not due from us as you paid Hippobag direct for this service, you can get a refund from them direct which we can facilitate should you give us a copy of your receipt"'. After sending the receipt, a day after the customer agent emailed Debbie refusing a refund of the bag. It's one of many situations, Debbie claims, that have arisen 'totally from Magnets incorrect advice, for which they are not taking any responsibility'. Debbie's contract with Magent, seen by FEMAIL, also includes an issue electrical work certificate at a charge of 139.00. On 7th October, Oakleys Electrical Services visited Debbie's home and an electrical certificate was issued on the same day, directly from the electrical company. The invoice from Oakleys Electrical Services shows a charge of 60.00 for the issue of the electrical certificate - something Debbie had already paid Magnet 139 for. The certificate isn't legally needed or required for private home owners and is only necessary for landlords. After querying this, Debbie was told days later that she had paid for two separate certificates, one for the fridge and one for the dishwasher, but the two certificates were identical. 'The cost of the certificate is 60. Magnet have charged 139,' Debbie explained. 'There is no such thing as an electrical certificate for the installation of a fridge/freezer and dishwasher. This is misrepresentation and unfair trading'. 'The kitchen was ordered on 4 January 2021 for installation in July or August,' she added. 'As Magnet are fully well aware, this was very important due to the nature of work from home (not working online with students in the summer), as this would be extremely difficult with the disruption of the kitchen works. 'The job advertisements for Magnet kitchen design consultants on the companys website states, "taking responsibility for the end to end sales process" and "our focus is on creating the perfect kitchen." 'There is no evidence of a high level of service provided for customers' The customer, who had an industrial career in sales and marketing management before moving into academia, and specialising in marketing and customer management. She is writing a case study entitled, Magnet Kitchen Cowboys: How to deliver atrocious customer experience. Its international publication will be accompanied by video materials on YouTube and other social media platforms. A Yorkshire mother who married a prisoner serving life for murder hopes she will soon be allowed to overturn a ban preventing her from entering the US and reuniting with him. Mum-of-two Heike Phelan, 49, of Huddersfield, wed William Matthew Schiffert, also 49, in a prison ceremony in November 2012 after years of writing letters to him in his cell. Schiffert is currently serving a life sentence in a Texas jail for stabbing someone to death in 2001. But Heike is unable to visit him in prison because she received a 10-year ban on entering the US after she outstayed a visa when she got caught up in a car crash in Dallas, Texas and needed to remain in the country for treatment. Mum-of-two Heike Phelan hopes to overturn a ban to travel to the US and soon be reunited with her husband, Matthew Schiffert, who is serving life in prison for murder However, she believes the new year will bring a fresh opportunity to review the ruling, because she is married to an American citizen. Speaking to Yorkshire Live, Heike said: 'This May will be five years so I can put an appeal in. An immigration lawyer over there has told me they're not supposed to be able to ban you from the country for more than five years if you have an American spouse.' She described the possibility of being able to see her husband again soon as 'brilliant'. Despite their enforced separation, Heike has managed to maintain contact with Schiffert with video calls, which were introduced during the pandemic. Hopeful: Heike Phelan believes she could challenge the ban as her husband is a US citizen She said: 'That's been keeping us going, along with phone calls which are a maximum of thirty minutes, for the past year.' The devoted wife added that they speak two or three times every day. Both Heike and Schiffert are no strangers to being kept apart, having waited almost a year after they wed before she was allowed to kiss him. In an interview in March on ITV's This Morning, she shared that it was years before she was able to hug her husband, because he spent the first year of their marriage in segregation and met her behind a perspex glass screen. 'We'd been together three years by the time we were married,' she said, 'I'd started going out three or four times a year. But all those visits were all behind the perspex glass because he was in segregation at the time. 'We'd been married a year before we had a contact visit, which is just sitting opposite each other at a table, before we actually got to have a hug and a kiss.' Heike met Schiffert through a Christmas card scheme on a prisoner support website and says that her husband had been completely open about his crimes from the start. Schiffert (pictured with Heike on a prison visit) is currently serving a life sentence for stabbing someone to death in 2001 'In the very first letter he told me what he was in prison for,' she said. 'Other things he'd done that he'd done time for, he said: "You can Google me and see what I'm telling you is right". 'Every time he told me something, that's what I did, and every time it did turn out to be correct.' The mother claimed that her husband was not directly involved in the murder, but was convicted under a Texas law that deems anyone involved with the crime equally responsible for the death. 'It's not that I think about whether he's guilty or innocent,' she said. 'That's a crime that happened long before I knew him. 'So when he wrote to me and I said I'd write back as a friend, I said I won't sit in judgement but I won't be lied to, so you need to be honest with me and will get to know the person you are now, not judge you on things you've done before. 'So I started with a clean slate with him essentially.' The mum went on to explain that she had been writing to William for 18 months before they met in person, and found she 'learned to trust him' as he told her more about himself. She said: 'Over time he told me more and more and more and he became very open with me about himself and his background. 'As you learn to trust somebody more you become more invested in that person and that's essentially how it happened.' 'It was 18 months before I first went to visit him and I was quite nervous, I was worried, will the person on paper match in person? Fortunately it did.' Heike spoke about her relationship with Schiffert on ITV's This Morning earlier this year The mother claims her husband could be eligible for parole in just two years, and hopes they can live together one day. 'He's just become part of my life', she said. 'I still have my job and friends and my lifestyle, I go out and travel, I've written books about his life in prison. He's a benefit and addition to my life just like any other relationship.' When a household item stops working properly, it can be such a pain to go out of your way to get it fixed. Sometimes, you just need a temporary solution - and these amateur engineers from around the world have shown some very creative ways of solving their problems. Parent Influence blog shared a series of hilarious snaps showing how household items were fixed in a quirky but effective way. A British pet-owner put a wooden spoon on their adorable sausage dog's back to stop him from getting stuck in the gate, while another creative type used elastic bands to fix their Xbox controller when it stopped working. Elsewhere, 300 Amish men in Duluth gathered to help their friend move a barn. It's a dog's life! This little pup's British family attached a wooden spoon onto a harness to stop him trying to squeeze through the gate What a plank! In order to stop losing their remote control, someone decided to attach it to a long piece of wood This person put a wheelbarrow on the water of their blow-up pool to bring the water temperature up to scratch - the metal of the tool conducts the heat of the kindling and transfers it directly into the pool water Staying in control! When this gamer's Xbox controller broke, they came up with a quick fix using rubber bands With no proper tools to hand, this man used a block of wood and stuck a flat piece of metal into it to create a reliable screwdriver With a little help from my friends! 300 Amish men gathered in Duluth, Minnesota to help move a barn This person's air conditioning was not working - so they took a long plastic bag to redirect cooled air from the AC to different parts of their home Using nothing but PVC pipes and a huge plastic bag, this person made a DIY swimming pool If you know someone who struggles to use the remote, forget about trying to explain it. Just grap some sticky tape and a marker pen After finding that the touchscreen on his phone broke, this amateur engineer put the mobile's micro-SD card into a USB, connected it to the Bluetooth on the phone, and connected that to a computer mouse to use the screen again Older TV's used to be huge and stick out way behind the screen, but instead of buying a new flat-screen, this family made their own by putting the TV in the room behind and cutting a hole This person wanted a stand for their tablet to watch things handsfree, so cleverly bent the prongs of the fork to keep it at an angle Many people look forward to celebrating the start of a New Year with friends and family, however these confessions prove parties don't always go to plan, especially when alcohol is involved. People from around the world have taken to anonymous sharing app Whisper to confess their most scandalous behaviour at New Year's Eve parties - and they'll make you think about your own antics at past celebrations. Among the shocking admissions is a woman who says she and her boyfriend broke up while hosting a party after drinking too much alcohol, while another, from North Carolina, admits to making a drunken pass at her friend's husband. One man, who lives in Greece, said he missed out on a New Year kiss while being sick in a random alleyway during the countdown. People from around the world have taken to anonymous sharing app Whisper to share memories from past New Year's Eve parties - including a woman, from North Carolina, who made a pass on her friend's husband One woman, believed to be in the US, said she and her boyfriend broke up while hosting a party after drinking too much alcohol A man, from Greece, revealed he missed out on having a New Year's kiss, while being sick in an alley during the countdown One woman, who lives in California, claimed her friend put high heel shoes in the freezer at a New Year's house party Another anonymous person, said they woke up with a Superman symbol carved on their chest after falling asleep during a party on the beach A woman, from Canada, told how she passed out in the middle of a New Year's party after attempting to drink away a migraine One woman was left speechless after her best friend kissed her and her boyfriend on New Year's Eve Another individual claimed they were able to hook up with their ex in a toilet without being caught by anyone A woman, who lives in the US, recalled she and her husband making out with another man at a New Year's Eve party Another woman, from Wisconsin, claimed to have had sex with her ex while everyone was sleeping in her friend's basement A Connecticut child has been hospitalized with severe burns after trying a popular TikTok challenge. The East Haven Fire Department is warning residents about the dangers of the 'whoosh bottle experiment' after a 12-year-old boy in the area tried it at home and ended up in the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center, according to Patch. The experiment involves swirling isopropyl alcohol inside a large water cooler-sized water bottle, pouring the alcohol out, and then dropping a lit match inside which creates a large blue flame and a 'woosh' sound. The East Haven Fire Department was called in to help a 12-year-old boy who ended up in the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center. He had been attempting the 'woosh bottle experiment' he found on TikTok (photo from another TikTok user's video) According to the New Haven Register, fire crews responded to the call on Tuesday night and the child was taken first to Yale Children's Hospital in New Haven, then transferred to the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center. The fire department learned that the child, who has not been identified, had learned about the 'woosh bottle experiment' on TikTok. Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli said: 'This could easily have led to a fatality as well as a major fire in the house. Alcohol is a volatile flammable liquid and can act as an accelerant.' East Haven Fire Marshal Charles Miller also warned parents to 'take a few minutes to talk to your children about the dangers of playing with ignitable liquids and matches and monitor what they are watching. This experiment when done incorrectly can cause severe burns that can permanently scar an individual.' It involves swirling isopropyl alcohol inside a large water cooler-sized water bottle, pouring the alcohol out, and then dropping a lit match inside. That creates a large blue flame and a 'woosh' sound (photos from another TikTok user's video) The experiment can be performed by professionals in a controlled setting (photo from another TikTok user's video) The experiment is meant to show combustion, and is sometimes performed by teachers in a classroom setting. Several videos can be found on YouTube and now TikTok of scientists and educators performing the stunt. After the alcohol has been swirled around the inside of the bottle, coating the inside, a flame is introduced to the top. The fire fills a ring around the inside of the bottle, moving slowly from the top until the bottom. Once it reaches the bottom, it flashes and flickers for a moment before extinguishing. But playing with fire and flammable liquids can be quite dangerous, and TikTok is now working to remove videos of the experiment. 'We understand that this school science experiment can be done safely with proper precautions, but videos without visible safety measures will be removed from our platform,' a spokesperson said. 'We also work to add caution labels to videos performed in a controlled setting, though they are ineligible for recommendation into people's For You feeds.' A 97-year-old woman served as the matron of honor at her great-great-granddaughter's Christmas Eve wedding that was held at her senior living community. Juanita Courtney, who is lovingly known as 'Nanny,' was overcome with emotion as she stood by Ashley Stewart's side when she said 'I do' to her husband, Josh, at The Pointe at Lifespring in Knoxville, Tennessee, on December 24. 'She got a little choked up and said, "I thought I would never get to go to one of my family members weddings again,"' Stewart, 26, told Today. Juanita Courtney, 97, served as her great-great-granddaughter Ashley Stewart's matron of honor when she married her husband, Josh, at The Pointe at Lifespring in Knoxville, Tennessee Courtney wore a new dress and had her hair and makeup done for the Christmas Eve wedding. She posed for photos holding a framed photo of her 1947 wedding to her late husband Paul The bride and groom were supposed to tie the knot during a Disney wedding in Florida, but they had to push back their plans. Stewart knew that her great-great-grandmother wouldn't be able to travel to Disney to watch them exchange vows, so she and Josh, 26, decided to have a marriage license ceremony at Courtney's senior living facility. The Pointe has a 'Living the Dream' program in which the staff selects one resident every quarter to fulfill a wish, and Stewart's wedding made Courtney's dream of reuniting with her family on Christmas Eve come true. 'Miss Courtney said she wanted all of her family to be together on Christmas Eve because they hadn't been together on that day in 16 years,' Julie Sharp, director of sales and marketing at The Pointe, told Today. It was Courtney's dream to spend Christmas Eve with her entire family, and Stewart's wedding made her wish come true Courtney has three children, eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, with a sixth great-great-grandchild on the way The last time the family had gathered at Courtney's home on Christmas Eve was in 2005. Her husband, Paul, died a month later, just six days before what would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. The grieving widow stopped hosting Christmas Eve after that year and opted to visit her family members separately during the holidays. The staff at The Pointe went out of their way to make sure the day was extra special for Courtney. They bought her a new dress and had her hair and makeup done. Courtney, who moved into the senior living facility after breaking her hip three years ago, also wore high heels for the first time since her fall. The great-great-grandmother got to sign the couple's marriage license as a witness Special programs were made to pay tribute to both Stewart's wedding and Courtney's marriage to Paul, who died in 2005 The Pointe paid homage to her wedding to Paul on February 1, 1947, by having a replica of her wedding bouquet made. There were also special programs and a framed photo of Courtney with Paul on their wedding day. Courtney has three children, eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, with a sixth great-great-grandchild on the way. She was so excited to be surprised by her family members at Stewart's wedding, which was attended by a total of 34 relatives. 'She got to sign the marriage license as a witness, which means the world to me because of the example she and Papaw set of what a marriage is supposed to look like, and to have that legacy attached to our new marriage is something I could never take for granted or replace,' Stewart said of her great-great-grandmother. The newlyweds plan on having a bigger wedding next year. New Year's Eve celebrations are going ahead around the UK tonight, but nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, expect small gatherings rather than booze-filled parties. A Waitrose Food and Drink report published this week shows more Britons are choosing to host intimate dinner parties to ring in 2022 with 'healthy' recipes taking centre stage. Searches for dinner parties recipes have gone up to 400 per cent in the past two weeks, while searches for 'New Year's Eve recipes' specifically have also gone up by 160 per cent on the supermarket's website. When it comes to alcohol, revellers are turning to no or low alcohol options with more than half people saying they'll take it easy on the drink this year. Meanwhile, vegan and vegetarian recipes are proving popular, with dishes like a Waitrose-recommended vegan roasted vegetable tart enjoying a 351 per cent surge in clicks this year. Brits are moving on from big New Year's Eve bashes and preferring to have smaller, more intimate gathering this year, Waitrose has revealed. Stock picture A quarter of people have told Waitrose they are looking forward to hosting a dinner party tonight, and a third have admitted they're hosting smaller groups than they did before the pandemic, after the Omicron variant has threatened to put a damper on end of year celebrations. And after two years lounging at home, revellers are watching what they're putting in their bodies tonight, picking healthy recipes and drinks in low alcohol, to get a head start on Dry January. Some are still buying champagne and sparkling ahead of tonight, with interest in champagne cocktails on the rise as well. For these intimate gatherings, hearty, comforting foods such as Beef Wellington, Mushroom and Stilton pie, French onion soup and Mediterranean Grilled Vegetable lasagne are proving to be hits. Vegetarian dishes like this grilled vegetable lasagne have enjoyed a surge of popularity online ahead of tonight's celebrations Delicacies like mushroom caviar and watermelon, mozzarella & aperol bites are also on the radar of the fanciest of hosts. Will Torrent, Senior Brand Development Chef at Waitrose said: 'Its clear our customers are hosting intimate dinner parties for New Years Eve this year. 'And findings show that just over a third of shoppers are treating themselves and their guests to high-end, quality products such as more premium wine and specialty ingredients,' he added. 'From what theyre serving as the main centrepiece to the fizz theyre bringing in the new year with, were seeing people upgrading their menus to kick off 2022,' he went on. Brits are looking to strike a balance between indulging and keeping this healthy, with dishes like this mushroom and Stilton cheese pie This comes as so restrictions have been put in place in Scotland and in Wales ahead of the New Year's celebrations. There are no such curbs in England, with people simply being encouraged to take a Covid test before they head to a party. Environment Secretary George Eustice insisted on Wednesday that the Government is keeping close tabs on Covid admissions and refused to rule out adopting further restrictions in January. But critics have slammed No10's decision to keep nightclubs and other hospitality venues open for New Year's festivities, with one medical union chief claiming it 'speaks volumes' about the PM's approach. Vegan treats are proving extremely popular this year, with searches for these vegan roasted vegetable tarts going up by 351 per cent Professor Danny Altmann, an immunologist based at Imperial College London, said the move seems to show the 'greatest divergence between expert clinical/scientific advice and legislation'. And University of Brighton virologist Dr Sarah Pitt said having different rules in England will just lead to people in Wales and Scotland travelling across the border to celebrate NYE, before returning home and potentially taking the virus with them. However, Tory MPs have backed Mr Johnson for holding firm against calls to impose tougher sanctions, arguing it is better to trust in the 'good sense of the British people'. The parents of a teenager who has defied the 1% odds of surviving after a horrific accident are now desperately raising funds for her future care. Hailee Patnesky, 16, from Central Point, Oregon, was given less than 1% chance of waking up from life-altering brain surgery after she was knocked off her bike. The accident on January 9 last year saw the teen get thrown several feet into the air, landing unconscious before being taken into hospital. She was in a life-threatening condition and suffered from brain damage as well as suffering from oxygen deprivation. Hailee Patnesky, 16, was thrown several feet into the air when a car smashed into her as she and her sister, Sarah rode their bikes. Pictured in hospital after the crash The 16-year-old was given a 1% chance of survival for the brain surgery she needed to have after the horrific accident. Hailee pictured in hospital with Santa Pictured before the accident, the teen defied the odds of survival and now her family are raising funds, 74,000, for her future care In nearly a year since the smash, Hailee's family are fighting to keep her in hospital as she is still in desperate need of care. Hailee is recovering in Nexus Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, but the family need to raise $100,000 to give her the best chance because their family health plan doesn't cover any future treatment. Her mother, Michelle Patnesky, 49, who was a waitress for 30 years before giving up her job to take care of her daughter, said: 'Hailee remains on a "disorder of consciousness programme", a treatment programme for children operating on "lower level of consciousness". 'Despite her miraculous progress, Hailee is still in need of treatment which the family's health plan cannot cover. 'The surgeon asked me, if we were okay for them to take off part of her skull to help relieve the pressure in her brain. 'We said, do whatever you need to do.' After 21 days of being in an induced coma, the doctor told Michelle and her husband Joe Patnesky, 47, that they couldn't keep the pressure in Hailee's brain down. The only option to save her life was an invasive type of brain surgery known as bilateral craniotomy. Michelle continued: 'We were told that her skull would be opened, and her brain could come out like toothpaste. 'They had to remove a bit of the frontal lobe, it was a five-and-a-half-hour surgery.' In nearly a year since the smash, Hailee's family are fighting to keep her in hospital as she is still in desperate need of care. Pictured before the crash When Hailee didn't wake up three days after the surgery, the doctors told Michelle that her daughter had less than a one per chance of waking up. Despite all odds against her, Hailee miraculously pulled through. Michelle said: 'She has surpassed everything they have told us. 'She is making slow progress, but it is still progress.' Her mother has shared her desperate plea for the 16-year-old who is still in need of medical treatment one year after the incident. Pictured with her younger sister, Sarah, now 15, before the accident. Sarah is no longer in school as she can't focus after witnessing her sister get hit by the car Hailee's road to recovery has impacted the family emotionally as well as financially as they search for Hailee's next care facility. Pictured right, before the accident Michelle added: 'Now, our health plan wants to discharge Hailee on January 12. 'They don't want to pay for her anymore. 'Right now, she has fluid in her third ventricle of the brain. She is in no way able to fly or go anywhere right now. 'It's the most excruciating thing this family has gone through. 'Sarah [Hailee's sister, 15] is no longer in school as she can't focus. 'She has nightmares every night after witnessing what happened to her sister. 'We are all still stuck on January 9.' Hailee's road to recovery has impacted the family emotionally as well as financially as they search for Hailee's next care facility. Hailee, a student at North Medford High School in Oregon had just started working at a local Dairy Queen before the accident (left). After 21 days of being in an induced coma, the doctor told Michelle and her husband Joe Patnesky, 47, that they couldn't keep the pressure in Hailee's brain down Hailee's father, Joe, has given up his job as a contractor to stay at home in Oregon with their other children; Sarah, 15 and Noah, seven. Her younger brother, Noah, is also traumatised by the incident. Michelle said: 'Since the accident, Noah has gained 60lbs. He is 130lbs right now because he is emotionally eating.' Hailee's family launched a GoFundMe page in hopes to raise $100,000 for Hailee's road to recovery and future care. Dozens of donor's have contributed and raised over $38,000 so far. Michelle and Joe Patnesky are overwhelmed with the support and generosity they have received for their daughter so far. Hailee, a student at North Medford High School had just started working at a local Dairy Queen before the accident. 'She is the most caring human being you will ever meet,' Michelle added. 'She bought sleeping bags and toothbrushes for the homeless with her first pay check.' Bonnie Langford, has come under fire from her Twitter followers for complaining that she was 'shouted at' for bringing her Maltipoo into Pret a Manger. The Dr Who and Eastenders star, 57, was visiting a Bromley branch of the popular cafe, when she claims she was 'shouted at' because of her dog, Poppy. Taking to Twitter, Bonnie revealed that she had visited the establishment while on a break from her current pantomime show, Sleeping Beauty, in which she's playing the Lilac Fairy. She said that she's been visiting the branch for a fortnight with her dog without any problem, but didn't specify if the person who confronted her was an employee or another customer. Commenters were largely on the side of Pret with one person branding dog owners 'unhygienic' for bringing pets into cafes, however some followers came to Bonnie's defence. Bonnie Langford, has come under fire from her Twitter followers for complaining that she was 'shouted at' for bringing her Maltipoo into Pret a Manger (pictured together during an appearance on This Morning earlier this year) Followers were largely not on the actress' side as they called dog owners 'unhygienic' for bringing their pets into places of food Taking to Twitter to vent her frustration, Bonnie revealed that she was 'done' and implored people to be more kind Tweeting about the experience, Bonnie wrote: 'Ive just been shouted at in #pretamanger Bromley for taking my dog in while I get a take away coffee between shows having done so for the past 5 weeks twice a day everyday.' 'People say be kind but theyre not. Just rude. Im done.' One person wrote: 'Why are you taking a dog into a coffee shop? It is unhygienic and I hate when people do that! Agree that manners cost nothing and no need for them to raise their voices, and they should have informed you of their no dog policy in the first place!' Another agreed, saying: 'Dog lovers: do you ever stop to consider how people such as I, who suffer with violent allergic reactions to your pets are affected? Im often forced out of public places to protect myself from inconsiderate pandering to people with pooches. Its Pret-a-manger not Pet-a-mongrel!' Some commenters weren't happy with the fact that Bonnie had taken her pet in the establishment A third person simply said: 'Omg dogs should not be in food areas. Whats wrong with people.' However, some commenters thought she was well within her right to bring in her dog and chastised the employee she claimed had shouted at her. One person wrote, 'I agree with you. I certainly wouldnt leave my dog tied up outside a shop, vulnerable to theft or anything else for that matter. Dogs are like toddlers, they are family. If Im on my own & I cant take my dog inside a shop or cafe then I dont go in.' British actor, Colin Baker, weighed in on the matter and claimed he wouldn't be buying from Pret again, saying: 'Thats a boycott for Pret a Manger from me! Outrageous!' Other commenters revealed their support for Bonnie and wondered why there would be a problem in the first place Another person suggested Bonnie should try the countryside: 'Come to the Lake District.. just about every cafe/pub is dog friendly.. no shouting here unless your dog is off the lead around livestock.' Tweeting to a question about their dog policy in 2020, Pret A Manger had previously stated: 'We dont have an official policy on dogs, but guide dogs are, of course, always allowed. As a general rule, our Managers can let in small dogs as long as they're very well-behaved. We hope that helps!' Speaking to Mail Online, a spokesperson for Pret A Manger said: 'We have previously received complaints from customers when we have let dogs in our shops, which is why we have this policy.' 'We are sorry to hear about Ms Langfords experience. Our normal policy is to only allow guide dogs in our shops, but were speaking to our shop team to understand more about the situation.' The Queen has appointed the Duchess of Cornwall and former Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Order of the Garter, it has been announced. Camilla, 73, was made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, elevating her to the status of senior royals including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duke of Cambridge, who are all Royal Ladies and Knights of the Order of the Garter. Tony Blair was made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos, who served as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and the High Commissioner to Australia, was appointed a Lady Companion. Camilla, 73, was made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, elevating her to the status of senior royals including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duke of Cambridge, who are all Royal Ladies and Knights of the Order of the Garter The Queen and Prince Charles, as sovereign and heir, are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered 'ex officio knights' with the power to admit new members. Pictured, the Queen in the robes of the Order of the Garter in June 2019 The Order of the Garter is a a 700-year-old order of knighthood founded by Edward III in 1348, and recognises contributions of great public service from those honoured. All appointments are gifts of the Queen, meaning she does not need to seek Prime Ministerial advice. They are comparable to the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Merit and the Royal Victorian Order which are also in the Queen's gift. There are no limit on the number of Royal Knights and Ladies but there can only be a maximum of 24 Companions. The appointment of Mr Blair and Baroness Amos takes the total number of Companions to 21. Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos, who served as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and the High Commissioner to Australia, was appointed a Lady Companion. Tony Blair was made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Knights and Ladies of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. Tony Blair served as Prime Minister from 1997-2007 and is now Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a not-for-profit organisation which works around the world. Baroness Amos has previously been Chief Executive, Equal Opportunities Commission, Secretary of State for International Development, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords, Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, UN and is currently Master, University College Oxford. The Queen and Prince Charles, as sovereign and heir, are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered 'ex officio knights' with the power to admit new members. The Garter is open to British and Commonwealth citizens, with former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Lord Sainsbury numbered among the current members. There are also 'Stranger Knights', the title given to foreign royal King Felipe VI of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, were officially invested by the Queen as Supernumerary, or 'Stranger', Knight of the Garter in 2019. A diva cat who was branded a 'prison princess' because she 'has demands and is not afraid to say them loudly' has finally gotten adopted but her new owner will have to go to some pretty great lengths to keep her happy. Whiskers Cat Cafe in Kansas City, Missouri, recently announced on social media that they had rescued a Persian cat named Percy but they admitted that taking care of her wasn't easy. Percy spent most of her years living on the streets, and now that she's begun to grow acclimated to life as a pet, she has a lot of demands, including regular blowouts for her white fur, an orthopedic bed, and heating pads. She also refuses to be around kids with 'tiny sticky fists of fury' and will reportedly 'murder you and your entire family' if she is forced to be around another pet. 'Be aware that she needs special comforts,' the cat cafe warned. 'She has demands and she is not afraid to say them loudly out loud.' A cat who was branded a 'prison princess' because she 'has demands and isn't afraid to say them loudly' has been adopted Whiskers Cat Cafe, located in Kansas City, Missouri, recently announced on social media that they had rescued the Persian cat, named Percy - but taking care of her wasn't easy Before they took her in, Percy spent most of her years living on the streets, and now that she's getting acclimated to life as a pet, she has a lot of demands First, the pampered pet cannot live with another animal 'Weve been keeping secrets from you,' the cat cafe wrote on Instagram on December 8. 'For the last 12 days weve been letting this grinch acclimate to life on the inside. Make no mistake, she is a prison princess.' However, the cat cafe was looking for someone to adopt Percy, so they wrote out all of the feline's quirks. 'Under no circumstances does she wish to meet or live with another animal. Its absurd that you would even ask,' they wrote. 'Dont come at us with stories about your ancient cat loving chihuahua. She will murder you and your entire family for getting that thing near her. 'If you even suggest she can cohabitate with your other precious Persian she will curse you like that awesome witch from Into the Woods." Long story short, you will not convince us to let you try,' the post continued. 'Plan on having children? You think she wants tiny STICKY fists of fury anywhere near her magical snow cape? That's a hard pass on living with a drunken ballerina-ninja.' 'Under no circumstances does she wish to meet or live with another animal. Its absurd that you would even ask,' they wrote She also hates children - due to their 'sticky fists of fury' - so her new owner can't even dream of having any When it comes to grooming the cat, she requires regular brushing and blowouts, as well as heating pads and eye wipes When it comes to grooming the cat, she requires regular brushing and blowouts, as well as heating pads, eye wipes, and an orthopedic foam bed. 'She needs those fancy eye wipes for white, long haired, short nosed cats. She needs someone who will gasp at the glory of her grinch toes. 'She needs brush outs, blowouts, princess level pampering, heating pads, and the orthopedic foam in her own bed. And thats just her baseline. 'If you are up to the challenge of parenting a gifted child, an ONLY child, a child with floofy white cloud fur that bounces with every step like a unicorn mane If you are excellent and in to worshiping this magnificent creature Her bail is set at 1 million dollars.' Whiskers Cat Cafe concluded: 'Seriously, we love her but she deserves the best life. 'She will yell at you, she will put on an angry and scary show for a few weeks, she will absolutely lose her mind if she isnt the only small thing in your house. 'But, we think she deserves a way better life that the one she came from and we aim to find it for her.' Whiskers Cat Cafe wrote: 'She will yell at you, she will put on an angry and scary show for a few weeks ... but, we think she deserves a way better life that the one she came from' Despite all of Percy's strict requests, the cat cafe revealed in another post that she had officially found her forever home Percy's new owner is a woman named Amy Thomason, who couldn't be more excited to welcome the 'prison princess' into her home Despite all of Percy's strict requests, Whiskers Cat Cafe revealed in another post yesterady that she had officially found her forever home. 'We have the most wonderful news for all of her adoring fans,' they wrote. 'SHE GOT ADOPTED. And it's for real her forever home. She knows it. 'We have already gotten an update just HOURS after adoption that she is relaxed, purring, sitting on laps, making "mashed potatoes," and even giving kisses. She then took a snooze on her couch. 'We are so grateful that all of you helped unite her with her humans, who know exactly how to care for her. Congratulations our dear princess and congrats to her new family!' According to local news outlet Fox4, Percy's new owner is a woman named Amy Thomason, who couldn't be more excited to welcome the 'prison princess' into her home. 'In a surprising turn of events, her heart has indeed grown three sizes and mine has grown like a million,' she told the outlet. Anglo American faces a major legal battle over claims that one of its mines in Zambia poisoned 100,000 people including babies, pregnant women and children. In the latest scandal to rock a top mining company, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the FTSE 100 group in South Africa. But boss Mark Cutifani has slammed the case as 'opportunistic and completely misdirected' and the company insists it was never responsible for the site. Pollution from the plant at Kabwe (pictured) has left a deadly legacy on the streets as locals and visitors protect themselves A lead mine in the Zambian town of Kabwe is alleged to have been under the control of Anglo's South African arm from the 1920s until 1974, when it was nationalised. The site, previously known as Broken Hill, was worked between 1904 and 1994. For decades, rocks were dug up and crushed to extract lead but in the process particles of the deadly metal swept over the town, seeping into the ground, homes and bodies. South African law firm Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys and London group Leigh Day have launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of more than 100,000 children and mothers in Kabwe. It is still being reviewed and has not yet been brought to trial, though industry sources say it is likely. The firms say Anglo had a key role in managing the mine at a time when the worst of the environmental destruction was wreaked. They claim Anglo knew it was causing health issues but did not do enough to stop the damage. Around 75 per cent of Kabwe's population are thought to have significant levels of lead in their blood The lawsuit aims to set up a long-term programme to test blood lead levels, and for Anglo to shoulder the clean-up costs. Richard Meeran, partner and head of the international department at Leigh Day, said: 'An environmental and public health crisis of the magnitude of Kabwe's would be considered a corporate scandal if it occurred in the UK or US. 'It also serves as a stark illustration of what happened in the past when large multinational mining companies were effectively given free rein to exploit the resources and people in southern Africa, with tragic human consequences.' Studies of the area, which has a population of 230,000, show it has concentrations of lead up to 150 times higher than safe limits. South African law firm Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys and London group Leigh Day have launched a class action lawsuit Campaigners from groups including Amnesty International claim it is the world's 'most toxic lead mine'. Kabwe was included in an eight-year World Bank scheme to clean up Zambian mines, and as part of this the Bank's representative showed local officials the Julia Roberts film Erin Brockovich, about a class action lawsuit against a water company. Lead poisoning can ruin the nervous system and damage organs including the heart, kidneys and brain. Children are especially vulnerable, and it is associated with higher rates of miscarriage. Around 75 per cent of Kabwe's population are thought to have significant levels of lead in their blood. Anglo wholly rejects the lawsuit's claims, saying it was 'far from being the majority owner' of Kabwe and that after it was nationalised it was the country's state-owned mining firm that was responsible for its closure. Long-time chief executive Cutifani has previously said that the claim is 'opportunistic and misdirected'. He steps down as Anglo boss in April to be replaced by strategy director Duncan Wanblad, who will steer the company through the legal battle if it goes to trial. In a responding affidavit to the case filed by Anglo in August, it blames the Zambian state mining group, ZCCM, and the Zambian government for the problems at the site. The law firms are due to file another response in February, and a decision on a trial will be made within the coming months. A source close to the company said Leigh Day's claims were 'extremely selective in nature' and that there was clear evidence that operating standards deteriorated at the mine when ZCCM took over, which is probably when most of the pollution occurred. In a statement, the company said that it had 'every sympathy for the people of Kabwe and their plight'. But it added: 'Between 1925 to 1974, Anglo American South Africa held a shareholding in the company that operated the mine. 'Anglo American provided certain services to the mine, but at no stage owned or operated the mine.' The battle comes as big mining companies' social responsibility has been thrust under the spotlight after Rio Tinto blew up two 46,000-year-old Aboriginal caves in Australia last year to extend an iron ore mine. The disaster sparked investor outcry, a boardroom clear- out and an Australian parliamentary inquiry. Another of Anglo's peers, BHP, has for years been paying compensation and trying to repair its reputation after a waste dam at an iron ore mine in Brazil burst in 2015, killing 19. Fund manager Terry Smith has bagged a bumper payday of up to 150million, making him one of the best-paid bosses in the global finance industry. The Mauritius-based stock picker, who founded Fundsmith 11 years ago, celebrated record profits in the 12 months to March 2021. Even though his flagship 22.7billion Fundsmith Equity fund underperformed the average of its rivals over the year, the firm raked in total profits of 57.7million up from 48.5million a year earlier. Mauritius-based stock picker Terry Smith (pictured), who founded Fundsmith 11 years ago, celebrated record profits in the 12 months to March 2021 Fundsmith was boosted by investors looking for somewhere to put the cash they saved during lockdown. Over ten years, Smiths flagship fund is one of the UKs top money-spinners. Ryan Hughes, head of investment research at AJ Bell, said the flows of cash into Fundsmith helped pull in strong profits. He said: While the size of those rewards may raise eyebrows, investors tend to be pretty sanguine about it while performance remains very strong and they feel they are sharing in the success. In the year to March 2021, Fundsmith Equity would have turned 1,000 into 1,318 though this is less than the 1,451 made by the average fund in the Investment Associations Global sector. Since its launch in 2010, however, it has blown its rivals out of the water, turning 1,000 into 6,722 as opposed to the sector average of 3,543. Hughes said: Im sure investors will still be satisfied with growth of over 20 per cent for the year. The biggest holdings in Fundsmith Equity include Microsoft, LOreal and Paypal. Smith also runs several other funds, including Sustainable Equity, and investment trusts Smithson and Emerging Equities. Smith, 68, pocketed just over 60 per cent of the 57.7million profits generated by Fundsmith in the year. The rest was shared out among Fundsmiths other owners. But it also sent 188.1million in fees to an opaque company in Mauritius, Fundsmith Investment Services Ltd (FISL) of which Smith is also the majority owner. It does not make its accounts public. But Smith could have pocketed as much as 61 per cent, taking his total pay to 150.4million. It is understood that the sum is unlikely to be this high as some of the cash sent to FISL was spent on services such as research, administration and accounting. Ben Yearsley, a director at Shore Financial Planning, said: In one sense I have no issue with what Terry Smith gets paid. Hes built a very successful business. But I dont like the secrecy around the Mauritius structure. Yearsley added that Fundsmith Equity was also relatively expensive in terms of the ongoing charge which savers must pay. Smith, the son of a London lorry driver, made his name in the 1980s as a banking analyst before lurching into controversy at broker BZW, urging investors to sell shares in its parent, Barclays. In the 1990s, while working for Swiss investment bank UBS, he wrote a best-selling book on dirty accounting tricks used to make struggling firms look successful, for which UBS fired him. The Brexit-backing father-of-two then took charge of stockbroker Collins Stewart, merging it to create Tullett Prebon. He went to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius in 2014, to escape the Citys noise and grind. The parents of a little girl who suffers several seizures each day and will need ongoing care for the rest of her life has been devastated by health bureaucrats' decision to cut her NDIS funds by almost a third. Luella Oudshoorn was just 11-weeks-old when she was diagnosed with West Syndrome, an extremely rare type of epilepsy which results in severe developmental delays and has no cure. Unlike other toddlers her age, two-year-old Luella still can't walk, independently stand, is non-verbal, needs help feeding herself and and just started to crawl a few days before Christmas. Her parents Erin and David are hopeful their little girl will overcome the odds and eventually reach those milestones. The Sydney couple recently announced Luella will become a big sister in June next year, but what should have been joyous news was tarnished by Luella's condition taking a turn for the worse. Little Luella's epilepsy deteriorated just days after her parents Erin and David announced they're expecting their second child Luella has West Syndrome, an incredibly rare type of epilepsy which results in severe developmental delays and has no cure The toddler has in recent weeks began suffering more seizures and spasms in a progression towards Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, one of the most severe forms of epilepsy. Her mother has forced to give up work to become Luella's full-time carer and described the latest heartbreaking setback as 'robbing us of the light that so fleetingly glimmers in our lives'. 'Luella is the most gentle and sweetest little girl who is full of love,' Ms Oudshoorn told Daily Mail Australia. 'We see moments of her personality shine through but it depends on the day. 'Every day is very different. For the most part, she's a happy girl but the seizures aren't good and cause destruction to the brain each time. 'We do a lot of physical therapy in the hope she'll reach those milestones but there's a long and gruelling road ahead regardless. 'She will need ongoing care for the rest of her life.' Despite the deterioration in Luella's condition, Ms Oudshoorn claimed health officials had reduced her funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.. Ms Oudshoorn claims she was told that the toddler wasn't 'disabled' enough to receive more subsidised care. Luella (pictured being comforted by mum Erin) has started suffering more seizures and spasms in a progression towards Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, one of the most severest forms of epilepsy. 'They didn't believe Luella needed a nurse to help look after her, despite reports from her neurologists,' Ms Oudshoorn said. 'Luella needs monitoring 24-7 as she has seizures throughout the night. 'Children like Luella need the extra care. It's unfair and unreasonable to expect the mum to do it all on her own. 'My husband is the sole breadwinner for the family and works long hours, leaving me to care for Luella on my own.' 'It's infuriating that the NDIS expects us to carry the weight without providing enough support.' She issued a desperate plea to bureaucrats making the decisions. 'Stop making our life harder, families shouldn't have to prove how disabled their child is.' The NDIS insists it continues to provide 'significant funding' in Luellas NDIS plan and strongly denied claims funding was cut by a third. Erin describes daughter Luella (pictured with dad David) as the most gentle and sweetest little girl who is full of love 'The NDIA recognises the difficult challenges the Oudshoorn family are facing and the NDIA is committed to ensuring Luella has the disability-related supports she needs,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'It is important to note that Luellas plan does include funding for care from a nurse. It would be wrong to state that the plan does not include funding for a nurse. 'During the planning process, the NDIA will review all information provided at the time and make decisions on reasonable and necessary supports. 'If sufficient evidence is provided to the NDIA to substantiate the requested levels of additional support, including for nursing care, the NDIA would then be able to consider further changes to the plan. 'The NDIA had not received such evidence for consideration in Luellas most recent plan review.' The spokeswoman added the family has been given a Request for a Review of Decision form to complete if they would like to further review. For now, Ms Oudshoorn says she's given up her fight for more funds to focus more on Luella. But she stands by her claims about the funding claims and lashed out at the time-consuming and frustrating efforts to deal with the public service. 'While it may not seem much, I assure you when funding is difficult at the best of times, to then have some random person behind a desk with no medical experience, but especially no specific experience with the disability at hand, making life altering decisions for a patient, is (in my opinion) quite honestly, a joke,' she posted on an Instagram page set up to detail her daughter's journey. 'For parents navigating this foreign path, its honestly a minefield. 'Frustratingly you end up obtaining more info from parents who have walked this ambivalent road before you, rather than from NDIS direct. 'As if designed to be overly time consuming & frustrating, so that parents simply give up or settle for far less than what is required & more importantly, deserved, for their child. Not because they dont care, but because they simply lack time & energy to put up a fight, along with the disability battlefield they already tread.' Ms Oudshoorn remains hopeful Luella (pictured doing therapy) will walk and talk one day Luella suffered up to 250 seizures a day up until a year ago. Her parents had tried dozens of anti-epileptic treatments without any success before turning to cannabidiol, a cannabis oil which has relieved some of Luella's symptoms. Her mother described the treatment as a life changer and has given Luella more cognitive ability and motor function, despite her recent progression towards Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. 'It's not a cure but it does help as it allows her the maintain and retain things she does learn,' Ms Oudshoorn told Daily Mail Australia. 'At her worst, she would have up to 250 seizures a day, which have been reduced to down to 30-40 by using CBD oil. 'She spent the first six to eight months of her life in and out of hospital so it's something to try to avoid as much as we can.' While the oil has alleviated the symptoms, the only treatment option to genuinely improve Luella's condition is surgery but it is a major and risky procedure which would involve removing half of Luella's brain. Even then, there's no guarantee Luella's condition will improve or that the seizures will stop. Mention of the risky surgery makes Ms Oudshoorn 'sick to my stomach.' 'Doctors say there is a 80 per cent cent chance of a positive outcome,' she said. 'It's not a option I'm ready to consider yet because of the risks involved. They only have one shot at surgery.' Luella (pictured) was 11-weeks-old when she was diagnosed with West Syndrome Ms Oudshoorn was suffering post-natal depression when she first saw signs something wasn't right with Luella at eight-weeks-old. Genetic tests on her unborn second child that weren't offered when she was pregnant with Luella have come back all clear so far. 'It's layered with a range of emotions- we're scared, nervous and excited at the same time,' Ms Oudshoorn said. 'Luella has changed my outlook on life. My perception of what was important before has changed. 'It's hard in a sense, thinking why is this happening to us.' Extensive testing on her unborn child have ruled out Ms Oudshoorn and her husband as genetic carriers for epilepsy or any other genetic condition. 'While this news brings extreme relief and solace that persevering for this information was worth all the cage rattling, it frustratingly doesnt bring us any closer to determining a cause for Lulu,' she said. Erin (pictured right with daughter Luella) is pregnant with her second child due in June She has set up an Instagram page Little Lulu Love dedicated to her daughter's journey to raise awareness about epilepsy and the funding battles affected families face, where she recently detailed Luella's deterioration. 'Her body involuntary becomes statuesque, and then slowly a hostile takeover transcends through her body, ripple like in effect, minus the beauty,' she wrote. 'As the seizure worsens, her eyes roll up to the right & then into the back of her head. She also becomes non responsive.' Friends have rallied around the family amid the uncertain road ahead for Luella, setting up an online fundraiser to relieve the financial stress upon the family arising from her ongoing treatment and care. 'The time has now come for Erin and Dave to get a little assistance,' the page states. 'Now that Erin is pregnant it will soon become impossible for her to carry Luella, to rock her to sleep, to bath her. She will need some help while Dave is working.' Luella recently suffered devastating setback as her parents prepare for arrival of second child Friends have rallied around the David and Erin amid the uncertain road ahead for Luella Ms Oudshoorn still has high hopes for Luella's future, despite the uncertainty ahead. She also continues to pray for a miracle a cure for her daughter's condition will be found. 'I would love her to walk and talk one day, that would be amazing,' she told Daily Mail Australia. ''But it could take years for that to happen. All we want is for Luella to enjoy life as much as possible surrounded by lots of love, no matter what happens. 'We're just focused on taking each day as it comes and smothering her with love.' A glamour model who infamously stripped naked at an AFL grand final has no regrets about her 15 seconds of fame as she contemplates her next career move. Heather McCartney flashed 100,000 fans at the MCG during the 2014 blockbuster between Hawthorn and Sydney Swans as part of a bet she would 'get naked' if the Hawks won. Seven years on, the Gold Coast-based Scottish expat, now 33, still models occasionally and recently appeared in Maxim men's magazine. But Ms McCartney says her most important role is being a mum to five-year-old daughter Annah Rose, dubbed a miracle baby after she fell pregnant with her while in remission for cancer. Ms McCartney had just begun treatment for aplastic anemia, a cancer of the blood, when she hit the headlines after her daring stunt at the MCG. Heather McCartney caused a stir by stripping naked in a corporate box at the 2014 AFL grand final (pictured) Seven years on and now a mum, the model has no regrets about her infamous stunt that made headlines around the world 'It was a bucket list moment, I guess,' Ms McCartney told Daily Mail Australia. 'I had a lot going on in my life prior. I could have been dead a week later so thought why not? 'I learned how to win over half of Australia and p*** off the other half. 'I made history. Why would I regret that?' She still gets recognised by die-hard AFL fans over her raunchy antics. 'I dont really feel anything. Ive came along way since then,' she said. Hawthorn won back-to-back premiership flags for the first time since 1988/89 that day with a 63 point win. She had previously vowed to repeat the stunt if Scotland ever became independent but has since changed her mind. 'Nah, no way. I could never top that. Nobody could,' Ms McCartney said. She fought police, kicking, punching and biting three officers as they tried to arrest her and spent the night in a police cell. Heather (at the 2014 AFL grand final) vowed to take off her clothes if Hawthorn won. The Hawks beat the Swans by 63 points Heather leads a quieter life these days as a devoted mum to Annah Rose (right) After being released from custody the next day, she posted a raunchy photograph of herself, with her hair in pigtails, wearing a yellow bikini top and dark bottoms - Hawthorn colours - and a footy in one hand. Ms McCartney pleaded guilty to several charges including an act in an indecent manner and was fined $300 with no conviction recorded. Magistrate Alan Spillane described her actions during arrest as 'pretty nasty offending'. 'The part I think is really worrying is basically you were biting and hitting out at people who were out trying to do their job,' he told her. Ms McCartney gained a significant number of followers on her official Facebook fan page 'Miss Lady Darling'. She later went into remission and had given up partying and booze when she found out she was 24 weeks pregnant in March 2016 during a health check. Heather's raunchy antics at the MCG saw her spent a night in a police cell Her 'miracle baby' Annah Rose arrived three months later. 'I was pretty shocked at first, but I'm pretty excited and happy about it,' Ms McCartney told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'I just told them what had been happening - I had just been feeling normal but I started thinking my stomach was getting a big bigger. 'I didn't think there was a chance I could get pregnant.' While she enjoys being in front of the camera for modelling and product endorsements, Ms McCartney's biggest priority in her life is her daughter. 'Everything I do at the moment is with my best friend,' she said. 'Shes not at school just yet so we are spending lots of time together travelling. I look after homes and pets in Australia. 'Its a good way to see the country. Ive been back in front of the camera briefly too.' Despite more than 321,000 Instagram followers, she's yet to make the transition to OnlyFans - unlike many online influencers. 'I don't really have the time for a huge commitment like that right now,' she said. 'It looks like a full-time job. I don't get a minute to myself yet. 'Never say never though, I would maybe think about it one day if I had a unique niche. 'I would want to do a travel one. Especially watching the struggles of communication being Scottish.' Heather found out she was pregnant with Annah while in cancer remission It's been more than a decade since Ms McCartney arrived in Australia as a young backpacker seeking a new life after graduating from university in Scotland. 'I cant say it's been a quiet 10 years,' she laughed. 'Full of ups and downs, getting married, getting sick, getting famous, beating cancer, falling pregnant, divorce and rebuilding my life from scratch. 'I'm just starting to really understand and enjoy what life has to offer by being a mum. It was the making of me, that's for sure.' Ms McCartney hopes to seek more work opportunities when Annah starts school. She is considering joining OnlyFans when she has more time. 'It looks like a full-time job,' she said. 'Everything I do at the moment is with my best friend,' Heather said (pictured with five-year-old daughter Annah) She also hopes to do more travel now that she finally has her drivers licence. 'Being a single mum for the past four years, Ive been working hard to get her to where she is now,' she said. 'I will be focusing on my health and well-being. Im in communication with new agencies for work. '2022 is looking to be a blessed and busy year.' A wealthy businessman fakes his disappearance, is declared dead and starts a new life - then it all falls apart when he runs into his brother who can't believe his eyes. It sounds like a story ripped from the pages of a spy novel, especially when you add in Ukranian gangsters, a $3.5million life insurance policy and a bigamous marriage. But it's not a spy book, it's Harry Gordon's autobiography How I Faked my Own Death And Did Not Get Away With it - A True Story. The story starts in the Hunter region of NSW in June, 2000, when Gordon was aged 51. Harry Gordon (pictured) was eventually caught and jailed after faking his own death in NSW in 2000 Gordon took what he refers to as a 'quickboat' out on the Karuah estuary and, as far as the world was concerned, disappeared, presumed dead. In reality, he left the boat on a small rubber dinghy, made it back to dry land and was relieved to discover the van he'd parked - and the $100,000 in cash and two bottles of champagne in it - was still there. That was the how of his disappearance. The why was more complicated. Gordon has never strayed from his claim that he did it because he was in trouble with Ukranian business associates/gangsters. The NSW Police are convinced it was straight up insurance fraud. Maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle. Karuah River Estuary (pictured) in the Hunter region of NSW, where Harry Gordon faked his own death in June 2000 Harry Gordon (pictured left) with his wife Sheila, before he faked his own death on a cold winter's night Gordon began living an anonymous life under the assumed name Bill Teare in the inner city Sydney suburb of Kensington. But he had a lot of time on his hands, much of which was taken up with trips on the Manly ferry, a daily visit to the State Library of NSW and going to the George Street cinema every Tuesday night because there were discount tickets. He only had $100,000 to keep the wolf from the door - he had to budget. On one of those Tuesday nights, he bumped into an old female acquaintance and only saved himself through quick thinking. 'It's you isn't it?' the woman asked, grasping Gordon's arm. His disappearance was big news, there was no use denying he was who he was. 'Well it certainly was me, in an earlier life,' he said with a smile. 'But now I am someone else, in a witness protection program, the person you knew died I'm afraid.' His response was off the top of his head. He should have planned for this eventuality, but hadn't. To his astonishment, his lie worked. 'I am not really supposed to be out and about you know. I sneaked out of the safe house for a movie to give myself a little break from it all,' Gordon continued. 'Don't worry; your secret is safe with me,' the woman replied. And it was, she never said a word. Nor did anyone else he later had to use the same lines on. The cinema (pictured) on George Street, Sydney, where Harry Gordon bumped into an old acquaintance after he had faked his own death But after two months, Gordon desperately missed his wife, Sheila, despite their marriage being far from perfect. 'Sheila also was my only link with reality. My current life was imaginary, but insufficiently imagined. 'I used a false name and had some money, but I didn't have a driver's licence or a Medicare card, passport or any other identity document. I just didn't exist,' he writes. After letting himself in the back door of their house in Waterloo - just 2.4km from where he was living - Gordon didn't get the emotional reunion he'd longed for. The inner Sydney suburb of Kensington (pictured) where Harry Gordon rented a flat under a fake name after his 'disappearance' He describes it memorably. 'We didn't embrace. She folded her arms just below her large artificial breasts and listened as I talked. I reminded her that we had discussed the option of me disappearing.' Sheila uses some colourful language and tells him she never for one second thought he'd go through with it. Their daughter, Josaphine, was in the UK and pregnant and would soon have to be told her father wasn't actually dead. Harry Gordon used to get the ferry (pictured) to Manly while killing time to allow news of his faked disappearance to die down By the time Gordon and Josaphine finally reunited in Australia after the inquest into his death, Sheila had already explained his mysterious disappearance to her by saying he was in a witness protection program. Harry Gordon timeline 1949: Born in Te Aroha, New Zealand. Mid-1970s: Leaves for Australia. Late 1990s: Beset by business and personal problems, including a scheme with Ukrainian gangster businessmen June 2000: Fakes his death in on the Karuah River, NSW. Insurance refuses to pay out on his $3.5m policy because no body is found. July 2001: After coroner declares him dead, leaves Australia on a false passport and travels to Spain, England and South Africa. Tells his wife he is alive and liaises with her over how to access the insurance money. November 2002: Arrives in New Zealand. January 2003: Joins Versatile Buildings as housing consultant and garage salesman Robert Motzel. December 2004: Meets and falls in love with Auckland social worker Kristine Newsome. May 2005: His brother Michael spots him with Newsome and encourages Sheila to go to the police. August 2005: Sheila tells Australian police he is alive. September 2005: 'Marries' Kristine. They honeymoon in the Cook Islands, but his false passport is discovered. Sweet-talks his way to Fiji where he obtains New Zealand passport under his real name. November 2005: Arrested in Sydney. February 2006: Sentenced to 15 months' jail for conspiring to defraud AMP Insurance and false representation. November 2006: Released from jail. December 2021: Rereleases autobiography with new chapters. Advertisement 'We both burst into tears when we first embraced then laughed out loud at the wonderment of life and love. It was a joyful meeting,' he writes. The next five years took Gordon to Spain, then to England and South Africa. In late 2002 he flew to New Zealand, the country he had left for Australia in the mid-70s, and settled in Auckland selling garages and project homes. Along the way, he became Rob Motzel with a false passport that cost $25,000, and blue contact lenses. In Auckland, he also picked up a new girlfriend, soon to be wife, the flame-haired Kristine. It would hasten his undoing. Trouble was soon afoot. In May 2005, Gordon and Kristine ran into his older brother Michael in Tauranga. The men passed each other and then Michael doubled back to confront the brother he thought had drowned in a boating accident five years earlier. 'Hello,' he said. 'Is that really you?' Gordon brazened his way through it. 'Of course,' he said. 'But look, it's not convenient to talk now. I'll call you in a few days.' A few steps on, he explained to Kristine, 'That was just an old friend.' She bought it, and their bigamous marriage in September 2005, led to a bigamous honeymoon in the Cook Islands. But by the time they were due to fly back to New Zealand, Australian police had been tipped off about Gordon's new identity by Sheila after Michael had encouraged her to do so - not realising she had known for years. Airlines were alerted, and 'Rob' was refused permission to board his plane because he had a stolen passport. Kristine flew to Auckland on her own. She and Gordon's work colleagues were about to find out that the man they thought they knew was wanted in Australia for a $3.5million insurance fraud. Ever resourceful, Gordon made his way from the Cook Islands to Fiji and used his charm to somehow get a New Zealand passport in his real name. He flew to Sydney, but once he got through immigration, he was arrested and charged with false representation and conspiracy to defraud the AMP insurance company. The jig was up. He pleaded guilty to all charges, and ended up in a low security prison farm. He was sentenced to 15 months but served just a year behind bars. Harry Gordon used to go to the State Library of New South Wales (pictured) every day to read and write, while supposedly dead Sheila and Josaphine were later charged with conspiracy. Sheila served five months of home detention and charges against Josaphine were dropped. Gordon divorced Sheila and somehow convinced Kristine to marry him for real. Sheila died of lung cancer in 2017, Harry and Kristine are still together and he has a strong relationship with Josaphine and his grandchild. The word I appears 2,756 times in the book. It's hard to write a biography without a lot of I in it, but it also shows who really mattered most to Harry Gordon all along. A highly-regarded laser technician has revealed the top five tattoos regretful Sydneysiders are rushing to have professionally lasered from their bodies. Peter Poulos and his wife Alexandra are the co-owners of Disappear Ink, a laser removal clinic in Kogarah, in Sydney's southern suburbs. Mr Poulos has met some colourful characters over the years and removed some interesting ink, including ex-partner's names, tribal designs and even swastikas from clients bodies. Mr Poulos has met some colourful characters over the years and removed some interesting ink, including ex-partner's names Tattoos that were once popular are now being removed, people are also removing tattoos in highly visible spots Cringey tattoos are also being removed. Mr Polous said he had noticed a shift in the way people view tattoos and said he thought there was a greater level of acceptance in the community nowadays Mr Poulus started the tattoo removal clinic when he and his wife both turned 50, after he left his corporate job and Alexandra was made redundant. The couple had the idea to start the business after a trip to the United States in 2013, when tattoo removal was exploding across the country. The technician estimated Australia would be two to three years behind the trend and decided to start researching the best procedures and equipment to start up shop in Sydney. He purchased a laser the size of a top loading washing machine for a whopping $340,000 and opened up shop not knowing what to expect. Eight years later, Mr Polous said a wide range of colourful characters have walked through his shop door, all with a story to tell. In the last two years the technician has painstakingly removed more neck tattoos than in his entire career, describing the daring ink as 'the ultimate job-stopper'. A lot of people are choosing to remove scripture from their bodies, preferring to wipe the slate clean Tribal tattoos (pictured) are being removed in large numbers In the last two years Mr Poulos has painstakingly removed more neck tattoos than in his entire career, describing the daring ink as 'the ultimate job-stopper' (pictured, a client's neck tattoo) Top tattoos getting removed: 1. Neck and face tattoos 2 Names of former lovers 3. Tribal designs 4. Tattoos that are no longer meaningful Advertisement He explained people get tattoos on their face, neck or knuckles to look tough with some later experiencing a change of heart or perhaps landing a new role. Mr Polous said he had noticed a shift in the way people view tattoos and said he thought there was a greater level of acceptance in the community nowadays. 'Every barista south of Cleveland street has a full sleeve and a top knot to go with it,' the technician said with a laugh. He recalled only feeling scared of two clients who clinic, both of who he knew to be affiliated with bikie gangs in the area and were 'physically intimidating'. 'I'm not here to judge what they do,' Mr Poulos said, adding his 'grey hair' usually kept him out of trouble on the south Sydney streets. 'Our attitude is simple. We will respect you if you respect us. They pay the money and then they leave,' he explained. As gang-related tattoos go, the laser technician said those jobs had slowed over the last 18 months due to pressures of the pandemic. Peter Poulos (middle) and his wife Alexandra (left) are the co-owners of Disappear Ink, a laser removal service located in Kogarah in Sydney's southern suburbs Mr Poulus (right) started the tattoo removal clinic when he and his wife both turned 50, after he left his corporate job and Alexandra (left) was made redundant He said some got their tattoos removed because they no longer wanted to be affiliated with the gang, while others simply wanted fresh ink in its place. A man belonging to the Aryan Brotherhood once visited the shop but on the pretence of getting a completely different tattoo removed. Mr Poulos told another story of a man in his forties who had come into the clinic wanting eight swastikas removed from his body. Mr Polous (right) said he had noticed a shift in the way people view tattoos and said he thought there was a greater level of acceptance in the community nowadays He explained people get tattoos on their face, neck or knuckles to look tough with some later experiencing a change of heart or perhaps landing a new role (pictured, a client's face tattoo) He came into the clinic hanging his head in shame, the technician said, but had an explanation for why he was covered the Nazi imagery. He revealed he had lived in Israel when he was a teenager and had protested the Israeli occupation by throwing rocks at the guards, landing himself in jail. Behind bars, the teen and his comrades would use a pin and cigarette ash to tattoo the swastikas into their skin in a surefire way to 'p*ss off' the guards. When he walked through Peter's door he had at least eight of the symbols on his arms and legs, with the technician saying he 'appreciated' he was removing them. Mr Poulos uses a laser the size of a top loading washing machine he purchased for a whopping $340,000 to disrupt the ink inside his client's tattoos and slowly fade them away (pictured) A new Netflix documentary investigates Richard Cottingham, also known as the 'Times Square Killer' who said he raped and killed over 105 women and is currently serving a life sentence in New Jersey Netflix's documentary Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer examines the notorious case of Richard Cottingham - also known as 'The Torso Killer' - who claimed to have raped, slaughtered and mutilated more than 100 women between 1967 and 1980. The series begins with a grisly discovery at the Travel Inn Motor Hotel in Times Square on December 2, 1979. Police responded to a fire in Room 417, where two women had been discovered on a pair of twin beds. But when first responders attempted CPR, they realized the bodies had no heads and no hands. With only torsos, police were unable to identify the victims. One detective said it was 'the cleanest crime scene he's ever seen.' Spatter, gore, fingerprints, puddles of blood, there was no evidence except for their clothing, a pair of Bonjour jeans, a white leotard, patent leather boots and a black fur coat, which the killer had curiously folded neatly in the bathtub. Confounded, investigators used mannequins from nearby department stores and dressed them in the victims' clothing, hoping someone might come forward with information. One slain woman was positively identified through a cesarean-section scar as 22-year-old, Iranian prostitute, Deedeh Goodarzi. The other female victim has never been identified and to this day remains a Jane Doe. Their skulls were never found. Later, Cottingham claimed that Times Square cops stopped him as he carried the severed heads in a large potato sack to his car before letting him go. He returned back to the hotel to soak the crime scene in lighter fluid and set the room ablaze. NYPD realized they had a serial killer on their hands in December 1979, after they uncovered the charred, mutilated remains of two women at the Travel Inn Motor Hotel in Times Square. Without heads and hands, authorities were unable to identify the victims. Instead, they borrowed mannequins from nearby department stores and dressed them in the victims' clothing (above), hoping someone might come forward with information. One victim was recognized as Deedeh Goodarzi while the other slain woman remains unknown to this day Deedeh Goodarzi was a 22-year-old high-end prostitute from Iran whose family immigrated to Long Island when she was a teenager. She was positively identified through a cesarean-section scar after a friend recognized her clothing. Recently, her daughter that she gave up for adoption while turning tricks has made headlines for forging an unlikely friendship with Richard Cottingham in prison Richard Cottingham earned his moniker as 'the Torso Killer' after he raped and murdered two women in a Times Square motel before setting their decapitated torsos ablaze. Their skulls and hands were never found. He has officially been charged with 11 murders but says he's killed over 100 women Netflix's new 'Crime Scene' docuseries examines the notorious case of Richard Cottingham who left a bloody trail of victims between 1967 and 1980. Cottingham targeted sex workers in Times Square before torturing and mutilating their bodies, often leaving only their torsos behind as evidence Six months later, in early May 1980, the 'psychopathic sexual sadist' who had been officially dubbed in the press as 'The Torso Killer' struck again. This time, he strangled and slit the throat of 25-year-old Jean Reyner, a single mother who had been working as a call girl to finance a custody battle. The crime scene was particularly gruesome. 'It was pretty much the hotel room from hell,' said detective Malcolm Reiman in the documentary. The killer had severed her breasts and placed them on the headboard, 'for shock value,' recalled Vernon Geberth, former Commanding Officer of Bronx Homicide. Like before, the murderous butcher had set the room on fire, which immediately tipped off authorities that they had a serial killer on their hands. 'When you're looking for a killer in 1970s Times Square, you're looking for a needle in a haystack,' said Geberth. Their monster would end up being 33-year-old Richard Cottingham, a married milquetoast father of three from Lodi, New Jersey, who worked as a computer operator for BlueCross BlueShield in Manhattan. He later admitted that his psychopathic hobby for hunting sex workers in Times Square 'as a game.' By all accounts, he was 'an average guy who drove an average car and lived in an average house' explained reporter Rod Leith in the series. Nobody at the time suspected that Cottingham's killing spree had began over a decade earlier with the murder of Nancy Vogel in 1967 and five New Jersey high school girls in 1968 and '69. New York City was gripped with fear after the Travel Inn Motor Hotel murders went unsolved. Cottingham was eventually arrested in May 1980 after committing a string of grisly murders across Manhattan and New Jersey, with the same hallmark traits Cottingham evaded law enforcement by deliberately preying on marginalized sex workers during a time when crime-ridden New York City was dubbed 'Fear City.' The sexual predator prowled Times Square for his victims which was considered a deviant playground for pornography, prostitution and crooks The documentary paints a terrifying portrait of a city overrun with crime, which allowed Cottingham to flourish and evade law enforcement. A famous pamphlet made by NYPD during the 1970s advised tourists to 'stay off the streets after 6pm,' 'do not walk,' and 'never ride the subway for any reason whatsoever' Cops apprehended Richard Cottingham on May 22, 1980 in a New Jersey Quality Inn after staff alerted police of screams coming from a room. It was the same motel that a maid had discovered the mutilated body of Valerie Street just two weeks earlier, and the body of Maryann Car in 1977. Cottingham had been in the process of torturing his latest victim, 19-year-old Leslie Ann O'Dell, who survived the attack and testified against him during his trial One week before Jean Reyner's body was discovered at a Manhattan hotel, a maid at the Quality Inn in New Jersey found the naked corpse of Valerie Ann Street under the bed, with her hands tightly handcuffed behind her back. She had recently been arrested in Miami for prostitution and was last seen getting picked up by a John in New York City on May 5, 1980. Valerie Street's body was covered in bite marks and brutally beaten in a chillingly similar manner to the murder of 26-year-old Maryann Carr, that had occurred in the same motel three years earlier. Despite obvious similarities, 'no one in New Jersey connected them to the Times Square killer,' explained former NYPD detective Malcolm Reiman in the doc. Criminal profiling was still in its infancy and it was before CCTV footage was commonplace and the use of computers helped detectives share information across states. Cottingham slipped the noose of law enforcement by deliberately preying on marginalized sex workers during a time when crime-ridden New York City descended into lawlessness. It was the era when the Big Apple was nicknamed 'Fear City' and Times Square was a deviant drain of illicit thrills, pornography, prostitution and crooks - providing the sexual predator with the perfect hunting ground. The body of 25-year-old Jean Reyner, a single mother who was turning tricks to finance a child custody battle, was found violently murdered on May 15, 1980 in a midtown hotel. The crime scene was particularly gruesome, Cottingham severed her breasts and placed them on the headboard before torching the room. Cops eventually tied him to the crime when they found Reyner's necklace among his 'trophies.' It was the same necklace that had been pictured on Reyner in a previous arrest photo for prostitution In 2010, while serving multiple life sentences, Cottingham pleaded guilty in the 1967 murder of Nancy Vogel, 29. It is believed that she was his first victim In 2021 Cottingham confessed and pleaded guilty to the double kidnapping and murders of Lorraine Marie Kelly, 16 and Mary Ann Pryor, 17 in 1974. They were raped and drowned in the bathtub of a New Jersey motel In 2020, Cottingham admitted to murdering 13-year-old Jackie Harp (left) in 1968, and 15-year-old Denise Falasca (right) in 1969. Both girls were strangled to death Cops had a lucky break in the case almost six months after the two headless torsos were first found in Times Square. On May 22, 1980, Cottingham picked up Leslie Ann O'Dell in Midtown Manhattan and dragged her back to the same New Jersey motel where he mutilated his last victim just 18 days earlier. At knife point, he proceeded to torture, beat and sexually assault the 19-year-old runaway for hours, (nearly biting off one of her nipples) until a maid heard her muffled screams. When hotel staff investigated further, Leslie Ann O'Dell cracked open the door and quietly signaled for help. The police apprehended Richard Cottingham while trying to flee. In his possession were handcuffs, a leather gag, two slave collars, a switchblade, replica pistols and a stockpile of sedatives. After his arrest, NYPD drew comparisons to the numerous unsolved sexual assault cases with similar hallmarks to the New Jersey crimes. They executed a search warrant on Cottingham's family home where they found a secret, locked 'trophy room' that stashed souvenirs of his evil deeds. Among S&M books and pornographic artwork were Maryann Carr's apartment key and jewelry that belonged to his other victims. Richard Cottingham was convicted of five murders and numerous counts of kidnapping and sexual assault using evidence found in his 'trophy room' combined with a matching fingerprint left on handcuffs used in the murder of Valerie Street. He was sentenced to 173 to 197 years, which he is currently serving in Trenton's New Jersey State Prison. 'It was a game to me. It was mainly psychological. I was able to get almost any woman to do whatever I wanted them to do, psychologically,' said the sinister 75-year-old in a recent jailhouse interview with journalist Nadia Fezzani. 'It's God-like, almost. You're in complete control of somebody's destiny.' Over four trials in the early 1980s, three in Jersey and one in New York, Richard Cottingham was convicted of five murders. That included the 1977 slaying of a married 27-year-old nurse whose body was found dumped by a chain-link fence in the parking lot of the same Quality Inn where hed committed other atrocities three years later. She had been cut about the chest and legs, beaten with a blunt instrument, and covered in bites and bruises A picture taken of the New Jersey Courts virtual hearing in April 2021, when Richard Cottingham pleaded guilty to two 1974 murders, finally closing the cold case deaths of teenage friends who had left home for a trip to the mall and never returned In 2010, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the 1967 murder of Nancy Vogel. He also confessed under immunity to the 1968 and 1969 homicides of New Jersey teenagers Jackie Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasca. Most recently, in April 2021, Cottingham confessed and pleaded guilty to the double kidnapping and murders of Lorraine Marie Kelly, 16 and Mary Ann Pryor, 17 in 1974. He admitted that he brought the two girls to a motel room where he tied them up, raped them, then drowned them in bathtub. He has officially been charged with 11 murders but according to Cottingham himself, has committed as many as 105 total slayings over the course of his homicidal career - 80 of which he described as 'perfect murders.' Directed by serial killer-aficionado Joe Berlinger, the Netflix series features interviews with former detectives, police officers, sex workers. Dominick Volpe, a former colleague at BlueCross BlueShield, testifies to Cottingham's perverse sexual tendencies. The doc also spotlights a conversation with Jennifer Weiss, Deedah Goodarzi's biological daughter, who made headlines last year when she struck up an unlikely friendship with her mother's killer while he served his prison sentence. In a strange turn of events, Deedah Goodarzi's biological daughter, Jennifer Weiss has forged an unlikely friendship with the man who strangled and beheaded her mother in 1979. Goodarzi gave up her daughter for adoption when she was less than two weeks old, it wasn't until Weiss tried to reconnect with her biological mother in 2002 that she discovered the disturbing truth of her violent demise 'All of the women that Richard killed left this world in a horrific way,' said Jennifer Weiss in the doc. 'So I maintain a relationship with Richard now because I want the names of the unidentified victims he took. Lives that never came to fruition. I think we need to remember them because they deserve justice' Weiss was given up for adoption when she was less than two weeks old. It wasn't until she endeavored to reconnect with her biological mother in 2002, that she discovered the disturbing truth of her violent demise through old newspaper clippings. Looking for more answers, she reached out to Richard Cottingham in prison and has visited him over 30 times. 'All of the women that Richard killed left this world in a horrific way,' she said in the doc. 'It always weighs heavily over me. 'So I maintain a relationship with Richard now because I want the names of the unidentified victims he took. Lives that never came to fruition. I think we need to remember them because they deserve justice.' Advertisement Britain, the US and other major economies could be on the brink of over-vaccinating people in the fight against Covid, experts say. Israeli officials have already announced their intentions to embark on dishing out another round of booster jabs, meaning both the UK and US will eventually face pressure to follow suit even though both nations have insisted there are no plans to administer fourth doses yet. But scientists argue that rolling out vaccines every three-to-four months simply isn't 'doable' and may not even be necessary because of Omicron, which some believe will speed up the process of endemicity and consign days of sky-high hospitalisation and death figures to history. And they called for more data on dosing gaps between boosters before pressing ahead with plans to administer fourth jabs. Some experts claim the benefits of extra jabs are minimal because their primary purpose - preventing deaths and hospitalisations - has barely waned after a year and several Covid variants, effectively meaning boosters are adding to an already high base level immunity. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, said descriptions of Omicron being a 'natural vaccine' were right. The logic behind the argument is that as Omicron is highly transmissible but milder than other variants, it can give an immunity boost without causing as much serious illness, with some data suggesting a combination of infection than vaccination providing the best type of immunity in the long-run. Future variants 'may be even more mild', Professor Jones told MailOnline, adding that the need for healthy adults to get top-up jabs could soon recede. Instead of doling out jabs every few months, he said annual boosters for the vulnerable ahead of the winter would be 'more feasible'. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist from Warwick University, insisted vaccines should protect against severe illness for much longer than they do against getting infected or becoming ill, suggesting that an annual booster for the elderly and vulnerable groups will be enough to thwart off Covid in the coming years. Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, admitted he 'can't see' ministers doling out Covid vaccines every three months for much longer. He said: 'Although after two-and-a-half months immunity starts to wane, that doesn't mean it drops below being extremely effective.' But he told MailOnline that the only way to measure the long-term effectiveness of the boosters was to wait and see. 'We can only get that long term data over the long term, there's no crystal ball with this. We just don't know what the optimum strategy is,' he said. Other epidemiologists have said repeated and multiple outbreaks Covid each year might necessitate boosters every four to six months, which they branded a 'daunting prospect'. The graph shows the countries who have given the highest total number of vaccine doses and boosters per 100 population. It demonstrates how a number of nations are now, on average exceeding two doses per person. The UK is a mid tier performer in the lower cohort of the top 20 performers while the US doesn't even manage to make the cut While only a mid-performer in the top 20 nations for vaccine doses per 100 people the UK is a top performer when it comes to comparing nations such as the US, Canada, Australia and Israel This map shows the number of vaccines administered per 100 people, Africa, where Omicron was first identified and is believed to have emerged, has, as a continent, among the lowest number of vaccinated people in proportion to its population in the world When WILL Britain's Covid chaos end? Booster vaccine immunity weakens after just 10 WEEKS Britain could face another 18 months of Covid misery despite a hugely successful vaccination drive, scientists have warned on the back of data showing immunity from booster jabs starts to fade after just 10 weeks. Early real-world analysis of the UK's immunisation scheme shows the efficacy of Pfizer's top-up dose at preventing symptoms drops to as low as 35 per cent two-and-a-half months after getting a third dose, among people already given a full course of AstraZeneca. But immunity levels appear stable at around 70 per cent after the same period of time for people already dosed up with Pfizer and then given a Moderna booster, even though they plunge to somewhere in the region of 45 per cent for a third dose of Pfizer. Britain is already considering dishing out a fourth jab because of the data showing immunity fades quickly after a booster. It would bring the UK in line with Israel, which today began tests into whether a second round of boosters would help the most vulnerable. But No10's jab advisers are waiting for more data laying bare how well the vaccines protect against serious illness before pressing ahead with another inoculation drive. Two jabs still drastically cut the risk of hospitalisation even against Omicron, and a third is expected to bolster that further. It means a fourth dose may not be necessary yet for the entirety of the UK and could see ministers only advised to dish out extra doses to the elderly and immunocompromised in the coming months, even if an annual vaccination drive is eventually signed off for all adults. One of the Government's own advisers warned it would be impossible to 'defeat' Covid with vaccines if everyone needed a top-up every three months. It would see the NHS have to dish out the equivalent of up to 50million jabs every 90 days, or around 550,000 every day. This would put the cost of an annual vaccination drive in the region of 4billion, based on one jab being priced at around 20 per dose similar to Pfizer. Universal Covid jabs which experts hope will offer better protection and hold up against variants that emerge in the future aren't expected for another 18 months, England chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told MPs earlier this month. Advertisement But even though data shows vaccines are less effective against Omicron, they are nowhere near redundant. Real-world data shows efficacy levels of the booster vaccine at stopping people getting symptoms plummet to around 40 per cent after just 10 weeks. But two jabs still drastically cut the risk of hospitalisation and death, even against Omicron, as the body's immune system still retains some ability to help fight off virus even after some waning immunity. A third dose will bolster that protection even further, experts insist. It means a fourth dose may not be necessary yet for the entirety of the UK and could see ministers only advised to dish out extra doses to the elderly and immunocompromised in the coming months. For this reason some experts have called for caution about dishing out another round of vaccines so quickly. One of the Government's own advisers warned it would be impossible to 'defeat' Covid with vaccines if everyone needed a top-up every three months. It would see the NHS have to dish out the equivalent of up to 50million jabs every 90 days, or around 550,000 every day. This would put the cost of an annual vaccination drive in the region of 4billion, based on one jab being priced at around 20 per dose similar to Pfizer. But ministers may sign off on plans to dish out universal Covid jabs which experts hope will offer better protection and hold up against variants that emerge in the future but they aren't expected for another 18 months, England chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told MPs earlier this month. Vaccine makers have been quietly working on as polyvalent Covid jabs but they are all in early development and way off clinical trials. Israel has already approved the use of fourth doses of Covid vaccines to vulnerable people, such as those with weakened immune systems, over fears that their immunity may already be fading . Currently, the US has not indicated any plans regarding additional boosters, with health officials saying more data is needed on the protection improvement potentially offered by a fourth dose. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said last week that it was too 'premature' to be talking about a fourth dose. 'One of the things that we're going to be following very carefully is what the durability of the protection is following the third dose of an mRNA vaccine,' he said. 'If the protection is much more durable than the two-dose, non-boosted group, then we may go a significant period of time without requiring a fourth dose. 'So, I do think it's premature, at least on the part of the US, to be talking about a fourth dose.' UK experts have also urged caution over offering fourth jabs, saying more data is needed on the long term protection offered by the booster. The rollout of a second set of boosters is being examined by experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the JCVI, said: 'We need to see more data. We are in different circumstances to Israel and we need to see more data on waning immunity and vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation.' Professor Jones said: 'The vaccine response clearly wanes but it is not clear if the boosted response will wane in the same way or at the same rate.' Israel has already started rolling out fourth doses of Covid vaccines to vulnerable people, the nation has been seen by many as a pioneer in vaccine policy with other nations, such as the UK, later following many of its policies After a rocky start the Covid booster campaign has accelerated with over 30million people boosted according to the latest data, whether the public have appetite for further boosters is unclear He also told MailOnline that he didn't think offering a regular booster to keep immunity up was feasible or effective. 'Boosting every 10 weeks or every time a new variant appears to be on the rise is not doable and in consequence I think we need some sort of grading system for new variants to ensure we act appropriately and practically,' he said. Professor Jones said annual top-up jabs for the vulnerable ahead of the peak winter illness season, December to February, would make more sense. If all adults would need one depended on how Omicron continues to develop, Professor Jones said. 'If Omicron is an attenuated strain already on its way to endemicity then later versions may be even more mild and the need for vaccination for an otherwise fit adult might recede,' he said. 'You have to remember that making you very sick is no good to the virus at all, all it wants is to transmit, so virus evolution will tend towards a less severe strain which you will pass around as you will struggle on with work etc much as we do for common colds.' On Omicron generally Professor Jones said descriptions from others of the ultra-infectious variant being a 'natural vaccine' were right. He said that while any Covid variant boosts immunity the fact Omicron was highly transmissible yet milder worked to help boost population immunity. 'Whatever version you were infected with your immunity would be boosted,' he told MailOnline. 'That mild bit suits us because it means we can get immunity without, or with much less, risk.' However, he warned against any 'chickenpox' style parties where people intentionally try to catch Omicron, saying we needed to protect people who could get severely ill from the virus. 'You have to be careful here not to stretch it to things such as chickenpox parties because there will always be a vulnerable minority and to encourage infection puts them at risk,' he said. Hopes of Omicron ushering in the end of the pandemic stage of Covid were sparked by a South African study into Covid death rates in the nation's Omicron wave. It showed fatalities were just a quarter of levels seen during other surges. Researchers examined records of 450 patients hospitalised in the City of Tshwane, in the 'ground zero province of Gauteng, since the extremely-transmissible variant took off in the country. Their survival rates were compared to 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 Scientists from South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the University of Pretoria, who carried out 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 in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Commentators around the world have latched on the findings and claimed Omicron could act as natural vaccine making the virus endemic to the population. One of these was a health official for the Indian state of Maharashtra, Dr Pradeep Awate who told the Press Trust of India, that although Omicron was spreading faster than Delta, there had been few hospitalisations. 'If this happens, Omicron will act as a natural vaccination and may help in its (Covid's) progression towards the endemic stage,' he said. But Dr Clarke cautioned against the idea of labelling Omicron a 'natural vaccine'. The immunity weve had from other variants doesnt protect all that well against Omicron, so there is no reason to think it works in the other direction, he said. This is despite a new study from the Africa Health Research Institute showing blood taken from people infected with omicron recorded a 4.4-fold increase of antibodies when exposed to the the Delta version of the virus. In contrast other studies delving into the topic of cross-variant immunity showed antibodies made in response to Delta reacted poorly to Omicron. Dr Clarke added that just because Omicron was milder did not mean it, or other Covid variants, would remain so, adding: 'The idea that viral evolution is a one-way street to the common cold is absolute bull****.' On the idea of more boosters and how often, Dr Clarke emphasised the need for more data before we know time gap between more Covid jabs. He said there will be an 'optimum' gap between doses but 'we just dont know what it is yet', adding that it 'won't be good' if jabs are done too far apart or close together. Death rates in South Africa's Omicron wave just a QUARTER of those from previous surges as scientists say ultra-infectious variant may 'usher in endemic phase' 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. 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. Advertisement Dr Clarke also advised against general predictions on how Covid boosters are going to be rolled out in 2022, highlighting how despite an Omicron jab being in development, it might fail, or need two doses similar to the initial Covid jab. However he did say that boosters being used to keep immunity against infection topped-up through increased antibodies may be the preferred strategy going forward by the Government not wanting to impose restrictions and minimise disruption. 'Population wide vaccination will drive down transmission, it won't eliminate it, but it will drive it down across the population,' he said. 'And if you have lots of people who have more than the sniffles and are ill enough not to go to work, there is massive damage to public services and an economic slowdown.' Professor Young also said while data had suggested a drop in booster effectiveness against Omicron infection, the outlook for longer term protection from against severe disease was still good. 'Preliminary data suggests that vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection with Omicron drops by between 15-25 per cent after 10 weeks,' he said. 'Thus those older individuals who were boosted at the beginning of the booster campaign in mid-September may not be as well protected from symptomatic infection. 'However, all current data indicates that booster jabs will protect from severe disease and that this should last for at least several months.' He said the broad hope is that this protection against severe disease will eventually mean an annual booster jab for the elderly and other vulnerable groups will be sufficient to protect them from a severe Omicron infection in the coming years. Professor Young also highlighted how immunity was a complex system, with different segments like antibodies rising in the short term when people get vaccinated. While other more difficult to measure parts like T-cells provide longer term protection. 'The good news is that recent studies have shown that both vaccination and natural infection induce a strong and sustained T-cell response to Omicron and other variants,' he said. 'This might be the key to longer term protection and the need for less frequent boosters.' There have also been concerns about over-vaccinating people in the UK when so many in other parts of the world are unvaccinated. Professor Adam Finn, a government vaccine adviser, previously told the BBC that over-vaccinating people, when other parts of the world had none, was 'a bit insane, it's not just inequitable, it's stupid'. Professor Young also highlighted that it might be more important to help other countries boost their vaccine uptake rather than offer all Britons another booster, to stop new variants from forming. He highlighted Africa, where Omicron was first identified and almost certainly emerged, as one particular example. 'Virus variants will continue to be generated as long as the virus is allowed to spread particularly in countries where vaccination rates are low,' he said. 'This emphasises the need to control the pandemic at the global level as well as locally and that it is in all our interests to support the roll out of vaccines across the world. 'In a situation where around 73 per cent of people in wealthy and middle-income countries have been vaccinated, this includes those who have had one, two or three doses, whereas only 12 per cent are vaccinated in Africa, we have to consider the value and luxury of additional booster doses if such vaccines are not widely available.' Jeffrey Shaman, an infectious disease modeler and epidemiologist in New York has also highlighted the need to tackle the Covid pandemic on a global scale2. He said: 'We may find ourselves in a different kind of endemic equilibrium in which boosting is needed every four-six months and highly effective therapeutics are needed to limit severe disease. All this would need to be available globally and equitably. This is a daunting prospect. And psychologically challenging.' A former political party director wanted by Mexican authorities and Interpol was arrested Wednesday in connection with a human trafficking ring involved in prostituting women in Mexico City. Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez De La Torre was at his residence when police investigators assigned to the Mexico City Office of the Attorney General took him into custody without incident. He is charged with attempted human trafficking in its form of aggravated sexual exploitation, human trafficking in its form of aggravated misleading advertising and criminal association. Intelligence work coordinated between the Attorney Generals Office for the Investigation of Trafficking Persons, the National Intelligence Center and the Special Reaction and Intervention Group allowed the seizure of said person, the Mexico City Office of the Attorney General said in a statement Thursday. Gutierrez De La Torre came under fire on April 2, 2014 when news radio outlet MSV Noticias aired an investigative report about young women between the ages of 18 and 32 who were hired through misleading job listings for a prostitution ring he allegedly operated. Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez De La Torre, who was the director of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico City, was arrested by Mexican authorities on Wednesday. He is accused of running a human trafficking and prostitution ring out of the political party's headquarters in the nation's capital As the director of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico City, Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez De La Torre hired women between the ages of 18 to 32 for monthly salaries that range from 8,000 to 14,000 Mexican pesos. Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez De La Torre is escorted by police on Wednesday following his arrest. His lawyer Lazaro Tapia told Radio Formula on Thursday that the arrest 'was illegal. The classified ads offered hostess, receptionist or administrative assistant positions at the Institutional Revolutionary Partys headquarters with monthly salaries that ranged from 8,000 to 14,000 Mexican pesos. The party held the office of the president in Mexico from 1929 to 2000. Those hired handed out meeting agenda and accompanied politicians and businesspersons to their seats. However, a female reporter with MSV Noticias went undercover and answered a hostess opening at the Institutional Revolutionary Party office. She secretly taped a conversation with one of the women who had been hired and she admitted that she was required to provide oral or vaginal sex to her boss, Gutierrez De La Torre. The woman told the reporter she could possibly take home 11,000 Mexican pesos tax free - oer month in addition to tips. Claudia Priscila Martinez Gonzalez is one of four other employees with the Institutional Revolutionary Party office in Mexico City charged with operating a human trafficking and prostitution ring. Institutional Revolutionary Party cut ties with Gutierrez De La Torre within hours of the scandal breaking. Three women testified before authorities that they were obligated to dress in skirts, dresses and heels, and were required to have sex with Gutierrez De La Torres. Arrests warrants were issued in March against four other people also charged in connection with human trafficking and prostitution ring. Former Senate candidate Claudia Priscila Martinez Gonzalez was arrested September 8, 2021 in Mexico, and charged with human trafficking and criminal association. Institutional Revolutionary Party congresswoman Sandra Vaca is wanted for reportedly operating a human trafficking and prostitution ring in Mexico Institutional Revolutionary Party office assistant Adriana Rodriguez Regalado was taken into custody March 11. She reportedly was tasked with leading recruitment of women who were then forced into sex with former party leader Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez de la Torre Former Institutional Revolutionary Party finance director Roberto Zamorano remains at large Prosecutors found that she oversaw the publishing of job listings in newspapers and online site. Office assistant Adriana Rodriguez Regalado was taken into custody March 11. She reportedly was tasked with leading the recruitment of women who were forced into sex with Gutierrez de la Torre. Institutional Revolutionary Party congresswoman Sandra Esther Vaca Cortes and former party finance director Roberto Zamorano remain at large. The former Mexico City Institutional Revolutionary Party boss has managed to steer clear of his arrest before he was finally captured Wednesday night. Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez de la Torre, who was chief of the Mexico City Institutional Revolutionary Party, was taken into custody Wednesday in for reportedly running a human trafficking and prostitution ring out of the political party's headquarters A Mexico City judge signed a warrant for his arrest March 2, but Gutierrez de la Torres attorneys blocked the order. However, the Mexico City Fifth District Court accepted a motion from the Mexico City Office of the Attorney General to review the blocked order December 12. Gutierrez de la Torres legal team countered with a second filing to block the order to ensure that he would not be apprehended. The arrest of Cuauhtemoc Gutierrez de la Torre was illegal. The police overstepped (its boundaries), his lawyer Lazaro Tapia told Radio Formula on Thursday. They should have respected the amparo (block) that we have had since October 14 which prevented authorities from arresting him. Americans have been told to avoid cruise holidays even if they are fully vaccinated and boosted, with the CDC warning the risk of infection on ships is 'very high.' Between December 15 and 29, there were 5,013 Covid cases in US waters reported to the CDC, 31 times higher than the previous two weeks. The agency said it has more than 90 cruise ships under observation as a result of Covid. The soaring cases have caused misery to travellers, including more than 1,000 Americans who spent their Christmas Day stuck aboard a Holland America Line ship off Mexico after port authorities in Jalisco blocked them from disembarking because of a Covid outbreak among the crew. 'Avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status,' the CDC said on its website, adding that 'even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants.' The surge at sea comes amid a nationwide increase driven by the highly-infectious Omicron variant - with the average daily cases reaching a record-breaking 512,533 on Thursday. Cruise ships float at Port Miami, on April 7, 2020 The record bests the nations previous record of 489,267 reported on Wednesday. The US broke a world record for average daily COVID cases for the second day in a row with 512,533 reported on Thursday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data The agency recommends mitigation steps that include getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask in indoor settings and taking a test before gathering. 'The virus that causes Covid-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting Covid-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose,' the CDC said. The surge in fresh cases linked to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant has raised fresh challenges for the cruise industry, which resumed service in the United States this summer after being essentially dormant for more than a year. On Thursday, Royal Caribbean modified or cancelled 16 destinations out of 331 due to the uptick in Covid cases. Shares of Royal Caribbean dipped 0.2 percent in afternoon trading. Shares of Carnival fell 0.6 percent in early afternoon trading, while Norwegian Cruise Line dropped 1.5 percent. The Cruise Lines International Association said it was disappointed with the new recommendations, saying the industry was singled out despite the fact it follows stricter health protocols than other travel sectors. The decision 'is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard,' a statement said. 'The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore.' In March 2020, as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S., the CDC put a halt to all cruises for what turned out to be 15 months. Last June, it allowed ships to resume sailing under new strict new conditions. In August, as the delta variant surged, the agency warned people who are at risk of severe illness despite being vaccinated not to go on cruises. The CDC on Thursday also recommended that passengers get tested and quarantine for five days after docking, regardless of their vaccination status and even if they have no symptoms. Omicron has sent cases skyrocketing to unprecedented levels across the U.S., including Florida, the hub of the nation's cruise industry. The state set another record this week for new daily cases, with more than 58,000 recorded Wednesday. U.S. cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt trips, though vessels have been denied entry at some foreign ports. Carnival Corp.'s spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email after the CDC recommendation that the company had no planned changes. 'Our enhanced health and safety protocols have proven to be effective time and time again over the past year,' he said. Before the CDC announcement, Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement that omicron is leading to passenger cancelations and changes to itineraries, but it is causing 'significantly less severe symptoms than earlier variants.' The company said that since cruising restarted in U.S. waters last spring, 1.1 million guests had traveled with its cruise lines and 1,745 people had tested positive for COVID-19, or about 0.16%. It said that 41 people required hospitalization, and that no passengers hit with omicron had been taken to the hospital. 'We don't like to see even one case, but our experience is a fraction of the comparable statistics of virtually any other comparable location or industry. Few businesses are subject to such intense scrutiny, regulation and disclosure requirements by so many authorities,' said Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean. Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated. Iris Krysty, 76, of Hamburg, New Jersey, and her husband are supposed to leave on a 10-day Caribbean cruise Jan. 19. This latest CDC warning leaves travelers like them in an unfair bind, she said. Krysty was told Thursday they can only get a refund if they test positive before the trip. So, they will go to avoid losing thousands of dollars - a decision their daughter and son-in-law are not happy with. 'I know they're upset about us going but that's a lot of money for us to lose,' Krysty said. 'As far as we know, we're going and hope we'll be OK.' Janine Calfo, 55, of Salt Lake City, put off a four-day Carnival cruise from Long Beach, California, to Ensenada, Mexico, earlier this month when she got a breakthrough case of COVID-19 three days before departure. She re-booked the cruise for February and is still set on going. 'This is my own personal opinion, but it looks like the omicron is going to be a quick burn,' said Calfo, who is asthmatic and plans to get the booster in a couple of weeks. 'My cruise is over 40 days away.' She added, though: 'I think I will plan on getting travel insurance this time.' The world's population increased by 74million people to a total of 7.8billion this year, according to the US census bureau. China remains the world's most-populous country with 1.4billion people, though it is only narrowly ahead of India on 1.38billion which is set to overtake it by 2025. The US is third with 332million, followed by Indonesia on 275million and Pakistan on 238million. Figures for 2021 mean the global rate of growth is 0.9 per cent, lower than the 0.96 per cent forecast and coming against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic. The world's population grew by 78million to 7.8billion in 2021, in line with projections (left) - but the rate of growth fell to 0.9 per cent meaning it has been falling since the 1960s (right) India was the world's second-most populous country in 2021, according to US census bureau data, and is set to overtake China as the most-populous by 2025 While the global populations are still rising overall, the rate of increase has been falling more-or-less consistently since the mid-1960s when it peaked around 2 per cent - with global population set to peak before 2100 after which it will decline. Half of the world's population already live in countries where lifetime fertility - the number of children a woman is expected to give birth to on average in her lifetime - has fallen below 2, meaning the population will decline overall. According to UN data, the global population will continue to grow until 2100 but growth will be concentrated in fewer and fewer places. More than half of population growth in the next three decades is expected to be concentrated in just eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, and the United States. Meanwhile 55 countries are expected to see their population fall by one per cent or more over the same period. The most-dramatic falls, according to UN data, will come in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine - where populations are expected to fall by 20 per cent. Those trends will be driven by falling fertility rates along with net emigration, the UN predicts. It means that a growing number of countries will have to contend with ageing populations in which the burden of caring for a growing number of elderly people will fall on an ever-shrinking number of working-age people. China remains the world's most-populous country but its rate of growth is slowing rapidly - a trend that has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic The global tipping point at which the world's population of over-65s will outnumber the total number of young people aged 15 to 24, the UN says. After 2100, if projections hold true, then the global population will enter the first period of sustained decline in recorded history. But other studies have been less optimistic. One recent study published by The Lancet estimated the peak will actually come in 2064 - almost four decades earlier. Global populations will reach 9.7billion that year, the Lancet study suggested, before falling to around 8.8billion by 2100. It means that, far from the overcrowded future imagined by sci-fi novels and films, humanity could actually be headed for a future where abandoned buildings, towns and even cities are the norm because their population will die out. The Lancet study predicted the hardest-hit nations will be Japan and Italy, both of which could see their populations more-than halved before 2100. Spain, Portugal, Thailand and South Korea are also expected to see a reduction of around 50 per cent. Even China, known for its rapidly expanding population in the 20th century, could see its population almost-halve by the end of the 21st. The UK is predicted to peak at 75 million in 2063, and fall to 71 million by 2100. A veteran journalist has launched into an extraordinary tirade slamming the federal government's mixed messages around the Covid-19 pandemic. Former Sky News presenter John Mangos accused the government of stirring up confusion as it made a series of changes to handling Australia's Omicron outbreak. The federal government has revised the definition of a close contact, changed isolation requirements and ditched PCR tests for rapid antigen testing in many cases. State premiers have also remained at odds, with Western Australia maintaining a Covid-zero policy while NSW and Victoria 'learn to live' with the virus. Former Sky News presenter John Mangos accused the government of stirring up confusion after it made a series of changes to handling Australia's Omicron outbreak The federal government has revised the definition of a close contact, changed isolation requirements and ditched PCR tests for rapid antigen testing in many cases 'I'm not in favour of the confusion,' Mangos said on Channel Nine's Today show on Friday. 'Why doesn't somebody just say, so we're all on the same page, "we are all going to get it [Covid-19]". 'It's a matter of how we manage it. I'm really sick of it, of politicians of all persuasions, dancing around this subject. Let's be a bit more honest with people.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced several sweeping changes to the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic following a national cabinet meeting on Thursday. The definition of a close contact has been redefined and now only covers household or intimate contacts who spent more than four hours with a positive case. They will only need a rapid antigen test and will be able to leave isolation after seven days if they return a negative RAT on day six. Positive cases regardless of vaccination status will be able to leave isolation after seven days from their positive test but will need to return a negative RAT on day six. 'I get that respective governments, federal and sadly the breakaway state, I get that they are trying to transition us all in learning to live with Covid,' Mangos said. 'I just find, for example, the four-hour rule is a bit ridiculous to what constitutes a close contact. 'If you're on Twitter you would've seen a barrage of tweets last night with people going, "I'll just make sure my dinner party goes for three hours and 59 minutes".' Mangos accused politicians of 'dancing around' the Covid-19 pandemic with each state and territory adopting different approaches to combatting the virus. The definition of a close contact has been redefined and now only covers household or intimate contacts who spent more than four hours with a positive case (beachgoers at Bondi during the Omicron outbreak, pictured) Agriculture minister David Littleproud also appeared on the morning talk show to urge viewers to get vaccinated and not become complacent with the new variant Western Australia has maintained a Covid-zero approach and closed its border to the rest of the country. NSW has taken a more relaxed approach with premier Dominic Perrottet vowing he will not send the state back into lockdown. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has even warned becoming infected with the virus is close to unavoidable. 'Bottom line here is that we're all going to get Omicron,' he said. 'The challenge for us in the state is to make sure that our health system can cope with that on coming virus... [And] the best way to face it is when we have full vaccination including our booster.' Agriculture minister David Littleproud also appeared on the morning talk show to urge viewers to get vaccinated and not become complacent with the new variant. 'I think we've got to be pragmatic, as the strains continue and we open up, most Australians will get a case of Covid,' he said. 'And that's why it's important that we get our arms out and get jabs in them.' Four people have been injured after a car crashed into a Chemist Warehouse in Melbourne. The Toyota Corolla crashed into the front entrance of the chemist on Bridge Rd, Melbourne at around 12:45pm on Thursday. One person was found unconscious after they became 'extensively trapped' by debris. Four people were left injured and one unconscious after a small toyota crashed in a Chemist Warehouse around 12:45pm on Thursday An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics and fire units responded to the crash within four minutes. 'Crews worked carefully to free the driver from the vehicle, before placing them and three other patients, into the care of Ambulance Victoria paramedics.' An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed all people injured were in a stable condition, including the driver of the vehicle The spokeswoman said a man in his 20s and a woman in her 50s had been treated by paramedics for lower body injuries and taken to hospital. Fire units also found that the car had caused a minor gas leak after it crashed into a nearby parking metre during the incident. Bridge Rd was closed in both directions between Church St and Coppin St while assessment and clean up operations were underway. Temperatures will heat up across Australia's south-east coast as the nation welcomes in 2022. Forecasts for the first day of the new year show hot, sunny days in the south-east and west of the country, with patchy showers up north. A large high pressure system in the south-east of Australia is drawing heat down from the interior of the country as 2021 turns into 2022, causing a toasty maximum temperature of 37C in Melbourne on New Year's Day. The city's famously warm north wind will blow all day until a southerly change is forecast for later in the day, dropping the temperature by 10C for Sunday, January 2. The week will then see a number of partly cloudy days with temps in the mid-20s. Melbourne can expect to hit 37C on New Year's Day in a run of hot days before cooler conditions next week. Pictured: Two women enjoy the sun on St Kilda beach, Melbourne The Bureau of Meteorology's three-day forecast shows heat being drawn down into Australia's south-east over the New Year's period Sydney will see a mostly sunny day on January 1 with a top temperature of 29C, with showers forecast later next week. Pictured: People sunbathe at Bondi Beach Sydneysiders will nurse hangovers and make or break New Year's resolutions on a New Year's Day that is mostly sunny but humid, with a top temperature of 29C. There's the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm but it will likely be confined to the city's outer west. Showers are forecast for later next week but temperatures will remain in the high 20s and early 30s most days. Of the capital cities, Brisbane shapes as the most likely to receive rainfall on January 1 due to a tropical low pressure system across the top half of the state, which is bringing unsettled conditions. 'This is one situation where there is less confidence in the rainfall outlook as a lot will be governed by what that tropical low does as it meanders offshore (and possibly onshore) over the next 10 days,' climatologist Andrew Watkins tweeted on Friday. Brisbane could see 2-8mm of rain fall on New Year's Day, continuing its pattern of variable weather over the Christmas-New Year period The Queensland capital will bring in the new year with a partly cloudy day. Above, a woman buys fish and chips on the Gold Coast on Friday The Queensland capital will bring in the new year with a partly cloudy day, with a 70 per cent chance of showers in the morning and afternoon bringing between 2-8mm of rain. A southeasterly breeze should moderate the heat somewhat, with a top temperature of 27C predicted for New Year's day but rising to 31C the following two days. South Australia and the ACT will experience a similar weather pattern to Melbourne - Adelaide will reach 37C on January 1 with only a five per cent chance of any rain on an otherwise partly cloudy day. Canberra can expect a mostly sunny day and 31C. Cooler days and a possible shower on Thursday next week are predicted to follow. Hobart will welcome the new year with a partly cloudy day and maximum of 28C but rain and cooler temperatures are forecast for the following two days. Melbourne will see a number of partly cloudy days with temps in the mid-20s next week Perth will wake up to a more bearable 29C on January 1 and a mostly sunny day, a welcome change after experiencing four consecutive days over 40C at Christmas In the west, Perth will wake up to a more bearable 29C on New Year's Day and a mostly sunny day, a welcome change after experiencing four consecutive days over 40C at Christmas. That run of extreme temps had only occurred twice before, in 2016 and 1933. It is expected to heat up again, however, with 38C predicted by Wednesday next week. The Australian city with the most predictable weather at this time of year, Darwin, will reach 33C with a possible shower or storm forecast during the day. Australia continues to experience La Nina conditions, combined with effects of the monsoon season, at least in the country's north. That generally means wetter, more changeable weather, despite the stable pattern in Australia's south-east in the coming days. A Greens senator has been heavily criticised by furious opponents after posting a tweet that appeared to support the burning of Old Parliament House. After Aboriginal rights protesters set the historic building alight on Thursday, Lidia Thorpe tweeted: 'Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone.' She later deleted the tweet but not before furious Liberals condemned the comment, including NSW Senator Hollie Hughes who clashed with Senator Thorpe earlier this month over crass comments hurled across the Senate chamber. Senator Lidia Thorpe during a smoking ceremony at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy when she was sworn into Parliament in October 2020. Her tweet about the blaze at Old Parliament House saw her get slammed by Liberal senators 'Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone,' the tweet (pictured) read accompanied by hashtag #AlwayswasAlwayswillbeAboriginalLand' 'Inciting violence now? I guess some more reflection time may be required,' Senator Hughes wrote on Twitter. Four weeks ago Senator Thorpe hit the headlines after telling Senator Hughes 'at least I kept my legs shut' during a heated debate in Parliament. Senator Hughes, whose son Fred was diagnosed with autism in 2012, said the 'vile' comment implied that if she kept her legs shut she would not have had an autistic child. Senator Thorpe apologised but denied her comment was related to Senator Hughes' son, instead claiming she 'got a view of something over there that disturbed me'. Liberal Senator Jane Hume also condemned Senator Thorpe's comment about the fire and urged Greens leader Adam Bandt, who was silent over Senator Thorpe's previous comment, to speak up. She wrote: 'Ladies & gentlemen, the Greens. Any comment on this Adam Bandt? Following on from your silence after Senator Thorpe suggested my friend & colleague should just have ''shut her legs'' [to avoid her autistic childs birth], perhaps this time you'll find a voice.' Furious Liberals immediately condemned the comment, including NSW Senator Hollie Hughes (pictured) who clashed with Senator Thorpe earlier this month Police believe the fire most likely started when an Aboriginal smoking ceremony approved by police got out of control. Pictured: The burned building Police believe the fire most likely started when an Aboriginal smoking ceremony that was approved by police got out of control. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a permanent protest occupation site near the building, said it had not approved the smoking ceremony and condemned the protesters who started the fire. Emergency services rushed to the scene to put out the flames but not before the fire had caused extensive damage, as protesters were heard yelling 'let it burn'. Observers of the plumes of black smoke outside the building's entrance said rally attendees also identified themselves as anti-government. Senator Thorpe was the first Aboriginal woman in the Victorian parliament in 2017, and in 2020 the first Aboriginal Senator for Victoria in the Senate. When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, a Greens spokesperson refused to comment and pointed towards leader Adam Bandt's tweet, which read: 'What a terrible sight. 'The Greens don't want to see the planet burning or Old Parliament. Investigations are now underway into the cause of the fire, but if this was arson, it's unacceptable.' The fire comes just one week after a similar blaze was lit at the historic site which served as Australia's federal parliament from 1927 until 1988. Crowds of protesters began gathering almost a fortnight ago ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy which was established in 1972. A federal police forensic team was later seen examining the scorched front entrance of the building and taking samples from the fire-damage Three forensic team members are seen analysing the scorched front entrance doors Protesters stand in front of the burned out doors to Old Parliament House on Thursday Australia's current Parliament House was established in 1988 on Capitol Hill a short distance away, with the historic building now used as a museum and heritage site. After firefighters distinguish the blaze protesters continued to clash with media crews and police, some chanting 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies'. While leaders used a megaphone to talk about Indigenous rights and colonisation, baffled onlookers recorded the plumes of smoke pouring out of the building. Five fire engines and about 40 police officers attended the scene and the building was evacuated as a precaution while crews fervently extinguished the blaze. After firefighters distinguish the blaze protesters continued to clash with media crews and police, some chanting 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies' (pictured, a protestor holds a flag) Emergency services rushed to the scene to put out the flames but not before the fire had caused extensive damage, as protesters were heard yelling 'let it burn' An unruly crowd had to be held back from the building by a line of police before an all-out brawl began. A federal police forensic team was later seen examining the scorched front entrance of the building and taking samples from the fire-damage. Among the protesters at Old Parliament House are a 'sovereign citizen' group who posted a 'trespass' notice on the building doors yesterday. Their notice says that 'under rule of law and with absolute authority and autonomy, I, Chief Bumajin Gumbaynggirr, representative of the National Sovereign Government, hereby accepts (sic) your acquiescence by default, enforceable immediately.' It goes on to say that 'All actions of genocide, complicity in genocide and terrorism are to cease and desist immediately as per today's date, commencing 29-12-2021.' The museum's director Daryl Karp said of last week's protest that 30 or 40 people approached the building advising they wanted to protest on the front steps. The historic building now used as a museum and heritage site (pictured, a forensic team analyse the damage on the front entrance doors) Meanwhile an unruly crowd had to be held back from the building by a line of police before an all-out brawl began 'On Tuesday the protesters lit a fire that got out of control and it scorched the front door. 'I don't believe it was their intention to do any damage; however, we had to ask them to move on,' Mr Karp said. Federal politicians have criticised the protesters who set fire to the building with Prime Minister Scott Morrison stating: 'This is not how Australia works'. 'I am disgusted and appalled by behaviour that would see Australians come and set fire to such a symbol of democracy in this country,' he said. 'The fire at Old Parliament House is an absolute disgrace if deliberately lit,' Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce wrote on his Facebook page. 'This is the Parliament that for so long underpinned the freedoms we have as a democracy and made the decisions that formed us as a nation, fighting for the increase of rights and corrections to our colonial past. 'If someone is trying to make a statement then it is a very bad one that will be received with overwhelming disgust.' Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack said there should be 'swift and severe' repercussions for those responsible if the blaze was deliberately lit. 'How disgraceful. An outrageous attack on our democracy, our history, our sovereignty. This modern penchant for tearing down our past serves no purpose,' he said on Twitter. Ben Morton, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, released a statement saying 'Criminal damage has no place in our democracy'. 'Today's actions at Old Parliament House were not peaceful. The resulting damage undermines the message that peaceful protesters seek to deliver,' he said. 'It is the Government's expectation that all illegal activity should be dealt with by the police and the courts to the full extent possible. 'I thank the first responders. They should not have to put themselves in harm's way to deal with the fire. The damage to the building will be fully restored back to its original condition.' ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr also condemned the protestors who set fire to the building and said he was disappointed a heritage building had been damaged. 'People have a right to protest but that protest must be peaceful, and the actions that we've seen in setting fire to a heritage listed building, really disappointing and should be condemned,' he said. The fire was eventually extinguished but the old Parliament House entrance was severely damaged with doors, front wall and portico all blackened by fire. Commander Linda Champion from the Australian Federal Police said the fire most likely started when a smoking ceremony approved by police got out of control. 'There was a small smoking ceremony and that is something that we had agreed with a lot of the members who were attending each day as part of a peaceful protest,' Ms Champion said. 'It then became a little bit out of hand and then when ACT police went to respond, that's when it was greatly exacerbated.' ACT police said they would continue to monitor peaceful protests but 'when criminal actions take place the people responsible will be dealt in accordance with the law'. Riot police have had to break up wild, out of control parties at Airbnb rentals which have left teens scarred for life and seen homes trashed and stained with blood. NSW Police revealed on Friday they had repeatedly been called out to a series of post-Covid parties across Sydney which got out of hand and ended in violence. Images released show some of the devastation left in the wake, after partygoers had been allegedly stabbed or injured and home-owners' rental properties destroyed. Now worried cops have warned homeowners and party hosts to beware ahead of New Year celebrations, amid allegations Airbnb have been blocking investigations into the incidents. Riot police have had to break up wild out of control parties at Airbnb rentals which have left teens scarred for life and blood-stained homes trashed and gutted NSW Police revealed on Friday they had repeatedly been called out to a series of post-Covid thrashes across Sydney which got out of hand and ended in violence. Police revealed they had been called out to at least five different parties that had blown up into major incidents, including stand-offs between police, hosts and gatecrashers. At one party in Wentworth Point, an 18-year-old girl was smashed over the head with a bottle when 16 gatecrashers armed with knives, a hammer and sticks tried to burst in just before dawn. More than 25 partygoers were crammed into the two-bedroom unit which was trashed during the fight. Guests were caught fleeing the scene on CCTV as police arrived at 4.20am to find the blood-splattered home and the injured girl whose feet were also cut by broken glass. Items were also stolen from the home. Images released show some of the devastation left in the wake, after partygoers had been allegedly stabbed or injured and home-owners' rental properties destroyed. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in the back after police tried to break up another party that boiled over into a brawl in The Rocks. More than 130 people had been partying in a three-bedroom apartment when officers were attacked when they tried to shut it down after complaints. 'There were reports of significant damage inside the property, including smashed windows, carpet damage and bloodied walls,' said a police spokesman. Riot squad officers had to be called in to end a stand-off between police, hosts and gatecrashers at another party in Schofields. 'On arrival, police located more than 20 people outside a nearby home and another group inside with both groups refusing to speak with officers or allow entry to the property,' revealed police. Police revealed they had been called out to at least five different parties that had blown up into major incidents, including stand-offs between police, hosts and gatecrashers. 'Every room in the four-bedroom property sustained cosmetic damage as well as multiple holes in the walls, broken windows and furniture, damage to kitchen appliances and a broken fence. 'Further, numerous items were reportedly stolen from the home.' Another incident saw 150 people celebrating in a three-bedroom home in Arncliffe which needed the dog unit to clear the building which was left 'in disarray'. Riot squad police officers had to dodge a hail of bottles from a balcony of a flat in Ultimo when the crowd of 100 at another party got out of hand. Another incident saw 150 people celebrating in a three bedroom home in Arncliffe which needed the dog unit to clear the building which was left 'in disarray'. 'A 30-year-old man was located in the apartment with lacerations to his head and face and was treated at hospital before being released later that day,' added the spokesman. 'A 19-year-old man was arrested a short time later and charged. He remains before the courts. 'Numerous walls and doors within the apartment sustained significant damage and various pieces of furniture and household items were destroyed.' Pictures from the parties reveal smashed windows, holes kicked and punched in walls, and bloodstains through the homes. But police sources claim Airbnb have refused to help investigators track down the perpetrators. Pictures from the parties reveal smashed windows, holes kicked and punched in walls, and bloodstains through the homes. 'Its the complete opposite of dealing with a hotel when we arrive at the Meriton or somewhere, they show us the guest register immediately,' one told the Sydney Morning Herald. Investigators say the company refuses to release details because of privacy and data protection concerns. But the company are now said to have banned certain users and refused bookings of less than three nights to new users in a bid to combat the problem. However Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell warned: 'Homes are being seriously damaged, and the safety of attendees and the broader community is being threatened Airbnb are now said to have banned certain users and refused bookings of less than three nights to new users in a bid to combat the problem. Airbnb owners were advised to lay down the law to the short-term renters and ask neighbours to alert them if parties got out of hand - and to get extra insurance 'Anyone who would be disrespectful enough to trash another persons property would obviously not care about a corporation-imposed party ban, so the onus for protecting the property lies mostly with the owner.' Airbnb owners were advised to lay down the law to the short-term renters and ask neighbours to alert them if parties got out of hand - and to get extra insurance. Neighbours should contact the police if they're worried and hosts were encouraged to register the party with police and hire security if needed to protect against gatecrashers. Assistant Commissioner Thurtell added: 'Violent behaviour will not be tolerated, and we remind people to act sensibly and respectfully. 'If you are breaking the law, you will be arrested.' Airbnb say they have an online portal for police to submit legal requests under Airbnb's terms of service, privacy policy and law enforcement guidelines. The company says it has a global ban on parties at properties rented through the app and anyone found behaving badly is banned. 'The overwhelming majority of our community are respectful travellers and considerate neighbours,' said Derek Nolan, Airbnbs ANZ Head of Public Policy. 'Safety incidents are extremely rare on Airbnb. We remain focused on working with government and police to help ensure each stay is a positive experience for hosts, guests and the wider community.' . Best-selling author Patricia Cornwell has taken to Twitter to clarify she is not the now infamous Patricia 'Delta Karen' Cornwall, who was arrested by the FBI after attacking a senior citizen last week on a Tampa-to-Atlanta flight. 'Those asking. No this isn't me,' the author of the crime book series starring fashionable medical examiner Kay Scarpetta wrote on Twitter. Cornwell, whose book series will be developed into a television adaptation by Jamie Lee Curtis' Comet Pictures, was unknowingly tied to the controversy surrounding Patricia Cornwall. The best-selling author tweeted on Monday that she had been receiving 'some rather strange calls' from people who thought she was Cornwall, the ex-NFL cheerleader, former Baywatch actress and high-flying realtor who was arrested by the FBI after the December 23 incident. 'Those asking. No this isn't me,' Patricia Cornwell, the author of the crime book series starring fashionable medical examiner Kay Scarpetta wrote on Thursday. Best-selling author Patricia Cornwell (left) has taken to Twitter to clarify she is not the now infamous Patricia 'Delta Karen' Cornwall (right), who was arrested by the FBI after attacking a senior citizen last week on a Tampa-to-Atlanta flight Cornwall as Petra on Baywatch's Season 7 Episode 2 'The Contest' Some people seemingly mistook Cornwell for Cornwall amid the media frenzy after Cornwall's highly publicized violent outburst last week. Meanwhile, followers of Cornwell jumped to her defense, noting that they didn't believe for a second the author was capable of Cornwall's aggressive behavior. 'You were the first person that popped in my mind only because of the name. But, I knew it couldn't be you because I knew you were better than that,' Twitter user @jan_pewell replied to Cornwell's Tweet. 'Oh, that kind of behavior is so not you! I feel badly that some may have made that identity mistake. It would be obvious that they knew nothing about you as a person!' Donna HIill agreed. 'It's terrible to get flak because names are similar to yours. Some people have obvious mental health issues and have poor judgement like this women on the plane. She's [Cornwall] behaving badly but social media should leave off names cause it does more damage than good for all concerned,' a fan of Cornwell's books wrote. Meanwhile, followers of Cornwell jumped to her defense, noting that they didn't believe for a second the author was capable of Cornwall's aggressive behavior 'You were the first person that popped in my mind only because of the name. But, I knew it couldn't be you because I knew you were better than that,' Twitter user @jan_pewell replied to Cornwell's Tweet 'It's terrible to get flak because names are similar to yours. Some people have obvious mental health issues and have poor judgement like this women on the plane. She's [Cornwall] behaving badly but social media should leave off names cause it does more damage than good for all concerned,' a fan of Cornwell's books wrote Cornwall was dubbed 'Delta Karen' last week for punching a 69-year-old man. She was seen in now-viral video of the incident exchanging a volley of foul-mouthed insults with another passenger which ultimately descended into physical violence, with at least one crew member and another passenger injured after trying to restrain her. DailyMail.com identified the victim as Russell Miller, who told cops he 'was punched in the face and scratched on his face eye area' by Cornwall. The passenger who shared the video is also identified as Clarissa Chenault, who was 'burned by hot water because of the suspect's disruptive actions,' according to a police report. Cornwall was charged with 'assault on a federal level' and taken to a detention center before being released on a $20,000 bond. A criminal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com claims she had been trying to get back to her seat from the bathroom on a Delta Airlines flight from Tampa to Atlanta when a flight attendant with a beverage cart was blocking the aisle. Cornwall allegedly asked the flight attendant for help getting back to her seat, but the crew member told her to just take an open seat until they were done handing out drinks. Cornwall, 51, was captured getting into a violent altercation with Miller on a flight from Tampa to Atlanta on Thursday after telling him to pull his mask up Patricia Cornwall (pictured left in a November mugshot for a DUI) who was charged with assaulting an older passenger on a Delta flight last week, was previously accused of threatening her mother At that point, Cornwall allegedly asked, 'What am I, Rosa Parks?' according to the complaint - comparing her situation to the civil rights icon who refused to give up her seat at the front of a bus in Alabama in 1955. Her comment reportedly got the attention of Miller, who told her that she 'isn't black ... This isn't Alabama and this isn't a bus,' the complaint states. He also reportedly told her 'Sit down, Karen,' to which Cornwall replied: 'Sit down p****.' The encounter quickly escalated to violence with Cornwall seen punching, scratching and spitting at Miller. Her attack on Miller came as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) details a record number of air rage attacks - with 5,300 reported in 2021, compared to only several hundred in previous years, according to Morning Consult. Many of the 5,300 were related to face masks. Delta passenger Patricia Cornwall was arrested by the FBI on Thursday after getting in a violent altercation with a male passenger Spoeri, pictured with his wife and kids outside the Louvre in Paris, claimed Cornwall had already been detained twice or three times before by the authorities for mental health reasons Courts documents also show she has threatened to kill her mother and stepfather and kidnap their children in the past. Patty Cornwall's stepfather filed a restraining order against her in July 2020 claiming she made the threats while living at their house. Robert Spoeri's restraining order application, filed in a Los Angeles County court, says Cornwall, 51, claimed she was the real mother of his two children and he feared she 'might kidnap them when she has a delusional episode'. Spoeri claimed his stepdaughter, who has now been released on bail following her air rage incident, had already been detained two or three times before by the authorities for mental health reasons. Spoeri said it was the '2nd time or 3rd time' Cornwall had been 'put on 5150 hold,' where a person can be held involuntarily in a psychiatric unit for up to 72 hours. Spoeri asked in the court application for his stepdaughter to be ordered to stay 100 yards from him, his home, workplace, his two 14-year-old kids' school, his vehicle, and his church, Corpus Christi Pacific Palisades. The judge who reviewed the application, Susan Lopez-Giss, granted a temporary restraining order on July 31, 2020, telling Cornwall. A murder investigation has been launched after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in south London. Police officers were made aware of an assault at Ashburton Park in Croydon shortly after 7pm on Thursday. They gave first aid to the boy before the ambulance service arrived but he was pronounced dead at 7.36pm. No arrests have been made and a crime scene remains in place as enquiries continue. Police officers were made aware of an assault at Ashburton Park (pictured) in Croydon, south London, shortly after 7pm on Thursday The victim's family have been informed but formal identification has not yet taken place. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have been informed, said the Met. The force has asked anyone with information to call them via 101 quoting reference CAD 5443/30Dec. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Queensland has posted another sharp rise in new cases of Covid-19, with 3,118 infections recorded but only one person in ICU. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard announced the jump in numbers on Friday, following on from 2,222 cases announced on Thursday. Only one man aged in his 50s was in ICU and did not require ventilation. 'Interestingly he has the delta variant of the virus rather than the Omicron variant,' Dr Gerrard said. 'He is vaccinated. He has received two doses of the vaccine a few months ago so this reminds us that even if you are vaccinated it is possible to get quite sick with Covid-19. 'It does happen, we have known this all along.' There are now 11,697 active cases in Queensland. Dr Gerrard said a further 126 people were in hospital with the virus. 'Just reminding everybody that just because they have Covid doesn't mean that is the cause of their admission to the hospital,' he said. 'A much better indicator of the severity of the disease is the number of people that are in the intensive care unit.' 'It's likely the majority of those hospitalised will have received the vaccine [and most of those hospitalised are not particularly sick. 'We've got small numbers of people with significant illness.' Queensland Chief Heath Officer Dr John Gerrard said changes announced after the national cabinet meeting yesterday 'should decrease the numbers waiting in queues for PCR tests in the coming weeks' A woman seen at a testing centre on the Gold Coast, Queensland on New Year's Eve People queue for coffee at a Gold Coast cafe on New Year's Eve. A mask mandate currently applies to indoor retail settings in Queensland, with health authorities urging people to wear them elsewhere as case numbers rise in the state Dr Gerrard said changes announced after the national cabinet meeting yesterday 'should decrease the numbers waiting in queues for PCR tests in the coming weeks'. He said the changes to how close contacts are defined were 'critical'. 'I think we're going to see a rise in cases irrespective of this change,' Dr Gerrard said. Yesterday Dr Gerrard warned Queenslanders they could expect 'tens of thousands' of cases in the state in the coming weeks. He reminded people that if they have symptoms of Covid they should be coming forward for a PCR test, not a rapid antigen test. He said modelling on the capacity of Queensland hospitals suggested it would cope with a large rise in infections, given current rates of hospitalisation in this outbreak. Dr Gerrard was asked whether he fells confident about how the state would handle the pandemic in 2022. 'We're likely to see a substantial wave earlier than expected, most of us expected this to occur in May-June, so maybe that will bring the whole event a little bit further forward. 'Whether we see further waves of infection, that's what we don't know. Will there be another wave if infection in the winter? 'But I am feeling quietly optimistic looking forward.' Local residents line up at a drive-in testing centre in Brisbane, Queensland on New Year's Eve. Dr Gerrard said changes announced after the national cabinet meeting yesterday 'should decrease the numbers waiting in queues for PCR tests in the coming weeks' Queensland has posted another sharp rise in new cases of Covid-19 , with 3,118 infections recorded on New Year's Eve The dominant strain of the virus in Queensland is already Omicron, Dr Gerrard said on Thursday. 'We are not going to stop the Omicron virus. There are some things we can do to slow the spread... masks are important,' he said. 'The number of people we expect to be infected with this virus is very large, very large, all of us will know someone who is infected. 'But it's important to remember that most people don't get critically ill, it's a small proportion.' Fears are rising, however, for the spread of the virus in some remote Indigenous communities where overall vaccination rates remain low. More than a dozen infections had been reported on Thursday Island in the past few days while Cherbourg, north-west of Brisbane, also reported 12 cases overnight. Another two positive cases were also reported at nearby Murgon. The double-dose vaccination rate is below 60 per cent in Cherbourg, while 72 per cent of the 16 years and over population on Thursday Island are fully vaccinated. Yesterday Dr Gerrard said lockdowns were not being considered even in populations where vaccination rates were well below the state average. 'It will depend on what the local community wants to do but we do not want to impose lockdowns on communities.' This week the Palm Island (pictured) Aboriginal Shire Council posted a picture of a temporary morgue on its Facebook page as a grim warning that local residents are at risk of illness and death from the virus Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby said he had requested travel restrictions to Thursday Island and other Torres Strait islands be mandated by the chief health officer to prevent further incursion of the virus. 'Things become very serious here very quickly,' Mr Mosby told The Cairns Post. 'We are hoping the chief health officer, will get back to us by Friday which is New Years Eve.' This week the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council posted a picture of a temporary morgue on its Facebook page as a grim warning that local residents are at risk of illness and death from the virus. The refrigerated storage container had been sent to the island, located 65km north-west of Townsville, by Queensland Health. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reduced the 110-year sentence of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos to just ten years after widespread pressure and public outcry from Kim Kardashian. On Thursday, Gov. Polis commuted the prison sentence of Aguilera-Mederos, who was working as a truck driver at the time of the fatal accident, calling the lengthy penalty for a fatal roadway accident 'unjust.' 'You were sentenced to 110 years in prison, effectively more than a life sentence, for a tragic but unintentional act,' Polis wrote in a letter. 'While you are not blameless, your sentence is disproportionate compared with many other inmates in our criminal justice system who committed intentional, premeditated, or violent crimes.' Aguilera-Mederos' harsh sentence on December 13 drew criticism among millions of people - including a juror who had found him guilty, and Kardashian - who has remained vocal in her criticism with the sentencing. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Aguilera-Mederos was found guilty on 27 criminal charges in October and received the lengthy sentence on December 13 Pictured: Colorado Governor Jared Polis' executive order, where he granted Aguilera-Mederos clemency from a 2091 parole eligibility date to 2026 Kardashian took to Twitter Thursday after learning of the news of Aguilera-Mederos clemency, having advocated on his behalf in the past. She thanked Governor Polis for granting the 26-year-old a commutation for the fatal car accident that left four people dead earlier this year. Meanwhile, a petition on Change.org had 4.5 million signatures as of Thursday night, in favor of commuting his sentence to time served. The public outcry prompted First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, whose office prosecuted the case, to request that the judge reconsider Aguilera-Mederos' sentence. First Judicial District Court Judge Bruce Jones ultimately granted the request while scheduling a January 13 sentencing hearing, though that hearing is unlikely to occur now following this week's commutation. But not everyone was in support of lowering his sentence. Valerie Robertson Young, who was one of the survivors of the deadly 2019 crash, does not believe a district court judge should lessen Aguilera-Mederos' sentence. 'He chose to hit traffic,' she told CNN. Valerie Robertson Young, right, who was one of the survivors of the deadly 2019 crash, does not believe a district court judge should lessen Aguilera-Mederos' sentence Pictured: dramatic aerial footage of the raging fire caused when Rogel Aguilera-Mederos smashed into dozens of other vehicles on Interstate 70 Aguilera-Mederos, pictured, weeps as he is sentenced and says he has nightmares and thinks about the victims often I saw a truck coming at us very fast. He didnt have his lights on. He didnt have his flashers on. He wasnt honking. He was doing nothing. - Valerie Robertson Young joins OutFront to describe her experience during an interstate wreck that killed four people. pic.twitter.com/RR2d39dQ1s OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) December 28, 2021 Aguilera-Mederos, was driving a semi-truck on April 25, 2019, along Interstate 70 in Lakewood, Colorado, when he slammed into two dozen vehicles. Kardashian, who is studying law, had called for a lesser sentence for Aguilera-Mederos. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, 26, pictured after his sentencing wa 110 years in prison in accordance with Colorado's minimum sentencing guidelines The impact caused a fireball explosion that incinerated cars and trucks, killing four people. He was sentenced to 110 years. The impact caused a fireball explosion that incinerated cars and trucks, killing four people. She posted on Instagram to her 271 million followers that she had heard about the case and 'took a deep dive in it to figure out what the situation is.' She continued: 'He was not drunk or under the influence; his brakes on the tractor-trailer failed. 'Another shocking and unfair part of this case is that the judge didn't want to sentence him to such a lengthy sentence. 'However, because of the mandatory minimums in Colorado, his hands were tied. Aguilera-Mederos crashed into two dozen vehicles with his semi-truck in April 2019 which killed four people and injured several others Six others had to be rushed to the hospital in the aftermath of the crash I saw a truck coming at us very fast. He didnt have his lights on. He didnt have his flashers on. He wasnt honking. He was doing nothing. - Valerie Robertson Young joins OutFront to describe her experience during an interstate wreck that killed four people. pic.twitter.com/RR2d39dQ1s OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) December 28, 2021 Kim Kardashian's latest legal fights on behalf of inmates nationwide Helping to release Alice Johnson from a life sentence. Back in 2018, Kim discovered Alice's case - the first nonviolent drug offender who was servinga life sentence, and began advocating on her behalf. Within a week of Kim visited Alice in prison, she was freed and pardoned by then-President Donald Trump. In 2019, she tweeted she passed the bar exam to practice in the state of California. In May 2019, she secured the release of a low level drug offender identified only as Jeffrey who had been behind bars for 22 years. Advertisement 'Mandatory minimums take away judicial discretion and need to end.' Kardashian also condemned the gleeful celebrations of the prosecutors, saying their gift of a brake shoe trophy made her 'sick'. She added that the governor, Jared Polis, 'is a really good person and I know he will do the right thing.' The decision on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis. The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years. Aguilera-Mederos testified that the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. His defense attorney claimed he did not know that his truck brakes were smoking or that he would not be able to stop. He also argued that Aguilera-Mederos' actions were a series of negligent decisions, and that he did not intend to hurt anybody. But prosecutors argued he should have used a runaway ramp designed for such situations. Aguilera-Mederos, for his part, said he was struggling to avoid traffic and trying to shift to slow down. On October 15, a jury ultimately found Aguilera-Mederos guilty of 27 criminal charges, including: Four counts of vehicular homicide Two counts of vehicular assault Six counts of assault in the first-degree with extreme indifference 10 counts of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree One count of reckless driving Four counts of careless driving causing death He was also found not guilty of 15 counts of criminal attempts to commit assaults in the first degree. Among the victims of the deadly crash were Stanley Politano, 69, of Arvada, Colorado, left, and Miguel Angel Lamas Arrelano, 24, of Denver, right, Doyle Harrison (left) was also killed in the inferno, as was Victim William Bailey (pictured right with his wife, Gage Evans) Aguilera-Mederos's mother speaks out in defense of her son Aguilera-Mederos' mother, Oslaida Mederos 'I feel very sad for the people who lost their lives,' Mederos told Nightline on Monday in an exclusive interview. 'And my son is suffering from it, as well as I am. We are Christians, we believe in God and we pray for them. He is a good boy.' Mederos was charged with 42 counts and was found guilty by a Jefferson County jury of 27 counts -- the most serious was first-degree assault, a class-three felony. The amount of charges, mandatory minimum laws and a classification that mandates some sentences to be served consecutively led to the century-plus long sentence. Advertisement As Aguilera-Mederos faced sentencing on December 13, he issued a statement apologizing to the victims' families, crying as he spoke. 'It's hard. This was a terrible accident, I know,' he said. 'I take the responsibility, but it was an accident. 'I have never thought about hurting anyone in my entire life and Jesus Christ, he knows that, he knows my heart,' he continued. 'I am not a criminal, I am not a murderer.' 'The accident - it wasn't intentional, it wasn't intentional, Your Honor. I did all that I can as a man. I put myself in harm's way to avoid harming anyone else.' He claimed that he tried to avoid the traffic, and noted that he did not flee in the aftermath 'because I respect the laws. 'I want to say sorry, sorry for the loss, sorry for the people injured,' he concluded, noting: 'I ask ... God many times why them and not me.' Relatives of the victims supported at least some prison time at his sentencing hearing, but in the statement last week, King said she and her team had spoken to the surviving victims of the crash and the families of those who died about the possibility of Aguilera-Mederos being resentenced before she issued her request. The juror called the sentence '100-fold of what it should have been' and said that while the trucker was responsible for the crash, Judge A. Bruce Jones should have given him a 'more suitable sentence.' Jones has said his hands are tied due to mandatory minimum laws. 'There is just something wrong to where a judge cannot intervene in some way and say the way this is written is not right,' the juror added. /About eight people turned out for a march at the State Capitol in Denver on Monday, December 20, to show support for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos Aguilera-Mederos, (pictured after his arrest in April 2019) was convicted in October 2021 of causing a fiery pileup that killed four people and injured six others The juror also told FOX31 he feels for the families of the victims, but feels compelled to speak in favor of reducing Aguilera-Mederos' sentence. 'I don't [think] the governor should sit there and offer him clemency and let him off,' he said. 'But to step in and say this would be a more suitable sentence for what had happened.' As of Tuesday, almost 5 million people signed a Change.org calling for the trucker's sentence to be lessened. 'Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos ... has nothing on his driving record, or on his criminal history,' says a petition, addressed to Polis and Jefferson County courts. The governor is the only person who can grant clemency at the state level. Polis most recently commuted four sentences and issued 18 pardons in December 2020. Clemency usually results in a sentence reduction or a pardon. The petition goes on to say that Aguilera-Mederos could have 'done things differently to avoid the courts,' but ultimately commended him for taking responsibility and apologizing to the victim's families. It has become the website's third most signed petition, according to the Change.org page. Kardashian had previously urged Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to spare the life of death row inmate Julius Jones who is due to be executed in three days after the governor refused to see his mother. Jones, 41, is scheduled to be executed last month for the 1999 shooting death of Edmond businessman Paul Howell during a carjacking. Jones maintains he is innocent and claims he was framed by the actual killer, Christopher Jordan, a high school friend and co-defendant who testified against Jones and was released from prison after 15 years. Kardashian, who has been an outspoken advocate of criminal justice reform in recent years, said they are all 'anxiously waiting' for a decision from Governor Stitt. The state's Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 to recommend Stitt grant clemency to Jones and commute his sentence to life in prison. A toddler has died after being found unresponsive in a pond in Melbourne's inner-west earlier this week. The two-year-old girl was in the pond at Footscray park on Maribyrnong Boulevard around 8pm on Monday. She was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital but died overnight, trauma director Professor Warwick Teague confirmed on Friday. A two-year-old girl has died after being found unresponsive in the pond at Footscray park, Melbourne, on Monday night The girl was rushed to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital but was announced dead on Friday after passing overnight Her uncle, Rasheed Rishi, shared a farewell to his niece on social media. 'This flower could not find her sweetness,' he said. 'We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. 'Miss you.' The pond is close to the park's 'all-abilities playspace' and was the scene of another toddler drowning earlier this year on June 30 Several other friends and family members from overseas shared their goodbyes. 'May God be with you, beautiful one,' one woman said. 'This is so sad,' another person wrote. Exciting news! Next week, we'll start work on the new all-abilities playspace in Footscray Park! Opening in July, this amazing new park will include water, sand and nature play; play equipment such as a flying fox, multi-swings & tree house, new picnic area and public toilet. pic.twitter.com/CQJQ0R0u0V City of Maribyrnong (@MaribyrnongCC) March 28, 2018 The pond is close to the park's 'all-abilities playspace' and was the scene of another toddler's drowning earlier this year on June 30. The three-year-old girl was found unresponsive in the pond around 3pm and died in hospital five days later. 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 Old Parliament House was deliberately set on fire by protesters, new footage shows. Videos shared on social media show at least one demonstrator stoking the fire at the door of the historic building with a pile of sticks. Another video appears to show Indigenous rights activists covering CCTV cameras at the front of the building before it was set on fire. Old Parliament House was deliberately set on fire by protesters, new footage (above) shows According to witnesses, one protester asked for phones to be turned off before the blaze was it. Police are investigating the incident after saying it was a traditional smoking ceremony that got out of control. Five fire engines and about 40 police officers attended the scene and the historic building was evacuated as a precaution while crews extinguished the blaze. As the new footage emerged, an anti-vaccination protest group denied being responsible, insisting its members only filmed the fiasco and were not involved. The group named Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccinations (MMAMV) Australia posted on its Facebook page that 'mainstream media' and Aussies online had accused it of starting the fire and refuted the allegation. 'This claim is entirely false. MMAMV did not start this fire, neither has it ever claimed that MMAMV was responsible for the fire, nor for the organisation of the event,' the post read. Another video (above) appears to show Indigenous rights activists covering CCTV cameras at the front of the building before it was set on fire Police manned an Aboriginal rights protest on Thursday which resulted in Old Parliament House being burned One anti-vax protester live-streamed the event, capturing dramatic footage (above) of police trying to contain rowdy protesters on the steps of Old Parliament House as the front door burned One of the group's leaders, Michael Simms, was attending the Aboriginal rights protest and smoking ceremony which became out of hand on Thursday before the fire was started. He live-streamed the event, capturing dramatic footage of police trying to contain rowdy protesters on the steps of Old Parliament House as the front door burned. His footage shows one policeman being knocked to the ground as several officers are pushed back by protesters. 'Michael was wearing an orange vest with 'media' on the back, which had been given to him by First Nations representatives to indicate he had permission to film the ceremonies,' the post read. 'Michael has been attending these events to spend time with First Nation Elders to learn their history and traditions.' Police believe the fire most likely started when an Aboriginal smoking ceremony approved by police got out of control. Pictured: The burned building The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a permanent protest occupation site near the building, said it had not approved the smoking ceremony and condemned the protesters who started the fire. Emergency services rushed to the scene to put out the flames but not before the fire had caused extensive damage, as protesters were heard yelling 'let it burn'. Observers of the plumes of black smoke outside the building's entrance said rally attendees also identified themselves as anti-government. The fire comes just one week after a similar blaze was lit at the historic site which served as Australia's federal parliament from 1927 until 1988. Crowds of protesters began gathering almost a fortnight ago ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy which was established in 1972. A federal police forensic team was later seen examining the scorched front entrance of the building and taking samples from the fire-damage Protesters stand in front of the burned out doors to Old Parliament House on Thursday Australia's current Parliament House was established in 1988 on Capitol Hill a short distance away, with the historic building now used as a museum and heritage site. After firefighters distinguish the blaze protesters continued to clash with media crews and police, some chanting 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies'. While leaders used a megaphone to talk about Indigenous rights and colonisation, baffled onlookers recorded the plumes of smoke pouring out of the building. After firefighters distinguish the blaze protesters continued to clash with media crews and police, some chanting 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies' (pictured, a protestor holds a flag) Advertisement There is no need for any new lockdown measures to tackle Omicron because severe cases are remaining stable, says an NHS boss - despite Britain's Covid cases hitting another pandemic high yesterday. Chris Hopson, head of NHS Providers, said trust chief executives are warning that Britons should be careful in how they construe the daily Covid hospitalisation numbers. He added that health bosses understand why the government hasn't yet introduced extra restrictions, due to the absence of a surge in severely ill older people, reports The Times. UK Health Security Agency bosses logged 189,213 positive tests, up by 58 per cent from last week, in another new record for daily reported cases on Thursday. The count - which overtakes yesterday's previous record by more than 6,000 - includes figures for Wales covering a two-day period. A further 332 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, said the Government, in data including a backlog of hospital deaths reported by NHS England covering the period from December 24 to 29. Some 2,082 virus-infected patients were hospitalised on December 28, a leap of nearly 90 per cent compared to the figure the week before. It marked the highest daily total since February, according to Government data. But experts have called for caution over interpretations of the hospital numbers amid the rapid spread of Omicron, given that patients are suffering milder disease now than in previous waves. Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 174,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. A total of 51,738,013 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been delivered in the UK by December 29 - a rise of 32,607 on the previous day. Official data also shows the number of critically ill Covid patients remains stable, highlighting how the outbreak is now in a vastly different position to ever before. NHS England data revealed hospitalisations in London the epicentre of the UK's Omicron crisis increased yet again, with 456 newly-infected patients placed on wards on December 28. The figure was up by around 50 per cent on the previous week. It means the capital's daily admissions have for two days in a row been above the crucial 400-a-day threshold that Government advisers warned could trigger nationwide intervention. But statistics looking at the situation in intensive care wards paints a much different picture, with just 232 patients hooked up to ventilators as of today. Rates are ticking up much slower, and are still a fifth of levels seen in January during the depths of the Alpha wave. Daily Covid admission in London have risen again, with 456 newly-infected patients placed on wards on December 28. This is the second day in a row admissions been above the crucial 400-a-day threshold that Government advisers warned could trigger nationwide intervention Chris Hopson (pictured left), head of NHS Providers, said that health bosses understand why the government hasn't yet introduced extra restrictions, due to the absence of a surge in severely ill older people Covid lateral flow tests are handed out for free in boxes of either seven or 20 tests to residents in Slough, Berkshire, today No tests before NYE: LFTs run out AGAIN and officials say people will struggle to get PCRs 'anywhere within 48 hours' Officials fear people may soon struggle to access a PCR test 'anywhere near them' within 48 hours of applying as experts issued a New Year's Eve warning because of the ongoing testing supply crisis. Boris Johnson has urged the nation to enjoy celebrations tomorrow night in a 'cautious and sensible way'. The Prime Minister said people should 'take a test' before heading to festivities but lateral flow tests and PCR test appointments are still unavailable this morning as the testing chaos enters its fourth day. A Number 10 source has stressed that people do not have to take a test before they go out but should take one 'where possible'. While none are available from Government sites, private providers have been found to be selling boxes of 25 LFTs for more than 200. A Government scientific adviser warned this morning it is 'very worrying indeed' that people in England could mix on New Year's Eve without taking a Covid test. Professor Peter Openshaw, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said indoor parties are 'absolutely perfect' for spreading the Omicron coronavirus variant. Meanwhile, a Government official told The Telegraph that people could soon struggle to get a PCR test at a walk-through or drive-through site within two days of asking for one as demand rises. Advertisement Mr Hopson told the newspaper: 'Although the numbers are going up and going up increasingly rapidly, the absence of large numbers of seriously ill older people is providing significant reassurance. But they are aware that this may change after the Christmas period. 'Trust CEOs know that the government has a high threshold to cross before it will introduce extra restrictions and can see why, in the absence of that surge of severely ill older people, that threshold hasn't been crossed yet.' It comes as experts estimate that almost 200,000 people in Britain are getting ill with Covid every day, according to one of the country's largest surveillance studies which predicts the milestone will be breached within days. King's College London experts who monitor the outbreak using a symptom-tracking app estimate infections jumped 33 per cent in a week to around 192,000 per day. But the team hailed promising signs that the exponential growth phase of the Omicron outbreak has 'stopped'. Dr Claire Steves, one of the experts behind the app, said the rise is now 'more steady' and cautioned that up to three-quarters of people with cold-like symptoms probably have Covid. It fits with data suggesting the wave may have already peaked in London, which was the first region to be battered by the ultra-infectious variant which evidence shows is causing milder disease than previous strains. NHS bosses fear pressure on London's wards will only ramp up over the next few weeks because of the time lag between people getting infected and becoming severely ill, even if a smaller proportion of patients are seriously ill. Dr Steves said her team's data shows that cases are still on the rise in 55-75-year-olds, adding: 'Unfortunately, it's likely that this will translate into more hospital admissions in the New Year.' For context, daily hospitalisations peaked at over 4,100 in January, before Britain embarked on its historic vaccine roll-out. London saw admissions hit a record-high of 977. Critics say the NHS figures are over-inflated currently because of rising cases of 'incidental' admissions, due to the soaring prevalence of Omicron in the community. Coupled with the fact the patients are suffering milder disease and spending less time on wards, analysts argue it makes interpreting the raw figures impossible. Statistics delving into the number of patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds offer a much clearer picture of the current situation, therefore. NHS England data shows the tally has hovered in the mid to high 700s since the start of December, with 782 today. The King's College London estimates made in conjunction with health-tech firm ZOE are based on reports from around 840,000 weekly users of the app. They estimate the prevalence of the virus based on positive tests logged within the software and the number of people with tell-tale symptoms. Covid cases are highest among 18 to 35-year-olds (orange line), they said, but are rising in all age groups. There is also an uptick among 55 to 75-year-olds (red line) and over-75s (purple line) who are more at risk from the virus Across England's regions the number of infections is still highest in London. But as Omicron spreads across the country cases are now rising in all other regions Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics today showed weekly deaths in England and Wales are still above the five-year average. Covid fatalities are yet to surge but this is a lagging indicator because of the time taken for someone who catches the virus to become seriously ill Slide me In the week to December 23 (second image), 2.8 per cent of people in Lambeth (2,874 per 100,000) tested positive, followed by 2.6 per cent in Wandsworth and Southwark (2,686 and 2,621 per 100,000) and 2.5 per cent in Lewisham (2,531 per 100,000) . But these boroughs had some of the lowest week-on-week growth in infection rates compared to the week to December 16 (first image), suggesting the capital's outbreak is flattening. Cases rose 11 per cent in Wandsworth, 15 per cent in Lambeth, 25 per cent in Southwark and 43 per cent in Lewisham Cases rose by 12 per cent in the week ending December 23 in Wandsworth, 15 per cent in Lambeth, 25 per cent in Southwark and 43 per cent in Lewisham the areas with the highest infection rate US sets WORLD record 489,267 COVID cases in 24 hours as country risks grinding to a HALT The United States has hit a record of nearly 500,000 daily coronavirus cases - the most any country has ever reported - and risks grinding to a halt as experts say that the latest surge of infections will only get worse in the next month. On Wednesday, 489,267 positive Covid cases were reported. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of new cases in America are of the Omicron variant, which was first discovered last month by South African health officials. The U.S. is now averaging 300,387 new Covid cases per day, a pandemic record and the first time the 300,000 mark has been reached in America. More than 500,000 Covid cases were reported on Monday, though that was a result of a large backlog of cases from the Christmas holiday. Wednesday's total is the largest increase from only a single day. The nation also recorded 2,184 deaths on Wednesday, and averages 1,546 deaths per day - an 18 percent increase over the past two weeks. But that number is still lower than the pandemic record, of 4,442 deaths in a single day recorded in January 2020. The CDC also reports that 75,477 Americans are currently hospitalized due to complications with Covid, an 11 percent increase over the past two weeks. Omicron has also been confirmed in 15,057 cases nationwide as well. Dr Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and member of President Biden's transition team's Covid task force, warns that things are only going to get worse as well. He told CBS Morning on Thursday that what is happening now is unlike anything Americans have experienced at previous points in the pandemic. 'We are going to see a viral blizzard over the next five to eight weeks,' he said. 'We're already beginning to see these very large numbers you're talking about, they're going to increase substantially. The real question we have is how many of those will then actually [suffer] severe illnesses requiring hospitalization, and even deaths and that's the challenge we're at right now. We don't quite understand that.' Advertisement It is different to the officially recorded numbers, which yesterday soared to a previous record, illustrating Omicron's rapid spread. But even these numbers, which offer an accurate glimpse of the situation Britain finds itself in, are an undercount because up to half of people who get infected never get tested. Dr Steves today also called for the official list of Covid symptoms to be expanded because data suggests 75 per cent of people with cold-like symptoms probably have the virus. She added: 'Its good news to see that fewer people are newly sick than a few weeks ago. However, the fact 75 per cent of new cold-like symptoms are Covid and the classic symptoms are much less common, means Government advice needs to be urgently updated. 'We want to see symptoms like sore throat, headache, and runny nose added to the list as soon as possible.' UK guidance currently only recognises three symptoms as early warning signs of an infection with the virus, a new continuous cough, a high temperature, and a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell. But experts have repeatedly called for the NHS's list to be expanded, saying it misses cases in the early stages increasing the risk of the virus being transmitted. The US-based CDC and other countries have identified more than ten warning signs, and warn their populations about things like fatigue, headache and muscle aches. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics today said a total of 755 deaths were registered in England and Wales in the week ending December 17 that mentioned Covid on the death certificate. This was down 1 per cent on the previous week and is the lowest number of deaths since the week to October 15, when the total was 713. Around one in 16 (6.1 per cent) of all deaths in England and Wales in the week to December 17 mentioned Covid on the death certificate. Despite the explosion in cases over the past week, Boris Johnson gave the green light for people to celebrate New Year's Eve but urged millions of revellers to be 'cautious and sensible'. The Prime Minister insisted that 'everybody should enjoy' the last social hurrah of the year, despite the spread of Omicron. He said the strain 'continues to cause real problems' with hospitalisations rising but the data shows it is 'obviously milder than the Delta variant'. Separate NHS figures showed daily Covid hospitalisations in London have now breached the 400-a-day threshold, which Government advisers said may trigger nationwide restrictions. England itself saw a 65 per cent weekly jump in admissions, with more than 10,000 beds now occupied by virus-infected patients for the first time since March. But NHS bosses have called for caution over interpretations of increasing hospital numbers, with Omicron known to cause a milder disease, virus-infected patients spending less time on wards, and 'incidental' admissions on the rise due to extremely high prevalence of Covid in the community. Mr Johnson argued the success of England's booster roll-out was behind his decision to hold off on implementing any tougher restrictions, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all having imposed new rules on socialising. Construction workers begin erecting 'Nightingale' wards in hospital car parks as NHS goes on 'war footing' to tackle Omicron wave... but health chiefs warn they can't 'magic up' staff to oversee the eight temporary sites By Luke Andrews Health Reporter for MailOnline The NHS cannot 'magic up' staff to oversee temporary 'Nightingale' wards in hospital car parks, health leaders warned today as construction workers began erecting eight make-shift sites. NHS chiefs last night announced eight hospitals in England will start building temporary structures this week to house up to 100 Covid patients each. Work has already started at St Georges Hospital in South London and the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent. The overspill sites which could also be erected in canteens and gyms if needed in the coming weeks will be equipped with beds and machines for patients who still need minor treatment. The drive forms part of a new NHS 'war footing' to tackle the Omicron wave, which is starting to pile pressure on hospitals. But questions have already been raised as to how the units will be manned amid the spiralling rates of absences among the health service coupled with the 100,000-plus vacancies before Covid struck. Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers which represents hospital trusts said staffing the makeshift wards posed a 'major challenge' and that 'you cant just magic up the number of staff that are needed to staff these beds out of thin air'. He added, however, that having the facilities on existing hospital grounds 'maximises the NHS's ability to meet that challenge' and that he expects volunteers will be called in if the sites were needed to be used. Meanwhile, Pat Cullen, from the Royal College of Nursing, warned that it would mean nursing resources are 'spread thinner'. She said that she had 'no idea' how the hubs would be staffed. ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL, SOUTH LONDON: Construction workers began erecting a temporary field hospital in the grounds of St George's Hospital in Tooting today WILLIAM HARVEY HOSPITAL IN ASHFORD, KENT: Pictured above is construction work beginning on the William Harvey 'mini-Nightingale' hospital, situated in the site's car park The above shows where England's eight new 'mini-Nightingales' will be set up. These will aim to treat 100 Covid patients following a stay in intensive care, and will be on hospital sites to ensure they can be properly manned. Previous Nightingales could not get enough nurses Trade site the Health Service Journal revealed the plans for more 'mini-Nightingales' before Christmas. It said at the time that army medical personnel could be called in to help, although the formal request was yet to be made. The Nightingale hospitals will be staffed by nurses and consultants, as well as clinical and non-clinical staff. It is not clear whether this would include soldiers, but NHS sources told MailOnline that the Army are always drafted in when required. The 'mini-Nightingales' will be scattered around the country, with sites based in London, Bristol, Leeds, Kent and Leicester among others. In contrast to the first wave when facilities such as London's ExCel centre were converted into giant hospitals the 'Nightingale hubs' will be situated on existing hospital grounds. Health chiefs said this will make it easy to deploy staff if there is a surge in admissions over the coming weeks that outstrips current capacity. ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL, SOUTH LONDON: One member of a construction team was pictured working on the roofing of the make-shift site WILLIAM HARVEY HOSPITAL IN ASHFORD, KENT A view of the make-shift Nightingale site set-up in a car park on the grounds of the William Harvey Row erupts as data shows a third of Covid patients are in hospital for reasons other than the virus A row erupted over the Government's Covid figures last night as it emerged almost one in three in hospital with the virus was admitted for unrelated reasons. NHS statistics revealed the proportion of so-called 'incidental' coronavirus admissions had risen to a record 29 per cent sparking claims that official figures were misleading. These cases are from patients taken to hospital for an unrelated reason, such as a fall or broken bone, who just happen to then discover they also have the virus. It means thousands of those who are being counted as Covid admissions which would suggest they are severely ill with the condition are not actually suffering seriously with the virus. Many only tested positive once they were on wards and may have simply caught the virus while there. It has raised concerns that the headline statistics which drive Government decisions on restrictions and lockdowns are overestimating how many people are dangerously sick with Covid. Advertisement NHS Trusts have also been asked to identify areas such as gyms and classrooms that can be converted to temporary Covid wards. They said this could create an additional 4,000 'super surge' beds across the country eight times the capacity of a large district hospital, which has around 500 beds. Mr Hopson said: 'Building on lessons learnt from earlier in the pandemic, trusts are identifying extra capacity on existing hospital sites that could be turned into super surge capacity should it be required. 'Trust leaders hope this back up insurance policy will never be needed, as with the original Nightingales. But it must be the right 'no regrets later' move to make these preparations now. 'Given the other pressures on the NHS and the current level of staff absences, staffing this capacity would be a major challenge. 'But co-location on existing hospital sites maximises the NHS's ability to meet that challenge.' He added: 'We also need to recognise that this will add further stretch to an already hard-pressed NHS.' In a follow-up interview with The Telegraph, he added: 'I think theres a very clear recognition in the NHS that you cant just magic up the number of staff that are needed to staff these beds out of thin air.' And he told MailOnline: 'If the NHS is using these hubs, we will be in an emergency and we would use an emergency staffing model. 'We would, for example, be redeploying staff from less critical activity, we would be calling for recently retired staff and experienced volunteers to help.' Ms Cullen, the general secretary of the RCN, warned today that there were not enough staff available for the extra units. She told Sky News: 'You can set up all the hubs that you wish to set up. 'But if you don't have the nursing staff to actually care for the patients that are going to be placed in those hubs, that places more challenges on the nursing workforce. 'The nursing workforce already is struggling massively to care for the patients that are already in hospital, and if we set up hubs and put up additional beds that's going to place more pressure on those nurses. 'So, at this point in time, we have no idea how we're going to be staffing those additional hubs as they're set up.' The NHS was short of up to 100,000 medics even before the pandemic began, data suggests. It comes after health chiefs warned staff absences pose a bigger threat to the health service than rising admissions due to the virus. A total of 18,829 NHS staff were absent because of the coronavirus on December 19, up from 12,240 a week earlier. And Covid-related absences have tripled in a week at London's biggest trust, underlying the huge problem the rest of England faces over the coming weeks. At the same time, the number of admissions has increased. Christmas Day saw 1,281 infected patients placed on wards, up 74 per cent in a week to the highest level since February. Dr David Nicholl, of the Doctors' Association, earlier this week described the ever-growing number of absences as 'our biggest worry' over the coming weeks. The number of Covid patients on England's wards yesterday breached the 10,000 barrier for the first time since early March. But NHS figures suggest up to one in three virus patients on wards were admitted for reasons unrelated to the infection, such as a fall or broken bone. It means thousands of those who are being counted as Covid admissions which would suggest they are severely ill with the condition are not actually suffering seriously with the virus. Nearly 200,000 Brits are 'getting ill with Covid' each day and milestone will be breached within days but symptom-tracking app claims exponential growth of Omicron has STOPPED By Stephen Matthews Health Editor for MailOnline Almost 200,000 people in Britain are getting ill with Covid every day, according to one of the country's largest surveillance studies which predicts the milestone will be breached within days. King's College London experts who monitor the outbreak using a symptom-tracking app estimate infections jumped 33 per cent in a week to around 192,000 per day. But the team hailed promising signs that the exponential growth phase of the Omicron outbreak has 'stopped'. Dr Claire Steves, one of the experts behind the app, said the rise is now 'more steady' and cautioned that up to three-quarters of people with cold-like symptoms probably have Covid. It fits with data suggesting the wave may have already peaked in London, which was the first region to be battered by the ultra-infectious variant which evidence shows is causing milder disease than previous strains. However, hospitals in the capital have already breached the key 400-a-day admissions threshold that could trigger the Government to make a nationwide intervention. NHS bosses fear pressure on London's wards will only ramp up over the next few weeks because of the time lag between people getting infected and becoming severely ill, even if a smaller proportion of patients are seriously ill. Dr Steves said her team's data shows that cases are still on the rise in 55-75 year olds, adding: 'Unfortunately, it's likely that this will translate into more hospital admissions in the New Year.' Meanwhile, separate figures showed the number of Covid deaths registered in England and Wales for the week ending December 17 fell by 1 per cent on the previous seven-day spell. Statistics from King's College London scientists estimated almost 200,000 people were now catching Covid every day in the UK, and that the country will break through the milestone in the next few days She said: 'The number of daily new symptomatic Covid cases are more than double what they were this time last year and we are just a day or two away from hitting over 200,000. 'However, the exponential growth in cases appears to have stopped, and the rise is more steady.' Dr Steves added: 'Hospitalisation rates are thankfully much lower than this time last year but they are still high, especially in London.' The King's College London estimates made in conjunction with health-tech firm ZOE are based on reports from around 840,000 weekly users of the app. They estimate the prevalence of the virus based on positive tests logged within the software and the number of people with tell-tale symptoms. It is different to the officially recorded numbers, which yesterday soared to another pandemic high, illustrating Omicron's rapid spread. UK Health Security Agency bosses logged 183,037 positive tests, up by almost three-quarters on last week's tally. The count which eclipses the previous record from the day before by more than 45,000 was skewed upwards because it included 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. This is despite a similar number of tests being carried out. But even officially-recorded numbers, which offer an accurate glimpse of the situation Britain finds itself in, are an undercount because up to half of people who get infected never get tested. Dr Steves today also called for the official list of Covid symptoms to be expanded because data suggests 75 per cent of people with cold-like symptoms probably have the virus. She added: 'Its good news to see that fewer people are newly sick than a few weeks ago. However, the fact 75 per cent of new cold-like symptoms are Covid and the classic symptoms are much less common, means Government advice needs to be urgently updated. 'We want to see symptoms like sore throat, headache, and runny nose added to the list as soon as possible.' UK guidance currently only recognises three symptoms as early warning signs of an infection with the virus, a new continuous cough, a high temperature, and a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell. But experts have repeatedly called for the NHS's list to be expanded, saying it misses cases in the early stages increasing the risk of the virus being transmitted. The US-based CDC and other countries have identified more than ten warning signs, and warn their populations about things like fatigue, headache and muscle aches. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics today said a total of 755 deaths were registered in England and Wales in the week ending December 17 that mentioned Covid on the death certificate. This was down 1 per cent on the previous week and is the lowest number of deaths since the week to October 15, when the total was 713. Around one in 16 (6.1 per cent) of all deaths in England and Wales in the week to December 17 mentioned Covid on the death certificate. Despite the explosion in cases over the past week, Boris Johnson gave the green light for people to celebrate New Year's Eve but urged millions of revellers to be 'cautious and sensible'. The Prime Minister insisted that 'everybody should enjoy' the last social hurrah of the year, despite the spread of Omicron. He said the strain 'continues to cause real problems' with hospitalisations rising but the data shows it is 'obviously milder than the Delta variant'. Separate NHS figures showed daily Covid hospitalisations in London have now breached the 400-a-day threshold, which Government advisers said may trigger nationwide restrictions. England itself saw a 65 per cent weekly jump in admissions, with more than 10,000 beds now occupied by virus-infected patients for the first time since March. But NHS bosses have called for caution over interpretations of increasing hospital numbers, with Omicron known to cause a milder disease, virus-infected patients spending less time on wards, and 'incidental' admissions on the rise due to extremely high prevalence of Covid in the community. Mr Johnson argued the success of England's booster roll-out was behind his decision to hold off on implementing any tougher restrictions, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all having imposed new rules on socialising. It's a global New Year tradition we take for granted. But an expert says she has discovered the reason revellers link arms to sing Auld Lang Syne the tune's links to Freemasonry. University of Edinburgh musicologist Morag Grant, who has written a book about Robert Burns' best-loved song, says singing it with arms crossed and hands joined was once a parting ritual among Masons. A newspaper report of an Ayrshire lodge's Burns Supper in 1879 describes members forming 'the circle of unity' a common practice among Masons, who are also known for secret handshakes and rituals involving rolling up a trouser leg. University of Edinburgh musicologist Morag Grant, who has written a book about Robert Burns' best-loved song - Auld Lang Syne - says singing it with arms crossed and hands joined was once a parting ritual among Masons. (File image) A newspaper report of an Ayrshire lodge's Burns Supper in 1879 describes members forming 'the circle of unity' a common practice among Masons (file picture), who are also known for secret handshakes and rituals involving rolling up a trouser leg Burns, who died in 1796, was a keen Freemason and the organisation was instrumental in promoting his work, Dr Grant says. Auld Lang Syne soon earned global fame, being used at US graduations in the 1850s and by 1881 crossing to Japan, where, known as Hotaru No Hikari, it is still played at the close of business in some shops. Dr Grant studied a range of historical sources - including written accounts, newspaper reports, theatre playbills, printed music and early recordings - to illuminate the song's path to global popularity. 'Auld Lang Syne's sentiments didn't just resonate with Freemasons,' she said. 'Some of the earliest reports of the song's use at parting come from American college graduations in the 1850s.' Dr Grant's study shows Auld Lang Syne's global fame predates the invention of sound recording and radio, despite many commentators having previously linked its rise to the dawn of the broadcast era. Burns (above), who died in 1796, was a keen Freemason and the organisation was instrumental in promoting his work, Dr Grant says Her book records that in 1877, Alexander Graham Bell used it to demonstrate the telephone, and in 1890 it was one of the first songs recorded on Emil Berliner's gramophone. The song's use at new year emerged around the same time, principally through exiled Scots gathering outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, but also expatriates living abroad. By 1929, the tradition was so well established internationally that a line from the song was displayed on the electronic ticker at new year celebrations in Times Square, New York. The Scouts also played a key role in spreading its fame. The song was sung at the end of the first World Scout Jamboree in 1920 and versions in French, German, Greek and Polish soon followed. Dr Grant's book, Auld Lang Syne: A Song And Its Culture, also explores the song's origins and Burns' role in creating the modern song from older models. She said: 'It's remarkable how this song, written in a language which even most Scots don't fully understand, has become so synonymous with new year the world over. 'The many traditions and rituals associated with the song - as well as its simple, singable tune - are key to understanding its phenomenal spread, and why we still sing it today. 'Auld Lang Syne is a song about the ties that bind us to others across the years and even though its appeal is now global, it's very much rooted in the world Burns inhabited.' Auld Lang Syne: A Song And Its Culture by MJ Grant is published by OpenBook Publishers and is available to read free online. A cat which disappeared just as Gordon Brown was taking over as prime minister 14 years ago returned home. Elsa was two when she began spending longer and longer out of owner Ruth Armstrongs home until one day in June 2007 she just didnt come back. But Mrs Armstrong told how she was stunned to receive a call from a nearby veterinary surgery a few weeks ago to say they had her cat after staff scanned Elsas microchip. Elsa was two when she began spending longer and longer out of owner Ruth Armstrongs home until one day in June 2007 she just didnt come back The cat disappeared just as Gordon Brown was taking over as prime minister 14 years ago Because I have other cats I told the surgery they couldnt have my cat because they were all at home, said Mrs Armstrong. It never occurred to me it could be Elsa. My jaw hit the floor when they told me it was her. I still find myself looking at her, wondering about everything she has been through. Recalling the time when her pet went missing, Mrs Armstrong, a fitness instructor and mother of one from Hinckley, Leicestershire, said: She was spending progressively longer outside the house. Then one day she disappeared forever. We looked for her for a long, long, time but eventually I figured she wasnt coming back. It turned out that Elsa had been living on an industrial estate a mile from home where factory workers had been giving her food and water. Mrs Armstrong was reunited with Elsa after the cat developed a cancerous growth on her back leg, and a harmless cyst on her head. The factory workers contacted the RSPCA, who took Elsa for a check-up at Park Vet Group in Glenfield, Leicester, where her microchip was scanned. It turned out that Elsa had been living on an industrial estate a mile from home where factory workers had been giving her food and water Mrs Armstrong, 50, said the case proved the importance of getting cats microchipped. Earlier this month, the Government announced that all pet cats older than 20 weeks will have to be microchipped by 2023, bringing the pets in line with dogs. Elsa went under the knife earlier this month to remove the tumour and the cyst and her vet is hopeful she will be able to enjoy her old age. Mrs Armstrong is keeping Elsa away from her other five cats and four dogs until she recovers, adding: She will not be going out. She will be the most pampered house cat in the world. Getting a dog is recommended for improving your health. But it seems it is also a good way to boost your business. Shops and cafes with a four-legged assistant benefit from increased footfall and customer loyalty, a survey shows. Nearly half of UK adults (47 per cent) admit they have gone into a shop specifically because it has a dog, while four in five say the presence of a pet encourages them to spend more time and money there than they planned. Over half of the 2,000 surveyed for Metro Bank said being able to take their dog in with them affects whether they use a business. James Patch, of Coopers Roastery & Coffee Bar in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, said his dog Cooper is an integral part of the business. He added: It makes the shop feel very welcoming and homely. A black schnauzer dog lying at the feet of its owners outside a shop (stock picture) Suzanne OLeary, of Little Beach Boutique in Brighton, said her dog Bertie encourages customers to stay for a chat. A regular came in last week to see him and spontaneously treated herself to a new pair of earrings, she said. Jessica Myers, Brand and Marketing Director from Metro Bank added: After a difficult period for many retailers and small businesses, attracting customers back in-store is a huge challenge, but a shop dog could be the secret weapon to recovery. Dogs are proven to relieve stress, relax people and make a great talking point to break the ice with customers. For people who live alone or who are unable to keep a pet, or simply for the tens of millions of consumers who cant resist an interaction with a friendly fluffy face, they bring a bit of joy to the daily routine. Moreover, millions of dog owners are more likely to visit a business that allows their four-legged friend inside, which is why weve always welcomed dogs into all of our Metro Bank stores across the UK, and why we offer free dog biscuits, branded bandannas and water bowls for our four-legged friends as well. Tonight, whether we are tipsily linking arms with loved ones to belt out Auld Lang Syne or taking precautions with a quiet night at home, a thought may cross our minds: What a difference a year makes. Think back 12 months and the future looked decidedly bleak. Covid deaths were rocketing. Millions lived under onerous curbs. And Britain was sliding inexorably towards another lockdown. Now, thanks to the vaccine miracle, the country is in an ineffably better place. Yes, Omicron is spreading troublingly fast and England is not restriction-free. But unlike 2020s washout, we can celebrate New Year with friends and family, make merry in pubs, and attend parties if we wish. This paper trusts that after a torrid few weeks of scandal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will regain his mojo and continue building a better Britain Boris Johnson has rightly ignored scientists fire-and-brimstone predictions of disaster unless he curtailed our freedoms. Not, as some opponents howled absurdly, because he is playing fast and loose with the nations health. Just the opposite. The Prime Minister has studied real-world data not finger-in-the-wind modelling showing Omicron is significantly milder than earlier variants. He has also factored in the ruinous economic, social and health costs of punishing curbs. As a result, he believes the public should be trusted to act responsibly and keep themselves and others safe. But as so often at New Year, there is a looming hangover. In this case, a woeful lack of Covid tests. Demand for swabs has surged as millions heed advice to ensure they are not contagious before socialising. Combined with relaxed rules allowing those who caught the virus to end self-isolation after seven days if they test negative, this has created a perfect storm. Of course, it is fantastic the public are testing so enthusiastically. But shouldnt the Government have ensured there were enough kits to go round in the first place? Consequently, some will be disappointed at missing out on New Year celebrations. More seriously, though, many sectors are struggling due to burdensome quarantine. If NHS staff are stuck at home, patients lives are endangered. If police officers cannot resume work, criminals have less to fear. If teachers are sick, and pupils cant have their required swabs, schools may threaten to stay closed next week further harming childrens education. Firms are suffering crippling staff shortages jeopardising jobs, incomes and the fragile recovery. Ministers must strain every sinew to ease the crisis. One way would be to copy the USs lead and slash self-isolation to five days, emphasising mask-wearing rather than testing, if symptoms have eased. Families already face a dismal New Year, with soaring costs putting further strain on squeezed household budgets. If Britain also grinds to a halt, some will begin to question Mr Johnsons competence. Still, there are many reasons to be cheerful. The booster rollout is going great guns. The UK is tipped to outgun all other advanced economies in 2022. The stock market is at a near record high. This paper trusts that after a torrid few weeks of scandal, the PM will regain his mojo and continue building a better Britain. To you, our wonderful readers, and your loved ones, we wish a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. The BBCs brass neck IF ANY other media organisation sails close to the wind on standards, they are sanctimoniously denounced by the BBC. So it sticks in the craw that BBC World News interviewed constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz about the Ghislaine Maxwell verdict without making clear he himself had been accused of sexual abuse by his pal Jeffrey Epsteins victims? Was this a genuine blunder? Or double standards? Either way, it was an egregious error and a gross insult to the brave victims who have finally seen justice done. Asymptomatic Covid-19 positive cases and close contacts in most of Australia can now be released from isolation after seven days without having to return a negative test. National Cabinet agreed to the new rules on Friday after health advice that said cases are rarely infectious after a week. Only close contacts and Covid patients with symptoms must remain isolated until a negative PCR test. National Cabinet led by Scott Morrison (pictured on Thursday) agreed to the new rules after health advice that said cases are rarely infectious after a week New Year plans are continuing across the nation. Pictured: Queenslanders at a cafe on the Gold Coast On Thursday state premiers agreed that isolation would be seven days with a negative test on day six - but just 24 hours later they removed the testing requirement. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement: 'Further to National Cabinet on 30 December 2021, and following further consultation with the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Health Officers, leaders have also agreed to remove the requirement for a Day 6 RAT (rapid antigen test) for confirmed cases in isolation. What are the changes and when do they kick in? New definition of close contact: Someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case. Workplaces do not count. New isolation period: Positive people and close contacts must isolate for seven days or 10 in SA Timing: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT have adopted the changes Tasmania will follow on January 1 while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will not adopt the scheme until they get more Covid cases in the weeks ahead. Advertisement 'If confirmed cases remain symptomatic, they should remain in isolation. Anyone with symptoms will continue to seek a PCR test.' Across most of the country, a close contact will now be defined as someone who has spent at least four hours in an 'accommodation setting' such as a household or a care facility with a positive case. If a workplace, such as an office, has a positive case, the contacts don't need to isolate but just monitor symptoms. All Australians, whether they have come into contact with an infected person or not, are still encouraged to get a PCR test if they develop any Covid symptoms. Casual contacts have been abolished, meaning anyone in a pub, restaurant, or shop at the same time as a positive case no longer has to isolate. 'If you are anything other than a close contact and you are not symptomatic, you don't need to go and get a test,' Mr Morrison said on Thursday. 'Now, I know this is a bit different to what you've been hearing over the last couple of years. That's the gear change. That's the reset. That's what we need people to really understand.' The move is expected ease pressure on testing queues which have swelled due to a growing outbreak of the milder but more contagious Omicron variant over Christmas. The new rules will also be welcomed by employers, especially hospitality venues, who are finding it increasingly hard to find staff because of the growing outbreak. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT implemented the changes on Friday morning at midnight. Some Sydneysiders have already set up their picnics ahead of the New Year's Eve fireworks South Australia adopted the new close contact definition - but kept a 10-day isolation rule in place. Tasmania will adopt the new rules on January 1, while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will not adopt the definition until they get high Covid caseloads in the weeks ahead. 'I am confident that this is the best way to manage the Omicron pandemic,' Mr Morrison said. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, who recommended the changes, said they would help keep the economy functioning and avoid the whole nation being plunged into isolation. 'We can have people out there in society and working when they are at less risk,' he said. Australia recorded 32,000 new cases on Friday but only 128 people are in ICU because of vaccinations and the less severe nature of the Omicron variant which is making up about 80 per cent of cases. The woman who claims she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 today insisted she is an American resident even though the Duke of York's lawyers claim she lives in Australia so the case must be stopped. Virginia Roberts Giuffre is suing the ninth in line to the British throne for damages claiming she was 'forced to have sexual intercourse with Prince Andrew against her will' and lists offences including 'rape in the first degree.' Her attorneys today said her domicile is in Colorado, where her mother resides, and noted that she is registered to vote there. They said those facts and additional evidence establish her Colorado citizenship. The Duke of York has also been asked to produce key documents in support of his alibi he did not have sex with his American accuser - including confirmation he did not sweat and witnesses who saw him at a Woking Pizza Express. Andrew is pinning his hopes on a crunch hearing before a New York judge on January 4 when he will attempt to have the case against him thrown out claiming Ms Giuffre does not live in America, as the writ claims. The mother-of-three - suing Andrew under her married name of Virginia Giuffre - alleges she was forced to have sex with the duke when she was 17 and was his friend Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave. The Queen's second son, 61, has always denied her claims in the strongest of terms. Her attorneys filed their response to papers earlier this week in which Andrews lawyers say shes really living in Australia, where she has resided for all but two of the last 19 years. But the prince's legal team believe the lawsuit she filed in August in Manhattan federal court in which she claimed the prince sexually abused her on multiple occasions in 2001 should not proceed until it is determined whether she is qualified by residency to file the US lawsuit. The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal The Duke Of York leaves Royal Lodge and heads to Windsor Castle to have lunch with the Queen today Maxwell was a long-time consort of Jeffrey Epstein (pictured together in 2005) and an alleged procurer of victims in his underage sex trafficking ring Attorneys representing Virginia Giuffre (pictured) want the Duke of York to give them information about 'your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis', court documents reveal They've already asked a judge to toss out the lawsuit on multiple grounds, saying the prince never sexually assaulted Giuffre. The prince's attorney, Andrew Brettler, has called the lawsuit 'baseless.' But lawyers for Giuffre called the action by Andrew's attorneys to temporarily halt progression of the lawsuit toward trial a 'transparent attempt to delay discovery into his own documents and testimony.' They said the prince has claimed he has no documents that would be responsive to the majority of requests by Giuffre's lawyers, including of any communications with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell or the late financier Jeffrey Epstein or relating to his trips to Florida, New York or various locations in London. And they said he's also denied having documents supporting a claim that he has a medical inability to sweat, an alibi he offered in a media interview. Maxwell, 60, was convicted Wednesday of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges after a month-long trial. Her lawyers had argued that she was made a scapegoat by the U.S. government after Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan federal lockup in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was arrested a year later. Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - an excuse he used as proof that he had never having met her. Attorneys representing Virginia Giuffre want the Duke of York to give them information about 'your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis', court documents reveal. Andrew claimed in an interview with the BBC in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London before they had sex because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire. The claim was ridiculed and the next day newspapers published photographs of the Duke drenched in sweat at various times. Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - his alibi for never having met her. He is pictured at a Trump nightclub in 2001 Andrew claimed in an interview with the BBC (pictured) in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London before they had sex because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire The court documents also reveal that Giuffre's lawyers are also asking for deeply personal information from the British royal including 'any documents concerning any allegations of sexual abuse or extramarital sex made against you'. The request is part of a lawsuit Giuffre filed in August for infliction of emotional distress and battery. Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke three times in 2001 at Epstein's command. Prince Andrew strenuously denies the allegations. The documents were filed the day after Andrew's former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of recruiting and trafficking underage girls to Jeffrey Epstein. An infamous photo shows him with his arm around her at Maxwell's London townhouse: she is in the background grinning broadly. In his interview with the BBC, Andrew claimed that he didn't sweat because he had an 'overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands War, when I was shot at ... it was almost impossible for me to sweat'. Andrew served as a helicopter pilot in the conflict in 1982 where he flew numerous missions including casualty evacuations. The documents filed by Giuffre's lawyers David Boies and Sigrid McCawley are a laundry list of things they want from Andrew during the process of discovery, where both sides hand over materials to the other. One of the requests asks for: 'All Documents concerning Your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hypohidrosis, or your inability to sweat'. Andrew's lawyer Andrew Brettler rejects this on the grounds it is 'harassing and seeks confidential and private information and documents that are irrelevant, immaterial and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence'. An infamous photo shows him with his arm around her at Maxwell's London townhouse: she is in the background grinning broadly Further requests include all documents regarding Andrew's schedules and meetings in 2001, when he allegedly had sex with Giuffre three times when she was 17. Andrew's lawyers rejected the request for all information about allegations of extramatrial sex or sexual abuse on the grounds they are 'confidential and private information and documents that are irrelevant, immaterial'. One request is for: 'All Documents concerning Defendant's travel to or from, or presence in or on: a. Epstein's planes; b. Florida; c. New York; d. New Mexico; e. the United States Virgin Islands; f. a Pizza Express located in Woking, England; or g. the Club Tramp nightclub, located in London, England'. Pizza Express is where Andrew told the BBC he was the night Giuffre claims they had sex in London, and Tramp is the club she claims they went to. The other locations are where Epstein had his homes. Another request wants any communications between Andrew and Epstein or Maxwell and their lawyers concerning 'sexual abuse' and Andrew's 'sexual relations with anyone'. Andrew's lawyers rejected this as 'overbroad, burdensome and oppressive'. Court documents also reveal that Giuffre's lawyers are also asking for deeply personal information from the British royal as part of a lawsuit Giuffre filed in August for infliction of emotional distress and battery. The documents were filed the day after Andrew's former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of recruiting and trafficking underage girls to Jeffrey Epstein (pictured as verdict was read) A further request asks for: 'All Documents concerning any massage that Defendant has received or requested, including but not limited to any documents concerning any individuals who may have provided such massages to Defendant'. Another document filed to the court is interrogatories submitted to the Duke, which are requests to him to respond to a series of questions. They include identifying any person or entities who can provide information about people who tracked Andrew's whereabouts while he was visiting any property owned by Maxwell or Epstein. Andrew's response says one such entity would be 'Buckingham Palace'. Andrew's lawyers have requested that the case be dismissed and on Tuesday a judge in federal court in New York will rule if it can be. Earlier this week Andrew tried to claim the lawsuit was not valid because Giuffre lives in Australia. In a letter, Boies states that she intends to return to Colorado and is registered to vote there and her mother lives there. Andrew has strongly denied Giuffre's claims and claimed she filed the lawsuit to get another 'payday at his expense'. South Africa has passed the peak of its Omicron Covid wave with no significant uptick in deaths and will ease some virus restrictions, the government has said. Infection data from the country where the super-mutant strain first emerged in November shows around 10,000 cases are now being reported per day, based on a seven-day average, down from a peak of 24,000 two weeks ago. Deaths per day have also fallen to around 50, based on a seven-day average, down from 65 a week ago. That figure is less than a tenth of South Africa's 577 peak during January's second wave, despite cases being higher this time around. As a result, the government has announced that an overnight curfew - which confined people to their homes between midnight and 4am - will be lifted. South Africa's government says the fourth Omicron wave appears to have peaked as infections have consistently fallen since a peak on December 17 Despite cases hitting record levels during the Omicron wave, deaths have remained well below even their first wave peak when capacity to test for the virus was limited It comes after South Africa also scrapped contact tracing and isolation for close contacts of Covid cases, provided they don't have symptoms. In addition to the curfew ending, alcohol shops will now be able to serve people past 11pm, and capacity limits for indoor gatherings will be increased to 1,000 people. However, a mandate requiring face masks to be worn in all indoor and outdoor public places remains in place, and all indoor venues - including supermarkets, bars and restaurants - must adhere to strict social distancing guidelines. If a venue is too small to accommodate 1,000 people within the social distancing guidelines then capacity must be reduced to ensure adequate space. 'All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave,' the South African presidency said on Thursday. Infections dropped by almost 30 per cent last week compared to the preceding seven days while hospital admissions also declined in eight of the nine provinces. During the spike, only a marginal increase in Covid-19 deaths was noted, it added. Western governments have been closely watching South Africa's Covid data to help guide their own responses to the super-infectious variant 'While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves,' the statement said. 'This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services.' South Africa's Covid data is being closely watched by the rest of the world as governments try to get to grips with their own Omicron outbreaks, or else draw up contingency plans for what happens when the variant takes hold. So far, data suggests the mutant strain is far more infectious than Delta - the previous most-infectious strain - has the ability to dodge some protection offered by vaccines, as well as reinfecting those who have recovered from a past infection. However, data also suggests infections are milder than Delta, particularly among those who have been vaccinated or recovered - with symptoms being similar to those reported for colds and the flu. The challenge for governments has been to assess whether the increase in infections will overload their health systems based on sheer weight of numbers, even if cases are less severe on average. European leaders have reacted with a mixture of measures - some going into full lockdown, while others have avoided tough measures in favour of booster vaccines to reduce the odds of people getting seriously ill. Omicron was first identified in South Africa and Botswana in late November. It quickly became the dominant strain in South Africa, causing an explosion of infections with a peak by mid-December, according to official statistics. The variant is currently present in more than 100 countries, according to the World Health Organization, and affects vaccinated people as well as those who have already had coronavirus. South Africa has been the hardest hit by coronavirus in Africa, recording more than 3.4 million cases and 91,000 deaths - though that is largely thought to be because its data gathering systems are far more advanced than neighbouring countries. 'The speed with which the Omicron-driven fourth wave rose, peaked and then declined has been staggering,' Fareed Abdullah of the South African Medical Research Council said. 'Peak in four weeks and precipitous decline in another two,' he posted on Twitter. While many Omicron-affected countries are reimposing virus countermeasures, South Africa announced it was reversing course just ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. Calls for the midnight to 4 am curfew to be lifted had been mounting in the hospitality sector, with owners launching an online petition addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'The curfew will be lifted. There will therefore be no restrictions on the hours of movement of people,' the presidency's statement said. Alcohol sales would be permitted after 11 pm for licensed premises. Mask-wearing remains compulsory in public spaces and public gatherings are limited to 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 outdoors. The government continued to stress the need for caution and vaccination, however. 'The risk of increased infections remains high given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant,' the presidency warned. Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - an excuse he used as proof that he had never having met her. Attorneys representing Virginia Giuffre want the Duke of York to give them information about 'your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis', court documents reveal. Andrew claimed in an interview with the BBC in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London before they had sex because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire. The claim was ridiculed and the next day newspapers published photographs of the Duke drenched in sweat at various times. Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - his alibi for never having met her. He is pictured at a Trump nightclub in 2001 Andrew claimed in an interview with the BBC (pictured) in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London before they had sex because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire The court documents also reveal that Giuffre's lawyers are also asking for deeply personal information from the British royal including 'any documents concerning any allegations of sexual abuse or extramarital sex made against you'. The request is part of a lawsuit Giuffre filed in August for infliction of emotional distress and battery. Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke three times in 2001 at Epstein's command. Prince Andrew strenuously denies the allegations. Attorneys representing Virginia Giuffre (pictured) want the Duke of York to give them information about 'your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis', court documents reveal The documents were filed the day after Andrew's former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of recruiting and trafficking underage girls to Jeffrey Epstein. An infamous photo shows him with his arm around her at Maxwell's London townhouse: she is in the background grinning broadly. In his interview with the BBC, Andrew claimed that he didn't sweat because he had an 'overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands War, when I was shot at ... it was almost impossible for me to sweat'. Andrew served as a helicopter pilot in the conflict in 1982 where he flew numerous missions including casualty evacuations. The documents filed by Giuffre's lawyers David Boies and Sigrid McCawley are a laundry list of things they want from Andrew during the process of discovery, where both sides hand over materials to the other. One of the requests asks for: 'All Documents concerning Your alleged medical condition of anhidrosis, hypohidrosis, or your inability to sweat'. Andrew's lawyer Andrew Brettler rejects this on the grounds it is 'harassing and seeks confidential and private information and documents that are irrelevant, immaterial and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence'. An infamous photo shows him with his arm around her at Maxwell's London townhouse: she is in the background grinning broadly Further requests include all documents regarding Andrews schedules and meetings in 2001, when he allegedly had sex with Giuffre three times when she was 17. Andrews lawyers rejected the request for all information about allegations of extramatrial sex or sexual abuse on the grounds they are confidential and private information and documents that are irrelevant, immaterial. One request is for: All Documents concerning Defendant's travel to or from, or presence in or on: a. Epstein's planes; b. Florida; c. New York; d. New Mexico; e. the United States Virgin Islands; f. a Pizza Express located in Woking, England; or g. the Club Tramp nightclub, located in London, England. Pizza Express is where Andrew told the BBC he was the night Giuffre claims they had sex in London, and Tramp is the club she claims they went to. The other locations are where Epstein had his homes. Another request wants any communications between Andrew and Epstein or Maxwell and their lawyers concerning sexual abuse and Andrews sexual relations with anyone. Andrews lawyers rejected this as overbroad, burdensome and oppressive'. Court documents also reveal that Giuffre's lawyers are also asking for deeply personal information from the British royal as part of a lawsuit Giuffre filed in August for infliction of emotional distress and battery. The documents were filed the day after Andrew's former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of recruiting and trafficking underage girls to Jeffrey Epstein (pictured as verdict was read) A further request asks for: All Documents concerning any massage that Defendant has received or requested, including but not limited to any documents concerning any individuals who may have provided such massages to Defendant. Another document filed to the court is interrogatories submitted to the Duke, which are requests to him to respond to a series of questions. They include identifying any person or entities who can provide information about people who tracked Andrews whereabouts while he was visiting any property owned by Maxwell or Epstein. Andrews response says one such entity would be Buckingham Palace. Andrew's lawyers have requested that the case be dismissed and on Tuesday a judge in federal court in New York will rule if it can be. Earlier this week Andrew tried to claim the lawsuit was not valid because Giuffre lives in Australia. In a letter, Boies states that she intends to return to Colorado and is registered to vote there and her mother lives there. Andrew has strongly denied Giuffres claims and claimed she filed the lawsuit to get another payday at his expense. The founder of The 1619 Project has claimed that Americans have 'been taught the history of a country that does not exist', defending her controversial work for The New York Times but admitting that it was not objective. Nikole Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer for her reporting reframing the history of the United States, which put far greater emphasis on the impact of slavery. Published in August 2019, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colony of Virginia, the work has been criticized by some academics for its claims, and angered many others who saw it as unpatriotic. Hannah-Jones, 45, has rarely been out of the headlines since, and on Tuesday she told the Associated Press that the ongoing debate was unsurprising. 'We've been taught the history of a country that does not exist,' she said. Nikkole Hannah-Jones spoke to the Associated Press for an interview published on Thursday, in which she admitted The 1619 Project was 'agenda-driven' 'We've been taught the history of a country that renders us incapable of understanding how we get an insurrection in the greatest democracy on January 6.' The 1619 Project won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019. It was praised by some as shining a light on untold history, but lambasted by others, including former President Donald Trump, for what he said was a jaundiced view of the US She said that America was 'willfully' avoiding its complicated and painful past, and that was why her work was so polemical. 'Steps forward, steps towards racial progress, are always met with an intensive backlash,' she said. 'We are a society that willfully does not want to deal with the anti-blackness that is at the core of so many of our institutions and really our society itself.' Her work has sparked intense discussion about teaching of history in schools. Critical Race Theory, which evaluates race and its impact on society, questioning whether racism is embedded in legal systems and policies, has enraged parents and inflamed school board meetings. The 40-year-old theory has become a symbol of America's culture wars, and in the years since The 1619 Project sparked furious debate about what should be taught to children. Hannah-Jones herself has had a rollercoaster year. Hannah-Jones told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that parents shouldn't influence decisions made on schools' curriculums across the country She was considered for a tenured position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but then, in response to pressure from donors, was in June offered the position without tenure - something she said was deeply disappointing, and a stinging snub. New York Times' 1619 Project In August 2019 the New York Times Magazine published the 1619 project, a collection of essays, photo essays, short fiction pieces and poems aimed to 'reframe' American history based on the impact of slaves brought to the US. It was published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the English colonies. It argues that the nation's birth was not 1776 with independence from the British crown, but in August 1619 with the arrival of a cargo ship of 20 to 30 enslaved Africans at Point Comfort in the colony of Virginia, which inaugurated the system of slavery. The project argues that slavery was the country's origin and out of it 'grew nearly everything that has truly made America exceptional.' That includes economic might, industry, the electoral system, music, public health and education inequities, violence, income inequality, slang, and racial hatred. However, the project is debated among historians for its factual accuracy. In March 2020 historian Leslie M. Harris who served as a fact checker for the project said authors ignored her corrections, but believed the project was needed to correct prevailing historical narratives. One aspect up for debate is the timeline. Time Magazine said the first slaves arrived in 1526 in a Spanish colony in what is now South Carolina, 93 years prior to the landing in Jamestown. Some experts say slaves first arrived at present-day Fort Monroe in Hampton, instead of Jamestown. Others argue the first Africans in Virginia were indentured servants as laws on lifetime slavery didn't appear till 17th century and early 18th century, but worked essentially as slaves. Advertisement She turned it down, and instead accepted a tenured position at Howard University. She bounced back, however: a book based on the articles was published in November, and has been a bestseller. A TV documentary on the work is due out later in 2022. 'I've gone from being just a journalist to becoming some sort of symbol for people who either love me and my work or revile me and my work,' she said. 'Certainly the fact that very powerful people are so concerned about a work of journalism called The 1619 Project that they would seek to discredit it, that they would seek to censor it, that they would seek to ban it from being taught, does speak to the fact that there are millions of Americans who want a more honest accounting of our history, who want to better understand the country that we're in, who are open to new narratives.' She said that questioning the academic merit of her work was 'legitimizing what was a propaganda campaign.' Yet Hannah-Jones, when asked how she felt about critics calling it 'an agenda-driven piece of work,' replied: 'They'd be right.' She said: 'The agenda is to force a reckoning with who we are as a country. 'The agenda is to take the story of black Americans in slavery, from being an asterisk to being marginal to being central to how we understand our country. 'When people say that, though, I know that they're saying it in disparaging ways. 'I'm just being honest about the nature of this work.' Hannah-Jones on Sunday sparked further controversy by saying that parents should not decide what's being taught in schools. 'I don't really understand this idea that parents should decide what's being taught. I'm not a professional educator,' she said on NBC's Meet the Press. 'I don't have a degree in social studies or science. We send our children to school because we want them to be taught by people who have an expertise in the subject area. And that is not my job.' Advocates say teaching The 1619 Project is necessary to underline how deeply racism pervades society. Critics say it is divisive and paints everyone as a victim or oppressor. 'This is why we send our children to school and don't homeschool, because these are the professional educators who have the expertise to teach social studies, to teach history, to teach science, to teach literature,' she said. 'And I think we should leave that to the educators.' She also told Fox News that 'professional K-12 educators, not parents, are the experts in what to teach, including those educating my own child.' A leading Australian epidemiologist has warned that allowing cases numbers to rise in Australia ignores the 'elephant in the room' - Long Covid. Professor Adrian Esterman, Chair of Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of South Australia, said allowing Covid cases to rise in Australia by winding back pubic health measures ignored the possibility many people will experience long Covid symptoms for years to come. '[Long Covid] is invisible. It's the elephant in the room, simply invisible to everybody including politicians,' Professor Esterman told Daily Mail Australia. Long Covid is defined by the World Health Organisation as experiencing persistent health problems three months from the onset of Covid-19 which last for at least another two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Health care workers collect information from members of the public as they queue in their cars for a COVID-19 PCR test at a drive-through clinic. A large study found that as many as 30 per cent of people who contract the virus may suffer 'long' Covid a number of months after they recover from the initial infection. '[Long Covid] is invisible. It's the elephant in the room, simply invisible to everybody including politicians,' Professor Adrian Esterman, an epidemiologist from the University of South Australia told Daily Mail Australia 'Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute Covid-19 episode or persist from the initial illness,' WHO said. Professor Esterman said: 'It turns out the virus impacts on just about every organ of the body.' He says typical signs of Long Covid include extreme tiredness like chronic fatigue syndrome, feeling unwell, headaches, brain fog, loss of memory, insomnia, nerve pain, dizziness, heart problems, anxiety and depression. 'Estimates range from 10 percent of all people infected getting Long Covid, up to 90 per cent, with one large study in The Lancet finding 30 per cent... 30 per cent is probably a reasonable estimate. 'That would have been mainly the Delta variant.' Professor Esterman said the willingness of politicians to roll back public health measures and allow case numbers to rise because hospitalisations appeared lower with Omicron ignored the Long Covid problem. 'I'm sorry, but it does matter if cases go up because there will be a reasonable proportion of those cases ending up with long term health problems,' he told the ABC. Most studies have dealt with the long-term effects of earlier Covid variants such as Delta and it's not yet known whether Omicron will produce similar after-effects Some typical signs of long Covid include extreme tiredness like chronic fatigue syndrome, feeling unwell, headaches, brain fog, loss of memory, insomnia, nerve pain, dizziness, heart problems, anxiety and depression Notably, at least one large study found that Long Covid was possible no matter whether the initial infection was severe or not. 'Other studies show the more severe your initial infection, the more likely you are to get Long Covid, so the evidence is mixed,' Professor Esterman said. Professor Esterman said it is too early to know whether Omicron will also result in Long Covid symptoms. 'We have no idea whether we will still see these numbers for Omicron but until we know better there is no reason to think why we won't,' he said. 'It could be much milder in terms of Long Covid but we have no idea as yet. 'We do know that for many viral infections, they result in post-viral problems, usually chronic fatigue syndrome, so it's not unexpected.' The respected epidemiologist said a number of grants for Australian studies into Long Covid were about to be announced by the Medical Research Future Fund. 'These will follow up just about anyone who's had Covid to see whether they experienced Long Covid. 'Unfortunately these are two-to-three-year studies so we won't see results immediately. 'But we are seeing the effects of Long Covid sooner than what we thought... we're going to start seeing it now, basically.' NSW health chief Dr Kerry Chant has begged Sydneysiders to stay home and avoid New Year's Eve parties if they have Covid symptoms after the state recorded 21,151 new cases of COVID-19. 'If you have the mildest of symptoms, I am asking you to stay home, watch the celebrations on TV - just don't go out,' Dr Chant said. 'I can understand that it's time to view everyone wants to connect but we all have a part to play to reduce the impact of those case numbers. 'That's a real plea to everybody.' NSW health chief Dr Kerry Chant (pictured) has begged Sydneysiders to stay home and avoid New Year's Eve parties if they have Covid symptoms after the state recorded 21,151 new cases Dr Chant's warning comes as the state reeled from Covid case numbers almost doubling again in just 48 hours as the Omicron strain rips through the state. One in seven of all tests in the state over the past 24 hours came back positive as the disease spreads through the community like wildfire. NSW has recorded 21,151 new Covid-19 cases and six deaths but hospitalisations have remained stable. The new cases announced in NSW on Friday has set a new pandemic record with figures almost double the 12,226 cases reported on Thursday and 11,201 on Wednesday. Health officials fear New Year's Eve parties could accelerate the spread even faster - and begged partygoers to either stay at home or party safe (pictured, NYE fireworks vantage points are eerily quiet this year) But Dr Chant fears the real number could be much higher with many cases undetected because of asymptomatic patients and others avoiding the long queues. UNSW infectious disease professor Marylouise McLaws says the number may be double the current published figures, and warned the new changes to testing may mean the true figure will never now be known. 'It could be twice as high because people have been turned away from PCR testing for a number of days now,' she told the AFR. 'Now they are no longer able to get a PCR test unless they are within the definition of a close contact. 'We will never again know the true number of infections, and for a wealthy Western country we have basically lost the public health approach to a serious pandemic.' Health officials now fear New Year's Eve parties could accelerate the spread even faster - and begged partygoers to either stay at home or party safe. Dr Kerry Chant said revellers who do party should wear a mask indoors and on public transport and where possible, celebrate outdoors at picnics and barbecues (pictured, Sydney's empty foreshore ahead of NYE celebrations) Dr Chant said revellers who do party should wear a mask indoors and on public transport and where possible, celebrate outdoors at picnics and barbecues. She added: 'It's really those indoor environments that are a greater risk. 'We just need to be very respectful as we navigate quite a challenging time. But we are well protected.' Medics are hoping Australia's high vaccination rates and accelerated booster program will ease the spread of the disease during the party season. 'We are the envy of the world,' NSW health minister Brad Hazzard said. 'Today we'll have people out enjoying themselves for what is going to be a brilliant Sydney and New South Wales day - absolutely brilliant. 'But we also need to remember the basic messages that Dr Chant and her team have conveyed all the way through with this virus. Dr Kerry Chant (pictured) fears the real number could be much higher , with many cases undetected because of asymptomatic patients and others avoiding the long queues 'And that is just enjoy the day but also be cautious that 1.5 metre social distancing still works and wearing the masks when you can't maintain that social distancing 'Particularly if you're indoors, and you're not eating or drinking - it still helps and it still works for us.' Mr Hazzard admitted hospital staff were under intense growing pressure because of the latest huge outbreak and pleaded with Sydneysiders to be careful. 'If you can just follow the rules but also get your vaccinations you are relieving some of that pressure on our frontline staff,' he said on Friday. 'The issue for us now as we see the hospital system and ambulances working under massive pressure is that each one of us can be empowered to change our ways.' UNSW infectious disease professor Marylouise McLaws says the number of Covid cases may be double the current published figures (pictured, few people have turned out early to book their spot for NYE celebrations) NSW premier Dom Perrottet said the state had now adopted the new Covid guidelines agreed by the National Cabinet at Thursday's crisis meeting. Under the new guidelines, close contacts are only people within your household, accommodation or aged care facility who have tested positive, or where NSW Health fears there has been a high rate of infection and notifies individuals. Close contacts in NSW must now isolate for seven days from the date of exposure and get a PCR test as soon as possible. If you a rapid antigen test comes back negative on day six, you can leave isolation, but high risk areas like health care or jails must be avoided for another seven days. Premier Dom Perrottet said the new rules mean most people could immediately get out of the queue for a PCR test, like the one pictured here at Bondi Anyone testing positive must also isolate for seven days from the date of the positive test, but can leave isolation without any further tests after seven days. They must also avoid high risk areas for just three days after coming out of quarantine. The higher bar for close contacts compared to confirmed positive cases is a reflection of a higher risk of infection from asymptomatic cases, health officials said. Anyone else simply must monitor for Covid symptoms and get a PCR test only if they develop or if a rapid antigen test comes back positive. Premier Perrottet said the new rules mean most people could get out of the queue for a PCR test immediately. Unless you are a close contact, only people with Covid symptoms or a positive rapid antigen test should now be queueing for PCR tests (pictured) under latest guidelines 'If you are not required to be tested with a PCR test, don't line up because you'll be taking the place of somebody who was required to receive that PCR test,' he said. 'If you do not need a test, if you are not required to by New South Wales Health, please do not line up. It's incredibly important. 'I understand that that's a change, and it will take some time to adjust.' But he insisted: 'It's incredibly important that those people who need a test, get a test and we have a turnaround time as quickly as possible. 'This is a new approach that will ensure we keep people safe. We keep society open, and we have a strong next year.' The Northern Territory's daily COVID-19 case tally has jumped to 60 infections as Omicron begins spreading through the community. From 6pm on Friday, people will be required to wear face masks in all indoor public areas, putting a dampener on New Year's Eve celebrations for many. 'In the past 72 hours there has been a growing trend of community transmission,' Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters on Friday. From 6pm on Friday, people will be required to wear face masks in all indoor public areas Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters the increasing community transmission cases were to blame for new mask mandates 'We had one case of community transmission on Wednesday, four cases ... yesterday and we have at least 11 cases of community transmission today.' More than 30 of the new cases are infected interstate arrivals or people who were close contacts of previous cases. Another six cases are linked to a regional Delta outbreak that continues to spread in Katherine, 320km south of Darwin, and Tennant Creek, 510km north of Alice Springs. The new mask rules are expected to put a dampener on New Years Eve celebrations on Friday The status of another 15 cases is yet to be determined. The majority of the community transmission is in Darwin. 'While we presume all regional cases are Delta we presume interstate arrivals and their close contacts are Omicron,' Mr Gunner said. The chief minister announced a mask mandate for all public indoor venues across the territory, to start at 6pm on Friday. Mr Gunner admitted that the timing of the new rule was 'not ideal coming into New Years Eve.' 'I know the timing of the mandate is not ideal coming into New Year's Eve,' Mr Gunner said. 'You can still go out. We want you to go out. We want you to have as much fun as you can but we need you to do this as safely as possible. Mask up.' South Australia's top doctor has insisted that her state's definition of a 'close contact' remains in place, despite a new definition agreed to by national cabinet. In an interview with ABC local radio on Friday, Professor Nicola Spurrier said in SA a close contact is someone exposed for 15 minutes or longer. The comments from Professor Spurrier - who famously once told South Australians 'do not touch' a footy if kicked into the crowd - caused confusion. The remarks appeared to be at odds with the agreed definition of close contacts which emerged from national cabinet yesterday. South Australia's Chief Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier caused confusion on Friday when she said the state's close contact rules were different to those agreed to at national cabinet yesterday A close contact in South Australia will include anyone who's spent more than 15 minutes with an infected person in a 'setting where there has been significant transmission', including face-to-face contact with a positive person in a high-risk community setting or workplace Professor Spurrier said the four-hour rule had not been agreed to by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which was the peak body responsible for public health measures in Australia. 'That wasn't something that we had agreed to at AHPPC,' she said. 'It's not in the document that certainly I was involved with but, you know, I'm not at national cabinet.' SA Health clarified the chief health officer's remarks in a later social media post. As well as household contacts, a close contact in the state will include anyone who's spent more than 15 minutes with an infected person in a 'setting where there has been significant transmission'. The definition also includes anyone who has had more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a positive person in a high-risk community setting or workplace. 'I don't think we had an agreement on the four hours,' Premier Steven Marshall said on Friday afternoon. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the 15 minute rule is in addition to household rules 'We basically narrowed it down to those two areas of commonality, where household and intimate contacts were automatically determined as close contacts. 'But in addition to that, we have a state by state exemption. 'Our two areas are for vulnerable communities and where we have identified transmission sites.' Mr Marshall told reporters there were 'millions and millions of different variations' on contact with a positive person. 'The reality is, it is variable - if you have had dinner with somebody who (is) symptomatic and a positive case ... I think the likelihood is you've probably got a high chance of getting it. I'd be getting a PCR test. 'But just so you know there are millions and millions of different variations of that precise matter and so you cannot be providing a matrix on every single outcome.' Fully vaccinated international travellers will no longer need to isolate after landing in South Australia and Covid-19 border rules for domestic arrivals have been scrapped. Pictured: A couple reunite at Adelaide Airport Meanwhile, fully vaccinated international travellers will no longer need to isolate after landing in South Australia and Covid-19 border rules for domestic arrivals have been scrapped. Mr Marshall announced the major border changes on Friday when confirming 2093 new infections from 25,943 tests, and the deaths of two aged-care residents with the virus. 'This is in line with the very steep increases that we're seeing right around the country,' Mr Marshall said. There are 44 people in SA hospitals with the virus, of which four are in intensive care including one on a ventilator, but all are in a stable condition. Days after moving from PCR tests to rapid antigen tests for incoming travellers, the state has ditched test and permit requirements altogether, effective immediately. 'It was not a good use of our resources at the moment, and so the entry check requirement has been removed,' Mr Marshall told reporters. 'The rapid antigen test requirement has been removed, but we are asking all of those people coming from interstate into SA to observe exactly the same situation that we require of all SA, and that is to monitor their symptoms and to take action should they develop any symptoms.' Double-vaccinated international travellers will also no longer need to isolate on arrival from midnight Friday. Unvaccinated international travellers must isolate. The government has also made the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for workers in hospitals, aged care, residential aged care and residential disability sectors. On Thursday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced changes from national cabinet on the definition of a 'close contact', as someone who spent four hours or more with a positive case in a household or intimate setting On Thursday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced changes from national cabinet on the definition of a 'close contact', as someone who spent four hours or more with a positive case in a household or intimate setting. Positive cases, regardless of vaccination status, will be able to leave isolation after seven days from their positive test. But SA will continue with a 10-day quarantine period for cases and close contacts and is not following the national definition, pointing to its different circumstances such as lower case numbers, and is instead classifying a close contact as someone living or intimate with a positive case. Western Australia has detected one new local Covid case linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland. The new case is a close contact of another recent infection and is in hotel quarantine, WA Health said on Friday. The latest diagnosis takes the total number cases linked to the so-called 'backpacker outbreak' to 14, and includes the original, unvaccinated 25-year-old French tourist. Many of the cases went to a busy Perth Mess Hall dance party with about 400 other people on December 19, many of them travellers. Many of the cases went to a busy Perth Mess Hall dance party with about 400 other people on December 19, many from the traveller community More than 700 close contacts have been identified with 24 yet to be tested as police struggle to track down some backpackers who are thought to have left WA or are avoiding testing. Four infections among returned travellers have also been reported and they are also quarantined. Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday announced that the new national definitions for close contacts, and recommendations for isolation periods and testing would not be applied until WA opened its borders on February 5. WA has also again tightened border rules for travellers from Queensland and South Australia due to growing cases in both states. As of New Year's Eve, from 6pm local time, visitors from those states will be deemed 'extreme risk', along with New South Wales and Victoria. Travellers will not be permitted into WA except for Commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament, diplomats, and people who perform specialist roles. A Belgian backpacker was this week arrested for allegedly fleeing hotel quarantine after he was deemed a close contact of that unvaccinated French tourist. He had been staying at the now-deserted Old Fire Station Backpackers (pictured) in Fremantle, where nearly 100 people were recently evacuated and told to isolate WA has also again tightened border rules for travellers from Queensland and South Australia due to growing cases in both states. As of New Year's Eve, from 6pm local time, visitors from those states will be deemed 'extreme risk', along with New South Wales and Victoria A Belgian backpacker was this week arrested for allegedly fleeing hotel quarantine after he was deemed a close contact of that unvaccinated French tourist. Zacharie Ghamri, 25, was taken to a hotel in Perth's city centre on Friday after he was informed by the WA Health Department he had been exposed to Covid-19. He had been staying at the now-deserted Old Fire Station Backpackers in Fremantle, where nearly 100 people were recently evacuated and told to isolate. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared racism a 'public health crisis' after the state saw a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. 'For far too long, communities of color in New York have been held back by systemic racism and inequitable treatment,' Hochul said in a statement on December 23. The statement continued: 'I am proud to sign legislation that addresses this crisis head-on, addressing racism, expanding equity, and improving access for all.' Hochul's legislation will specifically aim to address the rising discrimination Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders communities have faced amid the pandemic. The Governor said the package would also establish a working group to promote racial equity throughout the state of New York. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new legislation package to tackle what she declared as a 'public health crisis' of racism in the state. Above, Hochul in December 27 In the early days of the pandemic, as fear grew that the virus first reported in China would spread to the United States, growing anti-Asian sentiments ultimately led to a spike in hate crimes against Asian individuals in the Empire State Other parts included in the legislation package focus on the accurate collection of demographic data from minorities by state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions. The legislation also requires the New York State Office of Technology Services to advise all state agencies in the implementation of language translation technology, in order to make websites and services accessible to non-English speaking New Yorkers. Among other things, the legislation promises to expand the list of diseases babies can be screened for, in order to include conditions more prevalent in newborns from the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. In the early days of the pandemic, as fear grew that the virus first reported in China would spread to the United States, growing anti-Asian sentiments ultimately led to a spike in hate crimes against Asian individuals in the Empire State. New York City reported 503 hate crimes in 2021 as of December 10 - a staggering spike from 252 reported last year More than 125 attacks were against Asians - a nearly five-fold increase from the 28 attacks against Asians in 2020 The Governor said the package would also establish a working group to promote racial equity throughout the state of New York Hochul's anti-racism legislation package Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 Enacts the Hate Crimes Analysis and Review Act Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A Requires Collection of Demographic Data by State Agencies, Boards, Departments and Commissions Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 Requires a Health Equity Assessment to be Filed with an Application for Any Project that will Affect a Hospital's Health Care Services Legislation S.4716-A/A.6215 Requires the Advisement of the Implementation of Language Translation Technology Legislation S.4316/A.4572 Relates to the Screening of Newborns for Certain Diseases and Conditions Advertisement Just in the Big Apple, the NYPD reported a 361 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes since 2020. New York City reported 503 hate crimes in 2021 as of December 10 - a staggering spike from 252 reported last year. More than 125 attacks were against Asians - a nearly five-fold increase from the 28 attacks against Asians in 2020. Meanwhile, the nation has seen a 343 percent increase in hate crimes against Asians this year, the New York Daily News reported. Almost 62 percent of all hate crimes are race-based, according to the FBI, with sexual orientation and gender identity being the next highest group to be targeted, at 20 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively. 'Our state is meant to be a beacon of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but without the tools to protect our marginalized communities these words carry little truth behind them,' Assembly Member Karines Reyes said in a press release after Hochul's announcement. Senator Julia Salazar agreed that data collection is pivotal in order to make a change for Asian communities. 'As New York continues to face the devastation caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis, it is essential that the needs of all of our communities be understood and met,' Salazar said. 'For the diverse Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in New York this cannot be accomplished without detailed data that recognizes and respects the experiences of the numerous groups that make up the AAPI communities,' she added. Advertisement Ghislaine Maxwell's brothers today insisted she was 'denied' a fair trial and suffered 'tremendous injustice' after being painted as the 'most hated woman in the world' and Jeffrey Epstein's 'demon queen' following her arrest. Ian Maxwell, 65, who flew to New York from his home in Oxford to support his sister at trial, said the guilty verdicts on Wednesday were a 'shocking result', claiming she is 'innocent'. While Kevin Maxwell, a TV executive, believes his sister has been unfairly portrayed as paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's 'demon queen' accomplice. On Wednesday the jury took just over 40 hours to find Maxwell guilty on five of six charges. Mr Maxwell said: 'I think that anybody who sat in and listened to the accusers' testimony - I'm a dad, I'm a brother, anybody, just any normal guy listening to their testimony - is going to have been moved. And I can also understand anger. But that doesn't mean that I believe for a single second that my sister is guilty of the crimes of which she was convicted'. Their 60-year-old younger sibling is on suicide watch in her New York cell as she faces up to 65 years in prison following her conviction for child sex trafficking. Ian Maxwell has confirmed the family planned an immediate appeal and said: 'This is a shocking result, which reflects the fact that Ghislaine has been denied the right to a fair trial, starting with the appalling conditions in which she has been held for over 18 months and which seriously impacted her ability to participate in her own defence.' He added: 'I am confident of the strong grounds for appeal both legal and evidential and that my sister will be vindicated and ultimately found innocent. 'These were (Jeffrey) Epstein's crimes and he's not here to pay that price, and she has been made to pay the price that he should have paid.' Ian Maxwell, 65, right, pictured with siblings Kevin, Christine and Isabel Maxwell, said the guilty verdicts on Wednesday were a 'shocking result' Kevin Maxwell, a TV exec, believes his sister has been unfairly portrayed as Jeffrey Epstein's 'demon queen' accomplice Ghislaine's supportive siblings say they will be launching an appeal against her convictions for child sex trafficking Maxwell is on suicide watch in her New York cell as she faces up to 65 years in prison following her conviction for child sex trafficking 'I wish her well in hell': Chauntae Davies was groomed by the 'calculating witch' Ghislaine Maxwell Her message to the 'calculating witch' who destroyed her life was uncompromising and to the point. 'I wish her well in hell. Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster in every sense of the word,' says Chauntae Davies (pictured today) Her message to the 'calculating witch' who destroyed her life was uncompromising and to the point. 'I wish her well in hell,' says Chauntae Davies. 'Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster in every sense of the word. She deserves to die behind bars for what she did to me and the countless other women's lives she destroyed. She and Epstein will meet each other in hell when her time comes.' Still scarred by the four years she suffered at the hands of Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, Chauntae was jubilant at the sensational conclusion of the New York trial this week. Maxwell, 60, was branded a 'sophisticated predator' who procured and served up young girls to her lover in what prosecutors described as a 'pyramid scheme of abuse'. Chauntae was one of those girls. She was a 21-year-old trainee massage therapist when she was lured into the couple's depraved circle, where she was repeatedly raped over many years. 'She and Epstein destroyed my life in every way. My relationships. My family life and my health,' she says. Unlike Epstein's other young victims, who were below the age of consent, Chauntae was older and, some may assume, wiser. Which brings us to the troubling question of why, having been assaulted on one occasion, she continued to put herself in harm's way. For four years she continued to be a part of Epstein and Maxwell's circle, enduring repeated rapes by her depraved employer. Chauntae still struggles to come to terms with why she didn't attempt to break free earlier. 'There is a decent amount of shame and guilt I carried with me for years over this, and in many ways still do,' she says. 'Those feelings are now mixed with embarrassment and anger. It's hard to understand why the strong, brave and independent woman that I've become could allow that to happen. 'I am only now beginning to understand the manipulation and control that was used by both Jeffrey and Ghislaine. But especially Ghislaine. She was wearing a mask throughout the time I knew her. I wish I could have seen her for who she was.' Advertisement Blaming 'media manipulation' by the authorities, he told the Daily Telegraph: 'US First Amendment rights are in clear conflict with a defendant's rights to a fair trial - the USA has no equivalent of contempt of court, no guidelines of any description to prevent overt media manipulation by both the prosecuting authorities and the highly paid lawyers who represented both accusers in court and also the accusers who did not appear in court to have their allegations questioned'. He also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is essentially going to be on legal grounds, both in terms of pre-trial process and indeed the trial process itself.' Asked what he made of the testimonies made against his sister, Mr Maxwell said: '(They were) heartrending testimonies. But, notwithstanding the testimony, my own view is that Ghislaine had nothing to do with it'. Pressed on whether the women who testified against Ghislaine were lying, he replied: 'Of course, the prosecution didn't put into evidence the prior interviews they had with these accusers, which showed a completely different case. 'Memory is faulty, and so, in my view, the trial that has occurred was not a fair trial from Ghislaine's perspective. And that is why she's going to appeal, and I think she'll be successful.' After the guilty verdicts came in, Maxwell's family said they were 'very disappointed' and had already begun the appeal process. Their statement said: 'We believe firmly in our sister's innocence - we are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated.' She has four potential grounds for appeal - including the judge's decision to force the jury to work through New Year's Eve holiday due to the coronavirus. Lawyers for the former socialite, who is facing 65 years in jail for recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein, could zero in on how Judge Alison Nathan handled the case as they seek to overturn the conviction. But Lisa Bloom, who represents a number of Ghislaine Maxwell's and Jeffrey Epstein's accusers, said she does not see 'any chance' of Maxwell's legal team successfully appealing the verdict. Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Thursday, Ms Bloom said: 'Her team can talk bravely about an appeal, I don't see any chance of them winning that because the judge's rulings were all very correct and followed the law and that would have to be the basis of an appeal.' Maxwell's lawyers' primary argument will likely be how Judge Nathan ordered the jury to sit every single day of the final week until they reached a verdict. That would have included New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, even though it falls on a Saturday and is a public holiday, and Sunday as well. Maxwell's lawyers complained that such instructions were essentially telling the jury they needed to 'hurry up'. Judge Nathan said that the move was necessary because the 'astronomical' numbers of Covid-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant meant there was a real risk of a 'mistrial'. But at the end of that very day the jury came back with their verdict. Other issues which could be raised on appeal include how Judge Nathan handled a question from the panel about count four - transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity - on which Maxwell was convicted. Maxwell's lawyers are likely to raise concerns about a jury note related to the accuser Annie Farmer and counts one and three, on which they also found Maxwell guilty. Fourthly, Maxwell's lawyers could object to how Judge Nathan brusquely handled their request for the US Marshals to force one witness to attend court, a request they ultimately dropped. Maxwell has yet to formally file her appeal but outside the federal court in New Year after the verdict, her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim said they would be doing so. In a statement, Maxwell's family said she would be 'ultimately vindicated' despite the jury convicting her of five of the six charges. Other high profile sex crimes cases do give Maxwell, 60, some hope, most notably that of Bill Cosby. In 2018 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years earlier. Cosby's conviction was overturned on appeal in June after the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court ruled that his due process rights had been violated because a previous prosecutor agreed not to charge him. Harvey Weinstein is currently appealing his 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault that was handed down in March last year. During an appeal court hearing in New York earlier this month, judges asked whether lining up three Weinstein accusers as bad character witnesses was 'overkill' - a decision is due in Spring 2022. Judge Nathan's handling of the jury instructions about the coronavirus will undoubtedly feature highly in Maxwell's appeal. On day 16 Judge Nathan discussed instructing the jury to sit until 6pm instead of 5pm because of the risk one of them may become infected. Maxwell's lawyer Laura Menninger strongly objected. She told the court: 'Because it has only been three days, we believe that any suggestion that they should stay later is beginning to sound like urging them to hurry up, when clearly they know that they can deliberate as long as they want and they should be able to deliberate as long as they want'. Ghislaine Maxwell is facing 65 years in jail for recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein after a jury found her guilty on five of six counts. A courtroom sketch shows Maxwell sitting as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in New York Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, wearing a borrowed oversize coat sits in front of her brother Kevin Maxwell and sister Isabel Maxwell during a charging conference in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S., December 18 Maxwell has yet to formally file her appeal but outside the federal court in New Year after the verdict, her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim said they would be doing so Maxwell's defense team Jeffery Pagliuca and Laura Menninger are seen leaving court in New York after yesterday's verdicts Maxwell suffered a setback Tuesday after Judge Nathan rejected her defense team's request to give the jury additional instructions on one of the counts related to transporting accuser 'Jane'. They will likely use this as grounds for appeal Harvey Weinstein is currently appealing his 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault that was handed down in March last year. Bill Cosby's conviction was overturned on appeal in June after the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court ruled that his due process rights had been violated because a previous prosecutor agreed not to charge him Menninger noted that the previous week Judge Nathan had offered the jury an extra day to deliberate but they declined it, stating in a note they had 'made plans' for the Christmas break. Judge Nathan did instruct the jury they could stay until 6pm or longer but added that there was no 'pressure' and they should take as long as they wanted. The next day Judge Nathan's mood darkened and she said that the longer hours were necessary because 'we are seeing an astronomical spike in the number of Covid positive cases in New York'. Judge Nathan added that 'we are facing a high and escalating risk that the jurors or participants (such as Maxwell) may need to quarantine, putting at risk our ability to complete this trial'. At the end of the day the jury sent a note saying they were 'making progress'. On Wednesday, the morning of what turned out to be the final day of deliberations, the jury asked for clarification of their schedule for the week. Judge Nathan told them that she would compel them to sit every day that week until they reached a verdict: previously they were told they would sit only Monday to Wednesday. That would include New Year's Eve on the Friday and New Year's Day on the Saturday, as well as Sunday if necessary. After appeals from Maxwell's lawyers, the judge added the same qualifier as before: 'Of course, by this I don't mean to pressure you in any way. You should take all the time that you need'. At the end of that very day, the jury came back with their verdict. Another source of contention which could feature in the appeal was when Maxwell's lawyers repeatedly argued with Judge Nathan on day 16 of the trial over a note from the jury about count four, which related to the accuser Jane. The count was transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. Maxwell was found guilty and faces up to 10 years in jail for this count. Maxwell's siblings Kevin, Christine and Isabel walked out of court in New York yesterday and declined to speak to reporters. In a statement, Maxwell's family said she would be 'ultimately vindicated' despite the jury convicting her of five of the six charges The prosecution brought in pictures found in Epstein's mansion in a bid to show that Maxwell and Epstein had been in a relationship The note read: 'If the defendant aided in the transportation of Jane's return flight, but not the flight to New Mexico, where/if the intent was for Jane to engage in sexual activity, can she be found guilty under the second element?' Prosecutor Alison Moe said they were 'not able to parse the question because we find it confusing' so the 'safest course' was to refer the jury to the instructions. Maxwell's lawyer Christian Everdell said that the 'significant purpose' of the trip was not that 'Jane engaged in illicit sexual activity' as required by the law. In this case she was 'just presumably going home, but is not for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity', Everdell said. 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'. As a result she referred the jury to her instructions without further comment. The following day Maxwell's lawyers tried again to change the judge's mind with a seven page letter filed to the court which said her decision was 'incorrect and prejudicial to Ms. Maxwell' They said that the jury were 'confused' about not just count four but count two 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. She told Everdell that he was seeking a 'third bite of the apple' and dismissed his letter as 'just wrong' as she stood by her original decision. Another note on day 14 of the trial sparked intense argument from Maxwell's lawyers and could form the basis of an appeal. The jury asked if they could consider the accuser Annie Farmer's testimony for the counts of conspiracy to entice and transport a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. Maxwell is facing five years on jail on each count. Judge Nathan said she would tell the jury: 'The answer is yes, you may consider it'. Everdell said he was worried that the jury might use Farmer's testimony 'more broadly' than they should. He wanted to remind the jury that Farmer's allegations were not 'illegal sexual conduct' as charged in the indictment. Pictured: The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) where Ghislaine Maxwell is being held and has been since her arrest in July 2020 Judge Nathan rejected the argument and said it would be 'nonresponsive to their question'. In their appeal Maxwell's lawyers may well raise Judge Nathan's handling of their problems calling defense witnesses. Judge Nathan was blunt with Maxwell's attorneys when they asked for help from the US Marshals to compel one female witness, Kelly Bovino, to come to court. The judge sounded exasperated at the prospect of a delay in the trial especially as the defense knew two weeks ago that Bovino was not replying to their subpoena. She said: 'We're not delaying trial, so this all needs to happen yesterday'. During a testy exchange with Menninger Judge Nathan said that a 'nonresponsive witness is not a little thing'. A desperate-sounding Menninger replied: 'We've been flying people across the country, across the pond. 'Our client's life is on the line and we're being given one day to put on a defense, one and a half days, and there is one witness that we're having problems with. We're not asking for some weeks' long delay'. In the end Maxwell's lawyer withdrew their request to engage the US Marshals, but on appeal this may well be raised to try and overturn the conviction. Millions of eligible people in England have not had their Covid booster dose, official figures show - despite the Prime Minister insisting No10's third dose target has been met. Boris Johnson today bragged that the Government had achieved its goal of offering a top-up vaccine to all adults by the New Year. But vaccination figures show 9.5million people who were double-jabbed by the end of September - and therefore now eligible for their third dose - have yet to get their booster. Mr Johnson told the nation in a televised broadcast earlier this month that all eligible adults in England 'will have the chance to get their booster before the New Year'. No10 and the NHS subsequently clarified their goal was to invite eligible Britons for a vaccine before the end of the year, rather than deliver those doses. Top-up jabs are the Government's key plan to suppress hospitalisations and deaths during the ongoing Omicron wave, with ministers hoping they will prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed and stop them from needing further restrictions. NHS bosses said while it was 'encouraging' to see people coming forward for their jabs, some vaccination clinics were only a third full. And the country's top doctor said the vaccine rollout has been 'pretty slow' over the festive period, which has been 'frustrating for the staff'. Britons took to Twitter to say the target was only met because the wording was that adults would be 'offered a booster'. Steve Churton, former president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, accused the PM of being 'disingenuous'. He said: 'You could have hit your target on the very day of your offer by sending out the millions of text messages you eventually did. Your target was to vaccinate - not to offer to vaccinate. And you are way off doing so - entirely predictably.' Boris Johnson last night urged everyone to make getting jabbed a New Year resolution to help keep the nation free from lockdown More than 28million people in England had their booster dose by December 29, but 9.4million people who were eligible by that date had not yet had their top-up injection Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows 58.3 per cent of over-12s across the UK have now had three does, while 90 per cent have had one jab and 82.4 per cent are double-vaccinated Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows 58.1 per cent of over-12s in England have now had three does, while 89.9 per cent have had one jab and 82.2 per cent are double-vaccinated UK Health Security Agency data shows 37.6million people in England were double-jabbed by September 29. But by December 29, just 28.1million were triple-jabbed, meaning 9.5million of those eligible have not yet come forward. A proportion of those would have caught the virus in the last month, meaning they weren't allowed to book a top-up dose. Mr Johnson on December 12 brought the target of offering all adults in the country a top-up jab by the end of January forward by a month amid concerns about the more-transmissible Omicron variant. He said: 'Everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the New Year.' Nurse Salak Ali (right) administers a 'Jingle Jab' Covid vaccination booster injection to a patient at the Good Health Pharmacy in North London on Christmas Day this year The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) later clarified that people would be offered a jab by the end of the year rather than all of those eligible receiving a booster by then. The DHSC today said those eligible have now had the chance to get a third dose, so the Government's target has been met. More than 8million third jabs were administered between the PM's booster announcement and December 30 and the NHS has 'broken record after record' by dishing out 830,000 top-up doses in a single day and giving out a million Covid jabs in one day - which included first, second and third jabs, the DHSC said. Seven in 10 of those eligible for boosters have now had it, it added. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'Our world-leading vaccination programme has meant tens of millions of people have been able to see their loved ones this Christmas knowing they have the protection of the booster. 'I am delighted to confirm we have hit our target of offering a Covid booster to all adults by the New Year. 'I am incredibly proud of the work the NHS has done to accelerate the programme and offer my thanks to the frontline staff, volunteers, Armed Forces and British public who have made it possible for us to meet this commitment.' NHS boss says there is NO need for any new lockdown measures to tackle Omicron because severe cases remain stable There is no need for any new lockdown measures to tackle Omicron because severe cases are remaining stable, says an NHS boss - despite Britain's Covid cases hitting another pandemic high yesterday. Chris Hopson, head of NHS Providers, said trust chief executives are warning that Britons should be careful in how they construe the daily Covid hospitalisation numbers. He added that health bosses understand why the government hasn't yet introduced extra restrictions, due to the absence of a surge in severely ill older people, reports The Times. UK Health Security Agency bosses logged 189,213 positive tests, up by 58 per cent from last week, in another new record for daily reported cases on Thursday. The count - which overtakes yesterday's previous record by more than 6,000 - includes figures for Wales covering a two-day period. A further 332 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid, said the Government, in data including a backlog of hospital deaths reported by NHS England covering the period from December 24 to 29. Advertisement Susannah Tarbrush, a Kensington and Chelsea resident, tweeted that it's 'all very well' for the Prime Minister and Health Secretary to crow about meeting the booster target, but just over half of people in her borough are double-jabbed while a third are booster. The picture is 'similar in many London boroughs', she said. Gyll King took to Twitter to question how the Government knows they have offered a booster to all adults. 'Is it the text message we all got?', she said. Twitter-user Mackem Fox said the target was only met because the wording was that all Britons would be 'offered a booster'. Andrew Simpson tweeted that January 10 is the earliest date he can get a booster appointment. Meanwhile, NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said some primary care leaders have reported people were not turning up to as many as 40 per cent of their booked appointments. And Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, yesterday warned the rollout almost ground to a halt over Christmas. 'The vaccination programme is going OK but it's been pretty slow over the Christmas period, particularly in the GP centres,' he told Times Radio. 'I suspect that will pick up again come January but it's been a little bit frustrating for the staff.' But in an upbeat New Year message, the Prime Minister insisted the Covid situation is 'better than last year'. He said: 'Whatever the challenges that fate continues to throw in our way and whatever the anxieties we may have about the weeks and months ahead, particularly about Omicron and the growing numbers in hospitals, we can say one thing with certainty our position this December 31 is incomparably better than last year.' It comes after the UK's daily Covid cases yesterday hit a new pandemic high of 189,213, which includes two days of figures from Wales, while deaths jumped to 332 and hospitalisations in England nearly doubled in a week, reaching the highest level since February. Mr Johnson hailed the success of the UK's booster programme, but he used his address to issue a stark warning to people who have not had all their jabs. In a video message posted online this morning, Mr Johnson said: 'I want to speak directly to all those who have yet to get fully vaccinated. 'The people who think the disease can't hurt them. Look at the people going into hospital now that could be you. 'Look at the intensive care units and the miserable, needless suffering of those who did not get their booster that could be you. 'So, make it your New Year's resolution. Get that jab and do something that will make 2022 a happy New Year for us all.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer used his own New Year message to promise to set out a plan to 'build a new Britain'. The Labour leader, who will begin 2022 with his party ahead in recent opinion polls, said: 'I believe the best still lies ahead for Britain. That, if we make the right choices, together we can seize the future and make it work for every family in every part of Britain. 'That must be the true legacy of all the sacrifices and pain of the past two years of the pandemic.' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey used his message to say he hoped 2022 will be 'the year we will finally beat Covid'. The world is heading for the biggest mass extinction event since the dinosaurs within the next decade, pushing millions of plants and animals to the bring of extinction, the WWF has claimed. Elephants, polar bears, sharks, frogs and fish are all under threat according to the environmental organisation in its Winners and Losers of 2021 report. They said: 'Around one million species could go extinct within the next decade which would be the largest mass extinction event since the end of the dinosaur age.' The African forest elephant is among the animals most at risk of extinction after its numbers declined by 86 per cent in 31 years There are currently 142,500 species on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and 40,000 of them are 'threatened with extinction'. This is the largest number since the list was set up in 1964. The WWF warns of a 'catastrophic escalation of the global extinction of species' and calls for a new global conservation pact. The African forest elephant is among the animals most at risk of extinction after its numbers declined by 86 per cent in 31 years. Polar bears are also under threat due to the rapid melting of the Arctic Ocean pack ice, according to the WWF. Overfishing, habitat loss and the climate crisis has led to the reduction of all sharks and rays by 30 per cent They estimate the Arctic could be completely free of ice by the summer of 2035. Overfishing, habitat loss and the climate crisis has led to the reduction of all sharks and rays by 30 per cent, the animal organisation says. It is feared tree frogs and toads in Germany will not survive the mass extinction event, with half of the country's native amphibian species currently listed as endangered due to construction. The noble pen shell, the largest clam in the Mediterranean Sea, is also included on the list. Despite the stark warnings, the WWF says there is a 'ray of hope' after a number of success stories this year. Polar bears are also under threat due to the rapid melting of the Arctic Ocean pack ice, according to the WWF The numbers of Indian rhinoceros have grown in Nepal thanks to a dedicated conservation effort. In cooperation with the government, protection measures were introduced that have seen their numbers boost by 16 per cent since 2015. The Iberian lynx has also increased tenfold int the past 18 years with 1,111 animals now in Spain and Portugal after it was on the brink of extinction. A resettlement programme has led to a surge in bearded vulture numbers in the Alps, with 300 flying over the region. Jewish leaders are set to confront BBC chief Tim Davie to demand a public apology after an investigation revealed a 'colossal error' in its reporting of an anti-Semitic attack on Oxford Street. Earlier this month, a video emerged of a group of men hurling abuse and spitting at a group of Jewish teenagers sitting inside a bus, before banging on the windows as it pulled away. The incident was treated as a hate crime by police and was condemned by the Prime Minister and by the Mayor of London. But in its original report, BBC News said 'racial slurs about Muslims could be heard inside the bus', a claim criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism. The incident on Oxford Street earlier this month was treated as a hate crime by police and was condemned by the Prime Minister and by the Mayor of London And the board has now commissioned its own independent report by forensic audio experts and a linguist which concluded there were no anti-Muslim insults. It found the phrase thought to be a slur was actually a Hebrew phrase, 'Tikrah lemishu,ze dachuf' meaning: 'Call someone, it is urgent.' Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl described the BBC's 'misreporting' as 'a colossal error', which 'has added insult to injury in accusing victims of antisemitism of being guilty of bigotry themselves'. She continued: 'What takes this from an egregious failure to something far more sinister is the BBC's behaviour when confronted with its mistake. Instead of admitting it was wrong, it has doubled and tripled down.' Ms Van der Zyl demanded the corporation to publicly apologise, and said the Board of Deputies would be holding a meeting with Director General Tim Davie next month, which will include 'a full and frank discussion of this issue'. She said the corporation's behaviour 'raises serious questions about deep-seated biases within the BBC towards Israelis, and indeed towards Jews in general'. The BBC is standing by its report of the incident, and a spokesman said: 'Antisemitism is abhorrent. We strive to serve the Jewish community, and all communities across our country, fairly. 'Our story was a factual report that overwhelmingly focused on the individuals the police want to identify; those who directed abuse at the bus. 'There was a brief reference to a slur, captured in a video recording, that appeared to come from the bus. We consulted a number of Hebrew speakers in determining that the slur was spoken in English. 'The brief reference to this was included so the fullest account of the incident was reported.' Footage showed the group of Jewish teenagers dancing as they celebrated Hanukkah moments before the attack The men were seen shouting abuse and gesturing at the bus after the teenagers got on board The men banged on the windows and spat at the bus as it pulled away from Oxford Street Hundreds of Jews gathered outside Broadcasting House for a protest about the story two weeks ago, with attendees holding banners and chanting 'BBC News where's the proof!' and 'BBC News tell the truth!' Dame Maureen Lipman encouraged people to join the demonstration 'because you care, and you will be demonstrating against my often-times employer asking for parity with other victims of racism, prejudice and abuse'. It came as the BBC was ranked third - behind Iran and the Palestinian terror group Hamas - in a 'Global Antisemitism' list compiled by the Simon Wiesenthal Center in the US. Rabbi Marvin Hier, the head of the centre, said the BBC was 'guilty of several incidences of antisemitism during the past year'. He told the Mail on Sunday: 'People might assume we would put neo-Nazi groups on our list but the BBC is there because when a globally recognised organisation allows antisemitism to creep into its reporting, it makes it all the more insidious and dangerous. 'People around the world trust the BBC and rely on it for truthful reporting of world events.' Rabbi Hier said the decision to include the BBC on the annual list had come 'after months of intense debate and discussion'. He singled out the broadcaster's reporting of an attack on a bus carrying Jewish teenagers by a group of men who chanted anti-Israel slogans. The attack took place on Oxford Street in Central London and video footage appeared to show a group of men shouting threats, spitting, hurling abuse and banging on the bus's windows. The Jewish Board of Deputies said it would be holding a meeting with Director General Tim Davie next month, which will include 'a full and frank discussion of this issue' The incident was treated as a hate crime by police and was condemned by the Prime Minister and by the Mayor of London. Rabbi Hier said the BBC had 'falsely reported that a victim on the bus used an anti-Muslim slur'. He said: 'What was heard on tape was a distressed Jewish man speaking in Hebrew appealing for help.' The BBC issued a statement earlier this month saying its story was a 'factual report' that 'overwhelmingly focused on the individuals the police want to identify; those who directed abuse at the bus'. The Wiesenthal Center's report also criticised the BBC for 'often' referring to Israelis as 'settlers' and cited a video tweeted by a senior BBC producer, Alaa Daraghme. The video was captioned: 'An Israeli settler ramming a Palestinian man near the Lions' Gate.' Rabbi Hier said: 'In fact, the car drove on to the pavement after an attempt by Palestinians to lynch the Jewish driver who lost control of the vehicle.' A BBC source told the Mail on Sunday the original tweet was posted when there was 'some confusion' over the incident. Mr Daraghme later published another tweet clarifying what had happened. Hundreds of Jews gathered outside Broadcasting House for a protest about the story two weeks ago, with attendees holding banners and chanting 'BBC News where's the proof!' and 'BBC News tell the truth!' The Wiesenthal Center report also criticised former BBC reporter Tala Halawa, who posted a series of tweets including 'Hitler was right' and 'Zionists can't get enough of our blood' in 2014. The tweets were posted three years before she began working for the BBC and she no longer works for the broadcaster. She later said she had made the comments as 'a young Palestinian woman tweeting in the heat of the moment' and said the 'offensive and ignorant words' did not reflect her views. She also said she had been known for 'impartiality and professional journalism' during her time at the BBC. The Wiesenthal Center report is due to be released tomorrow (Tues) and ranks Iran as the worst offender for antisemitism, followed by the Palestinian group Hamas. It also includes 'social media giants' in its top ten for allowing hate to spread online, and the Unilever corporation, which owns Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Ben & Jerry's announced this year that its products would no longer be sold in the West Bank, but denied it amounted to a boycott of Israel. Advertisement Thousands gathered on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro last night as billions ushered in the New Year around the world, despite Omicron concerns putting a dampener on the revelry in a second year of muted celebrations. Brazil's usual celebrations that attract hundreds of thousands were toned down slightly this year with just a 16 minute fireworks display to entertain crowds and no live music shows in Rio although huge crowds still turned up at the beach to celebrate. Russia's Red Square was closed from 5pm in a bid to halt the spread of Covid, while In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building was illuminated by fireworks marking the start of 2022. The Brandenburg gate in Berlin was also closed to visitors while it was illuminated with a light show, fireworks flew over the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, while Parisians stood on the Champs Elysees watching the Arc de Triomphe. And in London despite initially being cancelled the capital put on a dazzling light show involving the River Thames, the Shard, Greenwich Old Royal Naval College and St Paul's Cathedral. The illuminations marked the NHS's vaccine campaign and England's Euro2020 campaign which saw the Three Lions lose out to Italy in the final. Some parties in major cities have been cancelled due to rising infections. South Africa, where the mutant strain was first detected, lifted a curfew to allow the end-of-year parties to go ahead. One of the world's biggest New Year's Eve gatherings took place in North Korea where thousands gathered in the main square in Pyongyang for a fireworks show. China put on a number of its typically extravagant shows with stunning lights, fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, although its usual celebrations were slimmed down due to the surge in cases. New Zealand, the first major country to see the New Year, kicked off the celebrations after easing its rules on public gatherings, and held a lights display in Auckland. Australia's largest city Sydney pressed ahead with a firework display that lit up the city's harbour, despite being one of the world's fastest-growing caseloads, before Tokyo joined in with the festivities. Sydney's 'family fireworks' took place three hours before midnight, with pyrotechnics illuminating the Sydney Opera House in a stunning display throughout the night. But just hours before the celebrations were due to begin, Australian health authorities reported a record 32,000 new virus cases, many of them in Sydney. New York saw about 15,000 revellers attend the annual New Year's eve ceremony in Times Square as the city continued to celebrate despite the surge in US cases. BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro's usual celebrations that attract hundreds of thousands were toned down slightly this year with just a 16 minute fireworks display to entertain crowds and no live music shows although huge crowds still turned up at the beach to celebrate BRAZIL: Revellers enjoy the fireworks and celebrate the New Year on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro today BRAZIL: The Rio de Janeiro fireworks display was toned down from the usual celebrations, with just a 16 minute fireworks display and no live music or huge gatherings because of the spread of the Omicron variant BRAZIL: Party-goers celebrate New Year's Eve in front of a firework display at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro BRAZIL: Revellers run into the sea to usher in the New Year at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in front of a 16-minute firework display BRAZIL: Thousands turned up to celebrate New Year's Eve despite Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes announcing the cancellation of the massive and traditional celebration in the beach of Copacabana known as Reveillon BRAZIL: Cariocas residents of Rio de Janeiro celebrate New Year's Eve in the sea during a firework display at Copacabana Beach RIO DE JANEIRO: Revellers rush into the sea during a 16-minute firework display at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for New Year's Eve NEW YORK: Confetti flies in the air as people gather for the annual ball drop to celebrate the New Year at Times Square in New York City NEW YORK: About 15,000 revelers celebrated the mark of the new year despite rising cases of Covid and the presence of the new Omicron variant NEW YORK: Spectators were seen wearing the typical New Year's Eve garb complete with funky hats, scarves, and of course 2022 themed glasses NEW YORK: Chirlane McCray, Bill de Blasio, Michael James Scott, Mary Claire King and Ben Crawford react to the 2022 ball drop in Times Square NEW YORK: Former New York mayor Bill de Blasio dances with his wife Chirlane McCray as he attends the final event before handing the position over to Eric Adams NEW YORK: Eric Adams was sworn in after the New Year's Eve celebration as he became the 110th mayor of NYC GERMAY: The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin was lit up on the stroke of midnight to usher in the New Year, however, revellers were not allowed to watch the festivities in person GERMANY: Police patrolled the area to ensure that no unauthorised people accessed the Brandenburg gate which was closed to the public due to Covid-19 GERMANY: Concerts held at Brandenburg Gate during the New Year's Eve TV broadcast production in Berlin, Germany GERMANY: People gather near the Brandenburg Gate on the occasion of the New Year's Eve TV broadcast production 'Celebrate at the Gate' in Berlin, Germany GERMANY: The firework display in Berlin was smaller than usual due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions LITHUANIA: In Vilnius, Lithuanians stood on Cathedral Square where they celebrated the incoming new year FRANCE: The Eiffel Tower is illuminated in the colours of the European Union flag to mark the start of France presidency in Paris FRANCE: Parisians gathered on the Champs Elysees and looked into the screens of their phones which were pointed towards the Arc de Triomphe GREECE: One of the most stunning locations for a fireworks display, the Acropolis in Athens as Greeks welcomed in 2022 GREECE: Fireworks explode over the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, during the New Year's Eve celebrations UK: And in London - despite initially being cancelled - the capital put on a dazzling light show involving the River Thames, the Shard, Greenwich Old Royal Naval College and St Paul's Cathedral UK: Fireworks explode during a midnight display celebrating the new year at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich in London UK: Lights shine up into the sky during a midnight display of drones and fireworks celebrating the new year at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich in London UAE: In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building was illuminated by fireworks marking the start of 2022 UAE: The firework display was watched by thousands of people from along the city's waterfront UAE: The firework display lasted several minutes, lighting up several landmarks across the city RUSSIA: Though Red Square in Moscow was empty after Russian authorities ordered its closure due to the threat posed by Covid RUSSIA: Russian National Guard officers, pictured, closed the roads leading to Red Square at 5pm local time and they will remain blocked until 7am tomorrow RUSSIA: Normally Red Square would be packed with revellers ushering in the New Year, but this year's party was cancelled RUSSIA: Normally Red Square would be packed with people ushering in the New Year but all access roads were closed at 5pm RUSSIA: Fireworks are set off over the city of Vladivostok as eastern Russia kicked off the country's celebrations at midnight THAILAND: Thousands of Thais took to the streets of Bangkok to usher in 2022, hours after celebrations were kicked off in the Pacific islands THAILAND: A stunning display was witnessed over the Chao Praya river in Bangkok which went ahead despite the threat of Omicron THAILAND: Festivities in Thailand continued despite the ongoing threat posed by the Omicron variant CHINA: Tourists visit the 23rd Harbin Ice-Snow World on New Year's Eve at one of China's impressive light shows to celebrate the turning of the year AUSTRALIA: New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House on the stroke of midnight to mark the arrival of 2022 JAPAN: Shintoist priests walk past paper lanterns after concluding a ritual in preparation for the New Year at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo JAPAN: People gather to watch the sunrise at the Musashi-Mitake Shrine on New Year's Day in Ome city of Tokyo, Japan NEW ZEALAND: A light show from the Skytower and harbour bridge in Auckland kicked off New Year's Eve celebrations in New Zealand NORTH KOREA: Thousands gathered in Pyongyang for celebrations in North Korea during a firework display in one of the biggest New Year's Eve gatherings TAIWAN: Fireworks lit up the skyline in Taipai, Taiwan, exploding from one of the city's massive skyscrapers Thousands of people stared at their mobile phone screens which were trained at the Taipei 101 skyscraper SOUTH KOREA: Beam lights are projected from the 123-storey Lotte World Tower skyscraper during a countdown lighting show in Seoul CHINA: People visit a lantern show to welcome the new year at Penglaige in Yantai, Shandong Province of China CHINA: In Beijing, a child wearing a face mask stands in front of a 2022 sign as countries around the world mark the new year The Eiffel Tower in Paris turned blue to mark France's assumption of the presidency of the European Union AUSTRALIA: The 'family fireworks', displayed three hours before midnight every year ahead of the main show at midnight, fill the sky over the Opera House in Sydney AUSTRALIA: New Year's Eve celebrations continue to be somewhat different as some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place due to the ongoing pandemic AUSTRALIA: The festivities proved too much for some as police arrested a reveller in Sydney while his friend was on hand to capture the moment on her phone NEW ZEALAND: The Skytower lit up as the clock struck midnight in the toned down celebrations in New Zealand, the first major country to see 2022 AUSTRALIA: Authorities are expecting far smaller crowds than in pre-pandemic years, when as many as 1 million revelers would crowd inner Sydney AUSTRALIA: After the midnight celebrations, some headed home after a night of partying with their shoes in hand while others struggled on their feet AUSTRALIA: Despite a surge in infections in Australia, many still headed out to party and listen to live music in Sydney on Friday AUSTRALIA: Plenty jumped into the party spirit despite the warnings about surging cases in the second year of pandemic restrictions over NYE RUSSIA: Fireworks light up the night's sky over Vladivostok in eastern Russia, sparking a string of celebrations across the world AUSTRALIA: In Melbourne, signs informed masked partygoers that no fireworks would be taking place due to the Covid restrictions AUSTRALIA: Revellers were partying into the night in Sydney and Melbourne long after the smoke from the firework displays had dissipated NEW YORK: The Waterford Crystal Installation is illuminated during a test run at Times Square ahead of the celebrations AUSTRALIA: A young girl watches the family fireworks with her mother at Alexandra Garden in Melbourne during the countdown to midnight Because of the surge, there were smaller crowds in pre-pandemic years, when as many as 1 million revelers would crowd inner Sydney. Sydney normally bills itself as the 'New Year's Eve capital of the world' but the vast harbour where people gathered to watch the city's famous fireworks was notably uncrowded. With tourists still unable to enter the country and many residents fearful of the rapid spread of Omicron, tens of thousands were estimated to have attended. Still, the city saw New Year's Eve in with a bang - igniting six tonnes of technicoloured fireworks that lit up the Opera House and floating barges, turning the Harbour Bridge rainbow-like. Dubai is planning a pyrotechnics spectacle at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, while the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah will attempt to break two world records with a huge fireworks display. In Rio, celebrations on Copacabana Beach will go ahead in a scaled back format - though crowds of revellers are still expected. AUSTRALIA: Performers on stilts are seen performing in Federation Square during the celebrations in Melbourne as it rang in the New Year AUSTRALIA: Millions around the globe will be celebrating, with Sydney the first city to hold a major fireworks display TOKYO: 6,500 candles were lit at a ceremony to wish for good luck in 2022 and the end of the coronavirus pandemic AUSTRALIA: While there were still face masks and smaller crowds than usual, Australians still headed out in numbers to welcome in 2022 across the country AUSTRALIA: The crowds were smaller at Circular Quay in Sydney, offering a stunning view of the world-famous festivities for those not daunted by the Covid doomsayers AUSTRALIA: Revellers were only too happy to say goodbye to a tough 2021 and welcome in 2022 during scenes of festivity AUSTRALIA: Sydneysiders were in a mood to welcome in 2022 and who could blame them as 2021 didn't produce much to celebrate AUSTRALIA: Sydney's famous harbour was awash with colour in a stunning display during the much-anticipated midnight fireworks display CHINA: Harbin Ice-Snow World in north-eastern China was illuminated with bright colours as part of the New Year's Eve celebrations AUSTRALIA: A glamorous New Year's Eve partygoer strolls through Sydney's streets bare foot as she finds her way home after the wild celebrations AUSTRALIA: One reveller ditched her high heel shoes after a long night of partying in Sydney's Circular Quay In South Korea's capital Seoul, the annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony was cancelled for the second straight year due to a surge in cases. A pre-recorded video of this year's bell-ringing ceremony was instead broadcast online and on television. The ceremony had previously drawn tens of thousands of people. Last year's cancellation was the first since the ceremony began in 1953. South Korean authorities also closed many beaches and other tourist attractions along the east coast, which usually swarm with people hoping to catch the year's first sunrise on New Year's Day. On Friday, South Korea said it will extend tough distancing rules for another two weeks. In India, millions of people were planning to ring in the new year from their homes, with nighttime curfews and other restrictions taking the fizz out of celebrations in large cities including New Delhi and Mumbai. CHINA: A televised New Year's speech by President Xi Jinping was broadcast across China including in restaurants and bars (pictured) THAILAND: Devotees lay down in coffins during a resurrection ceremony to cleanse themselves of bad karma at the end of the year CHINA: Kindergarten children hold Chinese character 'Fu', meaning 'good luck', to welcome the New Year during a day of muted celebrations NORTH KOREA: Fireworks and a light display illuminated the skies above Pyongyang RUSSIA: In Moscow, a Christmas tree was decorates with lights and baubles overhanging the Manezhnaya Square during the celebations CHINA: People visit the Bell Tower Street to welcome the new year on December 31, 2021 in Taiyuan A magnificent fireworks display ushered in the new year in Quezon City, Philippines The young child entertained himself on a festive decoration in Manila, Philippines Authorities have imposed restrictions to keep revellers away from restaurants, hotels, beaches and bars amid a surge in cases fueled by Omicron. But some places, including Goa, a tourist paradise, and Hyderabad, an information technology hub, have been spared from night curfews thanks to smaller numbers of infections, although other restrictions still apply. In Hong Kong, about 3,000 people attended a New Year's Eve concert featuring local celebrities including boy band Mirror. The concert was the first big New Year's Eve event held since 2018, after events were cancelled in 2019 due to political strife and last year because of the pandemic. Popular temples in the eastern Chinese cities of Nanjing, Hangzhou and other major cities canceled traditional New Year's Eve 'lucky bell-ringing' ceremonies and asked the public to stay away. But in Thailand, authorities were allowing New Year's Eve parties and firework displays to continue, albeit with strict safety measures imposed. They were hoping to slow the spread of the omicron variant while also softening the blow to the country's battered tourism sector. New Year's Eve prayers, which are usually held in Buddhist temples around Thailand, will be held online instead. South Africans have been offered one last chance to pay their respects to Archbishop Desmond Tutu ahead of his funeral tomorrow, as his body lay in state for a second day today. A church band, which included a pre-schooler trumpeter, performed outside the church as the cortege pulled up to bring back the modest pinewood coffin containing one of the titans of South Africa's history. Tutu's successor, Thabo Makgoba, waved a chalice of burning incense over the coffin before pall bearers - including Anglican vicars - took the coffin from a silver Mercerdes SUV hearse. They slowly walked up the stairs into the cathedral where Tutu preached for a decade. The body of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is lying in state in 'the cheapest available' coffin at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, offering one last chance for South Africans to pay their respects ahead of his funeral this weekend Members of Tutu's family hugged and consoled each other in front of the church as the body arrived around 8.10am local time (0610 GMT). His body has been lying in 'the cheapest available' coffin, according to his foundation, with Tutu having previously requested 'no lavish spending' on his funeral arrangements. The globally revered anti-apartheid icon died peacefully aged 90 on Sunday and he is set to be cremated. His ashes will be buried at the weekend. Around 2,000 ordinary South Africans of all races and ages filed past his closed coffin in southern Africa's oldest cathedral on Thursday, according to a church official. The globally revered anti-apartheid icon (pictured) died peacefully aged 90 on Sunday and he is set to be cremated Following a private cremation, Tutu's ashes will be interred inside the cathedral, whose bells have been pealing in his memory for 10 minutes at midday every day since Monday. Tutu retired as Archbishop after 10 years in 1996 and went on to lead a harrowing journey into South Africa's dark past as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which exposed the horrors of apartheid in terrible detail. South Africa is marking a week of mourning for Tutu, with the country's multi-coloured flag flying at half-mast nationwide and ceremonies taking place every day until the funeral. Weakened by advanced age and prostate cancer, Tutu had retired from public life in recent years. He is survived by his wife Leah and four children, and several grand and great grandchildren. Earlier this week, South Africa announced that the cathedral where Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu preached in Cape Town would ring its bells for ten minutes every day until his funeral. St. George's Anglican Cathedral has been honouring the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate with a tribute at midday for the last few days. 'We ask all who hear the bells to pause their busy schedules for a moment in tribute to Archbishop Tutu,' said the current Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. Pictured: The casket containing the body of Desmond Tutu is transported to St George's Cathedral this morning for his lying in state South Africans have been laying flowers at the cathedral, in front of Tutu's home in Cape Town's Milnerton area, and in front of his former home in Soweto. The activist prelate worked against South Africa's apartheid regime that oppressed the country's Black majority. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, when South Africa became a democracy, Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that documented atrocities and sought to promote national reconciliation. Tutu also became one of the world's most prominent religious leaders to champion LGBTQ rights. Nontomi and Mpho, daughters of the late Archbishop, and his granddaughter Nyaniso Burris follow Tutu's casket into the cathedral this morning 'He knew in his soul that good would triumph over evil, that justice would prevail over iniquity, and that reconciliation would prevail over revenge and recrimination. He knew that apartheid would end, that democracy would come,' South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said of Tutu, in a nationally broadcast address Sunday night. 'He knew that our people would be free. By the same measure, he was convinced, even to the end of his life, that poverty, hunger and misery can be defeated; that all people can live together in peace, security and comfort,' said Ramaphosa who added that South Africa's flags will be flown at half-staff this week. Ramaphosa urged all South Africans to 'pay respects to the departed and to celebrate life with the exuberance and the purpose of our beloved Archbishop. 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 marginalized.' Advertisement Britain's shortage of Covid swabs could have a 'devastating' impact on patient care in hospitals, leading doctors have warned. Thousands of people are struggling to access lateral flow tests, which ran out again yesterday. Supply issues are expected to continue for another fortnight, with the problem having a knock-on effect on NHS staff and other vital parts of the economy. The British Medical Association's chairman, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, warned the current system for ensuring doctors and medics receive the vital kits was 'not working'. He warned thousands of medics were unable to turn up for shifts because they could not get tested 'at a time of acute workforce shortages and winter pressures'. He called on ministers to prioritise NHS employees for access to the swabs. Demand for Covid swabs has spiralled amid record-breaking cases, calls to take swabs before heading out for New Year's Eve celebrations and after the Government changed self-isolation rules to allow Britons to leave three days early if they test negative on days six and seven. Sajid Javid warned in a letter to MPs that supplies would likely be 'constrained' for another fortnight because of the 'huge demand' for tests. The Health Secretary hinted that vulnerable patients, such as care home residents and staff, would be prioritised for deliveries of lateral flow tests. He also claimed Britain had trebled its order for lateral flow tests in January and February to keep up with demand. It comes as the NHS begins constructing Nightingale hospitals in preparation for an influx of hospital cases. The drive forms part of a new NHS 'war footing' to tackle the Omicron wave, which is already starting to pile pressure on hospitals. The overspill sites which could also be erected in canteens and gyms if needed in the coming weeks will be equipped with beds and machines for patients who still need minor treatment. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the head of the British Medical Association, has warned that NHS employees are not able to get hold of lateral flow tests. Health Secretary Sajid Javid (right) says there could be another two weeks of disruption to testing supply Daily Covid admission in London have risen again, with 456 newly-infected patients placed on wards on December 28. This is the second day in a row admissions been above the crucial 400-a-day threshold that Government advisers warned could trigger nationwide intervention Dr Nagpaul said: 'Being unable to get the tests means staff may not be legally allowed to work and at a time of acute workforce shortages and winter pressures this could be devastating for the care that can be given right across the NHS. 'For example, if a key worker is isolating and needs to have a negative PCR or lateral flow test on day six and seven, and cannot get access to them, they will not be able to return to work.' He added: 'The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has no doubt had a massive impact on demand for lateral flow test kits and PCR tests, however it is vital that the promised new supply of kits are offered to key workers such as health and social care staff as a priority.' Council hands out lateral flow tests outside Nando's A council yesterday took matters into its own hands and dished out lateral flow tests outside a Nando's. The national system for supplying Covid swabs has faced shortages for weeks with many Britons left unable to get the swabs. But in Slough residents were able to get swabs yesterday thanks to their local authority. The council has signed a deal with private testing provider Solutions 4 Health to get tests to people who do not have symptoms of the virus. A van from the company was pictured outside a Nando's in the city centre yesterday dishing out the swabs. It gave out packs of seven and 20 swabs to residents, with some reportedly walking away with shopping bags full of the tests. The council first signed a Covid testing deal with Solutions 4 Health in January. Advertisement Current rules allow people to leave self-isolation three days early, if they test negative on days six and seven of quarantine. Vaccinated people who are close contacts of positive cases are also required to take lateral flow tests every day for ten days to avoid quarantine. And this month guidance was updated to allow NHS employees who live with someone who has the virus to come into work providing they test negative with a lateral flow every day. Hospitals across the country are currently battling against a shortage of workers, with thousands self-isolating because of the virus. It is feared that Covid swab shortages will exacerbate the problem and lead to many needlessly having to spend time away from their frontline roles. NHS England figures published today showed the number of NHS hospital staff in England absent due to Covid has nearly doubled since the start of the month. This included 24,632 NHS staff on December 26, up 31 per cent from 18,829 a week earlier and nearly double the number at the start of the month (12,508). Across hospital trusts, at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals trust, 1,144 staff were absent for Covid on December 26, up from 699 previously, while Manchester University trust reported 835 absences, up from 548. Other trusts with steep jumps in coronavirus-related absences include University Hospitals of Leicester (522 on December 26, up from 356 a week earlier), Nottingham University (791, up from 658) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals (502, up from 364). The rising absences are against a backdrop of increasing Covid patient numbers in hospitals, which yesterday broke through 11,000 in England for the first time since early February. Meanwhile, the NHS has began constructing eight mini-'Nightingale' hospitals in preparation for an expected influx of Covid patients. Each will be able to care for up to 100 Covid patients following a stay in intensive care, but questions have already been raised over how the units will be staffed. Mr Javid told MPs that the huge demand for swabs would see supplies likely limited over the next two weeks. He wrote: 'In light of the huge demand for LFDs seen over the last three weeks, we expect to need to constrain the system at certain points over the next two weeks to manage supply over the course of each day, with new tranches of supply released regularly throughout each day.' Nurses, lorry drivers and Government officials could all be prioritised for Covid swabs in the New Year under plans to prevent the return to work being thrown into chaos. Ministers are also considering whether to free-up capacity by dropping the requirement for people who get a positive lateral flow test to also get a PCR, reports The Telegraph. Around a million lateral flow tests are currently being carried out every day in England, official figures showed, and more than 600,000 PCR swabs are also being analysed every 24 hours. This compares with a supply of about 900,000 lateral flows a day and up to 700,000 PCRs every 24 hours. ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL, SOUTH LONDON: Construction workers began erecting a temporary field hospital in the grounds of St George's Hospital in Tooting today WILLIAM HARVEY HOSPITAL IN ASHFORD, KENT: Pictured above is construction work beginning on the William Harvey 'mini-Nightingale' hospital, situated in the site's car park The above shows where England's eight new 'mini-Nightingales' will be set up. These will aim to treat 100 Covid patients following a stay in intensive care, and will be on hospital sites to ensure they can be properly manned. Previous Nightingales could not get enough nurses Professor Azeem Majeed, a primary care and public health expert at Imperial College London, told The Guardian that the Government was 'in part to blame' for the shortage of tests. He said: 'It has become very clear that there are nowhere near enough lateral flow tests for Covid in England to allow the Government's policy of their indiscriminate use.' He called on ministers to publish 'clear guidance... on what groups should be prioritised for testing and how frequently they should test'. It comes as the NHS begins constructing Nightingale hospitals in preparation for an influx of hospital cases. Work has already started at St Georges Hospital in South London and the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent. The overspill sites which could also be erected in canteens and gyms if needed in the coming weeks will be equipped with beds and machines for patients who still need minor treatment. The drive forms part of a new NHS 'war footing' to tackle the Omicron wave, which is starting to pile pressure on hospitals. But questions have already been raised as to how the units will be manned amid the spiralling rates of absences among the health service coupled with the 100,000-plus vacancies before Covid struck. Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers which represents hospital trusts said yesterday that staffing the makeshift wards posed a 'major challenge' and that 'you cant just magic up the number of staff that are needed to staff these beds out of thin air'. He added, however, that having the facilities on existing hospital grounds 'maximises the NHS's ability to meet that challenge' and that he expects volunteers will be called in if the sites were needed to be used. Meanwhile, Pat Cullen, from the Royal College of Nursing, warned that it would mean nursing resources are 'spread thinner'. She said that she had 'no idea' how the hubs would be staffed. A cleaning worker who was bitten by an endangered tiger at a Florida zoo after putting his arm into the enclosure could be criminally charged, police have said. Eko, an eight-year-old Malayan, was fatally shot by responding officers at Naples Zoo when it would not release the man's arm from its jaws. Horrific bodycam footage shows contract cleaner River Rosenquist, 26, bloodied and on the ground next to the enclosure as he screams out: 'Please help me! Please help me! Oh my God! Shoot it! I'm going to die!' After being shot the tiger let go of Rosenquist and retreated into its enclosure where it was later pronounced dead. The cleaner was taken to hospital on a trauma alert. In a statement issued Thursday, Collier County Sheriff's Office said they would determine whether charges would be filed against the injured worker, but it did not say what the charges could be. 'Preliminary information indicates that the man was either petting or feeding the animal, both of which are unauthorized and dangerous activities,' it read. 'An investigation will determine whether criminal charges will be filed against Rosenquist.' Police body camera video shows the horrific moment a Florida cop shot and killed a tiger after it seized the arm of a zoo cleaner River Rosenquist, 26, who tried to pet and feed it Officials added that the cleaning company Rosenquist works for is 'responsible for cleaning restrooms and the gift shop, not the animal enclosures'. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk was forced to defend the decision of his deputy to fatally shoot tiger Eko, saying it was the 'only possible decision' as the animal would not let go of Rosenquist's arm. Body camera video released Thursday shows a deputy asking if a tranquilizer is available and being told no, and unsuccessful efforts to distract the animal before the officer fires. 'Our deputy did everything he could do in that situation and he ultimately made the only possible decision he could in order to save this mans life,' Rambosk said in a statement. Naples Zoo marketing director Courtney Jolly said that that when the zoo is open there is a team present that includes a shooter and lead darter, but the zoo was not open when the attack occurred. Footage shows Collier County sheriff's deputies try kicking the enclosure where Eko was housed in an attempt to get the animal to free the worker. Eko (pictured), an eight-year-old Malayan tiger, was killed Wednesday night after a deputy struck him with a single shot After an unsuccessful attempt, the deputy - believing he had no other options - fired a single shot at the tiger in an attempt to save Rosenquist's life. Eko could be heart grunting around the time the fatal shot was fired, then retreated to the rear of the enclosure where he died. Deputies were called to the zoo around 6.26pm Wednesday after Rosenquist violated the park's rules by entering the tiger enclosure. Preliminary investigation revealed he was supposed to be cleaning the restrooms and gift shop when he decided to enter an unauthorized area of the tiger enclosure and stuck his hand through. He appeared to be either petting or feeding the tiger, both of which police say are 'unauthorized and dangerous activities'. Eko then grabbed his arm and attempted to pull him into the enclosure, prompting authorities authorities to step in. Video shows Rosenquist, of Naples, bloodied and on the ground at the Naples Zoo tiger enclosure as he screams out in pain: 'Please help me! Please help me!' Rosenquist appeared to be either petting or feeding the tiger, both of which police say are 'unauthorized and dangerous activities' Collier County sheriff's deputies tried kicking the enclosure, where Eko was housed, in an attempt to free the worker. However, their attempts were unsuccessful 'Our deputy did everything he could do in that situation and he ultimately made the only possible decision he could in order to save this man's life,' Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a press release. 'This was a tragic encounter at our world-class zoo facility. We value our community partnership with the Naples Zoo and their focus on conservation and education.' Rosenquist was seriously injured during the incident and to a nearby hospital for treatment. His current condition remains unknown. After the shooting, deputies flew a drone over the enclosure, attempting to determine Eko's injuries, and found him unresponsive. A zoo veterinarian tranquilized the tiger and entered the enclosure to assess his injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed Rosenquist was supposed to be cleaning the restrooms and gift shop when he decided to enter an unauthorized area of the tiger enclosure and stuck his hand through After the shooting, deputies flew a drown over the enclosure, attempting to determine Eko's injuries, and found him unresponsive. A zoo veterinarian later determined he had died from his injuries The Collier County Sheriff's Office is working with state and federal prosecutors to investigate the incident and determine whether criminal charges will be filed against Rosenquist. Officials also note he is employed by a third-party cleaning service and not a member of zoo staff The animal medical expert determined Eko had died from his injuries. The Collier County Sheriff's Office is working with state and federal prosecutors to investigate the incident and determine whether criminal charges will be filed against Rosenquist. Officials also note the cleaner is employed by a third-party cleaning service and not a member of zoo staff. It remains unclear what company he works for or if the organization will take disciplinary action. Ghislaine Maxwell tried to force a journalist to drop her investigation into her paedophile boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein after she unearthed claims she had groped a 16-year-old girl's breasts, it was revealed today. The now 60-year-old told Vicky Ward in 2002 that claims by Annie Farmer, one of the brave victims who helped convict her, were all lies. Annie told how she froze as the British socialite massaged her breasts as she lay naked - and said Epstein later climbed into her bed with no clothes on for a cuddle when she was 16 and staying on the billionaire abuser's New Mexico ranch. Maxwell told the journalist, a fellow Briton, that Miss Farmer's claims were 'so outrageous and disgusting to me that I cannot understand for the life of me why you would put something like that in' a story for Vanity Fair, published in 2003. Ms Ward said that Maxwell had 'called me' and was 'completely furious' with her after she spoke to Annie Farmer and her sister Maria - and today released a transcript of their conversation. Maxwell said at the time: 'Vicky, it is so repellent and disgusting to me and so thoroughly and absolutely untrue, in every respect, in every which way. That it is beyond even I just can't even think how to respond to something so horrible. The implication is thoroughly outrageous. Thoroughly untrue. And in every which way disgusting. And I cannot be party to anything like that. These are two girls that benefited greatly from Jeffrey's generosity, and absolutely nothing untoward in any way happened'. Vicky Ward confronted Ghislaine Maxwell with allegations that she and Jeffrey Epstein (pictured together at Balmoral) abused a 16-year-old girl and Maxwell tried to pressure her to stop the story, which turned out to be true Ms Ward (left) had interviewed Annie Farmer (right) while working on a feature on Epstein for Vanity Fair When Ms Ward said it was 'her job' to let the girls have their say, including airing allegations Maxwell was involved, she replied: I can guarantee that I didn't give her a massage'. Annie Farmer (pictured as a young girl) says she was introduced to Epstein and Maxwell when she was 16 She added: 'Why do you say this? Some kid who just says she came to the ranch that I gave a massage to... It's wrong. Okay? It is wrong! I don't like the implication of what you're saying either, for the record. At all. I don't like it at all. Disgusting'. On Wednesday Maxwell was convicted of child sec trafficking, including charges related to Annie Farmer. Now 42, the psychotherapist gave predator Maxwell a prolonged, cold stare as she entered the courtroom to give evidence. Miss Farmer said she had accepted an invitation to stay with Epstein and Maxwell at his sprawling home in New Mexico believing he wanted to help her with her studies. But the paedophile financier and his alleged madam had a very different interest in me, she told the court. Miss Farmer is the only accuser in Maxwells trial to have waived her anonymity. In a black and white patterned top, black trousers and shoulder-length blonde hair, she spoke in a firm, clear voice during her hours on the witness stand. Despite an earlier encounter with Epstein in which he felt her leg during a cinema trip in New York, Miss Farmer travelled to Epsteins ranch in spring 1996, supposedly for the philanthropist financier to discuss funding her education. At the time, she told the court yesterday, she understood that Maxwell and Epstein were in a romantic relationship so Epstein couldnt do anything while they were together. Trim, attractive Maxwell and Epstein were very intimate with each other, touching each other, she added. Miss Farmer said that it seemed unusual that a 16-year-old would be on the ranch alone with them, apart from staff, but she felt special that they wanted to spend time with her. They took her shopping for hair cream and black, leather, pointy cowboy boots, worth more than $100, before allegedly forcing themselves on her. At the Zorro ranch, a sprawling 10,000 acre property currently on the market for 20m, Miss Farmer said Maxwell showed her how to massage Epsteins feet, then persuaded her to have a massage herself in her bedroom. Uncomfortable, but alone and miles from home, Miss Farmer obeyed Maxwells instructions to completely strip off, she said. She said get undressed and lie under the sheet, the witness told the court. I did, and then she started rubbing my body and rubbing my back and my legs, and while shes doing this she is making small talk. Then at some point, she made me roll over and lie on my back. She pulled the sheet down and exposed my breasts and started rubbing my upper chest and breasts. I was frozen. I so badly wanted to have this massage done. The door was open and I had a sense that Epstein could see me. Vicky Ward's article in 2002 helped jail Epstein, and she described her friendship with Maxwell. She said: 'I like her. Most people in New York do. It's almost impossible not to. 'She is always the most interesting, the most vivacious, the most unusual person in any room. Her Rolodex would blow away almost anyone else's I can think of.' Farmer testified that she was introduced to Epstein by her older sister, Maria Farmer, in New York in 1995. Maria thought Epstein could help Farmer with her college search (Pictured: A courtroom sketch on Annie Farmer dated Dec. 10) In her podcast 'Chasing Ghislaine', she claimed that during the early 1990s Maxwell had an 'almost a manic relationship' with being 'naughty'. According to Ward she 'talked about sex in all sorts of inappropriate venues - and she behaved scandalously'. She said earlier this year: 'Ghislaine Maxwell and I crossed paths soon after I moved to New York in 1997. Though she was a few years older than me, we were both English, Oxbridge-educated and would sometimes be invited to the same parties. She was pin-thin, expensively dressed, funny, fun, clever, worldly and the effortless centre of attention. Annie Farmer (pictured on GMA Thursday), one of the four accusers who testified against Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, said she felt 'tremendous relief' after the jury convicted the socialite of charges related to the abuse and sex trafficking of underage girls 'She talked about sex a lot and she liked to behave outrageously. During one Manhattan dinner I heard about, she told a British movie star to lie face-down on the floor; she jumped on his back and gave him a massage right there on the ground in front of everyone. Even as people laughed, one observer wondered if what she was doing was not inappropriate. 'Usually, she was by herself. I had no idea whether or not she had a boyfriend. But then, in the autumn of 2002, I was assigned to write an article for Vanity Fair magazine about an intriguing and very rich man called Jeffrey Epstein. I soon discovered that Ghislaine had had a complicated relationship with Epstein for over a decade. 'They didn't live together, I was told. Some sources claimed she worked for him although Epstein later denied this. He insisted they were not romantically involved, instead telling me she was his best friend'. It then became clear that Maxwell and Epstein had been lovers. She went on: 'What struck me as strange was that at the start of my reporting I'd bumped into Ghislaine at a friend's baby shower: and when I mentioned I was writing the article, she started to cry. 'At the time I put it down to how unequal their relationship seemed. I'd heard she loved him and he did not love her back. 'She wanted to marry him and have children, sources told me though she had insisted otherwise. Meanwhile, he wanted to stay single and sleep with (many) other women, which he certainly did. 'And Ghislaine, according to the sources, put up with this they presumed because Epstein could provide her with the same lavish lifestyle she'd grown up with as the daughter of the late and crooked media mogul Robert Maxwell'. Journalist Ed Epstein - no relation to Jeffrey - saw this firsthand at a wedding in 1991 at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private club in Florida. Edward Epstein says: 'She didn't show up during dinner. She showed up for dessert, just as we're finishing dessert, she showed up and of course, she needed an excuse. 'And she said, 'look', to the whole table, not to me, she announced, she said: 'You know, I was just having the greatest sex of my life and I've never had such great sex, so please forgive me'. And everyone laughed'. Ward claims that during another incident in New York around the same time, a friend told her he had seen Maxwell 'mid-dinner party, leap up from the table and push the movie star Hugh Grant to the floor to give him a massage'. Ward says: 'It seemed amusing, a bit outrageous maybe; but her friends told me that they began to wonder if Ghislaine was over-compensating; overcompensating for a private suffering that possibly had to do with rejection by Jeffrey'. Ward reported on the Epstein case for nearly two decades, first for Vanity Fair and now in her role as a CNN journalist. She wrote a profile of Epstein for Vanity Fair in 2003 but the details of his alleged abuse of two young sisters was left out after Epstein contacted her editor, Graydon Carter, she claims. According to 'Chasing Ghislaine', during the 2000s Maxwell was trying to escape the 'sick partnership' she had built with Epstein, who she dated during the early 1990s and abused underage girls with. Today Maxwell is facing the rest of her life behind bars. Demand from sugar-crazed New Yorkers for a small-time doughnut shop set up by a couple who lost their jobs in the pandemic has been so high it now has a waiting list of thousands of customers. The Filipino-inspired Kora bakery was started out of a Woodside, Queens apartment last summer as a specialist online-only store of tasty treats. But with orders flying in, chef Kimberly Camara and her partner, Kevin Borja, now have a five-person-strong team and industrial kitchen. They have now been working through a 5,000-person waiting list which had swelled to as big as 10,000 at one point, and are looking to open a physical store. One of their most striking creations is the purple-colored Ube doughnut, made from a light brioche dough with a Filipino flan filling and given its bright color from Okinawan yams. The Filipino-inspired Kora bakery started out of a Woodside, Queens apartment by chef Kimberly Camara and partner Kevin Borja and now has a 5,000-customer waiting list With orders flying in, chef Kimberly Camara and her partner, Kevin Borja, now have a five-person-strong team and industrial kitchen. Pictured: A purple-coloured Ube doughnut filled with flan It follows a similar craze among New Yorkers for cupcakes at the West Village's Magnolia Bakery, as well as demand for the 'cronut' (croissant-doughnut) creation that rose to fame in 2013. 'When we started Kora we had no intention of turning it into a full-blown business,' Camara told The Guardian. 'It was something that we thought would just be a seasonal project... We kind of just went with the flow.' Initially reliant on family and friends to help prepare and deliver orders, the bakery has become a full-time operation. Camara, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, uploads videos of her creations and huge production line to Instagram where she has 40,000 followers. Initially reliant on family and friends to help prepare and deliver orders, the bakery has become a full-time operation Kora's Filipino-inspired doughnuts Kora bakery's chef and founder Kimberly Camara may have gained her cooking skills with years of work at The Culinary Institute of America, but the inspiration for her unique doughnut creations is definitely in her heritage. Camara describes how she uses 'Filipino classics' and 'heritage recipes' to inspire the Woodside, Queens bakery's latest inventions that have customers queueing by the thousand to place online orders. Starting with delicate brioche buns, the 28-year-old uses a variety of recipes from her late grandmother and her own knowledge of Filipino cooking to make the treats unique. Her most iconic doughnut is the 'Leche Flan ni Lola'. Kora bakery's chef and founder Kimberly Camara may have gained her cooking skills with years of work at The Culinary Institute of America, but the inspiration for her unique doughnut creations is definitely in her heritage. Pictured: Her most iconic doughnut is the 'Leche Flan ni Lola' 'Lola Corazons beloved flan sits proudly atop luscious flan cream, both perfectly encased in brioche and delicately dusted with powdered sugar,' a description on Instagram reads. Leche flan is not native to the Philippines, but a re-worked version of the creme caramel dessert popular with the country's Spanish colonizers and neighbouring France. As a Filipino version, leche flan is a heavy custard with caramelized brown sugar, with a basic recipe of condensed milk, egg yolks and sugar. A variation of this recipe also uses egg whites and not just the yolks. It is commonly served during special occasions including fiestas and new year parties. Camara has also admitted there is one ingredient that goes into practically every one of her doughnuts in some form: ube. As an important crop in Southeast Asia andf the Philippines, Camara uses the vividly purple variety of yam to both flavour and colour her dough. The plant gives a mildly sweet, earthy and nutty taste and is used in traditional and modern Filipino desserts, including the 'unofficial' national dish 'Halo-Halo'. Advertisement Some of their signature creations include leche flan brioche doughnut or a halu-halo doughnut made with banana chips, sago, maraschino cherry, leche flan, pinipig and a ube glaze. The unique Filipino-inspired recipes come from or are inspired by Camara's late grandmother Corazon's recipe book which she found after she had died. Orders for the bakery are currently closed as they catch up with a backlog of 5,000 customer orders. There is a 10-doughnut limit per customer. For Camara, the chance to make a living selling treats inspired by her grandmother has proved very fulfilling. 'Kora is the coming together of my entire life,' she told Eater. 'There is no way that my grandmother is looking down on us and isnt so proud of all of the work that weve done.' 'Wherever Kora takes us, behind all of it is my connection with her and my connection with my heritage.' A female lawyer sent naked pictures of herself to a former client in jail for attacking another man with a meat cleaver. Prison guards at Low Moss near Glasgow found Amy Spencer's images on Grant McNamara, who was serving five years for the horrific assault. An insider revealed staff recognised Ms Spence, 39, who is believed to be single, from the images sent to a mobile phone found on the convict. It is understood the incident has since been reported to solicitors' watchdog, the Law Society of Scotland. Paisley lawyer Ms Spencer is understood to have parted ways with Renfrewshire law firm Tod and Mitchell when the complaints came to light. Prison guards at Low Moss near Glasgow found Amy Spencer's (pictured) images on Grant McNamara, who was serving five years for the horrific assault An insider revealed staff recognised Ms Spence (pictured) from the images sent to a mobile phone found on the convict A prison insider told the Paisley Daily Express: 'She was caught sending at least 50 naked photographs of herself to Grant McNamara. 'The photographs were seized by prison staff, who recognised her from them. She also visited him for long periods of time.' The source added: 'I am appalled that she is still allowed to work. 'If a male lawyer was sending pictures of his penis to a vulnerable female prisoner ten years his junior, he would probably have been arrested by now. 'But nothing seems to have happened to her, despite the prison service advising the Law Society.' Paisley lawyer Ms Spencer is understood to have parted ways with Renfrewshire law firm Tod and Mitchell when the complaints came to light. She is pictured fourth from left alongside her former colleagues It is understood the incident has since been reported to solicitors' watchdog, the Law Society of Scotland. Pictured: McNamara McNamara, 28, was jailed for four years and nine months at Paisley Sheriff Court in July, over the blade attack which left victim, Dale Mitchell, scarred for life. The Paisley thug had been released from jail for an axe attack on a taxi driver, when he butchered Mitchell in October 2020 after a row about Facebook posts. Ms Spencer, a Glasgow University law graduate and a former prosecutor, set up her own business in September. She declined to comment about the photos when approached by the Express. The Law Society of Scotland also refused to comment on whether Ms Spencer is being investigated, saying: 'The Law Society of Scotland cannot confirm or deny complaints cases. 'As the professional body for Scottish solicitors, we take our regulatory duties very seriously to ensure that people have confidence in the legal profession. 'In any case where we have reason to believe that one of our members has not met the high professional standards expected of them, we will take action.' The Scottish Prison Service said it was unable to comment on the matter. Liz Truss has promised to help Ukraine reduce its reliance on Russian oil and gas by boosting its access to renewable energy technology. The Foreign Secretary said access to Britain's 'leading green innovative technologies' like wind power and hydrogen will enable Ukraine to 'cut down its dependence' on Russia for energy. The pledge comes amid heightened tensions between NATO allies and Moscow over the build up of Russian forces on the border with Ukraine. Ms Truss has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an invasion would have 'massive consequences'. Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, said access to Britain's 'leading green innovative technologies' like wind power and hydrogen will enable Ukraine to 'cut down its dependence' on Russia for energy US President Joe Biden and Mr Putin spoke yesterday for 50 minutes to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Kremlin officials said Mr Putin had warned Mr Biden that any new sanctions would lead to a complete breakdown in relations between the two countries. Both sides have accused the other of provocations while tens of thousands of Russian troops have been moved close to the Ukrainian border. And both sides used yesterday's call to warn of dire consequences if the current impasse over Ukraine is not resolved. NATO has expressed concerns that the build-up of Russian forces could be a precursor to an incursion but the Kremlin has dismissed claims that it is preparing to invade. Ms Truss wrote a piece for the Ukrayinska Pravda publication, translated by The Telegraph, to mark the 30th anniversary of UK-Ukraine diplomatic relations. The Foreign Secretary tweeted a link to the article as she said: 'We are resolute in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and freedom.' In the piece Ms Truss wrote: 'We can make the most of Britain's leading green innovative technologies such as wind and hydrogen energy so that Ukraine will be able to cut down its dependence on Russian fuel and spur up trade and investment.' Ukraine's energy supply reportedly currently includes 15 per cent from renewable energy sources but the country wants to hit 25 per cent by 2030. Ms Truss has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an invasion would have 'massive consequences' Ms Truss also said that the UK and other NATO allies have 'made it clear that any further intrusion into Ukraine will be a grave strategic mistake'. She said: 'We will offer a robust response against any such steps including coordinated sanctions to deal a heavy blow on Russia's interests and economy.' Ms Truss warned Mr Putin earlier this month that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have 'massive consequences'. The Foreign Secretary said those consequences would come at a 'severe cost' to Moscow. Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal bid is unlikely to succeed and she should cooperate with prosecutors to help reduce her sentence, legal experts have said. Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim announced that she had 'already started working on an appeal' after the British socialite was found guilty of luring teenage girls for sexual abuse by her former lover Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday. But lawyers today said there were no 'glaring legal issues' that would make prosecutors nervous and it would be better for Maxwell to 'drop a dime on all of Epstein's friends.' Maxwell has at least four potential grounds for appeal, according to a legal analysis by DailyMail.com, including the judge's insistence that jurors should sit through the New Year's Eve holiday. Judge Alison Nathan said 'astronomical' Covid infections fueled by the Omicron variant meant there was a real risk of a 'mistrial'. Maxwell's lawyers complained that such instructions were essentially telling the jury they needed to 'hurry up.' Bradley Simon, a defense lawyer with Windels Marx, said this was 'a pretty good argument' and recalled a case where a state judge pressured a jury because he was due to go on holiday. 'That was a real no-no. The judge was censured,' he told The Times. Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are pictured sitting alongside a retriever at a shoot in the country in never before seen pictures which were released at the trial Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim (pictured outside the court in NY) announced that they had 'already started working on an appeal' after the British socialite was found guilty on Wednesday Judge Alison Nathan's rulings will be pored over by Maxwell's lawyers in an effort to convince judges that she made errors during the trial Judge Nathan told jurors that her order to sit everyday was not meant to put pressure on them. Howard Greenberg, a veteran defence lawyer, said that to a jury: '"I'm not trying to pressure you", means exactly that. It's like when people tell you it's not about the money.' However, Greenberg told The Times that Maxwell's lawyers were likely to 'charge a fortune' for an appeal that would not be successful. He suggested Maxwell's best move would be to 'drop a dime on all of Epstein's friends,' suggesting she bargain with prosecutors to provide information in exchange for reduced jail time. 'That means you have got to give up every single thing you have ever done,' he said. Greenberg told The Times that prosecutors would only offer a deal to Maxwell if they were convinced they could bring a new case based on her evidence. Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas Day, has been placed on suicide watch after being convicted on five counts on the six she faced for procuring teenage girls for the pedophile financier Epstein. Epstein was found hanged in his prison cell in 2019. Maxwell is facing up to 65 years behind bars. The appeal, which could take as long as two years, will not delay Maxwell's sentencing - a date for which has not yet been set down. 'Every single criminal defendant who gets convicted at trial in the United States has a right to appeal and nearly all of them do appeal,' said Elie Honig, a former state and federal prosecutor who teaches at Rutgers University. She told The Times it was was rare 'to see a conviction by a jury at trial be reversed'. Maxwell's lawyers will pore over the trial transcripts and forensically examine each ruling by the judge. 'I don't see any glaring legal issue that would worry me if I were a prosecutor here,' Honig added. As well as the issue of the judge forcing the jury to sit through the holiday, other points of contention include allowing the testimony of Annie Farmer to count towards the charges that Maxwell conspired to entice and transport teenagers in New York, where the age of consent is 17. Annie Farmer testified she was brought to Epstein's ranch in New Mexico aged 16 where Maxwell gave her a topless massage. Maxwell's lawyers argued that because the age of consent in New Mexico was 16 at the time, this was not illegal. They also tried to throw out evidence from another witness, Carolyn, from counting towards conspiracy charges because she was never brought to New York. Judge Nathan overruled the objection, saying that in a conspiracy charge the objective did not have to be achieved, it was only necessary to prove that Maxwell and Epstein planned to transport the victim. Ghislaine Maxwell is facing 65 years in jail for recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein after a jury found her guilty on five of six counts. A courtroom sketch shows Maxwell sitting as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in New York A sleazy haul of never-before-seen photos unearthed in an FBI raid and introduced as evidence showed Ghislaine Maxwell giving Jeffrey Epstein foot rubs on his private jet dubbed Lolita Express One of the pictures brought in as evidence showed Epstein and Maxwell relaxing at Balmoral, the Scottish home of Queen Elizabeth. Her son, Prince Andrew, is one of the men who was said to have flown on Epstein's plane Maxwell, 60, was found guilty of five of six counts of sex trafficking minors for Epstein and now faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison. Epstein and Maxwell in a vacation picture in Europe Carolyn, one of Ghislaine Maxwell's accusers, claimed she had seen a picture of her nude and pregnant. Though that picture was never introduced as evidence, another of Epstein cradling Maxwell's belly was 'You don't have to have the violation of New York law to establish the elements of the conspiracy,' she said. Later during deliberations, the jury sent a note asking the judge if they could convict Maxwell on a charge of transporting a witness referred to as 'Jane' if they were sure that Maxwell helped to arrange her flight home but not the flight to New Mexico where the abuse had taken place. The defence said the answer should be 'no.' But the judge said this was 'not legally accurate.' Additionally, Maxwell's lawyers could object to how Judge Nathan brusquely handled their request for the US Marshals to force one witness to attend court, a request they ultimately dropped. Other issues which could be raised on appeal include how Judge Nathan handled a question from the panel about count four - transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity - on which Maxwell was convicted. Maxwell's lawyers are likely to raise concerns about a jury note related to the accuser Annie Farmer and counts one and three, on which they also found Maxwell guilty. Fourthly, Maxwell's lawyers could object to how Judge Nathan brusquely handled their request for the US Marshals to force one witness to attend court, a request they ultimately dropped. Maxwell has yet to formally file her appeal but outside the federal court in New York, her lawyer Sternheim said they would be doing so. In a statement, Maxwell's family said she would be 'ultimately vindicated' despite the jury convicting her of five of the six charges. Other high profile sex crimes cases do give Maxwell some hope, most notably that of Bill Cosby. In 2018 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years earlier. Cosby's conviction was overturned on appeal in June after the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court ruled that his due process rights had been violated because a previous prosecutor agreed not to charge him. Maxwell has yet to formally file her appeal but outside the federal court in New Year after the verdict, her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim said they would be doing so Maxwell's defense team Jeffery Pagliuca and Laura Menninger are seen leaving court in New York after yesterday's verdicts Maxwell suffered a setback Tuesday after Judge Nathan rejected her defense team's request to give the jury additional instructions on one of the counts related to transporting accuser 'Jane'. They will likely use this as grounds for appeal Harvey Weinstein is currently appealing his 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault that was handed down in March last year. Bill Cosby's conviction was overturned on appeal in June after the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court ruled that his due process rights had been violated because a previous prosecutor agreed not to charge him Harvey Weinstein is currently appealing his 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault that was handed down in March last year. During an appeal court hearing in New York earlier this month, judges asked whether lining up three Weinstein accusers as bad character witnesses was 'overkill' - a decision is due in Spring 2022. Judge Nathan's handling of the jury instructions about the coronavirus will undoubtedly feature highly in Maxwell's appeal. On day 16 Judge Nathan discussed instructing the jury to sit until 6pm instead of 5pm because of the risk one of them may become infected. Maxwell's lawyer Laura Menninger strongly objected. She told the court: 'Because it has only been three days, we believe that any suggestion that they should stay later is beginning to sound like urging them to hurry up, when clearly they know that they can deliberate as long as they want and they should be able to deliberate as long as they want'. Menninger noted that the previous week Judge Nathan had offered the jury an extra day to deliberate but they declined it, stating in a note they had 'made plans' for the Christmas break. Judge Nathan did instruct the jury they could stay until 6pm or longer but added that there was no 'pressure' and they should take as long as they wanted. The next day Judge Nathan's mood darkened and she said that the longer hours were necessary because 'we are seeing an astronomical spike in the number of Covid positive cases in New York'. Judge Nathan added that 'we are facing a high and escalating risk that the jurors or participants (such as Maxwell) may need to quarantine, putting at risk our ability to complete this trial'. At the end of the day the jury sent a note saying they were 'making progress'. On Wednesday, the morning of what turned out to be the final day of deliberations, the jury asked for clarification of their schedule for the week. Judge Nathan told them that she would compel them to sit every day that week until they reached a verdict: previously they were told they would sit only Monday to Wednesday. That would include New Year's Eve on the Friday and New Year's Day on the Saturday, as well as Sunday if necessary. After appeals from Maxwell's lawyers, the judge added the same qualifier as before: 'Of course, by this I don't mean to pressure you in any way. You should take all the time that you need'. At the end of that very day, the jury came back with their verdict. Another source of contention which could feature in the appeal was when Maxwell's lawyers repeatedly argued with Judge Nathan on day 16 of the trial over a note from the jury about count four, which related to the accuser Jane. The count was transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. Maxwell was found guilty and faces up to 10 years in jail for this count. Maxwell's siblings Kevin, Christine and Isabel walked out of court in New York yesterday and declined to speak to reporters. In a statement, Maxwell's family said she would be 'ultimately vindicated' despite the jury convicting her of five of the six charges The prosecution brought in pictures found in Epstein's mansion in a bid to show that Maxwell and Epstein had been in a relationship The note read: 'If the defendant aided in the transportation of Jane's return flight, but not the flight to New Mexico, where/if the intent was for Jane to engage in sexual activity, can she be found guilty under the second element?' Prosecutor Alison Moe said they were 'not able to parse the question because we find it confusing' so the 'safest course' was to refer the jury to the instructions. Maxwell's lawyer Christian Everdell said that the 'significant purpose' of the trip was not that 'Jane engaged in illicit sexual activity' as required by the law. In this case she was 'just presumably going home, but is not for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity', Everdell said. 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'. As a result she referred the jury to her instructions without further comment. The following day Maxwell's lawyers tried again to change the judge's mind with a seven page letter filed to the court which said her decision was 'incorrect and prejudicial to Ms. Maxwell' They said that the jury were 'confused' about not just count four but count two 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. She told Everdell that he was seeking a 'third bite of the apple' and dismissed his letter as 'just wrong' as she stood by her original decision. Another note on day 14 of the trial sparked intense argument from Maxwell's lawyers and could form the basis of an appeal. The jury asked if they could consider the accuser Annie Farmer's testimony for the counts of conspiracy to entice and transport a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. Maxwell is facing five years on jail on each count. Judge Nathan said she would tell the jury: 'The answer is yes, you may consider it'. Everdell said he was worried that the jury might use Farmer's testimony 'more broadly' than they should. He wanted to remind the jury that Farmer's allegations were not 'illegal sexual conduct' as charged in the indictment. Pictured: The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) where Ghislaine Maxwell is being held and has been since her arrest in July 2020 Judge Nathan rejected the argument and said it would be 'nonresponsive to their question'. In their appeal Maxwell's lawyers may well raise Judge Nathan's handling of their problems calling defense witnesses. Judge Nathan was blunt with Maxwell's attorneys when they asked for help from the US Marshals to compel one female witness, Kelly Bovino, to come to court. The judge sounded exasperated at the prospect of a delay in the trial especially as the defense knew two weeks ago that Bovino was not replying to their subpoena. She said: 'We're not delaying trial, so this all needs to happen yesterday'. During a testy exchange with Menninger Judge Nathan said that a 'nonresponsive witness is not a little thing'. A desperate-sounding Menninger replied: 'We've been flying people across the country, across the pond. 'Our client's life is on the line and we're being given one day to put on a defense, one and a half days, and there is one witness that we're having problems with. We're not asking for some weeks' long delay'. In the end Maxwell's lawyer withdrew their request to engage the US Marshals, but on appeal this may well be raised to try and overturn the conviction. Advertisement A street photographer has spent 2021 getting up close and personal with London's most flamboyant eccentrics to create a dazzling series of images celebrating the Great British tradition. Danny Jackson, 43, travelled around London in his quest to capture on camera the people whose lives really do imitate art. From stunning headpieces and rainbow hair, to immaculate tweed, the joyful portraits are designed to showcase and celebrate the people who stand out from the crowd. 'London is a bit of a hub for eccentric people, because it is so multicultural, and also a hub for artists and musicians. 'Most people are happy to be seen and photographed, they wear these clothes for a reason, but some aren't sure if they are eccentric or not. The 'Great British tradition', as photographer Danny Jackson describes it, is dressing eccentrically - something he says Brits are known for all around the world A lady dons a leopard-print dress underneath a glittery pink, purple and green jacket A lady wears bright, colourfully striped flared trousers and a matching top with open-toe green sandals With a figurine of Mini Mouse in her right hand, a lady walks through the streets of London proudly wearing a traditional garment Jama Elmi, a support worker, puts on a colourful display, wearing a yellow and orange patterned suit An aquatic colour scheme lights up this lady's knee-length skirt, as she smiles for the camera Green-dyed hair, a pink beanie hat and round-framed glasses top off this woman's radiant attire A man strikes a pose against a wall, as he is picked out by keen-eyed photographer Danny Jackson for his eccentric blue suit and flower-adorned satchel 'I always explain that it's not a bad thing, I'm trying to move away from the idea of eccentric meaning being strange. 'For me it is about individualism and not being afraid to be different,' said Danny who lives in Canvey Island, Essex. Jama Elmi puts on a colourful display, wearing a yellow and orange patterned suit. The support worker, who owns more than 100 suits, is often stopped by tourists for pictures, and according to some reports has literally stopped London traffic in the past with people wanting to catch a glimpse of his striking get up. In one of the images artist Sue Kreitzman, 78, proudly holds her heavily decorated walking stick aloft, her body engulfed in a patterned tunic, and a flash of pink in her white hair. Danny Jackson, 43, is a photographer who lives in Essex. He spent 2021 travelling around London in his quest to capture on camera the people whose lives really do imitate art Leaning casually against a shop window, this lady's bright orange skirt summons images of the occult, with a horned skull embraided onto the centre of it Sue Kreitzman, 78, born in New York and the author of 27 cookery books, holds her heavily decorated walking stick aloft, her body engulfed in a patterned tunic A leopard-print shirt bursts out from underneath this man's cream-coloured jacket, as he crosses his legs in a cool pose With a futuristic, Star Trek-esque visor and a belt buckle boasting the Brazilian flag, this man looks down in an uncharacteristically candid photo from Danny Jackson's collection A man beams at the camera, his arms open wide. His sunny disposition a perfect match for the yellow trousers and multi-coloured trench coat he is showing off Green tassel earrings dangle from this woman's ears, the cherry on the cake of a spectacular, floral outfit A man with checkered, shin-length socks and a tweed suit looks serious as his image is added to Danny's collection A woman wears a blue dress with a white polka-dot print, her wristwatch obeying the all-blue colour scheme as well A thick, black belt breaks up this all white gown outfit, topped off with a floral hat This person's baby pink dress cascades over their waist, and with white tights and pink strapped shoes, it is reminiscent of the outfit Little Bo peep would wear in the well-known pastoral fairy tale This lady wears purple tights, a floral mauve skirt and a pink beret with a cute blue flower on top With her hands in her pockets, this woman in a green beret and orange-and-blue top makes her way into Danny's photo collection of British eccentrics In a colour scheme that could be described as 'ebony and ivory', this woman's outfit evokes images of a piano Looking chic: with crimson lipstick and round sunglasses, this woman strikes a serious pose Like the famous McFly song, this woman has five colours in her hair, as well as shin-length shiny pink boots New York-born Sue became famous as a chef, writing 27 cookery books and appearing on television. But aged 58 she decided to radically change her life and become an artist, painting in her chosen medium, nail polish. A member of the Spitalfields Market Colour Tribe, Sue and fashion designer Florence Bidois founded The Colour Walk, which supports the historic market. 'Sue lives art, and her home is like a museum, it is amazing to see. 'The main idea for this series is to show how great it is to be eccentric, this is a Great British tradition which is known around the world, it is very creative and a joy to experience.' Advertisement Britain's rail operators are removing hundreds of daily trains from their timetables as the Omicron isolation crisis deepens after weeks of short notice cancellations due to workers being off sick or self-isolating with Covid-19. A total of 23 UK train companies from Southern to ScotRail and Great Western Railway to Northern have either already reduced services or will do so in the coming days in response to pandemic-related staff shortages. Among those also impacted include East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, Merseyrail, London Northwestern Railway, Great Northern, Thameslink and TransPennine Express. The Rail Delivery Group said nearly one in ten staff (8.9 per cent) across all UK train firms were off sick in the week to Wednesday due to all causes including Covid. This is up from 8.7 per cent last week and 7.6 per cent last month. Passengers travelling around the UK on New Year's Eve today also face major disruption on CrossCountry due to strike action, with the walkout involving train managers and senior conductors in a row over the role of guards. In recent weeks rail firms have axed trains at short notice due to staff self-isolating or being unwell. Many have responded by releasing condensed timetables in a bid to create more certainty about which services will operate. It comes despite the Government last week cutting the self-isolating requirement in England from ten days to seven days for those who have a negative lateral flow test on days six and seven of their quarantine period. And calls have been growing to cut the isolation period further to five days to protect essential services from staff shortages as record numbers catch the milder Omicron variant, despite ministers pouring cold water on the idea. Staff shortages mean almost one in 20 train services have been cancelled and a third of London's fire engines are off the streets, with up to 875,000 people in the UK currently required to remain indoors after testing positive. Thousands of vital NHS workers are also self-isolating - with the health and social care sectors particularly badly hit by staff shortages, leaving hospitals over-stretched and care homes unable to take in new residents. As absences linked to the isolation crisis worsen across industries, NHS and business leaders warned that Britain risks being brought to a standstill by soaring cases, a tests shortage and the seven-day quarantine period. Close to a million employees are now believed to be stuck at home, with restaurants forced to close and deliveries hit by 'astronomical' numbers off sick as record numbers catch the milder but more contagious Omicron variant. There is also growing pressure on the Government to secure more tests amid soaring demand and a global shortage of supplies, with Wales giving four million rapid lateral flow kits to the NHS in England. It comes as: Prime Minister Boris Johnson will decide next week whether to impose new rules to limit indoor socialising; A further 189,213 coronavirus cases were recorded across the UK yesterday which was a new record high; NHS bosses said the Government must 'introduce tighter restrictions at real speed should they be needed'; Pharmacy bosses revealed more lateral flow tests are now being distributed but supply is 'still very patchy'; A total of 4,580 NHS staff at hospital trusts in London were absent for Covid-19 reasons on December 26; The Scottish Government issued a last ditch plea to Scots to not attend large-scale New Year's Eve parties. The Rail Delivery Group insisted operators were 'working hard to provide a reliable train service' amid reduced staff numbers with amended timetables also being brought in 'owing to much less demand for train services'. Passengers walk through London King's Cross station this morning after arriving on an LNER train from Edinburgh Rail passengers arrive at Newcastle Central station for New Year's Eve on the 13:27 LNER train from Edinburgh this afternoon Train passengers walk through ticket barriers at London King's Cross railway station this morning on New Year's Eve This graphic shows the planned Southern closures until January 4 - a period that has now been extended until January 10 And Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, said: 'This is a pragmatic response to rising staff illness. But services must meet the needs of those who still have to travel, especially key sector workers. 'These include protecting first and last services, providing enough capacity to keep passengers at a safe distance from each other and making the new timetable reliable and the information accurate.' How Covid-related staff shortages are affecting train services across UK Avanti West Coast : Says it is 'doing everything we can to run our full timetable but there may be some short notice cancellations'. All peak restrictions removed until January 4. : Says it is 'doing everything we can to run our full timetable but there may be some short notice cancellations'. All peak restrictions removed until January 4. c2c : Normal service. : Normal service. Caledonian Sleeper : Normal service. : Normal service. Chiltern Railways : Operator warns it 'may have to make some short notice changes to our timetable' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 on our train crews' : Operator warns it 'may have to make some short notice changes to our timetable' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 on our train crews' CrossCountry : Removed around 50 trains from its timetables until January 8, and warns of disruption 'until further notice'. Tells passengers to avoid travelling on New Year's Eve due to RMT strike. : Removed around 50 trains from its timetables until January 8, and warns of disruption 'until further notice'. Tells passengers to avoid travelling on New Year's Eve due to RMT strike. East Midlands Railway : Revised timetable due to a 'high level of staff sickness including drivers and train crew'. Some services being replaced by buses. : Revised timetable due to a 'high level of staff sickness including drivers and train crew'. Some services being replaced by buses. Eurostar : Normal service. : Normal service. Gatwick Express : No services 'until further notice' because of the 'ongoing effect of coronavirus isolation and sickness'. : No services 'until further notice' because of the 'ongoing effect of coronavirus isolation and sickness'. Grand Central : Normal service. : Normal service. Great Northern : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. Great Western Railway : Cancellations because of 'rising numbers of staff unavailable to work due to self-isolation requirements' . : Cancellations because of 'rising numbers of staff unavailable to work due to self-isolation requirements' . Greater Anglia : Some services removed from timetable 'due to falling passenger numbers and 'to plan for our staff being affected by the Omicron variant'. : Some services removed from timetable 'due to falling passenger numbers and 'to plan for our staff being affected by the Omicron variant'. Heathrow Express : Normal service. : Normal service. Hull Trains : A temporary timetable will operate until February 12 to 'minimise disruption'. : A temporary timetable will operate until February 12 to 'minimise disruption'. LNER : Reduced timetable up until at least January 7 'due to a shortage of train crew as a result of an increase in the number of staff self-isolating with Covid-19'. : Reduced timetable up until at least January 7 'due to a shortage of train crew as a result of an increase in the number of staff self-isolating with Covid-19'. London Northwestern Railway : Services are 'subject to cancellation or alteration' due to a shortage of train drivers. : Services are 'subject to cancellation or alteration' due to a shortage of train drivers. Lumo : Normal service. : Normal service. Merseyrail : Some trains will be cancelled on certain lines from 'today until further notice' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 and other sickness affecting staff availability'. : Some trains will be cancelled on certain lines from 'today until further notice' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 and other sickness affecting staff availability'. Northern : Operating 'several amended timetables' because of 'Covid and its impact on the availability of our train crew'. : Operating 'several amended timetables' because of 'Covid and its impact on the availability of our train crew'. ScotRail : It is 'being forced to bring in a temporary timetable' until January 28 'as we continue to see colleagues off sick because of Covid-19'. : It is 'being forced to bring in a temporary timetable' until January 28 'as we continue to see colleagues off sick because of Covid-19'. South Western Railway : Services subject to 'short-term alterations' due to the 'impact of the Omicron variant on staff numbers' with new timetable coming in January 17. : Services subject to 'short-term alterations' due to the 'impact of the Omicron variant on staff numbers' with new timetable coming in January 17. Southeastern : Warns that services may change at short notice if there 'may be occasions when our staff are sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19'. : Warns that services may change at short notice if there 'may be occasions when our staff are sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19'. Southern : Cancels a raft of services and its hub at London Victoria station will stay closed until January 10 'owing to the significant ongoing impact of coronavirus'. : Cancels a raft of services and its hub at London Victoria station will stay closed until January 10 'owing to the significant ongoing impact of coronavirus'. Stansted Express : Half-hourly service running. : Half-hourly service running. Thameslink : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. TransPennine Express : Services may be cancelled at short notice 'due to lack of available staff'. : Services may be cancelled at short notice 'due to lack of available staff'. Transport for London : Delays on Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines due to cancellations. : Delays on Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines due to cancellations. Transport for Greater Manchester: Reduced Metrolink services 'due to the increasing impact of Covid-19 on tram driver staffing levels'. Reduced Metrolink services 'due to the increasing impact of Covid-19 on tram driver staffing levels'. Transport for Wales : 'Emergency timetable' to 'prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant'. : 'Emergency timetable' to 'prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant'. West Midlands Railway : Some trains 'may be cancelled at short notice' because 'many colleagues are currently unable to attend work'. Advertisement ScotRail said it will introduce a temporary week-day timetable from Tuesday until January 28 as the Omicron variant has resulted in a 'large number of absences'. More than 150 daily services will be cut, including on routes such as Glasgow to Edinburgh via Airdrie/Bathgate; Glasgow Central to Lanark; Edinburgh to North Berwick; and Edinburgh to Tweedbank. South Western Railway announced it will operate a new timetable from January 17 as the Omicron variant has had a 'significant impact on our services'. The operator said in a statement: 'Our focus is on producing a timetable that is deliverable so that we improve reliability for our customers, and caters to key workers, school pupils and those who cannot work from home.' It has not revealed which services are being cut. SWR said it was suffering a shortage of staff 'across our business' such as drivers, guards, engineers and controllers. The firm warned passengers that its services were 'subject to short-notice cancellations'. It will introduce a reduced timetable from January 17 in an attempt to improve reliability. Greater Anglia announced it will not operate approximately 70 week day services next week due to a combination of 'falling passenger numbers' and staff shortages. This will affect routes such as Norwich to London Liverpool Street; Colchester to Ipswich; Cambridge to Ipswich; and Norwich to Great Yarmouth. Yesterday, tens of thousands of train passengers in southern England had their plans for the next fortnight thrown into chaos after Southern Rail cancelled a raft of services and said its hub at London Victoria station would stay closed for another ten days. Some lines in and out of Britain's second busiest station had been shut over the Christmas period due to Network Rail engineering work, with reduced services rerouted to London Bridge and a planned reopening for January 4. But Southern then said yesterday that there will be no Southern or Gatwick Express services at London Victoria, Battersea Park, Clapham Junction or Wandsworth Common until January 10, the start of the second working week of 2021. The operator said there would also be a reduced service operating on all other routes 'until further notice owing to the significant ongoing impact of coronavirus ', amid high levels of staff sickness and workers self-isolating. But the decision sparked fury on Twitter, with social media users asking 'how are essential workers supposed to get to work' and saying they would be 'forced' to get the Underground after the 'busier trains' were cancelled. Others blasted Southern as the 'worst run train service in the country', said the firm is 'chronically understaffed' and tweeted: 'Happy New Year from Southern - impossible to get to work, so will have to use annual leave.' Southern bosses discussed the closures in advance with trade unions and will review their level of services early next week for the period after January 10, with sources saying it was a 'changing picture day-by-day'. The operator advised customers still wishing to travel that they could use their tickets with most other transport companies in the area such as London Underground, Transport for London buses and other train operators. There were no fresh closures or service alterations announced by Southern yesterday - the update was an extension of the changes which were due to have been in place until January 4. Customers have been advised to instead use London Bridge or Blackfriars on Thameslink services, and then take Underground services to Victoria if necessary. Great Northern, Thameslink and Hull Trains have also unveiled reduced timetables. CrossCountry has removed around 50 trains from its timetables between Mondays and Saturdays from December 27 until January 8. The industrial action affecting the firm on New Year's Eve involves train managers and senior conductors in a row over the role of guards. CrossCountry said passengers were 'strongly advised to alter their plans and avoid travel'. People walk through London Victoria station on December 23, which is not going to be served by Southern until January 10 It is not operating any trains between these locations: Aberdeen and Edinburgh; Glasgow Central and Edinburgh; Derby and Nottingham; Peterborough and Stansted; Cheltenham Spa and Cardiff Central; Newton Abbot and Paignton; and Plymouth and Penzance. A 'heavily reduced service' is in place between Edinburgh and Plymouth; Manchester Piccadilly and Bournemouth; and Birmingham New Street and Peterborough. A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group said: 'Our colleagues, like those in other industries, have been impacted by the virus. 'While we're working hard to provide a reliable train service to key workers and other passengers with reduced staff, some rail companies are introducing amended timetables owing to much less demand for train services. RMT members employed by Gate Gourmet are also involved in a strike at Edinburgh Waverley on New Year's Eve today as part of a long-running dispute over allegations of bullying. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'The disruption to services from the New Year's Eve strike action is wholly down to these greedy private companies on our railways seeking to squeeze out every penny they can by hammering down on safety, jobs and workplace dignity. 'Our members at CrossCountry and Gate Gourmet are standing up for all rail workers as we expect a torrent of attacks on jobs, pay, safety, pensions and working conditions in 2022. We are ready for a new year of campaigning and action on all fronts.' The Taliban has begun beheading shop mannequins in Afghanistan for offending their strict interpretation of Islam. Shopkeepers in the western province of Herat were told to hack the heads off their mannequins after Islamist officials ruled the statues were 'idols'. Idolatry, or the worshipping of idols, is considered a grave sin in Islam which bans the worship of anyone or thing other than Allah - considered to be the only God. Taliban rulers in the western province of Herat have ruled that mannequins are 'idols' and must be beheaded to avoid the risk of people 'worshipping' them (file image) The ruling was issued this week by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in Herat, which is responsible for administering the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islam. Initially, the ministry had ordered shops to remove the mannequins completely but shopkeepers complained, saying it would destroy what little business they have left. After listening to the complaints, Sheikh Aziz-u-Rahman - head of the ministry - ruled the mannequins' heads should be cut off instead. But business owners say hacking their mannequins apart still represents a significant financial loss at a time when Afghanistan's economy has more-or-less collapsed. Abdul Wadood Faiz Zada told Italian newspaper Repubblica: 'The heads of the mannequins should be covered, not removed. 'Each mannequin costs $100, or $80 or $70, and beheading them will be a huge financial loss.' Mohammad Yusuf added: 'The Taliban have not changed, there will be restrictions once again. 'They have not gained international recognition, but should they obtain it, they would bring back even stricter limitations.' The Taliban has been slowly cracking down on the freedoms of Afghans since taking power this summer, including banning women from large sections of public life (file image) Since recapturing Afghanistan over the summer in a rapid advance behind the back of withdrawing American troops, the Taliban has been slowly restricting the freedoms of its population while claiming to the world that it has 'reformed'. Women and girls were immediately confined to their homes for 'safety', while the Taliban set about largely removing them from workplaces and schools. In recent weeks, the Islamists also banned women from taking long-distance road trips without a male guardian and said they must also wear a veil while in the car. At the same time, they banned all music in vehicles and said that 'intoxicating' substances were also prohibited. Drivers should also stop their vehicles at prayer times in a 'proper place' so that prayers can take place, the ruling added. Afghanistan, propped up for two decades by support funds from western nations and aid money, has all-but collapsed since the Taliban retook control. Aid money has dried up, and while western nations have promised billions in funding, they are still wrangling over ways to get in into the country without handing it to the Islamists. The UN's food programme warns that up to half the population are now facing starvation before the end of winter, as economic catastrophe combines with drought to plunge huge numbers into poverty. Aid agencies are reporting that families have begun resorting to desperate measures to afford food, including putting children to work or - in some cases - selling babies to afford bread and other basics. An error-filled letter from a Virginia teachers union president calling for increased protections against the coronavirus was mocked relentlessly on Twitter after an appalled parent took a correction pen to the piece and posted the revised version online. 'Hey @VEA4Kids, are you going to send out more of these grammar worksheets over break?' parent Ellen Gallery wrote Thursday morning, in a post that featured the heavily marked-up document sent by Arlington Education Association President Ingrid Gant. 'My kids and I had a great time spotting errors! Did we find them all?' the mom quipped. Gallery, who describes herself as a home-schooling mom, marked up roughly 20 grammatical errors highlighted in green pen in a letter Gant sent to Arlington Schools Superintendent Dr. Francisco Duran to increase the amount of on-site COVID tests for schools in the Virginia district. The letter was only five paragraphs long. This error-riddled letter from the Arlington Education Association calling for increased coronavirus protection for public school students was mocked relentlessly on Twitter Thursday after an appalled parent edited the piece and posted a revised version online Despite only being five paragraphs long, the missive, penned by Arlington Education Association president Ingrid Gant, contained approximately 20 errors, highlighted by the edits made in green pen The contents of the letter attempted to address the recent spread of the coronavirus amid the surging Omicron variant, and demanded a delay to the resumption of classes in January to address the issue, until school testing capabilities are increased. Arlington parent Ellen Gallery posted her revised version of the union piece Thursday Virginia was one of 15 states to report a record-high number of average daily infections, according to the CDC. Per the agency, the state saw 7,439 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 185 newly reported COVID-19 deaths on Dec 28, 2021. Arlington in particular is a noted hot spot, seeing an average of 163 cases each week, as of December 28. In her letter, which boasts extraneous punctuation and a slew of incoherent sentences, Gant goes on to argue that allowing students to eat lunch indoors in the midst of the rash of cases serves as a 'super-spreader' for the surging virus. Gants adds that teachers are subsequently having to make the 'ultimate sacrifice' as Omicron cases multiply, and urged Duran to not rush Arlington public school students back to the classroom. In her letter, Gant goes on to argue that allowing students to eat lunch indoors in the midst of the rash of cases serves as a 'super-spreader' for the surging Omicron variant Virginia public school heading to their first day of classes in August. Fifteen states reported a record-high number of average daily infections, per the CDC, with Virginia being one of them Her command of the English language in the piece, however, left much to be desired, with de facto editor Gallery completely reworking the letter's opening sentence. 'On behalf of the members of the Arlington Education Association, this dire expression lends great concerns for Arlington Public Schools return plans for January 3rd, 2022,' the letter originally opened. Gant then goes on to mistakenly use the word 'are' instead of 'our,' in the awkwardly written piece. 'The fire departments in are region are exemplifying domino outbreaks as well,' she wrote, referring to surging Omicron numbers in the Old Dominion. In response to the gaffe, Gallery derisively quipped: 'My kids couldn't write small enough to correct this letter but we shared some laughs and created this,' referencing her revised version of the letter. 'I'd recently taught the 6yo about homophones, so the are/our mistake really cracked him up. The letter featured a slew of glaring linguistic errors, like using the word 'are' instead of 'our' A Twitter grammarian quickly took a shot at Gant's use of punctuation Twitter was quick to react to the poorly penned missive. 'Apparently "learning loss is not limited to students!'" one user wrote in response to the post, which has garnered hundreds of likes and retweets as of Friday morning. Another wrote: 'Adding an unneeded comma in senior year high school English meant a full letter grade deduction. They failed.' The U.S. hit a new high for daily COVID cases with 512,533 average cases reported on Thursday, breaking its previous record of 489,267 reported on Wednesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data. The U.S. is now averaging 300,387 new COVID cases per day, a pandemic record and the first time the 300,000 mark has been reached in America. Deaths, meanwhile, are down by five percent, with a daily average of 1,221, though a grim CDC model forecasts that more than 42,000 Americans could die in the next three weeks. Hospitalizations are up by 15 percent, with a daily average of 78,781 per day, according to the New York Times. The fact that deaths and hospitalizations are not rising at the same pace as positive cases show how the Omicron variant is less severe than Delta and more patients are experiencing milder cases. Some cases may not even be making the official count because of the rise in at-home tests. Whats more worrisome about the high numbers is that health experts often expect disturbances in testing and data reporting, the news outlet reported. About 62 percent of the US is fully vaccinated, with 73 percent having received their first dose, according to the New York Times. And about 68.8 million of the fully vaccinated have also received a third dose, or a booster shot, since Aug. 13, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lectures at Georgetown University will move online until at least the end of January due to a rise in coronavirus cases, leaders have said in a letter to students. The $60,000-a-year Washington DC school said it hoped in-person classes for spring semester would resume across the university campus January 31 following the two-week delay. Undergraduate residential students however will still be able to move into on-campus dorms from January 11. Georgetown President John J. DeGioia issued a letter detailing the temporary switch to students as the university joined several others across the country in going online. Lectures at Georgetown University will move online until at least the end of January due to a rise in coronavirus cases, leaders have said in a letter to students Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia issued a letter to students and staff detailing a plan for delayed return to in-person lectures on January 31 because of the 'rapid spread of Omicron' 'In recent weeks, we have seen the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the Washington, DC region, across the country, and globally,' it read. 'Given that the surge in cases associated with the Omicron variant in the United States is projected to coincide with our return for the spring semester, we are adjusting our approach for the first few weeks of the semester.' The Washington DC metro area hit a record 27,374 cases over the Christmas period, although this includes a data reporting delay. However, figures from the John Hopkins Resource Center also show a 143 per cent rise in hospitalisations in the week to December 29. The US broke a world record for average daily COVID cases for the second day in a row with 512,533 reported on Thursday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data People wait in a long line at a District of Columbia Covid-19 testing site in Washington DC on December 29. The metro area has been a hotspot for recent Covid infections The United States has hit a new record of 512,500 infection besting the nation's previous record of 489,267 reported on Wednesday Yesterday it was reported the United States had hit a record of 512,500 daily coronavirus cases - the most any country has ever reported in a 24-hour period. It has set a new record the previous day with 489,267 infections. Florida, Washington DC and Hawaii are among the hotspot states to see the largest percentage rise in the run-up to and over Christmas. Other schools around the country that have announced they are going virtual in January include Harvard and Stanford universities, as well as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California at Los Angeles. Georgetown also announced that all students, faculty and staff will have to be tested before their arrival on campus. Although the region is well-vaccinated, health experts say the omicron variant of the coronavirus is highly infectious and that they expect a surge in cases when the holidays are over. In the period before the return to campus, Georgetown staff members who are able to work online are being encouraged to do so 'as much as possible'. 'As we continue to monitor the trajectory of the pandemic, we will share any further updates to our plans as soon as they become available,' DeGioia added. 'I deeply appreciate the engagement of each member of our community as we continue to navigate this challenging moment, together, as a University.' Nearby American University in Cathedral Heights followed suit with Georgetown by delaying an in-person return until January 31. President Sylvia M. Burwell said in her own letter: 'While we sought to avoid another move to online classes, this is not a return to the situation we faced in spring 2020.' 'Rather, it is a short-term, prudent approach to the current situation and risk factors.' A pharmacist who beheaded a female fashion design student, boiled her head on the stove and ripped out her teeth after raping her was today jailed for 25 years. Rakhmanberdi Torebekov, 28, killed Ayazhan Edilova, 19, after she went to his flat apparently to measure him for a suit. A video shows him ushering her into a lift - the last time she was seen alive. A court in Kazakhstan heard details of the high-profile gruesome case in secret. Ayazhan Edilova, 19, (pictured) was killed earlier this year by Rakhmanberdi Torebekov, 28, after she visited his home, intending to measure him for a suit Security camera footage showed Torebekov ushering the teenager into a lift in his apartment building before he later killed her Edilova had a job working for a local tailor and was sent to measure him before expecting to go for a night out with her boyfriend. Torebekov raped and murdered her after she refused his demand for sex, investigators believe. He then dismembered her body, beheading her and extracting each nail and tooth in an attempt to hide the traces of the killing, the court was told. But the victim's family have branded Torebekov an 'evil maniac', demanding that he should never be released from jail. The teenager had had her head chopped off and police found it in a pot after it had been boiled 'When we saw the photographs of the body parts, we saw that each nail was removed, every tooth was knocked out and all put into separate plastic bags,' said Almat Mulikov. 'Why did he need to do this if he is not a maniac? 'If he just needed to hide the killing, why did he knock out every tooth and cut out each nail? 'Why did he slowly cut off her head and boil it in water?' The victim's family have branded Torebekov an 'evil maniac', demanding that he should never be released from jail Pictured: The building in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where Torebekov lived and had killed Edilova Torebekov is described as a trained pharmacist with a medical education who came from a 'good family' in Almaty city. When police stormed his flat after her boyfriend raised the alarm, he attempted to cut his own throat. He was taken to hospital and later confessed to dismembering the student and scattering her body parts in rubbish containers around the city. He admitted to the murder in March 2021 and Judge Erkin Maishinov has sentenced him to 25 years in prison. He was ordered to pay 34,000 in partial compensation to the family of the student. Advertisement The US, the UK and other major economies could be on the brink of over-vaccinating people in the fight against Covid, experts say. Israeli officials have already announced their intentions to embark on dishing out another round of booster jabs, meaning both the US and UK will eventually face pressure to follow suit even though both nations have insisted there are no plans to administer fourth doses yet. But scientists argue that rolling out vaccines every three-to-four months simply isn't 'doable' and may not even be necessary because of Omicron, which some believe will speed up the process of endemicity and consign days of sky-high hospitalization and death figures to history. And they called for more data on dosing gaps between boosters before pressing ahead with plans to administer fourth jabs. Some experts claim the benefits of extra jabs are minimal because their primary purpose - preventing deaths and hospitalizations - has barely waned after a year and several Covid variants, effectively meaning boosters are adding to an already high base level immunity. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, said descriptions of Omicron being a 'natural vaccine' were right. The logic behind the argument is that as Omicron is highly transmissible but milder than other variants, it can give an immunity boost without causing as much serious illness, with some data suggesting a combination of infection than vaccination providing the best type of immunity in the long-run. On Thursday, the United States smashed another global COVID infection record when 647,067 new cases were reported, up 26 percent from the day before, when 512,533 new cases were reported, according to Johns Hopkins University data. In total, USA Today reports, the United States recorded 2.49 million cases within the past week, outpacing the country's previous record of 1.7 million new cases recorded in the one-week period from January 3 through January 9. Experts say the number of cases are rising so rapidly due to the spread of the highly-contagious Omicron variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says accounts for anywhere from 40 to 70 per cent of the new cases in the US. A UK-based expert says the variant could spread with just a 'whiff of infected breath.' At the same time, however, the number of daily deaths have halved from 2,800 to 1,400 between Wednesday and Thursday. The drop comes after multiple studies showed that Omicron was likely to cause up to 80 per cent fewer hospitalizations than Delta, although scientists have cautioned that more data is needed, and say the sheer number of infections caused by the new variant could ultimately cause an additional spike in serious illness and death. The graph shows the countries who have given the highest total number of vaccine doses and boosters per 100 population. It demonstrates how a number of nations are now, on average exceeding two doses per person. The UK is a mid tier performer in the lower cohort of the top 20 performers while the US doesn't even manage to make the cut While only a mid-performer in the top 20 nations for vaccine doses per 100 people the UK is a top performer when it comes to comparing nations such as the US, Canada, Australia and Israel This map shows the number of vaccines administered per 100 people, Africa, where Omicron was first identified and is believed to have emerged, has, as a continent, among the lowest number of vaccinated people in proportion to its population in the world Future variants 'may be even more mild', Professor Jones told MailOnline, adding that the need for healthy adults to get top-up jabs could soon recede. Instead of doling out jabs every few months, he said annual boosters for the vulnerable ahead of the winter would be 'more feasible'. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist from Warwick University, insisted vaccines should protect against severe illness for much longer than they do against getting infected or becoming ill, suggesting that an annual booster for the elderly and vulnerable groups will be enough to thwart off Covid in the coming years. Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, admitted he 'can't see' governments pushign out Covid vaccines every three months for much longer. He said: 'Although after two-and-a-half months immunity starts to wane, that doesn't mean it drops below being extremely effective.' But he told MailOnline that the only way to measure the long-term effectiveness of the boosters was to wait and see. 'We can only get that long term data over the long term, there's no crystal ball with this. We just don't know what the optimum strategy is,' he said. Other epidemiologists have said repeated and multiple outbreaks Covid each year might necessitate boosters every four to six months, which they branded a 'daunting prospect'. But even though data shows vaccines are less effective against Omicron, they are nowhere near redundant. Real-world data shows efficacy levels of the booster vaccine at stopping people getting symptoms plummet to around 40 per cent after just 10 weeks. But two jabs still drastically cut the risk of hospitalization and death, even against Omicron, as the body's immune system still retains some ability to help fight off virus even after some waning immunity. A third dose will bolster that protection even further, experts insist. It means a fourth dose may not be necessary yet for the entirety of the UK and could see ministers only advised to dish out extra doses to the elderly and immunocompromised in the coming months. For this reason some experts have called for caution about dishing out another round of vaccines so quickly. One of the UK Government's own advisers warned it would be impossible to 'defeat' Covid with vaccines if everyone needed a top-up every three months. It would see the UK's national Health Service have to dish out the equivalent of up to 50million jabs every 90 days, or around 550,000 every day. This would put the cost of an annual vaccination drive in the region of 4billion (around $5.4billion) , based on one jab being priced at around 20 ($27) per dose similar to Pfizer. But government ministers may sign off on plans to dish out universal Covid jabs which experts hope will offer better protection and hold up against variants that emerge in the future but they aren't expected for another 18 months, England chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told MPs earlier this month. Vaccine makers have been quietly working on as polyvalent Covid jabs but they are all in early development and way off clinical trials. Israel has already approved the use of fourth doses of Covid vaccines to vulnerable people, such as those with weakened immune systems, over fears that their immunity may already be fading . Currently, the US has not indicated any plans regarding additional boosters, with health officials saying more data is needed on the protection improvement potentially offered by a fourth dose. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said last week that it was too 'premature' to be talking about a fourth dose. 'One of the things that we're going to be following very carefully is what the durability of the protection is following the third dose of an mRNA vaccine,' he said. 'If the protection is much more durable than the two-dose, non-boosted group, then we may go a significant period of time without requiring a fourth dose. 'So, I do think it's premature, at least on the part of the US, to be talking about a fourth dose.' UK experts have also urged caution over offering fourth jabs, saying more data is needed on the long term protection offered by the booster. The rollout of a second set of boosters is being examined by experts on the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the JCVI, said: 'We need to see more data. We are in different circumstances to Israel and we need to see more data on waning immunity and vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization.' Professor Jones said: 'The vaccine response clearly wanes but it is not clear if the boosted response will wane in the same way or at the same rate.' Israel has already started rolling out fourth doses of Covid vaccines to vulnerable people, the nation has been seen by many as a pioneer in vaccine policy with other nations, such as the UK, later following many of its policies After a rocky start the Covid booster campaign has accelerated with over 30million people boosted according to the latest data, whether the public have appetite for further boosters is unclear Death rates in South Africa's Omicron wave just a QUARTER of those from previous surges as scientists say ultra-infectious variant may 'usher in endemic phase' 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. 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. Advertisement He also told MailOnline that he didn't think offering a regular booster to keep immunity up was feasible or effective. 'Boosting every 10 weeks or every time a new variant appears to be on the rise is not doable and in consequence I think we need some sort of grading system for new variants to ensure we act appropriately and practically,' he said. Professor Jones said annual top-up jabs for the vulnerable ahead of the peak winter illness season, December to February, would make more sense. If all adults would need one depended on how Omicron continues to develop, Professor Jones said. 'If Omicron is an attenuated strain already on its way to endemicity then later versions may be even more mild and the need for vaccination for an otherwise fit adult might recede,' he said. 'You have to remember that making you very sick is no good to the virus at all, all it wants is to transmit, so virus evolution will tend towards a less severe strain which you will pass around as you will struggle on with work etc much as we do for common colds.' On Omicron generally Professor Jones said descriptions from others of the ultra-infectious variant being a 'natural vaccine' were right. He said that while any Covid variant boosts immunity the fact Omicron was highly transmissible yet milder worked to help boost population immunity. 'Whatever version you were infected with your immunity would be boosted,' he told MailOnline. 'That mild bit suits us because it means we can get immunity without, or with much less, risk.' However, he warned against any 'chickenpox' style parties where people intentionally try to catch Omicron, saying we needed to protect people who could get severely ill from the virus. 'You have to be careful here not to stretch it to things such as chickenpox parties because there will always be a vulnerable minority and to encourage infection puts them at risk,' he said. Hopes of Omicron ushering in the end of the pandemic stage of Covid were sparked by a South African study into Covid death rates in the nation's Omicron wave. It showed fatalities were just a quarter of levels seen during other surges. Researchers examined records of 450 patients hospitalized in the City of Tshwane, in the 'ground zero province of Gauteng, since the extremely-transmissible variant took off in the country. Their survival rates were compared to nearly 4,000 patients hospitalized earlier on in the pandemic. Just 4.5 per cent of patients hospitalized 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 Scientists from South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the University of Pretoria, who carried out the research, said it shows 'a decoupling of cases, hospitalizations 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 in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Commentators around the world have latched on the findings and claimed Omicron could act as natural vaccine making the virus endemic to the population. One of these was a health official for the Indian state of Maharashtra, Dr Pradeep Awate who told the Press Trust of India, that although Omicron was spreading faster than Delta, there had been few hospitalizations. 'If this happens, Omicron will act as a natural vaccination and may help in its (Covid's) progression towards the endemic stage,' he said. But Dr Clarke cautioned against the idea of labelling Omicron a 'natural vaccine'. The immunity weve had from other variants doesnt protect all that well against Omicron, so there is no reason to think it works in the other direction, he said. This is despite a new study from the Africa Health Research Institute showing blood taken from people infected with omicron recorded a 4.4-fold increase of antibodies when exposed to the the Delta version of the virus. In contrast other studies delving into the topic of cross-variant immunity showed antibodies made in response to Delta reacted poorly to Omicron. Dr Clarke added that just because Omicron was milder did not mean it, or other Covid variants, would remain so, adding: 'The idea that viral evolution is a one-way street to the common cold is absolute bull****.' On the idea of more boosters and how often, Dr Clarke emphasized the need for more data before we know time gap between more Covid jabs. He said there will be an 'optimum' gap between doses but 'we just dont know what it is yet', adding that it 'won't be good' if jabs are done too far apart or close together. The US broke a world record for average daily COVID cases for the second day in a row with 512,533 reported on Thursday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data The record bests the nations previous record of 489,267 reported on Wednesday Dr Clarke also advised against general predictions on how Covid boosters are going to be rolled out in 2022, highlighting how despite an Omicron jab being in development, it might fail, or need two doses similar to the initial Covid jab. However he did say that boosters being used to keep immunity against infection topped-up through increased antibodies may be the preferred strategy going forward by the Government not wanting to impose restrictions and minimize disruption. 'Population wide vaccination will drive down transmission, it won't eliminate it, but it will drive it down across the population,' he said. 'And if you have lots of people who have more than the sniffles and are ill enough not to go to work, there is massive damage to public services and an economic slowdown.' Professor Young also said while data had suggested a drop in booster effectiveness against Omicron infection, the outlook for longer term protection from against severe disease was still good. 'Preliminary data suggests that vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection with Omicron drops by between 15-25 per cent after 10 weeks,' he said. 'Thus those older individuals who were boosted at the beginning of the booster campaign in mid-September may not be as well protected from symptomatic infection. 'However, all current data indicates that booster jabs will protect from severe disease and that this should last for at least several months.' He said the broad hope is that this protection against severe disease will eventually mean an annual booster jab for the elderly and other vulnerable groups will be sufficient to protect them from a severe Omicron infection in the coming years. Professor Young also highlighted how immunity was a complex system, with different segments like antibodies rising in the short term when people get vaccinated. While other more difficult to measure parts like T-cells provide longer term protection. 'The good news is that recent studies have shown that both vaccination and natural infection induce a strong and sustained T-cell response to Omicron and other variants,' he said. 'This might be the key to longer term protection and the need for less frequent boosters.' There have also been concerns about over-vaccinating people in the UK when so many in other parts of the world are unvaccinated. Professor Adam Finn, a UK government vaccine adviser, previously told the BBC that over-vaccinating people, when other parts of the world had none, was 'a bit insane, it's not just inequitable, it's stupid'. Professor Young also highlighted that it might be more important to help other countries boost their vaccine uptake rather than offer all Britons another booster, to stop new variants from forming. He highlighted Africa, where Omicron was first identified and almost certainly emerged, as one particular example. 'Virus variants will continue to be generated as long as the virus is allowed to spread particularly in countries where vaccination rates are low,' he said. 'This emphasizes the need to control the pandemic at the global level as well as locally and that it is in all our interests to support the roll out of vaccines across the world. 'In a situation where around 73 per cent of people in wealthy and middle-income countries have been vaccinated, this includes those who have had one, two or three doses, whereas only 12 per cent are vaccinated in Africa, we have to consider the value and luxury of additional booster doses if such vaccines are not widely available.' Jeffrey Shaman, an infectious disease modeler and epidemiologist in New York has also highlighted the need to tackle the Covid pandemic on a global scale. He said: 'We may find ourselves in a different kind of endemic equilibrium in which boosting is needed every four-six months and highly effective therapeutics are needed to limit severe disease. All this would need to be available globally and equitably. This is a daunting prospect. And psychologically challenging.' London Zoo is celebrating the birth of one of the world's rarest tigers in adorable new footage that captured the cub's first few hours. Recordings from the zoo's hidden 'cubcam' shows 10-year-old mother Gaysha cleaning and feeding the rare newborn just hours after the birth. The determined youngster then takes its very first wobbly steps on the soft straw of their cosy den. ZSL London Zoo tiger keeper Lucy Reed said: 'We knew Gaysha was nearing full-term as we'd seen her belly grow rapidly over the previous few weeks, so we made her a special cubbing den in anticipation, filling it with soft straw for added comfort it was there she chose to give birth.' Recordings from the zoo's hidden 'cubcam' shows 10-year-old mother Gaysha cleaning and feeding the rare newborn just hours after the birth While Gaysha has periodically ventured outdoors alone to stretch her legs in the days since, the two-week-old cub will most likely remain tucked away in the family's warm cubbing den until its first vaccinations - when vets and zookeepers will also be able to determine the cub's sex. One of an original litter of three, the cub's two siblings sadly did not survive labour. Ms Reed added: 'The chunky little cub is doing really well in mum's excellent care, and definitely takes after dad Asim in terms of size and strength. We've seen some key milestones already, with the little one taking its first steps almost immediately and - more recently - opening its eyes, which are always closed for the first few days after birth. 'At the moment, while we're still keeping a close eye via cubcam, we're also taking care not to disturb the family so that they can bond together - we can't wait to get to know the little one as it grows bigger and begins to explore more of its surroundings.' The determined youngster then takes its very first wobbly steps on the soft straw of their cosy den ZSL London Zoo tiger keeper Lucy Reed said: 'We knew Gaysha was nearing full-term as we'd seen her belly grow rapidly over the previous few weeks, so we made her a special cubbing den in anticipation' Born almost a year to the day since Gaysha arrived at London Zoo from Denmark on December 16, 2020, the new boy or girl is being celebrated as a boost to the collaborative global breeding programme for Sumatran tigers, which sees zoos around the world work together to look after a healthy back-up population of the Critically Endangered species. Sumatran tigers are the rarest and smallest subspecies of tiger in the world, with the latest figures suggesting that only 300 remain in the wild. The charity zoo is now asking its Members, Fellow and Patrons to exclusively offer up suggestions for the cub's name over the coming days, which will then be shortlisted by zookeepers before being voted on by the keen group of ZSL supporters. While mum Gaysha is still choosing to spend most of her time snuggled up inside with her baby, visitors to ZSL London Zoo can still see ten-year-old dad Asim hanging out in Tiger Territory - and can also watch exclusive cubcam footage in the exhibit. Asim, pictured, will be found a new female 'within months' despite killing prospective mate Melati within minutes of their introduction on Friday at London Zoo And Gaysha may have been wary of her mate Asim considering he killed his last prospective mate just minutes after they were introduced back in 2019. Asim mauled Melati, 10, to death during their first encounter and despite zookeepers making noises using 'foghorns and dustbin lids' the tiger could not be saved. However because the seven-year-old endangered Sumatran tiger is so vital to the global breeding program he will not be put down, reports the Sunday Times. The two tigers had been kept in adjoining enclosures for 10 days, but their first meeting 'quickly escalated into a more aggressive interaction.' Senior curator of mammals at the Zoological Society of London Malcolm Fitzpatrick explained how very quickly they began to fight 'rearing up, swiping at each other and snarling.' Although some confrontation is normal when tigers meet as they like to 'test each other out' the pair then started fighting on the ground. Despite making loud noises and 'dousing them with hoses' the zookeepers could not break up the fight and save Melati. Zookeepers couldn't save Melati, pictured, despite making loud noises and 'dousing the tigers with hoses' during the violent interaction The Zoo announced Melati's death on Twitter saying they were all 'heartbroken' Mr Fitzpatrick said Melati had a few wounds and 'a bite to her throat. We think her trachea was crushed.' The zoo said staff are 'devastated by the loss of Melati, and we are heartbroken by this turn of events.' In their statement London Zoo described how the door was slid open for the first time, after the big cats had been given time to get used to each other's scents. After the attack Asim was eventually secured and removed to another paddock, but as vets rushed to Melati's side they found she had died. Asim - whose name means 'Protector' in Arabic - had been matched with Melati through the European Endangered Species Programme for Sumatran tigers. London will still enjoy a televised New Year's Eve fireworks display featuring music from Elton John and Dua Lipa. The annual bonanza organised by the Mayor of London usually takes place on the Victoria Embankment by Big Ben, but was officially axed for a second year running due to concerns over the Omicron variant. However, a display will now go ahead at a variety of London locations and be screened live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Members of the public are not invited to attend the display in person, and all music will be pre-recorded. The annual display organised by the Mayor of London usually takes place on the Victoria Embankment by Big Ben. Pictured is the last display in 2020 AUSTRALIA: New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House on the stroke of midnight to mark the arrival of 2022 NEW ZEALAND: A light show from the Skytower and harbour bridge in Auckland kicked off New Year's Eve celebrations in New Zealand Mr Khan announced in October that the traditional display, which would have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to Victoria Embankment, had been called off, blaming Covid 'uncertainty'. Health Secretary Sajid Javid criticised the decision, saying there was 'no reason' the annual tradition could not go ahead after the government gave the go ahead for NYE gatherings. The Tory told LBC: 'Obviously that's a decision for the Mayor, but from my point of view, I can't understand why that can't happen. 'I mean, I think there's a perfectly safe way that that can take place, so I really don't understand that decision, but as I say, that's not a decision for the government. It's the Mayor's firework display, so I hope he can reconsider it.' Earlier this month Mr Khan also called off a NYE event in Trafalgar Square which would have involved 6,500 key workers and members of the public. RUSSIA: Fireworks are set off over the city of Vladivostok as eastern Russia kicked off the country's celebrations at midnight CHINA: In Beijing, a child wearing a face mask stands in front of a 2022 sign as countries around the world mark the new year MailOnline has contacted Sadiq Khan's office for comment A further 189,213 coronavirus cases were recorded across the UK yesterday - a new record high - while the number of hospital patients with Covid in England rose to 11,452, a rise of 61 per cent in just one week. Estimates published by the Office for National Statistics today suggested one in 25 people in England had Covid in the week to December 23, up from one in 45 in the week to December 16. One in 25 equates to approximately two million people - the highest number since the ONS started estimating infection levels in England in May 2020. Boris Johnson will decide next week whether to impose new coronavirus restrictions to limit indoor socialising, The Times reported. The Prime Minister opted not to impose new curbs between Christmas and New Year's Eve but rising Covid case numbers are fuelling fears that new measures could be on the horizon. Daily Covid admission in London have risen again, with 456 newly-infected patients placed on wards on December 28. This is the second day in a row admissions been above the crucial 400-a-day threshold that Government advisers warned could trigger nationwide intervention Mr Johnson said in his New Year's Eve message that the nation's position in the battle against the disease is now 'incomparably better than last year' thanks to the vaccine rollout. It came as NHS bosses warned that the Government 'needs to be ready to introduce tighter restrictions at real speed should they be needed'. Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, said new curbs 'may be needed at pace if the evidence warrants it' as he said health bosses 'still don't know' if there will be a surge in elderly hospitalisations which could trigger Mr Johnson to act. Meanwhile, a Government scientific adviser today warned it is likely the NHS will be overwhelmed by the spread of the Omicron variant. Professor Peter Openshaw, who sits on the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said: 'I think we haven't quite reached the threshold that was set by Government in terms of the NHS being overwhelmed, but it looks like that will be reached quite quickly.' Covid cases are highest among 18 to 35-year-olds (orange line), they said, but are rising in all age groups. There is also an uptick among 55 to 75-year-olds (red line) and over-75s (purple line) who are more at risk from the virus Across England's regions the number of infections is still highest in London. But as Omicron spreads across the country cases are now rising in all other regions #notgoingout: Brits take to Twitter to declare they are staying in for New Year's Eve as nightclubs offer half-price deals or even stay shuttered due to Omicron fears By Tom Pyman for MailOnline Britons have taken to Twitter to declare they are #notgoingout on New Year's Eve tonight as the country remains gripped by Omicron panic. Dozens of people shared their low-key plans to stay at home on social media, including watching Jools Holland, eating homemade pizza and drinking a mug of cocoa. It comes as nightclubs in England, which are still allowed to open unlike neighbouring Scotland and Wales, frantically offer half-price deals in a bid to encourage revellers to ring in the new year with them. Widespread celebrations have already been cut short, after London mayor Sadiq Khan cancelled the traditional firework display at Trafalgar Square due to the surge in Covid cases. People in Manchester told BBC Radio Four's Today programme this morning that they had concerns over going out. One said: 'There's a plan in place that some friends might be meeting up in a local pub. I'm a little dubious as to whether I want to, so I'm more likely to spend it at home, to be honest.' Another added: 'We have been invited to a house party with a few neighbours. We haven't quite decided yet but it's something we're thinking about.' A third said: 'I'm spending it with a couple of friends, we'll probably get a takeaway, that sort of thing. I'm certainly not going into town.' Jools Holland, a party with Kylie and other TV options if you're staying in this NYE Emmerdale - ITV, 7pm EastEnders - BBC One, 7.10pm Coronation Street - ITV, 8pm MasterChef: Champion of Champions - BBC One, 8.30pm The Last Leg of the Year - Channel 4, 9pm Jools' Annual Hootenanny - BBC Two, 11.25pm The Big New Years & Years Eve Party with Kylie and Pet Shop Boys - BBC One, 11.25pm Cobra Kai - Netflix Stay Close - Netflix Advertisement Nightclub owner Alex Proud said mixed messaging from the government over end of year celebrations had created 'a really dire situation' for the industry. Alex Proud, who runs Proud Embankment in Brighton, told Sky News: 'There's hardly any staff here today, we're not sold out tonight and that story is the same across the country. 'Venues that are normally sold out two weeks in advance are half sold out, and we are screaming in pain. 'Bookings are massively down. In my venue in Brighton we're doing a half price sale now, and that's unheard of in any venue. 'Your local pub doesn't do a sale on New Year's Eve. It's disastrously bad.' With venues forced to close in other areas of the UK, Scottish and Welsh revellers have been arriving in England before hitting the town later tonight. Work and Pensions Minister Chloe Smith said people are 'more than free to move around' the UK over the New Year on Thursday. Asked if it would be wrong for people from Scotland to travel across the border into England to celebrate the New Year, Ms Smith told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: 'Well, 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.' From December 15, Covid passes for entry into nightclubs and other venues have been in place, and this also applies to indoor events with 500 or more people, where they are likely to stand or move around, such as in music venues. Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny is once again expected to be widely viewed on BBC Two tonight in a packed TV schedule Some venues, including this one in London's Shoreditch, is advertising offers to try and entice revellers to join them While many Brits pledged to stay at home tonight on social media, some others said they were still intending to go out and enjoy themselves Meanwhile, Waitrose has seen a surge in people searching for recipes online, suggesting middle class families are planning to stay in for dinner at home rather than going out. The supermarket chain says searches for 'New Year's Eve recipes' are 160 per cent higher on its website than 12 months ago, while four times as many people are looking for 'dinner party recipes', compared to this time last year. Will Torrent, of Waitrose, told the Times: 'It's clear our customers are hosting intimate dinner parties for New Year's Eve this year and findings show that just over a third of shoppers are treating themselves and their guests to high-end, quality products and specialty ingredients. 'We're seeing people upgrading their menus to kick off 2022.' Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny is once again expected to be widely viewed on BBC Two tonight in a packed TV schedule. Popular soaps EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street all have episodes this evening, there is a special of Channel 4's The Last Leg, while BBC One marks the end of the 2021 with 'The Big New Years & Years Eve Party with Kylie and Pet Shop Boys'. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has revealed the public events to mark the anniversary of January 6th with Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), who was among those huddling for safety inside the House chamber that day, leading testimonials. Pelosi describes the events in a letter to House Democratic colleagues as conveying 'reflection, remembrance and recommitment' even as former President Donald Trump has announced he will air his grievances about what he calls a 'rigged election' at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 6th. 'As we enjoy the Holiday Season with loved ones, we are preparing to mark one year since the January 6th assault on the Capitol,' Pelosi wrote colleagues Thursday evening. The events will begin with a 'pro forma' session at noon, where there will be a moment of silence and a statement from the chair presiding over the House chamber, site of a standoff between Capitol Police and rioters that day. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the events of 'reflection, remembrance and recommitment' lawmakers will take part in to mark the anniversary of Jan. 6th In the historic Cannon Caucus room, site of the famed House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, presidential historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham will have a conversation moderated by the librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden 'to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th.' This will be followed by 'testimonials' from lawmakers, who were both participants and witnesses to some of the historic and tragic events that day. Presiding will be Crow, an Army Ranger and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who comforted Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., while police fought to keep protesters out of the chamber. Members 'will share their reflections of the day,' said Pelosi. This will be followed by a prayer vigil at 5:30 pm on the center steps of the Capitol, where lawmakers from both parties sang 'God Bless America' hours after the Sept. 11th attacks. Members of the Senate will 'join in an observance of the day in prayer and music. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., comforts Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., while taking cover as protesters disrupt the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Crow will lead a session of testimonials from fellow lawmakers Presidential historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham will take part in a 'conversation' to 'to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th' Former President Donald Trump, seen here cheering supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC on Jan. 6th, has announced a 'news conference' on the anniversary Leaders of a House committee probing Jan. 6th says it has spoken with hundreds of people in connection with its investigation The House will not be in session next week, and some members may not be in town. But she said a 'full program' of events was being planned. 'These events are intended as an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayerfulness. All events will be live-streamed, so that Members can watch and participate from their districts. Pelosi said it was 'necessary' to know which lawmakers will be in town for covid reasons, and asked that they contact her office to say whether they would be there. 'The patriotism and courage of our Members as we prepare for this difficult day is an inspiration, for which I sincerely thank you,' she told them. The slate of events comes as the House select committee on January 6th continues to probe the events of that day as well as Trump's election overturn effort, amid a clash with a handful of witnesses who have refused to appear to provide testimony. Pelosi's choreography of the day comes as television networks are planning their own lineups to mark the anniversary. Trump earlier this month indicated he had no intention of going along with the solemn remembrance Pelosi is lining up. He issued a statement bashing the House Jan. 6th committee and once again claimed the election was 'rigged.' Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Jan. 6th events House Pro Forma Session, 12:00 p.m. ET (House Floor): Prayer, Pledge, a statement from the Chair and a Moment of Silence (House Floor). Historic Perspective, 1:00 p.m. ET (Cannon Caucus Room): Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden will moderate a conversation between historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th. Members Testimonials, 2:30 p.m. ET (Cannon Caucus Room): Presided over by Rep. Jason Crow, Members will share their reflections of the day. Prayer Vigil, 5:30 p.m. ET (Center Steps, U.S. Capitol): for Members of the House and Senate to join in an observance of the day in prayer and music. Advertisement 'Why isnt the Unselect Committee of highly partisan political hacks investigating the CAUSE of the January 6th protest, which was the rigged Presidential Election of 2020? Does anybody notice that they want to stay as far away from that topic as possible, the numbers dont work for them, or even come close,' Trump said in a statement issued by his Save America PAC. 'The only thing they can do is not talk about it.' 'Look at what is going on now in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and, to a lesser extent, Michigan where the numbers are horrendously corrupt in Detroit, but the weak Republican RINOs in the Michigan House and Senate dont want to touch the subject,' Trump said. He slapped the RINO label Republicans in Name Only on those who resisted efforts by Trump loyalists to claim fraud, although courts tossed out the claims by Trump allies in the days leading up to Jan. 6th. 'I will be having a news conference on January 6th at Mar-a-Lago to discuss all of these points, and more,' Trump said before slapping the 'insurrection' label on Election Day. 'Until then, remember, the insurrection took place on November 3rd, it was the completely unarmed protest of the rigged election that took place on January 6th,' Trump said. Five people died the day of the Capitol riot, including. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick. Trump supporters are planning 'vigils' across the country, according to the Independent, with events planned to According to the far-right group Look Ahead America, vigils are planned to commemorate Ashli Babbitt and Rosanne Boyland, who died inside the Capitol during the riot. Advertisement Countryside campaigners have hit out at a huge solar being built in the heart of Dorset that will send all its power to offices in the City of London. Almost 100,000 solar panels are currently being installed on 75 acres of rolling countryside near the village of Spetisbury. But the 50 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 15,000 homes - the farm will produce will not be for local residents wanting to become more environmentally friendly. Instead the green energy will be channelled 120 miles to London's Square Mile where it will power office buildings such as the Gherkin and the Guildhall. Last year the City of London Corporation, which runs the capital's financial district, signed a 400m contract with French energy firm Voltalia. The authority agreed to fund the construction of the solar panels in Dorset in return for all the electricity they produce. Dorset Council gave the project the go-ahead and construction is now well underway. But the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), an environmental pressure group, has taken a stand against the work. Almost 100,000 solar panels are currently being installed on 75 acres of rolling countryside near the village of Spetisbury But the 50 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 15,000 homes - the farm will produce will not be for local residents wanting to become more environmentally friendly Instead the green energy will be channelled 120 miles to London's Square Mile where it will power office buildings such as the Gherkin and the Guildhall The authority agreed to fund the construction of the solar panels in Dorset in return for all the electricity they produce But the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), an environmental pressure group, has taken a stand against the work Energy produced at the solar plant will be taken by an intermediary utility company who will direct - or 'sleeve' - it to the City of London for a fee In return, the utility company agrees to provide additional power at times when energy output from the plant does not meet the demands of the City There are already several other solar farms in the area, including one to the north of Spetisbury and another in nearby Blandford St Mary. Rupert Hardy, chairman of CPRE Dorset who objected to the proposals, said: 'We opposed the plans because of the impact on countryside and the farmland in the area. 'That land should be used to provide food for Dorset - not electricity for London. 'We would far prefer energy produced in our county to be used here - especially when it is desecrating our beautiful landscape. 'The solar farm is within sight of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. What we would like to see is more solar panels on roofs.' The deal, known as a 'sleeve agreement', is the first of its kind in the UK to be signed between a private company and governing authority. It will save the City of London Corporation around 3m in energy costs a year and provide more than half of its electricity for 30 years. Energy produced at the solar plant will be taken by an intermediary utility company who will direct - or 'sleeve' - it to the City of London for a fee. In return, the utility company agrees to provide additional power at times when energy output from the plant does not meet the demands of the City. Simon Holt, Voltalia's manager in the UK, said: 'All of the energy produced at the plant will go to the City of London as a customer through their existing utility provider. 'Because it relies on sunlight, there may be periods of low output and the utility company agrees to make up the shortfall.' Mr Holt said it was 'unavoidable' that renewable energy facilities would be built in the countryside. He went on: 'It is important that they are sensitively sited outside of areas of national beauty and national parks. 'We carefully consider the potential impact of a project and we certainly believe that in this case the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives. 'The South Farm solar plant will be built in a dip in the landscape which is difficult to see from the surrounding area - we have got its positioning absolutely right. 'It has grid availability which is hard to come by, so we had to utilise that. 'COP22 has made it absolutely clear that we must act on climate change - unless we take action things are going to get really bad. 'This is part of that action - we are trying to lower the country's reliance on fossil fuels to produce the energy needed. This will have a big impact on the future.' Andrew Kerby, local councillor for Spetisbury, said the project was a 'win-win'. He said: ' The countryside and landscape are far from natural and static, no matter what the city folk think. 'The reality is that farming and the way we farm has changed. Farmers once harvested light to grow grain, now they harvest light to make electricity. 'For me, it's a win-win. Solar provides an opportunity to provide a carbon free, renewable energy source that will go some way to ensuring that global warming is reduced and give our environment a chance to survive.' According to Mr Holt, the bulk of construction will take place from February 2022 when the solar panels are installed at the site. The plant is expected to start producing energy by the middle of next year. Advertisement Colorado Governor Jared Polis has warned that up to a thousand homes have been destroyed in the state's worst ever wildfire - but told of his relief that there have not yet been any reported deaths. Polis spoke at a press conference in Boulder on Friday, hours after a huge wildfire swept the town. Initial reports suggested at least 600 homes had been razed by the flames across 6,000 acres, but the governor warns that number now stands close to a thousand. Earlier on Friday, the Associated Press reported that seven people had been injured by the blaze, including one first responder. The blaze continues to burn on Friday, although officials say it has been well-contained, and do not expect it to spread further than its existing boundaries. But no deaths have yet been reported, with the one person reported missing in the aftermath since found safe. Both Polis and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle have said they're hoping for a 'miracle' of no deaths. Polis said: 'If we're granted this miracle of no loss of life, it truly will be a miraculous start to the new year.' Pelle added: 'It's unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we don't have a hundred missing persons, but we don't. I again, am hoping that's a miracle, because it would be given the circumstances.' The sheriff, who gave the early damage estimate, said there could be more injuries - and also deaths - because of the intensity of the fires. We still have no reports of casualties or fatalities, Pelle stated, adding the one person who was reported missing in Boulder County Thursday night has since been found safe. 'This is the kind of fire we can't fight head-on,' he said. 'We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun.' 'We might have our very own new years miracle on hand if it turns out theres no loss of life,' Governor Jared Polis echoed during the news brief. The governor, who called the fires 'devastating,' said he spoke with President Joe Biden who gave verbal authorization of an expedited emergency disaster declaration. It is expected to be finalized within the next few hours. Meanwhile, a video circulating social media shows terrified families fleeing a chaotic Chuck E. Cheese in the 13,000-person town of Superior as the blaze raged outside. Scared children lined up at the restaurant's glass doors as their parents attempt to calm them. 'It's ok, it's ok,' several moms echo as one woman, holding a young child in her arms, forces the door open as 115mph winds ravage through the city of Superior. The Marshall Fire, which broke out just south of Boulder, is suspected to have been caused by extreme winds that knocked down power lines and sparked a fire, though state leaders said origin of the fire has not yet been confirmed. On-the-ground personnel are actively investigating the cause. Experts claimed the blaze is unprecedented, having moved 'through neighborhoods with a speed and magnitude like we have never seen before.' Officials estimated at least 500 homes had been lost across the state, but said they would not be surprised if the numbers are closer to 1,000. Numerous stores and businesses, including a hotel and shopping center, have also been impacted. The Marshall Fire left the most devastating destruction of property in state history. More than 30,000 people were forced to evacuate around the towns of Superior and Louisville, which is home to 21,000 people. At least seven people, including a first responder, were injured in the historic Colorado wildfire that destroyed at least 600 homes on Thursday, officials confirmed Friday morning (Pictured: A home in Louisville, Colo. on fire Thursday) At least 580 homes had been lost - making the Marshall Fire the most devastating destruction of property in state history (Pictured: A firefighter walking up a road near a home at Middle Fork Road and Foothills Highway north of Boulder) Colorado Governor Jared Polis (speaking at a press conference Friday where he provided an update on the Marshall Fire) has warned that up to a thousand homes have been destroyed in the state's worst ever wildfire - but told of his relief that there have not yet been any reported deaths A video circulating social media shows terrified families fleeing a chaotic Chuck E. Cheese in the 13,000-person town of Superior as the blaze raged outside Clint Folsom, the mayor of Superior, told Good Morning America on Friday the situation in his town is 'very grave'. 'I spent a couple of hours yesterday driving around in the afternoon with the sheriff's office and town manager just making an assessment of the situation there on the ground and it's grave,' Folsom said. 'It's nothing like I would have ever imagined would have happened.' He said he is fearful of what emergency responders are likely to find the coming days. 'I hope we don't have fatalities,' the mayor shared, explaining how although there are no confirmed fatalities as of yet, hundreds of homes burned 'in a matter of minutes.' 'I have a feeling that with the speed at which this moved through ... the law enforcement agencies from all around our area quickly came into town to assist our sheriff's office, to get people to evacuated, but at the end of the day it's up to people to heed that advice and get out.' Evacuation orders remain in effect in many communities but the evacuation and pre-evacuation orders in Broomfield, which is located southeast of Superior and Louisville, were lifted early Friday. The above map shows how the areas impacted by the Marshall Fire which left the most devastating destruction of property in Colorado history By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky (as seen Thursday in the town of Superior) were gone, leaving smoldering homes and charred trees and fields A home burns after a fast moving wildfire swept through the area in the Centennial Heights neighborhood of Louisville, Colorado on Thursday A view from the helicopter Gov. Polis was traveling in Friday as he surveyed the damage caused by the Marshall Fire Both Polis and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle (pictured speaking at Friday's news briefing) have said they're hoping for a 'miracle' of no deaths. The sheriff told residents: 'If we're granted this miracle of no loss of life, it truly will be a miraculous start to the new year' According to the National Weather Service, the area is expecting a 'very chilly' New Years Eve with temperatures in the single digits and wind chills below zero in some communities. Cooler temperatures are moving in and snowfall is expected across the majority of the Greater Boulder area, a weather activity much more common this time of year than wildfires. In addition to the Marshall Fire, a second blaze, the Middle Fork Fire, broke out on Thursday around 10.30am north of Boulder. It brought under control by mid-afternoon and did not burn any structures. The unseasonal fires came after smaller fires were reported in the state, at the end of a bone-dry summer and fall. Colorado saw unusually high levels of rain in the spring, but that has been followed by a punishing drought: since April 1, Boulder has received less than a quarter of its typical rain and snow over that five-month time period. The spring rains caused a surge in undergrowth, which then dried over the parched summer and served as perfect tinder for Thursday's fires. The Chuck E. Cheese evacuation is just one of many that occurred in the Greater Boulder area Thursday. Jason Fletcher, who shared video of the restaurant evacuation on social media, told Insider the scene within the restaurants changed in a 'matter of minutes'. Jason Fletcher, who shared video of the Chuck E. Cheese evacuation on social media, said the scene within the restaurants changed in a 'matter of minutes' According to Fletcher, by the time the customers exited the establishment fire crews had arrived at the shopping center and were guiding people out in an effort to help them avoid flames Fletcher and his family, who were visiting from California, said the skies were clear and blue with some high winds that morning. Around noon, customers inside the restaurant and arcade began noticing smoke. 'My wife noticed the flames, and that's when she called out to everybody,' he said, noting they all initially thought the wind was blowing smoke in from other areas. He said that thought process quickly changed as smoke engulfed. Families then began rushing between arcade games to find their children. 'Everybody was just gathering their kids and making sure they were safe,' Fletcher added. Video shows how it took multiple people to force open the Chuck E. Cheese doors. He added by the time the customers exited the establishment fire crews had arrived at the shopping center and were guiding people out in an effort to help them avoid flames. He said that his family safely evacuated. Fletcher also claimed they were 'fortunate' to have face masks, a standard practice amid the COVID-19 pandemic, because the smoke outside the restaurant was 'so heavy'. A general view shows wind-driven grass fires burning in Superior, Colorado on Thursday night Clint Folsom, the mayor of Superior, said Friday morning the situation in his town is 'very grave' A home remains partially in tact after its garage burned in Superior, Colorado A wildland firefighter fights a fast moving blaze that swept through the Centennial Heights neighborhood of Louisville on Thursday evening. The fire was fueled by winds that gusted upwards of 115 miles per hour at times during the day A burned vehicle sits next to the remains of Superior homes on Friday after a blaze swept through the area Thursday By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky were gone, leaving smoldering homes and charred trees and fields. The winds had died down, and light snow was in the forecast, raising hopes it could prevent flare-ups. The neighboring towns of Louisville and Superior, situated about 20 miles northwest of Denver and home to a combined 34,000 people, were ordered evacuated ahead of the fires, which cast a smoky, orange haze over the landscape. Many residents evacuated fairly calmly and in orderly fashion, but the winding streets quickly became clogged. It sometimes took cars as long as 45 minutes to advance a half-mile. However, despite the evacuation orders from authorities, some residents refused to leave their homes, officials report. 'There were people who would not evacuate,' Pelle told KDVR. 'We have a number of reports of deputies who actually contacted people who refused to evacuate, and we know those homes are gone. So we are praying that they got out in time.' Small fires cropped up here and there in surprising places - on the grass in a median or in a dumpster in the middle of a parking lot - as gusts caused the flames to jump. Shifting winds caused the skies to turn from clear to smoky and then back again as sirens wailed. Video shared on Twitter showed cars flipping around and driving the wrong way on US Highway 36, a major east and westbound interstate in Colorado, as drivers tried to escape the fast-moving fire. A photo taken by Broomfield Police Department shows smoke and flames seen from St. Andrews Lane in Superior The first fire erupted just before 10.30am Thursday and was 'attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day' with no structures lost, officials said. A second blaze, reported just after 11am ballooned and spread rapidly A burned home smolders on Friday in Superior, Colorado Surveillance video from a home off S. Boulder Rd. just west of Davidson Mesa shows the Marshall Fire whipping through. Resident Wendy, who posted the video on Twitter, said: 'I dont know if my home is still there' Leah Angstman and her husband were returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. They recounted leaving clear blue skies and instantly entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. 'The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip,' she said. The visibility was so poor the bus had to pull over. They waited a half-hour until a transit authority van escorted the bus to a turnaround on the highway. 'The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes,' she said. Another area resident, who lived off of S. Boulder Road, just west of the Davidson Mesa, saw the blaze roll past her home on her security system. Camera outside my home off S.Boulder Rd just West of Davidson Mesa. I dont know if my home is still there.#boulderfire pic.twitter.com/G2zYfADtBz Wendy (@wendybco) December 30, 2021 'I dont know if my home is still there,' @Wendybco wrote on Twitter when she shared the footage. Wendy said the video was captured Thursday around 1.30pm and was 'pre-evacuation'. Her son drove to the home to grab valuables, but Wendy claims they 'weren't too worried'. 'As he drove away the flames swept up to our home,' she wrote. 'We watched in disbelief.' She is now warning others, in the case of a wildfire, to 'evacuate when told and make lists ahead of time so you dont have to rely on your crisis brain to think'. She also wished she had worn her wedding ring before leaving the house Thursday morning. Wendy, commenting on the fact the unusual winter fire, added: 'We are f***ing up our planet. This is not normal.' Debris surrounds the remains of homes burned by wildfires after they ripped through a development in Superior on Thursday Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive (Pictured: Residents fighting the Marshall Fire in Louisville on Thursday) Damaged houses in the aftermath of wind-driven grass fires are seen Friday in the Harper Lake community of Louisville Damaged houses in the aftermath of wind-driven grass fires are seen in the Harper Lake neighborhood of Louisville Friday A photo taken by Broomfield patrol officers shows smoke and flames seen Thursday from McCaslin Blvd., east of US 36 in Superior, Colorado The blaze as seen from Superior, Colorado on Thursday night The first fire erupted just before 10.30am and was 'attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day' with no structures lost, the sheriff said. A second blaze, reported just after 11am ballooned and spread rapidly, Pelle said. It covered at least 2.5 square miles. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Colorado's Front Range, where most of the state's population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter has been mostly dry so far. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. 'With any snow on the ground, this absolutely would not have happened in the way that it did,' said snow hydrologist Keith Musselman. Guanella said he heard from a firefighter friend that his home was still standing Thursday night, but he could only wait and see. 'You're just waiting to hear if your favorite restaurant is still standing, if the schools that your kids go to are still standing,' he said. 'You're just waiting to get some clarity.' Vickie Meyers, of St. Louis, Missouri, is facing trespassing charges after she ran onto a tarmac at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix on Sunday in a failed bid to board an airplane A Missouri woman flying home from Phoenix after Christmas was arrested for running onto the tarmac after apparently spending too much time at the airport bar and not enough time looking at the departure board. Vickie Meyers, 53, told police she was intoxicated and confused about the flight's scheduled departure time before she made a dash for her Spirit Airlines plane at Sky Harbor Airport on Sunday, according to Fox affiliate station KSAZ-TV. Meyers, of Creve Coeur near St. Louis, missed the final boarding call and attempted to get on the plane by punching in a security passcode into a keypad at the gate door that was closed after all of the passengers had boarded. 53-year-old Vickie Meyers told the police she was reportedly intoxicated and was confused about the departure time for her Spirit Airlines flight to St. Louis, Missouri, on Sunday before she walked through an emergency door at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix and made a run for the plane Vickie Meyers, of St. Louis, Missouri, is escorted through the terminal at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix on Sunday after she ran onto the tarmac in an attempt to board an airplane Following her unsuccessful attempt to barge through the secured jetway, Meyers opened an adjacent emergency door with no trespassing signs in English and Spanish that lead to the tarmac. Meyers ran down a flight of stairs and made a dash near the nose of the airplane in a bizarre bid to get the pilot's attention, but airport ground crew members stopped her as she approached the jet. 'She decided to go out the emergency doors, to the tarmac, and start arguing with grounds crews about why she should be let on the plane still,' passenger Bryan Jones told KSAZ-TV. The workers held Meyers until police arrived, who escorted her back to the terminal before she was placed under arrest. Meyers was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and charged with first-degree criminal trespassing, a felony. President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow 'firmly' defended its interests in 2021 - a year marked by an unprecedented crackdown on the opposition and increased tensions with the West - in a New Year's address. The broadcast aired at midnight in the Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula and was reported by Russian agencies. In the speech, Putin said: 'We firmly and consistently defended our national interests, the security of the country and (of) citizens.' He added that the country's 146 million has faced 'colossal challenges but has learned to live in those harsh conditions and solve difficult tasks thanks to our solidarity.' Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) said his government had 'firmly' defended the country's interests in the face of 'colossal challenges' This year Russia implemented a major crackdown on organisations and people critical of Putin - starting with the jailing of his top critic Alexei Navalny in February. Tensions between Russia and the West have also reached new highs over Ukraine. Putin discussed the soaring tensions in a phone call with US President Joe Biden on Thursday. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. threat of new sanctions against Russia in case of an escalation or invasion, to which Putin responded with a warning of his own that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. The Kremlin chief, in power since 1999, also expressed support to Russians who lost relatives to Covid. His country is among the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic. 'The insidious disease has claimed tens of thousands of lives,' he said. The address, broadcast at midnight last night, came just hours after Putin spoke with US President Biden on the phone (pictured) to discuss the situation in Ukraine 'I want to express my sincere support to everyone who has lost relatives, loved-ones, friends,' he added. Russia's state statistics agency said Thursday that more than 71,000 people died of coronavirus in the country in November, setting a new monthly fatality record since the pandemic began. The country has also seen a drop in contagion in recent weeks with new daily infections currently just above 20,000 after peaking at more than 40,000 in early November. The government so far has reported only about 100 infections with the new omicron variant, but it is bracing up for a new wave of contagion after the holidays. Just 51% of Russians have been fully vaccinated, and the government has sought to speed up the uptake, claiming that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine and other domestically designed shots offer a good protection from the omicron variant. Authorities across Russia have restricted access to museums, theaters and concerts allowing only those who have been vaccinated or tested negative, but restaurants, clubs and cinemas have remained accessible for all in most regions. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier is seen smoking at the line of separation from the pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on December 30, 2021 Moscow and other big cities planned to mark the New Year with fireworks and shopping malls were brimming with customers on a holiday buying spree. Putin also told Russians that Moscow's 'main goal' for the future is to 'improve the welfare and quality of life for people.' Russia celebrates New Year over its 11 time zones, starting in Kamchatka and ending in the western Kaliningrad exclave. Russian authorities have tightened controls over the domestic political scene this year, with Putin's main political foe Alexei Navalny handed a 2 1/2 year prison sentence, his organizations outlawed as 'extremist' and scores of media outlets, civil society groups and activists branded 'foreign agents,' a pejorative label implying additional government scrutiny. Earlier this week, Russia's court capped a year of crackdown by shutting the country's oldest and most prominent human rights group in a move that drew an international outrage. Putin, 69, who has been in power for more than two decades - longer than any other Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin - is entitled to seek two more six-year terms and remain in power until 2036. He has said he would decide later whether to run again in 2024. Britain today finally approved a 'life-saving' antiviral Covid pill that can be taken by vulnerable people at home. Paxlovid, made by vaccine giant Pfizer, was given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It will be doled out to adults who could be vulnerable to the virus due to their age, weight or a prior chronic illness. The UK has also bumped its original order of the drug to 2.75million courses, after commentators criticised ministers for initially only ordering 250,000. While the commercial agreement between Pfizer and the UK is confidential, health chiefs in America are reported to have paid the equivalent of 390 for each of the 10million courses it ordered. If applied to the UK, it would mean No10 has spent in the region of 1billion to buy supplies. While Paxlovid had promising results in trials it is unknown how the antiviral works against Omicron. The MHRA said it was working with Pfizer to establish if it is less effective. Details on how the drug will be distributed in the UK such as which groups will be prioritised, and when exactly it will be available for use, are yet to be revealed. Pfizer said that its Covid pill, called Paxlovid (pictured), is up to 89 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisations and deaths when taken within the first few days of Covid symptoms The UK has bumped its order of the new antiviral Covid treatment Paxlovid, to 2.75million courses, up from 250,000 a few weeks ago. This now puts it ahead of countries with smaller populations like Australia and Canada, but still dwarfed by the US's massive 10million order HOW DOES PFIZER'S PILL WORK? What is it? Pfizer's drug is part of a class known as protease inhibitors. It is designed to block an enzyme the coronavirus needs in order to multiply. Like protease inhibitors used to treat HIV, it is given in combination with other antivirals. How effective is it? A recent trial of the pill in more than 2,200 adults found that it cut hospitalisation and death rates by 89 per cent in people at high risk of a severe illness from Covid. It also cut the risk of being admitted to hospital and dying by 70 per cent among healthy unvaccinated people and vaccinated adults with one or more underlying illnesses. It should be given as soon as possible after catching Covid, ideally within three to five days. How much has the UK ordered? 2.75million Advertisement The decision to approve Paxlovid for use in the UK came after the MHRA found the drug which can be taken at home was safe and effective at reducing the risks of being admitted to hospital and death in people with mild to moderate infection and who are also at an increased risk of developing severe disease. In a clinical trial in high-risk adults with symptomatic illness, it was found to reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital and of death by almost 90 per cent. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'The UK has been a world leader at finding and rolling out Covid treatments to patients. 'This is further proved by the MHRA being one of the first in the world to approve this life-saving antiviral. 'We are also leading the whole of Europe in the number of antivirals weve bought per person with over 2.75million courses of this antiviral secured for NHS patients by the Antivirals Taskforce. 'The booster campaign, testing and antiviral defences ensure our country is in the strongest possible position to deal with the threat posed by Omicron as we head into the new year.' Developed by Pfizer, Paxlovid is an antiviral medicine with a combination of active ingredients, PF-07321332 and ritonavir, that works by inhibiting a protease required for virus replication. This prevents Covid from multiplying, keeping virus levels low and helping the body to overcome the viral infection. The two active substances of Paxlovid come as separate tablets that are packaged together and taken together, twice a day by mouth for five days. Dr June Raine, MHRA chief executive, said: 'Today we have given our regulatory approval for Paxlovid, a Covid treatment found to cut Covid related hospitalisations and deaths by 89 per cent when taken within three days of the start of symptoms. 'We now have a further antiviral medicine for the treatment of Covid that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously. 'This means it can be administered outside a hospital setting, before Covid has progressed to a severe stage. 'I hope the announcement today gives reassurance to those particularly vulnerable to Covid, for whom this treatment has been approved. For these individuals, this treatment could be life-saving.' Based on the clinical trial data, MHRA said it had found Paxlovid is most effective when taken during the early stages of infection and so recommends its use as soon as possible and within five days of the start of symptoms. Findings from Pfizer's trial of 2,200 adults showed those most at-risk from the virus who took Paxlovid within a few days of Covid symptoms were 89 per cent less likely to need hospital treatment or die. The graph shows that 0.7 per cent of patients who received the drug were hospitalised, compared to 6.5 per cent of of those who did not receive the pill being hospitalised or dying. No deaths were recorded among those who took Paxlovid More than 2MILLION people in England had Covid just before Xmas More than 2million people in England had Covid just before Christmas, official surveillance data suggested today amid warning signs that infections are now rising quickest in over-65s. The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) weekly report estimated one in 25 people had the virus on December 23, marking a 70 per cent surge in a week and the highest toll seen throughout the entire pandemic. Covid is most prevalent in Omicron epicentre London, where one in 15 people were estimated to be infected over the festive period, followed by the South East and East of England at one in 30. The ONS analysis is based on random swab testing of tens of thousands of people across Britain and the results are inspected closely by ministers. But it only offers a glimpse of how widespread the virus is, meaning it won't reveal whether cases have truly peaked in London, like official data suggests, for another few weeks. Separate Government statistics showed infections are now rising fastest and doubling every week among over-65s the age group most vulnerable to the virus. Experts today warned this would 'directly feed' into hospitalisations over the coming weeks and that a spike was 'certain'. But they added that the booster drive, which has already reached 90 per cent of older adults, will give millions an extra layer of protection and help the NHS this winter. Advertisement It has been authorised for use in people aged 18 and above who have mild to moderate Covid infection and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. Such risk factors include obesity, being over 60, diabetes mellitus, or heart disease. Ben Osborn, country manager at Pfizer UK, said: 'This milestone is an important moment in our continued fight against Covid, offering the NHS another possible treatment option as cases continue to rise. 'This at-home therapy, shown in clinical trials to reduce hospitalisations and save lives, has the potential to lessen the devastating impact of a virus that has now taken over five million lives globally.' Critics previously accused No10 of being 'asleep at the wheel' in its small order of Paxlovid, when considering the huge efforts that went into procuring Covid jabs. Lord Bilimoria, president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), told the Telegraph earlier this month that he had been lobbying ministers for months to secure millions more courses of antiviral drugs for the British public. 'We need every GP in the country to have a stock of these tablets. The moment somebody older tests positive, they go to their GP, and they take the tablets for five days. This should be our second line of defence behind vaccines,' he said at the time. 'We're talking about saving our economy hundreds of billions of pounds from endless Covid disruption. Its a no brainer. The MHRA has already approved another antiviral treatment called molnupiravir, sold by drug firm Merck and branded as Lagevrio. This month Merck revealed their pill was just 30 per cent effective at reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death among the vulnerable, lower than earlier estimates. The UK has already ordered 480,000 courses of molnupiravir which are already being offered to more than 1million Britons at serious risk of becoming severely ill with Covid, like cancer patients on chemotherapy. This is the woman whose one year-old son triggered a custody argument that is said to have culminated in the toddler's bodybuilder dad shoot his parents at their Long Island mansion on Christmas Day. Klarisa Perez saw her hulking weightlifter beau, Dino Tomassetti Jr, become unhinged over the holiday weekend when his parents Rocco Tomassetti, 65, and Vencenza Tomasetti, 64, tried to stop him from leaving with the infant boy, who was also in the room, according to Nassau County police. She was pictured getting into her car earlier this week, and has yet to comment on the disturbing domestic violence incident. Tomasetti Jr's lawyer says his client and Perez were in a relationship at the time of the shooting. Brooklyn-based Tomassetti Jr became enraged in the family's $3.2 million 8,751 square-foot Hewlett Harbor mansion and pulled a .22 pistol on his mother first, shooting her in the left temple, police said. He then trained the weapon on his dad, who he shot in the wrist and back, and, when is bullets were spent, pistol whipped the patriarch, it is alleged. Klarisa Perez, the mother of Dino Tomasetti's one-year-old, witnessed the father shoot both his parents on Christmas Day 'He became involved in a domestic dispute with his parents who were caring for the one-year-old, during that argument it obviously escalated,' Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said during a Wednesday morning press conference. The elder Tomassetti, a mob-linked contractor who helped build One World Trade Center and the Goldman Sachs headquarters in Manhattan, and his wife were treated and released from the hospital earlier this week. The shooting stunned the exclusive South Shore community, which is in the 95th percentile for public safety. 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 judge issued restraining orders against the bodybuilder, preventing him from contacting or going near his parents, girlfriend or son should he be released, according to his lawyer Marco Laracca told DailyMail.com. The child is currently with Perez, according to the Nassau police commissioner. Tomassetti Jr. is due back in court on January 5. Laracca said that he would apply for bail around that time. 'At this early juncture, without the appropriate discovery to review, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time,' Laracca said. The couple has three children, including twins Rocco and Dino, and daughter Gina, 24. 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 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. 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. Shooting suspect Dino Tomassetti (left) with his twin brother Rocco and younger sister, Gina 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, but his company and the family have been embroiled in several construction-related scandals and reportedly took a bribe from a mob turncoat. Rocco was also 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'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 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. Advertisement More than four-fifths of Omicron patients in England's hospitals have not had their booster doses, official figures revealed today. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses confirmed the toll in its weekly surveillance update, saying 608 out of 815 hospitalised patients struck down with the ultra-infectious variant were not triple-jabbed. A quarter were unvaccinated. Meanwhile, health bosses unveiled further data showing that booster vaccines cut the risk of hospitalisation with Omicron by up to 88 per cent. And two doses still slashed the odds by up to 72 per cent, up to nearly six months after the jab. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said today's figures 'reinforced' the importance of vaccines in saving lives and preventing serious illness. Ministers ramped up the booster drive with the aim of hitting 1million-jabs-a-day in an effort to give every eligible Briton a third jab before the end of the year and stop the NHS from being overwhelmed this Winter. Boris Johnson today bragged about hitting that target despite figures showing 9.5million eligible adults in England are still yet to have the booster jab. The Prime Minister is facing calls to toughen restrictions with cases having soared to record highs, and with gloomy modelling warning the nation may suffer up to 6,000 deaths a day. But No10 has so far resisted pleas for further action, despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all caving in and implementing some social restrictions ahead of New Year celebrations. Mr Johnson is set to decide next week on whether to impose new Covid restrictions to limit indoor socialising, after warning in his message for 2022 that there will be 'challenges' in the weeks ahead. Covid testing shortage could have a 'devastating' impact on patient care, doctors warn Britain's shortage of Covid swabs could have a 'devastating' impact on patient care in hospitals, leading doctors have warned. Thousands of people are struggling to access lateral flow tests, which ran out again yesterday. Supply issues are expected to continue for another fortnight, with the problem having a knock-on effect on NHS staff and other vital parts of the economy. The British Medical Association's chairman, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, warned the current system for ensuring doctors and medics receive the vital kits was 'not working'. He warned thousands of medics were unable to turn up for shifts because they could not get tested 'at a time of acute workforce shortages and winter pressures'. He called on ministers to prioritise NHS employees for access to the swabs. Demand for Covid swabs has spiralled amid record-breaking cases, calls to take swabs before heading out for New Year's Eve celebrations and after the Government changed self-isolation rules to allow Britons to leave three days early if they test negative on days six and seven. Sajid Javid warned in a letter to MPs that supplies would likely be 'constrained' for another fortnight because of the 'huge demand' for tests. Advertisement The UKHSA figures cover the period up to December 29, and include only confirmed Omicron hospitalisations in England. The true toll will be much higher, given the variant is dominant in every region of the UK. The figures also lay bare the importance of getting a Covid booster jab. Professor Penny Ward, a physician at King's College London, said the data was 'unsurprising' given the high level of vaccination. She said: 'Unsurprisingly... three quarters of the patients admitted to hospital have received at least one dose of the vaccine. 'As the main reason for vaccination is to protect against severe illness requiring hospitalisation, everyone not yet vaccinated or that has not completed their primary course would be well advised to come forward for vaccination. 'Those who are fully vaccinated should come forward for their booster shot.' Official figures show more than nine in ten over-12s or 51.7million people have got at least one dose of the vaccine. And nearly six in ten or 33million have got boosters. Because the vast majority of Britons are vaccinated, it is therefore likely that they will also make up the bulk of hospital admissions. Dr Raghib Ali, a clinical research associate at Cambridge University, said the results were 'encouraging' given the high booster uptake in the highest risk groups. He added: 'It is also reassuring to see preliminary analysis showing a lower risk of hospital admission in school age children (less than half) for Omicron compared to Delta. 'However, given the very high and increasing number of cases, especially in the over 60s, it is essential for everyone to keep following the public health guidance to help reduce pressure on the NHS in the coming weeks.' The UKHSA's analysis of vaccine effectiveness included all 528,000 Omicron cases detected last week. It examined different combinations of vaccines and boosters in the UK against Omicron, two doses of AstraZeneca, two doses of Pfizer, and two doses of Moderna, all followed up with a either a Pfizer of Moderna booster as the third dose. The analysis then measured these combinations against both developing a symptomatic case of the virus and being hospitlised with the virus if a person were to catch it. Combining the findings and averaging them across all brands, the analysis found a booster jab reduced the risk of hospitlisation from Covid by 88 per cent, two weeks after it was administered, the standard time a vaccine takes to achieve maximum effectiveness. And two doses still slashed the odds of hospitalisation by up to 72 per cent from two weeks up to 24 weeks, about five-and-half months. Mr Javid said it marked 'more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are'. He added: 'This analysis shows you are up to eight times more likely to end up in hospital as a result of Covid if you are unvaccinated. 'It is never too late to come forward for your first dose and it's vital that everyone comes forward to get boosted now as we head into the New Year.' Susan Hopkins, chief medical officer at the UKHSA, said the figures were 'in keeping' with other encouraging datasets. But she warned: 'Rising cases in the over-60s population in England means it remains highly likely that there will be significant pressure on the NHS in the coming weeks. 'The data once again shows that coming forward for your jab, particularly your third dose, is the best way of protecting yourself and others against infection and severe disease.' UKHSA figures also showed 57 people have now died from the Omicron variant in the UK. The oldest individual was 99, and the youngest was 41. A pair of unvaccinated high school sweethearts left four children orphaned after they both died of COVID on the same day because the father was skeptical of the vaccines. Unvaccinated couple Alvaro and Sylvia Fernandez of Loma Linda in California died on December 19 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Alvaro, 44, and Sylvia, 42, were married for 25 years after meeting in high school and had four children together, including 17-year-old fraternal twins. Unvaccinated couple Alvaro and Sylvia Fernandez (pictured together) of Loma Linda in California died on December 19 days after testing positive for COVID-19 The pair was married for 25 years after meeting in high school and had four children together AIvaro, 44, refused to get the shot despite the fact that he suffered from diabetes and had other underlying conditions that made him vulnerable to COVID-19 because he was skeptical of news reports. 'He wanted to wait and do more research,' his sister Alma Hernandez told NBC Los Angeles. 'He Googled information. He didn't want to believe everything that was on the news.' 'This is kind of an eye opener for everybody in my family that whoever is not vaccinated definitely should have their vaccinations,' she added. According to family members, Sylvia, 42, was more open to the idea of getting the vaccine and was ready to schedule her first dose, but was not able to get it in time. Family said the pair were most likely infected by their 17-year-old twins. AIvaro, 44, refused to get the shot because he was skeptical of news reports while , Sylvia, 42, was ready to schedule her first dose, but was not able to get it in time 'My brother and my sister-in-law, they were very close,' Alvaro's brother said of the couple. 'One couldn't live without the other, you know? The same day my brother died, she died' Alvaro's brother Salvador Fernandez remembered his brother as a 'funny guy' that kept everyone laughing but who was also acted as a 'protector' to his family. 'My brother and my sister-in-law, they were very close,' he told NBC Los Angeles of the pair who were together since they were teens. 'One couldn't live without the other, you know? The same day my brother died, she died.' The family has started a GoFundMe to help their children, including their underage twins, which has already garnered over $13,000, and have urged others to learn from their tragedy and get vaccinated against COVID if they haven't already done so. 'Destinee and Nicholas are only 17 years old,' the fundraiser said. 'This will be a loss felt for a very long time. To be left without their parents, and to have to carry the weight of being pushed into adulthood while their still children themselves. Thank you so much for any help that you can provided during this tough time.' The U.S. hit a new high for new daily COVID cases with 647,067 average daily cases reported on Thursday, breaking its previous record of 489,267 reported on Wednesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of new cases in America are of the Omicron variant, which was first discovered last month by South African health officials. The U.S. is now averaging 300,387 new Covid cases per day, a pandemic record and the first time the 300,000 mark has been reached in America. An Afghan father has tried to sell his daughter into an arranged marriage in return for money to feed the rest of his family as the country's economy continues to worsen. Qandi Gul, 10, was betrothed to marry a 21-year-old man in an arranged marriage that would have taken place when she was around 15 in return for around $1,000. But mother Aziz, who was sold into marriage herself aged 15, intervened and secured a divorce for her daughter from tribal elders. But she has now been ordered to repay the $1,000 and cannot because her husband has fled, fearing reprisals. She is now faced with the prospect of feeding five children with no source of income. Qandi Gul, 10 (right, holding her six-month-old brother), was sold into an arranged marriage by her father in return for $1,000 to feed his family Arranging marriages for very young girls is common in the region. The groom's family pays money to seal the deal, and the child usually stays with her parents until she is at least around 15. Yet with many unable to afford even basic food, some say they'd allow prospective grooms to take very young girls or are even trying to sell their sons. Gul, unusually in this deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society, is resisting. Married off herself at 15, she says she would kill herself if her daughter is taken away. When her husband told her he had sold Qandi, 'my heart stopped beating,' she said. 'I wished I could have died at that time, but maybe God didn't want me to die,' Gul said, with Qandi by her side peering shyly from beneath her sky-blue headscarf. 'Each time I remember that night...I die and come back to life.' Her husband told her he sold one to save the others, saying they all would have died otherwise. 'Dying was much better than what you have done,' she said she told him. Gul rallied her brother and village elders and with their help secured a 'divorce' for Qandi, on condition she repays the 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000) her husband received. It's money she doesn't have. Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to authorities. The Taliban government recently banned forced marriages. Gul says she isn't sure how long she can fend off the family of the prospective groom, a man of around 21. Aziz Gul (second right), Quandi's mother, managed to get the girl a divorce but now has now way to repay the $1,000 dowry she was given 'I am just so desperate. If I can't provide money to pay these people and can't keep my daughter by my side, I have said that I will kill myself,' she said. 'But then I think about the other children. What will happen to them? Who will feed them?' Her eldest is 12, her youngest - her sixth - just two months. Afghanistan's aid-dependent economy was already teetering when the Taliban seized power in mid-August amid a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The international community froze Afghanistan's assets abroad and halted funding, unwilling to work with a Taliban government given its reputation for brutality during its previous rule 20 years ago. The consequences have been devastating for a country battered by war, drought and the coronavirus pandemic. State employees haven't been paid in months. Malnutrition stalks the most vulnerable, and aid groups say more than half the population faces acute food shortages. 'Day by day, the situation is deteriorating in this country, and especially children are suffering,' said Asuntha Charles, national director of the World Vision aid organization in Afghanistan, which runs a health clinic for displaced people near the western city of Herat. 'Today I have been heartbroken to see that the families are willing to sell their children to feed other family members.' In another part of the camp, father-of-four Hamid Abdullah was also selling his young daughters into arranged marriages, desperate for money to treat his chronically ill wife, pregnant with their fifth child. He can't repay money he borrowed to fund his wife's treatments, he said. So three years ago, he received a down-payment for his eldest daughter Hoshran, now 7, in an arranged marriage to a now 18-year-old. The family who bought Hoshran are waiting until she is older before settling the full amount and taking her. Afghanistan has all-but collapsed under Taliban rule as aid agencies withdraw and world governments refuse to cooperate with the Islamists (file image) But Abdullah needs money now, so he is trying to arrange a marriage for his second daughter, 6-year-old Nazia, for about 20,000-30,000 afghanis ($200-$300). 'We don't have food to eat,' and he can't pay his wife's doctor, he said. His wife, Bibi Jan, said they had no other option but it was a difficult decision. 'When we made the decision, it was like someone had taken a body part from me.' In neighboring Badghis province, another displaced family is considering selling their son, 8-year-old Salahuddin. His mother, Guldasta, said that after days with nothing to eat, she told her husband to take Salahuddin to the bazaar and sell him to bring food for the others. 'I don't want to sell my son, but I have to,' the 35-year-old said. 'No mother can do this to her child, but when you have no other choice, you have to make a decision against your will.' Salahuddin blinked and looked on silently, his lip quivering slightly. His father, Shakir, blind in one eye and with kidney problems, said the children had been crying for days from hunger. Twice he decided to take Salahuddin to the bazaar, and twice he faltered. 'But now I think I have no other choice.' Buying boys is believed to be less common than girls, and when it does take place, it appears to be cases families without sons buying infants. In her despair, Guldasta thought perhaps such a family might want an 8-year-old. The desperation of millions is clear as more and more people face hunger, with some 3.2 million children under 5 years old facing acute malnutrition, according to the U.N. Charles, World Vision's national director for Afghanistan, said humanitarian aid funds are desperately needed. 'I'm happy to see the pledges are made,' she said. But the pledges 'shouldn't stay as promises, they have to be seen as reality on the ground.' The taxi driver who survived a Liverpool terror attack on Remembrance Sunday was 'given all the luck' by his last customer before the blast. David Perry miraculously managed to escape after his Delta taxi exploded outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday, November 14. The bomber, Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, died when his homemade explosive went off in the back of the Black Ford Focus. The device, which was designed by Al Swealmeen at his flat in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park, contained around 1000 ball bearings which shattered the car windscreen and propelled forward 16 metres. An inquest into the death of Iraqi-born Al Swealmeen held yesterday at Liverpool and Wirral Coroner's Court heard that the device was manufactured with 'murderous intent.' Senior Coroner Andre Rebello said: 'At 10.58 on Sunday 14th November a call was made to Merseyside Police stating that a black Ford Focus Delta taxi had exploded outside the entrance to Liverpool Women's Hospital and the sole rear side passenger was deceased. David Perry miraculously managed to escape after his Delta taxi exploded in November Police said the bomb used was a homemade explosive with at least 1,000 ball bearings Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, detonated a homemade bomb outside the hospital in the attack 'CCTV of the scene showed the taxi driver stopping within the car park at the hospital when there was an immediate explosion.' The taxi driver, David Perry, who survived the blast, suffered from serious injuries including three fractures to the bottom of his back and ear drum damage. The inquest heard a harrowing account from Mr Perry as he recalled the moments leading up to and after the blast during an interview with counter-terrorism police. Senior Coroner Mr Rebello told the inquest the taxi driver had dropped off his last fare off at an address on Allerton Road at 11.35am on November 14, when he saw another job pop up on his phone for Rutland Avenue. Mr Rebello said: 'He remembers his last fare being in Allerton Road. He remembers a young girl specifically as she said to him 'I've given you all my luck.' This really stuck in his mind and he realised how lucky he'd been.' The inquest heard that when Mr Perry approached Rutland Avenue to collect his next customer, he called him to check the number of the property and a man answered and confirmed the address. The man came down the steps of the house and walked around the back of the car into the rear passenger seat, pushing himself up against the window and the door. Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, detonated a homemade bomb outside the hospital just before 11am on November 14, killing himself and injuring taxi driver David Perry In an aerial view, the scene of the car explosion at Liverpool Women's Hospital is seen on November 17, 2021 Mr Rebello said: 'The only words he spoke were 'Women's Hospital' in what Mr Perry describes as a foreign, Middle Eastern accent.' Mr Perry described the journey as 'non eventful', saying if the bomb hadn't gone off he wouldn't have remembered anything about the journey. He could not see the passenger's face as he was wearing a blue and white surgical mask, the inquest heard. Mr Perry drove to the hospital from Rutland Avenue and stopped outside the front entrance to the hospital in the car park. Mr Rebello said: 'David described pressing on the brakes, coming to a slow stop. 'As the vehicle stopped suddenly it felt like a wagon had crashed into the back of his car and said that he was thrown forwards and blacked out for a couple of seconds until he came around. 'When he became conscious again he immediately felt burning to his back and the back of his head and left arm. 'He could see smoke and smell smoke, burning plastic, and the smell of burning body and thought "I'm dead if I don't get out". 'He saw light coming from the floor near his driver's door and, without taking his seatbelt off, he pushed the door as hard as he could to force himself out of the car. 'He didn't know if the passenger was still in there, he didn't turn round to look at him.' As Mr Perry escaped the car, he staggered, confused, when a man wearing a high-visibility jacket came to help him. The first words the taxi driver recalls saying to the man were 'the b****** tried to bomb me.' Mr Rebello said: 'As he went back to look at his car it went up - it was on fire.' Around 1,000 ball bearings were propelled forwards during the blast which shattered the windscreen of the taxi and caused damage to windows of the Women's Hospital. Mr Perry was taken into the Women's Hospital after the blast but later discharged himself. The inquest heard the taxi driver told nurses at the hospital that they should give the available hospital beds to elderly people in the waiting room 'as he wasn't a priority.' The black Ford Focus Delta taxi that Mr Perry was driving that day was usually driven by several self-employed taxi drivers and he was just one of them. In a police interview after the explosion, Mr Perry said: 'I am gutted someone died but I don't know nothing about the man. He didn't care about me anyway, I was just another person to kill.' Senior coroner Andre Rebello said: 'Clearly after the incident he was running on adrenaline and it's possibly only now that the full affects of the trauma will start to hit him.' 'I suppose he is probably one of the unluckiest taxi drivers around and yet possibly one of the luckiest given what could have been.' A Georgia mother-of-four who gave a tearful interview denying her involvement in the disappearance of her five-year-old daughter has been charged with the girl's murder and accused of previously selling the child to a man for sex. An arrest warrant included in court records claims Kristy Siple, 35, agreed to accept payment from someone 'for having sexual intercourse and sodomy with her minor child.' Authorities arrested Siple on Tuesday and charged her with murder and human trafficking in connection with the death of her daughter, Kamarie Holland. Kamarie's body was discovered at an abandoned house in Phenix City, Alabama, earlier this month after she had been reported missing in Georgia by Siple. Scroll down for video Kristy Siple, 35 (left), has been charged with murder and human trafficking in the rape and killing of her daughter, 5-year-old Kamarie Holland (right). The mom is accused of selling her child to a man for sex before her killing Prior to her arrest, Siple gave a tearful interview to WTMV, saying: 'Im a mommy. I did not have nothing to do with this. She was my life' Jeremy Williams, 37, has been charged with capital murder for allegedly strangling Kamarie to death In a tearful interview with WTVM-TV before her arrest, Siple, who also goes by the last name Hoskins, said she had nothing to do with her daughters death and disappearance. 'Im a mommy. I did not have nothing to do with this,' Siple told the station. 'She was my life. I lived for her daily. She was my only girl. I have 3 boys and her.' Siple also complained that she had been left out of Kamarie's funeral arrangements by the girl's father, Corey Holland, who had custody of her. She also said that the media's narrative has painted her as 'an evil person' and that is untrue. 'I'm innocent, and I had nothing to do with it...whoever can do that is disturbing, very sick in the head,' Siple added. The warrant against Siple alleges that she did knowingly subject another person to labor, servitude, or sexual servitude. Siple made her initial court appearance on Wednesday and was ordered held without bond. Jeremy Tremaine Williams, 37, is also charged with capital murder for allegedly strangling Kamarie to death. Charging documents against Williams said Kamarie died by asphyxiation from a ligature, and her body showed signs of sexual assault. Siple made her initial court appearance on Wednesday and was ordered held without bond Kamaries father issued a statement Tuesday night to WRBL through a family spokesperson, pointing a finger of blame at Siple. 'The amount of pain Kristy has caused by ripping Kamarie out of our lives will never cease,' he stated. 'We are glad to see that she has been arrested. We are one step closer to justice for Kamarie, 'We hope that justice is served. Kristy should receive whatever the maximum penalty she can get Shes a monster.' Siple had told police that when she woke up at 5.50am on December 13 that her daughter was gone and the front door of their Columbus, Georgia, home was open, Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said earlier this month. Siple had alleged that she woke up on the morning of December 13 to find Kamarie gone and the front door open. The child's father had custody of Kamarie, but she was spending the weekend with her mother The cordoned-off abandoned house in Phenix City, Alabama, where Kamarie's body was found The girls body was found later that night at an abandoned home directly across the state border in Alabama. Taylor said that Williams once lived at the home where the girls body was found. Williams could face additional charges of capital murder during a kidnapping, capital murder during a rape, capital murder during sodomy, and production of child pornography. Williams has been charged with child abuse in the past, but was never convicted. A week prior to Kamarie's death, he pleaded not guilty to slapping his wife in front of a child. Williams, pictured in court, could face additional charges of kidnapping and rape Williams was also a suspect in the murder of a one-year-old boy in Alabama and was accused of lowering a three-year-old boy into a bowl of boiling water in 2009 in Alaska. His defense argued that the boy had poured the water on himself. Williams was acquitted in 2012. Meanwhile, Siple is scheduled go to trial in February 2022 in connection with a 2018 charge of chemical endangerment of a child. According to court records, she exposed her unborn baby not Kamarie to marijuana while she was pregnant. As Long Angeles crime spirals out of control, even some of the city's wealthiest residents have flocked to Beverly Hills' only gun store to buy firearms to protect themselves and their belongings. Beverly Hills Guns first opened by appointment only in July 2020, and has seen upscale residents from Santa Monica to the Hollywood Hills increasingly in a panic following some high-profile smash and grabs and violent home invasions in recent weeks, Los Angeles Magazine reports. Many are self-proclaimed progressives who've never even held a gun before, but who've been so spooked by soaring crime in the famously wealthy enclave that they've decided to arm themselves. Some have also discussed more elaborate security measures, such as armored cars, safe rooms and bulletproof glass inside their homes, after some celebrities, including a star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and a BET host were stalked by robbers into their homes. Jacqueline Avant, 81, a philanthropist and the wife of music legend Clarence Avant, was also killed in a home invasion robbery and shooting earlier this month. 'Everyone has a general sense of constant fear, which is very sad,' said Beverly Hills Guns owner Russell Stuart. 'We're used to this being like Mayberry.' He was referring to the peaceful fictional town from The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD. But over the past year, Hollywood's total violent crime rate increased 25 percent with its homicide rate doubling, robberies up 41.6 percent and shootings up 54.2 percent over last year, Los Angeles Police Department shows. That is higher than the crime rate in the rest of the city, which saw homicides climb 12 percent over last year, robberies up 5.3 percent and shootings up 14.8 percent. 'Beverly Hills is definitely a target,' said David Perez, a security expert who previously worked security in the Clinton White House and at the Pentagon. 'We're telling clients "Hey don't go out with flashy jewelry. Try to keep a low profile. Instead of driving the Bentley maybe just take the SUV."' Beverly Hills Guns owner Russell Stuart said he has been selling more firearms to Beverly Hills residents who are frightened by a rise in crime The city's crime spike dates back to widespread looting following Black Lives Matter protests on Rodeo Drive, that left some high-end stores with broken windows, according to the LA Magazine. Those smash-and-grab lootings continued again this year, with the LAPD arresting 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 last month. A $500,000 Richard Mille watch was also stolen at gunpoint from a diner at the Il Pastaio restaurant last March, and on December 1 of this year, Jacqueline Avant was shot and killed in her Trousdale Estate home during a home invasion. Aariel Maynor, 29, of Los Angeles is accused of killing the beloved philanthropist and attempting to kill her security guard while allegedly robbing her home on December 1. Avant was brought to a local hospital following the home invasion, where she succumbed to her wounds. Following the announcement of her death, Oprah Winfrey tweeted: 'The fact that this has happened, her being shot and killed in her own home, after giving, sharing and caring for 81 years has shaken the laws of the universe. The world is upside down.' Maynor was later charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and being a convicted felon using a firearm. He was also charged with two counts of residential burglary with a person present. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Los Angeles police say at least 20 people used sledgehammers to break the glass at a Nordstrom on November 22 and ransack its shelves before fleeing. Fourteen suspects were arrested last week in connection to the brazen heist, but have since been released A map shows the locations of some of the major smash-and-grab robberies that took place last month in Southern California More recently, a man who was simply taking out his garbage was attacked on Thursday night, when multiple suspects broke into his home in Studio City and ransacked the place at around 7.30pm on Thursday. LA police said four or five suspects confronted the man on Alta View Drive and assaulted him, leading him back into his house at gunpoint. There, police say, they zip-tied the man's disabled son and his two caregivers as they ransacked the home before fleeing through the back door. The victim was taken to a hospital for non life threatening injuries, with cops saying they didn't believe the terrifying incident was the latest so-called 'follow home' robbery. It remained unclear as of Friday what was stolen, as the suspects remained on the loose. They are described as four males who fled in Hyundai vehicles. 'We've lived here for 35 years and never had any kind of police activity like this,' neighbor Michael Thatcher told FOX News. Jacqueline Avant, left, a philanthropist and the wife of musician Clarence Avant, was killed in her home on December 1 A home in Studio City was ransacked on Thursday night after four or five suspects attacked a man taking out his garbage Neighbors say the area is normally pretty safe Oprah Winfrey tweeted about Avant's death saying 'the fact that this has happened... has shaken the laws of the Universe' Now, residents are taking matters into their own hands, with a number of WhatsApp neighborhood groups agreeing to collaborate in the event of civil unrest. 'They designate people to block the streets with private cars and surveil the streets,' Alan Nissel, an assistant professor of law at Pepperdine University told LA Mag. He noted that even some of his most progressive colleagues are deciding to get guns - including many who 'never held a weapon, never considered holding a weapon, but now feel it would be irresponsible not to.' Meanwhile, Beverly Hills officials have hired two private security firms to patrol neighborhoods alongside the police, and in Los Angeles, city officials voted in March to boost police funding by $36 million, after voting last year to slash $150 million from the budget. District Attorney George Gascon is now facing a second recall effort Woke District Attorney George Gascon has also faced rampant criticism since assuming office last year over his progressive policies - such as allowing suspects to go free as they await their day in court. Earlier this month, the head of a union that represents roughly 1,000 Los Angeles County prosecutors slammed District Attorney George Gascon for keeping mum despite the recent string of smash-and-grab robberies plaguing Southern California. Gascon, one of many 'woke' DAs bankrolled by billionaire Democrat donor George Soros, has survived one recall effort and faces another that was launched Monday after he was accused of being soft on crime. 'He's created an atmosphere devoid of accountability,' said Eric Siddall, vice president of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, during an appearance on Fox News. The union head's comments come as organized groups of thieves continue to terrorize cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, brazenly looting retail stores for thousands of dollars-worth of goods, often in front of customers and staff. The LAPD arrested 14 suspects alleged to have been involved in the smash-and-grab robberies, but 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. 'If you look at the 14 people arrested, they could have been charged, there could have been bail amounts set, but none of that was done because the district attorney refuses to take a leadership position on this issue,' Siddall told Fox, slamming Gascon office's do-nothing approach to the rampant crime wave currently afflicting cities all across the Golden State. In a statement sent to the outlet, Gascon's office said that it was looking into the suspects' cases with LAPD officials and 'will hold those responsible accountable.' Billionaire donor George Soros has been quietly pumping millions into the campaigns of Democratic District Attorneys across the country - including Gascon 'Our Organized Crime and Cyber Crime Divisions are involved because often many of these cases can be interconnected and part of these crimes happens online,' an adviser to the prosecutor, Alex Bastian, asserted in the statement. 'These brazen acts hurt all of us; retailers, employees and customers alike. We will hold those responsible accountable.' Many attribute Gascon's more liberal policies to his connection to billionaire Democrat donor George Soros, who seeks to overhaul the criminal justice system by giving millions to a network of woke prosecutors in Democratic races. Gascon raked in more than $2.5 million last year from the Hungarian-American financier, who boasts a reported net worth of $8.6 billion and is most known for giving to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Soros has also donated to the campaign of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner to the tune of $1.7 million. In 2016, Soros pumped $3million into seven local district-attorney campaigns, including races in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. In May, Gascon's opponents organized a recall effort to oust him from office. However, despite garnering more than 200,000 signatures from LA citizens in a matter of months, the campaign fell short in October, failing to amass the needed 580,000 LA County voters needed to remove Gascon. The recent rash of 'flash mob'-style robberies have only made matters worse for Gascon, who is now facing a second recall effort. Raymond Reese, 51, was arrested and charged with the shooting of British realtor Sara Trost, 40, in front of the home he had been convicted from. Reese was booked into the Broward County Jail on New Year's Eve A disgruntled former Florida tenant charged with the premediated murder of a female British realtor as she sat parked in front of the home where the assailant had reportedly been evicted was booked into the Broward County jail on Friday. Raymond Reese, 51, was arrested in Boca Raton, just north of the palm-tree lined street in Coral Springs where he alleged shot Sara Michelle Trost, 40, multiple times on December 23 about noon as she sat behind the wheel of her Jeep, preparing to show the home in the 5700 block of Northwest 48th Court to another tenant. Reese was charged with first degree murder, according to the sheriff's department. Police have not said what motivated the killing, but neighbors say that Reese once lived at the home and was upset that he was forced out. They believe he mistakenly thought that Trost was the homeowner. 'There was a disgruntled tenant who was evicted. He thought that the realtor, who was showing the home, he thought it was the owner of the house, and she was ambushed. She was sitting in her car,' Donna Smith, who lives in the area, told WPLG Local 10. The mother of a young daughter, Trost, who is originally from Southend, Essex, was outspoken about gun violence in America and had recently posted an anti-gun message on Facebook. Sara Trost, 40, was a British real estate agent living in Parkland, Florida, when she was shot in the driveway of one of the properties she was trying to rent out on Thursday Trost (left) with her husband, Jason, during a trip back home to the UK. She had left her home country for South Florida and dedicated her life to real estate 'Australia had one incident. One, They FIXED IT. UK had ONE incident. They FIXED it. How? With action. Using their brains. It was not difficult for either country to find a workable and successful solution,' Trost shared on Facebook. 'Here in the US we seem to start and stop at 'thoughts and prayers.' Doesn't seem to be working right,' she added. The shooting shook the Florida real estate community. Sara Trost was sitting in her Jeep in Coral Springs, Florida, when Raymond Reese allegedly shot her mulitple times Trost, who leaves behind her husband, Jason and daughter Avery, moved to the U.S. from England to dedicate her life to real estate, loved ones said. The lively broker could be seen on video, touting her firm 1% List, which she promised would revolutionize the real estate business in South Florida. '1 % List is going to do to real estate what Amazon has done to retail," she says on the video. Investigators said Trost was shot multiple times while sitting in her Jeep, which was parked in the property's driveway in the area of the 5700 block of Northwest 48th Court (pictured). Police believe that Raymond Reese shot Trost because he had been displaced from his Coral Springs home. Investigators roped off the scene after the shooting Sadly, her business, which was started over the summer, never got off the ground due to her premature death. 'To all of us who knew Sara, she was larger-than-life,' loved ones wrote on her memorial page. 'There was always a smile on her face and a good word to share. Sara was the most giving and caring person to both those she personally knew and those whose paths happened to cross hers.' Trost was known to pay the grocery bill of the customer in front of her in the check-out line if she saw them struggling, according to the posting. She was also volunteered at the local animal rescue center. A fund for Trost was set up by Chabad of Parkland and Broward and Florida realtors to benefit the family. A Missouri inmate on death row for butchering his sister-in-law and her boyfriend - who blamed the grisly killings on his beliefs in Scientology - was found murdered in prison. Kenneth W. Thompson, 38, was found dead around 1 p.m. Wednesday his assigned 86 square-foot, single man cell housing unit at Arizona State Prison Eyman in Florence, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said. Two inmates were responsible 'for the attack' and were identified by prison guards, but there were no further details released. Thompson's death is being investigated as a homicide. The prison could not be reached by DailyMail.com for comment at press time. Kenneth Thompson, 38 (pictured) was on death row drove after killing his sister-in-law and her boyfriend with a hatchet before pouring acid on their bodies and setting their home ablaze Thompson's lawyers didn't dispute that he killed the pair when Thompson (pictured) went to trial in 2019. They argued that his faith in Scientology compelled the killing Thompson's body was discovered around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in his housing unit at the Arizona State Prison in Eyeman, pictured In 2012, Thompson drove non-stop for 24 hours from his home in rural Missouri to the home of Penelope Edwards and Troy Dunn in Prescott Valley, Arizona, after the avowed Scientologist learned that his nephew was prescribed psychiatric medication. Thompson hacked to death Edwards and Dunn on March 16, pouring acid on their bodies and torching their home to cover his tracks. He was captured by police while driving back home on I-40 after neighbors reported the house fire. A search of his vehicle revealed the hatchet with human hair and blood on its blade. Neither child was in the house at the time of the murders - his nephew was checked into a Phoenix hospital for mental health treatment. Both children were away from the home from the time of the murders, including hia nephew who was at a Phoenix hospital for mental health treatment. It took seven years for his case to go to trial, and the jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, arson and several other felonies. That jury also decided to impose the death penalty. It is unclear when Thompson was scheduled to be executed, but according to the Arizona Department of Corrections, the average length of time from sentencing to execution is over 17 years. His lawyers didn't dispute that Thompson killed the pair when he went on trial in 2019. However, they argued that Thompson felt compelled to rescue his nephew and niece from a spiritual death because Scientologists believe that taking psychiatric medication is 'evil and a scam,' and jeopardizes the eternal soul. Thompson was raised a Scientologist, but was not practicing the religion at the time of the murders. Penelope Edwards and her boyfriend Troy Dunn were slain by Thompson is 2012 Thompson's attorneys argued that he intended to bribe Edwards (pictured) into sending her children to live with him in Missouri Thompson's attorneys asserted that the murder wasn't premeditated, arguing that he only intended to confront Edwards. Thompson's then-wife, Gloria, didn't know where he was when he drove out to Arizona. He told her that he was traveling to Memphis to settle legal issues regarding his parents' estate. Before he set out on the 1,400 mile drive, he purchased a new cell phone. As he drove toward Memphis, he impulsively decided to bear west toward Arizona at a junction on Interstate 40, his attorneys said. He stayed at a motel, and bought the hatchet and a change of clothes at a nearby Walmart. He took a taxi to Edwards' house, where his attorneys claimed he planned to bribe the women to let him take her children back to Missouri with him. In direct testimony, Thompson said the conversation turned violent and he attacked in the heat of passion. His lawyers had sought a conviction for manslaughter. Instead, the jury found him guilty of murder and he was sentenced to death. Some schools in Wales may return to online learning because of rising levels of the Omicron Covid variant, the Welsh First Minister said. Mark Drakeford said levels of staff illness could mean some schools would not be able to have all pupils back in the classroom in January. However, those decisions would be made by individual schools and local authorities and not the Welsh Government, he added. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has said pupils in Wales may have return to online learning next term Schools in Wales are already taking two days next week to plan for the new term and prepare for remote learning if necessary due to rising levels of coronavirus. Most local authorities in Wales said pupils would return to school from January 6 after the two planning days. Powys County Council said there would be 'blended learning' from January 7 but schools would be open for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Education Minister Jeremy Miles asked schools to plan for 'for two possible futures', Mr Drakeford told WalesOnline. 'The one in which children can still be in the classroom, where there are sufficient staff to be there to be able to provide face-to-face learning but to maximise the protection that can be put in place inside the classroom to keep students and staff as safe as possible. Education Minister Jeremy Miles (pictured) asked schools to plan for for two possibilities when it comes to returning to classrooms Coronavirus case numbers in Wales have spiked since the Omicron Covid variant emerged Pictured: A patient receiving a Covid Vaccine Booster on December 30. Cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continue to rise across Wales with the 7-daily average reaching 4,631 on Tuesday 'We recognise there will be some schools where, because Omicron is so transmissible, there will be staff who will be ill so it won't be possible for every child to be in the classroom and therefore that a return for some students for a shorter period of time as possible to online learning may have to be there as well.' In Wales, around one in 40 people are estimated to have had Covid in the week to December 23, equalling the previous record set in October. Speaking in December, education minister Jeremy Miles said: 'Schools will be asked to make use of the planning days to ensure they have robust plans in place to move to remote learning if required - this could be for individual classes or year groups or possibly for the whole school. 'Schools will be asked also to use this opportunity to revisit contingency plans, ensuring exam years are prioritised for onsite provision should there be a need to restrict in person learning at any time and consider what arrangements might need to be in place for vulnerable learners and the children of critical workers during any periods of disruption.' Most local authorities in Wales said pupils would return to school from January 6 after two planning to prepare for the two possible futures Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives have called for an 'army' of ex-teachers to be recalled to the classroom to help keep schools open. Tory Education spokeswoman Laura Anne Jones MS said the Welsh Government should follow a similar scheme announced in England. 'With cases of Omicron increasing across the country we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education,' she said. Laura Anne Jones (pictured), the Conservatives' Education spokeswoman in Wales, said: 'we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education' 'We have to be prepared for the new term ahead, otherwise our children will again feel the brunt. 'I hope the Labour Government gets such a scheme up and running so we can increase support in the classroom and minimise disruption to our children's education.' Laura Doel, from teaching union NAHT Cymru, called for a regular supply of lateral flow tests to ensure schools can open. 'The availability of staff is the biggest threat to education in January,' she said. 'Without the workforce fit and well, learners cannot go back to the classroom. 'Remote learning will be a last resort but it will come down to staffing, the number of cases in a particular setting and the risk to staff and learners as the determining factors, all of which are beyond the control of schools alone.' Boris Johnson told British Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi that he is 'absolutely determined' to have children back in class and that keeping schools open is the 'number one priority', it was reported. However, headteachers' unions warned that rising Covid cases may force them to close anyway even without national restrictions due to staff sickness. It came amid fears Christmas gatherings would hasten the spread of the Omicron variant before the start of term. Unions have warned that whole schools could return to remote learning in January despite Boris Johnson vowing to keep them open Many schools already have contingency plans for remote learning in January and have sent home textbooks and electronic devices just in case. Mr Johnson and Mr Zahawi are understood to have discussed schools almost daily, with a source telling the Sunday Times: 'There is a shared commitment across government to make sure they stay open.' Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told the Telegraph headteachers were 'hoping for the best but planning for the worst' and could send entire year groups home if teacher shortages becomes an issue. He told The Telegraph: 'If you have a fixed pool available of those who can teach young people, then the only final resort schools and colleges have is to start thinking about the certain year groups that should be prioritised in the short term.' Mr Barton said that one approach would be to keep those students taking exams - Year 11 and Year 13 - in schools for face-to-face lessons, while younger year groups are sent home to learn remotely. He added: 'We feel we owe it to the young people doing GCSEs and A-levels because and want to make it as normal as they can be.' Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Barton said that schools cannot be treated like other parts of national infrastructure. He added: 'There is a limited pool of those teachers and we know even from the week running into Christmas there were some schools running with 25 per cent staff off. 'That in some cases will be 30 members of staff not being able to be there which is unsustainable even before Christmas so we don't know what next week will look like. 'We're not catastrophising that but we are saying we must have a real sense of realism around this. He said: 'Schools should be the very last thing that closes in any further restrictions. But words aren't enough. 'The Government must back up this aim with material support to minimise transmission of the virus.' She followed it with a post saying: 'If Republicans are mad they cant date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriends feet.' 'I could help with local organizing. Folks are quite receptive here,' she added AOC hit back on Friday in a tweet saying: 'Hasnt Gov. DeSantis been inexplicably missing for like 2 weeks? Supporters of Florida GOV. Ron DeSantis mocked AOC and told her to enjoy her 'taste of freedom' Florida also reported a record 77,848 new cases and 90 more deaths to the CDC on Thursday Many residents are also still waiting for hours in lines getting tests and planning to spend New Year's at home New York state smashed it's daily COVID record for the third day in a row with 76,555 infections in 24 hours She fled to the Sunshine State from New York, where Omicron has caused a massive surge in COVID cases The Squad member has staunchly supported masks and vaccine mandates since the start of the pandemic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dined at Doraku Izakaya and Sushi in Miami , Florida, with her boyfriend Advertisement COVID cases have exploded again in New York, residents have been forced to line up for hours for tests and many are planning to spend New Year's Eve at home with restaurants closing and amid fears of the Omicron surge. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has fled her virus-ravaged state for Miami Beach, Florida, where she was seen raising a class over dinner with her boyfriend Riley Roberts. The face of the progressives in her party appeared fine with having a maskless meal, despite staunchly supporting mask and vaccine mandates that the state is known to forego. The 'Squad' member shared a drink and a laugh with Roberts t at Doraku Sushi and Izakaya, according to photos shared by the National Review. She unwound in the Sunshine State as New York smashed it's daily COVID case count for the third day in a row with 76,555 new infections, an increase from 67,000 the day before. Ocasio-Cortez hit back at the photos and criticism online with a tweet on Friday saying: 'Hasnt Gov. DeSantis been inexplicably missing for like 2 weeks? If hes around, I would be happy to say hello. His social media team seems to have been posting old photos for weeks. In the meantime, perhaps I could help with local organizing. Folks are quite receptive here.' She also posted: 'If Republicans are mad they cant date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriends feet. Ya creepy weirdos.' Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has fled her virus-ravaged state of New York for Miami Beach, Florida, where she was seen raising a class over dinner The face of the progressives in her party appeared fine with having a maskless meal, despite staunchly supporting mask and vaccine mandates that the state is known to forego In response to the criticism, AOC posted: 'If Republicans are mad they cant date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriends feet. Ya creepy weirdos.' Governor Kathy Hochul has also introduced her '2.0 Plan' to fight Omicron by extending her 'vax and mask' mandate until February 1. There are now 7,919 New Yorkers hospitalized, a 7 percent increase in 24 hours, and 4,000 of those cases were in New York City alone. Ocasio-Cortez was dragged on Twitter by conservatives mocking her strict stance on COVID protocols, including a Twitter account devoted to and endorsed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, which invited her to 'enjoy a taste of freedom' in the Sunshine State. 'Welcome to Florida, AOC! We hope you're enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to @RonDeSantisFL's leadership,' the tweet, by the Team DeSantis account, read. 'P.S. We recommend the Rock Shrimp Roll and the Aoki Tai the next time you decide to dine in Miami. Cheers!,' read a follow up tweet. GOP Florida Rep. Brian Mast wrote on Twitter: 'Welcome to Florida AOC. Leave your politics in New York and enjoy a taste of freedom in our great state!' Others branded the hypocrisy in her flouting her own COVID rules. 'You're being played by @AOC dummies,' Kyle Becker, who runs the conservative site Becker News, claimed. 'Hey @AOC tell me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL without telling me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL,' wrote Shawn Farash, who runs the conservative group Long Island Loud Majority. Ocasio-Cortez voyaged to Florida as her home in New York City struggles with a surge in COVID cases causing a record number of first responders to call in sick. Over 20% of the city's police officers and 30% of paramedics were out sick Thursday, city officials told Fox News. The city has no plans to drop its COVID protocols as incoming New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who will be sworn in Saturday, announced Thursday his plans to keep in place many of outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio's restrictions, including a vaccination mandate for entering local businesses. New York has also been smashing COVID records, breaking one for the second day in a row with more than 74,000 new cases Thursday, according to WNBC-TV of New York City. Hospitalizations also continued to increase in the Empire State, reaching more than 7,300, the report said. The number of ICU patients in New York rose to more than 1,000 on Thursday, breaking that mark for the first time since March, the station added. In February, Ocasio-Cortez demanded Ted Cruz resign for making a trip to Cancun with his family while Texas was ravaged by a deadly winter storm. 'If Sen. Cruz had resigned back in January after helping gin up a violent insurrection that killed several people, he could've taken his vacation in peace,' she tweeted at the time. 'Texans should continue to demand his resignation.' In September 2021, in response to a thread on the storms in New York, she tweeted: 'I know Republicans idea of disaster relief is flying to Cancun while the powers still out, but unlike that approach I actually give a damn.' DailyMail.com has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment. Travelers coming and going from LaGuardia Airport line up for COVID testing in the parking garage on Thursday The U.S. has been hit by massive testing shortages that the Biden administration has vowed to fix in the New Year The U.S. smashed another global COVID infection record on Thursday when 647,067 new cases were reported, with deaths halving to 1,400, as one expert warned of a 'virtual blizzard' of Omicron he says will lead to shutdowns nationwide. In total, USA Today reports, the United States recorded 2.49 million cases within the past week, outpacing the country's previous record of 1.7 million new cases recorded in the one-week period from January 3 through January 9. Experts say the number of cases are rising so rapidly due to the spread of the highly-contagious Omicron variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says accounts for anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of the new cases in the US. A UK-based expert says the variant could spread with just a 'whiff of infected breath.' At the same time, however, the number of daily deaths have halved from 2,800 to 1,400 between Wednesday and Thursday. The drop comes after multiple studies showed that Omicron was likely to cause up to 80 per cent fewer hospitalizations than Delta, although scientists have cautioned that more data is needed, and say the sheer number of infections caused by the new variant could ultimately cause an additional spike in serious illness and death. Daily life continues to be upended by COVID and Omicron, with 1,198 flights canceled on New Year's Eve, and another 955 already nixed on Saturday, as airlines grapple with staffing shortages. JetBlue - which is headquartered in Omicron-epicenter New York City - was the worst-affected airline, canceling 145 flights, equivalent to 14 per cent of its December 31 schedule. That is a 26 percent from just the day before, when 512,533 new cases were reported The US broke a world record for average daily COVID cases for the second day in a row with 647,067 reported on Thursday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of John Hopkins data Americans are still waiting hours in lines to be tested for COVID-19. Above, a health care workers tests residents in Miami, Florida, at a drive-through COVID testing site on Wednesday In total, the United States recorded 2.49 million cases within the past week, outpacing the country's previous record of 1.7 million new cases recorded in the one-week period from January 3 through January 9. People are pictured here waiting on line to get a COVID test in Houston, Texas - which has seen a spike in cases recently Fifteen states reported a record-high number of average daily infections, according to the CDC. They include Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Florida also reported a record 77,848 new cases and 90 more deaths to the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday, following a backlog in reporting, according to an analysis of state data from the Miami Herald. That represents the largest multi-day increase of newly reported cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The previous multi-day record was set during the height of the Delta wave this past summer, when 56,036 cases were reported. A woman accused of kidnapping two female victims at knifepoint, as well as sexually assaulting and shaving the head of one, has been denied bail. Maria Covaci, 29, from Silverbridge, Armagh, appeared by videolink at Coleraine Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, on Friday. She faces two charges of kidnapping, two of possessing an offensive weapon, two of false imprisonment, two of common assault and one of sexual assault. Maria Covaci, 29, from Silverbridge, Armagh was accused of kidnapping two women from James Street, Ballymena, pictured, on November 13 Covaci was remanded in custody having appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court, pictured, which was sitting in Ballymena The charges relate to an alleged incident in James Street in Ballymena in November 13 when Covaci was eight months pregnant. The court heard one of the victims was involved in a relationship with the defendant's estranged husband. A district judge told the court that Covaci, a Romanian national, faces 'very substantial and very serious charges'. A PSNI detective constable appeared in court and said he can connect the accused to the offences. He told the court that on November 13, police received a report of two missing persons. When police called at their address the women had returned home but were in a 'very distressed' state. They told police they had been grabbed and forced into a car at knifepoint by two people. The detective constable told the court the two victims said they had been driven to a secluded spot were one was sexually assaulted. The detective objected to bail on the grounds of risk of interference with witnesses and the risk of leaving the jurisdiction. A defence lawyer told the court his client is the mother of two children. He said the defendant's husband had been involved a relationship with one of the injured parties and that his client was eight months pregnant at the time of the alleged attack. The district judge refused an application for bail and remanded Covaci in custody until January 27. A member of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's staff has reportedly condemned Israel as a 'racist European ethnostate' on social media. It will reignite the row over attitudes to Israel by some elements of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and its so-called squad, who had frequently highlighted how millions of Palestinians in the occupied territories are denied rights extended to Jewish citizens of Israel. And it comes as AOC is under fire after photographs emerged of the congresswoman from New York drinking a cocktail, without wearing a mask, in Florida. The latest controversy was triggered by Hussain Altamimi, who joined Ocasio-Cortezs office in November as a legislative assistant, according to Fox News. Last week he targeted Israel with an Instagram story. 'Israel is a racist European ethnostate built on stolen land from its indigenous population!' he wrote on Christmas Eve, according to a screenshot obtained by Fox News Digital. A AOC staffer Hussain Altamimi is under fire for his social media post about Israel, calling a key U.S. ally a 'racist European ethnostate built on stolen land' Altamimi added his own thoughts to a post by 'Let's Talk Palestine' on Instagram Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was already facing criticism after being photographed without a mask in Miami Beach, Florida, while having a cocktail on Thursday He added the comments to a post from the 'Let's Talk Palestine' account, which made reference to a 'racial hierarchy' in Israel. 'This reveals the principle underpinning Israeli apartheid: Its not about where youre born,' the shared post reads. 'Its about whether youre Jewish or non-Jewish. Your ethnicity determines your rights [and] level in the racial hierarchy.' Critics of Israel point to the way Palestinians in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem - almost three million people - do not have the right to vote in Israeli elections, despite living under Israeli rule. Nor do the two million people living in Gaza. However, some social media users were quick to condemn Altamimi and his definition of Israel as a racist state. 'That's wrong for many reasons, and it erases Mizrahi Jews like me,'wrote Sia Kordestani on Twitter. 'A majority of Jewish Israelis are descendants of 850,000 Jews violently expelled from Arab countries.' Meanwhile, AOC was under fire for her decision to visit the red state of Florida and its relaxed COVID rules when she was spotted having a maskless meal in Miami Beach on Thursday. The 'Squad' member shared a drink and a laugh with an unknown dining guest at Doraku Sushi and Izakaya, according to photos shared by the National Review. Ocasio-Cortez was dragged on Twitter by conservatives joking about her strict stance on COVID protocols, including a Twitter account devoted to and endorsed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, which invited her to 'enjoy a taste of freedom' in the Sunshine State. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was seen having a maskless meal in Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday 'Welcome to Florida, AOC! We hope you're enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to @RonDeSantisFL's leadership,' the tweet, by the Team DeSantis account, read. 'P.S. We recommend the Rock Shrimp Roll and the Aoki Tai the next time you decide to dine in Miami. Cheers!,' read a follow up tweet. Other branded the hypocrisy in her flouting her own COVID rules. 'You're being played by @AOC dummies,' Kyle Becker, who runs the conservative site Becker News, claimed. 'Hey @AOC tell me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL without telling me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL,' wrote Shawn Farash, who runs the conservative group Long Island Loud Majority. The outspoken progressive Democrat staunchly supports mask and vaccine mandates, despite the state and its Governor Ron DeSantis banning such restrictions in his state Ocasio-Cortez voyaged to Florida as her home in New York City struggles with a surge in COVID cases causing a record number of first responders to call in sick. Over 20% of the city's police officers and 30% of paramedics were out sick Thursday, city officials told Fox News. The city has no plans to drop its COVID protocols as incoming New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who will be sworn in Saturday, announced Thursday his plans to keep in place many of outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio's restrictions, including a vaccination mandate for entering local businesses. New York has also been smashing COVID records, breaking one for the second day in a row with more than 74,000 new cases Thursday, according to WNBC-TV of New York City. Hospitalizations also continued to increase in the Empire State, reaching more than 7,300, the report said. The number of ICU patients in New York rose to more than 1,000 on Thursday, breaking that mark for the first time since March, the station added. Authorities in Louisiana say a 76-year-old man was found shot dead in his bed this week after his blind wife reported him missing, saying she had not heard from him in more than a day. According to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office, the death of 76-year-old William Robert 'Bob' Lang Jr, 76, has been ruled a homicide, but no suspects have been arrested as of Friday. At around 6pm on Wednesday, deputies arrived at the Lang couple's home in the 100 block of Levee Road in response to a missing person report. William Robert 'Bob' Lang Jr, 76, was found shot dead in his bed at his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana, after his deaf wife reported him missing on Wednesday Lang's wife, who was described as visually impaired, told deputies that she had not heard from her husband since 3pm on Tuesday, 'which was unusual,' according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Deputies then began to interview the wife and noticed that all of Lang's vehicles were parked on the property. 'The responding deputy observed a broken window glass on the residence and requested permission to enter the home to look for Mr. Lang,' according to the sheriff's office. The officers entered the residence and while walking in the area where there was broken glass they discovered Lang suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not explained why the wife did not hear the gunshots or the sound of breaking glass, or how she failed to find her husband's body in his bed for 27 hours. Following an autopsy, Lang's cause of death has been ruled a homicide. In 2010, Lang made an unsuccessful run for the US Senate On Thursday, detectives spent the day interviewing family and friends and looking for surveillance video in the area. 'Our investigators are working tirelessly in an effort to arrest the individual or individuals involved in the murder of Mr. Lang,' the sheriff's office stated. 'We extend our sympathy to the Lang family.' Social media posts suggest that in 2010, Lang, made an unsuccessful run for the US Senate, running as a conservative. Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned that even more flights could be canceled as its air traffic control staff are hit by COVID, even as airlines themselves nix thousands of flights because of staff felled by the Omicron variant. In a statement, the FAA said an increasing number of its employees are testing positive for the virus, CNN reports, which could force it to implement health and cleaning procedures that will reduce the number of available flights. 'To maintain safety, traffic and volume at some facilities could be reduced, which might result in delays during busy periods,' the administration warned. The FAA doesn't actually schedule flights - but its vital role in organizing air traffic across the US means that airlines would be forced to ax flights if there aren't enough controllers available to manage the skies safely. Americans throughout the country are already facing thousands of cancelations, with more than 11,000 flights canceled since Christmas Eve, and more than 1,000 flights already scrapped from Saturday's and Sunday's schedules in anticipation of ongoing staff sickness. SEATTLE: The Sea-Tac airport was crowded to the brim early Friday morning amid a surge in holiday travel and snowy weather NEW YORK: People waited inside LaGuardia Airport on Friday as thousands of flights were canceled or delayed NEW YORK: A woman spent her time waiting browsing through her phone at LaGuardia Airport JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: A girl kept herself cozy as she waited five hours for her flight on Friday NEW YORK: Others took the opportunity to relax as they waited for their flights on Friday PHILADELPHIA: Katelyn Darrow got some work done on her laptop as she waited to board her flight on New Years Eve NEW YORK: Girls sat around with their belongings as they waited for their flight at LaGuardia on Friday As of Friday evening, there were 1,523 flights canceled within, into or out of the United States, according to Flight Aware, a website that tracks air travel. Globally, there were 3,044 flights canceled. More than 3,000 other flights were delayed in the United States, and 8,346 were delayed throughout the world. Of the American flights, United Airlines canceled 11 percent of its scheduled flights on Friday, Jet Blue canceled 14 percent of its flights, Delta canceled 5 percent and Southwest Airlines canceled 3 percent. American Airlines canceled just 2 percent, and budget airline Frontier canceled 4 percent. JetBlue is headquartered in New York City, the nation's current Omicron capital. The Empire State saw 76,555 new cases on Friday, which may help explain the ongoing staff shortages. Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration expects 10 million more people to pass through airport screening sites by the end of Monday, and had already screened more than 2 million at its checkpoints on Thursday. The Christmas holidays are typically a peak time for air travel, but the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant has led to a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections, forcing airlines to cancel flights as pilots and crew need to be quarantined. As of Thursday, the US recorded 647,067 new cases were reported, and over the past week the country saw 2.49 million cases - outpacing the country's previous record of 1.7 million new cases recorded in the one-week period from January 3 through January 9. SALT LAKE CITY: Hundreds of travelers lined up at the Delta ticket counter at Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday NEW YORK: The line was even growing outside of LaGuardia Airport on Friday, with these passengers waiting to take rapid COVID tests CHICAGO: Passengers walked through the terminal at O'Hare International Airport on Thursday ahead of the holiday JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: A boy made himself at home at the Jacksonville Airport with his legs up on the seats The sudden arrival of Omicron, which was first detected in South Africa last month, has brought record-setting case counts to countries around the world. Transportation agencies across the United States are suspending or reducing service due to COVID-19 staff shortages as the Omicron variant surges nationwide. Airline officials were required to get vaccinated under President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for all federal contractors, but many who have gotten the double jab are still getting infected with COVID as the Omicron variant spreads. 'You have a high level of vaccination among airline employees, and yet, because of Omicron, I think the absenteeism is higher than you would have expected,' Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth told Bloomberg. She said that airlines have been caught by surprise 'at a time where you also have been having some winter weather issues across the US.' U.S. airline cabin crew, pilots and support staff are reluctant to work overtime during the holiday travel season despite offers of hefty financial incentives. Many workers fear contracting COVID-19 and do not welcome the prospect of dealing with unruly passengers, some airline unions have said. In the months preceding the holidays, airlines were wooing employees to ensure solid staffing, after furloughing or laying off thousands over the last 18 months as the pandemic crippled the industry. NEW YORK: Travelers got ready to pass through a TSA checkpoint at LaGuardia on Friday. The administration expects to screen 10 million more people by the end of Monday NEW YORK: Women checked into their American Airlines flight on Friday, which canceled 2 percent of its flights NEW YORK: A group of people chatted at LaGuardia International Airport on New Years Eve Making matters worse, the National Weather Service has warned that severe conditions will usher in 2022, with moderate-to-heavy snowfall expected in the Western mountains. Totals could exceed three feet in the highest elevations of Utah and Colorado, and hazardous conditions are forecast for New Years Day from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes. Alaska Airlines on Friday announced that it was proactively cutting the number of flights out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport over the next few days to allow for additional time to deice the aircrafts, King 5 News reports, after it had already canceled 170 flights across its network. Kate Hudson, an airport communications manager at the airport, said a combination of a surge in holiday travel, winter weather challenges and airline staffing issues and causing the disruptions. 'This is a higher travel period for us in general,' she said, noting that airport crews are working around the clock to ensure runways, taxiways and ramps are clear of snow and ice. For anyone who does not have a confirmed seat on a flight, the Port of Seattle previously recommended not going to the airport. And on Tuesday, Hudson said if travel isn't essential, people should consider rebooking. Alaska Airlines is also pleading with passengers to rebook, saying in a statement: 'We strongly urge flyers with nonessential travel scheduled before January 2, 2022 to consider changing their travel to a later date using our flexible travel policy. 'With more snow expected and limited seats available during an already busy holiday week, we're not able to re-accommodate most guests for at least three days.' Hold times for customer service at Alaska were 20 hours as of Friday, and a hold message to callers urged anyone without an urgent issue to wait 'until next week.' JetBlue, meanwhile, has canceled 1,280 flights from its schedule over the next two weeks to 'give our customers as much notice possible to make alternate plans and re-accommodate them on other flights.' Airline officials had earlier thought that the number of crewmembers out sick with COVID was under control, but, CNN it is now seeing 'a surge in the number of sick calls from Omicron.' The issue likely will not be resolved soon, with airlines worldwide eliminating about 8.4 percent of the flights they had planned for January, according to Bloomberg, with an even steeper drop in Europe, where about 15 percent of January flights have been canceled after some countries imposed new restrictions on cross-border travel to quell the spread of the Omicron variant. Several people took to Twitter to express their frustrations But airports throughout the country were already filled with thousands of people trying to go home or go on a vacation for the new year on Friday, with many taking to Twitter to express their frustrations. Danielle Yurkew tweeted that she had been on the phone with JetBlue for over two hours as she begged for someone to answer, later writing: 'Hi again JetBlue, do not make me disappoint my grandpa. He wants to spoil me,' and Joe Shramek tweeted to Alaska Air to confirm whether his flight was canceled, writing: 'I'm 3,000 miles from home with children who have school on Monday.' Charlotte de Witte, meanwhile, tweeted that Delta is 'an absolute nightmare,' after she waited three hours on the phone and 1,104 minutes waiting to talk to someone on their website. Others expressed their frustration through some humor, including Molly Schaub who said she was not planning to stay up until midnight on New Years, but her canceled flight and a new long layover seemed to have other ideas, and Alyssa Mercante posted a meme from the Sorpanos that American Airlines canceling her flight to Italy is 'anti-Italian discrimination.' Warnings from the CDC against boarding cruise ships amid skyrocketing COVID rates in US waters yesterday led to shrinking share values for the big three cruise companies on Friday. Even vaccinated people shouldn't take cruise vacations, the agency said, as COVID cases aboard the vessels shot up by 31 percent to 5,013 between December 15 and December 29. Of 108 cruise ships operating or planning to operate in US waters, the CDC is observing 90 as a result of onboard COVID infections. On Friday, shares of Carnival (CCL) were down by 2 percent, Royal Caribbean was down by .59 percent (RCL) and Norwegian (NCLH) was down by 1.33 percent. On Thursday, CDC urged Americans - even vaccinated ones - to avoid cruise travel. As a result, Carnival Cruise's shares were down by 2 percent on Friday evening. This year, the company's stock went down by 7 percent. Pictured is the Carnival Flory cruise ship arriving in Marseille On Thursday, the Cruise Line International Association called the CDC's recommendation perplexing, 'considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard,' a statement said. 'The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore' In San Diego, the Holland America Cruise Koningsdam was forced to return to port after local officials turned it away from its planned destination in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. On that ship, 21 crew members tested positive for COVID-19. At least four cruise liners were turned away from their destination ports last week Stocks for travel and leisure companies operating on land have seen a significant uptick this year, however. Marriott (MAR) is up by 25 percent in 2021, while Hilton (HLT) shares have ramped up by 40 percent this year, hitting a new record high on Friday. All three companies are expected to lose money in 2021, and had an abysmal 2020. Carnival and Norwegian each had their stock prices cut by more than half in 2020, and Royal Caribbean's stock plummeted by nearly 45 percent last year. Next year, analysts are predicting small losses for Norwegian and decimated profits for Royal Caribbean. 'Avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status,' the CDC said on its website on Thursday, adding that 'even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.' 'The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.' 'The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.' Four major cruise liners were turned away at international ports last week due to COVID cases onboard, forcing ships to return to board or devise alternate destinations on the fly. On Thursday, Royal Caribbean modified or canceled 16 destinations out of 331 due to the uptick in Covid cases. The surge at sea comes amid a nationwide increase driven by the highly-infectious Omicron variant - with the average daily cases reaching a record-breaking 512,533 on Thursday. Presently, there are 54,252,612 active cases of COVID-19 in the country and 825,311 have died in the US due to complications from virus. The Cruise Lines International Association said it was disappointed with the new recommendations, saying the industry was singled out despite the fact it follows stricter health protocols than other travel sectors. The decision 'is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard,' a statement said. 'The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore.' In March 2020, as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S., the CDC put a halt to all cruises for what turned out to be 15 months. Last June, it allowed ships to resume sailing under new strict new conditions. In August, as the delta variant surged, the agency warned people who are at risk of severe illness despite being vaccinated not to go on cruises. The CDC on Thursday also recommended that passengers get tested and quarantine for five days after docking, regardless of their vaccination status and even if they have no symptoms. Omicron has sent cases skyrocketing to unprecedented levels across the U.S., including Florida, the hub of the nation's cruise industry. The state set another record this week for new daily cases, with more than 58,000 recorded Wednesday. U.S. cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt trips, though vessels have been denied entry at some foreign ports. U.S. cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt trips, though vessels have been denied entry at some foreign ports. Pictured is Holland America's MS Zuiderdam Carnival Corp.'s spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email after the CDC recommendation that the company had no planned changes. 'Our enhanced health and safety protocols have proven to be effective time and time again over the past year,' he said. Before the CDC announcement, Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement that omicron is leading to passenger cancelations and changes to itineraries, but it is causing 'significantly less severe symptoms than earlier variants.' The company said that since cruising restarted in U.S. waters last spring, 1.1 million guests had traveled with its cruise lines and 1,745 people had tested positive for COVID-19, or about 0.16%. It said that 41 people required hospitalization, and that no passengers hit with omicron had been taken to the hospital. 'We don't like to see even one case, but our experience is a fraction of the comparable statistics of virtually any other comparable location or industry. Few businesses are subject to such intense scrutiny, regulation and disclosure requirements by so many authorities,' said Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean. Before the CDC announcement, Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement that omicron is leading to passenger cancelations and changes to itineraries, but it is causing 'significantly less severe symptoms than earlier variants.' Pictured is the cruise company's Anthem of the Seas Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated. Iris Krysty, 76, of Hamburg, New Jersey, and her husband are supposed to leave on a 10-day Caribbean cruise Jan. 19. This latest CDC warning leaves travelers like them in an unfair bind, she said. Krysty was told Thursday they can only get a refund if they test positive before the trip. So, they will go to avoid losing thousands of dollars - a decision their daughter and son-in-law are not happy with. 'I know they're upset about us going but that's a lot of money for us to lose,' Krysty said. 'As far as we know, we're going and hope we'll be OK.' Janine Calfo, 55, of Salt Lake City, put off a four-day Carnival cruise from Long Beach, California, to Ensenada, Mexico, earlier this month when she got a breakthrough case of COVID-19 three days before departure. She re-booked the cruise for February and is still set on going. 'This is my own personal opinion, but it looks like the omicron is going to be a quick burn,' said Calfo, who is asthmatic and plans to get the booster in a couple of weeks. 'My cruise is over 40 days away.' She added, though: 'I think I will plan on getting travel insurance this time.' Advertisement Millions of Brits partied the final few hours of 2021 away in bars and nightclubs across England as they waited in anticipation for the New Year. The start of 2022 didn't stop the celebrations though, which carried on into the early hours of the morning in towns and cities across England. Although Scotland and Wales had tough Covid restrictions, people living there flocked across the border for a chance to enjoy the New Year in style and in their best outfits. In London thousands of people lined the banks of the River Thames to watch the capital's fireworks and drone display, while Piccadilly Circus was packed despite calls for caution around social distancing. In one Manchester nightclub, some 10,000 people were expected to party until 4am, although there were some skirmishes in Newcastle, with one man being led away by police. Meanwhile, after being forced to close under last year's lockdown restrictions, many bars and clubs in Liverpool looked busy with revellers this evening. The wild celebrations came as Sajid Javid vowed today to do everything in his power to avoid a lockdown this year. Writing in the Daily Mail, the Health Secretary said any fresh curbs on freedoms must be 'an absolute last resort', adding that the country is in 'a far stronger position' at the start of 2022 than it was 12 months ago. There were heightened fears about the spread of the virus as UK had another daily record of 189,846 cases yesterday and 203 deaths. The Office for National Statistics reported an estimated 2.3million people in the UK had Covid in the week ending December 23, setting another pandemic record. While coronavirus cases are continuing to rise due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, official figures showed yesterday that in parts of Britain up to four in 10 hospital patients with Covid were actually there to receive treatment for something else. The figure nationally is one in three. Mr Javid said the numbers in intensive care units remained stable, meaning 'we have welcomed in 2022 with some of the least restrictive measures in Europe'. Mr Javid added: 'Curbs on our freedom must be an absolute last resort and the British people rightly expect us to do everything in our power to avert them. Boris Johnson, unlike the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, decided against imposing additional restrictions in England, despite record-breaking Covid infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. It led to thousands crossing the border from Wales and Scotland to party into 2022 in England, a move welcomed by English hospitality chiefs. Although there were rumours Boris Johnson may impose restrictions to curb the spread of the virus as early as next week, Whitehall sources said no new measures are expected when Plan B is reviewed next week. The Prime Minister will most likely 'maintain the status quo' of wearing masks indoors, working from home if possible and using vaccine passports where necessary, Whitehall sources told the Sun. It came after Mr Johnson warned this week that New Year's celebrations should be 'cautious and sensible'. In other developments: A further 189,846 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported in the UK yesterday another record for daily reported cases. There were also 203 more deaths. Office for National Statistics data showed an estimated 2.3million people in the UK had Covid-19 in the week ending December 23, the highest on record. Britain's coronavirus heroes are recognised in the New Year Honours today, including knighthoods for Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance. More than a dozen hospitals across the country temporarily banned visits in an effort to protect patients and staff amid rising Covid infections. The number of Covid patients in mechanical ventilation beds in the UK has decreased over the past month, from 931 on November 30 to 868 on December 29. Pressure grew for England's isolation period to be cut from seven to five days after Greece became the latest country to make the move. South Africa lifted its night-time curfew for the first time in 21 months after the Omicron wave peaked without overwhelming hospitals. Britain became one of the first countries in the world to approve a second pill that can treat Covid at home this time a Pfizer antiviral. Thousands of people were in Leeds City centre hours before midnight, such as these three ladies outside a city bar Huge crowds turned out in Piccadilly Circus to see fireworks go off around the city as the country welcomed in the New Year Large numbers of Scots travelled south to Newcastle where they were determined to have a good night out after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon clamped down on Hogmanay parties Revellers queue to enter Depot Mayfield, a 10,000 capacity club in Manchester, north-west England on New Year's Eve Revellers were out in their most glamorous outfits for the New Year's Eve celebrations in Newcastle as people welcomed the New Year In Liverpool, these young ladies in fancy dress were probably quite thankful by today's record-breaking temperatures Revellers such as these two ladies in Leeds were out early for New Year's Eve, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather conditions ahead of tonight's party Manchester's Depot Mayfield club has a capacity of 10,000 people. Clubbers queued to get into it as part-goers took to the streets of England Revellers in Newcastle enjoy a night out to celebrate New Years Eve with the pubs and clubs still open and welcoming visitors north of the border, as Scotland faced tough Covid restrictions Friends took advantage of the lax Covid-19 restrictions in England to meet up and celebrate the end of 2021 in pubs and nightclubs Fireworks lit up the sky in front of the London Eye at midnight with a smaller display than normal, although thousands still turned out to watch Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had urged Londoners to watch the display on television and claimed there would be few vantage points to view the display from The Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral were used as a backdrop for tonight's firework display Crowds line the Southbank beside the Thames for New Year's Eve but they did not see any fireworks Fireworks light up the sky over the Old Royal Naval College after the normal New Year's Firework display was cancelled due to the pandemic Part of the 13-minute display this year featured drones which showed different patterns and shapes in landmarks across London Crowds did not have the experience they expected at the fireworks, with them not able to see any Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, said Britons will have to get used to living with Covid-19 Police tried to contain members of the public on the pavement as they try to entered a restaurant on Piccadilly Circus In Newcastle, a man was led away by police after scuffles in the city centre as people enjoyed the festivities The man's light-coloured top and his jeans were covered in mud as he was led away in handcuffs by five police officers This lady was swigging from a bottle of Rose outside Przym nightclub in Leeds. English venues are still allowed to open as long as they require patrons to show a Covid cert or a recent antigen Covid-19 negative result Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured left, said he has not ruled out a further lockdown but said any move would be a 'last resort' He warned that due to a lag between infections and hospitalisations, 'we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month' Mr Javid said the government had introduced among the least stringent Covid-19 restrictions in Europe, pictured shoppers on Regent Street in London on Christmas Eve Britain was also one of the first places to reopen, pictured people in Soho on April 16 The hottest New Year's Eve on record allowed revellers to stand outside without suffering from the cold conditions normally associated with the end of December The Newcastle Arms Hotel in Coldstream on the Scottish borders was very quiet as it was just north of the border, pictured owner Robin Lees Mr Javid has not ruled out another lockdown and government sources said they were still awaiting critical data on the impact of Christmas on the spread of Covid, although according to The Sun, PM Boris Johnson will not alter the existing Plan B rules when they are reviewed next week. What are the latest Covid figures for the UK? A further 189,846 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported in the UK yesterday. It was another record for daily reported cases. There were also another203 deaths in the UK. Office for National Statistics data showed an estimated 2.3 million people in the UK had Covid-19 in the week ending December 23. That again was anothe record for the UK. Advertisement The Health Secretary warned: 'Due to the time lag between infections and hospitalisations, it's inevitable that we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month. This will likely test the limits of finite NHS capacity even more than a typical winter.' However, NHS England figures show the number of patients in hospital 'with Covid' is growing almost twice as quickly as the number who are there 'because of' the disease. There were 8,321 patients with coronavirus in NHS hospitals in England on December 28 but only 5,578 of them were being treated primarily for the disease. It means one in three Covid patients were actually in hospital to receive treatment for another condition, such as a broken leg. This is up from one in four on December 12. In the Midlands, 40 per cent of hospital Covid patients are now there with the virus, rather than because of it. The number of patients being treated primarily for Covid in hospitals in England rose by 26 per cent from 4,432 on December 21 to 5,578 a week later. But the number of patients with Covid but primarily being treated for something else leapt 51 per cent in the same period, from 1,813 to 2,743. Separate figures show the proportion of adult acute and general hospital beds occupied by patients with any condition has decreased over the past week from 93 per cent to 87 per cent, easing pressure on the NHS. Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University, said: 'I am worried these figures for people in hospital with Covid rather than because of it could bounce us into a lockdown or further restrictions in January. 'The high numbers create anxiety in government and the public based on erroneous conclusions. 'Accurate statistics on true Covid cases hospitalised are required to back up the reassuring data on intensive care admission, which has remained stable, and verify that this variant is not making a large proportion of people severely ill.' Young people across England were determined to welcome in the New Year in style despite the ongoing pandemic which infected almost 190,000 people yesterday Pubs and clubs in Newcastle were busy on New Years Eve with large numbers of revellers from Scotland joining the Geordies NHS England has pointed out that Covid-positive admissions being treated primarily for something else have to be separated from non-Covid patients, and that the virus can be a 'significant' secondary condition. It added: 'The majority of inpatients with Covid-19 are admitted as a result of the infection.' Millions of revellers headed out for an early New Year's Eve party, with their numbers boosted by Scots and Welsh people fleeing domestic Covid-19 restrictions. The party goers were able to enjoy the hottest New Year's Eve since records began - with the temperature hitting more than 60f. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has cancelled the city's traditional firework display because of the threat of Covid-19 and the Trafalgar Square party has also been scrapped. Courtney and Francis Green, pictured at Bristol Temple Meads station with an inflatable crocodile The scenes of enjoyment across England were not replicated across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, were there were stricter Covid-19 restrictions Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to get tested before meeting up for the New Year Eve festivities. However, many have decided to stay at home to avoid possible exposure to the Omicron variant. He said: '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.' Those travelling by taxis or public transport should wear a mask, although they are not required in bars, restaurants or nightclubs. Anyone in England going to a nightclub has been warned the will have to show their NHS Covid pass. The PM, unlike the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, decided against imposing additional restrictions in England, despite record-breaking Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney criticised those planning to travel to England to celebrate Hogmanay, claiming it was the 'wrong course of action' and against the 'spirit' of the regulations. Despite the cancellation of the Trafalgar Square party, Leicester Square was packed with people from the early evening In Cardiff, bars and streets which would have normally been packed were empty as a result of stringent Covid-19 rules Thousands of Scots headed south to towns and cities in England such as Newcastle and Blackpool to celebrate Hogmanay This group of friends left Scotland early to celebrate the end of 2021 in a Newcastle bar or nightclub Newcastle bars are expecting a busier than normal night with the number of Scottish people who have crossed the border The unusually warm weather was welcomed by revellers in Newcastle who did not need to carry heavy coats or an umbrella In Scotland, events have one-metre social distancing and are limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors and 500 people outdoors, with one-metre physical distancing in place in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings. These restrictions include gatherings for Hogmanay celebrations. Where alcohol is being served, table service is also required. The Scottish Government has urged people to 'stay at home as much as possible', with any meet-ups to be limited to a maximum of three households. Since December 14, people have been asked to reduce their social contact as much as possible by meeting in groups of no more than three households. Eren Saygilier (left) and Kerri Patterson, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, went north to Edinburgh on New Year's Eve, despite official festivities having been cancelled by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Some people stood outside the iconic French House in Soho, pictured, enjoying a glass of wine A hoarding has been erected around Eros to save him from revellers ringing in the New Year in a few hours' time Some people were out early to beat the crowds that are expected to flock into town and city centres across England Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the imposition of draconian restrictions in England would be a 'last resort' In Northern Ireland, nightclubs are closed this evening and dancing has been banned in hospitality venues. For those venturing out to restaurants, table numbers must be limited to six people and diners must remain seated for table service. World welcomes 2022 Billions around the world rang in 2022 last night. The Brandenburg gate in Berlin was closed to visitors while it was illuminated with a light show and fireworks flew over the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. One of the world's biggest New Year's Eve gatherings took place in North Korea, where thousands gathered in the main square in Pyongyang for a fireworks show. New Zealand, the first major country to see the New Year, kicked off the celebrations after easing its rules on public gatherings, while Australia had a firework display that lit up Sydney's harbour. Advertisement In Wales, current rules say groups of no more than six are allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants, while licensed premises can offer table service only. In pubs and other licensed premises, face masks should be worn, with contact tracing details collected, and customers should observe two-metre social distancing rules. Nightclubs have been closed since Boxing Day in Wales. A maximum of 30 people can attend indoor events and a maximum of 50 people can be present for outdoor events. On Castle Street in Liverpool, Mathew Street and Concert Square were all full of life after another year punctuated by restrictions and uncertainty for businesses. In Bristol, Jake Cotter, Tyler Calder and Morgan Drewson all caught an early evening train from Swansea to Temple Meads station. Jake said: 'We're all heading to Bristol because of cause Wales is in lockdown. 'We all want to go out and celebrate New Year's Eve so we headed to the nearest place to use which is Bristol.' Tyler added: 'Considering all the regulations inside Wales in the clubs and pubs, the having to sit down and the table service, you can't really have a good night out. 'The regulations are a bit ridiculous. I like watching football and if I could travel to Bristol on Saturday and watch the football but I can't go to a nightclub at home. 'If I stay at home I am effectively restricted to my own house. 'Given the fact that we are all 20, we are at that sort of party age, and it's boring. We've had nearly two years of lockdown and if we have the opportunity to go to a rave or somewhere in England, we are going to go for it. 'We've missed out on some much already. We want to go out and do normal things and meet people.' In Manchester, people seeking to enter Depot Mayfield in Manchester had to show their Covid 19 passes to access the venue Up to 10,000 people are expected in Depot Mayfield nightclub in Manchester where revellers will party until 4am Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged caution for people going out this evening suggesting they should have an antigen Covid-19 test before meeting up with friends In Deacon Brodies Tavern in the centre of Edinburgh, there was plenty of room as most Scots remained at home Victoria Street in Edinburgh would normally be packed on New Year's Eve, but Covid-19 forced authorities to cancel the party SAJID JAVID: 'I'm acutely aware of the cost of curbs - we must try to live with Covid' We made major breakthroughs in 2021, but it was also a year where we faced new threats, especially the Omicron variant which continues to spread rapidly across the world. Despite this new adversary, the steps we took, especially the expansion of this country's booster programme, meant we saw in the New Year in a far stronger position than we were at the end of 2020. Even so, this is still a worrying time: according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, last week one in 25 people in England would have tested positive for Covid-19, and hospitalisations are also steadily rising. Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, said today that the number of patients in intensive care units are stable and not currently following the trajectory of this time last year with the Alpha wave Recent data from the UK Health and Security Agency shows that unvaccinated people are between three and eight times more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19 However, numbers in intensive care units are stable and not currently following the trajectory we saw this time last year during the Alpha wave. As a result, we decided not to put further measures in place ahead of this New Year and we have welcomed in 2022 with some of the least restrictive measures in Europe. Curbs on our freedom must be an absolute last resort and the British people rightly expect us to do everything in our power to avert them. Since I came into this role six months ago, I've also been acutely conscious of the enormous health, social and economic costs of lockdowns. So I've been determined that we must give ourselves the best chance of living alongside the virus and avoiding strict measures in the future. To help us achieve this, we've built up three lines of defence which, when taken together, are some of the deepest and the strongest in the world. First, of course, is the vaccination programme, and we've now met our highly ambitious target that we would offer every eligible adult in England the opportunity to get a booster by the end of 2021. We've now met our highly ambitious target that we would offer every eligible adult in England the opportunity to get a booster by the end of 2021 Recent data from the UK Health and Security Agency shows that unvaccinated people are between three and eight times more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19, depending on their age, and so every jab counts and can help keep someone out of hospital. Second, we've built up a huge testing infrastructure. Over Christmas, we saw how regular tests can give us the confidence to see loved ones and live our lives. Although it has been a time of massive global demand, we almost tripled distribution of lateral flow tests in December, to 300million, and we're also tripling the supply for January and February compared to our pre-Omicron plans. Our third line of defence is treatments, and we have the most advanced antivirals programme in Europe. Yesterday, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved Paxlovid, a cutting edge antiviral treatment. We've secured almost three million courses, and Paxlovid will join an array of Covid-19 treatments that we're making available. These three lines of defence will keep huge numbers of people out of hospital. However, even though we've seen some encouraging research about the severity of Omicron, its increased transmissibility means it can still lead to significant numbers of hospitalisations. Due to the time lag between infections and hospitalisations, it's inevitable that we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month. This is likely to test the limits of finite NHS capacity even more than a typical winter. I've been working closely with the NHS, to make sure it is ready and resilient for what lies ahead. We've recruited almost 20,000 more clinical staff since September 2020 and we're boosting bed capacity too, including through new Nightingale surge hubs within hospital grounds. As we begin 2022, we also enter our third year in a global pandemic a pandemic that is still far from over. While we face it in a stronger position because of all the incredible work that's been done this past year, we all have a part to play in making sure we get off to the best possible start: by keeping each other safe, testing ourselves regularly, and if we're eligible, by getting the jab. Buckingham Palace 'sleepwalked' into the Prince Andrew crisis and has been paralysed with indecision over to how to handle things, it was claimed last night. Senior royal insiders said the duke operated with 'impunity' as a member of the Royal Family because staff were 'too scared' to stand up to him. And they say the idea he could still return to public life, despite the swirling controversy around his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, must be quashed. The comments came as Andrew suffered two setbacks in his US sex case, admitting he has no proof over his infamous claim he cannot sweat and also seeing the judge throw out an attempt to stall the case. Lawyers for his accuser Virginia Roberts, who is suing the prince for damages in a New York civil case, have demanded he hand over evidence he does not perspire, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. Senior royal insiders said the duke operated with 'impunity' as a member of the Royal Family because staff were 'too scared' to stand up to him. Pictured: Prince Andrew But his legal team said 'no documents exist in his possession, custody or control' to back the claim. And the judge denied Andrew's requests to delay the case after he claimed Miss Roberts cannot sue in the US on the grounds that she lives in Australia. The prince was seen in public yesterday for the first time since his friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of multiple counts of child sex trafficking for her boyfriend Epstein, driving himself to Windsor Castle. In his Newsnight interview he also told interviewer Emily Maitlis that on the date Miss Roberts says they slept together in London, he was at a Pizza Express in Woking. He has been told to prove this too. Miss Roberts, now Giuffre, claims she slept with Andrew three times in 2001, at a time when she was 17 and under the control of Epstein. The prince was seen in public yesterday for the first time since his friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of multiple counts of child sex trafficking for her boyfriend Epstein, driving himself to Windsor Castle. Pictured: Prince Andrew and Maxwell in 2000 at Ascot The prince vehemently denies the accusations. But pressure has increased on him this week following Maxwell's conviction. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior former royal adviser stressed that while there was no knowledge of the extent of the duke's friendship with Epstein and Maxwell to anyone outside of the prince's private office, the 'Andrew problem' was a long-running issue for the royal household in general. 'Anyone who even dared to offer their professional advice that maybe his way wasn't the right one was met with a decisive 'f*** off out of my office',' the source said. The account is backed up by other former royal staff, all of whom claim the prince acted as if he 'didn't have to answer to anyone' and was allowed to 'go rogue'. Pictured: Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 Particularly troublesome, it was said, was Andrew's role as a roving trade 'ambassador', which saw him repeatedly criticised for cosying up to highly controversial world leaders and businessmen. A former Buckingham Palace staff member recalled how it was an 'impossible job' to persuade the prince or his advisers to take any instruction. 'The duke made clear that the only person he answered to was the Queen,' they said. 'He wouldn't take advice from anyone. [He] acted with total impunity and staff were just too scared to stand up to him as a member of the Royal Family. Her Majesty almost always backed him and he fully exploited that. 'There's an element of Buckingham Palace sleepwalking into his whole crisis. Andrew would tell his family that it was all untrue and it would all go away.' Andrew (pictured) stepped back from official duties following the Newsnight interview. But the insiders said it was it was 'unsatisfactory' the option of his return to public life remained open Andrew stepped back from official duties following the Newsnight interview. But the insiders said it was it was 'unsatisfactory' the option of his return to public life remained open. 'It would be better for all concerned to lance that boil now, once and for all,' they said. On Tuesday, Andrew will try again to have the case brought by Miss Roberts thrown out. But in court papers filed yesterday, her legal team made it clear they would test his Newsnight alibi, when he disputed her claim he was sweating while they danced together in a London nightclub by saying he had a 'peculiar medical condition' which made it 'impossible' for him to perspire. Lawyers want the court to order him to hand over proof about his 'alleged medical condition of anhidrosis'. And they could ask for his former police bodyguards to testify about the duke's whereabouts at the time Miss Roberts says they were having sex. Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night. Q&A What is Andrew accused of? The formal allegations are battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Bringing the New York case under her married name of Giuffre, Virginia Roberts alleges she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 and a 'sex slave' to his friend, paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Unlike the Ghislaine Maxwell trial in Manhattan this is a civil case. Miss Roberts is seeking damages, probably totalling millions of pounds. Andrew cannot be jailed. Where are we at? The case was filed in August and is still at the early stages. On Tuesday, the judge will rule on a new Andrew application to dismiss it. If it continues there will be the taking of depositions formal statement given under oath. Who could be deposed? Miss Roberts' lawyer David Boies has said he will seek to depose the duke and possibly his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, among others. Andrew's side will depose his accuser and her associates, and perhaps her lawyers. And then? Judge Lewis Kaplan has set a tentative trial date for September, with the case to be decided by a jury made up of a dozen members of the public. Will Andrew testify? He can refuse to give a deposition but it could result in a default judgment against him. If he attends the trial, he can decline to give evidence in person, or 'take the fifth', refusing to answer questions in order to avoid incriminating himself. What evidence will be heard? Miss Roberts will tell her account and bring witnesses she says back up her claims. It is thought she will use flight logs from Epstein's private jets showing her being flown to locations she claims to have had sex with the duke. Evidence from Maxwell's trial could also play a part, including testimony from the victim known only as Carolyn, who says she was pulled into Epstein's sphere by Roberts herself. What about the FBI wanting to speak to Andrew? That is separate from this case. The FBI have been looking to speak to Andrew as a possible witness for at least the last two years as they continue to investigate Epstein's global sex ring. A request filed with the Home Office under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty is currently gathering dust and has not been actioned. Advertisement STEPHEN GLOVER: Legal tricks won't wash any more. Prince Andrew is jeopardising the monarchy Can Prince Andrew save himself? Or are his reputation and good name about to be dragged further into the gutter, damaging not only him but the monarchy as well? No one can yet answer these questions definitively because no one other than Prince Andrew and a handful of people know whether he is wholly innocent of allegations made by Virginia Giuffre (formerly Roberts) that he sexually abused her in London and New York and on a Caribbean island in 2001 when she was 17. If he is blameless, as he vehemently insists that he is, it is obviously in his interests and those of the Royal Family for him to strain every sinew to convince the world of his innocence. This he has so far not done. The spotlight is shining much more powerfully on Prince Andrew writes STEPHEN GLOVER Until this week the prince had just about got away with a combination of stone-walling, evasion and obfuscation, though at enormous cost to his credibility. The conviction of his friend Ghislaine Maxwell as a child sex trafficker demands an entirely new approach on his part. Things have suddenly got an awful lot worse for him. The spotlight is shining much more powerfully on Andrew partly because we now know that the woman whom he invited to Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Sandringham is both depraved and wicked. So that famous photograph of a smiling Prince Andrew with his arm wrapped around the bare midriff of Virginia Giuffre, as Ghislaine Maxwell beams in the background inside her house, inevitably takes on a deeper significance. What exactly happened that night? What on earth was the 41-year-old prince doing with his arm around a 17-year-old girl who was part of a sex trafficking ring of underage girls nurtured by Maxwell for her friend, the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein? Prince Andrew pictured during his interview with BBC's Newsnight in 2019 Virginia Roberts' statement on Maxwell verdict 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 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. 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. Advertisement The spotlight also homes in on Andrew because the allegations of Maxwell's and Epstein's victims have now been believed and upheld by a jury, though Virginia Giuffre herself was not called as a witness during the trial. Can the prince seriously believe that his previous policy of bobbing and weaving he told BBC's Newsnight in a disastrous interview in 2019 that he couldn't even remember meeting Giuffre is remotely sustainable following Maxwell's conviction? Just look at the way he and his lawyers have conducted themselves over recent months. Andrew was accused of trying to 'dodge, duck, run and hide' in his mother's palaces to avoid legal papers being served on him after Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against him. He should have accepted them like a man. His aggressive US attorney, Andrew Brettler, attempted to argue simultaneously that Giuffre's claims were 'baseless and potentially unlawful' whilst also saying that the court papers had not been properly served. Judge Lewis Kaplan reasonably responded: 'Let's cut out all the technicalities and get to the substance.' In October, the prince's lawyers changed tack by branding Giuffre as a 'money-hungry sex kitten' who had 'initiated this baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday'. Their latest swerve was to suggest earlier this week that Virginia Giuffre was pretending to be a US citizen but lives in Australia, and therefore the American court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. The judge will consider the arguments on Tuesday. Whether in relation to Giuffre's lawsuit, or to other charges that may lie along the road in the wake of Maxwell's conviction, Prince Andrew is going to have to stand and defend himself. If he declines to do so, the world will increasingly conclude that he is guilty with possibly calamitous consequences for the monarchy. The prince has hitherto conducted himself as though the accusations against him are entirely his business. He apparently believes that if he wishes to give an interview and shoot himself in the foot, or duck court papers, or unleash attack-dog lawyers who use abusive language, it is only a matter for him. Prince Andrew strongly denies Ms Giuffre's (pictured at court in New York on August 27, 2019) allegations that he slept with her after she claimed to have been trafficked to him Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City on Wednesday It's not, of course. Andrew's reputation is on the line, and he has so far managed to guard it in a spectacularly clod-hopping way. But there is something infinitely more important at stake the position of Her Majesty the Queen as she approaches the 70th anniversary of the start of her reign. If the entitled and haughty prince continues to give the impression that he believes there is one set of laws governing the behaviour of people like him, and another for the rest of us, the monarchy is certain to suffer lasting damage. That is why he must not go on running the show in such an incompetent and haphazard fashion. He should give a proper account of himself, and attempt to explain his close relationship with the child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein who killed himself in a jail cell. An innocent man should have nothing to fear from the law. The prince has every right to insist on a fair hearing, but once that right has been granted, evading very serious charges becomes shaming, contemptible and destructive. He is a foolish man who kept bad company, and is accused of doing bad things. Few people give a fig for him, but millions of us cherish the monarchy. Prince Andrew must not be allowed to bring it to ruin. President Joe Biden said Friday he told Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia there will be a 'heavy price' if Russia invades Ukraine, amid ongoing tensions amid the Russian troop build-up along the border. 'I made clear to President Putin that if he makes any more moves, if he goes into Ukraine, we will have severe sanctions. We will increase our presence in Europe, with our NATO allies, and there will be a heavy price to pay for it,' Biden said from his hometown of Wilmington, where he is spending New Year's Eve. He spoke to reporters outside Bank's Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar in Wilmington, a night after a Thursday phone call with Putin from his Delaware home. Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden lunched at the restaurant on New Year's eve day. If Russia invades Ukraine, 'there will be a heavy price to pay for it,' President Joe Biden says he told Russian President Vladimir Putin. He spoke on New Year's Eve day after lunching with first lady Jill Biden at a Wilmington seafood restaurant Biden was asked whether he got the sense whether Putin was any more likely to invade following their conversation. 'Well, I got the sense of is that he's agreed that we would have three major conferences in Europe in the beginning of the middle of the month,' Biden responded, without answering directly. 'He laid out some of his concerns about NATO and the United States and Europe, we laid out ours,' he said. 'I made it clear that they only could work if he deescalated,' he added, in reference to the massive troop buildup. Those lower level engagements are set to begin in Geneva early next month. Biden was asked whether he got the sense whether Putin was any more likely to invade following their conversation, and did not answer directly Asked if Russia faces sanctions by keeping troops on the Ukrainian border, he said: I'm not going to negotiate here in public but we made it clear he cannot, Ill emphasize, cannot invade Ukraine.' A White House statement Thursday said Russia cannot 'further invade' Ukraine, in reference to its 2014 invasion of Crimea. Biden will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday, a White house official said earlier on Friday. Putin has said Moscow 'firmly' defended its interests in 2021 - a year marked by an unprecedented crackdown on the opposition and increased tensions with the West - in a New Year's address. The broadcast aired at midnight in the Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula and was reported by Russian agencies. In the speech, Putin said: 'We firmly and consistently defended our national interests, the security of the country and (of) citizens.' He added that the country's 146 million has faced 'colossal challenges but has learned to live in those harsh conditions and solve difficult tasks thanks to our solidarity.' Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) said his government had 'firmly' defended the country's interests in the face of 'colossal challenges' This year Russia implemented a major crackdown on organisations and people critical of Putin - starting with the jailing of his top critic Alexei Navalny in February. Tensions between Russia and the West have also reached new highs over Ukraine. Putin discussed the soaring tensions in a phone call with US President Joe Biden on Thursday. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. threat of new sanctions against Russia in case of an escalation or invasion, to which Putin responded with a warning of his own that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. The Kremlin chief, in power since 1999, also expressed support to Russians who lost relatives to Covid. His country is among the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic. 'The insidious disease has claimed tens of thousands of lives,' he said. The address, broadcast at midnight last night, came just hours after Putin spoke with US President Biden on the phone (pictured) to discuss the situation in Ukraine 'I want to express my sincere support to everyone who has lost relatives, loved-ones, friends,' he added. Russia's state statistics agency said Thursday that more than 71,000 people died of coronavirus in the country in November, setting a new monthly fatality record since the pandemic began. The country has also seen a drop in contagion in recent weeks with new daily infections currently just above 20,000 after peaking at more than 40,000 in early November. The government so far has reported only about 100 infections with the new omicron variant, but it is bracing up for a new wave of contagion after the holidays. Just 51% of Russians have been fully vaccinated, and the government has sought to speed up the uptake, claiming that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine and other domestically designed shots offer a good protection from the omicron variant. Authorities across Russia have restricted access to museums, theaters and concerts allowing only those who have been vaccinated or tested negative, but restaurants, clubs and cinemas have remained accessible for all in most regions. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier is seen smoking at the line of separation from the pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on December 30, 2021 Moscow and other big cities planned to mark the New Year with fireworks and shopping malls were brimming with customers on a holiday buying spree. Putin also told Russians that Moscow's 'main goal' for the future is to 'improve the welfare and quality of life for people.' Russia celebrates New Year over its 11 time zones, starting in Kamchatka and ending in the western Kaliningrad exclave. Russian authorities have tightened controls over the domestic political scene this year, with Putin's main political foe Alexei Navalny handed a 2 1/2 year prison sentence, his organizations outlawed as 'extremist' and scores of media outlets, civil society groups and activists branded 'foreign agents,' a pejorative label implying additional government scrutiny. Earlier this week, Russia's court capped a year of crackdown by shutting the country's oldest and most prominent human rights group in a move that drew an international outrage. Putin, 69, who has been in power for more than two decades - longer than any other Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin - is entitled to seek two more six-year terms and remain in power until 2036. He has said he would decide later whether to run again in 2024. The BBC came under fire for giving Ghislaine Maxwells brother a primetime slot to trash the guilty verdicts and cast his sister as a victim. Ian Maxwell, 65, who was allowed five minutes on Radio 4s Today programme yesterday, said: These were Epsteins crimes and hes not here to pay that price, and she has been made to pay the price that he should have paid. He added: My own view is that Ghislaine had nothing to do with it. Presenter Mishal Husain repeatedly challenged him, pointing out that the jury believed the accusers testimonies. Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City on Wednesday Lord Vaizey, a former culture minister, called the BBC coverage of the conviction pretty poor. Last night the BBC said of Ian Maxwell: He was robustly challenged and his arguments were critiqued directly afterwards by a barrister. The row came hours after the corporation apologised for inviting constitutional expert Alan Dershowitz to discuss the verdicts on TV, despite him being implicated in the scandal as Epsteins former friend and lawyer. The Harvard law professor, 83, has also been accused of sexual abuse by Virginia Roberts. He denies the claims. We made major breakthroughs in 2021, but it was also a year where we faced new threats, especially the Omicron variant which continues to spread rapidly across the world. Despite this new adversary, the steps we took, especially the expansion of this countrys booster programme, meant we saw in the New Year in a far stronger position than we were at the end of 2020. Even so, this is still a worrying time: according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, last week one in 25 people in England would have tested positive for Covid-19, and hospitalisations are also steadily rising. Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, said today that the number of patients in intensive care units are stable and not currently following the trajectory of this time last year with the Alpha wave Recent data from the UK Health and Security Agency shows that unvaccinated people are between three and eight times more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19 However, numbers in intensive care units are stable and not currently following the trajectory we saw this time last year during the Alpha wave. As a result, we decided not to put further measures in place ahead of this New Year and we have welcomed in 2022 with some of the least restrictive measures in Europe. Curbs on our freedom must be an absolute last resort and the British people rightly expect us to do everything in our power to avert them. Since I came into this role six months ago, Ive also been acutely conscious of the enormous health, social and economic costs of lockdowns. So Ive been determined that we must give ourselves the best chance of living alongside the virus and avoiding strict measures in the future. To help us achieve this, weve built up three lines of defence which, when taken together, are some of the deepest and the strongest in the world. First, of course, is the vaccination programme, and weve now met our highly ambitious target that we would offer every eligible adult in England the opportunity to get a booster by the end of 2021. Weve now met our highly ambitious target that we would offer every eligible adult in England the opportunity to get a booster by the end of 2021 Recent data from the UK Health and Security Agency shows that unvaccinated people are between three and eight times more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19, depending on their age, and so every jab counts and can help keep someone out of hospital. Second, weve built up a huge testing infrastructure. Over Christmas, we saw how regular tests can give us the confidence to see loved ones and live our lives. Although it has been a time of massive global demand, we almost tripled distribution of lateral flow tests in December, to 300million, and were also tripling the supply for January and February compared to our pre-Omicron plans. Our third line of defence is treatments, and we have the most advanced antivirals programme in Europe. Yesterday, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved Paxlovid, a cutting edge antiviral treatment. Weve secured almost three million courses, and Paxlovid will join an array of Covid-19 treatments that were making available. These three lines of defence will keep huge numbers of people out of hospital. However, even though weve seen some encouraging research about the severity of Omicron, its increased transmissibility means it can still lead to significant numbers of hospitalisations. Due to the time lag between infections and hospitalisations, its inevitable that we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month. This is likely to test the limits of finite NHS capacity even more than a typical winter. Ive been working closely with the NHS, to make sure it is ready and resilient for what lies ahead. Weve recruited almost 20,000 more clinical staff since September 2020 and were boosting bed capacity too, including through new Nightingale surge hubs within hospital grounds. As we begin 2022, we also enter our third year in a global pandemic a pandemic that is still far from over. While we face it in a stronger position because of all the incredible work thats been done this past year, we all have a part to play in making sure we get off to the best possible start: by keeping each other safe, testing ourselves regularly, and if were eligible, by getting the jab. 'We must try to live with Covid': Health Secretary Sajid Javid insist restrictions must only be used as a last resort and vows to do everything in his power to avoid a lockdown in 2022 - after UK records a pandemic high of 189,846 cases Sajid Javid vows today to do everything in his power to avoid another lockdown this year. Writing in the Daily Mail, the Health Secretary says any fresh curbs on freedoms must be an absolute last resort, adding that the country is in a far stronger position at the start of 2022 than it was 12 months ago. Coronavirus cases are continuing to rise due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant. But official figures showed yesterday that in parts of Britain up to four in ten hospital patients with Covid-19 were actually there to receive treatment for something else. The figure nationally is one in three. Mr Javid says the numbers in intensive care units remain stable, meaning we have welcomed in 2022 with some of the least restrictive measures in Europe. Mr Javid went on: Curbs on our freedom must be an absolute last resort and the British people rightly expect us to do everything in our power to avert them. Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, said Britons will have to get used to living with Covid-19 Since I came into this role six months ago, Ive also been acutely conscious of the enormous health, social and economic costs of lockdowns. So Ive been determined that we must give ourselves the best chance of living alongside the virus and avoiding strict measures in the future. In other developments: A further 189,846 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported in the UK yesterday another record for daily reported cases. There were also 203 more deaths. Office for National Statistics data showed an estimated 2.3million people in the UK had Covid-19 in the week ending December 23, the highest on record. Britains coronavirus heroes are recognised in the New Year Honours today, including knighthoods for Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance. More than a dozen hospitals across the country temporarily banned visits in an effort to protect patients and staff amid rising Covid infections. The number of Covid patients in mechanical ventilation beds in the UK has decreased over the past month, from 931 on November 30 to 868 on December 29. Pressure grew for Englands isolation period to be cut from seven to five days after Greece became the latest country to make the move. South Africa lifted its night-time curfew for the first time in 21 months after the Omicron wave peaked without overwhelming hospitals. Britain became one of the first countries in the world to approve a second pill that can treat Covid at home this time a Pfizer antiviral. Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured left, said he has not ruled out a further lockdown but said any move would be a 'last resort' He warned that due to a lag between infections and hospitalisations, 'we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month' Mr Javid said the government had introduced among the least stringent Covid-19 restrictions in Europe, pictured shoppers on Regent Street in London on Christmas Eve Britain was also one of the first places to reopen, pictured people in Soho on April 16 Mr Javid has not ruled out another lockdown and government sources said they were still awaiting critical data on the impact of Christmas on the spread of Covid. The Health Secretary warned: Due to the time lag between infections and hospitalisations, its inevitable that we will still see a big increase in people needing care from the NHS over the next month. This will likely test the limits of finite NHS capacity even more than a typical winter. However, NHS England figures show the number of patients in hospital with Covid is growing almost twice as quickly as the number who are there because of the disease. There were 8,321 patients with coronavirus in NHS hospitals in England on December 28 but only 5,578 of them were being treated primarily for the disease. It means one in three Covid patients were actually in hospital to receive treatment for another condition, such as a broken leg. This is up from one in four on December 12. In the Midlands, 40 per cent of hospital Covid patients are now there with the virus, rather than because of it. The number of patients being treated primarily for Covid in hospitals in England rose by 26 per cent from 4,432 on December 21 to 5,578 a week later. But the number of patients with Covid but primarily being treated for something else leapt 51 per cent in the same period, from 1,813 to 2,743. Separate figures show the proportion of adult acute and general hospital beds occupied by patients with any condition has decreased over the past week from 93 per cent to 87 per cent, easing pressure on the NHS. Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University, said: I am worried these figures for people in hospital with Covid rather than because of it could bounce us into a lockdown or further restrictions in January. The high numbers create anxiety in government and the public based on erroneous conclusions. Accurate statistics on true Covid cases hospitalised are required to back up the reassuring data on intensive care admission, which has remained stable, and verify that this variant is not making a large proportion of people severely ill. NHS England has pointed out that Covid-positive admissions being treated primarily for something else have to be separated from non-Covid patients, and that the virus can be a significant secondary condition. It added: The majority of inpatients with Covid-19 are admitted as a result of the infection. Sir Tony, who held the keys to Number 10 between 1997 and 2007, is appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry Tony Blair has been appointed to the Order of the Garter as a Knight Companion. The decision to ennoble the former prime minister or Sir Tony, as he will now be known has been much debated in recent years. All but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office. But Sir Tony waited over 14 years. It had been suggested that the Queen's strained relationship with him during his ten years in power may have contributed to the 'snub'. Sir Tony, who held the keys to Number 10 between 1997 and 2007, is appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry. The appointment, which is made by the Queen, has regularly been bestowed upon past prime ministers, with Sir John Major, Sir Tony's predecessor, the last to receive the honour. Sir Tony, a former Labour leader, said: 'It is an immense honour to be appointed Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and I am deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen. 'It was a great privilege to serve as prime minister and I would like to thank all those who served alongside me, in politics, public service and all parts of our society, for their dedication and commitment to our country.' Sir Tony led New Labour to a landslide victory in 1997, winning two subsequent general elections before quitting Westminster a decade later, paving the way for his chancellor Gordon Brown to take over as prime minister. The decision to ennoble the former prime minister or Sir Tony, as he will now be known has been much debated in recent years. All but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office. But Sir Tony waited over 14 years. It had been suggested that the Queen's strained relationship with him during his ten years in power may have contributed to the 'snub'. (He is pictured with the Queen in 2005) Tony and Cherie Blair embrace in front of No 10 Downing Street after the Labour Leader was elected Prime Minister in 1997. Sir Tony led New Labour to a landslide victory that year, winning two subsequent general elections before quitting Westminster a decade later, paving the way for his chancellor Gordon Brown to take over as prime minister The 68-year-old famously branded Diana, Princess of Wales, the 'people's princess' after her death and was the UK leader during Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. The former barrister became a Middle East envoy and set up his own non-for-profit group, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, after leaving politics. Each year, Royal Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter gather at St George's Chapel in Windsor for a colourful procession and ceremony. Watched by crowds of onlookers, they walk down the hill to the chapel from the State Apartments, dressed in blue velvet mantles, red velvet hoods, black velvet hats and white ostrich plumes. Sir Tony, who left Downing Street more than 14 years ago, is one of three new appointments announced by the palace. Tony Blair with George W. Bush in 2006. Blair, 68, famously branded Diana, Princess of Wales, the 'people's princess' after her death and was the UK leader during Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan Appointments to the Garter are in the Queen's gift and made without prime ministerial advice, and are usually announced on St George's Day, April 23, but the monarch can do so at any time, and has chosen to coincide with the New Year's Honours. They are for life unless a Knight or Lady Companion offends against certain 'points of reproach'. Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement. It is said to have been inspired by events at a ball in northern France, attended by the king and Joan, Countess of Salisbury. The countess is believed to have dropped her garter, causing laughter and some embarrassment. The chivalrous king, however, picked it up and wore it on his own leg, uttering the phrase 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' - 'Shame on him who thinks this evil' - now the Order's motto. The Order's emblem is a blue ribbon or garter worn by men below the left knee and by women on the left arm. There are now 21 non-royal companions in the order out of a maximum of 24. Back in 1984, the International Marxist Group, a ragtag band of one-time communists, Hampstead socialists and student revolutionaries, asked one of its affiliates what winter was going to be like that year. Britain's coal miners were planning a strike and their far-Left allies wanted to know whether it would be cold enough for their action to be effective in other words, if they could bring the country to its knees. The affiliate they asked was an astrophysicist turned amateur meteorologist called Piers Corbyn, who, alongside an interest in Trotskyite politics, had developed a method of solar-based weather forecasting. Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is the face of the anti-vaccine campaign Yes, he concluded, presenting his evidence to a National Union of Mineworkers committee. It was indeed going to be a very cold winter. The NUM were most grateful, and one of their leader Arthur Scargill's lieutenants later rang Corbyn to ask how long the cold weather would hold. He was told it might last long enough to bring down the Tory government of Margaret Thatcher. Corbyn's prediction about the weather was true enough the winter of 1984-85 was unusually cold. But Mrs Thatcher survived, crushing the strike, reviving the economy and changing the face of British industrial relations. Today, almost 38 years later, Piers Corbyn's name is associated with another series of ugly street protests. And, as the face of the anti-vaccine campaign, he is engaged in a cause far more sinister and dangerous than that of the miners whose strike threatened to turn the nation's lights out. For this movement, fuelled by conspiracy theories on social media, endangers every one of us by spreading fear and disinformation and everyone who consequently fails to get vaccinated reduces our ability to control the pandemic effectively. The boffin with crooked teeth and scruffy hair, once dismissed as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's harmless if eccentric older brother who made a living from betting on the weather, is the high priest of these protesters a rabble of Covid-deniers, anti-lockdown fanatics and 'anti-vaxxers'. Piers Corbyn (left) was once dismissed as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's (right) harmless if eccentric older brother who made a living from betting on the weather, is the high priest of these protesters a rabble of Covid-deniers, anti-lockdown fanatics and 'anti-vaxxers' This week, their campaign took a menacing turn when a group led by Corbyn stormed a coronavirus test site in Milton Keynes, shouting abuse at the terrified staff and apparently stealing vital medical supplies, only to dump them in a rubbish bin at the NHS centre. Videos of the protest, shared on social media, show demonstrators taking over the walk-through testing centre while shouting 'shame on you' at staff. Placard-waving activists were filmed marching through the site, tearing down signs and hurling traffic cones. Staff there, forced to cower, were accused of being 'fascists', 'cowards' and 'murderers'. Footage showed one protester picking up a box of testing kits and other equipment from a marquee, using a plastic container to take them away. She was then filmed dumping the material into a bin outside the centre. Corbyn, 74, was not among those filmed at the site but was heard speaking through a megaphone. 'We are peaceful. You are killing people,' he declared. He claimed the Covid vaccine was a bio-weapon and accused staff of 'playing Russian roulette with people'. Spouting such claptrap has elevated him to a place alongside his fellow zealots in the movement, who include David Icke the serial conspiracy theorist who believes world events are determined by shape-shifting reptilians and Kate Shemirani, a former nurse who outrageously compared NHS workers to Nazi war criminals. At various times, all three have addressed anti-vaxxer rallies. They draw their support from a cabal of extremists such as the British offshoot of QAnon, extreme Right-wing backers of Donald Trump, anti-5G technology campaigners and those who believe that Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates has a secret plan to rule the world, using the Covid vaccines to implant microchips into children. Welcome to the terrifying world of Piers Richard Corbyn, who believes the pandemic is a hoax and claims that the Government wants to impose a 'new world order' through its use of lockdowns. Leading a crowd of anti-vaxxers in Brighton, who forced a vaccination centre to suspend its work, he called those administering the jabs 'scum'. At a stroke, he proved that Labour's last leader was not the only member of the Corbyn family to show spectacular lack of judgment. Anti-vaccine Auschwitz leaflets the leaflet designed by Piers Corbyn shows Nazi death camp A few days before Christmas, he was filmed saying to supporters: '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.' A day after this brazen provocation, police did act. Corbyn was arrested on suspicion of encouragement to commit arson. Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised a police investigation into Corbyn 'and his mob' for the invasion of the Milton Keynes test-and-trace centre. 'The police have my full support to take swift action,' she declared. Yet Corbyn remains at liberty, free to continue peddling anti-vax poppycock to his volatile, unpredictable supporters. When vaccines were first being rolled out, anti-vaxxers were seen as a tiny fringe element. Thanks to Corbyn and his friends, that is no longer true. They have 'weaponised' the pandemic and succeeded in sowing doubts about the vaccines in many minds. Week after week, Corbyn has taken his incoherent, hate-filled message around the country and has gained support. For a man proud of his physics heritage he graduated with a First from Imperial College and took a masters at Queen Mary College some of his claims are not just nonsensical but unscientific. The sign 'Arbeit macht frei' outside the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz means 'Work makes you free' Yet they pale into insignificance compared with the mounting rhetoric that has come from his Stop New Normal campaign. Take the leaflet he designed that compared the Covid-19 response to experiments carried out in Nazi concentration camps. It was illustrated with the notorious inscription above the gates of Auschwitz, changing the words from Arbeit macht frei ('work sets you free') to 'vaccines are a safe path to freedom'. Then there was the airtime given to the impressive-sounding Centre for Research on Globalisation, which, in fact, was funded by a 9/11 conspiracy theorist. Since August 2020, Piers Corbyn has become not just a key speaker for the anti-vaccine brigade but one of their main organisers, throwing himself into street protests with the same enthusiasm he once showed for the squatting campaign that blighted London in the 1970s, when he was 'manning the barricades'. More than million people died at the hands of the Nazis in Auschwitz. Pictured: Women at the train station ramp of the concentration camp in around 1944 In fact, Corbyn, one of four boys born into a Labour-supporting family his father was an engineer and his mother a science teacher seems to have spent all his life trying to be noticed, taking part in gimmicky escapades such as the 1975 showdown in Elgin Avenue, when he and 200 squatters occupied three rows of old houses in Maida Vale, West London. It certainly got him noticed. That same desperate attention-seeking was on display the night he concluded an angry protest close to London's busy St Thomas' Hospital on New Year's Eve a year ago, where he had mobilised some of his 60,000-plus social media followers to join him. Having harangued passers-by and medical staff clocking off after working punishing hours in the hospital's ICU, where patients were fighting for breath on the very wards where the Prime Minister had been treated that April, he concluded his performance with an exhibition of fire-eating. Naturally, someone was on hand to film him spitting out a flammable liquid, which ignited to create a burst of yellow flame. There has been no let-up since, as his roadshow of obsessed crackpots has criss-crossed the country from Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham to Cardiff, Oxford, Truro, Newport and leafy Glastonbury. Everywhere the message is the same: mass vaccination which governments and global experts believe is the only way out of contagion and lockdown is a fraud, and the vaccine itself is a 'satanic death shot'. He has taken his distinctive yellow T-shirt with its slogan 'resist, defy, do not comply' to High Streets, shopping centres and even the London Underground, where he and his supporters filmed a TikTok-style song-and-dance routine with lyrics as unpleasant as they were puerile. All this is a long way from Corbyn's bucolic upbringing in Chetwynd Aston, Shropshire, in a Georgian property set in its own grounds, where he and his siblings roamed the countryside playing games of bicycle polo. Theirs was a privileged upbringing of prep schools and a selective and now fee-paying grammar awkward for such committed Left-wingers. While one elder brother became a flight test specialist for Concorde and another a mining engineer, Piers chose physics. As baby brother Jeremy was cutting his teeth in the world of politics, Piers was being photographed in his academic gown with the Queen during a royal visit to Imperial College. It was 1969 and after gaining his MSc in astrophysics, he, too, turned to the politics of the Left before emerging as a climate change-sceptic weather forecaster who once called Greta Thunberg an 'ignorant, brainwashed child' and tweeted a picture of her beside a swastika. Unlike his brother, who had an allotment and children to distract him from radical politics, Piers Corbyn has no reset button. He is a loner without children. Although he married a fellow political activist, Marion Roberts, he now appears to live alone in a flat near the Old Kent Road in South London, which was where the police arrested him in the early hours after his 'burn MPs' rant. Impervious to criticism and shunned by former political allies, Piers Corbyn seems utterly relaxed in the company of the conspiracy theory fanatics these days. Surely it is time to confront the lies and misinformation he spouts, if necessary with a change in the law. He is, of course, entitled to his delusions. But the punishment for uttering such dangerous propaganda and spreading fear should be swift and clear: imprisonment. Prosecutors in the US are under pressure to put other women suspected of sex trafficking for Jeffrey Epstein on trial after Maxwells conviction. After he committed suicide in jail in 2019, the authorities turned their attention to others named by his victims, starting with Maxwell. Now four women previously granted immunity from prosecution face an uncertain future. They are: Sarah Kellen If there was one person mentioned almost as much as Maxwell and Epstein during the trial, it was Sarah Kellen. She was their personal assistant and has been dubbed Epsteins lieutenant for allegedly recruiting and booking girls for massages. Carolyn, one of the victims, said that for the first year or two Maxwell called her to schedule massages for Epstein, which began when she was 14. After that it was Miss Kellen who called her. Sarah Ransome, another victim, told The New York Times that it was Ghislaine and Sarah Kellen that showed me how to please Jeffrey. Now 42, she is married to a racing driver and is an interior designer going by the name Sarah Kensington. Last year, she said: Ive been made out to be such a monster, but its not true. I was raped and abused weekly. Ghislaine Maxwell (left) and Sarah Kellen. Ms Kellen was Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell's their personal assistant and has been dubbed Epsteins lieutenant for allegedly recruiting and booking girls for massages Adriana Ross A Polish former model for the Elite agency, Miss Ross allegedly helped to organise Epsteins massages. She moved to the US in 2002 and worked at his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, and flew frequently on his private jet, including with Bill Clinton. She worked for Epstein until his first arrest in 2007. During a civil deposition in 2010 she was asked: Has Prince Andrew ever been involved with underage minor females to your knowledge? Have you ever met (him)? Have you flown on (Epsteins) plane with Andrew? She declined to answer. Now 38, she is an accountant and lives with her second husband in a run-down 217,000 home. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein and Adriana Ross in new York in 2005. Miss Ross allegedly helped to organise Epsteins massages Nadia Marcinkova According to police documents from the 2005 inquiry in Palm Beach, Epstein once bragged she was his sex slave he had bought from her family in the former Yugoslavia when she was 15. Miss Marcinkova is alleged to have taken part in sexual encounters with underage girls. She visited him 67 times in prison while he was serving 13 months in jail in 2008 for having sex with girls. She is now 36 and is a pilot who goes by the name Global Girl, offering flying lessons. Her lawyers say she was a victim and not an abuser or a recruiter. Nadia Marcinkova (pictured) is alleged to have taken part in sexual encounters with underage girls Lesley Groff (pictured) is a former trusted assistant to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein Lesley Groff She is said to have been Epsteins executive assistant for 20 years and boasted in an interview in 2005 that she had such a tight bond with him that I know what he is thinking. Epsteins victims have described her as one of his schedulers based at his 55million New York home. One, Jennifer Araoz, claims she was 14 when Epstein began abusing and raping her, and that Miss Groff was the chief scheduler of her massages. Miss Groff, now 55, lives in a 2million house in Connecticut with her husband and children. Her lawyers said she had been under investigation by prosecutors for the last two years but has been told they have no plans to charge her. Google has been forced to delay the first major update for its Pixel 6 and 6 Pro smartphones by a month while it fixes an embarrassing software glitch. The tech firm said it needs more time to investigate the recently-discovered issue of calls dropping out and disconnecting for devices with the software update installed. A fixed version of the update will be released by late January, according to the firm, which released both the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship phones in October. However, one commentator has slammed the California tech giant for taking so long to release an important bug fix, calling it 'very poor form on Google's part'. Scroll down for video The newly-released Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphone models are pictured on display at the Google Store in New York. Google has said the first major update to its flagship devices has been delayed by a month so it can fix a software bug The 'completely reimagined Google Phones' are powered by Google Tensor, the first processor designed by the California firm, with a focus on artificial intelligence The latest Google flagship smartphones come with 24 hour battery life, 'its most advanced camera yet' and Google Tensor, the first processor designed by the firm. GOOGLE PIXEL UPDATES After entering the smartphone market in 2010 with the Nexus brand, Google kicked off the Pixel phone line in 2016. Google says its Pixel phones get regular software updates that include security enhancements, operating system updates and bug fixes. But the first major update to the new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship devices has been delayed by a month so Google can fix a software bug. Advertisement The first major update to the devices started rolling out in mid-December and includes fixes and features like Quick Tap to Snap, which lets users access Snapchat directly from the lock screen simply by tapping the back of the phone twice. But since the update's rollout, Google has noticed some users reporting that calls were dropping or disconnecting, leading the firm to pause the rollout. 'The Pixel team paused the December software update to Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices after some users reported calls were dropping or disconnecting,' Camille Vogl, community manager for Pixel at Google, said in a brief post. 'We have now identified a fix that will roll out in a software update by late January. 'This update will also include all the fixes and improvements that were originally planned in December. 'We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we roll out the fix.' Vogl also said that 'no action is required' for people who aren't experiencing any issues, suggesting the bug isn't affecting every Pixel 6 and 6 Pro that have the software update. She also suggested using the Android Flash Tool to install an old build of Android 12 onto their device, but this involves performing a factory reset and backing up devices to avoid losing valuable data. As pointed out by Droid Life, owners of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro with the update have the option to either wait a month for the fix or use the Android Flash Tool but it called both of these options 'terrible'. 'Both of those options suck and Google should do better,' Droid Life says. 'In our eyes, it shouldnt take so long to get an important bug fix out the door. 'Additionally, telling the public to use Flash Tool to revert to older builds and wipe their devices? Are you kidding?' Alternatively, owners of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro with the buggy update can use another phone for the time being, although this is not ideal so soon after shelling out hundreds of pounds on the new Google flagship. The phones will start at 599 for the Pixel 6 and 849 for the Pro, putting the flagship devices at a much lower price point than the latest iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro from Apple, which start at 749 for the iPhone 13, and 949 for the iPhone 13 Pro After entering the smartphone market in 2010 with the Nexus brand, Google kicked off its Pixel smartphone line in 2016. Google's Pixel 6 and 6 Pro the latest in its Pixel smartphone range went on sale on October 28 this year following months of anticipation. The phones start at 599 for the Pixel 6 and 849 for the Pro, putting the flagship devices at a much lower price point than the latest iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro from Apple, which start at 749 for the iPhone 13, and 949 for the iPhone 13 Pro. Pixel 6 Pro has the same features as the standard Pixel, but adds a larger, faster 120Hz display, and an upgraded rear cameras including a telephoto lens. Last year it was revealed that Pixel 4 was discontinued just nine months after sales kicked off in October 2019, although Google didn't disclose why. Advertisement NASA has shared photos of the best scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021. In an online gallery, the US space agency included images from 'breakthrough investigations' ISS crew members worked on this year. These included growing vegetables in space, engineering cells for research into muscle growth and the use of virtual reality (VR) to learn how humans perceive time in low gravity. Chillies, lettuce and even the Chinese cabbage pak choi were harvested on the ISS as a part of plant research preparing astronauts for deep space missions. Technologies were also tested for the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon, set to take place in 2025, according to NASA. Crew-1 poses with the chillies they harvested on the ISS before eating them. This plant experiment was the longest in the history of the space station at 137 days. Studies like this one could help enable viable and sustainable crop production for future missions as humans explore the Moon and Mars Crew-2 and Crew-3 - two missions to the ISS operated by NASA on SpaceX rockets - harvested crops of chilli peppers. NASA astronaut Kayla Barron can be seen here with a chilli crop NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins enjoys the aroma of dwarf pak choi growing aboard the space station. The plants were grown for a study that explores space agriculture to sustain astronauts on future missions to the Moon or Mars A closeup view of red liquid moving through the Plant Water Management 3 and 4 investigation aboard the station. The investigation demonstrates passive measures for controlling fluid delivery and uptake in plant growth systems. Reduced gravity creates challenges in providing adequate fluid and nutrition for plant growth. This investigation examines using other physical properties to replace the role of gravity THE ISS: QUICK FACTS The International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft in orbit around Earth. It serves as a home where crews of astronauts and cosmonauts live. The ISS is a unique science laboratory. NASA is using the space station to learn more about living and working in space. These lessons will make it possible to send humans farther into space than ever before Several nations worked together to build and use the ISS. It orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 250 miles and travels at 17,500 mph. Source: NASA Advertisement The ISS, operated by the space agencies of the US, Canada, Russia, Japan and Europe, orbits 250 miles (400 km) above the Earth. In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of our planet, travelling through 16 sunrises and sunsets. The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 21 years, supporting many scientific breakthroughs. In one photo from NASA's gallery, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Pesquet who completed his second stint at the ISS this year can be seen working on a study called the 'cardinal muscle investigation'. This study tests whether such engineered tissues cultured in space could provide a model for studying muscle loss in low gravity, which could help inform the Artemis missions. In space, the lack of gravity means muscles barely have to work and astronauts have a vigorous exercise routine to stop them from losing large amounts of muscle mass. Another similar study uses a 3D kidney cell model known as a tissue chip to study the effects of microgravity on formation of microcrystals in kidney tubules. 'Results could support design of better treatments for conditions such as kidney stones and bone loss for astronauts and osteoporosis for people on Earth,' NASA says. ISS astronauts are also making use of their unique vantage point above the Earth for storm and environmental monitoring. Crew members photograph Earth using digital handheld cameras to record how the planet is changing over time, from human-caused changes like urban growth to natural events such as hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions. An international crew of seven people live and work while travelling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes. Here, the ISS is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly-around of the orbiting lab that took place as Crew-2 left station on November 8, 2021 ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet works on the Cardinal Muscle investigation. This study tests whether such engineered tissues cultured in space could provide a model for studying muscle loss and assessing possible therapeutics NASA astronaut Megan McArthur works on an experiment involving a 3D kidney cell model known as a tissue chip to study the effects of microgravity on formation of microcrystals in kidney tubules One photo shows Hurricane Larry which passed over Newfoundland in September as seen from the station's domed 'Cupola' window. Swells from Hurricane Larry caused rough surf and rip current conditions that caused five direct fatalities, an NOAA report published this month said. In August, NASA also shared images of Hurricane Ida taken from the ISS, showing the powerful Category 4 hurricane poised menacingly over North America. NASA astronauts are also using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) aboard the ISS for some experiments. Unlike virtual reality (VR), AR layers computer-generated images on top of real-life scenes. They're using Microsoft's HoloLens headset to learn more about how humans perceive time in low gravity, as the lower speed of the body's movement in space may affect time perception. In this image, Hurricane Larry is pictured out of stations Cupola window with the solar arrays to the right, which convert solar energy to electrical power Hurricane Ida is seen in this image taken aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The dangerous hurricane made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2021 NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough carries the second ISS roll out solar array (iROSA) toward the space stations Port-6 truss structure where he and fellow spacewalker Pesquet would go on to install it 'Crew members wear a head-mounted VR display, listen to instructions, and use a finger trackball connected to a laptop to respond, NASA says. 'They take tests once a month during flight, as well as before launching to space and after returning to Earth, to evaluate adaptive changes.' HoloLens is also being put to use as part of the Cold Atom Lab (CAL), a ISS quantum science facility that hosts experiments exploring properties of atoms. In July, the CAL team successfully demonstrated using an AR headset to assist astronauts with upgrade activities. NASA also captured an image of a hot flame of nitrogen-diluted propane created aboard the space station. It was formed as a part of the Cool Flames Investigation with Gases study, which aims to better understand flames that burn at extremely low temperatures. Without buoyancy, soot remains in the flame longer and forms large clusters. This image shows a hot flame of nitrogen-diluted propane created aboard the space station inside the Combustion Integrated Rack Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is pictured wearing a virtual reality headset and clicking a trackball for Time Perception, a study exploring how astronauts perceive space and time and possible effects on navigation and fine motor coordination in microgravity NASA astronaut Megan McArthur wears the HoloLens headset to test an augmented reality (AR) application. AR adds sound, visual elements or other sensory stimuli to a real-life environment The ISS, which launched back in 1998, has had a busy year multiple Soyuz spacecrafts carried astronauts to and from station, while the Crew 2, and Crew 3 missions supported hundreds of experiments aboard the orbiting laboratory. It also averted a disaster in July when thrusters of a newly-arrived Russian research module, called Nauka, inadvertently fired a few hours after it docked. On November 11, NASA launched Crew 3, the third fully-fledged 'operational' crew NASA and SpaceX have flown to the ISS. The crew successfully reached the ISS about a day after the launch. Crew 3 marked the fourth crew NASA has launched to orbit aboard a SpaceX vehicle in 17 months, building on a public-private partnership with SpaceX, the private company formed in 2002 by Elon Musk. SPACEX-NASA SPACE MISSIONS TO THE ISS Crew 3 is the third full-fledged 'operational' crew NASA and SpaceX have flown to the ISS - SpaceX Crew-1 (launched November 2020) - SpaceX Crew-2 (April 2021) - SpaceX Crew-3 (November 2021) There were also two test missions to the ISS, one crewed and the other uncrewed: - Crew Dragon Demo-2 (crewed, May 2020) - Crew Dragon Demo-1 (uncrewed, March 2019) Advertisement Multiple commercial resupply missions carried new science experiments and supplies to the orbiting laboratory throughout the year, including the SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft on the companys 23rd commercial resupply mission for NASA (pictured here) Aerospace company Northrop Grummans 16th Cygnus commercial resupply mission, which launched in August this year, is pictured here Their collaboration helped usher in a new era for NASA leading to last year's first launch of American astronauts from US soil in nine years, since it quit flying space shuttles in 2011. In May 2020, SpaceX successfully transported NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on a 19-hour journey to the ISS marking the first crewed test flight of the firm's Crew Dragon spacecraft. In the process it became be the first crewed launch from the US into orbit since NASA's space shuttle program ended in a decade ago. Crew 4 the fourth crewed operational NASA flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on April 15, 2022. It will carry a four-person crew to the ISS NASA astronauts Robert Hines, Kjell N. Lindgren and Jessica Watkins, as well as Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough is pictured inside the Kibo laboratory module with the Astrobee free-flying robotic assistants. He monitored the cube-shaped robotic free-flyers as they tested automated rendezvous techniques Members of the cold stowage team unpack the Rotifer-B2 science experiment inside the Space Station Processing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 14, 2021. The experiment returned from station to Earth on SpaceXs 21st commercial resupply services mission NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei works to relocate the Multi-use Variable-g Platform (MVP) inside the Kibo laboratory module. The MVP is a space biology research platform that can produce up to 2g of artificial gravity and houses samples such as fruit flies, flatworms, plants, fish, cells, protein crystals and more From billionaires racing to be the first into space, to a telescope that will allow astronomers to peer back to the dawn of the universe, 2021 was packed with breakthroughs, firsts and adventures in space. Other highlights included NASA flying a helicopter on another world for the first time, and Star Trek's William Shatner travelling to the edge of space. There were dozens of exoplanets discovered, the oldest supermassive black hole ever found by astronomers, and the launch of new telescopes to study the universe. Beyond the science milestones, we entered the era of commercial space tourism, with Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin reaching space, and SpaceX sending an all civilian crew on an orbital jaunt around the planet. The coming year is expected to be just as busy, with the first pictures from the Webb telescope expected in June, and launches of the giant NASA SLS rocket, and an orbital test of the SpaceX Starship likely before the year is finished. From billionaires racing to be the first into space, to a telescope that will allow astronomers to peer back to the dawn of the universe, 2021 was packed with breakthroughs, firsts and adventures in space To get an idea of just how packed a year it has been in space travel, science and adventure, MailOnline has pulled together a selection of highlights. Missions to Mars In 2021 three nations reached Mars with either landers or orbiter spacecraft, designed to study the atmosphere or search the surface of the Red Planet. These included the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter, sent by NASA, the Hope orbiter sent by the United Arab Emirates, and Tianwen-1 from China. NASA's Perseverance Rover survived its 'seven minutes of terror,' a time when the craft relies on its automated systems for descent and landing, to touch down flawlessly on Mars' Jezero Crater in February. These included the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter, sent by NASA, the Hope orbiter sent by the United Arab Emirates, and Tianwen-1 from China MARS: THE BASICS Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, with a 'near-dead' dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere. Mars is also a dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps, canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence that it was even more active in the past. It is one of the most explored planets in the solar system and the only planet humans have sent rovers to explore. One day on Mars takes a little over 24 hours and a year is 687 Earth days. Facts and Figures Orbital period: 687 days Surface area: 144.8 million km Distance from Sun: 227.9 million km Gravity: 3.721 m/s Radius: 3,389.5 km Moons: Phobos, Deimos Advertisement Since then, the car-sized robot has been taking photos and drilling for samples for its mission, to find out whether Mars once hosted microbial life. With its state-of-the-art instruments, 'Percy,' as the rover is affectionately known, can also zap Martian rock and chemically analyse the vapour. Percy has a partner along for the ride: Ingenuity, a four-pound rotorcraft that in April succeeded in the first powered flight on another celestial body. It took to the Martian sky just over a century after the Wright brothers' achieved the same feat here on Earth, and has performed many more since. 'Perseverance is sort of the flagship mission, it's doing a long-term detailed investigation of this fascinating area of Mars,' said Jonathan McDowall, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. By contrast, 'Ingenuity, is one of these cute, small, cheap little technology demos that NASA can do so well,' he added. The insights gained from Ingenuity could help scientists develop Dragonfly, a planned thousand-pound drone copter, to search for signs of life on Saturn's moon Titan in the mid-2030s. While on Mars, Perseverance also used an on board oxygen generator, to produce O2 from natural resources present on the Red Planet. MOXIE, or the Mars Oxygen In-situ Resource Utilization Experiment, produced 5.4 grams of oxygen in an hour by pulling in CO2 and converting it to the life giving chemical during its first test on the Red Planet back in April. The insights gained from Ingenuity could help scientists develop Dragonfly, a planned thousand-pound drone copter, to search for signs of life on Saturn's moon Titan in the mid-2030s NASA's Perseverance rover has taken six rock samples, captured 100,000 images of the Red Planet, and travelled 1.8 miles during its first 10 months on Mars The UAE Hope orbiter was the first of the three spacecraft to arrive in the Martian system, and has been monitoring the atmosphere on the Red Planet. The probe was also the first to photograph the 'discrete aurora' caused by solar radiation hitting the nightside of the atmosphere and only visible in ultraviolet light. China's Tianwen-1 probe arrived in orbit around the Red Planet in February 2021, and in May sent the Zhurong rover to land on Mars, making China only the third nation to operate a vehicle on the Red Planet, after the US and Soviet Union. Billionaire space race begins American millionaire, Dennis Tito, became the world's first space tourist in 2001, when he visited the International Space Station for a week, costing $20m. In the 20 years since Tito made history, a total of ten space tourists paid to visit the ISS with US-firm Space Adventures. Director Klim Shipenko and actor Yulia Peresild have also visited the ISS, despite not being astronauts, although did so in a professional capacity, to film a movie. In July, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson faced off against Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos to be the first non-professional astronaut to complete a suborbital spaceflight Director Klim Shipenko and actor Yulia Peresild have also visited the ISS, despite not being astronauts, although did so in a professional capacity, to film a movie SpaceX continued apace in 2021 including 31 launches of the Falcon 9 rocket, including multiple Starlink satellite constellation trips, further building out the space-based internet service. They also launched a high-altitude test of the Starship rocket THE BILLIONAIRE SPACE RACE Dubbed the 'NewSpace' set, Jeff Bezos, Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk all say they were inspired by the first moon landing in 1969, when the US beat the Soviet Union in the space race, and there is no doubt how much it would mean to each of them to win the 'new space race'. Amazon founder Bezos had looked set to be the first of the three to fly to space, having announced plans to launch aboard his space company Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft on July 20, but Branson beat him to the punch. The British billionaire became Virgin Galactic Astronaut 001 when he made it to space on a suborbital flight nine days before Bezos - on July 11 in a test flight. Bezos travelled to space on July 20 with his younger brother Mark, Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student whose dad purchased his ticket, and pioneering female astronaut Wally Funk, 82. Although SpaceX and Tesla founder Musk has said he wants to go into space, and even 'die on Mars', he has not said when he might blast into orbit - but has purchased a ticket with Virgin Galactic for a suborbital flight. SpaceX became the first of the 'space tourism' operators to send a fully civilian crew into orbit, with the Inspiration4 mission funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman. His flight was on a Dragon capsule and SpaceX rocket built by space-obsessed billionaire, Elon Musk and took off for the three day orbital trip on September 16 - going higher than the International Space Station. Advertisement The pair spent five days in orbit throughout 2021, filming a movie called The Challenge, about a surgeon who embarks on an emergency mission to the International Space Station to save the life of a cosmonaut. In July, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson faced off against Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos to be the first non-professional astronaut to complete a suborbital spaceflight. While the British tycoon won that battle by a few days, it was Blue Origin that raced ahead, launching three more flights with paying customers and celebrity guests. Elon Musk's SpaceX entered the fray in September with a three-day orbital mission around the Earth featuring an all-civilian crew on Inspiration 4. The Inspiration4 team launched on a Crew Dragon capsule from Florida on September 15 and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean three days later. They were led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, 38, chief executive of the e-commerce firm Shift4 Payments Inc, who acted as mission 'commander'. 'It's really exciting that finally, after so long this stuff is finally happening,' said space industry analyst Laura Seward Forczyk, author of the forthcoming book 'Becoming Off-Worldly,' intended to prepare future space travellers. But it was William Shatner, who played the swashbuckling Captain Kirk on the 1960s TV series 'Star Trek,' who stole the show with a moving account of his experience. 'What you're looking down on is Mother Earth, and it needs protecting,' he told reporters. A Russian crew shot the first film in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021, and Japanese tourists made their own visit there on a Soyuz rocket. For a few minutes on December 11, there were a record 19 humans in space when Blue Origin carried out its third crewed mission, the Japanese team were on the ISS along with its normal crew, and Chinese taikonauts were in position on their station. The sight of wealthy elites gallivanting in the cosmos hasn't been to everyone's liking, however, and the nascent space tourism sector triggered a backlash from some who said there were more pressing issues to face. Elon Musk's SpaceX entered the fray in September with a three-day orbital mission around the Earth featuring an all-civilian crew on Inspiration 4 It was William Shatner, who played the swashbuckling Captain Kirk on the 1960s TV series 'Star Trek,' who stole the show with a moving account of his experience In July, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson faced off against Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos to be the first non-professional astronaut to complete a suborbital spaceflight SpaceX continued apace in 2021 including 31 launches of the Falcon 9 rocket, including multiple Starlink satellite constellation trips, further building out the space-based internet service. The Elon Musk-owned firm also pushed forward with the massive 160ft Starship rocket, that could one day take humans to Mars. In May SpaceX sent its Starship SN15 prototype six miles into the sky, before returning it to the ground where it landed safely on the pad. China pushes ahead with space exploration During the Cold War, space was dominated by the US and the former Soviet Union, with government agencies running the show. Now, in addition to the explosion of the commercial sector, which includes multiple operators sending satellites, telescopes and probes at an astounding pace, other nations are flexing their space flight muscles. As well as reaching Mars, becoming only the second nation to land and operate a vehicle on the Red Planet, China continued operations in orbit and on the Moon. China's Tiangong (Palace in the Sky) space station - its first long-term outpost - was launched in April, while its first Mars rover, Zhurong, landed in May Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang stepping outside China's Tiangong space station in orbit around Earth on November 7, 2021, they were part of the second crew to visit the station 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 China's Tiangong (Palace in the Sky) space station - its first long-term outpost - was launched in April, while its first Mars rover, Zhurong, landed in May. 'In the past 20 years since China finally decided to go big on space, they've been in catch up mode,' said McDowall. 'And now they're kind of there, and they're starting to do things that the US hasn't done.' Since the first crew launched in April, a second, relief crew has visited the station, preparing for the arrival of new modules to extend the orbital facility. Over the coming decade China plans to drmatically extend its efforts on the Moon, including sending a rover and flying vehicle, as well as begin construction of a base built out of lunar material. In June, the nation announced plans to send its first crewed mission to Mars in 2033 with the goal of constructing a base and extract resources from the Red Planet. It wasn't just China and the US battling it out for their place in space history, the UAE placed a probe into Martian orbit in February, becoming the first Arab nation and fifth overall to reach the planet. Russia meanwhile launched a missile at one of its own satellites, becoming the fourth country to hit a spacecraft from the ground, in a move that reignited concerns about the growing space arms race. Washington slammed Moscow for its 'reckless' test, which generated over 1,500 pieces of large orbital debris, dangerous for low Earth orbit missions such as the ISS. Telescopes and other missions The year closed out with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, a $10 billion joint project of NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). This telescope will make use of infrared technology to peer back 13 billion years in time, as well as give a new insight into the wonders of the Universe. 'It's arguably the most expensive, single scientific platform ever created,' said Casey Drier, chief advocate of the Planetary Society. The year closed out with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, a $10 billion joint project of NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) NASA 's revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope has successfully lifted off to start its long flight into space to replace the Hubble telescope after decades of planning and delays This telescope will make use of infrared technology to peer back 13 billion years in time, as well as give a new insight into the wonders of the Universe TIMELINE OF THE JWST JOURNEY TO L2 The Jame Webb Space Telescope will spend the rest of its life at the second Lagrangian point between the Earth and the Sun. This is a point where the gravitational forces of the two bodies are balanced. It is just under a million miles from the Earth's surface, and on the way there JWST will perform a number of tasks. 3-9 days: Deploy the delicate sunshield that will keep it cool Deploy the delicate sunshield that will keep it cool 10-11 days : deploy the secondary mirror : deploy the secondary mirror 12-14 days : Deploy the primary mirror : Deploy the primary mirror 15-26 days : Unfold and check the mirror segments : Unfold and check the mirror segments 29 days : Insertion into the L2 point : Insertion into the L2 point 6 months : First images after months of calibration Advertisement 'To push the boundaries of our knowledge about the cosmos, we had to build something capable of accessing that ancient past,' he added. It will reach Lagrange Point 2, a space landmark a million miles from Earth, in a matter of weeks. It will then gradually start up and calibrate its systems, coming online around June, with the first pictures expected soon after. NASA also launched the DART mission in November, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the aim of crashing into an asteroid to see if it will change its orbit. It is heading for the small moonlet asteroid Dimorphos, which orbits a larger companion asteroid called Didymos. When it gets there it will be intentionally crashing into the asteroid to slightly change its orbit. While neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, DART's kinetic impact will prove that a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid and kinetically impact it. NASA also launched its Lucy mission, sending to space on October 16, starting a 12-year mission to study eight asteroids in the main asteroid belt a. 'Lucy embodies NASA's enduring quest to push out into the cosmos for the sake of exploration and science, to better understand the universe and our place within it,' said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. 'I can't wait to see what mysteries the mission uncovers!' Coming up in 2022 Next year the space adventures will continue, with major rockets being launched for the first time, space stations being extended, and space tourism continuing apace. Among the major developments in 2022 will be the launch of the first Artemis mission, sending an uncrewed Orion capsule on a jaunt around the moon. The launch of Artemis 1, which will also be the first launch of NASA's giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, will kick start the Artemis Era. Among the major developments in 2022 will be the launch of the first Artemis mission, sending an uncrewed Orion capsule on a jaunt around the moon SpaceX is expected to make the first orbital test flight of its massive Starship rocket in 2022, that will see it splash down in the Atlantic Ocean - likely followed by further, higher and more adventurous tests soon after NASA plans to send a crew in an Orion capsule around the moon by 2023, and then land the first woman and next man on the surface in 2024. From there, the US space agency, and partners including Japan, Europe and Canada, plan to build lunar habitats and use lessons learned there for forward missions to Mars in the 2030s. SpaceX is expected to make the first orbital test flight of its massive Starship rocket in 2022, that will see it splash down in the Atlantic Ocean - likely followed by further, higher and more adventurous tests soon after. The European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, will also be sending the ExoMars rover to the Red Planet In June we will get the first pictures from the James Webb space telescope, although it is unclear what the target will be. Then sometime next Autumn, NASA's DART probe will smash into an asteroid to kick it off course - very slightly. The European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, will also be sending the ExoMars rover to the Red Planet. Named after famed-British scientist, Rosalind Franklin, the rover was built in part in the UK, and will launch for Mars on September 20, 2022. Closer to home, there are also expected to be a number of space launches from Scotland - the first orbital launches from British soil. NASA announced on Friday the Biden administration is extending operations of the International Space Station (ISS) through 2030. Congress has only approved funding for the massive orbiting laboratory until 2024, but the American space agency is now expecting additional money to power the station for longer. The move comes as NASA has offered hundreds of millions of dollars to private companies to build their own space stations that would take the place of the ISS. Even though the ISS will live on, the aging ship itself may not last another six years longer than previously planned - it has formed cracks and leaks over the past few years. Scroll down for video NASA announced on Friday the Biden administration is extending operations of the International Space Station (ISS) through 2030. Congress has only approved funding for the massive orbiting laboratory until 2024 President Ronald Regan announced the construction of the ISS during his January 25, 1984 State of the Union Address, noting NASA will have it completed in 10 years. Then on December 4, 1998, the first US component of the ship launched and two years later it officially began operations. More pieces were sent into space over the following years and by 2000, the massive ship was ready for human occupants. NASAs Bill Shepard and Russias Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev arrived at the station on November 2, 2000 and stayed for several months - and humans have lived on the ISS since. Even though the ISS will live on, the aged ship itself may not last another six years longer than previously planned. Pictured is the ISS in Sept 2000, two months before humans arrived on the ship The ISS became fully operational in May 2009 when it began hosting a six-person crew; this required two Soyuz lifeboats to be docked with the ISS at all times. And the 356-foot-long station, was completed in 2011. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement on Friday: The International Space Station is a beacon of peaceful international scientific collaboration and for more than 20 years has returned enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit humanity. Im pleased that the Biden-Harris Administration has committed to continuing station operations through 2030. NASA plans to continue working with its international partners in Europe (ESA, European Space Agency), Japan (JAXA, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Canada (CSA, Canadian Space Agency), and Russia (State Space Corporation Roscosmos) to enable continuation of the groundbreaking research being conducted in this unique orbiting laboratory through the rest of this decade. It is not clear how Fridays announcement will impact NASAs offer to private companies to build their own space stations. Earlier this year, NASA unveiled the Commercial LEO (low-Earth orbit) Destinations project to help private companies build their own space station, with NASA being one of 'many' customers. NASAs Bill Shepard and Russias Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev arrived at the station on November 2, 2000 and stayed for several months - and humans have lived on the ISS since. Pictured is an image taken from NASA headquarters the day the trio arrived It was then announced earlier this month that NASA awarded three companies with contracts to build privately-owned and operated space stations in low Earth orbit. The list includes Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and Nanoracks, all of which are receiving a combined $415.6 million under NASAs Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) project, the agency announced on Thursday. Nanoracks won the largest individual award with an $160 million, while Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman received $130 million and $125.6 million. The ISS, however, was only meant to last for 15 years and is starting to show signs of age. In September, a former NASA astronaut Shepherd, who was one of the first people on the ISS, revealed cracks were spotted in the Russian Zarya module in August. In September, a former NASA astronaut William Shepherd (pictured), who was one of the first people on the ISS, revealed cracks were spotted in the Russian Zarya module in August. Shepherd reiterated claims by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, that it was 'becoming a serious issue' NASA says the cracks on the $150 billion (109 billion) laboratory did not pose any danger to astronauts 'at this time', and no new leaks had been identified. Shepherd told a House of Representatives committee hearing on Tuesday that NASA and Russian engineers 'don't exactly understand why the cracks are appearing now.' Shepherd reiterated claims by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, that it was 'becoming a serious issue,' adding that it needs to be resolved before Congress clears the ISS for operational use beyond the current 2024 funding deadline. Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer of Russian rocket and space corporation Energia, said in August a number of 'superficial fissures' had been found on Zarya. This is module is also known as the 'Functional Cargo Block' and Solovyov said the fissures had been uncovered in a 'number of places'. 'This is bad and suggests that the fissures will begin to spread over time,' Solovyov told Russian state-owned news agency RIA. He added that a significant portion of the equipment on the ISS is ageing. NASA vehemently denied claims from Russia that there were 'bad' cracks on the module, saying there were no issues 'impacting crew or normal operations.' August 2018 saw astronauts rush to fix a hole (pictured) which had appeared in the outer wall of the Soyuz capsule on the orbiting laboratory. Its origins were, and still are, a mystery despite rife speculation The space agency told DailyMail.com that 'no new potential leak sites have been identified' by astronauts or ground crew. 'We are in regular coordination for station operations with all our international partners, including Roscosmos.' Shepherd, who has flown to orbit four times, said the cracks are small, like scratches on the surface of the aluminum plate - 'something like half a dozen of them'. Last year alone a toilet broke, temperatures increased without explanation or warning and an oxygen-supply system broke down. However, the station is full of redundancies, including 'escape capsules' that can take all of the between six and 10 crew members back to Earth in an emergency. In September 2019 another module, Zvezda, also on the Russian side, started leaking air - there was no immediate danger, but it was eventually located and repaired. Solovyov previously said: 'There are already a number of elements that have been seriously damaged and are out of service. Many of them are not replaceable. After 2025, we predict an avalanche-like failure of numerous elements onboard the ISS.' In a statement to the House, Shepherd said: 'Since last fall, ISS has experienced moderate internal air leakage to space. Leaks have been traced to the interior of the transfer tunnel at the rear of the Russian Service Module. 'Leak sources are small surface cracks in the tunnel's aluminum hull. The crew has sealed leak sites, and the leakage rates have reduced. 'Engineers and technicians in Russia and the U.S. work together to understand and resolve this issue; but the root cause of the cracking, their failure modes, and impacts on ISS safety and future operations have not been adequately determined. 'I don't think the station's in any immediate danger. But before we clear the station for another so many years of operational use, we should better understand this.' Eventually, when the core structure becomes beyond repair, the ISS will be retired and sent to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, after which point NASA says it has no plans to fund or operate its own station in Earth orbit. Thomas Tuchel has made it clear to Romelu Lukaku that his rumblings of discontent are not helping Chelsea get their season back on track and he should know better. Tuchels team were struggling with injuries, Covid and four wins in 10 Premier League games when an interview emerged in which 97.5million star-man Lukaku was pining publicly for a return to Inter Milan. I dont like it because it brings noise we dont need, said Chelseas head coach, as he prepared for Sunday's game against Liverpool. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is less than impressed by Romelu Lukaku's bombshell interview Tuchel was quizzed on Lukaku's comments in his pre-match press conference on Friday We need a calm environment and focus, and it does not help. On the other side we dont want to make it more than it actually is. This is todays world, and everything you say is out there in public if you are such a big player like Romelu, he is an experienced player and should know what kind of value it has when he speaks out like this. Lukakus interview was broadcast by Sky Sport Italia on Thursday. He said he was not happy with the situation at Chelsea, that the head coach has chosen to play with another system and that he would one day return to Inter. Tuchel said it was all news to him and promised to clear the air. You will find not a lot of system changes, if any, said the Chelsea boss. Romelu played when he came, he got injured, caught Covid and he played with no training. Thats why Im surprised. I dont enter in these discussions like theres something going on because there is absolutely zero going on. Chelsea's 98million summer signing said he is 'not happy with the situation' at Chelsea In part two of his interview, released on Friday night, Lukaku said he turned down Manchester City in 2020 and that he didnt want to leave Inter. When I was at Inter, at the end of the first year, I turned down an offer from Manchester City which was higher than Chelseas this summer, Lukaku said. I did it because it had only been a year, it wasnt the right time to leave and I didnt want to. I was in a deep hole at Manchester United, things werent going well. Lukaku also opened the door to returning to Inter Milan - the club he left last summer I was a big investment for Inter but we did great things together. I went to speak with club chiefs and asked for a new contract but they didnt want to extend my contract. So I told myself that there is only one team where I could possibly see myself Chelsea. I wasnt thinking about going there, but they came in for me and so I asked (boss) Simone Inzaghi to leave. If Inter offered me a new contract, I would have stayed 100 per cent. There's just one day to go until Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe will be free to agree a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid. The Frenchman is entering the final six months of his contract at the Parc des Princes and it's no secret that the 23-year-old wants to join Real Madrid this summer. Mbappe had wanted to move to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, though PSG rejected two mega-money bids worth 137m and 154m for the striker. PSG star Kylian Mbappe is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer Reports have suggested though that Mbappe and Real Madrid are in no rush to come to terms on signing a contract. On the Transfer Window podcast, it was stated that the two parties spoke this month but have agreed to wait until the summer. Podcast host Duncan Castles said: 'In those talks, the conclusion was reached that they would not finish a deal and not attempt to finish a deal in the January window, even though he is formally and legally allowed to speak to Real Madrid and sign a pre-contract if he wanted to. 'The primary reason is Real Madrid were drawn with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Mbappe wants to respect the club and he doesn't want any problems in his last six months at PSG. Mbappe could wait until the summer to sign a contract with the Spanish giants 'Real Madrid also feel it would not be a good idea to try and force the deal to closure at this point, given that they have to play Paris Saint-Germain, given the complications that would have entering into the match. 'They are confident they have this deal in place when it's safer to conclude. 'And therefore you have a situation where Mbappe and Real Madrid have agreed 'we leave it until the summer, we want this to happen, the intention is there on bad sides, but the timing is bad on a sporting perspective'. PSG and Real Madrid will face each other in the last-16 of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place at the Parc des Princes on February 15. It means that Mbappe could knock Real Madrid out of the competition - before then joining them in the summer. Romelu Lukaku has claimed he turned down a lucrative offer from Manchester City 12 months before his 98million return to Chelsea. The Belgian striker, who caused a storm in the same interview by saying he is not happy with his situation at Stamford Bridge, suggested he could have returned to the Premier League earlier than he did, and with Chelsea's title rivals too. The offer from City came in the summer of 2020, after his first season with Inter Milan, but Lukaku said he wanted to stay and repay the Italian club's faith in him after a difficult time at Manchester United. Romelu Lukaku has revealed that he turned down an offer from Manchester City in 2020 after his first season with Inter Milan (pictured) and 12 months before he returned to Chelsea Pep Guardiola apparently wanted to sign the Belgian striker and City made a lucrative offer Lukaku said City offered him a larger salary than his current 212,000-a-week deal at Chelsea. He told Sky Italia (via FC Inter News): 'After the first year, I turned down an offer from Manchester City that was higher than Chelsea's current one, because I didn't want to (move). 'It was not the time, it was the first year and I wanted to do something good for Inter because they saved my career. 'I was in a tunnel at Manchester United. I was a big investment for Inter and we did great things together.' Having scored 34 goals in all competitions during his first campaign at the San Siro, Lukaku scored a further 30 in 2020-21 to help them win the Serie A title. Chelsea's 98million summer signing said he is 'not happy with the situation' at Chelsea Shortly afterwards, Chelsea broke their transfer record to bring him back to the club he left in 2014. The 28-year-old has scored seven times in 18 appearances since returning but has left Chelsea stunned by admitting to unhappiness at his role there. He said: 'Physically I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system. 'I won't give up, I'll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional - and I can't give up now.' Lukaku also opened the door to returning to Inter Milan - the club he departed in the summer for Stamford Bridge - in the not too distant future, in the same interview which took place around three weeks ago. Inter allowed the sale of the centre forward to help their financial concerns while the the 28-year-old was in favour of a return to west London. Lukaku also opened the door to returning to Inter Milan - the club he left last summer But the Belgium international striker seems to have paved the way for a return to Milan one day, saying: 'I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this... how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans - this bothers me because it was not the right time. 'Now it's the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so. I am in love with Italy, this is right moment to talk and let people know what really happened. 'I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I'm still at top level to win more together. 'I want apologise to the Inter fans, the timing of my words was wrong: what you did for me will remain forever.' Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed his frustration at Lukaku's comments. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is less than impressed by Lukaku's bombshell interview The Blues boss faced the media on Friday morning ahead of his side's game against Liverpool and was quizzed on Lukaku's surprising revelations. 'We don't like it of course. It brings noise that we don't need and it's not helpful,' Tuchel said. 'We don't want to make more out of it than it actually is. It is easy to take lines out of context, shorten lines, make headlines and then realise later that it is not so bad and maybe not what he meant. 'We don't like it, I don't like it because it's noise that we don't need. We need a calm environment and focus and this does not help.' Tuchel admitted he was 'surprised' at Lukaku's unhappiness and revealed that the club plan to talk to the former Inter Milan striker soon. Tuchel was quizzed on Lukaku's comments in his pre-match press conference on Friday 'I don't feel him unhappy. I feel the exact opposite if you asked me yesterday morning and that's why it's a surprise but that's why I'm the wrong person to ask,' Tuchel added. 'If there is something then it is behind closed doors, for sure. 'Like I said, this is what you read into it. It is very easy, in general, to take lines out of context and make headlines to get the focus. 'I totally understand the process and that is why it is a lot of noise, not a little noise. But still, we are not here to read the headlines. 'We can take the time to try and understand what is going on because it does not reflect the daily work, attitude and behaviour which Romelu shows here at Cobham. 'We will [sit down with him] behind closed doors and openly.' Manchester United fans paid tribute to their former boss Sir Alex Ferguson by unveiling a huge banner ahead of his 80th birthday. Ferguson was in attendance to see the Red Devils beat Burnley 3-1 on Thursday night - with the legendary manager turning 80-years-old on New Year's Eve. The Scot is regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, following a 27-year stint at Old Trafford. Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is celebrating his 80th birthday A birthday banner was revealed before United's 3-1 victory over Burnley on Thursday Ahead of United's victory against Burnley, Ferguson was honoured with his own banner which read 'Happy 80th Sir Alex'. Manchester United fans spotted the manager get out his phone and take a picture of it as it moved across the Stretford End. Twitter user Jack Perryman commented: 'My heart! Sir Alex whipping out his phone to take a pic of his bday message banner in the Stretford End.' Sir Alex taking a photo of his birthday banner is just so wholesome pic.twitter.com/3LTgEntNEs Alexei (@MUFC_redarmy99) December 30, 2021 Another Manchester United fan commented: 'Sir Alex taking a photo of his birthday banner is just so wholesome.' Eight years after stepping down as manager, Ferguson rarely misses a home game at Old Trafford. During his time at the club, Ferguson guided the Red Devils to 13 titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League trophies. Ferguson was gifted an early birthday present as Scott McTominay, an own goal from Ben Mee and Cristiano Ronaldo helped United seal three points at Old Trafford. My heart! Sir Alex whipping out his phone to take a pic of his bday message banner in the Stretford End. Jack Perryman (@PerrymanJack) December 30, 2021 A host of current and former United stars have wished Ferguson happy birthday message on social media. Marcus Rashford wrote: 'Happy 80th birthday to the greatest. 'So proud to have been able to share memories with you over the last couple of years. Youre an icon, a hero, and everything I aspire to be. Enjoy your day SAF.' While Ferdinand accompanied his message by mocking up a picture of Ferguson with a crown, beard and party horn to resemble a king. Romelu Lukaku has admitted he saw his future elsewhere than Chelsea, before he returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The 28-year-old striker dropped a bombshell on the club yesterday after quotes were released saying he was 'not happy with the situation' under Thomas Tuchel and that he 'knows' he will return to Inter Milan in the future. It has raised serious questions on his future after the club - just four months after he completed a 97.5m move to Chelsea who he has supported since he was a child. Romelu Lukaku revealed he's 'not happy' with the situation at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel Sky Italia's interview with Lukaku as also revealed the Belgian believed that his future would be at one of three other clubs before Chelsea came in for him. The striker said: 'Last summer I went to talk to the Inter board and I asked for a new contract. 'I said 'I'm 28, I wanted to plan my life in Italy with a new deal,' but Inter said no. Maybe there wasn't the economic possibility. For me it was difficult to accept. Lukaku has also admitted he thought he would leave Inter for one of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich 'There are three teams at top level: Barcelona, Real (Madrid), Bayern (Munich). All the players dream of them, that's the truth. I thought I was going to one of those clubs after Inter. 'This didn't happen and I said 'there is only one club where I can imagine myself, it's Chelsea'.' Lukaku has also revealed he didn't think about going to Chelsea until they first contacted him. Lukaku though said it was hard to turn down the chance to return to Chelsea who he has supported since he was a child He said: 'Last summer I didn't think about going to Chelsea until they really came with an offer. Simone Inzaghi behaved very well with me. 'When Chelsea contacted me it was a challenge for me. Also because it bothered me a lot to have ever won Premier League titles in 8 years. 'It was hard to turn down the chance to return to the Premier League in the club I support since I was a child.' Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo was attacked in his own home by four burglars on Thursday night. The 27-year-old sustained facial injuries after fighting back against the intruders, who made off with stolen jewellery. Cancelo's partner, Daniela and baby daughter were in the house when the ordeal took place, an incident which left the full back shaken. City said that police are investigating the incident. Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has revealed he was attacked at home by intruders Cancelo pictured with his partner Daniela - they have a baby daughter together called Alicia Cancelo pictured with his daughter - he said his family were home when the attack happened The Portugal international, who lives in the suburbs of Manchester, posted a picture of himself on Instagram to document his wounds following the attack. 'Unfortunately today I was assaulted by four cowards who hurt me and tried to hurt my family,' he said. 'When you show resistance this is what happens. They managed to take all my jewellery and leave me with my face with this state. 'I don't know how there are people with such meanness. The most important thing for me is my family and luckily they are all OK. 'And after so many obstacles in my life, this is just one more than I will overcome. Firm and strong, like always.' City said in a statement late on Thursday night: 'We are shocked and appalled that Joao Cancelo and his family were subjected to a burglary at their home this evening during which Joao was also assaulted. 'Joao and his family are being supported by the club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter.' Cancelo played the full 90 minutes as City beat Brentford 1-0 on Wednesday night City said in a statement late on Thursday night that Cancelo is assisting police investigations Cancelo (left) has won the Premier League with City since joining from Juventus in 2019 The 27-year-old Cancelo lives with his partner, Daniela, and their baby daughter Alicia. Cancelo has been a regular in Pep Guardiola's City side this season who lead the Premier League table by eight points ahead of second-place Chelsea. He played the full 90 minutes for City on Wednesday night as they defeated Brentford 1-0. He has played 26 times so far for City in all competitions this season. He has 31 caps for Portugal. Cancelo joined City in 2019 in a 60m transfer from Italian giants Juventus and has won the Premier League and the League Cup in his time in England. Advertisement Clear night skies are quite a rarity in Britain - but when the clouds do break, the cosmos is always ready to put on a show, as these incredible pictures reveal in mesmerising fashion. They're all taken by Dan Monk, 30, an astronomer and the Director of Astrophotography at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland. One photograph captures the majesty of the Milky Way, which he explains is 'roughly 100,000 light-years across', while another illustrates the Andromeda Galaxy - a 'collection of half a trillion stars' - and a third shows the Comet Neowise passing the Earth at 144,000mph. Dan, who is originally from Sunderland, started learning about the night sky in his teens and eventually turned to astrophotography as a way to see more stars. He says: Although looking through a telescope is an amazing experience, the human eye cant compare to the detail that a camera can see. Northumberland, the Lake District and Wales are among his favourite settings for celestial photographs in the UK. There are currently 15 designated dark sky places in the UK as recognised by the International Dark Sky Association and The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is the largest by area, he says. He continues: The most exciting part of photographing the night sky is being able to expose yourself to breathtaking locations at night. Sitting under a dark sky surrounded by a serene landscape with the sound of the camera clicking and recording ancient photons of light is a magical experience.' Scroll down to see awe-inspiring examples of Dans work... Look up and you'll see the Milky Way, as captured through Dan's lens. This striking picture was snared at Broad Haven South Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. According to Dan, the Milky Way is 'roughly 100,000 light-years across, meaning if you travelled at the speed of light it would take you 100,000 years to cross the galaxy'. He adds: 'The New Horizons spacecraft that was sent from Earth in 2006, travelling at over 36,000mph (57,936kph), took nine years to reach Pluto. It would take it two billion years to travel the diameter of the Milky Way' Another mesmerising shot of the Milky Way captured at Broad Haven South Beach. Describing the sky, Dan explains: 'Here we can see the core of our galaxy, known as the Galactic Centre. It is the brightest part of our galaxy due to the large population of stars. Right at the heart of the Galactic Centre sits a supermassive black hole which is over four million times the mass of our sun!' This spectacular image shows the aurora borealis over the ruins of the 14th-century Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland. Dan says of the light show: 'It was a decent display with obvious structure visible to the naked eye.' Ever wondered what causes the aurora borealis? Dan reveals: 'The Northern Lights are caused by Earth-directed charged particles released from the sun that travel through space and then connect with Earth's magnetic field. The solar particles are then carried into the polar regions via the magnetic field which then end up interacting with gasses high in Earth's atmosphere producing the aurora.' As beautiful as they are, aurora displays are a rare occurrence in Britain, Dan reveals. He says: 'In the UK, the Northern Lights take perseverance to observe. Typically, we might see a handful of decent displays throughout the year, depending on solar activity. More northern latitudes, such as the north of Scotland, see them more frequently than northern England. We would see the lights more often if we didnt have such gloomy weather!' Behold - a 'starry sky' over Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland. Dan enjoyed a 'stunning clear sky' on the night that he captured this striking picture. According to Dan, the brightest lights in this image are 'stars that make up some of the prominent winter constellations'. Auriga, Perseus, Andromeda and Aries are visible, he reveals Feast your eyes on the Geminids meteor shower of 2018, as captured at Sycamore Gap (of Robin Hood: Princes of Thieves fame) in Northumberland. The image is a composite of multiple images taken over three hours. Dan says: 'The Geminids are one of the most active showers of the year and under a dark sky you could potentially see one shooting star every one to two minutes, at its peak.' Explaining the science behind the celestial show, he says: 'The Geminid meteor shower has a Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of up to 120 meteors per hour. This means if the radiant of the shower was directly overhead, you were in perfect dark skies with no moonlight, and you could look in every direction of the sky all at once, youd see 120 per hour. This is impossible, but if the shower occurs on a moonless night, from a dark location you may see one meteor every one to two minutes on average.' Want to see them for yourself? Dan says: 'The Geminds peak on December 13 and 14 every year and are best viewed in the northern hemisphere due to the high radiant' A shot of the 'shooting stars' during a Geminid meteor shower taken in 2020 in Northumberland. Dan describes the stunning snapshot as a 'composite image showing seven meteors caught during a one-hour timelapse'. He adds: 'Id have loved more meteors but the clouds arrived!' Shedding light on the origins of meteors, Dan explains: 'Meteors are tiny grains of dust from our solar system that burn up high in Earth's atmosphere. They can be anywhere from 50 to 80 miles above Earth's surface' This incredible shot shows the Comet Neowise (also known as C/2020 F3) shooting through the sky in County Durham in July 2020. Dan spent five nights trying to capture the comet, and eventually enjoyed success early one morning when this composite image was captured. Dan explains: 'The speed of a comet changes dramatically due to their highly elliptical orbit. They slow down when further from the sun and speed up when near. When Comet Neowise was passing Earth it was travelling roughly 144,000 mph, twice the speed of Earth orbiting the sun' LEFT: This enchanting photograph shows a 'lone tree in a field' on the side of the A69 in Northumberland. Dan spotted the tree from his house and headed out to capture it. The most prominent constellation visible in the picture is Ursa Major, also known as The Great Bear, Dan reveals, though he notes that the most recognisable part of the constellation is 'The Plough' or 'Big Dipper'. Dan adds: 'I took this image using a tilt-shift technique, which is where the stars gradually get more out of focus towards the top.' RIGHT: Northumberland was the setting for this poignant shot taken in the wake of Storm Arwen, which raged through England in late November 2021. Dan describes the picture as 'the calm after the storm', adding that 'Northumberland took a battering from Storm Arwen'. Dan recalls arriving at work after the storm and counting 70 fallen trees across the access track to the observatory. He adds: 'On the way back home I spotted this surviving tree alone in a field and I had to stop to take a snap.' What can we see in the sky? Dan reveals: 'This part of the Milky Way is known as the Cygnus Region, which is rich in ionised clouds of hydrogen that typically sit thousands of light-years from Earth. You can see them as reddish/pink blotches in the image.' He adds: 'Astrophotographers like to use special hydrogen filters that isolate the light emitted from these regions which helps them stand out' Cast your eye above and you'll see a breathtaking picture of the Milky Way over the 16th-century Lindisfarne Castle on Northumberland's Holy Island. 'It was my first visit to Holy Island and to the impressive Lindisfarne Castle,' Dan recalls. 'Its very photogenic at all angles - I couldnt stop running around with the camera.' Describing the dark ribbon across the sky, Dan says: 'The plane of the Milky Way is filled with gas and dust. The gas and dust can be regions of star formation or leftover material from dead stars. Our galaxy has a high concentration of carbonaceous dust which can be seen as a huge dark rift in the plane of the Milky Way, blocking the light from distant stars' This stunning picture shows 'the Milky Way breaking through the summer twilight over the Isle of Man'. Dan was positioned on the southwest coast of Scotland when he captured the photograph. 'I wasnt intending on going for this shot, but I quite liked the effect from the pockets of light pollution coming from the island,' he says. When it comes to stargazing, the camera can capture far more than the human eye, Dan reveals. He says: 'The unaided human eye, when fully dark-adapted, can see roughly 2,500 - 3,000 stars in one hemisphere. When taking a long exposure using a highly sensitive camera sensor, that number is increased into the millions. The Milky Way structure also becomes brighter and more prominent than seen with the naked eye' LEFT: Dan calls this picture 'The Road to the Milky Way'. The composite shot shows the Milky Way over the Kielder Viaduct, a 19th-century bridge in Northumberland. 'In the UK, the galactic centre [of the Milky Way] is in the best position for us to view in the summer, but the light summer nights prohibit our views,' Dan explains, adding: 'The best times to see it are before we lose astronomical darkness in mid May and when astronomical darkness returns in late July.' He adds: 'To get the best view of the night sky its important to travel as far as possible from the artificial lighting that plagues urban areas. City lights shroud the fainter stars which dramatically reduces the amount of stars that the human eye is capable of seeing.' RIGHT: The above photograph shows a tree on the side of Northumberland's Military Road silhouetted by the Milky Way. Dan adds: 'Just to the left of the Milky Way theres a small elongated fuzzy patch. This is the Andromeda Galaxy which is a collection of half a trillion stars, 2.5million light-years away!' The photograph is a 20-second exposure, Dan reveals, adding: 'The longer the camera sensor is exposed to light, the brighter the Milky Way will become. Taking exposures of 10 to 30 seconds is typical for a nightscape' Above you'll see a beautiful snapshot of the Milky Way over Buttermere lake in Cumbria's Lake District. 'This part of the Milky Way runs through the constellations Aquila and Scutum,' Dan says, adding: 'It has a prominent rift of dust which is easily visible to the naked eye from a dark sky site.' According to the astronomer, one of the biggest challenges in astrophotography is 'cloudy weather'. He says: 'Unfortunately, perfectly clear nights in the UK are few and far between. Astro images usually take a lot of planning.' Describing the conditions that he endures when out photographing, Dan says: 'The winter months can be tough when Im out until the early hours in temperatures as low as -10 degrees, but overcompensating with warm clothing does the job' LEFT: The Simonside Hills, a hill range in Northumberland, were the setting for this magical shot of the Milky Way. Describing his clifftop perch in the photograph, Dan admits that it was 'scary standing on the edge of a cliff at night.' Where is the sun in relation to the Milky Way? Dan explains: 'Our solar system is 26,000 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way. It takes 250 million years for The Sun to do a single orbit of the galaxy.' RIGHT: Above you'll see the Milky Way over Cawfields Quarry, a park in Northumberland. Dan says: 'Gazing up at the Milky Way from a tranquil countryside location really helps put life into perspective. Thinking of the countless possibilities in space and time make you realise that youre just an infinite blip in the cosmic timescale.' While the entire Milky Way has 200 to 400 billion stars within it, according to Dan, here 'we are looking at a relatively small section that could contain tens of billions of stars' Rapper Jack Harlow has called on a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, to be fired for putting his hand on a woman's neck outside of his concert and has said that he wants Black women at his shows to be protected. The 23-year-old Shelbyville, Kentucky native took to his Instagram to share a video of an altercation between one of his female fans and a police officer outside of his show at the Coca-Cola Roxy. A spokesperson for the Cobb County PD told TMZ after reviewing the footage: 'The Cobb County Police Department takes any and all allegations of officer misconduct very seriously.' 'We are aware of the video snippet posted to Instagram involving our officer and a young woman outside the Coca-Cola Roxy. The incident is going through an internal review to get a full understanding of the entire incident before any potential action is taken.' At one point the woman began yelling toward the face of the cop when he extended his hand and pushed her away by the neck. Scroll down for video Troubling: Rapper Jack Harlow has called on a police officer to be fired for putting his hand on a woman's neck outside of his concert and has said that he wants Black women at his shows to be protected Taking a stand: The 23-year-old Shelbyville, Kentucky native (seen in LA earlier this month) took to his Instagram to share a video of an altercation between one of his female fans and a police officer outside of his show at the Coca-Cola Roxy She then pushed his hand away as the officer then grabbed her by the wrist and pointed in her face as she screamed 'All I wanted to do was go to a Jack Harlow concert.' The WHATS POPPIN hitmaker was obviously troubled by the clip as he wrote a lengthy caption calling for the law enforcement officer to be fired and apologizing to every woman - especially Black women - who supports him. He wrote: 'This video came to my attention a few hours ago. When I watched it I was disgusted by that cop and all I wanted to do was make something good happen for this girl immediately' Evidence: At one point the woman began yelling toward the face of the cop when he extended his hand and pushed her away by the neck Contact: She then pushed his hand away as the officer then grabbed her by the wrist and pointed in her face Harlow said that he was able to track the fan down in order to meet her and promise to give her tickets to as many concerts as her heart desires but that simply isn't enough to fix systemic issues. He continued: 'I told the world to help me identify her so I could find a way to give her a hug and give her as many tickets to as many shows as she wants. 'But that's not enough and its not a solution to a systemic issue that people who don't look like me have to face. 'The next step is identifying this police officer and getting him unemployed as fast as we can.' Assaulting a young woman and putting his hands on her neck is sickening.' She screamed: 'All I wanted to do was go to a Jack Harlow concert' Ugly scene: The officer seemingly told the woman to walk away He concluded his message by talking about his connection to Black female fans as he wants them to feel safe. Harlow said: 'I look out in the crowd every night and see black women in my front rowscreaming my lyrics, traveling to see me, supporting me, riding for me. 'I want this woman, and every black woman that supports me to know - I am so sorry. 'I want you to be protected and I want this guy to lose his job so f***ing fast. I love you. Let's find this officer.' 'I want this woman, and every black woman that supports me to know - I am so sorry': The WHATS POPPIN hitmaker (seen in San Bernardino earlier this month) was obviously troubled by the clip as he wrote a lengthy caption calling for the law enforcement officer to be fired and apologizing to every woman - especially Black women - who supports him A spokesperson for the police department later released a statement to TMZ which read: 'The Cobb County Police Department takes any and all allegations of officer misconduct very seriously. 'We are aware of the video snippet posted to Instagram involving our officer and a young woman outside the Coca-Cola Roxy. The incident is going through an internal review to get a full understanding of the entire incident before any potential action is taken.' Harlow is one of the fastest rising stars in the hip-hop world. He was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards including Best Rap Performance for What's Poppin and Best Melodic Rap Performance for his collaboration with Lil Nas X titled Industry Baby. After scratching several Great Opera Hits concerts earlier in the week, Opera Australia has cancelled its New Year's Eve performance of Puccini's La Boheme at the Sydney Opera House, citing the fast-evolving COVID-19 situation. The organisation is currently dealing with 20-plus positive cases across the performing company, crew and administration. 'Up until three weeks ago, we'd never had a case of COVID at Opera Australia,' CEO Fiona Allan said. 'But over the last 10 days we've had multiple cases a day.' Nevertheless, the company intends to proceed with its summer season in Sydney, opening three operas in January. La Boheme will now start on January 4, Turandot is due to open on January 12, while The Marriage of Figaro is set to open on January 27. 'We've thought through all the different contingencies and are putting all our efforts into keeping our company as safe as we can be and starting the 2022 season with La Boheme,' Allan said. 'We just need to work through it a day at a time, performance by performance.' Allan welcomed national cabinet's announcement on Thursday of a new federal definition of a close contact. 'That will make business interruption much easier to manage, and in turn make it easier for business to continue,' she said. Seeking to reassure nervous audiences, Allan reiterated that everyone entering the Sydney Opera House must be double-vaccinated, or have an exemption, and wear a mask at all times, unless eating or drinking. 'The Joan Sutherland Theatre has good continuous air-flow going in and out, and there have been no known cases of COVID transmission in theatres,' she said. Ticket holders to La Boheme on New Year's Eve will be offered credit vouchers or full refunds. EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked after spotting Himesh Patel in Don't Look Up alongside Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep. Netflix's new disaster comedy movie sees two low-level astronomers - Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) - go on a media tour to warn mankind of a comet that will destroy Earth. In addition to DiCaprio and Lawrence, the film stars Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Kid Cudi, Tyler Perry, Ariana Grande and Timothee Chalamet. Surprise: EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked after spotting Himesh Patel in Don't Look Up alongside Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep But EastEnders fans were left surprised after spotting a familiar face from Albert Square among the star-studded cast in the science fiction film. British actor Himesh has a small role as Phillip, a journalist and the boyfriend of Jennifer's character Kate, in the blockbuster movie. Himesh, 31, found fame on EastEnders playing Tamwar Masood from 2007 to 2016, when he was written out of the soap opera when he ran off with his girlfriend Nancy Carter. Since leaving EastEnders, Himesh has seen success with movies such as Yesterday, The Aeronauts and Tenet, as well as popular TV series Motherland. Soap opera star: Himesh, 31, found fame on EastEnders playing Tamwar Masood from 2007 to 2016, when he was written out of the show when he ran off with his girlfriend Nancy Carter Viewers took to Twitter to express their surprise after seeing the actor appear in Don't Look Up, saying he has come a 'long way' since starring in EastEnders. One person wrote: 'Himesh Patel going from Tamwar on Eastenders to Don't Look Up with an all star cast is what we love to see.' Another commented: 'Can we just appreciate how Himesh Patel's first major role was Tamwar in Eastenders now my guy is doing up bits in Tenet & Don't Look Up.' 'A great actor': Viewers took to Twitter to express their surprise after seeing the actor appear in Don't Look Up, saying he has come a 'long way' since starring in EastEnders While a third tweeted: 'This guy is good. He's come a long way since his days in #Eastenders. Himesh Patel. 'Currently in @NetflixUK's Don't Look Up, as Phillip. A great actor.' A fourth tweeted: 'No way is Tamwar from EastEnders in Don't Look Up.' And a fifth said: 'Omg Tamwar from Eastenders has done so well!! 'Watching him in 'Dont Look Up' (great film so far btw) From the Minute Mart to being in a film with Leonardo dicaprio!! Big Stuff!!' Star-studded cast: Netflix's new disaster comedy movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Grande and Timothee Chalamet Don't Look Up was written and directed by Adam McKay, who recently responded to eagle-eyed viewers who claimed to have spotted an editing mistake in the satire film. The 53-year-old director took to Twitter to respond to social media users saying there was a scene which showed an entire masked camera crew in the background. Ben Kohler was one of the users who posted about it as he showed the frames in a TikTok video which he captioned 'oopsie'. Interesting:Don't Look Up was written and directed by Adam McKay (pictured), who recently responded to eagle-eyed viewers who claimed to have spotted an editing mistake in the film Mistake? The 53-year-old director took to Twitter to respond to social media users saying there was a scene which showed an entire masked camera crew in the background He could be heard saying: 'At 1 hour and 28 minutes it looks like you can see the whole film crew standing there for like, 3 or 4 frames.' However the filmmaker McKay claimed that the shot being left in the film was totally intentional. He tweeted on Tuesday: 'Good eye! We left that blip of the crew in on purpose to commemorate the strange filming experience. #DontLookUp.' This comes after Don't Look Up viewers went wild at the sight of Meryl Streep, 72, in a 'nude' scene following the release of the satire movie last week. However the filmmaker McKay claimed that the shot being left in the film was totally intentional as he tweeted on Tuesday: 'Good eye! We left that blip of the crew in on purpose to commemorate the strange filming experience. #DontLookUp' The esteemed actress plays the role of President Janie Orlean, and the character is seen nude from behind in the final scene of the movie - yet many fans did not realise the septuagenarian was depicted by a body double. Her widely-discussed 'nude' scene hit headlines prior to the movie's release after McKay revealed her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, took issue with the scene as he sees the actress as 'film royalty'. Meryl is seen as a Trump-esque politician in the movie, which centres around scientists fruitlessly telling citizens the world is going to end due to a comet. Uh oh! It comes after Don't Look Up viewers went wild at the sight of Meryl Streep, 72, in a 'nude' scene following the release of the Netflix satire movie last week The final scene sees President Janie go without clothes, thus exposing a vast tattoo on her lower back, a tattoo placement often described in a derogatory sense as 'a tramp stamp'. Adam revealed the scene featured a body double. Many viewers seemed to believe the scene was in fact showing Meryl's body. Twitter users swarmed the microblogging site to pen: 'I didn't need to see Meryl Streep naked tbh but the film is still fun... Oh my! The actress plays the role of President Janie Orlean, and the character is seen nude from behind in the final scene - yet fans did not realise she was depicted by a body double 'Meryl Streep was naked at the end of look up... Idk if that was real but I never thought I would see Meryl Streep that naked in my life... 'You get to see Meryl Streep naked... Never thought there would be a time that I would get to see Meryl Streep's tramp stamped naked a*s on film and live to tell about it. The movie was actually really awesome... 'Well I was not expecting to see meryl Streep but a*s naked when I turned on this film... Nahh them showing Meryl Streep at the end of this movie naked got me in tears lmaoo... 'Never in my life did I expect to see Meryl Streep's bare naked a*s #DontLookUp... They had Thee Meryl Streep butt naked with a tramp stamp and everything... Bloody hell it's the only bit I caught Meryl Streep naked. Quite the shock at teatime.' Cheeky! Twitter users swarmed the microblogging site to pen: 'I didn't need to see Meryl Streep naked tbh but the film is still fun' Last week, it was revealed that Leonardo didn't agree with the scene, as Adam told The Guardian that he expressed to his disappointment at Meryl's nude scene. Shedding light on the behind the scenes action, he said: 'You know who had a problem with it? Leo. Leo just views Meryl as film royalty although maybe royalty is not a compliment but as such a special figure in the history of film.' He said he 'didn't like seeing her with the back tattoo, walking for a second naked. Adam went on: 'He said something to me like: 'Do you really need to show that?' And I was like: 'It's President Orlean; it's not Meryl Streep.' But she didn't even blink. She didn't even bring it up. She is fearless.' Leonardo told Access earlier this month that the star-studded cast, which also includes Jennifer Lawrence and Jonah Hill, was 'on their toes when Meryl walked in, as we should be' in reverence of her work. He said: 'Look, you get to work with the greatest living actor in the world, everyone's on their toes, everyone's prepared, and we're just trying to keep up with her'. Leonardo noted how he previously 'worked on a film' with Meryl, on the 1996 movie Marvin's Room, in which she played the mother of his character. In her vaunted film career, in which she's won three Oscars and scored 21 nominations, Meryl has been in nude scenes in 1994's The River Wild and 1995's The Bridges of Madison County. Bindi Irwin has admitted Covid-19 has been the toughest challenge for her family since the death of her father, Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin, in 2006. The conservationist, 23, spoke to Page Six about the challenges the Irwins have faced during the pandemic, including lockdowns, border closures, financial woes and keeping the zoo open without any visitors. 'It has probably been the hardest time in our lives other than when dad passed away,' Bindi said. Tough times: Bindi Irwin has spoken about the struggles of Covid and how the pandemic has been the hardest trial for the Irwin family since her father Steve's death. Pictured (L-R): Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin, Grace Warrior, Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell Bindi explained that because Australia Zoo has 'over a thousand animals', the venue is unable to close - even when there aren't any tourists providing revenue. 'We still had to feed all our animals, do check-ups,' she said, adding: 'Its as if we were still open, but without any visitors.' She also revealed her family was in lockdown for a total of 78 days, but they still had to spend $80,000 a week to feed the animals. Honest: Bindi, 23, admitted Covid-19 had been the toughest challenge for her family since the death of her father, Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin, in 2006 Bindi said her mother, Terri Irwin, had been a 'champion' during the pandemic and she doesn't know what her family 'would have done without her'. 'Her leadership has been phenomenal,' the young zookeeper added. The Irwins were already struggling early this year, with the Covid-19 recession impacting the family business Australia Zoo throughout 2020. Matriarch: Bindi said her mother, Terri Irwin (pictured), had been a 'champion' during the pandemic and she doesn't know what her family 'would have done without her' But things took a turn for the worse in November when Terri, 57, acknowledged the extent of the financial woes at the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction. She told The Courier-Mail she'd taken out a bank loan to secure the zoo's future, after months of border closures impacted their revenue due to lack of tourists. She said: 'We are 11 years from the GFC [global financial crisis] and still feeling the ripples of that. So I want to be prepared for whatever's coming next.' Financial lifeline: Terri said in November she'd taken out a bank loan to secure Australia Zoo's future, after months of border closures impacted their revenue due to lack of tourists Despite state leaders promising borders would reopen soon, Terri said she'd adopted strategies to prevent the animal sanctuary from going under. The Irwin matriarch noted the early months of the pandemic were difficult because she needed to spend $80,000 a week just to feed the 1,200 animals. She was also forced to cut costs, reducing her staff from 500 to 200 personnel. Terri has been at the helm of Australia Zoo since her husband, Steve, died in a freak accident while filming a wildlife documentary in 2006. Amanda Kloots dished on her fast friendship with Bachelorette Michael Allio after they connected in person following year of talking online. The 39-year-old The Talk co-host said that there was an 'immediate honesty and ease' when they met up, having both been through the trauma of losing their spouses. 'We could have chatted for days,' Kloots told Us Weekly, adding that both made each other 'feel less alone.' Feeling heard: Amanda Kloots, 39, said that there was an 'immediate honesty and ease' when she met Bachelorette alum Michael Allio, 37, in person this week after talking online for over a year; pictured November 13 Shared experience: Michael Allio, 37, rose to fame on Katie Thurston's season of The Bachelorette and like Amanda has first hand experience being a single parent after losing a spouse 'People in our lives kept telling us both that we should meet based on how much we have in common. So we eventually started connecting over social media,' Kloots shared on Thursday. 'When you are a widow and single parent, it is so wonderful to meet people that are in your same boat. It makes you feel less alone.' The former Dancing With The Stars competitor lost her husband Nick Cordero after a battle with COVID-19 in July 2020, while Allio, 37, lost his wife Laura to cancer. Both are single parents with Kloots being mother to son Elvis, two, while Allio is raising four-year-old son James alone. 'Great chats and laughs!': Amanda and Michael both Ohio natives met up in person this week, with her telling Us Weekly that it felt like they had 'been friends for years' Amanda continued to tell the publication that it felt like they had 'been friends for years' and that they 'could have chatted for days.' 'There is an immediate honesty and ease when you've been through trauma like we have,' she stated, adding that they will 'absolutely' remain friends. 'We have each other's back,' she maintained. The pair who are both Ohio natives met up this week at Burntwood Tavern in Canton, Ohio where they had 'lots of fried food, drinks, great chats and laughs,' as documented on Instagram. 'Guess who I'm out on the town with?!' Kloots wrote as she posted a selfie to Instagram. Blossoming friendship: 'When you are a widow and single parent, it is so wonderful to meet people that are in your same boat - It makes you feel less alone,' Kloots said adding that the pair 'have each other's back' MIchael, 37, shot to fame on this year's season of The Bachelorette and is raising his four-year-old son James alone after losing his wife Laura to cancer. Meanwhile Amanda, 39, rose to public prominence last year while offering regular Instagram updates on her her late husband Nick Cordero's battle with COVID-19. Nick was hospitalized with COVID-19 in March 2020 and eventually tested negative but still underwent a series of health complications and died that July aged 41. Rise to fame: Michael joined this year's season of The Bachelorette where he could be seen competing for Katie Thurston's affections Amanda, like Michael, has been left a single parent following the loss - she and Nick shared a son called Elvis who is now two. Since losing her husband Amanda has co-written a memoir, joined The Talk as a hostess and competed on Dancing With The Stars. She fired up her Instagram account Monday night to post a picture of herself raising a glass with Michael as they sat at a restaurant table over a spread of food. Michael joined this year's season of The Bachelorette where he could be seen competing for Katie Thurston's affections. However he quit the show after a FaceTime chat in which James said: 'Maybe Daddy left because he dont want to see me.' Newlyweds Heather Rae Young and Tarek El Moussa were active on Instagram Wednesday as they documented being snowed in. The two, 34 and 40, are currently visiting Young's parents in Running Springs in the San Bernardino mountains after spending Christmas with Tarek's kids Taylor, 11, and son Brayden, six. One video showed the pair outside in the snow as Tarek said, 'Alright, so we are snowed in. We're now at Heather's parents house as you can see.' Blissfully trapped: Newlyweds Heather Rae Young and Tarek El Moussa were active on Instagram Wednesday as they documented being snowed in The Selling Sunset star held her one of her dogs on a pink leash while her husband filmed. 'You cannot drive anywhere and...' the entrepreneur said in the clip before his wife chimed in to say, 'We're at my parents' house to look in their fridge and their cabinets to get food because we're snowed in and my husband thinks he can drive in feets of snow.' She held her hand up to her hip to demonstrate the large amounts of snowfall. In the snippet the reality TV personality was wearing a long black puffy winter coat. Enjoying the snow: The Selling Sunset star held her one of her dogs on a pink leash while her husband filmed Her bright blonde hair was parted in the middle and pulled back into a bun set at the nape of her neck. Previously while on their way to the mountains Heather said on social media that she was hoping to get snowed in for a few days. And she got her wish on Wednesday as the duo was inundated with 18 inches of snow. In one clip of El Moussa collecting firewood she wrote, '@therealtarekelmoussa mountain man. We are gearing up for 18 inches of snow.' Wish come true: Previously while on their way to the mountains Heather said on social media that she was hoping to get snowed in for a few days The father-of-two was dressed in a camouflage hoodie, a black skull cap, and black sweatpants as he prepared to light a fire. While recording her partner Heather marveled at the freezing temperatures as she pointed out, 'Look at the icicles!' and showed them framing the window pane and door frame. Moments later she panned the inside of their cabin as the Flip or Flop host kneeled down and added wood to the fireplace. The mantel was decorated with garland and six white Christmas stockings with each family member's initials in red. Even their dogs had their own decorative socks with red paw prints emblazoned on the front. Homey: The mantel was decorated with garland and six white Christmas stockings with each family member's initials in red 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. She admitted last week that she was under strict doctor's orders for vocal rest and is suffering from 'inflammation & calluses on vocal chords.' 'I have to be on bed/vocal rest for 3 months,' she captioned a somber car selfie. 'And after that we will evaluate again & get surgery if needed. Kim Kardashian thanked Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday after he reduced the sentence of truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos to 10 years from 110 years in connection with a deadly 2019 crash. Kardashian, 41, who has been outspoken over criminal justice reform, took to Instagram Stories to show her gratitude to the governor for his actions in the case, that was the focus of national attention. 'Thank you @Govofco for taking action to reduce Mr. Aguilera-Mederos sentence!' Kardashian said. 'While his new sentence is 10 years, he will now have an opportunity to come home in five years and be with his son and wife.' The latest: Kim Kardashian, 41, thanked Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday after he reduced the sentence of truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos (R) to 10 years from 110 years in connection with a deadly 2019 crash Kardashian said that 'this case was a clear example of why mandatory minimums dont work and need to be abolished,' adding that she was 'grateful to Governor Polis for his empathy and leadership on this case.' Kardashian also shared a copy of the official executive order, thanking the governor for his actions in the case. The governor said in a commutation letter to Aguilera-Mederos, 'The length of your 110-year sentence is simply not commensurate with your actions, nor with penalties handed down to others for similar crimes. 'There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now.' Kardashian took to Instagram Stories to show her gratitude to the governor for his actions in the case, that was the focus of national attention Kardashian also shared a copy of the official executive order, thanking the governor for his actions in the case Aguilera-Mederos will be eligible for parole beginning December 30, 2026, as result of the commuted sentence. Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was initially sentenced to 110 years in prison December 13 by Judge Bruce Jones, who cited that state law mandated the sentencing, adding, 'I will state that if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence,' according to The Denver Post. Aguilera-Mederos said in court testimony that in the April 25, 2019 crash on Interstate 70 in Lakewood, Colorado, the brakes on his semitrailer which he was transporting lumber in did not work, causing the truck to careen into vehicles ahead, leading to an explosive pileup in which four people were killed and six people were injured. The people killed in the crash were identified as Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 24; William Bailey, 67; Doyle Harrison, 61; and Stanley Politano, 69. Kardashian earlier this month took to Instagram to state her support for the truck driver Aguilera-Mederos in October was convicted in connection with four counts of vehicular homicide and other charges, as prosecutors said he failed to use a number of runaway ramps available that would have averted the deadly incident. In his sentencing, a teary Aguilera-Mederos told the court, 'I am not a criminal. I am not a murderer. I am not a killer. When I look at my charges, we are talking about a murderer, which is not me. I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life.' A Change.org petition to grant Aguilera-Mederos clemency or commutation had garnered more than 5 million signatures on Thursday evening. Kardashian previously worked with federal authorities on the release of Alice Marie Johnson, who was pardoned from a life sentence in 2018 stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges. Last month, Kardashian spoke out publicly against the scheduled execution of Oklahoma inmate Julius Jones in another controversial case; his death penalty sentence was commuted by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to life in prison without the possibility for parole. One of Sofia Vergara's favorite moments from the past year was when she danced in the backyard of her seven-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion during a Memorial Day get together. The Colombian 49-year-old shook her moneymaker to Chimbala's 2019 track Rueda while clad in a blue Sofia Jeans 'Short Sleeve Sweetheart Neck Tiered' dress from her Walmart clothing line. Three of Sofia's favorite memories were from the Los Angeles set of America's Got Talent when she and fellow judge Simon Cowell were cream pied on April 16. '#tbt 2021': One of Sofia Vergara's favorite moments from the past year was when she danced in the backyard of her seven-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion during a Memorial Day get together (pictured May 31) Werrrk! The Colombian 49-year-old shook her moneymaker to Chimbala's 2019 track Rueda while clad in a blue Sofia Jeans 'Short Sleeve Sweetheart Neck Tiered' dress from her Walmart clothing line Vergara - who boasts 47.7M social media followers - wore a red dress and stuck her tongue out alongside fellow judge Heidi Klum in a mirror selfie. And the four-time SAG Award winner showcased substantial cleavage in a picture with fellow judge Howie Mandell, who got playful 'bunny ears' from the German 48-year-old. Another happy 2021 memory included the infamous Modern Family reunion picnic on June 19 with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sarah Hyland, which drew the ire from Ariel Winter who felt left out. Sofia posted lots of shots of her friends and family - including her sister Dr. Mariana Vergara, her 30-year-old son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, and mother Margarita Vergara de Vergara. Creamy: Three of Sofia's favorite memories were from the Los Angeles set of America's Got Talent when she and fellow judge Simon Cowell (R) were cream pied on April 16 Smile! Vergara - who boasts 47.7M social media followers - wore a red dress and stuck her tongue out alongside fellow judge Heidi Klum (R) in a mirror selfie The only American judge: And the four-time SAG Award winner showcased substantial cleavage in a picture with fellow judge Howie Mandell (L), who got playful 'bunny ears' from the German 48-year-old (M) Vergara also made sure to share a snap of her second husband Joe Manganiello and their beloved chihuahua Bubbles, whom they adopted from the LA shelter Dogs Without Borders around November 2019. The Koati actors - who began dating in 2014 - celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on November 22. On Thursday, Sofia was hard at work with PA Leslie Merlin on the set of Netflix's six-episode series Griselda, which she's executive producing and starring as Colombian cartel leader Griselda Blanco. Reunited: Another happy 2021 memory included the infamous Modern Family reunion picnic on June 19 with Jesse Tyler Ferguson (L) and Sarah Hyland (R), which drew the ire from Ariel Winter who felt left out Bonding: Sofia posted lots of shots of her friends and family - including (from L-R) her sister Dr. Mariana Vergara, her 30-year-old son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, and mother Margarita Vergara de Vergara Still going strong! Vergara also made sure to share a snap of her second husband Joe Manganiello (R) and their beloved chihuahua Bubbles, whom they adopted from the LA shelter Dogs Without Borders around November 2019 'Griselda Blanco was a larger-than-life character whose ruthless but ingenious tactics allowed her to rule a billion dollar empire years before many of the most notorious male kingpins we know so much about,' Vergara told Deadline last month. 'We are thrilled to have found the perfect partners in Eric [Newman], Andres [Baiz] and Netflix to help us bring this story of her life to the screen.' The first-ever billionaire female criminal was known as the Cocaine Grandmother, the Black Widow, and the Queen of Narco-Trafficking before being gunned down, age 69, in 2012. 'Squishing in one more work day before the end of the year!' On Thursday, the Koati actress was hard at work with PA Leslie Merlin (R) on the set of Netflix's six-episode series Griselda, which she's executive producing and starring as Colombian cartel leader Griselda Blanco Attenborough And The Mammoth Graveyard Rating: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses Rating: What a unique joy, to have Sir David Attenborough drop in to your home. For fossil hunters Sally and Neville Hollingworth, it was as if the Queen was popping round for tea. The Swindon couple's finds, in Attenborough And The Mammoth Graveyard (BBC1), were laid out across their sitting room magnificent trilobites and ammonites, skulls and eggs, hundreds of millions of years old. But the greatest treasures were on the kitchen table, and Sally urged Sir David to come and see what was waiting. 'Sandwiches?' he asked hopefully. I've been lucky enough to interview the world's most venerable broadcaster half a dozen times. My generation of newshounds was taught from the first day, along with how to roll paper into a typewriter, that there is no greater shame for a journalist than to ask for an autograph. What a unique joy, to have Sir David Attenborough drop in to your home. For fossil hunters Sally and Neville Hollingworth, it was as if the Queen was popping round for tea But after my first interview with the great man, everyone family, friends, neighbours wanted to know if I'd got a selfie. So the next time, blushing like a teenager pleading for a date, I asked for a picture. With his unfailing charm, he obliged. What Sally and Neville found in a newly dug quarry at Cerney Wick in south Gloucestershire was as remarkable as anything he's seen in 60 years of TV. The remains of four mammoths, including a tusk as thick as a goalpost, lay where the Thames once flowed. Professors were summoned, though even at university level, fossil hunting has an endearingly amateur charm. The tusk was encased in plaster of Paris to protect it, and taken off in a purple camper van with polka dot curtains. As intriguing as the animal remains was a flint knife. Much of the documentary rather too much, in fact was devoted to investigating whether humans lived alongside mammoths and hunted them, before the Ice Age. The Swindon couple's finds, in Attenborough And The Mammoth Graveyard (BBC1), were laid out across their sitting room magnificent trilobites and ammonites, skulls and eggs, hundreds of millions of years old The verdict was that these beasts were killed by Neanderthals, an extinct relative of modern humans. That's fascinating, but more information about the mammoths was needed to flesh out the picture: how big their herds were, how they differ from today's elephants, etc. We did have the fun, though, of seeing Sir David a nimble 95 getting down on his knees for a closer look at an archaeology trench, and watching enthralled as a craftsman knapped a piece of flint into a razor-edged knife. He tried out its edge on a piece of raw meat. 'You should keep it for a cookery show,' joshed one prof. That would be more dignified than Dame Helen Mirren's embarrassing stint as a quiz game host, on Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses (Sky Max/Showcase). How such a serious actress was persuaded to do anything so gauche and cringeworthy is a mystery. She had to ask, with a straight face, questions such as: 'How many quaffles in total did we see Ron block in his try-out as keeper?' She stood at a podium, in a hall packed with adult fans of the novels, all dressed like overgrown schoolchildren. When she did a silly walk called the 'Slytherin swagger', they gave her a standing ovation. The contestants were American: one called her 'Ma'am'. They scored points for knowing trivia that no one but a superfan could guess, such as the registration plate of the Weasley family's flying car. Meanwhile, for a real brainteaser, try this one, from the last festive edition of Only Connect: 'What links Orlando, Nora, Andrew and Butterworth?' Give up? They all begin with conjunctions: or, nor, and, but. Americanism of the night: Comedian Asim Chaudhry said, on Celebrity I Literally Just Told You (C4), that a U.S. tourist stopped him to ask for directions to St. Reatham. It took him a while to realise they were looking for Streatham in South London. I really want that story to be true. Bindi Irwin has said that while her late father Steve Irwin may be gone, he certainly hasn't been forgotten. In an interview with Page Six on Thursday, the 23-year-old wildlife conservationist reflected on the sort of grandfather Steve would've been. Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell welcomed daughter Grace in March. Daddy's girl: Bindi Irwin (right), who welcomed daughter Grace in March, has reflected on the sort of grandfather her late dad Steve Irwin (left) would have been. Steve, known to millions around the world as 'The Crocodile Hunter', died in a freak accident in 2006 'First of all, we would never see Grace. He would just be out showing her everything,' she said. 'He was completely captivated by his kids, and I know he'd be an amazing grandfather and absolutely in love with Grace. We all are.' Steve's widow Terri Irwin agreed, saying her late husband 'would have been out in the zoo with her nonstop'. Missing out: The 23-year-old wildlife conservationist (pictured with her father as a child) told Page Six on Thursday her dad would have been obsessed with his granddaughter Grace Family: Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell (left) welcomed daughter Grace in March Steve died in September 2006 at the age of 44 after being stabbed through the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. In an interview with podcast What About Death!? earlier this month, Bindi spoke about how she healed following her dad's death when she was eight. Despite her young age, Bindi said she remembered thinking 'this is going to be a real turning point on how I continue on with the rest of my life'. Passing the torch: 'First of all, we would never see Grace. He would just be out showing her everything,' Bindi said of her late father Doting: Steve's widow Terri Irwin (second from right) agreed, saying her late husband 'would have been out in the zoo with her nonstop' 'Where there is great loss, you still have to find joy, that's what they would want for you as well,' she said. 'Dad wouldn't want me to be sad every single day, he would want me to find joy in life and he would want me to find happiness in every day and that's what I've chosen to do.' She added: 'I choose to believe that dad is with me every day and I find great comfort in that.' Licorice Pizza (15, 133 mins) Verdict: Gorgeously quirky romcom Rating: The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain (12A, 111 mins) Verdict: Hate to be catty, but Rating: Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, which opens in cinemas tomorrow, is the metaphorical shot in the arm we all need right now, to go with the real one. It's an irresistibly quirky romantic comedy, full of effervescent charm as well as some proper belly laughs. But it is also calculatedly brazen, as if Anderson is daring audiences to find offence where none is meant. I cherished every minute of it. It's a boy-meets-girl-at-high-school story set in California's San Fernando Valley in 1973, which sounds like standard romcom fare. But part of the movie's daring springs from the age gap, because only one of them is at school. Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, which opens in cinemas tomorrow, is the metaphorical shot in the arm we all need right now, to go with the real one That's 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman), who plays an experienced child actor with charisma and confidence well beyond his years, not to mention the entrepreneurial flair to set up a waterbed company he calls Soggy Bottom. On the day pictures are taken for the school yearbook, Gary strikes up conversation with the photographer's assistant Alana Kane (Alana Haim) and quickly falls for her, entirely undaunted by the fact that she is a good deal older (she's 25). Anderson is aware, of course, that Gary's tender age could lead the film into uncomfortable territory, which is doubtless why the relationship stays largely chaste. Moreover, Alana is as sweetly naive as Gary is engagingly precocious, condensing the gap as they support each other through various adventures. Really, the film tells two coming-of-age stories, his and hers, with narrative tangents every now and then, some of which are incorrigibly playful, others faintly menacing. In an example of the former, John Michael Higgins plays a restaurateur with a Japanese wife, yielding some comedy straight out of the Benny Hill playbook which challenges modern sensibilities head-on. You'll either find it hilarious . . . or you won't. Either way, this episodic storytelling is very deftly done, and for the most part fizzes with innocent fun. In some ways the film reminded me of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time . . . In Hollywood not so much because it's lovingly set in the same area at around the same time; more in the way that real-life characters intrude on the fiction, notably Gary's waterbed customer Jon Peters, the wildly volatile hairdresser boyfriend of Barbra Streisand, gleefully hammed up by Bradley Cooper. With Sean Penn as an urbane but creepy movie star, Tom Waits as an elderly director and film-maker Benny Safdie as a rising politician whose election campaign Alana joins, Licorice Pizza does not want for famous names and familiar faces. But the really inspired casting choices are the two leads, both newcomers and both wonderful. In truth, neither is exactly a stranger to stardom. Hoffman has the burly build and screen presence of his late father Philip Seymour Hoffman, who worked extensively with Anderson in films such as Boogie Nights and The Master, while his co-star is part of the rock band Haim, whose videos Anderson has directed. It's a boy-meets-girl-at-high-school story set in California's San Fernando Valley in 1973, which sounds like standard romcom fare Her two older sisters Este and Danielle, who are also in the band, play her sisters in the film, with their actual Israeli father playing their screen father. The result is a very funny, affectionately authentic depiction of a Jewish Friday-night dinner, at which the bickering is enveloped in warmth. I loved Anderson's last film, 2017's Phantom Thread, and this one has the same meticulous period detail only this time it's personal. The writer-director has mined memories of his own Valley childhood, and the film's curious title is borrowed from a Southern Californian chain of 1970s record stores (Licorice Pizza, apparently, was a slang term for a vinyl LP). Aptly, the soundtrack, featuring David Bowie, The Doors and Nina Simone, among many other great artists, is glorious. Every aspect of the film has been crafted with manifest devotion and a fair dollop of mischief. It's a beguiling combination. I wasn't at all beguiled by The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain, an overly whimsical, excessively mannered biopic of the Victorian artist who, by anthropomorphising cats in his drawings for the Illustrated London News, popularised the idea of keeping them as pets rather than simply to suppress mice. I wasn't at all beguiled by The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain - I wouldn't want to drink a whole bottle of advocaat and I wouldn't want to sit through this film again With an unseen Olivia Colman providing twee narration, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Wain with the same repertoire of tics he used in the TV drama Sherlock, here signifying that his character's genius is indivisible from mental fragility. Claire Foy plays Emily, the governess to his brood of younger sisters, with whom he falls in love and, in an affront to the social order, marries. Their relationship is at the heart of all that is best about Will Sharpe's film, and a fine supporting cast is led by Toby Jones as Wain's editor. But in keeping with the illustrations themselves, there is an intensely sweet gloopiness about the whole exercise that feels too heavy-handed even for the festive season. I wouldn't want to drink a whole bottle of advocaat and I wouldn't want to sit through this film again. Still, who knows, eight out of ten cat owners might adore it. Happy New Year! Kristen Stewart had a smile on her face on Thursday as she braved the Los Angeles rain to grab food with a friend. The 31-year-old Spencer actress wore a denim jacket over a white hoodie and pulled her black face mask down to her chin, revealing a toothy grin. Her unknown gal pal also cheesed while holding two beverages as she accompanied Kristen. Out and about: Kristen Stewart had a smile on her face on Thursday as she braved the Los Angeles rain to grab food with a friend The Los Angeles native - who's engaged to producer Dylan Meyer - wore cropped and cuffed light wash denim jeans. She added mismatch socks, one burgundy and one black, and she hit the pavement in a pair of black sneakers. The star's hair was pulled back into a loose and fuss free bun, and she sported a pair of sunglasses on top of her head. Gloomy day style: The 31-year-old Spencer actress wore a denim jacket over a white hoodie and pulled her black face mask down to her chin, revealing a toothy grin The Twilight actress went makeup free for the day out and she was seen carrying a large brown paper bag. For her part, Kristen's companion wore a pair of grey sweatpants with boots that had an orange to yellow ombre design. She wore a bright blue crewneck sweatshirt underneath a white coat with multicolor flowers throughout. Her blonde hair sat on top of her head in a sizable messy bun. Recent night out: The longtime entertainer got dressed up to attend the 2021 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street at the end of November Stewart was recently seen arriving in Vancouver with her fiancee days before Christmas. They were masked and bundled up to thwart the cold weather when they were spotted at Vancouver International Airport. The two lovebirds announced their engagement earlier this year, after dating since 2019. Neither Stewart nor Meyer have revealed when they plan on tying the knot quite yet. Stewart was recently nominated for her first ever Golden Globe award for playing Princess Diana in the new movie Spencer. Advertisement They were forced to scale back their annual holiday party due to rising COVID-19 cases spurred on by the Omicron variant. But that didn't stop most of the KardashianJenner family from coming together for a lovely intimate celebration. After previously giving their fans a glimpse of the low-key bash, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian joined their mother Kris Jenner in showing off their Christmas Eve winter wonderland Thursday on Instagram. Kris Jenner's annual Christmas Eve party continued in a stripped down version with just family, as the KardashianJenner clan shared new photos to Instagram on Thursday; (LR) Kendall Jenner, Khloe, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian pictured The party was an opportunity for each family member to show off their most elegant holiday looks. Kourtney Kardashian shared a group photo to Instagram featuring her sisters Kendall Jenner, Khloe and Kim Kardashian featuring the four posing in their dresses in front of their large Christmas trees. Kendall stunning as she towered in a sleeveless black gown with a voluminous satin skirt, while she had her long raven tresses tied back and parted down the middle to highlight her large silver hoop earrings. Kim, who didn't appear to make many photo appearances on Christmas Eve, continued her recent spate of Balenciaga outfits with a dark brown bodysuit from the fashion house that emphasized her toned legs. The look featured a ruched wrap skirt and built-in heels, and she wore her jet black hair straight. Kourtney brought along her fiance Travis Barker, who looked stylish in an all-black suit with a double-breasted jacket. Blended family: Kourtney brought along her fiance Travis Barker, who looked stylish in an all-black suit with a double-breasted jacket, while his daughter Alabama, son Landon and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya also attended Adorable: Kourtney's daughter Penelope, nine, whom she shares with her ex Scott Disick, 38, looked cute in a red-and-green plaid dress On point: She had long red-dyed hair that matched her mother's sizzling dress Red hot! The Poosh founder showed some skin for the holiday with a sheer scarlet dress decorated with modesty-preserving floral embroidery Short hair, don't care: She highlighted her cleavage with the low-cut dress and wore her dark hair in a chic bob with turned-up ends Holiday cheer: Kourtney took an opportunity to cozy up with Santa, and she beamed ear-to-ear while sitting on his lap by the Christmas tree His buttoned-up look contrasted nicely with Kourtney's red-hot outfit. The Poosh founder showed some skin for the holiday with a sheer scarlet dress decorated with modesty-preserving floral embroidery. She highlighted her cleavage with the low-cut dress and wore her dark hair in a chic bob with turned-up ends. Kourtney's daughter Penelope, nine, whom she shares with her ex Scott Disick, 38, looked cute in a red-and-green plaid dress with fuzzy slippers and dyed-red hair to complement her mother's dress. Kourtney's boys Mason, 12, and Reign, seven, weren't picture. Kourtney took an opportunity to cozy up with Santa, and she beamed ear-to-ear while sitting on his lap by the Christmas tree. Rounding out her blended family were Travis' daughter Alabama, who wore a ruffled black mini dress, and his son Landon, who looked cool in a white double-breasted suit with a matching turtleneck to contrast his father's dark look. Travis' stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya from his ex-wife Shanna Moakler's relationship to boxer Oscar De La Hoya, wore a black off-the-shoulder dress with elbow-length gloves and platform heels. 'Twas the night before Christmas,' Kourtney captioned her post. Stunners: Kris echoed her daughter's caption in a series of photos highlighting her and Khloe's shimmering dresses Seeing green: Kris was dressed in Christmas colors with a green dress covered in sequins featuring long sleeves culminating in bursts of feathers Contrasts: The 66-year-old momager highlighted her figure with black stockings and pointy black heels. Khloe put on a busty display in a white dress covered in sequins, jeweled studs and small bits of mirrored glass Blond beauty: The Good American co-founder had her blond-dyed shoulder-length locks parted down the middle and turned up at the ends to match Kourtney Kris' beau: They also posed with Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble, 41, who looked cool in a black suit with a matching black sweater and a silver chain around his neck Kris echoed her daughter's caption in a series of photos highlighting her and Khloe's shimmering dresses. Kris was dressed in Christmas colors with a green dress covered in sequins featuring long sleeves culminating in bursts of feathers. The 66-year-old momager highlighted her age-defying figure with black stockings and pointy black heels that strapped around her ankles. Khloe put on a busty display in a gorgeous white dress covered in sequins, jeweled studs and small bits of mirrored glass. The spaghetti strap look hugged her enviable curves and nearly reached down to the ground, just barely revealing her open-toe silver heels. The Good American co-founder had her blond-dyed shoulder-length locks parted down the middle and turned up at the ends to match Kourtney. The mother-daughter duo also posed with Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble, 41, who looked cool in a black suit with a matching black sweater and a silver chain around his neck. Curves ahead: The spaghetti strap look hugged Khloe's enviable curves and nearly reached down to the ground, just barely revealing her open-toe silver heels Elders: There were four generations of the KardashianJenner family represented at the low-key party, as Kris' 87-year-old mother Mary Jo Campbell also put in an appearance, while Kim laid out seductively in the background Family: The matriarch beamed while wearing a classy black suit covered in rows of gold buttons as she posed on a sofa between Kourtney and Travis Mirror images: Kris also posed for a sweet photo with her lookalike daughter Kendall Khloe braved the cold for another outdoor photoshoot in front of a light-wrapped tree. The illumination emphasized the sheer nature of her outfit, and she turned to highlight her pert derriere. There were four generations of the KardashianJenner family represented at the low-key party, as Kris' 87-year-old mother Mary Jo Campbell also put in an appearance. The matriarch beamed while wearing a classy black suit covered in rows of gold buttons as she posed on a sofa between Kourtney and Travis, while Kim emphasized her curves by lying out behind the couch. Kris also posed for a sweet photo with her lookalike daughter Kendall. Elegant: In her Instagram post, Kourtney included a short video tour of the holiday decorations Decked out: The tastefully decorated minimalist space was filled with gorgeous tall Christmas trees, along with intricate gingerbread houses and crimson roses MIA: Missing from all of the family photos was Kylie Jenner, who is expecting her second child with rapper Travis Scott In her Instagram post, Kourtney included a short video tour of the holiday decorations. The tastefully decorated minimalist space was filled with gorgeous tall Christmas trees, along with intricate gingerbread houses and crimson roses. Missing from all of the family photos was Kylie Jenner, who is expecting her second child with rapper Travis Scott. The cosmetics mogul was seen at the party, but appeared to have sat out the family photos. The KardashianJenners are famous for their opulent annual Christmas Eve parties, but Kris opted to have it 'scaled way back' due to surging COVID-19 cases, TMZ reported shortly before the party was set to take place. She had some fun things planned for her family and would 'still get her daughters and grandkids together on Christmas Eve, but that's it ... nothing over the top,' a source told the publication. Shutting it down: Kris opted to have the party 'scaled way back' due to surging COVID-19 cases, TMZ reported shortly before the party was set to take place Taking it easy: She had some fun things planned for her family and would 'still get her daughters and grandkids together on Christmas Eve, but that's it ... nothing over the top,' a source told the publication In 2020, Khloe had been the one to share the news that the annual party had been canceled due to the novel coronavirus. 'It's the first time we will not be having a Christmas Eve party since 1978 I believe,' she noted at the time. On Wednesday, 22,486 new COVID-19 infections had been reported in California, while 4,557 people had been hospitalized with the virus and 57 had died, according to the New York Times. Los Angeles County currently has the most severe rates of COVID-19 infections. Prior to the 2020 cancellation, Kourtney hosted the celebrity-studded 2019 edition. Her fiance Travis marked a new addition to the party this year, but fans of the Keeping Up With The Kardashians stars wondered if Kim's boyfriend Pete Davidson might make an appearance, though he wasn't featured in any photos from the event. Amelia Shepperd returned to her retail job in Melbourne on Thursday after a Covid scare forced the clothing store she works at to temporarily close. The 31-year-old girlfriend of AFL star Jimmy Bartel was seen arriving at the shop after all staff members were forced to undergo Covid tests. Clutching a takeaway iced coffee, the newly minted footy WAG looked stylish as she entered the trendy clothing store CASA in Prahran. Back to it: Jimmy Bartel's girlfriend Amelia Shepperd returned to her retail job in Melbourne on Thursday after a Covid scare forced the clothing store she works at to temporarily close She looked stylish in a pair of high-waisted white linen pants, which she paired with a blue-grey tank top. Amelia also wore a pair of Christian Dior slides, and rounded out her ensemble with a small black cross-body bag. Her long caramel-coloured hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail, and she accessorised with gold hoop earrings. Business as usual: The 31-year-old was seen arriving at the shop after all staff members were forced to undergo Covid tests White hot: She looked stylish in a pair of high-waisted white linen pants, which she paired with a blue-grey tank top Amelia certainly had her hands full, carrying a laptop, her iced coffee and a bottle of water, while also rifling through her handbag as she walked. Jimmy debuted his relationship with Amelia earlier this month, with the announcement also confirming his split from former girlfriend Lauren Mand. In a post on Instagram at the time, the Geelong great shared a photo of himself kissing Amelia in front of the Sydney Harbour skyline. Moving on: Jimmy Bartel (right) debuted his relationship with Amelia earlier this month, with the announcement also confirming his split from former girlfriend Lauren Mand Expensive taste: Amelia also wore a pair of Christian Dior slides, and rounded out her ensemble with a small black cross-body bag 'Happy,' he simply captioned the post, adding a red love heart emoji. According to her LinkedIn profile, Amelia worked as the executive assistant to the managing director and chief operations officer of Queensland Rugby League from July 2019 to March 2021. She recently returned to her home city of Melbourne after spending several years in Brisbane for her job. Balancing act: Amelia certainly had her hands full, carrying a laptop, her iced coffee and a bottle of water, while also rifling through her handbag as she walked Former job: According to her LinkedIn, Amelia was the executive assistant to the managing director and COO of Queensland Rugby League from July 2019 to March 2021 According to a well-placed source, Amelia met Jimmy after they began following each other on Instagram. They have reportedly been together ever since he split from Lauren, 32, whom he began dating after his separation from ex-wife Nadia Bartel in 2019. Jimmy and Lauren had been the subject of break-up rumours last December after fans noticed it had been months since the sportsman had shared a photo with his then-girlfriend on social media. Advertisement Kourtney Kardashian enjoyed a fun-filled evening celebrating Christmas Eve with her future stepchildren. The beauty, 42, who is engaged to Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, shared a slew of photos capturing her family's annual holiday party to her Instagram account captioned 'Twas the night before Christmas.' In the first photo of the slideshow, Kourtney wowed in a sheer red gown as she shared the spotlight with her daughter Penelope, nine, her fiance, 46, and his three children. Christmas with the family! Kourtney Kardashian shared several magical flashbacks from her Christmas Eve bash, including one with her fiance Travis Barker, his three children, and her daughter Penelope Kourtney looked stunning in a plunge crimson dress which showcased her fabulous body as she nursed a drink with her jet black hair styled into a short, glossy cut. Travis' daughter Alabama, 16, sat adjacent to her future stepmother, while his stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 22, took a seat beside Penelope in an LBD. In the background, Travis posed in a sleek all-black look beside his son Landon, 18, who was wearing head-to-toe white. More photos from the slideshow captured the festivities, from the famous Kardashian sisters to Kourtney sitting on Santa's lap. Just the girls! Kourtney posed up with her ultra-glamorous sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe, and Kendall Jenner Naughty or nice? The beauty also got a chance to share her dream Christmas presents, as she paid a visit to Santa himself One of the images showed Kourtney and her sisters, looking glam from head-to-toe, as they posed beside two Christmas trees. Kim Kardashian dazzled in a glossy black number, Khloe turned heads in a slinky silver dress, while Kendall exuded drama in a black gown. Another snap showed Penelope playing checkers with her future stepfather as her grandmother Mary Jo sat on the couch wearing a military style jacket, gold skirt, and black mask under her chin. Fun and games: Penelope played checkers with her future stepfather as grandmother Mary Jo sat in the background Right this way: The Poosh founder followed her daughter through their beautifully decorated house The beauty also got a chance to share her dream Christmas presents, as she paid a visit to Santa himself. The final visual of the slideshow was a video showcasing the holiday decorations jazzing up the house as the song O Christmas Tree played in the background. 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. Santa baby! The duo sat beside a festive Christmas tree and numerous presents Stunning: The 42-year-old wowed in a plunging red dress that showed off her fab physique 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. 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. Travis shares Alabama and Landan with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler. He is also stepfather to Atiana, whose parents are Shanna and Oscar De La Hoya. 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 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.' Holiday spirit! She shared video of the elaborate decorations jazzing up their house Winter wonderland: A fire simmered in the background as the song O Christmas Tree played Seven West Media has finally completed its acquisition of the business and all related assets of Prime Media Group Limited. The company will change its name to PRT Company Limited as the regional broadcaster officially trades as Seven from January 1, 2022. Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton said the $131.9million takeover was a 'real game changer' for both companies. Done deal: Seven West Media has finally completed its acquisition of the business and all related assets of Prime Media Group Limited. Pictured: Seven CEO James Warburton 'After enjoying a very successful partnership for many years, our two businesses are becoming one,' Mr Warburton said. 'The merger of SWM and PRT is a real game changer for both businesses and for the Australian media sector.' Mr Warburton reiterated his point about Seven now having the potential to reach up to 90 per cent of the Australian population, which he'd said in an earlier statement. Acquisition: Prime Media Group Limited will change its name to PRT Company Limited as the regional broadcaster officially trades as Seven from January 1, 2022. Pictured: the Prime7 office (Prime7 is a former subsidiary of Prime Media Group but is now merged with Seven) 'We now have the potential to reach more than 90 per cent of Australias population each month as one integrated company and to give advertisers and agencies easy and seamless access to metro and regional markets,' he said. 'Prime is a great business and is the number one TV network in regional Australia by a big margin. In the metro markets, Seven has been number one for 13 of the past 15 years, including this year, while 7plus is the number one commercial BVOD [broadcaster video on demand] service nationally.' Mr Warburton then addressed the Prime staff, saying: 'Id like to welcome the Prime team to Seven West Media and I look forward to working with them.' New start: Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton said the $131.9million takeover was a 'real game changer' for both companies Prime shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the $131.9million takeover last week after a proposal was put forward earlier in the year. The takeover was the second attempt by Seven West Media to acquire Prime Media Group. A previous $64million proposal in 2019 broke down after it was voted against by key Prime Media shareholders Bruce Gordon and Antony Catalano. The two businessmen gave their full support after the second proposal was pushed forward by Seven along with a resounding 99.9 per cent of Prime's shareholders. Mia Thornton of The Real Housewives of Potomac had a bone to pick with Nicki Minaj, who hosted the show's reunion special in November. On Thursday night Mia, 37, took to Instagram to call out the rapper, 39, for excluding her son as she gifted Christmas presents to all the children of the Bravo TV cast. Nicki promptly made amends as she responded on Twitter saying, 'No one knew for sure how to find you... Pls send me the [address] mama.' Outspoken: Mia Thornton of The Real Housewives on Potomac had a bone to pick with Nicki Minaj, who hosted the show's reunion special in November Originally, before the New York native shared her side of the situation, Thornton appeared on social media in a two-slide video post. In the first clip she said, 'It's been a bit of a rough day but I wanted to hop on really quick because I'm getting all kinds of messages saying, "Oh, if you didn't say this... you should've kept your mouth shut and your kids would've got Gucci."' Apparently fans were referring to last month's reunion show during which the TV personality was outspoken. She clapped back saying, 'You don't be silent to obtain material, people. You speak your truth at all times.' Misunderstanding: Nicki promptly made amends as she responded on Twitter saying, 'No one knew for sure how to find you... Pls send me the [address] mama.' She wore a black hooded sweatshirt in the video and her dark hair was parted in the center and pulled into a loose, low ponytail. The mother-of-three used a filter that adorned her face in a virtual palette of soft makeup. The video looked to have been recorded in her home and her younger kids could be heard in the background. 'If you don't stand up for yourself then nobody will,' she continued in her monologue. Left out: Mia took to Instagram to call out the rapper for excluding her son as she gifted Christmas presents to all the children of the Bravo TV cast The post was spurred by several of the RHOP castmates taking to Instagram to thank Minaj for sending their young children gifts. Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon, Ashley Darby, and Dr. Wendy Osefo all publicly thanked the music artist for sending Christmas presents to their homes. The gifts included Gucci wallets with money for the boys, and purses from the luxury designer for the girls. Mia went on to say in her video, 'When it comes to the kids I'm very sensitive because as you all know I had a very traumatic childhood. ' Novel gig: The rapper looked great hosting the reunion show last month She calmly noted, 'My number one focus is to forever provide and make sure that my kids are happy. 'If that means I gotta go and buy them their own Gucci for Christmas so they feel like they're not left out, then guess what we going to the Gucci store.' The clips were captioned, 'Last Ramble of 2021. Guess I'm headed to the @gucci store. I forgot I have a 13-year-old whos on social.' Then she gave her oldest child a shoutout: 'J.Reign - You are #1 in my book.' Amends: Hours after the videos were uploaded by Mia, Nicki took to Twitter to clear the air and Mia quickly apologized for falsely calling her out But it turns out that the emotional message was all for naught, and the ordeal was simply the result of a misunderstanding. Hours after the videos were uploaded by Mia, Nicki took to Twitter to clear the air. The entertainer tweeted, 'Mia, I was following you on IG but then your page disappeared. I asked and no one knew for sure how to find you or what was your real page anymore.' She added that she had proof of correspondence: 'I have receipts, Ill gladly post them if youd like me to. I dont play like that about children. Pls send me the addy mama.' It didn't take long for Mia to reply. She simply tweeted, 'Queen. My sincere apologies.' She took a screenshot of the exchange and shared it on Instagram with the caption, 'When you know better, do better. I was wrong,' tagging the songstress and adding '#rhop.' How it started: Mia's post was spurred by several of the RHOP castmates taking to Instagram to thank Minaj for sending their young children gifts Earlier on Thursday Gizelle shared videos and a picture of her three young daughters holding their designer bags and saying in unison, 'Thank you, Nicki!' She wrote in her caption, 'I'm SPEECHLESS! So I've never bought my girls high end bags because I always wanted to keep them HUMBLE.' Then she said, 'So for their 1st @gucci bag to be gifted by the MEGA ICON SUPERSTAR @nickiminaj for Christmas is PRICELESS!' Giving thanks: Robyn also used her social media platform to thank the pop star for her generosity Robyn also used her social media platform to thank the pop star for her generosity. With photos and videos of her two sons she said, 'These are some lucky and blessed boys!!! Thank you @nickiminaj for creating a truly awesome "moment for life" for Corey and Carter!!!' Continuing to express gratitude she said, 'We love you for life Queen,' with a slew of pink heart and flower emojis. Nicki commented with smiley faces and said, 'oh, hi handsome boys!' Lovely: With photos and videos of her two sons Robyn said, 'These are some lucky and blessed boys!!! Thank you @nickiminaj for creating a truly awesome "moment for life" for Corey and Carter!!!' Wow! The rapper gifted the kids Gucci wallets with $100 bills inside Mom-of-two Ashley Darby shared a photo of her older son Dean - who's younger than the other castmates' boys - wearing a Gucci hat and scarf from the musician. 'Thank you for our adorable matching Gucci hat and scarf, @nickiminaj !!!' she wrote before adding, 'So kind and thoughtful of you to think about the babies this holiday season, we appreciate you!' Minaj, who's also mom to year-old baby boy replied, 'He is so cute Ashley. Omg he reminds me of my son doing that lil pose.' Thoughtful: Mom-of-two Ashley Darby shared a photo of her older son Dean wearing a Gucci hat and scarf from the musician And Dr. Wendy Osefo wasn't home to open gifts from the musician, but made sure to thank her with an Instagram Stories post. 'Just wanted to say thank you to @nickiminaj for the sweet Christmas gifts to my kiddies!! I'm out of the country right now, but my notifications have been blowing up! She is a queen in every sense of the word!' Nicki responded in similar fashion, taking to her Instagram Stories to say, 'You're more than welcome mama @wendyosefo.' Debra Messing tested positive for COVID-19 the day before New Year's Eve. The actress, 53, announced her illness via a post on Instagram which showed her lying in bed and wearing a charcoal beauty mask. Her hair was hidden underneath a pale pink bonnet. She looked comfortable in her dark blue robe. Caught the virus: Debra Messing tested positive for COVID-19 the day before New Year's Eve She started the caption for her photo, 'Im COVID POSITIVE. Yup. Happy New Year! Actually, it is the perfect end to 2021. The juicy cherry on the proverbial cake. 'So for the next 10 days - while in quarantine- I will beautify..Or maybe Ill sleepI actually have a lot of work to do, but for the inevitable breaks, what should I watch?Tell me in the comments! #COVID #quarantine #streamingTV #faceandhairmasks.' The Will & Grace star is one of many Americans who've contracted the coronavirus in recent days. According to the New York Times nearly 600,000 new cases were reported on Thursday. Happy New Year? Messing, seen 2020, started the caption, 'Im COVID POSITIVE. Yup. Happy New Year! Actually, it is the perfect end to 2021. The juicy cherry on the proverbial cake' Lots of COVID cases: Messing, pictured 2019, is one of many Americans who've contracted the coronavirus in recent days While Messing will be laid in bed for the next week or two, the star has certainly had a busy year. The Searching actress finished shooting her part in 13: The Musical, the story of a 'Bar Mitzvah boy's' move from New York City to the Midwest according to IMDB page for the film. Messing will appear alongside Drake & Josh star Josh Peck and Cheers star Rhea Perlman in the movie. Working hard: The Searching actress recently finished shooting her part in 13: The Musical, the story of a Bar Mitzvah boy's move from New York City to the Midwest While she's continued to work in Hollywood, the star is also a full-time mother to one child, her 17-year-old son Roman. She shares Roman with her ex-husband actor Daniel Zelman. The couple met in 1990 as graduate students at NYU and married a decade later. The pair separated after 11 years of marriage, filed for divorce in 2012 and finalized it in 2016. She dated her Smash co-star Will Chase for a few years, though their romance didn't last. Meghan King is looking forward to becoming an even better mother as she and her family head into 2022. The 37-year-old former Real Housewives Of Orange County star shared a sweet photo to Instagram on Thursday of the three young children she shares with her ex-husband Jim Edmonds as she vowed to 'mom the s*** outta this year.' The reality star is focused on a brighter future after announcing her split from President Joe Biden's nephew Cuffe Biden Owens after only two months of marriage. Meghan's post was snapped amid her trip to Hutchinson Island, Florida, where she has been vacationing with her daughter Aspen, five, and twins sons Hart and Hayes, three. The boys wore inflatable water wings and inflatable shirts with brightly patterned swim trunks, while Aspen rocked a green and purple two-piece suit as they played in the sand while the surf washed over them. '2022 resolution. I'm gonna mom the s*** outta this year,' Meghan wrote in her caption. 'Top that. Go ahead, whadya got,' she added playfully. There's nothing like water to keep on present and nothing like kids to keep one preoccupied. Thanking God for both today Mom mode: Meghan headed down south to Hutchinson Island, Florida with her three children after revealing the end of her third marriage; seen on Instagram A follow-up snap of her adorable children showed them playing in the sand and water from another angle. 'There's nothing like water to keep on present and nothing like kids to keep one preoccupied. Thanking God for both today,' she wrote. Meghan showed off her winning smile and washboard abs in another Instagram Stories photo of herself and the children at the beach. 'Soaking up some rays with my water babies at Momo and Papa's beautiful condo,' she shared. Kind: Earlier on Thursday morning, Meghan thanked her one million followers on Instagram for standing by her side as she navigated new terrain after announcing the end of her marriage Over: Meghan King broke her silence on Monday and confirmed she had split from her husband of two months, Joe Biden's nephew Cuffe Biden Owens Earlier on Thursday morning, Meghan thanked her one million followers on Instagram for standing by her side as she navigated new terrain after announcing the end of her marriage. 'Thank you for all your messages,' she wrote online Thursday morning. 'Thank you for holding space for me. Thank you for lifting me up. You all are good people and I appreciate you.' King seemed to be in much better spirits after she broke her silence earlier this week where she admitted she was 'rattled' following the end of her marriage to the LA-based attorney, whom she met online only months before. Sources told E! News that their split 'had to do with distance' as he is a Los Angelesbased attorney while she raises her three kids across the country in St. Louis, Missouri. 'Meghan cannot uproot the children from where they currently live and he lives and works in California,' the insider revealed. She shares co-parenting responsibility of her three children with her ex Jim, who is currently engaged to her former friend Kortnie O'Connor. Moving on: King seemed to be in much better spirits after she broke her silence earlier this week where she admitted she was 'rattled' following the end of her marriage to the LA-based attorney, whom she met online only months before 'It was not a relationship rooted in that much practicality,' the insider said. 'She had hopes of being able to spend more time in California but the kids cannot just be moved.' But King completely shot down the idea that distance played into their issues when she told Page Six: 'Cuffe lived with me. We didnt have any distance.' She added: 'We lived together every day since the day we met. There was no Cali/MO distance. There was zero long distance whatsoever.' Her long-time Real Housewives of Orange County nemesis, Kelly Dodd, took no time trolling the mother-of-three as she paid up on a contest from October where she asked her podcast listeners to predict the end of Meghan's relationship. Dodd, 46, and her husband, former Fox correspondent Rick Leventhal, said they predicted the union would last less than a year, and hosted an 'impromptu contest' where one lucky Patreon subscriber guessed the correct time frame. Yikes: Kelly Dodd took no time trolling the mother-of-three as she paid up on a contest from October where she asked her podcast listeners to predict the end of Meghan's relationship; seen in 2019 'One of them wrote us with the winning guess of "less than six months." We're sending her a 'Rick & Kelly Unmasked' hat,' the couple, who shared a wedding anniversary with Meghan and Cuffe, said in a joint statement to Page Six. They added: 'As bad as we feel for her, neither of us is surprised. 'We actually talked about her nuptials on our Rick & Kelly Unmasked Podcast right after she tied the knot in October, and both of us predicted it wouldn't last, because of how new their relationship was and how short their engagement was.' Kelly was famously fired from the franchise earlier this year after a host of controversial issues including toasting to a super-spreader event with her friends at a bar during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a Drunk Wives Matter hat at her bridal shower and claiming in April 2020 that the pandemic was 'Gods way of thinning the herd' as she argued with an Instagram user who called her out after taking a cross-country flight. Nothing to see here: Kelly was famously fired from the franchise earlier this year after a host of controversial issues including toasting to a super-spreader event with her friends at a bar during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a Drunk Wives Matter hat at her bridal shower and claiming in April 2020 that the pandemic was 'Gods way of thinning the herd' as she argued with an Instagram user who called her out after taking a cross-country flight Her issues with Meghan clearly carried over from her Housewives days as she previously told King that her ex-husband Jim Edmond's affair with the nanny in 2019 was 'karma' and further clarified in an Instagram comment: 'I am sorry but ladies if you marry a man that has a history of cheating and a professional athlete your chances of him being faithful is very slim .. come on!!' Meghan King confirmed the end of her marriage to Joe Biden's nephew Cuffe Biden Owens in a lengthy Instagram story shared on Monday morning, just two months after the couple married in a backyard ceremony attended by the President and First Lady. The former Real Housewives of Orange County star admitted to being 'rattled' over their failed union as she shared a series remarks on social media days after it was revealed they split. 'I'm rattled. This situation is profoundly devastating,' she wrote. 'This is obviously not what I imagined when I made my vows and I'm shocked and saddened by the way things turned out. I am moving forward with my children as we privately process our pain and begin to let go of shattered dreams.' 'I'm rattled. This situation is profoundly devastating,' she wrote. 'This is obviously not what I imagined when I made my vows and I'm shocked and saddened by the way things turned out. I am moving forward with my children as we privately process our pain and begin to let go of shattered dreams' Tough time: The former Real Housewives of Orange County star admitted to being 'rattled' over their failed union as she shared a series remarks on social media days after it was revealed they split Sources told E! News that their split 'had to do with distance' as he is an Los Angeles-based attorney while she raises her three kids across the country in St. Louis, Missouri. 'Meghan cannot uproot the children from where they currently live and he lives and works in California,' the insider revealed. She shares co-parenting responsibility of twin sons Hart and Hayes, three, and five-year-old daughter Aspen with her ex Jim, who is currently engaged to her former friend Kortnie O'Connor. 'It was not a relationship rooted in that much practicality,' the insider said. 'She had hopes of being able to spend more time in California but the kids cannot just be moved.' But King completely shot down the idea that distance played into their issues when she told Page Six: 'Cuffe lived with me. We didnt have any distance.' She added: 'We lived together every day since the day we met. There was no Cali/MO distance. There was zero long distance whatsoever.' Weeks before their split, Meghan wrote online that the couple had slipped away for a local hotel stay to reconnect after hitting a rough patch. 'We feel like weve been married for a million years (thanks to marrying later in life and with a lot of history and, well, kids) so a two month anniversary staycation was called for,' she wrote. King had high hopes that the staycation would 'do a new marriage good,' adding, 'Please, give us more good marriage tips!' Nicolas Cage revealed Thursday that he doesn't consider himself an actor. Instead, the 57-year-old Oscar winner prefers the term 'thespian' to better describe how deeply he engages with his craft. The Pig star shared his unorthodox definition of a thespian while chatting with Variety for its Awards Circuit Podcast. One from the heart: Nicolas Cage, 57, said on Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast that he prefers to be called a 'thespian' instead of an actor because it 'means you're going into your heart'; seen November 29 in NYC Cage explained that he dislikes the term actor because he associates it with lying. 'For me it always implies, "Oh, he's a great actor, therefore he's a great liar,"' he said. 'So with the risk of sounding like a pretentious a**hole, I like the word "thespian" because thespian means you're going into your heart, or you're going into your imagination, or your memories or your dreams, and you're bringing something back to communicate with the audience.' Despite his passionate feelings about the term, Merriam-Webster simply defines 'thespian' as an actor, and the word is inspired by the Greek dramatist Thespis, who innovated theatre by writing plays in which individual actors read lines, whereas earlier works had exclusively used choruses. Cage displayed plenty of heart in his latest film, Pig, which was released in July. To tell the truth: 'For me ["actor"] always implies, "Oh, he's a great actor, therefore he's a great liar,"' Cage said, while 'thespian' makes him feels as if he's delving into 'dreams' or 'memories'; still from Pig He stars in the independent drama as a former world-class chef Robin Feld, who has retreated from society and lives in a shack in the woods outside Portland, Oregon, after suffering a personal tragedy years earlier. He lives off the land and provides pricy truffles to local restaurants, which he's able to obtain thanks to a truffle pig that he's tightly bonded to. But when he's brutally assaulted and his pig is stolen, Robin makes a rare foray into the city in hopes of finding his only friend. The film has received an impressive 97 percent fresh rating from critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes, and Cage has received nearly universal praise along with some Oscar buzz for his uncharacteristically understated performance. In his podcast interview, Cage referred to Pig's first-time director Michael Sarnoski as the 'Archangel Michael' because of how he gave his career a much-needed boost. 'I knew after a couple of flops that I had been marginalized in the studio system; and I wasn't going to get invited by them,' Cage said. 'I always knew that it would take a young filmmaker who would come back or remember some movies I had made and know that I might be right for his script and rediscover me.' Beloved role: Cage called Pig's first-time director Michael Sarnoski the 'Archangel Michael' because of how he gave his career a much-needed boost with the naturalistic role, which has been universally acclaimed; still from Pig He continued, 'And that's why he's not just Michael. He's Archangel Michael. This wouldn't be happening if he didn't have the open mind to say, "Come with me."' Cage also seemed to dismiss complaints from some critics that many of his latter-day performances have been 'over the top.' 'Well, when they say that to me, I say, "You tell me where the top is and Ill tell you whether or not Im over it."' The Moonstruck actor explained that he has appeared in wildly varied films as a strategy to keep his filmography interesting. 'It was my aunt Talia Shire who first said to me, "Naturalism is a style,"' he said, referring to the Godfather actress. 'And I was also a big believer in arts synchronicity, and that what you could do with one art form you could do and another meaning. You know, in painting, for example, you can get abstract, you can get photorealistic, you can get impressionistic, why not try that with film performance?' Coming soon: Cage's next big acting challenge will be playing a fictionalized version of himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He accepts a $1 million offer to attend the birthday party of a crime boss (Pedro Pascal) Cage's next big acting challenge will be playing himself or at least a fictionalized version of himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He stars as a zanier version of himself in the action comedy, while Pedro Pascal plays a crime boss who offers him $1 million if he'll attend his birthday party, which erupts in violence. The film also stars Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, Ike Barinholtz and Sharon Horgan. In September, Cage explained to Collider that he had no plans to see the film because of how different his character is compared to his real-life self. 'I'm told it's a good movie,' he said, explaining that his manager (a producer on the film) had enjoyed it. 'I'm told the audience loved the movie. But it's just too much of a whacked-out trip for me to go to a movie theater and watch me play [director] Tom Gormican's highly-neurotic, anxiety-ridden version of me.' Though he's played plenty of high-strung characters in the last two decades, Cage said he's much more laid-back in reality. 'I said "Tom, that's not really me. I'm really [made of] quiet, meditative, thoughtful moments. I'm not this neurotic, high-strung, anxiety-ridden guy all the time." But he said, "Well, neurotic Cage is the best Cage,"' he recounted. 'I said, "Okay, okay. Let's go, man. I'll do what you want." I won't see it. But I do hope you enjoy it.' Patrick Schwarzenegger continued to flaunt his freshly-dyed, platinum blond hair on Thursday as he shared a snowy snap with younger brother Christopher. The brothers, 28 and 24 respectively, have been spending time in the mountainous state of Idaho - where their father Arnold has a holiday home - and Patrick gave fans a preview into their winter getaway on Instagram, sharing a snap of them with his adorable Newfoundland pup. The children of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver cut similar figures, both donning cowboy hats and fur aviator jackets in a bid to fight the bitter temperatures. Sibling love: Patrick Schwarzenegger, 28, (l) continued to flaunt his new platinum blond hair on Thursday as he shared a snowy snap with younger brother Christopher, 24, (r) in Idaho Daniel Isn't Real actor Patrick also thrilled his dog-loving followers with additional photos of him and his furry friend. One candid moment captured the pooch yawning, while a snowy-rooved lodge formed the backdrop. One fan wrote: 'Really ending 2021 strong on the gram Pat!' Trip: The brothers have been spending time in the mountainous state of Idaho - where their father Arnold has a holiday home - and Patrick gave fans a preview into their winter getaway on Instagram Pooch: Daniel Isn't Real actor Patrick also thrilled his dog-loving followers with additional photos of him and his furry friend Winter break: The children of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver cut similar figures, both donning cowboy hats and fur aviator jackets in a bid to fight the bitter temperatures Earlier this month, Patrick took to Instagram to debut his head of platinum blond hair. He shared a video of himself sitting in the salon chair after banishing his natural brunette strands. 'Moms gonna kill me,' he joked. Before/after: The actor shared a video of himself sitting in the salon chair after banishing his natural brunette strands Elsewhere, it was announced this week that over a decade after separating, Arnold and Maria are officially divorced, having reached a $400m deal held up by 'lack of motivation'. A sitting judge was required to officially enter the divorce into the court system on Tuesday at L.A. Superior Court after a private judge mediated and signed off on the divorce earlier in December 2021, according to TMZ. Arnold and Maria famously remained estranged for years after the journalist filed for divorce in July 1, 2011 following news he fathered a child - Joseph Baena - with their housekeeper Mildred Patricia 'Patty' Baena. The divorce remained in limbo for a decade due to both the 'lack of motivation' and a complex property settlement agreement, with his empire including a Brentwood mansion, an Idaho holiday home and a number of investment properties. She's a busy mum to 11-month-old Santiago. And Dani Dyer, 25, hit back at mums who were quick to criticise the pace that her son has been hitting milestones on Thursday. The former Love Islander took to Instagram for a question and answer session as she addressed her followers. 'Keep your opinion to yourself!': Dani Dyer, 25, hit back at mums who criticise her 11-month-old son, Santiago, as he begins to 'crawl' and 'wave' One follower was quick to kick off the session with a question about her son Santiago, they penned: 'What milestone's has Santi hit is he crawling, waving and clapping hands etc?' Dani responded and she explained: 'Santi has only just started crawling... he waves and claps his hands, but every baby is different, I had a few mums with the negative opinions on how their baby was crawling by 6 months.' 'And there is NO need to ever compare babies, they are all at their own pace', she hit back. The reality TV star then added, 'He has also started pulling himself up on the sofa.' Question and answer: One follower was quick to kick off the session with a question about her son Santiago as they asked about what milestones he had hit Another fan asked how she dealt with judgemental mums following his birth in January 2021, as Dani responded to her critics. She replied: 'It's more of a reflection on them. I would never feel the need to judge someone on anything.' 'Everyone's got there [sic] own stuff going on and sometimes it's better to keep your opinion to yourself. Nobody is perfect.' 'No need!': Another fan asked how she dealt with judgemental mums following his birth in January 2021, as Dani responded to her critics This comes as Dani claimed that she wasn't fazed by controversy surrounding her son Santiago's name. During last weeks episode of the podcast, Sorted With The Dyers, Dani and her dad, Danny, 44, agreed on their love of the little one's name - despite the EastEnders star admitting he was a little skeptical at first. Dani began: 'I love Santiago though, I love his name. A lot of people don't like it, but that doesn't really bother me.' A hesitant Danny replied: 'I love his name now. At first, I was a bit unsure.' Dani, shares Santiago with ex-boyfriend Sammy Kimmence, 25, who was later sent to prison for scamming two pensioners out of 34,000. She is now dating new boyfriend Jarrod Bowen. Theatregoers were told to leave a New Year's Eve performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical midway through the second half at Melbourne's Regent Theatre on Friday. While at first the audience was given no explanation as to the sudden evacuation, it later emerged a staff member had tested positive to Covid-19. As reported by News.com.au, a spokesperson told The Age: 'We made the decision to discontinue this afternoon's performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical after a positive Covid-19 test result within the wider company was made known to us.' The show WON'T go on: Melbourne theatregoers were told to LEAVE a New Year's Eve performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Friday, midway through the second half, after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19. Pictured: the cast on November 12 in Melbourne There will be an update shortly as to the status of future performances. Journalist Benedict Brook Tweeted about the performance's cancellation midway through the second half, and later told News.com.au that the audience was first told 'there would be a break in the performance' due to an 'unforeseen incident'. A staff member then reportedly told theatregoers five minutes later that 'the show will not be going on'. Positive case: While at first the audience was given no explanation as to the sudden evacuation, it later emerged a staff member had tested positive to Covid-19. Pictured: dancers at the Moulin Rouge on July 3, 2018 in Paris Victoria reported 5,919 new infections and seven deaths on Friday, while New South Wales recorded 21,151 new cases and six deaths - a new pandemic record with figures almost double the 12,226 cases reported on Thursday. In Victoria, 428 patients are being treated in hospital - up from 395 - while 54 are in ICU - down from 55. Most of those in intensive care are unvaccinated. Meanwhile, huge queues have continued to form outside testing clinics across Australia despite a raft of changes made to testing requirements, isolation rules and definitions of a close contact announced by Scott Morrison on Thursday. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT will on Friday adopt a new definition of a close contact agreed to at Thursday's national cabinet meeting. Unforeseen incident: Journalist Benedict Brook Tweeted about the performance's cancellation midway through the second half, and later told News.com.au that the audience was first told 'there would be a break in the performance' due to an 'unforeseen incident' Latest figures: Victoria reported 5,919 new infections and seven deaths on Friday. Pictured: Melburnians on their way to celebrate New Year's Eve on Friday In those jurisdictions, a close contact will only cover household or intimate contacts who spent more than four hours with a positive case. They will only need a rapid antigen test and will be able to leave isolation after seven days if they return a negative RAT on day six. Positive cases regardless of vaccination status will be able to leave isolation after seven days from their positive test but will need to return a negative RAT on day six. South Australia will continue with a 10-day quarantine period for cases and close contacts. New pandemic record: New South Wales recorded 21,151 new cases and six deaths - a new pandemic record with figures almost double the 12,226 cases reported on Thursday Symptomatic close contacts will still need to take a PCR test and a positive RAT will need to be confirmed by a PCR test. Tasmania will join the new arrangements from January 1, with the Northern Territory and Western Australia to make announcements in the coming days. Mr Morrison encouraged Australians to get their booster shots when they become eligible, saying high vaccination rates gave the government confidence in adopting the new measures. Around 4.1 million Australians will be eligible for their booster shot by the end of Friday, and this will jump to 7.6 million when the interval between a second and third dose is shortened to four months on January 4. She's recently returned home from family trip to the maldives with her husband Rio. And Kate Ferdinand, 30, was feeling nostalgic for her idyllic getaway as she took to Instagram to admit she was missing her morning walks to breakfast with her 12-month-old son, Cree, on Friday. The former TOWIE star, took to her Instagram story to share a sweet video of her walking along a sandy path as her son toddled beside her on the 'very slow' walk where she was showing off her cleavage in a deeply plunging dress. Family holiday: Kate Ferdinand, 30, admitted that she missed her morning strolls with her 12 month old son, Cree, in an adorable clip after returning home from the Maldives on Friday Kate held onto the Cree's hand as the tot steadied himself and walked slowly to breakfast at the resort. The mother and son duo wore matching blue outfits with Kate looking stunning in a plunging turquoise maxi dress. She added a huge pair of lilac hinted circular framed glasses and wore her blonde locks in a practical ponytail. Sweet: Kate held onto the Cree's hand as the tot steadied himself and walked slowly to breakfast at the resort Cree could be seen wearing a turquoise ensemble and coordinating sun hat. This comes as Kate looked on cloud nine as she shared several snaps from her family trip on Monday. She displayed her jaw-dropping figure in one shot as she donned a navy bikini while posing next to Rio, 43, on the beach. Matching: Cree could be seen wearing a turquoise ensemble and coordinating sun hat Holiday: Kate looked on cloud nine in several snaps she shared from her recent trip family trip to the Maldives with her husband Rio on Monday Styling her blonde locks into an updo, Kate also sported a hat and a pair of sunglasses as she worked on her tan. In another photo, Kate went for a dip in the ocean where she was accompanied by her son. The reality star opted for a bright red two-piece along with a tan hat with a matching ribbon. In another snap, Kate showed off her sense of style in a brown silk dress with a cut out detail cross the midriff. The couple were also joined on their holiday by Rio's children Lorenz, 15, Tate, 13, and Tia, 10, who he had with his wife Rebecca Ellison who passed away in 2015. She's the daughter of the late billionaire Steve Jobs. And Eve Jobs has proudly showcased her physique in a slew of Instagram snaps, with her latest taken from a recent sun-soaked getaway. The model, 23, slipped into a skimpy brown bikini as she reclined on her sunbed for the sultry images, bemoaning: 'What's a morning person anyway.' Gorgeous: Steve Jobs' model daughter Eve, 23, flaunted her svelte physique in a skimpy brown bikini as she shared sultry snaps from her sunny beach getaway Eve flaunted her toned figure in the plunging brown bikini top and matching bottoms as she relaxed on her sunbed. The blonde beauty was clearly enjoyed her time in the sunny climes, but took a break in the shade to pose for the images. As well as her modelling work, Eve has also become a champion show-jumper, and is ranked number five out of 1,000 horse riders under 25 in the world. Standing out: The model slipped into a skimpy brown bikini as she reclined on her sunbed for the sultry images, bemoaning: 'What's a morning person anyway. Along with planning to graduate from Stanford University next year, Eve has since cashed in with her own brand deals. It was previously revealed that despite her father Steve leaving behind a 20 billion fortune following his death in 2011, Eve hasn't inherited a penny, because her mother Laurene Powell-Jobs stated the family don't believe in 'the accumulation of wealth.' She told The New York Times: 'I inherited my wealth from my husband, who didn't care about the accumulation of wealth. 'I'm not interested in legacy wealth buildings, and my children know that. Steve wasn't interested in that. If I live long enough, it ends with me.' Standing out: As well as her modelling work, Eve has also become a champion show-jumper, and is ranked number five out of 1,000 horse riders under 25 in the world Steve had four children, daughters Lisa, 43, who was a product of his long-term relationship with Chrisann Brennan, and daughters Erin, 26, and Eve, and son Reed, 30, from his 20-year marriage to Lauren. Eve also previously revealed that despite her accomplished background, she's surprisingly grounded when it comes to finding love. Speaking to Horse Sport magazine in 2019, she said: 'I met my current boyfriend through a DM ladies, go for it!' She previously dated Miami School of Business student Eugenio Garza Perez, after meeting at an equestrian event. Sophie Habboo has been treating her fans to a preview of her post-engagement Cape Town getaway with fiance Jamie Laing this week. The Made In Chelsea star, 28 - who 'almost died' in a seven hour hospital dash prior to the trip - looked as though she was putting her health woes behind her as she took to Instagram with a slew of photos, including beaming selfies with Jamie, 33, as well as a bikini snap. One post, captioned, 'Once upon a time in Cape Town', encapsulated three selfies of the husband-and-wife-to-be as they indulged in cocktails. Escape: Newly-engaged Sophie Habboo has been treating fans to a preview of her Cape Town escape with fiance Jamie Laing this week - after 'almost dying' in seven-hour hospital dash Candy Kitten founder Jamie, who proposed to his girlfriend and former co-star earlier this month, quipped: 'Once upon a time I was single'. In an additional gallery, the brunette beauty showed off her bikini body in a mirror selfie. Sophie - commonly known as Habbs - was gifted a Mrs Laing To Be hat by Jamie during the proposal yet she swapped it for a plain kind as she posed with a friend. Beach beauties: The Made In Chelsea star, 28, showed off her bikini body in a mirror selfie Husband-and-wife-to-be: The reality star looked as though she was putting her health woes behind her as she took to Instagram with a slew of photos, including beaming selfies with Jamie, 33 Banter: Candy Kitten founder Jamie, who proposed to his girlfriend and former co-star earlier this month, quipped: 'Once upon a time I was single' Views for days: The idyllic scenery was on full view as Sophie snapped up Jamie and a pal Radiant: Sophie's natural beauty was shining through in the Cape Town shots On Friday, Jamie reflected on 2021 with a lengthy Instagram post, where the cover image was of him and his bride-to-be. Alongside incorporated highlights from his year, he wrote: 'Dear 2021, Its been a unique year for many reasons, some bad, some sad, some good and some great and what we tend to do as humans is not congratulate ourselves on what we achieved but dwell over the things we didnt. 'We all have wins and losses throughout the year but its important to not just like what others have done but remember to like what youve achieved however big or small you may think it is.' Looking back: On Friday, Jamie reflected on 2021 with a lengthy Instagram post, where the cover image was of him and his bride-to-be He continued to quote T.S Eliot: '"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." 'So if you feel 2021 hasnt been your year for whatever reason, look forward to 2022, like yourself more and push your boundaries because when you start pushing you begin to understand how resilient we are and how far we can actually go!! 'Happy New Year and see you in 2022 [heart emoji]'. 'Dear 2021': Alongside incorporated highlights from his year, Jamie penned an earnest caption Last week, Jamie revealed he had to rush Sophie to hospital after her oxygen levels had dropped. Jamie said he thought she had food poisoning and insisted they hadn't drank 'extortionately' the night before, saying they fell back to sleep before Sophie woke up at 7.15am again being sick. He told Private Parts Podcast: 'I clear her up and get her to the bathroom, we go downstairs and her lips are looking a little bit blue.' Mystery illness: Last week, Jamie revealed he had to rush Sophie to hospital after her oxygen levels had dropped But her oxygen levels seriously dropped and her fingers and lips turned blue, with Jamie saying he was 'scared'. Jamie founder rushed her to the hospital, which was extremely busy, and he said she was 'crying tears' into her face mask as they waited to be seen. He continued: 'I've never had fear like that in my life ever, we checked her oxygen levels and it was really low.' Jamie said they spent seven hours in hospital, when his Made In Chelsea fiancee had to be put on a drip as her oxygen levels were 'seriously low'. He added that they are still unsure what caused her sudden bout of illness, which came just days after they got engaged. He continued: 'It was the most intense four days I've ever had in my entire life, she was turning blue, blue lips and fingers. I was screaming in there asking if anyone could help us.' He's no stranger to showing off his impressive physique. And on Thursday, broadcaster Ore Oduba, 36, wowed his fans with an impressive Instagram snap after working out hard. Sharing the image to his 130,00 followers, a shirtless Ore flaunted his bulging biceps and ripped frame as he praised his personal trainer for putting him through his paces. In shape: Shirtless Ore Oduba showed off his ripped physique on Instagram on Friday as he playfully praised his personal trainer who he called 'the other woman in his life' The TV presenter, 36, flaunted his impressive six-pack in a cheeky mirror selfie. Grinning proudly while standing in his neat wardrobe the hunk showed off his spectacular shape wearing just a pair of black jeans and teased his fans with some Under Armour briefs. The former Strictly Come Dancing champion is no stranger to fitness, after wowing the public and the judges on the ballroom dance floor in 2016. However, the TV presenter took to his social media to open up candidly about how he struggled during this years earlier lockdown. Open and honest: Ore appeared on a special edition of Loose Men in November highlighting the importance of men speaking out about their mental health Paying tribute to his Personal trainer Caroline, he playfully penned: 'Appreciation post for the other woman in my life. @carolinegirvan. 'Since January 2021 this woman has beasted me, broken me, built me up again, motivated me and helped me feel fitter, stronger and healthier than I can remember in my adult life 'When we went into Lockdown THREE at the start of the year I needed something to help me get up in the morning, to focus me and I stumbled upon this Belfast tour de force. He continued: 'Little did I know after quitting her job to create home workouts online full time that in a matter of months shed racked up the second fastest growing @youtube channel in the world I was joining a community of others looking for exactly the same thing. Beast mode: Ore praised his virtual personal trainer Caroline Girvan for motivating him throughout the year 'She makes me so angry so early in the morning lol but shes bloody impressive!!! Praising the fitness guru he wrote: THANK YOU Caroline for being my virtual PT this year, I havent missed many I promise! 'And Id not have been able to tackle the days and handle this crazy year as well as I have without you. 'Cant wait to tackle 2022 with you leading the way #carolinecrew lets GO!!!!! #carolinegirvanfitness #thankyou . Finishing the post he jokingly added: 'Full disclosure I dont look like this rn. Christmas sorted that right out!! Tough times: The TV presenter took to his social media to open up candidly about how he struggled during this years earlier lockdown. The talented actor is no stranger to opening up about his battles publicly. Just last month, he revealed he suffered his first ever panic attack, in which he 'couldn't breathe and could barely speak' and left him in 'floods of tears'. Appearing on a special edition of Loose Men in November highlighting the importance of men speaking out about their mental health, the former face of Newsround, 36, said: 'It completely consumed me. I was on the phone to my agent at the time and talking about the things I've had in the diary. In that moment, I couldn't breathe and could barely speak. 'I just burst into floods of tears. That's the first time it's ever happened. I always felt like I was able to manage my emotions.' Among the other significant topics broached was the different stages of relationships. It allowed Ore to be honest about what impact lockdown had on his relationship with wife-of-six-years. The West End star said things 'completely changed' when they had children. They share Roman, three, and ten-week-old Genie. Ore is very much loved-up with his stunning other half, who also works in TV. The couple celebrated their 10-year anniversary in May after meeting at an event at Loughborough University where he studied. The couple went on to got married in Penshurst Place in Kent in November 2015. Alana Lister made sure she was seen at the 'party of the year' on the Gold Coast. The former Married At First Sight star attended YouTube star Jackson Doherty's 18+ white-themed event on New Year's Eve. The 30-year-old busted out in a barely-there dress which showed off her ample cleavage. Looking good: Alana Lister (pictured) made all eyes were on her as she attended a New Year's Eve party on the Gold Coast on Friday night The strapless dress featured a large cutout at the midriff, flaunting the blonde beauty's taut tummy. It also included dangerously high thigh splits which showcased the reality star's trim pins. She pared it with chunky brown heels and a smattering of dainty accessories. Wow! The 30-year-old busted out in a barely-there dress which showed off her ample cleavage Alana kept her makeup glamourous, choosing a matte pink lipstick, and wore her blonde locks down in waves. Also at the event was Love Island season one star Edyn Denise, with the 25-year-old also opting for a racy outfit. She paired a white satin corset top which barely contained her cleavage, which she paired with a skin-tight mini skirt. All white: Also at the event was Love Island season one star Edyn Denise (pictured), with the 25-year-old also opting for a racy outfit Tipping point: She paired a white satin corset top which barely contained her cleavage, which she paired with a skin-tight mini skirt A look: Bachelorette star Apollo Jackson (pictured) likewise stuck to the white theme, dressing in a sheer shirt with a deep V-neck, and white jeans The stunner chose a rosy makeup palette and wore her blonde hair down and straight. The former reality star added sheer mesh gloves to the look, as well as high heels. Bachelorette star Apollo Jackson, 29, likewise stuck to the white theme, dressing in a sheer shirt with a deep V-neck, and white jeans. Advertisement Actress Blanca Blanco shared a collection of pinup photos to Instagram early on Friday morning. The girlfriend of actor John Savage - who is best known for Deer Hunter and Hair - wore a white strapless bikini that showed off her very toned tummy and shapely legs as she spent some time in Malibu. And in her caption the Washington state native wishes her followers a Happy New Year's Eve as she plugged her tell-all book Breaking The Mold which goes on sale on Sunday. Bye 2021! Actress Blanca Blanco shared pinup photos to Instagram on Friday morning. The girlfriend of actor John Savage wore a white strapless bikini that showed off her very toned tummy and shapely legs as she spent some time in Malibu 'Tonight we start 12 new chapters. Let's write good ones loves. Happy New Year's Eve. Have fun tonight & be safe. And remember my book releases in 2 days,' wrote the Tale Of Tails actress. She added that her bikini was by Edith Swimwear and her hair was by Rene Cortex and her makeup was by Akemi. Blanca had a deep California tan as she posed away on a set of old wood stairs and on the sandy beach. This comes after the looker lit up Christmas Eve by sharing several bikini pinup images to her over 100K Instagram followers a week ago. New chapters: 'Tonight we start 12 new chapters. Let's write good ones loves. Happy New Year's Eve. Have fun tonight & be safe. And remember my book releases in 2 days,' wrote the Tale Of Tails actress The brunette bombshell looked stunning with a deep California tan as she posed in a red two piece on the sandy beach in Malibu. The former nurse also held up her new memoir, Breaking The Mold, about overcoming her abusive past in Mexico with an overbearing father to go on to carve out a career for herself as a movie actress with dozens of credits to her name. Blanco clearly has been to the gym during lockdown as her body looked very toned for her beach shoot. The Mission: Possible star had impressive abs that appeared hard won and she also showed off sculpted legs and toned arms. All made up for a day in the sun: She added that her bikini was by Edith Swimwear and her hair was by Rene Cortex and her makeup was by Akemi. Blanca had a deep California tan as she posed away on a set of old wood stairs and on the sandy beach The cover girl wore her dark brown hair down in soft waves and had on pretty frosty makeup that went well with her beach atmosphere. The star was seen walking on the beach and standing on steps as she enjoyed a break in the rain that Los Angeles has been experiencing this week, which has been welcome after a long drought. 'Dear, Santa. You can find me at the beach this year. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve loves and stay safe. Did you finish all your xmas shopping? Check out #BreakingtheMoldBook if you are looking for an uplifting read,' Blanca wrote in her Instagram caption as she plugged her book which goes on sale on January 2 but can be pre-ordered now on barnesandnoble.com. New book: And in her caption the Washington state native wishes her followers a Happy New Year's Eve as she plugged her tell-all book Breaking The Mold which goes on sale on Sunday The siren also noted that she had a glam team get her look together with her hair done by Rene Cortez, makeup by Akemi and a spray tan by Golden Glo Tans. Blanca broke the news about her book exclusively with DailyMail.com in October. The beauty's early years were a 180 where she had to suffer physical abuse from her father and also live a life of poverty in Washington state that saw her reside in a garage for years. 'I wrote 'BREAKING THE MOLD' during the COVID lockdown, as I felt my story could help others because poverty and abuse has been increasing. I will take you on my journey from poverty to success and how I made it happen,' the Mission: Possible actress told DailyMail.com. She has shared the tricks to staying trim: The star says she visits the gym often and during lockdown used her Peloton bike She sure knows how to pose well: The siren showed off her backside and legs as she flashed a French manicure 'I share and provide tools and techniques that worked for me,' she said about her book which is coming out from Briton Publishing. The Cannes Film Festival favorite added, 'My book is an autobiography and I share about childhood poverty, abuse, and how I overcame it. I feel it will motivate readers if they are caught in a bad situation.' She was isolated during her painful youthful, never having the support system she really needed, especially at school. 'I never told my classmates about our poverty, living in a garage, because I wanted to be treated just like them - a normal kid! No one knew, not even the teachers.' She also shared an excerpt with DailyMail.com about the abuse she endured. 'It happened when we were living in Mexico as children but the abuse continued throughout the years. Her father was not loving, she said, and instead he was an 'abusive father and husband.' 'He used to beat us and used a Chicote a type of switch or whip used to control horses to beat us with,' she shared. Beach day: Blanco lit up Christmas Eve by sharing several bikini pinup images to her over 100K Instagram followers. The brunette bombshell looked stunning with a deep California tan in Malibu The book will be out in early 2022 'He even held his gun to our mothers head and threatened to shoot her right in front of us. We were all scared of him, especially our mother. We were all crying and trying to protect our mother who he had pushed into the bed and we were surrounding her and begging him not to shoot. 'His rage and uncontrolled anger was all because she was asking him to give her money to buy us food when he suddenly snapped. 'This continued even when we were older. He went to attack me when our mother was dying but that time I squared up to him and dared him to touch me. Now I was older and not afraid of him any more. He backed down, shocked that I challenged him!' Blanco was born in Watsonville, California. At three-years old, her family moved to Southwest Mexico. Her father was a police officer there and was shot twice forcing the family to return to the U.S., to, hopefully, live the American Dream. Blanca was nine-years-old. A graduate even though her dad was abusive: 'He used to beat us and used a Chicote a type of whip,' she said Her family of seven lived in poverty for her entire childhood, residing in a small garage with no hot water, no shower and no heat while facing the frigid winters of Washington State. They then moved into a tiny trailer in a small trailer park, often with unsafe water causing sickness. She attended Chelan High School where she became determined not to remain in poverty. Upon leaving school she became the schools role model for younger graduating students and made a motivational video to help them. With the help of her guardian angel, a teacher who cared, she said, she achieved 'full ride scholarships enabling her to continue on to college then to university.' She became the first Latina woman in the area to go to college working hard in order to graduate and continue her full ride scholarships, where she took an associate of science degree from Spokane Falls Community College. She then went on to Washington State University achieving a 4.0 grade average and earned a bachelors degree in psychology followed by masters degree in social work from Eastern Washington State University. Her first job after receiving her Masters in Social Work degree was working in hospice care. Deciding to follow her dreams, she moved to Los Angeles where she became an actress and studied under Gordon Hunt (Helen Hunts father). She immediately landed many roles in film and television. The star achieved a Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Melanie in the movie Betrayed. The foreword is by Edward I. Byrnes, Ph.D. Professor of Social Work Eastern Washington University. Jeff Lewis has revealed that his five-year-old daughter Monroe was rejected by a private school. On a new episode of his program Jeff Lewis Live, the Flipping Out star candidly discussed the latest hurdle he has encountered in his daughter's education. This comes two years after the design expert mocked her posh Montessori preschool on his radio show, resulting in her expulsion. Candid: Jeff Lewis has revealed that his five-year-old daughter Monroe was rejected by one of the private schools he was trying to enroll her in; seen in 2018 in NYC 'Now I dont know if you heard but Monroe was she was denied admission to one of the I think four or five schools that we had applied to,' he told his co-hosts. The school said: 'We know who they are,' which Jeff took as clearly 'meaning they know who I am, meaning me. They're talking about me.' Jeff, who shares his daughter with his ex Gage Edward, added: 'They said: "Were not interested in Monroe Lewis. Were not interested."' He went on: 'Now Im I need to take the high road. I dont want to have any problems with any of the other schools that might be entertaining the option of educating Monroe Lewis. However I do think that, you know, this has something to do with the Montessori school that Monroe was, you know, abruptly released from.' Father and daughter: 'Now I dont know if you heard but Monroe was she was denied admission to one of the I think four or five schools that we had applied to,' he told his co-hosts Jeff then shared: 'And I have a feeling that that could have something to do with it. Like, they, I think all those schools talk.' Or the admissions person could have just Googled Lewis. While discussing the Montessori school he aired out his theory that 'maybe that woman who runs it c***blocked' Monroe from being admitted elsewhere. 'And heres the thing I, when all of this went down, I never mentioned her name and I never mentioned the name of the school. I certainly could have. I couldve dragged her pretty badly but I did not cause I took the high road,' Jeff vamped. 'I think if she continues to c***block Monroe from getting into schools, things could get ugly. Things could get real ugly where I could start naming the school and I could start naming her. But I, you know, I wouldnt do that cause Im taking the high road,' the radio host repeated. Little Monroe: On a new episode of his program Jeff Lewis Live the Flipping Out star candidly discussed the latest hurdle he has encountered in his daughter's education His co-hosts began laughingly asking if Jeff was threatening the Montessori school but he made sure to note: 'It's not a threat.' Late in 2019 when Monroe was asked to leave the Montessori school Jeff accepted 'full responsibility' for her misfortune and said: 'I am really, really sorry. I feel terrible about what happened. I know how it ha's affected Monroe. I will never do this again.' At the moment Jeff is facing a storm of controversy for having thrown a 'superspreader' Christmas party where a third of the attendees got coronavirus. However he never shared if he was informed of Monroe's rejection before or after the party and it is unclear if the holiday fete was related to the school's decision. 'We're not interested': Jeff, who shares his daughter with his ex Gage Edward, added: 'They said: "Were not interested in Monroe Lewis"' On a new episode of his podcast Jeff Lewis Has Issues he shared he does not 'regret' the event as 'it was an epic party.' Jeff dished on the episode: 'But I'm so glad I spent all that money, which by the way was thousands of dollars, to have a nurse at the party to test us all before we get in. So the third of us got COVID anyway.' He defiantly said that 'people are saying we're reckless and stupid and dumb. No, we're not, we were all vaccinated, f***ers, and we had a nurse there testing all of us before we even went in the door, including Santiago the Santa Stripper, the bartender, everybody. Everybody was tested!' Laura Anderson looked sensational as she posed with her boyfriend Dane Bowers at a Moet and Chandon party in Dubai, which is four hours ahead of the UK, on Friday. Preparing to ring in the new year, the former Love Island star, 32, wowed in a black mini dress which showcased her slender legs as she posted the Instagram snaps. She wrapped her arm around musician Dane, 42, as they posed at the party which broke the world record for the largest drinking glass pyramid at 54,740 glasses. Wow: Laura Anderson, 32, looked sensational as she posed with her boyfriend Dane Bowers, 42, at a Moet and Chandon party in Dubai on Friday Laura accessorised her elegant look with black gloves and a bag which she slung over her shoulder. The social media influencer styled her blonde locks in a middle parting and perfectly coiffed curls. She elevated her height with stunning gold sandals as she posed under an arch. Dane looked very dapper in a black roll neck and jeans with smart dress shoes. She captioned the snap: 'Special evening. Celebrating @moetchandon breaking the World Record for largest drinking glass pyramid at 54,740 glasses! Lets just say the girl at the top on the crane pouring the champagne may have cried with joy at the end.' Ringing in the new year, the former Love Island star wowed in a black mini dress which showcased her slender legs The couple's festive celebrations in Dubai come as Laura explained why she forgave boyfriend Dane, and took him back three years after he cheated on her. The TV personality met Dane at a party in November 2017 where they had instant chemistry, despite their 10 year age gap and began dating. However, Laura was rocked when she discovered that Dane was seeing someone else six months in. She explained to The Sun: 'We weren't in a relationship at that point, and we never said we were exclusive, but I was disappointed, so I confronted him and ended it.' She then signed up to join Love Island, where she met Paul Knops but that relationship ended after she heard reports he had a secret girlfriend. After a string of failed relationships, Laura turned to Dane for comfort and her feelings for him soon turned romantic earlier this year. She added that she made him work for it, but didn't want shut herself off to him after their past together and soon they got back together. Laura said: 'I never thought I'd be able to trust Dane again, but I trust him more than anyone I've ever been with even people who haven't cheated.' Real Housewives of New Jersey's Melissa Gorga, 42, stunned in an orange bikini on her New Year's vacation in Aruba. The reality TV personality posted the picture to her two million Instagram followers on New Year's Eve and said, 'Talk to me 2022.' The mother-of-three laid on the edge of a dock and showed off her toned body while she looked up at the sun. She paired her bikini with a cover-up from her own brand, Envy by Melissa Gorga. Stunning in Aruba: Real Housewives of New Jersey's Melissa Gorga, 42, stunned in an orange bikini on her New Year's vacation in Aruba Nights in Aruba: The podcast host posted a nighttime look she wore out to dinner at the Flying Fishbone in Aruba. Melissa wore brown ombre pants from her line and paired them with a light brown bodysuit and Valentino studded flats Melissa showed just how clear the water is in the Caribbean Sea as she posed in front of the white sand beach. She highlighted her dark pedicure and paired her look with white sunglasses to block out the tropical sun. The podcast host posted a nighttime look she wore out to dinner at the Flying Fishbone in Aruba. Melissa wore brown ombre pants from her line and paired them with a light brown bodysuit and Valentino studded flats. Melissa has been staying active on her Instagram stories and shared her trip to her followers. Melissa posted a video of her daughter, Antonia, 16, swinging off the side of a boast and doing a backflip into the ocean. Getting sporty: Melissa posted a video of her daughter, Antonia, 16, swinging off the side of a boast and doing a backflip into the ocean Back-flipping into the Caribbean: 'I'll take credit for this,' Melissa captioned her video. 'Driving her to gymnastics for the last 15 years' 'I'll take credit for this,' Melissa captioned her video. 'Driving her to gymnastics for the last 15 years.' The 16-year-old looked like a pro as she performed the back flip with ease. Antonia was wearing a blue swimsuit top, with black bottoms. Melissa even took a shot at the swing, but didn't attempt the backflip like her daughter. She posted a picture of all three of her kids: Antonia, 16, Gino, 14 and Joey, 10, looking out at the water while they were on the excursion boat. Melissa even tagged friend, Tara Bogota, as joining her family on the trip. Tara brought along her husband, Danny Bogota and her children to bring in the new year over-seas. Pregnant Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer has revealed she was rushed to hospital in the middle of a pantomime performance after experiencing painful contractions. The actress, 32, took to Instagram on Friday to share the update, reassuring her fans her and the baby were 'absolutely fine' after the scare. Dani had been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor pains, that typically are not felt until the second or third trimester. Scary: Pregnant Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer has revealed she was rushed to hospital in the middle of a pantomime performance after experiencing painful contractions Braxton-Hicks contractions are the body's way of preparing for true labor, but they do not indicate that labor has begun. Dani wrote on social media: 'To everyone who has reached out in the last couple of days thanks you so much! Me and baby are absolutely fine! 'But on Wednesday I had to go to hospital mid show! Turns out it was Braxton Hicks (horrible bloody things by the way) and was told by the doctors to rest up! 'My plan is to very much return to panto on the 2nd!' News: The actress, 32, took to Instagram on Friday to share the update, reassuring her fans her and the baby were 'absolutely fine' after the scare Dani - who is starring in the Cinderella panto in Bath - then thanked the cast and crew for making her feel 'very loved'. It comes after last month she announced she is expecting a baby boy, sharing an adorable video of her daughter Avarie-Belle. Dani posted the video to Instagram which starred her 5-year-old daughter saying: 'Guess what guys, I'm having a baby brother!' Avarie-Belle, who was wearing pyjamas which read 'sister' on the front, held up a baby grow which had the words 'brand new baby brother' on. Family: Dani announced she was expecting her second child with partner Simon Brough back in August this year WHAT ARE BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS? Also referred to as practice contractions, Braxton Hicks are occasional uterine contractions that commonly start later in pregnancy. They are a tightening of the uterine muscles and are understood to prepare and condition the body for childbirth. Occurring every 10 to 20 minutes, they take the form of mild cramping but are notably different from labour contractions because they do not change in frequency or intensity. Advertisement Dani announced she was expecting her second child with partner Simon Brough back in August this year. In the snap on Instagram, her daughter could be seen holding up a roll of ultrasound snaps while standing between her mum and dad. Dani wrote: 'Han Solo had Chewie. Frodo had Sam. Shrek had Donkey. 'Now be prepared for the adventures of Avarie-Belle and as of yet unnamed bump, coming February 2022.' Simon shared the same photo and caption, but added: '(hopefully not to a cinema near you).' Dani recently reprised her role as the former tearaway teen Tracy Beaker in a reboot of the much-loved series based on Jacqueline Wilson's 2018 book. Happy news! Dani announced she was expecting a baby boy with in adorable video of her daughter Avarie-Belle last month Meanwhile in February, Dani appeared on The One Show, where she explained how playing Tracy Beaker once more is 'really nice' especially because her character has 'lost her selfishness' as a teen and is now a dedicated mother to daughter Jess, played by Emma Maggie Davies,. She admitted: 'Being a mother myself, it completely changes you. So it's been really nice to play Tracy and see how she's lost that selfishness that she once has and she's all just about Jess. 'But at the same time, she hasn't lost herself. She's still this fierce, strong female that she's always been.' Dani began playing the iconic role of Tracy Beaker in 2002 when she was just 12-years-old. And the former Strictly star reminisced about growing up famous, and noted how at one point, she didn't want to be known as Tracy Beaker after being constantly called by her alter-ego's name. She said 'When I was younger, I used to get called Tracy a lot more than I got called Dani. At one point I was like 'oh, can I just not be Tracy, just for a minute!'' The mystery woman who was spotted kissing Chase Stokes in Florida last weekend has come forward to tell her side of the story. Val Bragg fired up her Tik Tok to deny rumors that she is the reason he broke up with his Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline. She insisted that Chase was 'single' when she met him, that she is 'not dating' him and that their relationship was 'literally just two drunk people making out.' Letting it out: The mystery woman who was spotted kissing Chase Stokes in Florida last weekend has come forward to tell her side of the story Heartthrob: Chase is pictured attending the premiere of the Netflix movie I Am Not Okay With This in West Hollywood in February of 2020 Chase and Val were spotted passionately kissing at Eden The Lounge in Orlando, Florida late at night when the lights came on around closing time. 'So I wasnt gonna do this,' Val began her Tik Tok video, 'cause I didnt wanna make it, you know, a bigger deal than it already is but clearly it just went outta hand.' She revealed she has 'been getting so many hate comments and DMs and people just calling me a homewrecker and telling me that Im the reason why Chase and his ex broke up - and thats like not true whatsoever.' Val shared: 'As far as Im concerned theyre both single. Theyve been single for like over a month or so. So Im just gonna tell the situation, what happened.' The moment: Chase and Val were spotted passionately kissing at Eden The Lounge in Orlando, Florida late at night when the lights came on around closing time She dished: 'I was just out with my gay best friend actually and we just went to The Lounge. Chase was there. You know, one thing led to another and we ended up just making out. It was like late at night. It was like super, you know, the place was about to close. And then I guess the lights turned on and somebody recorded us.' Val explained: 'We were both, I wanna say, pretty dru- I was pretty drunk. I wanna say he was drunk too cause he looked drunk, but then again, I dont know like his tolerance or anything like that so I cant speak for himself.' She maintained that 'in my eyes he looked drunk and I was pretty drunk. So thats basically what it was. It was literally just two drunk people making out.' Furthermore she assured the public 'that no, were not dating. It was nothing serious like that. No, its not like: "He moved on," or anything like that. Like Im pretty sure hes still, you know, going through it, and thats okay, cause I myself am going through a breakup myself. But thats literally what it was.' Setting the record straight: She insisted that Chase was 'single' when she met him, that she is 'not dating' him and that their relationship was 'literally just two drunk people making out' Calling the evening a 'drunk mistake' she iterated: 'It was just a kiss that just, you know, somebody happened to record. Im pretty sure Im not the first girl that he has been with ever since they broke up and Im not gonna be the last. It just so happened that somebody recorded us and it just went viral.' By the beginning of November reports had begun to circulate that Chase and Madelyn had ended their real-life yearlong romance. 'Madelyn and Chase are no longer together. They were trying to work things out privately but broke up a couple of months ago,' said a People source. The way they were: By the beginning of November reports had begun to circulate that Chase and his Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline had ended their real-life yearlong romance; seen in May of this year The dynamic duo, who became a couple through their work on Outer Banks, 'are definitely broken up' according to the insider. Madelyn stars on the show as a girl from a wealthy background who gets involved with Chase, a plucky working-class boy. As the show wears on the two get caught up in a series of action-adventure mishaps and wind up on a treasure hunt abroad. In real life the pair went Instagram official as a couple last June, just a couple of months after their show debuted on Netflix. Coming together: Madelyn stars on the show as a girl from a wealthy background who gets involved with Chase, a plucky working-class boy However they had apparently been together since just before the show first dropped, as they celebrated their first anniversary on Instagram this April 4. 'It's nice to have somebody who not only you enjoy being around but you also enjoy working with,' Chase said of his workplace romance on The Drew Barrymore Show. 'And I'm sure as you can attest to there's some days where you show up to work and you're like: "Ugh," but you know, to have your partner right next to you who can kind of pick you up and be a good person in your corner has just been awesome.' He's one of the most famous rock stars in the world. But Sir Mick Jagger, 78, went unnoticed when he visited the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte, North Carolina for a drink while on tour in September. The musician has now explained why his fellow patrons and the staff didn't bat an eyelid when he posed for a snap outside the watering hole, with Sir Mick insisting he was inconspicuous because he wasn't 'in a big, huge limo'. Inconspicuous: Sir Mick Jagger, 78, has explained how he went unnoticed when he visited the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte, North Carolina in September Sir Mick told the Washington Post: 'There's hardly anyone there. It's dark. It's not like, really grand. I'm not in a big, huge limo. I just walk the block and then just go down there. 'And I can't go inside the room because the COVID rules of the tour don't allow me to go in a saloon. 'And that's a promise we made. But I could stand [on the patio] outside the saloon. And I'm far away from the people.' Laying low: The star said: 'There's hardly anyone there. It's dark. It's not like, really grand. I'm not in a big, huge limo' (pictured during the Texas leg of the tour in November) Born to perform: Sir Mick, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards played with new drummer Steve Jordan in America after former band member Charlie Watts died in August this year Sharing a picture of himself standing outside the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in September, Sir Mick wrote on Instagram: 'Out and about last night in Charlotte.' A number of people could be seen sitting around him both inside and outside the venue, totally unfazed despite his superstar status. Hitmaker Sir Mick sported a ball cap and jeans while drinking a beer that was disputed to either be a Miller Lite or Michelob Ultra. Seeing the sights: Sir Mick also kept a low profile when he visited the sights when The Rolling Stones tour stopped in Las Vegas, Nevada this year Natural beauty: The rocker posed against a beautiful arid backdrop in the United States' desert South West while on tour this year The Thirsty Beaver Saloon is considered to be one of the most famous dive bars in the area, first opening in 2008, and quickly attracting a loyal core of fans. Its owner Brian Wilson was asked several questions about Jagger's appearance after his post blew up on social media. 'Everybodys used to it being an eclectic place,' he told The Charlotte Observer. Seeing double: Sir Mick and girlfriend Melanie Hamrick celebrated their son Deveraux Octavian Basil's fifth birthday earlier this month (pictured R last month) Gushing: Melanie took to Instagram to mark her son's birthday and gushed 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Wonderful Beautiful Boy Devi!!!!!!!!!! the big 5 ' (pictured with Mick Jagger in 2019) Brian was not there at the same time as Sir Mick as he left at around 10pm to put his daughter to bed. He told the Observer that one of the patrons only saw Jagger briefly as he came in and out. Meanwhile, Sir Mick and girlfriend Melanie Hamrick celebrated their son Deveraux Octavian Basil's fifth birthday earlier this month. The couple, who have been together for seven years, welcomed Deveraux to the world in 2016. Sir Mick also shares children Elizabeth, 37, James, 36, Georgia May, 29, and Gabriel, 23, with model Jerry Hall, Jade, 49, with ex-wife Bianca Jagger, and Karis, 50, with actress Marsha Hunt. Kate Hudson prepared to walk her way into 2022 as she shared a year-end content dump on Friday. The 42-year-old actress posted moments of her life from the past year which included a video of her taking a seaside hike in a bikini and some family snaps. 'Walking into 2022 like slide 1. "Where are we?! Where r we going?!",' she joked of her expectations for the new year. Take a hike! Kate Hudson prepared to walk her way into 2022 as she shared a year-end content dump on Friday which included a video of her hiking in a bikini '2021 video dumpy doo,' the Almost Famous star continued to write in her caption. Hudson showed off her phenomenal frame as she took a hike in a white bikini top and navy bottoms with now-fiance Danny Fujikawa, during their European summer vacation. Per her caption she could be heard asking 'Where are we?! Where r we going,' before humorously traipsing through bushes on the trail. Famous colleagues including actress Eiza Gonzalez were quick to compliment her body as she wrote 'Excuse me' with flame emojis. Bikini body: 'Walking into 2022 like slide 1. "Where are we?! Where r we going?!",' she joked in her caption Beating the heat! The Almost Famous actress was recorded fresh from the ocean as she hiked during her European summer with fiance Danny Fujikawa Pert posterior: The comedic actress was seen sticking her butt out for the camera and shaking her physique Sun-kissed: In one video she relaxed on the beach alongside her son Other documentations of the year included a beach selfie with her family, a video of daughter Rani, three, giving her a foot massage, and mom Goldie Hawn howling with her granddaughter. In another she shared footage of her eldest son Ryder Robinson, 17, with a drawn on beard as she trolled him for the unrealistic makeup job. The family including her kids, mom Goldie and partner Kurt Russell and a few friends all spent the Christmas holiday in Aspen, Colorado. Their snow-filled vacation included family fun activities including puzzles and making snow angels, as documented on Instagram. Having a ball: Mom Goldie Hawn, 76, was seen howling with granddaughter Rani, three, during what looked to be Easter Full service! The only daughter she shares with Fujikawa was seen giving her mom a foot massage Makeup magic: Her son Ryder Robinson, 17, showed off a drawn on beard while she trolled him for the unrealistic makeup job Quite the view: Son Bingham, 10, played in the sand as the family posted up on the beach in Greece Additionally the How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days star and Fujikawa, 35, watched a riveting game of snow polo and rocked matching onesies on Christmas. 2021 marked the year that Kate's musician beau asked for her hand in marriage after five years together. 'Obviously, we're so excited. But the idea of planning a wedding is like, a lot, it's a lot,' Hudson told ET after they got engaged. She continued to say that all three of her kids: Ryder, Bingham and Rani were 'really excited' about the nuptials. 'It was something they were really excited for, all of us, and I'm just really happy.' Sara Sampaio soaked up the sun in newly shared social media photos. The 30-year-old model stunned her 7.8 million Instagram followers in an itty bitty blue bikini as she frolicked on a beach with friends on Friday. She wrote in her caption, 'Best last day of the year,' with an emoji of a trio of gold stars. Bright and beautiful: Sara Sampaio soaked up the sun in newly shared social media photos The Portuguese model smiled in the first image of the carousel post, which included six shots from her warm getaway. The beauty sported a black bucket hat with an aqua blue graphic on the front. Her lengthy raven locks flowed out from under the accessory, as the wind gently blew her natural waves across her face. It was a gorgeous day with clear blue skies and glassy ocean water sparkled behind her. Gorgeous: The 30-year-old model stunned her 7.8 million Instagram followers in an itty bitty blue bikini as she frolicked on a beach with friends on Friday She's happy! She wrote in her caption, 'Best last day of the year,' with an emoji of a trio of gold stars Sampaio offered up a variety of angles as she showed off her slim, svelte figure in different poses. The Victoria's Secret Angel positioned herself on beautiful white rocks while lapping up the sun. She was joined by friends - actress Georgie Flores, and Jadan Huter appeared in photos alongside her. The trio was captured in a picture as they all rested on a large rock, donning variations of biker shorts, sneakers, hats, and sunglasses with their bathing suits. Getting her good side: Sampaio offered up a variety of angles as she showed off her slim, svelte figure in different poses Plunge: The 5ft8in stunner submerged herself in the crystal waters and smiled for a photo. Sara's thick, lustrous locks were styled in face-faming bangs. She removed her hat at times, letting her hair get sunshine and blow in the wind. And at one point the runway regular pulled her hair back and took a closeup selfie of her flawless fresh face. In addition to the grid post, she shared multiple outtakes from her day in Instagram Stories. Gal pals: She was joined by friends - actress Georgie Flores, and Jadan Huter appeared in photos alongside her Pretty girl: And at one point the runway regular pulled her hair back and took a closeup selfie of her flawless fresh face The scenic blue landscape brought out her piercing green eyes in the stunning snapshots. The 5ft8in stunner submerged herself in the crystal waters as she smiled for photos. She looked genuinely happy to be getting sun and sand during her time off. On Thursday she also posted a slew of pictures once again near the water as she hung out on a pier. Sara didn't tag her location in the posts. Wow! The scenic blue landscape brought out her piercing green eyes in the stunning snapshots He was the great showman of the aristocracy who bought the tiny Caribbean island of Mustique and transformed it into a playground for the jetset of the 1960s and 1970s, giving Princess Margaret a ten-acre plot as a wedding present. But now the real Colin Tennant, 3rd Lord Glenconner, has been exposed by his long-suffering wife, Anne, best friend of the Queens late sister. Lady Glenconner, who was a maid of honour at the Queens Coronation, has revealed that her husband was a cruel wife-beater who attacked her so badly she was left permanently disabled. In her memoirs, which sold 500,000 copies after being serialised in the Daily Mail, she had said only that he had a temper. Now, however, she has laid bare his brutality. The real Colin Tennant, 3rd Lord Glenconner, has been exposed by his long-suffering wife, Anne, best friend of the Queens late sister. I didnt write about what Colin did to me, explains Lady Glenconner, 89, who has a surviving son and twin daughters. It was too difficult for the children. Detailing his physical abuse, she says: Oh, God. He beat me up with sticks. Indicating her left ear, she says: I cant hear at all in that ear. Only a very few confidants apparently knew of the abuse. I remember once a doctor telling me it was as if [Colin] had one skin too few, she says, referring to his temper. Chatting in a pub near Holkham Hall in Norfolk, where she grew up, Anne says of his short fuse: Sitting here with Colin, whether it would be something making a noise, or if we were waiting here too long . . . She imitates an explosion. Annes family have been friends of the royals for generations: her father, the 5th Earl of Leicester, was an equerry to George VI. Her mother, Lady Elizabeth, was daughter of the 8th Earl of Hardwicke. My mother, once or twice when he was particularly abusive to me, did say, Its your last chance. Only a very few confidants apparently knew of the abuse. I remember once a doctor telling me it was as if [Colin] had one skin too few, she says, referring to his temper Speaking to a journalist from the Financial Times, she adds of Colin: I felt very sad for him, in a way. Sometimes he was so sad afterwards. He did say sorry. But I think he could have done a little bit more, actually. Because he was very frightening. Very, very frightening. There was a final insult from beyond the grave when Lady Glenconner discovered from her husbands 20 million will that he had left all his Caribbean property to his former valet, Kent Adonai, who worked for him for 26 years and was with him when he had a fatal heart attack in 2010 aged 83. It prompted legal action by Cody Tennant, son of the Glenconners eldest son, Charles, a one-time heroin addict who died in 1996. The action was settled in 2014. Before Christmas, Anne was due to meet the Duchess of Cornwall in Norfolk. Shes sure to have received a sympathetic reception: Camilla has made the issue of domestic abuse a cornerstone of her public work. Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owens relationship with husband Clive might have gone astray, but she has no trouble rounding up the cash. Her business, Yorkshire Shepherdess Ltd, raked in 500,000 last year. The star of Our Yorkshire Farm had a cash and assets surplus of 241,000, up from 74,000 in 2019. Amanda, 47, and Clive, 66, confirmed earlier this year their marriage was going through a rocky patch. Boris Johnsons low profile over Christmas led one tabloid paper to demand on its front page, Wheres the PM? Boris Johnsons low profile over Christmas led one tabloid paper to demand on its front page, Wheres the PM? Well, I found him . . . holed up in an expensive Mayfair restaurant Well, I found him . . . holed up in an expensive Mayfair restaurant. On Wednesday evening he was spotted, without wife Carrie or their two children, at Bentleys Oyster Bar & Grill. Its chef patron, Richard Corrigan, is cheered by Boriss visit, telling me: He was supporting hospitality. He ate modestly, drank modestly and was incredibly pleasant to every member of our team. Hes a joyous man. Hes often popping in, he comes by himself quite a lot. Corrigan, whos cooked for the Queen, declines to disclose what Boris ate, but hes known to enjoy the 36.50 Dover sole with crab, and oysters 21 for six. Vintage champagne starts at 115, but sources say, on this occasion, Boris opted for the 35.50 house wine. Perhaps he was tired of takeaways? This newspaper revealed Boris and Carrie had 27,000 of Daylesford organic meals brought into 10 Downing Street over eight months. Tatler Davinas latest scoop 6.37billion heir George Christmas Proposal One When Davina Motion got a job on society magazine Tatler, she expected to meet Britains landed gentry. The journalist, 25, has, though, gone one better and bagged one of the countrys most eligible bachelors. I hear shes become engaged to George Cadogan, 26, polo-playing son of Viscount Chelsea. He will eventually inherit the 6.37 billion fortune of his grandfather, Earl Cadogan, 84, owner of 93 acres of Kensington and Chelsea. Shes hit the bullseye, jokes one of Davinas friends. George proposed in the run-up to Christmas. Davina, an alumna of 38,000-per-year Heathfield School in Ascot, will be an influential figure on the party scene, as shes also just been promoted to social editor of Tatler, following in the footsteps of the Marchioness of Milford Haven, mother-in-law of Cressida Bonas, Prince Harrys ex-girlfriend. Christmas Proposal Two Hesketh to rev off into sunset with turnip toff The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges friend Rose Cholmondeley could be hosting the society bash of the year at her glorious Norfolk estate, Houghton Hall. For I can reveal that her matchmaking skills have led to a wedding. Former model Rose introduced her friend Sophia Hesketh, 37, to fellow turnip toff Oliver Birkbeck, 47, and now hes proposed. Its a Christmas miracle, jokes the daughter of former Tory treasurer and sometime Formula 1 team owner Lord Hesketh. Got a special present in the bottom of my stocking. Birkbecks first wedding, to Viscount Trenchards daughter, Laura, was held at her familys Hertfordshire pile Standon Lordship, in 2018. As Princess Anne retakes her title as the busiest royal, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are taking steps to catch up. Theyre advertising for a manager to organise their public engagements. No salary is given for the exciting role, which involves leading the delivery of domestic and overseas engagements and tours. Anne regained pole position as most industrious royal from Prince Charles, with Prince William in third place. Andrew pitches return to public life Prince Andrew should be quaking in his boots following his friend Ghislaine Maxwells conviction, according to lawyers for victims of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. I can disclose that, in fact, the Queens second son is planning to resume his public life. And, to prove it, newly filed documents for his Dragons Den-style project make clear that planned activity will resume as soon as the pandemics over. Pitch@Palace Global, which he created to broker deals between tech start-ups and wealthy investors, has retained 726,324 in funds. Accounts for the year to March reveal that the business, in which the Duke of York has significant influence of control, still employs three members of staff. One of Andrews friends (yes, he still has a few) tells me: His Royal Highness is confident that the civil court case in America will soon be out of the way and hell be able to get back to what he does best: helping British business grow and thrive. The Dukes spokesman declines to comment. (Very) modern manners In these eco-conscious times, were always being encouraged not to let food go to waste, but the journalist Pandora Sykess family are possibly taking things too far. Pandora whose grandfather Lord (Aubrey) Buxton co-founded the World Wildlife Fund with Prince Philip revealed that a painful Christmas accident failed to put her family off their food. My mum chopped the top of her finger off yesterday and it fell into the coleslaw, she says of her mother, Nicola. We picked it out and I took her to A&E. When we got back, the coleslaw had been eaten for lunch. My sister saw no reason to waste it. And this is why I will never eat coleslaw again. Ugh. Carolinas very special delivery for music boss Property heir David Reuben Jr, whose father is the second-richest man in Britain, once declared that material possessions are of zero importance. So hes received the perfect present: a baby. Feliz Navidad, [Happy Christmas] says his wife, the Colombian actress Carolina Guerra, right, who gave birth to their first child, a boy, on Christmas Eve. Carolina, 34, who starred in the TV series Da Vincis Demons, got married in 2019 to the music executive, 41. The well-connected couple, who count financier Nat Rothschild and pop star Justin Bieber among their pals, live in Los Angeles. Its a first grandchild for his father, David Reuben Snr, who has a 21.5 billion fortune with his brother, Simon, which includes Mayfairs Burlington Arcade and Westminsters Millbank Tower. How Stunts still making life difficult for Petra... Prince Charles once considered James Stunt so respectable that he hung paintings lent by the gold bullion dealer on the walls of his Scottish stately home, Dumfries House. Embarrassingly, the pictures had to be taken down after they were exposed as fake by The Mail on Sunday and, now, Stunts children could be about to have their name removed, too. His ex-wife, the Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone, has gone to court to change the surname of their three children from Stunt to Ecclestone. Documents filed in California, where Petra lives with fiance Sam Palmer, explain: To conform childrens last name to mothers last name . . . difficult in both daily life and travelling with children with a different name to mother. Stunt is awaiting trial for money laundering, forgery and racially abusing a black police officer charges he has strenuously denied. Aoki Lee Simmons was spotted beachside in St Barts on Friday. The 19-year-old daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons donned a printed Blackbough Swim bikini for her day in the sun with friends. Aoki's head of voluminous curls made her instantly recognizable as she enjoyed time off from Harvard University ahead of the new year. Holiday in the sun: Aoki Lee Simmons was spotted beachside in St. Barts on Friday Simmons cooled off as she took a dip in knee high water with a female friend by her side, also bikini clad. The college student accentuated her figure with a decorative waist chain. Around her neck she wore a white necklace, as well as a second piece of jewelry with a pendant hanging from it. When she wasn't in the water she sported a light-colored skirt that she wore unbuttoned and folded over her hips. Stylish: The 19-year-old daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons, right, donned a print bikini for her day in the sun with friends The young model also carried around a pink towel while walking through the sand on the crowded beach. Her gal pal wore a classic triangle bikini with a multicolor zigzag pattern and black sunglasses. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she carried a white purse when she wasn't in the water. Signature look: Aoki's head of voluminous curls made her instantly recognizable as she enjoyed time off from Harvard University ahead of the new year The Ivy Leaguer also took to Instagram on Friday where she shared a Story with her 698,000 followers. 'Last day of the year,' she captioned a photo of herself, adding a blue butterfly emoji. The selfie snapshot was taken in a mirror while she sported a teeny floral bikini that tied in the middle of her top and at the sides of her bottoms. She partially covered her face with her phone as she showed off her free-flowing curly afro and slim figure. Social media activity: The Ivy Leaguer also took to Instagram on Friday where she shared a Story with her 698,000 followers In another image she lay horizontal while lounging outdoors with palm trees behind her. Ringlets of curls fell over her face as she smiled while looking into the camera. She wore the same swimsuit from her earlier post, and the closeup shot showed small square shape earrings hanging from her ears. The post follows several others that Aoki has shared during her vacation. Chillin': In another image she lay horizontal while lounging outdoors with palm trees behind her Living in bikinis: Earlier this week Simmons posted a trio of photos in yet another two-piece swimwear set Striking a pose: Aoki positioned herself in front of a pool deck with lounge chairs and palm trees Switch-up: In one close-up capture of her torso dripping in water she wore a strapless top by Australian line BAMBA Earlier this week Simmons posted a trio of photos in yet another two-piece swimwear set. She was positioned in front of a pool deck with lounge chairs and palm trees. She wrapped her arm around a wood pillar as she showed off her enviable curves in a pair of patterned bikini bottoms from Rat & Boa. In two of the photos she wore a black triangle bikini top, but in one close-up capture of her torso dripping in water she swapped it for a strapless top by Australian line BAMBA. 'Eia Tropicana,' she wrote in the caption and added a green two-leaf plant emoji. Legendary Jamaican musician Mikey Mao Chung, a member of the Now Generation, died on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies. He was 71, and is survived by a daughter and three brothers. He was the second member of the band to pass away following the death of his colleague, drummer Mikey Boo Richards. Chung also played in Peter Toshs Word Sound And Power band. Chung was the guitarist for the Mighty Mystics, The Virtues (196769), Generation Gap, and the Federal Studios house band the Now Generation Band, before playing with artists such as Jacob Miller and Inner Circle in the 1970s. A versatile musician, he was equally adept at playing guitar, bass and keyboards. Mikey Chung was the older of the two musical siblings whose careers started in the 1960s while they were students at St Georges College. They first came to prominence with Now Gen, whose line-up also included bass player Val Douglas and keyboardist Earl Wya Lindo. The band became in-demand session musicians, backing artistes like Dennis Brown (Wichita Lineman, Silhouettes), Ernie Smith (Life is Just For Living, Duppy Gunman), The Abyssinians ( Y Mas Gan) and Pablo Moses (I Man A Grasshopper) and Tosh (Mawga Dog). As a member of Word, Sound and Power from 1978, along with Sly & Robbie, he backed Peter Tosh on Mystic Man, Wanted Dread and Alive, and Bush Doctor, playing guitar and synthesizer. He played for Lee Perrys band The Upsetters and the Compass Point All Stars (Island Records). He often accompanied Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare on their recordings and played guitar for Black Uhuru on their albums Red and Chill Out. The older Chung played on most of the projects his brother produced which included albums by Pablo Moses and Maxi Priest. He also recorded and toured with Tosh and Black Uhuru. In 2014, Mikey Chung was honoured by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) for outstanding contribution to the countrys music. C. Vittal, former TSPSC member and party leader, alleged that GO 317 had become a cash cow for party leaders as every government employee wants to be posted in and around Hyderabad because of higher dearness allowance. Representational image/PTI HYDERABAD: Amid the row over teacher transfers under GO 317, former MLC Mohan Reddy, the BJP retired employees cell convener, on Thursday suggested that if there are more teachers working in a district than the available vacancies, the extra personnel may be accommodated by creating supernumerary posts which will be extinguished with the retirement of the employee. Speaking at a press meet on Thursday, Mohan Reddy said the Chief Minister had promised during the World Telugu Conference to create 10,000 grade-I bhasha (language) pundits in addition to 22,000 teacher posts. The unemployed need not lose hope of getting a job, and the BJP will fight till a logical solution is found to the issue, he said. C. Vittal, former TSPSC member and party leader, said GO 124 issued in 2018 envisaged that the state government within a period of 36 months would organise classes of posts into various local cadres for different parts of the state. However no regulation of local cadre was taken up by the state government even after 36 months. He alleged that GO 317 had become a cash cow for party leaders as every government employee wants to be posted in and around Hyderabad because of higher dearness allowance. He said that the Presidential Order 2018 on allotment of employees to new local cadre provides a relaxation. "In exceptional circumstances, in the interests of the administrative needs and exigencies and in cases of undue hardship, government may allot an employee to any of the local cadres in relaxation of the above guideline, the relaxation said and this was indiscriminately used by the government, Vittal said. One of the newest, most talked-about museums in Bangkok is the Patpong Museum, based on the incredible history of the Thai capitals most notorious nightlife district. Everyone expects Patpong Museum to be a sex museum, but the museum traces the 100-year-old social, political and cultural history of one of the most iconic areas of Bangkok which no one knows about, says Michael Messner, long-time Austrian resident of the city, who set up this museum after 14 years of intensive research. He opened it in 2019, but was forced to shut it down during Covid. The museum was recently reopened to the public, after the addition of several important memorabilia. Messners father was an artist from Vienna and he made his first trip to Bangkok, to cast bronze images for the family business. But his life changed, when he bumped into the last, real godfather of Bangkok, who introduced him to many parts of Bangkok, including the Patpong nightlife district. Before he knew it, Messner had opened his first bar there, and in time, as many as 10 bars. His interaction with numerous people in Patpong, including international visitors, introduced him to the incredible history of Bangkoks famed sex life district. A tour of the unique Patpong Museum, said, and showed it all. As Messner said, Its a one-hour educational, cultural, edutainment tour of Bangkoks most iconic area, which incorporates 100 years of world history. One learnt that the story of Patpong started when a Chinese trader Tun Phu from Hainan migrated to Thailand more than 100 years back, and changed his name to Pun Phat. He became a very well established businessman, and was bestowed the title of Luang Patpongpanich by the Thai King. His son Udom went to the London School of Economics for his education. But when World War-II started, he moved to the US, and became part of the CIA training programmes. This was where he encountered Jim Thompson, the famed American who moved to Bangkok, and started the Jim Thompson silk empire. When he returned to Thailand, the Patpongpanich family bought a banana plantation at the edge of Bangkok, with a teak villa. They built many shop houses there, and Udom soon convinced well-known corporate, financial, travel companies, and even media houses, to set up offices there everyone, from IBM to Caltex to Air France. It aimed to become the Wall Street of the city, and set up a modern power plant, cable lines, air-condition connections. But it also became an undercover centre for CIA Operations, and the drugs trade. It was after the Vietnam War, when the American soldiers filtered into Thailand, that the go-go bars and lounges opened. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll soon became the theme of the well-known bars which included the Grand Prix Lounge, and the Mississippi Queen, that were visited by many celebrities, including Bob Hope, Don King. William Dafoe. It was also visited by various infamous personalities, which included the notorious killer Charles Sobhraj. He lived in Patpong from 1975-76, and visited the bar often with his girlfriend, and even some of his victims. The clippings of his first killings in the city, reported by Bangkok Post newspaper, are all on display in Patpong Museum. In fact, a lot of the memorabilia in Patpong Museum came from the Bangkok Post Archives, including rare photographs, posters, videos. Some of the well-known go-go bars, like the Black Pagoda, Madrid Bar, and so on, are re-created in the Patpong Museum. Many films were shot here, and excerpts from the films are on display, including the Oscar winning films Deer Hunters, Apocalypse Now, and others. The well-known character Colonel Kurtz, from the latter film, was based on a real-life character Tony Poe from Patpong, whose life story is enumerated in the museum. The House of Fame video section, exhibits the many celebrities who visited Patpong Jean Claude Van Damme, David Bowie, whose song Ricochet was shot here, and many others. The go-go section in the museum has pictures and videos of the infamous go-go acts and shows of Patpong. There is even a fun ping-pong game, based on Patpongs most notorious sex show. Thats why the age bar for the museum is 18 years. There is a Lady Boy section, referring to the many transgenders in the sex business. A unique addition is a gallery section, with portraits of the sex workers, by a top Thai artist. Some of the paintings were sold recently, and the money went towards an educational fund for the sex workers. Its a fascinating and riveting study of the incredible world history of Thailands infamous nightlife district The Patpong Museum has already won the Museum Thailand Award, as the best local and community museum. It has also won the Trip Advisors Award, as a top 10 per cent attraction worldwide. Messner and his son Tennessee are proud of the museum, which has tours every half-hour. They hope to welcome Indian tourists soon. For more details, check www.patpongmuseum.com. The IGP said Friday's encounter was very important for the J-K Police because after the attack, I had promised you to neutralise the killers soon. (ANI Photo) Srinagar: Three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed and five security force personnel injured in an encounter in Pantha Chowk area of the city here on Friday, police said. One of the slain terrorists was involved in the December 13 attack on a police bus in the nearby Zewan area in which three policemen were killed while 11 others were injured. The encounter in Pantha Chowk on the outskirts of Srinagar city took place after the security forces launched a cordon and search operation following inputs about the presence of terrorists, a police official said. He said as the searches were going on, the hiding terrorists fired upon a search party of the forces, who retaliated. In the initial exchange of fire, three police personnel and two CRPF personnel were injured. They were rushed to the Army's 92 Base Hospital here and their condition is stated to be stable, the official said. In the ensuing encounter three terrorists were killed. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the three belonged to JeM. He identified one of them as Suhail Ahmad Rather, who was involved in the Zewan attack along with two other terrorists, including a Pakistani, who were killed in an encounter in Anantnag on Thursday. "As revealed during yesterday's PC, terrorist Suhail was also involved in #ZewanTerrorAttack. All terrorists involved in Zewan attack have been #neutralised," the IGP said in a tweet. The identification of the other two is being ascertained and they are most likely foreign terrorists as no one has claimed them so far, the IGP told reporters at a press conference where only selected media persons were invited. The IGP said Friday's encounter was very important for the J-K Police because after the attack, I had promised you to neutralise the killers soon. The J-K Police worked like a team, police teams from other districts also helped and we developed the inputs and achieved this success, he said. Traffic from Liberty junction will not be allowed towards Tank Bund, vehiclists should take a left at Ambedkar statue, Telugu Talli, Iqbal Minar, Ravindra Bharathi and other alternative roads. Representational image/DC Hyderabad: The Hyderabad traffic police announced restrictions and diversions of vehicles in view of the New Year celebrations on the intervening night December 31 and January 1. All roads around the Hussainsagar, all flyovers in the city except the Begumpet flyover will be closed for traffic on the night of December 31, police said. "Vehicular traffic will not be allowed on NTR Marg, Necklace Road and Tank Bund from 10 pm to 2 am on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 and the public is requested to take the alternative routes suggested by the police," Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand said. As per the orders, traffic coming from V.V. Statue towards Necklace Road and NTR Marg will be diverted towards Khairatabad and Raj Bhavan Road . Traffic from BRK Bhavan towards NTR Marg will be diverted at Telugu Talli Junction towards Iqbal Minar, Lakdikapul, Ayodhya. Traffic from Liberty junction will not be allowed towards Tank Bund, vehiclists should take a left at Ambedkar statue, Telugu Talli, Iqbal Minar, Ravindra Bharathi and other alternative roads. Traffic from Khairatabad market towards Necklace rotary will be diverted at Khairatabad (Bada Ganesh) towards Sensation Theatre, Rajdoot lane, Lakdikapul. The Mint compound lane adjacent to Secretariat will be closed for general vehicular traffic. Traffic coming from Nallagutta railway bridge will not be allowed towards Sanjeevaiah Park and Necklace Road and will be diverted towards Karbala Maidan or Ministers Road. Traffic from Secunderabad will be diverted at the Sailing Club towards Kavadiguda crossroads, Lower Tank Bund, Kattamaisamma temple, and Ashok Nagar, RTC crossroads. Police said buses, lorries and heavy vehicles will not be allowed in Hyderabad limits till 2 am of January 1. The traffic police said it will undertake extensive checks to curb drunk driving, rash and negligent driving, over speeding and triple riding on two wheelers and among traffic violations in the interest of public order and safety. People are requested to kindly follow traffic safety rules for their own safety and cooperate with the police personnel on duty, concluded the official. Restrictions in Hyderabad Traffic will not be allowed on NTR Marg, Necklace Road and Tank Bund from 10 pm on December 31 to 2 am on January 1 Traffic restrictions placed on roads leading to Hussainsagar. All flyovers in Hyderabad except the Begumpet flyover will be closed for traffic on Friday night. Buses, lorries and heavy vehicles will not be allowed inside Hyderabad limits till 2 am of January 1 Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the advisories and guidelines issued by the Hyderabad city police on New Year celebrations. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy observed that the advisories issued to all stakeholdes including partygoers and event organisers were good and hoped the guidelines would be implemented effectively. The judge was dealing with petitions complaining about pubs and commercial establishments violating rules and creating a nuisance in the residential areas of Jubilee Hills locality. The court on Wednesday had directed the government and police to formulate protocols for pubs. The guidelines were placed before the court on Thursday. The court directed police to continue these guidelines till January 6. Petitioner's counsel Pisapati Rajashekar complained that the guidelines were only applicable to New year celebrations whereas the court had directed the government to take permanent steps. He said the residents of Jubilee Hills locality were losing their peace of mind due to the commercial activities in residential zones. Srikanth Reddy, counsel for the home department, said that the excise department must be made a respondent if the petitioners were objecting permission given to the pubs. The court suggested to the petitioners to do this, and said it would look into the issue during the next hearing on January 6. Many okay with restrictions on NY parties Around 70 per cent of city residents support the restrictions being placed on New Year parties and gatherings to minimise the spread of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, a survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed. Of the 30,000 respondents spread across Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, nearly 39 per cent were women. While most social media posts have opposed the idea of night curfew, with many stating the virus does not transmit only at night, many citizens on LocalCircles have been expressing concerns about the rising cases of Omicron and the need for restrictions to contain the spread. The survey asked Hyderabadis if they support the move to put restrictions on New Year parties. Around 70 per cent of 2,114 respondents said 'yes'. The next two to four weeks are absolutely critical and behaviour of the people, whether they protect themselves by masking properly, maintaining physical distance, will largely determine how the third wave will shape up, said director of public health, Dr G. Srinivasa Rao. PTI Hyderabad: With the New Year celebrations barely a few hours away, the state health department has said that when 2022 comes around, it will bring with it the third wave of Covid to the state. We should be seeing a spike in Covid cases in the state in the next two to four weeks, anywhere from 10,000 a day to 30,000 a day, said director of public health, Dr G. Srinivasa Rao. The third wave will be powered by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus which, he said, is already in the community. The pattern of the variant entering a country, and then into the community, has happened in the USA, Britain, and elsewhere and India. Telangana is no different, he added. The next two to four weeks are absolutely critical and behaviour of the people, whether they protect themselves by masking properly, maintaining physical distance, will largely determine how the third wave will shape up, he said. Warning that the Omicron variant has very high levels of infectivity, he said the silver lining was that most of such infections will be mild, with almost 90% of the people who catch it will most likely not even be aware of that. They will be the ones who will spread the disease, so everyone must mask up, and mask up properly, he said. Dr Rao, however, predicted that the third wave will not last for a long period and should subside in about three months. As a public health specialist, I can say that in about six months, Covid itself is likely to disappear. The top health official said that while the overall caseload will increase, and about 10% of those infected in the third wave are likely to have symptoms and need hospital care, the real concern is about the one per cent of people who could fall sick. He pointed out that there are 55,442 beds to treat Covid patients in the state, apart from over 15,000 oxygen equipped and ICU beds in the government sector alone. The thing about the Omicron infection is that the symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, so anyone with flu symptoms such as cold, or fever, must get tested, and if found to be Covid positive, then not worry about which variant they are infected with but stay isolated, and use the home isolation kit the government will provide. For most people, there will only be very mild symptoms and the treatment for the Omicron variant is no different than that offered to the other older variants of coronavirus. There is no cause, or need for panic, he said. He said people must be careful as Omicron is known for breakthrough infections, and despite getting fully vaccinated, and or having experienced Covid earlier, people are still catching the Omicron variant. VISAKHAPATNAM: Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) mayor Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari exuded confidence that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would govern Andhra Pradesh from Visakhapatnam in 2022. Celebrating New Year Eve with media at the GVMC office on Friday, the mayor disclosed to Deccan Chronicle her reasoning as to why CM may start functioning from the Port City. Hari Venkata Kumari said she had last met Chief Minister during the latters visit to Vizag for attending the marriage reception of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidus granddaughter at Madhurawada. When I brought to his attention a set of issues related to development of Visakhapatnam during our informal chat, the CM replied that he will arrive in Vizag soon to rule. The CM asked us to be ready for working together for developing the Port City in all aspects. The CM's words could be a clear indication that the executive capital will shift to Visakhapatnam and the Chief Minister will start ruling the state from Vizag in this New Year, the mayor explained. On administrative aspects of the municipal corporation, she said their focus during the New Year will be to improve collection of revenue while providing quality life to citizens. The city has 5,40,283 taxpayers who contribute nearly 287.58 crore. GVMC commissioner Lakshmisha, who too was present at the celebrations, said the corporation will conduct competitions among wards on cleanliness. A committee will be constituted to implement this novel concept as part of GVMCs efforts to keep the city clean and green. This will help Visakhapatnam bag top awards and rewards in the national-level Swachh competitions. A maximum of 10 lakh will be awarded to the best ward. The executive body of the ward can use the amount for further development of their segment. The money will be mobilised from Corporate Social Responsibility amounts of corporate bodies, the commissioner told this correspondent. O Bachchoo, devise that mirror In which emotions are reflected Then breathe on it with steamy breath So the pain may be deflected But only till the atmosphere Evaporates the fog away And all the shining glass is clear So love and loss are in interplay. From The Book of the Alley Barber by Bachchoo The ends of years are usually occasions for celebration and looking forward. Christmas comes close to New Years Eve and both days are occasions to abandon restraint. As they used to say of the drug-fuelled 1960s, if you can remember them, you werent there! My Christmases and New Years are pleasantly haunted by the ghosts of Christmases and New Years past not as in spooky spectres which appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge, but as memories. My non-Christian Parsi family celebrated Christmas conscientiously. I dont think they were celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. They used it as an excuse to eat dhan sak and give each other presents. Of course, Jeff Bezos and other retailers rejoice in the tradition of gift-giving but very few of them, those who give and those who receive, connect this tradition of presents as originating from the New Testament gospel of Matthew. Its the only one in which the three Magi Parsi Zoroastrian priests bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the new-born Jesus. What Matthew was attempting through this story was the endorsement of the Christ by representatives of the prevalent monotheistic religion which wasnt the other one Judaism, from which the gospels wanted to break or progress. Alas, no one has brought me gold, frankincense or myrrh. I am instead content with a copper bracelet for wrist arthritis, after-shave lotion and a perfumed candle. Perhaps for most of the world the ghosts of the last two Christmases and New Years are not memories but the threatening, even death-dealing spectre of Delta and Omicron Covid. People talk and write about a new normal. Nature and evolution have, as they occasionally do, inflicted a trial on humanity. Covid-19 may be less dangerous than the plagues one reads about, the Spanish flu or even the Ebola outbreaks, but they have, in this age of mass communication, occasioned impositions on travel and even mass protests in several countries by deniers and conspiracy theorists who pose as lovers of freedom and err not of mind-boggling selfishness. My personal worry about restrictions born of Omicron is about travel to India. I intended before Omicron hit to see my relatives and friends and participate, as I have been invited to do, in the Jaipur Literary Festival. Its always a crowded affair, a sort of Kumbh Mela of literature, and we know that Omi is more contagious than previous variants and thrives in crowds. Will the festival be restricted by law or caution to going ethereal? I hope not. I want to travel but dont want to catch Covid-19. Perhaps by early January Omicron will have mutated into Pi with a short life and no bite at all. Inshallah! And in these years a disease has become a political focus, determining political fortunes. UKs PM BoJo campaigned and won a majority in the 2019 election by pandering to the English (not Scottish or Welsh) electorates keep Johnny foreigner out determination. Then Covid-19 hit the nation and though BoJo messed about and delayed any action, allowing a disastrous first wave of infections and deaths, he tried to capitalise on initiating and trumpeting a vaccine programme, boasting it was the best in the world. The boast worked for a while! Then the disasters, springing directly from BoJos inadequacies, weaknesses and character began to strike. His new young wife fought with his Svengali adviser Dominic Cummings whom she forced out of 10 Downing Street. Dom turned vicious and began to publicly reveal facts about BoJos dithering over Covid-19 policy and other scandals. The new wife, Carrie, now demanded a refurbishment of the prime ministerial flat above 11 Downing Street. BoJo, it is alleged, got a Tory millionaire to pay up to 160,000 for the kitschy redecoration a scandal thats being examined as a piece of corruption. Undeterred, BoJo brazenly attempted to get his party to overturn a charge of corrupt practice by Owen Patterson, his Tory MP friend. Many in his own party rebelled and BoJo had to make a U-turn, leaving the laws preventing MPs from corrupt profiteering in place. Recently, photographs and recordings of parties in No. 10 emerged, alerting the nation to the hypocrisy of BoJo passing regulations to restrict relatives from visiting their dying parents. With these revelations, for the first time in two years, the Labour Partys poll ratings were higher that BoJos Tories and the jockeying to replace BoJo has begun. The Tories are said to be waiting for one more characteristic blunder, or even a conclusive report of wrongdoing, to vote BoJo out of office and Carrie out of her bad-taste flat. Even Margaret Thatcher, one of the most popular Tory PMs, was nevertheless toppled mid-term after political blundering. Now Hedgy Sunak, Liz Truss the foreign secretary, Sajid Covid, the healthwalla, and even Priti Clueless are said to be preparing for the contest. Yet the big news of the last days of 2021 is neither Covid-19 nor the uncertain fortunes of BoJo. Its the arrest in the Windsor Castle grounds of a 19-year-old man called Jaswant Singh Chail. This young man, dressed in a black costume as Darth Vader from the fictional series Star Wars and carrying a crossbow, had posted a video of himself with a declaration of intent to assassinate the Queen in revenge for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a hundred and two years ago. Jaswant was arrested and sent for mental health tests. He had better be proved to have mental problems, as an attempt to assassinate a British monarch still carries the penalty for treason, which is capital punishment. After his arrest, home secretary Priti Clueless is passing a law making the possession of a crossbow a criminal offence. What far-sighted and publicly-beneficial legislation! Just what the nation needs. Im sure Priti has alerted the Sherriff of Nottingham, once her law is passed, to track down Robin Hood and bring him in chains to London. The other contenders for the Tory leadership had better watch it! JPMorgan Chase & Co has offered its staff the option of working from home for the first two weeks of 2022, with a caveat that all employees are expected to return to office no later than February 1, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The bank told workers it was not changing the long-term plans of working from the office. "With the increase in holiday travel and gatherings, we are allowing for more flexibility during the first two weeks of January to work from home (if your role allows) at your manager's discretion," the memo said. Citigroup has also asked its employees to work from home during the first few weeks of 2022, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. Also Read Google employees flouting vaccination rules to be fired: Report The bank had said to its employees at its New York City office on December 15 they could work from home if they were able to through the holidays. US banks have been more proactive than other industries in encouraging employees back to the office, but those plans have come under renewed scrutiny due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Earlier this month, JPMorgan instructed unvaccinated staff in Manhattan to work from home, while relaxing mask requirements for vaccinated staff working in its Manhattan offices. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Tamil star Ajith Kumar recently told his fans to stop addressing him as 'Thala', which created a great deal of buzz among fans. He further added that they should refer to him by his name or initials 'AK'. Maverick filmmaker S S Rajamouli, who is busy promoting his upcoming movie Rise Roar Revolt (RRR), has now, reacted to the mass hero's decision. Speaking on a chat show, he said that he 'admires' the actor's decision as it highlighted his humility. He added that the Citizen hero has 'crores of fans', which bears testimony to his popularity. Fans started calling Ajith 'Thala' after the release of the action drama Dheena, which premiered in theatres in 2001. The moniker stuck with him in the years to follow as he consolidated his standing in the industry with films such as Mankatha and Veeram. Also read | They are cameos, won't cheat my audience: S S Rajamouli on Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt's roles in 'RRR' Ajith is not in favour the concept of fan clubs and asked his well-wishers to refrain from setting up any such associations. He also warned them against trolling those who criticise his work. The Viswasam actor rarely attends press meets or pre-release events, which added to the aura surrounding him. This explains the tremendous buzz surrounding his upcoming movie Valimai, directed by H Vinoth. It has an urban setting and revolves around what happens when a cop locks horns with a dangerous foe. The movie stars Huma Qureshi, who made her Kollywood debut with Rajinikanth's Kaala, as the leading lady. She, however, does not play Ajith's love interest in Vinoth's magnum opus. The cast includes RX 100 actor Karthikeya, V J Bani, Yogi Babu and Kannada actor Achyuth Kumar. Rajamouli, on the other hand, is awaiting the release of RRR. The period-drama, starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan, revolves around the fictional friendship between two real freedom fighters-- Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju. It will hit the screens on January 7 Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin discussed soaring Russia-West tensions over Ukraine on Thursday in a phone call aimed at opening the door to a diplomatic solution in formal talks next month. The call, held at the request of the Kremlin leader, lasted 50 minutes, a White House official said from Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden was spending the New Year's holiday at home. This was the second time Putin and Biden talked in just over three weeks, reflecting intense diplomacy to try and resolve a dangerously escalating standoff on the fringes of eastern Europe. Ahead of the call, both sides insisted they were ready to listen. But with Thursday's talk setting the stage for difficult, lower-level, face-to-face negotiations in Geneva in January, there were few indications of major concessions on the horizon. Washington and its European allies accuse Russia of threatening former Soviet territory Ukraine with a new invasion. Some 100,000 Russian troops are massed near the border of the country, where Putin already seized the Crimea region in 2014 and is accused of fomenting a pro-Russian separatist war which erupted that same year in the east. Moscow describes the menacing troop presence as protection against an encroaching West, particularly NATO, although Ukraine has not been offered membership in the military alliance. Earlier this month, the Russians issued a sweeping set of demands, including guarantees that NATO not expand further and a bar on new US military bases in former territories of the Soviet Union. The United States rejects what it calls a bid by the Kremlin to dictate independent countries' futures, and warns that if troops do cross into Ukraine, Russia will face blistering economic sanctions backed both by Washington and EU capitals. Previous Western sanctions imposed after Moscow's annexation of Crimea have had little discernible impact. Biden was shown in an official White House picture wearing a suit and tie and speaking from a large wooden desk lined with family photos in his Wilmington home. A framed US flag hung from the wall behind. He went into the call ready to offer Putin a "diplomatic path" out of the crisis, a senior administration official told reporters. "But we are also prepared to respond if Russia advances with a further invasion of Ukraine," Biden was to tell Putin, the official said, adding that Washington remained "gravely concerned" about the military build-up and wants to see Russian forces return "to their regular training areas." In a holiday message to Biden hours before they talked, Putin said he is "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." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin was "in the mood for a conversation." "We believe that only through talks is it possible to solve all the immediate problems that we have in abundance between us," Peskov said. The January talks will see Russian officials sitting down separately with negotiators representing the United States, NATO and the regional OSCE security forum, which also includes the United States. Russia's delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and the US delegation by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Ukraine, which wants to join NATO but has been told it is far from being ready to win acceptance, is eager not to be cut out of any wider deal. US officials have been at pains to insist that no decision will be taken behind the Ukrainians' backs and that while US troops would not be sent to defend the country against Russia, ongoing deliveries of weapons and other military assistance are set to expand if Moscow attacks. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said a US aircraft carrier group was to remain in the Mediterranean as a reassurance to European allies and on Thursday, CNN quoted a military official saying that a powerful US spy plane had flown over eastern Ukraine for the second time this week. The plane is capable of monitoring large areas of territory, tracking and photographing everything from vehicles to other aircraft, the report said. Check out the latest DH videos here: When Jennifer Chen travelled back to her hometown in central China last winter for Lunar New Year, she thought little about Twitter. She had around 100 followers on an account she believed to be anonymous. While living in China, she retweeted news and videos, and occasionally made comments censored on Chinese platforms, like voicing her support for Hong Kongs protesters and her solidarity with minorities who have been interned. It wasnt much, but it was enough for the authorities to go after her. The police knocked on her parents door when she was visiting. She said they had summoned her to the station, questioned her and then commanded her to delete her Twitter posts and account. They continued to track her when she went overseas to study, calling her and her mother to ask if Chen had recently visited any human rights websites. The Chinese government, which has built an extensive digital infrastructure and security apparatus to control dissent on its own platforms, is going to even greater lengths to extend its internet dragnet to unmask and silence those who criticise the country on Twitter, Facebook and other international social media. These new investigations, targeting sites blocked inside China, are relying on sophisticated technological methods to expand the reach of Chinese authorities and the list of targets, according to a New York Times examination of government procurement documents and legal records, as well as interviews with one government contractor and six people pressured by the police. To hunt people, security forces use advanced investigation software, public records and databases to find all their personal information and international social media presence. The operations sometimes target those living beyond Chinas borders. Police officers are pursuing dissidents and minor critics like Chen, as well as Chinese people living overseas and even citizens of other nations. Also read: Huawei to see 'serious challenges' in 2022 amid tech politics The digital manhunt represents the punitive side of the governments vast campaign to counter negative portrayals of China. In recent years, the Communist Party has raised bot armies, deployed diplomats and marshalled influencers to push its narratives and drown out criticism. The police have taken it a step further, hounding and silencing those who dare to talk back. With growing frequency, the authorities are harassing critics both inside and outside China, as well as threatening relatives, in an effort to get them to delete content deemed criminal. One video recording, provided by a Chinese student living in Australia, showed how the police in her hometown had summoned her father, called her with his phone and pushed her to remove her Twitter account. The new tactics raise questions about the spread of powerful investigative software and bustling data markets that can make it easy to track even the most cautious social media user on international platforms. US regulators have repeatedly blocked Chinese deals to acquire American technology companies over the access they provide to personal data. They have done much less to control the widespread availability of online services that offer location data, social media records and personal information. For Chinese security forces, the effort is a daring expansion of a remit that previously focused on Chinese platforms and the best-known overseas dissidents. Now, violations as simple as a post of a critical article on Twitter or in the case of 23-year-old Chen, quoting, I stand with Hong Kong can bring swift repercussions. Actions against people for speaking out on Twitter and Facebook have increased in China since 2019, according to an online database aggregating them. The database, compiled by an anonymous activist, records cases based on publicly available verdicts, police notices and news reports, although information is limited in China. The net has definitely been cast wider overseas during the past year or so, said Yaxue Cao, editor of ChinaChange.org, a website that covers civil society and human rights. The goal is to encourage already widespread self-censorship among Chinese people on global social media, she said, likening the purging of critics to an overactive lawn mower. They cut down the things that look spindly and tall the most outspoken, she said. Then they look around, the taller pieces of grass no longer cover the lower ones. They say, Oh these are problematic too, lets mow them down again. Chinese security authorities are bringing new technical expertise and funding to the process, according to publicly available procurement documents, police manuals and the government contractor, who is working on overseas internet investigations. In 2020, when the police in the western province of Gansu sought companies to help monitor international social media, they laid out a grading system. One criterion included a companys ability to analyse Twitter accounts, including tweets and lists of followers. The police in Shanghai offered $1,500 to a technology firm for each investigation into an overseas account, according to a May procurement document. Such work often begins with a single tweet or Facebook post that has attracted official attention, according to the contractor, who declined to be named because he was not approved to speak publicly about the work. A specialist in tracking people living in the United States, he said he used voter registries, drivers license records and hacked databases on the dark web to pinpoint the people behind the posts. Personal photos posted online can be used to infer addresses and friends. A Chinese police manual and examination for online security professionals detailed and ranked the types of speech crimes that investigators seek out, labelling them with a one, two or three depending on the severity of the violation. One denotes criticism of top leadership or plans to politically organise or protest; two includes the promotion of liberal ideology and attacks on the government; and three, the least urgent, refers to content ranging from libel to pornography. The manual specifically called for monitoring activity on foreign websites. The contractor said he used the rankings to classify infractions on dossiers he submitted to his bosses in Chinas security apparatus. In a sample document reviewed by The Times, he listed key details about each person he looked into, including personal and career information and professional and family connections to China, as well as a statistical analysis of the reach of the persons account. His approach was corroborated by procurement documents and guides for online security workers. Over the past year, he said, he had been assigned to investigate a mix of Chinese undergraduates studying in the United States, a Chinese American policy analyst who is a US citizen and journalists who previously worked in China. Those caught up in the dragnet are often baffled at how the authorities linked them to anonymous social media accounts on international platforms. The Chinese student in Australia, who provided the video recording from her police questioning, recalled the terror she had felt when she first received a call from her father in China in spring 2020. The police told him to go to a local station over a parody account she had created to mock Chinas leader, Xi Jinping. She declined to be named over concerns about reprisals. In an audio recording she also provided, the police told her via her fathers phone that they knew her account was being used from Australia. Her distraught father instructed her to listen to the police. Three weeks later, they summoned him again. This time, calling her via video chat, they told her to report to the station when she returned to China and asked how much longer her Australian visa was valid. Fearful, she denied owning the Twitter account but filmed the call and kept the account up. A few months later, Twitter suspended it. After an inquiry from The Times, Twitter restored the account without explaining why it had taken it down. Consequences can be steep. When a Chinese student living in Taiwan criticised China this year, he said, both of his parents disappeared for 10 days. His social media accounts within China were also shut down. The student, who declined to be named out of fear of further reprisals, said he still did not know what had happened to his parents. He doesnt dare to ask because they told him that local security forces were monitoring them. Those who live abroad are also very scared, said Eric Liu, a censorship analyst at China Digital Times, a website that monitors Chinese internet controls. He said that Chinese users on Twitter were becoming increasingly careful. For Chen, the police harassment has continued even after she moved to Europe this fall for graduate school. She has struggled with feelings of shame and powerlessness as she has weighed the importance of expressing her political views against the risks that now entails. It has driven a rift in her relationship with her mother, who was adamant that she change her ways. Chen said that as long as she held a Chinese passport she would worry about her safety. As a young person with little work experience and less influence, she said it was frustrating to have her voice taken away: I feel weak, like theres no way for me to show my strength, no way to do something for others. Even so, she said she would continue to post, albeit with more caution. Even though it is still dangerous, I have to move forward step by step, she said. I cant just keep censoring myself. I have to stop cowering. After the Chinese government renamed 15 places of Arunachal Pradesh, the Congress on Friday slammed the Modi-led government for "inaction and shying away from naming China for the land grab of Indian Territory." Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "China is 'renaming' 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh. Satellite images had recently showed China has also built two villages in our territory. PM Modi and his Beijing Janata Party leaders shy away from even naming China! All they do is distract and deny this land grab by the Chinese." China's Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a statement stating that they have 'standardised' names for 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh, to be used on the Chinese maps. This is the second time China has renamed some places of Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, in 2017, China had changed the names of six places. Also Read 'Invented' names do not alter status: India rejects Chinese names for areas in Arunachal Pradesh On October 23, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, passed a new law citing "protection and exploitation of the country's land border areas". The committee had stated that the new law will come into effect from January 1. The law is not meant specifically for the border with India. China shares its 22,457-km land boundary with 14 countries, including India, the third-longest after the borders with Mongolia and Russia. The new border law has 62 articles and seven chapters. As per the law, the People's Republic of China shall set up boundary markers on all its land borders to clearly mark the border. The type of marker is to be decided in agreement with the relevant neighbouring state. Congress has been critical of the government's handling of disputes with China. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday asked the people not to forget the 'sacrifices' made for the Ram Temple as he likened the laying of the foundation stone of the Ram Temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the reconstruction of Somenath Temple in Gujarat by India's first home minister Vallabhbahi Patel. Addressing a public meeting at Ayodhya, Shah accused the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and BSP of "creating hurdles" in the way of the Ram Temple and asked the people not to support those who never 'respected' the places of worship of the Hindus. "Ram Lala had to spend many years in the tent... people had to make many sacrifices for the Ram Temple... and today a grand Ram Temple is being built here," the former BJP national president said. Also read: No 'bahubalis' seen under Yogi govt, just 'Bajrang Bali': Amit Shah Shah said that the sacrifices made for the Ram Temple must not be forgotten. "We must remember the sacrifices and also remember those who did not allow the Ram Temple to be built for so many years and who ordered firing on the karsevaks," he added. He also referred to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and the famous Vindhyavasini Temple in Mirzapur district and said that the Hindu places of worship were not given the respect they deserved by the previous regimes. "Under the Modi-Yogi government these places are being renovated and our cultural heritage is being restored," he said. Earlier the union minister visited the makeshift Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the famous Hanumangarhi temple. He also met the office bearers of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and inquired about the construction status of the Ram Temple. In his earlier public meetings also Shah focussed mainly on the Hindutva issues and sought to paint his rivals as 'Pro-Muslim' and 'anti-Hindu'. Check out latest videos from DH: Loss of taste and smell, which were noted to be common symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemics first and second waves, are not being reported among the cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, said medical experts while issuing guidelines for the public. The Indian Medical Association-Maharashtra State (IMA-MS) categorically stated that the Omicron variant cannot be taken lightly, stating that during a pandemic, the virus changes character. We have to take all precautions. Any problems, one must consult a doctor and not engage in self-medication. Masks and Covid-appropriate-behaviour must be a rule. Besides, the unvaccinated must get jabbed," Dr Suhas Pingle, President, IMA-MS, told DH Friday. The third wave seems to be different from the first and second waves of the pandemic. Accordingly, the IMA-Maharashtra State has come out with a detailed advisory note, entailing dos and donts. Omicron is a new variant of Covid-19 virus. The second wave was worse with the Delta variant. Fortunately, in most of the countries where the Omicron wave is witnessed, in spite of high spread and infectivity, the virulence appears to be milder than the Delta variant. Symptoms of Omicron seen are fever, sore throat, running nose, weakness, fatigue, backache, bodyache and headache, the advisory states. Loss of taste and smell, which were noted to be common symptoms during the first and second waves, are not seen in the new cases, it stated. Though it appears to be a milder viral variant, we can't take it lightly. It can pose a risk as viruses and variants have varying and changing natural history, which we are still evaluating for the new variants, it said. Omicron, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was recently reported from South Africa on November 24, 2021 is called B.1.1.529 or Omicron. This variant has exhibited more than 30 mutations on the viral spike protein, which is the key target of the immune response. Given the collection of mutations in Omicron, which earlier individually have been associated with increased infectivity and/or immune evasion, and the sudden rise in the number of positive cases in South Africa, the World Health Organization had declared Omicron as a Variant of Concern. Now we are witnessing it in our country, the advisory points out. In an explainer, it said: Variants are a normal part of evolution and as long as the virus is able to infect, replicate and transmit, they will continue to evolve. Evolution, change in genetic sequences, mutations are a natural and known nature of viruses. Further, all variants are not dangerous and most often we dont even notice them. Only when they are more infectious or can reinfect people, they are noticed. The most important step to avoid the generation of variants is to reduce the number of infections. So, everybody taking care, safeguarding themselves is going to be essential for now and for the future as well. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Merchant vessel captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, who was arrested and jailed for 16 months in Mauritius after his ship ran aground in July 2020 and triggered oil spill off its coast, has returned to India following his release from the island country. Nandeshwar, who resides with his family members in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, reunited with them on Thursday. "I am extremely thankful to the Maritime Union of India (MUI) for its support and help in securing my release from Mauritius jail. I am back home because of the relentless efforts of the MUI general secretary Amar Singh Thakur, who consistently pursued my release from the jail through a series of negotiations and representations with the local maritime union of Mauritius, High Commission of India in Port Louis, Shipping Ministry of India and External Affairs Ministry of India," said Nandeshwar in a release issued by the MUI, India's oldest union of merchant navy officers. Expressing happiness over his return, his wife Namrata said, "Yes, finally my husband is back and our ordeal is over. He is fine and has safely reached home." The 300-meter-long Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio under the command of Captain Nandeshwar was en route to Brazil from China when it veered off its course in the evening on July 25, 2020 and hit a coral reef. Two weeks later, fuel oil started leaking with about 1,000 tonnes of it reaching the shores. The vessel then broke into two and sank, it said. Mauritius battled widespread pollution following the oil spill from MV Wakashio, which threatened the livelihoods of local communities that solely depend on the ocean and tourism, the release said. Captain Nandeshwar was arrested by the local police and sentenced in the Intermediate Court of Mauritius, it added. MUI general secretary Thakur said, "The MUI remains committed to provide help, support and legal assistance to all members of the union and Indian seafarers in any part of the world during crisis-like situation and distress." Check out DH's latest videos: Within days of raids on Kanpur perfume trader Peeyush Jain during which cash worth hundreds of crores was recovered along with gold and silver, the Income Tax department sleuths raided another perfume trader Pushpraj Jain alias Pammi Jain, who was a Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and member of the UP legislative assembly. SP president Akhilesh Yadav termed the I-T raid on his party leader as an act reflective of BJP's 'desperation' and said that the people of Uttar Pradesh would give a 'befitting' reply to the saffron party in the forthcoming assembly polls in the state due in two months' time. According to the sources, the I-T team raided the offices and residence of Pushpraj Jain, who had made the 'Samajwadi Perfume' during the previous SP regime, at Kannauj and other places. It was not clear if the I-T team recovered cash or other items in the raid. Also read: Amit Shah targets Akhilesh with 'pro-Muslim' jibe Pushpraj's name had cropped up after the raids on Peeyush Jain, who the BJP leaders claimed was associated with the SP. The SP denied any connection with Peeyush and claimed that the BJP got its own man raided by 'mistake'. Both Pushpraj and Peeyush had a common surname and both lived in the same lane in Kannauj. Akhilesh slammed the I-T raids on Pushpraj and said that the BJP was now 'desperate' and was 'misusing' central agencies to target its rivals. ''After it mistakenly got its own leader raided, BJP got its closest associate, the I-T department, to raid Pushpraj Jain.....it is a blatant misuse of central agencies...the people are watching and will give a befitting reply to the BJP,'' Akhilesh said. The raids on Peeyush Jain, which had yielded Rs 284 crore cash, 25 kg of gold and 250 kg of silver, triggered a political slugfest in UP with both SP and BJP claiming that Jain was associated with the other party. Prime minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah as well as UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath launched scathing attacks on Akhilesh after the recovery during their public meetings. Addressing a public meeting at Kanpur on Tuesday, Modi said that the ''perfume of their corruption in UP has come out...the mountain of notes is their only achievement'' referring to the raid. ''Will they take credit for the boxes of notes?....They are silent now,'' Modi added. Adityanath also attacked Akhilesh over the raid and said that the recovery was proof of large scale corruption during his regime. Akhilesh, however, hit back claiming that the trader had links with the BJP leaders. ''The BJP government wanted the I-T to raid some other perfume trader but then one of its own workers, who was also a perfume trader, was raided,'' he said and claimed that the cell phone records of the trader could reveal names of several prominent BJP leaders. Check out DH's latest videos: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asked people to seek an answer from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for the firing on kar sewaks during his party's government in the past and asked why Lord Ram had to "stay in a tent" for years. He was referring to the makeshift temple on the site, which was disputed in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case. Addressing a rally during BJPs Jan Vishwas Yatra, he alleged the SP, BSP and the Congress governments made efforts to stop the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. "Do you remember that kar sewaks were shot in Ayodhya and bodies were thrown into the Saryu," he said referring to a 1990 incident during the SP regime while addressing a rally at Government Inter College in Faizabad. He alleged that under the SP and BSP rule, "symbols of faith were not respected". Today, PM Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are working for the glory of every faith, he said. "When Akhileshji comes here, seeking votes in Ayodhya, ask him what was the crime of the kar sewaks? why did your government open fire on them? what is your objection to the removal of Article 370," he said. "Akhilesh Babu, if your second generation also comes, neither Article 370 is going to come back nor the triple talaq," Amit Shah said. He said the SP, BSP, the Congress and TMC chief Mamta Banerjee worked together to oppose the scrapping Jammu and Kashmirs special status under Article 370. On August 5, 2019, Modiji uprooted Article 370 in Parliament," he said. He also credited PM Modi with the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. On the other hand, "Whenever the SP, BSP and the Congress were in power, they made efforts to stop this. Dont you remember that the kar sewaks were fired upon, sticks were used on Ram's sewaks, Ram sewaks were killed and thrown into the mother Saryu." "I want to tell all those who wanted to stop it, if you can, try and stop it because no one has the power to stop it. A grand temple will come up in a few months at the place where Lord Shri Ram was born, " he said. He also asked Why Ramlala had to "stay in a tent" for years. "It is time for the people of Ayodhya, citizens of the country and people of UP to think why Ramlalla had to live in a tent for so many years," he said. Referring to the raids conducted by the Income Tax department on the house of a perfume trader in Kanpur, Shah said bundles of notes were seized and the stench of the Samajwadi perfume has spread all over UP. He said there used to be three "Ps" during the SP government"pariwarvaad", "pakshpaat" and "palayan"--and today there are three 'Vs'"vikas, "vyapar" and "sanskratik virasat"--and Ayodhya is the biggest example of the three Vs. Attacking the Congress, he said when it was in power at the Centre with the SP-BSP support, terrorists from Pakistan used to take away heads of jawans but when Modi became the PM, air and surgical strikes eliminated terrorists." At the rally, Shah started his speech amid the chants of "Jai Shri Ram". Earlier in the day, he offered prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi and the H The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case against Jaswinder Singh Multani, an alleged operative of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who has been detained in Germany, for hatching a criminal conspiracy to wage war against India and attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab, officials said on Friday. According to the officials, a case against Multani, who was detained in Germany last week, was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including those related to waging war against the country, and the relevant provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Also read: Key conspirator of Ludhiana court blast arrested in Germany The officials said the case relates to a criminal conspiracy hatched by Multani with several other pro-Khalistani elements located abroad for radicalising, motivating and recruiting youngsters in Punjab, on the ground and online through social media platforms, to propagate their ideology with an aim to secede Punjab from the Union of India. They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in the state, the officials said, adding that Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives for carrying out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The registration of the case would help the government take requisite action in accordance with law for expeditious investigation so that Multani could either be deported or extradited to India, they said. Check out latest videos from DH: Recognising the importance of Sikhs voters in next year's Assembly polls in Uttarakhand, the BJP is leaving no stones unturned to woo them. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh met a delegation of influential Sikh leaders from the state on Friday and highlighted the works carried out by the Narendra Modi-led government for them. Sources said that the Sikh delegation was apprised about works like opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, formation of SIT to probe 1984 riots, starting work for ropeway facility at Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib and repeal of three farm laws by the government, among others. The Sikh delegation was led by Sardar Ajmer Singh. "They have extended their support to the party for the upcoming elections," calimed a source. In a tweet after meeting, Chugh said, "Discussed the works done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Sikh community with the local Sikh population and also discussed upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly polls." BJP youth wing national secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge, Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, told IANS that after hearing about the works carried out by the Centre for the Sikh community, the delegation extended their support to the party. "The delegation of influential Sikh leaders also said that they will spread the word among the community members and ensure victory for the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls," said Bagga, who was present during the meeting. Sikhs form 2.34 per cent of the state's population. The majority of Sikhs are residents of two districts -- Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun, which have 19 Assembly constituencies, 10 in Dehradun and nine in Udham Singh Nagar. The 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly will go to the polls early next year, along with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. The BJP has set a target of winning over 60 seats in the upcoming polls. In the last Assembly elections in 2017, the BJP had won 57 seats. Check out DH's latest videos: Amid the ongoing Income Tax raids at the premises of another perfume dealer with the nickname Jain, this time an SP MLC, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the BJP of rectifying its earlier mistake of raiding "own associate" Piyush Jain's premises. Yadav made the allegation claiming that his party has nothing to do with Kanpur-based perfume trader Peeyush Jain, who, he asserted, was close to the BJP. Jain was arrested earlier following a string of raids on his premises across the country. IT Department on Friday raided several premises of various perfume traders, including SP MLC Pushpraj alias Pampi Jain, in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere in the country, including Kannauj, Kanpur, Delhi, Surat and Mumbai. Yadav also accused the BJP of having shaken hands with the IT and ED sleuths to defame his party by raiding people associated with his party, besides arranging crowds at the BJP leaders poll rallies, which, he said, happens to be thinner than that on the roadside chow mein-selling carts. Read more: After Peeyush Jain, I-T dept raids on SP leader Pushpraj Jain Whenever a BJP programme is held in Lucknow or UP, it appears they either bring people of these departments with them or direct them to come here," he said. Talking of the IT raids at the residence and business premises of SP MLCs residence, Yadav said today's raids are being done out of frustration to overcome the earlier mistake wherein the BJP supporter was taken for a SP man. There already had been reports that raids will be conducted on Samajwadi Party people as has been seen in the past two weeks, he said. To defame Samajwadi Party, all leaders from Delhi to Lucknow had been telling lies from the dais about the IT raids conducted earlier in Kanpur. Hitler had a department of propaganda but the BJP has a government of propaganda, he said. The BJP must tell the basis on which they had linked Piyush Jain with Samajwadi Party and all their leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to UP CM Yogi Adityanath has claiming his links with the SP, Yadav asserted. The recovery of huge amount of cash and gold, also demonstrates the failure of the governments 2016 decision on demonetisation, he said. Accusing the BJP government of having forged an alliance with the IT and ED to defame his party, Yadav said, "This is not the first time that they have exhibited their 'chhapey wala' (raiding) behaviour. Remember West Bengal where all (enforcement) agencies had reached from Delhi during elections, Tamil Nadu, where CM Stalins house was raided and Bengaluru where Congress leaders houses were raided, said Yadav. Where ever elections are held, the BJP people take its alliance partners IT and ED with them," he added. Talking of raids on Kannauj-based perfume traders and raids on his party MLC Pampi Jain, who is behind launching a Samajwadi itr (perfume) ahead of the elections, Yadav said the BJP had the grudge why perfume was not being made in its name and why people associated with the Samajwadi Party were doing such innovative work. The BJP resented how can anyone make 'itr in the name of Samajwadi Party, Yadav said while coining an impromptu slogan 'Itr ka inqilab hoga, 22 mein badlav hoga'. Dubbing the BJP as a paper flower without any fragrance", Yadav said Kannauj is connected with Samajwadi Party and has a history of communal amity, but the BJP is out to spread the "nafrat ki durgandh" (stink of hatred). How will they like "sauhardra ki sugandh" (fragrance of amity) and so knowingly want to defame the Samajwadi Party, Yadav said. Watch the latest DH videos: Patient care remained affected at several major hospitals in Delhi on Thursday as resident doctors protesting over the delay in NEET PG counselling for nearly two weeks, intensified their agitation, and also sought the withdrawal of police cases lodged against some of their colleagues. Several resident doctors gathered on the premises of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and chanted slogans as their stir, led by Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), entered into 14th day. Meanwhile, a new set of office-bearers took charge of the resident doctors' association of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), which comes under the Delhi government, and three facilities, including LNJP Hospital attached to it. The MAMC RDA and FORDA, both have demanded the withdrawal of police cases lodged against some of the protesting doctors after a face-off between the protesters and police personnel in the streets on Monday. After much deliberations and in light of events that have surfaced since last evening, the resident doctors of MAMC, and the three attached hospitals, "have unanimously decided to elect new representatives to the RDA," MAMC RDA said in a statement on Thursday. "We along with national/state representatives from other RDAs have been protesting against the delay in NEET-PG counselling since one month. After the police brutality against doctors' peaceful protest on 27/12/21, individual FIRs were filed against resident doctors along with COVID-19 challans for breach of COVID-19 protocols," it said. The Delhi Police has rejected these charges from resident doctors. MAMC RDA said, it stood "united with the decision to continue the protest by complete withdrawal of all essential and non-essential services w.e.f. 9 am from December 31, 202, until our demands are met and Delhi Police issues an apology to doctors and all the FIRs and cases lodged against them are taken back unconditionally". "If any of the participants are forcibly asked to do duties and disciplinary action is taken against them in due course, we will be forced to continue the protest in support of our colleagues along with the ongoing strike," it added. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's consultant doctors, residents doctors and DNB students on Thursday took out a protest march in the campus against the delay in NEET-PG counselling. This was also to show solidarity with other doctors protesting all over India, according to an official statement. Without making the patient's services suffer, about 200 students took out symbolic protest march with placards, and many also wore black bands. Resident doctors association of Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital (RGSSH) on Wednesday morning had issued a statement that its members were "withdrawing services" to protest the alleged police action during a face-off between them and medics on Monday, and demanded expediting of the NEET PG counselling process. Members of the RDAs at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya and Northern Railway Central Hospital, one of the busiest facilities in Delhi, also protested and boycotted services. FORDA president Dr Manish on Thursday said, "The strike was still on." As the stir, led by FORDA, stretched to nearly two weeks, patient care remained affected at three Centre-run facilities -- Safdarjung, RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals -- and some of the Delhi government-run facilities as well. On Tuesday, FORDA had decided to continue the stir, as a meeting between their federation's delegation and the Union health minister failed to make any headway. Check out the latest DH videos here: Three militants were killed while four security personnel were injured in a nocturnal gunfight with security forces in the Pantha Chowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar city on Saturday. In another tweet, the police identified one of the slain militants as Suhail Ahmad, affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. "One of the killed #terrorists has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Rather of #terror outfit JeM. As revealed during yesterdays PC, terrorist Suhail was also involved in #ZewanTerrorAttack. All terrorists involved in Zewan attack have been #neutralised," the police said. One of the killed #terrorists has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Rather of #terror outfit JeM. As revealed during yesterdays PC, terrorist Suhail was also involved in #ZewanTerrorAttack. All terrorists involved in Zewan attack have been #neutralised: IGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/8qu081u8mV Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 31, 2021 Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Pantha Chowk after input about the presence of militants in the area. As the joint team approached the suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight in which three policemen and a CRPF man were reportedly injured. The injured were immediately shifted to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable. The latest encounter came a day after six Jaish militants, including two Pakistani nationals, were killed in two separate gunfights with security forces in the South Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam. This year in 88 encounters, 171 militants have been killed by the security forces in Kashmir. Check out DH's latest videos The Rajya Sabha Secretariat is embarking on a study in the new year to improve its functioning, equip its officials for higher leadership positions and make Parliamentary committee reports more comprehensible so that it attracts more space in the media. A brainchild of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, sources said, the study will examine process redesign and leadership promotion with an "imaginative and interpretative approach". Advisor in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat Dr P P K Ramacharyulu, who was Secretary-General till recently, has been assigned to examine in detail 10 aspects of the functioning of the Secretariat and suggest a framework for redesigning the systems for better performance on a sustainable basis. The study will focus on improving the functional systems in the Secretariat that enable evidence-based interpretation of the functioning of Rajya Sabha. Sources said the study will seek to integrate various initiatives taken during the last four years under Naidu for better monitoring of output and service delivery. It will also examine in detail the inadequacies in the functioning of the Secretariat. Also read: Will the atmosphere of Parliament change in 2022? With Naidu taking a personal interest in the functioning of the Parliamentary committees under Rajya Sabha, sources said Naidu is keen that there is an amplification of the content and recommendations contained in the reports. Concerned over the "sub-optimal media coverage" in this regard, he has specifically said that the study should examine the structure of preparation of reports by the Committees. The reports should be easily comprehensible and there could be a briefing of the media on major reports, he has suggested. For preparing the report, Ramacharyulu will look into process re-engineering, quantification of output/services to be delivered by 12 divisions measures to improve the functioning of the Committees of Rajya Sabha and leadership promotion by equipping Secretariat officials for higher positions through a holistic understanding of various aspects and nuances of the functioning of the House. He would also look at the aspects of promotion of team spirit and a sense of involvement and coordinated effort for better communication outreach through media on various aspects of the functioning of the House. Sources said Naidu felt that various divisions need to function in a more integrated manner and since the assumption of office, he has emphasised the need for quantification of various aspects of the functioning of Rajya Sabha for effective monitoring of the performance of the Secretariat and the House. Check out the latest DH videos here: With Covid-19 wrecking the lives of marginalised sections, the Students Federation of India is launching anti-dropout squads across the country in the new year to identify students dropped out during the pandemic and bring them back to schools and colleges. The CPI(M)-backed students organisation is also planning to intensify its struggle against digital divide in the education sector by opposing increase in mobile data rates by private mobile operators and urging the government to come out with student friendly data packs. The survey would record income loss during lockdown, fees, details on continuation of studies, access to digital learning and reasons for dropout. The SFI will be fanning out its activists in college units to identify dropped out students through a survey in January, then prepare a report and ask state governments to take steps to support such youth to come back to campuses. The SFI initiated the pilot survey in 24 North Parganas recently. The action plan comes after the SFI released 'A Pandemic that Ended Education for Many' in its publication 'Indian Researcher' earlier this year after studying the trends of enrollment and facilities available at households based on government and private studies. Pandemic has impacted the lives of people. Mostly those from the Dalit and tribal sections are suffering. Earlier, students used to do part-time jobs. But now, it is full-time job and part-time education, SFI National General Secretary Mayukh Biswas told DH. Dipsita Dhar, SFI National Joint Secretary, said the last two years have witnessed increasing dropout rates, especially from the marginalised sections. Many of their parents lost jobs and many of them had to forcefully take up different economic activities. The girl students got most affected, some of them were married off, some of them became mothers at a very early age. We missed out all these people from our education system, she said. We see education in a developing country as a tool of mobility. It is supposed to give opportunities for employment and empowerment. Majority of people who need this tool most, they are pushed out from the system, Dhar told DH. Biswas said the re-opening of schools and colleges are a must, as it is adding to the dropout rates. He said the governments National Education Policy that allows closure of schools with less than 30 students will be detrimental to people in rural India. On fighting digital divide, Biswas said the SFI has already staged protests against mobile operators jacking up data prices. He demanded special data packs for students and urged the government to introduce data packs for students. According to the study released by the SFI, opening of physical classrooms along with mass vaccination of students is the only option to retain students within education. Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown have created an enormous social and economic divide, which often pushes the students out of their school and college education if there is no state support available, it said. Students from marginalised sections were forced to leave education and remain either casually employed or even unemployed while seeking work, it said. The study also highlighted forced work for girl students pursuing higher education. Citing the Time Use Survey Data of 2019, it said the burden of domestic work and reproductive labour was almost thrice for girl students in the age group of 18-30 years compared to men of the same age group. Check out DH's latest videos: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the DMK, and Makkal Needhi Maiam's Kamal Haasan want the government to redefine the powers of the Governor in state universities. While MNM wants a Maharashtra-style bill stripping the governor of his powers to appoint vice-chancellors, the VCK wants the Tamil Nadu government to go a step forward and keep educational institutions completely away from 'political intervention'. Maharashtra Assembly had earlier this week passed a bill curtailing the Governors power with respect to appointment of vice-chancellors. The new bill says the Governor will have to choose one person from a panel of five names suggested by a Search Committee appointed by the state government. MNM demanded that the Tamil Nadu government appoint a committee of experts to examine the issue and pass a bill to amend provisions to redefine the scope of powers of the Governor with regard to state-funded universities. The party said redefining the scope of powers of the Governor will bode well for State autonomy and decentralisation of powers. VCK general secretary and Villupuram MP D Ravikumar said there was no logic in the Governor functioning as the Chancellor of universities that have been established with funds from the state government. With Governors being used by the BJP for political gains, Ravikumar wanted the government to appoint academics as chancellors to universities. Why should Governor or a government be involved in the appointment of vice-chancellors of universities? There should be no political interference in the functioning of higher academic institutions, the MP told DH. The appointment of Mysuru-born M K Surappa as the vice-chancellor of the prestigious Anna University in 2018 by the then governor Banwarilal Purohit had triggered a major controversy on how a non-native of the state can head a varsity fully funded by the state government. Watch the latest DH videos: The row between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala attained new dimension on Friday with the Congress alleging that a recommendation of the Governor to award honorary D.Litt to President Ram Nath Kovind was rejected by the Kerala University. Congress senior leader and former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala asked the government and the University to clarify whether the proposal for awarding D.Litt to the President was rejected by the university following the government's intervention. Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu reject the allegation. She said that the government would not interfere in the University's powers to award D.Litt degrees. The Congress leader came out with the allegation after the Governor, who is also the chancellor of the universities in the state, said the other day that the issues between him and the government even involved matter affecting nation's integrity and nation's prestige. He however did not specify the matter. Chennithala also asked the government and the university to clarify whether the government had the rights to intervene in the university's autonomy on matters pertaining to awarding honarary D.Litt. The President was on a visit to the state last week. The fresh row in sequel to the differences between the Governor and the state government. Governor Khan recently alleged of political pressure on him on matters pertaining to appointments of vice-chancellors of universities, especially the extension given to Kannur University vice chancellor Gopinath Raveendran. The Governor also sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan suggesting that the Chief Minister may take over the chancellor post from the Governor. But the Chief Minister strongly rejected the Governor's allegations. The Governor was sticking to his stand and even refused to accept a notice sent by the High Court to the Kannur University chancellor maintaining that he already relinquished the chancellor post. Check out DH's latest videos: The tower, a landmark in Guntur with considerable presence of Muslims, is said to have been built about 80 years back and the area is popular as Jinnah tower centre. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a barrister and All India Muslim League leader president, is regarded as the founder of Pakistan. The row now began with a tweet from Y Satya Kumar, BJP's national secretary and party's co-in-charge for Uttar Pradesh. This tower is named after Jinnah & area as Jinnah Centre. Irony, its not in Pakistan but in Guntur City of AP. A centre that still carries the name of a traitor of India. Why shouldnt it be named after Dr Kalam or son of the soil, a great Dalit poet, Gurram Jashuva? Just an idea!, Kumar tweeted on Thursday, along with a picture of the green colored structure. This tower is named after Jinnah & area as Jinnah Centre Irony,its not in Pakistan but in Guntur City of AP. A centre that still carries the name of traitor of India. Why shouldnt it be named after Dr Kalam or son of the soil,a great Dalit poet,Gurram Jashuva? Just an idea! pic.twitter.com/69tgWRsIMb Y. Satya Kumar (@satyakumar_y) December 30, 2021 Kumar followed up with another tweet, calling the tower a Symbol of Shame. A shame that due to vote bank politics, we continue to have this tower despite 75 years of freedom! Let the youth of India decide whether to retain or demolish it. Look at @GovtofPakistan tweet which calls Jinnah Centre as landmark monument & Symbol of Peace. Its a Symbol of Shame. A shame that due to vote bank politics, we continue to hv this tower despite 75 years of freedom! Let youth of India decide whether to retain or demolish it. https://t.co/w3uiJUbZ6P pic.twitter.com/vvMXEydJhd Y. Satya Kumar (@satyakumar_y) December 30, 2021 Irrespective of parties, the Guntur East assembly constituency is represented by a Muslim for about four decades now. State BJP leaders are supporting the demand to rename it, while some want it to be razed to the ground entirely. It is unfortunate that while the nation is celebrating Azadi ka amrit mahotsav, we have roads/junctions bearing names of people responsible for the partition, Andhra BJP chief Somu Veerraju said while asking the Jaganmohan Reddy government to alter all such disputable names in the state. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Andhra BJP general secretary, demanded the TDP and Congress to reveal their official stand on the issue. If Aurangzeb Road in New Delhi can be changed to APJ Abdul Kalam, then why not rename the Jinnah tower centre also after the former president of India. We would agitate first and if the state government does not concede to the demand, we will be forced to raze the structure with public support, Reddy told DH. BJP leaders say that the Pakistan government had in 2017 publicised the tower in Guntur, India as a symbol of peace and harmony. When in fact, it has a history of communal riots. It was built as a mark of gratitude to Jinnah who is said to have saved few local Muslims facing death penalty for communal riots, killings, by arguing in their favour, Reddy said. Local Muslims are appealing not to look at the tower with a communal angle. While the controversy is raging on, some analysts believe the BJP chose to rake the matter now to deflect the attention from the embarrassment it is facing because of Somu's offer to Andhra voters on Tuesday. Speaking at the party organised Praja-agraha Sabha against YSRCP's anti-people policies, Somu said that if the one crore alcohol consumers in AP vote BJP to power, we will give you cheap liquor for Rs 70 only. And if the revenues are good, we would further reduce the price to Rs 50. In June this year, a row erupted in Andhra Pradesh over Tipu Sultan, with a statue of the erstwhile Mysore ruler planned to be erected in Proddatur town in Kadapa district. The desire of the Muslim community in Proddatur was backed by YSRCP MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy, while the attempt was met with opposition from BJP leaders. Projecting Tipu as a tormentor of Hindus, the Andhra BJP warned of agitation and demolition of the structure, if built. The project was shelved later. Watch the latest DH videos: Telangana has 851,644 Closed Circuit TV cameras, among the highest concentration in the country, installed across the state. While activists have been expressing concerns over the heightened surveillance, police officials said that the CCTV cameras have helped them detect 22,781 crimes in 2021. The state police department is applying technology of various kinds for crime deterrence and detection. According to the state police's 2021 round up released on Friday, the department has a database of 947,843 offenders fingerprint slips. While 5,624 suspects were traced using Mobile Security Check devices, 91 wanted criminals were apprehended through the use of a Criminal Apprehension Tool. 85 per cent of the cases of traffic enforcement, like imposition of fines for breaking rules, is using a non-contact and evidence-based technology. Officials said that they have launched various projects to combat the menace of Cyber crimes and crime against women. Cyber Warriors is one such initiative for capacity-building at Police Station level. Meanwhile, on the terror activities front, the department says it has thwarted the desperate efforts of CPI (Maoist) to revive the movement in Telangana. 98 extremists were arrested, 133 extremists including two district committee members surrendered, while six Maoists were killed in gunfight. No activities of Under Ground Armed Formations of CPI (Maoist) are noticed in Telangana. Check out DH's latest videos: As much as 55 per cent out of 282 samples of coronavirus patients from Mumbai, sent for genome sequencing, have tested positive for the Omicron variant, the civic body said on Friday. This was the seventh batch of samples sent to a lab at the Kasturba Hospital of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the National Institute of Virology, Pune, a BMC release said. Out of 282 samples, 156 (55 per cent) were found to be of Omicron variant, 89 (32 per cent) of Delta Derivative and 37 (13 per cent) of Delta variant. Only one of these patients, a senior citizen infected with the Delta Derivative, died, the BMC said. He also suffered from diabetes and hypertension and had taken only the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, it added. Further, only 17 of these 282 patients needed hospitalization. Nine of the hospitalized patients had Omicron infection. "None of these Omicron patients showed any symptoms. In addition, they did not need oxygen supply or admission to ICU," the release said. Nevertheless, people should not let their guard down and should take precautions, the BMC added. Of the 17 patients who were hospitalized, 10 had taken both the doses of vaccines, three had taken only one dose, while four had not taken even one dose. Watch the latest DH videos: The Gujarat government on Friday said that in the "Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022", beginning January 10, a total 26 partner countries, 15 foreign ministers and four foreign governors are slated to attend. Claiming that "the enthusiasm and interest" for the event is "exceptional", the state government said that the 10th edition of the summit "is set to be a grand affair." The Bhupendra Patel led BJP government in a press note stated that the prime minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the summit on January 10 "in a glittering function at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, in the presence of leaders, business magnates, and investors from India and overseas." The release said that "for the first time, heads of states and governments of five nations would attend the summit" which includes Mikhail Mishustin, the prime minister of prime minister of Russia, Filipe Jacinto Nyu Read more: Omicron cases in Kerala cross 100, vaccine hesitancy towards second dose poses concern Meanwhile, the state recorded 654 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total active cases in the state to 2,371, out of which 11 are on ventilation. Besides, the state also reported 16 new cases of Omicron variant of the covid-19, taking the total figure to 113, of which 54 patients have been discharged. The maximum number of cases of this variant is in Ahmedabad (39), Anand (11), Kheda (6) and Gandhinagar (5). On Friday, state health minister Rushikesh Patel had said that the government will hold the summit with complete precautions that includes RT-PCR testing and vaccination certificates for every visitor. Patel defended the government's move to hold the mega event while referring to "economic distress" due to covid-19 situation. He said that on covid-19 protocols for foreign delegates, the state will rely on central government's advice. The opposition Congress has demanded cancellation of the summit while saying that it could become a "super-spreader" event. The government has said that "despite challenging times globally, the summit is on course to succeed and showcase the States potential to the world." It said that 26 countries have partnered for the summit including Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia, UK, UAE, Israel, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, Denmark and Finland, among others. Among the foreign businessmen who are said to be participating are Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World, Didier Casimiro, Rosneft, Tony Fountain, Nyara Energy Limited, Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corp, Vivek Lall, Global Atomics Global Corporation, Maeda Tadashi, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Salil Gupte, Boeing India Pvt Ltd, and William L Blair, Lockheed Martin India Pvt. Ltd. Among the Indian businessmen are Mukesh Ambani, RIL, Gautam Adani, Adani Group, KM Birla, Aditya Birla Group, Sunil Bharati Mittal, Bharati Enterprises, Ashok Hinduja, Hinduja Group, N. Chandrasekharan, Tata Group and Harsh Goenka, RPG Group. The summit was first conceptualised in 2003 by then chief minister Narendra Modi. Watch the latest DH videos: Mumbai cops urge people to stay indoors, avoid New Year parties amid terror threat inputs, pandemic Mumbai Police, who are on their toes in view of the intelligence inputs about a possible terror attack by Khalistani elements, on Friday appealed to citizens to remain indoors and avoid New Year parties. The police have beefed up security at prominent railway stations and other key locations in Mumbai in view of the intelligence inputs about the terror threat. Also read: Section 144 extended in Mumbai till Jan 15; ban on visiting open spaces from 5 pm to 5 am The weekly offs and leaves of the police personnel have also been cancelled so that the entire force remains available to maintain law and order on New Year eve, officials have said. Besides that, in the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the city police have prohibited New Year celebrations and gatherings in any closed or open space, including hotels and restaurants. The order to this effect was issued on Wednesday under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Taking to Twitter to urge people to avoid parties, the Mumbai Police said, "When your 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' ask what your New Year's Eve plans are tonight. You being a responsible citizen: I don't even have a 'pla'." When your 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' ask what your New Years Eve plans are tonight. You being a responsible citizen: pic.twitter.com/k1DqErTnYn Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 31, 2021 The tweet uses a snap that shows Lisa Kudrow, a female actor from this popular series, lying back relaxed and sipping some beverage with a straw. "What's Not Up tonight? - Irresponsible party plans!," said Mumbai police in another tweet with a five-second GIF. Another tweet shows a WhatsApp conversation between two friends, in which one asks the other, "Bro, Aaj ka kya scene, Where to celebrate New year?" Aakriti is smart Aakriti has a sense of humour Aakriti is sensible Aakriti is a responsible citizen Be like Aakriti this New Years https://t.co/qYNkVDCVNQ Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 31, 2021 Replying to it, his friend posts the news of prohibitory orders issued by Mumbai Police, which mentions a ban on New Year parties, to which the first person responds saying, "Oh, Okey" with an emoji of a face with rolling eyes. In yet another tweet, the police used images of prominent places in the city, where people gather in large numbers to ring in the New Year, with hashtag #StayIndoors #CelebrateSafety #31stDecember. The tweet shows pictures of Gateway of India, Marine Drive and Chowpatty with messages - 'Gateway' of safety', 'Home, Go home, back up the road 'Lokhandwala', "Don't line up at 'Marines'", "Chow-Party' with your family" and "Hope you 'sea' the 'link' between our request & your safety!" Replying to a Mumbai Police's tweet, a user named Akash Bharadwaj said, "Celebrating with Mom and Dad after 12 years. It took a pandemic to make me realise that I was never home for NYE". Check out latest videos from DH: The fears of a community-level spread of Covid-19 seems to be coming true as Maharashtras daily cases crossed the 8,000-mark on Friday even as the government dropped hints of a possible lockdown. During the last 24 hours, the state reported 8,097 cases and 8 deaths pushing the progressive total to 66,78,821 and 1,41,526, respectively, according to figures released by Integrated Diseases Surveillance Programme of the Public Health Department. On Friday, the financial capital of Mumbai reported 5,428 cases while the same for the larger Mumbai metropolitan region was 6,868. Also Read | Covid cases rise in Dharavi During the day, four new Omicron cases were detected taking the total to 454. We need not stopbut take total precautions, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said in his message on the eve of New Year. Asked for a situation update and possible lockdown, states relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar said that what was expected was that people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. Already some restrictions have been announcedwhat more has to be done in what way is something that the chief minister would take a final call, Wadettiwar said. Also Read | Maharashtra tops India's Omicron tally with 450 cases Meanwhile, restrictions were imposed in connection with the attendees in the marriage, social, cultural, political or religious with total attendees being 50 persons. According to the order, which is signed by chief secretary Debashish Chakrabarty, in case of last rites, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 20 persons. The order further said that in any part of the state, which are tourist spots or other places that attract a large congregation of people such as beaches and open ground among others, the competent authority may deem as appropriate, impose section 144 of CrPC. Meanwhile, the IMA-Maharashtra State has come out with a detailed advisory note - entailing dos and donts. Omicron is a new variant of Covid-19 virus. Second wave was worse with the Delta variant. Fortunately, in most of the countries where Omicron wave is witnessed, in spite of high spread and infectivity, the virulence appears to be milder than the Delta Variant. Symptoms of Omicron seen are fever, sore throat, running nose, weakness, fatigue, backache, bodyache and headache, the advisory states. Loss of taste and smell, which were noted to be common symptoms during the first and second wave, are not seen in the new cases, it points out. Check out DH's latest videos: Demanding the release of Hindu seer Kalicharan Maharaj, members of several right wing organisations took to streets here on Friday. They also announced a cash reward of Rs 22 lakh for any police officer that arrests All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Kalicharan was arrested by the Chhattisgarh Police on Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and praising his assassinator Nathuram Godse during 'Dharma Sansad' in Raipur a few days ago. Scores of activists gathered at Tank Park opposite the deputy commissioner's residence and marched to the Mini Secretariat raising slogans demanding the release of Kalicharan and the arrest of Owaisi. They said they will not tolerate the 'humiliation' meted out to seers and other religious figures. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. Sant Kalicharan was nabbed with an agenda. Why have the police and the government not arrested Owaisi? The police officer that nabs Owaisi will be awarded Rs 22 lakh," Hindu leader and advocate Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, who headed the protest march, said. He also submitted a memorandum to Naib Tehshildar Sushil Kumar keeping forth the two demands. Recently, an undated video clip of Owaisi's speech was making the rounds on social media. Several right wing activists had alleged that the Hyderabad MP had issued threats to Hindus during the speech. The decision of 22 farm unions in Punjab to form a political party and contest elections is a big gamble. Under the stewardship of Balbir Singh Rajewal, they have decided to form a political front, the Samyukt Samaj Morcha, to contest all the 117 legislative assembly seats in the state. Rajewal leads his own faction of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) - the BKU (Rajewal). He has flirted in the past with the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress party and the Aam Adami Party. Another leader from Haryana BKU, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, has also floated a political party, the Sanyukt Sangharsh Party, to contest the Punjab polls. Chaduni's aim is "to purify politics and bring good people forward." He claimed that his party would work for the welfare of all sections of the society while existing political parties frame policies in favour of capitalists and ignore the poor. While these are laudable objectives, two important questions must be considered: Will these parties be able to ensure the effective participation of the farmers in governance? And, what would be the impact of a poll defeat on the farmers' movement? Also Read Punjab farmers think new political front could impact fight for MSP: Report The farmers' mass mobilisation was largely focused on a single class ("farmers") with a single issue (remunerative prices) rather than on a wider social agenda. On the other hand, a political party has to address a broader cross-section of society. Therefore, when the farmers' unions, either singly or together, transform themselves into a political party, they will need to widen their agenda - evidence for which is so far wanting. Moreover, the strength and success of the 15 month long farmers' movement cannot just be attributed to the farmers' union leaders alone. It was also due to the support they received from civil society organisations, political parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, gurudwaras who helped run free community kitchens and NGOs and volunteers from different sections of society. The strength of the farmers' movement was the combined energy and leadership shown by all of them and not of the farmers' leaders alone. The political parties that spoke out in favour of repealing the farm laws are no longer backing a new political formation of farmers in Punjab. They will, in fact, field their own candidates. Most importantly, to win elections, it is not sufficient to have good campaigners and canvassers election management on the ground is essential. Only parties with structures on the ground, extending to the booth level, can convert intentions into votes cast. Unless there is massive public anger against the government (such as in the aftermath of the Emergency), traditional political parties have a clear advantage over newer political formations in this regard. Also Read From protests to politics: Key figures of the farmers' agitation set to enter fray in Punjab Moreover, the farmers' movement is divided on the issue of direct political participation. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the common front of the farmers' unions which led the agitation against the three farm laws (now repealed), has distanced itself from those contesting the polls. Two of the largest farmer unions, Joginder Singh Ugrahan's BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) and Jagjit Singh Dallewal-led BKU (Unity-Sidhupur), are also firmly opposed to poll participation. As opposed to those who want a direct role in policymaking, these groups want to continue as a pressure group to influence politics and policies. This dilemma is not new. The experience of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) of MD Nanjundaswamy and the Shetkari Sangathana of Sharad Joshi is something that today's farmers' leaders could learn from. Both subscribed to transformative agendas and were focused on remunerative prices for farm produce. The KRRS and the Shetkari Sangathana, however, were ideologically different. Nanjundaswamy stood up to the government's new economic policy/liberalisation and against the World Trade Organization (WTO) (as envisaged in the Dunkel Draft at that stage) and multinationals in the seed sector (Monsanto, in particular). He demanded not only remunerative prices but also an increase in loan grants, distribution of government land, reducing water levy, price policy based on man-hours, declaring agriculture an industry, reservation for farmers' children and free houses, education and healthcare for farm labour. Sharad Joshi's, on the other hand, was a more avowedly right-wing formation modelled on the Swatantra Party. Their entry into politics, however, turned their powerful grassroots organisations into virtual non-entities. Also Read Images of floating corpses, SUV mowing down farmers provide Oppn ammunition in poll-bound UP It cannot be anyone's case that successful social movements should not institutionalise themselves by moving from the domain of civil society to politics. However, if mass mobilisation for a specific agenda does not morph into mass electoral support, the costs to the organisations can be high. Failure to demonstrate public support at the hustings would have disastrous consequences for the ongoing struggle for universal MSP (minimum support price). It would allow the government to say that it proved its claim that the agitation only represented "sectional interests". Remember, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even when repealing the farm laws, underlined that only "some farmers" had not been convinced of their usefulness. The government would be able to claim that the farmers' unions never had mass support, and their leaders would be discredited. This turn of events may embolden the government to bring in its agricultural reforms in a different guise. After all, Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the government had only "moved one step back" and "will move forward again". Even though he has clarified that he did not mean bringing back the controversial laws, he has not said what he really meant. The government's position on MSP is also bound to harden. And should the farmers' unions decide to agitate again, they would no longer be handled with kid gloves. They would meet the full vengeance of a state that has not still recovered from its display of weakness in repealing the farm laws. (The writer is a journalist based in Delhi) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Watch the latest DH Videos here: On new year's day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer another tranche of the PM Kisan Nidhi payout to 10 crore farmers. The Modi government has made several attempts at setting a narrative of it being farmer-friendly. However, the issue of farm distress, which Congress leader Rahul Gandhi first raised in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in 2016, remains the albatross around the neck of Lucknow's "double engine government" as it prepares for the Assembly polls six weeks from now. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strategists had expected the double anti-incumbency Yogi Adityanath government faces in Lucknow - five years of its own and nearly eight years of the Centre's - would subside with the repeal of the three contentious farm laws. But the anger against the government, as repeated opinion polls have indicated, has not abated. Will the disbursement of Rs 2,000 instalment under the PM Kisan Nidhi help assuage UP's farmers and arrest BJP's dipping popularity? The BJP has put in place "gram sanyojak", or village organisers, for each of the 403 assembly constituencies of UP. These party workers will head out into the villages to explain the "farm-friendly" schemes of the BJP governments in Lucknow and New Delhi. The focus currently is 104 seats of western UP that have sugarcane farmers. The Samajwadi Party (SP)-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance has consistently raised the issue of non-payment of dues to sugarcane farmers, which has struck a chord. Also Read | Record foodgrain production likely in 2022; farm laws repeal, price rise bitter pills for agriculture sector Joblessness and price rise have further fanned the anti-BJP sentiment among farmers. According to official estimates, around 40 lakh farmers grow sugarcane in western UP, which they sell to 120 sugar mills. The Adityanath government tried to mollify farmers by increasing the sugarcane purchase price by Rs 25 per quintal. However, the opposition has continued to flag how sugar mills are yet to clear Rs 2,000 crore in pending dues to the farmers. In the 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP ended its 14-year "vanavas", or exile, from Lucknow's seat of power on the back of its promise of a farm loan waiver. After the BJP formed the government in Lucknow, it announced a loan waiver of Rs 36,000 crore, claiming to have benefitted 86 lakh farmers. In addition, according to government data, another 2.53 crore farmers in UP have received Rs 6000 annual PM Kisan Nidhi instalments since 2019. The state government has also claimed to improve irrigation in 20 lakh hectares and provided subsidised solar pumps to farmers. However, as the NSS Situational Assessment Survey has found, farm incomes have increased between 2013 to 2019, but so did indebtedness. If the average increase in farm incomes across the country was Rs 22,932 during this period, it was Rs 14,888 in UP. Similarly, the increase in loans on UP farmers was by Rs 23,807 against the countrywide rise by Rs 27,121. Farmers also complain of more immediate concerns, for example, that of stray cattle. Stricter anti-cow slaughter vigilance by law enforcement agencies and right-wing groups has increased the number of strays across UP's villages, harming standing crops. According to farmers, their six-monthly expenditure on erecting fences to ward off strays amounts to Rs 10,000. There is also anger at the prosecution of farmers because of the burning of stubble. Also Read | From protests to politics: Key figures of the farmers' agitation set to enter fray in Punjab Earlier this week, the heads of several Khaps held a meeting in western UP's Shamli, demanding fulfilment of the Centre's promises to agitating farmers in Delhi. They reiterated the demand for a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP), withdrawal of cases against farmers registered during the movement, and clearing sugarcane dues. They also opposed the Centre's decision to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. There is anticipation the prime minister could announce a farmers' friendly scheme at his mega rally in Lucknow, which is to be held days before the Election Commission announces the poll schedule for UP and four other poll-bound states. Would that help the BJP sweep UP and bag the massive vote shares it did in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha and 2017 Assembly polls? The BJP's success, at least in western UP, was helped by the communal polarisation after the 2013 communal riots in Muzaffarnagar. The RLD, under its leader Jayant Singh Chaudhary, is hopeful of rekindling the political and social alliance between the Jats and Muslims that his grandfather Chaudhary Charan Singh had helped shape. In the 1984 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress swept most seats across India, particularly Uttar Pradesh. At that time, UP sent 85 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The Congress won 83 of those seats with a vote share of more than 50 per cent. Several opposition stalwarts in UP, like Chandra Shekhar and Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, lost their seats. The two seats that the Congress lost in UP were to the Lok Dal - in Baghpat to Charan Singh and the Etah seat, which Mohammed Mahfooz Ali Khan won. Check out DH's latest videos Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday clarified that the proposed law is aimed at freeing Hindu temples from the government control, as the Congress accused the ruling BJP of planning to sell or hand over them to party cadres. With plans to free Hindu temples from state control, the Chief Minister earlier this week had announced that his government will bring in a law aimed at freeing temples from laws and rules that control them at present. "....we are not handing over temples to anyone, we are only freeing them from the government regimen," Bommai told reporters in response to a question. "It is clear that D K Shivakumar's (state Congress chief) views on Hindu temples are against the feelings of the Hindu worshipers and temple goers," he said. Expressing Congress' opposition to the proposed law, its state president Shivakumar today accused the BJP government of trying to hand over Hindu temples to its workers. Read | Important decisions to counter Omicron to be taken soon: Bommai "Most of the temples in the state are run under the government's administration, devotees put crores of rupees in donation boxes at these temples, many of the them even have properties that have come from a number of years. They are going to hand them over to their (BJP) workers," he said. "We too are Hindus, who believe in our religion and culture...they (BJP) are trying to push their agenda by raising emotive issues, we will not allow it. I'm telling the Chief Minister to leave aside his false illusions that they will get votes by doing such things," he added. Further asking the government not to meddle with the system in which the temples have been running for years, Shivakumar said, "or else you (BJP) will burn out. We are not anti-Hindu, it is you. Hindu temples are not your property, it is the property of the people of this state." "How cruel...you (BJP) are trying to sell gods and temples," he said, adding that the Congress will not allow it, and that he has called a meeting of senior party leaders on January 4, during which they will come out with a clear stand on the issue. The Chief Minister's announcement to bring in a law to free Hindu temples from state control is seen as another major move by the BJP government after the contentious "Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021," popularly known as the 'anti-conversion bill', that is yet to be passed by the legislative council to become a law. A total of 34,563 temples in the state come under Muzrai (Hindu religious endowment) department, and they have been categorised as grade A, B and C, based on their revenue generation. A total of 207 temples with annual revenue above Rs 25 lakh come under category A, 139 temples between Rs five lakh to Rs 25 lakh come under category B, and 34,217 temples with less than Rs 5 lakh annual revenue under category C. It has been a long-standing demand from several Hindu organisations including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) that temples should be freed from government control and they be handed over to the Hindu society. Check out DH's latest videos: A stumbling JD(S) managed to win just 45 out of the 1,184 seats in the urban local body (ULB) elections, whose results came out on Thursday. Still, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy chose to see a silver lining. Kumaraswamy said the JD(S), which has faced a series of electoral setbacks, can spring back strongly in the 2023 Assembly elections, in which it wants to win 123 seats. The results, according to him, show that JD(S) candidates won in some places against many odds. In Chikkamagaluru, nobody can come to power without the support of the JD(S). This is the case in many other ULBs, he pointed out. Also read: Karnataka ULB polls: Congress leaves BJP behind We won two seats in Sandur (Kurekuppa town municipal council) and (four) seats in the Devarahippargi town panchayat. Our workers fought on their own. In the coastal region, in Kaup town municipal council where we had no base, we have won one seat. In Sira, where we faced a setback in the Assembly polls, we have won seven seats, he said. In 2023, with the blessings of the people, we will upset everybodys predictions, including those of political pundits. The next one year will be dedicated towards building the party organization. Were formulating programmes to win the confidence of the people, Kumaraswamy said. A big relief for Kumaraswamy is that the JD(S) managed to retain the Bidadi town municipal council by winning 14 out of the 23 seats. The Congress, which was keen on taking control of Bidadi, won only nine, despite Bangalore Rural MP D K Suresh and former Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna sweating it out there. Bidadi is the place that gave me political birth, Kumaraswamy said. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM also registered two wins in the Kolhar town panchayat in Vijayapura. The SDPI won six seats - one each in Chikkamagaluru CMC, Vittal and Kotekaru TPs and three in Kaup TMC. Check out the latest DH videos here: Ending of Irish derogation Press release On 1 January 2022, Irish achieves full status as an official language of the European Union. As a full official language, all documents published by the EU will now be translated into Irish. This marks the end of a derogation, in place since 2007, which limited the amount of material published through Irish by the EU Institutions. Since 2015, the scope of this derogation has been gradually reducing as the capacity for the translation of Irish within the EU Institutions has increased. Welcoming the ending of derogation, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, TD, said "I am immensely proud that this derogation is ending and Irish is now a full, official EU language. This reflects the tireless work that has gone into building up the capability of the EU Institutions to operate through Irish - and it is fitting that it is happening this year, a year when we will also mark the historic 50 year anniversary since Ireland signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. "In more recent years, the volume of Irish language translations has risen almost six fold since 2016, from 8,000 to almost 46,000 by October 2021. This remarkable increase would not have been possible but for recruitment of impressive numbers of Irish-speaking staff to the EU Institutions, due in no small part to the efforts of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. As a result, the total number of Irish language staff is now around 200, close to a fourfold increase over the last five years alone. "The ending of derogation will make the services of the EU more accessible for Irish speakers at home and abroad. As a proud Gaeilgeoir myself, I regularly contribute to Council meetings as Gaeilge and I would encourage everyone to make use of their cupla focal, in every aspect of their life. I would also invite those with Irish language proficiency to consider a career within the EU institutions. More information about the many career pathways and options within the European Union can be found on our website EUJobs - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)." ENDS Press Office 31 December 2021 As Gaeilge: Deireadh ag teacht le maolu na Gaeilge | NEWS RELEASE Release Number: 2021-129 Date: December 30, 2021 Labor Commissioner Revokes Garment Manufacturers License for Labor Law Violations and Informs Employers of New Law for 2022 New Garment Worker Protection Act Strengthens Enforcement and Will Change Industry Practices Los AngelesThe Labor Commissioners Office has revoked the license of a Los Angeles garment manufacturer for providing false information on its license application and repeatedly failing to follow labor laws. VRP Fashion, Inc. owner Veronica Rojas Pablo stated in her garment manufacturers license application that the business had no employees. But an onsite inspection at the West 6th Street facility on May 19, 2021, revealed workers sewing garments. The Labor Commissioners Office cited Pablo after she did not provide proof of workers compensation insurance coverage and ordered her to stop work until such coverage was purchased. Pablo did not respond to the order nor did she appeal the citations. She barred an inspector from a follow-up visit and had workers leave the premises from a back exit. Multiple attempts were made to contact the employer, but by September 2021 the business was vacated and the citations unpaid. Garment manufacturing employers are legally obligated to follow the law as a condition of being granted a manufacturing license, said Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower. This employer was found to have willfully violated the law and obstructed our investigation. Garment Worker Protection Act A new law going into effect in 2022 will change the way many garment manufacturers operate. On January 1, Senate Bill 62, also known as the Garment Worker Protection Act, will eliminate piece rate compensation that pays garment workers by the number of units produced. The Act will require workers be paid at least the minimum wage at an hourly rate. It also adds requirements for record keeping and expands the responsibility for manufacturers. The Garment Worker Protection Act creates a higher standard for California workers in this industry, said Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower. It eliminates piece rate compensation, which is a predatory structure that historically facilitates wage theft. Eliminating piece rate pay should help alleviate pressures workers experience to forgo rest breaks and other health and safety protections. Free Training - Tuesday, January 25th The Labor Commissioners Office invites industry employers and manufacturers to register for a free training on the Garment Worker Protection Act scheduled for Tuesday, January 25 at 2 p.m. This is the second training for employers in the garment industry held by the Labor Commissioners Office. Deputies from the Labor Commissioners Office have also been conducting in-person outreach to garment industry employers on the new law. The Garment Manufacturing Act of 1980 requires that all industry employers register with the Labor Commissioner and demonstrate adequate character, competency and responsibility, including by maintaining workers compensation insurance coverage. Garment manufacturers who contract with unregistered entities are automatically deemed joint employers of the workers in the contract facility. Clothing confiscated from illegal operations cannot be sold and will be donated to non-profit organizations. The Labor Commissioner also administers a special wage claim adjudication process for garment workers pursuant to Californias AB 633, passed in 1999. This law provides not only an expedited process for garment workers to file wage claims but also provides a wage guarantee where garment manufacturers are responsible for wage theft at their contractors facilities. The Department of Industrial Relations Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (California Labor Commissioners Office) combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices. The Labor Commissioners Office in 2020 launched an interdisciplinary outreach campaign, Reaching Every Californian. The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to affected populations so workers and employers understand legal protections and obligations, and the Labor Commissioners enforcement procedures. Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook and Twitter. Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161 Some people may be surprised that it has taken until now, but come tomorrow, January 1, 2022, the Irish language achieves full status as an official language of the European Union. And many would equally say, about time too . . . Ireland joined the then EEC, on January 1, 1973 - just year short of half a century. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish, as a full official language, will now require all documents published by the EU will to be translated into Irish. This marks the end of a derogation, in place since 2007, which limited the amount of material published through Irish by the EU Institutions. Since 2015, the scope of this derogation has been gradually reducing as the capacity for the translation of Irish within the EU Institutions has increased. Welcoming the ending of derogation, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, TD, said "I am immensely proud that this derogation is ending and Irish is now a full, official EU language. This reflects the tireless work that has gone into building up the capability of the EU Institutions to operate through Irish - and it is fitting that it is happening this year, a year when we will also mark the historic 50 year anniversary since Ireland signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. "In more recent years, the volume of Irish language translations has risen almost six fold since 2016, from 8,000 to almost 46,000 by October 2021. This remarkable increase would not have been possible but for recruitment of impressive numbers of Irish-speaking staff to the EU Institutions, due in no small part to the efforts of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. As a result, the total number of Irish language staff is now around 200, close to a fourfold increase over the last five years alone. "The ending of derogation will make the services of the EU more accessible for Irish speakers at home and abroad. As a proud Gaeilgeoir myself, I regularly contribute to Council meetings as Gaeilge and I would encourage everyone to make use of their cupla focal, in every aspect of their life. I would also invite those with Irish language proficiency to consider a career within the EU institutions. More information about the many career pathways and options within the European Union can be found on our website EUJobs - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)." Trocaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, recently thanked the people of Co. Louth for their incredible generosity this year, but warned that humanitarian needs are set to escalate in 2022 due to the compounding impacts of Covid-19, climate change and conflict. Ms de Barra said one of the biggest crises facing low-income countries in 2022 will be a hunger pandemic, with the number of people unable to access food expected to rise dramatically. Ms de Barra explained: Due to Covid lockdown measures, people have not been able to travel to markets to sell their goods, go in search of daily labour to earn their living, or plant crops. The result is there is no money for food. Ms de Barra said this is compounded by the heightening impacts of climate change which is having a devastating effect on food security. In one of Trocaires countries of operation, Somalia, the population is experiencing its third consecutive below-average rainfall season since late 2020, with most of southern, central, and north-eastern Somalia receiving little to no rainfall since June. Conflict is also having a huge impact in countries where Trocaire works. In eastern DRC, the security situation worsened in the last two years, resulting in 5.3 million people having to flee their homes - the highest level in Africa. However, Ms de Barra said that what shone through this year was the unwavering support of the Louth public for the work of Trocaire. This was evident with the support for our Lenten campaign and recent Church East Africa appeal. Thanks to the people in Co. Louth and right across Ireland, and the Irish government through Irish Aid, we were able to make a difference to the lives of millions of people in 20 countries in 2021, tackling the root causes of poverty, injustice and violence. Irish people showed once again that no matter the pressures they are facing here at home they are always willing to turn their compassion into action, supporting people to live with dignity, justice and freedom from fear. For that, we are truly grateful, she concluded. CORK city centre bar The Woodford has temporarily closed its doors following positive Covid-19 results for a number of their employees. Dave Walsh who is the manager of The Woodford off Daunt Square said they made the decision for the safety of their staff and customers. We made the decision on Monday. We could have stayed open probably but we were just nervous. For the safety of our staff and customers, we made this decision. "A lot of our staff members live at home with their parents and it didnt sit well with me that their parents would be concerned that they were in a place where we had positive PCRs, he said. The manager said the staff members who have tested positive are fortunately not too sick with the latest variant of Covid. We had a couple of positive results with staff who were working on Thursday, December 23. We were made aware of it on Christmas morning that two of them had tested positive. "We had about 15 or 16 people working between the kitchen, floor, and the bar that day so we made a decision not to open for a couple of days until we find out the lay of the land. Luckily none of them are sick at all really. They both had PCRs which were both positive. One other person has tested positive. We did antigen tests with a lot of them and they were all negative, but because they were close contacts we decided it would be safer to stay closed for a few days, he added. Mr Walsh said they hope to reopen The Woodford once again on Wednesday, January 5 and he is looking forward to welcoming back their customers once again. We were due to reopen last Monday for a good run into the new year. We are hoping to open on Wednesday of next week and I cant see why we wont be able to. We are looking forward to seeing our customers and staff members again. We will miss ringing in the new year together. The manager of The Woodford said a number of bars and restaurants in Cork are struggling with the recent trajectory in positive cases which have left them finding it hard to replace existing staff members who are isolating for ten days. There are a lot of bars and restaurants struggling with this. It is the smaller places that are struggling more. I hope this thing is burning itself out, but the numbers are concerning. It has been a tough time for all of us, I think psychology more than anything else with all the chopping and changing. There is nervousness among people who are in this as a career as they are wondering what the hell am I doing? he added CRIMINAL damage done to an automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinet in Blarney has been blasted as totally unacceptable and an act of utterly pointless vandalism. Blarney Community First Responders has advised the public that, not for the first time, its publicly accessible AED outside the main entrance to Blarney Woollen Mills has been vandalised and is withdrawn. In a Facebook post, the voluntary group, which provides 24-hour call-out cover to a 5km radius of Blarney Village, instructed the public to always call 999/112 in case of an emergency, and said that other AEDs in the locality are accessible at locations including Blarney Auto Centre, Blarney Scout Hall opposite the playground, at Blarney GAA Club, the Waterloo Inn, at Cloghroe Stores, and Shournagh Childcare. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred on Saturday, December 18, in Blarney at 10.45pm. The spokesperson said that no arrests have yet been made and that investigations are ongoing. Local Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan condemned the vandalism as destruction for the sake of it and said it is utterly pointless. He likened the act to someone throwing a lifebuoy into a river and the consequences that might have in the event of an emergency. He said the AED in question has had to be withdrawn as a result of the broken cabinet, as water could get in which might damage the defibrillator. Mr Boylan lauded the work of the Blarney Community First Responders, who also fund-raise for this type of vital equipment. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald blasted the vandalism as totally unacceptable. This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone who has information to pass it on to the gardai to help in their investigation, he said. Ive been in Blarney regularly over the Christmas and the atmosphere is great. Blarney Community First Responders provide crucial and critical services not only to the local community but also to many visitors every day of the year. This defibrillator saves lives and is a vital piece of life-saving equipment. Any interference to this cabinet is totally unacceptable. The annual report of Intellectual Property India Annual Report was released on December 30, 2021, by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications, Government of India. As per the report, 56,267 patent applications were filed as opposed to 50,659 in 2018-19, which takes the growth rate to 11 per cent. But Andhra Pradesh's growth rate when it comes to filing patents is at a commendable 51 per cent. This year, the coastal state has filed 484 patents as opposed to 321 last year. Though this is not the highest growth rate nor is the state in the top three, the work that has gone behind getting the Telugu state, especially by Andhra University, here is extensive. After United Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014, most of the R&D institutes went to Telangana and with that, most of the ecosystem when it comes to patent filing. It was in 2020 that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry sanctioned a Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade - Intellectual Property Rights Chair for Andhra University, which became the IPR Nodal Agency of the state, and Dr Purushotham Hanumanthu took charge in December 2020. For the past one and a half years, the university has been carrying out extensive virtual awareness programmes, about 40 to 50 of them, for students and faculty members across the country. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. IPR is now a mandatory course at the university, especially for UG, PG and Engineering students and soon, it will be for PhD students too. "At the UGC level, one needs to get published in two to three peer-reviewed journals to earn a PhD, but at Andhra University, we took a decision that if anybody published a patent in the Indian Patent office journal, it is considered equivalent to a paper and the PhD is granted," shares Dr Hanumanthu, who pursued his BTech from Andhra University. They also launched an IPR policy which declared that the cost of filing and maintaining the patent for 20 years will be borne by the university, not by the research scholar or the faculty member. "The former Secretary of Higher Education appreciated the policy and encouraged us to propose that it be implemented as a state policy and hence, we sent it to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for adoption," he shares. Patent agents, personnel whose help becomes indispensable when it comes to navigating the process of filing and defending patents, often try to extort huge amounts in the name of filing and guidance. Now, Andhra University has identified a few patent agents and all patents are routed through them. Even when it comes to the commercialisation of patents, Andhra University has set the ball rolling. "We have 20-25 patents as of now, all under different stages of the process. We prepared portfolios for the IPs, gave advertisements in local newspapers and social media so as to spark the interest of start-ups and companies. We received five to six inquiries and in a week's time, we will be signing the first technology transfer agreement for the commercialisation of one of our IPs," says the former Chairman and Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). There are other start-ups incubated at T-Hub in Hyderabad who have shown interest and the initial negotiations have commenced, he informs. Though Dr Hanumanthu shares that the central government's move to reduce patent application fees by 80 per cent, meaning it goes from 4,24,500 to 85,000, for all recognised educational institutions is surely a much welcome one, 85,000 could still be a large amount for some. "To build an IP culture, the very first IP filed could be done for free. Also, apart from the fee, individuals need to pay fees for patent agents as well, which ranges from 50,000 to five lakh. There could be a structure in place for that as well. Lastly, state-level awards also might greatly help the cause and help the nation, as a whole, improve our innovation index. Also, more hackathons!" he says, offering suggestions for ways in which a sustainable IP culture can be built and maintained. Dr Hanumanthu also informs that the university will have its own incubation centre soon which will be inaugurated shortly. The 20,000 square feet space, out of which 10,000 square feet is built and ready, will take the university's crusade for innovation further. Kerala Opposition leader VD Satheesan, on December 31, termed Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's decision to quit the post of Chancellor of Universities as illegal and unconstitutional. His reaction came after the Governor said that he had ceased to function as the Chancellor from December 8. While speaking to ANI in Kochi, Satheesan said that the Governor cannot avoid his duties as the Chancellor without bringing the amendment in the university legislation. He said, "As per the law, which is passed by the legislature of the Kerala Assembly, for all the universities, the Governor is the Chancellor. He has to fulfil his duties as the Chancellor. It is mandatory." He added, "There is no amendment, no ordinance. As per the law of the land, he has to obey the rules and provisions of the Act. He has to act accordingly as a Chancellor. I am not going to act as Chancellor means that I am not going to obey the provisions of the Act passed by the legislature." Khan, who is at loggerheads with the State Government over alleged political interference in the functioning of the universities across the state, on December 20, had said that he was even ready to transfer his powers as the Chancellor to the Higher Education Minister, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of universities. "I am not interested in being the symbolic head of the universities," he earlier told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. Image Credit: Carlos Barria / reuters Meta / Facebook Amid all the drama surrounding Facebook, its whistleblower and its rebrand this year, its easy to overlook the companys accessibility-related updates. At the start of 2021, the company updated its Automatic Alt Text (AAT) system to recognize over 1,200 objects and concepts in photos on Instagram and Facebook. According to Meta, this represented a 10x increase since AATs debut in 2016. It also rolled out additional features to Facebook on iOS that provided more detailed descriptions like positions of objects in a picture and their relative sizes. Unfortunately, as it pushed out these updates, Facebook may have broken some accessibility features along the way. Rachfal said that when the company turned off its facial recognition system this year, it led to less-informative descriptions for users who are blind or have low-vision. Rachfal said this change was done due to privacy concerns, and he believes these decisions were made without considering accessibility and the disability community. Nor were they given the same weight and consideration as privacy concerns, Rachfal added. Facebook published a post addressing this issue in November. In it, the companys vice president of artificial intelligence Jerome Pesenti wrote, We need to weigh the positive use cases for facial recognition against growing societal concerns, especially as regulators have yet to provide clear rules. Meta In the post, Pesenti acknowledges the critical role face recognition plays in AAT to help blind and low-vision users identify their friends in pictures. But while some facial recognition tools, like identity verification, will remain, for the most part features like alerting users to photos potentially including them or automatically labeling their friends are going away. Thats for both sighted and visually impaired users. We know the approach weve chosen involves some difficult tradeoffs, Pesenti wrote, adding that we will continue engaging in that conversation and working with the civil society groups and regulators who are leading this discussion. Elsewhere in Metas family of products, the company added an Accessibility tab to the Oculus Settings menu to make assistive features easier to find. It also brought Color Correction and Raise View tools to offer more legible palettes and enable a standing perspective for seated users respectively. Meta said its still iterating on Raise View, working with the Oculus community to improve the feature and will permanently add it to the Accessibility menu when ready. Meta also collaborated with ZP Better Together, a company that makes technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, to bring sign language interpreters into video calls on Portal devices. As of December, people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can also apply on ZPs website to get free Portals which will come with the ZP apps. Handout . / reuters Facebook launched Clubhouse-like audio rooms in the US this year and, notably, did so with live captioning included from the start. It also included a visual cue to indicate whos speaking, and offers captions for other audio products like Soundbites and Podcasts on iOS and Android. Lets not forget the companys renaming to Meta this year and its new focus on the metaverse. According to head of accessibility Mike Shebanek, we're already working to bring the metaverse to life and are excited to explore the breakthrough possibilities it presents to make the digital world even more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Well have to wait and see if and how that comes true, but in the meantime, Meta must continue to engage with the accessibility community to make sure that its expansion of the metaverse is inclusive from the start. Twitter Twitter only set up its two accessibility teams last year, after an embarrassing launch of Voice Tweets that excluded its deaf and hard of hearing users due to a lack of captions. Since then, though, the company has shown noteworthy improvement. In 2021, Twitter introduced captions for voice tweets, added captions and accessibility labels in Spaces and brought automatic video captions. That last one is available globally in most languages, according to the company and supported on Android, iOS and the web. A couple months ago we rolled out video caption file upload. Starting today, all videos will be auto-captioned. To see them, turn on captioning in your mobile device settings, or select the CC button on Web. What do you think of the experience? https://t.co/fywdjC6yDI Twitter Accessibility (@TwitterA11y) December 14, 2021 Though this may seem like a small set of updates compared to the rest of the companies in this roundup, Twitter also has a smaller portfolio of products. Still, it has managed to make significant changes. Rachfal praised Twitter as being the first social media platform to conspicuously prompt users to include alt text with images, though he did note that filling out the field is still optional. Other noteworthy developments in tech this year Alt text and captioning continue to be tricky accessibility features for the industry. Theyre labor-intensive processes that companies tend to delegate to AI, which can result in garbled, inaccurate results. This was especially evident at this years virtual E3 gaming convention, where illegible closed captions sometimes made the show incomprehensible for those who relied on subtitles to understand the announcements. There are also large parts of the online world that are in dire need of accessibility-related upgrades. According to a February 2021 study by WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind), for example, a whopping 97.4 percent of websites had mistakes that failed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2). The most common errors included missing alt text, low contrast text, missing form input labels and more. Its not just websites that need work: Other media formats also need to be more inclusively designed. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), for example, filed a lawsuit with Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) this year against three major podcast providers: SiriusXM, Stitcher and Pandora. Spotify According to the NAD, because the three defendants do not make transcripts or captions available for any of the podcasts offered on their platforms, more than 48 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans are denied full and equal enjoyment of the content they offer their hearing users. Meanwhile, Spotify announced this year that it will start offering automatically generated transcripts for podcasts, and Amazon Music launched synchronized transcripts in November. Then there are entire industries that could use accessibility improvements. Rachfal notes that healthcare is a continually problematic area for people who are blind or have visual impairments. This is still an entire sector that we hear about far too often from our members, he said. Given that we are currently in the mires of the third wave of COVID-19, its inexcusable to continue excluding people with disabilities when it comes to things like scheduling vaccination or testing appointments. In November this year, the Justice Department announced it had reached a settlement with Rite Aid to make COVID-19 testing and vaccination websites accessible. Rite Aids vaccine registration portal was not compatible with some screen readers and was not accessible to those who have a hard time using a mouse. The calendar on its website, for example, did not show screen reader users any available appointment times, while people relying on keyboard-based navigation instead of a mouse could not use the tab key to complete a consent form required to schedule an appointment. The ACB also worked with CVS to offer accessible prescription information in all locations in the country. This includes a Spoken RX feature that would read out prescription labels via the CVS Pharmacy app. Though there have been many transgressions in the past year, we also saw many promising developments in ensuring technology is inclusive. The FCC, for example, proposed rules in December to make emergency alerts more useful and informative for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. KAREN BLEIER via Getty Images Meanwhile, HBO Max launched 1,500 hours of audio-described content starting in March 2021 and committed to including the descriptions to all newly produced original content as well as adding more to its back catalog. Also, in collaboration with the Coalition for Inclusive Fitness, Planet Fitness said it will buy and install accessible exercise equipment in its stores across the country. Ive only scratched the surface in this roundup of updates. Whats most encouraging, though, is the increasing willingness of companies to work with disability rights groups and advocates at the earliest stages of product design. Lizzie Sorkin, director of engagement for the NAD, said its seeing more and more companies reach out to us in the beginning phases for input rather than late in the process. Rachfal also noted a growing commitment to accessible media and content thats born out of the advocacy work of ACB and the Audio description Project through collaborative discussions with industry. Update (on 1/3/22): This article was updated to clarify that Microsoft does offer after-sales support with ASL as part of its Disability Answers Desk. It feels like forever since we all were able to look back on the last 12 months and not say good riddance, you garbage fire hellscape of a year. 2021 kicked off with riots at the Capitol and though things seemed to quiet down a little after, all was not well in tech. There are companies that are obvious additions to this list, like Meta (formerly Facebook) with its repeated transgressions this year. Activision Blizzard faces multiple lawsuits and investigations over allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace, revealing that despite all the growth we hoped wed made in the last few years, the gaming industry remains toxic. But there are other businesses that made the lives of workers and consumers miserable on a daily basis, too. And all major companies in Big Tech have to share in the blame. When we put together this roundup of the worst players in tech this year, its clear that were overdue a reckoning. Lets hope that in the years to come, the people with the most influence learn how to treat people better. Carlos Barria / reuters For the company now known as Meta, 2021 went sideways from the very beginning. For all its talk about safeguarding the 2020 presidential election, Facebook was ill-prepared for the insurrection that followed on January 6th. The company failed to recognize the danger posed by the Stop the Steal movement until after a violent mob stormed the Capitol. Then COO Sheryl Sandberg downplayed the role Facebook had played in the insurrection, only to be promptly proven wrong. In the end, the events of January 6th ultimately forced the platform to do something it had studiously avoided for most of the Trump presidency: Enforce its rules for his account. (Sort of. Trumps Facebook ban isnt permanent.) Elsewhere, the arrival of coronavirus vaccines only highlighted Facebooks poor track record at combating vaccine misinformation, which surged throughout the pandemic. After years of dragging its feet, the company finally banned misleading or inaccurate vaccine content. But enough damage had already been done. The US Surgeon General said viral health misinformation was an urgent threat to public health. President Joe Biden went a step further: saying that Facebook was killing people. This year was also the first time the Oversight Board, created so Facebook could outsource its thorny content moderation decisions, was operational. The body has pushed the social network to change some policies and has repeatedly criticized the company for a lack of transparency and ability to enforce its rules evenly. POOL New / reuters Then came Frances Haugen, the former employee turned whistleblower who left the company with thousands of pages of internal research and other documents that have since become known as the Facebook Papers. Her disclosures paint a picture of a company that is unwilling or unable to adequately tackle some of its biggest problems, particularly outside the United States and Europe. She also revealed internal research about the effect of Instagram on teens, which was immediately seized on by lawmakers in Congress. Amid all that, Zuckerberg announced not an overhaul of the companys policies, nor a review of its internal research, but a new name: Meta. Its meant to symbolize the companys newfound commitment to a metaverse that no one can fully explain. Will the company change its content moderation policies when it comes to the metaverse? Will it invest more in safety for non-western countries? How will it address hate speech in the metaverse? Facebook, er Meta, has yet to meaningfully address any of those questions. But if recent history is a guide, we all have a lot to worry about. Karissa Bell Truth Social Youd be forgiven if, amidst the news of actual importance in 2021, you forgot about TRUTH Social the upcoming site built by disgraced former president Donald J. Trump. Trump spent most of his presidency fear-mongering and spouting lies on Twitter and other social platforms, which finally resulted in him being banned from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and most other services of note. While Trump is wrongfully convinced that this is an unlawful witch hunt, hes also decided to say who needs em? and launch his own. TRUTH was announced in October, with a limited beta planned for November before a full public launch in 2022. Immediately, dedicated internet pranksters found a test version of the site in the open and signed up for a slew of high-profile accounts (including, naturally, donaldjtrump and mikepence). (The donaldjtrump account had a profile picture of a defecating pig, for good measure.) The test was quickly shut down, but not before it was revealed to be basically a Twitter clone running on the open-source software Mastodon. But since TRUTH Social didnt properly cite its usage and didnt share the source code with users, the site was in violation of Mastadons open-source license agreement. TRUTHS terms of service were also revealed, and we learned that it was essentially hoping to be protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which currently states that services like Twitter and even TRUTH arent responsible for what their users post. This shields companies from liability for the awful things those users might share. We blissfully havent heard much about TRUTH Social since its disastrous first few days in the public spotlight; the company missed the November beta launch date and theres no update on when the promised full launch might happen. Based on these early struggles, its easy to call TRUTH Social a loser of 2021 but the citizens of the internet who didnt have to deal with the ugly reality of a Trump-backed social network are all undoubtedly winners. Nathan Ingraham Wolfgang Rattay / reuters Global chip supply The rise in demand for PCs, gadgets and cars couldn't keep up with the slowing production in global chip supply. That's why it's still tough to find a PlayStation 5 a year after its launch, and why used car prices have gone absolutely bonkers. This is our new reality for the next few years, at least until chip suppliers can ramp up production and start spinning up new fabrication plants. Basically, be prepared to use all of your gear for a bit longer without upgrading. Devindra Hardawar Activision Blizzard There are far too many stories of sexual harassment and discrimination in the video game industry. Over the past few years, reports of systemic misogyny and abuse have poured out of Riot Games, Ubisoft and many other studios large and small, and the problems date back decades. Among all this trash, Activision Blizzard stands out as one of the worst. Activision Blizzard was accused of fostering a culture of sexual harassment by Californias fair-employment agency in July, and multiple organizations have since launched investigations into the studio, uncovering years of mismanagement in the process. According to the California lawsuit, leaders at the studio cultivated a frat house-style environment where sexual harassment was commonplace and gender discrimination was systemic. The fair employment agency found that all of Activision Blizzards top leadership positions were held by white men, just 20 percent of all employees identified as women and reports of harassment were routinely ignored. In December, an employee named Christine went public with her experience at Blizzard, saying she was inappropriately touched by male coworkers, propositioned for sex by her superiors and subjected to crude comments about her body. After reporting the abuse to management, she said she was demoted and told to get over it. Allen J. Schaben via Getty Images Activision Blizzards response to these accusations has been tragic. Back in July, CEO Bobby Kotick sent an email to employees dismissing the California lawsuit, but he signed a female employees name to it. The response was roundly and loudly criticized, with employees calling it insulting and abhorrent. Kotick let Frances Townsend, one of the few women executives at Activision Blizzard, take the heat for that letter for months, losing her spot on the studios womens network in the process. Publicly, Kotick called the email tone-deaf. Blizzard head J. Allen Brack lost his job shortly after the lawsuit was filed, and Kotick offered a co-leadership role to Mike Ybarra and Jennifer Oneal, who became the first woman to hold a president title since the studios founding in 1979. Oneal left the company shortly after this promotion, reportedly because she was being paid less than Ybarra, and she felt tokenized, marginalized and discriminated against at the studio. Activision Blizzard employees have walked out multiple times this year, calling for a culture shift. Major business partners, including PlayStation and Xbox, have said theyre reevaluating their relationships with the studio. Shareholders and media outlets alike are calling for Kotick to resign. At this point, investors, employees, analysts, major gaming companies and multiple government agencies agree that Activision Blizzard is a hotbed of discrimination and sexual harassment, and its in urgent need of restructuring. In his 30 years as CEO of Activision Blizzard, this is the closest Kotick has come to actually being ousted from his position of power. From that angle, it almost feels like a good year for the company. Almost. Jessica Conditt Miquel Benitez via Getty Images 5G Im so disappointed with 5G. If, like me, youve watched the networking standard since at least 2014, youll likely agree. The promises about downloading feature films in seconds were really mostly advantages of mmWave technology, which as of today still hasnt broadly rolled out. The sub-6 network thats more widely available today on carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T offer a barely noticeable speed boost, and the reported latency improvements it was supposed to bring havent been delivered in the real world. Yes, the telecom industry did meet its target launch date of 2020 for an initial rollout of the new standard. But 5G is still too confusing for the average consumer. Any time a company says in a briefing that a new product is 5G-ready, a guaranteed follow-up question is Does that mean sub-6 or mmWave? And with the recent addition of mid-band spectrum to the mix, the layers of compatibility are only going to make things more tedious. Ive been more than forgiving in the last couple of years, but its been difficult to ignore the complete mess that is the state of 5G in the US today. Sure, weve had more pressing issues to deal with, but if consumers are going to embrace the new standards (and be convinced to spend money for the privilege of 5G on their devices), the industry needs to get its act together and either commit to a more coherent message or more consistent rollout. Cherlynn Low Workers and big tech For a long time, working at a tech giant like Google or Apple was an enviable position. But 2021 pulled back the curtain a bit on some of these companies, exposing deep-rooted issues with how employees are treated. While not everyone at these massive organizations may be dealing with sexual harassment or poor working conditions (to name just a few issues), the many employees speaking out across the industry are indicative of an underlying trend that need to be confronted by techs most powerful leaders. Mike Blake / reuters Amazons poor treatment of its warehouse workers is well-known, and reports persisted in 2021. At the same time, the company pushed back hard against unionization efforts in Alabama. While the union drive was defeated in a vote, a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board recently ordered a new election, effectively invalidating the results of the earlier one. The union had filed a formal objection right after the election, and while theres no word on when a new election will take place, its clear that Amazon will be under intense scrutiny when it does. The same should hold if New York City Amazon workers hold a union vote; reports have indicated that could happen soon. Apple workers also exposed issues within the company this year. In late August, a call went out for current and former employees to share stories of discrimination, harassment and retaliation that they had experienced. This led to the start of the #AppleToo website, where these stories are regularly published. As Jess already explained in detail above, employees at Activision Blizzard spoke up about a misogynistic culture rife with sexual harassment, as well. Reports indicated male executives groped female colleagues while other employees joked about rape or ignored women for promotions. The revelations have been so damning a lawsuit was filed by Californias Department of Fair Employment, though somehow Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick still has his job. Google isnt free from sin, either employees led a massive walkout back in 2018 around how it dealt with sexual harassment (among other concerns). It hasnt dealt with things on the same scale as other companies this year, but Googles recent decision that it wasnt raising pay to match inflation has certainly rankled workers. These are just a few high-profile examples, but together they paint a dark picture of the environment at some of techs biggest corporations. Perhaps the only upside here is that these hopefully put pressure on those in charge to clean house and improve things as quickly as possible. N.I. Oculus Meta didn't even give Oculus a proper funeral. Instead of a celebratory news announcement, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth pushed out a quick post to announce that the Oculus brand was being retired. What a sad fate for a company directly tied to the rise of consumer VR. (But perhaps this was the best way for Meta to separate itself from the legacy of Oculus's controversial founder Palmer Luckey.) D.H. Joe Skipper / reuters Blue Origin 2021 was a massive year for the burgeoning private spacelift industry. Firsts were made, records were achieved and billions of dollars worth of government contracts were awarded. It should have been a surefire win for all three of the industrys leading companies SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin but then one of them managed to repeatedly shoot itself in the proverbial landing strut more than the other two combined. Now, thats not to say Blue Origin didnt enjoy its share of success this year. CEO Jeff Bezos put his money where his oversized stetson is and made a historic trip out to the Karman line along with both the oldest (at least at that point) and youngest people to ever venture into space. This past November, the company even won financial backing from NASA to help build out its bonkers Orbital Reef commercial space station design. However, those achievements were often overshadowed by the companys public pettiness and truculence. For example, ahead of Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic making its own historic first successful flight into space this past July, Blue Origin took to Twitter to talk a little trash. This is a little rich from the company that has reportedly become a toxic workplace. More embarrassing still was Bezos repeated, and ultimately unsuccessful, attempts to secure Blue Origin a lucrative NASA contract. See, back in April, NASA awarded SpaceX a $2.9 billion (yes, with a B) Artemis lunar lander contract. Blue Origin immediately protested to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) over NASAs fundamentally unfair decision against it, bringing work on the lunar program to a standstill until July, when the GAO kindly told Blue Origin to take its $2 billion and get out. Blue Origin did not. Instead, the space lift company doubled down, suing NASA in open federal court, "in an attempt to remedy the flaws in the acquisition process found in NASA's Human Landing System," per a Blue Origin representative in August. The court was not at all convinced and ruled against the plaintiffs, proving SpaceX CEO Elon Musks jab true. Blue Origin really cant sue its way to the Moon. Andrew Tarantola Microsoft Edge Microsoft finally managed to make its Edge web browser a solid competitor to Chrome, Safari and Firefox by integrating the Chromium open source framework. And then, inexplicably, it began to pile on bloat, like a predatory "buy now pay later" feature and cringey anti-Chrome warnings. All of a sudden, Edge seems more like a way to trap and commodify its users, instead of delivering a solid web experience. It's as if Microsoft made it harder to change your default browser in Windows 11 on purpose (thankfully, it's testing out a simpler method, following plenty of industry criticism). D.H. The Pound to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate is trading in a narrow range this morning in response to a significant increase in global coronavirus case numbers. At the time of writing, the Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate is trading at CA$1.7250, with minimal market movement amid thin post-Christmas trade and coronavirus anxieties. Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates Muted as Coronavirus Concerns Return The Pound (GBP) is directionless against the Canadian Dollar (USD) during todays session as coronavirus cases surge. The UKs daily cases were reported at 183,037 on Wednesday, the first print of new figures since Christmas Eve. In a bid to support the NHS, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has resisted calls for halving the current isolation period of 10 days. World Health Organisation emergencies director, Michael Ryan, has said that governments must balance the infection numbers alongside the strength of economies. Ryan said: If people shorten the quarantine period, there will be a small number of cases that will develop disease and potentially go on to transmit, because they have been let out of quarantine earlier. So it is a trade-off between the science and being absolutely perfect in what you try to do, but then having the minimal disruption that you can possibly have to your economy and society - and governments are struggling to find that balance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also warned that the two prominent variants, Omicron and Delta, are causing a twin threat. This is further weighing on Sterlings potential as the UK government may reinstate restrictions in the new year to combat the rising case numbers. Canadian Dollar (CAD) Exchange Rates Trade in Narrow Range in Response to Rising Covid-19 Cases Meanwhile, the Canadian Dollar (CAD) is rangebound against the Pound during todays session in response to developing numbers of Covid-19. On Wednesday, almost every Canadian province set a new high for coronavirus case numbers as the Omicron variant spreads across the country. Infections have increased significantly, with approximately 20% of all tests performed providing a positive result, exceeding to new levels that have not previously been seen in Canada throughout the pandemic. The most populated provinces, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, witnessed the biggest jumps, with 10,436, 13,000 and 2944 new cases on Wednesday, respectively. This has prompted additional restrictions, such as British Columbia delaying the return to schools following the Christmas holidays. Additionally, Health Officials in Nunavut have extended a circuit breaker lockdown because the healthcare system in the area is being pushed to its limits. On the other hand, the commodity-linked Loonie is being buoyed by improving WTI oil prices. WTI crude prices have risen this week, though have slipped marginally during todays session, and currently hold above $76 a barrel. GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Forecast: Will Coronavirus Continue to Govern GBP and CAD Movements? Looking ahead, the Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate (GBP/CAD) is vulnerable to risk appetite and political decisions due to an absence of data scheduled to be released throughout the rest of this weeks session. Both Sterling and the Loonie are likely to be influenced by rising coronavirus case numbers and the steps taken by their governments to slow the spread of infection. On the other hand, CAD may limit its losses due to strong WTI oil prices. However, oil prices also remain susceptible to the global economy. If further restrictions are imposed on a global scale, the need for energy will decrease, hampering oil prices and, in turn, CAD. The Pound South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate has edged higher on Thursday after making sharp gains in post-Christmas trade. As the Pound remains broadly supported in thin trade, the UK government resisting tightening restrictions, and an impressive booster vaccination programme, GBP/ZAR is trading around 21.5568 at the time of writing, gaining around 0.8 of a cent since the start of the week. Pound (GBP) Gains on Cautious Optimism The Pound firmed on Thursday as the UK government holding off reintroducing restrictions and apparent success of the booster vaccination rollout support Sterling. Investors appear optimistic over the UK governments decision to reassess any further UK Covid measures until the new year. In addition, claims from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the overwhelming majority of patients in intensive care units have not been vaccinated provided some optimism that the booster vaccination rollout could limit the severity of soaring Covid-19 infections in the UK on hospitalisations and possible restrictions. More than 435,000 booster vaccinations were given on Wednesday, which is more than 33.5 million in third or booster doses in the UK and around 63% of all adults. However, the Pounds gains are limited by daily coronavirus cases reaching the highest level yet in the UK of 183,037 on Wednesday, and the number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 has begun to rise. Despite hospitalisations hitting their highest level since March, healthcare in the UK appears to be managing the number of Covid-19 cases. Uncertainty also remains over the Omicron variant which has now become the dominant coronavirus in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency reported that 90% of all community Covid cases are the Omicron variant in England, meaning the number of Omicron cases could be higher. With some uncertainty still lingering about the severity of the Omicron variant despite early reports it is less likely to cause hospitalisation GBP investors held off making significant bets in thin trading conditions. South African Rand (ZAR) Lacks Direction as SA Health Ministry Reassesses Guidance The South African Rand struggled for direction during Thursday session amid thin trading conditions. Risk-on market trade failed to boost ZAR exchange rates that had come under some pressure earlier in the week following the South African governments decision to revise changes it had made to isolation and testing rules. The health ministry had outlined rules for people without symptoms of Covid-19 but had come into contact with a positive case no longer had to isolate or test. However, the Department of Health has since recalled the guidance while it reassess the policy. Reports that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine reduces hospitalisations by 84% in South African healthcare workers also failed to give the South African Rand a boost. The real-world study, that has not been peer reviewed, showed the vaccine prevented hospitalisation by 63% soon after a booster dose, which rose to 84% 14 days later. Pound South African Rand Forecast: GBP/ZAR to Remain Rangebound in Thin Trade? In the absence of notable UK and South African data releases until next week, the Pound South African Rand exchange rate will remain sensitive to coronavirus developments. Thin trading conditions may limit significant movement in the pairing until more markets open again in the new year. With Covid-19 cases surging in England but hospitalisations so far appearing to be manageable amid the booster vaccination rollout, speculation as to whether the UK government will tighten restrictions may drive some volatility in the Pound over the coming days. New York, NYNorman McCombs' screenplay, based on his autobiographical novel A Reason to Be, received semi-finalist honors at The New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition. Showing bi-coastal appeal, in early December McCombs won the Best Sci-Fi Screenplay Award from the Los Angeles Film Awards. The New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition is a Cinema Public House production. CPH is a US based independent festival company that produces festivals all over the world. They want to draw attention to writers so their films might get produced and showcased at festivals such Toronto, Sundance, and Cannes. A Reason to Be also picked up Official Selection honors at the CFK International Film Festival and a Best Script award from the NY Independent Cinema Awards, which is sponsored by New York Arts & Cinema. Equal parts love story, historical epic, and journey to self-discovery, A Reason to Be resonates at the heart of what it means to be human. It inspires us to discover who we are and where we came from, joining past with present, loss with love, and imbibes us with a brilliant hope for who we can become. As Douglas says in the novel: "We're more than our blood lines. We're love lines. Love is what flows down the generations. Love is what collects and gathers in force and momentum and strength. Love." McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, where he met his late wife, Grace. Like Douglas' fictional wife Hope, Grace's prolonged battle with Alzheimer's and her eventual death led McCombs into a deep depression until a close friend aided him in receiving the help he needed. After recovering from his depression, McCombs left western New York and began to write A Reason to Be. Expert Click Radio Norman McCombs, Author of 'A Reason to Be: A Novel,' Interviewed by Michelle Jerson on Radio "A Reason to Be is a brilliant, cerebral narrative of a man's journey to discover who he is within the stunning breadth of history." Rachel Song, Author, 5-Stars "An exhilarating exploration into exactly why we are here and the never-ending journey to find and give love." John J. Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-Stars A five-minute audio book sample, including a bit of Scottish brogue, can be heard at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D2DYXVX/. With the enormous success of the Outlander books and TV series, Scottish history has become a popular topic. Contributions by Scottish emigrants have been vital to the enormous success of the United States and Canada. Those of Scottish descent are famous for a deep-seated streak of independence and intellectual vigor that has changed the world. Following the Battle of Culloden, in 1745, hundreds of thousands were cleared from the Scottish Highlands and scattered to all points of the compass. McCombs connections to the famed Highland Clans forms the foundation of a journey through history which, in no small way, saved his life. Representing one of those great Scottish/American success stories, he has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. In 2011, as McCombs stood outside the East Wing of the White House before receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Obama, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? Watch A Reason to Be Book Trailer at https://bit.ly/ReasonToBeTrailer A Reason to Be: A Novel, ISBN 978-1626347335 (Hardcover) $17.95, 2020, Greenleaf Book Group, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, Book-A-Million, and Porchlight. Norman McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, in a home built by his immigrant father. He graduated from Amherst Central High School where he met his late wife, Grace. Norman went on to earn an AASEE from ECTI, along with a BSME and an ScD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, while serving in the New York State National Guard. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest patent award. He has received numerous awards for technical achievement, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama for developing the portable oxygen concentrator credited with saving and extending the lives of millions with lung diseases. As Norman stood outside the East Wing of the White House, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That moment prompted Norman to search for deeper connections to his ancestry. Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, as well as a sculptor, classical guitarist, and an avid fan of opera and the fine arts. You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com. Media Contact: For a review copy of A Reason to Be or to arrange an interview with Norman McCombs, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist Friday, December 31, 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) Peloton's response to an emerging crisis situation underscored an important crisis management best practice: Don't wait to respond to a crisis. The sooner you react to the situation, the sooner you can put the emergency behind you. Peloton did just that in December. Twice What they did, why they did it and how they did it provides important crisis management lessons for business leaders. Crisis No. 1 According to the New York Times, Peloton removed its online ad featuring actor Chris Noth after The Hollywood Reporter published an article in which two women accused the actor of sexual assault. In a statement, Peloton said, "Every single sexual assault accusation must be taken seriously. We were unaware of these allegations when we featured Chris Noth in our response to HBO's reboot" of Sex and the City. "As we seek to learn more, we have stopped promoting this video and archived related social posts." Noth told The Hollywood Reporter that, "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've 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. It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women," he added. 'Peloton Set A Great Example' Dan Ni is the founder and CEO of email marketing automation platform Messaged.com. He observed that, "Peloton set a great example with their instant and clear response regarding the sexual allegations surfacing. It showed how their company has zero-tolerance for such behavior and their complete and instant disassociation by putting out a clear and firm statement and pulling out the ad set [as] a precedent for others to follow. "This entire situation is a great example of how to respond to a crisis. The first response and action following the response set the tone for the future...is the most crucial point of a crisis. And the peloton response teaches us how crucial [your response time] is. The longer you wait, the more justifications are required on your end," he said. Crisis No. 2 Ironically, the ad that was pulled was in response to a crisis a few days earlier that also involved Peloton. According to Variety, "In the first episode of HBO Max's Sex and the City reboot, Mr. Big (Chris Noth) drops dead of a heart attack after completing his 1,000th ride on a Peloton class led by his favorite instructor, Jess King. Shortly after the show aired, Peloton's stock dropped. "The fitness company went into spin control, releasing a statement from its cardiologist that insisted Big's death shouldn't be attributed to working out but to his 'extravagant lifestyle including cocktails, cigars and big steaks.'" 'A Smart Move' Aaron Gordon is a partner at Schwartz Media Strategies, a communications and public affairs firm. He said that, "With its flagship product thrust into a crisis, Peloton made a smart move by quickly bringing actor Chris Noth into the fold and shifting the narrative away from Mr. Big's on-screen demise. "Peloton's marketing campaign struck the right tone, reminding everyone that Sex and the City is indeed a work of fiction and that no actors were harmed during the making of And Just Like That." No Time For Due Diligence Gordon said, "[The] problem is, Peloton's fast action response meant the company didn't have time to conduct proper due diligence and the plan backfired when Noth was publicly accused of sexual abuse just days later, forcing the company to do an about-face. "This turn of events reinforces the importance of fully vetting a potential partner before a company hitches its wagon to their personal brand. Peloton's instincts to change the narrative quickly and creatively were on point, but these decisions should not be made in haste," he said. Learning From Another Crisis Peloton is no stranger to crisis situations. Indeed, their quick response to the Noth situation showed what they may have learned from their delayed and criticized response to a self-inflicted crisis earlier this year. In May, I reported that, "Several weeks ago the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an 'urgent warning' for the ?Tread+ and Tread treadmills made by Peloton, urging people to stop using the products immediately. On Wednesday, the at-home fitness company announced it was recalling the exercise equipment. According to the New York Times, the recall came less than a month after Peloton fought the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warning that dozens of injuries and the death of a child had been linked to the machines. "Peloton is offering a full refund for the $4,295 machine with a 32-inch touch screen that allows runners to work out with the aid of instructors," according to the newspaper. In a statement posted on the company's website, Peloton CEO John Foley said, "I want to be clear, Peloton made a mistake in our initial response to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's request that we recall the Tread+. We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologize. "Today's announcement reflects our recognition that, by working closely with the CPSC, we can increase safety awareness for our Members. We believe strongly in the future of at-home connected fitness and are committed to work with the CPSC to set new industry safety standards for treadmills. We have a desire and a responsibility to be an industry leader in product safety." Advice For Business Leaders Don't wait to respond to an emerging crisis. Tell people what you did in response to the crisis and how and why you did it. Learn from the successes and mistakes of how other companies and organizations respond to their own crisis situations. Vincent Thian/AP KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Intel said it will invest 30 billion ringgit ($7.1 billion) to expand its manufacturing operation in Malaysia as chipmakers work to diversify their global supply chains that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. semiconductor company is no stranger to Malaysia, where it built its first offshore assembly plant in Penang in 1972. For the past four years, the 52 Weeks series has uncovered the best barbecue, burger and pizza destinations throughout the San Antonio area. This year, it was all about the food trucks, and the variety was outstanding, going all across the food spectrum. We canvassed food truck hubs, parking lots and many a random roadside destinations, which even included a taco truck parked in front of a barber shop. There was genuine enthusiasm and pride for the food created within the trailer or truck on wheels, with many of the chefs citing their proud small businesses as the culmination of a dream. We found that there was tasty value and exceptional food in all of the trucks we visited with no visit earning the lowest once was enough designation. It was quality we could taste. Here is a list of our findings of the best of the best, including all the great tacos, sandwiches, truck parks and everything in between: Top 10 food trucks Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 10. Wild Barley Kitchen Co.: Shops that make their own bagels are rare. Food trucks that make their own bagels are unicorns. Get these dense, wood-fired beauties plain or dressed up as sandwiches, but get em fast if you want them from the truck, because Wild Barleys evolving into a brick-and-mortar restaurant and brewery early in the new year. 8403 Broadway, Facebook: @wildbarleykitchenco. Read the review here. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 9. Holy Smoke Barbecue & Taquitos: Its all about the brisket at this scrappy barbecue trailer. Its sliced, chopped, sauced, piled on mac and cheese and rolled into jalapeno bombs called Texas Twinkies for a menu that celebrates the alchemy of oak smoke, caramelization, salt and pepper. At Camp 1604, 5535 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-550-2426, Facebook: @holysmokesa. Read the review here. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 8. Milpa: Chef Jesse Kuykendall is having a big year in San Antonio, running the kitchen at Ocho, planning a bodega in Government Hill and launching Milpa as both a truck and restaurant. The truck traces Kuykendalls Laredo roots and Mexican influences for great pozole, quesadillas and street tacos built with carne asada, mollejas, chorizo and shawarma-style pork. 540 S. Presa St. at Amor Eterno, 210-913-6728 , Facebook: @MilpaFoodTruck. Read the review here. Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 7. Franklin Jack: Traditionally, food truck menus tend to stay small, but here, its a menagerie of flavor with more than 40 options that hit on burgers, lobster rolls, fries, chicken sandwiches, quesadillas, breakfast sandwiches and sweet treats like churros, waffles and funnel cakes. Owner and chef Anthony Bueno worked the Los Angeles and Houston restaurant scene for years before moving back to his native San Antonio to boost the food scene. Locations vary; check for updates on Facebook: @Franklin-Jack. Read the review here. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 6. La Generala: This West Side taco trailer from Blanca Marquez and her son Jeremias offers five kinds of meat to build its tacos, quesadillas and other creations: pork al pastor, beef carne asada, stewed pork ribs called costillas, stewed chicharron and pork guiso rojo. But what takes them up a notch are thick, handmade corn tortillas with a balance of flexibility, corn flavor and strength. 1802 Callaghan Road, 210-971-1707, Facebook: La Generala. Read the review here. Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 5. Naco Mexican Eatery: Owners Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez serve breakfast and lunch at their location at Loop 410 and Nacogdoches with an extensive menu that ranges from omelets to hearty tortas and tacos. The spirit of the truck is all about the street foods of Mexico. Estrada puts extra love into chilaquiles, which can be loaded into everything on the menu with a choice of protein that includes brisket, chorizo, bacon, steak and chunks of pork al pastor. 2347 Nacogdoches Road, 210-996-1033, nacomexican.com. Read the review here. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 4. Project Pollo: This vegan adaptation of fast-food fried chicken has evolved into a chain of brick-and-mortar restaurants across Texas, but it started in San Antonio as a trailer parked next to a brewery, making sandwiches, mac and cheese, wraps and nuggets that showcase a crunchy, juicy, full-flavored plant-based alternative to Chick-fil-A and McNuggets. 723 N. Alamo St. at Roadmap Brewing Co., no phone, projectpollo.com. Read the review here. Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 3. Satisfried: Chef and owner Brianna Esmeralda said that if you do a food truck, you should make as much of the limited menu from scratch as possible. And indeed she has, making pretty much everything outside of the bread. She features a menu that has Tex-Mex and Asian influences with sliders, tacos and sandwiches with creative sides, including a killer mac and cheese that just may be the best in the city. Locations vary; 210-606-0221, check for updates on Facebook: @satisfried.satx . Read the review here. Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 2. Sensational Salads and Wraps: This food truck has been around since 2012 and is proof that the mobile food scene doesnt always have to be about the griddle and the fryer. The name pretty much says it all, with about 15 combinations that can be made into either a hearty salad or a wrap in a soft and silky spinach flour tortilla. Everything is priced at less than $12, delivering food thats both healthy for you and your bank account. Locations vary, 210-857-1223, Facebook: @SensationalSaladsandWraps. Read the review here. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 1. Masshole: How could a $20-something Northeastern sandwich stuffed with lobster develop such a cult following in San Antonio? Credit Adam and Susan Bylicki, whove taken the lobster roll to the masses by keeping it simple: freshly baked brioche and sweet pearly lobster with just enough attitude to make it interesting. Locations vary; check for updates on Facebook: Masshole Food Truck, 210-209-0495. Read the review here. Best tacos Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 5. Carnitas taco: Carnitas Don Raul, 2202 Broadway, 210-427-3202, Facebook: @carnitas-don-raul-usa Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 4. Keto-friendly cheese crust taco: Naco Mexican Eatery, 2347 Nacogdoches Road, 210-996-1033, nacomexican.com Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 3. Taquitos al pastor: Mister Diablo, 123 Appler St., 210-449-6502, Facebook: @misterdiablotacotruck Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 2. Mayan Tacos: Tlaloc, locations vary, 210-549-7702, Facebook: @tlalocmexicanfood Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 1. Cholitas Tacos: La Generala, 1802 Callaghan Road, 210-971-1707, Facebook: La Generala Best sandwiches and burgers Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 5. Smoked Salmon Panino: Panini Queenz, locations vary, 210-601-3698, Facebook @paniniqueenz Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 4. Billy Badass Burger: Flat Rock Texas Artisan, locations vary, Facebook: @flatrocktxartisan Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 3. Cuban sandwich: Cocina El Jibarazo, 1790 Austin Highway, 210-204-5908, jibarazo.com Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 2. Pork belly sandwich: The Dip Shack, locations vary, 210-552-0698, dipshackdips.com Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 1. Maine-style lobster roll: Masshole, locations vary; check for updates on Facebook: Masshole Food Truck, 210-209-0495 Best barbecue Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 3. Pork ribs: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot BBQ, 9218 Potranco Road beside Stout House, 210-309-4999, Instagram: @wtfbbqsatx Chuck Blount /Staff file photo 2. Baked potato topped with pulled pork: Mighty Oak BBQ, 3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, Instagram: @mightyoakbbqtx Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 1. Sliced brisket: Holy Smoke Barbecue & Taquitos, at Camp 1604, 5535 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-550-2426, Facebook: @holysmokesa Best small bites Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 3. Caultato (cauliflower potato salad): Satisfried, Locations vary; 210-606-0221, Facebook @satisfried.satx Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 2. Spin Spin Tato: Aroy Ver, at Broadway News, 2202 Broadway, 210-907-9231, Facebook: @aroyverthefoodtruck Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 1. Banana pudding: Mighty Oak BBQ, 3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, Instagram: @mightyoakbbqtx Best food truck parks Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 3. The Block SA: 14530 Roadrunner Way, 210-690-3333, Facebook: @TheBlockSA Mike Sutter /Staff file photo 2. El Camino: 1009 Avenue B, elcaminosa.com Chuck Blount / Staff file photo 1. StreetFare SA: 1916 Austin Highway, 210-737-6767, streetfaresa.com cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver BEIRUT (AP) Bahrain appointed on Thursday its first ambassador to Syria in more than a decade, the island nation's state news agency reported, the latest sign of a stepped-up outreach to Damascus by Gulf Arab countries. The decree by Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa came as more Arab countries are improving relations with Damascus nearly 11 years since the outbreak of Syria's civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and destroyed large parts of the country. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi is receiving $543 million from the federal government to implement health measures to keep K-12 schools open during the ongoing pandemic and provide internet access, tutoring and mental health support to students. The money is part of a $1.6 billion federal package Mississippi has received as part of its portion of American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The U.S. Department of Education is providing $130 billion in American Rescue Act funds for K-12 education to all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Mississippi received its first funding allotment more than $1 billion in March. State officials needed to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Education for the rest of the money; U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced Wednesday that Mississippi's plan had been approved. Mississippi Department of Education officials say they have hired 25 new medical staff on-site in schools and encouraged districts to host vaccination drives on campus. The department is also using the federal funds to support a new behavioral telehealth project staffed by school staff in response to mental health concerns that may have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Educators will also be trained on behavioral management techniques. In addition, the department will use the funding for intensive tutoring, summer learning and extended day programs and for improving internet connectivity and access to technology for all students, particularly for rural students and students from low-income backgrounds. About 442,630 students are enrolled in Mississippi's K-12 public schools this academic year, according to the Mississippi Department of Education. As of December, nearly all U.S. schools are open for full-time, in-person instruction, Cardona said. The education secretary said the American Rescue Plan money is necessary to ensure states have the resources they need to stay open. The approval of these plans enables states to receive vital, additional American Rescue Plan funds to help keep schools open for full-time, in-person learning; meet students academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs; and address disparities in access to educational opportunity that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic," he said. A bag of bones was discovered Thursday afternoon by volunteers searching beyond the Northwest Side area where police were looking for Lina Sardar Khil. But the bones are unrelated to the search for the missing 3-year-old girl, said San Antonio police Chief William McManus. Lina has been missing since Dec. 20, when her mother reported her missing about 7 p.m. from a playground at the Villas del Cabo apartments, 9400 Fredericksburg Road. Volunteers with nonprofit Search and Rescue SATX found the bones in the 9800 block of Fredericksburg Road. It was not immediately clear whether the bones were human or animals, McManus said. On ExpressNews.com: Were not giving up hope: Hundreds gather to pray for missing girl The bones appear to be very, very old, the chief said. There is nothing on this scene that is related to missing Lina, he said. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office will examine the bones, McManus said. The volunteer group has no affiliation with the city of San Antonio, Police Department spokesman Cory Schuler said. The Police Department has not requested any assistance in physical searches from anyone other than state and federal partners. On ExpressNews.com: FBI seeks help filling 18-minute gap before girl disappeared We appreciate the publics willingness to assist in our efforts to locate Lina, he said via email. Evidence collection is a vital part to any investigation, so we would encourage anyone who may believe they have found evidence to contact law enforcement. Schuler said that the department has asked that anyone with information on Lina contact the departments missing persons unit. We do appreciate the effort in attempting to assist in reuniting little Lina with her family, he said. No lead is ever too small for our department to follow up on. Search party Ninety-five volunteers with Search and Rescue SATX split into four groups to search within a 3-mile radius of the Villas del Cabo apartments on Thursday, according to nonprofit co-director Nina Glass. She said that in addition to bones the group turned in a cell phone that they found while searching. Early in the afternoon before learning that one of the volunteer groups ended up finding bones, Carmen Martinez, her husband Chris Martinez and other volunteers spoke about what drew them to search. Carmen, a teacher, said that she knows what it is like to have a loved one missing. A few years ago when her uncle, who had Alzheimers, went missing for months. He was found dead behind a church near his home. Carmen said she remembers how the community supported her and how some people helped to search for her uncle so she decided to do the same now. I know what to look for, Carmen said. I know that things that might seem insignificant may be significant. Search and Rescue SATX started looking for Lina on Wednesday, drawing a crowd of almost 40 volunteers who searched within a 1.5-mile radius of the apartment complex. Glass, 44, said she first got permission from police and was told that searching was fine as long as the group did not interfere with law enforcements investigation. The group will not search for the next couple of days since many people wont be available during the New Year holiday, but Glass said she intends to continue searching until Lina is found. Efforts to organize more volunteer groups will continue next week, she said. Volunteer Mario Aguirre, 62, said that he has helped with search efforts similar to this years ago when he lived in Illinois. Searching has been tough, he said, but he was drawn to do it because he would want someone to do the same for one of his loved ones. Although he was worried that the group wouldnt find anything, he is glad to try. Im a grandfather, he said. If you were in the familys shoes, wouldnt you want the community and other people in the area to come help you search? jbeltran@express-news.net, megan.rodriguez@express-news.net When the code enforcement officer showed up outside his home in October 2017, Richard Montellano didnt think much of it. Maybe a neighbor complained about his property. Or the man could have been patrolling the neighborhood, which is tucked behind the railroad tracks that separate San Antonios near West Side from the downtown towers. Montellano, 63, has lived all his life in the small home his father built on Grand Alley in the 1930s. Its where his mother raised him and his nine siblings, in one of the citys most historic Mexican American communities. But the house long has been in disrepair. The house shakes with every train that passes through Montellanos neighborhood. Over the years, the concrete foundation buckled and cracked. Walls disintegrated, holes gaped through the roof, and eventually there was no heating, air conditioning or hot water. When the officer visited in 2017, Montellano told him he was saving up for repairs. Since then, he has made some, he said, but there was always more to be done. After nearly 30 visits from code officers over the course of almost three years, at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the city deemed the home a public nuisance in need of abatement. In other words, the government wanted to knock it down. It is one of 474 homes the city ordered demolished between 2015 and 2020. A third of them are on the West Side. Slow decline of home For a family of 12, the 876-square-foot home was cramped. But it was in the part of town where families like the Montellanos could own property, near the stockyards and agricultural plants where Mexican Americans and immigrants worked. In the early 1900s, racist real estate practices segregated Black and Latino families to the East and West sides, barring them from buying property in neighborhoods reserved for white residents. Montellano attended Lanier High School. He was supposed to graduate in 1977, but all he wanted to do was play music, and he dropped out after he got kicked out of the school band. For years, he played in Tejano bands and worked a number of odd jobs, from steel polishing to bartending. He lived with his mother, Soledad, in the Grand Alley home and never married or had children. She cooked all his meals and did his laundry. After she stopped working housekeeping jobs, she helped elementary school children with their homework and volunteered at a hospital nursery, rocking newborns. Montellanos niece, Denise Montellano Martin, always loved visiting their home, full of food, laughter and so many relatives that their cars spilled out of the one-lane road, a block from the historic San Fernando Cemetery No. 1. Martin never thought of the home as a poor house it was just grandmas house. But as the decades passed, it became harder to keep up, having been built without modern building codes. Her grandmother didnt have money for expensive repairs, and neither did her uncle. He was the black sheep of the family. He struggled to maintain relationships, while his brothers and sisters launched careers, started families and moved into homes of their own. Whenever he lost jobs, his mother was always there to keep him housed, fed and taken care of. For years, Martin said, there was an unspoken question among his family members. What would he do when she died? Jessica Phelps /Jessica Phelps Leaks and drafts By summer 2020, when the certified letter from the city arrived at her home in Round Rock, Martin hadnt spoken to her uncle in at least 15 years. Theyd lost touch after her grandmothers death in 2003, and now the city was notifying family members that it was considering demolition of the house. The citys code enforcement division responds to complaints, conducts inspections and ensures that properties adhere to city code. Officers duties range from telling residents to mow uncut lawns to declaring homes unfit for habitation. In those cases, code officers can issue a notice to vacate or impose $2,000 fines to those who refuse. Theres no record of a fine against Montellano. If hazards arent addressed, code officers can refer cases to the citys Building Standards Board, which can order demolitions at an owners expense, costing more than $6,000. Demolition is the last resort, said Michael Shannon, the citys director of development services. We do everything we possibly can to not have a demolition order on a property. It took almost three years for code officers to reach that point with Montellano. Martin didnt have her uncles phone number, so she tore a sheet of paper out of a notebook and wrote down her name and number along with a message: I can help you with your house. Three days after she mailed the note, she heard back. He agreed to meet with her and a contractor. The last time she had visited the home was in 2003, when the family held a memorial for her grandmother. Now, it was unrecognizable. Most of the furniture was gone, except for a bed and some shelves in the kitchen. Water seeped through holes in the roof. Her uncle had crammed old newspapers into cracks in the walls to stop the cold drafts. The concrete floor, which her grandfather had poured decades ago without the support of rebar, had split into crevices, exposing the ground. Montellano had been working catering jobs, but they had dried up during the pandemic, leaving him without money for even minor repairs. Martin knew that if she didnt do something, her uncle would end up on the street. So she made him an offer. Shed bought and fixed up homes before, including her childhood home a few miles north. She told him she could buy a house on the West Side, near his usual bus stops. He could live temporarily there while she fixed up his home. Martin had heard that her uncle had lashed out at city employees when they offered government assistance, but he seemed excited about this prospect. She got in touch with the Historic Westside Residents Association, which connected her with an architect who volunteered to draw up plans. If I dont step up, were going to have another homeless man on the street, Martin said. And thats going to cost a lot more, dont you think? Time runs out For much of the pandemic, Texas barred local governments from demolishing homes to prevent families from becoming homeless during a public health disaster. San Antonio stopped demolitions but continued to process cases. Jessica Phelps /Jessica Phelps By August 2020, time had run out for Montellano. Records show he had applied for at least three permits to repair the floor, windows and drywall. But the city said there were also serious structural problems with the roof, walls and foundation. That month, the citys Building Standards Board met to consider demolishing his house. At the time, Teri Castillo was working for the Historic Westside Residents Association, helping other volunteers scan city demolition agendas for homes in their neighborhood. Castillo, now the District 5 City Council member, would help the other volunteers track down the affected homeowners and offer to help them navigate the process. Often, they would find that residents had not been linked to city assistance programs and didnt understand the code enforcement process. Over the last decade, community organizations and government reports warned that San Antonio was losing some of its affordable housing stock to demolition. A 2019 study commissioned by San Antonios Office of Historic Preservation found that, on average, the city had demolished three pre-1960 homes each week over the previous decade. The data illustrates that San Antonio is systematically razing housing that is affordable and building housing that is not, the report noted, in bold lettering. It also said older houses were more likely to be in poor condition today if they were located in historically redlined neighborhoods a practice in which the federal government shaded some communities red on maps, deeming them financially risky and preventing banks from lending to the Black and Latino residents who lived there. That legacy is still playing out. In redlined neighborhoods including the citys West and East sides the report found an estimated 65 percent of older homes were in fair or poor condition. The meeting in which Montellanos home was on the chopping block was no different. Castillo got in touch with Montellano, and during the virtual hearing, he was given a little more time. To avoid demolition, he had 30 days to produce a detailed plan for fixing his house, including an engineers report, a contractors bid and proof of financial means to pay for it all. Ray Morales, a retired architect, was listening to the virtual hearing that day. He was working with the Historic Westside Residents Association to offer his services for free. Morales lived briefly in an apartment with his mother about a mile away from Grand Alley. After attending the University of Texas at Austin, he traveled around Texas, building a career as an architect. But he always came back to the West Side, to raise his children and eventually retire with his wife. If residents were losing their homes because they couldnt afford routine upkeep, Morales knew that hiring an architect and covering construction costs that soared during the pandemic would be out of the question. Many didnt even have bank accounts to prove they had the finances for repairs. So, how is this a fair process? he said. Morales first impression of Montellano was that he was willing to do whatever it took to preserve his familys homestead. But Montellano had no idea what he was up against. A month was barely enough time to devise a plan, and hed also need to prove he could pay for it. Morales coordinated with Montellanos niece. She bought a home where her uncle could live temporarily, while Morales drew up plans to replace the old house with a tiny home. But the day before the hearing, everything just came crumbling down, his niece said. She learned Montellano had threatened a city employee. He also sent her text messages that were so vulgar she didnt know how to respond. Meanwhile, San Antonio was on the cusp of the most deadly phase of the pandemic yet. Martin and her husband were hunkering down. Now, they wondered, would the threats from her uncle get worse? Were they putting themselves in danger? Martin and her husband decided they couldnt risk it. Tensions with officers In December 2020, the city condemned Montellanos house. The city declined to comment on Montellanos case, citing a pending lawsuit. In general, officials said, code enforcement officers are trained to identify need and provide residents with information on assistance programs. And they sometimes connect people with case managers who help them stay housed. Residents can tap a number of city programs, including those that cover costs to replace roofs, undertake minor repairs and put residents up in temporary lodging while homes are fixed. Since 2015, the city says, it has provided more than $500,000 to 169 families dealing with code enforcement issues. We do provide relocation assistance above and beyond what the law requires, City Attorney Andy Segovia said. The city said Montellano refused help. Repeatedly. The first mention in records of him refusing assistance was in 2017, and over the next three years, tensions with code officers escalated. Montellano said code officers harassed him and that he was told that demand for government assistance was so high that he wasnt guaranteed help. The city says Montellano left dozens of offensive and abusive voicemails for city staff, including one in which he wished an employee was sexually assaulted, according to a letter from a city attorney. Another time, he demanded that no city employees contact him ever again. If someone came to my home and said, Were knocking down your family home, I wouldnt be pleasant, said Castillo, who is pushing for reforms. Weve had residents who have said, Ive lived in this property my entire life. If the city wants to knock it down, theyre gonna have to knock it down with me in it. Castillo has talked with families in the same situation as Montellano. Some said they never received information on assistance programs. In Castillos experience, they were never connected with social workers. Folks need case managers or social workers connecting them to the services, especially when were talking about displacement, Castillo said. These are folks who dont have the resources to move or even put a deposit for an apartment, and the expectation is that they just figured out this entire system on their own. Will Francis, who leads the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said social workers are trained to identify peoples strengths and gain their trust so they can help them navigate laws and complicated webs of government programs. The social worker is going to say, Wait a minute, weve got a crisis here. Lets de-escalate. Lets figure out what you need, Francis said. Your frustrations are valid: You feel were here throwing you out of the home. In San Antonio, the city employs 117 code enforcement officers. If need arises, code officers can tap 11 social workers from other housing and social service departments. Were able to manage, Assistant City Manager Lori Houston said of the social workers workload during a recent meeting. Among all code enforcement cases, less than 1 percent result in families being asked to leave homes, according to the city. The city did not provide data to the San Antonio Express-News to show how often residents were connected with social workers during code enforcement cases, and it doesnt track how many residents fall through the cracks. Demolition on hold In November, almost a year after the city ordered his home demolished, a chilly draft blew through the screen that covers the hole in the wall where Montellanos kitchen window used to be. It was 60 degrees inside, but this isnt bad for Montellano. He survived the February freeze here, without heat or insulation, by wrapping himself in blankets and snuggling with his dog, Baby Boy. On his way to work on a cold Christmas morning a few years ago, he took in the puppy after finding him wandering the streets. At least for now, Montellano can continue living in his house. The city paused the demolition because Montellano has a legal aid attorney. Hes not suing to stop the demolition. Instead, hes arguing that governments must provide assistance to property owners if they demolish their homes. The city is fighting the lawsuit. I have nowhere else to go, Montellano said. He still doesnt talk to his family and doesnt have friends, except for Morales. Theyve grown close in the fight to save the home, and now they talk on the phone a few times a week. Just because hes got issues, Morales said, it doesnt mean he should be homeless. Over the last year, Morales has taken Montellano to job centers and taught him how to assemble a resume. When the two began working together, Montellano didnt know how to use his phone to dial in to the virtual code enforcement hearings. Today, he can apply for jobs online. If not for how expensive materials were, Montellano said, he would have done all the work on his house himself. He still talks as if the citys decision isnt final, even though the homes fate is sealed. If he could just get a couple more permits, he could rip out the crumbling walls and transform it into a one-room house. If he could just knock this wall down, he says, gesturing to the room that used to be his mothers, I could make a little patio. This New Years, instead of a resolution, Id like to make a request of America. Mind you, its not for me. Well, its not only for me. This ask is on behalf of the nations 62 million Latinos, who represent 18 percent of the U.S. population. As a Mexican American, Im in the club. Although Im not always a member in good standing, depending on the opinion of the week. Latinos have earned the right to make a few demands. Weve served in the U.S. military in every major conflict from Kabul all the way back to Yorktown. (Gracias to Capt. Jorge Farragut, and his son David, who left Spain to help the colonists fight the British). Weve received more than our share of medals for valor, but weve also lost a disproportionate number of our best and bravest young men and women. Latinos have paid a mountain of taxes, started scores of businesses and employed millions of workers. Weve cooked meals, cleaned houses, built roads, tarred roofs, swung hammers, dug ditches, picked peaches and done just about every dirty job other Americans wouldnt do. I dont speak for the members of my tribe. But I do try to listen closely when they speak to me. Heres what Ive heard in the last two years roughly the same amount of time that Americans have suffered under COVIDs version of Groundhog Day, where the new normal is that nothing will ever again be normal. First, while Latinos are often lumped together with African Americans because both are nonwhite, we are more like the Irish and Italian immigrants who crossed the Atlantic in the 18th and 19th centuries. Like our fellow Catholics, we were greeted by nativists with clenched fists. Yet unlike the Irish and Italians, Mexican Americans didnt have to cross an ocean or even a river to get here. The border crossed us as part of the mid-19th century western land grab known as Manifest Destiny. Two, a lot of us feel unsatisfied with Americas never-ending conversation about race. The fact that most Latinos are neither Black nor white allows us to see more clearly Americas great divide. But that doesnt mean we have to choose to identify with Black or white Americans. Both groups play the victim card. Many Black Americans feel targeted by systemic racism, police violence, job discrimination and white privilege. Many white Americans are sure theyre being hurt by immigration, racial preferences, multiculturalism and reverse discrimination. Most Latinos dont play that game. A friend recently asked me the strangest question. He was curious what Mexican Americans would consider fair compensation for themselves, and Mexico, given that the U.S. military seized half its neighbors territory in the U.S.-Mexican War. The stolen land became eight states. How much are Mexican Americans due in reparations? my friend asked. Zero, I responded. We would never even conceive of it. We dont think that way. And three, while skittish white conservatives worry that critical race theory is really a secret plot to tear down America or transform it into something totally different, let me assure you that Latinos want no such thing. We dont want to destroy America. We just want to be part of it. Or rather, wed like some acknowledgment of the fact that weve always been part of it. Its the same ask weve made since 1945, when heroic Latino GIs returned home from Europe and the Pacific after the end of World War II. Soldiers and sailors came back to small towns in Texas and Arizona to find that they still couldnt use the public swimming pool except on Fridays because the pool was drained on Saturdays, that they couldnt watch a film in a movie house from anywhere but the balcony, and that they couldnt eat in restaurants with signs that read No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed. Latinos want to be seen, respected and accepted as full-blooded Americans. Its a bizarre and frustrating thing to have roots that go back five or six generations in this country Santa Fe, N.M., was founded in 1609, St. Augustine, Fla., in 1565 and still be treated as the other with your loyalties constantly questioned. We want what most Americans want. We want to be left alone, allowed to work in order to provide for our families, and raise our children to believe in both the American Dream and their ability to make it a reality. Whether native-born or naturalized, U.S. Latinos have earned full citizenship. And ready or not, were claiming it. The train of powder leading to last years Jan. 6 explosion of violence at the U.S. Capitol extended back before the 2016 presidential election. That was when then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, running against Democrat Hillary Clinton, began claiming the only way he couldnt win was if the election were rigged. Trump won, but he lost the popular vote by 2.8 million votes. Claiming that as many as 5 million votes were illegally cast, he established the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity in May 2017. Proving nothing, he shut down the commission eight months later. After his defeat in 2020, Trump lit that powder train with the Big Lie that the election had been stolen from him through voter fraud. Thats what drove his supporters to storm the Capitol, assault police officers and call for the deaths of Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers while attempting to stop the certification of Joe Bidens election to the presidency. As we prepare to commemorate the one-year anniversary of that attack, we must remember at its root is the lie about voter fraud. A lie that rather than disappearing in the face of indisputable evidence and common sense has propelled dozens of pieces of voter-suppression legislation through Republican-led statehouses and been elevated as an article of faith among many Republicans. Again, Trump legitimately lost to Biden by more than 7 million votes. In recent weeks, even more evidence has emerged to counter Trumps lie. A Dec. 14 Associated Press analysis, Far too little vote fraud to tip election to Trump, AP finds, found less than 475 potential cases of voter fraud in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin states Trump falsely claims he won. Biden won the 79 Electoral College votes of those states by a combined total of 311,257 votes out of 25.5 million cast. No evidence of collusion was found. Trumps claims that one reason he lost Georgia was because 5,000 dead people voted was debunked by Georgias State Election Board, which found only four absentee ballots from voters who were dead. Trump lost Georgia by about 12,000 votes. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ted Cruz and indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton have all advanced the myth of widespread voter fraud. The Houston Chronicle reported Dec. 17 that between October 2020 and September 2021, Paxtons election integrity unit, meant to investigate voter fraud, worked more than 20,000 hours at a cost of $2.2 million. The result? The unit closed three cases in 2021 and opened seven new ones, a result that validates the statement by the Texas secretary of states office that the 2020 election was smooth and secure. The AP analysis, Georgias State Election Board report, Paxtons inability to find something that doesnt exist and the dozens of court cases lost by Trump are more evidence than anyone should need to be convinced that Biden is the legitimately elected president of the United States. But it hasnt proved enough, and jarringly, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll has shown about 66 percent of Republicans dont believe Biden legitimately won. Meanwhile in states across the country, Trump acolytes are focusing on elections-related posts. As the AP reported, this resistance to the 2020 outcome has fueled a focus on future elections: Several candidates who deny Trumps loss are running for offices that could have a key role in the 2024 presidential election. Only the truth, and a fierce defense of our democracy, will keep us free. PHOENIX (AP) A trial date next April has been set for a man charged with attempted murder and other crimes in a Dec. 14 shooting that left a Phoenix police officer critically wounded. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Thursday entered not guilty pleas for Essa Williams and set several court dates leading up to an April 28 trial date. Williams was arrested early the morning of Dec. 14 at an apartment complex where Officer Tyler Moldovan, 22, was shot as police searched for a man seen running from a car that reportedly had been driven erratically a short time earlier. A Dec. 14 police probable-cause statement said Moldovan, 22, was placed on life support after being shot multiple times, including once in the head. and the Police Department tweeted Wednesday that he remained in extremely critical condition. Williams, who remains jailed in lieu of $3 million bond, was not present in court during his brief arraignment hearing Thursday. A Dec. 23 indictment charged Williams with attempt to commit first-degree murder, attempt to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and three counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The Maricopa County Public Defender's Office, which is representing Williams, did not immediately respond to a request by The Associated Press for comment on the allegations. The probable-cause statement said police recovered the handgun used to shoot Moldovan and also found a second handgun, which had an extended magazine, in the patio where Williams had been hiding at the apartment complex. Williams has nine prior felony convictions, including armed robbery, aggravated assault and endangerment, the probable-cause statement said. Williams was sentenced to multiple prison terms in 2017 and was released in 2020, according to Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry records. A day after conceding that his plan to distribute 3 million at-home COVID-19 tests had fallen apart, Gov. Ned Lamont secured a new shipment for cities and towns, which he said totaled 426,000 tests. The tests were delivered early Friday from various sources, Lamont said in a press conference from the states COVID-19 warehouse in New Britain. More were set to come later on Friday. The exact cost was not immediately revealed, although the administration told Hearst Connecticut Media that the tests cost significantly more than the $6.18 per test of the initial plan, which totaled $18.5 million. Cities and towns were told they could pick up tests starting Friday night at warehouse in New Britain. The municipalities had previously planned to hand out the tests on Thursday and Friday to the general public but canceled those efforts when the larger shipment fell through. Lamont urged cities and towns to give these first tests to those in need as a priority, along with teachers and first responders, but he said they were free to ignore that guidance and hand out the tests as they saw fit. The states announcement drew criticism from two advocacy groups for disabled persons Disability Rights Connecticut and the Connecticut Legal Rights Project. The organizations wrote a letter to Lamont expressing grave concern and saying that the state has done nothing to ensure that people who are at high risk, either because of their health status or because they are living in congregate settings such as group homes, inpatient psychiatric hospitals or prisons, have timely access to these limited supplies. The groups called on the state to provide a written plan to ensure people with high-risk disabilities be prioritized to receive at-home test kits and N-95 masks, and that those who live in high-risk state-operated or funded institutions or programs will immediately be provided with these supplies. And in a prepared statement Friday afternoon, Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto said the state has been held hostage by one mans enhanced executive powers and lack of foresight on the Covid testing demand. The state plans to have more tests available in the coming weeks. Lamont said he has had multiple conversations with distributors. The tests in boxes Friday in the states New Britain warehouse were from BinaxNOW, not the previously announced iHealth at-home tests. Some of the boxes were also labeled for other states, such as Rhode Island and New York. Lamont said he could not say if they were meant for other states. I can tell you that they're here and I wouldnt be saying anything about tests unless they were here. We went up the food chain and talked to the most senior people we could. Weve gotten ourselves to the front of the line, Lamont said. Some of the tests delivered Friday were from CVS, which Lamont called a partner in getting tests. Its not clear whether those tests would have wound up on CVS shelves in Connecticut or other states if Connecticut hadnt purchased them. CVS Health Corp., based in Rhode Island, owns Aetna, the giant health insurer based in Hartford near the state Capitol. Major General Francis J. Evon, of the Connecticut National Guard, explained the process briefly at the press conference, stating that tests, masks, sanitizer and any other inventory will go to regional pods or points of distribution for the five regions in the state. Once at the pod, items will be distributed to municipalities. Schools to remain in-person Also Friday, Lamont reiterated that he does not favor allowing the states public schools to return to widespread remote learning. The state has also told the schools that if someone is immune-compromised, someone at home is at risk or if someone must quarantine, schools are allowed to permit remote learning for those individuals. We want everybody back in school, Lamont said. We know that there's no compromise with in-person learning. We found a year and a half ago we can do it safely. I believe even now in this omicron day, we'll be able to do that safely as well. As of Friday morning, the governor said over 850,000 N95 masks were distributed Thursday and another 890,000 were set to be distributed on Friday, part of an effort to give 6 million of them to state residents and organizations. Lamont said he is not planning on bringing back a mask mandate and that he thinks people are doing the right thing and wearing masks more indoors. Tonights New Year's Eve, if you're not with people you know really well, be extraordinarily careful, Lamont said. We're suffering a spike that goes back from the early days of the holidays, going back 10 days. I don't want to accelerate that. Hospitals limiting visitors Also Friday, faced with a surge in COVID cases and a test positivity rate that hit 20 percent Thursday, some state hospital systems announced significant restrictions in visitor policies. The Yale New Haven Health system will restrict visits to laboring mothers-to-be, patients at the end of life, child patients and those with disabilities. Yales Dr. Thomas Balcezak said at Yale New Haven Hospital, 19 children are admitted with COVID, including five in intensive-care units. That total is higher than last year, he said. The system has had a five-fold increase in COVID patients through December, including 285 at Yale New Haven, 131 at Bridgeport Hospital and 51 at Greenwich Hospital. Of those, 76 are in intensive care and 49 are on ventilators. Hospital staff are tired and frustrated, said Yale New Haven Health CEO Marna P. Borgstrom. She said vaccinations and boosters continue to provide significant protection from serious illness. Nuvance Health also announced visitor restrictions Friday. Effective today, visitation at Nuvance Healths emergency departments is temporarily paused except for extenuating circumstances and special populations, the health system said in a release. Nuvance includes Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Sharon hospitals. The wild West of tests Lamont had hinted about the new shipment of tests at 5 p.m. Thursday in East Hartford, when he admitted his plan to get 500,000 at-home COVID-19 tests kits to state residents before New Years Eve was derailed after returning early from a Florida vacation, during which he worked every day. The ill-fated shipment of iHeath tests was through a Glastonbury-based distributor, Jack Rubenstein CT LLC, which, administration officials said, had proven reliable earlier in the pandemic. Lamont said Friday that the state was told the tests were on the plane, and was even shown photos. We know that a plane didnt take off or it didnt take off and come to Connecticut as was contracted via our purchase order, the governor said Friday, calling the international scramble for tests the wild West. In his statement late Friday, GOP Chairman Proto said the shortage has put everyone's health and safety in jeopardy, called for an investigation of what happened, and said the legislature should end Lamonts emergency powers. Connecticut needs the legislature to act as a co-equal branch of government, Proto said. Our elected representatives MUST be looking out for the public's best interest. It's time they stepped up and did their job. Initially, the state had promised the tests to towns and cities for distribution to residents as early as Wednesday, but the timetable was pushed back to Thursday and then canceled. When asked whether the state planned to sue the distributor, Lamont said that was unlikely because hed rather focus on securing and distributing tests. Lamont said Thursday that the shipment containing the 500,000 kits was not on the way but other shipments would be, adding that more testing should be available within 72 hours. We had a deal to get those rapid tests. We are not going to get them on the schedule we wanted. There were some severe transportation and logistics issues, Lamont said Thursday evening. We have alternative places that are going to start delivering rapid tests as soon as this weekend. We are going to make up for that shortfall fast. christine.derosa@ hearstmediact.com Staff writer Ethan Fry contributed to this story. A pocket-sized booklet full of facts, figures and trends for the Welsh lamb, beef and pork industries has been released. The latest statistical guide to Wales red meat industry has been launched by industry levy body Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). The Little Book of Meat Facts is an annual publication produced for anyone with an interest in the sector, covering the financial year from April 2020 to March 2021 The data provided covers everything from the size of agricultural holdings and market trends to trade data and consumer habits during this time period. It follows an extraordinary year as a result of Brexit and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The guide shows that, despite all the disruptions and changes during 2020/2021, the industry remains key to the economy in Wales. HCCs data analyst, Glesni Phillips said: We usually launch the Little Book of Meat Facts earlier in the year, but Covid restrictions meant that statistics werent readily available until later than usual. However, the end product contains all the usual information, from general statistics which provide an overview of Welsh agriculture, followed by specific sections on cattle, sheep and pigs." She added: Here in Wales, it is the backbone of rural communities. Large numbers are employed in the sector and the contribution of red meat production to the economy is significant. As well as the annual publication, HCC also produces monthly Market Bulletin updates as part of its work of informing stakeholders on consumer trends, market patterns and future challenges. The December Market Bulletin looks back at 2021 and considers how the pandemic took its toll on the year and how the supply of livestock has influenced farmgate prices. Ms Phillips added that 2021 had been extraordinary in that market prices exceeded historical averages, and consumer support for red meat had been strong. "The supply of animals onto the market has been weaker during the year, which has provided support to the firm prices," she said. Whatever the direction of the market, we can be confident that Wales will be recognised on the world map for quality, sustainable and reputable red meat production. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2021) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an online marketing agreement ("AGORA Agreement") with AGORA Internet Relations Corp. ("AGORA"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the AGORA Agreement, AGORA will assist the Company with its launch of a 12 month online marketing campaign. AGORA will assist the Company with ad placements and other branding initiatives which will be posted on AGOROCOM and distributed on YouTube, various social media platforms, and all podcast platforms. In connection with the services provided by AGORA under the AGORA Agreement, the Company will pay AGORA aggregate consideration of $100,000 plus applicable taxes, which shall paid via the issuance of common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Payment Shares"). The Payment Shares will be issued in five installments throughout the term of the AGORA Agreement, which will commence on January 1, 2022 and ends on December 30, 2022, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The number and deemed price of the Payment Shares to be issued will be calculated using the closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on each date on which the Payment Shares are to be issued. About Plurilock Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use. For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact: Ian L. Paterson Chief Executive Officer ian@plurilock.com 416.800.1566 Roland Sartorius Chief Financial Officer roland.sartorius@plurilock.com Prit Singh Investor Relations prit.singh@plurilock.com 905.510.7636 Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no 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, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108775 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 30, 2021 / Atomic Minerals Corporation (formerly Resolve Ventures Inc.) ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") (TSXV:ATOM) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases on November 30, 2021 and December 21, 2021, the Company has closed the first tranche of its Private Placement and issued 13,517,665 Units ("Units") at $0.075 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,013,824.89 (the "First Tranche"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share at $0.075 per common share and one warrant exercisable at $0.10 per common share for two years from closing. Cash Finder's fees totaling $72,713.49 was paid and 969,513 B Warrants were issued to finders which have the same terms as the warrants issued to all subscribers of the Private Placement. GloRes Securities Inc. as to $4,000 and 53,333 B Warrants; Canaccord Genuity Corp as to $2,400 and 32,000 B Warrants; Raymond James as to $9,600 and 128,000 B Warrants, IA Capital Markets., as to $28,680 and 382,400 B Warrants, EMD Financial Inc., as to $10,446 and 139,280 B Warrants and Red Cloud Securities Inc. as to $17,587.50 and 234,500 B Warrants. All securities issued pursuant to the First Tranche will have a statutory hold period of four months and one day expiring May 1, 2022. Closing of the First Tranche of this Private Placement is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Use of proceeds will be for the technical advancement of its newly optioned Lloyd Lake Uranium Project ("Lloyd Lake"), and general working capital to enable the Company to pursue further uranium assets. Atomic Minerals President and CEO Clive Massey commented, "After recently announcing entering the Uranium space we are very excited, not only about our newly optioned Lloyd Lake Uranium Project, but also having a Uranium talent like Foster Wilson joining our board will be extremely important as we continue to review and acquire additional uranium properties." About the Lloyd Lake Project The Lloyd Lake project lies immediately south of the western Athabasca basin approximately 90 km SE of Fission Uranium's Patterson Lake project. Lloyd Lake was extensively explored by Western Athabasca Syndicate in 2013 as part of the Preston property, generating a significant dataset, which includes: airborne EM-magnetic and radiometric surveys, follow-up prospecting, systematic lake-bottom sediment sampling and lake-bottom water sampling for radon gas analysis, and broad soil, biogeochemical and radon-in-soil surveys, generally at 100 m to 200 m sample spacing and 200 m to 400 m line spacing. Radon gas is a decay product of uranium with anomalous concentrations indicative of potential uranium occurrences. Subsequent exploration concentrated on anomalous areas identified by the earlier surveys, and included phases of mapping and prospecting, a versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM plus) and aeromagnetic survey and an airborne radiometric-VLF-EM and magnetic survey. Atomic's technical team is in the process of compiling and reviewing the various datasets to generate targets for upcoming exploration. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC) a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and member of the Atomic Advisory Board. About the Company Atomic Minerals is a Vancouver based publicly listed uranium exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is led by a highly skilled management and technical team with numerous previous successes in the junior mining sector. For further information on the Company, call (604) 644-6794. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Clive Massey, President (604) 644-6794 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.## SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680329/Atomic-Minerals-Corp-Closes-First-Tranche-of-Private-Placement-for-1013825 TORONTO, ON, Dec 31, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - DIGIMAX GLOBAL INC. (the "Company" or "DigiMax") (CSE:DIGI) is excited to announce it is launching an ESG Solutions Division within the Company. This Division will concentrate on using Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics to close multiple gaps in the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investment space that will help investors make better investment decisions and also help developers lower their cost of capital.DigiMax has identified opportunities to immediately provide these solutions to:1) Green energy development and operations;2) Tracking and predicting carbon credit arbitrage and trading opportunities around the globe; and3) Monitoring and evaluating ESG opportunities and trends on behalf of large investors to analyze appropriate investment opportunities.As a first step in launching this new Division, DigiMax is investing US $250,000 into MADA Analytics ("MADA") by way of an unsecured, convertible note (the "Note"). The Note provides for interest on the principal amount at the rate of 5% per annum and is convertible into common shares of MADA at a price per share equal to US$5 million divided by the total number of outstanding common shares immediately prior to maturity.DigiMax is also acquiring the right for up to one year, pursuant to an option agreement with MADA and its shareholders (the "Option Agreement"), to acquire 100% ownership of the outstanding shares of MADA. The Option Agreement specifies certain operational milestones to be achieved by MADA prior to the exercise of the purchase option (the "Milestones"). The Milestones are: i) MADA raising a minimum of US$750,000 pursuant to one or more financings (not including the current DigiMax investment); and ii) MADA entering into customer contracts to generate minimum revenues of EUR1 million during the 2-year term of the contracts, both of which must occur within six (6) months of the Digimax investment.The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") under the Option Agreement shall be either: i) an enterprise value of $5 million once the Milestones are achieved; or ii) otherwise, not less than 80% of the valuation reached by an independent valuator or valuators selected by MADA and the Company. It is anticipated that consideration for the purchase will be comprised of approximately 25% cash and the balance in common shares issued by the company priced at the time the purchase is to be completed.A Share Purchase Agreement is intended to be completed and attached to the Option Agreement within 45 days and shall contain customary terms and provisions, including, completion of due diligence and the receipt of all necessary third party and Exchange approvals. While the parties are equally motivated to see the Option Agreement exercised as quickly as possible, there can be no absolute assurance that the MADA acquisition will be completed exactly as described, or at all.MADA was created in 2018 in order to provide a smoother way for renewable energy projects to get funded faster and at a lower cost of capital than ever before available. MADA accomplishes this through its MADA Energy Processing Solution or "MEPS."MEPS is a unique AI engine (integrated via API) enabling existing and proposed renewable energy products to predict and prove:- stable and predictable cash flows- data-driven performance insurance for project finance- identifying the most cost-effective financing solutions- optimization of storage systems, financial models, and enhanced project finance returns for investorsMEPS can be licensed for use by project developers, project finance insurance companies, and engineering companies to assess existing and proposed projects and to determine optimal targeting of multiples of project variables.MEPS has already formed partnership alliances with several leading global industry participants, including:- RINA Engineering- Schneider Electric- Barclays Bank- Milliman, global insurance advisors- Morgan Stanley Impact Fund- Artesian Venture Partners- BRINC InvestmentsThe first MADA product offering is MARICube which MADA and RINA have jointly developed. MARICube is a comprehensive, AI-driven project analysis solution that combines weather, geographical, political, and financial variables to improve projects. New renewable energy projects are expensive to finance due to the high level of uncertainty of final output. MARICube drastically lowers the level of uncertainty, making projects less expensive to finance, and therefore providing higher returns to investors and the local communities served by these projects. MARICube also helps existing projects optimize dozens of operating variables to substantially lower operating costs and maximize output.MADA has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in initial revenue from its software product solution and services to date. This number is poised to grow significantly as enhanced AI is added to MEPS. DigiMax, with its existing AI engine with team and infrastructure to support it, provides a perfect complement to MADA. Together, the two companies will substantially accelerate the MADA product offering."We believe that MADA is a perfect partner for DigiMax as we can provide the AI expertise that they require to take their already amazing product offering to the next level," says DigiMax CEO Chris Carl. "DigiMax sees this as a substantial recurring revenue business that provides optimization and cost-saving solution to EVERY renewable energy project on the planet in an industry that consists of several $trillion of installed projects globally and $300-500 billion of new projects being funded annually. If MARICube can provide even a 5% funding cost reduction or a 2% operating cost reduction to these projects, the value delivered to industry participants is enormous.""We are excited to partner with DigiMax to help the MADA product solution become a leading optimization tool in the industry, focused on maximizing profits for renewable energy by de-risking projects with performance insurance, optimizing energy management, and quantifying CO2 reduction from renewable energy supplied," says MADA CEO Daniel Gimpel. "The engineering and project finance skillsets inside of DigiMax can help both our companies become a leading global brand name for both developers and investors to assist in making their renewable energy projects the best that they can be. Together with our other global partners, MADA Analytics can bring its solutions to every continent on the globe."About DigiMaxDigiMax is an Artificial Intelligence technology Company committed to unlocking the potential of disruptive technologies by providing advanced financial, predictive, and cryptocurrency solutions across various verticals. DigiMax is an official IBM partner, and the Company's engineering team has extensive experience in Machine Learning, Neural Language Processing, AI, Big Data and Cryptocurrency technology.To learn more, visit our website: https://digimaxglobal.com/Contact:Thierry HubertChief Technology Officer214-713-8014thubert@digimax-global.comChris CarlPresident & CEO416-312-9698ccarl@digimax-global.comCautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking StatementsNEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE, NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASEThis press release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: anticipate, intend, plan, goal, seek, believe, project, estimate, expect, strategy, future, likely, may, should, will and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements we make regarding the Company's future plans, expectations and objectives.Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings, the availability of future financing and/or credit, and other conditions which may affect our ability to expand the platforms and software described herein, the level of demand and financial performance of the cryptocurrency industry, developments and changes in laws and regulations, including increased regulation of the cryptocurrency industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the Canadian Securities Administrators, Ontario Securities Commission, and/or other similar regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions, disruptions to our technology network including computer systems, software and cloud data, or other disruptions of our operating systems, structures or equipment, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in disclosure documents filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. There is no assurance that the purchase of MADA will be completed upon the terms stated above or at all or that the Company will be able to successfully enforce payment of amounts advanced by it under the Note in the event of a default thereunder.Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.Source: DigiMax Global IncCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. PETAH TIKVA (dpa-AFX) - A New York jury ruled that Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and its affiliates were liable for the public nuisance charges made by New York state in its opioid trial in Suffolk County State Supreme Court. The jury has found an opioid manufacturer responsible for the death and destruction they inflicted on the American people, the New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. A subsequent trial will now be held to determine how much Teva and others will be required to pay, which will be added to the up to $1.5 billion Attorney General James has already negotiated for the state of New York from different opioid manufacturers and distributors. Meanwhile, Teva said it strongly disagreed with the outcome and will prepare for a swift appeal as well as continue to pursue a mistrial. Last month, a court in California issued a decision finding that Teva did not cause a public nuisance in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Santa Clara County and the City of Oakland and that Teva did not make any false or misleading statements in connection with marketing prescription opioids in California. Additionally, last month the Oklahoma Supreme Court overturned an earlier judgment against a pharmaceutical manufacturer and ruled that the public nuisance law in Oklahoma does not extend to the manufacturing, marketing and selling of prescription opioids. In March 2019, the New York Attorney General James filed the lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. In addition to Teva, the manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates; Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc. The opioid crisis is said to be the reason behind many deaths in the U.S due to overdose since the year 1999. Major drug distributors have been blamed for lax controls, which allowed the flow of large amounts of addictive painkillers to reach illegal channels thus leading to many deaths by drug overdose. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX TEVA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de BWA Group PLC - Conversion of Securities & Commencement of Legal Action THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF REGULATION 11 OF THE MARKET ABUSE (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS 2019/310. 31 December 2021 BWA Group PLC ("BWA" or the "Company") Conversion of Loan Notes / Issue of Equity and Director / PDMR Shareholdings Commencement of Legal Action BWA Group plc [AQSE: BWAP], which has mineral exploration licences split between Cameroon and Canada at various stages of development and is quoted on London's AQSE Growth Market (formerly NEX), announces the following updates. Conversion of Loan Notes The Company has today issued 80,835,000 ordinary shares of 0.5 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") at an issue price of 0.5 pen2ce per Ordinary Share in settlement of all outstanding liabilities under the Company's 14% Unsecured Convertible Loan Notes (the "Loan Notes") amounting to 404,175.00 (the "New Shares"). 39,932,408 of the New Shares have been issued to Richard Battersby, Chairman of the Company. The issue of the New Shares has been made under the mandatory conversion on 31 December 2021 provisions of the Loan Note instrument of the capital of the Loan Notes, together with that part of the interest which has been accrued. Application will be made for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on the AQSE Growth Market and admission is expected to become effective on 6 January 2022 ("Admission"). Following Admission, the Board's interests in the enlarged issued share capital of the Company are as follows: Director Number of New Shares Total Ordinary Shares Held % of Ordinary Shares Held Richard Battersby 39,932,408 91,676,314 23.24 Alex Borrelli NIL 29,616,561 7.50 James Butterfield NIL 50,419,739 12.79 James Hogg NIL 1,925,001 0.50 Additionally, following Admission, the following shareholders (other than the Board), to the best of the Company's knowledge, will hold 3% or greater of the Ordinary Shares: Shareholder Number of New Shares Total Ordinary Shares Held % of Ordinary Shares Held St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp NIL 60,000,000 15.21 Mr D M Cass 20,451,296 33,532,022 8.50 Mr J Harvey 20,451,296 23,285,193 5.90 Christian Tremblay NIL 16,403,200 3.94 Early Equity plc NIL 12,025,850 3.05 Total Voting Rights Following Admission, the Company will have 394,447,891 Ordinary Shares in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in Treasury. Following Admission, the figure of 394,447,891 Ordinary Shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. Commencement of Legal Action Further to the statement made as part of the Company's half yearly financial report, announced on 30 September 2021 (the "Interims"), that it was consulting with legal advisers in Canada, the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") can now confirm that legal action in Canada has been commenced against St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp as well as certain of its current and former officers regarding the acquisition of Kings of the North Corp. in 2019. This action is at an early stage and further updates will be provided as appropriate. Interims It has come to the attention of the Board that due to formatting issues, the Company's balance sheet was not visible in the Interims when announced. The correct version can be viewed at the link below and on the Company's website: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718023/1348933.pdf The Board are responsible for the contents of this announcement. Ends - For further information: BWA Group PLC Richard Battersby Chairman +44 (0)7836 238172 enquiries@bwagroupplc.com Allenby Capital Limited Corporate Adviser Nick Harriss/Freddie Wooding +44 203 328 5656 Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them. Details of the persons discharging managerial responsibilities / persons closely associated Name Richard Battersby Reason for notification Director of BWA Group plc Initial Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer, or auction monitor BWA Group plc LEI 213800XG3K7PTAAG8630 Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Ordinary shares of 0.5p each Identification code ISIN: GB0033877555 Nature of the transaction Conversion of Loan Notes Price(s) and volume(s) 39,932,408 Ordinary Shares at 0.5p per share Aggregated information Aggregated volume Price N/A Date of the transaction 31 December 2021 Place of the transaction N/A Ends - SOUTHERN ENERGY CORP. ANNOUNCES PAYMENT OF INTEREST IN-KIND TO ITS 8% CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2021 / Southern Energy Corp. ("Southern" or the "Company") (SOU: TSXV) (AIM:SOUC) announces that the Company intends to issue 1,009,206 new common shares in Southern (the "Common Shares") to holders of its 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures issued on June 14, 2019 and January 15, 2021 (collectively, the "Debentures") as payment in kind of accrued interest on the Debentures due on December 31, 2021 in the aggregate amount of CAD$335,560 (the "Interest Payment"), subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The number of Common Shares issued is equal to the amount of the interest, divided by the volume weighted average trading price per Common Share for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day preceding December 31, 2021, being CAD$0.3325 per Common Share. Southern gave notice to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as debenture trustee, effective December 31, 2021, that it exercised its right to make the Interest Payment by issuing Common Shares. Director/PDMR Participation It is noted that certain Directors and PDMRs of the Company hold Convertible Debentures, on the same terms as all other participants, and, accordingly, were issued, in aggregate, 18,767 Common Shares were issued. Further details regarding individual participation of the Company's Directors and PDMRs is set out in the PDMR notification forms below. Admission to AIM Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange to admit 1,009,206 new Common Shares to trading on AIM, which is expected to occur on or around 5 January 2022 ("Admission"). The new Common Shares will rank pari passu with the existing Common Shares. Following Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 78,121,858 Common Shares and this figure may be used by shareholders as a denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in or change to their interest in the Company. There are no Common Shares held in treasury and each Common Share entitles the holder to a single vote at general meetings of the Company. Accordingly, on Admission, the total number of voting rights in the Company will be 78,121,858. For further information, please contact: Southern Energy Corp. Ian Atkinson (President and CEO) Calvin Yau (VP Finance and CFO) +1 587 287 5401 +1 587 287 5402 Strand Hanson Limited - Nominated & Financial Adviser James Spinney / James Bellman Hannam & Partners - Joint Broker Samuel Merlin / Ernest Bell Canaccord Genuity - Joint Broker Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 +44 (0) 20 7523 8000 Camarco James Crothers, Billy Clegg, Daniel Sherwen +44 (0) 20 3757 4980 About Southern Energy Corp. Southern Energy Corp. is a natural gas exploration and production company. Southern has a primary focus on acquiring and developing conventional natural gas and light oil resources in the southeast Gulf States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and East Texas. Our management team has a long and successful history working together and have created significant shareholder value through accretive acquisitions, optimization of existing oil and natural gas fields and the utilization of re-development strategies utilizing horizontal drilling and multi-staged fracture completion techniques. Forward-Looking Information Certain information included in this press release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Southern. Although Southern believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Southern can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production); continuing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general market conditions and commodity prices; continuing destabilizing action from OPEC+ members causing further decline in oil prices; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks, especially given public health concerns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; constraint in the availability of services; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; changes in legislation impacting the oil and gas industry; adverse weather or break-up conditions; and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. Other risks faced by the Company are set out in more detail in Southern's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and Southern undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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. PDMR NOTIFICATION FORMS 1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Neil Smith 2 Reason for the notification a) Position/status Director b) Initial notification /Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Southern Energy Corp. b) LEI 213800R25GL7J3EBJ698 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Common shares in Southern Energy Corp. Identification code CA8428133059 b) Nature of the transaction Issuance of new common shares c) Price(s) and volume(s) 6,256 common shares at a price of CAD0.3325 d) Aggregated information N/A e) Date of the transaction 31 December 2021 f) Place of the transaction Outside of a trading venue 1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Mike Kohut 2 Reason for the notification a) Position/status Director b) Initial notification /Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Southern Energy Corp. b) LEI 213800R25GL7J3EBJ698 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Common shares in Southern Energy Corp. Identification code CA8428133059 b) Nature of the transaction Issuance of new common shares c) Price(s) and volume(s) 12,511 common shares at a price of CAD0.3325 d) Aggregated information N/A e) Date of the transaction 31 December 2021 f) Place of the transaction Outside of a trading venue This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Southern Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680348/Southern-Energy-Corp-Announces-Issue-of-shares BEIJING, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Weixin has been recognized as one of 50 service providers employing best practices in China's booming digital economy, according to an influential report released during the APEC China CEO Forum in Beijing on December 25. The forum, held in tandem with the 30th anniversary celebration of China's accession to APEC, was organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) and the APEC China Business Council. The China Digital Economy Industry Best Practices 50 report is the culmination of a joint effort by top research institutes, think-tanks and consulting firms from home and abroad over a span of nine months. Initiated by the APEC China Business Council, the project gives comprehensive and critical insights into how the application of digital technology is reshaping many industries in the world's second-largest economy. The selection followed rigorous procedures including application screening, expert on-site reviews, assessment meetings and follow-up reviews. As one of the most popular messaging and social media platforms, Weixin won the honor for delivering outstanding value on several fronts. Pragmatic tools in the ever-growing Weixin ecosystem such as Weixin Pay, Mini-programs, WeCom, Weixin Channels and Weixin Search allow small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to effectively shift toward sustainable operations, provide quality services at low cost and cultivate a loyal following. For example, Weixin Pay has proven to be a powerful tool in simplifying transactions, improving efficiency and increasing the connection with customers. Bubugao Group (Better Life) is using Weixin to organize social media marketing as well as support for online-to-offline collaboration and group buying. In addition, as part of corporation social responsibility programs, Weixin's Yanhuo Act has benefited tens of millions of small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The Weixin mini-program is a lightweight, easy to use sub-application that requires zero trouble to download and install. Represented by the Weixin ecosystem, the power of technological innovation is boosting integration between the digital and real economies of China, effectively promoting economic recovery and driving the rise of new consumption patterns, according to the best practices report. Over the years, Weixin has won the hearts and minds of all for its corporate culture and values, long-lasting competitive edge and commitment to providing meticulous, considerate and accessible services, said the report. Weixin has also made the daily lives of individuals easier while ushering in new career opportunities. In a report issued on April 22, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, lauded the fact that the Weixin ecosystem was behind the creation of 36.84 million jobs in 2020, a 24.4 percent increase over the year previous. As many have observed, the pandemic has accelerated the upgrade of digital technology and its application across society, giving an especially strong thrust to China's pursuit of high-quality growth while the world are grappling with the impact of COVID-19. Carol Liao, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, said the 50 service providers are either traditional enterprises undergoing a digital transition or tech firms enabling industrial change, so their practices and approaches are valuable to the business community, government policy-making and the wider world in providing a glimpse of China's solutions in going digital. Recording and sharing best practices in China helps other economies to understand the innovation and new technologies at Chinese firms, thereby promoting international exchanges and facilitating multilateral cooperation in the development of the digital economy, according to Sun Xiao, Director General of the China Chamber of International Commerce. Following their in-depth research, experts in the project agree that Chinese digital enterprises are committed to making breakthroughs, are eager to apply the technologies for the benefit of the public, and stand ready to propel industrial transformation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718207/2021_China_Digital_Economy_Industry_Best_Practices_50_released_APEC.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718208/Weixin_a_popular_messaging_social_media_APP_underpins_digital_life.jpg DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A multitude of countries host Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIPs) through which high net worth individuals can become citizens of those countries by investing in their economies. But why do these countries offer their citizenship in exchange for an investment? The answer is much more complex than just a quick boost to their economy, and that is what we will discuss in-depth in this piece. The Top Reasons Countries Offer CIPs We will cover the main reasons why countries offer citizenship by investment (CBI) and how it affects them. A Boost to the Economy The premise of CBI is granting an investor citizenship in exchange for an investment in the economy, which in some times is exactly that - an investor donates a sum of money to a government development fund. The five Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts & Nevis, along with the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, all have a donation option, through which an investor pays a specific non-refundable amount of money to a government fund in exchange for citizenship for themselves and their families. You Might Also Like: Citizenship by Investment - Grow Your Business In Europe This direct influx of unincumbered foreign cash can play a massive part in reviving an economy that is still growing. In 2017, CBI made up 20% of Antigua & Barbuda's GDP, while it was 25% of Dominica's GDP in 2019 and amounted to half of the government's total revenue. For smaller countries that face major natural catastrophes like annual hurricanes, this influx of money can make a major difference in the performance of the government. Long-Lasting Economic Effects Citizenship by Investment is not just about making a quick buck, but it is much more complex and influential, affecting the current generation of residents as well as the ones to come. Caribbean nations use the money in the development funds to do what is intended - develop. Dominica is a prime example of how CBI funds can help create a sustainable environment. Dominica is now building a massive 370 million USD international airport which is completely funded by its Citizenship by Investment Program. The airport is set to greatly enhance the nation's tourism and commerce prospects and transform the lives of its citizens for the better. People Who Read This Article Also Read: Demand for Vanuatu Citizenship Skyrockets During Pandemic But the airport is not the only venture being funded by the CIP, as the government has begun constructing - and even delivered a portion of- 5000 hurricane-resistant, affordable homes to its citizens, all courtesy of its CIP. Dominica has a population of about 71,000 residents and an average family composition of 2.7 people, which, on average, means that the country hosts about 26,000 households. The CIP-funded housing project can theoretically provide affordable, high-quality housing to about 20% of the households in Dominica. This is not to mention any future housing projects. This is a country that provides affordable housing to 20% of its population, along with an international airport, all courtesy of the CIP. Giving its Citizens a Tax Break Since the Caribbean nations and Vanuatu have a large chunk of their GDP covered by their CIPs, they can offer low or even no tax residency to their citizens and residents.? In most of these nations, you won't find income, capital gains, withholding, or inheritance taxes, while corporations registered on their shores have a wide array of tax exemptions to pursue. Related Article: Mitigating Risk - How a Second Citizenship Protects Citizens of Unstable Regions This tax leniency attracts even more investors and businesses to the nation, bolstering the economy further. It also attracts more investors to its CIP, which is vital to the entire framework. As the CIP generates funds, the country does not have to rely on taxes, which in turn attracts more people from high-tax countries to the CIP. It is a closed-loop cycle that benefits everyone involved. Developing its Infrastructure Caribbean nations face the threat of hurricane damage on a yearly basis. There are no major issues, but the infrastructure can get damaged, and the government has to continue to address this. Funds generated by the CIP allow them to do this quickly and efficiently. But it is not just about maintenance, as some nations are planning to build better infrastructure, such as clinics and hospitals, using CIP generated funds. For example, in 2017 St. Kitts & Nevis launched the Hurricane Relief Fund investment option within its citizenship by investment program, which provided a steady stream of income to help rebuild infrastructure after an intense hurricane season. Creation Of Jobs The Caribbean nations all boast a real estate option within their CIP, and the most common investment option there is investing in a share of a high-end resort on the island. This goes to bolster the tourism sector of the nation, as the Caribbean nations are touristic hotspots. But it does something equally important, which is creating jobs for the locals. Don't Miss: Obtaining A Caribbean Second Citizenship Has Never Been Easier These resorts must be built, which means construction workers, engineers, designers, and more will get a job building them. Local businesses can supply the materials for these giant projects, and once these resorts are constructed, someone needs to manage and work within them. the real estate option not only creates a better tourism environment but combats any hint of unemployment within the nation. Just the Tip of the Iceberg There remain various other reasons for countries to offer CIPs, such as: Attracting highly skilled migrants Mitigating against economic turmoil, especially in terms of currency fluctuation in nations such as Turkey. Diversifying the population Attracting global business people and their companies? And much more. Become Part of the Cycle If you would like to discover more about CBI and how it can affect you and your family positively, all you need to do is contact us today to book a free, comprehensive consultation with one of our second citizenship experts. Savory & Partners is an accredited agent for multiple governments where citizenship by investment is offered. Founded in 1797, the agency has evolved from pharmaceuticals to family assets and legacy protection through second citizenship and residency. The company's professional, multinational staff is made up of expert advisors who have guided thousands of clients, including many North African investors, on their journey to find the most suitable CBI program for them. The Savory & Partners team will be happy to answer your enquiries in English, Arabic and French. SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday season approaching, digital manufacturer Snapmaker has joined the festival with its social media campaigns and end-of-the-year deals for the maker community. Build customers' Wonderland Snapmaker hosted the 8th Snapmaking Contest themed with "Build Your Wonderland." Among all the Christmas decorations the participants made, the grand prize, a $1,000 coupon, went to Nicklaus Clemmer who made a dreamy Christmas village. Created the main body of the village with Snapmaker 2.0's 3D printing function, Christmas trees, and a sign with the Laser Module and the lake with Snapmaker 2.0 Rotary Module, the village blended everything perfectly together. Share followers' New Year Wishes Additionally, the manufacturer hosted a social media event from December 13 to 24, encouraging its followers to share how Snapmaker can help them fulfill their new year wishes. The winning entries are slated to win the improvised Snapmaker 2.0 A350T. Hundreds of entries were received, ranging from making personalized gifts and creating uplifting moments with loved ones with the help of Snapmaker. "I want to start up a new business for myself and my wife making premium wooden decorations and household accessories. The Snapmaker would tremendously help make this idea a reality!" said Zachary. "Looking to win one so I can further my craft and have a faster workflow to help with my ambition to make more and inspire others like my family and good open-minded people." shared Daniel. Celebrate Holiday Season With the Rest of the World "We're excited to offer deals on our products, hoping to make our customers' holiday more meaningful and special," said Rainie, marketing director at Snapmaker. During this holiday promotion period from December 16 to 31, customers can save 20% off most categories by shopping at Snapmaker's online store or on Amazon. On December 27, the Discovery Factory in Holland hosted a special event and worked with its participants on the Snapmaker machine to make a stamp with their own names on it. "We are happy to see that we are celebrating this holiday season filled with joy and happiness with our users around the globe," said Rainie. About Snapmaker Snapmaker is a tech company that develops, manufactures, and sells desktop multi-function 3D printers. Dedicated to creating premium-quality and user-friendly desktop fabricating machines, Snapmaker is loved by overseas and domestic customers. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718225/image_1.jpg 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. You can certainly see the robotic arms on various occasions; however, you must not have seen the one specially designed for quadruped robots. HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitree Technology announced the launch of the robotic arm Z1. On 20th Dec, a discussion about quadruped robots and robotic arms was held, with Unitree Technology providing the solutions to many questions with their newly launched robotic arm. Diversified Application Scenarios From the company's live video, the robotic arm can be seen installed on the head of the robot. With such an arm, the robot can smoothly complete actions like picking up objects, opening and closing doors, pouring wine automatically and fastening screws, etc. Intelligentization just getting started The CEO of Unitree Technology Wang Xingxing carries the significant implications on robotics field with the newly launched robotic arm, and he explained the goals and future. Wang Xingxing made a splash in robotics field with his Xdog design in 2016. The robotic arm is essential necessary for quadruped robots. It can be used to fulfill different application requirements of industry and family services. The development prospect of a robotic arm is broad. "Both industry applications and offline stores are becoming our goal," said Wang Xingxing. The CEO of Unitree said, "The robotic arm is currently in a stage of rapid development with the evolution and direction of technology. But we hope that it will enter our lives immediately. The current problem is cost control and the improvement of intelligence." The Emergence of Collaborative Robots It is obvious that the robotic arm is light and can move flexibly. With it, the omnipotent robot dog is even more powerful. As time goes by, the combination of robot dog and collaborative robotics arm can do more and more things. Now, Unitree is exploring to classify the collaboration between robot dog and robotic arm and make industry standards. Let us look forward to seeing how will Unitree Technology lead the future revolution of robotics field with its robotic arm. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718197/image1.jpg 31 December 2021 IamFire Plc AQSE: FIRE ("IamFire" or "the Company") Total Voting Rights In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Company hereby announces that it has 205,347,350 ordinary shares of 0.0025 each in issue ("Ordinary Shares"), each share carrying the right to one vote. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in Treasury. The above figure of 205,347,350 Ordinary Shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. Enquiries: Company: John Taylor Sandy Barblett info@iamfireplc.com Peterhouse Capital Limited Corporate Advisor: Guy Miller: + 44 (0) 20 7469 0930 (Direct) Corporate Broker Lucy Williams: +44 (0) 20 7469 0930 Duncan Vasey: +44 (0) 20 7220 9797 (Direct) BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss franc appreciated against its major counterparts in the European session on Friday amid safe-haven status, as investors worried about rising coronavirus cases across the globe and its potential impact on the economy. The death toll from COVID-19 exceeded 1 million in Eastern Europe on Thursday. Russia has overtaken Brazil for the world's second-highest Covid-19 deaths, following the U.S. France reported over 200,000 cases for the second consecutive day, while the number of daily Covid-19 infections reached another record high in the U.K. Stock markets in Italy, Germany, and Spain remain closed, while those in France and the U.K. trade only half-day on account of New Year's Eve. The franc jumped to 126.20 against the yen, a level unseen since 2015. On the upside, 128.00 is possibly found as its next resistance level. The franc climbed to a 1-1/2-month high of 0.9120 against the greenback, 6-1/2-year high of 1.0332 against the euro and a 4-day high of 1.2297 against the pound, following its early lows of 0.9148, 1.0349 and 1.2355, respectively. The franc is seen finding resistance around 0.90 against the greenback, 1.02 against the euro and 1.20 against the pound. 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 31, 2021) - Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: MTB) (OTCQB: MBYMF) (FSE: M9UA) ("Mountain Boy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the non-brokered private placements for Flow Through and Non-Flow Through Units totalling $1.4 million, as announced on December 16th and increased on December 22nd, have been closed. The funds will be used primarily for exploration on Mountain Boy's properties in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Lawrence Roulston stated: "These new funds, added to the existing working capital, puts Mountain Boy in a strong position to continue an aggressive exploration program across our six Golden Triangle properties. Even though we don't have geologists in the field at this time, there is still an enormous amount of work underway. The geological team, in cooperation with some top research groups, continues to extract scientific information from the samples taken during the past field season and to integrate that new information with the wealth of information generated previously. We expect to have a great deal more information in hand as a basis for planning the next field season." Flow Through Offering Mountain Boy raised gross proceeds of $1,289,800 from the sale 7,587,057 FT Units. Each FT Unit consists of one common share of the Company to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). The price of each FT Unit is $0.17. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.26 for a period of 24 months. Red Cloud Securities Inc. acted as a finder in connection with the Flow Through Offering. Non-Flow through Offering In addition, Mountain Boy also closed a non-brokered private placement of units ("Units") at $0.17 per Unit for gross proceeds of $150,000 with a strategic investor. Each Unit will consist of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each unit warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.20 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Unit Offering. Finder's fees of 7% cash and 7% in finder's warrants were paid to eligible parties. All securities are subject to a four month hold period expiring on April 30, 2022. The securities 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 U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. About Mountain Boy Minerals Mountain Boy has six active projects spanning 604 square kilometres (60,398 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. The American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine and is just north of the past producing Red Cliff gold and copper mine (in which the Company holds an interest). The American Creek project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart. On the BA property, 182 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway. Further results from the 2021 program are pending. Surprise Creek is interpreted to be hosted by the same prospective stratigraphy as the BA property and hosts multiple occurrences of silver, gold and base metals. On the Theia project, work by Mountain Boy and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 metres long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton). Southmore is located in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s, and was overlooked until Mountain Boy consolidated the property and confirmed the presence of multiple occurrences of gold, copper, lead and zinc. The Telegraph project has a similar geological setting to major gold and copper-gold deposits in the Golden Triangle. The MTB geological team assembled the results of work spanning several decades by more than 50 companies, each working on small target areas as the basis of consolidating a large property position. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Lawrence Roulston President & CEO For further information, contact: Fraser Ruth Investor Relations (416) 274-3195 Kirsti Mattson Corporate Communications/Media Relations (778) 434-2241 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 certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions 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 expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108774 DGAP-News: Appyea AppYea completes acquisition of SleepX, entering a $6-9 billion sleep treatments market: expects to begin marketing during 2H2022 31.12.2021 / 14:45 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. AppYea (OTC: APYP), a medical device technology company, announced today the deemed completion of its previously announced acquisiiton of SleepX, an innovative medical device company focused on the development of SleepX's flagship product DreamIT - an uncompetitively accurate wearable monitoring solution to treat sleep apnea and snoring and fundamentally improve quality of life. After the acquisiiton, SleepX will continue operating under its own brand name as a fully owned AppYea subsidiary. The merged company will focus on further development and commercialization of SleepX's solution, including continued R&D investments and new initiatives in sales and marketing. Also, SleepX intends to begin a calibration trial with DreamIT. 'I am delighted that we have completed the acquisition of SleepX. The company develops a wearble technology solution to treat snoring and sleep apnea, which is patent protected in the US, EU and Israel, and caters to two growing markets in high demand", said Boris (Bary) Molchadsky, AppYea's Chairman. 'This aqisition allows us to execute our growth strategy towards the beginning of DreamIT's marketing during the second half of 2022, while continuing its development with the Biomedical Department at Ben Gurion University in Israel, and launching our first calibaration trial. Meanwhile, we are examining the acquisition of other synergetic activities that will complement the SleepX vision to improve sleep quality and quality of life globally.' According to the market intelligence company Fior Markets, the global anti-snoring treatment market is expected to grow at a 9.07% CAGR to USD 8.6 billion by 2028. The global sleep apnea devices market is expected to grow at a 6.2% CAGR to USD 6.1 billion by 2028, according to Grand View Research's report. About SleepX SleepX, an AppYea (OTC: APYP) subsidiary, is a medical device company, focused on the development of uncompetitively accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring and fundamentally improve quality of life. The company's solutions are based on its proprietary IP portfolio of AI and sensing technologies for the tracking, analysis, and diagnosis of vital signs and other physical parameters during sleep time, offering extreme accuracy and resistance at affordable cost. SleepX's flagship solution is DreamIT - a patented wristband communicating with its smartphone app to gently vibrate with every breathing interruption, and cause a shift from deep to lighter sleep, training the brain to breath properly. The app tracks sleep patterns and using the company's machine learning technology to adapt the treatment and recommend improvements according to the user's sleep and breathing patterns. In addition to reducing snoring and improving sleep quality, users will be able to access important statistics relating to their sleep patterns via the app to track and detect anomalies over time. DreamIT is being developed in collaboration with the Biomedical department of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev and is patent protected in the US, EU and Israel. According to the market intelligence company Fior Markets, the Global Anti-Snoring Treatment Market is expected to grow to USD 8.6 billion by 2028, at a 9.07% CAGR during 2021-2028. The global sleep apnea devices market size was valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a 6.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 6.1 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc SleepX was founded in 2019, and following the acquisition, its headquarters are in Boca Raton, Florida. Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein. No statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities. Although APYP believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, we cannot assure stockholders and potential investors that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to our ability to raise capital needed to develop amd market our products, our ability to maange the business post acquisition, economic conditions, intense competition, entry of new competitors and products, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, inadequate capital, unexpected costs and operating deficits, increases in general and administrative costs, unanticipated losses, financial condition and stock price, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans and other specific risks. APYP does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Neither APYP nor SLEEPX are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. AppYea Inc. Asaf Porat info@appyea.com http://www.appyea.com 31.12.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2021 / Love Hemp Group PLC (AQSE:LIFE) (OTCQB:WRHLF), the brand-led consumer goods company focussed on CBD health and wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that all resolutions were duly passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held today. Total Voting Rights For the purposes of the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, Love Hemp announces that the Company has 942,248,881 ordinary shares of 1p each in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote. The figure of 942,248,881 should be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For further information please visit: www.lovehempgroup.comor contact: Love Hemp Group Andrew Male Chairman & Director Anna Legge Chief Communications Officer +44 (0) 7926 397 675 andrew.male@lovehempgroup.com +44 (0) 7500 773 415 anna.legge@lovehempgroup.com Financial Advisor Rupert Fane H&P Advisory Limited +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 rf@hannam.partners AQSE Corporate Adviser Mark Anwyl Peterhouse Capital Limited +44 (0) 20 7469 0930 ma@peterhousecap.com Financial PR Tim Blythe/Alice McLaren/Madeleine Gordon-Foxwell Blytheweigh +44 (0) 207 138 3204 lovehemp@blytheweigh.com About Love Hemp Group Love Hemp Group is a brand-led consumer goods company focussed on health and wellness solutions for consumer use cases including sleep, pain, anxiety, stress and recovery. The Company is a pioneer in the UK-based premium high-quality CBD market, with over 40 products including oils, edibles, sprays, cosmetics and topicals. The Company's range of products are sold online across 70 websites and in over 2,000 stores including some of the biggest retailers in the UK, such as Holland & Barrett, Boots and Ocado. Listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE: LIFE) the Company recently changed its name to Love Hemp Group plc, from World High Life, to better reflect its focus on supporting the "best in class" CBD brand as it embarks on a wider expansion of its core business and offering. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Love Hemp Group PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680360/Love-Hemp-Group-PLC-Announces-Result-of-AGM-and-Total-Voting-Rights Cincinnati Ohio and Stavanger Norway, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CINCINNATI, OHIO and STAVANGER, NORWAY - DECEMBER 31st, 2021 - Multi-Color Corporation (MCC), one of the largest label companies in the world, is pleased to advise that the previously announced acquisition of Skanem Group's label operations in Europe and Thailand successfully closed yesterday. Effective immediately, seven of Skanem Group's facilities in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Thailand are part of Multi-Color Corporation, giving MCC an enhanced footprint in Europe and Thailand. The acquisition will give Skanem's customers access to expanded product offerings and a comprehensive range of the latest label technologies. We welcome the experienced Skanem team to MCC and look forward to building on existing and new growth opportunities together with our new colleagues. About Multi-Color Corporation Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. based Multi-Color Corporation (MCC), established in 1916, is the global leader in prime label solutions with approximately $3 billion in annual revenue supporting a number of the world's most prominent brands across end categories including Food & Beverage, Home & Personal Care, Wine & Spirits and other specialty end categories. MCC serves national and international brand owners across its global footprint with a comprehensive range of the latest label technologies in Pressure Sensitive, Cut & Stack, Roll-Fed, In-Mold, Shrink Sleeve and Heat Transfer. MCC employs approximately 13,000 associates across more than 100 plants in over 25 countries. MCC is owned by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. For additional information on Multi-Color Corporation, please visit www.mcclabel.com. About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private investment firm with a strategy predicated on building stronger, more profitable businesses. Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of more than $35 billion in over 100 companies with an aggregate transaction value of more than $160 billion. The Firm has offices in New York and London. For more information, visit www.cdr-inc.com. Contact ForMulti-ColorCorporation: FAYETTEVILLE, AR / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2021 / Elevated from streaming income and high-end feature productions, Hannover House, Inc. (OTC PINK:HHSE) is looking for a record year in 2022 for both gross revenues and profits. The veteran indie studio (founded in 1993) is forecasting gross revenues of more than $20-million with pre-tax profits of over $4-million in the coming year. The company's prior revenue record was set in 2007, at $11.4-million in gross revenues - a time when the company held an impressive number of titles in the Walmart and Best Buy DVD budget bins. "We are emerging from a rebuilding period these past three years," said Eric Parkinson, President and C.E.O. of Hannover House. "As the physical DVD and BluRay business evolved into a consumer streaming preference, we had to retool our operations to evolve into this new medium. As a result, our MyFlix multi-studio streaming concept is expected to generate at least $15-million in 2022, and this result would comprise three-quarters of the company's total gross revenues for the year. The other significant paradigm change for Hannover House is the company's new involvement in facilitating the production of high-end feature productions, which will generate overhead and fees for the company. These new productions are expected to generate about $3.5-million in revenues, with a margin of about $1.5-million in 2022. And finally, the company's long-standing activities in selling physical DVDs, BluRays and Books will continue to generate activities, but at a far less consequential level as compared to MyFlix and the major productions," he concluded. The MyFlix service will offer the best of several successful streaming competitors. Consumers will have a very large access to titles through MyFlix - over 15,000 titles - and these can be watched through a monthly subscription (ala Netflix), or on per-transaction fee basis (ala Amazon), or under an "ad supported" option in which the programs are interrupted with ads (ala Tubi). MyFlix hopes to eventually offer an educational portal, interactive games, and the option to upload videos (ala YouTube). The launch of MyFlix will cost about $4-million, which the company expects to be provided through an investor-backed credit line. "If you compare MyFlix to existing services, it's very easy to project potential revenues in excess of $100-million by year two of the venture. We're taking a far more conservative view and projecting just north of $1-million per month, which is only $86 per title. So, we may need to revise the 2022 forecasts by late summer if the consumer response is closer to the venture's potential," said Parkinson. Hannover House shares are traded on the OTC Pinksheets exchange, and have been hovering under $.02 for the last several years. "Our major shareholders are confident that the share price will dramatically improve as we move into 2022," Parkinson continued. "If competitors like Netflix can support a market-cap of $250-Billion, it's not unrealistic to look at Hannover House / MyFlix as supporting a market-cap approaching $1-Billion at a reasonable time as MyFlix builds brand awareness. Obviously, if this were to occur, the impact on the Hannover House stock shares would be significant." Hannover House, Inc. is a Wyoming registered corporation. The company maintains a production office in Oklahoma and a marketing office in Arkansas. For more information, contact: ERIC PARKINSON / Eric@HannoverHouse.com / 818-481-5277. SOURCE: Hannover House, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680373/New-Productions-and-Ventures-Position-Hannover-House-for-Record-Revenues-in-2022 DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement in relation to the approval for issue of additional H-shares issued by the CSRC 31.12.2021 / 17:08 Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement in relation to the approval for issue of additional H-shares issued by the CSRC Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 31 December 2021 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in relation to the approval for issue of additional H-shares issued by the CSRC. The announcement is fully available at: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/1231/2021123101836.pdf IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sven Pauly Sara Pinto sp@crossalliance.de T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 31.12.2021 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2021) - Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) (OTCQB: TBLLF) ("Tombill" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of a brokered private placement consisting of 10,125,000 units (the "HD Units") at a price of $0.08 per HD Unit and 9,055,533 flow-through units (the "FT Units", and collectively, with the HD Units, the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per FT Unit, for total gross proceeds of approximately $1.625M in the First Tranche. Prior to the end of January 2022, the Company anticipates closing an additional final tranche consisting of HD Units (the "Additional Tranche", and together with the First Tranche, the "Offering"). The Offering is being conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions of an agency agreement entered into between the Company and Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. (the "Agent"). Each HD Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share until December 31, 2023, at an exercise price of $0.12. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (a "FT Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"). Each whole FT Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share until December 31, 2023, at an exercise price of $0.13. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund the Company's exploration activities, and for general corporate purposes, provided that for proceeds raised from the offering of the FT Units will be used to incur Canadian exploration expenses that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) on the Company's properties in Ontario. In consideration for the services provided by the Agent in connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to: (i) pay to the Agent a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering, other than in respect of Units sold to purchasers designated by the Company, for which a cash fee shall be 3.5%, and (ii) issue to the Agent compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") equal to 7.0% of the aggregate number of Units, other than in respect of Units sold to purchasers designated by the Company, for which Compensation Warrants shall equal 3.5%. Each Compensation Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one HD Unit at an exercise price of $0.08 per such unit for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering, subject to adjustment in certain events. All securities issued in connection with the First Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and one (1) day from the closing date of the First Tranche. The Offering is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). About Tombill Tombill owns various royalty-free mineral exploration and past-producing gold properties in the Geraldton and Beardmore Camp, Ontario. The Company's business is mineral exploration, primarily gold. It has 74 claims: 60 are owned and patented, five leased, and nine where it owns the mineral rights. Of these, the Tombill Main Group property comprises 58 claims: 54 owned patents, and four owned mineral rights. The Tombill Main Group claims were originally staked in the first Geraldton Gold Rush in 1935 by Newmont in partnership with Tom Johnson and his brother Bill. For further information: For more information, please visit www.tombillmines.com, and contact: Adam Horne Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Email: adam@tombillmines.com / Tel: +1 647 493 8270 Disclaimers and Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the trading date of the Company's common shares on the TSXV. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sole of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION, RELEASE, OR PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108793 TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (TSX: CF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Sawaya Partners, a leading independent M&A advisory firm to the consumer sector based in New York. Sawaya Partners will operate with Canaccord Genuity branding as "CG/Sawaya Partners" recognizing the significant goodwill and awareness of the Sawaya name in the Consumer sector. As previously disclosed, upon completion of the acquisition Sawaya Partners Founder and Managing Partner Fuad Sawaya joins CG's U.S. operating committee and becomes Vice Chairman - Consumer and Global Head of CG's Consumer Investment Banking practice. Jeff Kuhr and Slava Leykind become Co-Heads of CG's U.S. Consumer Investment Banking group. All existing employees of Sawaya Partners will continue with the Company's U.S. capital markets business. ABOUT CANACCORD GENUITY GROUP INC. Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the "Company") is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has wealth management offices located in Canada, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Australia. The Company's international capital markets division operates in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX. ABOUT CANACCORD GENUITY GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS Canaccord Genuity's global capital markets division offers institutional and corporate clients idea-driven investment banking, merger and acquisition, research, sales and trading services from offices in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Our diverse team of capital markets and advisory professionals has deep industry and transactional expertise in key growth sectors of the global economy. We are committed to providing valued services to our clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their business and operating as a gold standard independent investment bank - expansive in resources and reach, but targeted in industry expertise, market focus and individual client attention. We are driven by your success. For more information, visit www.cgf.com. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates, intentions and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts, including business and economic conditions and Canaccord Genuity Group's growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue", "target", "intend", "could" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited 'to, market and general economic conditions, the nature of the financial services industry and the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's interim condensed and annual consolidated financial statements, its annual report and its annual information form ("AIF") filed on www.sedar.com as well as the factors discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Management" and "Risk Factors" in the AIF, which include market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal and regulatory risks. Material factors or assumptions that were used by the Company to develop the forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, those set out in the Fiscal 2021 Outlook section in the annual MD&A and those discussed from time to time in the Company's interim condensed and annual consolidated financial statements, its annual report and the AIF filed on www.sedar.com. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible risk factors that may influence actual results. Readers are cautioned that the preceding list of material factors or assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further developments or otherwise. For further information: Investor and media relations inquiries: Christina Marinoff, Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications, Phone: 416-687-5507, Email: cmarinoff@cgf.com, www.cgf.com/investor-relations Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2021) - New Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: ENRG) (OTC Pink: NEMCF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Schieber as a director of the Company and Priscilla Ikani as the Company's new Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, all effective December 22, 2021. Ms. Ikani replaces David Cross in the Chief Financial Officer role and Marla Ritchie in the Corporate Secretary role, each of whom resigned from their positions earlier this year. Mr. Schieber established his career in metals and mining finance as an analyst for the Stabilitas Group of Funds in 2005. In 2009, he co-founded Euroscandic International Group where he raised upwards of $350M in project financing for specific development projects in the mining sector. From 2011-2015, he pivoted to Canadian-based farmland investments, ultimately becoming the Chief Investment Officer at Dynamis Capital Corp., which focuses on long-term, recession-proof investments with an emphasis on gold and silver. Mr. Schieber is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of GoldHaven Resources Corp., and has served as a director of several other public and private companies. Ms. Ikani has over a decade of experience in financial administration and management for both public and private companies in the mining sector. She holds a BCom from the Sauder School of Business at UBC with a specialization in Finance, and currently acts as the Chief Operating Officer at Dynamis Capital Corp., where she works closely with Mr. Schieber. The Company looks forward to the contributions of both Mr. Schieber and Ms. Ikani and plans to integrate them into the New Energy team in the coming weeks. About the Company New Energy Metals is focused on the exploration and development of energy metals. On behalf of New Energy Metals Corp. Stuart Ross, CEO T: 604-638-3886 E: info@newenergymetals.ca W: www.newenergymetals.ca 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others: requirements for additional capital; future prices of precious metals, copper and lithium; changes in general economic conditions; changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities; other risks of the mining industry; the inability to obtain any necessary governmental and regulatory approvals; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; hedging practices; currency fluctuations; as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108805 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled lower on Friday, after a 7-session winning streak, but still posted a strong gain for the week and the month. Oil prices dropped, due largely to profit taking after recent gains. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for February ended down $1.78 or about 2.3% at $75.21 a barrel. Crude oil futures climbed 1.9% in the week. In the October - December quarter, WTI futures gained 0.3%, and added 13.7% in the year. Oil futures climbed as much as 55% in the year, the sharpest annual rise since 2016. Brent crude futures were down $1.68 or 2.1% at $77.85 a barrel a little while ago. Brent crude futures gained about 11% in December, and posted a gain of 51% in the year. Traders continued to closely follow the updates on the virus fron. Coronavirus cases surged to record highs around the world despite the imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions by several governments. U.S. health experts warned Americans to prepare for severe disruptions in the first weeks of 2002 amid increased holiday travel, New Year celebrations and school reopenings following winter breaks. Traders also looked ahead to the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, scheduled to take place on January 4. The oil producing alliance will decide whether to continue increasing output in February. On Thursday, Saudi King Salman called on all major oil prducers to stock with OPEC+'s output caps and recommendations in order to ensure market stability. 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 31, 2021) - City View Green Holdings Inc. (CSE: CVGR) (OTCQB: CVGRF) ("City View" or the "Company"), trading through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "CVGR" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "CVGRF", announces that it has negotiated a debt settlement with an arm's length creditor. Pursuant to debt settlement agreement, the Company has settled aggregate debt of $71,670.15, in consideration for which it has issued an aggregate of 1,023,859 common shares at a deemed price of $0.07 per share. All common shares issued in connection with this debt settlement will have a hold period expiring May 1, 2022, in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws. For further information contact: City View Green Holdings Inc. Rob Fia, CEO & President Email: rob@cityviewgreen.ca Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About City View City View is a leading consumer packaged goods company focused on the development of cannabis-infused edibles. With the receipt of its Cannabis Act processing licence on April 30, 2021, City View will incorporate cannabis-infused food production at its Brantford, Ontario high-capacity facility. In addition, City View owns a 27.5% stake in Budd Hutt Inc. ("Budd Hutt"), a retail-focused cannabis company with access to cannabis cultivation and production licences in Alberta and other retail opportunities across Canada. Through its relationship with Budd Hutt, the Company anticipates securing shelf space, product placement, and distribution opportunities for our white label partner products. For more information visit: www.cityviewgreen.ca. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements which are not composed of historical facts. 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. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, among others, availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, delays in the development of projects, and ability to predict or counteract potential impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on factors relevant to the Company's business. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS 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. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108802 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2021) - Rockcliff Metals Corporation (CSE: RCLF) (OTCQB: RKCLF) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") and will issue 15,592,332 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.06 per FT Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $935,540. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant , a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable at a price of $0.10 per share of the Company for a period of two years. The Company has paid cash finder's fees of $62,128 and issued 1,035,463 finder warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). The Finder's Warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.06 per share for a period of two years. All of the securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) on the Company's Copperman and Bur Properties, which will be incurred before December 31, 2022. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation Rockcliff is a Canadian resource development and exploration company with several advanced-stage, high-grade copper and VMS dominant deposits in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba. The Company is a major landholder in the Belt which is the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world, hosting high-grade mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. The Company's extensive portfolio of properties totals approximately 4,000 km and includes seven of the highest grade, undeveloped VMS deposits in the Belt. Rockcliff has a joint venture with Hudbay at the Company's 49% owned Talbot Copper Deposit. For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com YouTube: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Twitter: @RockcliffMetals LinkedIn: Rockcliff Metals Corp Instagram: Rockcliff_Metals Facebook: Rockcliff Metals Corporation For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Don Christie Interim President & CEO Cell: (416) 409-8441 don@rockcliffmetals.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Rockcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108811 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2021 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTC Pink:TRXXF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") announces the grant of incentive stock options under the Company's stock option plan to its directors, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 993,750 treasury shares. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.26 per share for a period of 5 years and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the Company's stock option plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following. Upcoming 2022 Campbell Shear Drilling Program: The 2021 Drill program was completed on December 18th, for a total of 26 holes and a grand total of 12,687 metres targeting the Campbell Shear over a strike length of 3 kilometres immediately south of the former Con Mine (1938-2003). Drilling was done between surface and approximately 400 metres below surface with excellent results on the Yellorex zone. The Campbell shear target and gold mineralization were intersected in all the holes of the 2021 program illustrating the continuity of the structure and identifying typical gold zoning similar to the former Con Mine gold mineralization. Assays are pending for the last five holes, GTCM21-022 to 026. Drilling is expected to resume on/or close to January 10th , 2022, with one drill which can reach depths down to 1,500 metres, followed by a second drill around January 20th. The Company intends to drill approximately 40,000 metres in 2022, subject to success and subsequent financing. The Company's cash position stands at C$ 2.6 million at the end of November. In November 2021, the Company entered into a definitive Option Agreement with Newmont Canada FN Holdings ULC and Miramar Northern Mining Ltd. ("MNML"), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation, to purchase 100% of MNML's past-producing high-grade gold Con Mine, which produced more than 6.1 Moz along the Campbell Shear structure (November 22, 2021 press release). The 2022 drill program will enable Gold Terra to explore 100% of the ground south of the existing underground workings, test the Campbell shear structure at greater depth in the continuity of the high- grade mineralization, and explore in areas never tested before with excellent potential to add ounces similar to the Yellorex area. About Gold Terra's Yellowknife City Gold Project The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Newmont Option Agreement claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine (1938-2003). The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully delineated a current inferred mineral resource of 1.21 M oz and identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested. The Company's objective is to re-establish Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Executive Chairman gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Manager of Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 Strazdins@goldterracorp.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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information on the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are 3 / 3 cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forwardlooking information. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680468/Gold-Terra-Grants-Options-and-Provides-Update-on-the-2022-Campbell-Shear-Drilling-Program Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2021) - WarMus Land Presents SCARDust ($SCARD), a cutting edge crypto, gaming, and animation project. Warmus presents a defi, gaming, animation all-in-one To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8496/108792_460db38254983b97_001full.jpg The team behind WarMus Land, a web3 company, is creating a comic multiverse with a p2e fighting tournament style game; with in-game limited edition digital collectibles and NFT trading cards, wearables, weapons, and land parcels - all taking place within a virtual world, in time once the project sees the finish line. An in-depth description of what the utilities associated with the token, P2E fighting game, NFTs, collectibles, etc. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8496/108792_460db38254983b97_002full.jpg It's still very early in the SCARDust token journey and the virtual world is a ways away, but (1) the easy-to-play p2e game on smartphones and tablets (duck, jump, back, fwd, kick punch!), plus (2) a binge worthy Hollywood-produced animated comic series is pushing the envelope. The team plans to stream the SCARDust comic series on multiple platforms. They already have exposure in The Sandbox and are looking to acquire more as the project unfolds in phases over the next 6-9 months. The SCAR'D foundations' mission statement To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8496/108792_460db38254983b97_003full.jpg The community has a charitable foundation donating to and raising awareness about mental health education, detecting signs, and seeking help. With the aid of Brandon Vera as their chairman, they're promoting mental health awareness through non-profit endeavors. Joins the SCARDust community on telegram at t.me/warmusland. For all of our socials and contacts, please visit us at https://linktr.ee/SCARDust To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108792 CAD-based renders of the upcoming Galaxy S22 Ultra surfaced in September, first live images of the phone surfaced in November, now the first press render of the phone has surfaced, thanks to @evleaks. This shows a curved screen with a centre punch-hole, quad rear cameras and an S Pen stylus bundled with the phone since this will be the first Galaxy S series phone with a built-in S Pen slot to replace the Galaxy Note series. According to earlier rumours, this will feature a 6.8-inch curved Quad HD+ Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate screen. The phone is expected to be powered by Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoCs, depending on the market. We can expect 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB and 16GB RAM with 1TB versions for the first time. The phone is said to feature a 108MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3X telephoto and a 10MP 10X telephoto camera, same as the predecessor. It could pack a 5000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The Samsung Galaxy S22 series is expected to come in White, Black, Burgundy, Green and Rose colours. It is expected to be introduced at an unpacked event on February 8, 2022 along with S22 and S22+ with pre-orders starting on the same day. It is rumoured to go on sale globally from February 18, 2022. Update: After the Burgundy, more renders of the Galaxy S22 Ultra in White, Black and Green have surfaced. Source 1, 2 Benton County Sheriff's deputies arrested eight men at a Corvallis hotel on Wednesday, Dec. 29, after setting up a prostitution sting. According to a news release issued Wednesday, the men contacted a "fictitious woman online to pay for sex." Once the men initially agreed to a sum in exchange for "sexual conduct or contact," deputies arrested them on suspicion of commercial sexual solicitation, a Class A misdemeanor. The operation was not unlike those conducted in February of 2018 and April of 2019. In those instances, Benton County Sheriffs Office detectives placed an advertisement on a social media site that led to the arrest of 17 men. Detectives created a new advertisement this week, according to the news release. More than 100 persons responded to the ad to pay for sex with an early to mid-20-year-old woman. Of those, eight ultimately arrived at a local hotel and were taken into custody without incident. With limited beds available at the Benton County Jail, the eight men were booked and released with citations. Matthew Robert Veazie, 36, of Corvallis John Namkyu Back, 31, of Eugene Michael Leroy Moore, 53, of Springfield Tim Jeffrey Koertje, 55, of Albany Jacob Ashley Carley, 44, of Eugene Matthew David Simmons, 42, of Albany Daryl Leonard Staley, 53, of Eugene Allen Michael Grudi, 32, of Corvallis Detectives also seized a total of 8.57 grams of methamphetamine from four of the men. The sheriff's office included this statement in its release: "This operation demonstrates again, how prevalent prostitution is in Benton County and Oregon. Prostitution is a dangerous criminal enterprise, closely related to human trafficking, narcotics, violence, and sexual assault. Prostitution also fuels the growth of modern-day slavery by providing a facade behind which traffickers for sexual exploitation operate. If you or someone you love is a victim of human trafficking, get help now at 1-888-373-7888 or go online to https://humantraffickinghotline.org/." Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Carbon Corp. (First Carbon or the Company), developers of the worlds first decentralized carbon credit non-fungible token (NFT) onboarding platform, is pleased to provide details for the upcoming launch of MintCarbon.io (MintCarbon). Leveraging the power of the blockchain and specifically Ethereum, MintCarbon is a user-friendly interface, enabling carbon credit owners to easily convert their credits into highly customizable ERC-1155 compliant NFTs which can then be listed for trading on decentralized marketplaces such as OpenSea.io. Every customised NFT is embedded with unique characteristics which can potentially represent thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide. ERC1155 is a novel token standard that aims to take the best from previous standards, it is capable of combining fungible (utility tokens and cryptocurrencies) and non-fungible (digital assets) smart contracts to allow for limited run editions of NFTs. Optimizations built into ERC1155 allow for gas-efficient (low emission) transactions and are secure, liquid and immune to hacking.1 Creating MintCarbon tokens on Polygon, a low emission Ethereum side chain, allows for lower transaction fees, increased liquidity and on-chain transaction transparency for trading in carbon offsets. Increased investment and liquidity will drive growth, innovation, expansion and acceptance, particularly in the historically fragmented and opaque voluntary carbon credit market. MintCarbon was designed to be user friendly and easily accessible for those new to the crypto space. With a few clicks, carbon credit owners can create and customize their profile, upload their credits and effortlessly link them to a decentralized trading exchange such as OpenSea.io, the largest NFT exchange in the world. Mo Yang, CEO, comments: Were proud to introduce MintCarbon as the worlds first NFT minting platform for carbon credit owners. MintCarbon lives up to its namesake, as it truly allows carbon credit owners to mint their credits into NFTs for a secure and efficient method of trading in a market were confident is set to grow rapidly in the coming years. We look forward to providing further guidance on the official platform launch in the near future. MintCarbon will allow the owners of the NFT to monitor their assets while tracking their value and trading history. The platform is currently undergoing beta testing and the Company anticipates an official launch in Q1-2022. As of June 2021, the Voluntary Carbon Market represented only 0.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.2 Demand for voluntary carbon credits is forecast to increase significantly, driven by a growing number of corporate net zero commitments. The Institute of International Finance believes there is "huge upside potential" for voluntary carbon credits, predicting the market could be worth as much as $100B/year by 2050. For partnership and corporate related inquiries, please send an email to: corporate@firstcarboncorp.com Visit MintCarbon and sign up to the newsletter to be alerted to platform updates and our upcoming launch. Visit our corporate website FirstCarbonCorp.com to learn more about the Company. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstcarbonco About First Carbon Corp. Based in Toronto, Canada, First Carbon is a technology company that has developed the worlds first decentralized voluntary carbon credit NFT which will be minted on the low-emission Polygon network, powered by Ethereum and tradeable on global decentralized platforms based on the blockchain. The ERC1155-compliant tokens are to be backed by real, verified carbon credits, providing increased transparency, liquidity and security in carbon offset trading. The MintCarbon platform makes it easier for companies to take part in the global effort to reduce their impact on the environment. Benefits of the platform include: Permission-less global trading on decentralized trading platforms (such as OpenSea.io) operating 24/7/365; Secure and easy access for investors into an emerging asset class; Access to a growing pool of capital in the cryptocurrency markets; Programmable functionality through smart contracts and composable primitives that enable new types of capital formation and trading; and a reliable framework designed to increase the flow of capital into carbon reduction initiatives, helping underfunded environmental companies and projects. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Mo Yang" Mo Yang, CEO Tel: +1 604-800-5648 Email: corporate@firstcarboncorp.com Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things: the Company's ability to digitize and allow for the trading of tokenized carbon credits by the global carbon offset market on its platform which is interoperable with the Ethereum blockchain while ensuring that minting activities will be both low emission and cost. The material assumptions supporting these forward-looking statements include, among others, that: the Company could mitigate the risks associated with the blockchain and NFT industry; and the ability to compete with other businesses in the NFT market. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including: the risk that the Company's offerings are not accepted by the consumer, the risk that other competitors may offer similar digital offerings; the risk that there may be negative changes in general economic and business conditions; the risk that the Company may have negative operating cash flow and not enough capital to complete the development of any of its technologies; the risk that the Company may not be able to obtain additional financing as necessary; the risk that there may be increases in capital and operating costs; the risk that the NFT technology may be subject to fraud and other failures; the risk that there may be technological changes and developments in the blockchain that make the NFT solutions obsolete; risks relating to regulatory changes or actions which may impede the development or operation of the blockchain solutions; the risk that other competitors may release similar blockchain offerings; the potential future unviability of the NFT market in general; the volatile cost of the amount of computational effort required to execute specific operations on the blockchain, and other general risks involved in the blockchain solutions Any of these risks may cause the Companys actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Further, although the Company has attempted to identify factors that could cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, levels of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and Canada. Although the Company believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. The Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. In addition, this news release includes third-party market data and statistics which management has not independently verified. The Company expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy thereof. 1 https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/erc-1155 2 Trove Research, June 2021 HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Overseas Group Limited BSX: AORE.BH) (Pink Sheets: AOREF.PK) (AOG or the Company) today reported consolidated net loss available to common shareholders of $1.8 million, or $37.38 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. This compares to consolidated net income available to common shareholders of $0.5 million, or $11.58 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Book value per weighted share at September 30, 2021 was $959.06, a decline from the book value per weighted share of $1,126.51 at September 30, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had an operating loss of $1.8 million, or $37.68 per diluted share, compared to operating income of $0.6 million, or $11.90 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The financial guaranty segment ended in April of 2020 due to a commutation of the remaining portfolio of financial guaranty reinsurance business it had assumed from Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp (AGMC). The aggregate outstanding par value of the reinsurance portfolio commuted was $345.0 million. For the three months ended September 30, net earned property and casualty premiums increased $1.1 million from $4.3 million a year ago to $5.4 million, driven by an increase in existing and new programs. Fee income remained constant at $2.6 million quarter over quarter while gross written premiums increased $4.2 million, moving from $96.2 million to $100.4 million. Quarterly direct written premiums were positively impacted by continued expansion of new programs, rate increases, and overall economic recovery. Loss and loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of earned premium increased from 55.1% to 71.2%. For the three months ended September 30, operating expenses increased $1.1 million from $2.6 million to $3.7 million primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in taxes, licenses and fees associated with program business written in Louisiana. For prior year quarterly results, the Company received credits associated with these expenses from its program partner. Additionally, the Company recognized latent charges related to current year to date expenses associated with Louisiana taxes, licenses and fees in the current quarter. The remaining $0.2 million increase in operating expense for the quarter is driven primarily by marketing activity returning to more normal levels in 2021 compared to 2020 expenditure levels, which were impacted by COVID related restrictions. As part of its ongoing capital management efforts, the Company will continue to redirect excess capital within the group to debt reduction unless other compelling opportunities present themselves. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains statements that may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, the Company's expectations respecting the volatility of its insured portfolio, losses, loss reserves and loss development, the adequacy and availability of its liquidity and capital resources, its current run off strategy, its strategy for writing other reinsurance businesses and its expense reduction measures. These statements are based on current expectations and the current views of the economic and operating environment and are not guarantees of future performance. A number of risks and uncertainties, including economic competitive conditions, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company believes that the following non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release serve to supplement GAAP information and is meaningful to investors. Operating income (loss): The Company believes operating income (loss) is a useful measure because it measures income from operations, unaffected by non-operating items such as realized investment gains or losses. Operating income (loss) is typically used by research analysts and rating agencies in their analysis of the Company. Information About the Company American Overseas Group Limited is an insurance holding company incorporated in Bermuda and a tax resident of the United Kingdom. Its operating subsidiaries provide specialty property/casualty insurance, reinsurance and insurance management services. More information can be found at www.aoreltd.com. American Overseas Group Limited info@aoreltd.com American Overseas Group Limited Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) As at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands) September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Investments: Fixed-maturity securities held as available for sale, at fair value $ 92,473 $ 72,642 Equity investments held as available for sale, at fair value 3,574 4,143 Cash and cash equivalents 37,544 24,254 Restricted cash 3,968 548 Accrued investment income 443 355 Premiums receivable 80,015 73,073 Deferred insurance premiums 108,584 101,843 Reinsurance balances receivable, net 211,946 194,914 Deferred policy acquisition costs 5,045 3,590 Intangible assets 4,800 4,800 Goodwill 33,050 33,050 Other assets 3,708 3,767 Total Assets $ 585,150 $ 516,979 Liabilities and Equity Liabilities: Loss and loss expense reserve $ 204,340 $ 192,943 Deferred commission income 3,442 2,482 Unearned premiums 113,425 105,678 Ceded premium payable 82,833 71,989 Payable to general agents 7,576 4,331 Funds withheld 100,333 64,980 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,873 7,922 Notes payable 16,521 16,521 Non-owned interest in VIE 300 300 Interest payable 451 451 Total Liabilities 540,094 467,597 Shareholders' Equity: Common shares 4,698 4,698 Additional paid-in capital 189,179 189,151 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,382 1,962 Retained deficit (156,256 ) (152,482 ) Total Shareholders' Equity 39,003 43,329 Non-controlling interest of preferred shares of subsidiaries 6,053 6,053 Total Equity 45,056 49,382 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 585,150 $ 516,979 See Notes to September 30, 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements available on American Overseas Group Ltd. Website at www.aoreltd.com American Overseas Group Limited Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three months ended September, Nine months ended September, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues Net premiums earned $ 5,397 $ 4,337 $ 15,935 $ 8,775 Fee income 2,644 2,645 8,667 7,896 Net change in fair value of credit derivatives - - - 2 Net investment income 46 60 208 652 Net realized gains on investments 14 8 50 1,508 Fair value adjustment - (23 ) - 2,054 Other income 28 - 105 - Total revenues 8,130 7,027 24,965 20,887 Expenses Losses and loss adjustment expenses 3,841 2,389 10,232 8,200 Acquisition expenses 1,931 1,537 5,506 3,775 Operating expenses 3,663 2,603 11,038 9,294 Other expense - 46 - 330 Interest expense 451 451 1,352 1,352 Total expenses 9,886 7,026 28,128 22,951 Net (loss) income available to common shareholders $ (1,756 ) $ 1 $ (3,163 ) $ (2,064 ) Income tax (expense) - 539 (26 ) 322 Net (loss) income before dividends (1,756 ) 540 (3,189 ) (1,742 ) Dividends on preference shares of subsidiary - - (585 ) - Net (loss) income available to common shareholders $ (1,756 ) $ 540 $ (3,774 ) $ (1,742 ) Net (loss) income per common share: Basic $ (37.38 ) $ 11.64 $ (80.34 ) $ (37.61 ) Diluted (37.38 ) 11.58 (80.34 ) (37.17 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Basic 46,979 46,386 46,979 46,326 Diluted 46,979 46,620 46,979 46,870 See Notes to September 30, 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements available on American Overseas Group Ltd. Website at www.aoreltd.com RADNOR, Pa., Dec. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Paysafe Limited (Paysafe) (NYSE: PSFE) f/k/a Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp. II (FTAC) (NYSE: BFT). The action charges Paysafe with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Paysafes materially misleading statements to the public, Paysafe investors have suffered significant losses. CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PAYSAFE LOSSES LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: February 8, 2022 CLASS PERIOD: December 7, 2020 through November 10, 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 PAYSAFES ALLEGED MISCONDUCT Paysafe, headquartered in the United Kingdom, provides digital commerce solutions to online businesses, merchants, and consumers through its Paysafe Network worldwide which, among other things, enable users to upload, store, withdraw, and pay funds and from virtual accounts. On March 30, 2021, Paysafe became a public entity via business combination with FTAC. Then, on November 11, 2021, before the market opened, Paysafe announced that it was revising its revenue guidance for the full year 2021 downward. Paysafe attributed the revision to "[g]ambling regulations and softness in key European markets and performance challenges impacting the Digital Wallet segment" and "[t]he modified scope and timing of new eCommerce customer agreements relative to the Companys original expectations for these agreements." On this news, the Paysafes share price fell $3.03 per share, or more than 40%, to close at $4.24 per share on November 11, 2021. WHAT CAN I DO? Paysafe investors may, no later than February 8, 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 Paysafe 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 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aebf2e5b-b888-4096-8bda-9d501ccd9908 HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Dec. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSXV: MIR), reported today on its financial results for the quarter ended October 31, 2021. Profit and Loss Highlights Revenue: The Company recorded revenues in Q1 FY2022 of $202,161 compared to $110,339 in Q4 FY2021 and compared to $1,602,823 for the same period last year. The decrease in revenue in comparison with Q1 FY2021 was due to the Companys temporary halt on selling its REVEALCOVID-19 products until the FDA EUA has been received. Gross Profit: The Company recorded a gross profit in Q1 FY2022 of $24,693 compared to $85,497 in Q4 FY2021 or compared to $1,362,271 for the same period last year. Operating expenses: The Company recorded for this quarter operating expenses of $413,727 compared to $611.716 in Q4 FY2021 and compared to $478,921 in Q1 FY2021. Net (loss) income: The Company recorded a net loss of $489,009 compared to a loss of $636,980 in Q4 FY2021 and compared to a net income of $715,172 for the same period last year. The changes between Q1 FY2022 compared the same period last year are mainly due to lower revenues generated from the Companys sale of REVEALCOVID-19 products. Balance Sheet Highlights Assets: The Company had an increase of its assets by $978,387 between Q4 FY2021 and Q1 FY2022 which was mainly due to an increase in cash and trade receivables. Liabilities: The Companys liabilities increased by $1,469,896 between Q4 FY2021 and Q1 FY2022. The Companys current liabilities increased by $1,497,190 or 9% was mainly due to an advance from MedMira Holding AG for its subsequent equity investment. This advance has been converted in Q2 FY2022 into equity. Loans in default decreased by $2,146 or less than 1% compared to last quarter. All long and short terms debts are currently under negotiation to restructure terms and conditions of repayment. Subsequent to the end of Q1 FY2022, the Company decreased its loans by approximately 32%. Working Capital deficit: As a result of the changes noted above, the Company recorded a higher working capital deficit of $470,422 or 3% compared to last quarter. The Companys financial statements and managements discussion and analysis are available on the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For matters of going concern, reference is made to the Auditors Emphasis of Matter statement in the fiscal year ended 2020 Auditors Report and note 2b in the audited financial statements which are also available on SEDAR. About MedMira MedMira is the developer and owner of Rapid Vertical Flow (RVF) Technology. The Companys rapid test applications built on RVF Technology provide hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with instant diagnosis for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three easy steps. The Companys tests are sold under the Reveal, Multiplo and Miriad brands in global markets. MedMiras corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Company has a sales and customer service office located in the United States. For more information visit medmira.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the Companys current expectation regarding future events including statements regarding possible approval and launch of new products, future growth, and new business opportunities. Actual events could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company quarterly filings. 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. MedMira Contacts: Markus Meile, CFO Tel: 902-450-1588 Email: ir@medmira.com Santa Cruz, CA, Dec. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 831 Movers is celebrating its second anniversary in the business by adding three new service areas in Santa Cruz county, and with the aim of becoming the trusted Aptos, Capitola, and Scotts Valley Movers for the benefit of residents. The family-owned and operated business has become the go-to business for people in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas for all their moving needs. 831 Movers has taken the hassle out of moving residential and commercial premises with its professional services that tick the right boxes for clients. It believes in creating a family-like environment, serving the local community, and ensuring that they get access to the best moving solutions at competitive rates. 831 Movers At the heart of the reliable moving services offered by 831 Movers is the fact that it takes effort to understand what clients want. Right from the stage when interested clients reach out to the company till the belongings are delivered, it keeps them on top of things by taking their demands into consideration. Its the reason the company has a long list of satisfied clients, who have showered it with glowing reviews on platforms like Yelp. 831 Movers has become the one-stop moving service for the people of Santa Cruz and surrounding areas because it is a full-range service. And now the company will aim to become the only Aptos Movers people need as well. From simply packing and unpacking services to local and long-distance moving; they take care of all moving needs for clients. In fact, it also offers labor-only services for loading, unloading, packing or unpacking. It has made its mark with both residential and commercial moves that meet clients expectations. Thats because its experienced, and well-trained team members are up to the task of handling any packing, unpacking, and moving responsibility with ease. They are efficient in their responses and can handle any task, big or small, without causing any inconvenience to clients. State-of-the-art equipment used by professionals is an added advantage. For two years, 831 Movers has earned the trust of its clients with its professional solutions. And now by adding three new service areas in Santa Cruz county it is celebrating its feats in style. Those looking for the best Aptos, Scotts Valley, or Capitola Movers can simply reach out to the company and get a free estimate for the exact services they need. It keeps the process completely transparent and there are no hidden costs involved. Interested clients can lock in their move date and time based on their schedules, and be guaranteed safe, smart, and friendly services that will make their daunting residential or commercial moves a breeze. About 831 Movers 831 Movers, the locally owned and operated professional moving company in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas, has been offering impeccable moving solutions to clients at affordable rates. ### Media Contacts: 831 Movers Address: 2234 Thomas Ave. Santa Cruz, CA95062 Phone: (831) 212-3330 Web: https://831movers.com/ Email: sales@831movers.com ATLANTA, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today is the final day to donate to Rescue Me, a local pet shelter, a humane society, or other 501c3 pet rescue to receive a 2021 tax deduction. Rescue Me operates a special needs animal rescue center for dogs on 135-acres, and its website RescueMe.org has become one of the worlds most visited charity websites, having helped save the over 1 million pets. Links to donate to some of Rescue Mes most popular rescue dog breeds include: Donate to Lab Rescue, Donate to French Bulldog Rescue, Donate to German Shepherd Rescue, Donate to Golden Retriever Rescue, Donate to Poodle Rescue, Donate to Beagle Rescue, Donate to Rottweiler Rescue, Donate to Pointer Rescue, Donate to Dachshund Rescue, Donate to Corgi Rescue, Donate to Australian Shepherd Rescue, Donate to Yorkshire Terrier Rescue, Donate to Boxer Rescue In addition to finding homes for thousands of stray dogs and cats each week, Rescue Me provides pet disaster relief donations of pet food and supplies after natural disasters. 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/c9643ee0-00d8-4ba3-abde-07859386093b Dublin, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Scientific & Technical Publishing 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Coronavirus lockdowns, travel restrictions and trade disruptions made for a challenging year, but these factors did not keep the scientific and technical publishing market from posting underlying growth. The report found that total sales increased 0.4% to $10.5 billion in 2020. However, currency exchange fluctuations deflated growth. The report estimates growth without the currency impact at 2.8%. The number of articles published with funding from 33 key research organizations tracked by the analyst grew 10.7% to 525,042 articles in 2020, according to information in the Crossref database. The National Natural Science Foundation of China is the leading funder, backing 268,588 articles in 2020 - a 9.2% increase from 245,966 in 2019. The U.S. National Institutes of Health is the No. 2 funder of articles with 71,951 in 2020, an 8% increase. The European Commission has a stronghold on the No. 3 positions in the index, growing the number of articles funded by 18.6% as the Plan S open access mandate builds momentum. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Japan's Science and Technology Agency both showed growth in articles funded in excess of 20% in 2020. There have been more reports of university libraries canceling their journal subscription packages in 2020 and 2021, but most are still subscribing to individual journals based on usage/importance to the researchers and faculty. As individual institutions choose to purchase subscriptions a la carte, their total spend with the large commercial publishers is reduced, but the market leaders are replacing it with the growth of revenue from open access fees. Others are signing transformative agreements, which support the growth of open access. Pure open access publishers MDPI, PLOS and eLife were also found to be publishing significant numbers of articles backed by the world's largest research funding bodies. The European Commission funded 6,304 articles published by MDPI, 13.3% of all articles funded by the EC in 2020. MDPI also has a strong link to the National Research Foundation of Korea, which funded 2,829 articles published by MDPI in 2020 - 12.3% of all the articles funded by the foundation. PLOS and eLife are strongly linked to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, publishing 1,125 and 944 articles respectively in 2020 that were financially backed by that agency. The report provides detailed market information for scientific and technical publishing, segmented by delivery medium: journals, books, online content, abstracting and indexing, and other activities (audio, video and CD-ROM). It analyzes trends impacting the industry and forecasts market growth to 2025. The report includes an in-depth review of 10 leading scientific and technical publishers, including Elsevier, IHS Markit, Springer Nature, Clarivate Analytics, John Wiley & Sons, American Chemical Society and others. The report covers: The number of new peer reviewed journals launched by year 2017 to present in key scientific & technical subjects: Technology & Engineering, Biological Science & Agriculture, Earth, Space & Environmental Science, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. The number of new scholarly and professional books published per year 2018-2020 for all professional and scholarly titles, technology and engineering, science general and computers. Underling growth leaders in scientific and technical publishing. Analysis of competitor books and journal title counts showing the leading subject areas for individual publishers. Analysis of three years of merger and acquisition activity. A round up of consortia and university library big deal cancelations, a la carte replacements and transformative agreements. Journal price increase forecast. Growth in article's funded for 22 largest science funders worldwide and analysis of the leading publishers by funding body. Research and development spending trend and forecast for the top 15 countries. Technical, Scientific & Professional Book Import/Export Trends 2017-2021. Key Topics Covered Executive Summary Key Facts & Trends Top Six Hold 46.7% of Scientific & Technical Publishing Market Journals Are the Largest Scientific & Technical Publishing Activity Online Content, Fastest-Growing Segment, Surpasses Books in Total Sales U.S. Holds Off China in R&D Spend in COVID-19 Aftermath Technical, Scientific & Professional Book Exports Fell in 2020 Chapter 1:Scientific & Technical Publishing Market Market Size Journals Online Content Books Abstracting & Indexing (A&I) Services Other Activities Elimination S&T Publishing by Geography Language Splits and Major Publishing Hubs North America Asia-Pacific Europe Rest of the World Currency Impact Chapter 2: Leading Scientific & Technical Publishers Elsevier IHS Markit Springer Nature Clarivate Analytics John Wiley & Sons Scientific & Technical Publishing Strategy American Chemical Society Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Informa EBSCO Pearson MDPI Frontiers Media American Society of Mechanical Engineers Mergers & Acquisitions in the S&T Publishing Market Chapter 3: Trends & Forecast Academic Library Trends Renew, Transform, Cancel: Libraries Are Choosing Their Big Deal Options Very Carefully Transformative Agreements Average Journal Prices Increase Every Year U.S. Holds Off China in R&D Spend in COVID-19 Aftermath Research Funders and Their Link to Publishing Activity Technical, Scientific & Professional Book Export Trends Technical, Scientific & Professional Book Import Trends Market Forecast Journals Forecast Online Content Forecast Books Forecast Abstracting & Indexing Forecast Other Activities Forecast Elimination Forecast Early Book Export Picture Reflects Growth Forecast Leading Publishers For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ldh3l1 LONDON, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Top Dog Studios today announced a new charitable NFT initiative called "Get Loud for Girls". The collection brings together over 30 digital artists who are raising funds for She's the Firsta leading non-profit that fights gender inequality through education. Top Dog Studios estimates this initiative will raise over $145,000 for She's the First and help support thousands of girls across 26 countries. All while the market for NFTs surges past $11 billion. Artists taking part in the initiative include actors and actresses such as Simon Wan, Rebecca Ballantine Reid, Emmy award winning artists, and artists behind some of the most impactful female led NFT collections such as Flower Girls, Women & Weapons, and Women Rise. The collectioncurated by NFT company Top Dog Studioswill drop a piece of unique art that depicts a girl with a megaphonea visual representation of her right to be heardevery day throughout January 2022. The pieces will then be sold to the highest bidder and proceeds donated to She's the First. "NFTs have increasingly been about supporting a cause or mission which has led to non-profits and non-government organizations (NGO)like She's the Firstreceive generous donations from the NFT community," said Abby Mansfield, Co-founder of Top Dog Studios. "We hope this initiative brings more awareness of the incredible and impactful work She's the First are doing". Generative art collective Artblocks raised over $3.5 million for non-profit Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization. More recently Shaq O'Neal raised over $2 million for his non-profit by selling NFTs of himself. And Top Dog Studios themselves have raised over $30,000 for animal shelters across London and Thailand. The auctions will begin January 1st 2022 at midnight UTC and end on January 31st. --- Contact: Abby Mansfield, abby@topdogbeachclub.com, +44 7707 234781. About Top Dog Studios: Top Dog Studios is a collective of creatives, strategists, and technical experts building in the wonderful world of Web3. We help brands, creators, and artists create unique experiences within the metaverse. About She's the First: She's the First, headquartered in New York City, is a non-profit that supports young girls across the most vulnerable communities in the world. As of Q3 2021, the charity has helped support 102,900 girls across 26+ countries. She's the First also co-developed the Global Girls' Bill of Rights. For the 2019 International Day of the Girl, girls presented the bill to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. At launch, the Global Girls' Bill of Rights reached over 150 million people around the world and had profound impact. Top Dog Studios website: https://topdogbeachclub.com/ Twitter: @TopDogStudios_ She's the First website: https://shesthefirst.org/ Twitter: @shesthefirst Related Images Image 1: Get Loud for Girls Ensuring girls everywhere are educated, respected, and heard through the power of NFTs. Image 2: Piece by artist Violet Jones Image 3: Piece by artist Pinxx This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Dublin, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "EU COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutics Insights, Trends, and Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This research service provides critical insights into the European Union and UK COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics market. The report analyzes COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in development and delves into supply chain considerations and requirements to manage distribution. Importantly, the study identifies actionable growth opportunities for industry participants. Like the United States, the European Union received criticism for vaccine nationalism, but it is taking steps to encourage global vaccine access. It has launched the Team Europe initiative for improving manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies in Africa. Initiatives such as the EU Digital Vaccination Passport and UK NHS COVID Pass app will help Europe in safe reopening and overcoming COVID-19 variants of concern to a certain extent. Although vaccinations are progressing at a fast pace, factors that will determine campaigns' future course include political and religious situations, vaccine availability and access, and vaccine hesitancy specifically in younger population groups. The low vaccination rate in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is fueling another COVID-19 surge and causing a healthcare crisis in Bulgaria, Romania and Latvia. Topics covered include: Analyses of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics Strategies of vaccine manufacturers to scale up their global manufacturing network COVID-19 vaccination rollouts The role of digital technology in the COVID-19 battle The Growth Opportunity Universe Key Topics Covered: 1. Strategic Imperatives 2. Vaccine and Therapeutics Highlights Regional Impact of COVID-19 Vaccinations 3. Growth Opportunity Analysis Scope of Analysis Growth Drivers for Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic Growth Restraints for Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic 4. Global COVID-19 Vaccine R&D Landscape COVID-19 Vaccine Pipeline Analysis Overview of Key Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines Globally Selected Vaccine Candidates in Phase III 5. Global COVID-19 Therapeutic R&D Landscape Key Small Molecules in Late Stage of Development (Antivirals and Immunomodulators) Key mAbs in Late Stage of Development EU COVID-19 Therapeutics Snapshot 6. Vaccine Manufacturer Strategies to Scale Up Their Global Network Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccines Moderna J&J Oxford/AZ Novavax 7. EU COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout Capacity Secured Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses by Manufacturer Percentage of Adults Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccination Doses Administered in Selected Countries Germany - Approaching the 70% First-dose Milestone France - More than 70% of the Population Fully Vaccinated Italy - Reached the 70% First-dose Milestone UK - First European Country to Reach the 70% First-dose Milestone Behind the Successful UK Rollout DHL Express Hub and Gateway Model 8. Role of Digital Technology in the COVID-19 Fight Digital Technology Platforms Enabling Data Management, Vaccination, and Rebounding from COVID-19 EU COVID-19 Certificate/Health Pass IBM Digital Health Pass 9. Growth Opportunity Universe Growth Opportunity 1 - Additional and Booster Doses for Waning Immunity and Emerging Virus Variants Growth Opportunity 2 - Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing for Leading Global Supply of COVID-19 Vaccine Growth Opportunity 3 - Global Standard Solution for Recognizing and Verifying Individual Countries' COVID-19 Health Pass Companies Mentioned AstraZeneca BioNTech DHL IBM J&J Moderna Novavax Oxford Pfizer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ru1j51 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. EL PASO, Texas, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a youngster, Amjad Khuffash was teased for his crooked teeth. Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, he rarely saw a dentist because of poverty, a common problem in the Rio Grande Valley. Today, Khuffash and his peers at The Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso are training to ensure others in similar circumstances don't go without dental care. "Some factors that inspired me to pursue dentistry were poverty and the lack of dental care I experienced growing up," said Khuffash, a member of the dental school's inaugural class. "After dental school, I plan to take affordable dental care to residents of the Rio Grande Valley, so others don't grow up experiencing what I experienced." Khuffash's focus mirrors the dental school's values, specifically because of the ethnic and socioeconomic similarities between his hometown and the El Paso region. Across West Texas, many suffer from poor dental health due to a lack of access to affordable care. In El Paso County, there's only one dentist for every 4,840 residents, compared to the national average of one dentist for every 1,638. The Hunt School of Dental Medicine, which is the first dental school in Texas in over 50 years, opened in July 2021 to change those numbers. Faculty and community dentists began student interviews for the school's inaugural class in September 2020, narrowing down over 900 applications for only 40 available spots in the class of 2025. Students train in the school's Dental Learning Center, which features 80 stations equipped with high-tech simulation manikins and a fabrication laboratory where students craft dental appliances using 3D scanners and advanced CAD/CAM machines. Eliminating Health Care Disparities The school offers a curriculum that trains students to serve socially and culturally diverse communities to eliminate health care disparities in the Borderland. Community service and public health components are essential as students learn about local health care topics and barriers in the community. Additionally, dental students learn medical Spanish, bridging language and cultural barriers to deliver high-quality oral health care. It's the first and only dental school in the nation that requires Spanish-language courses. Like her peers, first-year student Paulette Ramirez, who grew up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, plans to impact others, specifically in creating oral hygiene awareness in underserved communities. "We can have a big impact on the region's oral health as we share the importance of oral hygiene with others, some who don't even know what oral hygiene is," Ramirez said. "But the impact isn't just affecting the people we serve. It affects us each time we walk into the clinic or help someone find their smile. We're doing something we've dreamed of for years, and what we're doing is changing lives. That's an amazing feeling." Early Clinical Experience Perhaps most appealing to the dentists-in-training is quick immersion into supervised clinical practice, which is central to the curriculum. To improve the accessibility of oral health care in the community, the dental school offers reduced-cost care in its 38,000 square-foot public dental clinic, the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic. There, students work with faculty to care for Borderland residents. Students began working in the clinic within months of arriving on campus, a unique opportunity as most dental schools don't provide clinical experience until the second year. Anna Ceniceros, a member of the inaugural class, grew up in the small town of Clarendon, Texas. A child of migrant farmworkers and a first-generation college graduate, she's been waiting to sit in the dentist seat since childhood. "When I was in first grade, I had no idea who a dentist was. As a class, we took a field trip to visit the nearest dentist two hours away. While standing in line, my classmates came out from their exams talking about cavities. I didn't know what a cavity was, but I could tell it wasn't good." When it was her turn, she was a bundle of nerves, but felt calm and excited when she left the room. "He explained everything to me in a way that made sense and calmed my nerves. Before I walked out of the room, he gave me a puppy sticker I still have today. I've never stopped thinking about that day, and I haven't stopped thinking about becoming a dentist myself. Now I'm doing what I've dreamed about for decades." Staying in an Area of Need The Hunt School of Dental Medicine isn't just training a unique group of graduates, but also encouraging them to remain in West Texas and underserved areas. In the past 10 years, only 22 of 2,390 Texas dental school graduates chose to practice in West Texas. Because most graduating dentists establish their practices near their dental schools, the Hunt School of Dental Medicine will help alleviate severe shortages of dentists in the Borderland. Student Steven Venzor, born and raised in El Paso, plans to help alleviate that shortage when he completes dental school. As a child, he had dental work done in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. His experiences were challenging, from waiting in long lines at the port of entry to the quality of oral health care he received. "As I got older, I realized everyone has different ideas of what a dentist is, based on their own experiences," he said. "I want to show people that a dentist can be helpful. The people I want to impact are those in my own community. El Paso is my city. If there's anyone who can understand the community, it's someone like me who's lived here my whole life. I know how unique and special it is, and I see the need out there." MEDIA CONTACTS: Veronique Masterson at 915-433-7407 or news.ep@ttuhsc.edu ### Related Images Image 1: HSDM Class of 2025 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Dublin, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market, By Product (Self Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices v/s Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices), By Application, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market was valued at USD3088.16 million in 2020 and is expected to register a CAGR value of 7.53% during the forecast period, to reach USD4689.97 million by 2026F. This steady growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market can be attributed to rapidly increasing instances of diabetes. The surging demand for medical monitoring devices to keep a regular check over faltering glucose levels in the blood is further driving the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the upcoming five years. Also, increasing investment in the healthcare sector is supporting the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the next five years. The rapidly increasing geriatric population is further aiding the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the future five years. The geriatric population is more prone to diabetic conditions, and their concerns toward monitoring the fluctuating blood glucose levels are also supporting the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the future. Growing health concerned population that are inclined toward monitoring their daily glucose consumption are also aiding the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the forecast years, until 2026. The United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market is segmented by product, application, end-user, company, and regional distribution. Based on product, the market is further bifurcated into self-blood glucose monitoring devices and continuous blood glucose monitoring devices. Self-blood glucose monitoring devices are anticipated to register the largest revenue shares of the market and dominate the market segment on account of increasing demand for the monitoring devices. Further segmentation is done into test strips, lancets, and glucometers. The demand for glucometers is expected to be highest due to the increasing number of diabetic patients in the country. Regular monitoring and consistent record-keeping of the daily tests are maintained by the glucometers and smartphone-based functions of these glucometers is also expected to support the growth of the sub-segment along with the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the future five years. Continuous glucose monitoring devices are further bifurcated into sensors, transmitters & receivers, and integrated insulin pumps. Increasing severity of the diabetic conditions and their impact on the patient's health where the patient suffers from cardiovascular diseases is expected to drive the growth of the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market in the forecast period. Major market players in the United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market are Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Medtronic USA Inc. Roche Diagnostics Corporation Dexcom, Inc. B. Braun Medical Inc. Becton, Dickinson, and Company Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC Insulet Corporation Nipro Medical Corporation Terumo Medical Corporation Report Scope: Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2016-2019 Base Year: 2020 Estimated Year: 2021 Forecast Period: 2022-2026 United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market, By Product: Self-Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market, By Application: Type 2 Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Gestational Diabetes United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market, By End-User: Home Care Settings Hospital & Clinics Others United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market, By Region: South Midwest West North-East For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ydsuo9 RADNOR, Pa., Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California 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 companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Cheggs materially misleading statements to the public, Chegg investors have suffered significant losses. CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE 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 CHEGGS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT Chegg operates a direct-to-student learning platform. Cheggs 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 Cheggs 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. 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 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f79286bb-16c2-4245-834c-63a034b36c8d English French MONTREAL, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SIRIOS RESOURCES INC. (TSX-V: SOI) announces the nomination of Director Luc Cloutier as Chairman of the Board following the resignation of Mr. Gilles Dupuis who left the Board of Directors for personal reasons. On behalf of the Board, Mr. Dominique Doucet, President of Sirios, would like to thank Mr. Dupuis for his constructive contribution to the Company over the last few years. About Sirios Pioneer in the discovery of significant gold deposits in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. Sirios focuses its work mainly on its Cheechoo gold discovery, while actively exploring the high auriferous potential of its other properties. 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. TORONTO & HONG KONG, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hong Kongs iconic Victoria Harbour lit up exceptionally bright as the city rings in 2022, taking its thriving art scene right to the global centre stage. At 11:59pm on December 31, 2021, the 65.8-metre-tall LED facade of M+, Asias first global museum of contemporary visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, was transformed into a countdown clock, which travelled across the rich cityscape of Hong Kong. Once the clock struck midnight, a special edition of the multimedia show A Symphony of Lights cast a dazzling array of visual effects across Hong Kongs famous skyline complemented by rooftop pyrotechnics and lighting effects launched at various elevations, along with New Years greetings in 15 different languages on the M+ Facade, sending sincere blessings to the rest of the world. The dazzling light art extravaganza across the harbour was synchronised with energetic, jubilant music performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the citys flagship orchestra, in an outdoor concert in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Information of Video and Image Download The video footage and photos of Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations can be downloaded from 1 January 2022, 03:00 Hong Kong Time (31 December 2021 GMT 19:00). Media interested in broadcasting the event may download the material from the link below. Download link: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=728&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1 For media enquiries, please contact: Jorge Lee, Tel: (416) 366-2389 ext 206, Jorge.lee@hktb.com. DENVER, CO, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire CBD Global Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CBDNF) (CSE: CBDN) (Frankfurt:GS3), CBD Global or the Company), is pleased to announce the completion of its previously announced (August 12, 2021) debt restructuring involving the retirement of over CDN$9 million in outstanding debt through the issuance of 8,908,876 Common Shares at an issue price of $0.1575 per share and 318,688 Series A preferred shares at an issue price of USD$14 per share. 2,721,721 of the common shares were issued to service providers controlled by non-arms length persons for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, 5,767,155 of the common shares were issued to MAC5 Mortgage Inc., a company controlled by non-arms length persons, for working capital debt incurred by the Company over the past 18 months and 420,000 common shares were issued to arms length service providers for settlement in respect of services provided to the Company by consultants and for consulting services (collectively, the Consultants). The transactions with the Consultants were in the normal course of business and the consideration provided was agreed to by the Company and the Consultants. 318,688 Series A preferred shares were issued to holders of GVC notes for retirement of outstanding principal and interest accrued on over USD$4MM in outstanding secured notes. A statutory hold period of four-months and one day is in place on the issuance of these shares in accordance with applicable securities laws. Brad Wyatt, CEO of CBD Global Sciences, said, Another positive step in the right direction for our Company and its Investors. I am pleased to see this happen going into 2022, a year that will demonstrate continued wins for our Company! ABOUT CBD GLOBAL SCIENCES, INC. CBD Global Sciences, Inc., is a hemp-based CBD producer and branding investment vehicle which currently owns two brands, branded under the name Aethics (www.aethics.com) and CANNAOIL (www.cannaoilshop.com), which include CBD Oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD capsules, CBD topicals, Hydration products and Confectionary products. CBD Global Sciences hemp-derived CBD extracts are sold through select distributors, brick and mortar retailers, and online. CBD Global Sciences, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Global Sciences Holdings, Resinosa LLC (www.resinosa.com) and Legacy Distribution Group, (www.legacydistributiongroup.com), is delivering quality CBD products both in a retail and e-commerce formats nationwide. The Direct Store Delivery (DSD) provides distribution services for multiple vendors of CBD infused products and non-CBD products throughout the Colorado and Wyoming territories that are currently servicing over 750 C-store and large box retailers with expansion plans to exceed 5,000 stores in the next 12-24 months. In addition to Legacy Distribution it has added a manufacturing division, Resinosa LLC (www.Resinosa.com ), with its capabilities to provide cGMP manufacturing to the CBD industry with both private label and white label CBD and non-CBD product lines. For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 720-881-2541 or email info@cbdglobalsciences.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future developments and the business and operations of the Corporation after the CSE listing. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jourdan Resources Inc. (TSX-V: JOR) (Jourdan or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement flow-through financing for gross proceeds of $1,350,000 (the Offering). For more information about the Offering, please see the Companys press release dated December 30, 2021, which is available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Pursuant to the Offering, Jourdan issued 27,000,000 units (each, a Unit) at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit was issued on a flow-through basis and consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.08 until December 31, 2023. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on May 1, 2022. Completion of the Offering is subject to receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). No finders fees were paid in connection with the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration expenditures on its Vallee, Pressiac, Lacorne and Baillarge lithium mining properties and for general corporate purposes. Insiders of the Company subscribed for Units pursuant to the Offering (the Insider Participation). The Insider Participation is considered to be a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Insider Participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before closing the Offering as the details of the abovementioned Insider Participation were not settled until shortly prior to closing, and the Company wished to close the Offering on an expedited basis. About Jourdan Resources Jourdan Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol JOR on the TSX Venture Exchange and 2JR1 on the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, production, and development of mining properties. The Companys properties are in Quebec, Canada, primarily in the spodumene-bearing pegmatites of the La Corne Batholith, around North American Lithiums producing Quebec Lithium Mine. For more information: www.jourdaninc.com Rene Bharti, Chief Executive Officer Email: info@jourdaninc.com Phone: (416) 861-5800 Cautionary statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Offering, including the Companys intended use of net proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Jourdan to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of minerals; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. Although Jourdan has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such 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. Jourdan does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. 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. Business Finland has granted Keliber Technology Oy, a Finnish mining and battery chemical company that aims to start the sustainable production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide utilizing its own ore, investment funding of a maximum of 7 million. The funds are designated for the acquisition of technology that significantly improves environmental protection in lithium hydroxide production and also enables the utilization of a side stream from production. Keliber plans to build its lithium chemical plant at Kokkola Industrial Park, and the production process will be based on novel soda leaching technology. In comparison with an alternative production process, soda leaching saves energy and promotes the circular economy. The production process will result in analcime sand as a side stream and it is planned to use this in the extension work at the Port of Kokkola. Some of Business Finlands funding has been earmarked for the acquisition of equipment for handling the analcime sand. The project is part of the Smart Mobility and Batteries from Finland programme. The grant from Business Finland promotes the development of a sustainable battery industry in Finland and supports the EU-level transition to low-emission transport. A valid environmental permit is a precondition for the funding. Sumitomo Corporation will launch a full-scale project to design and develop an ammonia-fueled dry bulk carrier jointly with Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The ship is expected to be 229m in length, with a beam of 32m and deadweight of 80,0000-81,000MT. Speed is to be 14.3 knots. A dry bulk carrier of an equivalent size to that of the ammonia-fueled carrier to be built. In 2018, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. In this strategy, the IMO upholds the target of improving the average fuel efficiency of ships used for international shipping by 40% relative to the 2008 level by 2030, and of halving the total GHG emissions from the ships by 2050. In response, companies in the maritime industry are required to replace the fuels for their ships with ammonia, hydrogen and other substitutes with low environmental impact, and to introduce the equipment that will help them reduce their GHG emissions. As ammonia can be liquefied more easily than hydrogen, the substance is attracting much attention as a substitute fuel for ocean-going ships that navigate a long distance at one time. Oshima Shipbuilding has been manufacturing and selling dry bulk carriers jointly with Sumitomo Corporation since 1973. The shipbuilder has a large production capacity backed by its long-accumulated technologies and expertise. Sumitomo Corporation, jointly with this shipbuilder, will work on the design and development of an ammonia-fueled dry bulk carrier toward completing the ship within 2025. Sumitomo Corporation will design and develop the bulk carrier, improve the navigation environment, and ensure the supply of ammonia as fuel, in cooperation with Oshima Shipbuilding and other external partners as well as with the involvement of the internal cross-organizational project team for ammonia, which was launched within Sumitomo Corporation this July. After the completion of the bulk carrier, Sumitomo Corporation will own and operate it, thereby helping users of the ships transportation service to reduce their GHG emissions across their supply chains. Keppel. Since this March, jointly with external partners, Sumitomo Corporation has been examining the launch of an ammonia supply business to fuel ships in Singapore. In addition to building an ammonia supply chain, the company is making adjustments with the Singaporean government for the formulation of operation guidelines and the establishment of the necessary regulations. Now, Sumitomo and Keppel FELS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the feasibility and implementation of various ammonia fuel applications in Singapore. Through this MOU, Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will work on the implementation of ammonia bunkering in Singapore, with the aim to commence commercial operations in the mid-2020s. Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will accelerate the development of an ammonia bunkering vessel in coordination with the relevant authorities, expediting the implementation of ammonia bunkering in Singapore and contributing to the realization of zero carbon shipping. Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will also work to expand the ammonia value chain in Singapore. Green River Police Department reports for Dec. 16 At 12:11 p.m., officers responded to a report of a larceny at Maverik. Officers met with the manager who reported several individuals had come into the store, one of the individuals made a purchase and took another item, and believed the other individual concealed several items on their person, then left the store. Officers located the suspected individuals and the stolen property. Officers issued Nathaniel Lee, 24, of Rock Springs, and Anthony Bryson, 19, homeless, citations for alleged shoplifting, and issued trespass warnings for the prop... This year, the Board of County Commissioners had new faces join county leaders and worked through ongoing discussions about the future of the county especially in regard to ambulance service and the proposed Natrium plant being built in Wyoming. New faces Mary Thoman began her first term as a county commissioner in January after being elected in November 2020. Thoman replaced longtime Commissioner Wally Johnson. In June, Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter announced his decision to resign and retire after 28 years. Slaughters last day was July 1. I will miss coming to wo... Gov. Mark Gordon issued an emergency suspension order Monday seeking to temporarily block the Environmental Protection Agency from potentially shutting down one of four coal-burning units at the Jim Bridger power plant for falling out of compliance with regional haze parameters. Jim Bridger owner and operator PacifiCorp which operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Wyoming has until Jan. 1 to install selective catalytic reduction controls to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions at unit 2, and until the end of 2022 to install the controls at unit 1, under current EPA guidelines. The uti... Students at Harrison Elementary School hug and congratulate Brittany Montgomery Sept. 23 following an announcement she was named Wyoming Teacher of the Year. This year, despite ongoing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, budget cuts faced by organizations, and personal and professional changes in many lives, the people of Green River and Sweetwater County continued to give generously, grow personally and come together as a community. Giving back Many groups found opportunities to give back to others this year, showing the generosity that keeps a community going as people support one another. In the spring, Green River High School students worked together with Rock Springs High School to raise $39,885.04 for Make-A-Wish during their annual... Connecticut is proposing an official change to the total amount of mold and yeast allowed in cannabis products following patient outcry over a change that allowed one of Connecticuts labs to increase its total limit last year. The move would set the total limit at 100,000 colony forming units per gram, and wouldnt allow any detectable levels of certain harmful breeds of mold in the Aspergillus family. It would mean an increase for limits at one Connecticut lab and a decrease for the other. The states Department of Consumer Protection opened public comment on the change Wednesday. The public comment period ends 5 p.m. Feb. 1. The purpose of this regulation is to update microbial testing standards for medical marijuana to better protect public health and safety, a Department of Consumer Protection press release said. This proposed regulatory change will create clarity and consistency for medical marijuana laboratories and medical marijuana patients. The state has about 54,000 medical marijuana patients and is in the process of launching its adult-use program. The proposed standards were developed with input from several microbiologists, department spokeswoman Kaitlyn Krasselt said. These new standards, which were drafted in consultation with several microbiologists, will prohibit specific types of yeast and mold in cannabis flower that may cause injury when inhaled and allow 10^5 cfu/g of colony forming units that have no demonstrated injurious impact on human health, Krasselt said. The proposed change comes after patients complained at the most recent meeting of the states Social Equity Council and online about the states approval of a request from AltaSci labs last year to raise the limits at the lab to 1 million colony forming units per gram. Initially, the labs limit had been 10,000 units per gram. The lab also requested the addition of the testing for the Aspergillus family of molds. The request was approved via private emails and not announced publicly. Notification wasnt sent to patients. Patients have expressed concern over safety of the products as well as a lack of transparency in the decision-making process. State regulators have said that the looser restrictions paired with the addition of testing for the Aspergillus mold genus makes the product safer. Connecticut has two labs that test the cannabis supply. The other lab, Northeast Laboratories, left its limit at 10,000 units per gram after the AltaSci change last year. After the public comment period ends, the state will determine what changes are necessary based on the feedback. Then, the Attorney Generals office will have 30 days to review the regulations for legal sufficiency, Krasselt said. If approved, it goes to the Legislative Regulations Review Committee, which has 45 days to put it on their agenda, Krasselt said. AltaSci laboratory director Jose Zavaleta said the lab supports the change. We do support the changes because it will create clarity and consistency for laboratories and, most importantly, for medical marijuana patients, Zavaleta said in an emailed statement Thursday. Lou Rinaldi, a medical marijuana patient, said the proposal highlights the need for an ombudsman-led Patient Advocacy Council for the medical program. The issue didnt come to light until there were public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act as well as a complaint. And it took public shaming to force the agency into corrective action, Rinaldi said. Although DCP finally seeking public comment is a positive step, the fox still cannot be trusted to regulate the hen house, he added. WASHINGTON (AP) Federal health officials on Thursday pressed nursing home workers to get their booster shots amid a spike in COVID-19 cases among staffers and a concerning lag in booster vaccination for residents and staff. The omicron variant "is lightning fast, and we can't afford another COVID-19 surge in nursing homes," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a livestreamed appeal to the industry. You know that. I know that. Higher numbers of COVID cases would likely once again have a devastating impact on our loved ones ... and we know we just have to work doubly hard to keep them safe." Nursing homes are a testing ground for President Joe Bidens assertion that the United States is much better prepared to handle a surging virus than it was last winter. Although residents are a tiny proportion of the population, they represent a disproportionate share of Americans who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year the advent of vaccines brought the virus under control in nursing homes and allowed them to reopen to visitors. But that return to normalcy could be in jeopardy as omicron pushes COVID-19 cases to new highs for the nation. Cases among nursing home staffers jumped to 10,353 for the week ending Dec. 27, a rise of nearly 80% from the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staff deaths increased to 58, tripling from the previous week. Among residents, who are more heavily vaccinated, cases went up slightly and the data showed no increase in deaths. With medical experts advising that a booster shot is critical to defend against omicron, Becerra said only 57% of nursing home residents and 25% of staff and have gotten boosters. That's clearly behind a booster rate of nearly 66% among people age 65 or older and about 45% for adults of all ages, according to statistics from the White House. We've got to change that, Becerra said. The administration is urging some 1,400 federally funded community health centers across the land to partner with local nursing homes in a renewed vaccination campaign. Nursing home workers were supposed to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 under an earlier order issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which required staff at health care facilities that receive government money to get their shots. That directive got ensnared in litigation and the Supreme Court has set a special session next week to hear arguments on it, along with the much broader Biden administration vaccine mandate for workers at larger companies of all kinds. Together the orders would affect about 100 million employees. Once again nursing homes are really the ground zero, said Harvard health policy professor David Grabowski, who has tracked the impact of the pandemic on residents and staff. How well we do in combating this virus can often be discerned by just looking at the nursing homes. Grabowski said the Biden administration is right to raise the alarm now. We see this time and time again: When staff (infection) rates go up, resident rates go up, he explained. Staffers unwittingly bring in the virus from surrounding communities, a common trigger for nursing home outbreaks. Vaccines enabled nursing homes to weather the delta variant surge earlier this year, and timely booster shots should go a long way toward blocking omicron. The more vaccines and boosters we have, the more lives we are going to save over the course of the winter, Grabowski said. But some states are already seeing trouble. COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes have almost doubled in the past week, and officials say that indicates the state is probably heading into another major surge of virus cases and hospitalizations. There were 63 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes Monday, about twice the number reported last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers wrote in a midweek memo to Mississippi hospitals and health care providers. Along with other data, that points to very rapid growth of COVID-19 infection and transmission...we have now entered our 5th wave of COVID-19 in the state, Byers wrote. One of the major nursing home industry groups is backing the administration's push on boosters. The American Health Care Association said in a statement it's asking members to "double down on their efforts to get as many residents and staff fully vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. ___ Associated Press writer Leah Willingham in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol says the Supreme Court should let stand an appeals court ruling that the National Archives turn over documents from former President Donald Trump that might shed light on the events leading up to and including that day. In a filing with the court Thursday, lawyers for the committee argued that it is within its jurisdiction to seek the information. Although the facts are unprecedented, this case is not a difficult one," the lawyers said in the filing, adding, This Courts review is unwarranted, and the petition for a writ of certiorari should be denied. The lawyers said, however, that if the court nonetheless believes a review is warranted, the Congressional Respondents respectfully request that the case be resolved expeditiously. The nine-member congressional committee is investigating not just Trumps conduct on Jan. 6 when he told a rally crowd to fight like hell shortly before rioters overran law enforcement officers but also his efforts in the months before to challenge election results or obstruct a peaceful transfer of power. Trump has attacked the committees work and continued to promote unfounded conspiracy theories about widespread fraud in the election, even though Joe Bidens victory was certified by all 50 states. His claims have been rebuked by courts across the country. In suing to block the National Archives from turning over documents, Trump's lawyers have said the committee has "no legitimate legislative purpose for seeking them and granting access to the records would damage executive privilege for future presidents. Last week Trumps lawyers asked the Supreme Court to hear arguments on his claim that executive privilege prevents the release of the documents, describing the committee as engaged in meandering fishing expeditions. The committee says the documents, including presidential diaries, visitor logs, speech drafts and handwritten notes, are vital to its investigation into the deadly riot at the Capitol aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court could decline to hear the appeal. Such action would mean the ruling Dec. 9 by the federal appeals court is the final word on the matter. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit tossed aside Trumps various arguments asserting executive privilege, saying Congress has a uniquely vital interest in studying the events of Jan. 6. That panel also placed emphasis on Biden's determination that the documents were in the public interest and that executive privilege should therefore not be invoked. The question now is whether at least four justices agree to hear the case. The court has six conservative jurists, including three appointed by Trump, and several issues have arisen since Trump's lawyers filed their original petition that might be of interest. On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that the House committee had agreed to defer its attempt to get some documents, at the request of the Biden administration. The White House was concerned that releasing all of the Trump administration documents sought by the committee could compromise national security and executive privilege. The agreement to keep some Trump records away from the committee is memorialized in a Dec. 16 letter from the White House counsels office. It mostly shields records that do not involve the events of Jan. 6 but were covered by the committees sweeping request for documents from the Trump White House about the events of that day. While the agreement focused on specific concerns, the potential narrowing of the documents requests is an acknowledgement that it was broad. That point forms a foundation of the court filing to the Supreme Court by Trump's lawyers, where the words broad, overly broad, strikingly broad and hopelessly broad are sprinkled throughout. It is a point that Trump noticed as well. In a statement following the disclosure of the agreement, the former president said the committee had just dropped a large portion of their request for my records and documents a very big story and the action also changes the entire complexion of their request. On Wednesday, Trump's lawyers sent a supplemental request asking the court to look into an interview that committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., did with The Washington Post. During the interview Thompson indicated the committee is looking into Trump's actions the day of the insurrection to determine if it can recommend the Justice Department open a criminal investigation. The Trump filing argues that such action is outside the committee's legislative purpose. It cannot embark on what is essentially a law enforcement investigation with the excuse that it might legislate based on information it turns up in the course of the exploration, the filing said. In the submission Thursday, lawyers for the committee addressed that question, acknowledging that its involvement must have legislative intent. The records could inform numerous pieces of potential legislation" they wrote, such as efforts to reform and amend the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and "enhance the legal consequences for a refusal by the Executive Branch to timely and appropriately respond to attacks on Congressional proceedings. They also said the records could have an effect on efforts to enact or enhance laws to prevent Executive Branch officials from enlisting the Department of Justice, or other federal resources, to support false claims about an election. Trump's attempts to limit investigations against him have had mixed results with the Supreme Court. The court earlier this year refused to stop his tax records from going to a New York prosecutors office as part of an investigation. It did prevent Congress last year, while Trump was in office, from obtaining banking and financial records for him and members of his family. The omicron variant of COVID-19 is quickly increasing state positivity rates around the country, with Connecticut reporting on Thursday a more than 20 percent infection rate. With cases jumping, the first sign of a runny nose or irritated throat may seem like cause for concern. Or is it? From distinguishing between COVID-19 and a common cold to understanding new quarantine guidance, heres what to know heading through the most recent wave of the pandemic. Do I have a cold or COVID-19? According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many similarities between COVID-19 and cold symptoms, which can typically include a cough, sore throat and runny/stuffy nose, among others. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that COVID-19 can sometimes be accompanied by diarrhea and/or nausea and vomiting, which are two symptoms that a common cold never have. Additionally, the loss of taste or smell usually occurs with COVID-19 early and tends to not be accompanied by a runny or stuffy nose, while colds can produce the phenomenon when a stuffy nose is present. The two viruses also differ in how long it takes symptoms to appear. The Mayo Clinic reports that COVID-19 symptoms generally appear within two to 14 days following exposure, while cold symptoms take about one to three days to display post exposure. How do symptoms of the omicron variant differ from those of the delta variant? The news website Vox notes that preliminary data of out the United Kingdom shows that the top symptoms of the omicron variant were a runny nose, headache, sneezing, a sore throat and fatigue, which aligned with the top symptoms of those infected with the delta variant of the virus. While the New York Times states that its likely that the symptoms of omicron will resemble deltas more than they differ, the reporting notes that a possible difference between the two variants is that Omicron may be less likely to produce the loss of taste or smell. However, it is not yet clear if this subtlety is connected to vaccination status or to the variant itself. How do COVID-19 symptoms differ from flu symptoms? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu and COVID-19 have a series of similar symptoms, which can include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and fatigue, among others. While both illnesses can be accompanied by the loss of smell or taste, the CDC notes that this symptom is most common with COVID-19. Where the two viruses really diverge is in how long it takes for symptoms to appear. It takes flu symptoms approximately one to four days after infection to surface, according to the CDC. It takes COVID-19 symptoms an average of five days after infection to display, though the CDC notes symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days post infection. How did I get COVID-19 if I am vaccinated? Known as breakthrough infections, the CDC notes that it is possible for those who are fully vaccinated to contract COVID-19 because they are not 100 percent effective at preventing infection. However, when a fully vaccinated person develops symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC reports that they tend to be less severe symptoms than in unvaccinated people, rendering vaccinated people much less likely to be hospitalized or die. Those experiencing breakthrough infections are considered contagious, according to the CDC. How long should I quarantine for if I test positive for COVID-19? According to the CDC, the isolation time for people with COVID-19 is for five days. If they are asymptomatic, or if their symptoms and fever are gone for 24 hours, the CDC recommends those coming out of that initial five-day isolation period wear a mask when around others for five days. For those who are unvaccinated, the CDC recommends five days of isolation followed by strict mask use for another five days following isolation. If five-day isolation is not possible, the CDC recommends exposed people wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days following exposure. These recommendations also hold for those who are six months removed from the final dose of an mRNA vaccine or two months removed from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and have not received a booster shot. Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC notes that all exposed people should take a COVID-19 test on the fifth day following exposure. What type of mask is the most protective in the most recent wave of the virus? According to the Cleveland Clinic, a high-filtration mask that fits closely to your face is preferable to help protect against the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and others. Such high-filtration masks include N95, KN95 and KF94 masks, the Cleveland Clinic notes. The American Medical Association reports that people should consider double masking or wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask to make for a tighter fit around the nose and mouth. Double masking and high-filtration masks offer better protection than only wearing cloth masks, the AMA notes. What are my COVID-19 safety risks gathering with vaccinated people? Around unvaccinated people? According to the New York Times, gauging individual risk following vaccination is difficult, as it depends on local conditions, your overall health, the precautions you take and how often you are exposed to unvaccinated people who could be infected. However, unvaccinated people are at the highest risk for catching and spreading COVID-19, the Times reports. According to the Scientific American, a study of the Delta variant showed that vaccinated people were just as likely as the unvaccinated to spread COVID-19 to those in their own households. Similarly, the rate of asymptomatic infection among vaccinated and unvaccinated study participants was comparable, the Scientific American notes. The New York Times notes that people can decrease their risk of contracting COVID-19 from maskless vaccinated people by sticking to smaller gatherings of close family and friends and opting for outdoor get-togethers when possible. People should also take into account the community transmission rate, the Times reports, as well as any guests in attendance who may be immunocompromised. When gathering with a mixed group of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, The Atlantic reports that each unvaccinated person at a gathering can raise the risk for all attendees, depending on the community positivity rate and case load. Additional considerations posed by the Washington State Department of Health include keeping windows open for greater ventilation in indoor settings and wearing masks in large, crowded indoor settings when there is mixed (or unknown) vaccination status. I have been invited to a gathering what should I do? According to the website of Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan's health center, asking guests to get tested prior to a gathering is one way to mitigate risk ahead of attending a gathering. As at-home antigen tests are increasingly hard to come by and lines for PCR testing grow, attendees can also try to increase ventilation in the gathering space by opening windows or avoiding tight, enclosed spaces altogether, University of Michigan notes. Wearing masks is also an important part of protecting yourself against potential infection. When it comes to New Years Eve gatherings, revelers should forgo indoor dining at restaurants in favor of outdoor dining options, as well as holding smaller gatherings with no more than 10 people from outside your household visiting with mask-wearing encouraged, public health director and health officer for Santa Clara County Dr. Sara Cody told the Los Angeles Times. HMD Global recently rolled out Android 12 update for the Nokia X10 and X20, and now it's the Nokia G50 that's getting a taste of the latest version of Android. HMD hasn't officially announced the Android 12 rollout at the time of writing this, so we don't know which countries will get the update in the first wave. However, multiple reports reveal that the Nokia G50 has received Android 12 in Finland and some European nations. The Nokia G50's Android 12 update requires a download of 2.09GB. It has version number V2.160 and comes with the November 2021 Android security patch. If you don't live in Finland and have already received Android 12 on your Nokia G50, let us know by dropping a comment below. Source 1 (in Finnish), Source 2 While the first members of the Oppo Reno5 series arrived in 2020, some did so quite late (including one on December 31) and others launched in 2021. This year we also saw the Reno6 and recently the Reno7 series. There were many launches in the A and F series as well, but well try to condense the best and the worst of Oppos 2021 here. Winner: Oppo Find X3 Pro Lets start with the best, otherwise known as the Oppo Find X3 Pro. The phone was unveiled in March and it flaunted a meticulously crafted design and custom camera hardware. The design won a Red Dot Award, in no small part thanks to the seamless, smoothly flowing glass panel on the back. Making that one isnt easy, getting a flat sheet of glass to conform to those curves is a process that takes 40 hours. While the glass was beautiful, the Cosmic Mocha version with vegan leather was a looker too. But really, out favorite part of the phone is the camera. Oppo Find X3 Pro in Cosmic Mocha Pretty early on we caught wind that Oppo is working with Sony to develop a custom sensor for the Find X3 Pro. The preparation continued with the development of a 10-bit pipeline that captured, stored and rendered images with 10-bit color in the DCI-P3 color space. The custom sensor turned out to be the Sony IMX766, a 1/1.56 sensor with 1.0 m pixels and All Pixel omni-directional autofocus. This sensor was used in the wide and ultra wide cameras of the phone. Actually, it was used in several phones form Oppo, OnePlus, Realme and vivo. It was a popular sensor and highly capable too, as we found in our review. Speaking of, the X3 Pro is one of the recommendations in our Best Flagship Phones buyers guide. Oppo launched some limited editions like the Mars Exploration Edition, but the one we want to briefly talk about here is the Kodak-inspired limited edition with a design based on the Kodak 35 camera. Also, most of Oppos rivals have already called dibs on a camera partner (e.g. OnePlus and Hasselblad). This officially launched as the Photographer edition. Oppo Find X3 Pro Photographer official posters Theres more about the Oppo Find X3 Pro that we have to mention, but that belongs to the next chapter the future of ColorOS. Winner: ColorOS Android 12 went into its beta phase on May 18 and that very same day Oppo announced that it has a beta firmware for the Find X3 Pro. To be fair, it was a pretty barebones ROM, but it did show commitment to timely Android OS updates. ColorOS 12 was announced in mid-September with a stable release scheduled for early October starting in China. The Find X3 Pro was the first to get the new version globally too (also in October). And its not just longevity, Oppo announced that the Find X3 series will get three years of software support, a year longer than most Oppo models. This means two years of OS updates, plus an extra year of security patches. Its possible that the company will stretch that out to four years, depending on how internal testing goes. There were major shifts behind the scenes for how future software will be for Oppo phones. A new company was formed, Oplus, which owns 100% of Oppo and has a majority stake in OnePlus (plus shares in Realme). This allows the two companies to share resources in developing their products. OxygenOS and ColorOS will merge into a unified OS next year The first major step was the joining the R&D departments of OnePlus and Oppo, that came in January. Next it was the unification of ColorOS and OxygenOS (HydrogenOS for China was already replaced with ColorOS). The two software teams were combined to work on the internals together (lead by the head of OxygenOS), but the surface parts of the software will still be customized to the needs of the different customer bases of Oppo and OnePlus. Loser: Oppo Reno7 series As we mentioned in the opening paragraph, Oppo has launched phones across three generations of Reno this year. And other than creating potential confusion for customers, the company hasnt really demonstrated that the new phones have a reason to exist. Take the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G, for example its not a bad phone by any means, but is it better than the Reno6 Pro 5G, the one with the Snapdragon chipset we mean? Having two different phones with the same name only adds further confusion, but even worse is that the answer is no. Heres the comparison. The 6-series Pro has a brighter AMOLED display, other than that they are the same (same size, same resolution, 90 Hz, HDR10+). The batteries are the same. The camera setup is mostly the same, except the Reno6 Pro has OIS on its main cam and a 2x telephoto. And it can shoot 4K video at 60 fps whereas the newer model tops out at 30 fps. The only advantage that the 7 Pro has is the wider lens and a new sensor for its selfie camera. That only leaves the chipset a Snapdragon 870 for the Reno6 Pro and a Dimensity 1200-Max for the Reno7 Pro. The two chips are about equal in terms of performance, so the older model holds up well. The worst part is that this is a pointless discussion for the most most of the world since the Reno6 Pro (Snapdragon) is available in only a few regions. For example, it is available in Indonesia and the Netherlands, but not in neighboring Germany. Oppo Germany offers only the Reno6 5G and is still selling some Reno4 models. We dont expect the availability of the Reno7 Pro to be any better, but we wouldnt mind being pleasantly surprised. In summary, the issue is twofold. First, the Reno6 Pro (Snapdragon) looks to be the better phone, so why bother with the 7 Pro. Second, people in most countries cant buy either. Oppo Reno7 series was successful on all retailer platforms Having mentioned the Reno6 5G, that phone is available in more regions in Europe and you can find it in India and Indonesia too. Which is neat, because it is better than the Reno7 5G. That said, the Reno7 series broke sales records in China, so it will probably do fine, plus there are hints that the availability of the new series will expand to India soon. Winner: Oppo Find N Small phones have all but disappeared, especially on the high end, so hearing about a new flagship with a 5.49 display raises an eyebrow. Okay, the Oppo Find N is not exactly small in terms of portability, but its cover display is easy to use one-handed. Its not just the 5.49 diagonal, the 18:9 aspect ratio makes this feel like a regular phone from before the tall-and-narrow trend became dominant. The Oppo Find N is the first small(ish) horizontal foldable A trend that is really pronounced in other foldables the cover display on the Galaxy Z Fold3 has a 25:9 aspect ratio, the Mi Mix Fold stretches that out to 27:9, the Mate X2 keeps it relatively sane at 21:9. Most apps dont look good on such narrow displays and the top of them is basically impossible to reach with your thumb. With its size, the Find N falls in the gap between the smaller clamshell foldables and the larger horizontal foldables, a gap it currently has to itself. But Oppo scored another win with this model. The Oppo Find N closes without a gap The hinge can hold the phone folded at a variety of angles The Flexion hinge is the other win. Its more gentle when folding the screen, making the crease much less noticeable, as we noted in our hands-on review. Also, it closes tight, leaving no gap that is typical of current generation foldables. This both looks neater and keeps foreign objects from wiggling their way between the two halves of the display. The hinge can also stay still at any angle between 50 and 120, which enables several modes of operation. The Oppo Find N is not perfect, for example, the 7.1 inner display is on the small side when comparing against other horizontal foldables. But that was a deliberate trade-off by Oppo. Looking at it another way, it has 50% more surface area than a Find X3 Pro. There is no escaping that this is one thick and heavy device, though, a hair heavier than even the larger Galaxy Z Fold3. The battery is relatively large for the size of the phone (4,500 mAh vs. 4,400 mAh for the Galaxy) and supports faster wired and wireless charging than the Samsung. The cameras arent cutting edge, but thats true for almost all foldables. Well examine them in more detail in our full review, for now you can check out camera samples. Ultimately, the Oppo Find N isnt a winner here because of concrete hardware decisions but because of the overall design the market really needs a smaller horizontal foldable. Also, reducing the crease and closing without a gap does a lot to improve the aesthetics. Our one remaining complaint (that we hope gets resolved) is that Oppo didn't announce any plans to launch this outside of China. Winner: Oppo TWS headsets We reviewed several TWS headsets from Oppo this year, including the Enco X, Enco W51 and Enco M31. For all of them we noted that they deliver excellent sound quality, fit comfortably and feature water resistance. The Enco X are clearly the best of the three, though also the most expensive not that $135/110 is a high asking price for the hardware. The W51 are $70/55 and the M31 are quite affordable at $26 or so. We had a few complaints, mostly centered on the companion app, which isnt available for iOS and doesnt work with the M31, and the touch controls, which werent great. Still, True Wireless headsets are the largest segment of the wearables market and Oppo has some competitive offerings. Loser: Oppo Watch 2 Speaking of wearables, where is the Oppo Watch 2? It launched in China first and it never got a global release like its predecessor. And now it seems that it is hard to find even in China, the online stores we checked are all sold out. The ECG edition of the watch is available, but it is also more expensive. And, of course, you cant buy it outside of China. Oppo is falling behind in the smartwatch market, actually, its barely even participating. The Oppo Band Style was nice, but it needs work. Winner: Oppo Oppo had a good year and the company seems to have secured fourth place in terms of smartphone shipments globally. Canalys reported that in Q1 Oppo shipped 37.6 million phones, up 60% compared to the first three months of last year. Then in Q2 the company shipped 32.8 million phones, up 37%, according to IDC. In Q3 the growth was a more modest 18%, but thats still 36.7 million units. Considering that the pandemic is still ongoing and in 2021 the chip shortage became quite severe, growing its market share was no easy feat for Oppo. Xiaomi is still ahead, but the gap was smaller in Q3 than in previous quarters. Also, Oppo isnt alone in this as it is sharing R&D resources with OnePlus, which is one of the few Chinese companies that are selling phones in the US. Theres also Realme, which overtook Oppo in some regions like India, but like OnePlus, Realme is also contributing to the common hardware and software development effort. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands recorded 123 new cases of COVID-19 from Dec. 27-29, bringing the total number of cases to 3,208 since March 28, 2020, according to a news release from Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. The individuals have been isolated and are actively being monitored. As of Dec. 29, there were 718 active cases in the CNMI, and 13 deaths were reported as of Thursday. Of the 123 new cases, 72 were identified on Dec. 29, 50 on Dec. 28, and 1 on Dec. 27. There were 28 identified via contact tracing and 95 through community testing. The vaccination statuses of the 123 cases identified are pending verification. As of Dec. 29, there were 14 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 10 unvaccinated, four vaccinated and two on ventilators. A total of 300 COVID-19 vaccine shots were administered on Dec. 30, resulting in 94.4% of the CNMIs eligible population being fully vaccinated, according to the news release. Since the Oct. 28 surge began, there have been 2,917 new cases, of which 1,461 were identified via contact tracing, 1,392 were identified via community testing, and 64 were identified via travel testing. Ten of the deaths have occurred since the community surge started. Of the 13 deaths reported in the CNMI, 11 occurred since the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of those deaths, six people were not vaccinated, and one was partially vaccinated, the release stated. Health officials encouraged community members to get vaccinated if they have not, and to get their booster shot if they were eligible. Health officials said unvaccinated individuals are at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and people who havent been vaccinated spread the virus at a higher rate than those who have been vaccinated, increasing the spread and risk of serious illness. Vaccines are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Multi-Purpose Center on Saipan. Register for COVID-19 vaccines at www.vaccinatecnmi.com. Individuals age 18 or older are now eligible to avail of a booster shot; 16-17-year-olds can get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot. To register for community-based testing, visit https://covidtesting.chcc.health. No code is required to register. If there are no dates showing, it means all spots have been filled. More dates will be announced. Those waiting to get tested or waiting for test results are advised to stay at home as much as possible and limit contact with others, according to the release. The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. communicable disease investigation/inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new cases, and this effort will continue until all probable cases are identified and tested, the release stated. Contact tracers will reach out to people deemed high risk. If you have concerns regarding a possible exposure to a positive case, call contact tracers no later than 9 p.m. at (670) 285-1942, 286-1710, or 286-1711. Guam is entering 2022 much as it entered 2021 hopeful we can emerge from the grips of a pandemic that has contributed to sickness, death, economic loss and profound disruption of our lives. Although new variants of the virus have been discovered, new medicines have also been developed. Although our tourism industry has been battered, construction projects have increased and federal spending is up. The pandemic has changed the way we interact with one another, from social distancing to wearing masks to limiting our celebrations. As we weather yet another year of COVID-19, heres what we can expect in 2022. Restrictions Although mask requirements were lifted through out much of the United States in 2021, Guams mask mandate wont be lifted anytime soon. With the impending introduction of the omicron variant and concerns surrounding its impact on communities, it is nearly impossible to predict the public health policies that we may need to adapt in order to effectively target this variant and future variants, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said this week. While it is too soon to say if there will be any additional restrictions, the mask mandate will foreseeably remain in place, as it continues to be one of our greatest safeguards against the virus. However, the governor said shutdowns are unlikely going forward. Our island is doing everything we can to stay open. My administrations response will remain steadfast to support our local businesses and their employees as we work to come back better than ever, she said. Like most of the world, we are currently bracing for the impact of the omicron variant and the extent to which it will affect tourism specifically. Tourism Guam Visitors Bureau Vice President Gerry Perez said the best-case scenario for tourism on Guam is for the island to remain aggressively defensive on vaccinations and well prepared to proactively handle the detection and containment of variants by following appropriate medical protocols. Its hard to predict when a full recovery can be projected with all the new variants being identified but were still looking conservatively at a three- to five-year window, Perez said. Regional and global expectations for pre-COVID levels arent expected before 2023 or 2024, Perez told participants during a Dec. 3 Guam Chamber of Commerce 2022 Economic Forum. Prior to the pandemic, Guam had 1.6 million visitors a year. In fiscal 2021, there were 61,607 visitors. Perez said factors outside of Guams control affect the tourism industry, including travel protocols and entry requirements, new virus variants, concerns on slow pandemic containment and consumer concerns about job security, business bankruptcies and rising unemployment in source markets. The one thing we can say that is positive is we are a safe destination, Perez said. For fiscal 2022, Guam Visitors Bureau has a conservative estimate of 85,000 visitors and an optimistic estimate of 130,000 visitors if conditions are favorable. The industry feedback estimate is 201,783, he said. We believe, however, ... that the figure of 115,000 to 120,000 might be more realistic. This week, Perez said the tourism industry will never be the same because COVID has changed the behavior and motivation of travelers. It is obvious at this point that health, hygiene and safety protocols are in demand for potential visitors to feel comfortable enough to travel, he said. Construction While the tourism industry will struggle with recovery through 2022, residents can expect to see more construction in coming years. During the same economic forum where Perez presented tourism projections, Gary Hiles, Guam Department of Labor chief economist, explained there are some bright spots for economic recovery in the year ahead. Construction is an important indicator of the economy going forward, he said. When we try to forecast the economy, thats very difficult to know all of the things that might happen in the coming year that would affect the economy. But construction is a fantastic leading indicator with the building permits, because if somebody gets a building permit, they have a financial commitment and a plan in place to proceed with building. Aside from the building permits, which are for local government and civilian projects, Department of Defense contracts reflect projects on base. You can see that the total amount is varied over the year, but it has increased substantially in 2021 over what it was in 2020, Hiles said. He said the combined 59% increase gives us a pretty solid indication that construction will increase in fiscal 2022. Relief efforts Leon Guerrero said the administration pushed out over $1.2 billion in direct aid into the hands of our people for immediate relief, when the pandemic began, and more relief is on the way, especially for businesses. We will focus on revitalizing and diversifying our economy, the governor said. Guam was one of the first jurisdictions in the nation to provide more than $20 million in direct aid to over 2,200 businesses and distressed commercial tenants through the 2020 pandemic assistance grant and commercial rent assistance programs. We have since rolled out additional relief funds for clinics, daycares, and another round of pandemic assistance to over 1,000 businesses in 2021. Now, it is time for strategic, targeted help, and especially for businesses most affected by the tourism slowdown. The recent opening of the Local Employers Assistance Program will provide another $50 million to support our economic recovery, she said. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Japanese New Years Festival, Games and Pastimes, by Helen Gunsaulus This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The Japanese New Years Festival, Games and Pastimes Author: Helen Gunsaulus Release Date: December 30, 2021 [eBook #67056] Language: English Produced by: Ronald Grenier (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/University of Illinois Libraries) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JAPANESE NEW YEARS FESTIVAL, GAMES AND PASTIMES *** The Japanese New Years Festival, Games and Pastimes BY HELEN C. GUNSAULUS Assistant Curator of Japanese Ethnology FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CHICAGO 1923 {1} Field Museum of Natural History Department of Anthropology Chicago, 1923 Leaflet Number 11 The Japanese New Years Festival, Games and Pastimes The Japanese prints with which we are most familiar in this country are those known as nishikiye, literally brocade picture. Generally speaking, they are portraits of actors and famous beauties or landscapes and nature studies. There are, however, other woodcuts known as surimono, things printed, whose subjects are characters known in history and folklore, household gods, incidents in the daily life of the people and the celebration of certain festivals, particularly that of the New Year. From a careful study of these prints we may become acquainted with many of the most distinctive customs of Japan. Though produced by the same process as that used for the nishikiye, surimono may be easily distinguished from the former. In addition to the series of wood blocks used to print the outline and colors of the design, surimono are often enriched by the application of metal dusts and embossing. The decorative motive is usually interpreted or accompanied by a poem or series of poems written in the picture. These prints were not made for sale but were exchanged as gifts among poets and artists on certain occasions, such as feasts, birthdays, theatrical or literary meetings, and especially as cards of greeting presented at the opening of the New Year. The surimono in the{2} collection in Field Museum of Natural History were selected primarily with the view of illustrating the customs and mode of living of the people of Japan rather than of assembling together pictures which would be enjoyed for their aesthetic appeal. While these prints are of an artistic nature, they are valuable to an institution of this kind as approaches to the study of the ethnology of Japan. The Museum is in possession of a collection of three hundred and sixty prints which has been divided into four groups, in the first of which the New Years festival and certain games and pastimes are pictured to a considerable degree. This selection is hung each year in Gunsaulus Hall (Room 30, Second Floor) from January 1st to April 1st, when it is succeeded by another group. THE NEW YEARS FESTIVAL Of the many festivals enjoyed in Japan, none is attended with more ceremony than that which opens with the New Year and is celebrated with more or less formality for fourteen days. It was customary in the old days to celebrate the New Year at the time when the plum first blossomed and when winter began to soften into spring, somewhere between the middle of January and the middle of February. Since the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, this festival opens on January 1st, and is attended by many of the interesting ceremonies that were practised in former times. On the thirteenth day of the preceding month, a special stew (okotojiru) is made from red beans, potatoes, mushrooms, sliced fish and a root (konnyaku). About this time a cleaning of the house takes place. It is partly ceremonial and partly practical, and is known as soot-sweeping (susu-haraki). Servants are presented with gifts of money and a short holiday. {3} According to the lunar calendar, the New Years celebration was opened by the ceremony known as oniyarai, demon-driving. This occurred at Setsubun, the period when winter passed into spring, and to-day it is generally practised at that time and is quite independent of the New Years festival. In some sections of the country, however, it has been moved forward to New Years eve, December 31st. As may be seen in the first illustration, this ceremony consists of the scattering of parched beans in four directions in the house, crying at the same time, Out with the devils, in with the good luck. Though sometimes performed by a professional who goes from door to door, this office is generally carried on by the head of the family. The custom may be traced back to ancient days when the demons expelled personified the wintry influences and the diseases attendant on them. It is still customary in some regions to gather up beans equal in number to the age plus one, and wrap them with a coin in a paper which has been previously rubbed over the body, to transfer ill luck. This package is then flung away at a cross-roads, with the idea that thereby ill luck is gotten rid of. Again in other places some of the beans are saved and eaten at the time of the first thunder. In Fig. 2 other interesting steps in the celebration may be studied. Certain preparations for the demon-expelling ceremony are being made. A woman who stands near a stove is parching the beans in a flat pan. At her feet the box for the beans rests upon a low stand of the form known as sambo, that used as the support for all ceremonial arrangements on festive occasions. It is made of cypress wood; in this case it is lacquered red but when holding offerings for the gods, it is left unstained. It will be noticed that there is a charm stuck in at the upper corner of the open{4} door in this picture. It is composed of a branch of holly on which is impaled the head of a sardine. This charm, which is always placed in the lintel after the demons have been driven out, is said to be repellent to evil influences and the prickly holly has the property of keeping demons from reentering the house. Immediately over the womans head hangs one of the most conspicuous objects associated with the New Years festival. It is the straw rope (shimenawa) which is stretched before the entrance at the front of the house, to remain during all the days of the celebration, and keep out all evil spirits. Smaller straw ropes are placed over inner doorways and before the household shrine or god-shelf (kami-dana). They are also to be seen on the posts of certain bridges, particularly the Gojobashi in Kyoto. The shimenawa is always made of straw twisted to the left, the pure or fortunate side, with pendant straws at regular intervals but of differing numbers in the order three, five, seven, along the whole length of the strand. Alternating with these pendants are leaves of the fern, urajiro. Since the fern-fronds spring in pairs from the stem, this plant is symbolic of happy married life and increase. The lanciform leaves attached to the straw rope in this picture, are those of a laurel-like shrub called yuzuri. This plant has been adopted as the symbol of a long united family because the old leaves cling to the branch after the young ones have appeared. Other objects with specific meanings are often attached to the rope, the most common being paper cuttings (gohei) which represent the offerings of cloth made to the gods in ancient times. Occasionally tied to the rope are little bundles of charcoal (sumi) which, because of its changeless color, symbolizes changelessness. FIG. 1. ONIYARAI CEREMONY. BY HOKKEI. FIG. 2. PREPARING BEANS FOR ONIYARAI. BY HOKKEI. The origin of the use of shimenawa on New Years day may be traced back to mythological times{5} when the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, was tempted forth from the cave into which, through fear of her brother, she had retired. In order to entice her from her hiding place, all the gods assembled together and, bringing with them a dancer, made such a commotion that the heavenly ancestor of the emperor peeped out. Her face was reflected in a mirror which they had hung upon a tree. Never before had she gazed upon her own beauty, and thinking it the countenance of a rival, she stepped forth. She was prevented from returning by a fellow deity who stretched a straw rope across the opening of her retreat. During her retirement all the earth had been in darkness. As she emerged, the warm light of the sun spread over the world and joy returned to the people. A survival of the belief in this legend is to be seen to this day at a certain spot on the shore of Owari Bay. There, at Futami, two tower-like rocks, known at the Husband and Wife Rocks (Myoto-seki) jut out of the waves close to the beach. They are joined together by a straw rope which some say represents the bond of conjugal union. Others see in it a hindrance against the entrance of the Plague God. However, these rocks are popularly thought to represent the cave into which the Sun Goddess retired. On this account many people journey to Myoto-seki before dawn on New Years day, in order to see the first rays of the sun emerge on the horizon between these two rocks, thereby witnessing the re-appearance of the Sun Goddess who is restrained by the shimenawa from re-entering her retreat. The fern leaves and yuzuriha, attached to the straw rope, are also in evidence on certain ceremonial arrangements which are to be seen in all households on New Years day. Two such objects are illustrated in Fig. 3. They are called o kazari mono, honorably{6} decorated thing. Both of these stands of sambo form are laid with paper covers on which are placed rice puddings (mochi) of various forms. Those on the stand at the left are large, flat and round, in shape representing the mirror into which Amaterasu looked when she came forth from the cave. Again they symbolize the sun, the yo or male principle, and the moon, the in or female principle. They are adorned with two fern leaves, a folded paper arrangement (called noshi) and a bitter orange (daidai) to which are attached two yuzuri leaves. The Japanese are devoted to puns on words. Daidai-yuzuri, in pronunciation, is identical with the phrase which means bequeath from generation to generation, hence the adoption of the bitter orange with the yuzuri leaves in the New Years decoration. Dried chestnut kernels (kachiguri) are often added to the arrangement, for the name suggests the happy thought of victory (kachi). The second stand which holds rice puddings is surmounted by a branch of pine, one of the well-known emblems of longevity. The pine, bamboo and plum are arranged together for this occasion and are known as sho-chiku-bai. At the base of the pine in Fig. 3 and lying on fern leaves, is a lobster. On account of the bent back and long tentacles it typifies a life so prolonged that the body is bent over and the beard reaches to the waist. A lobster or crayfish is often seen hanging to the center of the straw rope. In the background of this picture, a set of bows and arrows used for indoor practice may be seen leaning against a basket filled with square rice cakes. In the foreground, a woman is seated before a chopping board on which she cuts the rice cakes into small pieces. Being small and hard, these bits are known as hail mochi. In some parts of Japan, it is customary{7} to eat them on the third day of the festival. A companion who holds up a picture of the Sun Goddess, is seated near a lantern, on the base of which rests a waterpot. It is likely that this vessel contains the young water (hatsumizu) used for the New Years tea (fuku cha, good luck tea). Custom decrees that this water must be drawn from the well before the suns rays strike it. An offering of rice is sometimes first thrown into the well. With the tea is served a preserved plum (umeboshi), which, because of its wrinkled skin, suggests the hope of a good old age. In addition, there is always served on this festive day a fish stew known as zoni, and a special spiced brand of wine called toso. In some households the first day is devoted entirely to family devotion. Before the ancestral shrine offerings of tea, mirror dumplings, zoni and toso are placed, and then each living member is served in order of age with the same viands. With the same respect for age, New Years greetings are spoken first to the shrine, then to grandparents and parents and so on down to the smallest child. As we leave the house and go outdoors, we see before all portals the pine of the doorway (kado-matsu)pine and bamboo saplings bound together and set up at either side of the entrance. The pine on the left has a red trunk and is of the species akamatsu (pinus densiflora); that on the right has a black trunk and is the kuro-matsu (pinus thunbergii). Fancy has attributed to the lighter pine, the feminine sex, while the black pine is thought to represent the masculine. Between these kadomatsu is usually hung the straw rope previously described. The two plants, the pine and bamboo, have no religious significance but are emblematic of longevity and fidelity. Long life and vigor are naturally suggested by{8} the old and gnarled evergreens; the reason why the bamboo should typify fidelity is less obvious. It is again a case of a similar pronunciation of two Chinese characters: setsu meaning fidelity and setsu denoting the node of the bamboo. A kado-matsu is pictured in the fourth illustration where in the foreground two boys, bound together with a rope are testing their strength. This common pastime for boys is called kubi hiki. A third child, acting as umpire, holds in his hand a kite in the shape of a bird. The streets during the New Years festival are veritable playgrounds; stilt walking, rope pulling and jumping, top spinning and ball playing are all indulged in. Kite-flying is perhaps the most conspicuous sport, for kites of many shapes and sizes are sent up by all lads on these days. In Japan kite-flying is not only more picturesque than with us, on account of the use of such fantastic forms as double fans, birds, butterflies, cuttlefish or huge portraits of heroes in brilliant colors and unusual proportions, but it is also apt to be a very exciting sport. Occasionally opponents try to capture an enemys kite. Competitive kite-flying is accomplished by covering the first ten or twenty feet of the kite string with fish glue or rice paste, and then dipping it into pounded glass or porcelain. On hardening, this portion of the string becomes a series of tiny blades which when crossed with another string at high tension can soon saw away the kite of the adversary. It is also customary to attach a strip of whale bone or a bow of bamboo to the large kites, so that on ascending a loud humming is produced which adds to the excitement of the flight. Only boys and men fly kites in Japan. FIG. 3. SAMBO AND MOCHI FOR NEW YEAR BY I-ITSU GETCHI ROJIN. FIG. 4. KADO-MATSU, KITE AND ROPE PULLING. BY HOKKEI. The girls, dressed in their best costumes, are picturesque as they play with a hand ball and at battledore and shuttlecock. The balls are made of paper and{9} wadding wound with silk of different colors. The battle boards are of a white wood called kiri and are often elaborate affairs, adorned on one side with the portrait of a hero made of colored silks. The shuttlecock is composed of the seed of the soapberry, to which bright feathers are attached. On a surimono in this exhibition two girls are at play upon a red mat spread beneath the blossoming plum tree. To one of the branches is clinging a nightingale, the bird which heralds the approach of spring. All of the poems on this surimono treat of the New Year and the nightingales song. One, literally translated, reads, Springs first wind melting the snow, let laugh the plum, let cry the nightingale. Another rendered in English is as follows: Like the comical manner of a bouncing ball, the nightingales song rolls (like a ball) on the plum branch. Young maidens carrying flat bamboo baskets make excursions into the country to gather the seven spring grasses (nanakusa). These greens, the water drop-wort, shepherds purse, radish, celery, dead-nettle, turnip and rock-cress, are the components which are needed for the celebration of the first of the five festivals known as Go-sekku. This one occurs on the seventh day of the first month. While the young people enjoy these pastimes out of doors, within the house the older members of the family indulge in the writing of a New Years poem or in playing one of the games described in the next section of this leaflet. The writing of poems at this auspicious time is almost universal, indeed, the composing of poetry and the mastery of caligraphy are considered as necessary accomplishments for the cultured person. The most common form of New Years poem is that known as tanka. It is a poem of five lines, the first and third of which contain five syllables,{10} the other three seven, and is the poem almost always found on surimono. Poems are often inscribed on fans as in Fig. 5, where one young woman meditates over the verse which she has written on a fan. A companion seated at a writing table, is grinding ink with one hand and holding with the other a poem paper (tanzaku). Such long strips are to be seen in many houses awaiting the New Years inspiration. They are sometimes tinted to a soft shade or ornamented with appropriate New Years flowers or with silver clouds as in this case. One of the poems accompanying this surimono is worthy of translation: From the window, lighting the brush for the first writing, the plums fragrance on the wind is blowing. On the first day of the year, musicians and dancers proceed from house to house. The musician, wearing a flat straw hat which partially covers her face, charms away birds of ill omen with a few strains played on the samisen. The dancers are either those known as manzai or are those who enact the lion dance, a performance adopted from China. (Costumes used in the lion dance of China may be seen in Case 5, Hall I, ground floor.) With the majority of families much of the day is spent in paying visits to friends, at which times it is customary to present small gifts, usually of trifling value such as conserves, fruit, fish, persimmons, herring roe, bean-curd, towels and similar articles. Presents are either placed on trays in ceremonial form or carefully wrapped in paper or silk and tied with red and white cords. Accompanying every gift there is always a quiver-shaped envelope of folded paper called noshi, in which is inserted a strip of dried haliotis or awabi. This odd custom, like so many others, has an interesting significance. The strip of haliotis is symbolic of long life and durability of affection, because it is{11} capable of being stretched to great length. The single shell of this mollusk also suggests singleness of affection. In the ancient days when Japan was a nation of fishermen, a piece of dried awabi was indeed a valuable gift. In the present use of the noshi and awabi, some say that the Japanese would recall the primitive days, thereby preserving the virtue of humility. Another conspicuous object which is usually in evidence at New Years is the small treasure boat (takarabune) sometimes made of straw and symbolizing the coming of the Seven Gods of Good Luck Shichifukujin. Pictures of takarabune are placed beneath the pillow with the wish that the New Years dream may be a fortunate one. No work is done on the first day of the festival, even the sweeping of the house is omitted, lest some good fortune be scattered to the winds. All stores are closed to regular business. On the second day a pretense is made toward returning to normal life. The musician takes out his instrument, the student looks into his books, the artist gets out his brushes and the merchant distributes his goods from gaily colored handcarts. The storehouse of treasures is opened and enjoyed on this day as well, rarely on the first day for fear good fortune and wealth should flee away. The large mirror dumplings are taken from the ceremonial stands and from before the family shrine on the fourth day, and cut into small pieces known as teeth-strengtheners. On this day also, the fire brigades of Tokyo march in procession and perform gymnastic feats. At early dawn on the seventh day the master of the house, who follows the old customs closely, arises and goes to the kitchen where he washes the seven spring herbs (nanakusa) in the first water drawn from the well. He then chops them on a board, moving his knife in time with a certain{12} incantation concerned with cheating any birds of ill omen which might come to the country. The chopped herbs are boiled in a kind of rice gruel and served with ceremony at the breakfast. On the eleventh day the military men used to offer mirror dumplings before their armor. The long celebration of the festival is finally brought to a close with the burning of the kado-matsu and other decorations on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the first month. GAMES AND PASTIMES Several of the most popular games of Japan are represented on surimono and only those games will be mentioned herein. To those who would study the subject exhaustively, S. Culins Corean Games is recommended. With the possible exception of chess (shogi), no game is more widely played than go, which has been erroneously identified with the game gobang, somewhat similar to our game of checkers. Go, a far more difficult contest than that European game, was introduced into Japan from China in the eighth century. For generations it has occupied the attention of the Japanese, there being clubs and schools devoted to the playing of go. It is played on a square, raised wooden board on which nineteen straight lines drawn from one side to the other of the board cross nineteen other lines drawn at right angles, making three hundred and sixty-one crosses on which the men are placed. One hundred and eighty white, and one hundred and eighty-one black stones, are used in the playing. These represent respectively day and night; the crosses represent three hundred and sixty degrees of latitude and the central intersection stands for the primordial principle of the universe. The object of the game is to capture the opponents pawns by enclosing at least three crosses around his stone, and to{13} cover as much of the table as possible. Military men have always been devotees to the game of go, seeing in it the rudimentary tactics necessary for successful warfare. FIG. 5. THREE GIRLS WRITING NEW YEARS POEMS. BY KATSUCHIKA HOKUSAI. FIG. 6. GAME OF JUROKU MUSASHI. BY HOKUSAI SORI. Juroku musashi (sixteen knights) is a favorite New Years game which is illustrated in Fig. 6. It is played on a board divided into diagonally-cut squares. One player holds sixteen round paper pawns representing sixteen knights; the opponent has but one large piece known as the general (taisho) which has the power to capture enemy pieces when they are immediately on each side of it with a blank space beyond. The holder of the smaller pieces seeks to completely hedge in and thereby capture the big piece. Sugoroku (double sixes) is similar to the European race-game. It is played with dice and the succeeding spaces on the board generally represent the stations of a journey. Brinkley, in his Japan and China (Vol. VI, p. 56), tells us that this game was imported from India in the eighth century and was at first prohibited on account of its gambling character. Eventually the Buddhist priests took it up and converted it into an instrument for inculcating virtue by making the spaces on the board represent a ladder of moral precepts which marked the path to victory. Sugoroku, with the travel board, is commonly played by children at New Years time. The name is also given to the more difficult game of backgammon which may be studied in one of the surimono in this museum. The board on which the game is being played is now obsolete. It is divided longitudinally into two fields with an intervening space between. Each field has twelve narrow subdivisions in which the men are placed. Games of cards (karuta from the Spanish carta) are altogether different from the European card{14} games, though it is commonly supposed, on account of the derivation of this name, that card playing was introduced in the sixteenth century by Portuguese travelers. It is interesting to note here that card playing was known in China in the twelfth century. It would seem that Japan must have made her first contact with the game through a source other than Spain, for the majority of the forms and methods of her playing cards in no way reflect European influence. The fact that cards are quite often called fuda (ticket) would also add in casting doubt on the European origin. The hana-garuta or flower cards which are widely played are small in size, black on the backs and adorned on the face with flowers and emblems belonging to the twelve months. A set comprises forty-eight cards and the values vary from one to twenty points. The game consists in drawing, playing and matching in suits or in groups. In the game of uta garuta (poem cards), there are two hundred cards. One hundred of these are decorated with portraits of poets and the first two lines of famous classic verses. These are to be matched with the corresponding hundred on which the remaining lines of the poems are inscribed. Of the many ways of playing uta garuta, chirashi, spread out, is the most exciting. The cards bearing the last part of the poems are laid face up on the floor. Those inscribed with the first lines are held by the reader, who reads them aloud one by one. The other players strive to pick up the corresponding card and he who at the last holds the most is declared winner. Somewhat similar to uta garuta is the game of kai awase (shell matching). Three hundred and sixty bivalve shells are used for this game. The two sides are separated and on the upper half is painted a portrait of a poet, on the mated shell are the lines{15} of one of his poems. Other sets have only the poems inscribed within them, the two first lines being on one half shell, the remaining lines on the other. The shells are divided among the players, and as the pictures or first lines are laid upon the mats, the holder of the corresponding poem places his shell near it. Some of the old kai awase sets were of great beauty and were stored in circular lacquer cases of fine workmanship. This game and the uta garuta naturally were played only by the cultured classes and were vehicles for the learning of the classics. In addition to the kites and battledores, stilts and hand balls, there are represented in this selection of surimono other toys for children such as hobby horses, dolls of paper, swinging bats for ball playing, archery outfits and the amusements afforded by caged singing insects and trained mice and monkeys. The older people likewise have delightful pastimes. As the season advances they spend much time in enjoying nature, the viewing of blossoming trees and plants, the listening to singing insects in the evening, and the gathering of shells and shell fish at ebb-tide are all occasions of organized parties in which men as well as women take keen pleasure. A series of five surimono by Kuniyoshi realistically portrays the joys of an ebb-tide party. Most of the musical instruments, which both men and women enjoy playing, are importations from China, particularly the lyre (koto), the violin (kokyu) and the reed organ (sho). The samisen, a three-stringed guitar, is the popular accompaniment of the singing girl or geisha; the koto is played by the more aristocratic women. Drums of double conical form (tsuzumi) are to be seen in the hands of both men and women. Flutes have long been popular with men of all classes, the wandering minstrel, the court musician{16} and even the courtier himself who delighted to match the softness of his flute tone with the gentle light of the moon, or with the voice of the harbinger of spring as evidenced by the poem on Fig. 7 which reads: Like the nightingales voice above the clouds, hazed over by the mist, the flute contains sweetness. Even more aesthetic than the enjoyment of music are the arts of the ceremonial tea (cha no yu, hot-water-tea) and that of flower arrangement (ikebana), both of which up to a short time ago were thought to be necessary acquirements for the cultivated classes. To each of these sciences many schools were devoted. Only the barest sketch can here be given of these subjects to which volumes have been devoted. The tea ceremony to-day is rigorously outlined by complicated rules as to utensils, order of procedure and even as to the subjects of conversation indulged in while in the tea room. Tea drinking was introduced from China in the ninth century and at first was practised by the Buddhist priests for medicinal purposes and especially as a means of keeping awake during meditations. In the fifteenth century meetings for tea drinking were held in groves and gardens. In an adjoining tea house pictures were shown on these occasions which were mainly Buddhistic in subject, and most of them of Chinese origin. Under the great tea-master Rikyu (sixteenth century) the rules of cha no yu were rewritten. From this time on the ceremony was performed in a small house with a low door through which the few guests would have to prostrate themselves for entrance. The most characteristic traits of these gatherings were a close sympathy with nature and a love of simplicity almost amounting to ruggedness as expressed in the tea bowls often partially glazed. Restraint was likewise displayed in the decorations{17} of the room, a simple bamboo flower holder was preferred to the bronze vase, and a hanging picture (kakemono) was chosen which would make an equally quiet appeal, such as a branch in the wind or an example of fine caligraphy. The occasion became a time in which to worship purity and refinement. FIG. 7. NOBLEMAN PLAYING THE FLUTE. BY GAKUTEI. FIG. 8. YOUNG MAN ARRANGING FLOWERS. ARTIST UNKNOWN. Like the tea ceremony, the art of flower arrangement (ikebana) developed into a philosophy under the patronage of the shogun Yoshimasa in the fifteenth century. For several centuries it has been studied and cultivated as a refined accomplishment. Miss Averill in Japanese Flower Arrangement tells us that many of Japans most celebrated generals have been masters of this art, finding that it calmed their minds and made clear their decisions for the field of action. All of the schools of ikebana, with one exception, are founded on the same principles. The underlying idea is to reproduce in the arrangement the effect of growing plants and to preserve for as long a time as possible the life of the plants. Arrangements aim to reflect the season or the occasion. When high winds prevail in March, branches with unusual curves are selected and so placed as to suggest strong breezes. Certain colors are considered unlucky for certain occasions, for example, red suggesting flames is inappropriate for house warmings, when white would be the desirable color in that it suggests water to quench the fire. An uneven number of flowers are considered lucky and also much more suggestive of the processes of nature, where there is seldom found perfect symmetry and actual balance. In the arrangements of the later schools there are always represented three principles known in the different groups by diverse names: Heaven, Man and Earth; Earth, Air and Water; or Father, Mother and Child. The three main sprays of an arrangement represent in their directions{18} of growth these three principles, and are designated: standing, growing, running. Subsidiary branches in the selection are called attributes. As may be seen in Fig. 8, an arrangement is first composed in the hands, care being taken that all branches be kept close together at the base so as to form the parent stalk. The young man in the picture holds in his mouth a support for bracing the flowers in the bronze vase, on the floor are scissors. A woman is approaching with a waterpot. Such a refined pastime as ikebana is primarily intended to entertain visitors who may contemplate the finished arrangement as it is set up in the raised portion (tokonoma) of the main room. Helen C. Gunsaulus Transcribers Notes. Text notes: For the HTML version, page numbers of the original printed text are displayed within braces to the side of the text. The author sometimes uses dashes within compound Japanese words (e.g. kado-matsu doorway-pine) to emphasize the separate words. This has been retained. *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JAPANESE NEW YEARS FESTIVAL, GAMES AND PASTIMES *** Haiti - Justice : The GARR concerned about the non-respect of the rights of repatriated Haitians The Support Group for Returnees and Refugees (GARR) draws the attention of the State and the public to the state of unbridled degradation of human rights in Haiti, in particular with the deterioration of the climate of insecurity in the country. In addition, the expulsion this year of several tens of thousands of migrants, mainly by the United States, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, Mexico, and other countries in the region has only exacerbated the already critical Human Rights situation. Le Gaar deplores the fact that no reintegration program for these returning populations has been initiated or supervised by the State. The rights of repatriated and/or expelled people have been doubly violated, first as migrants who have been victims of various violations of their rights and then as Haitian citizens returned to the country which struggles to welcome them with dignity. In addition, faced with the hardening of the migration policy by the Dominican authorities, the GARR fears, from January (end of the ultimatum to regularize Haitian workers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35047-haiti-flash-dr-90-day-ultimatum-for-haitian-workers.html ) to new waves of massive repatriationhttps://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35140-icihaiti-dr-tens-of-thousands-of-haitian-workers-in-an-irregular-situation-risk-deportation-in-january-2022.html who are often marred by human rights violations. Faced with this gloomy picture, the organization calls for raising awareness among state actors and those in civil society on the urgent need for a recovery in the human rights situation in Haiti. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35547-haiti-politic-14-127-haitians-repatriated-by-5-countries-in-3-months.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35422-icihaiti-garr-819-women-including-169-pregnant-and-117-girls-repatriated-from-dr-in-november.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35396-haiti-dom-rep-despite-protests-expulsions-of-pregnant-women-continue.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35296-icihaiti-dr-gaar-deplores-the-continued-repatriation-of-pregnant-women.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35140-icihaiti-dr-tens-of-thousands-of-haitian-workers-in-an-irregular-situation-risk-deportation-in-january-2022.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35047-haiti-flash-dr-90-day-ultimatum-for-haitian-workers.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35300-icihaiti-dr-31-764-illegal-haitians-arrested-and-repatriated.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34915-haiti-dr-7-285-illegal-haitians-intercepted-at-the-dominican-border-and-repatriated-to-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34786-haiti-flash-joe-biden-orders-the-deportation-of-thousands-of-illegal-haitian-migrants.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Pelerin : blackout since Christmas Since December 25, the Pelerin district has no more electricity without any explanation from the officials of Electricity of Haiti (EDH). 126 detainees released in December As part of the fight against prolonged preventive detention, from December 1 to 30, 2021, 104 inmates of the national penitentiary were released. In addition, 22 women including 2 minors also was released from the Cabaret prison, welcomed the Commissioner of the Government of Port-au-Prince, Jacques Lafontant. Gonaives : Resumption of work on the 218th independence Thursday, December 30, 221, after the forced stop of the construction of the official stand to welcome the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry and the members of his Government in Gonaives on January 1st, 2022 for the ceremony and the festivities of the 218th anniversary of the independence of Haiti, following the attack by armed individuals https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35595-haiti-flash-armed-individuals-oppose-the-arrival-of-the-pm-in-gonaives-on-january-1-2022.html works has resumed under close surveillance by agents from several PNH units and the military. An apparent calm reigns in the lower part of the city where commercial activities are functioning normally... The cautious population remains worried, however. 2021 : 33,000 children received psychosocial support Women and children have been the targets of violence. In 2021, more than 33,000 children received psychosocial support, including access to child-friendly spaces, through intersectoral programming interventions. Justice : The year 2022 will be a year of major projects "The year 2022 will be a year of major projects for justice and public safety. In line with the government's penal policy, the players in the penal chain have a heavy responsibility to do everything possible to meet the aspirations of litigants," affirms Berto Dorce, the Minister of Justice and Public Security. Post-earthquake : Reconstruction and recovery effort In early 2022, the Haitian Government, with the support of the United Nations, will organize an event aimed at involving the international community in the reconstruction and recovery effort after the August 2021 earthquake. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2021/12/31 | Source New posters added for the upcoming Korean movie "The Pregnant Tree and the Goblin" (2019) Advertisement Directed by Kim Dong-ryung, Park Kyoung-tae Narrated by Park In-soon, Kim Ah-hae, Kim Mi-sook-IV, Shin Seung-tae, Shin Yoon-sook, Jo Eun-kyung-I,... Synopsis In a shanty village located next to the US military base in Uijungbu City, lives a former US military camp town sex worker, Park In-soon. Having lived in the village for more than 40 years, In-seon feels uneasy after hearing the news report on demolition plans of the military base. One winter night, In-seon encounters the death of her colleague and ends up attending her funeral. She is soon discovered by the Death Messengers who have come to look for wandering ghosts. While the Death Messengers come up with stories to take the ghosts to afterlife, In-seon starts to unfold her own 'true' story to fight back against her own extinction. Release date in Korea : 2022/01/27 A FAMILY which has run a garage in Binfield Heath for the past 57 years is to cease trading. The Forge Garage in Arch Hill has been run by the Cotterills for four -generations but Mervyn, who founded the business with his father Dick in 1964, now thinks it is time to move on. He plans to spend more time with his wife Pauline, 75, and go travelling in their motor home. Mr Cotterill, 76, said: It wasnt an easy decision and its a bit of a struggle to come to terms with it. Meeting the customers has been the best thing about this job and thats what I will miss the most. We are only a small garage and the new cars are getting more and more sophisticated in another 10 or 15 years, they will be out of reach for a small village garage. I could carry on specialising in classic cars but I dont know how they will keep going. I think its time to slow down. His daughter Sarah Strong, 50, said: My dad and grandad built the business up between them. They started off as agricultural mechanics, working with tractors and mowers, and eventually moved on to cars and vans. My brother Martin and I thought we would take it on but as the motor trade changes so quickly, its getting more and more difficult to keep going. The big car firms have been trying to push us out for years. Constant new technology and the cost of updating to move with the times is more than we can really afford its really expensive and never-ending and you need to draw the line somewhere. My dad needs to slow down and it has not been an easy decision for him. We dont want to let our customers down but he has to think about the future. We care about our customers more than anything else and we just keep going until the job is done. Throughout the years, my parents could never really relax my dad would often start work at 7am and even work on Sundays. Before he started working with his father, Mr Cotterill worked at Home Builders in Duke Street, Henley. He said: My dad and I got on really well and I enjoyed working with him for so long. When I started with him, I didnt go to college but did a correspondence course to learn about car electrics. The garage used to be a blacksmiths shop when we first came here and I did go on a blacksmith course but I found I couldnt keep it up. I used to get nose bleeds because of the heat in the forge and high blood pressure. The old blacksmith was still alive when we came here and he retired in 1960 so we converted the building and took the forge out. We have had all sorts of customers and from all over. One of my favourite memories of the job is when a customer who was in Holland drove down to the beach in his Jaguar and was surprised by a high tide. I remember he phoned me and asked me to go to Holland and bring the car back to England. In those days no one had recovery insurance. During the Shiplake and Wargrave Regatta one year, a customer drove across the field and into the water and we had to pull his car out of the river using a Range Rover and a Land Rover. Mrs Strong joined her father and grandfather in the garage when she was 16. She said: Ive never not known cars they were always part of my life. I mostly do the office work now but I can do most things in the garage and I do enjoy it. I do like to go out and get my hands dirty. I like looking after the customers and seeing a job from start to finish. She is married to Robert Strong, who works for a builders merchant in Wallingford, and they live in Caversham Park with their children, Rebecca-Anne, 24, and Matthew, 21. When the garage closes, Mrs Strong will go to work for Hennell Vehicle Services in Rotherfield Greys. She said: I will be doing a similar job I cant not be in the motor trade anymore, I need to be around cars one way or another. Her son grew up in and around the garage and now works for Nissan in Reading. He said: When my mum took me to school every morning, she would point out noises and sounds in the car and from a very young age I started asking questions and taking things apart to see how they worked now I get to do it as my job. Despite this, Matthew wasnt expected to take over the family business. Mrs Strong: I felt that he needed to go into a big company to learn and I wanted to make sure that he was future-proof. Mr and Mrs Cotterill will put the garage and their house nearby up for sale as they plan to downsize. Appointment 31 December 2021 Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi has appointed Bianca Bara as the new director of sales. Bara started her hospitality journey in 2014 when she joined Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road & Downtown Dubai Hotels. More recently she was a part of the pre-opening team of Marriott Hotel & Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi and later took on the responsibility to head the corporate sales for the Abu Dhabi EDITION as well where she played a major role in the success of the multi-property setup and account activations. Bara has obtained experience in hotel sales and leadership roles, which has shaped who she is today and helped her build a large network in the local and international markets. Bara is known for her meticulous attention to detail, and she is constantly coming up with new ideas to assist the company to achieve its long-term goals and objectives. Throughout her career, Bara has achieved multiple recognitions for her efforts including Marriott Golden Circle EMEA Platinum Achiever 2019 and Marriott President's Circle Awards Achiever 2018. In her new role, Bara will lead the development of all sales activities at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, as well as building and maintaining connections with business partners and working closely with the director of sales & marketing to monitor performance and ensure budgets are fulfilled. Press Release 31 December 2021 Organised by the SHTM and its Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre together with STR and run by a group of talented SHTM undergraduate students from the Special Events Class, the IMPACT2021 Conference took place on 16 December at Hotel ICON in both online and offline forums. Advertisements As our resilient global industry re-emerged from the setbacks imposed by COVID-19, the SHTM assembled industry leaders and prominent scholars from Hong Kong and beyond at IMPACT2021 to discuss the latest industry trends and prospects and to propose solutions to problems faced by the entire sector. Themed "New Tourism, New Directions", the conference was a timely opportunity to bring industry executives, government officials and academics together to exchange insights, find new paths and reinvent tourism for a post-pandemic world. IMPACT2021 was kicked off by Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, and Ms Elizabeth Winkle, Chief Strategy Officer of STR, who delivered the opening addresses. Chaired by Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, the Opening General Session that followed was entitled "Tourism and Hospitality Industry Today: Where Do We Go from Here?". Insights were provided by Mr Dane Cheng, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Mr Steve Hood, Senior Vice President, Research and Founding Director, SHARE Centre of the STR; Ms Liz Ortiguera, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Ms Stephanie Ricca, Editorial Director of Hotel News Now; and Ms Sarah Wang, Regional Director Greater China of the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Panel Discussion "Hospitality and Tourism 2030: Opportunities and Challenges", chaired by Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, SHTM Visiting Professor, and Dr Ada Lo, SHTM Associate Professor, featured two sessions. Joining the first session were panellists from the travel industry, including Mr Andrew Jones, Guardian of Sanctuary Resorts and Executive Board Member of PATA; Ms Monica Lee-Muller, Managing Director of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Ltd.; Ms Mandy Ng, CEO of Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd.; and Ms Gloria Slethaug, CEO of Connexus Travel. The second session featured panellists from the hospitality industry, namely Mr Richard Hatter, General Manager of Hotel ICON and SHTM Adjunct Associate Professor; Mr Tasos Kousloglou, CEO, Hotel Division of the Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.; Mr Regan Taikitsadaporn, Chief Human Resources Officer, Asia Pacific of the Marriott International; and Mr Bill Taylor, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Attention then turned to research nurtured by the SHTM, with two parallel sessions devoted to Impact Presentations by SHTM faculty and Hotel ICON Projects. The SHTM is very proud to have organised IMPACT2021, a unique and timely platform for discussing the future of the global hospitality and tourism industry. The School will continue its efforts to support the recovery of the industry and drive its future development. Texas has received limited quantities of oral medications to treat COVID that doctors say could be a game-changer. The federal government allocated an undisclosed amount of Paxlovid and Molnupiravir pills to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the state agency said this week. Patients will need a prescription from a health care provider to get the medicine, DSHS spokeswoman Lara M. Anton said in an email. High-risk patients with mild to moderate infection will be prioritized. The state health department expects to receive more medication from the federal government in January. Throughout Texas, 116 pharmacies will dispense the pills. In Harris County, the medications will be available at H-E-B, Kroger, Wal-Mart and Walgreens. DSHS provides maps of which pharmacies will have them. The medication is free to patients, but pharmacies or other types of health care providers still could charge dispensing and other fees. Coverage by each insurance company will differ like it does for all other procedures and medications, Anton said. COVID HELP DESK: Does it matter whether I have the omicron or delta COVID variant? The National Institutes of Health suggests unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals with clinical risk factors for severe illness, and vaccinated individuals who are not expected to mount an adequate immune response will get priority in prescribing. This could be people undergoing cancer treatment, receiving an organ transplant, or having advanced HIV, among other conditions. For now, doctors will have to be selective about who receives a prescription because the supply of pills is still very small, said Dr. Michelle Udayamurthy, managing physician for Kelsey-Seybolds Berthelsen Main Campus clinic. The reason why its such a limited availability is they just havent manufactured enough of these medications yet. That all takes time, said Udayamurthy. The medication can be particularly useful during the most recent surge in cases, since other treatments arent effective against omicron, Udayamurthy said. Texas infusion centers are running low on Sotrovimab, the antibody treatment that is most effective against the new variant. These pills are going to be game-changers. Its going to be similar to taking Tamiflu (the antiviral for influenza) for getting the flu if you take it early enough, shortly that decreases the severity of the flu. The pills can prevent serious illness, and help keep the health care system from becoming overwhelmed, said Udayamurthy, adding that the best protection against the virus is to be vaccinated. That alone is better than all these treatments we have, she said. rebecca.carballo @chron.com Coffee lovers will have yet another option for their cup of mud when Dutch Bros., an Oregon-based cafe chain opens its first Houston location off West Lake Parkway sometime next month. While it will not be the first of the locations built in Texas, this location will be the first Houston location. Dutch Bros. is familiar with the state of Texas having recently opened locations in Spring, as well as Katy. Now the company expands to the Houston area with their next location around the Atascocita area near Summer Creek High School. Kristin Leddige, who has worked with Dutch Bros. for over a decade in various managing positions, gave insight on what kind of environment people can expect from the new cafe. Were in the people business, explained Leddige. We just use coffee as our means to make people happy. A typical Dutch Bros. experience, youll go through and theres really energetic music playing and baristas ready to serve you. Its all around a really good experience. Dutch Bros is a coffee shop that specializes in coffee alongside other beverages such as teas and cold brews. They also offer an assortment of muffins, pastries, and granola bars for customers to enjoy with their drinks. It started in 1992 with two guys using a pushcart to sell coffee by the railroad tracks in Grants Pass, Oregon. Dane and Travis Boersma left the dairy industry to sell espresso, making a name for themselves amongst the community. The very first franchise opened in 2000, and since then, Dutch Bros. has spread to 11 different states including Texas across the United States. When the new Houston location will be completed hasnt been finalized at the moment but the company anticipates an opening around mid-January. We should open sometime next month, said Leddige. But it is kind of up in the air. Were just waiting on some final things from the city, but it should be sometime next month. Dutch Bros also frequently holds fundraiser campaigns for various efforts.This September, they held their annual Buck for Kids campaign, in which one dollar for every beverage sold is donated to local youth organizations to provide the means for education and extracurriculars. Just this September, Dutch Bros raised nearly $700,000 for their effort. Our company really wants us to be for the people, and it empowers us to give back to our communities and give back to our employees, Leddige said. Its just a really nice place to work. Earlier in the year, they also held their annual Drink One for Dane Day, in which $1.9 million in funds were donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the leading non-profit organization in ALS research. After co-founder Dane Boersma passed away in 2009 to the disease, this Dane Day idea became a staple for the cafe brand. Lake Houston residents can look forward to seeing the chain open next month but till then, keep up with the stores development and receive more information about Dutch Bros. by visiting their website. Houston-area hospitals say within two weeks they could run out of sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proven most effective against the coronavirus dominant omicron variant, if they dont receive another shipment from the state amid a nationwide supply shortage. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday publicly called on the federal government, which took over distribution of the treatment in September, to send another shipment of sotrovimab and other therapies that are effective against previous variants. The Texas Department of State Health Services earlier this week said regional infusion centers in Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands had already exhausted their supply of sotrovimab. Intended for symptomatic or high-risk patients, monoclonal antibodies block the virus ability to enter the cells, giving the bodys natural immune system time to mount its own response. The IV-administered treatment is not a substitute for vaccination but prevents COVID symptoms from worsening, and has become a critical tool for preventing long-term care in overwhelmed hospitals. The scarcity comes at a tenuous time for Houstons health care providers, as both new COVID cases and hospitalization are rising fast. The weekly average of new COVID cases at Texas Medical Center hospitals skyrocketed to a record high last week from 2,094 to 5,390. Daily average medical center hospitalizations nearly doubled in that time frame, from 110 to 201. It took only seven days for hospitalizations in the 25-county region that surrounds Houston to climb from 1,000 to 2,000 the fastest that mark has ever been reached. Regional hospitalizations on Thursday hit 2,017. COVID HELP DESK: Does it matter to know whether I have the omicron or delta COVID variant? A spokesperson at the states health agency said it will likely learn more about future monoclonal antibody allocations on Monday. Hospital administrators dont know what to expect. We feel pretty sure well get some, we just dont know how much and that were for sure going to get it, said Victoria Brownewell, chief nursing officer at Houston Methodist West Hospital who also oversees the systems monoclonal infusion centers. Methodist, which is treating about 500 people a week with sotrovimab, has enough supply to meet demand until Jan. 13, she said. Demand exploded for monoclonal antibodies during the delta wave in August and September, when certain states with high infection rates used an outsize portion of the nations supply. Looking to prevent future shortages, the federal government assumed control over distribution and bought more than a million additional doses. Omicron created a new problem in November. The variants ability to mutate and evade immunity rendered most antibody therapies less effective, including the widely popular treatment made by Regeneron, andsotrovimab emerged as the most effective antibody treatment against the variant. Now, states are clamoring for more doses amid the omicron-fueled surge. The variant now makes up roughly 60 percent of COVID cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but accounts for a higher percentage in Texas and Houston. Genome sequencing efforts at Houston Methodist earlier this week revealed that 94 percent of its symptomatic patients have omicron. The University of Texas Medical Branchs four-hospital network will likely run through its remaining 600 doses of sotrovimab in 10 days, said Dr. Gulshan Sharma, the systems chief medical officer. Were just hoping and waiting to see what we get, he said. Its anybodys guess what would be the allocation. Anecdotally, Sharma said most COVID patients at UTMB hospitals appear to have more mild symptoms than in previous surges, allowing doctors to be more discerning about who needs monoclonal antibodies. Many Houston-area hospitals, including UTMB, are prioritizing people who are immunocompromised and unvaccinated people who are at risk of severe disease. On HoustonChronicle.com: Can't find a COVID test in Houston? Here's what to do If UTMB does not receive another shipment of sotrovimab, Sharma said the hospital system will likely replace the treatment with a three-day course of remdesivir, an anti-viral medication now commonly used to treat the virus. He hopes the newly available anti-viral pills, nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir, will stave off the need for antibody treatments. Throughout Texas, 116 pharmacies will dispense the pills. In Harris County, the medications will be available with a prescription at H-E-B, Kroger, Walmart and Walgreens. DSHS provides maps of which pharmacies will have them. I think that would be a game changer in how we manage this, Sharma said. Zach Despart and Becca Carballo contributed to this report. julian.gill@chron.com twitter.com/juliangi11 The City of Houston is ramping up its COVID-19 testing capacity with two additional mega testing sites that will open next week, Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a news conference on Friday. Both free sites will have capacity for 1,000 daily tests. One of the testing sites will open in southwest Houston in partnership with United Memorial Medical Center at Butler Stadium, 13755 South Main Street. The other site is slated to open at a former Dave & Busters at 6010 Richmond Ave in West Houston, in partnership with Xpress Covid Testing. Several other Houston Health Department-affiliated sites already offer free testing across the city. Omicron in Texas: COVID cases, hospitalizations rise across Texas as omicron variant rages We'll keep ramping up tech testing through the month of January. And then hopefully, by the end of January, we'll be in a different space at that time, Turner said in the news conference. At full capacity, the Houston Health Departments network of affiliated testing sites can currently provide more than 30,000 daily COVID-19 tests, according to Turner. They hope to expand that capacity to 35,000 by the end of next week. Turner also urged Houston residents to continue to get tested on a regular basis to prevent community spread. If you got tested a week ago and youve been around a lot of people, it might be good to get tested again because this Omicron virus is so so contagious, said Turner. He also urged the community to get their booster shots. COVID-19 Testing: Can't find a COVID test in Houston? Here's what to do as Texas Medical Center sees highest demand ever The additional testing sites are opening up as COVID-19 positivity rates in the region have soared and many Houstonians are looking to get tested over the holidays. Houstons COVID-19 levels detected in wastewater has spiked 285% in a week as local officials push to increase daily testing capacity and urge residents to take precautions, especially when gathering to celebrate the new year. The citys 14-day average positivity rate, which reflects how many people are testing positive for the virus, reached 17.3 percent this past Sunday. That was well above the 7.8 percent calculated the Sunday before. When Mary Lou Davalos turned the corner to her school on Tuesday afternoon, all the Spring Oaks Middle School principal saw were fire trucks and firefighters, the flash of strobe lights filling the air. Smoke billowed from across the street the complex where many of Davalos students and their parents lived. She followed the hoses; the reality soon hit when Davalos saw current and former students among the crowd. The fire had destroyed two apartment units, and badly damaged four others, an official from the Houston Fire Department told her. Two people later confirmed to both be Shadowdale Middle School students were taken to the hospital after being burned in the conflagration, Davalos said. Residents first called 911 just before 4 p.m., fire officials said. Firefighters arrived at the scene to discover the apartment in flames. Fire Chief Samuel Pena said arson investigators are still probing the cause of the fire, but currently believe it was likely started by children playing with matches or a lighter. He said that the two children injured in the blaze appeared to have suffered second-degree burns, but did not have additional information. The departments public affairs team would be giving fire safety presentations in the area next week. Its always an issue, he said. We need to be cautious with children and their proper use of lighters and matches, because in a second it can turn tragic. According to news reports, an adjacent complex back in 2013 was the site of another fire albeit sparked by electrical issues. That fire left four units damaged but didnt cause any injuries. With sunset fast approaching, Davalos and other teachers from Spring Oaks Middle School posted messages on social media to seek donations for the families. They couldnt stay there. It was midnight and you could still smell the char burn, said Davalos, her voice catching. We didnt leave until everyone had somewhere to go and had something to eat. They were able to find rooms at nearby hotels for several of the families for a few days with the support of organizations including Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Communities in Schools of Houston and the Spring Branch Education Foundation, said Mary Pizana, Spring Branch ISDs Coordinator of Community Services. Officials from the Spring Branch Education Foundation set up a link for people to donate to the families displaced in the fire. On Friday, Davalos and other school officials had once again gathered at Spring Oaks Middle School, this time to collect more supplies to help those families. Davalos said she took hope from the collective response to the blaze the neighbors and friends stopping by with food, clothes, toiletries, and current and former students helping translate for worried parents. We're worried about our families of course, she said. But amongst their worries, they need to know we've got their backs. st.john.smith@chron.com Some of us, when the clock nears midnight tonight, will count down with friends perhaps a tradition we missed out on a year ago. Others of us will be fast asleep. Either way, were now mere hours away from the end of yet another long, pandemic-ridden year full of loss. Even with the arrival of lifesaving vaccines, more Americans died in 2021 due to COVID-19 than did in 2020. Were nearing a devastating 75,000 Texan deaths due to COVID-19 since the pandemic began nearly two years ago. Whats especially sobering is that there is no guarantee that this next year wont be just as calamitous. The new, super-contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus could put as many as 1 million Americans a day on the sick list by the end of January, overwhelming hospitals and our already frayed health care workers, despite early data suggesting the new cases might not be quite as deadly as earlier incarnations of COVID. Already, lines for testing in Harris County and elsewhere have grown long, and experts are warning that the few therapies doctors have to treat COVID are fast becoming scarce. Against all this, it is with a profound sense of gratitude that we note the arrival in our own city during the last week of 2021 some much-needed good news for the world. An affordable and easy-to-produce two-dose vaccine developed over the last 20 months by Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi and Dr. Peter Hotez, co-directors at the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor College of Medicine, has been approved for wide-scale use in India. The new vaccine, Corbevax, uses an old-school process that mimics the Hepatitis B vaccine. It should be much easier and cheaper for countries to re-create, manufacture and distribute. In trials, Corbevax proved a 90 percent efficacy rate against the original COVID-19 strain and about 80 percent against the delta variant. We dont yet know of its effectiveness against omicron. Bottazzi and Hotez said 150 million doses are ready to go, with 100 million more per month expected next year. And crucially, rather than hide the recipe, the scientists told us the blueprint for their vaccine is ready and available for other manufacturers to use. We want to translate our know-how and leave it for someone else, Bottazzi told the editorial board. The new vaccine isnt likely to slow the immediate, omicron-fueled surge, even if it does prove effective against the now-dominant variant, not in India and certainly not in America, where the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been available for several months. Vaccines peak effectiveness doesnt usually begin until 10 to 14 days after injection, and the omicron surge is already upon us. So far the hardest hit in the Houston area, as in the rest of the nation, are those who have not yet been vaccinated. That was true for all of Texas, and across each of the variants. Hotez told us that in 2021, 85 percent of people who died from the virus in Texas were unvaccinated. About half of the remaining 15 percent were partially vaccinated. Clearly, the refusal by some Americans to get vaccinated is a major reason why this pandemic has remained such a killer. But its also true that no matter how good a job we do at vaccinating ourselves, the virus will continue to spread and evolve so long as it has hosts in which to do so, anywhere in the world. As each new variant emerges, the chances that one will prove resistant to our vaccines only increases. So in that light, hundreds of millions of doses for the worlds second-most populous country where the vaccination rate is currently only 43 percent is good news for everyone. We recognize that the only way were going to end this pandemic is to vaccinate our way out of it - and specifically to prevent new variants of concern from arising in the southern hemisphere, Hotez told us. With well over 3 billion people in the world not yet vaccinated, well need billions more doses to give to anyone willing to get inoculated. And until we get there, well keep plowing our way through the Greek alphabet, naming new variant after new variant. Its likely to be low-cost vaccines like Corbevax that help us most. This is a gift from Texas to the world, Bottazzi said of the new vaccine. That spirit is one that we all should embrace. The U.S. government and other developed nations must ramp up their commitment to increasing vaccine supply and distribution worldwide. The World Health Organization set a target of 40 percent vaccination rates in all countries by the end of 2021, but only five of 54 African countries will meet that goal. Until vaccination rates in rural Texas are as high as those in its most populous cities, until African nations are as inoculated as Europe and the United States, then all of us will remain vulnerable. So when youre raising a glass to the New Year tonight, save a cheer for Bottazzi and Hotezs team at Baylor College of Medicine for working to protect people theyll never meet on the other side of the world. Their work underscores how well theyve learned the fundamental lesson of the COVID era: Our lives, whether rich or poor or near or far, are intertwined. Few people counted down to anything until the 1960s and 1970s and yes, that included the new year. Celebrations and midnight kisses on December 31, of course. Countdowns, no. How, then, did the countdown go from almost nonexistent to ubiquitous in the latter half of the 20th century? And why are we so drawn to them now, especially to mark one years end and anothers beginning? Countdowns as we know them today serve many purposes. The New Years Eve countdown might be characterized as a genesis countdown: After time runs out, it starts over again. The wait for the new year with its predictions, resolutions, and parties is typically generative, optimistic and hopeful. But there are also apocalyptic countdowns, in which after time runs out, disaster ensues. Today, we wonder how much time we have until the next COVID-19 variant, natural disaster or terrorist attack. Both of these countdown types took form during the Atomic Age. Though disaster has always been a part of American life, the threat of nuclear annihilation introduced pervasive existential fears. Notably, in 1947, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists introduced the Doomsday Clock, which to this day provides a visual reckoning of just how close we are to apocalypse. In the years that followed, these same scientists were the ones who brought the term count down to the American lexicon. A 1953 San Francisco Examiner article reported on an atomic bomb test in the nearby Nevada desert: a designated official on a loudspeaker and short-wave radio hookup announces at intervals the time remaining before the explosion. At the very end he intones minus 10 seconds, minus 5 seconds and minus 4 seconds and so on down to the moment of the explosion. A few years later, Alfred Hitchcock domesticated the atomic countdown in the 1957 made-for-television movie Four OClock, transplanting it into the basement of a suburban home wired with explosives in the minutes and seconds before the eponymous time. The televised countdowns of the 1950s, whether real or fictional, were frightening temporal experiences, in which time was distended and stretched, and then extinguished. But on May 5, 1961, the countdown got its first major positive association. Some 45 million Americans watching the national nightly news heard the countdown to the successful launch of Americas first manned space flight. The blast-off was followed by astronaut Alan Shepard saying, Roger, liftoff and the clock has started. Time did not end, as apocalyptic countdowns had threatened; instead, a new clock began. The countdown associated with rocket launches had its origins in the Weimar Republic, where Fritz Langs 1929 film Woman in the Moon featured an extended countdown to a moon rocket launch. No one had ever heard of or seen anything like the launch before or the countdown. The lavish science fiction multi-reel film had an outsized impact on Germanys rocket scientists, who after World War II became central to the American space program. One of the advisors on the film was early space travel enthusiast Willy Ley, who later immigrated to the United States, where he worked for NASA, orchestrating its rocket launches. With each televised rocket launch through the 1960s, the countdown accumulated more and more positive associations with the public, building up to the historic countdown and liftoff of Apollo 11, the spaceship that took a crew of three men to the moon. The elements of the genesis countdown as we know it today were etched in history on July 16, 1969, when at least 500 million people around the world tuned in to hear a loud and clear countdown give way to an exciting, daring and transformative objective. During the 1970s, the countdown moved beyond atomic test sites and space missions and onto radio and television shows and away from the nihilism of a bomb blast toward the triumph of a rocket launch. The popular Australian music show Countdown, which debuted in 1974, inspired similar shows in the United States and Europe. By counting down to the latest greatest hit, these shows slowed the rush of time and demarcated the recent past. Their terrain was not time, but rather the top or the most popular, organized sequentially and leading not to zero but to number one. Other kinds of countdown programs amplified the race against time. In the long-running British gameshow Countdown, for example, contestants try to complete number and word problems in a set amount of time. A very large analogue clock, reminiscent of the Doomsday Clock, hangs over the shows set. In this iteration, the shows triumphant contestants demonstrate that the race against time can be wonthat is, that disaster can be averted. The apocalyptic and the genesis countdowns eventually made way for the ultimate celebratory countdown: the one to the new year. Americans celebrated New Years Eve publicly in various ways beginning in the 1890s, including with the ringing of bells (mostly at churches) at midnight. The first ball dropped on the roof of One Times Square to mark the arrival of 1908, and in the 1930s and 1940s, commercial radio broadcasts heralded the arrival of the new year to rural and urban audiences alike at midnight. But the first countdown I have identified was in the late 1950s. During the last few seconds of 1957, broadcaster Ben Grauer proclaimed to a national radio audience from a perch overlooking Times Square, 58 is on its way, 5-4-3-2-1. The ball is starting to slide down the pole, and it is the signal that 58 is here. He didnt get much traction: The extant recording features a crowd making merry but definitely not counting down. Through the 1960s, Grauer tried to introduce New Years Eve countdowns on television, presumably as a way to extend what was, after all, an extremely short-lived event. Still, while you can hear the crowd cheering on these broadcasts, they dont join him in the countdown. Picking up on Grauers innovation, Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve, which debuted to welcome 1973, featured confected countdowns that were staged on its dance party sets, and sometimes were painfully out of sync with the Times Square ball drop. Impossible as it is to believe, my research into extant radio and television broadcasts and newspaper reports shows that it was not until seconds before the arrival of 1979 that a Times Square crowd counted down to the new year. At that moment, it was clear that countdown culture had arrived and was here to stay. By the end of the 1980s, countdown clocks were installed in Times Square, television graphics began to show the amount of time remaining until midnight, and television hosts guided enthusiastic audiences through the count. As the year 2000 approached, though, something different happened. Millennium countdown clocks proliferated across the globe (though 2000 was not the millennium), accompanied by apocalyptic fears about the end of time, or at the very least Y2K, the much-discussed epic global computer network crash. The first two decades of the 21st century have careened between genesis and apocalyptic countdowns; take for example, the countdown clocks to Olympic Games and the latest Climate Clock, found online (and in New York Citys Union Square) exhorting action before it is too late. Countdown clocks for every conceivable event are everywhere today, from the personalized digital Countdown to Your Big Day clocks that can be embedded on social media feeds before your birthday to the bus and subway countdown clocks that tell everyone when their ride will arrive. Whether personal or public, the clocks goal is to mitigate impatience, to replace uncertainty with anticipation, and to fill empty waiting time with a quantified temporality. Today our countdown clocks and countdowns continue to oscillate between genesis and apocalypse. As 2021 gives way to 2022, It is hard to know what we are anticipating when the clock hits midnight. And so, I suspect that some countdowns this year will be inflected with a tinge of hesitancy and doubt. Still, many of us will want to join in the hopefulness of the genesis count, as did that Times Square crowd welcoming 1979 with their triumphant Happy New Year cheers rejoicing when the clock starts again. Alexis McCrossen is a historian on the faculty at Southern Methodist University who studies the history of timekeeping. Currently finishing a book about the history of New Years observances in the United States, she is also the author of books including Holy Day, Holiday: The American Sunday (2000) and Marking Modern Times: Clocks, Watches and Other Timekeepers in American Life (2013). This essay was published by Zocalo Public Square. DENVER (AP) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday shortened the prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years, drastically reducing his original 110-year term that drew widespread outrage. The decision on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis. The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years. Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges in the explosive 2019 pileup that killed four people. Aguilera-Mederos testified that he was hauling lumber when the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. His truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction crash and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway. EARLIER COVERAGE: Truck drivers protest 110-year sentence in deadly Colorado crash for driver with reported Houston ties Judge Bruce Jones imposed the 110-year sentence on Dec. 13 after finding it was the mandatory minimum term set forth under state law, noting it would not have been his choice. Prosecutors had argued that as Aguilera-Mederos truck barreled down from the mountains, he could have used a runaway ramp alongside the interstate that is designed to safely stop vehicles that have lost their brakes. District Attorney Alexis King said Thursday she was disappointed with the governors decision. She said it was premature and went against the wishes of the surviving victims and families who lost loved ones, who wanted to have the judge who oversaw the trial determine the appropriate sentence. We are meeting with the victims and their loved ones this evening to support them in navigating this unprecedented action and to ensure they are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect during this difficult time, she said in a statement. The crash killed 24-year-old Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 67-year-old William Bailey, 61-year-old Doyle Harrison and 69-year-old Stanley Politano. THE EXPERTS SPEAK: As trucking community protests 110-year sentence, legal expert says it's unlikely to be served in full In a letter to Aguilera-Mederos explaining his decision, Polis said that while he was not blameless in the crash, the 110-year sentence was disproportionate when compared with inmates who committed intentional, premeditated or violent crimes. The governor said the case would hopefully spur a discussion about sentencing laws, but he noted any future changes would not help Aguilera-Mederos. There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now, Polis wrote. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Fire Chief Craig Pedercini, left, participates in Wednesday's meeting with Prudential Committee members Lindsay Neathawk and Ed Briggs. Williamstown Fire District, Architect Still Without Contract WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Nearly five months after its building committee selected an architect for planned station project, the Williamstown Fire District is ending the calendar year without a signed contract for those services. But the absence of a deal has not kept the district from moving forward with the planning process. The district's Prudential Committee met on Wednesday at town hall, and Ed Briggs informed his colleagues that they did not have a contract to ratify with Pittsfield's EDM to design a new station for a Main Street parcel. EDM and its partner, Mitchell Associates, have been doing preliminary work on the project since its August selection Earlier this month, Robert Mitchell discussed the requirements for a new station with the Prudential Committee. This week, the Building Committee passed along to the elected Prudential Committee members a draft of the programming report that will inform the design. While the final contract may have to wait until 2022 to be signed, the district does have money in hand to pay for the work already completed and work yet to be done. "The state has issued the grant package and contracts for the Rural and Small Town Development Fund grant we received for design services," Treasurer Corydon Thurston told the committee. "The good news is as soon as we get that approved and sign, we'll be able to utilize those funds." Thurston said the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the commonwealth processing the $400,000 design grant , but now the money is available for district to access. "Even though we just got the contract, the award is effective back in October," he said. "So we'll be able to go back to, for instance, the $22,000 bill you saw today, we can go back and submit that because that was for work done after the grant was awarded." The Prudential Committee Wednesday also received updates on other grants the district is pursuing. Chief Craig Pedercini reported that the WFD is applying for nearly $15,500 in equipment grants from the commonwealth's Department of Fire Services. He hopes to use the grant to purchase nine pagers, an ice rescue suit, a rescue sled and other equipment. Meanwhile, the district is going after grants to replace a 1993 brush truck used by the Forest Warden, a $2,500 grant for a new automated external defibrillator and a joint communications grant with other Northern Berkshire County departments. Pedercini was able to pass along good news on the staffing front at the Prudential Committee's last meeting of 2021. "We have six college students who have had physicals and passed them," Pedercini said. "When they come back from their break, we will work on getting them equipment and getting paperwork for Cory to get them on the payroll. "And two local people have taken physicals. One has totally completed the process, and we've had them on the deparmtent for a week or two. He's been responding to calls. Another just completed his physical, so we'll move him right along." With burn permit season just around the corner, Pedercini informed the committee that the fire district, which assumed control of the Forest Warden from the town this year, is developing an online permitting process. William "Billy" Evans, a Capitol Police officer, was laid to rest at Adams' St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in April. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited Adams in July after the state set aside $6.5 million in funding for the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center Before taking the job as Adams Police Chief, Kelley had more than 25 years of law enforcement experience in South Carolina. PreviousNext Adams 2021 Year in Review In yet another year burdened by a global pandemic, the town of Adams continued on at a swift pace. Despite the problems posed by COVID-19, 2021 was a busy year for the town. Several projects made significant progress during the year, new officials were sworn in and developments in town seemed to be continuous. Looking ahead to 2022, Adams is poised to continue at this speed, with several projects, including the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, still ongoing. Here are a few of the biggest stories from Adams over the past year. Greylock Glen The Greylock Glen project has been in development in one form or another for over 50 years. The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center represents a major step forward in the proposed plans. The project is finally nearing the construction phase heading into 2022. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited Adams in July after the state set aside $6.5 million in funding for the project. Following the commitment of state funding, approval from town boards and committees soon followed to push the project into the construction phase. The Adams Fire District approved articles related to the project in August, while the planning board and conservation commission followed in September and December respectively. When construction on the outdoor center is complete, the 9,200 square-foot facility will feature exhibit space, classrooms and a restaurant. Memorial Building Project The former Memorial School building, which had, for the most part, sat dormant since the school's closure began the process of renovation and conversion into residential and commercial space in 2021. The Adams Board of Selectmen chose Rhode Island-based Developer Wayland North to convert classroom spaces into apartments. Additionally, the Adams Council on Aging began work to move its operations from the Adams Visitor's Center to the Memorial Building. Susan B. Anthony Monument A bronze statue of Susan B. Anthony, an Adams native and one of the most significant figures of the woman's suffrage movement, was unveiled to the public in 2021. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, state Sen. Adam Hinds, state Rep. John Barrett III, Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington and the town's elected women officials attended the ceremony for the statue. The Funeral of Billy Evans In April, William "Billy" Evans, a Capitol Police officer, was laid to rest at Adams' St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Evans grew up in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School. Evans passed due to injuries sustained when a car crashed into a checkpoint he was guarding at the Capitol in April. Numerous public officials attended the service, including Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, U.S. Rep. Richie Neal, state Sen. Adam Hinds and more. The Swearing in of Police Chief Kelley Adams chose and swore in K. Scott Kelley as the town's new police chief in January of 2021. Before taking the job, Kelley had more than 25 years of law enforcement experience in South Carolina. During those years, Kelley served in various roles for several towns and organizations, from a sergeant in Anderson, S.C., to Chief of Police at Spartanburg Community College. Kelley replaced former Chief Richard Tarsa, who served with the Adams police force for 36 years. Election 2021 In May, Adams elected Howard Rosenberg and John Duval to the Adams Board of Selectmen. Duval, an incumbent who had been on the Board of Selectmen since 2012, received 572 votes. Rosenberg, a newcomer who is served his first year as a select board member in 2021, received 727 votes. This is a contributed article by Raj Samani, McAfee Fellow and Chief Scientist at McAfee Enterprise 2020 was the year that threw the world into chaos. And quite frankly, 2021 wasnt much better at least from a cybersecurity perspective. With our research telling us that during the pandemic, 81% of global organisations experienced increased cyber threats. While the threat landscape is dynamic and ever-changing by its very nature, the evolution weve witnessed over the past 18 months has been dramatic and unexpected. One of the most significant factors in the disruption was the rapid shift to remote working. This shift brought with it the adoption of a whole host of new technologies as companies scrambled to move their processes online. So naturally, cybercriminals have taken full advantage of the additional attack surfaces these new technologies have provided. At this point, there are no surprises when it comes to the increasingly sophisticated nature of the attacks weve seen. Hackers are learning at a (seemingly) astronomical rate, but luckily, its not all doom and gloom. The organisations which acknowledge the threat and subsequently implement the necessary training, technology and services are much more likely to stay safe. Luckily, many businesses are aware of this, with our research finding that 31% of UK organisations are planning to invest more than $1 million into security strategies next year. With businesses prioritising the likes of Cloud Security (59%), Endpoint security (50%), Advanced threat protection (38%) and the Security Operations Centre (37%). The key thing for these businesses to consider, however, is the transition from reactive to proactive behaviour regarding cybersecurity. Unsurprisingly, pre-empting the threats organisations might expect to be exposed to plays a huge part in this. From threats on social media to nation-state actors, weve pulled together our predictions for the top cybersecurity threats of 2022 to help organisations stay safe into the New Year. Lazarus wants to add you as a friend We love our social media. From catching up with our friends to keeping tabs on the best jobs in the industry. Our appetite for accepting friend requests and connections from strangers is all part of our relentless pursuit of the next 1,000 followers. But guess what? The threat actors know this. And as a result, weve seen cybercriminals targeting executives with promises of job offers. Its one of the most efficient methods to bypass traditional security controls and directly communicate with targets at companies that are of interest to threat groups. Equally, groups have used direct messages to take control over influencer accounts to promote messaging of their own. While this approach is laborious, demanding a level of research to hook the target into interactions and establishing fake profiles, it has proven to be a very successful channel for cyber criminals. We predict the use of this vector could grow not only through espionage groups but other threat actors looking to infiltrate organisations for their own criminal gain. Help wanted: bad guys with benefits Our teams monitoring of threat activities around the globe saw an increase in the blending of cybercrime and nation-state operations. In many cases, a start-up company is formed, and a web of front companies or existing technology companies are involved in processes directed and controlled by the countries intelligence ministries. In May 2021, for example, the US government charged four Chinese nationals working for state-owned front companies. The front companies facilitated hackers to create malware, attack targets of interest to gain business intelligence, trade secrets, and information about sensitive technologies. Not only China but other nations such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran have applied these tactics. Hire hackers for operations, do not ask questions about their other operations if they do not harm the interests of their own country. Where in the past, specific malware families were tied to nation-state groups, the blurring starts when hackers are hired to write code and conduct these operations. The initial breach with tactics and tools could be similar to regular cybercrime operations. However, its essential to monitor whats happening next and act fast. In 2022, we predict that these types of attacks will increase. To protect against such attacks, companies should audit their visibility and learn from tactics and operations conducted by actors targeting their sector. Game of ransomware thrones For several years, ransomware attacks have dominated the headlines as one of the most impactful cyber threats. Unfortunately, the Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model opened the cybercrime career path to lesser-skilled criminals, leading to more breaches and higher criminal profits. RaaS admins and developers were prioritised for a long time as the top targets, often neglecting the affiliates since they were perceived as less skilled. This, combined with the lack of disruptions in the RaaS ecosystem, created an atmosphere where those lesser-skilled affiliates could thrive and grow into very competent cybercriminals, eventually with a mind of their own. In response to the Colonial Pipeline attack, the popular cybercrime forums have banned ransomware actors from advertising. Now, the RaaS groups no longer have a third-party platform to actively recruit, show their seniority, offer escrow, have their binaries tested by moderators, or settle disputes. The lack of visibility has made it harder for RaaS groups to establish or maintain credibility. It will also make it harder for RaaS developers to retain their current top-tier position underground. Therefore, in 2022, we should expect more self-reliant cybercrime groups to rise and shift the balance of power within the RaaS eco-climate from those who control the ransomware to those who control the victims networks. The year ahead Over the past year, weve seen cybercriminals get more intelligent and quicker at retooling their tactics and we dont anticipate that changing in 2022. However, with the evolving threat landscape and the continued impact of the global pandemic, enterprises must stay aware of the cybersecurity trends to be proactive and actionable in protecting their information. Raj Samani is Chief Scientist and Fellow for the McAfee Entreprise . He has assisted multiple law enforcement agencies in cybercrime cases and is a special advisor to the European Cybercrime Centre in The Hague. Samani has been recognised for his contribution to the computer security industry through numerous awards, including the Infosecurity Europe hall of Fame, Peter Szor award, and Intel Achievement Award, among others. He is the co-author of the book "Applied Cyber Security and the Smart Grid" and the "CSA Guide to Cloud Computing," as well as technical editor for numerous other publications. On December 26, the Taliban detained Haji Arif Noori, owner of the independent Noorin Television station, and raided his Kabul home before releasing him two days later. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns Nooris arrest and calls on the Taliban to cease its attacks on press freedom and allow freedom of expression. A group of Taliban-affiliated militia raided and searched Nooris home in Kabuls Karte Parwan area before taking him to an unknown location. According to family members, the armed group identified themselves as members of the militia affiliated with the Taliban and operated without a warrant. The Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) confirmed that Noori was freed on December 28, after pressure mounted for his release. Despite providing no alternate reasons for Nooris arrest, chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisted that the incident was not related to his role as a journalist. Noorin Television is a leading Afghan television network which covers domestic security concerns and openly supports the Jamiat-e-Islami party, an anti-Taliban group. Following the Talibans takeover in mid-August, more than 257 media outlets have shut down and, according to research by the Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU), at least 67% of journalists and media workers have been rendered jobless. Nooris detention is the latest in a series of attacks against journalists and media workers in Afghanistan led by the Taliban. On December 11, Sayed Rashed Kashefi, a reporter with the Kabul Times and Rasa TV, was beaten and detained for over six hours for covering a fight at an aid distribution site in Kabuls 5th district. The IFJ said: The IFJ welcomes the release of Haji Arif Noori, whose detainment is yet another attempt by the Taliban to curb freedom of expression. The IFJ condemns the Talibans ongoing hostility towards independent media and urges the Taliban to allow media and journalists to work freely. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. eternalHealth, the first new health plan to be approved in Massachusetts since 2013, has officially announced its launch of the company, delivering high-quality and affordable Medicare Advantage plans. Headquartered in Bostons Back Bay, the company was founded by 2019 Babson College graduate Pooja Ika, who serves as its CEO. Since then, eternalHealth has already grown to a team of 20 and has raised a seed round of $10 million from successful healthcare and tech entrepreneurs. It also attracted the attention of Red Sox legend David Ortiz, popularly known as Big Papi. Ortiz has decided to partner with the organization as their Brand Ambassador, stating that he truly believes in eternalHealths mission. Eighty percent of healthcare decisions are made by women for their families. However, women remain unrepresented in the healthcare industry, said Ms. Ika, who has been passionate about healthcare since childhood. Having women at the forefront of our company increases engagement, improves outcomes, and enables us to make more comprehensive decisions around healthcare for the entire family. Ms. Ika said that eternalHealth is committed to being a new kind of plan that is focused on establishing lasting relationships with its members. At our core, we believe in operating with trust, transparency, and integrity with all of our partners. This includes our members, health systems, doctors, and all other healthcare delivery partners, added Ms. Ika. We went through a rightful and rigorous vetting process by state officials and now, we are excited to say were the first new health plan launched in Massachusetts since 2013. Through its technology-driven, innovative platform, eternalHealth substantially reduces the administrative and operating costs across its entire enterprise. The cost savings allows more dollars to be allocated towards actual medical care, while also passing down savings to members through robust, yet affordable products. By the time eternalHealth acquires approximately 10,000 members, it aims to manage its SG&A at 8%, which has been a challenge for many start-up Medicare Advantage health plans across the country. eternalHealth understands the importance of having a member-centric platform. Alongside friendly and helpful customer service representatives, members also have access to an easy-to-use member portal and app that allows them to feel empowered to take their care into their own hands. Exemplified by their mission, Your Forever Partner in Healthcare, eternalHealth establishes unique relationships with all of their members. The companys commitment and investment into preventative and chronic care management delineates their proactive, not reactive approach to healthcare. This is supported by members who want to utilize the consumer centric tools to better manage their care and wellness. About eternalHealth Headquartered in Boston, eternalHealth provides high-quality care with low out-of-pocket costs to the residents of Massachusetts, while prioritizing preventive care and transparency. Founded, owned, and built by women, eternalHealth is a Medicare Advantage health plan that offers HMO and PPO products. For more information about our plans and services, please visit our website at www.eternalHealth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211230005296/en/ The performance of banks as seen in their improving headline numbers remained encouraging during FY2021 and is likely to remain so in FY2022. The gross non-performing advances (GNPAs) and the net NPAs for the banks remained on a steady declining trend and stood at levels lower than pre-Covid levels of March 2020.Further, during FY2021, the public banks reported profits for the first time during the six-year period of FY2016-2021 and are also likely to remain incrementally profitable going forward. In addition, since the onset of the pandemic, the equity capital raising was sizeable by private banks at over Rs 600 billion and public banks also raised over Rs. 200 billion from markets apart from capital infusion of Rs. 200 billion in FY2021; and similar amount of Rs. 200 billion is budgeted for FY2022.Overall, the banks witnessed an improving trend on all the headline numbers, be it asset quality, profitability or the capital position, which contrasts with the severe impact Covid had on the debt servicing ability of the borrowers.A part of the improvement in headline numbers was supported by the loan restructuring window that was provided by Reserve Bank of India to banks. With incremental restructuring under Covid 2.0, the overall standard restructured loan book for banks stood at 2.9% of standard advances as on September 30, 2021. Most of this restructuring includes borrowers impacted by Covid 1.0 and 2.0. Of the total standard restructured loan book of Rs. 2.85 trillion for the banks as on September 30, 2021, the restructuring under Covid 1.0 is estimated at 34% of the total restructuring at Rs. 1.0 trillion, while restructuring under Covid 2.0 is estimated at 42% of the total restructuring or Rs. 1.2 trillion, the balance being MSME and other restructuring. Moreover, as per ICRAs estimates, of the total restructuring of Rs. 1.0 trillion under Covid 1.0, 60% was accounted for by corporates and the balance by retail and MSME segments. Hence the restructuring under Covid 2.0, which was available only for retail and MSME borrowers stood 3x of the restructuring under Covid 1.0.Including these restructured loans, the overall stressed loans of the banks (including Gross NPAs or Net NPAs), have increased since the onset of Covid. With the increased spread of the new Covid-19 variant, i.e. Omicron, the possibility of a third wave is highly certain. Banks restructured most of these loans with a moratorium of up to 12 months, this book is likely to start exiting the moratorium from Q4 FY2022 and Q1 FY2023. Therefore, a third wave poses high risk to the performance of the borrowers that were impacted in the previous waves and hence poses a risk to the improving trend of asset quality, profitability, and solvency. The credit profile of some of the banks, especially with high level of restructured loan book, weak capital cushions or solvency position, will remain a monitorable.On the positive side, with the large equity capital raise after the onset of Covid, the capital position of most of the banks is relatively better than pre-Covid levels. Despite the recent increase in regulatory capital requirements, ICRA expects the capital requirements for banks to remain comfortable and for the first time in last decade, Government of India may not need to budget capital for public banks for FY2023.The views and opinions expressed are not of IIFL Securities, indiainfoline.com "Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Sonam took to her social media profile to call out regressive comments by a BJP MLA. Sonam slammed BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar for his disgraceful and offensive remarks against the LGBTQ community. BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar's Homophobic remarks on LGBTQIA+ - Okay someone who is members of legislative assembly holds so much power to influence people and here he is passing homophobic remarks pic.twitter.com/1KtI7L9Ils Shruti Patel (@_Shru__1507_) December 30, 2021 Mungantiwar made headlines when he questioned the Maharashtra governments move to appoint representatives of the LGBTQ community as members of universities. He said, Agencies Are you going to hire lesbians and gays as members? Shouldnt a joint medical committee be set up on this? It mentions bisexual and asexual relations. However, no one has yet defined these. As per the government's proposal, even someone who has sex with an animal can become a member. Will the animal certify to their sexual relationship? He stooped low when he asked the government to consider those who have sex with animals as asexual and appoint them to universities. Twitter He added, Will you appoint homosexuals as members? Will someone write that I am gay and attracted to homosexuality? Who will prove this, the secretary, the minister, minister of state? Are you going to prove it? Then there is another asexual relationship that no one has yet defined." As soon as the video went viral, people from the LGBT community condemned BJP MLA's actions and schooled him. BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar Queerphobic rant in the assembly just might be the most pathetic and ignorant words ever. Must apologize immediately for his hateful views and do better next time. SHAME. Anand Bhushan (@AnandBhushan) December 30, 2021 BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar must apologise for his insensitive and homophobic remarks. Vinay Sharma (@sharmavinay_) December 30, 2021 Speaking against the bill Maharashtra senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar went on with a bizzare Queerphobic rant in the assembly. He equated Asexuality with Beastiality. This happened on the floor of the assembly. pic.twitter.com/56qoic7ow5 Ritushree (@QueerNaari) December 30, 2021 The ignorance shown by the Leader of the Opposition BJP Sudhir Mungantiwar on this is worth noting. He said asexuality is all about have sex with animals. He insulted the whole LGBTQIA+ community by putting homophobic comments. 3/4 The Sanskari Gay (@Sanskari_Gay) December 29, 2021 Sonam, too, reacted and wrote: Twitter "Ignorant, illiterate, and hurtful." On the work front, Sonam will be seen in a thriller titled Blind, fo which she wrapped the shoot in Scotland, earlier this year. Twitter Directed by Shome Makhija, the film stars Vinay Pathak, Purab Kohli, and Lilette Dubey in pivotal roles. Reports claim that Sonam will be seen essaying the role of a visually impaired girl. (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) The James Webb Telescope is inching closer to its final orbit every day after a successful launch on December 25. Travelling far away from Earth to record the universe's origins, it's the largest space telescope to be ever built. Now, a robotic Earth telescope has captured the movement of the telescope in real time. Captured by astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project, the short film of James Webb moving in space was combined using images clicked by Masi. With help from a pointer, you can see the James Webb telescope appear as a tiny white dot. NASA Where is James Webb right now? Currently, the James Webb Telescope is headed towards its final destination called L2 (Earth-Sun Lagrange point 2) situated 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The region is gravitationally stable and can sustain the telescope. The James Webb Space Telescope moving through space (Image credit: Gianluca Masi/Virtual Telescope Project) When the imagery was captured by Masi, the telescope was about 550,000 kilometres from Earth. According to Space.com, that's about 160,000 kilometres beyond the Moon's orbit. Also read: 7 Crazy Facts About NASA's James Webb Space Telescope That Will Blow Your Mind To create this short clip of James Webb Telescope, the robotic telescope tracked Webb's movement in the sky. The images were taken using Elena, a robotic telescope available at the Virtual Telescope Project in Ceccano, Italy. When the observations were underway, Webb was expanding its deployable tower assembly (DTA). Now, it's in the process of deploying its gigantic sunshield. Looking back in time using James Webb With help from James Webb Telescope, we would be able to look back in time. The telescope would help us peek into the processes that took shape after the Big Bang and perhaps help us understand the origins of all life on Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope moving through space (Image credit: Gianluca Masi/Virtual Telescope Project) The first batch of images and findings from the James Webb Telescope are expected to come in after six months from now. Expect some stunning images of space's vastness in June 2022. Also read: Peek Into The Universe's Secrets: James Webb Space Telescope Successfully Launched Are you excited to see what James Webb unveils to us? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com. Citation Gohd, C. (2021, December 30). Skywatcher spots James Webb Space Telescope from Earth in telescope photos. Space.Com. A house listed for sale is going viral online, not for its asking price, but for its all-black exterior and interior. The property went viral after Twitter account Zillow Gone Wild, which curates unusual home listings, branded it the "goth home." People were quick to notice its unusual dark exterior. Seth Goodman/Jacob Mason The two-story residence first hit the market on December 17 for $250,000. Not just the exterior, upon closer inspection, you will realise the interior decor is not much different. There is some white floor and wall tiles and some grey furniture here and there, but everything else stuck to the black theme of the place, which isnt something you see every day. Realtor and owner Seth Goodman spoke with Fox News about the house, which has been dubbed "the goth house" on social media. Goodman laughed about the nickname and explained that he isnt goth, and thats not the reason why the home was painted almost entirely black. New goth home just dropped pic.twitter.com/8uc4gNY3ju Zillow Gone Wild (@zillowgonewild) December 20, 2021 Seths original plan was to just give the house a black shingle roof but he liked the look so much he decided to make the entire exterior black. He didnt stop there, painting the interior walls black too. Even the garage is all-black. Seth says he has had plenty of interest in the house after it became a social media sensation but has yet to receive any serious offers. Jacob Mason/ME Realty/Mega The house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the main level features a foyer, an open living/dining concept with a corner gas log fireplace, French doors and laminate flooring. The kitchen is made up of granite countertops and theres a full bathroom on each floor. The residence, which spans just over 1,500 square feet, also boasts three separate decks and a three-car garage with several updates to the siding, roof, landscape and gutters. For more from trending stories, click here. We now offer lithium prices and coverage free for reference. Click here to read all about it. Join our growing community of participants who want to learn more about electrification and how this market is developing. Infectious diseases expert Dr Eoghan de Barra has called on the Government to make a decision now about using antigen tests as a means of identifying Covid cases, as PCR testing capacity has been overwhelmed. The curve needed to be flattened and self-isolation was necessary for anyone who has had a positive antigen test or was experiencing symptoms. Making changes in the length of time for self-isolation would be a call for Government and was necessary to stop numbers rising, he said. The Government was elected to make these tough decisions, he told RTE radios News at One. Hospitals were now facing into a difficult period for Covid and non-Covid care, as patients who attended for a non-Covid issue were infected in hospital which could then impede their journey to recovery, he warned. It's planning for the worst, hoping for the best he said There could be many more positive Covid cases out there he told Newstalks Late Breakfast show earlier. The system can't cope, and we don't have an idea of demand at least the HSE doesn't release to us how many clicks they're actually getting to try to get slots. The 50% positivity rate is a vast over-estimate, probably because of the number of people who are doing a follow-up on a lateral flow an antigen test that was positive. So there are probably many, many more infections out there that either can't get a test, are not going to bother getting a follow-on test, or indeed have such minimal symptoms that they're not going to get a test. Dr de Barra told both radio programmes that hospitals, public services such as the gardai and fire brigade and essential businesses were all going to face difficulties next week with staff who had either tested positive or were close contacts. People needed to know what to do if PCR capacity was overwhelmed, which was to self-isolate if they had a positive antigen test or were experiencing symptoms, he said. Infectious diseases consultant Dr Cliona Ni Cheallaigh warned the public if you dont want to get Covid, then dont be in mixed gatherings. Picture: iStock Difficult decisions would have to be made in hospitals about staff who were close contacts, he warned. It was likely it was not sustainable to have to wait 10 days before they could return to work, but this had to be balanced against what risk they posed to vulnerable patients. Earlier, infectious diseases consultant Dr Cliona Ni Cheallaigh warned the public if you dont want to get Covid, then dont be in mixed gatherings. Dr Ni Cheallaigh added she would advise people not to mix at house parties, in restaurants or pubs where people were mixing without masks as it was very likely that someone there would already have the virus. She said the testing system at present was maxed-out and it was difficult to get appointments, in such circumstances it was very likely that the true number of cases was much higher than the 16,000 recorded on Wednesday. This was a pretty staggering number she said on on RTE radios Morning Ireland. With levels so high it was sensible to advise anyone with symptoms or a positive antigen test result to behave as if they had the virus. It was also sensible to reduce the number of days for isolation for anyone who was a close contact, who was asymptomatic and had a negative antigen test result, as the health service and essential services needed staff, she said. It was not an unrealistic thing to do to reduce the number of days of self-isolation to seven, she said. With Covid-19 cases reaching record levels during the week and Irelands PCR testing system becoming totally overwhelmed, making it very difficult to get an appointment, people are left relying on antigen testing. Many people unsure whether or not they have the virus and are unable to book PCR tests are wondering what they should do about returning to work after the Christmas break. Heres what you need to know. I have symptoms of Covid-19 but no PCR test - should I go to work? If you are showing symptoms of the virus, you should not go to work under any circumstances. If your antigen test is showing negative but you are still showing symptoms of Covid-19, the same goes - do not go to work. You should self-isolate and get a PCR test as soon as possible. According to the HSE website, whether you are vaccinated or had your booster dose you should self-isolate if: You have symptoms of Covid-19 Are waiting for a test appointment and your test results, if you have symptoms of Covid-19 Have had a positive test result for Covid-19, even if you have mild symptoms or no symptoms Have been told you are a close contact of a Covid-19 variant of concern You only need to self-isolate if you have symptoms. Ive been told I am a close contact - do I still go into work even though I dont have symptoms? Restricting your movements helps stop the spread of the virus and although you may not have symptoms, you can still spread Covid-19. The HSEs advice when it comes to being a close contact is to restrict your movements and stay at home. In terms of work, it says do not go to work, unless you work on your own and can completely avoid other people. However, if you are an essential worker and do not have any symptoms the HSE recommends talking to your employer as there are some exceptions. Am I entitled to sick pay if I am out of work with Covid? If you are sick with Covid-19, you may be entitled to sick pay from your employer depending on your contract. Your employer does not have to pay you when you cannot come to work because you are sick with Covid-19, unless it is part of your contract of employment. If this is the case, you can apply for Covid-19 enhanced Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection. For more information on sick leave and sick pay, you can find out more on the Citizens Information website. I have recovered from Covid-19 - when can I return to work? To return to work after having the virus, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of Ireland, the worker is required to confirm to their employer that they are: 10 days after the onset of symptoms or 10 days from the day of their test if they had no symptoms Five days fever-free (have not had a high temperature of 38C or above for five days before returning to work). This may be included in the 10-day period I thought I had Covid-19 but my PCR test came back as negative - when is it okay to return to work? Workers who were tested for Covid-19 and received a negative test can return to work as long as they can confirm to their employer that they are 48 hours without any symptoms of Covid-19. This can be a self-declaration, however according to the HSA, the employer may ask the worker to confirm the details of their self-declaration by obtaining a fitness for work note from their GP, at their discretion. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a mockery of the standards expected of him, the Labour party has said, amid reports he is set to be cleared again of breaching the ministerial code over the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. The Financial Times reported that the PMs behaviour will be criticised, with ministerial standards adviser Christopher Geidt describing the situation to colleagues as deeply unsatisfactory. But the newspaper said it was understood Mr Johnson would be cleared of breaching the code. It quoted a senior official as saying: Geidt makes clear the situation is a total mess. But at the same time the fundamental conclusion is that the PM did not deceive and did not break the ministerial code. Mr Geidt previously cleared Mr Johnson of breaching the code in relation to the funding of the flat refurbishment but has since re-examined his initial investigation in the wake of a recent Electoral Commission probe, the FT said. The commission fined the Conservatives 17,800 after finding the party had not followed the law over donations from David Brownlow to help cover the works at the flat above Number 11. Lord Geidt previously cleared Mr Johnson of breaching the code in relation to the funding of the flat refurbishment (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The watchdogs report raised further questions by discussing evidence that Mr Johnson had sent the Tory peer a WhatsApp message in November 2020 asking him to authorise further, at that stage unspecified, refurbishment works on the residence, to which he agreed. This was despite Mr Johnson having told Lord Geidt he had no knowledge of the payments until immediately prior to media reports in February 2021. The FT reported that Government advisers said Mr Geidt had now seen all the relevant WhatsApp messages, and concluded there was no breach of the code. But the newspaper said the PMs conduct would be criticised. It said that, according to several Whitehall officials with knowledge of Mr Geidts latest investigation, three to four letters had been exchanged with No 10 on the recent revelations, that may be published in the new year. The FT reported that one source said of the inquiry: Theres enough in those letters to raise eyebrows. The Prime Minister has apologised for some of the circumstances around the initial investigation, which Lord Geidt has accepted. Labour claimed Mr Johnson has made a mockery of the standards expected of him. Deputy leader Angela Rayner said: After the Electoral Commission ruled that the Conservative Party broke the law on declaring donations, the Prime Minister has made a mockery of the standards the public has a right to expect. While the British public is facing a cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson is busy writing to his own adviser about why he did not give him all of the information he needed for his investigation. Lord Geidt should publish all his correspondence with the Prime Minister as a first step towards providing full transparency into how Boris Johnson is explaining away his WhatsApp messages with Tory donors. It is embarrassing that when the country needs real leadership, Boris Johnson is busy trying to clear up his own personal mess. Downing Street and the Electoral Commission declined to comment. The Cabinet Office told the FT: We dont comment on speculation. A US woman has told how she confined herself to an aeroplane toilet cubicle after testing positive for Covid halfway through a flight from Chicago to Iceland. Marisa Fotieo, a teacher from Michigan, said her throat began to hurt halfway through the trip so she went to the bathroom to perform a rapid Covid test which confirmed she was infected. I just took my rapid test and I brought it into the bathroom, and within what felt like two seconds there were two lines [indicating a positive test], Fotieo told NBC News. Theres 150 people on the flight, and my biggest fear was giving it to them, she said. Sharing the news over TikTok, Fotieo posted a short video from inside the cramped quarters, writing: POV you test positive for Covid while over the Atlantic Ocean. Shout out to Icelandair for my VIP quarantine quarters, she added. Fotieo said she remained in the bathroom for the remainder of the flight, relying on flight attendant Ragnhildur Rocky Eiriksdottir to provide food and drinks. Fotieos TikTok video has been viewed more than 4m times since it was first uploaded on 21 December, with viewers curious to know how she had been able to board the flight. Fotieo addressed the concerns in the platforms comments section, explaining that she received two negative PCR tests before boarding. I never made it to my destination, she updated fans over TikTok. Quarantined in Iceland now. In an apparent attempt to keep entertained during the mandatory 10-day isolation, Fotieo has since posted a series of videos from inside her hotel quarantine in Reykjavik. In an interview with CNN, Fotieo said she was fully vaccinated with a booster shot and had been en route to her final destination of Switzerland with her brother and father when she tested positive mid-flight. I opted to stay in the bathroom because I did not want to be around others on the flight, the early childhood teacher said. - Guardian You may have seen Logitech's beautifully colourful Popkeys emoji keyboards in JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, and other stores and wondered what they were like. iTWire can tell you. Logitech released the keyboard - along with a series of similarly colourful mice and desk mats - in October. These fashionable devices come in three colours for the Logitech POP Keys keyboard and POP Mouse, namely daydream mint, blast yellow, and heartbreaker rose. The Logitech Desk Mat comes in rose, lavender, and grey. These items have been made to reflect personality and creativity. Theyre in contrast to the eminently more conventional Logitech MX keyboard and mouse range (which this writer uses), but thats ok; the target market is not middle-aged men. Instead, these are for big personalities who love colour and customisation. iTWire tested the POP Keys keyboard, and it is a straightforward Bluetooth keyboard with long battery life, the ability to pair with multiple devices, and a solid, tactile, mechanical - if typewriter-like - feel. For me, its a functional keyboard, but where it stands out is with the Gen-Z person who loves self-expression. My 12-year-old daughter, for example, loves the keyboard and immediately claimed it for herself. She says the keyboard is beautiful and loves using it, looking at it, and certainly the emoji feature which well come to in a moment. iTWire received the blast yellow keyboard for testing, though intriguingly its the keys around the outside left and right sides that are yellow. The regular letter and number and space keys are all white. The ESC key stands out as being a rich, dark, purple - a key so lovely that my daughter said she wants to rip it out of the keyboard and place it on her wall, so entranced was she by its colourfulness. Actually, there are keys that come off. Down the right-hand side are four special emoji keys with particular symbols (and a fifth key to launch an emoji selection). These are hot-swappable, and you have an extra four with different symbols in the box, so you can chop and change as you wish. You thus have eight different emoji keys to choose from, each with a different emoji. However, youre not limited to whats on the button. The keycaps are really only an icon on a key - the magic happens through the free software download Logitech Options; this software allows you to assign an emoji to each key irrespective of the picture on the keycap itself. Thus, you have unlimited capability to express yourself, being able to assign four of your most favourite emojis to specific keys and use the fifth key to bring up an emoji menu to choose any other emoji as the situation demands. I certainly love mechanical keyboards for their strong feeling as well as, sometimes, the clackity clack noise following my fingers if I am feeling particularly productive. The Logitech POP Keys keyboards have a retro look with rounded keys and evoked strong memories of a typewriter, a device my 12-year-old daughter has probably never seen. The 12 function keys also provide built-in shortcuts to commonly used functions for todays online generation such as screen capture, media keys, microphone control, and more. For each POP Keys keyboard, there is a POP Mouse to match; iTWire has not seen the mouse in the flesh, or plastic perhaps, but it is similarly wireless, slim and lightweight, and features high-precision and speed-scroll modes, along with built-in software to copy-and-paste text, images, and files between computers. With the keyboard and mouse both providing multi-device support, this is a pretty great feature for inserting media from your phone, say, into a conversation on your tablet, or laptop, or desktop. POP Keys works with Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, and Android. The POP Keys keyboard is available for an RRP of $129.95 and the POP Mouse for $49.95. The Desk Mat is available for an RRP of $34.95. Doesn't the fashionista in your life deserve some colour? See it in action here: 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. Lawyers appealed Friday to Niger to reconsider its expulsion of eight Rwandans linked to the East African countrys 1994 genocide, just a month after they were officially welcomed in the capital Niamey. An informal appeal was lodged with the government requesting the Nigerien State revisit its decision to expel and urging it to abide by an agreement signed with the United Nations on November 15 that saw the group brought to Niger. The government announced the expulsions on December 27 saying they were for diplomatic reasons and would take place within seven days. Lawyer Kadidiatou Amadou told reporters the expulsion order was in fragrant violation of the agreement with the UN and offered no serious reason to deport the group, whose members are aged between 60 and 85. She said Niger had committed in the accord not to extradite the eight to Rwanda or any other state, with them having already answered before the international criminal tribunal for their roles in the genocide. The order was published after a report by the Jeune Afrique news magazine said Nigers government made the U-turn after Rwanda expressed displeasure about their arrival in Niamey. Of the eight people listed, four were convicted of crimes during the genocide by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). All four have served their sentences. The other four were acquitted by the ICTR, including Protais Zigiranyirazo, who is the brother of former Rwandan first lady Agathe Habyarimana and was considered to be a prominent figure in the Hutu regime. Niger signed the November agreement with the UN to host nine Rwandans the eight expelled as well as former Rwandan foreign minister Jerome Clement Bicamumpaka, who was also acquitted by the ICTR. Ibuka, a Rwandan umbrella group of genocide survivor organisations, had said it welcomed the expulsions. This decision by Niger will set an example to other genocidaires that they will always face justice, Ibuka executive secretary Naphtali Ahishakiye told AFP. Around 800,000 people died between April and July 1994 in Rwanda as the extremist Hutu regime tried to wipe out the Tutsi minority, causing one of the 20th centurys biggest massacres. Nearly 10,000 Bitcoins (Bitcoin) Leaving Coinbase, a major US exchange, on December 30, indicating that investor interest is returning to the field. Data from monitoring resources on the chain Coin glass It shows that Coinbase Pro, the professional trading department of Coinbase, reduced 9,925 BTC in the 24 hours before New Years Eve. Binance added 66,000 BTC in December Buying is in contrast to the rise or flatness of balances on other major exchanges, marking a clear short-term trend shift. In the second half of December, the characteristics of platforms such as Binance and OKEx are Increase in inflow BTC-commentators worry that this may be an early warning of a sell-off. Although such large-scale BTC sales have Hasnt happened yet, Not everyone believes it will Keep this state. At the same time, a recent theory suggests that the loss of registered Chinese users of Huobi Global may trigger a reorganization of funds. According to Coinglass data, as of Friday, Binance has risen by 840 BTC, while OKEx has inflows of 767 BTC. Huobi lost only 158 BTC, but throughout December, a huge 14,044 BTC has left its accounts, suggesting the extent of the outflow of Chinese users. From a monthly point of view, Binance easily won in terms of inflows. Compared with the end of November, it has now increased by more than 66,000 BTC. Nevertheless, as 2021 draws to a close, Coinbase attracts experts. The purchase of Coinbase today has been very uninterrupted, popular Twitter trader Ryan Clark Summarize. Summary of BTC balances on Bitcoin exchanges as of December 31. Source: Coinglass Institutional flip is coming Starting from the beginning of January after the holiday, it is expected that institutions will regain the focus of attention in terms of BTC ownership. related: As GBTC discounts remain near historical lows, the first US Bitcoin ETF will become a dud in 2021 In its year-end summary and 2022 forecast report, Just encrypt, QCP Capital, a trading company, announced the flipping of the investor field from retail investors to institutions. In 2022, the first thing we want to see is a major shift in crypto ownership from a major retail player to an institutional participant, with a much greater degree of institutional involvement, it said. Such an event will prevent large participants from being bothered by recent price movements, while BTC spot distribution still exists Outstanding performance Assets such as crypto stocks in 2021. LAFAYETTE, La. (KADN) Embattled Lafayette City Court judge Michelle Odinet has resigned from the bench. Her attorney, Dane Ciolino, filed the letter of her resignation with the Louisiana Supreme Court Friday (December 31) morning. "Ms. Odinet understands that this is the end of her public service, but only the beginning of what she must to do to earn the forgiveness of the community," Ciolino said in a statement. Odinet came under fire following the release of a video in which racial slurs were used. In the video, the a group is watching an attempted burglary suspect on video from the Odinet home security system. Odinet had previously taken leave from the bench. The Louisiana Supreme Court then suspended her pending an investigation. The controversy prompted the district attorney for Orleans Parish to also order a review of cases she prosecuted while working for the office in the 1990s. MEDFORD, Ore-- Starting next week, students apart of the Medford School District will be heading back into the classroom despite a recent surge of COVID-19 cases across Jackson County. The latest data from Jackson County Public Health shows that more than 400 cases of COVID were reported on the week of December 19 and that on Thursday, 185 cases have been reported. Despite this MSD school officials told NewsWatch 12 today that they feel confident that they can handle this most recent surge. "It is amazing to look at how far we have come and were are at this point now where we have really gotten this COVID-mitigation down to science" said Hurd. "We have our protocols in place and our folks that are designated to certain aspects of our safety and COVID-mitigation measures and we continue to educate students while protecting the health and wellness of our students, staff and community." Even though the potential always exists that kids could move back to a hybrid-learning or even full online, the school district has told NewsWatch that they are ready at a moments notice to switch gears, if the Oregon Department of Education deems it necessary, but until that point comes. "The goal is to keep kids in the classroom," said Natalie Hurd. "We want to maintain a healthy and safe environment for students to learn and teachers to teach." On Thursday, NewsWatch 12 went out into the community to speak with parents who's kids attend the Medford School District. For about an hour, we asked parents what their opinions or concerns are with their kids heading back to the classroom despite another surge of cases. During our conversations, we found that several parents arn't concerned with the risk, stating that the risk of catching COVID is pretty much the same in anywhere that you might go nowadays. "I think that my concern for them getting it at school isn't any more than going to the grocery store or even outside," said Ashley Short-Hess. "I think it is more beneficial for them to be in the classroom than to be at home and take the same chance." Short-Hess has three kids that attend the Medford School District, two of which who attend North Medford High School as freshmen, and got infected with COVID-19 just as they were heading back to in-person classes in the spring. "Basically we had to do separate bathrooms, they could only use one bathroom and the rest of us non-infected people had to use a different bathroom," said Short-Hess. "It was hard. I would have to make food and put it at the end of the den, and it was just rough." But despite going through that experience, Short-Hess along with several other parents that NewsWatch 12 spoke with, said that they feel confident that the school district will keep their kids safe this winter. "We haven't let the pandemic stop us," said Hurd. "We are going to do some good things in 2022. PORTLAND, Ore. The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday announced a major initiative to buy and distribute 12 million rapid at-home COVID-19 tests to communities throughout Oregon, the largest state purchase of rapid tests since the pandemic began. The OHA said that these tests will be offered for free so that people can find out at home if they have COVID-19 and take steps to prevent its spread. State officials said that the OHA "does not have the capacity" to send out tests to individuals or families, so the tests will be handed out to list of community organizations throughout the state. Oregon learned during the Delta surge that we must be prepared for the unpredictable we knew we had to be ready for future variants so we could continue to protect the most vulnerable in our communities while keeping our schools, businesses and communities open, said Governor Kate Brown. As cases rise in Oregon and across the nation due to the Omicron variant, we are applying the lessons we have learned to support our hospitals and health care workers, and arm Oregonians with the information and tools they need to keep themselves and their families safe. Through vaccination, wearing masks, and utilizing widespread testing, we can make it through this latest surge the same way we have before working together to protect each other. Coronavirus Watch: Oregon reports nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, continuing rapid climb OHA placed an order on Wednesday with iHealth Labs for six million COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits, each containing two tests. These tests can be performed at home and produce results in 15 minutes. The last large order of rapid tests placed by the state of Oregon was for roughly 1.46 million Abbot BinaxNOW rapid tests. OHA said that about 1.3 million had been handed out to a list of 400 community partner organizations and more than 1,300 K-12 schools. State officials said that the new iHeart kits will arrive next week to the OHA's warehouse in Wilsonville, and will then be distributed throughout January to the local organizations. "From Jan. 3 to Jan. 7, the OHA warehouse will receive six trucks delivering about 1.1 million test kits," the agency said. "Starting Jan. 10, the warehouse will receive five trucks per week for five consecutive weeks until the order is fulfilled. Since iHealth Labs is planning to ramp up product of the test kits, Oregons order may be fulfilled ahead of schedule." In order to hand out the kits to individuals and families, OHA said they'll be transported to the following types of entities: Local public health authorities and Tribes, based on population size and some health equity metrics. Migrant and seasonal farm and agriculture workers. Head Start and some other high-risk early learning settings. K-12 schools to support at-home test to stay. Health care workers. Shelters. Community-based organizations. "The test kit order comes as Omicron continues its steady overtake of Delta as the states dominant COVID-19 variant. With its high transmissibility, Omicron is already thought to be driving a steady increase in hospitalizations over recent days," OHA continued. "As the number of cases increase, rapid testing will be critical to efforts to encourage people to take steps that reduce transmission, including isolating and quarantining at home, wearing masks and face coverings, keeping their distance from others and getting vaccinated as soon as theyre healthy." BIG SPRINGS, Calif. Deputies from the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office seized thousands of marijuana plants found during the search of a cargo van in the Mt. Shasta Vista area on Monday night. According to the agency, a deputy pulled over the driver of a cargo van near Mt. Shasta Vista that night. While he was talking to the driver, the Sheriff's Office said, the deputy could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. The driver was identified as Shuo Kuang. The Sheriff's Office said that Kuang was initially asked if he had marijuana in the vehicle, and he denied it. "The Deputy saw multiple boxes in the rear cargo area of the van and asked what was in them; Kuang said he was hauling plants," the Sheriff's Office said. "When asked what kind of plants, he said Cannabis plants." The deputy searched the boxes, allegedly finding almost 6,000 marijuana plants. Law enforcement officers seized the plants and issued Kuang a citation on the scene. The case will be forwarded to the Siskiyou County District Attorney's office for potential marijuana-related charges against Kuang, the Sheriff's Office said. Mt. Shasta Vista has been the epicenter of increasing controversy and conflict in Siskiyou County in recent years the confluence of booming marijuana grows outlawed under County ordinance, the prodigious import of water needed to supply them, law enforcement's attempts to crack down, and the Hmong community's insistence that their civil rights are being violated in the process. In September, the Hmong community won a partial victory over the County, securing a stay in federal court on the Siskiyou County ordinances that prohibited transportation of water on roads around Mt. Shasta Vista. Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran enjoys a laugh at the end of 2022 budget deliberations earlier this month at City Hall. The Daily Courier looks back on some things Basran said during an eventful 2021. 15 Shares Share If you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays, you cant beat home, sweet home. The late Perry Comos observations reflect a bittersweet truth about an unattainable goal not just during the holiday season, but each day of the year for the 1.4 million Americans age 65 and over who reside in long-term care facilities. Older Americans who might prefer to age in place at home often have no financial option but to move to such facilities due to extremely limited options for in-home care. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportune time to ask why Medicaid continues to channel senior citizens with moderate needs into institutional settings when they in the vast majority of cases would prefer to age in place at home. While most Americans have come to appreciate the virtues of physical distancing during the past 21 months, public health policy regarding long-term care produces precisely the opposite outcome: high-density residential settings in which illness spreads rapidly across vulnerable populations. New approaches are necessary to give Americas seniors options beyond Medicaid-funded nursing home placement when they deplete their assets and are no longer able to live on their own. A new model of service delivery based loosely on the sharing economy holds great promise for helping seniors age in place in the familiarity and comfort of home, assisted by a new type of guest worker. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Congress, and organizations that represent Americas seniors should work collaboratively to develop a Health Care Guest Worker (HCGW) initiative that would allow elderly Americans to receive assisted-living services and basic nursing services from foreign-born guest workers in the comfort of the senior citizens home. Such an initiative would be particularly appealing to seniors who have adequate space in their homes to accommodate one or more live-in HCGWs as their mobility and overall health decline. Just as Airbnb has allowed Americans to monetize extra space in their homes on a short-term basis, a HCGW initiative would allow lower-income and middle-income seniors many of whom are house rich and cash poor to derive a significant, tangible benefit in-home health care at a cost they (and taxpayers) could afford. To make such an initiative possible, Congress should redefine and dramatically expand the H-1C visa category (which expired in 2009) to include not only nurses but also lower-skilled caregivers who would assist Americas seniors. The U.S. State Department could identify countries where significant numbers of qualified, English-proficient citizens reside; manage recruitment; evaluate prospective workers health status; and, in concert with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct thorough background checks on all potential HCGWs. Prospective HCGWs who live in poverty in underdeveloped countries yet who have learned English and have a strong work ethic would welcome the opportunity to work in the United States as caregivers to Americas seniors. To keep costs low and to allow broad participation among elderly Americans, wages could be set by federal law at (or even well below) the standard federal minimum wage of $7.25. Critics on the left no doubt will be quick to characterize sub-minimum wage levels as exploitative and unfair. By the standards of the developed world, such wages would indeed be undesirable and insufficient to sustain a middle-class standard of living. However, wages that seem a pittance to those in the developed world would be a small fortune to those in the developing world who eke out an existence not at a wage of $7.25 per hour, but rather $7.25 per dayor per week. The opportunity to work in the United States even at sub-federal minimum wage levels would be highly attractive to English-speaking individuals who live in dire poverty in some of the worlds most underdeveloped countries. Once their terms of employment in the U.S. conclude, HCGWs would return to their home countries having earned more money in a few years than many of their neighbors could hope to earn after decades of work. Providing in-home care would deliver a cost savings compared to long-term nursing home care, which costs Medicaid around $125 per patient per day. To ensure that HCGWs deliver an adequate standard of care, registered nurses from local hospitals or counties departments of public health could visit senior citizens houses to monitor the patients conditions on a regular basis (with appropriate reimbursement by HHS). A HCGW initiative would by no means end the need for nursing home care in the United States. Rather, it would relieve some of the cost burden on the federal Medicaid program by ensuring that only those who truly need nursing home care would be placed in such a setting after lower-cost, in-home care becomes infeasible. Congress could choose from any number of funding models, including the use of a sliding scale that takes into account a seniors ability to pay for HCGW-related services, as measured by net worth. Medicaid-eligible (i.e., poor) seniors would pay nothing during their lifetimes; an updated, federal-level Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (coordinated by HHS) could be implemented to recover some of the expenses incurred by HHS in conjunction with an indigent, elderly individuals in-home care. Consistent with the sliding-scale approach, moderate-asset seniors would pay a significant portion of the actual cost of care, and high-net-worth seniors would pay the actual cost of the services provided. Increased access to in-home care would be tremendously popular with seniors. According to a 2018 AARP study, 76% of Americans age 50 and older prefer to remain in their current residence as they age. Seniors across the country who want to age in place should have a realistic means of staying in a location that is familiar, safe, and comfortable. Health care guest workers could be an integral part of the solution. Brian Bartoz is a political scientist. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The COVID vaccine is a life raft. Im not your life raft to get out of it. 90 Shares Share It began with a seemingly innocuous text from a friend of the family. Hi, Richard. I hope youre well. I need to speak with you. Can I call you? The last time we spoke was at my brothers long-postponed celebration of life, which we were able to hold a year after his passing finally. Our friend attended the wake, so feeling a sense of appreciation for his support during that time, I called him immediately, hoping to find a way to show my gratitude for his presence and comfort during that difficult time. Great to hear from you. How can I help? Skipping cordialities and small talk, he opened: My job says I have to get the jab or Ill lose my job. Ive been there 20 years. Can you write me a medical excuse? Im not doing it. No way, no how! His last two sentences overlap my knee-jerk inner monologue, verbatim. But I kept my inside voice, inside. I let him continue, thinking ahead of how I might best respond to his bold and brash request. A number of thoughts crossed my mind: Hes an unlikely vaccine convert. Where do I even begin? How do I crush my friends hopes while still maintaining the friendship? How incredibly rude and presumptuous. I could lose my medical license. Indeed, in California, sympathetic and misguided clinicians face a great deal of scrutiny for falsifying medical exemptions for their COVID-19 vaccine-resistant patients. Because I grew up next door to him and his family and showed compassion during our loss, I allowed him a bit more leeway than I would have otherwise. He continued his rant over his personal political archvillains who most assuredly co-conspired to force him to yield to the dreaded jab. His tone, vitriol and position were clear and in direct opposition to my stance on the issue of COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. A political stance so extreme, I had to detach myself, struggling to float above the polarity. It was from this objectivity the best response was clear be compassionate you dont have all the answers and despite you thinking you fully understand his position, you dont. At that moment, whatever life experience or clandestine social media exposure to mis- and disinformation he may have endured to bring him to this very personal crisis, it didnt matter. He was calling in a life raft, and that life raft was me. A sense of humility and honor replaced my hubris and self-righteous indignation for picking up his phone and texting me. Admittedly, he did only reach out to ask me to fabricate on his behalf (as he had no real medical reason to claim), and not to hear a treatise on the virtues of dutifully protecting ones self and the public from our centurys greatest scourge, but it was just enough raw material to work with, hook me in and throw my friend some rope. But first, allow me to make clear my bias. As unrealistic and ridiculous as it sounds and is, Id just as soon see every living organism on planet earth be vaccinated. Yes, even the putrid pangolins and beastly bats from which it ostensibly originated. Humorous hyperbole, of course, but Im also somewhat satirically serious? I do believe its our best way forward if we hope to save lives, ease our overcrowded ICUs and return us to the freedoms we once knew. Moreover, in the case of this vaccine, in my humble opinion, its not worth giving up a hard-won career in medicine to go fight on the mountain-of-civil-liberties-first-or-be-damned. From a purely scientific standpoint, its hardly a molehill, much less a mountain to stake ones claim. Thats not to say all COVID-19 vaccine options are perfect, nor has their rollout been handled with perfect aplomb, but under the enormous weight of roughly 8.5 billion doses safely administered worldwide at the date of this writing, I believe theyre safe and effective enough for the near whole of humanity. Admittedly, Im no expert, nor vaccinologist, immunologist, epidemiologist or any other bench scientist on the front lines of creating and improving this incredible technology. I accept the heat for staking my plebeian claim. However, thats not to say I agree with draconian measures that force us all to relinquish our personal medical sovereignty or religious rights either. How do we protect the population at large without punitively marginalizing large groups of people who reject the vaccine on good principle and lawful exemption? I believe the answers lay somewhere between compromise and compassion. Physician and internet personality Zubin Damania (a.k.a. ZDoggMD) promotes the alt-middle perspective, which encourages non-polarized engagement in respectful, open discourse, free from fear of cancellation or demonization when we inevitably disagree in whole or in part with one another. Whether it be acceptance of a bona fide, documented previous infection, as is the case in the European Union, or the pope declaring vaccination as an act of love, or reasonably accommodating those with legitimate exemptions, we must find our way. It was from our sliver of common ground and mutual respect that I was able to begin to pull my friend from the stormy sea. Of course, we werent in total agreement. Still, he respected my imperfect opinion, experience and judgment, just barely enough, to listen and consider my pro-vaccine position. I was gentle, non-confrontational, and convincing, just barely enough, to break through his defenses in a way he could appreciate and assimilate my take on the matter. Not only did he grab my rope, but I was able to pull him safely to shore. A week later, he received the vaccine without incident, allowing him to keep his job. More importantly, the vaccine is keeping him out of the hospital, protecting him from long-haul COVID and untimely death. Its also safeguarding those around him. I think my extra time with him was well spent. Richard Handley is a physician and health care executive. Image credit: Shutterstock.com CORVALLIS, Ore. -- When 21-year-old Abdul escaped the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan nearly four months ago with his aunt Afwan, he thought it would be a smooth ride ahead to freedom. RELATED: LOCAL NONPROFITS PREPARE TO RESETTLE AFGHAN REFUGEES IN OREGON But upon arrival to the U.S., he's faced several obstacles. First, he's had to move to several locations for his initial immigration process. "We were first taken to Qatar; we were there for a day," said Afwan, who is keeping her identity secret to avoid jeopardizing her family's safety back home. "Then we were taken to Washington, D.C., and then Fort McCoy camp in Wisconsin." Abdul and Afwan stayed at the camp for almost two months and were cleared by the Department of Homeland Security to depart on their own. Afwan had previously gone to school in the U.S. and is a current student at Oregon State University. Thus, she was able to get sponsorship immediately. However, Afwan said Abdul has been turned away at local resettlement agencies because they are at or above capacity and prioritizing bigger families. "In Portland, there were three places I approached and I wrote to but none of them got back to me," said Afwan. Without documentation, Abdul is unable to work and go to school. Plus, the biggest reason why he wants citizenship is to bring his mother and sisters over, who are still in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. "This is my biggest wish that I can bring my sisters and my mother," said Abdul. "I don't want my sisters to be like my mother, who was forced to get married as a child. I want my sisters to go to school, get their education and have a good life." Abdul, his mother and his sisters faced hardship. Abdul lost his father at the age of three. "His father was incarcerated and badly tortured by the Taliban," said Afwan. "Because his father refused to pay illegal taxation to the Taliban. And after a couple of years his father, people say it was an accident but I'm sure, was murdered." Abdul's family of four was forced to live with his father's family who was Taliban-minded. "They put the entire family of four people in a dark room which was basically a kitchen," said Afwan. "Abdul told me later, 'Aunt, my mom never told you but they always beat us.' He also told me one day, without his grandma's permission he took a pomegranate and they beat him for one hour." Afwan said Abdul's family was often abused and thrown out of their house. One day, Afwan took them under her wing and worked to send Abdul and his sisters to private school. "They were thanking God by crying because this was the first time they tasted freedom, love and care," said Afwan. Abdul had finished one semester of college majoring in computer science. But in August 2021, the Taliban took complete power of Afghanistan. MORE: OREGON LAWMAKERS SEEK EXTRA $18M FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Abdul's family had feared they would have to return to his father's family. But now Afwan and Abdul are doing everything they can to get Abdul's mother and sisters to come to the U.S. While Abdul can't enroll in school or work because he doesn't have citizenship status, he said he spends his days studying English at a different family member's home. "I am watching a lot of YouTube videos so I build on my English," said Abdul. "I am also getting prepared to get my driver's license and I am getting familiarized with American culture." He hopes the next year, he can go to school. "My goal for 2022 is to go to school and pursue my education as soon as I can," Abdul said. "I also want to become a role model for any children without fathers." Abdul said he is able to keep his head up high because the women in his life taught him to be strong. "Women are not allowed to stand or speak up for themselves in Afghanistan because it is a male-dominated country," said Abdul. "I am staying strong because I don't want my future kids to go through what I went through. I also want my sisters to escape from the tyranny. Also, my mom was an extremely positive woman even though she went through a lot. But she was always there and always gave her children the hope they needed. She always told us the future is bright if we keep going to school and if we are caring and responsible." Afwan said bringing Abdul to Oregon would be extra meaningful. "It would be like a dream come true because then I can get Abdul enrolled in Oregon State University," said Afwan. Because this was the school that brought me here that saved me." Friends and family of Abdul have organized a GoFundMe to help him get a lawyer. If you would like to help out, the link is HERE. ELMIRA, Ore. A suspect linked to an Elmira-area burglary is in custody despite an attempt to evade police Thursday morning, Lane County Sheriffs deputies say. Several items were taken in the burglary, which happened a few miles north of Elmira, including power tools, a welder and a chop saw, authorities said. The thieves left in a flatbed pickup truck. Deputies responded to the area to search for the suspects, and one reportedly spotted the pickup driving through Veneta, turning toward Eugene. The vehicle had recently been stolen from the Eugene area, officials added. Spike strips were placed in case the suspect chose to drive off, which is what deputies say happened once authorities initiated a traffic stop. The pickup was quickly disabled, and two occupants were taken into custody. Inside the vehicle, deputies reportedly found numerous items of stolen property and a 12-gauge shotgun that had been taken in the burglary. Roger Dale Painter, 34, faces charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, reckless driving, reckless endangering, attempt to elude by vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and a felon in possession of a firearm. He also had an unrelated warrant for his arrest. The second occupant, 52-year-old Phillip Allen Nelson, is not believed to have been directly involved in the burglary. Deputies said he was arrested on an unrelated warrant. Both Painter and Nelson were taken to the Lane County Jail. Deputies thanked the Eugene Police Department and Oregon State Police for their help. SALEM, Ore. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Oregon, with Thursdays daily total nearing 3,000. Oregon Health Authority officials reported 2,948 new cases and 15 new coronavirus-related deaths. In the latest report of COVID-19 breakthrough cases for the state, more than 60% of recently reported cases involved unvaccinated people. Just over 36% involved vaccinated people, which are considered to be breakthrough cases. The state is continuing toward its goal of at least one million residents getting the booster shot by the end of January. At this point, more than 180,000 Oregonians have already lined up for the extra dose. EUGENE, Ore. Cooper is a 1-year-old Australian cattle dog mix, and hes ready to go to his forever home. He has tons of energy and enjoys playing with toys, going on walks and being around people. While Cooper seems to be good with other dogs at the shelter, he would still need to meet any other potential dog siblings before going home. He would be great with kids. Because Cooper tends to chase anything that runs, a cat-free home would be best. He is very smart and eager to learn and is looking for a family that will continue his training and make sure he goes on plenty of adventures. Cooper was Tuesdays Pet of the Week on KEZI 9 News. Every Tuesday, KEZI showcases a homeless pet on the Midday newscast at 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. If you are interested in Cooper or the other animals at Greenhill Humane Society, more information is available here. A video of Cooper can be watched here. Greenhill Humane Society is located at 88530 Green Hill Road and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Its phone number is 541-689-1503. Appointments are available. LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- According to officials with Lane County Public Health, the 272 cases the county recorded on Thursday likely represent the start of a surge of the omicron variant in the area. It marks the largest number of cases since August, which was the height of the delta surge. Public health spokesman Jason Davis said the likelihood of large in-person gatherings to be held for New Years Eve worsens the threat of the variant. "It's just really bad timing that it's right before New Year's, he said. "That makes us very very nervous. We would urge people to really exercise caution." He said it's a little too early to predict the full extent of the surge, though they are expecting more cases than the delta variant, which overwhelmed several hospitals around the county. "We're looking at about 15,000 infections most likely from now and April 1, he said. He said its largely due to the omicron variant being less deadly and more transmissible than the delta one. "The folks that are infected, they probably won't have as severe of an infection, Davis said. The number of people being infected will be significantly higher." In an attempt to combat the spread, he said the county's main objective is to make sure people have access to both testing and vaccinations. In order to do that, he said the county has tripled their amount of testing sites. Still, the Oregon Health Authority reports that only 27.5% of people in Lane County have gotten their booster dose, and the testing rates have remained stagnant. When it comes down to those little bits of daily life that we all have to do to stay healthy. that's where I see people not being as receptive, he said. As for the holiday festivities, he urges everyone regardless of vaccination status to gather safely which means wearing a mask and socially distancing when possible.' He added there are no stay-at-home orders or closures planned for the near future. In a bid to deliver vaccines to some of the world's most vulnerable countries, UNICEF Ireland brought the stark reality of the global vaccine effort to the streets of Kilkenny recently. Right now, only 5% of people living in low-income countries have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. And to highlight how under-vaccinated some countries are, UNICEF Ireland drove an admobile around The Marble city, comparing the vaccination rate of Chad to Kilkenny. Extraordinarily only 0.45% of Chad are fully vaccinated which would be like only vaccinating Kilkenny in Ireland. The message was clear. There is so much left to do around the world to make sure everyone gets access to life-saving Covid-19 vaccines. As the admobile arrived in different towns and counties, UNICEF Ireland sent out photos of its travels on social media, along with donation information so the people of Ireland could continue to support UNICEFs global vaccination effort. UNICEF Ireland Ambassadors Donncha OCallaghan and Joe Canning also showed their support for the campaign during the admobiles time in Cork and Galway respectively. When you see the low numbers in some countries, and you realise it would be like us only vaccinating Cork in Ireland - it really hits home. We are so lucky. All of us in Ireland have had the choice to get vaccinated to protect ourselves and our families. But there are so many people around the world who dont have access. And it is a matter of luck. It comes down to where you live. When I think about that, I just think we need to support them, however we can. We need to be by their side. For me, it is as simple as, if we get vaccines, everyone should, said Donncha OCallaghan. Former Galway Hurler Joe Canning added, "People in Ireland have been incredibly supportive of UNICEFs campaign to deliver Covid-19 vaccines to the worlds poorest countries. The idea that people in countries already facing the biggest challenges, from conflict, poverty or other issues, are now at greatest risk of Covid-19 is simply not fair. And people in Ireland get that. That is why Im so passionate about the campaign to vaccinate the world, and I hope everyone will continue to get behind it this Christmas. Covid-19 vaccines have given Ireland a critical buffer against the worst impacts of the virus, however according to UNICEF, the risk remains high for billions of people around the world. Thats why UNICEF is working to deliver 3 billion COVID-19 vaccines to the most vulnerable families, health workers and high-risk people on our planet. UNICEF Ireland's Executive Director Peter Power said it was important to bring the numbers out into the open to draw attention to the stark differences and help end the pandemic. Bringing the pandemic under control is the absolute priority, but we cannot end a global pandemic one country at a time. It is not right that people in lower income countries must wait months for access to COVID-19 vaccine doses. The more opportunities the virus has to spread anywhere in the world, the more chances it has to mutate, allowing new variants to emerge. We are seeing that now, and it is another stark reminder that no one is safe, until we are all safe, he said. According to UNICEF Ireland, just 4.48 allows UNICEF to deliver two doses of Covid-19 vaccine to countries facing humanitarian crises. People in Kilkenny can support UNICEFs Covid-19 vaccine campaign and help end the pandemic by donating today at www.unicef.ie The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that there are 23 patients on trolleys at St Luke's Hospital today. With the health system coming under severe pressure people are advised to stay away unless it is a medical emergency. In a statement issued yesterday a spokesperson said that the Emergency Department at St Lukes General Hospital is extremely busy. "If you attend the Emergency Department and do not need urgent treatment we regret that there will be significant delays and very long waiting times. Please consider all care options including your GP, GP Out of Hours and Pharmacy services. As always, the hospital will see and treat the sickest patients and those requiring urgent care first. Do not delay attending the hospital if you or someone else may be having a heart attack, stroke or other serious medical emergency. Call 999/112 for immediate assistance." "On account of the current spread of Covid-19 within our communities, patient visiting at St Lukes General Hospital, Carlow/Kilkenny is temporarily suspended until further notice. Visiting on compassionate grounds in consultation with the ward manager will continue. Maternity and Paediatric visiting remains unchanged. "We regret the inconvenience that this may cause and once again thank the public for their support at this time." If you are nearing the end of your career or just starting out in retirement, you might assume its time for the careful financial planning you did all those years to finally pay off. You imagine a long-desired Alaskan cruise or map out cross-country trips to visit the grandkids. You picture filling your free time pursuing your interests in activities from biking to art. But even the most diligent pre-retiree planner can get tripped up by unpleasant financial surprises along the way. And if youre not careful to avoid some of these shocks to your budget, they can derail your dreams and force a shift in your retirement goals. Consider just a few possibilities: You thought youd have lower taxes as a retiree, but you land in a higher bracket instead as you begin to tap your qualified retirement accounts. You budgeted for Medicare payments, only to find your monthly premium is much higher than expected. You counted on your expenses shrinking in retirement, but you still have hefty bills for home maintenance and car repairs. That retiree health care from your employer that you figured was free? It actually costs hundreds of dollars each month in premiums. Even little things add up: You paid for expensive extended warranties that will far outlast how long you hold onto appliances or devices, or you forget to cancel costly recurring subscriptions for online services you no longer use. I know what my regular monthly bills are, but I think its the unintended expenses, the major house repairs and other things you dont plan on, that surprise you, says Susan Garcia, 62, a former physician who lives in New Orleans and retired two years ago. Your costs dont really go down in retirement. They stay the same, and you dont have 100% of the salary you had before. More people are likely to face this financial squeeze as they enter retirement with fewer resources than previous generations. A recent report by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College notes that most adults approaching retirement are more reliant on retirement accounts built up during their working years than guaranteed pension income. If they have invested much of their savings in stocks, they are more vulnerable to sharp market downturns in early retirement. And nearly 80% of the spending needs of middle-income households entering retirement is earmarked for basic expenses, the study says. All told, it leaves retirees with little room for error. Things that happen in the few years prior to retirement and the few years after can have a disproportionately large impact on your retirement years financially, says Brook Lester, chief wealth strategist at Diversified Trust in Memphis. Any kind of financial shock, like a large unexpected expense, a sick spouse or a big market downturn, can be hard to recover from. Fortunately, there are moves you can make now to shore up your finances and head off unexpected hits to your retirement budget. Heres a look at some of the nastiest retirement surprisesand how to handle them. Surprise No. 1: Medicare Costs More Than I Thought If youve never heard of IRMAA, youll want to know all about it before you retire. Its the Medicare income-related monthly adjustment amount surcharge, and it refers to the extra premiums for Part B and Part D that higher-income beneficiaries pay for Medicare coverage. In some cases, even a tiny increase in your income can put you in a higher income bracket and trigger the surcharge, meaning a married couple, for example, could suddenly be paying as much as $1,000 a month more than planned. And if you convert a traditional IRA into a Roth account, thinking its a smart strategy for avoiding higher taxes later in retirement, your additional income could put you in surcharge territory and wipe out some of your expected savings. For 2020, the surcharge is triggered when your modified adjusted gross incomethat is, your adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest incomeexceeds $174,000 for taxpayers who are married and file jointly or $87,000 for individual taxpayers. Part B premiums combined with premium surcharges for Part B and Part D range from a total of $214.60 to $568.00 per month per person in 2020. (Read Medicare Premiums Climb for 2020.) Not only are many pre-retirees unaware of the surcharge, they also dont understand how it works, says Forrest Baumhover, a planner with Lawrence Financial Planning in Tampa, Fla. For example, the surcharge is calculated based on your tax returns from two years prior. Many retirees know they might be subject to the surcharge, and they dread it, but they dont know what to do, he says. How to tackle it: If you are married and one spouse is still working, coordinate your health insurance coverage. One of Baumhovers clients retired and realized hed be hit with an IRMAA surcharge as he enrolled in Medicare. We pointed out that he didnt need to enroll in Medicare and pay the related IRMAA surcharge as long as she was still working and he was covered under her plan, Baumhover says. The couple verified this with their local Medicare office, enrolled in her employers health care coverage and are dropping Medicare for now, saving over $2,000 per year in IRMAA surcharges, plus the standard Medicare premiums, he says. (Before using this strategy, confirm whether your spouses health plan requires you to enroll in Medicare at age 65. In companies with fewer than 20 employees, for example, the employer plan may pay secondary to Medicare when an enrollee is Medicare eligible.) You also can appeal the surcharge. Request a reconsideration by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. An inaccurate tax return or a life-changing event, such as divorce or death of a spouse, can qualify for an appeal. Glen Turnes, 74, a retiree from Tampa, says his appeal was successful, and the process was less intimidating than you might think. Read your IRMAA notice carefully and follow the procedures for appealing, he says. Be sure to follow up and get help from a financial professional if you need it. Surprise No. 2: My Tax Bill Went Up in Retirement How did that happen, when you expected it to go down? One possibility: You overlooked the fact that a portion of your Social Security benefits could be taxed. It comes as a shock to many retirees, says Paul Staib, a Highlands Ranch, Colo., financial planner. People think of it as double taxation, and they get upset about it. For married couples filing jointly with incomes between $32,000 and $44,000, 50% of benefits are taxable. And 85% of benefits are taxed at incomes above $44,000 for joint filers. (See Publication 915 at IRS.gov for more details.) Another potential tax shock: You followed accepted financial advice and saved for years in your tax- deferred retirement accounts, but you didnt think about the tax bill that comes due when you start drawing down your money. Add in your retirement income from other sources, such as Social Security, pensions or deferred compensation payouts, and you easily can wind up in a higher bracket as a retiree than when you were working. This tax torpedo is a frequent and upsetting surprise, planners say. Consider a couple who saved every penny in retirement accounts that now have a balance of $3 million. Once they retire and begin to draw from those accounts, they realize that about one-third of each withdrawal will be consumed by taxes. Jane Upton, 69, who lives in Jacksonville, Fla., retired in 2017 and receives a pension from the city; her husband is still working. They now take distributions from her IRA to travel, because all their money is in tax-deferred retirement accounts, and they are feeling the impact of the tax on those distributions. Some of their more expensive tripsa Galapagos cruise, whitewater rafting and Grand Canyon campingforced them to take IRA distributions much larger than the cost of the trip because of tax withholding. I knew I was putting money into my retirement accounts at a pretax rate, and thinking, Ill pay the taxes when I get this out, Upton says. But I was never really thinking how much it would be. Now when Im looking at that whole nest egg, its like 28% of it Im not going to get. Thats a shock when you think of it that way. How to tackle it: The best way to avoid the tax torpedo is to start tax planning early. Keep in mind that at some point the government is going to want its share of taxes, says Mark Astrinos, a San Francisco CPA financial planner and member of the American Institute of CPAs Personal Financial Specialist Committee. Structure your retirement accounts to allow for potentially tax-free distributions or lower tax-impact withdrawals later. Consider Roth conversions, which Astrinos calls the golden window of opportunity for some retiring between ages 65 and 70. Perhaps theyre already on Medicare, their income has fallen, and they havent yet drawn on their Social Security benefits or RMDs. Its their best chance to convert those tax-deferred accounts to Roth IRAs, paying taxes now at a potentially lower rate than after age 70. But be careful on timing, or you could bump up your Medicare premiums after a Roth conversion, he says. If its too late to plan ahead, you still have alternatives. If youre charitably inclined, use the qualified charitable distribution strategy, which involves donating IRA money directly to a qualified charity, lowering your taxable income at the same time. Bonus: The QCD can count toward your RMD. And alter your spending to cover your tax bills. Upton and her husband are replacing the major travel getaways theyd planned with smaller and less costly trips spread out over the year. Before they spend anything from a retirement plan distribution, they subtract about one-third of it to account for taxes and adjust their spending. It means a trip Im not going to take, or some other thing Im not going to be able to do, Upton says. She and her husband also expect to be in a lower tax bracket when he stops working in a few years. Surprise No. 3: I Downsized My House, but I Didnt Get a Windfall You no longer need your rambling house and spacious yard, not to mention the upkeep. You assume a sure-fire way to build up retirement savings would be to sell it and move to a smaller house. But expecting a windfall from downsizing is one of the biggest fallacies about retirement savings, says Mike Kurz, chief executive officer of a financial planning firm in Frisco, Tex. On paper, swapping out the family house for a smaller footprint should cut your expenses. But moving is an emotional decision as well, Kurz says. If you have ties to your neighborhood, church, community organization or even the local coffee shop, you might hope to keep living there, just in a smaller house. But in an expensive neighborhood, you might still have a significant property tax bill even in a smaller house or find yourself limited to pricey rentals. Add in moving costs, real estate commissions, renovations or upkeep, and sometimes your move amounts to far less money saved than you thought. How to tackle it: Before posting a for sale sign, be sure you are committed to moving from a grand home to a more modest one, often in a different neighborhood, to save significantly. You really have to be willing to sacrifice, Kurz says. If you are on the edge financially and you can save $500 each month by moving to a smaller rental, getting rid of your house and mortgage makes sense. If youre pursuing a major lifestyle change, you also might make it work. In north Texas, Kurz says, clients sometimes trade in their family home on a suburban cul-de-sac for a less expensive home in a rural community or farther out in the country. But be sure the savings will be worth it and that you wont miss walkable streets or neighbors. You also want to avoid being isolated from relatives, friends and transportation. Surprise No. 4: I Retired Early, and Health Care is Expensive and Hard to Get If you retire before youre eligible for Medicare and dont have coverage through a spouses employer or other group plan, youre on your own for health careand it may not be cheap. Quit working at age 55, for example, when youre still 10 years away from Medicare eligibility, and your coverage in the individual market may cost hundreds of dollars more than Medicare each month. Having private insurance is just so expensive, says Tiffany Beard, a financial planner with Wealth Enhancement Group, in Jacksonville, Fla. Thats particularly true if you dont qualify for premium tax credits on the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges. Early retirees may be able to tweak their retirement drawdown strategy to qualify for those tax credits. (Read Shop Exchange Plans for a Better Deal.) If you had employer health coverage and youve stopped working, you may be eligible for Cobra coverage. But be sure you understand youll be paying 110% of the entire cost, not just the smaller premium you paid while working. And Cobra is often limited in length; you may only be eligible for a year to 18 months. Louise Bryant, 59, founder of Financial Spyglass, a fee-only comprehensive planning firm in Rye, N.Y., and her husband both have small businesses and are no longer on their previous corporate health plans. Until recently, they paid $3,400 each month in Cobra premiums, which was much higher than their monthly health care cost under their corporate health coverage. And finding a plan on the Affordable Care Act exchanges hasnt been easy. Even getting the information you need to coordinate with your doctors can mean numerous phone calls, emails and even office visits. Its a lot of work to wade through the options for coverage after Cobra and before Medicare as small business owners, she says. How to tackle it: Check with your state to see how long you may be eligible for Cobra. For instance, if your coverage is from an employer based in New York state, you may be eligible for up to three years total of coverage under Cobra rather than the more typical 18 months. Bryant eventually found a plan for 2019 for $1,896, or $948 each, per month to cover herself and her husband. As of December 2019, her husband is covered by Medicare. And she has found one plan for 2020 that her doctors accept as in network that will be $1,137 a month. It can work, she says. Alternatively, find a part-time job with health benefits; Beard says one client started working at a Publix grocery store for the benefits. If you have a health savings account, fund it to the maximum now so you can use it in retirement. Surprise No. 5: My Nest Egg is Disappearing Faster Than I Thought it Would You thought you had estimated your spending needs carefully before retirement, but youre tapping your nest egg more often than expected. Theres the out-of-pocket costs for the hip replacement you didnt expect or for the air conditioning unit that finally gave out. Watching your money dwindle away interferes with what are supposed to be your carefree years. Retirees regularly underestimate their costs in retirement, planners say. New Orleans retiree Susan Garcia, for example, says she didnt want to work until age 84 and tried to plan carefully for retirement with her husband, who had retired about 15 years before she did. The friends of Tseng Yi-lin, a Taiwanese woman killed in a drunk driving accident in Korea, talk to reporters in front of the Supreme Court, Thursday, after the court sent the case back to a lower court for review. Yonhap By Kim Rahn The nation's top court has ordered a lower court to review a drunk driving case where a Taiwanese student here was killed, as a relevant law applied to the case had been ruled unconstitutional last month. The bereaved families and the friends of the victim protested the decision, as the perpetrator is likely to get a lighter punishment if a different law is applied. According to the Supreme Court, Thursday, it overturned a lower court ruling that sentenced the driver, Kim, 52, to eight years in jail, and sent the case to the appellate division of the Seoul Central District Court for review. In the accident on Nov. 6 last year, Kim's car hit Tseng Yi-lin, 28, a Ph.D. student at Torch Trinity Graduate University in Seoul, who was crossing the street. Kim was driving at the speed of 80.4 kilometers per hour on a street with a speed limit of 50 kilometers. In addition, his blood concentration level was at 0.079 percent which is subject to a license suspension, and he ignored the traffic light. The prosecution initially sought a six-year jail term, but a local and appellate courts handed down an eight year sentence, considering the fact he had been fined for drunk driving in 2012 and 2017 as well. Related to the Kim case, the revised Road Traffic Act, called the Yoon Chang-ho Act named after a drunk driving case victim, was applied, which called for aggravated punishment of up to five years in jail or up to 20 million won ($16,800) in fines for repeat drunk driving offenses. Yet last month, the Constitutional Court ruled this act unconstitutional, stating that the vague definition of "repeat" offences did not take into account how far apart the multiple violations are between each other. With the Yoon Chang-ho Act being rejected, the top court told the appellate court to review the case by applying a different law. It is the first time that the Supreme Court has sent a drunk driving case to a lower court since the unconstitutionality decision. For the appellate court review, a law on ordinary drunk driving without aggravated punishment clauses is expected to be applied, which is highly likely to result in a lighter penalty. Tseng's friends, who have taken care of the legal battle on behalf of her family, protested against the court decision. "Taiwan has been recently pushing to introduce stronger punishments for drunk driving, but Korea is going backward. This is shameful," they said in a statement after the decision. "Her parents told us that they were so exhausted and in deep despair." Auburn, IN (46706) Today Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 19F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 10F. Winds light and variable. (KIRKSVILLE, Mo.) Authorities are searching for man suspected of killing two people and injuring two more in a shooting in Kirksville, Missouri. According to the Kirksville Police Department, officers responded to a report of shots fired just before 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 30. When police arrived on scene, they found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Police said an 18-month-old child was pronounced dead at the scene and Braxton Cottrill, 22, was transported to University Hospital in Columbia where he later died. In a news release, police said Alissa Anders, 18, was hospitalized in critical condition and Randall Yarrington, 21, was taken to a medical facility and treated for gunshot wounds. Police identified Anquan Eugene Glover as a suspect in the shooting. As of Friday, police have been unable to locate Glover. According to the news release, police believe the suspect and victims knew each other and believe the victims were targeted. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at (660) 785-6945, Central Dispatch at (660) 665-5621, Adair County Sheriff's Office at (660) 665-4600, or anonymously at (660)-627-BUST. The City Of Lake Geneva has a new vehicle that has been on the police and fire departments wish list for several years. The city received the mobile command unit, which will be shared by both the police and fire department, in October. The mobile command unit will be transported to serious emergency situations to serve as a communication center with emergency workers who are on the scene. This would basically supplement our dispatch center and give us an area to plan on how to handle emergencies, Det. Glen Nettesheim of the Lake Geneva Police Department said. When we have a drowning out by the lake, our dispatch center is overwhelmed with whats going on at the scene and calls that are coming in. If our dispatchers are in the vehicle and work with the staff thats out on the scene, it eases the burden on them. The vehicle recently was transported to a major fire that occurred near Highway 120 and Highway 11 in Spring Prairie. Captain Mark Moeller-Gunderson of the Lake Geneva Fire Department said the vehicle allowed dispatchers to communicate with the different departments that responded to the scene. When you have multiple departments coming in from all over the area and when you have people in the command van that can coordinate with everybody on different fire channels and bring in extra resources and provide a more effective centralized command, that is extremely helpful, Moeller-Gunderson said. Nettesheim said the vehicle can be transported to community events, such as Venetian Festival, in case there is an emergency situation and to give police officers and firefighters an opportunity to interact with the public. If you look at Venetian Festival, the big thing is to have this out there, Nettesheim said. If something were to happen, we would be able to respond without having to run to the police department and fire department and just have the resources there. Moeller-Gunderson said the mobile command unit also could be used as a temporary shelter for when first responders need to get out of inclement weather. If it was 40 degrees below zero or raining for a long, extended period, the best test of that command vehicle is when its being put to use, Moeller-Gunderson said. The mobile command unit is equipped with two large monitors and 15 smaller monitors which can broadcast the scene of an emergency situation, a map of the scene or a live news feed. We can pretty much put what we want on here, Nettesheim said. If we needed to monitor a situation thats breaking news, we can put a news station on here. We can put our dispatch counsels on here if we need to bring up Google maps or a grid or an outline of a perimeter of something. We can do all that here. Nettesheim said the back room of the vehicle includes two intel stations where emergency crews can control the cameras of the mobile command unit. The vehicle includes a flat roof that emergency workers can walk on to launch a drone. You can walk on the entire thing. So if we needed to put a drone in the air, we can deploy it right off of here and tie the feed right into the computers and monitors, Nettesheim said. So as the drone operator is flying it out, whoever is in charge has real-time live feed, so they can direct the responders into their positions. Moeller-Gunderson said he is impressed with the technology that is available in the mobile command unit. It allows for the most up-to-date technology, Moeller-Gunderson said. It has excellent communication capabilities. The vehicle cost about $470,000 to purchase and about $40,000 to equip. Officials from the police and fire departments requested to purchase the vehicle as part of the citys 2020 budget. However, there was not enough money in the citys equipment replacement fund during that time, but the mobile command unit was included in the 2021 budget. Nettesheim said a new mobile command unit was needed because the previous vehicle was outdated and not used very often. The command unit we had, it barely got used because it was so impractical, Nettesheim said. We looked at the numbers over the past couple of years, and there was 70 or 80 incidents each year that something like this would have ben beneficial for us to have out on a scene. Nettesheim said the vehicle can be upgraded to handle updated technology. Technology updates and changes, so we have the ability to adapt as well, Nettesheim said. This isnt something that will be outdated in 10 years. This is something we can take in the future and upgrade as new technology comes out. Moeller-Gunderson said the mobile command unit will allow both departments to respond to emergency situations more effectively. We work together all the time on small incidents, as well as major incidents, and this is just another example of that level of cooperation of those efforts, Moeller-Gunderson said. The bottom line is, it serves the public better and thats our vision to work together to save lives, to save property, and this is another tool to help us work together to do that job effectively. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lake Geneva has pushed back the start of its snow emergency. City officials initially announced that no one could park on city streets starting at 1 p.m. But on Saturday morning, it was pushed back to 5 p.m. According to the updated snow emergency: In anticipation of the impending snow fall to occur within the City of Lake Geneva, and in accordance with Lake Geneva municipal code, Lake Geneva Mayor Charlene Klein has declared a snow emergency to begin Saturday, Jan. 1, at 5 p.m. and to continue until terminated by the Mayor (or Council President in the absence of the Mayor). During this time, street parking is prohibited. Citizens and visitors of the City of Lake Geneva shall be required to park their vehicles in driveways and off the street during the emergency. This will allow for proper snow removal and for emergency services to access all neighborhoods. All vehicles found parked on City of Lake Geneva streets during a snow emergency shall be towed at the owners expense. Advocate Aurora on Thursday (Dec. 30, 2021) announced that no visitors will be allowed into its facilities to visit adult patients. There are exceptions, such as for end-of-life situations. For child patients in most situations, one parent or guardian will be allowed to visit. This is a precaution being taken as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches one of its worst spikes yet, with care-intensive coronavirus-infected patients most of them unvaccinated take up limited bedspace and hospital resources. Other exceptions include: No visitors permitted in the emergency department, but people whove brought patients into the emergency department may wait in designated areas as space and social distancing allow One visitor permitted to support a patient who needs assistance with care and decision-making due to a mental or physical disability One visitor permitted to support a patient who is unable to make decisions for themselves One visitor permitted to receive discharge instructions for a patient Minor children may accompany adult patients One designated support person plus one rape-crisis advocate permitted for patients being seen due to sexual assault or domestic violence One designated visitor plus one certified doula permitted for obstetrics/labor & delivery patients for the duration of stay It is unclear for how long these restrictions will remain in place. From Nov. 28-Dec. 28, across Advocate Auroras 16 hospitals in Wisconsin, the number of COVID-19 inpatients increased by 48.9%, from 294 to 438. Over just Dec. 22-28, the number increased from 408 to 438, a 7.9% increase. To learn more, go to: advocateaurorahealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019/important-changes/#visitors A high-speed chase that started in the Village of Pleasant Prairie on Christmas Eve morning ended with five felony charges against a 21-year-old Racine man. Lucio Sarmiento Castro, of the 900 block of Harbridge Avenue, faces three felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony count of hit-and-run causing injury and a felony count of attempting to flee or elude an officer, along with his first drunken driving offense, a misdemeanor. Sarmiento Castro made his initial appearance Tuesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court and was ordered held in the Kenosha County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond by Commissioner Larry Keating. Castro is due back in court Jan. 4, for a preliminary hearing. The recklessly endangering safety charges each carry a possible prison term of seven-and-a-half years, five years extended supervision and a fine of $25,000. The hit-and-run charge carries a nine-month prison term and a $10,000 fine, while the attempting to flee or elude charge carries a possible 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. According to the criminal complaint, a Pleasant Prairie Police officer was monitoring traffic at 4:34 a.m. from Fire Station No. 1, 3801 Springbrook Road, when he heard a vehicle operating at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to catch the vehicle that was traveling in excess of 95 mph. The defendant's vehicle slowed down to about 70 mph, the complaint states, then traveled through a red traffic light without stopping and accelerated to nearly 100 mph as it approached 52nd Street. At that point, an officer from the Kenosha Police Department attempted to assist, and saw the suspect vehicle fail to stop for a red light at Washington Road. The defendant then turned off the vehicle's lights to make a turn onto 23rd Avenue, then a full U-turn toward the Pleasant Prairie officer's squad car. Sarmiento Castro then turned his vehicle into the squad and struck the driver's side. The pursuit continued, now at about 5 mph on 23rd Avenue, where the defendant's vehicle was "boxed in." It rolled into the passenger side of the squad car. Sarmiento Castro was taken into custody, and officers detected a strong odor of intoxicants, the complaint states. A female passenger in the defendant's vehicle stated she saw the red and blue lights and told Sarmiento Castro to stop, but he continued to flee. The Pleasant Prairie officer reported to an area hospital after he complained of back pain as a result of the collision. A preliminary breath test at the scene revealed the defendant's blood alcohol content at 0.141. A legal blood draw also was completed, and results of that test were not included in the criminal complaint. Medininagar (J'khand), Dec 31 (PTI) Six labourers, including three women, were killed and 18 others injured in a head-on collision between a pickup van and a truck in Hariharganj in Jharkhand's Palamu district on Friday, an official said. The incident occurred late in the evening when the workers, who hailed from Panki in Palamu, were returning to their village after harvesting paddy in Sihudi village in neighbouring Bihar, the official said. Also Read | COVID-19 in Mumbai: Dharavi Reports 34 New Coronavirus Cases in Past 24 Hours; Total Active Cases Rises to 95. Hariharganj Block Development Officer Jaiprakash Narayan, who reached the accident site, said three labourers died on the spot and three others, all women, died during treatment in Bihar's Aurangabad. Hariharganj police station in-charge Sudama Kumar Das said 12 labourers are being treated at the Hariharganj Community Health Centre. Six other labourers who sustained serious injuries have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for better treatment. Also Read | Mumbai: Cryptocurrency Exchange WazirX Fined Rs 49.20 Crore for Tax Evasion Worth Rs 40.5 Crore. The death toll may increase, he said, adding that the accident occurred on National Highway 98. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Amritsar (Punjab) [India], December 31 (ANI): Amid the foggy weather conditions in winter, more Border Security Force (BSF) jawans have been deployed at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab's Amritsar area, said Ashwani Kumar, Assistant Commandant of BSF on Thursday. Speaking to ANI, Ashwani Kumar said, "There is foot patrolling, mounted (horse) patrolling, and vehicle patrolling at the India-Pakistan border here. More jawans deployed due to poor visibility." Also Read | Delhi: Depressed MBBS Student of Maulana Azad Medical College Dies By Suicide After Failing in Exam. The BSF official further informed that the female jawans are also on duty with them. "We also have female jawans on duty. New fencing has helped in preventing border crimes," Kumar added. (ANI) Also Read | COVID-19 Positive International Passengers To Isolate at Designated Quarantine Facilities at Delhi Airport. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): The Centre on Thursday notified rules for Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021. "In exercise of powers conferred by provisos to sub-section (1) of Section 34, sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 47 and sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 58 read with sub-clauses (o), (x) and (zc) of sub-section (2) of section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Government has notified the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021," the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said. Also Read | Delhi: Depressed MBBS Student of Maulana Azad Medical College Dies By Suicide After Failing in Exam. According to the notification, district commissions will have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid does not exceed Rs 50 lakh. Further, the State commissions can look onto complaints in the range of Rs 50 lakh- Rs two crores. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 promulgates a three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism for redressal of consumer disputes namely district commissions, state commissions and national commission. The Act also stipulates the pecuniary jurisdiction of each tier of consumer commission. Also Read | COVID-19 Positive International Passengers To Isolate at Designated Quarantine Facilities at Delhi Airport. As per the existing provisions of the Act, District Commissions have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed Rs one crore. State Commissions have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration, exceeds Rs 1 crore, but does not exceed Rs 10 crore rupees and National Commission has jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of goods or services paid as consideration exceeds Rs 10 crores. After the Act came into force, it was observed that the existing provisions relating to pecuniary jurisdiction of consumer commissions were leading to cases which could earlier be filed in National Commission to be filed in State Commissions and cases which could earlier be filed in State Commissions to be filed in District Commissions. "This caused a significant increase in the workload of District Commissions, leading to rise in pendency and delay in disposal of cases, defeating the very object of securing speedy redressal to consumers as envisaged under the Act," the ministry said in its official release. With regard to revision of pecuniary jurisdiction, Central Government held wide consultation with States/UTs, consumer organizations, law chairs etc. and examined the issues that had created long pendency of cases in detail. With notification of the aforementioned rules, the new pecuniary jurisdiction, subject to other provisions of the Act, shall include some changes. Firstly, District Commissions shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed 50 lakh rupees. Secondly, State Commissions shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds 50 lakh rupees but does not exceed two crore rupees. Thirdly, National Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds two crore rupees. It may be mentioned that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 stipulates that every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within 5 months if it requires analysis or testing of commodities. The Act also provides consumers the option of filing complaint electronically. To facilitate consumers in filing their complaint online, the Central Government has set up the E-Daakhil Portal, which provides a hassle-free, speedy and inexpensive facility to consumers around the country to conveniently approach the relevant consumer forum, dispensing the need to travel and be physically present to file their grievance. To provide a faster and amicable mode of settling consumer disputes, the Act also includes reference of consumer disputes to Mediation, with the consent of both parties. This will not only save time and money of the parties involved in litigating the dispute, but will also aid in reducing overall pendency of cases, the ministry said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, December 31 (ANI): Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will launch a 100-day reading campaign 'Padhe Bharat' on January 1. An Education Ministry release said the campaign marks an important step to improve learning levels of students as it develops creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary and the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It helps children to relate to their surroundings and to real-life situations. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Youth Hacks Uncle To Death For Preventing Him From Talking to Aunt, Arrested. "Children studying in Balvatika to grade VIII will be part of this campaign. The reading campaign will be organised for 100 days (14 weeks) starting from January 1, 2022 to April 10, 2022," the release said. The reading campaign aims to have the participation of all stakeholders at the national and state levels including children, teachers, parents, community and education administrators. Also Read | Income Tax Returns Filing For 2020-21: Theres No Proposal to Extend ITR Deadline, Says Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj. The campaign will include one activity per week per group with a focus on making reading enjoyable and evoking sustained interest in it among students. A comprehensive guideline on reading campaign with an age-appropriate weekly calendar of activities has been prepared and shared with states and UTs, the release said. The activities can be done by children with the help of teachers, parents, peers, siblings or other family members. The release said that in order to make the campaign effective, the activities have been kept simple and enjoyable so that these can also be easily conducted with the materials or resources available at home and with the help of parents, peers and siblings, in case the schools are closed. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): Income Tax Department is conducting searches at the premises of perfume businessman and Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Pushpraj Jain and one other perfume trader tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Pushpraj Jain alias Pampi Jain is the Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of Uttar Pradesh and is linked to Samajwadi Party. Also Read | iQOO 9 Series Launch Set for January 5, 2022; iQOO 9 Pro Teased on Weibo. The searches are being conducted at around eight premises including Kanpur, Kannauj, Bombay and Surat linked to two businessmen, sources told ANI. "One more place in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul is also being searched," the sources said. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: To Remove Hindrances in Way, Man Murders Lover's Husband in Lucknow. Income tax sleuths started search operation early this morning. Sources further said that the department has credible intelligence of tax evasion by the companies owned by Pushpraj Jain and the other businessman who is also a promoter of a perfume company. The IT department through its multiple sources has got credible intelligence of fake bills and receipts by the companies who are linked to the parties where searches are going on. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party hit out at the BJP and accused the ruling party of misusing central agencies in the run-up to the assembly polls. "After the huge failure of the last time, this time BJP's close associate IT has finally raided SP MLC Pushpraj Jain and other perfume traders of Kannauj. Open misuse of central agencies by scared BJP is common in Uttar Pradesh elections. People are watching everything. They will answer by vote," said SP in a tweet. "As soon as respected National President Akhilesh Yadav announced the press conference in Kannauj, the BJP government started carrying out guerilla action at the place of SP MLC Pampi Jain. BJP's fear and anger is clear. People are ready to teach a lesson to BJP!," the Samajwadi Party said in a tweet. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, December 31: Congress party on Thursday emerged as the single largest party winning 498 of 1,184 seats in the Karnataka urban local body polls. A total of 58 urban local bodies consisting of 1,184 wards went to the polls. Of the total 1,184 seats that went to the polls, the Congress won 498 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 437, Janata Dal (Secular) won 45 and others won 204 respectively. 1,184 wards went to the polls across town municipal councils, town panchayats and city municipal councils. Congress registered a vote share of 42.06 per cent votes, BJP of 36.90 per cent, JDS of 3.8 per cent and others of 17.22 per cent in total, as per the State Election Commission data. BJP, however, gained the highest number of seats among city municipal councils. Of the 166 City Municipal Council wards, the Congress got 61, BJP got 67, JDS got 12 while others got 26 respectively. Congress secured the maximum number of seats in town municipal councils. Of the 441 Town Municipal Council wards, the Congress got 201, BJP 176 and JDS 21, as per the data. Karnataka Urban Local Body Election Results 2021: Congress, BJP Both Claim Victory. Moreover, of the 588 wards of the Pattana Panchayats, the Congress bagged 236, BJP 194 and JDS 12 while others won in 135 wards. Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar thanked the people of the state and said that these results confirm the popularity of Congress ideology and of people who believe in it. "Election results in recent times have indicated a Congress wave in the state and the urban local body election results vouch for it. Without doubt, Congress will win 2023 assembly elections and I thank our voters for their overwhelming support that has stirred our enthusiasm," Shivakumar said in a tweet. "While urban local body election results cannot be a yardstick for future elections, these results confirm the popularity of Congress ideology and of our people who believe in it. They have upset BJP's calculation that it could win through money. Pro-people ideology has won," he added. This result holds importance ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls scheduled to be held in 2023. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Amravati, Dec 31 (PTI) Maharashtra Minister Yashomati Thakur on Friday said she has tested positive for coronavirus and was taking treatment as per doctors' advice. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission: Odisha Govt Hikes DA by 3%, to Benefit 7.5 Lakh Employees, Pensioners. Taking to Twitter, the state minister for women and child welfare announced of her infection and urged people who came in contact with her to get tested. Also Read | Uttarakhand Government Hikes Old-Age and Widow Pension From Rs 1200 to Rs 1400. Thakur, who is also the guardian minister of Amravati, said she was asymptomatic and was undergoing treatment as per doctors' advice. She also appealed to people to observe COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, as the number of COVID-19 cases was on rise. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal, Dec 31 (PTI) Merchant vessel captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, who was arrested and jailed for 16 months in Mauritius after his ship ran aground in July 2020 and triggered oil spill off its coast, has returned to India following his release from the island country. Also Read | Maharashtra Shocker: 23-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Tiger in Buffer Zone of Tadoba Andhari Reserve in Chandrapur. Nandeshwar, who resides with his family members in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, reunited with them on Thursday. Also Read | All Units of Ola S1, S1 Pro E-Scooters Despatched to Customers, Says CEO. "I am extremely thankful to the Maritime Union of India (MUI) for its support and help in securing my release from Mauritius jail. I am back home because of the relentless efforts of the MUI general secretary Amar Singh Thakur, who consistently pursued my release from the jail through a series of negotiations and representations with the local maritime union of Mauritius, High Commission of India in Port Louis, Shipping Ministry of India and External Affairs Ministry of India," said Nandeshwar in a release issued by the MUI, India's oldest union of merchant navy officers. Expressing happiness over his return, his wife Namrata said, "Yes, finally my husband is back and our ordeal is over. He is fine and has safely reached home." The 300-meter-long Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio under the command of Captain Nandeshwar was en route to Brazil from China when it veered off its course in the evening on July 25, 2020 and hit a coral reef. Two weeks later, fuel oil started leaking with about 1,000 tonnes of it reaching the shores. The vessel then broke into two and sank, it said. Mauritius battled widespread pollution following the oil spill from MV Wakashio, which threatened the livelihoods of local communities that solely depend on the ocean and tourism, the release said. Captain Nandeshwar was arrested by the local police and sentenced in the Intermediate Court of Mauritius, it added. MUI general secretary Thakur said, "The MUI remains committed to provide help, support and legal assistance to all members of the union and Indian seafarers in any part of the world during crisis-like situation and distress." (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gwalior, Dec 31: A man allegedly shot at a dog after the canine, which was not hurt in the incident, bit his son in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, police said on Friday. The incident took place on Thursday evening in Vijay Nagar area here and the person who fired from a country-made pistol has been identified as Upendra Jadoun, an official said. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Youth Hacks Uncle To Death For Preventing Him From Talking to Aunt, Arrested. "As per the complaint lodged by Preeti Parmar, Upendra, along with one Raj Jadoun, came to his neighbour's house and shot at the canine but missed. He was enraged the dog had bitten his son. The bullet narrowly missed the dog as well as the owner's child," said Kampoo police station in charge Ramnaresh Yadav. A case under IPC sections has been registered and efforts were on to nab Upendra and Raj, 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) New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Pakistan planned to invite a select group of people from India to visit the Teri temple in that country in a "non-transparent" manner and it was not acceptable to New Delhi, official sources said on Friday. They said now around 160 Indian pilgrims, selected by Indian organisers, will cross over to Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border on Saturday. Also Read | Delhi Logs 1,796 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours; Coronavirus Infection Rate Crosses 2%. "Pakistan had planned to invite a select group of people from India to visit Teri temple in Pakistan in a non-transparent manner. This was not acceptable to us," said a source. "This was also contrary to the spirit under which the two sides conducts pilgrimages," it said. Also Read | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Approves Scheme to Provide Relief From Interest, Penalty on Stamp Duty. The sources said, as, in the past, the Indian government is fully committed to providing all assistance to the Indian pilgrims. Under the framework of the India-Pakistan protocol on visits to religious shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit that country. Similarly, Pakistani citizens also visit religious places in India. The Teri temple is associated with a saint, Shri Param Hans Ji Maharaj, in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The temple was established in 1920. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Dec 31 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hailed the services of ASHA workers during the peak of COVID-19, saying they were on the 'frontline' to save the state. He also announced a hike in their monthly honorarium and incentives. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Youth Hacks Uncle To Death For Preventing Him From Talking to Aunt, Arrested. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) "sisters" served diligently during COVID-19 and it is because of their efforts that the country's most populous state efficiently contained the spread of the virus, he said. Their services earned global appreciation, Adityanath said, and called them the backbone of rural healthcare system. Also Read | Tecno Pova 5G To Be Reportedly Priced Under Rs 20,000. The chief minister was inaugurating 'Aashaon Ka Sammelan' in the state capital during which 80,000 smartphones were distributed. On the occasion, Adityanath announced a hike in monthly honorarium and incentives of ASHA workers. Along with an additional honorarium of Rs 500 per month for a period beginning January 1, 2020 to March 31,2022, the state government will also double their usual pay, i.e. from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 per month, he said. With Rs 1,500 per month from the central government, the ASHA workers will receive nearly Rs 6,000 per month, taking into account all allowances, Adityanath said. Also, contractual Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, who played a crucial role in vaccinating people and worked for more than 60 days during the peak of the pandemic, will receive a one-time honorarium of Rs 10,000, he said. Stating that no region can fully develop without medical resources, the chief minister said his government has paved the way for the state's development by improving health infrastructure. "Every district is on its way to having a medical college to provide accessible healthcare services," he said, adding the facility was already set up in nearly 60 districts. Adityanath said over 551 oxygen plants have become operational throughout the state, making it 'self-reliant' in oxygen generation. In addition, he said there were ICU beds in only 26 districts earlier and they were now made available in all 75 districts. The chief minister urged the people to get fully vaccinated to protect themselves against the disease. There is no need to worry about COVID-19. We just have to take precautions. The positivity rate in the state is below 0.05 percent. So far, we've administered over 20 crore vaccine doses, which is the highest in the country. Full vaccination and adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour will help us fight the pandemic, Adityanath said. (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 31 (PTI) The last date for exporters to submit online applications to claim their pending dues under different export promotion schemes has been extended by one month till January 31, 2022, according to a notification of the commerce ministry. On September 9, the government announced to release Rs 56,027 crore against pending tax refunds of exporters under different export incentive schemes. On September 17 this year, the ministry had fixed December 31 as the last date. Also Read | Look Ahead 2022: From Ola To MobiKwik And More, Indian Startups That Are Looking To Go Public in 2022. "The last date of submitting applications under MEIS, SEIS, ROSCTL, ROSL and 2 per cent additional adhoc incentive, which was earlier notified to be December 31, 2021, has been extended till January 31, 2022," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. For claiming pending refunds under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), the ministry said exporters can submit applications for exports made during the period from July 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, and from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, and from April 2020 to December 31, 2020. Also Read | Tecno Pova 5G To Be Reportedly Priced Under Rs 20,000. Under the Services Export from India Scheme (SEIS), they can file applications for exports made during 2018-20. Similarly, textile exporters can file applications for exports made from March 7, 2019, to December 31, 2020, under the RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes) scheme. Commenting on this, leading exporter of Mumbai and founder Chairman of Technocraft Industries India Sharad Kumar Saraf said the decision to extend the last date for the application of scrip-based schemes is a welcome move. It shows the government's sensitivity to the difficulties faced by exporters in these challenging times, he said. HRS hrs (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing [China], December 31 (ANI): China has imposed a four-week ban on dragon fruit imports from Vietnam after detecting COVID-19 in some previous shipments. The ban, to last until January 26 on delivery through the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province, applies to four varieties of dragon fruit shipped from the central province of Binh Thuan and the southern province of Long An, reported VnExpress. Also Read | Nostradamus Predictions For 2022: From Asteroid to Political Assassination and Artificial Intelligence to Civil War, These Are the Prophecies by Legendary Astrologer. Chinese customs had detected the coronavirus in some consignments between November 20 and December 27. Huu Nghi is the second largest border gate for dragon fruits exports to China, accounting for 5 per cent of the total, said Vo Huy Hoang, chairman of the Binh Thuan Province Dragon Fruit Association. Also Read | CPEC: 90% Terrorist Groups Operating From Afghanistan Targeting Energy Projects, Says Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Department. China earlier also banned imports through the biggest border gate, Tan Thanh in the same province, which accounts for 90 per cent of all dragon fruit shipped to that country, Hoang said. He further stated that due to the ban, around 400 container trucks have returned from the border to sell the fruits in Vietnam at an estimated 30 per cent loss. They will sell the fruit in Hanoi for VND2,500 (USD 0.11) per kilogram, or 10 per cent of the export price, reported VnExpress. Other agriculture produce are also struggling to enter China, the biggest importer of Vietnamese fruits, since it has been tightening Covid safety measures for over a month, Vietnamese online newspaper reported. It further reported that in Lang Son, 3,838 trucks were waiting to cross the border as of December 28, mostly with agricultural produce. Some drivers abandoned the plan to cross the border and instead sold their jackfruit in Hanoi at VND8,000-15,000 per kilogram, 60-70 per cent lower than the export price. Meanwhile, China imported USD 8.4 billion worth of Vietnamese agriculture produce in the first 11 months of 2021, down 17 per cent year-on-year. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Singapore, Dec 30 (PTI) The Singapore government on Thursday urged the public not to spread any "unsubstantiated speculation" online on the cause of death of a teenager who died 75 days after getting his COVID-19 vaccine. In a Facebook post, the health ministry asserted that only vaccines that comply with the World Health Organisation's guidelines and meet strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy are used in Singapore. Also Read | Nostradamus Predictions For 2022: From Asteroid to Political Assassination and Artificial Intelligence to Civil War, These Are the Prophecies by Legendary Astrologer. The ministry said it is aware of a redacted police report circulating online and claiming that a teenager passed away in October after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine. "The allegation is that the teenager died due to COVID-19 vaccination. It is filed by Dr Paul Yang, who has been an advocate against vaccinations," it said. Also Read | CPEC: 90% Terrorist Groups Operating From Afghanistan Targeting Energy Projects, Says Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Department. Noting that the allegation is "serious", the ministry said the teenager received his vaccination 75 days before his unfortunate passing. The case has been referred to the coroner, and an autopsy was performed. Further post-autopsy tests are being performed. "Pending the determination of the cause of death, the public should not spread any unsubstantiated speculation on the cause of death," it said. The COVID-19 vaccines deployed in Singapore have been assessed to be safe and efficacious by both the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination, the ministry said. "We have also put in place measures to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccine recipients before, during, and after vaccination. We encourage the public to continue supporting vaccination as a key response to the COVID-19 pandemic," it said. According to a report in The Straits Times, the youth was 18-year-old and he died on October 13. Dr Yang, a general practitioner in Singapore, had written an open letter in June calling for a pause in Singapore's vaccination exercise for young people, the report said. The letter, which was signed by five other doctors, came after a 13-year-old American boy died days after he received his second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States. The open letter was countered by the health ministry and doctors from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases as being misleading and one-sided. Meanwhile, 341 new COVID-19 cases were reported as of Wednesday noon in Singapore, taking the total number of cases to 278,750. The new cases comprise 153 imported infections or those arriving here, 182 from the local community and six from migrant worker's dormitories. One more person died due to the disease, taking the death toll due to Covid complications to 826, the ministry said, adding that Singapore has so far reported 1,055 Omicron cases, including the 170 infections reported on Wednesday. Of the 170 Omicron cases, 151 are imported and 19 local. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) San Salvador, Jan 1 (AP) El Salvador's navy seized two semi-submersible boats carrying 4.1 metric tons of cocaine off the country's Pacific coast, the government said Friday. President Nayib Bukele said the cocaine was worth almost USD 104 million. It was the largest seizure so far in Bukele's administration, which began in June 2019. Also Read | Israel Detects First Case of Florona Disease, Says Report. The navy detained five Colombians and two Ecuadorians found aboard the two vessels, officials said. Much of the illegal drug flow headed for the US market passes by air or sea to Central America, and then on to Mexico. Also Read | COVID-19 Now Infecting Thousands of Kids in US Amid Omicron Surge, Says CDC. Semi-submersibles are not true submarines, but rather are boats that have been built or modified to keep a very low profile in the water to make detection harder. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): Former Union Minister Manish Tewari has dismissed media reports about being asked by the Chinese Embassy here to "refrain from supporting the cause of Tibet." "Neither have I received any letter nor will I demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives," Tewari said. Also Read | US Healthcare System Overloaded with Almost 80% ICU Beds Occupied Amid Omicron Spread: Reports. The Congress MP response followed a media report which said that the Political Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy had sent an "unusually worded letter" to a group of MPs who had attended an event organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile on December 22 in the national capital. The embassy expressed "concern" over their participation and asked them to "refrain from providing support to the 'Tibetan independence' forces". Also Read | Chicago Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Mid-Flight to Iceland, Isolates for 5 Hours in Aeroplane Bathroom. "My attention has been drawn to a report published in an English newspaper today. Neither have I received any letter nor will I demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives. Had Wang Yi written perhaps I would have considered responding," Manish Tewari said. Wang Yi is the foreign minister of China. The Chinese embassy's reported response came after at least six MPs across party lines, including Tewari attended the event hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile here. Beijing, which considers Tibet as an integral part of China, is known to frown upon the participation of foreign governments and leaders in such meetings. Chinese troops occupied Tibet in 1950 and later annexed it. The 1959 Tibetan uprising saw violent clashes between Tibetan residents and Chinese forces. The 14th Dalai Lama fled to neighbouring India after the failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, the supreme Tibetan Buddhist leader, established a government-in-exile in India. At present over 10,000 Tibetans living in Dharamsala alone, and an estimated 160,000 Tibetan exiles around the world. Since becoming President in 2013, Xi has pursued a firm policy of stepping up security control of Tibet. Beijing has been cracking down on Buddhist monks and followers of the Dalai Lama. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Komal Sharma New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): The military coup in Myanmar led to a major power shift in 2021, marking the end of a short-lived stint of democracy in the country, and now it seems the situation isn't likely to change anytime soon. Also Read | Israel Detects First Case of Florona Disease, Says Report. Myanmar is suffering and the situation prevailing in the south Asian country is nightmarish with the military taking charge of all affairs and throwing the democratically-elected government behind bars. While military seizing power in a coup is nothing new in the world, it is shocking how easily it can be carried out even in today's time, especially in a country that sits right next to the largest democracy in the world, India. In a telephonic interaction with ANI, Harsh V Pant, Professor of International Relations at King's College, London, said India cannot take a black-and-white approach to Myanmar. Also Read | COVID-19 Now Infecting Thousands of Kids in US Amid Omicron Surge, Says CDC. "India has to engage with whoever is governing Myanmar for the simple reason that India has so many interests which are reliant upon the help that India receives from the governing authorities." He continued by saying that "whether we look at the security situation in the border areas in the Northeast or China's growing imprint, whether you look at India's access to South-east and East Asia, all of these in one way or another rely upon strong India-Myanmar relations." As a democracy and close neighbour, India has a deep interest in the democratic transition process in Myanmar. However, Pant said that's not the only objective India has. "Unlike the West which is far away, which can take a stand on democracy. And you know, India is not a country that can afford to take such a one dimensional or uni dimensional stand. The more sanctions it imposes on Myanmar, the more entrenched China becomes in Myanmar and more difficult life becomes for India," he said. Talking about the recent two-day visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Myanmar, he said that India is willing to reach out to the military government and would like the channels of communication to remain open with them. Recently, Shringla paid a two-day working visit to Myanmar and met Myanmar's State Administrative Council's chairman. During the visit, he held meetings with members of political parties, emphasising India's interest in seeing Myanmar's return to democracy at the earliest. Shringla also stressed the need to put an end to any violence and maintain peace and stability in the border areas. While talking about China approaching Myanmar, Pant said, "China has to be kept in mind as Beijing is a big cause of worry, it has really moved in very rapidly after the coming of the military government." "But all of this is the reason why India is not giving up on the Myanmar government. I think it's essential pragmatism, that has always been the cornerstone of India's engagement with Myanmar is likely to continue," he added. Meanwhile, in an interaction with ANI, Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, Maharishi Kanad Post-Doc Fellow at the Delhi School of Transnational Affairs, University of Delhi, said, "The current situation in Myanmar is a fallout between the civilian and military forces. This has also happened in the past and the military has launched a crackdown against the forces that support democracy in Myanmar, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi." Sharma also highlighted India's approach towards the ruling military junta. He said, "India's Myanmar policy has become more pragmatic now as New Delhi has to protect its interests there while at the same time; India also wants that internal democracy should not be scuttled in the country." He further said, "Bilaterally, India is likely to nudge the military junta to accommodate the interests of its political opponents. At the same time, India would also advise the US and other Western countries to refrain from using sanctions against the military junta." "These sanctions, if imposed, would push Myanmar in China's embrace and would have a counter-productive impact. Myanmar is a test case for India-US understanding on the Indo-Pacific and an isolated Myanmar could help China in sabotaging the idea of Indo-Pacific." Talking about the visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Myanmar, Sharma said it was an attempt by India to keep the channel of communication open with the Myanmar junta and signal that India does not want to isolate the junta. "Engagement would be the way forward with Myanmar while India would keep nudging the junta to allow democracy to flourish. The foreign secretary had said during the visit that India would like to see the return of democracy to Myanmar," he added. He also talked about the bilateral relation, including trade between India and Myanmar and said, "Trade relations have been hampered between countries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, India-Myanmar trade is no exception." "In recent years, India has emerged as one of the top trading partners for Myanmar which has lessened its dependence on China. India would need to further push its connectivity initiatives as their completion would increase trade with Myanmar and also economically integrate the economy of India's north-eastern states with Myanmar," he said. India has been a major trading partner of Myanmar since decades. Ever since the signing of the India-Myanmar trade agreement in 1970, bilateral trade has grown steadily. According to the Embassy of India in Myanmar, bilateral trade has risen from USD 328 million in 1997-98 to USD 921.19 in 2006-7; USD 2.18 billion in 2013-14 and USD 2.17 Billion in 2016-17. Sharma also underlined that China has been a constant factor in India's ties with Myanmar and this would continue to be the case in the coming months also. India has to ensure that Myanmar does not allow China to carry out activities that could negatively impinge on India's security, he added. According to the Indian embassy in Myanmar, as a democracy and close neighbour, India has been involved in the democratic transition process in Myanmar and in this context has worked with various stakeholders in developing capacities on democratic systems and practices. India proposes to renew these efforts for Myanmar to emerge as a stable, democratic, federal union in accordance with the wishes of the people of Myanmar, the embassy said. India shares a long land border of over 1600 Km with Myanmar as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Four north-eastern states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share boundaries with Myanmar. In a recent development in Myanmar, deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four-year imprisonment for inciting dissent against the military and breaching Covid rules. Suu Kyi, 76, faces almost a dozen charges including incitement, violation of Covid-19 protocols and violation of the Official Secrets Act, which add up to a combined maximum sentence of more than 100 years. However, she has rejected all allegations. Meanwhile, several countries including India have expressed their concerns over the verdict. In addition, Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing had declared himself prime minister of the country saying he plans to be in charge for two years during an extended state of emergency before holding an election in 2023. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Seoul, Dec 31 (AP) South Korea says it'll extend the toughest social distancing rules for another two weeks to try to lower critical cases and guard against the omicron variant. The government said Friday the current restrictions such as a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes will continue until Jan. 16. Also Read | New Year Greetings 2022: How To Wish 'Happy New Year' in Arabic, French, Italian and Other Different Languages Around the World. Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol says South Korea's daily caseload has recently dropped to the 5,000s from the previous 8,000s thanks to the current distancing guidelines enforced two weeks ago. But he says the number of critically or seriously ill patients remains above 1,000. Kwon says the omicron variant also continues to spread throughout South Korea and that it's difficult to prevent it from becoming the dominant strain in South Korea. Also Read | Nostradamus Predictions For 2022: From Asteroid to Political Assassination and Artificial Intelligence to Civil War, These Are the Prophecies by Legendary Astrologer. On Friday, South Korea added 4,875 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the national tally to 630,838. Health authorities said they've also confirmed 269 new cases of the omicron variant, taking the country's total to 894. ___ New York: A coronavirus surge has upended plans to hold a major nuclear treaty conference at the United Nations next month, with participants agreeing Thursday to postpone the meeting days before its scheduled start. After nearly two years of pandemic delays, delegations from around the world were due to converge Tuesday on U.N. headquarters to take stock of the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty, a pillar of nuclear arms control. But organizers are now penciling in an Aug. 1 start date, according to an email Thursday from the U.N. disarmament office to entities involved. The conference was initially scheduled for spring 2020. As coronavirus cases spike again in the U.N.'s host city of New York and a growing number of staffers are sick or or quarantined, the world body told the conference leader Monday that it couldn't accommodate a big gathering now. The NPT is the world's most widely ratified nuclear arms control agreement, with 191 participating countries. Nations without atomic weapons committed not to acquire them and to allow verification that nuclear energy programs weren't morphing into weaponry. Countries that had nukes when the treaty was signed the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China -- agreed to move toward eliminating them. ___ Toronto: Quebec is reimposing a nighttime curfew beginning New Year's Eve, and Ontario has delayed the resumption of school by two days as several Canadian provinces report new highs for COVID-19 infections. Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the curfew will be in effect 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as of Friday night and will run for an indefinite period. Quebec imposed a pandemic-related nightly curfew last Jan. 9 and did not lift the measure until May 28. It has been the only Canadian province to order a curfew over the coronavirus. In Ontario, classes had been scheduled to resume Monday but that has been pushed back to Wednesday. Officials say that will give schools time to provide N95 masks to staff and deploy more HEPA filter units. ___ Honolulu: Hawaii set an all-time record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the state of about 1.5 million people reported nearly 3,500 new infections. The daily total of new cases reported by health officials was 3,484, topping the record of 2,205 cases set the day after Christmas. The state was averaging just over 100 new cases a day at the beginning of the month. The latest surge came about two weeks after the first omicron variant case was confirmed in Hawaii. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said there would be no new restrictions on Oahu over the New Year holiday. He said people should take personal responsibility to curb the disease. ___ Santa Fe: New Mexico is running short of free at-home rapid tests to detect COVID-19 infections as the state struggles with the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The company that runs the state's program said Thursday that the state's supply of tests was overstretched. The announcement came hours after Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote that residents could order a testing kit today. By afternoon all available tests have been shipped and Vault Health was offering paid testing instead. The state reported an additional 2,209 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 26 additional deaths. ___ New Orleans: Louisiana is setting records for new COVID-19 diagnoses, and the state's omicron variant surge is just beginning, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Thursday. Thursday's 24-hour total of 12,467 new cases was more than a third above Wednesday's 9,378, Edwards said during a news conference livestreamed on Zoom. He said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday's figure was itself a state record, topping 7,548 set in August, during the delta variant surge. Edwards says the number of people hospitalized with the virus has risen 268% since Dec. 17, to 762. The governor said he would not mandate masks unless such an order is needed to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. But he said people should heed masking recommendations from both the CDC and the state Department of Health. Wearing a mask is a minor inconvenience compared to being in a hospital struggling to get oxygen or watching a loved one struggling to get oxygen, he said. He and other state and hospital officials around south and central Louisiana repeatedly urged everyone to take precautions such as getting vaccinations and booster shots. ___ Jackson: Mississippi's Supreme Court chief justice issued an emergency order Thursday allowing judges to postpone jury trials through mid-January because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph's order also allows courts to use teleconferencing, videoconferencing and electronic filing to limit in-person contact in courts. Felony plea, felony sentencing and probation violation hearings can be conducted remotely. The order is an extension of safety regulations that were already in place. Emergency Administrative Order 25 is the fourth emergency order issued by the chief justice since August which allows judges to postpone jury trials. In his most recent order, Randolph cited the recent uptick in cases especially the highly contagious omicron variant. As of Dec. 14, there were 575 new COVID-19 confirmed infections in Mississippi. Approximately two weeks later, the number of confirmed cases increased more than eightfold, to 4,885 cases, Randolph said. ___ Sacramento: With a new and more infectious coronavirus variant sweeping California, attorneys representing inmates say violations of health orders by prison staff risk a repeat of the outbreaks that killed dozens in the first year of the pandemic. The most recent statistics show large percentages of employees who are required to be tested twice weekly aren't doing so, and most face no consequences. Corrections officials say they are updating those figures but have not yet provided new data. Officials are temporarily shutting down admissions to Wasco State Prison in the San Joaquin Valley where there have been more than 150 new infections in the past two weeks. Starting Monday, officials say inmates statewide must be fully vaccinated to have in-person or family visits, unless they have approved religious or medical exemptions. The actions come as new cases soar across California and state models predict a gradual increase in hospitalizations and intensive care admissions over the next month. ___ Seattle: A Seattle-area medical system says it will soon limit COVID-19 testing appointments at its community testing sites because of an astronomically high positivity rate. The Seattle Times reports UW Medicine said Thursday appointments will be limited to only those with symptoms or known exposures. Of UW Medicine's 12 community testing sites, nine will soon start limiting appointments. Three will close temporarily. The positivity rate is measuring more than 40% at some South King County testing sites and the high rate is slowing scientists' ability to parse out which samples are actually positive. ___ Madrid: New coronavirus cases have hit the tenth daily record in Spain, with an unprecedented 161,688 new confirmed infections as the fast-spreading omicron variant takes the reins. According to figures released by Spain's Health Ministry, Thursday was the second day in a row when new cases soared over the 100,000 mark. The 14-day contagion rate, which informs policymakers' response to the pandemic, rose to 1,775 new cases per 100,000 residents nationally. That's up from 1,508 the day before. The northern Navarra region recorded more than twice the national average. Spanish officials have taken pride in a successful vaccination rollout that has led to more than 80% of the country's 47 million people having gotten two vaccine doses. On Thursday, health officials announced that 80% of those 60 and older had already received a booster shot. ___ Miami: Florida is seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus infections as the omicron variant rages through the state. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 58,000 new cases for Wednesday and revised its tallies to add thousands of cases to the daily counts of previous days, setting new pandemic records. The new CDC estimate raises the 7-day average in Florida to more than 36,400 new cases. The number was at around 26,600 at the peak of the summer surge in August, which was fueled by the delta variant. In Miami-Dade County, where cases have been concentrated, one out four people is testing positive for the virus. Because of the surge, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is requiring all employees, volunteers and visitors to wear face coverings at schools starting Monday. Students will be strongly encouraged to wear them. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in November a measure that prevents school districts from imposing mask mandates for students. ___ Columbus: Ohio hospitalisations for COVID-19 have hit a pandemic record high for the second day running. State data shows 5,466 people in the hospital with COVID-19, or one of every five patients. Gov. Mike DeWine and hospital administrators around the state say the vast majority of those in the hospital are unvaccinated. Ohio Department of Health data out Thursday also shows coronavirus cases remaining at historic levels. Nearly 20,000 new coronavirus cases were reported Thursday, just below the record set Wednesday. The case surge has created long lines outside health clinics and at pop-up sites as thousands seek out testing. The governor has ordered a total of 2,400 members of the Ohio National Guard into hospitals to help overwhelmed staff. ___ Jerusalem: Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, becoming the first country to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant. The director general of the Health Ministry, Nachman Ash, announced the decision at a press conference late on Thursday. He says the decision is based on early research, and that officials will consider expanding the administration of a fourth dose to more of the public as they assess the situation. Israel was among the first countries to roll out Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine a year ago and began freely offering boosters last summer. But it still saw a wave of infections blamed on the delta variant, and officials have warned of another driven by the fast-spreading omicron. Earlier Thursday, Israel received its first shipment of pills that treat the worst effects of COVID-19. Israel currently has more than 20,000 active patients, including 94 who are seriously ill. At least 8,243 people have died from COVID-19 in Israel since the start of the pandemic. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Andhra Pradesh, December 31: In yet another incident of sexual assault, a 17-year-old boy was apprehended by police for allegedly raping a 17-year-olf girl in Himayatsagar on Thursday. The victim is a class 10 student. The incident took place on Wednesday when the accused forcefully took the victim with him to a religious place. As per the report published by The New Indian Express, both the victim and accused were neighbours, but the boy's family was asked to leave the house when the boy misbehaved with the girl. However, the juvenile boy continued to harass the girl. On Wednesday, the boy forcefully took the victim to accompany him to visit a temple near Himayatsagar and later sexually assaulted her in the bushes at Himayatsagar. The accused threatened the victim with dire consequences if she spoke to anyone about the incident and fled from the spot. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Minor Boy Rapes 8-Year-Old Girl in Mathura. However, upon reaching home, shared her ordeal with her parents, who in turn approached the police station to lodge a complaint. Based on the complaint, a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act was registered against the accused. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2021 04:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Chennai, December 31: Heavy rains in Chennai led to three human deaths due to electrocution and four subways were shut down on Thursday. Nearly 100 streets in Chennai city were waterlogged and the officials and employees of the Greater Chennai Corporation are at work to clear the waterlogging in the city. K.K.S.S.R Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, told the media that 106 streets in the city are waterlogged and once the rain stops, the waterlogging would be cleared. The Minister said the tanks and reservoirs around Chennai are being monitored for inflow and if necessary they would be opened for safety. Ramachandran added that rains received were high in Nandanam, Vadapalani and M.R.C. Nagar in Chennai city. The Indian Meterological Department (IMD) said Nungambakkam received 12 cm of rain and Nandanam 8 cm of rainfall during the day on December 30. Tamil Nadu Rains: Red Alert Issued in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Chinglepet in View of Heavy Rainfall. S. Balachandran, Deputy Director-General, IMD, while speaking to media said, "The interaction of easterly winds at lower levels and westerly winds at upper level has brought rain to the city. The rains in the city will continue till January 3." IANS had reported earlier that there would be rains and winds in several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. N. Puviarasan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, while speaking to media said, "The unexpected fast movement of the easterly trough over Chennai coast has led to intense rainfall in the city on Thursday. Prediction of such heavy rains is impossible." (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2021 08:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Lucknow, December 31: On Friday morning, as news tricked in of the Income Tax department holding raids at the house of Samajwadi Party MLC Pushpraj Jain Pampi, one was reminded of the astronomical levels of cash recovered from the trader in Kanpur who shared the same last name. After raids on Kanpur trader named Piyush Jain made headlines, the raids on Pushpraj Jain 'Pampi' has already started a debate in the political circles. Income Tax Department Conducts Raids at SP MLC Pushpraj Jain Pampi's House in Kannauj. The poll bound state of Uttar Pradesh, due for elections early next year, has already seen the political discourse getting dominated by the recently held raids. Though it is still not clear what all the teams have unearthed in the raids, the name Pushpraj Jain is not new for political observers. After some initial confusion, it is now clear beyond doubt that Pushpraj Jain is the same person who had launched the Samajwadi perfume or "itra" in a recent event which also had party president Akhilesh Yadav in attendance. Hours after the raids were conducted by the Income Tax department at the Kannauj home of Jain, Akhilesh Yadav addressed a press conference and attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the raids at Jain's home. The press conference by SP president Akhilesh Yadav made it amply clear that Pushpraj Jain 'Pampi', as he is popularly known, is not just another party leader in the Samajwadi Party. For the uninitiated, Pushpraj Jain is a perfume baron who owns the Pragati Aroma Oil Distillers Pvt Ltd. Jain comes from Kannauj, which was considered as SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's stronghold. After Mulayam, Akhilesh continued the tradition and is considered close to the perfume traders in the region. Pushpraj Jain is one such trader who is also an SP MLC. He also has business interests in Mumbai and visits the city often. "Samajwadi Party or I have nothing to do with Piyush Jain. It is clear from his profile who he is close to," he had said when he was asked about Piyush Jain after the raids on Kanpur trader. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2021 04:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Washington, December 29: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has investigated a cluster of Omicron infections in Nebraska state and found that the variant causes faster onset of infection symptoms. But, people who get reinfected with the highly transmissible variant, may experience fewer symptoms than they did during their initial bout with the virus. The CDC, in its weekly latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published on Tuesday, reported the case of six people in a single household with confirmed cases of Omicron. Of the six, an unvaccinated man aged 48 years (the index patient) had recently returned from Nigeria. Before his return trip to the US, he tested negative for Covid on November 21, but tested positive on November 26. The man was first infected with Covid in last year. COVID-19 Booster Shot 80% Effective Against Severe Omicron, Says Report. After returning from Nigeria, he had unmasked close contact with five household contacts. One household contact was fully vaccinated and had previous symptomatic Covid in 2020, three were unvaccinated and were infected with Covid last year, and one remained unvaccinated and had mild upper respiratory symptoms in last year, but tested negative for Covid. While the index patient tested positive on November 26, all six household members aged 11-48 years experienced symptom onset during November 24-26. The median interval between earliest possible exposure to the index patient and symptom onset was 73 hours, the CDC said. Importantly, the CDC found that the five patients - all cases of reinfection - described the symptoms and severity of their recent Covid infection as being similar to or milder than those during their first infection. "The five reinfected patients experienced fewer current symptoms, including loss of taste (none), loss of smell (none), and subjective fever (two), compared with symptoms reported during their first infections (four, four, and four, respectively). The unvaccinated patient without a previous Covid-19 diagnosis experienced cough, joint pain, congestion, fever, and chills," the CDC said. However, none required hospitalisation for either their first or second infections. "Observations from this investigation suggest a shorter incubation period," wrote Lauren Jansen, from Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in the CDC report. It also shows "a clinical syndrome similar to or milder than that associated with previously described variants in persons who have been vaccinated or previously infected, and add to existing evidence suggesting an increased potential for reinfection", she added. While infection with Delta variant has upto 4 days of incubation period variant, the median incubation period observed in Nebraska cluster was approximately 3 days, the report said. So far infection from Omicron has been reported to be mild among vaccinated patients. However, it is unknown whether the mild clinical syndromes or differing symptom descriptions are a result of existing immunity or altered clinical features associated with Omicron infection, the CDC said. "The five reinfections, including one after full vaccination, might be explained by waning immunity, the potential for partial immune evasion by Omicron, or both," Jansen said, while adding that more data will be needed to fully understand the epidemiology of the Omicron variant. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2021 07:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). A youth was arrested by police after he allegedly hacked his uncle to death within the jurisdiction of Aspur Devsara police station in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh. The accused, identified as Suraj Kumar was planning to flee from the town but was nabbed PR/Ambassador of India to UN @ambtstirumurti informs that India today voted in favor of UNSC resolution to renew the mandate of Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate @UN_CTED India will chair Counter Terrorism Committee of Security Council from 1Jan 2022 for one year pic.twitter.com/F99cBHPYtl Prasar Bharati News Services .... (@PBNS_India) December 31, 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.) North Korea welcomed the New Year in a spectacular fashion with Fireworks Display near the Taedong River. Watch Video: #WATCH | North Korea welcomes #NewYear2022 with a firework display near the Taedong River (Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/d29i9Qw7Ss ANI (@ANI) December 31, 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.) Officials in Georgia are at a loss to explain how slave came to be one of the occupation choices available to potential DeKalb County jurors filling out documents online. The term was discovered by a potential juror who was using the online questionnaire and started to type in s for sales. Thats when he noticed the term slave as an option from the drop-down menu, and reported it. Court administrator Cathy McCumber told WXIA-TV in Atlanta that the word was contained in an internal list of possible occupations. The list has been maintained for at least 13 years and runs 62 pages long, she said. The administrator also told the station she was not sure how long the term had been on the list, or how it got there in the first place. Advertisement Also unclear: Was it intentional? Or an unfortunate typo? The word has since been removed from the form. The discovery comes as courthouse operations are moving away from asking jurors to fill out paperwork by hand. The online form is supposed to help streamline operations. John Evans, president of the DeKalb County chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, told local station WAGT-TV that he was offended by the discovery. We cant go around and think everything is peaches and cream because its 2013. A phone call and email to McCumber for comment were not returned by the time this post was published. ALSO: How to fight a baby video goes viral Cheese made from human bacteria is for thinking, not eating Survey: Majority of Americans say women should have first child by 25 Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Thursday reduced the 110-year sentence of a Cuban driver who killed at least four in the state's I-70 in 2019 to ten years. According to 9News, Governor Polis used his power to change the duration of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' prison time after he applied for clemency. "I am writing to inform you [Aguilera-Mederos] that I am granting your application for commutation. After learning about your highly atypical unjust sentence in your case, I am commuting your sentence to 10 years and granting your parole eligibility on December 30, 2026," Polis said in a statement acquired by KKTV 11. It can be recalled that the Cuban driver was originally sentenced to 110 years earlier this month. A jury found Aguilera-Mederos guilty of 27 charges, including four counts of vehicular manslaughter. In the release that announced the change in sentence, Polis said that he recently discovered that a relative of Aguilera-Mederos' lawyer works in the governor's office. The Colorado Governor then assured that the said relative was not involved in the commutation process. READ NEXT: Denver Shooting Spree Suspect Lyndon McLeod Published a Novel That Named Real-Life Victims, Described Same Attacks Colorado I-70 Truck Crash Survivor Wants Cuban Driver Awarded with 50 Years Prison Time Although Governor Polis reduced 100 years in the Cuban driver's original sentence, a survivor of the truck crash in Colorado's I-70 wanted Aguiler-Mederos' sentence to be reduced, but still, make him stay in prison for 50 years. Colorado crash survivor Valerie Robertson-Young explained why she wanted the Cuban driver to spend 50 years in prison, alleging that Aguilera-Mederos approached her after the incident and asked her to use her phone claiming that he needed to "get away," CBS Denver reported. Robertson-Young also narrated how she felt in the aftermath of the tragic truck crash in I-70. "When I close my eyes, I see the accident over and over," Robertson-Young said three weeks after the incident. Hearing Set for January Over Cuban Driver's Sentence Although the Cuban driver is expected to serve 10 years in prison after Colorado Governor Jared Polis' move on Thursday, a court hearing regarding Aguilera-Mederos' sentence was set for January 13, 2022. The said hearing, which was filed by First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, will tackle if the case will have to reconsider its sentence for Aguilera-Mederos. In the motion filed by Attorney King in December, the lawyer argued that the Colorado law permits the court to "reconsider" the sentence "in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances." King noted on Monday that she will seek at least a 20 to 30-year sentence on the January 13 hearing. On April 25, 2019, Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' semi-truck slammed into a stopped traffic light on Colorado's I-70. The said interstate was located near the Denver West Parkway. Authorities confirmed that at least four people died due to their injuries, and not because of the resulting fire. Aside from four counts of vehicular manslaughter, the Cuban driver was also charged with six counts of first-degree assault, 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first-degree extreme indifference, one count of reckless driving, and two counts of vehicular assault reckless. READ NEXT: 2 Iowa Teens Ambushed Their Spanish Teacher, Dragged Her Into Woods, Then Killed Her Before Returning to Hide Her Body This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: I-70 Crash Survivor Wants Truck Driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos To Serve 50 Years - From CBS Denver House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, recently bought millions of dollars worth of call options for stocks, including Google, Disney, Salesforce, and Roblox, according to financial disclosures published. The purchases were noted from December 17 to December 21, or days after Pelosi said in a press conference that members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks, according to a New York Post report. The Pelosis traded Google and Salesforce call options with a value around $500,000 and $1 million each. Meanwhile, the Roblox options were valued at between $100,000 and $250,000; Disney call options were worth between $100,000 and $250,000. Pelosi and her husband also bought up calls for chipmaker Micron Technology worth between $250,000 and $500,000. Paul runs Financial Leasing Services, which is a real estate and venture capital investment and a consulting firm. Pelosi's husband has made big-money bets on companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Google. Thomas Hayes of Great Hill Capital commented on the call options, which are set to expire in late 2022 and early 2023. Hayes said that it shows that Pelosis believe tech stocks will be in a stable run in the coming new year. He added that they are trying to ride the momentum. Some D.C. insiders claim that Pelosi is slow-talking legislation that would hurt big tech firms. READ NEXT: Did Nancy Pelosi Buy Tesla Stocks Worth 1M? Pelosi on Congress Members Making Trades Pelosi told reporters during a news conference that the country is a free-market economy and that members of Congress should be able to participate in that. Her statement comes despite the bipartisan support for prohibiting Congress members from buying and holding individual stocks in office, according to a CNBC News report. Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her support for banning lawmakers from the practice. Ocasio-Cortez and other Congress members argue that lawmakers have access to inside information that is not widely available to the public. They noted that Congress should abstain from buying and selling individual stock and other assets. Meanwhile, Pelosi's husband brought 4,000 shares of Alphabet in June and made an initial $4.8 million and has since grown to $5.3 million, according to a Fortune report. Pelosi's spokesperson said that the speaker has no involvement or prior knowledge of these transactions. Currently, Republican Sen. Ricard Burr is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for trades he made in the early days of the pandemic. Other lawmakers were also investigated by the Department of Justice for their trades. Burr and Sen. Kelly Loeffler allegedly had inside knowledge of the impending COVID crisis when they sold shares in January 2020. Burr sold $1.7 million worth of stock holdings, while Loeffler unloaded up to $3.1 million worth of stock. The act was reportedly after having closed-door briefings about the threat of the pandemic. Loeffler is the wife of New York Stock Exchange chairman Jeffrey Sprecher. READ MORE: US Stocks Rise on Hopes of Another Stimulus Package This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by Mary Webber WATCH: House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) grilled by reporters on stock trading - from Yahoo Finance New Year's Eve around the world is usually about parties. But in Latin America, Latinos have traditions and rituals they never fail to do. Since Latinos also live in several parts of the world, such as the United States, you might have noticed your Latino neighbors doing some of their cultural traditions during New Year's Eve. To give you an idea, here are some of the New Year's Eve traditions and rituals Latinos usually do to welcome a new year. READ NEXT: 5 Unique Holiday Traditions in Latin America That You Should Know New Year's Eve Traditions in Latin America Eating 12 Grapes Although foods are abundant for the family to share during New Year's Eve, grapes should not be absent on the table. According to ABC News, most people from Latin America and Spanish-speaking countries eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes at midnight. Each of the 12 grapes symbolizes good luck for each month of the year. Potato Predictions In Latin America, potatoes are not only used as a main course. People in countries like Peru and Colombia use potatoes to predict how much money will flow into an individual's year. In this custom, Latinos use three potatoes: one completely peeled, one only half-skinned, and one that is not peeled at all. When the clock strikes 12, an individual must pick one of the potatoes. Completely peeled potato means no money, half-skinned potato means regular financial year, and potato unpeeled means extra good fortune for the incoming year. Wearing the Right Shade of Underwear According to Journey Latin America, the right shade of underwear is also believed to be connected to having an impact in the upcoming year. Red underwear symbolizes luck in love, while yellow underwear symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Wearing White In Brazil, wearing white underwear or dressing white completely while jumping seven waves in the ocean is a way to wish for good luck and good fortune for the upcoming year. Fire Although fire may give heat in the cold New Year's Eve, the flame is also used in several Latino traditions. In Panama and Ecuador, burning effigies or munecos of people who played a big role in news, politics, or one's personal life is a symbolism of moving away from the old. In Chile, people write down things they would like to change on a piece of paper and burn them. Hanging Toy Lamb In Mexico and other Latin American countries, hanging a wool toy lamb in the front door will attract good fortune. Walking With a Suitcase Many Latinos believe that walking in a circle with a suitcase around the block or around your home will attract travel opportunities for the incoming year. Eating Lentils Considering lentils as a menu for New Year's Eve is also customary for Latinos. Lentils represent prosperity and good fortune, and many countries in the region eat them at midnight. Sweeping Sweeping the floor for Latinos is important because it ensures that their home is "out with the old." Throwing Water Out of the Window Although it's chilly on New Year's Eve, Latinos throw a bucket of water on the windows or doors. The custom signifies renewal and releasing the past, as the water represents pain, suffering, and difficulty. READ MORE: Day of the Dead or Dia De Muertos Parade in Mexico City Returns After Being Canceled in 2020 Due to COVID This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year - From Global News Laois Gardai have reopened the road near Portlaoise where a cyclist was injured on Thursday, January 30. Gardai confirmed that use of to the L2112 road between Portlaoise and Ballyfin was permitted soon after 11 am on New Year's Eve morning. Laois Gardai thanked the public for their co-operation in avoiding the route which had to be closed to allow officers access to complete a full crash scene investigation. It is also understood the cyclist, a local man in his 60s, remains in a serious condition after suffering head injuries in the accident which happened between 6.30pm and 7pm on Thursday. The man was first taken to the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise where he was stabalised before transfer to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for specialist care. The driver of the vehicle which collided with the cyclist was not injured but is said to have been badly shaken by the shock of what happened. Gardai renewed their appeal to anybody who may be able to help them with the investigation into the accident to contact them at Portlaoise Garda Station at 057 8674100. On January 12022, the annual exhibition of watercolours by Turner opens onsite and online at the National Gallery of Ireland. Turner & Place: Landscapes in Light and Detail was cancelled in 2021 when the gallery closed, due to Covid-19, following government advice. This year, a group of 19 rare Irish topographical drawings by Francis Place (16471728), who visited Ireland in 1698, will join the Gallerys exquisite collection of 31 light-filled watercolours by Joseph Mallord William Turner (17751851). The year 2022 is the 50th anniversary of the Gallerys acquisition of Places works on display in full for the first time since 1972 - which includes an early view of Kildare a depiction of Castledermot, County Kildare - as well as scenes from Drogheda, Kilkenny, Dublin and Waterford. A virtual exhibition will be available online for visitors who would like to explore the show from home. Niamh MacNally, curator of the exhibition, commented: The jewel-like colours and experimental effects in Turners luminous watercolours are captivating, while the precise detailing in Places prospects, encourages close inspection, with the aim of identifying what has changed, or indeed stayed the same, over time. Turners atmospheric watercolours can envelop the viewer, whereas Places carefully observed landscape studies contribute significantly to the topographical history of the cities and towns he depicted in the final years of the seventeenth century. In 1900, the National Gallery of Ireland received a bequest of 31 watercolours and drawings by J. M. W. Turner from the English collector Henry Vaughan (180999). Vaughan stipulated in his will that the watercolours be exhibited every year, free of charge, for the month of January, when the light is at its weakest. Since 1901, the Gallery has displayed the watercolours for the month of January, thereby upholding the conditions of his bequest. January 2022 marks 121 years since the Turner watercolours were first exhibited at the Gallery. Places views are the earliest known depictions of Drogheda, Dublin, Kilkenny, and Waterford within the national collection. This fine collection of early drawings, offering a glimpse of late seventeenth-century Ireland, was purchased exactly 50 years ago through the Gallerys Shaw Fund. The January 2022 display provides the Gallery with an opportunity to highlight these two important collections of works on paper, both of which came into the Gallery by way of generous benefaction. It is the first time since 1972 that the rare Place drawings will be displayed to the public as a group. Turner & Place: Landscapes in Light and Detail is on view 1-31 January 2022. The exhibition showcases the work of two prominent English artists, working centuries apart, who viewed the landscape at first hand, albeit with radically different results. The exhibition also highlights the importance of two key benefactors (Vaughan and Shaw), both of whom made lasting contributions to the Gallery. A programme of online learning events to complement the exhibition will include a free curators talk, an Irish language conversation event, a talk by Dr Helen Pierce, art historian on the work of Francis Place, and a series of online painting classes with artist Niall Naessens. Find out more at www.nationalgallery.ie. Ireland's longest-serving priest, who served County Kildare for decades, was recently laid to rest. The funeral for the Very Reverend Father Colum Swan, who passed away last Friday at the age of 93, took place in Sallins on November 29 at Naas Parish Church. Originally from Lobinstown in County Meath, Fr Swan was born in 1928 and was ordained into the priesthood in 1953 at the age of 25. He served as a Pastor Emeritus at Sallins Parish, as well as a former chaplain to both the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and locals near the Curragh Camp. CAREER During his time, Fr Swan officiated a number of weddings, funerals, confirmations, communions and baptisms. His list of appointments is as follows St Marys, Navan: 1953, St Rosalies, New York: 1953-1955, Holy Name of Mary, New York: 1955-1957, CC Portarlington: 1957-1960, St Brigids of Tullamore: 1960-1961, Chaplains Residence, Curragh Camp: 1961-1976 (including 5 tours with the UN), CC Killeigh: 1976-1981 and finally PP at Sallins: starting in 1981 until his retirement in 2004. Fellow clergymen Bishop Paul Dempsey and Bishop Denis Nulty also paid tribute to Fr Swan on Kandle.ie. A number of condolences were left for the late Fr on RIP.IE. Among those paying tribute include Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan, Sallins GAA Club, Sallins Senior Citizens Club and PDF Brigadier General Gerard McNamara. Various past parishioners also spoke kindly of Fr Swan, with one anonymous user saying: He was such a kind and learned man. He gave great sermons said a lot in few words did the opposite too at times! May he rest in the arms of Jesus, they added. He is survived by his sister, Sr. Ethna OP, brothers Desmond, Kevin, sisters in law Anna, Mary and Verity, nieces and nephews. With just 12 teams, Relay for Life Kildare went virtual again this year and defied the odds with a fantastic fundraising and awareness campaign effort. On October 29, the committee handed over a cheque for 53,209 to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) at Newbridge Town FC. Relay chairman, Peter Whyte, along with committee and team members were there to hand over the proceeds to Ena Barrett from the ICS. Committee member, Peter ONeill reported there was great jubilation when the amount raised was revealed. Considering the fact that we just had 12 teams and the event was virtual as opposed to the normal community coming together this was a truly superb effort on the part of our team members and they can be proud of their achievement, he said. Ena accepted the cheque and spoke about the many ways that this money would be used by ICS and how it would benefit cancer patients and their families. Due to the current pandemic fundraising had become much more difficult, affecting fundraisers such as Daffodil Day and Relay for Life. This years teams were: Cairde le Ceile, Team Nancers, Maries March, Team Spirit, Carolines Crackers, Moorefield, Amys Angels, Bredas Warriors, Shooting Stars, Songbirdies, Walkie Talkies, Cancer Crushers and Sarsfields. The committee was made up of chairman Peter Whyte and members Caroline O Sullivan, Lisa Nagle, Niamh Curley, Stephen Kelly, Michael Fleming and Peter O Neill. Looking forward to next year this amount raised by a small group has to be an example of what can be done and we are appealing to the many towns and villages throughout County Kildare to ensure that they have a representation in the future, said Mr ONeill. This years team activities can be viewed on Relay for Life Facebook page, including the committee Candle of Hope Ceremony which showcases many places of interest in our County. Chairman, Peter Whyte paid tribute to the great work and perseverance shown by this years teams and committees. Attention now turns to the 2022 event and more information about this will be revealed in the near future. Last November, many members of the Monasterevin community were delighted to learn An Bord Pleanala had upheld the decision by Kildare Co Council to refuse planning permission for a proposed new wind farm on the Rathangan Road. Ummeras Wind Farm Ltd (Statkraft) had proposed to build five 169m high turbines in the townlands of Ummeras Beg, Coolatogher, Mullaghroe Lower, Ummeras More and Coolsickin/Quinsborough. Last March, the council refused the application due to concerns about an Air Corps flight path as well as ecological and road network issues. The refusal was appealed to An Bord Pleanala which has now upheld the decision. The Board referred to the maximum blade tip height of 169m of the proposed project which it said is within the area of a low-level flight route used by the Air Corps. The Board added: "It is considered that the proposed development would endanger or interfere with the safety of aircraft or the safe and efficient navigation thereof and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area." Over 170 submissions were made by local residents, politicians, Kildare Failte, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and the Irish Aviation Authority to the initial planning application. Residents also raised concerns about the possible impact the facility would have on the Ballykelly distillery project, the 5m investment in the Blueway Grand Canal cycle and walkways, and the development of Umeras Peatland Park. The Monasterevin Rathangan Wind Awareness Group also raised these concerns with An Bord Pleanala after Statkraft lodged its appeal back in April. Meanwhile, an appeal against a 70 million Kildare wind farm for the Carbury area is still before the courts. Lorraine Quinn and Edo Advocacy CLG previously got permission from the High Court to seek to have An Bord Pleanala's decision to grant permission for the Drehid Wind Farm overturned. North Kildare Windfarm Ltd wants to erect 12 turbines with a tip height of up to 169 meters as well as an on-site electricity substation in the townlands of Ballynamullagh, Coolree, Drehid, Dunfierth, Killyon, Kilmurry and Mulgeeth. More than 370 objections, many of them group observations, were lodged with Kildare County Council when the plans were submitted on December 18 2018. The local authority refused permission on December 19 2019. The main reason for the decision was concerns over the condition of the road network. This was appealed by the applicants to An Bord Pleanala on January 23 2020. The Kildare Environment Awareness Group and Lorraine Quinn also contacted the board to register their concerns about the development. The board granted permission on October 3 2020 with 16 conditions attached. The local community then started the legal process of undertaking a judicial review of that decision. So far Drehid Against Wind Turbines have raised 8,395 of their 15,000 target to cover the legal costs of the case. The Lorraine Quinn and Edo Advocacy CLG case came up in court last February and June, and was listed in the court diary for November 2, however the case is likely to be heard next year. Statkraft is the parent company of North Kildare Windfarm Ltd. The following deaths have occurred in the wider Leitrim area: Gary Richards, Hillside View, Muckrum, Kinlough, Leitrim Gary Richards, Hillside View, Muckrum, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, 21st December 2021 peacefully in the loving care of the doctors, nurses and staff of The North West Hospice, The Mall, Sligo. Deeply regretted by his wife Geraldine, son Paul (Hickman), daughter-in-law Breda (Kilkenny, Kinlough), his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, and all his relatives in the UK. Reposing at Breslin's Funeral Home, West End, Bundoran on Friday evening 31st Dec from 5pm to 7pm for family, relatives and friends. Removal from the Funeral Home on Saturday 1st Jan to arrive at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan for Cremation service at 1pm. To view the service please log onto www.lakelandscrematorium.ie click on webcam/live feed, enter password as follows - Lakelandsfuneral2021 Marie Willett (nee Gannon), Dublin / Killeshandra, Cavan Willett, Marie (nee Gannon), Sheffield, England, (formerly of Dublin and Killeshandra, Co Cavan), suddenly on 4th December 2021. Beloved wife of Peter, loving mother of Barbara and only sister of Jacinta. Very sadly missed by son-in-law Graeme, sisters-in-law Mary and Ann, extended family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 1.30pm on 5th January 2022 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Sheffield, followed by a private burial at Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield. Thomas Joseph Corley, Main Street, Dromahair, Leitrim / Ranelagh, Dublin Corley - Main Street, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim and late of Ranelagh, Dublin, ex Detective Garda, Thomas Joseph, died December 26th, 2021, at Sligo University Hospital, beloved husband of Marie and dearly loved Dad to Ide, Joanne, Tom and Martin. Sadly missed by his grandchildren, his brothers James and Finian, sisters-in-law Angela and Helen, brother-in-law Dan, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Removal on Friday to St. Patrick's Church, Dromahair for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Thomas's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the church webcam www.churchtv.ie/dromahair.html Burial afterwards in Creevelea Abbey New Cemetery. To keep everyone safe, please continue to adhere to social distancing and mask wearing protocols. May they all Rest in Peace Cheltenham 14:00 This is a decent race with plenty of potential winners so I've gone for some eachway value in KAUTO RIKO (14/1) who ran well last time out. Despite not getting his head in front since 2018, this one is on a good mark considering he beat the 145-rated Jett into third place at Doncaster. He meets Coole Cody (second favourite) on better terms than in November 2020 when he was just over four lengths in arrears. The price is attractive and his last run was encouraging, pushing winner Two For Gold all the way to the line. Fairyhouse 14:40 ELIMAY (7/4) was a fantastic asset to the Willie Mullins stable last term and can get back on track after a rare poor effort last time out now at a track she likes. She won at Fairyhouse last April with the reopposing Mount Ida back in third. Last month's flop at Aintree is a bit of a concern but the feeling is she can bounce back here. Put The Kettle On could be the biggest danger. She has always been underestimated despite being a Champion Chase winner at Cheltenham. Cheltenham 15:10 Willie Mullins is not sending STORMY IRELAND (13/2) across the water for a workout and she can take advantage of a weight allowance to see off her rivals. She was firmly put in her place by Honeysuckle last time out but she has won twice this year, including a seven-length demolition of the talented Minella Melody and Concertista. Mullins has been having a good time of it lately and can hopefully spring a minor shock with this one. Fairyhouse 15:15 JUNGLE BOOGIE (11/8) is the fascinating one here for Willie Mullins. He notably skipped a possible Cheltenham tilt with this one over hurdles last March with a keen eye on a chasing campaign. The trainer said this horse would probably be better over fences after he won by 30 lengths over hurdles last February so this chase debut will be keenly watched. He hasn't been seen since that day at Punchestown but if he gets his head in front he will have won on NH flat, hurling and chase debuts and could herald a bright future. Two people have died following separate road incidents in Ireland since yesterday evening. Gardai are investigating a crash between a car and a motorcycle which happened in Terenure, Dublin, at 9.10pm on Thursday. The bike rider, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene, at the junction of Kimmage Road West and Whitehall Road. A technical examination of the scene has been completed forensic investigators and the road has now reopened. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the collision - particularly those with dash-cam footage - to contact Terenure Garda Station on 01 666 6400 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Elsewhere, a man in his 20s has died after a collision on the R236 in St Johnston, Dundee, Co Donegal. The incident, which happened at 9.15pm, involved two cars. The driver in his 20s, who had what Gardai describe as "serious injuries" was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he has since died. At time of publication, the road is still closed and local diversions are in place. Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. February 2021 started with Traveller organisations around the country calling on Travellers to fully adhere to Covid-19 public health measures, including restrictions on funerals after large crowds attended a funeral in Carrick-on-Shannon. Videos circulated in the area of over 100 people in attendance at the funeral as it made its way to St Mary's Cemetery in Carrick-on-Shannon. This was in breach of Level 5 restrictions in place in the country at the time. Local Fianna Fail councillors also said that, in light of the ongoing restrictions, plans for the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin and other politicians to travel abroad as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations in 2021, should be shelved. Local politicians said that they would not be travelling for events on March 17 and there was strong opposition to the Taoiseach travelling to the White House. In the end the Taoiseach declined to travel to the USA. There was disappointment this month at more incidents of fly tipping. In Drumshanbo rubbish was left along a fence while the incidence of littering along the county's roads was also highlighted by Leitrim County Councillors. Farmers also took unprecedented action this month as part of a national campaign to highlight the impact of uncontrolled dogs on livestock. A number of farmers put up signs banning dogs from entering their properties. Farmers said they were frustrated that some owners were failing to keep dogs on leads while out walking, especially in rural areas where sheep and other livestock were especially vulnerable. This month also saw the next phase of the vaccine rollout with confirmation that doctors' surgeries in Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo were to start community vaccination. The iconic Geraghty's shop in Carrick-on-Shannon was named as Leitrim's Favourite Building by our online voters After weeks of nominations and voting it was official - the iconic Geraghty's Shop in Carrick-on-Shannon was selected as Leitrim's Favourite Building. The shop emerged as a serious contender for the title from the start after receiving a large number of readers' nominations and quickly emerged to the forefront on our poll alongside the other top three finalists - Sean MacDiaramada's homestead in Kiltyclogher, The Corn Mill Theatre in Carrigallen and the Old Barracks in Keshcarrigan. LIMERICK's Absolute Hotel is to seek planning permission to build 28 short-stay accommodation units on neighbouring land in the city. At this month's metropolitan district meeting, head of property Jayne Leahy disclosed to councillors that the local authority wished to sell a 520-square metre patch of land to the hotel to allow the development. In a briefing note to members, she said the project is valued at up to 9m, and would create 20 permanent jobs once completed. Already, two derelict homes on Long's Lane have been sold to the hotel to facilitate a part of the development. "It will bring a substantial economic development dividend to the city. The Absolute Hotel group has been looking to assemble this site for many years to improve and modernise the general area around the hotel and provide a better offering to visitors," Ms Leahy added, pointing to the fact it will create a "significant" number of construction jobs. At next month's full council meeting, members will be asked to formally sell the land to the Absolute Hotel for a sum of 125,000. But concerns were expressed when the matter came before members just before Christmas. Green Party City East councillor Sean Hartigan joined a number of others in complaining they had not been kept up to speed on this project. "This has been in discussion quite a few years, yet the first time councillors heard about it was at the metropolitan meeting in October when it was put up for sale. I don't believe this site can be developed," he said. Is this the highest price paid for land in Ireland? 2 derelict cottages on .02 acres each bought by the Absolute hotel for development of an aparthotel for 172,500 each, this equates to 8.6 million per acre. pic.twitter.com/JkcFXYzsLP Cllr Sean Hartigan (@seanohartigan) December 13, 2021 Fine Gael councillor Micheal Sheahan added: "I'm not comfortable with this transfer of land. It's public land, it should be out for public examination. Anybody should be able to apply to purchase that land on the open market. I would ask this item would not go forward to the January meeting, but that a more detailed examination of a transfer must be made." His party colleague Daniel McSweeney added: "I think we've been selective. I may have someone in my area who may come looking for land and I think it's our duty to protect the public interest. This is public land. Having spoken with a member of staff during the week, I was informed 99% of public land goes up for public sale. I don't feel comfortable this didn't." Metropolitan district leader, Cllr Catherine Slattery said: "This land should have been put on the public market, but I support the Absolute Hotel in acquiring this land, as it will bring much needed investment to the area." And Labour councillor Joe Leddin warned that if the land was sold on the open market, there'd be a danger another developer could "sit on the site", leaving it undeveloped in a bid to stop any rival development. "Sometimes you need to make a judgement call. It should be a win-win, we should be rolling out the red carpet and removing this dereliction as as fast as we can," he said. Fianna Fail's Jerry O'Dea agreed, and said: "Jobs are at stake here and investment of this kind is badly needed." The local authority have owned this patch of land since 1989, but it's never been developed. THE Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick is a wonderful place to visit at Christmas or any time of year. We at the Holman Lee Agency had the privilege of filming there recently for the RTE Today Show. It was also great to welcome Blathnaid Treacy who presents the fashion segments on the show as she joined me to showcase the great fashion looks from the centre. We featured a selection of fantastic looks from some of the stores which included accessory and jewellery stores, and the many fashion stores that cater for all age groups including ladies, mens and childrens. Liz looks ultra glam in this coat and dress from Shaws, boots from Greenes Shoes and bag from Parfois Personally, I think that here in Limerick we are so lucky to have this amazing shopping centre on our doorstep. Besides the fashion aspect, you also have great restaurants, hair salons, beauty salons, nail bars and everything in between. Well done to Limericks Crescent Shopping Centre! Wishing you all a great New Year! Xx Celia TRIBUTES were paid to one of Limericks most iconic nightclubs and its many characters after the site was levelled late last year. From the Constable Shuffle cocktail and chilli con carne being served by Noreen from the back bar, to back to school parties and a state-of-the-art laser lights system, Docs Nightclub truly had it all. Pennywell native and former Docs DJ for 10 years Lorna Durbin said the pictures of the site being knocked were absolutely heart wrenching but brought back some very fond memories. It was something so special that Limerick city had never seen before, she recalls, looking back on its opening night on December 17, 1993, making it the biggest nightclub in the west of Ireland. On the very first night, Lorna, who was a resident DJ there, warmed up for Dave Hogan. She knew straight away that the near 2,000-capacity venue at the Granary Building was going to go places. She pins its success on manager Paul Ryan, who had just come from the club scene in London and had a very different way of doing things. Each month, Paul would book a big act to come over through Irish music manager Louis Walsh. Lorna recalls one time, when Louis rang owner Sean Doherty to see if he could get his newest band, Boyzone, into the club for a few drinks, as they had been playing in the city. In the politest way possible, Sean told them there was no chance, as the lads were underage. The Back-to-School parties were really special in Docs. There used to be people queuing from 4pm around the arch and all the way back past the Granary building. These parties, taking place each year, had a circus in from the UK performing acrobatics all around the nightclub, with loads of face painting taking place too. Dancers would be booked in for the winter months, as they waited for the next season to return in Ibiza. Lorna remembers fondly, the trips that she used to take with fellow DJ Dave Hogan, where Paul would send them over to London to dig out the hottest tracks. She explained that back then, before the digital era, clubs that housed more than 1,000 people were put on a mailing list and given pre-released 12-inch vinyls of the latest hits, to test out and report back. On one occasion, herself and Dave were given a Tom Wilson record. After playing both Side A and Side B and finding that the first side was absolutely rubbish, they reported their findings and Tom scrapped the first side, going on to make a fortune. This song, Techno Cat, became the anthem of Docs. Every time we played it; the dancefloor full of 700 people went absolutely bananas. Thats what everyone will remember about Docs, she added. Back then, before smoking regulations were introduced, revellers could puff away all over the venue, except for the dancefloor. If spotted with a drink or a cigarette in hand on that sacred space, Lorna informed, bouncers would point a laser and people would start ducking left and right. The real game changer that helped separate Docs from all other Limerick nightclubs was a state-of-the-art laser system introduced by Paul Ryan, costing close to 250,000. People were traumatized looking up at it. No other club in Ireland had one like it at the time, Lorna, who was one of the first female DJs in Limerick in the 90s, added. On top of that, was the smoke machine, which she admitted to all too often, keeping her finger on. All I could see was Paul Ryans black quiff making its way through the dancefloor to scream at me." Coming to the end of its time in 2003 was emotional, Lorna conceded, adding that the 80 staff members were like a big family. Even now, she meets couples on the streets that met, fell in love and had children, all because of the Granary Building nightclub, with its large bubble infused water fountain and space themed walls. We will never have times like it again, was her closing remark, casting a nostalgic eye one last time on the levelled field that will give way to Limericks future Opera Site 2030. A LIMERICK woman received a New Year surprise when she won herself a new house thanks to a local GAA prize draw in County Mayo. Westport GAA sold tickets to a prize draw where the main prize was a four bedroom detached house in the town worth 325,000. The tickets were just 100 with nine other big cash prizes won by ticket holders across the country. The winners were announced on December 28 and Lorraine Ni Ghairbhith from Limerick was the big winner on the night. Tickets were even bought internationally with a man from France winning the second place prize of 5,000. A Mayo man won 3,000 for the third place prize and winners from Kerry, Kildare, Cavan, Galway and Dublin took home 1,000 each. Westport GAA shared the winning ticket numbers on their Facebook page and thanked everyone who took part in the draw. They said: "Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket and helped make this fundraiser a magnificent success, from all at Westport G.A.A. Your support is greatly appreciated as we further develop our facilities to meet the demand of our members as the fastest growing GAA club in Connaught" UL Hospitals Group has announced the deferral of the majority of scheduled surgery and outpatient appointments across its hospital sites next week. The affected period is from Tuesday, January 4 until Friday, January 7. This includes University Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St Johns Hospital, and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. Services at University Maternity Hospital Limerick are unaffected. All impacted patients are being contacted directly by the hospital. "As we experience a significant surge in Covid-19 activity across society, we anticipate that an increase in staff absences will have a significant impact on services over the coming weeks," said a spokesperson. There are currently 392 staff off work and self-isolating having either tested positive for Covid-19, been designated as a close contact or have been deemed high risk. "All the relevant HPSC guidance is being followed as we work to contain the virus and to protect patients and staff. Contact tracing and testing of staff and patients are continuing and we are putting into effect all the appropriate infection control measures to mitigate the risk." Emergency and trauma theatre continues to operate and time-critical outpatient appointments are also being accommodated both face-to-face and virtually. Patients whose appointment or procedure is being affected are being contacted directly by the hospital in advance. The curtailment of services are being kept under continuous review by the UL Hospitals Group Crisis Management Team. "We regret the impact these cancellations will have on patients who had expected to attend for their procedures next week. Patients directly affected by this decision are being contacted directly by UL Hospitals Group and will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity," continued the spokesperson. Services which continue include: Dialysis (UHL) Acute Fracture Clinic (UHL) Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology OPD clinics; medical oncology clinics; rapid access clinics) Other outpatient clinics: Time-critical only following clinical decision, with patients being contacted in advance Paediatric clinics Ante-natal clinic; colposcopy clinic; diabetes in pregnancy clinic; elective c-sections and induction of labour (UMHL) "We are also reminding members of the public that the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick is extremely busy and patients should consider all other care options before presenting to the ED. The ED remains open for emergency care and patients should continue to present for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attack, stroke etc. "As an alternative to attending ED, we urge everyone to first consider the care options that are available in their communities, including family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, and local pharmacies. Injury units in Ennis and Nenagh are open from 8am to 8pm, and in St Johns from 8am to 7pm, seven days a week. "If you do have symptoms of Covid-19, it is important that you do not go to the Emergency Department or your GP. Ring them in advance for advice. Avoid contact with other people by self-isolating. In a medical emergency if you have severe symptoms, call 112 or 999," continued the spokesperson. UL Hospitals Group CEO, Colette Cowan, said: "We regret the impact that these cancellations will have on our patients. We will prioritise our most urgent patients for planned procedures and appointments next week and we look forward to increasing activity as soon as possible. "The high levels of Covid-19 infection across our communities is having a significant impact on staffing levels and therefore it is imperative that we take the necessary precautions to ensure that time critical and emergency care can go ahead. "I would like to remind people of the importance of following basic public health measures in the weeks and months ahead such as social distancing, washing their hands and limiting social contacts to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The coronavirus surge continued to disrupt U.S. air travel as airlines canceled hundreds of flights Thursday. More than 1,100 flights in the U.S. had been scrubbed by midday, according to aviation data tracker FlightAware, with about half as many already canceled for Friday. The tally included domestic flights and those into and out of the U.S. JetBlue Airways Corp., which has moved to trim its schedule through mid-January due to increasing numbers of crews calling in sick, had canceled 175 flights Thursday, or 17% of the carriers schedule for the day, as of around noon local time, according to FlightAware. The New York-based airline said late Wednesday that it would cancel about 1,280 flights through Jan. 13, aiming to give passengers a head start on shifting their travel plans. There may be additional cancels each day based on how sick calls are trending and general staffing challenges, but we hope this proactive reduction will minimize same-day cancels and lessen the inconvenience to our customers," a JetBlue spokesman said Thursday. United Airlines Holdings Inc. canceled 193 flights, or 9% of its mainline schedule on Thursday, according to FlightAware. A spokesman for the Chicago-based carrier said those cancellations were due to a mix of Covid-related staffing issues and weather. Delta Air Lines Inc. said it expected to cancel about 250, or 6%, of its mainline and regional flights scheduled for Thursday. The Atlanta-based carrier said it would likely cancel about as many flights daily this weekend, as it aims to mitigate constraints from increasing winter weather and the omicron variant." Significant flight cancellations didnt apply for all U.S. airlines on Thursday. Southwest Airlines Co. had canceled 15 flights by midday. A spokeswoman said the Dallas-based carrier has seen an uptick in employees testing positive for Covid-19, but weve yet to see any impact on our operation." American Airlines Group Inc. also hadnt experienced many cancellations on Thursdayfour on its mainline schedule, according to FlightAware. A spokeswoman for the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier said Covid-related sick calls, weather and maintenance issues have contributed to scrubbed flights this week. Travelers have faced disruptions due to airline staffing issues and bad weather for nearly a week. Carriers could face another challenge next week, if the Federal Aviation Administration imposes flight restrictions due to the regulators safety concerns over a new 5G wireless service slated to go live Jan. 5. An FAA spokesman didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. aviation and telecom regulators and industry officials have been working to resolve a long-simmering dispute to avoid such disruptions. U.S. wireless industry leaders have said the new cellular service poses no risk to aircraft. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has directed Go Digit General Insurance (Go Digit) to discontinue a product offering life insurance benefits in violation of regulatory norms. The regulator also asked the insurer to withdraw advertisements regarding the product from all media. Irdai said a show-cause notice (SCN) was issued in August 2021 as deficiencies were observed in complying with the provisions of Insurance Act. After a personal hearing chaired by Irdai member (non-life) TL Alamelu in October with the company executives, the regulator said no insurer shall carry on any class of insurance business in India unless it has obtained a certificate of registration for a particular class of insurance business. The matter relates to modification in the Digit Group Total Protect Policy by the insurer in July this year, under which one additional section by name of 'Major Illness Plus Cover' was incorporated in the policy. The regulator said upon examination of the modified version of the product, it was found that it offered two benefits in the event of triggering of the covered contingent event. One of the benefits relates to payment of sum insured on diagnosis and/or surgical procedure of major illness. Another relates to payment of an additional benefit amount in case the policyholder does not survive till the end of the policy period owing to the same major illness and/or surgical procedure for which the claim was admitted. The product offers insurance coverage to 82 major illnesses. Irdai said providing additional benefit amount to the nominees/legal heir of the policyholder in case of non-survival falls within the definition of life insurance business. Go Digit was asked to immediately withdraw the said clause under the policy in August and was also asked to send the action taken report to the Authority. Following further hearing on the matter and personal hearing Go Digit contended that the benefit offered under the proposed clause does not fall under life insurance business but under miscellaneous insurance business defined under Insurance Act, 1938. The insurer had also requested the Authority to withdraw the communication and SCN issued in the matter. The Authority in its decision, however, said the request of the insurer was not acceptable and said providing the death benefit cover or the assurance of payment of money on death of the policyholder itself falls within the definition of life insurance business, though limited to the major illnesses named in the policy. The insurer's claim that the additional benefit offered in the product squarely falls within the ambit of health insurance business and it is permitted to carry on this business is not found tenable, Irdai said, adding "it is observed that there is no merit to consider in the submissions of the insurer". "Notwithstanding the direction issued to the insurer for discontinuance of the product Digit Group Total Protect Policy, the Authority reserves the right to take further action for violation of the Act provisions. The insurer is directed to place this order in the immediate board meeting and send the certified copy of minutes to Authority," as per the Irdai order. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Rice University students headed back to class in January will be greeted with some changes due to a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant. While the semester will still begin on Jan. 10, classes will be online only for the first two weeks, and all students and employees will be required to get a booster dose against the virus if they were fully vaccinated more than six months ago. In an email to students and staff sent Sunday, Rice University president David Leebron and provost Reginald DesRoches announced classes will generally be online, and all indoor gatherings on campus are limited to 50 people through Jan. 24. Students are also encouraged to delay their return to campus until the weekend of Jan. 22. We intend to return to general in-person course delivery on Jan. 24 unless the situation in Houston deteriorates substantially or new information suggests that is inadvisable, Leebron and DesRoches wrote in the email, according to university student newspaper, the Rice Thresher. University staffers are also highly encouraged to work remotely until then. Classes with 50 or more students must be held online until Jan. 24. Those with 50 or fewer students may hold class in person, but faculty must record their classes for students not on campus. Booster shots are required for all students and staff members on campus without a medical or religious exemption who finished their two-shot Pfizer or Moderna regime at least six months ago or those who received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine, regardless of timing. The presidents and provosts email doesnt lay out specific protocol for students who arent vaccinated, but as of Nov. 19 more than 90% of the Rice community had received the first set of doses. We need to lower the population density on campus for the first two weeks of the semester and allow time for everyone who is eligible to get their booster shots, Leebron and DesRoches wrote. This will also enable us to take into account any new information that emerges over the next two to three weeks. These arent the only policy changes brought on by the Omicron variant. Rice reinstated its campus-wide mask mandate earlier this month in light of rising case numbers. COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Houston have nearly doubled in the past week, according to the Houston Chronicle. The city logged its 300,000th case of the virus on Dec. 23. Click here to read the full article. 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. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Hollywood dignitaries, from Ryan Reynolds to Seth Meyers, took to social media on Friday to pay tribute to the late Betty White. White, the 99-year-old Golden Girls star, TV trailblazer and cultural icon whose legendary career spanned eight decades, died Thursday night at her home in Brentwood. White died just shy of what would have been a milestone 100th birthday on Jan. 17. Ryan Reynolds, who starred alongside White in The Proposal wrote on Twitter, The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021 Sandra Bullock, Whites co-star in The Proposal shared a statement with Variety. I dont drink vodka but I will tonight, on ice, with a slice of lemon with a hot dog on the other side and just be ok being sad. Ill have to buy some rose-colored glasses because Betty was that for all of us, said the actress. In a statement, Lucie Arnaz (The Lucy Show) wrote, Betty White was one of the great dames. Sassy. Sexy. Super smart. We met through our mutual concern for the treatment of furry four-legged friends and created Actors and Others For Animals. She showed up. She was a class act. She adored her husband, her work. She was an inspiration to this industry and it was a privilege to call her my friend. President Joe Biden called White a cultural icon. The President wrote, Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. Shes a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Years Eve. Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. Shes a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Years Eve. President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021 He also paid tribute via to White via NBC News White House Correspondent Mike Memoli. Thats a shame. She was a lovely lady. 99 years old. As my mother would say, God love her, Biden said. .@POTUS, on the death of Betty White: "That's a shame. She was a lovely lady. 99 years old. As my mother would say, God love her." Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 31, 2021 Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the house called White a pioneering actress. Pelosi wrote, Today, we lost a beloved TV icon. Betty White was a pioneering actress, who blessed generations of Americans with her talent and humor for 8 decades. May it be a comfort to her loved ones and many admirers that so many mourn with them during this sad time. Today, we lost a beloved TV icon. Betty White was a pioneering actress, who blessed generations of Americans with her talent and humor for 8 decades. May it be a comfort to her loved ones and many admirers that so many mourn with them during this sad time. Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 31, 2021 Seth Meyers wrote on Twitter, RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end. RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end. Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021 Comedian Kathy Griffin who appeared with White in the comedy series, Suddenly Susan recalled in a series of tweets, Betty White. Where do I begin? Ive known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks inyells from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear Wheres that redheaded bitch who stole my parking spot??? SWOON. A friendship was born. 1) Betty White. Where do I begin? Ive known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2021 Bridesmaids director Paul Feig shared, Man, 2021, you just couldnt slip out without one more punch in the face, could you? So sad to hear comedy legend Betty White has passed. Its hard to imagine a world without her. Itll be a much less funny place, thats for sure. RIP Genius Betty. Man, 2021, you just couldnt slip out without one more punch in the face, could you? So sad to hear comedy legend Betty White has passed. Its hard to imagine a world without her. Itll be a much less funny place, thats for sure. RIP Genius Betty. https://t.co/7oFn6q5jWI Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 31, 2021 West Side Story star Ariana DeBose wrote on Twitter, So were eating cheesecake in honor of Betty White. Whos with me? So were eating cheesecake in honor of Betty White. Whos with me? Ariana DeBose (@ArianaDeBose) December 31, 2021 Ellen DeGeneres said, What an exceptional life. Im grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family friends and all of us. What an exceptional life. Im grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us. Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021 Henry Winkler wrote, Betty White: I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore. But the memories of your delight are. Thank you for [your] humor, your warmth and your activism. Rest now and say Hi to Bill. Betty White : I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT are ..Thank you for yur humor , your warmth and your activism .. Rest now and say Hi to Bill Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 31, 2021 Robert Iger, the executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company, also paid tribute to White on Twitter. Rest in peace #bettywhite, our Golden Girl, our friend, and our neighbor, he wrote. Your wit, your charm, your warmth and your smile will always be with us. Rest in peace #bettywhite, our Golden Girl, our friend, and our neighbor. Your wit, your charm, your warmth and your smile will always be with us. pic.twitter.com/Kb7WGp2RDd Robert Iger (@RobertIger) December 31, 2021 Oscar-winning director Matthew Cherry, of the animated short Hair Love, echoed the sentiments of what most people felt upon hearing the news, simply writing, Nooooooo. Broadway star Stephanie J. Block quote-tweeted Shakespeare in her tribute to White. The next season of the Netflix self-improvement series Queer Eye premieres Dec. 31 and takes the cast to Texas to continue their mission of encouragement and empowerment. Texas native Miranda Lambert has recorded a new song called Yall Means All for the series, a snippet of which can be heard in the shows teaser. She also dropped the full song and lyric video at midnight on Thursday. While the Queer Eye ambassadors put on cowboy hats and learn about boot-scooting (What is a honky-tonk? Tan France asks at one point) in the teaser, Lamberts song begins to play. An upbeat tune with some lively Dobro and handclaps, Yall Means All finds Lambert creating a little space for everyone. If your life is like a tornado, all you need is a smoke and a rainbow, she sings, before a chorus that drops in a Yes queen and a little free-associative wordplay. Goodwill, Gucci, where my Chattahoochies? Lambert has maintained vocal support of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, including turning up at a 2019 Pride festival with her brother and his husband. Earlier in 2021, she released a dance remix of Tequila Does that featured her brother and a diverse cast of friends at a backyard pool party. While Lamberts Texas roots make her an obvious choice for the Queer Eye spot, many others in country music are promoting messages about being inclusive. Earlier in 2021, the LGBTQ+ musician Chris Housman even employed the phrase Yall Means All in his viral hit Blueneck. Queer Eye Season Six premieres Dec. 31 on Netflix. Yall Means All will be available in full on the same day. Lamberts live schedule is quiet until next March, when shes set to play C2C in England, Scotland, and Ireland. She also has a pair of Grammy nominations, one for her collaborative single Drunk (And I Dont Wanna Go Home) with Elle King, and one for the collaborative album The Marfa Tapes with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall. Click here to read the full article. The universe has a new a queen and her name is Grag Queen. The Brazilian performer was crowned the winner Wednesday of the debut season of Queen of the Universe, Paramount Plus international drag queen singing competition series from the creators of RuPauls Drag Race. The finale, in which the audience chose the winner after hearing from judges Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, Leona Lewis and Vanessa Williams, saw Grag battle it out with Ada Vox of San Antonio and Atlantas Aria B. Cassadine. Variety caught up with Grag on the phone on Thursday from her home in Brazil. Congratulations! What was the first thing that went through your head when they announced you won? I just thought about my [LGBTQ] people because weve been through a lot. No one cares about us, so Im hoping Im going to be like a door to bring some joy to my people. What do you want people to know about Brazils LGBTQ community? We live in a country that kills LGBTQ people more than any other, and our transgender peoples [life expectancy] is only 35 years old and its not fair. We are still trying to find some place of peace. We see all the time on the internet people being dragged and being killed and punched everyday, but we dont see that on the news on TV. I really want to use this platform to make people know that this situation is crazy and its real. Tell me about some of the messages youve received from young people thanking you because they see themselves in you. I needed someone to be that, maybe to inspire you to be how you are, to inspire you to sing however you want to sing. Little Greg [Gregory is Grag Queens real name] would have loved to have had a Grag Queen to look up to and say, Okay, this bitch is crazy. This bitch got it. Are you ready for the responsibility of being a role model? I think the show showed me that Im ready to do that. That experience was made for me. Michelle Visage said that I am perfect and Im a superstar. This is a blessing. Really no pressure because I think I got a very, very big heart. Thats what I believe the universe is actually needing at the moment. After your final performance of Rise Up, the shows host Graham Norton asked you what winning $250,000 would mean to you and you said it would mean youre a millionaire in Brazil. So, I have to ask, whats it like being a millionaire now? It feels amazing! I can go to the medic. I dont look at the prices anymore. [Laughs.] I can give my mother and father a very good living. I just want us to be protected and healthy. I dont really feel like a millionaire right now, but I get used to the good things very, very fast. Whats the first thing youre going to buy when you get the money? A good wig. Like a caramel wig that touches my ass. It has highlights. Very Brazilian. Whats next for you? I have my album already ready. I really want to release that as soon as I can. I have English, Portuguese and Spanish songs. Maybe Im going to come in January to L.A. to record some new songs in English and try to do some gigs. Maybe you guys are going to see me around. This interview has been edited and condensed. Queen of the Universe is available on Paramount Plus. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Desmond Tutu was begging for an apology. Not from a leader of South Africas former racist white government, but from a fellow titan of the anti-apartheid struggle. I beg you, I beg you, I beg you, please, Tutu implored Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at a 1997 hearing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that he chaired during its mission to expose the abuses of apartheid. The subject before the panel was Madikizela-Mandela's links to a gang known as the Mandela United Football Club, whose vigilantism and involvement in murder, kidnapping and assaults appalled the local community and other senior leaders of the resistance to white rule. You are a great person, and you dont know how your greatness would be enhanced if you were to say: Sorry, things went wrong. Forgive me.'' I beg you, Tutu said one more time, looking straight at the woman he had earlier described as an incredible inspiration to those who resisted white domination. The anguished encounter still rankles some Black South Africans who think Tutu mistreated Madikizela-Mandela. She later called it a stunt, lashing out at the former Cape Town archbishop and Nobel laureate in a documentary that aired shortly before her 2018 death. Its a reminder that even Tutu eulogized globally this week after his death on Dec. 26 as the conscience of South Africa and often the world struggled to navigate the anger and recrimination ripping through a wounded nation. It also speaks to perhaps the most unsettled part of Tutus stellar legacy, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It solicited searing testimonials of violence from both victims and perpetrators as a way to heal the country after apartheid ended in 1994, holding out the possibility of amnesty for those who confessed to human rights violations and showed remorse. But its work was never fully completed. Many felt there was minimal accountability and the promised healing never materialized. "South Africa's younger generation, the post-'94 generation, has criticized Tutu's work on the commission, saying he was a sell-out and not tough enough. But that is not fair," said William Gumede, who was on the commission staff and is now chairman of Democracy Works Foundation, a nonprofit group that promotes democracy in southern Africa. The commission was a part of a "negotiated compromise," and Tutu was not responsible for its limited remit, Gumede said. In fact, he said, successive African National Congress governments did not adequately carry out its recommendations and have failed to effectively tackle the country's entrenched problems, including gaping inequality. The commission epitomized Tutus unrelenting vision that truth, wherever it lies, delivers freedom. That saying sorry, forgiving without forgetting and choosing reconciliation over retribution are the hard, best way forward. He hoped the abusers and the abused could give something of themselves by this process, and in doing so, get something in return. Yet the commission left people on both sides of the conflict dissatisfied, Tutu acknowledged in the panels 1998 report to President Nelson Mandela, Madikizela-Mandelas ex-husband. The couple divorced in 1996 after nearly 40 years of marriage, most of which Mandela spent in apartheid prisons. There were those who believed that we should follow the post-World War II example of putting those guilty of gross violations of human rights on trial as the allies did at Nuremberg, Tutu wrote. In South Africa, where we had a military stalemate, that was clearly an impossible option. Forgetting the past wasnt viable either, he wrote. Tutu referred to Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfmans Death and the Maiden, in which a woman seeks a confession from her rapist in order to restore her dignity and her identity. The commission saw its work only as a starting point on the long road to Tutu's vaunted rainbow nation. It suggested some cases be referred for prosecution, but the effort fizzled. A reparations initiative fell flat. Then there was Madikizela-Mandela, who was harassed, jailed and banished to a remote area by white-led security forces. Often a figure of scandal and controversy, she was considered by supporters to be a real revolutionary the mother of the nation who wouldn't, in their view, sell out to a reconciliation policy that let most of apartheid's enforcers avoid punishment. Over nine days of grueling hearings in 1997, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission questioned Madikizela-Mandela, then a member of parliament, about the gang. She offered a general apology I am saying it is true, things went horribly wrong but denied specific allegations against her. The commission later found her politically and morally accountable for human rights violations. In the documentary Winnie, by filmmaker Pascale Lamche, Madikizela-Mandela said that she had been seething with rage at the hearings. To this day, I ask God to forgive me for not forgiving him,'' she said, referring to Tutu. I wasnt going to say sorry as if I had been responsible for apartheid. I mean, how dare ... really? Two historical figures, allied in the same struggle but seemingly adversaries after it. In the 1980s, Winnie and Tutu were the two biggest leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, Gumede said. It was a violent time and Winnie was in the thick of the campaign to make the townships ungovernable. And that was through violence. Tutu, on the other hand, was always a man of non-violence. ___ Associated Press writer Andrew Meldrum contributed from Cape Town, South Africa. Torchia reported from South Africa for the AP from 2013 to 2019. He is currently based in Mexico City. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Scott Beck represents St. Johnsbury in Vermonts House of Representatives and serves on the Ways & Means Committee. He was a member of the Task Force on the Implementation of the Pupil Weighting Factors Report. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. A survivor of abuse, Michele Dinko is now a trauma nurse. She spoke to the Banner on Monday, sharing what it's like to live with the burden that former police investigator Leonard Forte placed upon her at age 12, when he sexually assaulted her. Three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were killed and four security forces personnel injured during an encounter in the Pantha Chowk area of the city here on Friday, police said. One of the slain militants was involved in the December 13 attack on a police bus in the nearby Zewan area. The three ultras were killed in the encounter at Pantha Chowk on the outskirts of Srinagar city, a police official said. In the exchange of fire, three police personnel and a CRPF personnel were also injured, the official said, adding that they were rushed to a hospital for treatment. 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. MANISTEE COUNTY Although the coronavirus pandemic continued to be an obstacle throughout all of 2021, a number of beloved Manistee County traditions returned after a hiatus in 2020. Schools hold in-person commencement ceremonies After the majority of Manistee County schools held graduation ceremonies virtually the year before, the Class of 2021 was able to enjoy in-person commencements with some tweaks. Manistee High School held its ceremony outside at Chippewa Field in order to allow for social distancing guidelines and to enable more people to attend. The school had a backup plan which involved holding two indoor ceremonies if weather precluded an outdoor event. However, principal Andrew Huber said in May the school was going to do all it could to make an outdoor commencement happen. "Everybody agrees that we're in northern Michigan, and we're tough, so it better be a monsoon (before we move to an indoor ceremony)," he said. "We want to be flexible with time. We want to do anything we can to get it outside, and the indoor would be just if we had to do it." Whether it was limiting attendance or getting creative with seating arrangements, Manistee County schools did what they could to allow students to walk across the stage in front of their peers and loved ones to receive their diploma. Likewise, West Shore Community College went to great lengths to allow its students to graduate in person. In order to limit the number of people gathered together at one time, the college held eight ceremonies over the course of three days, with each ceremony limited to 25 graduates and three guests per student. "Each ceremony will last under an hour and will be livestreamed for those arent able to attend a ceremony," said Thom Hawley, then-executive director of college relations. "So there will be six identical ceremonies and two with modifications for nursing and our criminal justice students." Summer festivals return As COVID-19 restrictions started to ease heading into the summer, local organizers made plans to hold summer festivals after the majority were either canceled or greatly limited in 2020. Fireworks, concerts, parades and more took place throughout the summer in the county. The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce held what it referred to as the Manistee National Forest Festival Lite, which though missing a parade featured fireworks, the Scottville Clown Band, petting zoo, carnival and more. "The festival may look a little different this year due to limited time to plan, therefore we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding," said Stacie Bytwork, chamber president and CEO, in June. After the Portage Lake Association offered a lite version of the annual Onekama Days celebration in 2020, organizers offered a full slate of activities in August. I think the community is looking forward to it, said Julie Lapinski, PLA president, in May. I think after a year of not being able to sit down and listen to a concert, go to Onekama Days and watch the fireworks or participate in our arts and crafts fair that's going to be held through Onekama Days I'm thinking we'll get a good turnout. Eventually, Manistee County residents bid farewell to summer with Brethren Days, LaborFest and the Minnehaha Brewhaha Music Festival all held over Labor Day weekend. Return to in-person learning The 2020-21 school year saw a number of students learning remotely, but Manistee County schools kicked off the 2021-22 school year offering in-person learning almost exclusively. "It is so great having students and staff back in the building," said Gina Hagen, Onekama Consolidated Schools superintendent/principal, in August. "Everyone seems very eager to get the school year underway." School districts wrestled with whether or not to require face masks for staff and students. Manistee Area Public Schools opened the school year requiring masks regardless of vaccination status in a decision that frustrated some parents. "I had a conversation with 13 of the providers physicians, (physician assistants), providers here in Manistee County, and it was unanimous: They all recommend going back to school with masking," said Paul Antal, board treasurer and a family doctor in Manistee, during an August school board meeting. "Please, please trust the people that are taking care of you to make the right decisions. It's not an easy decision. We don't like it, but it's what I recommend. It's what they recommend." The coronavirus continued to pose problems for schools, and Onekama, Manistee Catholic Central, CASMAN Academy and Bear Lake all had to switch to remote learning temporarily at various points in the school year due to quarantines among staff and students. "Our ratio of illness is very high, so I called the health department and collaborated with them on what the best scenario would be for the school," said Catherine Grinn, MCC principal, in November. "It was their recommendation for us to close down due to both illness and COVID for two weeks, do a deep clean and then reopen." Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend returns After a one-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend returned to downtown Manistee in 2021. Sleighbell committee chair Julia Cook said in November committee members worked for months in preparation for the event. "I am so excited to say everything is coming together as we started with nothing two and one-half months ago because we didnt know what would happen with COVID," she said. "Everybody is excited and what I did when I got this assignment was to go down to the museum and pulled everything I could find on it." Kellen Keck, owner of City2Shore Port City Associates, ran a warming station from his downtown Manistee office, as he had once before in 2019. Keck said he was eager to see visitors come in to warm themselves up with free cookies, coffee and cocoa. This has been on the calendar since early this year, so we've been looking forward to stuff like this for a while now, Keck said in a previous interview with the News Advocate. Just to get people back in town, get people back in here and just hang out again. This was something the community missed last year. Underpinned by a renewed wave of demand in China and elsewhere, the relentless rise of lithium carbonate prices during 2021 has taken the compound from what was historically a discount against further refined lithium hydroxide to a premium. The counterintuitive price progression took the sector by surprise, but participants have argued that there are fundamental factors that may continue to support the carbonate premium over hydroxide into early 2022. What this year has shown is that carbonate is here to stay, one Europe-based lithium processor source told Fastmarkets. The push on carbonate in 2021 has been phenomenal. Lithium prices more than doubled across the board during 2021, and the sector entered a new bullish cycle following the multi-year lows of late 2020. The Fastmarkets price assessment for lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot prices cif China, Japan & Korea was $6.00-7.50 per kg back in... 2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Supporting Veterans and Service Members 2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Supporting Veterans and Service Members FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2021 Contact: press@michigan.gov 2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Supporting Veterans and Service Members 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 supporting veterans and service members. "The men and women of the Michigan National Guard and those from Michigan in active-duty and other reserve components of our military serve our state and nation with honor and distinction. We must do everything we can to support them and help them thrive," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "I've been focused on growing and establishing programs to expand opportunity, deliver resources and make changes at the state-level to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans, service members and their families. Together, we can ensure they have access to great healthcare, have pathways to higher education or skills training and the opportunity to find a good-paying job." "The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is guided by one fundamental promise: that those who are serving or have honorably served our state and nation are 'members for life'," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Director and Adjutant General of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "In all that we do, we are driven by this underlying commitment, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished this year in support of Governor Whitmer's priority to help Michigan's military service members and veterans thrive." Key Numbers Opened two new Michigan Veterans Homes , one replacement Home in Grand Rapids, and a new Home in Chesterfield Township in Macomb County. Signed four bipartisan bills to help veterans and their families advance in their careers by removing barriers that prevent service members, veterans and dependents from entering a licensed profession. Conducted over 2,300 coronavirus response missions - administered by 3,150 service members from Joint Task Force Michigan - in all 83 counties. Supported the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, a program to educate, train and mentor at-risk youth at no cost to participants, giving young people the skills to become productive and responsible citizens. In 2021, 200+ cadets graduated from the program. Provided $6.5 million in funding for the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) that provides up to $14,400 for tuition at in-state institutions for associate and baccalaureate degrees and up to $6,000 for certificate and master's degree programs annually to members of the MING. Over 1,400 service members utilized this benefit in the past year. Proposed an over $100 million investment (split between state and federal governments) to upgrade and make improvements to ensure Michigan's female soldiers have equitable facilities at the state's Army National Guard facilities. Design work has begun, and construction can commence as soon as the legislature appropriates the funds. The Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center (1-800-MICHVET) handled 26,205 cases for veterans and their dependents in fiscal year 2021 (FY21), an average of 2,183 cases per month. That is the most cases they have ever handled in a single year - by a wide margin - and represents a 58% increase in cases from FY20. The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund approved 426 applications for $1.3 million in emergency grant assistance. That is a 26% increase in emergency aid from the year prior and an average of more than $3,000 per grant recipient. Looking Ahead Sign legislation, as soon as the Legislature passes it, to allow for the transferability of MINGSTAP benefits to a service member's spouse. Ensure that veterans, service members and their families are properly connected to local community groups, including veteran service organizations (VSOs), that can help connect veterans to the benefits they have earned and provide employment, healthcare and other services and resources. Provide funding to construct one or more new State Veteran Homes to ensure 95% of Michigan's veterans have access to focused, high-quality, long-term care services within 75 miles of their home. Continue to invest in and expand the capabilities of the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) to better position Michigan as a key destination for military training and innovation. Continue to attract and serve as a destination for research and development innovators to test emerging technologies for Department of Defense programs. For additional accomplishments and new stories related to DMVA, visit; DMVA - Newsroom (michigan.gov); MVH - Newsroom (michigan.gov); MVAA - (michigan.gov). "The Governor has worked collaboratively to both honor and recognize the sacrifices of our service members, Veterans, and their families. Through a broad range of new initiatives and programs, more opportunities than ever before are being afforded to those who have served, or currently serve, our communities, state, and nation. With the support of these programs, Michigan will continue to be a leader in services and improved quality of life for our most honored citizens," said Jason Wallner, OIF/OEF Army Veteran, Upper Peninsula "The American Legion applauds Governor Whitmer for her advocacy for Michigan's veterans, and we are proud to have her support of The American Legion, VFW, VVA and DAV's officers across the state," said Richard Dubay Sr., State Commander of The American Legion. "Governor Whitmer and her team have done an amazing job in supporting Michigan's veterans, and Michigan's Veteran Service Organizations," said Kevin Conklin, State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "The funding increase the Governor supported for the VFW, American Legion, DAV and VVA's service officers are changing people's lives. We are excited that this funding increase will enable our organizations to scale the amazing work we do every day." Additional veterans and service member accomplishments can be found here. ### 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. MANISTEE The M-55 bridge in Manistee was under construction for nearly all of 2021. The bridge was closed to traffic on Dec. 21, 2020, and after some delays finally reopened on Dec. 28 of this year. The $10.3 million project was originally scheduled to wrap up by mid-November, but construction work was delayed due in part to poor weather. Recent high winds were one reason why things are not progressing as quickly as possible, according to Dan Weingarten, a communications representative with the Michigan Department of Transportation Superior Region, in a previous interview with the News Advocate. Weather had caused delays earlier as well since crews need certain weather conditions to allow for particular construction elements such as laying asphalt and pouring concrete. The bridge work was funded by MDOT and the contractor was Milbocker & Sons of Allegan. The bridge was originally built in 1931 and last saw major maintenance when it received a new superstructure the beams and deck in 1985. When MDOT inspected the bridge in May 2020, it did not fare well. The components are rated on a scale of 1-10. Anything four or below is poor, said James Lake, communications representative for MDOT's Northern Region, in February. During the last inspection, the substructure so those piers and abutments were rated four. The overall rating of a bridge is the same as its worst-rated component. That bridge is in poor condition at this point, indicating that it needs replacement. In a typical day, the M-55 bridge would have around 6,500 vehicles passing over it. The construction work necessitated a detour around Manistee Lake, and the Michigan Department of Transportation contributed $2 million to the Manistee County Road Commission for detour improvements on Stronach Road. In March, crews were removing sections of the old bridge while also building new support structure. The new bridge design called for two piers compared to the four used previously. "They have completed pouring the concrete footing for Pier 2 that would be the southeast pier and they are beginning to place steel structure for the pier columns that will be poured on top of that," Lake said in early March. "It sounds like the concrete for that pier column could begin as early as this week. And then Pier 1 the one to the northwest is being prepped inside the cofferdam for the concrete footing." MDOT reinstalled a temporary three-way stop at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Stronach Road on May 18 to help manage increased traffic. "As traffic volumes begin to increase, drivers on Stronach Road looking to turn onto U.S. 31 are having a difficult time finding a gap in traffic in order to safely make the turn, leading to backups on Stronach Road," Lake said in May. "Wed expect this issue to worsen as summer traffic volumes build, with impatience leading to some unsafe maneuvers." A three-way stop had been installed at the intersection when bridge construction originally began, but the setup was scrapped after the appearance of the signs confused motorists and led to people running the stop signs. By June, the piers were finished and workers turned their attention to the abutments the structure that supports the ends of the bridge where it meets the road. The abutments were pushed further out and also made to accommodate the bridge being raised slightly to achieve the same water clearance with the new, taller beams. "The sheet piling work on Abutment B that would be the one on the southeast side of the bridge that's now complete," Lake said. "We're looking at next week for pouring concrete in that abutment. That will get us prepared to start setting beams kind of around the Fourth of July weekend." All that remained of the original bridge at that time was one pier. Beam deliveries to the work site caused traffic backups in July and early August. MDOT started utilizing police escorts to shorten traffic delays. "The transport company is notifying the sheriffs office when they get to Ludington, and deputies are providing an escort for those trucks to help make the process smoother," Lake said in July. "Delays should be minimal, but we wanted to let drivers who use the detour know that they may encounter these vehicles." The bridge was starting to take shape by September and while beams were still coming in, workers were gearing up to start pouring concrete. "On (the west) side, it will be setting the beams at this end. On the other side, there are these foam blocks that are going in beneath the concrete over there," Lake said in September. "My understanding is that most of that foam is in. We're going to be pouring concrete I heard 500 yards of concrete over top of that. That will be coming up here soon, too. ... A lot of big things are coming up here very, very shortly." In November, the project experienced delays because different aspects of the bridgework require certain weather conditions. For example, asphalt work is impacted by wet conditions while pouring concrete requires certain temperatures. Crews were able to apply asphalt paving to the east approach of the bridge on Nov. 8. November also saw finish work done on both approach slabs, and a portion of the bridge deck was poured. In December the final steps were taken to allow for the bridge to be opened to traffic. The barges in the river were removed and a large crane was dismantled and removed. Even with the M-55 bridge now open to traffic, there are still odds and ends that need to be taken care of before the project is completely finished. This includes work on sealing fascia beams and a review of restoration of the landscape around the bridge. Currently Reading Alert: Sheriff: At least 500 homes likely destroyed, no known deaths in wind-fueled wildfire outside Denver RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian man as he ran toward a bus stop in the occupied West Bank on Friday wielding a knife in an attempted stabbing attack, the military said. It said Amir Atef Reyan got out of a car at a junction and advanced toward a group of Israeli civilians and soldiers waiting at the bus stop. He was shot before reaching them. The Palestinian Health Ministry later confirmed that Reyan died from his wounds. SEOUL, South Korea __ South Korea says itll extend the toughest social distancing rules for another two weeks to try to lower critical cases and guard against the omicron variant. The government said Friday the current restrictions such as a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes will continue until Jan. 16. Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol says South Koreas daily caseload has recently dropped to the 5,000s from the previous 8,000s thanks to the current distancing guidelines enforced two weeks ago. But he says the number of critically or seriously ill patients remains above 1,000. Kwon says the omicron variant also continues to spread throughout South Korea and that its difficult to prevent it from becoming the dominant strain in South Korea. On Friday, South Korea added 4,875 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the national tally to 630,838. Health authorities said theyve also confirmed 269 new cases of the omicron variant, taking the countrys total to 894. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers U.S. health officials press nursing home workers to get booster shots New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? Canadian provinces adopt restrictions amid daily case records ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY: NEW YORK A coronavirus surge has upended plans to hold a major nuclear treaty conference at the United Nations next month, with participants agreeing Thursday to postpone the meeting days before its scheduled start. After nearly two years of pandemic delays, delegations from around the world were due to converge Tuesday on U.N. headquarters to take stock of the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty, a pillar of nuclear arms control. But organizers are now penciling in an Aug. 1 start date, according to an email Thursday from the U.N. disarmament office to entities involved. The conference was initially scheduled for spring 2020. As coronavirus cases spike again in the U.N.s host city of New York and a growing number of staffers are sick or or quarantined, the world body told the conference leader Monday that it couldnt accommodate a big gathering now. The NPT is the worlds most widely ratified nuclear arms control agreement, with 191 participating countries. Nations without atomic weapons committed not to acquire them and to allow verification that nuclear energy programs werent morphing into weaponry. Countries that had nukes when the treaty was signed the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China -- agreed to move toward eliminating them. ___ TORONTO Quebec is reimposing a nighttime curfew beginning New Years Eve, and Ontario has delayed the resumption of school by two days as several Canadian provinces report new highs for COVID-19 infections. Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the curfew will be in effect 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as of Friday night and will run for an indefinite period. Quebec imposed a pandemic-related nightly curfew last Jan. 9 and did not lift the measure until May 28. It has been the only Canadian province to order a curfew over the coronavirus. In Ontario, classes had been scheduled to resume Monday but that has been pushed back to Wednesday. Officials say that will give schools time to provide N95 masks to staff and deploy more HEPA filter units. ___ HONOLULU Hawaii set an all-time record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the state of about 1.5 million people reported nearly 3,500 new infections. The daily total of new cases reported by health officials was 3,484, topping the record of 2,205 cases set the day after Christmas. The state was averaging just over 100 new cases a day at the beginning of the month. The latest surge came about two weeks after the first omicron variant case was confirmed in Hawaii. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said there would be no new restrictions on Oahu over the New Year holiday. He said people should take personal responsibility to curb the disease. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexico is running short of free at-home rapid tests to detect COVID-19 infections as the state struggles with the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The company that runs the states program said Thursday that the states supply of tests was overstretched. The announcement came hours after Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote that residents could order a testing kit today. By afternoon all available tests have been shipped and Vault Health was offering paid testing instead. The state reported an additional 2,209 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 26 additional deaths. ___ NEW ORLEANS -- Louisiana is setting records for new COVID-19 diagnoses, and the states omicron variant surge is just beginning, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Thursday. Thursdays 24-hour total of 12,467 new cases was more than a third above Wednesdays 9,378, Edwards said during a news conference livestreamed on Zoom. He said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesdays figure was itself a state record, topping 7,548 set in August, during the delta variant surge. Edwards says the number of people hospitalized with the virus has risen 268% since Dec. 17, to 762. The governor said he would not mandate masks unless such an order is needed to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. But he said people should heed masking recommendations from both the CDC and the state Department of Health. Wearing a mask is a minor inconvenience compared to being in a hospital struggling to get oxygen or watching a loved one struggling to get oxygen, he said. He and other state and hospital officials around south and central Louisiana repeatedly urged everyone to take precautions such as getting vaccinations and booster shots. ___ JACKSON, MISS. Mississippis Supreme Court chief justice issued an emergency order Thursday allowing judges to postpone jury trials through mid-January because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolphs order also allows courts to use teleconferencing, videoconferencing and electronic filing to limit in-person contact in courts. Felony plea, felony sentencing and probation violation hearings can be conducted remotely. The order is an extension of safety regulations that were already in place. Emergency Administrative Order 25 is the fourth emergency order issued by the chief justice since August which allows judges to postpone jury trials. In his most recent order, Randolph cited the recent uptick in cases especially the highly contagious omicron variant. As of Dec. 14, there were 575 new COVID-19 confirmed infections in Mississippi. Approximately two weeks later, the number of confirmed cases increased more than eightfold, to 4,885 cases, Randolph said. ___ SACRAMENTO, Calif. With a new and more infectious coronavirus variant sweeping California, attorneys representing inmates say violations of health orders by prison staff risk a repeat of the outbreaks that killed dozens in the first year of the pandemic. The most recent statistics show large percentages of employees who are required to be tested twice weekly arent doing so, and most face no consequences. Corrections officials say they are updating those figures but have not yet provided new data. Officials are temporarily shutting down admissions to Wasco State Prison in the San Joaquin Valley where there have been more than 150 new infections in the past two weeks. Starting Monday, officials say inmates statewide must be fully vaccinated to have in-person or family visits, unless they have approved religious or medical exemptions. The actions come as new cases soar across California and state models predict a gradual increase in hospitalizations and intensive care admissions over the next month. ___ SEATTLE A Seattle-area medical system says it will soon limit COVID-19 testing appointments at its community testing sites because of an astronomically high positivity rate. The Seattle Times reports UW Medicine said Thursday appointments will be limited to only those with symptoms or known exposures. Of UW Medicines 12 community testing sites, nine will soon start limiting appointments. Three will close temporarily. The positivity rate is measuring more than 40% at some South King County testing sites and the high rate is slowing scientists ability to parse out which samples are actually positive. ___ MADRID New coronavirus cases have hit the tenth daily record in Spain, with an unprecedented 161,688 new confirmed infections as the fast-spreading omicron variant takes the reins. According to figures released by Spains Health Ministry, Thursday was the second day in a row when new cases soared over the 100,000 mark. The 14-day contagion rate, which informs policymakers response to the pandemic, rose to 1,775 new cases per 100,000 residents nationally. Thats up from 1,508 the day before. The northern Navarra region recorded more than twice the national average. Spanish officials have taken pride in a successful vaccination rollout that has led to more than 80% of the countrys 47 million people having gotten two vaccine doses. On Thursday, health officials announced that 80% of those 60 and older had already received a booster shot. ___ MIAMI Florida is seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus infections as the omicron variant rages through the state. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 58,000 new cases for Wednesday and revised its tallies to add thousands of cases to the daily counts of previous days, setting new pandemic records. The new CDC estimate raises the 7-day average in Florida to more than 36,400 new cases. The number was at around 26,600 at the peak of the summer surge in August, which was fueled by the delta variant. In Miami-Dade County, where cases have been concentrated, one out four people is testing positive for the virus. Because of the surge, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is requiring all employees, volunteers and visitors to wear face coverings at schools starting Monday. Students will be strongly encouraged to wear them. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in November a measure that prevents school districts from imposing mask mandates for students. ___ COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio hospitalizations for COVID-19 have hit a pandemic record high for the second day running. State data shows 5,466 people in the hospital with COVID-19, or one of every five patients. Gov. Mike DeWine and hospital administrators around the state say the vast majority of those in the hospital are unvaccinated. Ohio Department of Health data out Thursday also shows coronavirus cases remaining at historic levels. Nearly 20,000 new coronavirus cases were reported Thursday, just below the record set Wednesday. The case surge has created long lines outside health clinics and at pop-up sites as thousands seek out testing. The governor has ordered a total of 2,400 members of the Ohio National Guard into hospitals to help overwhelmed staff. ___ JERUSALEM Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, becoming the first country to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant. The director general of the Health Ministry, Nachman Ash, announced the decision at a press conference late on Thursday. He says the decision is based on early research, and that officials will consider expanding the administration of a fourth dose to more of the public as they assess the situation. Israel was among the first countries to roll out Pfizers coronavirus vaccine a year ago and began freely offering boosters last summer. But it still saw a wave of infections blamed on the delta variant, and officials have warned of another driven by the fast-spreading omicron. Earlier Thursday, Israel received its first shipment of pills that treat the worst effects of COVID-19. Israel currently has more than 20,000 active patients, including 94 who are seriously ill. At least 8,243 people have died from COVID-19 in Israel since the start of the pandemic. ___ ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A Florida family is seeking answers after a 14-year-old boy was found dead in a retention pond days after he failed to return home the last day of school before the holiday break. Family members and friends of Vensly Maxime gathered Wednsday night for a march outside the Palm Beach County middle school the teen attended. He didn't return home from Crestwood Middle School on Dec. 22, and his body was found in a nearby retention pond on Christmas Day. How did he get into the water? the teen's aunt, Louisena Hercule, asked the Palm Beach Post on Wednesday night. This story, something is missing. We want the truth. We want to make sure it does not happen to another kid. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said in a Dec. 28 statement that an investigation was continuing but that detectives didn't suspect foul play. Preliminary findings showed the teen didn't drown. The sheriff's office told the newspaper Thursday that officials are awaiting a toxicology report from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office. But many of those attending the march Wednesday question that conclusion. The family told the newspaper that the boy had no known medical concerns, and they described him as healthy with no known medical concerns. The sheriff's office said the teen met with a friend after school Dec. 22. The friend later told investigators that the boy complained of feeling ill, so they started walking home. But, according to the friend, the boy began acting in a strange manner and they became separated during the walk. The sheriff's office statement did not describe the strange behavior or indicate how long the teen's body had been submerged in the water. Relatives reported the boy missing to the Palm Beach County School District, and district police issued a missing persons flyer. According to the sheriff's office, the next day, deputies responded to a the Royal Palm Beach recreation center, where the boy's backpack was found. It was turned over to school district police as part of their investigation. That night, the sheriff's office went back to the area to assist the district police in the search for the boy. The search ended about four hours later, the newspaper reported. The boy's relatives told the Post they continued searching until his body was found in the pond. Weve got a 14-year-old missing. Why did we have to do our own search until we found him? the boy's uncle, Yvenel Clermont, said at Wednesday's march. 31.12.2021 LISTEN The newly installed Leshie Mantse, Nii Tettey Ofrosu I, has called for unity among the people of La and the Ga state. He stressed that with unity of purpose, the people of La and the Ga State can achieve anything in this world. "I want all the citizens of La and the Ga state to unite and work for the enhancement and development of the La community," he noted. Nii Ofrosu I made these remarks his Christmas message to the people of the La and Ga state. "The people of Leshie and the Ga people can achieve whatever they want with one purpose, I will take this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous happy new year," he said in an interview this afternoon. He also called on Ghanaians to support their communities and make Ghana a better place for all to benefit. 30.12.2021 LISTEN Emirates Airlines has extended the initial 48-hours ban on flights from Accra to Dubai indefinitely. Emirates flight suspension from Accra to Dubai effective December 27, 2021, is now extended until further notice, the airline said in its urgent broadcast sent to trade partners on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. The airline, however, said Dubai to Accra flights will, however, continue for passengers holding confirmed bookings and meeting the entry requirements for Accra. The carriage of passengers to and from Abidjan has also been suspended. The suspension of flights, Aviation Ghana sources say, is linked to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded on outbound flights arriving in Dubai from Accra and Abidjan. On Monday, December 27, 2021, Ghana officially entered its fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a record number of positive cases recorded. The country's active cases now stand at 8,554. Some producers and consumers of sachet water in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District have expressed reservations over the new prices. The stakeholders have denounced the prices, saying they were too high, citing general economic hardship. According to them, it was unacceptable for a country with more water bodies than many around the world to buy water at exorbitant prices. The prices announced by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers is yet to take effect in the area, four days after the effective date; Monday, December 27, 2021. The Association said in a statement on Friday, December 24, that: Iced sachet water will be retailed at 40ps, and a bag of sachet water should sell at GHC4.50 for retail trucks and GHC6.00 by mini retail shops. Contrary to the directive, the commodity sells between GHC2.50 and GHC3.00 and retailed by mini shops at GHC3.50 and GHC4.50 in the area. A sachet of water, also known as pure water still sells at 20 pesewas and 50 pesewas for three. In separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), some water producers observed that even though the increment had become necessary due to the incessant rise in production cost, it should be marginal. Mr Charles Kwabla Awudza, the Manager of Nobel Hills, a sachet water company in Ajumako Kokoben, said the situation could negatively affect the pure water market. I am expecting an increment but not that much. I don't think GHC6.00 for a bag of water is okay; it's too much. It will really kill us. In fact, the water will sell at 50 pesewas because the sellers will complain about not having the 10 pesewas change, he said. He suggested that a bag should be retailed at GHC4.00 maximum adding that for us, we are still selling at the old price because we normally sell our water below the general market price". Mr Awudza called for government's intervention to help stabilise water prices through fuel price stabilization, obecause whenever the price of fuel shot up, it had a rippling effect on prices of other commodities. Mr Noah Dunyo, the Supervisor and Engineer of Blue Wave, a sachet water company at Ajumako Asasan, said the increment was too much and that customers were already complaining about it. Now we are selling at GHC3.00 and so if it is GHC3.50, I think it will be okay. GHC4.50 is too much, he said, adding that it would be difficult to achieve a standard price in the area due to competition. Some consumers who spoke to the GNA called for the immediate rescission of the new price and queried why a sachet of water should be sold at 40 pesewas. GNA France on Thursday said it would show "tolerance" for Britons hoping to transit the country to reach homes elsewhere in the European Union, after a surprise clampdown caused disappointment and chaos for thousands of travellers. Under tougher Covid rules that came into force this week, non-resident Britons can no longer drive through France -- only those with a primary French residence will be allowed in. Many Britons take the Channel Tunnel from England to France, using Eurotunnel's Shuttle service, to take cars from the UK to their homes in other EU countries. But over the holidays many returned to Britain to visit family and friends without knowing that France was planning the tougher rules on non-residents. But with Britain no longer part of the EU, it is considered a "third country" whose citizens are subject to the same rules as those of other nations outside the bloc. "Unless they hold French residency, British citizens are now considered third country citizens and can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU," Eurotunnel said in a tweet late Wednesday. P&O Ferries issued a similar tweet warning that "only those with French residency will be permitted to enter France". Compelling reasons A French interior ministry official said it had not changed its list of "compelling" reasons enabling Britons to travel to France, but had clarified their application this month by border police. "It seems logical to consider them like all other third-country citizens, and to not allow their transit toward another EU country," the official told AFP, asking not to be identified by name. All tourism and professional travel from Britain has been suspended since 18 December as France tries to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid variant. On its travel advice website, the British government said France had indicated that Britons would not be allowed to transit France "unless they are travelling by air". But "during the year-end holidays" border police will show "tolerance" for Britons returning to the EU, France's Interior Ministry said, acknowledging that the trips were taken "in good faith". The change, which France had not made explicit, caught scores of Britons off guard as they prepared to return from family visits over the holidays. "I'm completely lost. It doesn't make any sense," Fiona Navin-Jones, a school teacher who was hoping to return to Belgium, where she has lived with her family for 14 years, told AFP. 'Lucky' They decided to risk their Eurotunnel trip anyway on Thursday, where they were told at the terminal that getting through would depend on the border official. "I got through so I guess I was lucky!" she said. Eurostar, the passenger train service which many Britons use to return to homes in Belgium and elsewhere, also warned users earlier this month about the French rule change. But it was not clear if they were being systematically applied at the three Eurostar stations in England. One Twitter user who was turned away at the last minute this week by French police as he tried to board the Eurotunnel shuttle posted that he was able to return to Brussels by train. "The FR customs said they had been handed the paper in the last few hours that clarified the compelling reasons rule. They even seemed a little frustrated," wrote Roland Moore, a public relations executive in Belgium. Paris and London have been at loggerheads over a range of thorny subjects, including fishing and illegal immigration, since Britain's official exit from the EU nearly two years ago. That prompted several travellers to wonder if the new French policy was the latest skirmish between the two countries. "Reason has prevailed -- but I feel so sorry for families based in Belgium with residence but no passport," Navin-Jones said. "French rules still stink. You can quote me." (with AFP) Ethiopia is set on January 1 to lose key trading privileges in the United States over rights concerns, despite a last-minute push backed by diaspora members who warn that Washington could lose an ally. President Joe Biden on November 2 announced the New Year's removal of Ethiopia, a longtime US partner and the continent's second most populous country, from the African Growth and Opportunity Act as he pointed to "gross violations" in the year-old war with Tigrayan rebels. The Ethiopian government has lobbied hard against the move and estimates that one million jobs have been supported directly or indirectly by the 2000 law, which grants duty-free access for most goods. The chairs of the Senate and House subcommittees on Africa both urged Biden in a letter to reconsider the "abrupt" move, saying that a recent rebel retreat provided an opening for diplomacy. "We are concerned that suspension of AGOA benefits will be counterproductive and disproportionately harm the most vulnerable Ethiopians without contributing to the cessation of hostilities," wrote Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Karen Bass, both members of Biden's Democratic Party. "Furthermore, this decision invites China to strengthen its economic foothold in the Horn of Africa." Van Hollen and Bass both represent constituencies with hubs of Ethiopian-Americans, a community estimated at anywhere from 250,000 to one million strong that has increasingly flexed political muscle over the war. Mesfin Tegenu, chairman of the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, acknowledged Biden was unlikely to reverse the decision before January 1 but said the president could readmit Ethiopia "with a stroke of a pen." An internally displaced boy moves mattresses received from an aid organization as rain falls in July 2021 at a camp in the town of Azezo, Ethiopia for people uprooted by fighting in Tigray. By EDUARDO SOTERAS (AFP/File) He described Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government as "the most pro-Western the country has ever had" and said ending trade privileges was only inviting China -- which has been expanding influence in Africa and has made a point of criticizing Biden's decision. "This is going to be a catastrophic mistake for our country to really be replaced willingly by a competitive power," Mesfin said. "Whatever political gain the administration would think they would get by doing this, they're not going to get it, because the geopolitical situation of the world has changed." Wide US concerns Biden also removed coup-hit Mali and Guinea from AGOA. In announcing the decision, the administration said the three countries could re-enter if they address concerns. Jeffrey Feltman, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, noted that Congress imposed conditions when establishing AGOA. "The legislation says the countries that engage in gross violation of human rights will not enjoy these trade privileges. So it's a statutory requirement that the administration took," he told National Public Radio. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's office, which administers AGOA, did not respond to requests for comment. Workers sew clothes in October 2019 at a garment factory in the Hawassa Industrial Park in Ethiopia, which fears a dire impact with the loss of US trading privileges. By Eyerusalem JIREGNA (AFP/File) Abiy launched an offensive in November 2021 as the Tigray People's Liberation Front, once a dominant force in Ethiopia, attacked army sites. The rebels advanced so far this year that they threatened to march on the capital Addis Ababa but by December 20 they had withdrawn back to their Tigray stronghold, with the government promising no further advance. Rallying against stance But US concerns go beyond reaching a ceasefire in the wake of wide reports of mass killings, sexual violence and hunger in the conflict that has left thousands dead. The United States, as well as the United Nations and rights groups, say the Ethiopian government has deliberately hindered aid delivery to northern regions where millions face famine-like conditions. "Frankly, it's unconscionable, and not what we would expect from Ethiopia," the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said last month. The administration strenuously denies taking sides and has also criticized the TPLF and neighboring Eritrea. Demonstrators hold Ethiopian flags as they protest outside the US embassy in London on November 21, 2021. By Tolga Akmen (AFP/File) But many in the diverse Ethiopian diaspora remain convinced of bias against Abiy, who was elected in 2018 on promises of unity and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Tebabu Assefa, an Ethiopian immigrant who was honored by former president Barack Obama for his work importing coffee directly from small-time farmers, said Biden was "taking a tool from the garage to the surgery room." He said his Blessed Coffee business in Maryland was in conversation with unions representing 500,000 farmers, each of whom has about five family members. "The livelihood of millions and millions of small farmers will be wiped out by this simple yet very devastating act," he said. 31.12.2021 LISTEN No matter what the former president achieved in four years during his leadership, Ghanaians, especially, the tribal bigots will never appreciate it. This is what Mahama needs to understand and to live with it without any worries. John Mahama was in power for only four years, after being declared corrupt and incompetent to rule the country. He lost the presidential race in the 2016 elections to Nana Akufo Addo. However, non-tribal bigots will agree that what John Mahama achieved within the four years of his leadership, is something Nana Akufo Addo has failed to do after five years in power. Tribalism is particularly widespread in African countries. Among the reasons for this phenomenon are ethnic diversity and the stability of remnants of tribal relations, making Ghana one of the African countries built on a strong foundation of tribalism. In Ghana, the tribe of the person who rules the country is very important to many, especially, the tribal clans, even if that leader is incompetent many will still support him. This is what the country is experiencing under the leadership of the NPP, a government of total failure, psychological torture, and economic disaster. If we need to line up all the Ghanaian leaders to evaluate their leadership, I strongly believe that Nana Akufo Addo will get a one percent vote because he is the worst leader in the political history of Ghana. Ghanaians have now known that if someone's father is a politician, doesn't qualify the son also to be a politician. The leadership of Akufo Addo is a total disgrace, I will say it loud and clear without regret. If you read articles in Ghana, you may come across some shocking comments against the former Ghanaian president, John Mahama, which immediately reveal how some Ghanaians are psychologically scarred for life by tribalism. The impact of tribalism is so severe on many Ghanaians that they can't even see the damage Nana Akufo Addo has done to Ghana. despite the chronic corruption and crime that have taken over the country. John Mahama, the best Ghanaian intelligent leader after Kwame Nkrumah When it comes to corruption within the NPP government, Akufo Addo does it in a manner he thinks it's perfect that no one can trace his corruptible activities by appointing corrupt politicians to manage our finances, the weak judiciary system, and asking those he sees as a threat, such as Daniel Domelevo to go on pension, while he keeps Maxwell Jumah at 71 in GIHOC as the director. Through political strategy, tribal folks that support the incompetent president Akufo Addo, undermine, frustrate and portray John Mahama as the evilest person ever to be a president of Ghana. However, we need to ask are they winning? Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you, and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too, said Will Smith, the African-American musician, comedian, and actor. That hate Akufo Addo had in him against Kwame Nkrumah and Mahama is what has consumed him to his failure as the worst president in the political history of Ghana. There seemed to be no room in the life of Nana Akufo Addo to change his wicked, nepotic, and tribalistic life because he has already grown up with those demons. Who is in his right mind will give support to Akufo Addo after all the evil things he has done in Ghana, not even speaking about the assassinations of an NPP politician, journalist, and innocent people. That's why Ghana has collapsed as a country today because the elders of the Muslim and Christian communities are all hypocrites. If their prayers are being heard by God, Ghana will never have been in this precarious position. Why do people fear to criticize Nana Akufo after causing so much damage to the people and the economy? Is Mahama responsible for the huge debt on the shoulders of Ghana today? Is Mahama responsible for the reckless spending of Akufo Addo which has affected the financial status of the country? Is Mahama responsible for the rigging of the 2020 presidential race after the majority rejected Akufo Addo as president? Ghana is not developing because there are people who are psychologically damaged by nepotism and tribalism to the extent that they feel so proud to promote an incompetent government. Thank God, Ghana is rapidly changing as the youth get wiser, they are admitting to the damage and destruction tribalism and nepotism have caused in their communities. Many including the youth, are angry with President Akufo Addo and even regretted voting for such a person as a president to rule Ghana. Does that sound like a warning to Akufo Addo at all? Ghana will dramatically change, keeping the NPP government in opposition forever, while many NPP politicians will lose their seats in parliament and ministerial posts. If the NPP is an intelligent political party, this is the time to put the fight against tribalism on their agenda. I will write whatever is necessary for Ghanaian political parties to build a better Ghana without the promotion of tribalism. However, I cant force the NPP government or any political party to accept what I write but I will warn them that the failure to fight against tribalism will send NPP to indefinite opposition. Time will tell. Attention Do you have any news you would like to publish but dont know how to go about it or you are scared to do so? Please, send it to Joel Savage and tell me how you want it published, whether anonymously or with your name to this e-mail: [email protected] Thank you. Member of Parliament for Madina Francis-Xavier Sosu says any attempt to regulate the communication of prophecies by men of God can constitute a breach of right to the practice of ones religion. The Madina Law maker's comments follow a caution by the Ghana Police to the nation's prophets against 31 st night prophecies. Reacting to the caution however, the law maker has called for the prevention of any attempt to regulate prophecies in the country noting that they are a spiritual act and therefore regulating them will constitute a breach of ones right to freely practice religion as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution. In a Facebook post on Friday, 31 December 2021, Mr Sosu said: @GhPoliceService release on prophecies amounts to breach of 1992 Constitution on freedom of religion. According to Mr Sosu, if the conduct of any man of God is contrary to the Criminal and other offenses Act, go ahead and enforce the law. He added that: You [Police] cant regulate Prophecies. The police had earlier cautioned religious leaders against 31st night prophecies that can cause fear and panic. The police, in a statement, said it is not against prophecies, however, religious leaders must be measured in their utterances. Former President, John Dramani Mahama has asked Ghanaians to take precautions and stay safe in the New Year. Looking back at what has been a very difficult year, John Dramani Mahama has advised Ghanaians yet to be vaccinated to visit the various health centres to take the jabs. In his New Year message to Ghanaians posted on his Facebook page, the 2020 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urges Ghanaians to strictly adhere to all Covid-19 protocols to stay alive. The New Year season is here! Let's be more conscious of our health as we pray for health workers because of the more transmissible omicron variant. Let's also observe the COVID protocols. Observe social distancing, wash your hands as frequently as possible, avoid handshakes, use hand sanitizers and wear a mask, part of the post on Facebook reads. Mr. Mahama adds, And please GET VACCINATED if you haven't done so yet. If you have, go for your second dose. Stay safe this New Year season! I wish all Ghanaians a Happy New Year. Read Mahamas full New Year message to Ghanaians below: The world began ushering in 2022 on Friday after another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year capped by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times ahead. The past 12 months saw a new US president and a new Adele album, the first spectator-free Olympics, and dreams of democracy from Afghanistan to Myanmar and Hong Kong crushed by authoritarian regimes. But it was the pandemic -- now entering its third year -- that again dominated life for most of humankind. A pedestrian stands next to a New Year's decoration in front of the Kropotkinskaya metro station in Moscow. By Yuri KADOBNOV (AFP) More than 5.4 million people have died since the coronavirus was first reported in central China in December 2019. Countless more have been sickened -- subjected to outbreaks, lockdowns, lock-ins and an alphabet spaghetti of PCR, LFT and RAT tests. The year 2021 started with hope, as life-saving vaccines were rolled out to around 60 percent of the world's population, although many of its poor still have limited access, and some of its rich believe the jabs are part of some ill-defined plot. As the year drew to a close, the emergence of the Omicron variant pushed the number of daily new Covid-19 cases past one million for the first time, according to an AFP tally. France became the latest country to announce Omicron was now its dominant coronavirus strain on Friday. In Britain, the United States, and even Australia -- long a refuge from the pandemic -- the variant's prominence is driving record new cases. Parts of the Pacific nation of Kiribati became the first to welcome in the new year from 1000 GMT. But from Seoul to San Francisco, celebrations have again been cancelled or curtailed as infections rise. To party, or not? An artist gives finishing touches to a New Year mural painted on his house in Chennai, India. By Arun SANKAR (AFP) One notable exception though was South Africa -- the first country to report Omicron back in November -- where a curfew was lifted to allow festivities to go ahead. Health officials said that a dip in infections in the past week indicated the peak of the current wave had passed -- crucially without a significant increase in deaths. Australia's largest city Sydney has also decided to press ahead with a firework display that will light up the city's harbour, despite one of the world's fastest-growing caseloads. The country's conservative government says its decision to abandon a "Covid-zero" approach is based on vaccination rates and mounting evidence that Omicron is less deadly. An undercover police officer is seen as customers queue to buy fireworks outside the St Mary Cathedral in Johannesburg ahead of New Years eve celebrations. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) Tens of thousands of revellers had been expected to crowd Sydney's foreshore, though AFP journalists said the city was quieter than normal as evening fell. "I'm just trying to focus on the positive things that happened this year, rather than dwelling on all the bad things that have happened," said 22-year-old medical student Melinda Howard, part of an enthusiastic but smaller-than-usual crowd waiting by the Opera House for the show to begin. Dubai is planning a pyrotechnics spectacle at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, despite a slew of infections in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah will attempt to break two world records with a huge fireworks display. 'Only one desire' In Rio, celebrations on Copacabana Beach will go ahead in a scaled back format -- though crowds of revellers are still expected. "People have only one desire, to leave their homes, to celebrate life," 45-year-old Copacabana beach waiter Francisco Rodrigues said. Some Brazilians are more circumspect, such as Roberta Assis, a 27-year-old lawyer. "It's not the moment for large gatherings," she said. Authorities in Seoul are showing similar caution, barring spectators from a traditional midnight bell-ringing that will instead be live-streamed. In India, fearing a repeat of a devastating virus surge that overwhelmed the country in April and May, cities and states have imposed restrictions on gatherings, with Delhi implementing a 10 pm curfew. Mumbai police on Friday issued evening bans on people visiting public places such as the city's beaches and seafront promenades, normally popular sites for seeing in the new year -- with the restrictions set to last two weeks. 'Trying times' The World Health Organization has warned of trying times ahead, saying Omicron could lead to "a tsunami of cases". "This... will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Many Western leaders have been hesitant to reimpose strict controls seen in 2020, for fear of sparking a new economic downturn. But on-again-off-again restrictions have still prompted frequent, vocal and occasionally violent anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine and anti-government protests. Experts and non-experts alike hope that 2022 may be remembered as a new, less deadly phase of the pandemic. "Hopefully 2022 is going to be better for everyone," said 31-year-old reveller Oscar Ramirez in Sydney. "Everyone in the world needs a big change." 31.12.2021 LISTEN Some 13 persons have been arrested and airlifted to Accra following sporadic shootings in Bawku in the Upper East Region on Monday. The incident has increased tensions in the town which have resulted in heavy security deployment to the communities within the municipality. Though calm has been restored in Bawku, various stakeholders are appealing to factions in the conflicts to resort to non-violent ways in resolving their differences. Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Ebenezer Kojo Kum who confirmed the arrests to Citi News said the police will continue to apprehend persons who foment trouble in the area. The police are taking steps to process some individuals who were arrested a couple of days ago, and after they have been processed, they will be brought to Accra for further investigations. Already, some 13 persons who were arrested on Tuesday evening were sent to Accra and are being processed for court. The Chieftaincy Minister also described as unwarranted current disturbances in Bawku because to him, there is no ambiguity about the status of the Bawku overlord, which has become the root cause of the intermittent violence recorded in the area. The community has seen renewed clashes triggered by various ethnic events since November. But Ebenezer Kojo Kum indicated that persons with concerns should resort to appropriate quarters to have their grievances addressed. In the first place, let us admit that there ought not to be any chieftaincy crisis in Bawku because as far as the status of the overlord of Bawku is considered, he is the actual Chief. The Supreme Court in April 2003 delivered the judgment, confirming that status. There should be no debate whatsoever about who the overlord of Bawku is. The situation we are experiencing is being caused by some recalcitrant persons who have set out to foment trouble, he added. The Minister however says security agencies should show no mercy in dealing with persons causing violence as they have been engaged but to no avail. We have had a series of meetings, not all of them get into the public space. The Minister for National Security was present at the last meeting we held. So the parties' claim that no one has met them yet is untrue. There are also committees working behind the scenes. But if a group of individuals decides to take the law into their hands, they will have to be made to face the full rigors of the law. They can't in one breath be engaging and in another breath be doing things that are untoward. On Monday, December 27, 2021, a renewed chieftaincy clash in Bawku led to the loss of lives and the destruction of property. Before that, there have been sporadic shootings in parts of the town following attempts to perform final funeral rites for a Chief who died about 41 years ago. This resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township and a ban on smock wearing. Being the first African country to lock down because of the COVID19 pandemic did not prevent the continent's economic powerhouse from becoming its worst hit by the virus. Now it has become the first African country to ease back on restrictions. The government believes the country has ridden out the fourth wave of the virus which was driven by the omicron variant that was discovered by South African scientists Scrapping the midnight to 4am curfew that has been in force since Match 2020 meets demands from the opposition Democratic Alliance and the liquor industry. Minister Mondli Gungubele said Cabinet decision to give the green light to liquor sales after 11p.m. was based on the trajectory of the virus, the level of vaccinations and the capacity of the country's health services. Gungubele said: Cases declined in all provinces except the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, which recorded increases of 14% and 18%, respectively. There has been a decline in hospital admissions in all provinces except the Western Cape. While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves. This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services. There is a marginal increase in the number of deaths in all the provinces. South Africa has had 3.5 million COVID infections that have killed 91 000 people. Infection levels fell The level of infections fell by 29.7% in the week ending on Christmas Day. There were 127,753 infections the previous week. However, the government has fallen way short of its target of having 70% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID by year's end. The level is believed to be 38%. It is currently on the lowest of five levels of restrictions enforced since the start of the pandemic. Masks still compulsory Wearing of masks in public remains mandatory. It is crime not to comply. Indoor gatherings are limited to 1000 and outdoor gatherings of twice that number are permitted. President Cyril Ramaphosa reacted angrily when Western countries and six African countries closed their borders to South Africans and a number of its neighbours following discovery of the omicron variety. He maintained South Africa was being punished for the excellence of its scientists. As new infections reach record levels in Britain, France, Denmark and the United States, it remains to be seen how they will respond South Africa suddenly easing restrictions. The National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah has told Ghanaians that the E-levy is a sacrifice they must make for the good of the country. Speaking at a meeting with staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Kan-Dapaah said: The extent to which the government can tackle the socio-economic problems of the country very much depends on the revenues at its disposal. Here in Ghana, the E-levy idea continues to divide opinions yet, these are but a few of the sacrifices that the citizenry must, in my opinion, be ready to make to support the governments activity towards reviving the economy and providing much-needed public goods and public services, he said. A few weeks ago, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also said without the proposed 1.75 per cent e-levy in the 2022 budget, the government cannot maintain the existing roads nor build new ones. Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, 15 December 2021, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs said he found it surprising that the Minority Caucus and the opposition NDC are fighting the e-levy. He said the cost of borrowing has escalated and the countrys debt-to-GDP ratio has also risen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so, we must look inward to mobilise resources for the country to develop, to build our roads, to build clinics, health facilities, to build educational facilities, to deliver potable water and one of the ways to do this is by the introduction of e-levy and people say: No, we would not allow you to borrow outside, we will not allow you to also raise revenue from inside this country. So, where are we going? We want development or we dont want development? Do we want our roads to be built or not to be built? he asked. The Suame MP observed that the cost of road construction and road maintenance has escalated over the past 20 years. Why? Because over the past 20 years, the road network of this country has doubled, he answered. When President Kufuor took over the administration of this country, the total road network was 39,000 km. When President Kufuor was leaving the scene, the road network had almost doubled from the 39,000 km, it had increased to 69,000 km within eight years. The NDC assumed the reins of power, they added on to that; from 69,000 km, it went to 73,000 km, an additional increase of 4,000 km. Also, he said President Akufo-Addos first four years increased from 73,000 to 78,000 km. So, over just two decades from the year 2000 to 2021 the road network has increased by more than 100 per cent, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted, adding: We need to maintain them, we need to service them, we need to build new roads. So, from independence up to 2000, we had only 39,000 km [of road]; just 20 years after, its more than doubled to, as we speak today, 79,000 km. We need to maintain them. Where do we have the money to maintain them if we dont mobilise resources from within? Today, as we speak, local road contractors, the government is indebted to them to the tune of about GHS4.5, GHS4.5 billion. Were not having money to pay them, he bemoaned. He added: The e-levy, we are told in fact, the Road Fund contributes something but its not much; the road tolls, yielding altogether about GHS72 million a year. What is it going to do? But, in the meantime, that section of the road where you have the road tolls, often because they stop there, the roads end up being warped and furrowed. So, you have ridges and furrows at that place. So, every year, you have to maintain that portion of the road. Its the GHS78 million that you collect that you are going to use some to even maintain those sections of the road. How much is left? he lamented. The e-levy, we are told, is going to yield about GHS8 billion as opposed to GHS78 million. That will yield enough for us to be able to do the roads. Of course, I do know that its not everything that is going to be used for the construction of roads but if you have GHS8 billion, GHS9 billion from the e-levy, its going to be substantial for you to be able to engage in development programmes and projects. So, the dialogue sessions indicated to us that we needed to do this, he added. classfmonline.com The eve of every New Year is the 31st of December. People, the worldover celebrate this day in varied ways. This celebration is rekindled by the joy from being alive to witness and enter the next year, however, it becomes more intense for persons from all religious and cultural backgrounds when resolutions for that past year is fulfilled. For many Christians, 31st Night is a remarkable moment to aim higher for the next year, and pray for grace and life in the next year. They usually celebrate Christmas from December 24 or earlier, climax it with 31st Night activities, including all night services and continue the celebration on January 1 of the next year. The all night service is normally characterised by prophecies, breakthrough and thanksgiving activities. However, in Ghana, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, in a statement, cautioned the public, especially religious leaders over doomed prophecies on the night, asking them to be measured in their utterances, not to injure the rights of others or public interest. Some people observe the 31st night in the streets, at night clubs, drinking spots and pubs, with family, friends and romantic partners, while children make merry with knockouts and games among others. But the night is mostly hailed by Christians who observe it in churches from around 21:00 hours to 4:00 hours - dawn of the next year, with prayers, singing, well wishing and New Year greetings. Some churches mount billboards on principal streets inviting the public to their all night services, others use social and traditional media. 'Cross Over', 'Jump Over', 'Walk Over', '31st Watch Night Service', 'Run Over', 'Fly Over', 'Cross Over to Recover', 'Passover to Takeover', 'Operation Jabez Crossover', 'Passover Service', 'Restoration Night', 'Swim Over', 'Cry Over', and 'a December To Remember', are some catchphrases for the events. Despite rising cases of COVID-19 across the world, this year's 31st Night ritual will be observed. However, it is only prudent that nations strictly enforce the protocols, especially the facemask wearing as there may be large crowds in churches and other social gatherings. The major concern is the shouting, jumping and movement from one place to the other when people enter the New Year in churches after 12:00 am. In Nigeria, the celebration is not different from that of Ghana, however, in Lagos, a year-end festival known as Lagos Countdown (later renamed One Lagos Fiesta) was first held in 2012, as part of an effort to establish tourism-oriented New Year's festivities more in line with those of other major metropolitan areas. Rwandans mark the night with church activities, family and social gatherings and the President delivers an end-of-year address, which is broadcast live on many radio and television stations. Fireworks were introduced in recent years, with the most significant displays happening at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rebero Hill, Mount Kigali. In South Africa, the nationals vote on a top ten music countdown before December 31 and the song with the most votes plays on all the country's radio stations. They also engage in fireworks and occasional drinking and braais. South Sudanese, during this night, attend church services, which begins at 2100 hours in Juba. At the stroke of midnight, the famous carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is sung to mark the end and beginning of the year with blessings and the service usually ends at 1230 hours in the morning. In Argentina, traditional celebrations including a family dinner of traditional dishes such as vitel tonne, asado, sandwiches de miga, piononos and desserts like turron, mantecol and pan dulce are prepared and enjoyed together. Just before midnight, Argentines flock to the streets to enjoy fireworks and firecrackers and toast champagnes. Brazilians, on the other hand, typically celebrate New Year's Eve known in Portuguese as Ano Novo at large parties hosted by restaurants and clubs; and local traditions determine who opens a bottle of Champagne at midnight. The most prominent public celebration in Brazil is a fireworks display on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, which is one of the world's largest. The New Year's Eve celebration in Chile witnesses the observation of traditional rituals, such as wearing yellow underwear and yellow clothing, said to restore vitality to one's life. Chileans who want to travel walk the streets with a suitcase in hand, others hold money in their hand or place coins at their door for good fortune in the New Year. Families in Costa Rica within this moment, gather around 2000 hours for parties that last until 0100 hours or 0200 hours, the next day. There are several traditions among Costa Rican families, including eating 12 grapes representing 12 wishes for the New Year, and running across the street with luggage to bring new trips and adventures in the upcoming year. According to a TOP Market research agency survey, reported by National Today, 360 million glasses of sparkling wine are consumed each New Year's Eve in the US and 102.1 million people travel in order to reach their New Year's Eve destinations. This year's New Year's Eve is on Friday, but the day will fall on Saturday in 2022, Sunday in 2023, Tuesday in 2024 and Wednesday in 2025. GNA Plainclothes officers in Tunisia's capital on Friday arrested a senior official of the Ennahdha party which played a central role in the country's politics until a power grab by President Kais Saied. The party condemned the arrest of Noureddine Bhiri, a former justice minister and deputy president of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha, as a "dangerous precedent". "Plainclothes agents in two cars arrested Noureddine Bhiri when he was leaving home with his wife" in Tunis, Samir Dilou, a lawyer and former legislator, told AFP. Tunisia was the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring revolts of a decade ago but civil society groups and Saied's opponents have expressed fear of a slide back to authoritarianism a decade after the revolution that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Saied on July 25 sacked the Ennahdha-supported government and suspended parliament, presenting himself as the ultimate interpreter of the constitution. He later took steps to rule by decree, and in early December vowed to press on with reforms to the political system. The former law professor announced an 11-week "popular consultation" to produce "draft constitutional and other reforms" ahead of a referendum next July 25. His opponents have denounced a "coup" and warned against what they see as Saied's wish to settle scores with those he has called "enemies" but never names. Bhiri was "arrested brutally and taken to an unknown destination" Dilou said. Agents also seized the mobile phone of Bhiri's wife Saida Akremi, who is a lawyer, he added. No official source was available to give reasons for the arrest. In a statement, Ennahdha said that Bhiri was being questioned by authorities and denounced "a kidnapping and dangerous precedent marking the country's entry into a tunnel to dictatorship." Ennahdha was the largest party in the legislature suspended by Saied. But political rivalries had blocked ministerial appointments and diverted resources from tackling Tunisia's mounting economic and social problems, leading many in the country to initially welcome the president's power grab. In its statement on Friday, Ennahdha denounced "the liquidation of opponents outside of the legal framework". A Tunisian court last week sentenced in absentia exiled former president Moncef Marzouki, a fierce critic of Saied, to four years in prison. The General Overseer of International Great Word Chapel, Rev Kwaku Oppong Richie has admonished prophets and seers of the various charismatic churches across the country to apply wisdom in their prophetic revelations especially come this evening's watch night services. Rev Oppong sounded the caution in an interview with journalists in Kumasi yesterday with reference to the Ghana Police Service's statement on watch night prophecies and their legal implications on its communicators. He observed that 31st December Watch Night services over the years has been characterised by prophetic communications and spiritual pronouncements which have the tendency to impact negatively on individuals and the nation as a whole and therefore described the directive as "just a precautionary statement and timely advice to spiritual leaders". Rev Oppong indicated that revelations and prophecies of God must be communicated in knowledge and wisdom in order not to put the receiver in a stressful situation nor the revelator in the confines of the law. He cited several instances in the Bible where modified and unpolished prophetic and spiritual utterances and communication have brought many favors as well as severe consequences to God's chosen ones in the past, some of whom were put to death. He said though prophecies are God's unique means of guiding his people through his prophets and seers, yet they must be carried out ethically in order not to incur the wrath of the public or fall prey to the laws of the country. He pointed out that God can speak to his servant at any time and not necessarily on December 31st nights since he is not a time bound deity. Rev. Kweku Oppong admonished his fellows in the prophetic ministry to use the night to help followers reflect on their relationship with God for the passing year and guide them to maintain or strengthen the bond in the coming year. He also entreated Christians to be obsessed with end of year prophetic encounters but endeavour to live exemplary lives to the glory of God and the good of society. The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. (1 Samuel 3:1 NIV). Words matter. The word of the Lord matters the most, and reigns supreme. The word of the Lord is so important and enduring that Jesus made this profound statement: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NIV). Because the word of the Lord is important and enduring, God is careful about whom He chooses to receive and deliver His word or message. For example, God by-passed the high priest Eli and gave a message to the boy Samuel to deliver to Eli. It is believed that Samuel was about 12 years old at that time. The Bible tells us that Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him (1 Samuel 3:7). From a purely human perspective, it would have been much easier and more efficient for God to have communicated the message directly to Eli to avoid hearsay and interpretation or translation problems, but the Omniscient God knew and still knows best. During the reign of Israels King Jeroboam, God gave a man of God or prophet from Judah a message to be delivered in Bethel, a city in Israel where a much older and experienced prophet lived. The prophet from Judah went to Bethel and delivered the message only to be deceived by the older prophet to disobey the Lord which resulted in the premature death of the prophet from Judah (see 1 Kings Chapter 13). Another example of the rarity of visions and Gods word in those days was that, facing an imminent threat of invasion by the Babylonian army, Zedekiah, king of Judah, sent for the prophet Jeremiah, a man he did not particularly like, and asked him, Is there any word from the Lord? There was, but it was bad news for the king because Jeremiah told him that he (the king) would be handed over to the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 37:17 NIV). It is important that the word of the Lord be kept real and not distorted or diluted to suit the preferences or wishes of the messenger or the audience. Because visions and the word of the Lord were rare, generally only few people, notably prophets and priests, had direct, recorded encounters with God. It ensured that the messenger and the message were of high quality, trustworthy, and reliable. And so since the days of Prophet Samuel, there have been intermediaries and spokespersons for God such as prophets Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Malachi, and John the Baptist. The drawback was that many people had to depend on very few people for divine revelations and information. That was then. Later, God revealed to the Prophet Joel who prophesied that, And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-29 NIV). On his part, our Lord Jesus Christ promised his disciples that he would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit who is described variously in different Bible translations as advocate, comforter, counselor or helper (see, for example, John 14:16; John 15:26; and John 16:7). On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter confirmed the fulfilment of Joels prophecy and Jesus promise when the Holy Spirit filled all the apostles, and he further testified to Jesus as the promised savior who was crucified, but God raised him from the dead (see Acts 2:1-25). In addition, the writer of Hebrews states that God spoke through the prophets in the past, but in the latter days, He spoke through His Son, whom He appointed as heir of all things and through whom He made the universe (see Hebrews 1:1-4). Gods messages or revelations come to His children in different ways. After Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal by causing fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, he fled from Jezebel because the queen wanted to kill him. As a way to reassure Elijah, God wanted to reveal Himself to him. God caused a great wind, earthquake, and fire, one after the other, but God was not in any of them. In the end, God revealed himself in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:9-12 NIV). Therefore, it is not always through the dramatic or fanfare that the voice of the Lord is heard or the presence of the Lord is felt. Nor is the word of the Lord revealed or proclaimed only through persons with high-sounding titles, the biggest microphones, the best media platforms, or the largest audience. God has opened the floodgates of heaven and poured His Holy Spirit on all who, by His grace, are deemed worthy to receive him. The word of the Lord must reach the worlds population of about 6.5 billion people living in the 197 countries recognized by the United Nations, and spread across 7 continents. Can you imagine the world with the population of this size and number of countries without the Bible or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us with the word of God, and where only one or few people may be hearing from and speaking for God? However, what is of utmost importance is that whoever speaks for God, must speak from God. As John the Baptist said concerning Jesus, the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God. (John 3:34 NIV). Therefore, if any person purports to speak for God, the message must be inspired by the Holy Spirit and consistent with the teachings of the Bible. In time past, the word of the Lord was rare and there were not many visions. God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, changed that situation. Today, the word of the Lord is abundant and accessible, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the Bible, to all who present themselves as worthy instruments to be used by God to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. God is careful about whom He chooses to receive and deliver His word. However, as a Christian, the Apostle Peter says you are a member of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a people belonging to God. (See 1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, count yourself worthy as a potential recipient of Gods word and as a messenger to deliver it wherever you are and beyond. At the same time, we should listen carefully for the voice of the Lord; we might hear it. In the midst of a cacophony of voices in and outside of the Church by many people who profess to hear from and speak for the Lord, we need to discern and look for the gentle whisper, or the still small voice, of the Almighty God. In that respect, maybe the real word of the Lord is still rare. Prayer is the key. May God grant us the grace to seek Him daily through our prayers. Dr. Daniel Gyebi, Attorney-at-Law, Texas, U.S.A., and Founder, PrayerHouse Ministry, Kumasi, Ghana. PrayerHouse Ministry is dedicated to providing a quiet facility for Christians to pray individually by themselves without any intermediary priest, pastor or any other person. This is a free service. No money is demanded or accepted. One facility is located at Kyerekrom / Fumesua, near Building and Road Research Institute Offices, one mile off the Kumasi-Accra Road and next to a house called Grace Castle. If you are interested, please contact Agnes at 054-7498653. Another is located at Kantinkyiren, at the junction of Kantinkyiren and Konkori, off the Kumasi-Obuasi Road, branching left at Trede junction. Contact Kwadwo at 020-8768461 / 0246-989413. Some 178 teachers drawn from 356 Catholic Schools, from the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese (NBD), have been given a three-day training on Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults. The workshop which was participated by ten health workers from Catholic Health Centres was organized by the Diocese with sponsorship from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). This was disclosed by the Acting Regional Manager of Catholic Educational Unit, Rev. Sister Bernadine Permi, in an interview with this reporter in Bolgatanga, on efforts being made by the Catholic Church to promote child protection in schools and communities. She said the aim of the workshop was to train each teacher per school as a safeguarding representative in that particular school which will a point of contact for a child or vulnerable adult. Rev Permi indicated that the participants were taken through the concrete steps in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, shared real stories they encountered in their various schools and communities. She added that, when they come across such a situation in school, a report must first be made to the designated representative in the school before it gets to the child protection team and finally to the child unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES). Some of the participants also expressed their joy at the things they learnt from the workshop and lauded the Diocese for organizing such an insightful programme for them. The General Manager of the Catholic Educational Unit, Araba Bentum, who was present at the workshop expressed joy. She charged teachers to take care of children entrusted to them in their various schools both Catholic and non-Catholic schools. She further urged them to spread what they have learnt to all stakeholders so as to create awareness. She added that corporal punishment should also be avoided in training our children both in schools and at home. The General Manager advised parents to try and provide the needs of their children and the vulnerable to prevent them from falling into temptation. Mrs. Bentum recommended that the training workshop be replicated in all the dioceses across the country. Ethiopia is set to lose key trading privileges in the United States on 1 January over rights concerns, despite a last-minute push backed by members the Ethiopian diaspora who warn that Washington could lose a key ally. On 2nd November, US President Joe Biden announced the removal of Ethiopia - a longtime US partner and the continent's second most populous country - from the African Growth and Opportunity Act as he pointed to "gross violations" in the year-old war with Tigrayan rebels. The government in Addis Ababa has lobbied hard against the move that takes effect from New Year's Day and estimates that one million jobs have been supported directly or indirectly by the law, which grants duty-free access for most goods since the year 2000. The chairs of the Senate and House subcommittees on Africa both urged Biden in a letter to reconsider the "abrupt" move, saying that a recent rebel retreat provided an opening for diplomacy. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Karen Bass, both members of Biden's Democratic Party wrote: "We are concerned that suspension of AGOA benefits will be counterproductive and disproportionately harm the most vulnerable Ethiopians without contributing to the cessation of hostilities." "Furthermore, this decision invites China to strengthen its economic foothold in the Horn of Africa." Van Hollen and Bass both represent constituencies with hubs of Ethiopian-Americans, a community estimated at anywhere from 250,000 to one million strong that has increasingly flexed political muscle over the war. Mesfin Tegenu, chairman of the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, acknowledged Biden was unlikely to reverse the decision before 1 January but said the president could readmit Ethiopia "with a stroke of a pen." He described Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government as "the most pro-Western the country has ever had" and said ending trade privileges was only inviting China to expand its influence in Africa and has made a point of criticizing Biden's decision. Wider US concerns for Africa Meanwhile, Biden also removed coup-hit Mali and Guinea from the AGOA pact. In announcing the decision, the administration said the three countries could re-enter if they address those concerns. Ethiopian's Prime Minisetr Abiy Ahmed launched an offensive in November 2021 as the Tigray People's Liberation Front, once a dominant force in Ethiopia, attacked army position. The TPLF rebels made significant advances this year, threatening to march on the capital Addis Ababa but by 20th of December they had withdrawn back to their Tigray stronghold, with the government promising no further advance. But US concerns go beyond reaching a ceasefire in the wake of wide reports of mass killings, sexual violence and hunger in the conflict that has left thousands dead. The United States, as well as the United Nations and rights groups, say the Ethiopian government has deliberately hindered aid delivery to northern regions where millions face famine-like conditions. But many in the Ethiopian diaspora remain convinced of bias against Abiy, who was elected in 2018 on promises of unity and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Some religious leaders in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, have expressed high hopes of leading their congregants to receive God's blessings for the new year. Pastor Emmanuel Agbenu, an associate pastor of the Abor Branch of the King's Voice Ministries International, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that God's plan for enlarging His church would be made manifest in the coming year. He said it was also his hope that the oppressed shall see the glory of God and that "God will enlarge your house, build an addition as stated in Isaiah 54:2-3," he said. He also told the GNA in an interview that Christians must have faith in God and remain faithful to Him regardless of their challenges, "so the new year would bring to us abundant joy and blessings." Apostle RDK Dovor, Leader and Founder of the Apostolic Vision Church International, during a visit, revealed that his church was ready for the crossover night after days of some religious activities to usher in the new year. He said the night would be full of music, prayers, and special anointing service to welcome the new year. Prophet Julius Ajavon, Founder of Christ Salvation Church of all Nations at Akatsi, assured members of the general public of experiencing God's power for the night. "Tonight would be for those who have faith in God for deliverance and salvation," he said. He appealed to members of the public to turn away from false prophets but look up unto God for His voice only. A tour by the GNA to most churches in the Akatsi township saw some church workers going through the various forms of decorations ahead of their crossover night. Some were seen doing their annual end of year fasting and prayer activities ahead of the night. Reverend Femmy Dzifa Tetevi, the Akatsi District Pastor of the Lord's Pentecostal Church International, said his church would climax their seven day fasting and prayer revival tonight with an anointing and thanksgiving service to welcome the new year. Some other churches the GNA visited include, Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, Global Evangelical Church, the Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God Church, the Apostolic Church, the Church of Conquerors International, Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Chruch, and others. They were all seen to be ready for the night's encounter. The GNA also observed that fashion designers as well as some boutiques were busily engaging customers and clients for their services. On the Covid-19 situation, Dr George Nyarko, the Akatsi South Municipal Director of Health Services, charged all religious leaders to comply with the safety standards due to the current surge of the virus in the country. Churches, the GNA visited, disclosed they have in place all the necessary equipment for ensuring members comply with directives. However, some say tents would be mounted outside their auditoriums due to the large crowd to be expected. Last year, most churches in Akatsi South did not record any issue of theft during their crossover night. Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, assured the general public of safety and intact security for the night. GNA Reverend David Biney, the Cape Coast Circuit Area Head Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI), has urged Christians to be appreciative to God for taking them through the challenges that confronted them in 2021. He said Covid-19 alone was enough reason for Christians to be grateful for the graciousness of God and be motivated that He would carry them through 2022 and the years ahead. Rev. Biney in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast, said the pandemic caused a lot of mayhem across the globe and urged Christians not to relax as the days of hardship were not over yet. The Cape Coast Area Head Pastor noted that many countries including; Ghana suffered setbacks due to the pandemic and prayed that 2021 would be a time to start the healing process. Referring to "Exodus 13: 7", he admonished Christians to take inspiration from how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt. He said, "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel smoothly." He urged Christians to be prayerful and acknowledge God's presence even in the midst of problems that may confront them in 2022. Rev. Biney, encouraged Christians to rejoice and be happy despite the COVID-19 pandemic and pray for a renewed New Year, saying "do not hold unto the things of the past". He urged Christians to renew their hearts and let go of the past and focus on the New Year with hope and enthusiasm. GNA 31.12.2021 LISTEN After all the well-choreographed and well-staged credibility crisis management Conference and well-paid media hype, the fact still remains that, Alan Kyerematen, a founding member of the NPP, who for the sake of unity and peace, willingly and magnanimously conceded victory to Nana Addo at 2007 Legon Conference, when Nana Addo couldnt make the required 50%+1, is the undisputed leading presidential aspirant in the run up to the NPP presidential primary, with bulk of his support chiefly coming from the grassroots. Yenim no firi tete they say! No wonder thousands of delegates from across the country walked for him on the streets of Kumasi on the day of the conference. They just love him, and see him as the one with the magic wand to industrialize Ghana to chase unemployment to the fringes. Not only that, they also see him as the one who has the political maturity and experience to unite and rebuild the party after the Congress, to make it more attractive and stronger for victory in 2024. The common mantra often heard at the grassroots is Its Alans Time Indeed, it is his time to lead the party he penned his signature for its formation. Even more significantly, Alan Kyerematen is currently the only candidate who can win massive votes for the NPP in the two most significant political regions in Ghana, namely Ashanti Region and Central Region, because of his Ashanti-Fante connection. If the NPP can win the Ashanti Region and Central Region votes massively like never before in 2024, victory would be assured. The good people of the Ashanti Region and Central Region would certainly prefer a president to a vice-president. The NDC have always targeted 30% of the Ashanti Region votes and, 2024, wouldnt be different. They believe that with 30% of Ashanti votes, they can easily win the presidential election. And, there is no gainsaying that, with Alan Cash as NPP's candidate, they cant even make 20%. Of all the potential aspirants, Alan Cash is the one who can inspire a mammoth voter turnout in favor of the NPP in the region. This cant be disputed by any objective political analyst. You can call the Central Region The Region of Political Swing and Mystery. The region is the most swing region in the country. Besides, since 1992, no political party has succeeded in winning the presidential election to form government without winning the presidential votes in the region. The regions political mystery became even more apparent in the 2020 elections. In the elections, the NPP performed woefully in the parliamentary elections. They shockingly lost 9 seats to the NDC, but surprisingly won the presidential votes. Simply put, winning the regions presidential election votes has inexplicably become a precondition for winning the general election. Obviously, it is not for nothing that the NDC, since 1992, have always had someone from the region on their ticket, either as presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate. Perhaps they know something we are yet to discover. A mystery region indeed! Not only that, Alan Kyerematen can also win for the party massive votes from the 71.2% Christian Community in Ghana than his main competitor, Alhaji Bawumia. One doesnt need to be Einstein to know and understand this. This needs no debate. Every political party would necessarily need the Christian votes to win the presidential election in the country. That Community, with its 71.2% population, is simply indispensable. Perhaps we need to ask Nana Addo why he chose The Battle is the Lords as his campaign slogan. Again, Alan Kyerematen stands a better chance of rallying the youth behind him than his main competitor because of his track record in job creation, vision, message and his consistent political slogan Jobs for the People, Cash for the People It is often said that sweet talks dont put money into ones pocket; only jobs do. Ghanaian youth need two things Job and money. And, who can better assure them these two needs than Alan Cash. The youth would trust his promise because he has a good long-standing job creation track record to back his words. You can say he has not been tagged a liar, so, the youth wouldnt find it difficult to trust him. Trust is key in politics. Besides, we all know for a fact that Alan Kyerematen is the Ghanaian women's man. They love him to the hilt, particularly the traders and market women. A very few women wouldnt want an intelligent, humble, hardworking, well-behaved, trustworthy man with a towering personality. This is undisputable. He stands a better chance of rallying the women behind him for massive victory than his main competitors in 2024. Added to the above, he stands a better chance of rallying the Business Community behind the party for victory. It is a common knowledge that, as a result of covid and, other related factors, the Business Community in the country is going through turbulent times. Therefore, who becomes the next president is of utmost importance to them. That is where Alan Kyerematen, a business-oriented cum practical economist comes in with his unique expertise and leadership qualities. Undoubtedly, he has got what it would take, in terms of vision and policy direction, to inspire hope and confidence in that all-important community. Simply put, Alan Kyerematen is the only candidate that can get us the numbers from the various dominant groups or communities to win the 2024 elections. It is highly unthinkable to suggest or claim otherwise. Politics is a game of numbers! Therefore, the best way to look at it, is to look at it from comparative advantage perspective. That is why I want to ask the Tolon MP, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, who told the Northerners to vote for Dr. Bawumia because he is a Northerner and Muslim, this question: In terms of numbers, what advantage would the NPP have over the NDC for presenting Dr. Bawumia as the partys candidate? The NDC, already have a superior advantage over the NPP in the North and the Muslim Community. In the last elections, they beat the NPP squarely in the North and Muslim Community. In fact, the NPP lost in all the Zongos in the country, despite providing them with Zongo Development Fund, Zongo Development Ministry and Zongo Vice President. So, what advantage would Dr. Bawumia personally bring? Thats a question for reflection! Shalom shalom! E. G. Buckman The goods and services tax (GST) council on Friday decided to defer the hike on textiles to 12% following objections from state governments and industry. The proposal intended to hike the GST rate on apparel 12% from 5% from 1 January 2022. The current GST rate of 5% in the textiles sector would continue beyond 1 January 2022. Briefing media after the GST council meeting, finance minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman says, A Committee under the convenorship of Karnataka chief minister (CM) Basavaraj S Bommai looks after the rate rationalisation of GST. In todays meeting, it was decided that textiles will again be put before the committee along with other items. The committee will submit its report by February next year, and it would be circulated to all the members. The committees report will be discussed in the GST meeting in March. Recommendations of 46th GST Council Meeting Existing GST rates in textile sector to continue beyond 1st January, 2022 Read more https://t.co/gi4ewvwk7d https://t.co/TqAAja0had Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) December 31, 2021 According to the minister, the textiles Industry felt that there could be a temptation not to enter the formalised system. The immediate pressure could mean that some may go into the informal way of doing business, she says. The 46th meeting of the GST council was a brief meeting with only one agenda itemto reconsider the decision taken during by the council in September 2021. The meeting was triggered by a letter sent by the finance minister of Gujarat to Ms Sitharaman, the Union finance minister. The September 2021 decision was taken more in the process of correcting inversion in the tax structure. Since 2019, the GST council has considered such correction in the inverted duty structure in approximately 10 items, she added. According to Bimal Jain, Chair of IDT (indirect taxes) Committee PHDCCI, the postponement will give the sector much-needed impetus and support. A large number of small and medium scale taxpayers were worried about the proposal to hike GST rates. This decision of the GST council is in the right direction. It is advisable to build confidence among traders before hiking GST rates in future. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also hailed the decision. Furthermore, the Confederation urged postponement of the decision to increase the GST rate on footwear. Additionally, the Confederation said that it has been more than four years since the implementation of GST and till now, GST has not become a stable tax system. GST portal is also not working properly. Contrary to expectations, GST has turned out to be a very complex tax system due to huge anomalies in the tax system, CAIT says in a statement. "Oh, the weather outside is frightful." That's it. End of song. A winter storm bearing down on the Midwest is expected to move into west-central Illinois late tonight or early Saturday. Unless the path changes, it will leave up to a quarter-inch of ice and several inches of snow in Jacksonville before scooting to the east. Northern areas might see more snowfall with the potential for 6 inches or more falling in Macomb and to the north. Rain will move into the Jacksonville region late tonight, with winds picking up speed Saturday morning as rain changes to freezing rain and sleet by about 2 p.m. Saturday and then to snow, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature will fall to near 27 degrees by evening, with winds of 10 to 17 mph gusting as high as 23 mph. Ice accumulation is forecast at 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch with about 1 to 2 inches of snow possible, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters at AccuWeather put total accumulation in Jacksonville closer to between 2 and 4 inches. If that's not enough to dampen the "happy" part of "Happy New Year," let's talk about the cold that will accompany the storm. The low Saturday night will drop into the single digits. Combined with the sharp winds, it will create a wind chill of minus 15 degrees enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin within 15 minutes. Sunday will be sunnier, but still cold. The high Sunday will be about 16 with an overnight low of 8. Strong northwest winds will keep wind chills below zero. Although frigid, temperatures won't be record-breakers. That honor goes to 2018 and 1974, when the overnight lows were minus 13 without factoring in the wind chill. The record high for a New Year's Day, by the way, was 61 degrees in 1905, with a normal high and low of 37 and 22 degrees. The snowfall, although uncommon for a Jan. 1 National Weather Service records say there has been at least an inch of snowfall that day just 31 of the past 121 years won't make it the snowiest New Year's Day (6 inches fell in 1999). A winter storm watch has been issued for Saturday for Morgan, Cass, Schuyler and Scott counties. "Travel could be very difficult from snow and ice, with slippery road conditions developing Saturday morning and continuing through Saturday night," according to the National Weather Service. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski calls it a "travel-halting" storm that will affect at least 18 states from the southwestern United States to the Midwest and parts of Canada. "This will be a massive storm in terms of the areal coverage of 3-8 inches of snow in the central United States that includes Chicago and many other hubs," AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno added. Areas south of Jacksonville are expected to see more of a wintry mix than snow on Saturday, but still are likely to have issues with icy roads and bone-chilling temperatures. Monday shows some promise, with daytime temperatures reaching back into the high 30s. Sonora, CA After having interim officials in the role over the past two years, the Tuolumne County Supervisors are set to hire a new Public Health Officer. Mariposa Countys full-time Public Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko has also been filling the interim role recently in Tuolumne County while the Board of Supervisors sought candidates. Former Health Officer Dr. Robert Bernstein was dismissed in February of 2020. Dr. Sergienko then stepped in as Interim Health Officer for a couple of months during the start of the COVID pandemic, followed by Dr. Liza Ortiz in the interim position from April to September of 2020, and then it was Dr. Sergienko once again until the present time. The Tuolumne Supervisors will vote on Tuesday to hire Dr. Kimberly Freeman as the new permanent replacement. Dr. Freemans hiring would be effective April 19 of 2022 and pay an annual starting salary of $230,800. Dr. Freeman has a Bachelors Degree from Stanford University and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, in Fresno. The meeting documents note that Dr. Freeman is a Chief Operations Officer (COO) for an Indian Health community clinic, emergency medical services (EMS) Medical Director for the Manteca division of the Manteca District Ambulance Service, and the Medical Director for Tuolumne County EMS Agency. The Public Health Officer implements local health orders and ordinances, provides public health leadership in the county, responds to public health emergencies, informs the board of supervisors on community health issues and serves as a point of contact for community leaders seeking expert advice on health issues. A vote on appointing Dr. Freeman will take place during Tuesdays 9am meeting. Parents selling children shows desperation of Afghanistan View Photo SHEDAI CAMP, Afghanistan (AP) In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter. Aziz Guls husband sold their 10-year-old into marriage without telling his wife, taking a down-payment so he could feed his family of five children. Otherwise, he told her, they would all starve. He had to sacrifice one to save the rest. Many of Afghanistans growing number of destitute people are making such desperate decisions as their nation spirals into a vortex of poverty. Afghanistans aid-dependent economy was already teetering when the Taliban seized power in mid-August amid a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The international community froze Afghanistans assets abroad and halted funding, unwilling to work with a Taliban government given its reputation for brutality during its previous rule 20 years ago. The consequences have been devastating for a country battered by war, drought and the coronavirus pandemic. State employees havent been paid in months. Malnutrition stalks the most vulnerable, and aid groups say more than half the population faces acute food shortages. Day by day, the situation is deteriorating in this country, and especially children are suffering, said Asuntha Charles, national director of the World Vision aid organization in Afghanistan, which runs a health clinic for displaced people near the western city of Herat. Today I have been heartbroken to see that the families are willing to sell their children to feed other family members. Arranging marriages for very young girls is common in the region. The grooms family pays money to seal the deal, and the child usually stays with her parents until she is at least around 15. Yet with many unable to afford even basic food, some say theyd allow prospective grooms to take very young girls or are even trying to sell their sons. Gul, unusually in this deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society, is resisting. Married off herself at 15, she says she would kill herself if her daughter, Qandi Gul, is taken away. When her husband told her he had sold Qandi, my heart stopped beating. I wished I could have died at that time, but maybe God didnt want me to die, Gul said, with Qandi by her side peering shyly from beneath her sky-blue headscarf. Each time I remember that night I die and come back to life. Her husband told her he sold one to save the others, saying they all would have died otherwise. Dying was much better than what you have done, she said she told him. Gul rallied her brother and village elders and with their help secured a divorce for Qandi, on condition she repays the 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000) her husband received. Its money she doesnt have. Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to authorities. The Taliban government recently banned forced marriages. Gul says she isnt sure how long she can fend off the family of the prospective groom, a man of around 21. I am just so desperate. If I cant provide money to pay these people and cant keep my daughter by my side, I have said that I will kill myself, she said. But then I think about the other children. What will happen to them? Who will feed them? Her eldest is 12, her youngest her sixth just two months. In another part of the camp, father-of-four Hamid Abdullah was also selling his young daughters into arranged marriages, desperate for money to treat his chronically ill wife, pregnant with their fifth child. He cant repay money he borrowed to fund his wifes treatments, he said. So three years ago, he received a down-payment for his eldest daughter Hoshran, now 7, in an arranged marriage to a now 18-year-old. The family who bought Hoshran are waiting until she is older before settling the full amount and taking her. But Abdullah needs money now, so he is trying to arrange a marriage for his second daughter, 6-year-old Nazia, for about 20,000-30,000 afghanis ($200-$300). We dont have food to eat, and he cant pay his wifes doctor, he said. His wife, Bibi Jan, said they had no other option but it was a difficult decision. When we made the decision, it was like someone had taken a body part from me. In neighboring Badghis province, another displaced family is considering selling their son, 8-year-old Salahuddin. His mother, Guldasta, said that after days with nothing to eat, she told her husband to take Salahuddin to the bazaar and sell him to bring food for the others. I dont want to sell my son, but I have to, the 35-year-old said. No mother can do this to her child, but when you have no other choice, you have to make a decision against your will. Salahuddin blinked and looked on silently, his lip quivering slightly. His father, Shakir, blind in one eye and with kidney problems, said the children had been crying for days from hunger. Twice he decided to take Salahuddin to the bazaar, and twice he faltered. But now I think I have no other choice. Buying boys is believed to be less common than girls, and when it does take place, it appears to be cases families without sons buying infants. In her despair, Guldasta thought perhaps such a family might want an 8-year-old. The desperation of millions is clear as more and more people face hunger, with some 3.2 million children under 5 years old facing acute malnutrition, according to the U.N. Charles, World Visions national director for Afghanistan, said humanitarian aid funds are desperately needed. Im happy to see the pledges are made, she said. But the pledges shouldnt stay as promises, they have to be seen as reality on the ground. ____ Abdul Qahar Afghan in Shedai Camp, Afghanistan, and Rahim Faiez in Islamabad contributed to this report. ___ Follow Becatoros on Twitter on: https://twitter.com/ElenaBec By ELENA BECATOROS Associated Press DENVER (AP) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday shortened the prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years, drastically reducing his original 110-year term that drew widespread outrage. The decision on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis. The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years. Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges in the explosive 2019 pileup that killed four people. Aguilera-Mederos testified that he was hauling lumber when the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. His truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction crash and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway. Judge Bruce Jones imposed the 110-year sentence on Dec. 13 after finding it was the mandatory minimum term set forth under state law, noting it would not have been his choice. Prosecutors had argued that as Aguilera-Mederos truck barreled down from the mountains, he could have used a runaway ramp alongside the interstate that is designed to safely stop vehicles that have lost their brakes. District Attorney Alexis King said Thursday she was disappointed with the governors decision. She said it was premature and went against the wishes of the surviving victims and families who lost loved ones, who wanted to have the judge who oversaw the trial determine the appropriate sentence. We are meeting with the victims and their loved ones this evening to support them in navigating this unprecedented action and to ensure they are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect during this difficult time, she said in a statement. The crash killed 24-year-old Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 67-year-old William Bailey, 61-year-old Doyle Harrison and 69-year-old Stanley Politano. In a letter to Aguilera-Mederos explaining his decision, Polis said that while he was not blameless in the crash, the 110-year sentence was disproportionate when compared with inmates who committed intentional, premeditated or violent crimes. The governor said the case would hopefully spur a discussion about sentencing laws, but he noted any future changes would not help Aguilera-Mederos. There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now, Polis wrote. State officials told the public Thursday a broker who had promised millions of at home COVID-19 test kits had misrepresented their availability despite the state having a purchase order and a contract. We were shown pictures, said Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. We were told aircraft was loaded. These were misrepresentations to us. Juthani and Gov. Ned Lamont tried to reassure the public that the state would continue its search for the test kits which have skyrocketed in demand this holiday week. The kits may be available as soon as several days from now. Bear with us while we scour the globe, Lamont said. I think we got a little ahead of ourselves to tell you the truth. We all thought the tests were in the plane, Lamont said. I think in hindsight we probably should have said off the record, you may be able to plan for this, but we cant announce this yet. State officials had the difficult job Wednesday of telling 169 municipalities that the kits had been delayed after many of them had quickly devised distribution plans. House Republican leader Vincent Candelora sharply criticized the administration. The entire state of Connecticut was misled by the governors office on Monday at a time when information and data is critical. At this point, we need to trust, but verify, everything that comes out of that office.,' Candelora told The Hartford Courant. Apparently now, the gig is up. To hold a teleconference yesterday and telling everybody that theyre delayed in shipping is potentially an outright fabrication. Im guarding my comments right now. But if, in fact, the state of Connecticut never had a contract for these test kits and mislead the entire state of Connecticut, they really have some explaining to do,' he said. We wanted confirmation But while many towns and cities had to cancel plans for Thursday and Friday, some mayors held off on announcing plans and opted to wait until the kits were in the state. Wallingford Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. was among those who held back on any public announcement. As soon we were aware they were being shipped from out of state any timetable becomes suspect, Dickinson said. We dont have those shipping details, plus weather details. We dont like to issue several different messages on one event. It can cause confusion. Dickinson met with Wallingford Health Director Stephen Civitelli and head of Emergency Services Joe Czentnar and police soon after Lamont announced Monday that test kits would be available prior to New Years Eve. They outlined a distribution plan but there were many variables involved, including that the kits still had to be flown to Bradley International Airport and delivered. We discussed what we were going to do, Dickinson said. But we couldnt put any finishing touches on it. We wanted confirmation that the test kits were in North Haven. Other municipal leaders crafted detailed distribution plans for Thursday and Friday that had to be scrapped when state officials announced delivery was delayed and the kits were still on the West Coast. The goal was to get much needed test kits in the hands of people before New Years Eve celebrations. Instead, Lamont announced millions of masks available for distribution and called on people to be careful on New Years Eve. Shifting events Meriden had a distribution plan in place that involved workers from the citys police, fire, public health and public works departments. Next time, the city will do things differently, said Mayor Kevin Scarpati, who said the biggest challenge was anticipating the volume of cars and people who would turn out. It will allow us more time to plan, Scarpati said about the delay. We reacted very quickly to allow for distribution within 72 hours. Without knowing when the test kits will eventually be distributed, Scarpati said the citys plan will be significantly different next time. The city will probably change the location from Mill Street downtown, and possibly add another location. The hours would also change to accommodate working people. But the delayed shipment is just another example of shifting events during the pandemic, Scarpati said. Each municipality could have held off, Scarpati said. Thats what were going to do for this next round. Its no one persons fault. This is par for the course with COVID. Its been going on since March of 2020. Meridens Health and Human Services Director Lea Crown agreed that one of the important lessons learned with COVID-19 is the need for flexibility. The biggest challenge to setting up a quick distribution effort was communicating the citys plan during a holiday week when many staff are out of the office. We were asked to get them out as quickly as possible since the test kits were a short term solution to curbing the spread of COVID-19 around the holidays, Crown said in an email. As soon as the distribution was announced on Monday, Meriden's team of Police, Fire, Health, Public Works, and Parks starting putting plans into place in anticipation of an early morning Thursday delivery and mid-Thursday distribution. Southington had planned a two-day distribution event on Thursday and Friday that was canceled. If we are forced to cancel tomorrows event we will reschedule as soon as the state can clearly confirm when our allotment will take place, according to a statement from the town of Southington. Residents are asked to monitor the city and town websites and social media pages for updates on mask distribution and test-kit distribution. mgodin@record-journal.com Click here to read the full article. 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. HOBART, Ind. (AP) Someone fired about five gunshots inside a northwest Indiana shopping mall Thursday but no one was injured, police said. Police were called about 11:20 a.m. after multiple reports of gunshots near an upper level food court inside the Southlake Mall in Hobart. Instagram / universityhealthsa As San Antonians look ahead to the new year, University Health and local officials want to make sure residents stay safe in the midst of a COVID-19 surge. Dr. Bryan Alsip of University Health was joined by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Sheriff Javier Salazar, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg during a Friday press conference dedicated to concerns of the extremely-transmissible omicron variant. Local leaders are asking that San Antonio residents do their part to protect themselves and others against the coronavirus, particularly to avoid a crisis in the citys health care system. Given that the reminder comes on New Years Eve, officials are asking residents to pass on the usual New Years Eve parties and other celebratory events. The happiest of Happy New Years, dear readers! [sounds of confetti, noisemakers, champagne corks popping, etc.] lambert Orchid hunting has come a long way. In 5 steps you can join a national research effort The Conversation Rascal dog lures rookie cop into Oklahoma lake under pretense of needing rescue Fort Worth Star-Telegram Cats caused more than 100 house fires in the past 3 years, South Korea officials say CNN. For pitys sake, give the cats what they want! Drugmaker Teva fueled opioid addiction in New York, jury finds Reuters Tesla undertakes its largest-ever voluntary vehicle recall FT 475,000. The total is comparable to the 499,550 vehicles that Tesla delivered in 2020. Didnt Musk who has been looking oddly bloated, recently, and has taken to wearing some sort of dead animal on his head unload a lot of stock recently? A Robot For the Worst Job in the Warehouse IEEE Spectrum Humanitys Final Arms Race: UN Fails to Agree on Killer Robot Ban Common Dreams #COVID19 MTA Suspends 2 Train Lines Because Of COVID-Linked Staff Shortage Patch New York City China? Myanmar India UK/EU New Cold War Biden Administration The crack public relations team in the West Wing seems not to undestand that deaths lag cases, and reported deaths lag actual deaths: Omicron cases are on the rise, but its clear that vaccines and boosters are making a difference. Vaccines and boosters help prevent severe illness and death if you havent already, go get your vaccine and booster. pic.twitter.com/w6KL27VKrL The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 30, 2021 Although they do understand a sketchy y-axis! Reading Defense Contractor Ads Bracing Views Supply Chain Health Care Our Famously Free Press Democrats en Deshabille Realignment and Legitimacy The Pentagon has streamlined the process for sending National Guard troops into DC Military Times (Re Silc). Feral Hog Watch A rogue wild boar charged at a surfer on the water in Hawaii San Francisco Chronicle New Years Pre-Game Festivities Class Warfare NASA Paid Priests to Figure Out How to Deal With Aliens The Byte (Re Silc). Dont forget to declare income from stolen goods and illegal activities, IRS says NBC. News you can use! Antidote du jour (via): Mr. Onion. For those who gave a Lego set, or got one: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. This forms part of a growing trend in which bankers and central bankers are taking up positions of influence within government beyond their traditional bailiwicks. The Boris Johnson government is on the verge of appointing senior banker Richard Meddings as the new chair of NHS England, with a brief to push through changes in the way the service operates as well as reduce surging waiting lists. Meddings appointment means that two of the top roles in the UKs public health service are now occupied by former bankers: Meddings as the head of NHS England and Savid Javid as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Javid made a name for himself structuring emerging market synthetic CDOs for JP Morgan Chase and later Deutsche Bank. His deputy in the Department of Health and Social Care is Edward Argar, who previously worked as head of public affairs for Europe at outsourcing giant Serco, which has benefited hugely from COVID-related contracts awarded by the current government. Meddings appointment to the helm of NHS England forms part of a disturbing new trend in which senior bankers and central bankers are taking up positions of influence within government beyond their traditional bailiwicks of banking, finance and economics. It was bad enough when Wall Street and City of London financiers would seamlessly flit from the C-suites of global banks to the top jobs in central banking and national treasury departments; now theyre taking up senior roles in health, culture and other areas. The current chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation is Richard Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker. Sharps predecessor in the role was David Celementi, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England. Before joining the BBC, Sharp had served as an advisor to the UKs Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak, another former Goldman banker who is now strongly tipped to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister. In Italy, the government is already being led by a Goldman alum, Mario Draghi, who was chosen as prime minister in early 2021 despite the fact he has never been elected to public office in his life. Draghi is now being floated as the frontrunner to succeed Sergio Mattarella as Italys president early next year, a role the former ECB chairman appears to be happy to fill. My personal destiny is of no importance, Draghi said at his end-of-year press conference. I have no particular ambitions. I am, if you like, a grandfather in the service of the institutions. The question is: which institutions? No Previous Experience Required Unlike his predecessor in the top job at NHS England, Lord David Prior, a Conservative peer who had previously served as a health minister and chaired two NHS hospital trusts, Meddings does not appear to have any previous experience in the health service at all. He is not a complete stranger to government, however, having served as a non-executive director of the Treasury. But Meddings most prominent roles are in the private sector, including as non-executive director at Credit Suisse, where he chaired the banks Audit and Risk Committees in the lead up to the Archegos Scandal; and as chairman of mid-sized lender TSB. Meddings has unrivalled business experience and will bring an outsiders eye to the NHS, an unnamed source told the Daily Telegraph, adding: We cant have business as usual when it comes to the health service. Reform is needed to deliver an NHS that serves patients for years to come. The government is apparently also anxious to identify a heavyweight from the private sector with experience in digital and data, in order to help the NHS make better use of technologies. As I reported in my August 20 article, Going, Going, Almost Gone: UK Government Speeds Up Privatisation of National Health System, the NHS recently found itself in hot water due to its misuse of patient data: Managers at NHS Digital came up with an ingenious plan to digitise and share up to 55 million patients private heath data with just about anyone who is willing to pay for it. That data includes sensitive information on physical, mental and sexual health, as well as gender, ethnicity, criminal records and history of abuse. It could even include a patients drug or alcohol history. The NHS Digital managers kindly allowed patients to opt out of the scheme; they just didnt bother telling them about it until weeks before the deadline, presumably because millions of patients opting out of the scheme would have meant less money for the NHS. When the FT finally broke the story, a scandal erupted. NHS Digital officials have since scrapped the scheme, saying they now want to focus on reaching out to patients and reassuring them their data is safe. That may be easier said that done given recent revelations that more than 40 pharmaceutical, consultancy and data companies worldwide have already had access to UK hospital data and medical records for years. Those companies include McKinsey & Company, KPMG, Novavax, AstraZeneca, marketing firm Experian and a data company co-founded by the Sackler family, who made billions of dollars selling OxyContin, an opiate painkiller stronger than morphine. The Right Man for the Job? In September, NHS Digital courted further controversy when it emerged that the division had been using undisclosed companies to analyse facial data for the NHS App, which has become the easiest means of accessing the NHS certificate proving an individuals Covid-19 vaccination status. NHS- digital arm has refused to publish the contracts it has signed with private companies subcontracted to manage the application and the data it generates. The NHS also appears to be sharing some of the facial recognition data it collects with law enforcement bodies. Clearly, there is ample room for improvement in the way the NHS manages the data of its 55 million patients. The question is whether or not Richard Meddings is the right man to lead the way, given his previous role as former Chairman of the British midsized lender TSB. In that role he helped oversee the banks bungled effort to transfer all of its users data to a new computer system, which caused weeks of chaos for hundreds of thousands of customers, some of whom were exposed to fraud attacks, and ended up being branded as the biggest IT disaster in UK banking history. In his defence, Meddings didnt join the banks board until September 2017, by which point most of the groundwork for the botched system upgrade had already been laid. It is also true that much of the blame for the botched migration of customer data lay with TSBs parent company, Spanish lender Banco Sabadell, whose IT arm Sabis had not been ready to operate the new platform and had failed to test one of two data centers it relied on prior to the launch. That said, a report by law firm Slaughter & May in 2019 concluded that TSBs board had failed to fully understand the scope and complexity of the new system prior to its failure. And Meddings was chairman of that board, so he at least bore some of the responsibility for the hugely costly debacle. Conflicts of Interest Serious questions are also being asked about the Health and Social Care Minister Savid Javids cosy ties with JP Morgan Chase, a bank with significant and growing interests in the rapidly growing digital health sector.of con Sajid Javid has a background in international banking, and after resigning as chancellor became a senior advisor to JP Morgan. says Dr John Puntis, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public. On his return to the backbenches (in a Freudian slip, I began this sentence by typing bankbenches), Javid was offered an advisory role by his former employer worth 150,000 per year, for just 80 to 96 hours of work a year. This has led to allegations of potential conflicts of interest. JP Morgan Chase provides funding and financial management to firms looking to run NHS services. Together with its three largest US competitors, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Citibank, JP Morgan Chase commands the highest share of fees and deals when it comes to mergers and acquisitions in the global healthcare sector. It is heavily into digital health care, a key theme of NHS Englands plans for the NHS, says Puntis. This raises the possibility of the new Secretary of State for Health and Care providing a very useful conduit for his previous employer into the NHS. And Javid is likely to wield more power than his predecessors. The government, through its proposed Health and Social Care Bill, plans to grant more authority to the Health and Social Care Secretary, including the right to approve the chair of the new integrated care boards (ICBs), who in turn can choose to appoint representatives from private companies to their boards. NHS Biggest Crisis Ever This is all happening as the NHS faces its biggest crisis ever. Staffing, not physical capacity, is now the main limiting factor for the NHS this winter. The organization is the worlds fourth largest employer but it has a very, very depleted workforce that is facing a worse Christmas than even 2020, according to Pat Cullen, head of the Royal College of Nursing. On December 17 the FTs Camilla Cavendish reported that three senior people in the NHS had told her that the fear of the growing staff exodus is keeping them awake at night: There are 93,000 vacancies across the NHS, and shortages in every major speciality You might have thought those in charge would have spent the past 18 months building up critical care capacity, improving recruitment and retention, and creating a dedicated vaccination service of volunteers and new trainees. But none of that has happened. It is hardly surprise that the number of people awaiting hospital treatment hit an all-time high of 5.98 million in October, more than a million of whom are now waiting more than six months for treatment. The longer the list grows, the more outsourcing opportunities open up for private healthcare providers looking to offer routine treatments such as cataract operations or joint replacements. This is the culmination of three decades of incremental chipping away by successive governments at the founding principles of the NHS as a universal and comprehensive service based on public funding, accountability and ownership, write Allison Pollock, a clinical professor of public health and author of NHS plc: The Privatisation of Our Health Care, and research associate Peter Roderick in their must-read op-ed in The Guardian, If You Believe in a Public NHS, the New Health and Care Bill Should Set Off Alarm Bells: In the Wake of the pandemic, the public is being softened up to expect fewer NHS-funded services and to be pushed into paying for them. Already, the NHS-partnered patient access website for GP appointments, repeat prescriptions and discovering local health services is reportedly offering mostly private healthcare with lists of tests and treatments to be paid for. There also appears to be a growing exodus of patients toward the private sector, as a recent article in the New Statesman reported. More than one in five (21 per cent) say they have already gone private recently because they simply couldnt get the treatment they urgently need, according to a July poll of over 4,000 people by Populus for the charity Engage Britain. A decade ago, just 13 per cent of all non-emergency surgery on UK residents was privately funded. (For context, roughly 13 per cent of people in the UK have some kind of private health insurance.) Demand for private health policies rose 46 per cent in the first eight months of 2021 compared with the same period pre-pandemic in 2019, according to the health insurance comparison website, Quotezone. A look into the 2021 half-year results of a publicly-listed healthcare company called Spire shows 46.7 per cent revenue growth on the first half of 2019 for self-pay patients those who pay for private treatment themselves rather than claiming on insurance. Thats a record performance. Industry insiders say the single biggest reason for this change is people stuck on NHS waiting lists and unable to access the treatment they need. The government denies allegations it is planning to privatise the NHS, citing as evidence its recent decision to raise national insurance payments to help pay to clear the NHS waiting list. Yet the fact it has appointed not one but two former senior bankers to run the institution, one of whom at least (Javid) is ideologically committed to privatisation of public institutions as well as an investor in U.S. private healthcare, hardly inspires confidence. (Natural News) In Disloyal: How the Military Brass is Betraying Our Country, the David Horowitz Freedom Center had warned that the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group imposed by the Biden administration and headed by Bishop Garrison (pictured above), a racist who constantly accused Republicans of racism for the most frivolous reasons, was preparing to purge conservatives from the military. (Article by Daniel Greenfield republished from FrontPageMag.com) Now the purge has arrived. The first task of Garrisons CEWG was to develop a new definition of extremism. The newly added definition, which takes effect immediately, doesnt actually define extremism. Since extremism is inherently relative to someone elses moderation, it cant be legally defined. But the CEWGs definition was cunningly written to target conservatives and protect leftists. The majority of the definitions are already covered by existing military codes and laws against terrorism and treason. The only real addition here is the final definition of extremism activities which includes, advocating widespread unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, or sexual orientation. The wording initially appears generic, but its actually written to provide military leaders with a wide latitude for targeting conservatives while exempting black nationalists like Garrison. Racism is defined only in terms of advocating discrimination and only unlawful discrimination, unlike affirmative action or the discriminatory policies of the CEWG. This is in line with the leftist claim that racism can only be defined in terms of the power to discriminate and that therefore minority racists arent racist. Service members can be fans of black hate groups that promote racist hatred of white people because only advocacy for unlawful discrimination matters. The new Department of Defense policy prohibits active participation in extremist activities and clearly defines what we mean by the term extremist activities, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby falsely claimed. It actually defines almost nothing and that enables it to outlaw nearly anything. Would Christians who oppose gay marriage fall afoul of this policy? Is anyone who donates to a church that advocates against gay marriage now deemed an active participant in extremism? Bidens definition of active participation includes, fundraising for, or making personal contributions through donations of any kind (including but not limited to the solicitation, collection, or payment of fees or dues) to, a group or organization that engages in extremist activities. Potentially donating to a traditionally biblical church or synagogue would mean violating the Biden administrations new guidelines against active participation in extremism. The result would almost certainly be a federal case that the Biden administration would lose, but how many members of the military want to spend years of their lives fighting for their careers? The Biden administrations leftist radicals are out to intimidate and they may well succeed. It goes without saying that counterterrorism researchers warning about the national security threat of Islamization would be punished, and that any service members who support or interact with a whole range of such organizations, including the Freedom Center and Robert Spencers Jihad Watch are at risk. But so would a majority of service members who are at all conservative. Garrisons definition of extremism includes advocating for discrimination against gender identity which means that anyone opposed to teenage girls being forced to shower with men is now accused of being an extremist and that supporting virtually any conservative group effectively makes a member of the military into an active participant in extremist activities. The purge goes even further, reaching out to punish anyone who engages in electronic and cyber activities regarding extremist activities, or groups that support extremist activities including posting, liking, sharing, re-tweeting, or otherwise distributing content. A service member who likes a Facebook post from a conservative group is now an active participant in extremist activities. What about opposition to abortion? The Garrison definition of extremism includes advocating for discrimination based on sex (including pregnancy). The pregnancy part of this might be an effort to silence military critics of pregnant women serving in combat roles. Thats another example of how the Biden political purge is meant to silence legitimate objections to absurd woke policies like the Navys new maternity flight suits. But it could be used to suppress pro-life views and church membership. The question of whether the Equal Rights Amendments on account of sex language would protect abortion and enshrine it into the Constitution has been at the heart of the debate over the amendment. State ERAs have already been used to define opposition to abortion as a form of discrimination on account of sex. The Countering Extremist Activity Working Groups inclusion of sex (including pregnancy) would potentially open the door to branding any member of the military who personally opposes abortion, donates to an anti-abortion group, or just a traditional church, or even likes a Facebook post by a pro-life group as an active participant in extremism. Defenders of Bidens military purge will insist that these are unlikely scenarios. Right up until the point where they begin happening. There is nothing in the wording of these new definitions of extremism and active participation to prevent service members from being targeted because of their membership in a traditional church or their conservative religious views. And since the military has traditionally received more leeway in restricting religious expression, court battles over these issues should not be viewed as a foregone conclusion. Furthermore the existence of these codes create an intimidating effect that suppresses speech and religious expression. Exactly as they were designed to do. One extremist is one too many, Bishop Garrison had contended. The new definition is meant to screen out everyone whom Garrison, a supporter of black supremacists like Ta-Nehisi Coates and of extremist agendas like the 1619 Project, disagrees with. That means all conservatives. Garrison, who defended bigots and extremists like Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and falsely accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of racism, has been allowed to impose his own discriminatory regime on the military. And that must not be allowed to stand. The new purge preserves a service members right of expression to the extent possible, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby argued. That statement is as un-American as it gets. There will almost certainly be legal battles over this, but it will be on Congress and the next administration to make it clear to future military leaders that they must rescind or at least dramatically revise Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1325.06 if they want to lead. And any presidential candidate or congressional member must commit to opposing any military leader who does not agree to remove DoDI 1325.06 and protect political and religious liberty. The military leaders complicit in this disgrace are the products of Democrat and Republican administrations. If conservatives dont firmly demand and hold presidential and congressional candidates accountable for undoing this, the radicals will take over the military the way that they control academia, the media, and the corporate spheres. That means ignoring the happy talk, the virtue signaling, the empty distractions, and demanding that the politicians actually do it. The military is the most conservative branch of the government. The purge of conservatives from the military is a political coup. Under the guise of outlawing discrimination, the Biden administration is engaging in the most dangerous and pervasive discrimination imaginable. This is a critical threat. Its one that the David Horowitz Freedom Center took the lead in warning against. Now that its embedded in the military, the career brass that the DHFC warned against in Disloyal: How the Military Brass is Betraying Our Country will do everything possible to retain it even under another Republican administration. The leaders, as weve warned, have to go. New leaders must commit to a merit-based military free of discriminatory equity measures and political purges that is built from the ground up to fight and to win for America. Or else we will have lost the military and the war. Read more at: FrontPageMag.com (Natural News) Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo accused President Joe Bidens administration of deliberately causing a shortage of monoclonal antibodies among Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in Florida. In a letter addressed to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, Ladapo blamed the former for making an artificial shortage of potential COVID treatments by allowing a dramatic reduction in the number of monoclonal antibodies to be allocated to the State of Florida. The HHS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have halted the distribution of Regeneron and Eli Lillys monoclonal antibodies, which have proven to be an effective treatment against COVID-19. The federal government is now only distributing GlaxoSmithKlines Sotrovimab monoclonal antibody treatment. The agencies claimed that Glaxosmithklines monoclonal antibody treatment is more effective against the cold-like omicron variant compared to the Regeneron and Eli Lillys products. Ladapo noted that the federal government should not limit our states access to any available treatment for COVID-19 regardless of its effectiveness against particular variants. 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, Ladapo wrote. Federal government blocks monoclonal antibody treatments Ladapo said that the federal government has not simply blocked the distribution of certain monoclonal antibody treatments, but has been actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the United States. 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, Ladapo said. This shortsightedness is especially evident given that the federal government effectively prohibited states from purchasing these monoclonal antibodies and serving their populations directly. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed Ladapo in September, has clashed with the Biden administration throughout the COVID-19 crisis. DeSantis has given priority to early and alternative treatments like monoclonal antibodies, while the Biden administration has put its hopes in the COVID-19 vaccines which have caused severe adverse effects and exhibited waning effectiveness after a few months. (Related: STUDY: Early treatment with proven natural remedies defeats Covid.) A spokesperson from the HHS contradicted Ladapos claims. 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 HHS spokesperson said. Thats in addition to the approximately 28,000 doses of product that they have on hand from their previous orders. The HHS stopped distributing antibody treatments made by Regeneron and Eli Lilly last week. ??It later revised the order, saying the stoppage would only apply to states where omicron made up at least 80 percent of COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that omicron ?is responsible for 59 percent of all COVID cases in the United States. That estimate rises to 78 percent in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. No Sotrovimab allocation for Florida ?GlaxoSmithKlines Sotrovimab is said to be more effective against omicron and the federal government continues to distribute it. ?But Ladapo said none of it has been appropriated to Florida, forcing the state to buy its own supply. Lack of allocation of this life-saving treatment from the federal government continues to cause another immediate and life-threatening shortage of treatment options as the omicron variant spreads throughout the state, Ladapo said. The federal agencies should not limit our states access to any available treatments for COVID-19. Ladapo ended his letter with a request. As surgeon general, I respectfully request that you allow states and healthcare practitioners to provide treatment options that best benefit the communities they serve, he wrote. Follow Pandemic.news for more news related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the video below to know more about how the federal government is banning potential life-saving treatments against COVID-19. This video is from the Data Dumper channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: HeadlineUSA.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) While listening to the babbler-in-chief on Tuesday, Susan Duclos and I couldnt help but notice that seemingly every other word out of the babblers mouth were the words vaccinated and vaccine, with the White House transcript showing Biden mentioned the V-words at least a whopping 48 times, the words booster or boosted 21 times, while he called out the unvaccinated at least 11 times during his brief (but still waaaaay too long) diatribe. (Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) Completely contradicting previous statements he had made back in July of 2021, when he bluntly said the vaccinated couldnt get COVID, this time babble admitted Vaccinated people who get COVID may get ill, but theyre protected from severe illness and death. Although as anyone who follows the independent media knows, the fully vaccinated and boosted are indeed still dying from COVID. And while we could write an entire series of stories on the opinions of various doctors and scientists and other so-called experts on whether or not the v actually works or not, and why the v itself is leading to peoples deaths, were going to take a look instead at more reasons why Bidens speech gives Americans a reason to stay especially vigilant in the days, weeks and months ahead, though not because of COVID. With Biden making a series of remarks within his address to the American people that hinted of danger ahead NOT of the COVID-variety, those remarks included one Biden Freudian slip as seen in the screenshot above we highlighted from this White House Briefing Room story on Bidens remarks on Tuesday. Bidens remarks straight from the White House with his Freudian slip included.: Thats why my administration has stockpiled and pre-positioned millions of gowns, gloves, masks, and ventilators. We used to call it PPP [PPE]. Were ready to send them immediately to any state that needs more. In addition, I have directed the Pentagon to mobilize an additional 1,000 troops to be deployed to help staff local hospitals and expand capacity. Thats 1,000 military doctors, nurses, and medics. Weve already started moving military excuse me, medical teams. Theyve already landed in Wisconsin and Indiana this week. And this is on top of 300 federal medical medical personnel that are now on the ground, having deployed since we learned about Omicron. With Biden using very blatant military terminology in his address to the nation, with military assets often pre-positioned prior to invasions or other military actions, while all across America were now witnessing the National Guard being called up to do work that people who refused the v and were then terminated can no longer do, why did Biden say weve already started moving MILITARY, excuse me, MEDICAL teams? There is no doubt that something much bigger than COVID is at play! And while Defense One and the Daily Mail both report that the US Army is set to announce it has developed a single vaccine that protects from ALL variants of COVID and SARS, with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research working on their vaccine for two years, we warned just 3 months ago we should be highly suspicious of any further militarization of the governments response to all of this. With Biden announcing theyll be sending out millions of free COVID testing kits to the nation (we wonder how many of those will end up immediately in the trash can!), while announcing theyll be sending 1,000 US troops to overwhelmed US hospitals (we wonder how overwhelmed theyd be if the globalists didnt declare war upon doctors and nurses who refuse the v..), wed warned on ANP back on September 17th to be on the lookout for the normalization of Americans seeing the US military on the streets of America. So with Biden also announcing theyll be setting up federally run COVID testing sites across the nation another sign of what is ahead for America, as we had warned in this September 17th story titled A Huge Wake Up Call: The Globalists Just Showed Us Their Cards, Normalizing Americans To Seeing The Military Upon The Streets Of America, As Despotism Is Rushed In, incrementalism has turned America into a frog in simmering water, just before the deadly boil. Because with the mega-corporations, many small businesses, US school systems and government agencies happy to bring in the National Guard to do the jobs that theyve fired those from who refused the v.., that creeping incrementalism wed warned of back in September is quickly turning into a full-scale gallop, and most still dont even recognize whats unfolding before their very eyes. So with much of America just like that frog in the nice, warm water, leisurely kicking back and chilling out before realizing far too late whats hit them, well continue to pay very close attention to whats now happening in one state after another, with surely more to come, as Just the News reports in this new story titled Vaccine mandates, staff burnout thin healthcare workforce, as states turn to National Guard Governors deploy teams to fill both clinical and non-clinical roles excerpted below. National Guard teams are being used as a stopgap to fill both clinical and non-clinical roles. Critics attribute the spreading shortages of trained healthcare personnel to involuntary employee terminations for noncompliance with harsh public and private vaccine mandates, while healthcare administrators and Democratic officials tend instead to cite voluntary departures triggered by pandemic-related burnout. In New Hampshire, the National Guard was deployed to provide nonclinical support at medical care facilities whose staff are suffering primarily from burnout, according to local news reports. With the majority of healthcare workers having received both COVID-19 shots and the state having a new medical freedom law, shortages appear to stem from increased retirements and those leaving the profession. In addition to the National Guard, FEMA medical professionals are also providing support, and the state is spending $6 million of federal relief money to recruit healthcare workers from other states and hire new staff. In July, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu signed into law a medical freedom bill ensuring that unvaccinated residents wouldnt be denied access to public facilities and services, essentially banning vaccine passports. The law allows state hospitals and county nursing homes, schools, childcare providers, and private businesses to impose vaccine requirements, as long as they offer exemptions for religious beliefs. In Indiana, the National Guard was called up to provide clinical and nonclinical support at 13 facilities within the Indiana University Health system, the states largest hospital system. IU Health is left to face what officials are calling all-time highs of COVID and non-COVID patients with a reduced staff after the network fired roughly 125 employees for not complying with its vaccine mandate. The loss of workers to vaccine mandate noncompliance was contributing to the states staffing crisis, the Tribune Star reported. The states hospitals are also having difficulty hiring temporary staff due to staffing agencies charging at least three times more than their normal rates due to the high demand, the outlet found. Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com Executive summary (Natural News) Restricting the free speech rights of healthcare workers is a terrible idea. But thats what we have today. If you disagree with the government, you can get fired or have your license revoked. This doesnt lead to the best outcomes. (Article by Steve Kirsch republished from SteveKirsch.Substack.com) If you are a healthcare worker who believes that free speech is important, please subscribe now to a new substack newsletter created specifically to organize health care workers to restore your ability to speak openly and honestly to your patients and to the public. Your subscription is free. The problem We have a difference of opinion in America over the COVID policies of the government. Censorship techniques are used to silence the views of people (especially licensed healthcare providers) who do not agree with the government. This is dangerous. Unfortunately, appealing directly to the public has been unsuccessful. One thing Ive learned over the past 6 months in that the average American isnt likely to be persuaded by evidence and facts about vaccine safety; they are going to ask their doctor and follow their doctors advice. Their doctor is not going to question the CDC since that would be perceived as being anti-science. First, we have to understand how people make decisions For COVID decisions, most people look for advice from a higher authority that they trust, usually their doctor (not your doctor). Here is a typical example. A highly educated, very intelligent friend of mine (doubly vaccinated) just got COVID and asked me for a list of doctors to prescribe early treatment. I gave him a list of the top doctors in the world, doctors with incredible track records on hospitalization, deaths, and long-haul (like zero or near zero in every category). My friend said all these doctors prescribed ivermectin which shared my point of view, and he wanted an independent doctor, so he decided to go with a local doctor. He didnt ask about his doctors success record in treating COVID (rates of hospitalization, death, and long-haul). That didnt matter at all. What mattered is he trusted the doctor because he choose the doctor. The doctor told him to just rest, take honey and vitamins, and use light ibuprofen/Advil as needed. The doctor of course provided no evidence to back up the recommendation. And my friend checked with his other friends who all told him they used rest, vitamins, and healthy food. Peers know best. Why bother with world-famous doctors with impeccable track records? The use of ivermectin disqualifies them all! More examples of deference to authority figures: Parents in California trust Governor Newsom for medical advice as to what to inject into their kids. If Gavin mandates it for schools, parents comply. Gavin knows best (even though Gavin is vaccine injured from his booster (he got GBS) and will not vaccinate his kids). Employees in the US trust their companies to tell them what to inject into their body. And others trust their doctors for medical advice. My daughters universities (Harvard Business School and University of Rochester) are both requiring them to have a booster to return to school. I can show them study after study showing this is unnecessary and it harms my child. Will this make a bit of difference? Absolutely not! Trying to convince these people is a complete waste of my time and theirs. Their thinking is effectively, If the CDC says it is good, it is good. Nobody can question the CDC. They are the worlds experts and they are always right and they always have our health as their top priority. Nobody is going to listen to de-platformed conspiracy theorists who say the vaccines are unsafe. Come on. These organizations are way too smart to waste any time on that. This deferral to authority applies to doctors themselves. One of my followers wrote: Unfortunately it seems a lot of doctors simply defer to authority as well. I recently saw my sister-in-law who is a physicians assistant, speaking disdainfully of COVID patients families suing her hospital to get treatments that arent even approved by the FDA. The total disgust and absolute lack of curiosity as to why people would be doing this were astounding. Organizing the medical community is the fastest way forward: a single person can be silenced, but not half of Americas doctors All of this leads to one thing. If we want to change the thinking in America, all we have to do is change the thinking of around half of the doctors in America. Sounds simple, right? The good news is that I actually think that is possible based on conversations Ive had with doctors. Also the typical statistics of mass formation (30% are immune, 40% persuadable, 30% are unreachable) support this approach as well. Were already 20% to 30% of the way there Doctors and nurses seeing vaccine victims first hand is a great convincer. For example, read this article, More VC Nurses Blow Whistle on Overwhelming Numbers of Heart Attacks, Clotting, Strokes. People in hospitals are now so angry that they are risking their career by speaking out (anonymously only at this point for fear of retribution). They want their stories to be told. Some people wont believe their story. But many others will shake their heads and say, The same thing is happening in my hospital. Maybe it is time for me to speak out too. None of them can speak out individually or they will lose their jobs. The only way to speak out is together and only when their numbers are large enough. So there are two challenges: Educating the persuadable Organizing them so they can speak publicly without fear of retribution Can we continue to ignore what is happening? Some medical professionals will be outraged at this news story: Other medical professionals will dismiss it as fake news. That is how they deal with the cognitive dissonance. Other events like this are dismissed similarly. The reason doctors dont believe such evidence is simple: Doctors are remaining silent to protect their careers Lets be honest. Ive talked to a lot of red pill doctors. They know fully well what is going on and disagree with it, but a doctors first duty is to their own family, not to their patients. They wont speak out publicly against the vaccines or their license to practice medicine will be immediately revoked. They know that. So while many are convinced about what is going on, they cant say anything publicly to let you know that. This is why the public believes there is no danger since no doctor is speaking out. Censorship of doctors through intimidation of the medical community is imperative to keeping the false narrative going. They are extending this censorship now to early treatment because they do not want anyone to know that ivermectin works. Japan has had virtually no deaths from COVID after they started using ivermectin. Thats why its outlawed in America. If anyone here learned it works, it would be all over for the vaccines. So if you prescribe or fill a prescription of ivermectin for COVID, you will be punished per this article on TrialSiteNews entitled Feds Coming After Doctors & Pharmacies that Market Ivermectin as Effective & Safe for COVID-19. Nothing like this has ever happened before in our history. To get a sense for how widespread the counter-narrative is, I asked an ER doctor, So how many of your peers know what is really going on? He said 20 to 30%. Thats great. We can work with that. It means that if each red pill doctor made a commitment to educate/persuade just 1 other doctor, we have more than critical mass to stop this. Of course, not every doctor will participate, so the we need to get each red pill doctor and nurse to commit to persuading just 3 of their peers. That should do it, or at least it will be a good start. This can all be done in zoom calls, inviting anyone open to listening to world-famous doctors such as Peter McCullough to talk about the evidence. A doctor cannot get sanctioned by their medical boards just for attending a seminar. But that may change soon so it is important to move quickly. This plan allows us to use doctors and nurses to spread the truth. If the attendees are convinced, their homework assignment is to get 3 of their peers to simply watch a short video with an open mind and decide for themselves which side is telling the truth. Nobody participating in the new substack I created has to declare their position. You are only expressing interest in learning more about whether giving doctors and other healthcare providers free speech is a good idea or not. Nobody will get in trouble for that. Read more at: SteveKirsch.Substack.com (Natural News) When a Texas cattleman, seventy-nine, died last September in New Mexico after contracting covid, his family never anticipated the worldwide headlines that would ensue. In a ballyhooed press conference, New Mexico Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase, the states top health chief, announced New Mexicos first ivermectin overdose, soon adding a second fatality allegedly from ivermectin toxicity. (Article by Linda Bonvie and Mary Beth Pfeiffer republished from Rescue.Substack.com) Now, Scrase has acknowledged that his repeated, what he called offhand, assertions were groundless. Two deaths were not caused by ivermectin, a long-used generic drug that was emerging as a covid treatment. Instead, he said that the pair died because they actually just delayed their care with covid. That is a big difference. Scrase backpedaled on December 1 in a little-noticed online press briefing and only after we pressed his agency to provide evidence for its claims of so-called ivermectin deaths. Officials had repeatedly said they were awaiting a toxicology report on the cattlemans death. Yet we learned that the report was never even ordered or done, and, moreover, the mans death was ruled by the states coroner as being from natural causes. Not a single media outlet reported Scrases admission, even as dozens, including the The Hill and The New York Times, had eagerly covered his original assertions about ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2015. I dont want more people to die, read one early headline, quoting Scrase. Its the wrong medicine for something really serious, Scrase said in the Times article. Doctors, scientists, and toxicologists worldwide were puzzled by the assertions, because ivermectin is an extraordinarily safe, FDA-approved drug. A fixture on the WHOs list of 100 essential medicines all hospital systems are recommended to carry, nearly four billion doses have been given in four decades. New Mexico became a key player in a broad pattern of governmental deception late last summer to portray ivermectin as dangerous, in tandem with three related developments. Research strongly supported the drugs efficacy against covid; prescriptions were soaring; and public health officials were single-mindedly focused not on treatment but on vaccination. We previously reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations tweeted warning last August against using ivermectin meant for livestock was prompted by incorrectand unverifiedinformation from Mississippi. Health officials there had posted an alert suggesting the states poison control center was deluged with hundreds of calls over ingestion of livestock ivermectin; in reality, we found, four reports were received. But, fueled by bits of contorted evidence like this, the anti-ivermectin train was unstoppable. We have now learned that, in the rush to bury a drug described as astonishingly safe and long used globally to quell animal and human parasites, FDA was not alone. Emails we obtained from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control show that an influential August 26 national health alert on ivermectin was spurred, like the FDA tweet, by a sliver of evidence: just three cases of alleged ivermectin side effects, two involving animal formulations. No patient died; one appeared to have been hospitalized, and one declined any medical help. Nonetheless, those three reports, obtained by Atlanta-based CDC from the Georgia poison control center, sealed the decision to issue the nations highest-level health warning, according to the emails. Shortly after learning of three cases, CDCs Michael Yeh writes, we have evidence of significant toxicity. Referring to planning for the health alert, the consensus was that unless were seeing bad adverse effects from ivermectin, wed hold off, wrote a CDC medical toxicity officer, Dr. Michael Yeh, in an August 17 email. Now it sounds like we have evidence of significant toxicity. That email was written seventy-two minutes after brief information on three reports arrived in a separate email. While CDCs intention might have been to protect people, the alert is emblematic of what had become a national obsession: Portray an early treatment for covidwhether in the animal or human formas potentially toxic. CDC hopped aboard. In an email later that day, Yeh laid out the evidence. The most serious case involved a man, seventy-seven, who had was said to have taken a dose of ivermectin apparently meant for an 1800 lb. bovine. He had hallucinations and tremors, which improved but he was eventually diagnosed with COVID-19 for which he needed only supplemental oxygen, Yeh notes. In two other cases, a woman who took the human form of the drug was said to have suffered some confusion. Another woman had subjective visual disturbances after taking a product meant for sheep but declined medical help. These side effects are in keeping with what the National Institutes of Health calls a well-tolerated anti-parasitic drug with such adverse effects as dizziness, pruritis, nausea, or diarrhea. French researchers published a review last March of 350 ivermectin articles in the medical literature and found adverse effects to be infrequent and usually mild to moderate. The study, by the French drugmaker MedinCell, noted that no deaths were reported even after accidental overdoses or suicide attempts. In view of ivermectins well-established safety profile, our request for CDC documents under the Freedom of Information Act sought the rationale for the health alert and specifically asked for the data CDC used from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, to which state centers report. (AAPCC had refused to provide it.) In response to the FOIA request, CDC asserted, quite remarkably, that it no longer possesses or has access to the data because its licensing agreement with AAPCC had lapsed. The data might have specified, for example, just how many calls were related either to animal or human formulations; the alert instead lumps all reports together, making it difficult to fathom the extent of livestock ivermectin use. The CDC asserts in a letter to us that it no longer possesses the data on which a national health alert was based. An increase in ivermectin calls to poison control centers in 2021 is not in dispute, especially as doctors learned of studies showing fewer deaths, shorter hospitalizations, and outpatient success. Poison control centers often see upticks in calls when new drugs come into use, with many callers seeking only information. Centers also field calls on old, long-established medications. Acetaminophen alone generated 47,000 reports in 2019 and led to 164 deaths, according to the AAPCC. This context, of course, was missing from CDCs alert. Calls to poison control centers for use of animal and human ivermectin grew five- to eight-fold from pre-pandemic levels, the alert ominously reported. At the same time, it said, ivermectin prescriptions had soared twenty-four-foldin a perfectly legal trend led by physicians but one the CDC clearly found unacceptable and alarming. No distinction was made between animal and human formulations in the alert, which was peppered with phrases like ivermectin misuse and overdose; seizures, coma, and death; sheep drench, severe illness, and rapid increase. The message: Dont use either form, even as seventy-one studies show 64 percent of 50,180 patients improved after taking ivermectin for covid. Despite the alert and New Mexicos unfounded pronouncements, no one has died from ivermectin poisoning among 2,112 cases logged by AAPCC from January 1 to December 14, 2021. Two percent of those reports, about forty-two, involved a major effect, an AAPCC bulletin states. Seventy percent were dismissed as having no effect, nontoxic exposure, and the like. One category of those calls might rightfully have been classified as anti-ivermectin hysteria. New Mexico, for example, urged citizens to report any known ivermectin use to the states poison control center, even if someone you know has taken it. We asked Dr. Paul Marik, a founder of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, his thoughts on the effort to vilify ivermectin as dangerous. Ivermectin is one of the safest medications on this planet; far safer than aspirin or acetaminophen, he said. This is a fairy tale. Disney could not come up with a better fairy tale. But it was no kind of fantasy for the cattlemans family when he got sick. It was a painful experience with a politicized health system. A Very Puzzling Phone Call It wasnt a secret that a cattleman, who died while in New Mexico from covid, took an animal formulation of ivermectin. It is a drug he was well versed in using, having routinely administered it to his herds in Texas. Others in the family also used Ivomec, a liquid formulation of ivermectin for cattle, since news spread of ivermectins effectiveness against covid. Practically everyone I know takes it, we were told by a close family friend and business associate of the Texan. (We are withholding the mans name at the familys request.) Ivermectin is just one of 167 drugs tested for safety and approved by the FDA for both animals and humans. Yet those who take either form of ivermectin for covid have been characterized as being anti-science and influenced by misinformation. The Texan is one of two individuals who, according to repeated statements from New Mexico officials, died from ivermectin toxicity. While their identities were not revealed by the department of health, a source familiar with the cases released them to us during this investigation. Documents and interviews with those knowledgeable about the death of the rancher tell a different story than the narrative put forth by New Mexico health officials. When the cattleman arrived at the ER on the evening of September 2 with his wife, he was soon diagnosed as suffering from acute dehydration as well as being covid positive. His daughter arrived at the hospital several hours later. In an interview, she told of the surprise eightieth birthday party for her dad the weekend before, where eight of the eleven family members attending ended up with covid. Everyone seemed to have mild symptoms, she recalled. With her dad in New Mexico and not feeling well, she suggested he be checked out. My father was not very good at keeping himself hydrated, she said, and at that point he didnt seem to be drinking at all. He arrived at the hospital dehydrated to the point that his kidneys had become damaged, doctors told the family. Lacking a proper dialysis machine at the Lincoln County Medical Center, the family was told that they were trying to locate another hospital to send him to. Unfortunately, he never made it out of Ruidoso, dying on September 3. But what happened while his wife and daughter anxiously waited outside the ICU, soon after being informed that the Texan was likely going to pass away, struck them as most peculiar. His daughter recalled a very puzzling phone call her mother receivedso disturbing, in fact, that she felt like yanking the phone from her. An unknown man was on the line asking if her father took ivermectin. It was the only time she remembers that particular drug being discussed in the hospital. I feel like they were pushing her. It was really irritating, she said, adding, it was not a doctor or nurse, but mom cannot remember who it was or what they represented. They were most interested, she recalled, in grilling her mother about her dads use of Ivomec. At the very next press briefing, Dr. Scrase announced that a reliable source reported the states first death from someone who took ivermectin. While he hedged his bets about the role of ivermectinand mentioned delayed carehe nonetheless repeatedly characterized the mans death and one other as specifically being caused by ivermectin. However, the cattlemans death certificate, filed at the end of September, says otherwise. It stated he passed away from natural causes. His death was not listed as requiring any type of pending investigation, and the medical examiners office confirmed the fact that no autopsy or toxicology report was done. But Dr. Scrases original tale proved to be very popular with the media. USA Today liked it so much the paper released several versions. Two die of ivermectin poisoning, it announced the same day the death certificate was officiated. Five days after that, a headline in The Hill trumpeted, New Mexico reports two deaths from ivermectin. The New Mexico Department of Health has yet to respond to any questions about why a straightforward correction was not made to the media early on regarding the two deaths that were erroneously attributed to ivermectin. It is also not clear why at a recent press briefing the agency was continuing to perpetuate this fallacy even after admitting it was untruthful, rather than correcting the recordand why they have alleged another ivermectin-related death, again without offering any evidence to that effect. The second supposed ivermectin death involved a thirty-eight-year-old woman from Cuba, New Mexico, reportedly of Navajo heritage. An autopsy was done, but the results have yet to be released. While Scrase has acknowledged that the two deaths were from covid, not ivermectin, he nonetheless announced what he called yet a third ivermectin death at his December 1 briefing. The new death, Scrase said, is a 60-year-old man who took a horse preparation. This gentleman took 150 milligrams, [suffered] liver failure, kidney failure and actually died from the ivermectin without the covid. As with the first two cases, the cause of death remains to be seen. According to Dr. Marik, 150 milligrams of ivermectin can be safely tolerated. I do not know of a single case of liver failure and organ failure due to ivermectin, he wrote in an email. Both the CDC and New Mexico Department of Health declined to answer questions for this article. Despite ongoing requests by the New Mexico Department of Health for residents to report any ivermectin use, as this slide displayed during a December 1 press conference shows, only 29 calls came into the states poison control center for most all of 2021. The graphic also states that ivermectin caused three deaths in the state, despite the fact that during that very same press briefing it was acknowledged that the first two of the alleged deaths were due to covid, not ivermectin (with no evidence released to support the third claim). The CDC emails suggest it took very little to convince the agency to issue a national warning about the use of ivermectin. Details on those three cases are scant, the emails show. Ivermectin dosages are missing or, in one case, described as concentration unknown. One woman was sent to the hospital, but her baseline mental status was unclear. Another woman was to be contacted for follow-up after declining aid, but there is no indication this was done. These anecdotal bits are the threads from which a mythical tapestry about so-called ivermectin toxicity has been woven. This myth lives on in easily accessed online articles. Among them: Mississippis health alert on August 19 said 70 percent of poison-control calls were for ingestion of livestock ivermectin. The actual figure was 2 percent; it was not corrected for forty-six days. FDA claimed last March to have received multiple reports of injury and hospitalization after people took livestock ivermectin. In reality, the agency relied on four reports, a spokesperson said in an email. CDC officials referenced the FDA consumer warning when planning their own contribution to the myth of ivermectin harm. It matters little that false Mississippi figures were corrected (at our behest) by The New York Times, twice, and The Washington Post. What matters is the hurricane of fear, whipped up by New Mexico, Mississippi, the FDA, and CDCand abetted by mediamade ivermectin into something it was not. So where do we stand as vaccines fail and cases rise? On October 28, WisPolitics.com reported the case of a family that failed to convince a court to give FDA-approved ivermectin to their dying loved one. There have been multiple reports nationally, the website reported, of people taking the version of the drug intended for animals to combat COVID-19 and sickening themselves in the process. Unsupported in the medical literature, the false image of ivermectin convinced doctors in that case to suggest that the prescribed dosage may be lethal. Indeed, the invented peril, rather than promise, of ivermectin has become ingrained in the national media and consciousness. That is the story that lives. Read more at: Rescue.Substack.com (Natural News) The World Economic Forums goals are far more than remaking the economy. They want to physically alter you and your children. (Article by Renee Nal republished from RairFoundation.com) Klaus Schwabs Young Global Leaders class of 2021 include the Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan, a Senior Vice-President at Uber, racist activist Ibram X Kendi and executives at Dow, Pfizer and Merck among many others. Countries from all over the world are represented in the World Economic Forums latest crop of 112 potential globalist leaders. This class join radical left luminaries such as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Peter Buttigieg, Emmanuel Macron, Gavin Newsom, Angela Merkel, Jacinda Ardern and many others. According to their website, the Young Global Leaders consist of more than 1,400 members and alumni of 120 nationalities. The individuals are trained to be [A]ligned with the World Economic Forums mission, to drive public-private co-operation in the global public interest. The WEF is known for their annual meeting of elitists at Davos, an alpine resort town in Switzerland. The World Economic Forum is promoting the dangerous shift of governments ongoing merger with massive corporations, described as public-private co-operation. This co-operation is also illustrated in so-called stakeholder capitalism, which moves industry from operating on a profit motive. Eventually, such a system would be forced to cave in on itself, but the globalist elitists do not appear too concerned about that. Anyone can scroll through the list of the Young Global Leaders class of 2021 by region. Here is the list representing North America: Daniel Ahn, Global Fellow, The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, USA Peter Biar Ajak, Visiting Fellow and Adjunct Faculty, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, USA Adriana Cargill, Independent Radio Journalist, USA Arvan Chan, Senior Vice-President; Chief Operating Officer, International, Centene, USA Alexis Crow, Global Head, Geopolitical Investing, PwC, USA Abasi Ene-Obong, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, 54gene, USA Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director, National Association of Friendship Centres, Canada Garlin Gilchrist II, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan, USA Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Senior Vice-President, Delivery, Uber Technologies, USA Megan Greenfield, Partner, McKinsey & Company, USA Jessica Jackson, Chief Advocacy Officer, Reform Alliance, USA Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, Senior Special Envoy, North America, The Jewish Agency, USA Brian Kaufmann, Head, Private Investments; Portfolio Manager; Member of the Management Committee, Viking Global Investors, USA Conrod Kelly, Managing Director, Chile, Merck & Co., Inc, USA Ibram X Kendi, Director of the Center for Antiracist Research, Boston University, USA Haley Lowry, Global Sustainability Director, Dow, USA Lukas Nelson, Band Leader, Promise of The Real, USA Amit Paley, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, The Trevor Project, USA Emily Serazin, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), USA Liam Sobey, Vice-President, Merchandising, Sobeys Inc., Canada Vasudha Vats, Vice-President, Pfizer, USA Hitesh Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales and Strategic Initiatives, Tech Mahindra, USA David Alexander Walcott, Founder and Managing Partner, Novamed, USA But the World Economic Forum does not just want to remake the economy, they want to remake humanity. Synthetic Biology Synthetic biology is going to remake the world. The tools available to scientists today create the vast potential to do great good or great harm. Lt Col Marcus A. Cunningham, USAF, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Fall 2020 A part of Schwabs vision appears to be his insane iteration of synthetic biology, which has been described as designing and constructing biological modules, biological systems, and biological machines or, re?design of existing biological systems for useful purposes. In essence, Synthetic Biology is an umbrella term that includes a bizarre fringe obsession with transhumanism, or the fusion of human beings with technology. A shocking November 2020 article posted at LifeSite News features Dr. Miklos Lukacs de Pereny, a Professor of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Universidad de San Martin de Porres in Peru. The professor was quoted as explaining that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is nothing other than the implementation of transhumanism on a global level. Indeed, in this 2016 clip, Schwab states that this Fourth Industrial Revolution will lead to a fusion of our physical, digital and biological identities: https://rumble.com/embed/vhzyzf/?pub=rvdkh Schwab goes into more detail here, explaining that this physical, digital and biological fusion will come as chips are ultimately embedded into our brains: https://rumble.com/embed/vdu2rb/?pub=rvdkh Schwabs vision is so outrageous that he should obviously be dismissed outright as a kook. But instead, the self proclaimed global elites eagerly attend Schwabs conferences and sign up to be Young Global Leaders. If the Fourth Industrial Revolution is Klaus Schwabs vision to remake global humanity and the economy, then the launchpad is the Great Reset. The vehicle for the Great Reset, of course, is the coronavirus pandemic. Read more at: RairFoundation.com (Natural News) Aplethora of major national and international companies are teaming up to normalize digital health passports, hinting at a requirement for future travel. At least one coalition is already placing Americas personal health and medical data at risk of use by the Chinese Communist Party, The National Pulse can reveal. (Article by Kay Smythe republished from TheNationalPulse.com) The Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI) charter describes itself as a coalition of public and private organizations committed to empowering individuals with access to verifiable clinical information. In reality, the initiative is led by the Mitre Corporation out of Mclean, Virginia, just minutes drive away from the headquarters of Americas Central Intelligence Agency. Mitre predominantly works for and with government agencies such as the U.S. military, NATO, Federal Aviation Authority, and the Centers for Disease Control. Part of Mitres development of VCI is focused on trustworthy and verifiable vaccination records in both digital and paper formats, seeking to make all personal medical and health data compatible with digital wallets or a QR code. Security Concerns. The VCI website currently names around 350 signed up partners including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, the Mayo Clinic, Walgreens, Walmart, a number of colleges, as well as the States of Colorado, California, and New York. Part of the SMART Health Card development by VCI expressly states that the members intentions are to improve [the] privacy and security of patient information. Questions will be raised about such intent given those associated with the VCI coalition and their proximity to groups like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Commons Project, for example, is one of the main VCI member groups that could jeopardize the safety of digital global health and medical data. Three different board members and trustees of The Commons Project operate businesses in China, leaving them susceptible to the countrys National Intelligence Law which demands: All organizations and citizens shall support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence efforts in accordance with law, and shall protect national intelligence work secrets they are aware of. Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft have all recently partnered with the CCP on technological endeavors, including tailored censorship, and even entire operating systems created to limit the abilities of Chinese citizens to freely search the web. While members of Joe Bidens government already openly support data-sharing with the Chinese Communist Party, the development and support of SMART Health Cards could risk every single medical and personal data point from Americans and other sovereign citizens being turned over to Chinese authorities. Earlier this year, data held by the Chinese Communist Party leaked, revealing details on almost 700 Americans, some of whom were as young as three years old. The data in this particular leak contained full names, birth dates, and passport numbers. Groups like VCI, The Commons Project, and the national governments and health agencies working with them to develop SMART Health Cards hold far more detailed data on their users. Individuals can upload all of their personal vital medical information to the cards, all of which can be accessed and used by the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Military, and anything else the leadership of China wants. China is also accused of using reverse genetics to build lethal bioweapons. Whistleblowers have come forward noting that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely due to a bioweapon program created in Chinese labs through the use of practices like reverse genetics. Dozens of news articles have been promoting the idea of digital vaccination cards in recent months, with European Union member states already implementing the scheme. Prior to being resigning from office over a number of sexual assault allegations, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo oversaw the deployment of the Excelsior Pass in the state. Excelsior is based on the same SMART Health platform, and is already being used by American Airlines. Excelsior Pass has enabled New Yorkers to get back to the people and things they love, helping drive our economic recovery in the process, Cuomo said in August. By December, New York would become one of the nations hot beds for coronavirus (Omicron) cases. Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com (Natural News) Lawmakers in New York are preparing to vote on a bill that will allow authorities to act upon unvaccinated individuals. These acts include but are not limited to the removal of people identified as carriers or communicable diseases and those potentially dangerous to public health. The bill is included in the agenda for the next legislative assembly for both the state senate and assembly on Jan. 5, 2022. If ratified, the authorities will be given executive powers similar to those in Australia, where quarantine camps are set up for people who test positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as those who test negative even as it continues to pose little to no impact on the daily lives of individuals and business owners. Its worth noting that New York and California have been under a perpetual state of emergency, where rapidly expanding mandates and other impositions continue to threaten the autonomy and basic rights of their citizens. (Related: NYC announces door-to-door vaccination teams that will come to your house and pay you $100 to take the death jab.) Under the bill, individuals who had contact with someone with COVID-19 may be forcibly removed from their homes and placed in a medical facility, even if they tested negative for the virus. (Related: New York bill would allow gov. to detain anyone considered to be public health threat) Critics of the bill have expressed their concern, saying medical mandates are becoming increasingly normalized and that forcing someone to take a drug for so-called treatments should have no place in the U.S. More bills for vaccine mandates underway Meanwhile, Linda Rosenthal a Democrat representing Manhattans Upper West Side introduced Assembly Bill A11179, which proposes mandating COVID-19 vaccinations if not enough residents voluntarily get the shot once it is available. According to the bill, the state would require to safely and effectively distribute a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine in accordance with the department [of health]s COVID-19 vaccination administration program. While steps have been taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, epidemiologists and public health experts have concluded that a vaccine will be necessary to develop herd immunity and ultimately stop the spread of the disease, according to the bills support memo. The State must make efforts to promote vaccination and ensure that a high enough percentage of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 to develop sufficient immunity. If the bill passes, the states health department can mandate vaccinations to those it deems are safe to receive the vaccine, if it sees that New Yorkers arent developing sufficient immunity from COVID-19 a term the bill does not define. The mandate takes effect if less than 70% of the population is voluntarily vaccinated. Then the state Department of Health would have the ability to say that more people have to get it, Rosenthal added. And they would set the rules and they would set the structure. Currently, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still unsure what percentage of the population would need to be vaccinated to achieve so-called herd immunity against COVID-19. Watch the full video below of the protest against the vaccine mandate in New York. This video is from the Signpost channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com NaturalHealth365.com Fox5NY.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) New research suggests that getting infected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) omicron variant may help people ward off the more dangerous delta. These findings could have significant implications for countries that are seeing a rise in omicron infections while still battling the delta variant. Researchers took blood samples of individuals infected with the fast-spreading variant and measured their antibody levels to see how well the virus-fighting proteins react to both. Lab tests conducted two weeks after the patients joined the study showed that antibody levels spiked 14-fold in response to the omicron variant and a 4.4-fold increase against delta. Studies that delved into the topic showed that the antibodies that are made in response to delta have reacted poorly to omicron. Professor Alex Sigal, lead researcher and virologist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa said that the findings suggested omicron could move the pandemic in the endemic phase. The increase in neutralizing immunity against Omicron was expected, that is the virus these individuals were infected with, he said. However, we also saw that the same people especially those who were vaccinated developed enhanced immunity to the delta variant. Sigal noted that omicron is the less pathogenic variant that could push delta out, adding that it should decrease the likelihood of someone infected with omicron getting reinfected with delta. If that is true, then the disruption COVID has caused in our lives may become less, he said. Omicron now the dominant strain While evidence has shown that omicron spreads faster, it is milder than previous strains and is less likely to put people in the hospital. The variant is now the dominant strain in Britain and has caused COVID cases to hit record levels. (Related: South African health workers: Symptoms associated with omicron are very mild.) It also drove a surge of infections in the U.S., which saw infections top over 500,000 a day. Sigal and his colleagues analyzed blood from 13 patients who had recovered from omicron, six were unvaccinated and the majority of had been hospitalized for contracting the virus. The blood samples of the volunteer patients were tested in laboratory experiments against live versions of both the omicron and delta variants. While the paper was published as a preprint and is yet to be peer-reviewed, Nathan Grubaugh, a virologist from Yale University, said that the results matched on-ground observations. Grubaugh said: We are seeing omicron exponentially rise while delta cases are falling. This suggests to me that omicron is outcompeting delta for susceptible individuals, leaving them less susceptible to delta in the aftermimath and driving down delta cases. However, the scientists did not confirm whether or not the individuals have previously been infected with delta, which could affect the results. Previous research suggested that those who had been infected with COVID were less likely to catch other variants of the virus as well. Omicron carries more mutations than delta and other variants, making it better at evading the bodys defenses. The findings add to the evidence suggesting that the virus is becoming less dangerous. Real-world data from South Africa also suggested that death rates during the omicron wave were just a quarter of the levels seen in previous surges. Scientists behind the research said that it showed a decoupling of cases, hospitalizations and deaths compared to other variants. Hospitalizations continue to rise in the US Hospitalizations in the U.S. surged in the fall as the delta variant made its way in several states. There are over 70,000 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID in the country, up three percent over the past week. The omicron variant, which is more contagious compared to others before, drove a surge in infections. The U.S. is currently reporting an average of more than 237,000 daily new cases for the seven-day period ending on December 27. This represents a 66 percent increase over the past week, according to analysis. Despite the milder cases, people should not be complacent. Epidemiologists warned that even if omicron proves less severe, it could still overwhelm hospitals by spreading faster than delta. Watch the video below to learn about how pandemics end. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. Get more updates about COVID-19 at Pandemic.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk CNBC.com One of the Aegean's volcanic islands, Thera (modern Santorini), erupted 3,600 years ago, and an international team of scientists has now found evidence of a devastating tsunami that followed. The Santorini explosion shook the Mediterranean and altered the course of history. Eruption of Thera Some researchers have compared the "super-colossal" eruption of the Thera volcano to a million Hiroshima-type atomic bombs that detonated at the same time. Researchers think that Plato's depiction of the buried city of Atlantis, which was written more than a millennium later, is an example of the Bronze Age event's effect on the biblical Ten Plagues, which were written more than 2,000 years later. For more than 100 miles north-northeast of Santorini, Turkey's Aegean coast is home to the esme-Balararas archeological site, which is described in this study. Investigations started in 2002 when ancient pottery was discovered during the construction of an apartment building in the residential district of esme-Balararas, barely two blocks from the present seashore. When Turkey's Ankaragucu University began excavations in 2009, they discovered what seemed to be an active coastal village that had been in use since the 3rd millennium B.C, according to National Geographic. Tsunamis may be difficult to recognize since evidence like destroyed structures and flames might also be caused by earthquakes, floods, or storms. In drier regions like the Aegean coast, such evidence may vanish swiftly over time. A variety of checklists are now being developed by experts to seek for previous tsunami episodes, including patterns in sediment and rock deposits, as well as physical and chemical traces left by marine life washed ashore by the encroaching waves. Also Read: Experts Debunked Fears of Mega-Tsunami Coming to East Coast Due to La Palma Volcanic Eruption The Perplexing Aspects of the Thera Eruption Since more than 35,000 people perished in the Krakatoa tsunami and comparable numbers have been predicted for Bronze Age Aegean, one of the most surprising elements of Thera's eruption is the absence of casualties. A man discovered buried in debris on the Santorini island chain during investigations in the late 19th century is the sole person who has been recognized as a likely victim of Thera. Larger prior eruptions may have sparked a mass evacuation; victims were burnt by super-heated gases, or they drowned largely in the sea, or they were buried in mass graves that have yet to be discovered. There are several theories for the absence of fatalities. Goodman-Tchernov believes that researchers may have already discovered victims of the Thera catastrophe but neglected to link them to the tsunami deposits they had previously found. Due to secondary or tertiary effects at the periphery of the eruption, it is possible that additional victims were already found, but their identities were not immediately recognized. Waves of Tsunami Landfalls Four waves of tsunami landfalls struck esme-Balararas over a few days or weeks, according to the study. There were four stages of eruption of Thera, and scholars have long debated which phase generated the tsunami that they assumed was a single event. During the time between the tsunami's landfalls, it seems that survivors dug into the turmoil in search of victims and construction supplies. The corpse of a young male was discovered buried in a shallow trench that had been excavated only a few feet close to the surface. Related Article: Experts Discovered That a Powerful Tsunami Impacted Coast of Chile Almost 300 Years Ago For more news, updates about tsunamis and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! Reintroduction of a "charismatic little fish" to the wild after being grown in an aquarium at Chester zoo has been successful. Reintroduction of Tequila Fish to Mexico After being reared in Chester and declared extinct in the wild in 2003, the fish was reintroduced to its native home. Exotic fish and water pollution led to the extinction of the 70mm-long Zoogoneticus tequila in 2003, which is the smallest known species of fish in the world, according to The Guardian. The species was found in 1990 in the Teuchitlan River in Jalisco, southwest Mexico, and was given its name after the Tequila volcano, which towers above its natural habitat to the north. More than 1,500 fish have now been successfully re-introduced into the river after conservationists from Chester Zoo and Michoacan University of Mexico collaborated to bring them back. The Teuchitlan's fish are prospering and reproducing, according to recent research. Efforts to reintroduce the golden skiffia (Skiffia francesae), another critically endangered fish, are now underway, according to experts. This is the first time an extinct species of fish has been successfully restored in Mexico and therefore it's a genuine milestone for conservation, Michoacana University of Mexico professor Omar Dominguez said. As a result of this research, many of the country's endangered or extinct fish species now have a precedent to build on in the future for their protection. Also Read: Some Popular Fish and Invertebrate Seafood Species Rapidly Declining Worldwide Increase in Tequila Fish Populations Fisheries from Chester Zoo were sent to an aquatic biology section at the university in 1998 when the research began. It took the university's scientists 15 years to sustain and grow the colony started by these 10 fishes. Forty males and forty females from the colony were released into big, artificial ponds at the university in advance of the reintroduction. Because of this, they had to deal with unpredictable resources, competition, parasites, and predators like owls, turtles, and snakes in a habitat that was still somewhat natural for them. Scientists expect their population to increase to about ten thousand individuals after four years of reintroduction. Monitoring programs for water and habitat quality have been created for the long term, employing local people who have been taught to do so. Advantages of the Reintroduction Invertebrates and lower vertebrates curator at Chester Zoo, Dr. Gerardo Garcia, called the successful reintroduction a watershed event in the fight for species protection. "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," he said. This is a rare success story in a world where nature is disappearing at an unprecedented pace and the rate of extinction is rising. When it comes to rescuing sensitive fish species in Mexico, scientists now have a blueprint and are moving on to the next one-a new rescue expedition for the Golden Skiffia is now well under way. Related Article: Aquaculture Causes Stress and Suffering for Certain Fish Species This Way For more news, updates about fishes and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Where are all of the guns coming from? Why can't we arrest our way out of this problem? Those are among the questions asked and answered by our panel in Part 2 of The News-Gazette's continuing conversation on gun violence. Champaign, IL (61820) Today A mainly sunny sky. High 17F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 12F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. As vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, it is generally estimated using a standard Cox or Poisson model that assumes constant vaccine effectiveness over time. However, this is less precise over short time periods, and it indicates the effectiveness of vaccines fairly slowly. Researchers from the University of North Carolina, University of Washington, and the US Food and Drug Administration propose fitting a Cox model with two time indexes, the event times measured from the start of the study in calendar time and the log hazard for the vaccine effect. The research can be found on the medRxiv* preprint server. Study: Reliably Assessing Duration of Protection for COVID-19 Vaccines. Image Credit: LookerStudio / Shutterstock The Study The researchers simulated a clinical trial mimicking the enrolment pattern of a BNT162b2 study and the trend of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) infection occurring in the United States while the trial was undergoing. They assumed the corresponding vaccine efficiency (VE) on the hazard rate (VEHR), which typically represents an exponential deterioration of vaccine effect by time since vaccination, of the hypothetical vaccine decreases from a peak of 95% at 7 days post-second dose to 70% at six months post-vaccination. The means of the VE averaged over time (VEConst) over 1,000 replicates are 94.4%, 89.9% and 81.6% over 0-2, 2-4 and 4-6 months, respectively. The underestimation of the true level of waning by VEConst is made even more apparent as vaccinations typically coincide with an early peak in the incidence of infections, and then this incidence rate wanes for months afterward. This leads to a high percentage of exposures during the first part of each two-month interval when the true VE is higher than VEConst suggests. A second trial was simulated in which the enrolment period was shifted to six months later, ensuring that the period with the most substantial vaccine effects coincided with the lowest point in exposure rates. The means of VEConst over 1000 replicates in this trial were 94.7%, 89.5%, and 78.8%, once again over 0-2, 2-4 and 4-6 months, respectively. VEConst is much closer to true VE in this second trial, but in both cases is significantly less close to the truth than the VEHR curve. It is possible that neutralizing antibodies that confer short-term protection could wane log-linearly, which would lead to the waning of VE over several months. However, post-vaccination VE could be maintained at a plateau for a long time due to cell-mediated or memory immune responses remaining near enough constant over time. To investigate this, the scientists simulated another two trials in which the VE was allowed to reach a plateau at 5 and 3.5 months post full vaccination. In the first, five month trial, VE is overestimated by VEConst and underestimated by VEHR. In the second trial, both estimates provide reasonable approximations of true VE. However, VEHR allows more rapid detection of non-linear changes in VE over time, which are only detectable with VEConst over a more extended period of time. Estimation of vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 based on 6 months of follow-up in four simulated clinical trials. In the first two trials, the true VEHR (truth) decreases (linearly in the log hazard ratio) from a peak of 95% at full vaccination that lasts one month to 70% at 6 months after full vaccination. In the trial depicted in panel A, most participants received dose 2 at a calendar time coinciding with a peak in infection rates, whereas in the trial depicted in panel B, most participants received dose 2 at a time of low infection rates. In the trials depicted in panels C and D, the true VEHR plateaus at 5 and 3.5 months, respectively. In each trial, VEConst is obtained over 02 months, 24 months and 46 months post full vaccination, and VEHR is estimated under the Cox model in which the log hazard ratio is a piecewise linear function of time since vaccination, with change points at 0, 2 and 4 months post full vaccination. For each trial, the mean and standard deviation of each estimate over 1000 replicates are shown. Phase three trials only provide efficacy information six months post-dose 2 due to crossover of placebo recipients to the vaccine arm. For more information on the long-term effectiveness of vaccines, observational studies are more useful and tend to enable estimation of VE against severe disease and against different strains, even in various subpopulations. VEHR provides similar advantages over VEConst in the assessment of the level waning in VE in an observational setting. Reduction in VE over calendar time, or since vaccination, can be caused by a decline of immunity, the emergence of new variants, or additional factors. Comparing VE at calendar time allows better assessment of VE waning due to declining immunity, and taking different calendar times allows better evaluation of waning due to new variants. Conclusion The authors highlight that their newly proposed approach, based on estimating VEHR, improves sensitivity for evaluating the true duration of VE using data from both observational studies and phase three clinical trials as it allows VE to vary continuously by time post-vaccination as well as adjusting for changes in disease incidence over calendar time. They point out that this approach was used effectively in a study in VE in North Carolina and argue that analyses of observational data should adjust for demographics and comorbidities as well as other factors to reduce confounding bias. This information could be essential for public health policymakers and epidemiologists attempting to model the disease and could help inform future policy on the spread of the disease and the necessity for booster shots. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preprint papers that have not yet undergone peer review. The information contained in this article should not be treated as fact or used to guide research or clinical practice. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019 in the Hubei province of China led to disastrous human as well as economic losses throughout the world. The immense effort of the scientific community helped in the implementation of rapid diagnostic tools, immunological monitoring tools, and the development of several vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 that led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic belonged to the Sarbecovirus subgenus of Coronaviridae. SARS-CoV-2 like all other zoonotic sarbecovirus uses the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for entry into the cell. SARS-CoV-2 is the third major human infectious disease outbreak that has been caused by zoonotic coronaviruses after SARS-CoV-1 in 2002-2003 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines are based upon the delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) through various vaccine platforms to elicit antibodies against the S protein which also includes the receptor-binding domain (RBD). These vaccines induce Th1 responses that are restricted to the S epitopes but are not very responsive in eliciting CD8+ T-cell responses that are also required for controlling infections. Furthermore, the control of the pandemic is threatened by the emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) such as B.1.1.7 Alpha, B.1.351 Beta, P.1 Gamma, B.1.617.2 Delta, and B.1.1.529 Omicron. These variants are found to consist of several specific or shared mutations in the S sequences that enhance their transmissibility and ability to escape the immune response. Several recent studies indicated decreased efficacy of mRNA vaccines against the VOCs as well as reduced efficacy in immunocompromised and older individuals. Therefore, new and complementary vaccines administered as booster or prophylaxis are required to combat the SARS-CoV-2 variants. Dendritic cells (DC) are a class of immune system controllers that help to deliver signals to other immune cells with the help of soluble factors and intercellular interactions. An effective strategy to improve subunit-vaccine efficacy while reducing the amount of antigen required can be targeting the vaccine antigens to the DCs with the help of surface receptors. This not only helps in the delivery of specific antigens but also evokes an activation signal that stimulates the immune response without the need for additional immune stimulants. Previous studies suggested that vaccines targeting diverse viral antigens to CD40- expressing antigen-presenting cells evoked strong T and B cell responses. Also, studies have reported the efficacy of a new generation of subunit vaccines that target the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the CD40 receptor. A new study published in the pre-print server bioRxiv* used in silico approaches for designing a next-generation CD40-targeting vaccine, CD40. CoV2 included new T- and B-cell epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 and was also homologous to 38 sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. The study reported the antiviral efficacy as well as immunogenicity of this vaccine in a preclinical model. About the study The study involved the production of the CD40.CoV2 vaccine using expression plasmids via transfection into mammalian CHO-S cells and followed by Protein A-affinity purification. Infectious stocks of the Wuhan/D614 SARS-CoV-2 virus were grown by inoculating Vero E6 cells and collecting supernatants after cytopathic effects were observed. Thereafter, 8 to 12 weeks old transgenic mice were injected with CD40.CoV2 vaccine and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly-IC; Oncovir) or Poly-IC alone three weeks apart. They were then infected with SARS-CoV-2 on week 4 and monitored daily for mortality and morbidity. Blood was collected from them on day 2 before vaccination, day 28 before infection, and day 40 after vaccination. The viral load was measured by RT-qPCR along with median tissue-culture infectious dose (TCID50). This was followed by antibody measurement, production of specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens, characterization of SARS-COV-2-specific immune responses in convalescent COVID-19 patients, quantification of culture supernatant analytes from convalescent COVID-19 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 2 days after CD40.CoV2 vaccine administration, and cytotoxicity assay. Study findings The results reported four T-and B-cell epitope-enriched regions in the S, N, and M structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that were selected as vaccine regions. The vaccine sequences reported 42 percent and 48 percent CD8+ T-cell epitopes for S and N proteins, respectively while 46 percent and 40 percent were reported for CD4+ 161 T-cell epitopes. Two CD4+ T-cell epitopes and nine CD8+ T cell epitopes were found to be 100 percent homologous across all the sarbecoviruses. The results also indicated that unvaccinated mice exhibited significant weight loss as well as the development of symptoms post-infection that could lead to death while vaccinated mice showed no symptoms and none of them died. The viral replication and viral infectious particles were found to be lower in the lungs of vaccinated mice as compared to unvaccinated mice. Additionally, the CD40.CoV2 vaccine levels were reported to be quite high one week after booster injection in vaccinated mice. The vaccine was also able to elicit cross-neutralizing antibodies responses against RBD from both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the VOCs and S from both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1. Furthermore, the CD40.CoV2 vaccine induced significantly higher proliferation of specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. The vaccine also stimulated the production of several chemokines and cytokines. The vaccine elicited a high amount of cross-reactive SARS-CoV-1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The vaccine was found to induce SARS-CoV-1- and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses that were found to be highly correlated for almost all corresponding antigen sequences. Also, the vaccine responsiveness was not affected by RBD mutations of the VOCs and recognized the SARS-CoV-1 epitopes quite well. The current study, therefore, demonstrates the urgent need for developing a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine. The CD40.CoV2 vaccine involved in the study was found to be quite responsive against the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and has also shown significant cross-reactivity in both human and mice models. Further research needs to be carried out for the development of protein-based vaccines to combat the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as any future SARS-like coronaviruses. Limitations The study had certain limitations. First, there was no characterization of cross-neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated mice against the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant. Second, various VOC challenges in mice were not evaluated. Finally, the T cell responses were determined using samples obtained from recovered individuals instead of in vivo preclinical models. *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. In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers investigated the potency of trimeric human nephrocystin SH3, TriSb92, a domain-derived antibody, against a conserved region in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs). Background The currently emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of escaping the vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies and therefore, a prophylactic treatment complementing the action of the vaccine is essential to fight the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The primary entry point of SARS-CoV-2 is the nasal cavity, and the epithelium of the nasal cavity is rich with ACE2 receptors critical for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Some animal studies have also shown promising results for intranasal antibodies administration. Screening for a potent sherpabody In the present study, the researchers screened a large antibody-mimetic phage library with approximately 1,011 unique sherpabodies against the RBD of spike glycoprotein of the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. The large library of unique sherpabodies was reduced to 15 through affinity selection and phage amplification. These 15 unique sherpabodies were further tested with phase enzyme-linked immunoassay (phage-ELISA) for binding to RBD-mFc, control mFc, or a monoclonal antibody and all 15 sherpabodies displayed strong and specific RBD binding. Among the 15 sherpabodies, clone number 92 (Sb92) displayed the strongest RBD binding affinity to SARS-CoV-1 and was chosen for further development. The semi-quantitative antigen capture-ELISA for RBD-binding affinity of Sb92 displayed an affinity of 30nM. Neutralization of Wuhan-Hu-1 and SARS-CoV-2 variants with Sb92 The researchers evaluated the potency of Sb92 as a neutralizing agent in the Beta VOC and Wuhan-Hu-1-based pseudovirus model on the luciferase lentiviral vectors infecting ACE2-expressing HEK293T cells in a Spike-dependent manner and found that Sb92 had a high neutralizing capacity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) at 7 nm against the Beta VOC and 28 nM against the Wuhan-Hu-1. The researchers constructed a multimerized derivative of Sb92 with three tandem copies as TriSb92 connected by flexible 15-mer Gly-Ser linkers which resulted in increased potency of Sb92 by 200-fold for neutralizing these pseudoviruses with IC50 values of 150 pM for Wuhan-Hu-1 and 50 pM for Beta VOC. Interestingly, the most recently found VOCs Delta and Omicron were also neutralized by TriSb92 at IC50 values of 35 pM and 180 pM, respectively. Further, the researchers tested TriSb92 in VeroE6 cells using clinical SARS-CoV-2 variant isolates and found that TriSb92 can completely neutralize all SARS-CoV-2 variants wat very low or subnanomolar concentrations. The end-point dilution values for different VOCs were 1.6 nM, 0.8 nM, 1.2 nM, 0.6 nM, 2.4 nM, and 6.3 nM for Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (B.1.617.2), Mu (B.1.6219), Kappa (B.1.617.1) and Omicron (B1.1.529), respectively. Intranasal administration of TriSb92 in mice inhibits SARS-CoV-2 The study on the prophylactic efficiency of TriSb92 was conducted on mice where the mice received a modest dose of 25 g/ nostril intranasally and were later exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 Beta (B.1.351) variant. At 2 days post-infection the euthanization of mice revealed that mice who received TriSb92 intranasally were protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Another similar study on mice with a lower dose of 2.5 g/nostril administered intranasally an hour before SARS-CoV-2 exposure also displayed no evidence of viral antigen expression in the lungs. Likewise, TriSb92 was administered 8 hours before the SARS-CoV-2 exposure revealed that 3 out of 4 mice had no viral antigen, but one animal did show low levels of viral RNA in bronchiolar epithelial cells. TriSb92 targets a conserved region in the RBD The structural and mechanistic insight of the TriSb92 revealed that it has a highly conserved region distal from ACE2 binding. The epitope of TriSb92 is distinct from therapeutic monoclonal antibodies which primarily targets the ACE2 binding site and therefore, are vulnerable to amino acid change occurring in this region. Conclusion Taken together, these findings indicated that TriSb92 is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection targeting a conserved site in the RBD of the spike, which is insensitive for immune escape mutations found in the relevant VOCs, including Omicron. The animal model demonstrated that intranasal administration of TriSb92 at relatively low doses can provide impressive prophylactic protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, TriSb92 can be used as a novel inhibitor against the current Omicron VOC. *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) Update: Big Ben is back. After last ringing on August 21, 2017, the bells of Britain's famed clock pealed again on Friday after a four-year hiatus. After a few test runs on Dec. 29 and 30, the clock officially sounded at noon local time, and is scheduled to sound a number of times throughout the day, including at midnight. The lengthy silence was in order to allow the clock's face, chiming mechanism, and roughly 1,000 parts to be cleaned as part of a $107 million project. CNN reports the cost and timeline were jacked up after it was discovered, once the clock was taken apart, that Big Ben had sustained previously unknown damage during the Nazi bombing of London. Our original story from August 2017 follows: story continues below With a dozen deep bongs, Britain's Big Ben sounded the hour for the last time Monday before falling silent for repair work due to last almost four years. The giant bell atop Parliament's clock tower rang out at noon, as it has almost every hour since 1859, becoming an iconic sound of London. Hundreds of parliamentary staff, journalists, and lawmakers gathered in a courtyard under the Victorian clock tower, while hundreds more tourists and passers-by lined sidewalks and filled nearby Parliament Square. The mood was lighthearted, but total silence fell as the first bong sounded, per the AP. The crowd burst into cheers and applause as the last faded away. The break will allow workers to carry out much-needed maintenance to the clock and clock tower. But a handful of lawmakers have criticized the lengthy silence, calling Big Ben an important symbol of British democracy. These lawmakers want the time scale for repairs tightened, and House of Commons officials say they'll take another look at the schedule once Parliament returns next month from its summer break. Big Ben has been silenced for repairs before, most recently in 2007, but this stretch is by far the longest. The bell isn't due to resume regular timekeeping until sometime in 2021, though it will be heard on special occasions such as New Year's Eve. During the repair work, scaffolding will obscure parts of the tower, and the clock faces will be covered at times. Adam Watrobski, principal architect at the Houses of Parliament, says that once this round of work is finished, "the building will be sound and secure for the next 60 years or so." Labour Party lawmaker Stephen Pound, however, said the silencing of Big Ben was "a dispiriting moment." "You don't know what you've got till it's gone," he said. (Read more Big Ben stories.) (Newser) Around 4:30am Wednesday, the security system alarm at a Columbus, Ohio, home was set off. Police say a man in the house then shot a person in the garage, whom he believed was breaking inonly to find out it was his own 16-year-old daughter. The high school junior died at a nearby hospital an hour later, the Columbus Dispatch reports. During the more than 8-minute-long 911 call, the parents of Janae Hairston can be heard, distraught, wondering what the teen had been doing in the garage and pleading with her to wake up, NBC News reports. story continues below "My husband made a mistake and shot her because he thought she was an intruder," the mother says on the call. "She was in our garage and my husband just didnt know what was going on. Oh, my God." No charges have been filed. The case was forwarded to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office for review, as is standard policy. This year was the deadliest in the history of the city of Columbus, with 202 homicides. Hairston's death is the seventh homicide in a week, and the third in three days, in the city. (The tragedy comes just days after North Carolina police officer allegedly accidentally shot his 15-year-old son in the head.) (Newser) Until her conviction Wednesday on sex trafficking charges, Ghislaine Maxwell didn't see a need to cooperate with investigators. Apparently confident of acquittal, she had told the court that "the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt." Now that Maxwell is awaiting sentencing, legal analysts are weighing whether she wants to provide information in exchange for a shorter prison term, the Guardian reports. She'd probably have to promise famous names to interest the government, experts say. And even then, she'd face obstacles. story continues below "It all depends on who she would be cooperating against, and what she has to offer," said defense lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman. Investigators might want incriminating information about any famous people involved, said Neama Rahmani of West Coast Trial Lawyers, per the Hill, "particularly politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and even an alleged member of the British royal family." A former federal sex crimes prosecutor said, "Prince Andrew may be the next shoe to drop, and it may be the only shoe." The son of Queen Elizabeth II has already been sued by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, who welcomed the verdict in Maxwell's trial. It's possible that Maxwell has already tried to reach a deal with prosecutors and failed, experts said. There's another issue that's just about Maxwell, not any other possible accomplices. Prosecutors consider some defendants so horrible that they don't want to work side-by-side with them, even in the name of more convictions, Lichtman said. "They don't want to take the hand of someone involved a criminal operation and let them cooperate against people who are well below them," he said. Maxwell will be out of luck, Lichtman said, if prosecutors "feel that she's so bad they wont allow her to cooperate." (Read more Ghislaine Maxwell stories.) (Newser) In a 50-minute phone call Thursday afternoon, President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the choices they face concerning the standoff on the Russia-Ukraine border. The tone was serious, both sides said, with Axios reporting that a US official called the talk "substantive" and Kremlin officials said it was "constructive." The leaders also laid the groundwork for security talks beginning Jan. 10. Thursday's call was at Russia's request; Biden and Putin also talked for two hours earlier this month. story continues below Biden told the Russian leader that real progress in negotiations could be made "only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, per the Hill. She said Biden "made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine." Russia has said it doesn't plan to invade Ukraine, but it has issued a series of demands in return, including that NATO not expand to the east. The US has already rejected some of the demands, per Axios. A US official said Biden told Putin his choices are a "path of diplomacy," which would focus on de-escalation, or a "path more focused on deterrence," which would bring major sanctions and more NATO activity in the region if there's an invasion. A Kremlin official said Russia "will behave the way the United States would behave if offensive weapons were deployed near American borders." Sanctions would be a "colossal mistake," an aide said Putin threatened, and risk US-Russian relations, per CNN. "A lot of such mistakes have been made over the past 30 years," said Putin aide Yury Ushakov, "and it is advisable not to make such mistakes again." (Read more US-Russia relations stories.) (Newser) The Oregon prankster who told President Biden "Let's Go Brandon" in a Christmas Eve call to NORAD's Santa tracker is now considering a political career. "I do feel like God put me in this position for a reason," Jared Schmeck said in an interview with conservative Christian broadcaster Todd Starnes, per Newsweek. Asked if he had plans to run for pubic office, the father of four said, "I want to pray about it, see what God has for me. At the end of the day, I want his will for my life and the direction that it goes." story continues below Schmeck, a 35-year-old former police officer who works for an electric company, said he believes "that standing up is the right thing to do here as long as that message that Im portraying is glorifying his name." Earlier this week, Schmeck argued that "Let's Go Brandon" means a lot more than "F Joe Biden," the Washington Post reports. It "encompasses the entirety of our frustration with Joe Biden, the administration, the leftist mob, the cancel culture, the mainstream media," he told Steve Bannon. Schmeck also told Bannon's "War Room" show that he believes the 2020 election was "100% stolen." "Donald Trump is my president and he should still be president right now," he said, per the Oregonian. After his remarks to Starnes about running for office, the host said, "Something tells me if you do run, youll be invited to a certain place in Florida." Schmeck replied, "I would be honored." (Read more Let's Go Brandon stories.) (Newser) Sen. Ted Cruz deleted a tweet after mixing up Washington state and another WAWestern Australia. The Republican senator retweeted a screenshot in which a WA Government account confirmed that dancing was banned at all New Year's events, PerthNow reports. "Blue-state Dems are power-drunk authoritarian kill-joys," wrote Cruz, a frequent critic of COVID restrictions. "Washington State: NO DANCING ALLOWED!!! Any rational & free citizen: Piss off." He was soon mocked by critics including Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who told Cruz: " Hey Ted, WA is Western Australia. But cool tweet." story continues below Before Cruz deleted the tweet, it was savedand sharedby Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, among others reports the Guardian. Since Cruz deleted it, "Ill post as a reminder to all of us to DO YOUR RESEARCH before posting misinformation," Kinzinger tweeted. Western Australia, which has recorded a total of 1,158 COVID cases and nine COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began, has stepped up restrictions in Perth amid an outbreak that started with an infected French backpacker. The dancing ban was brought in on Dec. 23 and authorities say they plan to lift it on Jan. 4. (Read more Ted Cruz stories.) (Newser) In the Book of Exodus, Moses went to Mount Sinai, and, there, "the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up." A fascinating piece from the New York Times looks at a natural phenomenon that appears to mirror that. In December 2003, an ecologist spotted something marvelous on Israel's Mount Karkom: The noon sun was low in the sky, and its rays created "a strange aura of light, flickering like flames, emanating from a spot on a sheer rock face," writes Isabel Kershner. She writes the discovery of the burning-bush effect has led others to trek to the same spot around the winter solstice, many with one question on their mind: Could this be the biblical Mount Sinai? story continues below Kershney writes that religious and academic scholars have put forth plenty of "more traditional contenders," most located in Egypt, including the mountain known today as Mount Sinai. But she details findings from decades earlier that some say lend a little more credence to the Karkom-Sinai theory: Archaeologist Emmanuel Anati's decades-old discovery of rock drawings theremany are of ibexes but some have been read as depicting the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Anati also spotted what he said could be a sacrificial altar whose makeup is somewhat similar to the one Moses is described as building in Exodus. There are holes in the theory: The chronology between the Bible and the what can be dated at Karkom is off by about a thousand years, for one. (Read her fascinating full story here.) (Newser) A driver somehow managed to emerge with nothing but cold feet after sliding off a cliff in the snow and falling at least 80 feet in Washington state. KPTV reports the incident occurred near Kalama around 7:30am Tuesday, when a woman's pickup truck slid off the road, into an embankment, and then went over a cliff in Cowlitz County and toward the Kalama River below, flipping over as it fell. Cowlitz County Fire District #5 Chief Victor Leatzow says the car would have gone into the river if not for a couple of trees that stopped it. "She went between two trees and hit the cedar tree and actually broke the cedar tree," Leatzow said. "When it came down into that rock chute, it wedged her vehicle between the cedar tree and the side of the rock chute." story continues below The woman was able to remove herself from the car and make it to a nearby ledge, where she began calling out for help. KOIN reports a driver spotted tire tracks leading off the road, pulled over, and managed to hear her cries. He drove to get cell service and called 911. "If it hadnt been for that, she might still be out there," Leatzow said. Rescue teams used ropes to get to the woman and bring her up in a process that took about 2.5 hours. Leatzow describes the whole thing as a miracle: "Out of a 1000-yard area on that corner of the river that is the onlythe onlyspot thats not 40-60 feet straight up and down rock wall." (Read more car crash stories.) (Newser) In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter. Aziz Guls husband sold the 10-year-old girl into marriage without telling his wife. Arranging marriages for very young girls is a frequent practice throughout the region. The grooms familyoften distant relativespays money to seal the deal, and the child usually stays with her own parents until she is at least around 15 or 16. Yet with many unable to afford even basic food, some say theyd allow prospective grooms to take very young girls or are even trying to sell their sons. But Gul, unusually in this deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society, is resisting. story continues below Married off herself at 15, she says she would kill herself if her daughter, Qandi Gul, is forcibly taken away, reports the AP. Gul remembers well the moment she found out her husband had sold Qandi. For around two months, the family had been able to eat. Eventually, she asked her husband where the money came from, and he told her. "My heart stopped beating. I wished I could have died at that time, but maybe God didnt want me to die," Gul said. She asked her husband why he did it. "He said he wanted to sell one and save the others. 'You all would have died this way,' [he said.] I told him, 'Dying was much better than what you have done.'" Gul rallied her community, telling her brother and village elders that her husband had sold her child behind her back. They supported her, and with their help she secured a "divorce" for her child, but only on condition she repays the 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000) that her husband received. Its money she doesnt have. Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to the authorities. The Taliban government recently announced a ban on forcing women into marriage or using women and girls as exchange tokens to settle disputes. The family of the prospective groom, a man of around 21 or 22, has already tried several times to claim the girl, she says. She is not sure how long she can fend them off. "If I cant provide money to pay these people and cant keep my daughter by my side, I have said that I will kill myself," Gul said. "But then I think about the other children. What will happen to them?" Her eldest is 12, her youngesther sixthjust two months. Now alone, Gul leaves the children with her elderly mother while she goes to work in peoples homes. Her 12-year-old son works picking saffron after school. Its barely enough to keep them fed, and the saffron season is short, only a few weeks in the fall. "We dont have anything," Gul said. (Read the full story, which looks at two other desperate families who have sold or are trying to sell their children.). (Newser) New York City readied on Friday to embrace the new yearand bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 monthsas it prepared to revive its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. It did so as an uneasy nation tried to muster optimism that the worst days of the pandemic are now behind it, even as public health officials cautioned Friday against unbridled celebrations amid surging COVID infections from the omicron variant. The city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectatorsfar fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually descend on the world-famous square to bask in the lights, hoopla, and shower of confetti during the nation's marquee New Year's Eve event, per the AP. story continues below "We are very excited to welcome back visitors to Times Square this New Year's Eve," said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. "Our goal is to have a safe and responsible event for the world to see." Doubts had swirled over whether the city would have to cancel this year's bash, as the city posted record numbers of COVID cases in the days leading up to it, even as some cities like Atlanta had decided to cancel their own celebrations. Last year's ball drop was closed to the public because of the outbreak. COVID-19 cases in the US have soared to their highest levels on record, at over 265,000 per day on average. New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed casesmore than 39,590on Tuesday, according to New York state figures. But Mayor Bill de Blasio, who'll relinquish oversight of the nation's most populous city at the stroke of midnight to Eric Adams, said the festivities at Times Square would "show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this." Officials said those attending the spectacle would have to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. Rap artist and actor LL Cool J was supposed to be among the performers taking the stage in Times Square Friday night, but he announced he was pulling out of the event because he'd tested positive for COVID. Adams, meanwhile, expressed hope on Thursday that 2022 would be "a new beginning of our resiliency," a sentiment shared by ordinary people. Paolo Bruegger, a banker from Zurich, says he's "extremely optimistic" about 2022, partly because of vaccines and new therapies against COVID-19 and partly, he added, "because it can't be worse than the last two years." (Read more Times Square stories.) (Newser) More canceled flights frustrated air travelers on the final day of 2021 and appeared all but certain to inconvenience hundreds of thousands more over the New Year's holiday weekend. Airlines blamed many of the cancellations on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections, with wintry weather in parts of the US compounding the problem, the AP reports. By midday Friday on the East Coast, airlines had scrubbed more than 1,300 US flights and 2,700 worldwide, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compared with about 1,400 US cancellations for all of Thursday. That pushed total US cancellations since Christmas Eve above 9,000. story continues below The disruptions come just as travel numbers climb higher going into New Year's weekend. Since Dec. 16, more than 2 million travelers a day on average have passed through US airport security checkpoints, an increase of nearly 100,000 a day since November. Canceled flights began rising shortly before Christmas, most notably for United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways. On Friday, United canceled more than 200 flights, or 11% of its scheduleand that doesn't include cancellations on the United Express regional affiliate. CommutAir, which operates many United Express flights, scrubbed one-third of its schedule by midday, according to FlightAware figures. JetBlue canceled more than 140 flights, or 14% of its schedule, and Delta grounded more than 100, or 5% of its flights by midday Friday. Other forms of transportation are also being hammered by the surge in virus cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that it is monitoring more than 90 cruise ships because of COVID-19 outbreaks. The agency warned people not to go on cruises, even if they are fully vaccinated against the virus. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the omicron variant pushed the seven-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 cases in the US above 350,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. (Read more flight cancellation stories.) Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Bahrain Cabinet yesterday highlighted the role played by the Interior Ministrys employees in consolidating security to support national achievements. It noted the recent visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, to the ministry which reaffirmed the Kingdoms appreciation for their efforts in enhancing public safety. To mark Bahrain Police Day today, the Cabinet paid tribute to fallen servicemen, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of Bahrain and the safety of its citizens. HM Kings vision The Cabinet commended His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas vision to further strengthen the values of understanding and cross-cultural communication which has placed Bahrain as an inspiring model in promoting tolerance and openness. In this regard, the Cabinet welcomed the inauguration of the new Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, which was held under HMs patronage. The Cabinet noted the meeting between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, HH Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. UAE success The Cabinet also congratulated the UAE on the success of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, noting the efforts made to successfully host this important sporting event in a way that enhances the regions position in the world of motorsports. The Cabinet also decided to increase the support provided through the financial support program for low-income families by 10%, following consensus on the issue by the Council of Representatives. The Cabinet expressed its thanks and appreciation to the members of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council for their constant commitment to enhancing cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities, in supporting the enhanced progress of development that benefits Bahraini citizens. The Cabinet also thanked the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance headed by HE the Deputy Prime Minister for leading the coordination meetings with the Council of Representatives. Best wishes The Cabinet expressed its best wishes for the success of the upcoming 42nd session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today. The Cabinet expressed its best wishes for the success of the upcoming 42nd session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today BNA | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain has emerged as a model of religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence, the emancipation of women and human rights, thanks to the vision of His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Duarte Pacheco said that he understood quite well the practical aspects of the vision of His Majesty the King on tolerance, cooperation, peace, interfaith dialogue and freedom of religion. Its a great honour for me to visit Bahrain for the first time and it is a unique experience when we see, meet, and greet people, not just leaders, but also common folks, he said. We get to know more of the people when we walk on the streets, go to a restaurant and we may see from the faces of the people if they are free or not, he told Bahrain News Agency (BNA) during his maiden visit to the Kingdom. Pacheco held meetings with HM the King, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal and Shura Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh. It is my first meeting with HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and I am honoured to have met him, he said. He has a strong personality and he is very aware of what is necessary to the country and its people. And its not just theoretical, but also concrete actions involving everyone to build a better country. Bahrain has people from other countries. If everyone can work here to contribute to the development of the country, that is a welcome sign. This also reflects a perspective of a real leader who knows what is important for the country and its people. The IPU President, a Portuguese Member of Parliament since 1991, applauded Bahrains inclusive approach to women empowerment and said it was great to witness that His Majesty the King has this kind of vision because it is essential to have women representation in the political landscape of the country. If we wish to have a free society and a representative parliament, it's impossible to ignore fifty per cent of the population and leave them without representation. It's essential to encourage women to participate and to be elected to the parliament, he said. For Bahrain, to have a woman, Speaker of parliament is particularly important and it is a strong message to the world. Referring to general reports on the progress, economic and social development, human rights of any country, he said that the authenticity of such reports has to be validated during a visit to the country itself, and I am very much impressed with what I have seen in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is easy to find out facts here with concrete actions. And so, I am incredibly happy with my visit to Bahrain. We have strong cooperation between the Bahrain parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. When the Bahraini delegates and the Speaker come to one of the IPU meetings, they are not just attending. They participate actively in the formulation of proposals, interventions, showing agreements and disagreements sometimes because we always say it is impossible to have similar views about all the issues of the world, he said. It is easy to see that Bahrains Speakers and delegates when they attend meetings are highly active, he added. Bahrain has the leadership of the geopolitical Arab group and this group is particularly important. And we know that sometimes it is not easy in different perspectives of the problems for the leadership to try to establish a dialogue between people who think differently about various issues, said Pacheco. In many ways, Bahrain can organize events among assemblies of this group; we have an opportunity to organize the upcoming general assembly of IPU, here in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2023. IPU is the oldest multilateral organization in the world and was established more than 130 years ago, in 1889, he said. Pacheco said that the IPU holds two general assemblies annually, one during the spring, the other one in autumn. In each general assembly, more than 100 speakers of parliament and an average of 2,000 parliamentarians from 150 countries participate, he added. We thought to organize one of these assemblies here in Bahrain. Her excellency the Speaker of the Council Fawzia Zainal proposed that of course, and we need to approve it at the Governing Council. But she has committed to making all the efforts to approve the decision to bring one of the general assemblies to Bahrain in 2023. It will be a huge moment for Bahrain, to show to the world all the progress it has achieved in different sectors, such as economic, social, political, and human rights, and all the reforms that His Majesty is proposing in the country, said Pacheco. Between Bahrain and the IPU there are different areas of cooperation that can always possibly be enforced, said Pacheco who was elected to the IPU Presidency in a historic virtual vote in November, winning 56 per cent of the votes in the first round. For instance, Bahrain has experience in promoting dialogue and cooperation among countries. It also has experience in tolerating inter-faith dialogue and freedom. Why not share this kind of experience with other countries? We may organize events in other continents where the Kingdom of Bahrain can share the history of the country, its experience and achievements. I believe that because of freedom of expression and its achievements, the Kingdom of Bahrain has such good economic and social outcomes. It is because of this approach and freedom that the people of different countries, religions and backgrounds enjoy Bahrain, and become more apt to work, to produce, to do tourism and travel, he said. All the progress that Bahrain has achieved is a consequence of its culture of tolerance and cooperation. Bahrain is a learning experience for other countries. The IPU President, who has been serving as a parliamentarian for the past 30 years, has termed his political career as a mission. Allow me to say first, no one will be a member of parliament or a journalist or a doctor or something for 30 years if we don't like what we are doing. If we do not like it, of course, we try to change but in politics, we feel that we try to contribute to resolving peoples problems. Reflecting on the role of young parliamentarians, he said they have a very crucial role to play in society, including changing the mindset and helping to weed out extreme thinking among youngsters. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state recorded its highest one-day count of confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began Thursday amid an omicron-fueled surge in the virus across the country. Arkansas reported 4,978 new cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus, surpassing the previous high of 4,304 on Jan. 1. Hutchinson said the rate of virus tests coming back positive also hit a record high at nearly one in five. He said he's directed the state health department to acquire 1.5 million test kits to be distributed with the help of the Arkansas National Guard in public places, such as libraries and local health clinics. The Republican urged people to be vaccinated and cautious in gathering on New Year's Eve, including by wearing masks. He did not announce any new restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the virus and rejected the idea of imposing a state-wide mask mandate. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Arkansas have risen in recent days but remain well below their peak set in late summer during the surge of the Delta variant of the virus. Hutchinson said the increase in patients is nonetheless straining the state's medical resources. They are stressed in the hospitals," he said. Once again there are staff challenges. On Wednesday, an Arkansas judge struck down a state law that prevents schools and other governmental entities from requiring face masks. Hutchinson said state schools will continue in-class instruction in 2022. One first selectman wants residents to pick up their dogs poo in town parks. Others hope 2022 will bring another police cruiser or a new health department building. Local leaders have varying New Years resolutions for their towns. Several had particular projects they want to get done in 2022, while others simply hoped for a calmer year after the tumultuous 2020 and 2021. As the new mayor, I just want to continue progress here and move the city forward, Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said. Danbury is a great place to live and raise a family, and were going to make it greater, if thats possible. Im sure it is. Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconis aspirations are even bigger. The first thing on my wish list for 2022 would be the end of COVID, he said. Sherman First Selectman Don Lowes are simpler. He asked that all dog owners will pick up their dog poo from our town parks, take it with them, and discard it at their own homes. Lowe wants the town to progress on its new senior center, too. In New Milford, Mayor Pete Bass said his resolution for the town in 2022 was to continue working together as a community. Marconi had similar sentiments. He said he wanted to be mindful of what they say on social media and to each other. He praised the compassionate, hard working, and caring people who make the town better. Thats the spirit that makes Ridgefield the great town it is, Marconi said. What we need to do is to protect that spirit and to make sure everyone understands it, and that if you live here, we live here together. We dont live here against one another and we respect everyones opinion and their right to the First Amendment. Initiatives For Danbury, Esposito said he hopes the city can make progress on the $99 million career academy, which will serve 1,400 middle and high school students when it opens in fall 2024. School officials are developing the academic program for the academy, while the Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing related to the school on Jan. 11. The city should hear in the new year about approval of a state grant that would cover 80 percent of the projects cost. Another goal is opening a downtown building that will centralize health services and progressing on plans to create a faster train from Danbury to New York City, Esposito said. I would hope were really deep into getting that train scenario set up because thats going to be a huge economic driver here in Danbury, he said. Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said his resolutions for 2022 include completing the installation of the towns E-Government online systems to reduce operating costs and provide a better customer experience for residents and businesses, and providing more support for the towns Parks and Recreation facilities and programs the latter of which, he said, is consistent with Bethels five-year improvement plan. Knickerbocker said he plans to propose adding at least one unmarked cruiser to Bethels police force to address traffic problems. Complaints concerning speeding and running signals have increased since the start of the pandemic, he said. Washington First Selectman Jim Brinton aims to purchase a new building to serve as the ambulance headquarters. He also wants to maintain the towns road program with paving and chip sealing. Bridgewater First Selectman Curtis Reed said he aims to keep the taxes low, the speeders going slow, salt on the snow and our citizens in the know. Staff writers Sandra Diamond Fox, Kendra Baker and Currie Engel contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) With Wednesday's guilty verdict in the sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, here's a look at what the once high-flying Jeffrey Epstein confidante was accused of and what's next for her: WHO WERE GHISLAINE MAXWELLS ACCUSERS? The prosecution hinged on the accusations of four women Annie Farmer and the pseudonymous Jane, Kate and Carolyn who say they were teenagers when Maxwell and Epstein sexually exploited them in the 1990s and early 2000s. ON WHAT CHARGES WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CONVICTED? The trial focused on six counts: 1. conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts 2. enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts 3. conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity 4. transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity 5. sex trafficking conspiracy 6. sex trafficking of a minor She was convicted on all charges except the second count, despite her lawyers' assertions she was just a patsy. WHY WAS SHE ACQUITTED ON ONE COUNT? Without public statements from the jurors, who have yet to come forward, it's impossible to say for sure. But the second count, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, was perhaps the most ambiguous of the charges levied. Maxwell was accused of having enticed Jane to New York City, arranging flights and offering gifts, knowing that Epstein would abuse her. During deliberations, the jury seemed to be hung up on this count, asking for the definition of enticement" in a note. HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PRONOUNCE GHISLAINE? Hard g, silent s. Think ghee, like the clarified butter. If it helps, the cover of the New York Post run by Rupert Murdoch, a rival of Maxwell's late media baron father the day after the verdict: GHILTY! HOW MUCH PRISON TIME DOES GHISLAINE MAXWELL FACE? The most serious count on which the 60-year-old was convicted carries up to 40 years in prison. The count on which she acquitted was fairly minor, carrying a five-year maximum. SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR GHISLAINE MAXWELL? She needs to be sentenced, but a date has yet to be set. A family statement the night of the verdict said an appeal had already been started. And she faces another trial, on two counts of perjury that were spun off from her indictment. WHY IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CHARGED WITH PERJURY? Those counts are based on her answers during 2016 depositions in a since-settled lawsuit brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre. She's accused of lying by saying I dont know what youre talking about in response to a question about whether Epstein had a scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages. She's also accused of lying by saying she didn't recall whether there were sex toys or devices at Epstein's Florida home and by saying she wasn't aware Epstein was having sex with anyone but her. Her lawyers argued those depositions shouldn't be used at the criminal trial because of a court-approved agreement her answers would stay confidential. WHAT WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL UP TO BEFORE HER ARREST? Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 almost a year after Epstein killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. After Epstein's death, she withdrew from public activities like running an oceans charity. Her whereabouts became a subject of public speculation. Was that her eating a burger and reading a book on CIA operatives in Southern California? Was she living in Britain or Paris or maybe even Massachusetts? Prosecutors say she went into hiding in New Hampshire where she was eventually arrested in a million-dollar home where she kept her cellphone wrapped in foil. SO HAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL BEEN IN JAIL THIS WHOLE TIME? Yes, despite multiple requests for bail, Maxwell was deemed a flight risk and has spent well over a year lodged in a federal lockup in Brooklyn. Her attorneys and family have lambasted jail conditions as punitive and inhospitable to Maxwells ability to mount a proper defense. Her attorney asked immediately after the conviction was announced that Maxwell be given a COVID-19 booster shot because infection rates in her jail were rising dramatically. Once she's sentenced, she will be moved to a federal prison. HOW LONG DID THE TRIAL TAKE? A month. Testimony started Nov. 29; we had a verdict Dec. 29. The whole trial was initially projected to last six weeks, but the witness lists for both sides were dramatically truncated without explanation. The jury took five full days to decide the case. WHY DIDN'T GHISLAINE MAXWELL TESTIFY? She told the judge not without some defiance that she had no need to testify, as the prosecution had failed to adequately prove their case. The tactic didn't work out for her, but it's not an unusual one: High-profile defendants rarely put themselves on the stand, as it opens them up to a lot more scrutiny. WHAT EXACTLY WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S RELATIONSHIP WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN? They were romantically involved, but at some point the timeline is unclear she says she transitioned to being more of an employee, running his household (Epstein had homes all over the place: Palm Beach, Florida; New Mexico; Manhattan; a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Paris). Prosecutors introduced records showing Epstein had paid Maxwell more than $20 million through the years and accused her of functioning as Epstein's madam, procuring underage girls to satisfy him sexually. HOW IS PRINCE ANDREW INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS? He's not. Not exactly, at least, but Maxwell's conviction isn't good news for the embattled British royal. Giuffre is suing Andrew, saying he sexually abused her when she was 17. She says Maxwell facilitated her meetings with Andrew, who has denied the account. These accusations were left out of this trial, though Andrew's name did come up in testimony: a pilot of Epstein's private jet, dubbed the Lolita Express by the news media, testified he had flown Andrew and an accuser confirmed she told the FBI she had flown with the prince, as well. WHO IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S HUSBAND? A mystery man! She was living with him when she was arrested in New Hampshire, but court documents have not made his name public. He did support her bail attempts, but was never spotted at the trial. She had transferred most of her assets to him, but has also told officials they're in the process of divorcing. IS ANYONE ON GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S SIDE? Her family is sticking by her. Her sister Isabel attended each day of proceedings, often joined by other siblings, and her family issued a strong statement of support for their sister after the verdict. Ghislaine is notably the baby of the family and said to have been the favorite of her father, Robert Maxwell, who died falling off a yacht named for her. HOW HAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL BEEN SPENDING HER TIME IN JAIL? According to a website set up by her family, Maxwell has been working through a pile of books. Her reading list runs the gamut of criminal-justice related books like the award-winning Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson to Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department Justice by Sidney Powell, a conspiracy theorist and former lawyer for President Donald Trump. She's also been making her way through Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials fantasy series and popular book club fiction pick Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. ___ Associated Press reporters Larry Neumeister and Tom Hays contributed reporting. For more Maxwell coverage, visit our hub online. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 30, 2021 /CNW/ - As COVID-19 disease activity continues to accelerate in Canada, many of you may be feeling additional stress or frustration from being away from loved ones, suffering financial hardships, and dealing with the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic. While the start of a new year is something to celebrate, it can also remind us of experiences we have missed out on over the course of another year of the pandemic. It's okay to not feel okay and it's okay to need support to take care of your mental health. You are certainly not alone; a large number of Canadians have reported increased feelings of loneliness and declines in their mental health over the pandemic. Be kind and compassionate with yourself. Try reaching out to a supportive family member or friend to talk about any difficult emotions you may be feeling, or consider getting outside for a bit of fresh air and exercise. These are just a few ways to promote positive mental health and well-being. Everyone's situation is different, so choose the strategies that work best for you. A key component of positive mental health is social connection, and this is especially important over the holidays. Even now, catching up over the phone or video call can help us stay connected. While virtual means of connection are no substitute for in-person time with loved ones, they can go a long way in reducing loneliness and building and strengthening relationships over the holidays. In addition, through the Wellness Together Canada portal, you can access a wide range of immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports. It is available 24/7 and offers resources, including a mental well-being self-assessment tool and tracker, self-guided programs, peer-to-peer support and confidential sessions with social workers, psychologists and other professionals. Mental health is a resource for everyday life, for everyone. For this reason, each of us can benefit from checking in on and prioritizing our own mental health and well-being, even in times of uncertainty. While this pandemic experience has been challenging, it is also important to remember that our many sacrifices have been critical to protecting our communities and saving lives. Together, we will get through this. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor COVID-19 epidemiological indicators to quickly detect, understand and communicate emerging issues of concern. The following is a brief summary with the latest national numbers and trends. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 2,102,470 cases of COVID-19 and 30,253 deaths reported in Canada. These cumulative numbers tell us about the overall burden of COVID-19 illness to date, while the number of active cases, now at 207,418, and 7-day moving averages indicate current disease activity and severity trends. The number of cases associated with the Omicron variant of concern has further accelerated around the world and in Canada. Accumulating data continue to demonstrate that Omicron is the most highly transmissible variant to date and that prior immunity, either from vaccination with a two-dose primary series or previous infection, does not offer good protection against infection. There may be some protection against severe disease after two doses, but this remains uncertain. Importantly, getting a booster dose when eligible, with either the Pfizer Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax mRNA vaccines, is expected to help restore protection that may have waned since the second dose. During the latest 7 day period (Dec 23-29), an average of 25,332 new cases were reported daily across Canada, which is an increase of 141% compared to the previous week. As of December 29, 2021, there have been over 34,000 cases of the Omicron variant reported in 12 provinces and territories; however, these cases likely represent just the tip of the iceberg. Community transmission of Omicron is ongoing in many parts of Canada and outbreaks are being reported in a multiple settings. Omicron is quickly displacing Delta and is now the dominant variant in several jurisdictions. Although the situation is not the same everywhere, the Omicron variant spreads extremely quickly and the local situation can rapidly get out of hand, so increased vigilance is needed across Canada now and in the coming weeks. Accordingly, I am urging all Canadians to continue to reduce their contacts as much as possible . While there is still uncertainty regarding the severity profile of Omicron variant cases, the continued rapid increase in Omicron cases is expected to add an additional strain on the healthcare system, impacting many areas of the country over the coming weeks. Currently, hospitalisation and critical care admission trends are increasing in several jurisdictions. The latest provincial and territorial data show that an average of 1,892 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (Dec 23-29), which is 23% higher than last week. This includes, on average, 476 people who were being treated in intensive care units (ICU), 3.7% more than last week and an average of 22 deaths were reported daily (Dec 23-29). Keeping infection rates down remains key to avoiding renewed increases in severe illness trends over the coming weeks and months as well as to ease the longer-term strain on the health system, particularly in heavily impacted areas. As of December 29, 2021, provinces and territories have administered over 67 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines . The latest provincial and territorial data indicate that over 82% of the total population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and over 76% are now fully vaccinated. As well, over 6.5 million third doses have been administered. In consideration of emerging evidence on waning protection of vaccines over time, the National Advisory Committee for Immunization recently updated their guidance regarding booster doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for adults 18 years of age and over, who completed their primary series at least six months earlier. Immunization for those who are eligible - but have not yet received their primary series - remains a top priority. While COVID-19 is still circulating in Canada and internationally, a vaccines plus approach continues to be essential to the pandemic response in Canada. This includes layering vaccination with timed and targeted public health measures and individual protective practices such as staying home/self-isolating if you have symptoms ; getting tested if symptomatic and/or as recommended ; being aware of risks associated with different settings ; following local public health advice and consistently maintaining individual precautions. In particular, properly wearing a well-fitted and well-constructed face mask when in public or private spaces with others outside of your immediate household , avoiding crowding , and getting the best ventilation possible in indoor spaces , are layers of protection that can reduce your risk in all settings. As well, given the significant risks and uncertainties associated with rapidly expanding spread of the Omicron variant, Canadians are advised to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada at this time; if you must travel, be aware of current and rapidly evolving requirements for visiting other countries and for returning to Canada. In addition to getting fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose as recommended, we can also stay healthier during the winter respiratory season by getting up-to-date with other recommended vaccines , such as influenza and routine vaccines for children and adults . For additional information regarding vaccination in your area, reach out to your local public health authorities , healthcare provider, or other trusted and credible sources, such as Canada.ca and Immunize.ca . Canada.ca provides a broad range of COVID-19 information and resources to help Canadians understand the benefits of being vaccinated against COVID-19 . Canadians can also go the extra mile by sharing credible information on COVID-19 risks and prevention practices and measures to reduce COVID-19 in communities . Read my backgrounder to access more COVID-19 Information and Resources on ways to reduce the risks and protect yourself and others, including information on COVID-19 vaccination . SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada For further information: Contacts: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected] State governments have implemented a variety of steps in response to the fast-spreading strain, ranging from nighttime restrictions on New Year's Eve today to restrict the movements of persons who have not been vaccinated. With only a day till the New Year 2022, numerous states have issued warnings against parties and celebrations as the Omicron coronavirus spreads across the country. State governments have implemented a variety of steps in response to the fast-spreading strain, ranging from nighttime restrictions on New Years Eve today to restrict the movements of persons who have not been vaccinated. In Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, strict limitations have been enforced. Take a look at the laws and regulations for Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Karnatakas celebrations below: New Delhi The Delhi government has put its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on yellow alert. According to the rules, businesses selling non-essential products will be open on an odd-even basis. The authorities have also enforced a night curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Restaurants have been given permission to operate at 50% capacity. All cultural activities, meetings, religious and political assemblies have also been prohibited. Mumbai Section 144 had been in effect in the city from December 30 to January 7. New Years Eve parties and other celebrations in closed or open locations are strictly prohibited. Hotels, restaurants, taverns, bars, clubs, and resorts are all included. Terrace parties, as well as gatherings in locations like Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, and the Gateway of India, have been prohibited. Rajasthan In Rajasthan, a night curfew has been enforced between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and public meetings are limited to 200 people. Furthermore, the state administration plans to limit the mobility of unvaccinated persons in public locations by allowing only those who have been vaccinated to enter. Karnataka Karnataka is one of the first states to place limits on New Years festivities, prohibiting any public celebrations. While the government has permitted festivities inside restaurants, special gatherings are absolutely forbidden, and participation is limited to 50%, with complete immunization required. Kolkata Many of the citys well-known clubs and bars have planned a low-key New Years Eve party. On New Years Eve, restaurants and clubs will only allow a restricted number of people in. According to the Times of India, police will be stationed in numerous locations of South Kolkata to ensure that there is no congestion. Mumbai Police have instructed all police stations to be on alert. Quick Reaction teams and bomb squads have been instructed to be on toes on New Year's eve. A high alert has been sounded in Mumbai after intelligence agencies received inputs regarding terror activities planned by pro-Khalistan groups. A senior officer said that after Jaswinder Singh Multani, a member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who was allegedly linked to Ludhiana court blast, was detained and questioned in Germany, they have received inputs regarding planned terror activities in Mumbai and other big cities. We have received inputs that apart from SJF, other banned pro-Khalistan groups are in contact with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to execute terror activity in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities, he said. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. An alert has been issued to Mumbai Police and has been asked to remain vigilant and take note of any suspicious activity. Mumbai Police have instructed all police stations to be on alert. Quick Reaction teams and bomb squads have been instructed to be on toes on New Years eve. Mumbai Police have already prohibited New Year celebrations and gatherings in any closed or open space, including hotels and restaurants. Income tax sleuths started search operation early this morning. Sources said that the department has credible intelligence of tax evasion by the companies owned by Pushpraj Jain and the other businessman who is also a promoter of a perfume company. Income Tax Department is conducting searches at the premises of perfume businessman and Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Pushpraj Jain and one other perfume trader tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Pushpraj Jain alias Pampi Jain is the Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of Uttar Pradesh and is linked to Samajwadi Party. The searches are being conducted at around eight premises including Kanpur, Kannauj, Bombay and Surat linked to two businessmen, sources told ANI. One more place in Tamil Nadus Dindigul is also being searched, the sources said. Jain had launched the Samajwadi Attar last month in the presence of SP president Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the 2022 UP assembly elections. Income tax sleuths started search operation early this morning. Sources further said that the department has credible intelligence of tax evasion by the companies owned by Pushpraj Jain and the other businessman who is also a promoter of a perfume company. The IT department through its multiple sources has got credible intelligence of fake bills and receipts by the companies who are linked to the parties where searches are going on. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party hit out at the BJP and accused the ruling party of misusing central agencies in the run-up to the assembly polls. After the huge failure of the last time, this time BJPs close associate IT has finally raided SP MLC Pushpraj Jain and other perfume traders of Kannauj. Open misuse of central agencies by scared BJP is common in Uttar Pradesh elections. People are watching everything. They will answer by vote, said SP in a tweet. The probe team is headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh and includes two Brigadier-rank officers from the Army and Navy. Sources said the initial investigations into the case suggested that the accident was sudden. The tri-services inquiry team formed to probe the December 8 chopper crash in which 14 people including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 12 others lost their lives, is expected to submit their report to the government by December 31. The probe team is headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh and includes two Brigadier-rank officers from the Army and Navy. The inquiry report is expected to be submitted to the government by December 31. The detailed report has been prepared on the ground by the officials and thorough analysis of the data received from the black box, government sources told ANI. The sources said the initial investigations into the case suggested that the accident was sudden. The help of the original equipment manufacturers was also sought for the probe in which the country lost its seniormost military officer and longest-serving General. The Indian Air Force said the report was yet to be submitted. Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 12 other military officials were travelling in the ill-fated Mi-17V5 helicopter which crashed minutes before landing the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington killing all passengers and crew on board on December 8. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona on Friday reported over 7,700 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, the most reported on a single day since last January. The 7,720 additional cases and 17 deaths reported by the state Department of Health Services' coronavirus dashboard increased Arizona's pandemic totals to 1,381,488 cases and 24,229 deaths. The department said earlier in the week that some daily reports of additional cases would be larger than normal because of reporting delays over the Christmas holiday weekend. The 7,720 cases reported Friday are more than two times the state's latest seven-day rolling average of daily new cases derived from Johns Hopkins University data. That rolling average of 2,953.6 cases ran through Wednesday and didn't include the 7,720 cases reported Friday or the 5,687 on Thursday. Arizona reported over 8,000 additional cases on 13 days last January. In other developments: The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations statewide dropped slightly, with 2,303 virus patients occupying inpatient beds as of Thursday, according to the Department of Health Services dashboard. Only 108 intensive-care beds were available in hospitals statewide as of Thursday, according to the dashboard. Its basically a war zone, Dr. Arya Chowdhury, an emergency room doctor who works in several Phoenix-area hospitals, told azfamily.com. For literally the last six months, in certain facilities, I have been seeing patients in the waiting room, and sometimes, the waiting room is so full, theres not enough chairs for patients there, so theyre standing." A top official of Phoenix-based Banner Health, the states largest health care chain, said Tuesday that the current bulge of COVID-19 hospitalizations is not expected to peak until mid-January. Over 10% of Pima County employees subject to a mandatory vaccine mandate hadn't provided proof of vaccination as of a day before Friday's deadline and face possible termination, according to a memo sent to the Board of Supervisors. The memo from acting County Administrator John Lesher dated Thursday said 213 employees who work with vulnerable populations could be fired. That's out of 2,095 county workers in that classification. The county has about 3,600 workers in all. More than half who are not vaccinated are jail corrections officers, and the rest are scattered through various departments. Lesher wrote that the situation remained fluid and many workers have said they would comply. He said department heads have been told to issue termination letters by Jan. 7, giving a week's extra time for workers to get their shots. While unvaccinated employees working with vulnerable populations will not be permitted in the work environment, delaying the issuance of the final paperwork will ensure that each affected employee was given the full opportunity to comply with the vaccination directive, Lesher wrote. As such, more definitive numbers of actual terminations will be forthcoming early next week. The Board of Supervisors approved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees who primarily work with vulnerable populations in October. That includes people who work in jails or nursing homes or who provide services to children or the elderly. Because so many jail employees could be fired, that county has been working to lower the jail population. County Attorney Laura Conover also announced that as of Dec, 14 she would no longer charge people for simple drug possession, cutting populations even more. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) The European Central Bank is celebrating the 20th anniversary of euro notes and coins as member countries wrestle with the pandemic's impact on the economy and the European Union forges a new level of financial cooperation to help boost the recovery. The event is being marked at midnight New Year's Eve with a light display in blue and yellow, the colors of the EU, projected on its skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. The introduction of notes and coins in 12 countries on Jan. 1, 2002, was a massive logistical undertaking that followed up on the introduction of the euro for accounting purposes and electronic payments three years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1999. Today, the euro is used in 19 of 27 EU countries. The cash introduction saw the new euro notes and coins quickly replace German marks, French francs and Italian lire in ATMs, cash registers, and wallets and purses. Shop customers who paid in the old currencies received change in euros under fixed exchange rates. That swept the old currencies out of circulation as people spent their remaining national cash. Warnings of a logistical catastrophe did not come true. ECB President Christine Lagarde in 2002 an attorney with a global law firm recalled withdrawing her first euros from a cash machine near her home in Normandy with friends who predicted the switch would overload the machines. We made a bet: if the machine gave us French francs instead of euro notes, they could keep the money, she wrote on the ECB's website. After midnight, we tried the cash machine. It dispensed brand new crisp euro banknotes, and we all raised a glass to the new European currency. The bank plans to redesign the banknotes, with a final decision on the new look expected in 2024. The original designs with generic windows, doorways and bridges from various eras that dont represent any specific place or monument have undergone one relatively minor update since introduction. The bank is also studying a possible digital version of the currency. The euro has been through its ups and downs since its launch as a major project of European integration. The currency union faced speculation it would break up during an extended crisis over government and bank debt in 2011-2015. European Central Bank head Mario Draghi helped end market turbulence with his July 26, 2012, promise to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro, followed by the ECB's offer to purchase the government debt of countries facing excessive borrowing costs. Under Lagarde, the central bank deployed a 1.85 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) bond purchase program aimed at keeping borrowing costs down for companies so they can get through the worst of the pandemic. In response to the pandemic, European Union governments have taken a further step toward economic and financial integration by agreeing to borrow money together for the 807 billion euro Next Generation EU recovery fund. The fund aims to support the post-pandemic recovery by financing projects that help the economy reduce emissions of carbon dioxide in order to fight climate change, and that support increasing use of digital technology. Finance ministers from euro member countries said in a joint article published in major European newspapers that theres still work to be done on reinforcing the shared currency, such as improving the way private investments flow across borders and strengthening joint banking oversight to prevent costly crises. None of these issues can be addressed by countries acting alone," they wrote. "The euro is proof of what we can achieve when we work together. Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who heads the Eurogroup panel of finance ministers from the member countries, said that the currency has strengthened its foundations over the last 20 years. Its proven its mettle in dealing with great challenges and great crises. BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) A Massachusetts school police officer who was placed on leave after he kneeled on the neck and back of a student who was being handcuffed during an arrest has been cleared of wrongdoing. An internal investigation concluded that the Brockton school officer seen on video kneeling on the student in November acted in accordance with existing laws and department protocols, according to a statement this week from the city school department, The Enterprise reported. Yoruba Nation arrowhead, Prof Banji Akintoye, has threatened that there wont be governorship election in Osun and Ekiti States in 2022. ... Yoruba Nation arrowhead, Prof Banji Akintoye, has threatened that there wont be governorship election in Osun and Ekiti States in 2022. The Independent National Electoral Commission is set to hold governorship elections in the two South-West states as the second term of Governor Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and the first tenure of Governor Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), end in October and November this year respectively. But 86-year-old Akintoye said in his 2022 New Year Message on Friday that no election would hold in the two states. He said, Among most Yoruba self-determination advocates worldwide, the determination exists and is growing that there shall be no State Governorship and House of Assembly election in our homeland in 2022. The next election that we Yoruba people will engage in will be the first election in our own new country. The professor of History had been seen at rallies with Yoruba Nation campaigner, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, demanding the secession of the South-West geopolitical zone from the Nigerian State. He, however, left Nigeria for Benin Republic mid-2021 after he got wind that the regime of the President, Muhammadu Buhari plotted his arrest. The leader of the self-determination group had since said he was not afraid of the Buhari regime but that he was in Cotonou to facilitate the release of Igboho, who has been detained in the neighbouring francophone West African country since July 19, 2021. In his New Year message, Akintoye expressed optimism that Igboho would soon regain freedom and the Yoruba Nation dream would come to a realisation. He said, I am confident that our Yoruba nation state is close at hand. Therefore, let us embark on thinking of the things we will need to do to make our new Yoruba country the most wonderful place to live in the world. Also, let us embark on thinking of the things we need to do to make our nation a friend and helper to all its neighbours. Continuing, Akintoye said, The Yoruba self-determination struggle will employ the powers of the law more emphatically to resist the abuses of human rights in our Yoruba homeland. Instances have increased dramatically of Human Rights abuses committed against our people. The most serious of such abuses occurred against Chief Sunday Adeyemo and the residents of his home in Ibadan. Others occurred against our people who are carrying out a peaceful rally in Lagos. In Ekiti State, one Yoruba citizen was arrested for no clear reason at the time of the attack on Sunday Adeyemos house and he was locked in custody for months. In fact, he could have died in detention. From the beginning of 2022, we are going to take serious actions against all cases of Human Right abuse against our people. The Yoruba nation must prepare itself now for such Human Rights initiatives. In conclusion, I am sure that all Yoruba people everywhere are expecting me to make a statement about our dear hero Chief Sunday Adeyemo. How I wish I could announce now that he has been released. Unfortunately, we are not blessed with that wonderful news today. But I join all Yoruba patriots everywhere in the fervent hope that he will soon be released, he added. Back story On July 1, 2021, around 2am, the Department of State Services stormed the Ibadan residence of Igboho in a Gestapo style, killing two of his associates and arresting 12 others. The luxury cars and the house of the agitator in the Soka area of Oyo State were also riddled with bullets. The DSS subsequently declared Igboho wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria under the pretext of secessionist agitation, an allegation he had since denied. After about three weeks underground, Igboho found his way to Cotonou and planned to escape to Germany through an Air France Cotonou-Paris-Hamburg flight but the trip was botched as the Interpol at the airport arrested him and his German-citizen wife, Ropo. The Interpol at the airport had arrested the duo at the behest of the Nigerian Government. The Beninise Government subsequently arraigned the agitator before the Cour Deappal De Cotonou on migration-related offences and for gunrunning but the court on July 27, 2021, ordered that Ropo be released while Igboho be remanded in prison till further notice. The court has not opened the case since then and all efforts by Igbohos lawyers both in Nigeria and Benin Republic have not yielded in his release as the Buhari regimes representatives in the French country led by Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), continued to push for the extradition of the agitator. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed reservations over the worrisome changes made by the national assembly to the 2022 executive bud... President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed reservations over the worrisome changes made by the national assembly to the 2022 executive budget. On Friday, the president signed the N17.13 trillion 2022 appropriation bill into law. The presidency had submitted a proposal worth N16.391 trillion to the national assembly. The lawmakers later increased the budget size to N17.127 trillion. In his remarks after signing the budget, Buhari said the lawmakers reduced the amount allocated to some projects but added 6,576 projects of their own to the 2022 budget. It is in this regard that I must express my reservations about many of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the 2022 Executive Budget proposal, he said. Some of the worrisome changes are as follows: Increase in projected FGN Independent Revenue by N400 billion, the justification for which is yet to be provided to the Executive; Reduction in the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Maturing Bonds by N22 billion without any explanation; Reduction of the provisions for the Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively. This is particularly worrisome because personnel cost provisions are based on agencies nominal roll and approved salaries/allowances; Furthermore, an increase of N21.72 billion in the Overhead budgets of some MDAs, while the sum of N1.96 billion was cut from the provision for some MDAs without apparent justification; Increase in the provision for Capital spending (excluding Capital share in Statutory Transfer) by a net amount of N575.63 billion, from N4.89 trillion to N5.47 trillion. Buhari also expressed concern in the reductions in provisions for some critical projects, including N12.6 billion in the ministry of transports budget for the ongoing rail modernisation projects; N25.8 billion from power sector reform programme under the ministry of finance, budget and national planning; N14.5 billion from several projects of the ministry of agriculture, and introducing over 1,500 new projects into the budgets of this ministry and its agencies. Inclusion of new provisions totalling N36.59 billion for National Assemblys projects in the Service Wide Vote which negates the principles of separation of powers and financial autonomy of the legislative arm of government. The changes to the original Executive proposal are in the form of new insertions, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects. Provisions made for as many as 10,733 projects were reduced while 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly. Reduction in the provisions for many strategic capital projects to introduce Empowerment projects. The cuts in the provisions for several of these projects by the National Assembly may render the projects unimplementable or set back their completion, especially some of this Administrations strategic capital projects. Most of the projects inserted relate to matters that are basically the responsibilities of State and Local Governments and do not appear to have been properly conceptualised, designed and costed. Many more projects have been added to the budgets of some MDAs with no consideration for the institutional capacity to execute the additional projects and/or for the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required. He declared that it was surprising that despite the national assembly increasing projected revenue by N609.27 billion, the additional executive request of N186.53 billion for critical expenditure items could not be accommodated without increasing the deficit, while the sum of N550.59 billion from the projected incremental revenues was allocated at the discretion of national assembly. The president said that he would revert to the national assembly with a request for amendment as soon as the house resumes to ensure that critical ongoing projects cardinal to his administration do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding. Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Friday stormed Mereri village in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, and kidnapped a wife of Dr AbdulRazaq, ... Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Friday stormed Mereri village in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, and kidnapped a wife of Dr AbdulRazaq, a lecturer with Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau and his two daughters, Maryam AbdulRazaq and Hafsat AbdulRazaq. According to some eyewitness accounts, many properties including money were looted in the Mareri community, an outskirt of the capital state capital. Speaking with newsmen, one of the neighbours of the lecturer who claimed anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits stormed the house with sophisticated weapons and began to shoot sporadically. The source said some of them came barefooted and got access to the area through a forest linking other villages known as Geba, Jajjayen and Kwanar Mai communities in Gusau. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mohammad Shehu, said an investigation is ongoing and when confirmed he will communicate to newsmen for more details. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has signed into law, the 2022 Abia State Government Appropriation bill of N147,282,196,200. The budget has a capital... Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has signed into law, the 2022 Abia State Government Appropriation bill of N147,282,196,200. The budget has a capital expenditure profile of N79,779,887,500 while recurrent expenditure has an outlay of N67,502,318,700. His assent to the bill followed the passage of the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law by the state House of Assembly after the presentation of its report by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Kennedy Njoku, to make provision for the appropriation of the sum of N147,787,781,300.00 for the services of the Government of Abia State for the year ending 31st December 2022. Recall that Ikpeazu had, on December 7, 2021, presented the 2022 budget to the state. The 2021 2023 budget titled Abia State Budget Proposals (Estimates) was presented to the 7th Abia State House of Assembly on Monday. The Governor said the budget targets recovery of the state economy with a measurable growth path from the COVID-19 pandemic going forward adding that his administration would support local technologies and techniques. However, Governor Ikpeazu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka and made available to newsmen on Friday, in Umuahia, the state capital, on Friday, expressed his profound appreciation to the Speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, and members of the Abia State House of Assembly for their display of patriotism in the speedy review and passage of the bill. The Abia Chief Executive reassured the leadership of the state Assembly and the people of the state that he will be relentless in the implementation of the budget for the peace, order and welfare of the people of the state. He also tasked agencies of the state government with specific obligations in the budget to take their assignments very seriously. Governor Ikpeazu particularly challenged revenue-earning agencies in the state to redouble their efforts and carry out their jobs with greater transparency and a deeper sense of patriotism. With this, Abia has sustained the January to December budget cycle and the budget becomes effective, tomorrow January 1st, 2022. The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria has lamented that criminals operated with impunity in 2021. The Association s... The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria has lamented that criminals operated with impunity in 2021. The Association said this in a New Year message thanking God for escaping the dangers and threats of 2021 which it says was occasioned by the criminal activities of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other unscrupulous elements. The message was signed by CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, and titled The New Year Message: Pray for Gods Mercy Over Nigeria CAN. According to Ayokunle, It gladdens my heart to say a resounding HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 to all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, tribal and political persuasions. Glory be to our God who helps us to escape all dangers and threats of the Year 2021 occasioned by the criminal activities of the bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other unscrupulous elements amidst us. 2021 was one year too many as a result of the ways and manners these criminals have been operating with impunity as if this is not the country we have been all these years. It is as if they have taken over the country. They invade communities, markets, churches and schools. They kill, maim, destroy and kidnap without much resistance or hindrance. They have turned our roads into death traps where they now kidnap for money, apparently due to the poor conditions of our roads. All of a sudden, kidnapping has become a big business as the innocent people are being kidnapped and ransoms in millions are being demanded and paid. Families of kidnapped people are at the mercy of the criminals! Some were not even fortunate as they were killed after the ransom has been paid! Our security agencies have been overstretched and the best done by our government is far from being enough if we must say the truth without deceiving ourselves. The Police have been parading the arrested kidnappers on the television but surprisingly, it appears as if they are too busy with their investigations to prosecute them! We have cried in vain for help from the developed world and the United Nations. They seem to be more occupied and busy with COVID-19 than pay attention to the daily destruction of lives going on in Nigeria. At this juncture, I call on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to rise up and cry for the mercy of God that can preserve us and bring an end to all these pains. It appears as if our governments have got to their wit end over the menace of insecurity. Their major focus now is on the 2023 general election. Can 2023 election happen if the nation is overrun by criminals? Our nation must survive first and be at peace before election can take place. The CAN President stated that except God through his mercy intervenes divinely and miraculously, Nigeria would be like Sodom and Gomorrah. He said, It is only God who can make the 2023 general election a reality. It is only God in his own way who can teach our leaders the right step to take. It is only God who can send us help from above. Because of the desperate situation we are in, some governors are already calling for self-defence and declaration of state of emergency! This is unprecedented. I call on all our denominational and church leaders to use the opportunity of the New Year Fasting and Prayers programme of our churches to rescue Nigeria from those who are hell-bent on destroying it by deliberately praying for the mercy of God over our unfortunate situation. For the Lord, our God is a merciful God. He will not leave us or allow these heartless criminals to destroy us. We serve a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. It was in His mercy that He rescued the family of Noah against the Great Flood; He delivered Lot and his family in Sodom and Gomorrah shortly before the destruction of those cities. By his mercy, he delivered Israel from Egyptian captivity without Israel fighting any battle. The list of Gods merciful intervention in human affairs is endless. That same God will surely have mercy on our country in Jesus name. May 2022 be the year of our total deliverance from all manners of insecurity challenges and bloodletting in Jesus name. I wish all Nigerians a peaceful and highly prosperous new year. Bashir Magashi, minister of defence, has asked officers of the Nigerian Army to do more to completely defeat banditry and insurgency. ... Bashir Magashi, minister of defence, has asked officers of the Nigerian Army to do more to completely defeat banditry and insurgency. Magashi said this on Thursday during the decoration of senior military officers, at a ceremony held at the army headquarters in Abuja. According to a statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesman, the minister also urged the officers to remain loyal to the constitution and discharge their duties professionally. While describing their elevation as a recognition for their diligence and selfless sacrifices, he added that the country relies on their wealth of knowledge, character and professionalism to develop an enduring panacea that will completely defeat insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country. He also assured the army of the continuous support of the federal government especially in the acquisition of military hardware to facilitate the conduct of its operations across the country. On his part, Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, urged them to remain focused in their effort to ensure peace and security across the country. Also present at the event included Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo; Ali Ndume, chairman of the senate committee on army; Abdulrazak Namdas, chairman, house committee on army; Tukur Burutai, Nigerian ambassador to the Republic of Benin and former chief of army staff, among others. Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, released what could be his New Year message for 2022 which, he said, wo... Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, released what could be his New Year message for 2022 which, he said, would herald divine grace and favour of unimaginable proportions. According to him, abiding grace and miraculous happenings would punctuate 2022 while sorrow and sighing shall take a sudden and unremitting flight. While cursing perpetrators of evil and killings, Kanu also said that he and IPOB followers have been vindicated by the recent abduction of the Imo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 election, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, by the police that politicians had been responsible for the killings and atrocities in the state. The leader of Kanus legal team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, stated these in a statement titled Update on our routine visit to our indefatigable client Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Headquarters of the Department of State Security, Abuja on December 30, 2021. He said, Onyendu sends his best compliments and appreciation to all those of his followers who have remained undaunted and defiant in the face of all odds. He salutes all those who have remained resolute and undistracted to the cause and demonstrably obedient to the appropriate chain of command. The new year offers us renewed hope in Chukwuokike Abiama. It will herald divine grace and favour of unimaginable proportions. Abiding grace and miraculous happenings will punctuate it. Sorrow and sighing shall take a sudden and unremitting flight. Chukwuokike Abiama being and abiding with us, we shall reap and appropriate beneficially comprehensive victory on all sides. I undertook our routine visit to Onyendu. I did so exclusively. In the course of my visit, both of us engaged in fruitful discussions that substantially bothered on the legal strategy we would deploy at the next court sitting on January 18, 2022. Onyendu was particularly enthused when he realised that we have set to task and brought to perfection all legal engineering implicit in the options available to us. I also briefed Onyendu on a number of subsidiary but very important issues. He consistently laid emphasis on discipline and obedience to the hierarchy of command and maintained that his position on this is definite and unshifting. Further, he made the point, for the consumption of millions of his supporters, that the recent development in Imo State signifies a clear message to Umuchineke that Chukwuokike Abiama predominates in all human affairs and would continue to rule in the affairs of men. The recent stunning revelation in Imo State vindicates Onyendu entirely. He has long before now made the point that the chilling atrocities perpetrated in Imo State by agents of darkness are the handiwork of politicians, who are their mastermind and paymasters. Onyendu has therefore exhorted Umuchineke and his followers, in general, to remain calm, law-abiding, focused and peaceful in all their undertakings. He predicted that many more criminal gangs ravaging our land will sooner than later gravitate to their deserving and ignoble end. He was also emphatic on the need for Umuchineke to be circumspect in their words and actions. He admonished Umuchineke, and his other followers in general, to be eternally vigilant in all they do and to show conscious restraint and forbearance at all times. He warned that enemies of struggle are sundry and varied and that they constantly evolve devious strategies to inflict anarchy and mayhem on the polity. When they actualise their evil plan in any instance, they knowingly instigate false propaganda and lay blame for what they have done on the doorstep of members of IPOB. Onyendu has today cursed the persons concerned and has declared that eternal perdition will be their reward. Onyendu is also genuinely concerned about the magnitude of violence that has been unleashed by criminal gangs in the land of our fathers. These gangs no doubt are the foot soldiers of those workers of iniquity intent on giving the peaceful movement a bad name. Members of these gangs are sponsored and comforted by these elements. Onyendu is emphatic on the curse he has placed on them. He has supplicated unto Chukwuokike Abiama to guide and protect Umuchineke and to continually expose and punish those elements intent on besmirching them. Further, Onyendu has admonished his followers against being purveyors of falsehood and cheap talk. They should not knowingly assist his detractors by unwittingly propagating falsehood. He issued a stern warning against those he regarded as not keeping faith with the structure he has put in place. He observed that deliberate propagation of falsehood is aimed at misleading the unwary and uninformed and, most times, is targeted at foisting mischief and disaffection in the system. It is a set objective of all those detractors whose pastime is to pull the peaceful movement down. But such detractors have always failed to achieve that objective and would never succeed no matter how hard they try. He also observed that correct information dissemination is an important tool. He advised that any information about him should proceed from the appropriate channel and must be verified to confirm its authenticity. Persons seeking such information must desist from resorting to fake platforms created by his enemies to source for such information. Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says the country wouldnt have achieved its current level of infrastructural development witho... Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says the country wouldnt have achieved its current level of infrastructural development without loans. Amaechi spoke on Friday when he featured as a guest on Good Morning Nigeria, a programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Speaking on what the present administration has accomplished in infrastructure, he said not all projects are funded with loans, adding that Buhari should be commended for his efforts. We must credit it to a great extent to the president in the sense that if he had been listening to the elite of Nigeria that was screaming no, you cant borrow money to do this infrastructure, we wont be where we are today, he said. It is because he just kept a deaf ear to them and then encouraged us to go for the cheapest fund that we can get. We raised funds from China to do the Lagos-Ibadan. Currently, we are doing Kaduna-Abuja from the budget, but we are yet to get the loan. We are still negotiating with China and we hope that before March next year, we should be able to get the loan so that we can continue. I have repeatedly said this. When Nigerians talk about borrowing, how much are we actually borrowing? It is too much noise. When you hear the minister of transport announce that the federal government has awarded the contract of Lagos to Ibadan or the Lagos to Calabar for $11.1 billion, it doesnt mean that we borrowed the money. Up till now, we are struggling to get the money for Lagos to Calabar. We are negotiating with the Turkish company to join the Chinese company so that we can get European loan. We are negotiating with the Chinese company in charge of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. So, we have not got all the money that people think we have. What we have borrowed so far, I want to repeat, is $1.6 billion for Lagos to Ibadan. Of the remaining $1.4 billion, $600 million was paid by the federal government. $1.4 billion was what was borrowed; the $600 million on it was funded directly by the budget. So, you should even praise the government that it can raise that kind of money. With COVID-19 infections climbing across the United States, Krewe of Muses leaders told members that everyone riding in its 2022 Mardi Gras season parade must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Period! The exactingly worded email on Wednesday warned will be no exceptions and that falsified evidence of vaccination will be grounds for expulsion from the krewe. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration had already called on all Carnival parading groups to encourage riders to be vaccinated. But the all-female Krewe of Muses might be the first to give coronavirus protocols teeth. Even those Muses members whose doctors recommend against vaccination must remain on the sidelines, krewe leaders said. If a member provides proof that vaccination is medically contraindicated, the email stated, krewe management will help find a substitute rider. If none is found, the krewe will refund the riders dues and the cost of the krewes custom throws. Muses riders pay a $900 annual fee and often spend a similar amount on throws. What about those members who simply refuse to be vaccinated? The email said they must find subs on their own. Krewe Captain Staci Rosenberg said Saturday the new rule "wasn't meant to be punitive in any way." "It was just meant to make people safe and feel comfortable," she said. "We heard from members that if other members weren't vaccinated, they wouldn't be comfortable riding next to them." Rosenberg said she received no pushback from members about the mandate. The rule might be new, she said, "but I don't think this comes as a shock to anyone." After all, she said, krewe management had long advocated that members get their shots. +11 Zulu and Endymion altered, all parades trimmed: Cantrell reveals 2022 Mardi Gras routes The Zulu parade will skip Canal Street next year. Endymion will forgo a jog over to St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street has been pruned fro "We have reached out to our members encouraging them to get vaccinated if they have not done so," she told the Times-Picayune in September, We will monitor conditions and make safety our primary consideration as Mardi Gras gets closer." In addition to full vaccination, Muses leadership hopes 2022 riders will take further COVID-suppressing measures. "At this time, we are not requiring booster shots, but they are strongly encouraged," Wednesday's email said. "We also encourage pre-ride testing for additional protection. Known for its wicked social satire, lavish signature floats, emphasis on dance and marching troupes and the hand-decorated shoes tossed by riders, Muses is one of New Orleans' most popular parades. Its 2022 parade is scheduled Feb. 24, 2022, on the newly standardized Uptown route. Keyara Staples had driven across the St. Claude Avenue Bridge into St. Bernard Parish precisely once since moving to New Orleans in 2018. But in March, she did so for the second time, on a house-hunting trip to Arabi, where she found just the right place for her budget of $270,000 a modest, raised double with two rooms on each side on a corner lot with a fenced-in yard, close to the city where she works as a schoolteacher and socializes with friends. "I didnt know much about St. Bernard," said Staples, 26, who moved from her Gentilly apartment in April. "I kinda fell in love because its suburban, but it still feels rural. Its still pretty close to the French Quarter, there's tons of stores and restaurants nearby, and I don't really feel out of touch with New Orleans. Staples is part of an influx of African Americans into St. Bernard Parish, which for decades had a reputation for nativism but has seen its Black population jump from about 1 in 10 before Hurricane Katrina to 1 in 4 now. Her story is emblematic of a trend that had begun by the 1990s and has since gained steam not only in New Orleans but around the country. First-ring suburbs got their start as White enclaves in the mid-20th century and saw explosive growth as a result. But countervailing forces including strides made during the civil rights era and trends in housing prices have been remaking the old image with a more diverse one. During the last decade, Hispanic, Asian and African American populations increased as a share of the total in almost every parish surrounding New Orleans, including Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany. Richard Campanella, a Tulane University geographer, said there is a degree of irony in the shift, because the suburbs were initially exclusively White often thanks to explicitly racist deed covenants. But for years now, many of those same tracts now rank among the most diverse parts of the metro area, among them Fat City in Metairie, parts of Kenner and the west bank, Chalmette and parts of eastern New Orleans. Diversity in circa-1900 New Orleans lived in and around the urban core, Campanella said. Now it lives in the suburban periphery. Katrina and the waves St. Bernard Parish is an exemplar of this trend, due mainly to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Before the levees failed and deluged the parish, St. Bernard boasted a population of more than 67,000 people, nearly 85% of them White. Five years after Katrina, its population stood at just under 36,000 people. Nearly everyone that left and didnt return was White. The parish had begun to diversify, gaining nearly 1,200 more Black residents by 2010, increasing the size of that demographic by nearly a quarter. St. Bernard now has 1,000 fewer White residents than it did a decade ago, while the Black community has nearly doubled. Combined with a small but fast-growing Hispanic community that also nearly doubled in size in a decade, the parish is now barely majority-White. The same trend is playing out throughout the suburbs. White flight from New Orleans may have provided the bulk of Jefferson's population growth over the past half-century, but the parish itself no longer has a White majority. About 55% of the people now living in what has for decades been considered the states archetypal suburb identified as some other race or ethnicity on the 2020 Census. Jefferson has always been a more diverse parish than St. Bernard non-White people made up about 35% of its population before Katrina and in many ways, its evolution is more organic and indicative of larger trends. Jefferson now has 90,000 fewer White residents than it did in 2000, and at the same time, minority populations have continued to expand. The Hispanic community centered in Kenner, in particular, has seen explosive growth. Hispanic residents now make up about 18% of the parishs population, when they accounted for about 7% in 2000. Black Jefferson Parish residents are also a larger slice of the parishs demographics. Nearly 27% of the parish now identifies as Black, an increase of 5 percentage points since 2000. Those who left the city for greener pastures include Ashton Surtain and Kayshyna Spriggens, who in 2017 decided it was time to leave New Orleans. They have two sons, one of whom has autism, and they decided a suburban school system would have better resources. They considered St. Charles Parish, but chose to rent in St. Bernard because it was so close it was to the city, where they both worked she in medical labs and he in restaurants. When it came time to buy in 2020, they knew they were staying put. "Being able to walk my dog at night and not worry about my safety we didnt even bother looking anywhere else, said Spriggens, 41. Surtain said their house on Mehle Street in Arabi gives them all the benefits of suburban living cheaper insurance, lower taxes, safer streets all within a stone's throw of the parish line. The housing market in St. Bernard has been heating up, he said, but youre still getting more for your money living in the parish than living in the city. Indeed, experts say the draw of the urban fringes has largely been the relative affordability of houses and apartments there. As the cost of living in New Orleans trendy historic neighborhoods has skyrocketed, places like Chalmette, LaPlace, Slidell and the west bank have become increasingly attractive alternatives. In St. Bernard, in particular, there were thousands of empty lots after Katrina, and the parish went out of its way to market not just its affordability, but the millions of dollars pumped into post-storm infrastructure, including the new flood protection system for the upper portion of the parish, plus hospitals, schools and parks and other quality-of-life amenities. 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 Selling St. Bernard Jason Stopa, who took over as St. Bernards director of community development in 2014, was among those who realized his parish was well-positioned to draw people looking to move. But its efforts till then were not resulting in a substantial amount of new construction, which was desperately needed. We knew we had to bring more residents back, and we knew wed have to bring people who werent traditional St. Bernard residents, Stopa said. For years, he explained, the parish had sold much of its vacant property at unrestricted auctions, which often attracted speculators more interested in reselling lots for profit than building homes. So the parish began requiring individual buyers to start construction within a year, and builders buying bundles of lots do so within five years. About 700 properties were sold through both programs, which not only ensured homes would get built, but allowed the parish to impose design standards to make sure they were competitive in the market, with appropriate elevations, 10-foot-ceilings, hardwood floors and other amenities, Stopa said. In 2017, the parish launched its "Sold on St. Bernard" campaign throughout the region and in cities like Houston. It bought billboard ads along the Claiborne Avenue/Interstate 10 corridor and Gentilly and Lakeview touting the proximity of the upper end of the parish to downtown. Real estate agents from around the metro area were brought to St. Bernard for presentations. The happy new residents shown in the campaign's testimonials are diverse in age and race, and the inclusive tone was no accident. It was very much an Everyone is welcome theme, Stopa said, noting that the campaign highlighted schools, parks and the burgeoning cultural offerings cropping up near the Orleans Parish line, designated the North Arabi Resilience District. It was really important to us to sell this new St. Bernard. New home starts in the parish have tripled, from around 100 a year between 2015 and 2017 to around 300 a year in the last two years. Lara Shultz, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway who sells homes in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, said people looking for homes under $350,000 have been finding it increasingly difficult to buy in the city. Theyve been looking at places like St. Bernard, Slidell, the west bank and St. Charles Parish as alternatives. Geographically, St. Bernard is perfectly poised to pick up New Orleans slack, she said. All these people who want to be homeowners in the city but cant afford it are turning to St. Bernard. Cashauna Hill, executive director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, said the cost of housing in New Orleans has been driving residents from its historically Black neighborhoods since before Katrina, but the trend accelerated in the last decade. Their stories, she said, are heard in conversations with Uber and Lyft drivers who talk with customers about growing up in the Irish Channel or the Bywater only to add that theyve since moved to the west bank, Slidell and St. Bernard because it was actually affordable to live in those communities. "Our apartment wasnt glamorous," Surtain said of the couple's first place in St. Bernard, a two-bedroom, one-bath they rented for $675 a month far cheaper than anything they could find in the city. Growing Diverse St. Bernard is still a mostly White parish, but it is less monolithically so than before Katrina. Its a course correction for a parish that had for decades acquired a reputation for being unwelcoming to Black people. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette's major corridor, was originally named after the political boss and outspoken segregationist Leander Perez. (While it retains the same name, the street is now meant to honor Melvyn Perez, a later and less controversial judge.) David Duke got 67% of the parishs vote in his 1990 U.S. Senate race and 56% in his unsuccessful bid for governor in 1991. And when a man crashed his car into a nondescript storefront on Judge Perez Drive in 2003, it revealed that the building housed racist and anti-Semitic books and a White supremacist church run by James Warner, a Duke ally. In 2013, St. Bernard was forced to settle two multi-million-dollar discrimination lawsuits over housing policies it adopted after Katrina that the Justice Department deemed racially discriminatory. They included a moratorium on new apartments, a "blood relative" law that prevented nonfamily members from renting out homes without approval from the parish, and use of the permitting process to deny rental housing to Black people. Ron Chapman, a history professor at Nunez Community College and Chalmette resident since 1976, acknowledges St. Bernards uneven reputation, though he feels the parish has gotten a bum rap. For instance, he says some of the parish's post- Katrina laws aimed to limit out-of-state firms from snapping up empty lots. The important thing, he said, is that St. Bernard isn't the place it was decades ago. "Just walking in the neighborhoods, driving around and going into stores, you see lots of different people now, its a much different mix than what you saw before Katrina, he said. "Katrina had a tremendous impact on so many levels. Jacob Lawson, a Marrero native, owns residential real estate and contracting companies that have been doing work in St. Bernard for years, and he moved there in April. A vibrant Brazilian community has sprung up in St. Bernard in recent years, and Lawson and his wife, Maria Pereira Lawson, a native Brazilian, started a restaurant two years ago called Quitutes Cuisine on Judge Perez in Arabi two years ago. He said he's found the parish to be receptive to diversity and happy to accommodate the growth. His restaurant has designed its menu to appeal to Brazilian transplants looking for authentic dishes, while offering items like burgers for anyone inclined to the familiar. He's not concerned with anyone who may not be happy with a more diverse community, particularly the folks who helped bring it back. "I think anyone in the parish that doesnt have too much of an 'old-school' mindset is happy to know that their property values are going up and their community is doing well," he said. "And if they don't, they probably have a messed-up mindset. Im not mad at anyone who is working hard, buying a house and paying taxes. A bumper weekend was expected in a "sold out" New Orleans hospitality sector, as crowds flowed into the city to catch the fleur-de-lis drop at Jackson Square on New Year's Eve, Saturday's Allstate Sugar Bowl and a last gasp playoffs bid by the Saints against the Carolina Panthers in the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. But as ever during these pandemic times, there are caveats attached, with record rates of new COVID-19 cases in Louisiana and a shortage of workers for hotels, restaurants and shops dampening the outlook for the New Year. The hospitality sector kicks off 2022 with a surge of visitors following the Baylor University Bears and the University of Mississippi's Rebels for the Sugar Bowl, as well as supporters of the NFL's Panthers. Fans have swelled tourist numbers such that city is "sold out" for the first weekend of the year, said Kelly Schulz, spokesperson for New Orleans & Co., the city's official tourism marketing agency. "'Sold out' means that most of the 26,000 rooms in downtown and the French Quarter hotels are at 100% occupancy," Schulz said. That is largely because this year's Sugar Bowl is between "two high-profile teams from drivable markets in Texas and Mississippi," she said. But there was an ominous cloud looming in the coronavirus' omicron variant: On two consecutive days this week, Louisiana reported its highest increase in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. Gov. John Bel Edwards warned Thursday that people should wear masks in indoor public spaces and limit exposure outside of their homes, and suggested residents celebrate at home instead of at parties or large gatherings. +19 Close, move, change? New Orleans restaurants face hard choices as Ida worsens crisis With the sun shining through the windows at Wakin Bakin and the aromas of griddled bread and hot coffee commingling, a recent morning at thi Schulz agreed that "safety comes first when it comes to omicron," adding that "local residents, hospital employees and visitors should follow all safety guidelines in place." But New Orleans & Co. isn't advising people to stay away from the city. Louisiana has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with only about half the population inoculated. Mississippi is even worse, while Texas and North Carolina have vaccination rates only slightly above 50%. Almost all new reported cases are of the omicron strain, and most of those are among unvaccinated people. It's not yet clear what dampening effect the surge might have on a slowly recovering cruise trade, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday urged people not to board cruise ships even if they are vaccinated. Both Norwegian Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines have ships scheduled to depart the Port of New Orleans on Sunday, with a total of as many as 5,000 passengers aboard. The current precarious state of New Orleans' hospitality industry suggests that the pattern seen in 2021 will continue well into 2022. While hotel occupancy is expected to be around 100% in New Orleans this weekend, the recovery sputtered along during 2021, with setbacks following periods of rebound. Hurricane Ida, ironically, boosted occupancy in the fall as people displaced by the Aug. 29 storm moved into hotel rooms that had been left vacant by canceled conventions and absent tourists. "One factor that has set New Orleans apart from the rest of the country is the impact of hurricanes in the fall last year and this year," said Chelsea McCready, senior director of hospitality market analytics at CoStar Group, parent of industry tracker STR. "Blocks of rooms for evacuees and first responders have had a positive impact on hotel occupancy ... in part making up for the lower leisure and convention travel." Still, the city's hotel business has moved in a generally positive direction. Occupancy and daily rates for rooms have all improved significantly over the course of the year. In January, occupancy was down from 2019 levels by 54%, but by November was down by only 10%, according to STR data. +3 After delta surge and Hurricane Ida, hopes dashed for New Orleans conventions rebound this fall Hopes for a revival in large events at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center this autumn have been dashed by Hurricane Ida, which did more th 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 Over the summer, leisure travel to New Orleans was back in line with historical levels. The gap in occupancy was due entirely to the slower recovery of conventions and conferences, which accounted for 3 in 10 rooms sold before the pandemic, McCready said. "But the delta variant caused the recovery to falter again, even impacting leisure travel, which has remained below pre-pandemic levels since August," she said. "As we kick off 2022, the omicron variant has jeopardized the recovery yet again." The conventions business in New Orleans will start 2022 with a comics convention, Fan Expo, next weekend. It is expected to be well attended. But few big business gatherings are booked early in the year, and nationally there are ominous signs amid cancellations by big companies at events such as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The large New Orleans hotels, such as the Hyatt Regency, Sheraton, Marriott and Hilton New Orleans Riverside, have all seen a modest uptick in conventions and other gatherings into the new year. But none is expecting a return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. David Piscola, general manager at the Hilton Riverside, said the New Year's Eve weekend was completely full - "oversold" for some hotels like his - but that is expected to taper off quickly. "January was projected to be a very soft month for Hilton New Orleans Riverside, and the city in general, even prior to the news of the latest variant," Piscola said. "We have had some cancellations in the month but nothing severe." Looking ahead, he added: "We have not heard from any groups outside of January nor any inkling of future cancellations of major events, though it may be too early to determine omicron's impact. Prior to this, I would estimate 2022 to be about 65-75% of a 'normal' year." Though better this year than in 2020, the revenue per available room for New Orleans' hotels is still is down by 38% compared to the January-November period in 2019, STR data show. On top of that, there are about 15% fewer rooms available, as hotels either remain closed or have taken rooms off the market because of labor shortages. Meanwhile, visitors during the busy weekend may find it harder to find a restaurant table. The chronic national labor shortages mean that those restaurants that have reopened are not back to their normal hours and are not accepting the same rate of customers as before. The Desire Oyster Bar at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street, for example, was turning away customers ahead of the weekend even though it was nowhere near full. "We just don't have the staff, so we have to slow it down," a receptionist explained. Arnaud's Restaurant and its French 75 bar were booked solid for the New Year's Eve weekend but still planned to close all day Saturday and open for only truncated hours Friday and Sunday to give its exhausted staff a rest. "We just made that decision because of staffing shortages and because the current staff have worked really hard and will be doing double shifts the days before," reservations manager explained Jennifer Drury said. Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who faces a mandatory life prison sentence after after a jury convicted him of child sex crimes in November, might also have to pay jail costs and restitution to his four victims if a judge agrees with motions filed this week by north shore District Attorney Warren Montgomery's Office. The DA, who filed three motions on Wednesday, asked that Strain be required to pay some of the costs of his incarceration as well as some of the costs of his prosecution. Strain was taken to the Plaquemines Parish Jail on Nov. 8 after a St. Tammany Parish jury returned guilty verdicts on all eight counts with which he was charged. Strain is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Jan. 18. In the motion filed in 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington, Montgomery's office says it will present evidence about the cost and show that Strain has the resources to foot the bill. As far as costs associated with his prosecution, the DA is asking for Strain to pay for travel and accommodations for out-of-state witnesses and the cost of a technology specialist a total of about $10,500 along with the yet-to-be determined cost of an expert witness. 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 Collin Sims, who heads the DA's criminal division, said that seeking restitution for victims is not unusual. In this case, Strain was charged with sex crimes against four victims, including two he was convicted of raping when they were children. The victims in the case will have an opportunity to make an impact statement during the sentencing that may itemize economic losses that they suffered as a result of Strain's offenses as well as the cost of medical or counseling services. One of victims has filed a civil suit against Strain. Seeking payment of incarceration and prosecution expenses is not something the DA's office usually does, Sims said, but the costs incurred by the two-week Strain trial are beyond the usual. "It's not a secret that our budget is pretty tight right now," Sims said, referring to St. Tammany Parish voters recently voting down a sales tax that dedicated some money to the criminal justice system, including the DA's Office. Strain's attorney, Billy Gibbens, did not return a call for comment. Robbers stole vehicles from five motorists, and tried to steal a sixth one, in a spate of carjackings and thefts in New Orleans, police said Saturday. Here are details from preliminary police reports: For the second straight year, New Orleans reported an increased number of killings in 2021, erasing gains in public safety achieved in the past decade and saddling the city with the highest murder toll in 17 years, according to unofficial statistics. There were 218 slayings, Police Department officials said. Not only was that a 10% increase from the 198 murders reported at the end of last year, it was also the first time since 2007 that the city had recorded more than 200 murders. Additionally, it was the highest such tally for New Orleans since the 264 murders reported in 2004, the year before Hurricane Katrina altered the course of the regions history. The spike in local violence seen in 2021 was mirrored by similar increases in cities around the country; Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi, for instance, have both set new records for the number of homicides this year. In past years, New Orleans leaders have sought to downplay a jump in the annual number of murders if other key violent crime statistics dropped or at least held steady. But none of those things happened in 2021. Nonfatal shootings were up about 9%, from fewer than 430 in 2020 to more than 465 this year, figures provided by the NOPD show. Carjackings, which tend to victimize residents and visitors more randomly than shootings or homicides, jumped by roughly 21%. The grim numbers have further distanced New Orleans from a historic 2019, when the city registered 121 murders, the lowest number in almost a half century. That year was also the third consecutive one in which murders fell. Since that low-water mark just two years ago, murders have risen by 77%. The grim stats have also put a damper on some happier news that crime overall was down in New Orleans in 2021 by 7%. But the drop in overall crime was largely driven by decreases in property offenses such as theft and residential burglary. And, finally, theyve reignited a search for answers about why violent crime is continuing to tick up both in New Orleans and across the U.S., where most big cities reported worrisome increases in murder, said locally based crime analyst Jeff Asher. In general, experts believe the stress inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and its various waves have been prime reasons for higher levels of violence since last year, especially among people who know each other relatively well. The pandemic has remained disruptive this year. "It is really clear that the food insecurity, job insecurity, economic insecurity caused by the (various) waves of COVID is certainly having a huge impact in rises in crime," District Attorney Jason Williams said. Asher added: Theres no reason to expect much change from last year to this year. Not much has changed. Yet there are also local elements that may help explain the numbers in New Orleans, Asher said. Experts have long noted that, shootings, both deadly and nonfatal, often beget more shootings in the city, especially if left unsolved. Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson in recent weeks estimated that his investigators had either made an arrest or obtained a warrant to book a suspect in about half of the citys killings this year. The solve rate for nonfatal shootings was 35%, according to Fergusons estimates, which do not amount to an official clearance rate as calculated by the FBI. Neither of those figures seems to be a meaningful deterrent against the retaliatory-style killings and shootings that frequently fuel the citys perennial violent-crime problem, said Asher, a consultant for the City Council. 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 Heartbreaking examples of that phenomenon this year included the shooting death of 12-year-old Todriana Peters at a Lower 9th Ward graduation party in May. Todriana died in a barrage of gunfire aimed at a car she was standing near that had apparently been used in an earlier shooting. Her killing has led to charges against several men, some of whom have already pleaded guilty to peripheral roles, according to authorities. +9 Three men plead guilty in killing of Todriana Peters, 12-year-old slain at party Three men pleaded guilty to roles in the killing of 12-year-old Todriana Peters at a Lower 9th Ward graduation party on Wednesday, handing New Another was the deadly quadruple shooting that targeted employees of an environmental nonprofit who were working outside a New Orleans church in October. One of two men slain there was out on bail awaiting trial on attempted-murder charges stemming from a November 2020 double shooting, and he had survived being shot himself a couple of months before that. Ferguson has defended the work of his investigators, saying the numbers show they remain engaged in the fight to keep violent crime in New Orleans as low as possible. Theyre doing that work at an agency whose staffing has lingered around 1,100 sworn officers, far short of its goal of 1,600. The NOPD, he has noted, is just one cog in a complex criminal justice system that hasnt been able to stage a murder trial since the start of the pandemic. Our detectives have been working very diligently to address these investigations, Ferguson said early in December. We have somewhat of a downward trend with (some numbers), but theres no doubt in my mind that will be picking up very soon. Numerous sources at NOPD have also expressed concern that a significant portion of the more than 130 officers who left the department throughout the course of the year, mostly by resignation, had fewer than five years on the job. That limits the pool of future leaders at an aging department and reduces the amount of manpower available to tackle important cases, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agency doesnt plan to have Ferguson address the 2021 crime stats until early in the new year. +2 After deadly quadruple shooting, he showed up at a hospital hurt. Now he's accused of murder. A man who showed up at the hospital with a bullet wound shortly after two groundsmen were killed outside a New Orleans church last week is now Loved ones of those lost on the street this year are praying their hopes for justice dont fall prey to the larger circumstances that have kept levels of violence here elevated. Those include 24-year-old Maquisha Burton, who was traveling in a car in Algiers with her daughter Kennedi, 6, on Dec. 26 when someone shot up their car, killing the girl and setting off the latest top-priority murder investigation in the city. Theres no indication either Burton or Kennedi were the intended targets. Why would they do this? Burton sobbed. I Just want them to know they took somebody innocent. Michelle Hunter and Matt Sledge contributed to this report. Long before Evelyn Harden was evacuated to an ill-prepared warehouse in a botched evacuation for Hurricane Ida, her family had concerns about the care she was receiving at her nursing home. Harden, 96, lived at Park Place Healthcare in Gretna, one of seven nursing homes owned by Baton Rouge nursing home magnate Bob Dean. The Louisiana Department of Health has shuttered all seven over the Hurricane Ida evacuation and revoked Deans Medicaid provider agreements. Dean has appealed. Hardens relatives see the abortive Ida evacuation which saw 843 residents of Deans homes bused to an inadequate facility in Independence, where conditions deteriorated steadily as part of a larger pattern of poor care. Long before the hurricane, Hardens family constantly struggled to get updates on how she was faring, her granddaughter, Tiffany McNulty, said. They worried about her being served unappetizing meals, and whether anyone was paying attention to her. There was a time when we noticed my granny was losing weight, so we asked about her eating, McNulty said. The lead nurse told us records show she was eating 75 to 100% of her meals when it obviously wasnt the case. They were lying to us. At Deans nursing homes, such concerns some of them potentially life-threatening were far from uncommon, according to federal records. In the aftermath of the storm, attention has naturally focused on what residents of Deans nursing homes endured during the storm. Dozens of the frail people evacuated to the squalid warehouse later died, and at least five of those deaths are considered storm-related by state officials. But federal data show worrisome patterns that advocates say should raise alarms about how Dean had been managing the homes even in the best of times. According to an analysis by The Times-Picayune and The Advocate of data compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Deans homes stand out among their peers, and not in a good way. They have lower staffing levels, a higher number of complaints and fines and more problems discovered during inspections than the vast majority of similar facilities across the state and around the country. +4 Nursing home owner Bob Dean seeks to dismiss lawsuits over abortive Ida evacuation Facing more than a dozen lawsuits claiming poor treatment of patients from his seven nursing homes during an ill-fated evacuation for Hurrican Among the most troubling metrics at Deans homes: an exceptionally high rate of prescriptions for antipsychotic medicines, potentially dangerous drugs that advocates say have been prescribed frequently across the country even when they are not medically necessary. Those prescriptions are often used to keep residents subdued and compliant to make up for staff shortages. Scrimping on staffing is one way nursing homes maximize profit. Those patterns are alarming; those patterns should be a red flag to the community, to oversight agencies and to public officials who should put pressure to bear on getting some of these bad actors, Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, after reviewing the prescription rates at Deans homes. Why is this person allowed to continue? Hes thriving, although obviously a lot of his residents are not. Following the post-Ida debacle, state regulators stripped Dean of his nursing home licenses, and his homes were shuttered as a result. But Dean has appealed the decision, and hearings that will likely take place in 2022 could put the question of how he has run his facilities in normal times in the spotlight. Attorneys for Dean declined to comment on the analysis. But the federal records make plain that Deans homes are among the worst in the country. On the five-star rating scale used by the CMS to guide families as they consider whom to entrust with caring for their loved ones, all but one of Deans homes received only a single star. The one exception, West Jefferson Health Care Center, was still rated as below average, with two stars. Only about 14% of nursing homes in the country were given a one-star rating, though nearly a third of those in Louisiana get that low a grade. Deans homes stand out even in an industry where advocates have long complained that regulators often do not do enough to ensure the safety of residents. Nursing homes are a highly regulated industry that gets a lot of federal dollars to take care of individuals, and in large part they just havent been successful at it, said Denise Bottcher, state director of AARP Louisiana. You do have operators that are excellent, but theyre just few and far between. Advocacy organizations argue that nursing homes should be able to provide more than four hours of staff time at a minimum per resident per day. Few facilities meet that standard, but most of Deans homes fall far short. Maison Orleans, one of Deans two nursing homes in New Orleans, had less than three hours of staff time per resident per day, putting it in the bottom 8% of nursing homes nationwide. Three other homes the Maison DeVille nursing homes in Harvey and Houma, and River Palms in New Orleans had less-adequate staffing than at least 83% of homes across the country. Only West Jefferson Health Care Center met the goals set by advocates, putting it in the top third of homes nationwide. A lack of staff and attention can have significant consequences at nursing homes, where residents often need constant care. Inattention can lead to anything from bedsores to residents wandering into traffic. A 2005 Times-Picayune investigation found that inspectors determined that five residents had died in the prior six years due to substandard care at Maison Orleans. 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 'One fiasco after another': How Bob Dean lost a nursing home before Hurricane Ida scandal Notorious Louisiana nursing home owner Bob Dean plans to wage a legal fight to restore the licenses of seven nursing homes the state wrested f Many of the problems cited by regulators can be traced back to a lack of attention to residents, including a disabled man who drowned after being left in a whirlpool without being checked on for hours. Inspection reports compiled by the nonprofit news organization ProPublica show neglect of patients continues to be a significant issue at Deans homes. In 2019, for example, a resident at South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab was found on the floor covered in blood, vomit and urine after falling out of his bed overnight. The resident told inspectors he had screamed all night for someone to help me, but that no one discovered his plight until the morning. Inspectors said nurses were supposed to have checked on him every two hours. The duty nurse was fired after that incident, according to the inspection report. In another case, in 2018, a patient at South Lafourche developed sores after staff failed to follow a medical plan that required him to be turned over every two hours. Nearly 1,000 employees laid off from Bob Dean nursing homes as he fights to get license back Louisiana nursing home magnate Bob Dean has laid off nearly 1,000 employees as he awaits hearings that will determine whether he can reclaim t Several inspection reports at the homes also allege instances where patients were not given showers or baths as frequently as required, a case where a catheter bag was left undrained and cases where staff did not give patients the medicine they needed on schedule. Beyond the day-to-day staffing issues, short staffing makes evacuating ahead of a storm even more difficult and dangerous for residents, Bottcher said. If you have a shortage of staffing, how are you going to pull off an evacuation? With durable medical equipment, and medication, and packing the residents clothing? How are you going to do that without help? she asked. When a particular nursing home is known to be short-staffed, Bottcher said, she believes state and local authorities have an obligation to monitor the situation closely and make sure things dont go awry. Some reforms to the current system may be considered when the state Legislature convenes next year, Botcher said. When you talk about just Bob Dean evacuating to that site ... hed been doing that for years ... the only reason its on everybodys radar is because the problems got so bad this time. And low staff levels can lead to another serious problem at nursing homes: the overuse of antipsychotic drugs. While such medicines can serve a legitimate purpose for those with severe mental illness, advocates and officials have long warned that they are often used for the convenience of staff and management at nursing homes. A 2011 federal report was considered shocking both to regulators and the public when it found more than a quarter of nursing home residents were being sedated. Rules were strengthened in an effort to prevent further abuse, Mollot said. Within nursing homes, anti-psychotics are considered a form of chemical restraint, tranquilizing patients and potentially rendering them unable to function on their own. If you could imagine going to a bar and slipping a drug into someones drink that did that, youd be in jail, Mollot said. The use of such medications which also can significantly increase the risks of death from a variety of ailments appears even more widespread at Deans homes than elsewhere, according to data the Long Term Care Coalition received from the federal government. At Maison Orleans, roughly 45% of all residents are on anti-psychotics. The South Lafourche, Maison DeVille in Harvey and River Palms each kept between 32% and 39% of their residents on the drugs. At Maison DeVille in Houma, 29% of residents were on anti-psychotics. The national average, at least officially, is about 18%, thanks to recent efforts to limit the overuse of the drugs. But a New York Times investigation this fall found that some facilities had been skirting the rules by using dodgy criteria to diagnose patients with schizophrenia, giving them a pretext to prescribe the drugs. When a nursing home resident is diagnosed with schizophrenia, the home does not have to report the use of anti-psychotics on that patient. The diagnoses cited by the Times came despite the fact that schizophrenia is exceptionally rare in the general population and is typically identified long before most people end up in nursing homes. As a result of the questionable diagnoses, the Times calculated that about 21% of nursing home residents are prescribed the drugs. In 2019, inspectors found that one resident at Maison DeVille in Houma had been kept on anti-psychotic medication even though there were no symptoms to justify it, and the pharmacy had been recommending for months that the drugs be discontinued, according to a citation the home received. Such citations were far more common in Deans nursing homes than in others. According to data gathered by ProPublica tracking nursing home citations to 20165, the typical facility owned by Dean had 35 citations. Thats nearly three times the typical nursing home in Louisiana and nearly double the national average. Still, the citations do not appear to have led to changes at Deans homes. Mollot said thats not uncommon. What we see is theyre allowed to perpetuate poor care, oftentimes inhumane conditions, not just week after week, but year after year, he said. Its so upsetting, because we know people who are counting on itwe know nursing homes arent great, but a lot of times people go to a nursing home or send their family member to a nursing home, and theyre expecting good care. Staff writers Emily Woodruff and Gordon Russell contributed to this report. South Louisiana got a lot more rain than usual in 2021, thanks to a yearlong pattern of storms. The New Orleans area, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles will each record significantly more than their average rainfall total. As of Wednesday, Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner measured 86.08 inches of rain, compared to an average 63.35 inches. The record is 102.37 inches in 1991. Baton Rouge Ryan Airport had recorded 79.85 inches, compared to an average of 61.94 inches. Its record is 90.54 inches, set in 2016, the year of the historic August flooding. Lake Charles had seen 72.26 inches, compared to an average 59.75 inches. That record is 85.16 inches, set in 2002. Much of the heaviest rainfall in all three locations fell during the spring and summer. At the beginning of the year, all three locations had totals near or below average. 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 "As we got near the end of March, the switch just flicked in the other direction and it just rained and rained and rained and rained," state climatologist Barry Keim said. The change in the pattern resulted from an unusual number of west-to-east frontal systems that dipped deep into south Louisiana, which does not usually happen, Keim said. "Once we get to the middle part of May, the fronts just quit coming to south Louisiana, which is why we stay in that really hot regime from about mid-May all the way 'til mid-September," he said. In New Orleans, the rainfall reached the annual average on Aug. 13. During the last week of 2021, repeat thunderstorms did not add much to the total. Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this report. COVID-19 response updates for January return to campus Dear Northwestern community, As the pandemic has shifted and evolved over the past several weeks, we have been in frequent contact with public health officials and our own infectious disease experts to determine the best path forward for the Northwestern community. Safeguarding the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our top priority. We also must prioritize the needs of our community and the broader public health approaches for navigating the pandemic. With our return from Winter Recess just around the corner, we want to provide some important reminders and updates. As always, the situation can change quickly, and we will provide updates as we have them. Wildcat Wellness and Testing We continue to plan for a two-week Wildcat Wellness period that runs from Jan. 1 through 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18. All graduate and undergraduate students who are registered for in-person classes are required to take one in-person, on-campus COVID-19 test each week of Wildcat Wellness. All students taking in-person classes must arrive early enough to complete their first-week testing requirementno later than Friday, Jan. 7. Students who display symptoms of COVID-19 after arrival should follow guidelines for symptomatic testing. Additionally, all students should take two at-home COVID-19 tests if possible: one 36 hours before travelling to campus and a second at-home test immediately after arriving on campus. These tests complement the in-person testing requirement and do not serve as a replacement for the required tests in our testing sites. Please refer to the Dec. 21 message to students for additional details on testing and expectations for returning to campus. Campus will remain open during Wildcat Wellness, and we will continue to require community members to wear masks, regardless of vaccine status, in all indoor campus environments. Faculty and staff whose duties require them to be on campus should work in person. Managers may offer additional flexibility for remote work if it meets operational needs during this time. Resumption of In-Person Activities We will evaluate the University communitys health landscape after the first week of Wildcat Wellness as students return to campus and complete their first in-person test in order to inform our approach moving forward. Northwestern has made adjustments to keep the Henry Crown Sport Pavilion open to students, faculty and staff by reservation during Wildcat Wellness. Depending on campus health, we may explore additional opportunities in the second week for certain activities to resume subject to additional safety precautions. Activities that are tied to upcoming key dates and have an essential in-person component will be prioritized. We are reviewing new mitigation orders from the City of Evanston to determine how this guidance will affect Northwestern. At present, there are no plans to extend Wildcat Wellness beyond Jan. 18, and we are committed to resuming in-person learning as soon as possible. New CDC Guidance Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a recommendation for a shorter isolation period for asymptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19. For individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but are without symptoms, Northwestern will allow for an early release from isolation upon a negative, onsite rapid antigen test on the fifth day after the positive test result or later. For those who are exposed to someone with COVID-19: If you have been vaccinated or received a booster within the past six months (two months for Johnson & Johnson), quarantine will not be required. You will continue to mask on campus and get tested at the Jacobs Center or 345 E. Superior St. (Chicago) on the fifth day following the exposure. If you are unvaccinated, or have not been vaccinated or boosted within the past six months (two months for J&J), a five-day quarantine will be required. You will test on the fifth day following the exposure and be released with a negative result (and continue masking on campus). These protocols will apply to Northwestern students, faculty and staff. We will monitor this approach and adjust as necessary. These protocols will be updated soon on our COVID-19 website, as well as any other subsequent changes to our approach. Contact Tracing Consistent with the advice from our public health partners, current guidance indicates contact tracing efforts are not impactful during periods of high, community-based spread. As we heavily test returning students and limit in-person activity, and institute ongoing mitigation efforts, contact tracing efforts will be suspended during Wildcat Wellness. You may learn of positive cases through a number of different mechanismsdirectly from health departments, from colleagues or friends, or through word of mouth. If you believe that you have been directly exposed to someone who is positive with COVID-19, you should follow the quarantine guidance outlined above, regardless of whether you have heard directly from a University contact tracer. The State of Illinois is adjusting some of its contact tracing protocols, and we will continue to work closely with the public health departments to ensure consistency at Northwestern. Report Any Positive Cases We ask all students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 at any time, including over Winter Recess, to submit their test results by clicking on Report COVID-19 Test Results through the link provided and following the prompts. Reporting positive cases helps us monitor and appropriately respond to spikes in positive cases, and implement ongoing testing or quarantine requirements appropriately. Booster Reminder Subject to limited exceptions, all students, as well as faculty and staff who work on campus, must obtain a COVID-19 vaccination booster by Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, or 30 days after becoming eligible, whichever is later. Please attest to your booster status and upload your documentation online. Additional details on Northwesterns booster requirement can be found online. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this complicated pandemic and appreciate the steps each of you is taking to protect your health and the health of those around you. We plan to collect more information and provide a community update via webinar soon. Look for details to come next week. Sincerely, Luke Figora Vice President for Operations Kathleen Hagerty Provost and Professor Julie Payne-Kirchmeier Vice President for Student Affairs BP is buying back its BP Midstream Partners spinoff that manages pipelines, including those running to and from the BP Whiting Refinery. The London-based energy multinational, which operates the refinery along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Whiting, East Chicago and Hammond, plans to acquire all 47.8 million outstanding common units in an all-stock transaction. Shareholders will get 0.575 of a BP share for each BP Midstream Partners share they have. BP Midstream Partners was spun off from BP a few years ago and run as a separate business. It last turned a quarterly profit of $40.5 million before getting a buyout offer for an estimated $13.01 per common unit. "In line with BPs strategy introduced last year of becoming an integrated energy company, this transaction will deepen BP's interests in, and simplifies the ownership and governance structure of, midstream assets that support integration and optimization of its fuels value chain in the US," BP said in a news release. "This transaction provides the opportunity for BPMP unitholders to participate in this strategy." Bank of America Securities is serving as the financial adviser to the deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of next year. "No matter what you believe about the vaccines, vaccinated people do better than the unvaccinated when they contract the virus," McCormick said. He said anyone, including Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Munster native who has expressed skepticism about the state's COVID-19 infection and death counts, can visit the hospital and see the overwhelming number of unvaccinated individuals now being treated for COVID-19. "I welcome the attorney general to come and count them. They're all here and we're not making them up," McCormick said. Brian Tabor, president of the Indiana Hospital Association, said with fewer than 10% of intensive care unit hospital beds vacant statewide, and just six vacant ICU beds left in Northwest Indiana, now is the time for Hoosiers on the fence about the vaccine to get their shots to protect their own health as well as Indiana's strained hospital system. "We know that vaccination is safe, it's efficient, and we encourage all Hoosiers to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible," Tabor said. A magistrate entered not guilty pleas Tuesday on Wilson's behalf to felony charges of operating a loaded machine gun and possession of a machine gun. He's being held on a $5,000 cash bail. A not guilty plea was entered on Muhammad's behalf to one count of carrying a handgun without a license with a prior felony conviction. The charges stem from a shooting about 1:45 p.m. Sept. 4 near Kennedy Avenue and Michigan Street in Hammond. Witnesses told police a Mercury Grand Marquis was being chased by a black car when it crashed into a bridge. Two men got out, but they retreated into the Grand Marquis after the black car pulled up and someone started shooting at them, records state. The men then got out of the Grand Marquis and began shooting at the black car as it left, records say. Hammond police recovered seven spent shall casings and two spent bullet jackets from the scene, records state. An Indiana State Police officer later spotted two men, who matched the description of the pair involved in the Hammond shooting, walking in the 3900 block of Michigan Street in East Chicago. "It ties up all of our officers when we are overloaded with calls, because Shotspotter alerts take a priority," Rivera said. Rivera said shooting gunfire into the air not only has legal consequences but can be deadly. "These rounds go up but they don't go straight down, they can go through windows, dry wall, vehicles and more," Rivera said. "The right to bear arms does not mean the right to shoot your firearm whenever and wherever you want to, if you are not defending yourself or others or at the shooting range." Every New Year's Day, officers see the evidence left behind from reckless gunfire. "One New Year's Day, the day shift is bombarded by property damage reports," Rivera said. "We see bullet damage everywhere from vehicles, to broken windows to houses. We have even had a squad car hit by gunfire. It's why we are strict, because we have so much property damage from it in our city and it could easily hurt or kill someone." Those who shoot gunfire into the air in East Chicago can face a $500 fine from the city, criminal reckless charges and even murder charges if the incident proves fatal. CROWN POINT Lake County prosecutors dropped murder charges Wednesday against a man accused of escaping from a prisoner transport van last year and filed a new case against him in a different East Chicago homicide. The state's move means Leon Taylor, 23, of Hammond, won't face a jury next week on charges he fatally shot Daniel Nitzsche, 52, of Chicago, on Nov. 19, 2020, outside a building Nitzsche co-owned in the 700 block of West 150th Street in East Chicago. Instead, Taylor is now being held without bond on charges he shot 17-year-old Nicholas Pisani, of East Chicago, to death June 28, 2020, in an alley in the in the 1200 block of West 150th Street. He's also being held without bond in several other robbery cases and one burglary case. Taylor's defense attorney, Angela Jones, filed a motion last fall seeking a speedy trial in the Nitzsche murder case. On Tuesday, Lake Criminal Court Judge Natalie Bokota told Taylor there were some concerns about proceeding with a trial next week. Lake County is now listed in the "red zone," the highest score on the Indiana State Department of Health's coronavirus dashboard, which raises concerns about the safety of potential jurors, she said. MUNSTER Firefighters rushed into a house fire, saving a pet rabbit that first appeared unresponsive in its cage. However, with quick action from first responders, the critter's life was saved. Crews responded to a house fire at 2:54 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of Melbrook Drive, said Munster Fire Department Deputy Chief David Strbjak. The kitchen and family room were fully involved in flames and there was heavy smoke throughout the house. The residents had gotten out safely, but members of the search and rescue team quickly swept through the home knowing one member of the family was still inside. "We knew we had a bunny in the structure, so as we searched the first floor, we found it inside a cage and brought it out," Strbjak said. At first, the rabbit appeared to be lifeless but first responders used CPR and ventilation to bring it back to life. "It's part of our responsibility to do primary and secondary searches," he said. "And we make sure and check if anyone else is in the home. ... We have a lot of firefighters who have pets themselves." CHICAGO A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, authorities said Friday. Darius Sullivan, one of two people suspected in the shooting of the two Bradley police officers, was arrested Friday morning at a home in North Manchester, Indiana, Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police said at a news conference. Sullivan, 25, surrendered to a SWAT team that was assisting the U.S. Marshals with a search warrant for the property about 110 miles east of Bradley. Sullivan's arrest came a day after Illinois authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The Illinois State Police did not release any updates on the investigation Friday other than a written statement confirming that Sullivan had been arrested and would be taken back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Fifield said he didn't have any details on the investigation into the shooting. He did name three other men but wouldn't discuss whether their arrests were connected to the officers' shootings. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The coronavirus pandemic will loom over the New Hampshire Legislature in 2022, affecting both what and where lawmakers debate. The Legislature will convene Wednesday, with the 400-member House meeting at a hotel expo center in Manchester and the 24-member Senate spreading out in Representatives Hall at the Statehouse to allow for social distancing. The first order of business will be acting on bills the governor vetoed and those that were retained for further work earlier this year. But lawmakers will then spend the next six months wading through more than 900 newly filed bills, many of which relate to the pandemic. Vaccination is the focus of nearly 30 bills, some of which would cancel one another out. For example, one Democratic measure would require COVID-19 vaccinations for students in both K-12 schools and colleges, while a Republican bill would specifically prohibit school districts from mandating the vaccine. A third would prohibit public colleges and universities from requiring either vaccinations or face masks. Signs of economic distress have begun appearing in neighborhoods across Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities: white flags outside peoples houses, indicating that they need food or other assistance. The flags sometimes little more than T-shirts or strips of cloth are a cry for help from mostly low-income families who are financially affected by the another long coronavirus lockdown. The campaign, shared on social media as #benderaputih (white flag), is a way for families to appeal for food, work or other essentials as many businesses remain closed and joblessness rises. Thousands of people have stepped in, including artists and celebrities. A rapper who goes by Altimet pledged to his nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram last week that, every Friday, he would donate food and supplies to houses marked with a white flag. Renyi Chin, a restaurant owner in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, said he had donated $1,000 worth of food and supplies to families in the past week. Airlines may have thought their pandemic troubles were behind them in the fall as a coronavirus wave subsided and travelers increasingly took to the skies. But a new virus surge and winter storms have left the carriers and their passengers in a holiday mess. Heading into the New Years weekend, when return flights will produce another crest in air travel, airlines have been canceling more than 1,000 flights a day to, from or within the United States. More than 1,300 flights on Friday were canceled. Carriers and their employees say the latest chapter of the pandemic, the Omicron variant, has cut deeply into the ability to staff flights, even though a vast majority of crew members are vaccinated. Ive never seen a meltdown like this in my life, said Angelo Cucuzza, the director of organizing at the Transport Workers Union, which represents flight attendants at JetBlue. They just cant keep up with the amount of folks that are testing positive. JetBlue has been one of the airlines hardest hit, canceling 17 percent of its flights on Thursday, according to the air travel data site FlightAware. The carrier said Wednesday that it would cut about 1,280 flights through mid-January, citing the rise in virus cases in the Northeast, where its operations and crews are concentrated. She jump-started a national grass-roots movement for better pensions in this country, Karen Friedman, executive director of the center, said in an interview. Virtually every piece of consumer-oriented pension reform legislation over the last 45 years, she had a hand in. This included strengthening protections for widows and divorced spouses. Ms. Ferguson had been hearing from widows who werent receiving benefits because their husbands, unbeknown to them, had signed away their rights. Ms. Ferguson helped draft, and fought for passage of, the Retirement Equity Act of 1984, which President Ronald Reagan signed into law. Among other things, it required qualified pension plans to provide automatic survivor benefits and allow for waivers only with the consent of both the participant and the spouse. She was also instrumental in the creation and passage of the Butch Lewis Act, named for an Ohio truck driver who died in 2015. That measure, signed into law this year by President Biden, restored the pensions of more than one million people whose retirement benefits had been severely reduced because of underfunded multi-employer pension plans. Ms. Fergusons long-range goal was for the United States to establish a universal secure and adequate retirement system on top of an expanded Social Security system, to provide for those many private-sector workers who have no pension or retirement savings plan to fall back on. Developing such a system and getting it through Congress would be a vast and complex undertaking, much like the effort on health care legislation a decade ago, but because of Ms. Fergusons influence, some of her concepts are now under discussion on Capitol Hill. Its one of the great secret scandals of our country, she told Harvard Law Bulletin, that people can work a lifetime and still not have enough money for retirement. Karen Ruth Willner was born on Feb. 17, 1941, in Manhattan. Her father, Sidney Willner, was a lawyer who helped break up the German coal and steel industries after World War II and then helped the Hilton hotel chain expand around the world. Her mother, Dorothy (Kunin) Willner, taught sociology at the college level and, among other things, persuaded the United Nations to adopt guidelines protecting the rights of consumers. Karen grew up partly in Europe and finished high school in Bethesda, Md., before enrolling at Bryn Mawr College, outside Philadelphia. She graduated with a major in philosophy in 1962 and from Harvard Law School in 1965. How to Decant Wine With Sediment Drinking sediment is not harmful, but its unpleasant, like having a mouthful of grit. To decant, make sure to stand the bottle upright long enough for the sediment to settle to the bottom. If you dont have time for that, pour carefully and let any sediment settle in the glass. And for Young Wines? For the vast majority, decanting is not necessary. Sometimes, I will decant a really good wine if I know it is too young. But the difference will not be obvious. Either way is fine. What Is Hyperdecanting? In an episode of the HBO drama Succession, the character Connor Roy once recommended hyperdecanting, pouring a red Burgundy into a blender to whip it full of air. You can age your wine five years in 10 seconds, he said. It was not a joke. The method was promoted by Nathan Myhrvold in his book Modernist Cuisine. Personally, I would never subject any wine to such violence. Its a joy to follow its journey as it gently, delicately evolves in a glass over time. Its folly to believe you can jump-start aging except in the most marginal way. Feel free to beat your wine into submission, but dont expect a miracle. Preserving and Refrigerating Wine How Long Is Wine Good After Opening? That depends. A traditionally made wine will be good for at least several days after its opened, maybe even longer. You will not need any special equipment like vacuum pumps. Just keep the bottle in a cool place out of direct sunlight, or in the refrigerator. A processed wine, constructed and manipulated with technology and additives, will fall apart much more quickly. Refrigerate and hope for the best. What About Sparkling Wines? The same holds for bubbly. If it is skillfully and traditionally made, it can keep for days without losing energy or effervescence. A wine made poorly or overly manipulated will die. A good sparkling wine stopper is nice to have, but in a pinch you can close a bottle with aluminum foil, fitted snugly around the opening. Foil is far superior, though more wasteful, than the folk trick of inserting a metal spoon, handle down, in the opening, which has been discredited. Can Red Wines Be Chilled? Absolutely. Most reds are served too warm. The old saw that they should be served at room temperature was probably written by somebody with a chilly manor house. All reds should be at least slightly cool, and reds that are simple thirst-quenchers high in acidity can be served colder than that. In general, reds that are more tannic or complex should be served cool but not cold. Still, whats the worst that can happen if they are too cold? Let them warm up, or wrap your hands around the bowl of the wineglass to impart some heat. That Indentation on the Bottom of the Bottle Why Is It There? The indentation, or punt, is partly a matter of tradition and in some cases a necessity. In the days when bottles were handmade, glassblowers would push in the bottoms of bottles to make certain they would stand upright, without a nub of glass to unbalance them. The punt lives on as a custom, but it does add strength to the structure of bottles, particularly those used for sparkling wine, which are under great internal pressure from the carbonization. Not all bottles have punts. The tall, slender bottles traditionally used in Germany and Alsace have flat bottoms. I think I was drawn to these essays because were living through traumatic times, and I wanted to understand the bizarre effects stress can have on the psyche. To get at some of the factors causing that stress, I relied on Everything Is Broken, by Alana Newhouse in Tablet. Shortly after Newhouse gave birth to her son, she sensed that something was profoundly wrong with him. Doctors assured her he was healthy, and it took her years to figure out that she had been right all along. She consulted the brain specialist Norman Doidge, who told her that while there are good people in medicine, the whole system is profoundly broken. Medical error is one of the leading causes of death in America. Then Doidge turned to Newhouse and her husband, who is also a journalist, and asked her a question: How come so much of the journalism I read seems like garbage? She and her husband looked at each other and had a simultaneous realization: If the medical industry was comprehensively broken, as Norman said, and the media was irrevocably broken, as we knew it was was everything in America broken? Was education broken? Housing? Farming? Cities? Was religion broken? Everything is broken. The essay then asks how this came to be. Speaking of broken, Chris Hayess essay On the Internet, Were Always Famous, in The New Yorker, has really lingered in my mind. Hayes points out that one big thing about the internet is not who gets to speak but what we can hear. A not particularly industrious 14-year-old can learn more about a person in a shorter amount of time than a team of K.G.B. agents could have done 60 years ago, Hayes writes. Never before, he continues, have so many people been under the gaze of so many strangers. A kind of fame is now ubiquitous, and the line between private life and public life, which took centuries to build, is being erased at record speed. Millions of people are thus in the business of trying to impress strangers. The problem is that we cant get genuine care from the strangers who surveil us online; we can only get attention. We become attention addicts, in, as Hayes puts it, pursuit through fame of a thing that fame cannot provide genuine human connection. OK. Enough grimness. Lets find some hope. Weve all read a zillion pieces on political polarization, but April Lawsons essay Building Trust Across the Political Divide, in Comment, is like none other. The secret is that Lawson has actually been working in the field of political bridge-building, and she deftly dissects why so many of those well-intentioned efforts go wrong. Most bridge-building efforts are funded by and staffed by people on the Blue (left) side of the political spectrum, and many of these people are unaware of how their unconscious assumptions come across to Reds. For example, many Blues assume that the way to bring people together is to have conversations that stress our common humanity, that celebrate tolerance, empathy and diversity. Reds hear: Youre going to empathize with my feelings, but youre not going to engage with my substantive points. You value ethnic, racial and gender diversity, but you wont value viewpoint diversity, especially when it is outside your moral framework. You want to converse, but you come into the room assuming that if I could be taught what is true, Id be educated into Blueness. I just had my fourth child, and we really want to protect him, as well as my 2-year-old. What is your best advice from an economists viewpoint for parents of children who may still be months or years from being eligible for a Covid vaccine? One of the very lucky things about this terrible pandemic has been that children are much less affected by Covid than older people. For the most part, the older you are, the more dangerous Covid is. Vaccines lower your risk, but given how large the differences in risk of serious illness, vaccinated adults are still at higher risk for this outcome than unvaccinated kids. This doesnt mean we shouldnt vaccinate kids, but it should give some reassurance to worried parents waiting on the vaccine. With your 2-year-old, it makes sense to take the same precautions you do with yourself but not to be more cautious. Babies are higher risk for all illnesses, so just as in flu season, it likely makes sense to keep the baby a little more isolated if you can, especially from any older siblings illness. Youve been a proponent of keeping schools open. What should parents and school administrators be thinking in the new year with respect to in-person education? The biggest issues during the Omicron wave are likely to be staffing and quarantines. Too much sick staff may make keeping schools open difficult. There are a few solutions. One is to replace quarantine with test-to-stay programs, which administrators should start now to think about how to implement, though parents may be needed to help actually implement such programs, given staffing issues. A second key question is how to keep staff in place, a feat that is likely going to be possible only if we shorten quarantine rules for recovered individuals. Basically, I think we should all be prepared for some pretty significant disruptions over the next six weeks. You recently wrote about what kept you sane in 2021: running, reading and cooking. How will you maintain that in 2022? Like everyone else, Im desperately hoping for more of a return to normal, but at this point Im not really expecting it. My big hope for 2022 is less volatility around Covid policy. As the disease becomes endemic, were facing a future in which many of these issues a new variant, need for testing, updated vaccines will always be present. This next period is the time to face that and figure out how we are going to adapt our policies to those that can be effective in the long term. Dont look now, but The Matrix Resurrections was actually good With a small Omicron outbreak in my family, which turned me into a hotel manager, maid and full-time caregiver for 10 days, since I did not get a case of breakthrough Covid (yet!), I found myself with time to stream the disaster movie Dont Look Up on Netflix and the newest installment of the Matrix series on HBO Max. And let me tell you, I caught endless flak on Twitter when I posted that I liked both of them. While the tone of the call was constructive, according to the Kremlin aide, Mr. Putin repeated his claims that Russia felt threatened by an encroaching NATO. He said that Russia would conduct itself as the United States would behave if offensive weapons were near the United States. The Biden administration, like the Trump administration before it, has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Ukrainian military to fund what it characterizes as purely defensive arms, including anti-tank missiles to repel a threatened Russian invasion. Russia has called those offensive weapons that threaten its own forces. Mr. Ushakov said that for now, its not clear if the two sides were moving toward a compromise but said Russia had not specific deadline for talks. An American official, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity, said the call set the sort of tone and tenor for the diplomatic engagements to come in January. But he declined to get into the territory of starting to negotiate in public, saying that whatever the Russian side has decided is its best tactic and strategy in terms of its public pronouncements, we really believed, based on past precedents, that it is most constructive to have these conversations privately. Mr. Biden and Mr. Putin had radically different objectives going into the call. By massing troops on the border and then publishing two draft treaties that had echoes of Cold War-era demands, Mr. Putin created an international crisis and made plain his desire to wind back the clock 30 years, to just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. He demanded that Ukraine halt its embrace of the West, that the United States and its allies halt all military activity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and that NATO freeze its expansion to the east and roll back military deployments near Russias borders. In Washington and European capitals, most of the proposed treaty language was immediately rejected as an effort to redraw the post-Cold War boundaries of Europe, and, with the threat of invasion, force Ukraine back into Moscows orbit. Yet despite Russias damaged economy and diminished capabilities, Mr. Putin is dealing from a strong hand: He demonstrated in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea, his willingness to pick off Russian-speaking territory. And he is confident that the United States and its NATO allies will not commit forces to the task of pushing back. WASHINGTON The Navy has fired the commander and the second in charge of the littoral combat ship Montgomery because of a loss of confidence in their ability to command, the service said on Thursday. Cmdr. Richard J. Zamberlan, the ships skipper, and Cmdr. Phillip Lundberg, the vessels executive officer, were relieved by Capt. Marc Crawford, the commander of the Navys Surface Division 11, the Navy said in a statement. The Navy did not elaborate on the circumstances of the firings, but two Navy officials said the officers removal had resulted from their handling of a sexual harassment investigation. The two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the continuing inquiry. It is unusual for the Navy to relieve a ships commander, much less its two top officers, for any reason. In April, the Navy removed Cmdr. Kathryn J. Dawley as the skipper of the Hawaii-based guided-missile destroyer Hopper for what officials said was a poor command climate and bad crew morale. TOKYO A 61-year-old man whom the police suspected of setting the fire that killed 25 people this month at a psychiatric clinic in Osaka has died in a hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. Surveillance footage put the suspect, Morio Tanimoto, at the clinic just before the fire started on Dec. 17, according to the police. Cameras captured him earlier leaving his home on a bicycle, carrying two large bags that the police believe contained gasoline. Footage that morning from the clinic, on the fourth floor of a busy downtown office building, shows a man believed to be Mr. Tanimoto setting two bags on the floor of the waiting area, an instant before the fire starts. Mr. Tanimoto was among 28 people hospitalized after the blaze. He died on Thursday of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to NHK, Japans national broadcaster. To reduce labor shortages and strain on testing facilities as the Omicron variant spreads, Australia on Thursday drastically narrowed the category of people ordered to isolate after being in contact with a virus case. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that starting Friday, residents of four states with high coronavirus numbers New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australia Capital Territory would be tested and have to isolate only if they lived with someone who had tested positive, or had spent more than four hours with a Covid case. Previously, anyone who had been at the same venue at the same time as a coronavirus-positive person had been required to take a P.C.R. test and to isolate while awaiting the result. We cannot have hundreds of thousands of Australians or more taken out of circulation based on rules that were set for the Delta variant, Mr. Morrison said. We need rules for the Omicron variant. Englands National Health Service is now on a war footing, one of its top medical officials warned on Thursday, saying its hospitals would erect field wards to help deal with the surge in coronavirus cases that has produced a steep rise in hospitalizations nationally. Health experts were bracing for more challenges in the coming weeks that would further strain the system, which is besieged by the absences of tens of thousands of health care workers who are sick themselves, or isolating. Officials also cautioned that absences could have a far-reaching impact on public services like transportation. Coronavirus cases in Britain reached new highs this week, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, with 189,213 new cases reported across the country on Wednesday twice the highest daily count recorded in previous waves. More than 11,000 people with the coronavirus were hospitalized in England on Thursday, the highest number since March, though it is still unclear how many were hospitalized for illness caused by the virus and how many were there for another reason but also tested positive. A full picture of the rise in hospitalizations and deaths has been difficult to determine over the Christmas period, with inconsistent data reporting, and public health experts have said it is likely to be days before the full impact of socializing over the holidays is reflected. Among the first major conductors to see Malkki wield a baton was her compatriot Esa-Pekka Salonen, at a workshop in Stockholm. He came to me afterward, she recalled, and, unbelievably, he said, You look like youre in the right place. So, if you get rotten tomatoes thrown to you later, you can still think, Well, you know, maybe Im doing something right. In 1998, she made the leap to full-time conducting and gave up her post in Gothenburg, where the orchestras manager told her, Im sure youre very talented; its just a pity that you can never become anything. Malkki said the remark was so hurtful that for years I couldnt even tell people about it. But again, it comes back to the music, because I was not thinking of myself; I was thinking of all the things I wanted to do with the music. She first made a name for herself in contemporary repertory, and moved to Paris to serve from 2006 until 2013 as the director of the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the group founded by Pierre Boulez. (She still lives there, while also keeping an apartment near the Helsinki waterfront, where she likes to go for restorative walks.) Those years of all those world premieres it was an incredible school, she said. My brain was overheated many times, but it was actually a really fantastic way to learn the craft, because you have to be able to read your score and organize the rehearsals so that the musicians understand what their part is in the big context. Ms. White won her final Emmy in 2010 as outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for hosting the Mothers Day episode of S.N.L. She followed that appearance with a regular role on yet another sitcom, Hot in Cleveland, and then with a book contract and her own reality show. She was bigger than she had been in decades. But she didnt see her resurgence as a comeback. Ive been working steady for 63 years, she said in an interview for the ABC News program Nightline in 2010. But everybody says, Oh, its such a renaissance. Maybe I went away and didnt know it. Ms. White was over 50 and already a television veteran when she first appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but her work there elevated her career to a new level. A comedy about a young, single television news producer in Minneapolis, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the most popular sitcoms of its day or any other, thanks to smart writing, Ms. Moores charismatic presence and a high-caliber supporting cast. Even in the company of scene-stealing actors like Ms. Moore, Ed Asner and Valerie Harper, Ms. Whites Sue Ann stood out. The character, introduced in the shows fourth season, was conceived as cloying, calculating and predatory, her deviousness always accompanied by a charming smile. The producers wanted a Betty White type to play the role, but they did not immediately ask Ms. White because she and Ms. Moore were close friends and the producers were afraid that there would be damage to the friendship if she didnt get the role, or didnt want it. 10. And finally, a Catholic Portuguese janitor is now the bar mitzvah photography king of Montreal. Braulio Rocha was about to begin his daily floor mopping routine when he heard a frantic voice: The photographer assigned to shoot a bris hadnt shown up. Rocha had recently arrived in Canada from Madeira with $50 in savings and a beat-up old Canon camera. He offered to fill in. Six years later, Rocha is now so in demand that he sometimes shoots five bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies a week, and employs a team of eight assistant photographers. I remember thinking, Youre just a janitor, he said. But I said to myself, Its now or never. I guess you could say Im the Canadian dream. Have a celebratory evening and a happy New Year. Erin Kelly compiled photos for this briefing. Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern. Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com. Here are todays Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. If youre in the mood to play more, find all our games here. A call between Biden and Putin During a 50-minute phone call, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, warned President Biden that new sanctions over Ukraine would result in a complete rupture between the superpowers, a Russian official said. It is unclear whether Putin intends to invade Ukraine, despite having massed 100,000 or so troops at its border. Biden, according to a terse White House statement, made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine. American officials declined to discuss the substance of the conversation, insisting that, unlike the Russians, they would not negotiate in public. Intelligence officials from several Western countries in Ukraine said there has been no significant pullback of Russian troops or equipment from the border, and low-level cyberattacks many seemingly intended to penetrate Ukrainian infrastructure are continuing. Whats next: Delegations from the U.S. and Russia will meet on Jan. 10, most likely in Geneva. On the ground: As the Ukrainian government provides guidance on how to tape windows in case of an attack, people in Kyiv, the countrys capital, appear largely nonchalant. To mark the completion of a residential complex called World City, the indebted property giant China Evergrande Group held an elaborate red carpet ceremony on Monday, with eight cannons firing off confetti before a cheering crowd. The company then released a series of images featuring newly completed buildings covered with bright red decorations. Just weeks earlier, Evergrande had been declared in default. The developer has unpaid bills in excess of $300 billion and has struggled to pay back its creditors and business partners. Some in China saw the companys celebrations as premature. For months, Evergrande could not pay its builders, painters and contractors. The company, whose problems have made investors wary of Chinas once-flourishing property sector, remained relatively silent as its debt problems led to panic in global markets and among people around the country who had purchased apartments before they were completed. Construction on more than a million homes stalled, and then, two weeks ago, Evergrande signaled it could no longer go on officially entering into default after failing to make a final debt payment to foreign investors. Now, the developer has pledged to start paying its workers again and to deliver homes, part of a push to restore confidence in the company and the sector. When Jennifer Chen traveled back to her hometown in central China last winter for Lunar New Year, she thought little about Twitter. She had around 100 followers on an account she believed to be anonymous. While living in China, she retweeted news and videos, and occasionally made comments censored on Chinese platforms, like voicing her support for Hong Kongs protesters and her solidarity with minorities who have been interned. It wasnt much, but it was enough for the authorities to go after her. The police knocked on her parents door when she was visiting. She said they had summoned her to the station, questioned her and then commanded her to delete her Twitter posts and account. They continued to track her when she went overseas to study, calling her and her mother to ask if Ms. Chen had recently visited any human rights websites. The Chinese government, which has built an extensive digital infrastructure and security apparatus to control dissent on its own platforms, is going to even greater lengths to extend its internet dragnet to unmask and silence those who criticize the country on Twitter, Facebook and other international social media. SAN JOSE, Calif. Since 2018, when Elizabeth Holmes was indicted on charges of fraud, her trial has been delayed by procedural issues, a pandemic and the birth of her son in July. Now, four months into her trial and 43 hours into deliberations, the jurors in United States v. Elizabeth Holmes have asked themselves, Whats another day? Deliberations will pick back up in 2022 (on Monday). In the meantime, were taking stock of the case. 11 Fraud charges against Ms. Holmes two for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two tied to patients who took Theranos blood tests, one tied to advertisements and six tied to investments in the company. 20 The maximum number of years Ms. Holmes could face in prison for each count of fraud. If she is convicted, they are likely to be served concurrently. The Republican chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, who was appointed by former President Donald J. Trump, said on Friday that she was cutting short her term after a clash with Democratic banking regulators. Jelena McWilliams, who started a five-year term as chair in June 2018, will resign effective Feb. 4, she wrote in a letter to President Biden. She is also stepping down as a director of the F.D.I.C.s board. Ms. McWilliams is the only Republican currently on the five-member board, and her departure will add a second vacancy. Throughout my tenure, the agency has focused on its fundamental mission to maintain and instill confidence in our banking system, she wrote. Today, banks continue to maintain robust capital and liquidity levels to support lending and protect against potential losses. Her exit came after Rohit Chopra, a member of the F.D.I.C. board and the new director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, complained earlier this month that Ms. McWilliams had refused to recognize attempts by Democratic regulators to review rules about bank mergers. Ms. McWilliams called the conflict a hostile takeover by other board members in an essay in The Wall Street Journal. Ms. McWilliams has mostly adhered to Republican ideological lines during her tenure. That made her something of a barrier to President Bidens agenda, which involves shifting the federal governments stance on big issues like climate change and income inequality. The Democrats on the board of the F.D.I.C., which is chiefly known for backing consumer deposits but has a hand in overseeing all of the nations banks, contended that Ms. McWilliams was stonewalling attempts by the majority to set policy. The partisan fight atop the sleepy bank regulator, believed by some experts to be part of an effort by Democrats to unseat Ms. McWilliams, spilled into public view in early December. Mr. Chopra and two other Democrats on the board Martin J. Gruenberg, a longtime member, and Michael J. Hsu, the acting comptroller of the currency voted over email to request public comment on the issue of bank mergers. A statement on the request was posted not on the F.D.I.C.s site but on the site of the consumer bureau that Mr. Chopra leads. The F.D.I.C. soon released a statement saying it had not approved such a request for comment. A week later, after a meeting on Dec. 14, Mr. Chopra said in a statement, This approach to governance is unsafe and unsound. In refusing to recognize the vote by other board members, he wrote, Ms. McWilliams had made an attack on the rule of law. She fired back the next day, accusing other board members of trying to wrest control from the head of an independent agency. Banking industry groups urged calm and transparency. Pat Toomey, a Republican who sits on the Senate Banking Committee, issued a statement on Friday criticizing the Democratic board members for ending the bipartisan cooperation that has endured during the F.D.I.C.s 88-year history. The recent, reckless effort by Director Chopra and Interim Director Gruenberg to take over the F.D.I.C. board leaves a dark mark on both the F.D.I.C. and their own personal records, Mr. Toomey wrote. I am deeply troubled to see the administration support this extremist destruction of institutional norms and unprecedented action to undermine the independence and integrity of our financial regulators. The C.F.P.B. did not immediately respond to a phone message and email requesting comment. Judges have pushed other pandemic-era trials to move quickly given the risks of gathering people together, Mr. George said. Omicron wasnt in our vocabulary when this trial started, he said. The way some courts are handling it is basically hope. Delays Upon Delays First, there were procedural issues. Then came the pandemic. And then Ms. Holmes became pregnant, pushing things back six more weeks. By the time jury selection for United States v. Elizabeth Holmes began in August, a book, a podcast and a documentary had been made about Theranoss rise and fall. Two more scripted dramas are in the works. To avoid juror fatigue and build in extra time for any more pandemic-related delays, Judge Davila scheduled the trials proceedings to go only until 2 p.m. for three days a week. In its first week, a coronavirus scare canceled a day of proceedings. As the trial dragged on, extra days were added to get through the prosecutions list of 29 witnesses, one of whom spent six days on the stand. Judge Davila has been methodical and lenient in his management of the case, allowing lawyers from both sides to spend hours debating procedural issues before most days of testimony began. The slow trial pace prompted Adam Lashinsky, a columnist at Business Insider, to declare in early November that Judge Davila was blowing it by mistaking dithering for deliberation. Now, with the case in the jurys hands, the long hours of deliberations have allowed trial watchers to indulge in speculation about whats happening. What prompted the roaring laughter coming from the deliberation room? Why were the jurors applauding? Why did lawyers on both sides of the case use a secret side entrance for a closed 23-minute discussion with the judge on Tuesday? Why havent jurors had more than two questions for the court? But what has already occurred in the trial should serve as a warning about what will happen next: Few predictions about how it would go have come true. Federal officials are wrestling with a decision that could go a long way toward determining the future of the controversial new Alzheimers drug, Aduhelm, and whether significant numbers of patients use it. In January, Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and over, plans to issue a preliminary decision on whether it will cover the expensive medication. The Food and Drug Administrations approval of Aduhelm in June has drawn fierce criticism because clinical trials showed the drug had significant safety risks and unclear benefit to patients. Roughly 80 percent of potential Aduhelm patients are old enough to receive Medicare, making the programs coverage decision crucial. Private insurers often follow Medicares lead. Medicare almost always pays for F.D.A.-approved drugs, at least for the medical conditions designated on their label, health policy experts said. But with Aduhelm, Medicare officials have undertaken a monthslong review that could result in no coverage, full coverage or limited coverage. A spate of new studies on lab animals and human tissues are providing the first indication of why the Omicron variant causes milder disease than previous versions of the coronavirus. In studies on mice and hamsters, Omicron produced less damaging infections, often limited largely to the upper airway: the nose, throat and windpipe. The variant did much less harm to the lungs, where previous variants would often cause scarring and serious breathing difficulty. Its fair to say that the idea of a disease that manifests itself primarily in the upper respiratory system is emerging, said Roland Eils, a computational biologist at the Berlin Institute of Health, who has studied how coronaviruses infect the airway. In November, when the first report on the Omicron variant came out of South Africa, scientists could only guess at how it might behave differently from earlier forms of the virus. All they knew was that it had a distinctive and alarming combination of more than 50 genetic mutations. All attendees over the age of 5 must show proof of full vaccination to enter; anyone under 5 must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. The crowd will be spaced out and limited to 15,000 people, far fewer than the hundreds of thousands that gathered before the pandemic. Everyone must wear a mask. The celebrations will kick off at 6 p.m., although visitors wont be allowed into the viewing areas until 3 p.m. KT Tunstall, Karol G and Journey are among the musical acts scheduled to perform. Shortly after the ball drops at midnight, Eric Adams will be sworn in as the citys 110th mayor. What to do if you do go Ideally, attendees should not only be vaccinated, but also have received booster shots. Find a place to get vaccinated here. Some tips should be obvious by now: People should wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth, and wash their hands frequently. People should get tested for Covid-19 before and after the event, and keep wearing a mask in public. Here are some locations where New Yorkers can get tested. Consider getting off at a subway station a little farther away from Times Square and walking there to avoid the crowds. And, of course, anyone who isnt feeling well shouldnt go to the event. What to do if you dont go For those who dont go, there are still many ways to celebrate! Public officials are still warning against hosting large indoor gatherings, especially if people will not be wearing masks. Think through the risks before hosting such an event, and make sure precautions are in place, like limiting guests to only those who have gotten booster shots. As New York Citys 109th mayor, Bill de Blasio will be remembered for many things: creating universal prekindergarten, eating pizza with a fork, setting a record for tallest mayor at almost 6-foot-6 and accidentally killing a groundhog. But one central element of his administration has received less attention: his passion for spending money. Under Mr. de Blasio, the citys budget has soared to a record $102.8 billion, and the city work force rose to more than 325,000 employees, its highest level ever. His final budget, more than $25 billion higher than his first budget in 2014, had something for everyone: $377 million to expand 3-K for preschoolers, $234 million to hire workers to clean the city, $200 million for summer programs for children and $10 million for enforcement of his vaccine mandate for restaurants. Federal pandemic relief funds paid for a large share of this largess. As I said, we are expecting a plan a surge after the holidays. Its here. And tonight, New Years Eve, for everyone saying, I cannot wait to say goodbye to 2021 they will be gathering. We know this. So what are we going to do and why are we even doing a 2.0? Because the virus is changing so quickly. And were issuing new guidance for SUNY and CUNY schools for the spring semester. We are asking all schools to ensure that students before they return are boosted. And this will be part of the reopening. They have to be boosted when theyre eligible. Again, we understand that students who were just vaccinated within the last six months are not eligible for the booster. This takes effect on Jan. 15. Its a continuation of policy we had for that, but also now were adding faculty, adding faculty to the list of individuals who will need to be vaccinated. We now know that the masks are important, theyre an important line of defense. We have had a requirement that businesses throughout the state have to have a mask requirement or a vaccine requirement. It was going to expire on Jan. 15. I want to give everybody the heads-up that this will continue just two more weeks beyond what we had originally planned. Again, being very willing to reassess, hoping that the picture is much more positive in February. But again, we just dont have that information right now, but this is another part of our 2.0 plan. Stay in communication with the health experts. But continue to do the work weve been doing. New York City is leading the nation with our staff vaccine mandate, our air purifiers in every classroom, our surveillance system, the work we have done around testing and tracing, in-school vaccination clinics, making vaccines accessible and available. What would you have liked to tackle if you werent so focused on the virus? My career as an educator has been about focusing on the needs of our most vulnerable populations. I knew coming into this job that was going to be my priority, and that priority was grounded in being in the middle of a pandemic. What Im proud of is that I continued to do that work, from the launch of the Mosaic Curriculum to ensure that all of our students see and experience themselves in their curriculum, to the mental health and social-emotional supports that weve put in place. Tell me a bit about your next role. Im excited to be the inaugural C.E.O. and president of the Bronx Community Foundation. Its the first and only community foundation for the Bronx, a community that deserves it. Its about investing in Bronx neighborhoods, investing in community power to eradicate inequity and build a sustainable future for all Bronxites, with Bronxites. Its no secret, Im a Bronx girl. The majority of my career has been spent in the Bronx. So for me this moment is about coming full circle and bringing my experience having led the system and my experience having led the Bronx to really invest in a community I love and believe in. Is there anything I didnt ask you about reopening and your experience as chancellor that you want to mention? Its been the greatest honor and privilege to serve New York City at this time. Most people are like, You must be crazy to come at this moment. But one of the things that I was able to do was bring every part of me Meisha the student, Meisha the teacher, Meisha the parent, Meisha the principal to these decisions. I think thats something that people appreciated about me, and Ive really appreciated being able to do. Cathy Guo, 29, a New York University graduate student who lives with three roommates, said that after two of them tested positive for the virus shortly before Christmas, all four spent many hours each on hold with the city hotline without reaching anyone. Finally, Ms. Guo said, last Monday about four days after the second roommate tested positive one of the four was transferred to a line where a recording said there were 150 people ahead of her on hold. Three hours later, a dispatcher picked up and said the city would send someone to bring the sick roommate to a hotel. They still havent come, Ms. Guo said last Friday. Calls to the hotline on Monday were answered by a recording asking callers to leave a message. Monte Monteleagre, 26, who lives in Manhattan, said that after testing positive on Dec. 18 and calling to inquire about the hotel program, he was put on hold for more than 90 minutes while being forced to push a button every few minutes to keep his place on the line. I missed the prompt once and had to start over from the back of the line, he said. When Mr. Monteleagre finally spoke to someone, he was told he would get a call back within two days. It took five days for the call to come, he said. By then, he and his roommate had made other arrangements. Violetta Barberis, 47, who said she tested positive for the virus on Dec. 20 and whose husband has a severely compromised immune system, wanted to get a hotel room immediately. She said she was told she would have to wait 48 hours. We paid out of pocket, which is super annoying but it had to be done, said Ms. Barberis, who lives in Lower Manhattan. I can imagine that for people who had less financial flexibility, it would be impossible. Mr. Manchin, an essential vote in an evenly divided United States Senate, has always been skeptical of any serious federal effort to combat global warming. Last month, he said no and no again to Mr. Bidens $2.2 trillion social policy legislation known as Build Back Better torpedoing, among other things, $555 billion in clean energy programs at the heart of Mr. Bidens Glasgow promise to cut American emissions in half by 2030. Hands were wrung and fingers pointed, not just at Mr. Manchin but at Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and the president himself, who were blamed by the members of the partys left wing for not yoking the climate measure to the bipartisan infrastructure bill a pairing that might have leveraged the climate measure over the top given Republican support for infrastructure. There was also grumbling that the Democrats had masked the overall costs of the bill, a point on which the Congressional Budget Office agreed. But these complaints soon sounded tired and beside the point. And the point could not be more urgent: Where does Mr. Biden and America go from here? Failed climate legislation isnt a just a tactical political matter; it is a loss for everyone, for Americans and all those who live with us. Senator Brian Schatz, Democrat of Hawaii, put the matter well when he observed that the planet is not going to pause its warming process while we sort our politics out. Or as Michael Oppenheimer, a Princeton professor and longtime warrior on the climate front, noted, the basic physics of the problem have not changed. What the physics and the science have said, over and again, is ruthlessly clear: To keep average planetary temperatures from rising above the 1.5 degrees tipping point, nations must radically transform their energy delivery systems, and not on any sort of leisurely glide path but by wrenching greenhouse gases sharply downward, cutting them in half by 2030 and, by midcentury, freeing the world from its dependence on the fossil fuels that are the main driver of global warming. That is what Mr. Biden promised to do, or something close to it, through the energy provisions in Build Back Better. These included about $320 billion in tax incentives for producers and buyers of wind, solar and nuclear power, and billions more to encourage the production and use of electric cars, make buildings more energy efficient, replace gas-fired furnaces and appliances with electric versions and modernize the electric grid. Among Mr. Manchins complaints was that an energy transition was already underway and that pushing it too fast would prematurely weaken the oil, gas and coal industries and leave the country vulnerable to all manner of upsets, including blackouts. Better, he said, to let market forces and improved technology do the job. The costs of wind and solar power have dropped dramatically in the last decade, and renewable energy in America has nearly quadrupled in the last decade, providing about one-fifth of Americas needs. Yet market forces alone cannot meet Mr. Bidens emissions reduction goals; policy support from federal and state governments is essential. As Anand Gopal, executive director of Energy Innovation, a think tank, has observed: Theres no way were going to get to 50 percent by letting these technologies slowly take over the market. Its not going to happen fast enough. To the Editor: Re Afghan Allies Deserve Our Help, by Farah Stockman (Opinion, Dec. 20): In discussing the new Biden administration program allowing ordinary Americans to privately sponsor resettlement, Ms. Stockman is correct in saying that Afghans are known for their hospitality. I know this firsthand because in August my husband and I became hosts to a special immigrant visa family of five from Afghanistan. They were resettled by Catholic Charities, their official sponsor. The father (who risked his life protecting American soldiers) and his family are living in a rental unit we own. They are no longer in their 90-day resettlement period, but the charity did help them get the documentation necessary to secure work, attend school and get medical care. My husband and I have been paying most of their bills and providing them with advice. When visiting, we are treated with great respect and wonderful teas. We have come to love them. The family will make it in America my husband and I are committed to that. Im sure thats also true of others like us, acting as private sponsors. The outpouring of support from friends and neighbors has been remarkable. Cynthia Sitcov Arlington, Va. To the Editor: With the large number of homeless people already in my community, I would not sponsor an Afghan refugee or any refugee, for that matter. Here in Lansing, Mich., there is a seven-month waiting list for emergency temporary public housing. Homeless shelters are full, or have been stopping intake because of Covid outbreaks. Many abused adults and children have no safe shelter. Yet our city is set to welcome hundreds of Afghans. That will put further pressure on the public housing lists, which include local veterans of the Afghan war. But for a court to earn and retain the publics trust, those decisions must reflect a judges considered individual moral and political judgments, not any fixed ideological position or platform. Justices must also engage in true collective deliberation, not factional conferencing based on ideological positions. The Supreme Court still does this in a wide range of nonconstitutional cases and cases that involve complex federal statutes like the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. But it rarely engages in that kind of thoughtful, collective deliberation in cases that involve constitutional rights and freedoms. What is good enough for employment benefits should be good enough for constitutional rights. Expanding the court (court packing) might be justified if things were to get worse. For now, it risks setting off a dynamic with dangers for democracy. It could result in a cycle of escalation: As soon as Republicans regain control of Washington, they would seek to expand the size of the court as well. This would create a court that is too large, is forced to sit in panels rather than en banc, or as a whole, and produces uneven and unpredictable results. This is basically the experience of the Supreme Court of India, which has about 30 justices. And it would mean that would-be authoritarians around the world would feel licensed to do the same. They would be encouraged to engage in what David Landau of Florida State University College of Law and I have called a form of abusive borrowing the adoption of court packing as a strategy to advance anti-democratic rather than democratic aims. No reform is without risks. Judges with fixed terms might also start considering postjudicial opportunities in their judgments. This is especially true for lower court judges, which explains why current reform efforts are focused solely on the Supreme Court. But this seems like a minor risk for the Supreme Court itself: Most justices are likely to prefer international arbitration or law teaching to ambassadorships. And as the commission itself noted, at least if there was a constitutional amendment, there could be a bar on judges holding certain offices during a period after retirement. Some might worry that the court could turn out to be too responsive to politics under a 12-year term. This was the main reason the commission itself preferred 18-year judicial terms. But the composition of such a court would remain constant only for a single presidential term. And the details would matter: All judges could be appointed during the final two years of a presidents term, when there is less likely to be unified government and when a presidents choices would affect only the next president. This could also be accompanied by changes to how the Senate vets and votes on nominees. The biggest risk is that the reform will simply fail to get off the ground. Judicial term limits can be adopted by statute or constitutional amendment. If adopted by statute, it would come before the Supreme Court for review and the court might well reject the argument that it is compatible with Article III, which entrenches guarantees of judicial independence. At some point, we run out of distractions and recipes, and were left with a cycle of viral surges that is as stressful as it is tedious. Everyone was so determined to get back to normal that they made plans that never happened, said Ms. Mecking, speaking from her home in the Netherlands, which had just enacted another lockdown to curb rising Covid cases. It gave people lots of false hope. She plans to use the unexpectedly quiet holiday break to do what she does best: nothing. In embracing the niksen philosophy, Ms. Mecking, who is Polish, feels no pressure to level up, despite cultural and social expectations to look busy. You dont have to make sourdough bread, she said. You dont have to do anything, really. You can just stare at the walls and exist. Meik Wiking, the chief executive of the Happiness Research Institute, a Copenhagen-based think tank that explores why some societies are happier than others, didnt seem especially happy the day we spoke over Zoom. His friend, who lives in New York, had recently canceled a holiday trip to Denmark after the country enacted new restrictions. Its an annual tradition that we have to shut down the happiness we save for Christmas, he said. The Danes, of course, know all about long, dark, lonely winters, and have developed endless coping mechanisms to survive them. Near the top of the list is hygge, a Danish word that sort of rhymes with fugue and is a deeply rooted Scandinavian philosophy of coziness that relies on candles, wool blankets and soup. Mr. Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well, suggested we look to hygge as a way to respond to the changing conditions around us. We might not be able to control the virus, but we can control dinner. The rug did get pulled out from under us, but weve done this before, we can do it again, he said. Yes, things kind of suck, to put it in scientific terms, but there is still happiness to be had over Christmas and the holidays. Well still be able to cook some wonderful, lovely meals. A Happiness Institute report on well-being during Covid found that people who crafted or took up D.I.Y. projects reported being happier during the pandemic. But enthusiasm for those activities waned after a few months because, well, how long can we knit with gusto? But the one activity that had the biggest impact on our happiness getting outside for 15 minutes a day got more popular as the months wore on. Getting away from the house turned out to be a good thing. The East Bay, for example, which includes Berkeley, Oakland and the surrounding suburbs, saw stronger price growth. Oakland was the market that saw the biggest increase in demand, said Daryl Fairweather, the chief economist for Redfin. Everyone was leaving the city and going across the bridge. The median sale price of a single-family home in Alameda County, which includes Oakland and Berkeley, was $1.3 million in November 2021 up 24 percent, from $1.05 million, in November 2020, according to data from the California Association of Realtors. In San Francisco, by comparison, the median sale price for a single-family home was $1.9 million, an increase of 12 percent, from $1.67 million, a year before. It was crazy all year long, said Daniel Stea, a broker and lawyer who owns Stea Realty Group and works in Oakland and Berkeley. That is, with the exception of a brief slowdown in June, he said, when bidding-war fatigue seemed to set in and some buyers may have headed out of town, post-vaccination. But demand picked up sharply later in the summer, he added, with move-in ready homes that had work-from-home space and backyards often getting a dozen or more offers. Sacramento was one of the most in-demand destinations for buyers seeking bigger homes at relatively affordable prices. The typical value of a single-family home there in 2021 was $472,000, according to Zillows estimate up 22.3 percent from 2020, but still far less than the statewide average. The area has newer and bigger homes than its coastal neighbor to the west, Mr. Tucker said, referring to San Francisco. Thats a good example we saw of the trend in a lot of the country. As a second-year medical student at Michigan State University, Dr. Aliyya Terry was scrolling through Facebook in February 2017 when she stopped on a photo taken at an event on campus that included Martin Childs IV. His face stood out instantly to me, Dr. Terry said. The reason he was so familiar: Mr. Childs and Dr. Terry, both 30, had been childhood sweethearts after they met in math class as sixth graders at Morse Middle School in Milwaukee. She was just talking to everybody and we struck up a friendship that way, Mr. Childs said of how the two first connected. But in the eighth grade, when we went on our class trip to Washington, D.C., thats when we struck up a kind of middle school love story. On that trip, they got lost together in the city, then stayed up late talking to each other on the hotels telephones. Afterward, they exchanged home phone numbers to continue their long conversations outside of class. No one ever really owned up to their part in how, during the summer of 2015, Elliot Imani Griffin and Matthew Armand Stitt ended up on an impromptu date after the biweekly Flow fund-raiser, an event for young Black professionals in Philadelphia. Im not sure how much engineering took place, said Ms. Griffin. Mr. Stitt, who had walked with Ms. Griffin to Byblos, a restaurant and hookah bar, after the fund-raiser, said, I thought we were all going to a dinner with a group as usual. It ends up being me and Elliot. The two were introduced by a mutual friend in 2013, the same year that Ms. Griffin, now 31, tiptoed into Philadelphia politics as an observer at City Council meetings, which she attended while working for a local crisis communication and issue advocacy firm. During her time at City Hall, Ms. Griffin had also observed the constant activity around Mr. Stitt, 34, then the assistant chief financial officer at the City Council. Olivia Rivera liked what she called Version 1.0 of Harrison Shanklin a lot. But Version 2.0 the committed and available man who emerged after the couple took a break just a few months into dating was something else entirely. Once we hit that 2.0 version, we were so sure, she said. I tell him that I could not have dreamt up a person who would be more perfect for me than him. The two met through the dating app Hinge in the fall of 2019, but plans for a first date were ultimately canceled by Mr. Shanklin, who told Ms. Rivera he was too busy with work and that hed get back to her to reschedule. So often on dating apps, thats it, said Ms. Rivera, 35, a social worker at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco, who graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received a masters degree in social work from the University of California, Berkeley. You dont hear from them again. Christine Yi held out hope that the test results would come through until the doors to her flights boarding gate closed. Ms. Yi, 45, a content creator in New York, was attempting to fly to Grand Cayman in the Caribbean over the Christmas holiday weekend with her boyfriend, James Tracey, 47, the executive chef at Isabelles Osteria, a restaurant in New Yorks Gramercy neighborhood. The Cayman Islands requires proof of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours of departure to enter. Ms. Yi and Mr. Tracey had booked P.C.R. tests through N.Y.U. Langone medical center one day ahead of their Dec. 24 departure. She received her negative test results on the evening of the 23rd. Mr. Traceys test also came back negative after 34 hours, a missed flight, $150 in change fees, a two-hour wait for two rapid antigen tests and a back-and-forth trip to John F. Kennedy International Airport. It was definitely a memorable start to our trip, said Ms. Yi. Frequent testing, combined with vaccines and masking, has been repeatedly cited as the key to a holiday season closer to the normal of prepandemic times. But for international travelers who need tests to enter their destinations, getting tested in time is easier said than done. Finding a test has become increasingly difficult appointments are booked and walk-in sites often have hourslong waits. And even if you can get a test, it is far from guaranteed that your results will come back in time for you to board. Virginias attorney general filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the town of Windsor, seeking changes in policing and saying that his offices monthslong investigation uncovered evidence of discriminatory, unconstitutional policing. The Windsor Police came under scrutiny after an incident in December 2020, when police officers threatened and pepper sprayed Caron Nazario, a Black and Latino military officer, at a traffic stop, an encounter that was caught on camera. Virginias attorney general, Mark Herring, said in a statement that while our investigation was spurred by the egregious treatment against Lieutenant Nazario that we all saw in bodycam footage, we discovered that this incident was indicative of much larger problems within the department. The investigation revealed huge disparities in enforcement against African American drivers, and a troubling lack of policies and procedures to prevent discriminatory or unconstitutional policing, the statement said. We were home, and it was a bright, sunny day, and all of a sudden it wasnt bright and sunny anymore, said Laurie Draper, who lost the Louisville house where she had lived with her husband since 1994 and raised two children. We could smell fire, and then there was smoke coming through the neighborhood. Ms. Draper said the wind had been blowing so hard that it was difficult even to open the car doors. They escaped with little more than some Persian rugs, their German shepherd and the clothes they were wearing. On Friday, she lamented that she had not saved items that belonged to her late mother. I didnt take the right things, she said. Colorado is no stranger to wildfires, but Thursdays came at an unseasonable time. Indeed, over the years, wildfires in the American West have been worsening growing larger, spreading faster and reaching into mountainous elevations that were once too wet and cool to have supported fierce fires. What was once a seasonal phenomenon has become a year-round menace, with fires burning later into the fall and into the winter. Recent research has suggested that heat and dryness associated with global warming are major reasons for the increasing prevalence of bigger and stronger fires, as rainfall patterns have been disrupted, snow melts earlier and meadows and forests are scorched into kindling. The Colorado wildfire that swept through suburban areas between Denver and Boulder on Dec. 30 was among the most destructive in the states history, destroying almost 1,000 homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Heres what we know: How did the fire spread? The fire began on the morning of Dec. 30 and spread with astonishing speed across suburban neighborhoods in Boulder County, prompting the evacuation of 35,000 people. The authorities said about 6,200 acres were burned. On Wednesday, nearly a week after the blaze, officials reported the first confirmed death, announcing that they had found the partial remains of an adult about half a mile from an area being investigated as a possible source of the fire. One other person remained missing. The wildfire, which Gov. Jared Polis called a force of nature, came unusually late in the year for Colorado, where a severe, multiyear drought set the stage for such blazes to spread with ease. How We Make Sense of Time Deep inside a mountain in West Texas, Alexander Rose has been working to build a clock with a pendulum that will tick for 10,000 years. It is hundreds of feet tall, powered by the temperature difference between day and night, and synchronized by the solstice. The idea, said Mr. Rose, the executive director of the foundation behind it, is to help humans think about time well beyond our own lives. They call it the Clock of the Long Now. The coronavirus pandemic has slowed installation, and it has also made time itself feel strange, going by both in a blur and horrifically slowly, he said. There was that moment in the middle of 2021, last summer, when we all thought, all right, this is it, we are all coming out, he said. Well, that lasted about 30 days. And all of the sudden, we are back in, and then we are coming back out again, and then now we are going back in. He added, There is a pendulum thats going to swing. Chief Justice Roberts is taking a page from his old playbook: acknowledging institutional challenges in the judiciary but telling the public that only we judges can fix them, Mr. Roth said. Yet the problems of overlooked financial conflicts and sexual harassment are serious and endemic, and theres no indication theyre going away. So Congress has every right to step in and, via legislation, hold the third branch to account, which I expect to happen in 2022. Chief Justice Roberts addressed at some length a recent series of articles in The Wall Street Journal that found that 131 federal judges had violated a federal law by hearing 685 lawsuits between 2010 and 2018 that involved companies in which they or their families owned shares of stock. Let me be crystal clear: The judiciary takes this matter seriously, the chief justice wrote. We expect judges to adhere to the highest standards, and those judges violated an ethics rule. But I do want to put these lapses in context. In the scheme of things, he wrote, the number of violations was vanishingly small. According to The Wall Street Journals own data, he wrote, the 685 instances identified amount to a very small fraction less than three hundredths of 1 percent of the 2.5 million civil cases filed in the district courts in the nine years included in the study. Thats a 99.97 percent compliance rate. Still, he wrote, this context is not excuse. We are duty-bound to strive for 100 percent compliance because public trust is essential, not incidental, to our function. JOHANNESBURG In a requiem Mass that interwove several southern African languages, in the style of Archbishop Desmond Tutus own preaching, parishioners at his former church in Johannesburg bade farewell this week to the activist priest who took on apartheid with a message of peace and forgiveness. The service, at St. Marys Cathedral on Thursday, was part of a week of mourning across South Africa that has again brought to the fore questions about the state of reconciliation and its democratic process, as the country looks back on its segregated past and the role the archbishop played in trying to unify the country. Flags across the country are flying at half-staff to commemorate a national hero, but his memorials have been simple affairs led by religious leaders, with few speeches from national politicians and with modest floral bouquets and few portraits. The archbishops coffin is unvarnished and fitted with rope handles, in line with his final wishes. Archbishop Tutu, who died on Sunday at 90, was one of the leading voices against apartheid, helping to bring about the end of the brutal segregationist system in South Africa. After the collapse of apartheid, the archbishop took on a new role, shepherding the countrys difficult transition as head of its Truth and Reconciliation Commission. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who has a longstanding security relationship with the West, could also use the incursion to improve his image abroad even as he cracks down on dissent at home. The operation, some say, is an ill-fated attempt to bring a military solution to the myriad political, social and economic problems facing people in eastern Congo. Heres a look at the origins of the Allied Democratic Forces, or A.D.F., why Uganda went after the rebels in Congo, and how the latest operation may affect the country, Africas second-largest by area. Who are the Allied Democratic Forces? The A.D.F. was formed in eastern Congo in 1995 by two groups opposed to Mr. Musevenis government: the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda and members of Tabliq, an Islamist sect in Uganda. The group had backing from the Sudanese and Congolese governments, which used it to undermine Mr. Musevenis government, according to Stig Jarle Hansen, a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and the author of Horn, Sahel, and Rift, an examination of the spread of jihadist groups in Africa. With the blessing of the then-president of Congo, Mobutu Sese Seko, the A.D.F. built alliances with local communities and leaders and became heavily invested in various economic sectors, including timber, agriculture and gold mining, Mr. Hansen said. New Years Eve was canceled in Quebec, or at least thats how many residents feel after the government imposed a 10 p.m. curfew that will go into effect on Friday night, just as the revelry was set to begin. The move, which provoked an angry backlash, was the latest attempt by the province to tame the surging Omicron variant as cases rise and hospitals come under intensifying pressure. The government also banned private indoor gatherings beyond members of the same household, forcing many Quebecers to cancel their New Years Eve plans. Under the curfew, which goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, Quebecers will be required to remain indoors from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and those who break the rules face fines as high as $4,750. (There are some exemptions, such as dog walkers and essential workers in hospitals.) Mr. Legault said Thursday that the measures were necessary to protect the provinces health care system. Russias foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, warned on Friday that the Kremlin perceives the United States and its allies as stoking the war in eastern Ukraine, a shift in tone from Moscow just hours after another Russian official had said the Kremlin was satisfied with a phone call between the leaders of the two countries. The civil war in Ukraine, ongoing for eight years, is far from over, Mr. Lavrov said, in remarks carried by the Russian Information Agency. The countrys authorities dont intend to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, he added. Unfortunately, we see the United States and other NATO nations supporting the militaristic intentions of Kyiv, provisioning Ukraine with weapons and sending military specialists, Mr. Lavrov said. Amid high-stakes diplomatic talks over what the United States has described as a serious Russian military threat to Ukraine, Mr. Lavrovs remarks were the latest in a series of conflicting commentary from the Kremlin that has seesawed between ominous and conciliatory, sometimes within the space of a few days. Earlier in December, Mr. Putin said Moscow might resort to military technical means, referring to the use of force, if talks failed. Britain, France, Greece, Portugal and other European countries broke records this week for the number of daily cases, and Karl Lauterbach, Mr. Scholzs new health minister, took the unusual step of warning on Wednesday that the number of people who have been infected could be up to three times as high as documented. One thing is clear: The next few days and weeks will also be dominated by corona, said Mr. Scholz, dressed soberly in a dark suit and tie. The concerns about Omicron which so far appears to cause milder illness, but which has nonetheless raised worries that its rapid spread could overwhelm Germanys health services have prompted states to enact stricter rules in the days since Christmas. Private gatherings of vaccinated people have been limited to 10 or fewer, nightclubs and discos have been closed and the number of people who can attend cultural or sporting events has been further reduced. Those rules come on top of restrictions that require vaccination or proof of recovery to gain access to restaurants, most shops and services like hairdressers, severely limiting how much public life unvaccinated Germans can participate in. Analogous to Franklin D. Roosevelts fireside chats, the German New Years Eve speech gives the new leader the chance to speak directly to the public from the chancellery in Berlin. Some of the passages in his address were reminiscent of the campaign stump speech delivered by Mr. Scholz that helped his Social Democratic Party carry the plurality of seats in the German Parliament in the September elections. The 20s are becoming a decade of new beginnings, he said. But, as was the case with Ms. Merkels final address, Mr. Scholzs first was largely focused on the virus and the pandemics effects on society. AMMAN, Jordan Asma Khader, an internationally recognized advocate for human rights and one of Jordans leading campaigners for the rights of women and girls, especially the victims of domestic violence, died here on Dec. 20. She was 69. The cause was pancreatic cancer, her brother Munir Khader said. Mrs. Khader (pronounced KAH-der) fought to improve the lives of Jordanians from both the inside and the outside. After years as an active member of the opposition, she joined the government and continued to press for greater rights for women and a more open press. But mainly she threw her energy into nongovernmental organizations. She established the Solidarity is Global Institute in Jordan in 1998 to provide women with legal services and educational programs, and to lead campaigns for legislative and policy reforms. She served as the institutes executive director until her recent illness. It was one of many such groups she started, led or advised, including the Mizan Law Group for Human Rights and the Jordanian branch of the International Commission of Jurists, a global rights organization. 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. A 41 year old man from Offaly was sentenced to three months imprisonment in Midlands Prison Portlaoise during last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court. Miroslaw Sarko, Doory, Clara was stopped by the Gardai on September 11 last 2021 on Clara Road Tullamore. Sergeant James O'Sullivan told the court that the Guards pulled him over after they saw him failing to indicate while driving through a roundabout. He was arrested and taken to Tullamore Garda Station where he gave a sample of his breath. Sergeant O'Sullivan added that the defendant had two previous convictions for drink driving, handed down in 2010 and 2011. The defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client was pleading guilty. She pointed out that the previous convictions were quite historical. She said that unfortunately, many years later Sarko suffered this lapse in behaviour. On this particular occasion Mr Sarko had just finished his old job and was about to start a new job. To mark the occasion he went for a few drinks with his former work colleagues. Unfortunately he drove afterwards. Ms Maloney said Sarko is a Lithuanian national and has two children. Sadly his wife's health isn't very good and, as a result, he is the sole breadwinner. Judge Catherine Staines commented that she couldn't ignore the fact this was the third conviction for drink driving. Each time a person drinks and drives he is putting other people's lives at risk, she remarked. She sentenced to three months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger....Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world. Imagine all the people, living life in peace..." John Lennon The year 2021 and this Christmas is like no other in our lifetime. Nearly two years of battling the coronavirus has devastated our economy, our world, divided families and led to tragic loss of life. COVID-19 has only made things worse. The capacity to help people and children in need is a measure of our humanity. Hunger and poverty are not abstract; they have a human face as I myself well and truly know. In order to tackle what seems insurmountable, we must encounter the face of those who are hungry and poor in the most tangible way. It is never possible to forget the gaze of a child who is hungry and poor or the desperation of a mother trying to secure her child's next meal. The need for food to sustain one's life is primal yet the ability to do so depends on many complex factors beyond oneself. Today, more than ever, we are continually exposed to and aware of hunger and poverty in our world, whether it is in Yemen, Ethiopia, Congo, Mali, Bangladesh or South Sudan. Yet, the ability to help those who are suffering seems like it can be far from our reach. Many of our brothers and sisters all over the world are surviving on just one cup of rice per day. Intellectually, we understand the common drivers of food insecurity: conflict, displacement, poverty and climate change. We understand the basic human right to life and a basic standard of living, including food. We understand, and we are outraged. But is it enough? The passage in James 2:15-16, "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, `Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" reminds us that faith must be accompanied with action. It is not simply enough to send good wishes with the hopes that words will suffice to alleviate someone's condition. While being empathetic is necessary, it must also be translated into good deeds and real action. My work with Self Help Africa This year, yet again, while the coronavirus pandemic has continued to push us apart, it has also pulled us together. Although one-to-one meetings, social, sporting and other community gatherings have been replaced for many by Zoom calls and Skype meetings, other areas of our economy and society have motored along with only minor disruption. Those who have been lucky enough to be facilitated with working from home have had the opportunity, perhaps, to reconnect and spend time with their families and neighbours like never before. While frontline workers, especially our health care professionals, emergency service workers and the multitudes who work in the retail sector to keep us supplied with lifes essentials have continued, in 2021, to be the new heroes of our communities. In my work with Self Help Africa, I have to admit that Ive badly missed the regular interactions I enjoyed with the many friends, donors, and volunteers who support us in our work. While I was lucky enough to have a few outdoor fundraising events over the past number of months, unfortunately, I have not been able to organise many of the usual fundraisers such as cycles, runs or raffles. In addition, I miss sharing laughs, visiting clubs, schools or communities, but if coronavirus has taught me anything, it is that we are all in this together. I am very proud of the spirit of solidarity that has been shown by the vast majority of people across our island. Without the many volunteers and supporters the length and breadth of our country, Self Help Africa would not be able to continue its life-saving work. We are extremely grateful to everyone for being part of our team to help some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Africa. Hunger and Poverty Hunger and poverty are problems that have plagued humanity for thousands of years and they continue to haunt us today. For many, the coronavirus has made circumstances even worse than they were. As the world shut down, pandemic restrictions interrupted supply and distribution, making food less available and affordable. COVID-19 has been a multiplier and a magnifier of global hunger. Africa has also been fighting more than a global pandemic these last two years. Some of its countries have been experiencing intense humanitarian crises, with nations wrestling against high hunger rates, civil unrest, natural disasters, and public health threats that arent the coronavirus. Not only has Africa been left behind on the mission to secure enough COVID-19 vaccines for its population, it is also home to some of the worlds hunger hotspots with two out of three people in the world impacted by food insecurity living on the continent. Action needs to be taken to make sure that Africas people are considered in global recovery efforts, and that the continent is not left behind by any means. Indeed, global extreme poverty is expected to rise even more yet again in 2021/22 for the first time in over 20 years as the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic compounds the forces of conflict and climate change, which were already slowing poverty reduction progress, according to a recent World Bank report. It says that the COVID-19 pandemic will push an additional 115 million to 150 million people into extreme poverty this year, with the total rising even more in 2022, depending on the severity of the economic contraction. Extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 a day, is likely to affect between 9.1% and 9.4% of the worlds population in 2021/22, according to the banks new Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report. Had the pandemic not convulsed the globe, the poverty rate was expected to drop to 7.9% in 2020. It is difficult to accept, and for some even difficult to believe, that there are still children going hungry in our world. According to the UN, more than 10,000 children die every day because of hunger, which means over 310,000 children will die of hunger in December alone. More than 1 in 5 children globally (22%) under the age of five are stunted because of poor nutrition or repeated infection. Every child deserves a healthy start in life. However, there are far too many starving children in Africa for whom hunger is a constant, chronic pain. In sub-Saharan Africa, a shocking 28 million children are experiencing stunted growth due to malnutrition. Stunting prevents children from developing to their full potential mentally and physically, and it is largely irreversible. Stunting is not the only form of malnutrition that affects children. Worldwide, one in four children is stunted. Three-quarters of them live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, while stunting has declined by more than a third in South Asia since 1990, in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of stunted children is still on the rise, up 12 million since 1990 to 56 million. Forty percent of all children in sub-Saharan Africa are stunted. Children who have severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of extreme hunger, can succumb to the disease in just a few days. Children who die in this way suffer immensely as their vital organ functions slow down and eventually stop. It doesnt have to be this way for children. One in ten people worldwide has malnutrition and the gap between their needs and humanitarian assistance is widening all the time. Its time to act. We need your help to alleviate the hunger crisis in Africa today. Life Changing Self Help Africa works to alleviate the extremes of this poverty crisis, and each year the Irish public support us by buying virtual gifts like livestock, beehives, seeds and other tools and equipment for rural poor African families. Our Christmas Lifetime Gifts provide a great opportunity to give something thoughtful to your nearest and dearest, and at the same time give something thoughtful to someone youve never met but who really needs it. Imagine the impact that a new beehive together with training, support, and a swarm of bees could have for a rural poor mum in Kenya or Uganda. Once theyve received training in how to make and properly maintain their hives and their swarms, a new beekeeper can earn more than 40 per season per hive and they very often have five or six occupied with bees at any particular time. Its the same with gifts of chicks, or pigs or goats they provide families with a vital source or income and also the security of having something that they can sell if they find themselves in need of income, at a particular time. Africa Its been awhile since I was in Africa to visit some of our projects and meet the communities where we work. When last there I met some extraordinarily brave and articulate women who were experiencing harsh difficulties gaining access to food for their children. They told me what a debilitating experience it is and was. It damages their children's growth and ability to learn. It brings the kind of anxiety and stress that can trigger mental-health issues and malnutrition in their children that can also cause much loss of life. It creates an unshakeable sense of hopelessness, and it is deeply demoralising. Families like these that were fighting to put food on the table before Covid-19 - now find themselves in an impossible position where months of lockdowns, restrictions and quarantines have seen millions of parents and children experience additional food insecurities. We have all been hearing much about social values and moral duty recently. So why are we able to live with the fact that millions of children still go hungry every day? We all need to take responsibility and fight against the inequality which forces so many families into poverty and have mothers, like those I met in Africa, struggling to feed their children. We in Self Help Africa believe that agriculture remains vitally important to the lives of people and to the economy of the African countries where we work, and where most people rely on small-scale farming for their survival. Ive seen at first hand how the help up, not a hand out approach that weve taken has had transformative effects, and that by providing farming households with the means to grow and earn more, we have given them, and the next generations, a better, and a fairer chance in life. Mary Ndulove In Kenya the last time I visited I spoke to a 35 year old mother, Mary, who was selling milk to the Keringet Dairy Cooperative and was earning a decent living from her efforts. Thanks to the support she received from Self Help Africa she was growing more than an acre of elephant grass which she used as fodder for her animals, and was supplementing her income as a paravet- visiting other livestock owners and checking their animals for parasites and disease. We had trained Mary in her supplementary career, and she was loving the experience and the opportunity to help others in her community. The Keringet Cooperative is a dairy and horticultural cooperative thats been supported by Self Help Africa for over 10 years, and is now a key processor and bulker of milk in a region where many households keep dairy cows as a source of food and income. At Keringet theyve installed a chilling unit and other equipment to process and add value to raw milk, and have a network of freelance collectors who pick up small churns for transport to the plant much the same as happened here at home in Ireland until not that many decades ago. After visiting the coop we called to Mary at her homestead, and I had a chance to speak to her teenage son Lawrence and daughter Joan, and heard from both that they were still attending school, and were aiming to become the first generation in their family to complete High School. Their mum was immensely proud of the pair of them, and said that she wanted to support both of them for as far as they could go with their education and predicted that both would some day achieve their goals to become a doctor and a surgeon, respectively. Mary was aware that they had a steep hill to climb not least of which was the costs of continuing education, but on top of that the cost of the accommodation and subsistence that would be necessary if they moved out of home to rental accommodation in Nakuru, the Western Kenya city where the nearest university was located. Mary wasnt sure she could afford to send both of them to college, and although the chance would come to Lawrence sooner than it would to her daughter, because he was a grade ahead in school, she was determined not to discriminate against her oldest daughter. I understand the challenge and I understand that the easy thing to do is to send Lawrence to college and for Mary to get a job nearer to home, she said. But shes so bright, she deserves the same chance, and Im going to work very hard to provide it for her, she pledged. Self Help Africa works with hundreds of thousands of hard working families like that of Mary, and they all have similar hopes and dreams that their children might enjoy a better life than they had themselves. Please, if you can afford to, make a donation to help us continue this work with some of the world's poorest people. Why not organize with your family, friends or businesses an event during Christmas or during 2021/22 or to make a donation, buy Lifetime and Christmas Gifts or support our One Million Trees Campaign and find out more about the work of Self Help Africa to Act locally but impact globally. You can make a credit or Laser card donation by phoning ((01 ) 6778880 or simply send whatever you can afford to Self Help Africa, Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, Westside, Galway or to Self Help Africa, Kingsbridge House, 17-22 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8. If you are interested in finding out more about Self Help Africas Lifetime Gifts, or want to find out any other ways you can help us in our work, just visit www.selfhelpafrica.org, or drop me a note at ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org. Id be happy to chat! Five countries in 2021 have received top grades for their implementation of selected priority recommendations by the Human Rights Committee. These include Jordan, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, the Republic of Moldova, and New Zealand that all received at least one 'A's during the Committee's follow-up examination. The Human Rights Committee periodically examines reports on the implementation of the legal obligations of countries that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite the challenges to its work brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee was able to hold online follow-up reviews of 12 countries during its three regular sessions this year. A few years ago, the Committee held constructive dialogues with these countries after which it adopted its concluding observations. The Committee selected between two to four of these concluding observations for each State party and they were asked to provide information on their implementation. The Committee assessed the information received from the State parties, as well as from civil society organisation, where submitted, and adopted follow-up reports in 2021. This follow-up procedure has been used by the Committee since 2013. Grades from A to E are assigned to countries based on their action on the Committees recommendations. The 'A' grade reflects "largely satisfactory" action taken towards implementing recommendations. The other grades are: B partially satisfactory; C not satisfactory; D no cooperation with the committee or no follow-up report was received; and E measures taken in response to the recommendation are contrary to or reflect a rejection of it. Country follow-up also benefits from the participation of civil society organizations and national human rights institutions that also submit information, thus offering important contextual insight about the domestic civil and political rights situation and the impact of the actions taken by countries to implement the Committees recommendations. It is particularly noteworthy that, not only did five States parties receive A grades during the 2021 follow-up processes, but also that there were no D or E grades issued for any of the 12 States parties assessed this year, said Vasilka Sancin, the Committees Special Rapporteur for follow-up on concluding observations. This demonstrates remarkable commitment to cooperating with the Human Rights Committee, the great importance and added value of continuous dialogue on the implementation, and unwavering respect for the standards set in the Covenant regardless of the additional challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. While a number of recommendations still remain to be satisfactorily implemented, such a positive trajectory signals a promising opening of possibilities to rebuild better in the years to come, she added. Five follow-up frontrunners in 2021 This year, Jordan was awarded an A for efforts made around combatting violence against women, including domestic violence, by undertaking research on the root causes of violence against women and using that research as a basis for enhanced awareness-raising efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women. Liechtenstein received an A for its response to recommendations on the prohibition of torture. Liechtenstein held a public consultation on the revision of its Criminal Code and plans to propose legislation based on the consultation. Mauritius received two As for the implementation of recommendations linked to its treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons residing in its territory. Mauritius collected data and published on these groups. The country also provided information on the measures it had taken in regards to juvenile justice, including the training police officers to handle cases relating to juvenile justice. The Republic of Mauritius expresses its appreciation for the recognition of its works and efforts by the Human Rights Committee for the promotion and integration of the rights of children in Mauritius, with a special focus on juvenile justice, said a representative from Mauritius Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The upcoming promulgation of the Childrens Act 2020, the Childrens Court Act 2020 and the Child Sex Offenders Register Act 2020 would reinforce our efforts and commitment to further enhance and uphold Human Rights which encompass Childrens Rights in the juvenile justice system. Moldova was also graded A for the implementation of its recommendations issued in its adoption of the new National Human Rights Action Plan in consultation with stakeholders, in accordance to the Committees recommendations linked to National Human Rights Frameworks. Finally, New Zealand received an A for strengthening its efforts to combat all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, particularly in relations to Maori and Pasifika women and girls, as well as women and girls with disabilities; and for enforcing its criminal legislation on domestic and gender-based violence across its territory. To date, 173 countries have ratified the Covenant. An additional six countries have signed the Covenant but have yet to ratify it, while 18 have taken no action. 31 December 2021 The Russian President told his American counterpart that a breakdown in ties would be a mistake that our descendants would see as a huge error. Few, if any horses, have gone so far so fast as Incentivise who went from a Sunshine Coast maiden to Melbourne spring prominence and over $5.7 million in prizemoney, yet whispers abound regarding dissention in the camp. Getting wine, chocolate, and coffee into China could get even harder from Saturday, with new import restrictions adding fresh hurdles for foreign companies bringing products into the world's The Dutch leader of a religious cult started abusing a 13-year-old girl in 2006 and until 2020, when she was rescued during a police raid, the court said. The presidents of the United States and Russia have agreed to hold pragmatic talks in January. Putin repeated a call for a security guarantee and Biden reiterated consequences if Russia were to invade Ukraine. Britons wanting to return to their homes in EU countries after spending Christmas with friends and relatives in the UK will be able to pass through France after the government in Paris suspended a transit ban. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. A surge in attacks on Christians in India is part of a much broader malaise, experts say. "The objective is clear: to isolate and demonize minorities so that a Hindu state is established," a political scientist told DW. Newsy 04 Jan 2022 Watch VideoWhile winter weather blanketed parts of the east coast, it left thousands of flight cancellations and delays in its.. The Duke of York has been warned that the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell proves that justice will prevail "whether you're a president or a prince".Prince Andrew came under fresh pressure as lawyers in the US said that the guilty... Here's the latest for Friday, December 31: Residents see burned-out homes in Colorado; Actress Betty White has died; New Year's Eve celebrated despite COVID surge; Russians take chilly New Year's Eve dip. Both the House of Representatives and the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to deny former President Donald Trump's attempt to keep secret more than 700 pages of records... #supremecourt #houseofrepresentatives #donaldtrump Thousands of residents in two communities near Denver were ordered to evacuate their homes Thursday because of a wind-fuelled wildfire that engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies. Watch VideoAfghanistan's former president said he had no choice but to abruptly leave Kabul as the Taliban closed in and denied an agreement was in the works for a peaceful takeover, disputing the accounts of former Afghan and U.S. officials. Former President Ashraf Ghani said in a BBC interview that aired Thursday that an... Tubilab has been offering COVID testing outside the former Younkers store at the Midland Mall for the past two weeks, but patrons have been logging complaints. Laurie Hull of Midland and her husband went for a test on Sunday to the mall location. Hull said Thursday she still doesnt have results and wont get them. After following the online tracker that Tubilab, which operates under ion Diagnostics Laboratories, she opted to eventually call to get the results. Hull said after a few days, she was told the results were no good because the testing sample leaked. Her husband didnt get results because his date of birth was wrong, even though Hull said he had to put it on multiple pages. Its not plausible, the excuses they gave, she said, feeling this was shoddy work. Fisher Adams also tested on Tuesday and posted on the Daily News Facebook page that he was told his results would be available the next day but he never received them. The lack of results has some asking if this is a legitimate testing place and, like Hull, questioning if its a scam, because they ask for health insurance and a copy of identification for free testing. However, ion Diagnostics Laboratories Marketing Director Conrad Eskelinen said Thursday that unfortunately mistakes happen, but no one is being scammed. We are a major laboratory, he said, noting that the testers and the laboratory must follow many demands. The lab also works closely with the county health department and Midland officials in offering services. The lab, which is located in Kentwood, Michigan, near Grand Rapids, works with companies and corporations. Its goal is to bring that testing service to Midland area companies. Eskelinen regrets the frustration that some testing patrons faced. As for the date of birth in question with Hull's husband, he said it is handwritten and it must be legible on the tube. If it is not legible on the tube, the sample is no good. He said this happens rarely, but it does happen. He said a leaked sample is also another highly rare incident. As for delays in getting results, Eskelinen said that is mostly due to high demand. The demand for testing has exploded and caused delays in the results, Eskelinen said. He said with people traveling, returning to school and other things, more people are seeking testing. For example, the bus that is outside of Younkers would normally conduct 80 to 100 tests a day. On Wednesday, the staff did 290 tests, Eskelinen said. This included a last-minute call from a residential facility that immediately needed 40 people tested. Tubilab is extending the testing for another three to four months outside of Younkers. For more information about Tubilab, call 866-677-8824. Editors note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net. Saturday, Jan. 1 There's an Open Skate taking place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Roll Arena, which is located at 2909 Bay City Road in Midland. For more information visit www.rollarena.net. Monday, Jan. 3 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Chronic Disease PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) Series. Chronic Disease PATH is a 6-week, self-management online workshop, offered by MSU Extension, designed for people living with chronic conditions. Family members, friends, and caregivers are encouraged to attend the workshop. This free workshop takes place 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 11 Feb. 15 online via Zoom at no charge. Participants will learn to work with health care providers, manage symptoms (such as pain, fatigue, difficult emotions, sleep problems and depression), make lifestyle changes (such as healthy eating and physical activity) and set goals and accomplish them. Benefits of participating include sharing with others who understand, taking ownership of your condition, knowing you are not alone and having your voice heard. To register visit: events.anr.msu.edu/CDPATHJan11/ Questions can be directed to Naomi at hysonaom@msu.edu. Wednesday, Jan. 5 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 6 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Comedy Night is set for 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Little Theater. Join us for an evening of laughs from nationally touring comics with our monthly comedy nights! The night will bring Dave Dyer, featuring Kara Coraci. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of event. General admission seating. Saturday, Jan. 8 The Dad Joke Show is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. David King will be joined on stage by Stephen Fort, Andrew Fort, Todd Little, John McPeak, Paul Lutenske, Matt Schramm and more hilarious dads. Ever wonder about the origin story of the dad joke? The dads will fill you in on that as they share the best worst and best best jokes of the genre. Rated PG. Admission is $12 prepay, $15 at the door. Guests can bring their own beverage. KeyboardFest is set for 7 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Auditorium. KeyboardFest is an annual piano festival sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Teachers Association. This concert is designed to develop ensemble skills for the more than 150 participating pianists. As many as 24 students will be on stage performing duets at the same time, under the direction of Conductor Jim Hohmeyer. Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $4 for students. Sunday, Jan. 9 Buds, Bark and Branches: Winter Tree ID is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Identifying woody vegetation can be hard any time of the year, and its even harder without leaves. Join an Interpretive Naturalist to learn how to identify local trees and shrubs in winter. We will discuss how they survive the cold months and their roles in the ecosystem. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Wednesday, Jan. 10 Nature Journaling is set for 6:30-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center, hosted by the Wild Ones Mid-Mitten Chapter. A journal is a wonderful way to interact with your world. But you don't have to love to write to journal! Alternative journaling is taking the essence of journaling and fitting it into your environment. This event will explore ways to capture experiences in nature in unique and fun ways. Creative 360 will provide the books and the tools - participants provide the experience and imagination! Presented by Laura Vosejpka scientist, artist, and executive director of Creative 360 in Midland. Tuesday, Jan. 11 Family Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! The group will search high and low for signs of animals as they explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 13 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 15 A History Hike is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Start the new year with a casual trail hike and explore the natural resources that brought people to the region. Join CNC staff as we look for evidence of how nature has influenced our history and guided the settlement of our area. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org The Grove Music Festival is presenting an evening of jazz by the John Hill Quintet at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at Meridian High School Auditorium, 3303 N. Meridian Road, Sanford. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Sunday, Jan. 16 Snowshoe Sampler is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. It's time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNCs snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter afternoon in the snow. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the event will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Jan. 17 A Full Moon Stroll is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this months full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 20 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Stories by the Fire is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop by the Homestead and enjoy an early winter evening relaxing by the campfire, listen to tales of how settlers and animals adapt to survive a cold winter. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Friday, Jan. 21 Survival of the Fittest is set for 2-3:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Winter is tough for wildlife. From freezing temperatures to low food availability, see how wildlife adapts to survive the harsh conditions. Dress with weather in mind for this outdoor hike and activities. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 22 The city of Midland will host a series of Cardboard Sled Races from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Forest. Tuesday, Jan. 25 Adventures for Women: Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Enjoy an afternoon hike on snowshoes as we notice birds, animal tracks and other points of interest in the woods and fields. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcome. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 27 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 29 Kids Day at the Midland Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Midland Recyclers. More than 60 companies participate in this annual event that provides kids and their families with hands-on activities, information and performances. Sunday, Jan. 30 Nature Book Club: Winter World is set for 1-3 p.m. Come for a book club chat and naturalist led hike! Januarys book is National Bestseller Winter World: the Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich. Register by Jan. 28 for this free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Jan. 31 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation (MATD) in Guinea will henceforth be in charge of organising elections and referendums, according to a decree issued by the President of the Transition, Col New York, US (PANA) - The UN chief has condemned the looting and attacks against United Nations facilities, equipment and supplies gifted to the Sudanese authorities for civilians in El Fasher, Darfur Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan government spokesperson Mohamed Hamouda said here Friday the government was surprised by the detention of some ministers by the prosecutor general prior to measures such as a travel ban were taken Photo: (Photo : PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images) Megan Phipps, a 24-year-old mom from Nebraska, felt something was odd about her pregnancy compared to her previous experiences so she went to the doctor for a check-up and was told she was having twins. She was also carrying the babies in her double uterus. The mom told People that she was aware of her rare genetic condition, which is medically termed as uterine didelphys. She said that doctors told her that her left uterus was not active since she had two successful pregnancies on her right uterus. But her third pregnancy was different because Phipps carried her babies on her right and left uterus. This placed her and her babies at high risk and she was told by her doctors that they could have just one percent of living. Read Also: Two Families in the Same Town Welcomed Miracle Quadruplets 11 Days Apart Uterine Didelphys Defined Per WebMD, a lot of women are not aware of their reproductive system's genetic abnormality until they have a pelvic examination or an ultrasound. In some cases, the issue might arise of the woman experiences heavy and uncontrollable bleeding during their monthly cycle. Women who have a double uterus have double vaginas as well and these developed when they were inside their mother's womb. Experts still do not know what causes the abnormality. However, most women with this condition can grow up to have normal sex lives or pregnancies but some may require extensive surgery to prevent pregnancy losses. Uterine didelphys raises the risks of pregnancy complications, which is what happened to Phipps and her twins. At 22 weeks, the pregnant mom had to undergo an emergency delivery because she experienced preterm labor. Doctors tried to slow down the process but the babies were ready to come out. Phipps gave birth to her twin girls on Saturday, June 12, at the Bryan Health hospital. Riley was delivered first and then Reece. However, Riley could not survive after 12 days due to the complications of her premature birth. The babies weren't due until October. Reece, on the other hand, fought for her life at the NICU and was under the ventilator for 45 days. After 144 days at the hospital, Reece was discharged as a healthy baby growing at eight pounds and five ounces. Her twin sister's ashes were by her hospital bedside the whole time and it's now on top of Reece's crib at home. 'A True Miracle' NICU nurse Kallie Gertsch said that Reece's survival was a true miracle. She became the youngest baby to survive the NICU at Bryan Health. Speaking with ABC News, Dr. Mark Brisso said that this had been another evolution in improving the NICU services and expertise at the hospital. Brisso and the NICU team counseled Phipps about the outcome of her delicate pregnancy prior to the deliveries. While she was given all the facts, the mother decided that she will give her babies the chance to live despite the one percent projection. Phipps said she's sharing her story to inspire other moms not to give up since miracles can happen. Related Article: Pennsylvania Mom in Her 50s Gives Birth to Twins Two Years Apart Photo: (Photo : Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Matthew Coleman, a former California surf school owner who believed in QAnon conspiracy theories that triggered him to kill his children, has written a letter from prison to beg for forgiveness for his actions. The 40-year-old father addressed his letter to a childhood friend, who said that Coleman is "despondent and hopeless" while he's confined 24/7 and utterly alone in his thoughts. The friend also said that Coleman poured his heart out in the letter, but he is aware he's "where he deserves to be" after what he did to his kids. Coleman was arrested in August 2021 after he went on an unplanned weekend getaway in Rosarito, Mexico, with his children, Kaleo, two years old, and Roxy, 10 months old. He didn't inform his wife of his plans to take the kids, and she had no idea that her husband killed the children because he believed they were possessed with serpent DNA. The dad was a QAnon fanatic who thought he was "saving the world" from his kids. Court documents revealed that Coleman used a spearfishing gun to kill Kaleo and Roxy, but he had to stab them multiple times because they didn't die right away. Read Also: Father Gets Prison Sentence for Taking 7-Year-Old Son to Watch Dogfighting Enlightened by QAnon and Illuminati FBI special agent Jennifer Bannon filed a criminal complaint that the father claimed he had been enlightened by the conspiracy theories he has read online. He firmly believed that his kids would grow up to become monsters, so he had to get rid of them. The authorities seized all of Coleman's gadgets and computers and dug deeper into his internet activities. He was active in conspiracy theory message boards or groups and spent hours surfing different subjects online. His wife did not know his obsession with conspiracy theories. Aside from the serpent DNA conspiracy, Coleman also allegedly believed that former President Donald Trump had been secretly in a battle with a shadowy group of Satan-worshipping Democrats. In September, Coleman was arraigned in court and entered a not guilty plea before the San Diego District Court. He has been assigned a public defender and could likely face the death penalty if convicted for his crimes. The friend added that he was unsure if Coleman also sent other letters. He wrote because the holidays were coming up and he dreaded facing it alone in jail. "He said he's sorry, that he never wanted to cause pain," the friend shared. "He's working through why he made the choices he made. It was a very sad note." A Desire for More Kids Before the horrific incident, Coleman told some friends that he wanted to have at least four kids with his wife, Abby Coleman, because she's very good with the children. The dad was hopeful that the "best was yet to come" in their married life. The father is due for another court appearance in May 2022. The delay in the hearing was attributed to the mounting evidence that the authorities needed to gather and complete. The prosecution expects that his lawyer will use a mental health defense as Coleman kept insisting that he knew it was wrong to kill his children, but it was the only way "to save the world." A psychiatrist has been working with Coleman to determine if he's fit to take the stand. Related Article: Matthew Coleman: Friend Confirmed Dad Who Killed His Kids Believed in Conspiracy Theories Photo: (Photo : ROGELIO FIGUEROA/AFP via Getty Images) Sara-Jayne Makwala King always felt different from everyone around her because she was a mixed-race individual, and a white couple also adopted her. While she grew up in a loving family, Makwala King was curious about her biological family and knew that they were the key to her questions about her identity. Her adoptive parents understood her agony, but they did not like to share the details of her birth parents or the circumstances surrounding her adoption. As a teenager, Makwala King carried a burden in her heart that she developed an eating disorder and indulged in self-harming behaviors. However, one day, she went snooping in her mom and dad's room to discover a letter with her name on it. It was from her birth mother and was written a year after her birth. It detailed the reason why she gave her up for adoption, and Makwala King finally understood why her adoptive parents never wanted to tell her about it. Read Also: Sandra Bullock Says She Found the 'Right' Partner to Raise Her Adopted Children An Affair with a Black Man Makwala King was born in the '80s in South Africa, which was under apartheid at that time. The country had a policy that banned the non-white majority from having relationships with the white minority. However, her mother had an affair with a Black man at the hotel where she worked. The affair resulted in Makwala King. Initially, her mother didn't give her up because her skin was white at birth. Her mother believed she was her husband's daughter. She was named Karoline by her biological family. However, as she developed, it was becoming more and more evident that Makwala King had biracial features. So, her mother confessed to her husband, who got a doctor involved. They had to make it appear that the baby needed treatments in London for kidney disease. It was the only way to put her up for adoption and leave South Africa safely. Back home, Makwala King's mom told people that Karoline died because of her "illness." If they discover the truth, many people will be in trouble with the law. However, learning of the actual circumstances of her birth deepened Makwala King's depression. She told BBC that it hurt to realize that her mother gave her up for adoption because of her Black identity. "The color of my skin was so abhorrent," she said. "What my biological parents had done was so disgusting, that I would have to be taken from my homeland and raised elsewhere." Makwala King was able to contact her biological mother, who was willing to answer her questions but appeared uninterested. She also did not express any apology towards her daughter. Despite this, Makwala King decided to move to South Africa to find herself again. She eventually wrote a book, "Killing Karoline," chronicling her life and identity growing up as a mixed-race person. She also became active on social media, where people helped her find her biological dad. Finding Her Father In the middle of promoting her book in 2017, Makwala King also shared that she has been looking for her biological dad. Her biological mother told her not to hope for it because all she knew of the man was his name. But people on Twitter networked when she outed his name in the interviews. Within 36 hours, she had a few more clues about his identity. She also had his phone number. PLEASE SHARE this post & HELP ME FIND MY FATHER Yesterday, speaking to @KoketsoSachane on the @Eusebius McKaiser Show on @CapeTalk @Radio702 about my memoir #KillingKaroline, I revealed the name of my bio father, DACKSON MAKWALA. Please help me find him. pic.twitter.com/FjHv1XJFgO Sara-Jayne Makwala King (@thisisSJKing) December 8, 2017 Makwala King said her father welcomed her with open arms, and she described the reunion as the best day of her life. Today, as Makwala King has settled in Cape Town near her father and half-brother, she finally feels complete. Related Article: Parents Angry at Young Mom Who Gives up 2-Year-old Son With Autism for Adoption This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions As part of activities to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the Alumni have initiated steps to raise Five Million Dollars* as seed capital for an Alumni Endowment Fund to support the management of the school in the areas of scholarships for bright and needy students, futuristic and Environmentally friendly Infrastructural development and research and re-tooling of learning facilities. As part of the anniversary celebrations, an Energizer event was organised by the Alumni on Tuesday 28th December to create awareness and stir up interest towards on the upcoming launch of the KNUST Alumni Endowment Fund (KAEF). The ENERGIZER event was attended by KNUST Alumni from various industries worldwide, as there was the opportunity for Alumni outside the country to join the program online via the worldwide web. Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, chairman of the committee in charge of the fund-raising drive and planning for the launch of the Endowment Fund, said in his keynote address at the KAEF Energizer Event that, all major universities around the world have benefited from endowment funds through the support of their alumni hence the need to work closely with the university administration to build a more resilient sustainable future for the young ones in school. As alumni, weve been supporting needy students, but we now want to expand this effort to cover a well-structured scholarship scheme, building futuristic environmentally friendly infrastructure, and to support research work and the retooling of learning facilities. The fund-raising program dubbed [email protected] has been designed to enable all Alumni worldwide to participate by donating multiples of 70 GHS, Euros, GBP, or USD into the fund through the various payment platforms that have been created. Additionally, distinguished and high net worth Alumni are being identified and encouraged to donate generously towards the fund. Key institutions that benefit significantly from the human resource produced by the university are also encouraged to support the fund. Some of the activities lined up as part of the Anniversary celebrations include mentorship sessions for students to meet and learn from Captains of industries, impact at your door step which encourages alumni all over the world to come together in their usual social groups to have some fun and undertake some social impact activities, and the launch of the KNUST Alumni Endowment Fund (KAEF), but to mention a few. The Public Relations Officer of KNUST, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, who represented the VC, in his address indicated that, prominent amongst the challenges faced by the university is the lack of hostel accommodation on campus. This means the larger student population lived outside campus in overpriced hostels which costs the school additional funds to cater for the security of these students. The university is therefore inviting the Alumni to organise its entrepreneurial members in the real estate industry to come and build hostels on campus, on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis. According to him, the university is ready to make land available to Alumni who want to invest in the building of hostel facilities on campus to help create a congenial environment for students to study. He bemoaned the high number of students who risk lodging outside the school every year due to the increased numbers in enrolment with no matching accommodation facilities to absorb them. The situation he believes will be solved if more hostels are built and owned by Alumni at rates affordable to students. It is worthy of note, that since its establishment in 1951 by Ghanas first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, KNUST has since produced very notable Alumni in the world. The universitys total population currently stands at 80,000 students and about 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff, and this continues to grow positively. The nights Event, ended with some members of the Alumni pledging their initial contribution to the fund and also sharing some fond memories of their time on campus. Alumni worldwide were encouraged to start their donations towards the fund now. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chief Executive Officer of Gilat Chemists Limited, Aaron Ohene Agyeis act of bravery saved him from death at the hands of gunmen who robbed his pharmacy in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi. According to a report by myjoyonline.com sighted by GhanaWeb, the pharmacist managed to drive for about four miles while bleeding to receive medical care at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) when the gunmen shot him. The robbers according to the report after storming Mr Agyeis pharmacy at Agric-Kromoase in Kumasi, sighted the victim in his car close to the shop trying to escape from the scene. A gunman shot the pharmacist and went ahead to deflate his tyres with another shot, the report added. The pharmacist, while bleeding and through his pain drove from Kromoase to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Emergency unit to receive medical attention. The robbery incident in Kumasi comes at the back of recent attacks launched against pharmacies in parts of the national capital, Accra. Meanwhile, the police are yet to make an official statement on the Kumasi incident. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana Card registrants in the Ashaiman Municipality of the Greater Accra region are sharing their frustrations with the very slow pace of the process and are appealing to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to provide additional workstations. The registrants including nursing mothers, the aged and youthful - wear their frustrations openly, murmuring and cursing at the snail-paced process, many among them doubting the 31st March, 2022 deadline by the government for SIM number re-registration, will still hold. There is no way some of us will be captured by the deadline. How are they going to be able to do that? I registered at Lebanon (in Ashaiman) last year but was directed to come here for the card. I have been coming here since. Why, is it a punishment? Why, more than one year now and every time they tell you to go and come. Are we not supposed to work? The above by Ibrahim Iddrisu from Atadeka New Land, who said he was as angry as frustrated, sums up the despair of the many who thought the process could do with a lot of improvements. The long queue looked orderly, except that it did not move much. Here were hundreds of registrants at various stages of the process, some only to pick up their cards if only printed, others yet to capture their biometrics after filling the forms, and others yet to start the process altogether. Except the early birds who were fortunate to be seated, the majority were huddled up, coronavirus or not. Some said they had been trooping to the centre from as early as 4am. And it is an everyday affair Mondays to Fridays. Mrs. Esther Naa Merley Bonsu, a teacher waiting to pick up her card, said the whole process is just not fast. And I also think that maybe the personnel are too few. I had the opportunity to go inside and only one person is filling the formsThe crowd here is too much, I appeal to the authorities to bring more personnel. She said bringing more staff in would help reduce the stress on both staff and registrants. Were already in the festive season and look at the way were trooping in here up and down. You leave your children at home, not to think of transportation and look at the way we are going up and down. Its been more than a month now. I first came here in November, came back on the 17th of November and was still told to go and come back because they were dealing with people they had registered already, it was only last week that I had the opportunity to register and they said I should come for the card today. So Im here. Madam Barikisu Abubakari, also from Lebanon, said the process was too frustrating. She was making her fifth visit to the centre to try and pick up her card. She had come with others who, frustrated, had abandoned the process to go and pursue other chores. She said she and the others like her, even though arrived early in the morning, had been told they would be attended to at about 1pm. It is very worrying, she said, adding that there is no money but they must bear the cost of transport to and from the centre as often as they are asked to go check things up. Next to her, Madam Olivia cuddled her infant while several others sat on the stairs of shops and offices sharing space with the Ghana Revenue Authority and NIA. Olivia also insisted the frustrating process threatened the success of the registration in the municipality. According to her, many were those who had simply given up after being told to go and come repeatedly. So frustrating has the process been that a lot of the cards that had been printed were not being collected because the owners were tired with the system. She also suggested more workstations would help expedite the process. And there is the story of Mr. David Yaw Degbeh, a worker of the Tema Steel Works, who said his frequent excuses at the workplace to be allowed to check on his card was beginning to raise eyebrows as though he was being untruthful. But this tossing up and down has been going on for about one year now. He had registered in September 2020. Mr. Evans Ayittey from Appolonia who was in to check on his wife's card, alleged that people had been sleeping at the centre just so they could go through the process. On Thursday, he was told to go and come after one week. The same thing they told me last week. There were similar stories from Robert Gblie Nagadzi whose form indicated he registered in 2019, and 70-year-old Mr. Edward Quansah who said he had endured enough of the go-and-come. The Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, who shared the frustrations of his constituents, explained that he had also appealed to the NIA authorities to intervene and had been assured of a solution. In his estimation, setting up additional workstations is a great solution, otherwise they should extend the deadline. According to Mr. Gladstone Agboada Public Relations Officer of the NIA in the Municipality, the centre is able to register between 25 and 35 people per day and they have never run short of registrants. For him, the major challenge at the centre was registrants who presented unqualified guarantors to support their registration. He said some came with mere acquaintances and neighbours when the law was specific that such guarantors should be relatives or public servants of certain repute. That, for him, was the major cause of the slowed process. And apart from occasional network challenges, there were no issues with equipment malfunction. Additionally, while it was not his place to recommend additional staffing or work stations, he was aware the centre served a wide catchment area with a large population. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has lifted the ban on the operations of beaches in the region. It, however, said entry to the beaches shall be allowed for only persons who show proof of vaccination. The Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Security Council, Henry Quartey has therefore urged Beach operators to ensure strict adherence to all COVID-19 safety protocols. He made this known when he addressed the media after an extended REGSEC meeting in Accra. He also advised operators to ensure that entry points are separated from exit points to avoid overcrowding. Following the reports of the representative of the Ghana Health Service, REGSEC decided that the beaches be closed before and during the festivities. But we have reviewed the decision that was taken. It has been decided by REGSEC jointly with the GHS that operators of the various beaches in the Greater Accra Region can go back and do business on the condition that people who patronise the beaches showed proof of vaccination or will be vaccinated at the point of entry. We pray that the operators will abide by this new directive and abide by the COVID-19 protocols at the beaches, he stated The minister further mentioned that the REGSEC is collaborating with the Ghana Health Service to mount vaccination posts at the various beaches to see to the implementation of this latest arrangement. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Afghanistan's former president has defended his decision to flee the country as the Taliban closed in earlier this year, saying he did it to prevent the destruction of Kabul. The Taliban seized power in August after taking control of the capital. Ashraf Ghani revealed that when he woke up on 15 August he had "no inkling" it would be his last day in Afghanistan. It was only when his plane left Kabul that he realised he was going, Mr Ghani said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He was heavily criticised and accused of abandoning the country at the time. He is now in the United Arab Emirates. Mr Ghani made the comments in a conversation with Gen Sir Nick Carter, the UK's former Chief of the Defence Staff, who was guest-editing the Today programme on Thursday. As the day started, Mr Ghani recalled, Taliban fighters had agreed not to enter Kabul - "but two hours later, this was not the case". "Two different factions of the Taliban were closing in from two different directions," Mr Ghani explained. "And the possibility of a massive conflict between them that would destroy the city of five million and bring havoc to the people was enormous." He agreed to let a number of those close to him leave Kabul - including his wife, who he said did so very reluctantly. His national security advisor also left, and Mr Ghani waited for a car to take him to the ministry of defence. The car never came. Instead, the national security advisor returned, along with the "terrified" chief of presidential security, and told Mr Ghani they would "all be killed" if he took a stand. "He did not give me more than two minutes," Mr Ghani said. "My instructions had been to prepare for departure for [the city of] Khost. He told me that Khost had fallen and so had Jalalabad. "I did not know where we will go. Only when we took off, it became clear that we were leaving [Afghanistan]. So this really was sudden." In the wake of his departure, Mr Ghani was roundly criticised by many in Afghanistan including his vice-president Amrullah Saleh, who called it "disgraceful". Allegations that Mr Ghani had taken vast amounts of money also emerged - something he emphatically denied, welcoming an international investigation that he said would clear his name. "I want to categorically state, I did not take any money out of the country," he said, adding: "My style of life is known to everyone. What would I do with the money?" Mr Ghani acknowledged mistakes were made, including "assuming that the patience of the international community would last". However, he pointed to the agreement made between the Taliban and the US under then-President Donald Trump, which paved the way for the events leading to 15 August. "Instead of a peace process, we got a withdrawal process," Mr Ghani said. The way the deal was done, Mr Ghani added, "erased us". Under the terms of the deal, the US agreed to reduce its forces and those of its allies, as well as provide for a prisoner swap - after which the militant group agreed to talks with the Afghan government. The talks did not work: by summer 2021, with US President Joe Biden promising to withdraw the last troops by 11 September, the Taliban were sweeping across Afghanistan, taking city after city. What happened in the end, Mr Ghani said, was "a violent coup, not a political agreement, or a political process where the people have been involved". The same day Mr Ghani left Kabul, the Taliban took control. Since then, the country has been thrown into a humanitarian and economic crisis, made worse by the removal of international support after the group seized power. Three months on, Mr Ghani says he is willing to take the blame for some things which led to the fall of Kabul - like trusting "in our international partnership". However, he added: "My life work has been destroyed. My values had been trampled on. And I have been made a scapegoat." Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday joined the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and Muslims in Kumasi for a special end-of-year Quran recitation and prayer session for the country and the sub-region. The special ceremony, held at the Central Mosque in Kumasi after Jummah prayers, had the former Emir of Kano and Leader of the Tijaaniya Order in Nigeria, Mohammed Sanusi Lamidor ll in attendance, alongside top Islamic scholars. After the congregational Friday prayers, Jummah, worshipers converged at the forecourt of the mosque for the special intercession. The entire Qur'an was recited by scholars, and after that, special prayers were said for the country, its leadership as well as the sub-region. BAWUMIA CALLS FOR CONTINUOUS TOLERANCE Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Bawumia urged his fellow Muslims to continue to cherish the peace Ghana has by continuously coexisting peacefully with community members of different beliefs. "Peace is a valuable favour from the Almighty Allah, which we often take for granted. We often see the value of peace only when there are troubles, but this should not be the case," Dr. Bawumia said. "As we pray to the Almighty Allah to grant us more peace and prosperity in the upcoming year, I wish to urge my brothers and sisters, and mothers and fathers gathered here, and beyond, to continue to play our parts in our small communities to promote diversity and tolerance, regardless of one's belief." The Vice President added that the present structure of the country's leadership is a reflection of the Ghanaian society, assuring that government will continue to uphold its responsibility to promote peace. "Our government, with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President and myself as Vice President, is a reflection of a diverse Ghanaian society," Dr. Bawumia noted. "There is, therefore, a responsibility on us to continue to cherish this diversity and promote same for the benefit of our country. This we have been doing, and we will continue to do so," the Vice President assured. MOHAMMED SANUSI PRAYS FOR GHANA The Special Guest for the ceremony, HRH Sanusi Lamido II, who led Jummah prayers earlier, prayed for the leadership of the country, the continent, and the people of Ghana. He urged all to pray for the countrys leadership because when God guides them well to lead, the people benefit. Sanusi Lamidor, the 14th Emir of Kano State, and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria reserved special praise for the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his good leadership qualities. "I will like to join all of you in testifying that you have in him (Bawumia) a great leader with great potential," Mohammed Sanusi II said as he prayed for Ghana and the sub-region. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Residents of Kendeu, a community in the Wa West District, can now heave a sigh of relief over their daily ordeal with potable water supply, especially during the dry season. Access to potable water for domestic and economic use for the community's 2000 inhabitants had been a big challenge until the Amazing Grace Children's Foundation (AGCF), a not-for-profit organisation based in the USA with an office in Ghana, intervened. The organisation provided the community with a mechanised borehole under its Water for Improved Sanitation and Health (WISH) project with funding from individual donors in the United States. The project, facilitated by the AGCF, costs a little over US$4000.00 and also have plans to provide a permanent solution to the water need of the Kendeu community. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the commissioning of the facility, Mr Clifford Yaw Frimpong, the Director in charge of the WISH project, noted that the facility was to help meet the water, sanitation and hygiene needs of the people, especially in an era of the COVID-19 global health crisis. "It is my conviction that the facility will be of great help to the people, especially school children who have to queue long hours and sometimes return home without water. Now reporting late to school would hopefully be a thing of the past just as their struggle with certain preventable diseases. "It will also save parents from wasting productive hours searching for water instead of focusing on their economic activities," he explained. Mr Frimpong said the organisation chose to construct the facility in the dry season since "around this time of the year, water needs become unbearably critical for humans and livestock in deprived communities, thereby compounding other social challenges." "Around these times, wells, ponds and most water sources get dried up, and this is when we see humans competing with their livestock for survival," he added. Mr Frimpong urged well-meaning Ghanaians to contribute their "widow's mite" to support community development, particularly to the water needs of the deprived communities, as a way of compensating them for their lack of access to other social amenities such as electricity and decent health facilities, among others. "We should not always blame politicians. Sometimes we have to be agents of change in our communities and get things done," he added. The AGCF, in August this year, constructed a mechanised borehole for the Zanko Paani community in the Wa West District after a GNA report exposed the challenges the people went through accessing potable water in the community. Mr Frimpong said the next project would be in support of the Pialoko community in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region. Meanwhile, Mr Jerry Olo, the Assembly Member of the Kendeu Electoral Area, noted that the water situation faced by Kendeu was very dire as over 2,000 residents of the community hitherto depended on unsustainable means of water supply, making it very difficult for them. He explained that women and children sometimes scrambled for water at the three boreholes in the community and commended the AGCF for the intervention, which, he said, would help alleviate their plight. "I will meet with the community for us to put in measures and systems to manage the facility well because we are the ones to benefit from it", Mr Olo said. He also appealed to the general public to come to their aid as some communities in the electoral area depended on either a single borehole or untreated sources for water. He said the Kao and Gborteng communities are the worst in need. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The management of Achimota Retail Centre, popularly known as Achimota mall, has expressed shock at the misrepresentation of its routine emergency safety drill as a fire outbreak by sections of the media. A number of online media, quoting Starr FM today, reported that fire had gutted portions of Achimota Retail Mall causing injury to some shoppers ARCs Management has dismissed the report as totally false and unfounded and assured the general public that Achimota Retail Centre has not had any fire incident and has been open all day, doing business meeting the responsibility of serving its numerous customers and patrons during the yuletide season. In keeping with its strict public safety policy, Achimota Retail Centre runs at least two emergency safety drills every year, ARC Management told news reporters after learning that the second and last simulation exercise for the year has been misreported as a real fire outbreak with casualties. We conduct these emergency simulation exercises every six months in close collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service and with supervision from other national safety agencies, ARCs Operations Manager, Benjamin Appiah Darko said. As a public facility which attracts such large numbers of people, these drills are very necessary for testing the efficiency of our safety systems and our preparedness to handle and manage emergencies like fires, stampedes and any other eventualities. Although in such exercises, our tenants and in-mall workers are not supposed to have any foreknowledge of the drill, we always pre-consult safety and security agencies like the Mile 7 Police, NADMO, the Municipal Fire Station and the Ambulance Service, Darko disclosed. Todays simulation exercise lasted only 17 minutes, starting from 8:31 am and ending at 8:48 am. When all was set, we triggered off our fire alarm system by discharging some artificial smoke. At that time of the morning, there were no customers at the mall so we were particularly interested in the reaction and conduct of our tenants, the ancillary workers and our own staff. The movement of people towards designated Assembly Points was impressive. Our main collaborators from the Abelemkpe Fire Station then moved in with a fire tender to engage and contain an imaginary fire; there was an Ambulance on standby and a demonstration of first aid for a casualty followed, the Operations Manager elaborated. On the whole, I would say that management and our safety partners are highly impressed with the conduct of the exercise, as our tenants, ground workers and staff largely complied with established safety protocols and procedures, Centre Manager Mrs Olivia Torpey said, stressing that ARC is known as one of Accras safest and most secure shopping centres and that the management is very determined to safeguard that reputation. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has clarified that it is not gagging prophets from prophesying but asking them to be guided by the laws of Ghana. Public Relations Officer of the Service Superintendent Alexander Kofi Obeng says the law is clear and any prophecy that creates fear and panic would be dealt with. He posited that prophets would not be allowed to use the Holy Spirit as a card to escape prosecution. He warned prophets who would prophesy about doom including the death of persons must show proof of their prophecies. He indicated that if the prophets claim the Holy Spirit or any other spiritual being revealed the prophesy to them, then they should be prepared to present the Holy Spirit before the law court to confirm the prophecy. He stressed that the Police will not prevent men of God from their work but they must operate within the confines of the law. He added that no one is above the law and anyone who is caught, would not be spared. It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life-saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, the statement signed by Superintendent Alexander Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, added. A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years. Source: rainbowradio.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Taliban has issued a new decree recommending that barbershops refrain from shaving or trimming beards, saying such actions are forbidden in Islam. This comes days after Afghanistans Taliban rulers imposed travel restrictions on women, stating that women must not travel long distances without a male relative escorting them. The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a copy of instructions this week which Afghans are expected to live by. A Taliban official shared the original order in the Pashto language. When contacted by VOA, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not dispute the orders authenticity but said he was still"trying to get information" about the decree. The order cited several verses from the Quran and hadiths, or sayings, about following whatever the Prophet Muhammad has asked Muslims to do. "Growing a beard is a natural deed and the Sunnah [the way of life and legal precedent] of all Prophets and Islamic Sharia has repeatedly emphasized it," according to the instructions. The order was signed by the minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Haqqani. The order adds: "Shaving or trimming a beard is forbidden under a unanimous decision by the religious scholars. Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, their followers, their successors, Mujahideen [holy warriors] and other scholars do not agree on shaving or trimming the beard. "So, it is understood that shaving or trimming a beard is against human nature and the action is against Islamic Sharia. "In view of the above all workers of the barbershops are informed to keep in mind Islamic Sharia and Islamic injunctions while cutting hairs and serving their customers." According to the order: "All provincial departments under the ministry are directed that having beards is one of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and all Muslims should follow Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. All barbershop workers in the provinces are also instructed to keep in mind the instructions while trimming the beards of customers. "Officials should also try to implement the order politely and while speaking to the people so the countrymen bring their lives in conformity with their religion, Islamic obligations and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. "These instructions have been sent to you for implementation." The Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital in mid-August. Since then, they have been introducing Islamic laws. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, has condemned the current stalemate over the failure by Parliament to approve the 2022 Budget and consequent scuffle leading to injuries to a member of the revered house. He described what happened in Parliament that day as unfortunate and called for consensus building to arrive at a compromise in the National interest. He said members of Parliament do not represent themselves and must at all times bear in mind the wider national interest and their Constituents in particular in rejecting or otherwise a policy such as Budget. Mr Ayeboafoh spoke to GBC News in Kumasi on a wide range of national issues. Mr Ayeboafoh said the entrenched positions taken by the two parties on whether to approve or reject the E-Levy Bill as contained in the Budget is most unfortunate. He said the impression created by the Minority that the approval of the E-Levy Bill would send the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the opposition should motivate the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to overwhelmingly endorse the budget to enhance their chances of returning to power. Mr Ayeboafo said, the session of Parliament does not go beyond four years and that the lifespan of any policy must be seen as such and considered on its merit. He also said it is incumbent on journalists as a duty to be well informed and educate the public as such. Mr Ayeboafo said, Parliament is not about who can shout, but about discussion of ideas and numbers. He said Ghanaians were confused about the rejection and approval of the budget at separate sittings of Parliament. The NMC Chairperson charged the media to educate the public on how many members of the House constitute Majority and at what point can a Majority decide or overrule a decision that had already been consented to. Mr. Ayeboafo encouraged the media to use their platforms to educate the public for them to make well-informed and meaningful decisions. Source: Gbcghanaonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), has in a goodwill message to mark Christmas reminded Ghanaians of the relevance of giving, sacrifice, and selflessness, especially on the part of public servants. According to the PPP, the country has suffered so much economic hardship in the year and it is therefore befitting for the government to ease the hardship by giving back more to the people. The PPP asked the government to provide job opportunities that will bring productivity and hope for Ghanaians. It further urged the government to initiate the much-anticipated constitutional review as well as allow MMDCEs to be elected into office instead of being appointed by the President. The party also called for the withdrawal of the e-levy bill from parliament and entreated the government to rather widen the tax net. Source: Gbcghanaonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Aspiring Npp Bono East regional Chairman Mr. Ibrahim Baba Bukari has organized a training workshop to equip party communicators with effective communication skills to better tell the governments success story. The programme brought together the partys communicators from five constituencies, Atebubu Amantin, Sene East, Sene West, Pru East and Pru West. They were taught basic communication skills and provided with important insights into the governments policies and signature social interventions. The goal was to deepen their understanding of these policies, to properly explain them to the people and help to discount any deliberate distortions and misrepresentation by their political opponents. The programme tied in with efforts at improving the partys communications as preparations towards Election 2024 gathered momentum. The Aspiring Chairman Ibrahim Baba Bukari said a lot had been achieved by the Akufo-Addo led administration, which they needed to help everybody to appreciate. The troubled economy they inherited from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been now restored to the path of growth. He added that social interventions like the fee-senior high school, planting for food and jobs, One village one dam, one district one factory, were making a big difference in the lives of the people and said, these positives must be told loudly. He underlined his determination to equip communicators with the relevant skills and tools to get their message to the people. Twenty five (25) IPhones and five (5) tricycles which cost ghc 48,000 were donated to the communication members from the five constituencies. The items according to Mr.Ibrahim Baba the donation forms part of his integral loyalty and unreserved commitment to the New Partrotic Party and his personal contribution towards agenda breaking the 8and also winning all the parliamentary seats in the region. "This is a personal donation aimed at resourcing the party at the base to ensure that agenda winning all the 11 seats in the region is not mirage. I am equally doing this to ensure that Npp is retained to continue to develop Ghana" he stated. He pleaded with the party's faithful to bury their differences and work together as a team to ensure a gargantuan victory come 2024. Receiving the items on behalf of his colleagues Mr.Musah Shaibu who is the Atebubu Amantin constituency Chairman acknowledged the efforts of Mr.Ibrahim Baba Bukari (IB) to the party in the region by resourcing the various constituencies within the region. Source: Kwabena Manu/Peace FM/ Bono East correspondent. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana's rap superstar, Sarkodie, has added the Most Streamed Ghanaian artiste on Boomplay to his enviable list of achievements and he has done so in grand style with 50 million-plus streams. Following the successful release of Sarkodie's "No Pressure" album on July 30, 2021, the album has amassed 14.3 million streams on Boomplay. This aided Sarkodie's impressive growth on the Boomplay app this year which earned him the Most Streamed Male artiste during Boomplay's Recap of 2021 - a round-up of the highlights, stats and insights of music consumption and engagement on Boomplay 2021. Boomplay, Africa's no. 1 streaming platform, in honouring Sarkodie partnered with the artiste's Rapperholic 2021 event as a sponsor. The event, held at the Grand Arena of the AICC, provided patrons with top-notch performances from Sarkodie supported by Obrafour, Efya, Gyakie, Black Sherif, Kranium, among others. As the largest streaming platform in Africa with over 60M Monthly Active Users and an expansive catalogue of over 65 million songs, Boomplay aims to make music available to everyone, whoever and wherever they are, while constantly building strategies to take African music to the world. Boomplays streaming data was recently announced as part of the data that informs the prestigious Billboard Charts. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Former General Overseer of the Evangelical Church of Ghana (ECG), Rev Dr. Daniel Gbande, has urged young people to avoid lavished marriage ceremonies and rather focus on how to choose the right partner and work to sustain their marriages. He also underscored the need for prospective life partners to look out for red flags such as unfaithfulness, pride, self-centredness and incompatibilities that had the potential to disrupt their marriages and work on such triggers before making a decision to marry. Dr. Gbande, who is currently the Director of New Life College and ECG School Complex, located in Tamale, said the high number of divorce cases in the country was the results of the failure of young people to understand marriage properly before getting into it. "In 2018 alone, there were 4000 divorces cases through the courts in this country. About 47 per cent of these cases involved men who have been married for the second time with 53 per cent of women also married for the second time. This is not good for the country's social development," he said. Marriage seminar He made that call at a marriage seminar and annual get-together organised by the Greater Accra district youth ministry of ECG held at the Old Fadama branch of the church yesterday (December 27). A section of the participants The event was organised to take stock of the activities of the youth ministry, educate the youth on marriage and discuss ways of building the capacity of the youth to uphold Christian virtues. Present at the event were the General Overseer of ECG, Rev Maxwell K.K Liwangol; the national treasurer of the church, Rev James Aloriba; the Accra District Youth Coordinator, Mr. Enoch Ninsaw and other leaders of the church. Broken marriages Rev Dr. Gbande said broken marriages had negative effects on children, the society and the country at large for which reason the young people desirous of getting married must be cautious of the decisions they make. He stressed that there was no point marrying for convinience as such marriages could not stand the test of time. "What young people need to know is that marriage is work. Wedding is only an event so it is not the lavished ceremony that is important. "Some people make wrong decisions to marry because they are looking for lavished and wonderful weddings. "I want to sound a word of caution that do not borrow to do a wedding because you need money to maintain the marriage and take care of the children's education," he said. He urged the youth to work hard and make genuine money to support their families and the church. Social media partners Dr. Gbande also cautioned the youth to stay away from choosing their life partners on social media. "Today, many young people are choosing their partners on Facebook; and you think it will work well! You must never marry a stranger. You do not know him or her," he stressed. No LGBTQI+ Touching on the ongoing brouhaha surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights in Ghana, he stressed the need for the religious community to be united and stand against such "demonic and unacceptable things." He said LGBTQI+ was not the natural form of marriage God designed for a human being so it was improper to allow such a phenomenon to erode the good purpose of marriage God had for human beings. "Homosexuality and lesbianism is bad; God hates it. It is defiling our country; it will attract God's anger on this country. "We have to continue to fight it and make sure that it does not happen. Marriage is not about homosexuality or lesbianism; God does not approve of it," he stressed. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Kwaw Kwese has weighed in on the conversation started by Shatta Wale about Ghanaian artists supporting Nigerian artistes but not getting the same support in return. Shatta Wale began by blasting Nigerian artistes and telling them that he doesn't need them to sell out his show. He added that Nigerian artistes get support from Ghanaians and he asked Nigerians to be grateful to them. Stonebwoy, a Ghanaian artiste, responded, saying that Shatta Wale may not have used the right approach but he agreed the Nigerian music industry should do more to help Ghanaian artistes. However Kwaw Kwese disagrees with his fellow Ghanaian stars and he made this known. He told Ghanaian artistes that Nigerians are ahead and Ghanaians "should tap into their blessings" rather than criticize. He then suggested that Ghanian artistes should work together with Nigerian artistes to make music. He added: "If any Ghana musician thinks fighting Nigerian artists is the way to go, he's fooling himself". Source: twitter/lib Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Phil Galfond Shuts Down Global RIO Site, Takes Aim at U.S. Poker Market December 30, 2021 Jon Sofen Phil Galfond has decided to close down Run it Once internationally. But he isn't ready to end his run as the owner of an online poker site. In fact, he's now setting his sights on the United States market as he announced in a blog post. PokerNews reached out to the pot-limit Omaha legend to discuss the future of RIO and if any other sites could possibly compete with PokerStars and GGPoker. He isn't ready to set a timeline on when RIO will enter the US. "I've learned my lesson with timelines," Galfond told PokerNews. "We're juggling quite a bit right now, including the wind-down of our rest-of-world operations. I'm hopeful that in the next few months, we'll have a much clearer picture about our timeline, but I don't have a good guess right now." Things Didn't Work Out Galfond has won many challenges in his poker career, but his poker site didn't quite catch on enough on an international level. Going up against industry giants PokerStars and GGPoker isn't an easy task, which he openly admits. "It is a very steep uphill battle in the rest-of-world markets, given how much of an advantage a poker platform with a large player base has," Galfond explained. "Given that, I think that you need to have superior software to give it a shot." "The only real way we've seen newer sites break through and gain market share in recent years is by skirting regulations. We were never, and still are not, willing to do that at Run It Once, which is part of why I'm excited to compete in a market that won't allow for it, and where everyone is still building up their player bases, creating a slightly more level playing field." Same Business, New Market As Galfond explained in a recent blog post on Run it Once, website traffic has dwindled to pre-pandemic levels. As such, Run it Once will cease operations effective January 3, but players can still cash out up until April 3. After that, his company will focus on one day entering the U.S. market, his long-time goal. He already has a rough plan in place to make that happen. "The long-term plan is to enter every state that we can get a license in, assuming it makes commercial sense," Galfond said. "The different state requirements and regulatory hurdles mean that they'll likely come at different times." He said he's "confident" that his site is now positioned to enter the U.S. market but isn't ready to set a timeline on entry. Galfond is one of the most respected poker pros. At age 36 (37 next month), he's likely only a few years away from entering the Poker Hall of Fame, especially if Run it Once takes off in the United States. As it stands, only five states currently have legal poker sites in operation Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Galfond expects Nevada to be the most difficult market to enter. Many expect additional states to legalize online gambling within the next few years. For now, the Run it Once founder is focused on the available states he can attempt to enter. PokerNews Podcast: Reviewing the Top 10 Stories of 2021 Part 2 December 30, 2021 Chad Holloway On the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is the last of the year, Sarah Herring and Chad Holloway talk a look back at the top half of the Top 10 Stories from 2021! These include the sheer number of players winning multiple bracelets at the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Doug Polk defeating Daniel Negreanu in their heads-up challenge, and Phil Hellmuth crushing both High Stakes Duel and the 2021 WSOP. Speaking of crushing in 2021, Michael Addamo's incredible run made the list, while unsurprisingly the return of the WSOP is high on the list. Take a look back at 2021 by tuning in and listening to Sarah and Chad recap some of the biggest stories from the year gone by! Big thanks to the special sponsor this week in D&B Publishing, which you can learn more about here. Time Stamps Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Sarah Herring and Chad Holloway on Twitter. Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here! Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. COLUMBIA Legislators want to keep the "Carolina Squat" off the Palmetto State's roadways, saying drivers of the modified trucks can't see what's in front of them. Drivers of the design contend lawmakers are unfairly singling them out for what comes down to personal choice. Legislation that would make the squatted trucks illegal on the streets could advance quickly after lawmakers return to Columbia in mid-January. "This foolishness has got to stop," said Rep. Mike Burns, the main sponsor of one of three anti-squat bills filed for the upcoming session. He's referring to pickups with modified suspensions that raise the front end while lowering the rear, angling the truck body for its squatted appearance a design also dubbed the "Cali Lean" or "Tennessee Tilt." The problem, according to law enforcement, is the design is dangerous for the drivers and anyone or anything in front of them. "It seems to me that whoever's driving would have a difficult time seeing anything other than the sky," Senate Transportation Chairman Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, said. He expects the bill he's co-signed to advance out of his committee in January. A hearing is set for the first week of the session. He and Burns, a Greenville County Republican, acknowledge they haven't seen many of the trucks in their districts. Most of the complaints are coming from the Grand Strand, they said. "At the beach, they're everywhere. People are freaking out over it," Burns said. "Headlights are blinding them when they meet in the road. Depending on how high they are, they're getting killed by the beams. We've got to bring a little common sense and sanity." The tilt also increases the severity of accidents, said Jarrod Bruder, director of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association, which is joining with other law enforcement in asking for help stemming what they consider a safety hazard. When squatted trucks hit a vehicle in front of them, the raised front end is "going over the top of hoods," he said. But Kyle Kozlowski, who has squatted his trucks for the past five years because he likes the look, disputes that they're any worse than a truck that's jacked up on both ends. In South Carolina, it's already illegal to lift or lower a vehicle by more than 6 inches, but that law specifically exempts pickup trucks. The penalty for that misdemeanor is a $25-to-$50 fine. "It's just a fad," said the 21-year-old Orangeburg resident, who's squatted trucks since he was old enough to have a driver's license. Whether it's unsafe can vary by modification, he added. "It all depends on how people do it." His friend Caleb Quick said the headlights, for example, can be adjusted to not be a problem for oncoming traffic. "I've never felt unsafe. I do the smart thing," Quick, also 21 of Orangeburg, said about how he's altered his trucks since 2016. "I see the concern, but if they make squatted trucks illegal, they might as well make all lifted trucks illegal. It's the same vantage." Quick said while he too initially did the modification for looks, he kept doing it as a form of rebellion to the rude drivers who have pulled up beside him and honked their horns and cursed at him because of his truck's design. "People flip me off. Now I do it because I don't want to give them what they want," he said, calling it a personal freedom that should not be banned. "Everyone should do what they want to their own personal vehicle." Derrick Nelson, 18, of Mount Pleasant, said he squatted his truck as a way to stand out and be different. It's the height that determines visibility, he said, adding he can see fine from his driver's seat. While the three prefiled bills have the same goal in mind, they're all slightly different. Under Burns' bill, any vehicle would be illegal on South Carolina's highways if the front is raised more than three inches above its manufactured height, and the rear is lowered by more than two inches. Violators can be sentenced up to 30 days in jail and fined up to $1,000. The bill sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, says the front fender can't be four or more inches above the back bumper. His bill creates graduated penalties, starting with a $100 fine for a first conviction. While the fines would max out at $300, a third conviction would result in the driver's license being suspended for a year. That threat echoes the penalty in a North Carolina law that took effect on Dec. 1, which specifies that drivers convicted three times in a 12-month span must have their license revoked for at least a year. The neighboring state's law passed after more than 70,000 people signed an online petition calling for the modifications to be outlawed for safety reasons. Fewer than 25,000 signed a petition in response to keep them legal, with responders saying the look is sexy and the government shouldn't dictate what people can or can't do to their own vehicle. Burns said squatted trucks shouldn't be allowed on the highways any more than cars modified for NASCAR races. Rankin compared drivers' inability to see with drunken driving, saying the angle creates unsafe and unnecessary risks. "My goal is to ensure South Carolina motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians operating on our roads will all be fully seen by all other motorists," Rankin said. "Impaired driving is usually associated with drinking, texting or other distractions. We shouldn't continue to allow trucks with their front end jacked up on our roadways." CATAWBA The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fine a South Carolina paper mill $1.1 million after regulators received thousands of complaints over a "noxious" rotten egg-like smell coming from the plant. The New Indy factory in Catawba has also agreed to take action to curb the amount of hydrogen sulfide it releases, the EPA announced in a Wednesday statement. Regulators found the plant was emitting high amounts of the smelly gas that can cause irritation to the eyes, nose or throat, and difficulty breathing for people with asthma. The proposed consent decree will help address the pollution that affected communities surrounding the plant, EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman said. "Communities near and far from this facility have been experiencing difficult circumstances that have altered their daily lives," he said. New Indy mill manager Toby Hobson told news outlets the company has agreed to pay the fine and has cooperated with regulators throughout the process to implement improvements. Residents complained earlier this year that the smell was wafting over to nearby counties and into neighboring areas in North Carolina, causing health issues such as nausea and headaches for some. The factory is located about 8 miles from the North Carolina state line. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. COLUMBIA The 3.3 magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks that rumbled the Midlands the last week of December upped the tally of earthquakes recorded in the Palmetto State to 30 in 2021, the most in at least 50 years, according to federal earthquake data. But scientists are not alarmed by the apparent uptick and say the year's level of seismic activity falls in line with historic trends. They include 11 minor quakes in the Lowcountry, 10 in the Midlands seven of those in just the last week and a cluster of seven in the fall near a nuclear-powered electricity plant in Fairfield County. The Upstate and southern edge of Lancaster County also registered one each. "I am not concerned. I view what is happening to be within the 'normal variability' of earthquake occurrence in the South Carolina region," said Tom Owens, who leads the South Carolina Seismic Network at the University of South Carolina. How big are SC's quakes? Of the 30 earthquakes recorded in this state as of Dec. 30, most went unnoticed. Six registered at least a 2.5 magnitude, which measures an earthquake's intensity based on the size of the underground energy waves it creates. By contrast, California, known for its earthquake activity, had more than 1,300 quakes in 2021 at 2.5 or above, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The strongest of those, at 6.2, hit just off the northern California coastline Dec. 20. Earthquakes below a 2.5 magnitude are so small, people generally don't realize anything happened. But they represent the bulk of earthquake activity measured by seismographs. Millions of these quakes take place worldwide each year, according to Michigan Technological University. In the United States, South Carolina is one of only two places east of the Mississippi River with a history of large quakes. The other is the New Madrid Fault Line, which runs along the Mississippi and affects residents in Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas, said Steven Jaume, a seismologist and associate professor of geology at the College of Charleston. "These sort of things do happen every now and then," Jaume said. "Theyre always going on. People just don't often feel them because they're just not large enough." Those of a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4, like the one near Fort Jackson on Dec. 27, are felt but cause only minor damage, if any at all. More than 3,000 Columbia-area residents reported feeling tremors, though there were no injuries or damage reported to the state Emergency Management Division or Richland County Sheriff's Department. The world typically has half a million of these annually. Jaume called the small quakes in the last days of 2021 "a good reminder that were earthquake country." It's not until an earthquake reaches a magnitude of 7 that it's considered a major event causing serious damage. There are 10 to 15 of these worldwide each year, according to statistics from Michigan Tech. South Carolina hasn't experienced one of those since Aug. 31, 1886, when a 7.3-magnitude quake leveled most of the brick buildings in Charleston and Summerville, the epicenter, igniting fires and overrunning hospitals. At least 60 people died in what was the largest earthquake ever recorded on the East Coast. People reported feeling the wave over 2.5 million square miles up and down the Eastern Seaboard and west to the Mississippi River, according to the state Emergency Management Division. SC's fault lines That area, which Jaume calls the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone, remains a hot spot, accounting for 70 percent of all earthquakes in the state and recording annual quake numbers in the double digits four times over the past 50 years. In 2014, the USGS raised its risk calculations for earthquake-prone states, predicting South Carolina is more likely to see another major earthquake sometime in the next 50 years. The adjustment followed a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in Virginia in 2011 and changes in how quakes are measured. These risk assessments are important because insurance companies and developers rely heavily on them, influencing billions of dollars in annual construction decisions nationwide. Before the update, South Carolina's heaviest risk area covered fewer square miles. While earthquakes are less common in the Midlands than in the Lowcountry, a major fault the Eastern Piedmont fault system still runs through the area, Jaume said. That system consists of several fault lines extending from Alabama to Virginia. On its way northeast, the fault stretches across the middle of South Carolina following the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line, where area geology fades from the marine sediment of the coastal plain into the rock of the old Appalachian Mountains in the Piedmont. In the Upstate, the Southern Appalachian seismic zone is a frequent source of small earthquakes, Jaume said. That's where the state's second-largest quake was recorded. In 1913, Union was the epicenter of a 5.5 magnitude quake. Sequences, or a series of several earthquakes together like those near Fort Jackson in the last few days, accounted for much of the seismic activity in 2021 that upped the statistics for the year, Owens said. Another sequence was recorded two months ago at Monticello Reservoir, which provides water for the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County. Jaume said the reservoir is known for having swarms of earthquakes like the seven that occurred from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. "Thats happened before," he said of earthquake clusters at the reservoir 35 miles from downtown Columbia. "In fact, in the year or two after they built (the reservoir) they had several thousand." A 2.9 magnitude quake near the reservoir, completed in 1978, was the largest in the area's history. This year, the largest was 2.3 in magnitude, Jaume said. Dominion Energy said the nuclear-powered electricity plant has never experienced any earthquake-related damage. It was built to withstand seismic activity well above what's typical for the area, said spokesman Ken Holt said. "These plants are very robust structures," he said. "Theyre built to withstand all kinds of events." V.C. Summer has its own seismic monitoring system and will shut itself down automatically if tremors pass a certain threshold. Other safety measures include backup motors, pumps and generators. And any equipment considered in danger of falling over is strapped down with seismic restraints, Holt said. Monitoring tiny quakes A similar year for seismic activity in the state might be 2013, when there were several series of quakes on the western edge of the state and in the Lowcountry, Owens said. Eighteen earthquakes were recorded that year 14 of them near Summerville, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. Because of its reputation for tremors, Jaume upped his monitoring capabilities near Summerville this year after winning a two-year, $42,000 grant to set up 19 temporary seismometers around Dorchester County. "What were trying to do is better define the shape and location of the fault that produced the 1886 earthquake," he said. "We don't have the information to nail things down in that definitive fashion." Jaume previously tried to study the Lowcountry's most active seismic zone in 2011, but the Virginia earthquake pulled the seismographs away. Now, with the proper equipment in place, Jaume is mapping all tremors that occur, using specialized methods to look for the shakes that measure even near-zero magnitudes. He said this level of precision will allow him to build a 3-D model of the fault's location. "But we have to collect a lot of data to do it," he said. Jaume said a better understanding of the fault's orientation will be of particular help in the fast-growing areas, like Summerville, surrounding Charleston. As development spreads and new buildings are erected, engineers are better able to design buildings in areas at risk of earthquake damage, he said. Are you insured? Earthquakes are not covered by most homeowners' insurance policies. Like flood insurance, earthquake insurance is separate from a standard policy and must be purchased as an add on. Despite a history of quakes in the state, very few South Carolinians have purchased coverage. Insurance companies sold $48.2 million in earthquake premiums in 2020. That compares to $1.97 billion in homeowners' insurance and $147.6 million in flood insurance premiums, said state Insurance Department Director Ray Farmer. "Consumers in the state are not prepared for a major earthquake because we haven't bought the coverage," Farmer said. "You don't want to be uninsured for a catastrophic event." While scientists in the state aren't rattled by the increased number of recorded earthquakes this year, there's unfortunately no way to predict when the big earthquake is going to occur, Jaume said. "When that one happens again, it's going to be a pretty impactful event for the Lowcountry," he said. Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly name S.C. Department of Insurance Director Ray Farmer and Michigan Technological University. GEORGETOWN Up to three vendors can sell non-cooked snacks and beverages along Front Street with a permit after complaints from store owners prompted Georgetown City Council to revisit its ordinance for sidewalk vendors. Before the Dec. 16 vote, it was against city law to sell food or drinks on public walkways, and vendors could sale tickets only to local tourism-related attractions. But that law was impossible to enforce, said Chris Inglese, Georgetowns director of planning and community development. During the summer, people set up tables to sell items on Front Street, unknowingly violating the law. Inglese said his staff worked with the city attorney to come up with revisions that would allow entrepreneurs like Marlene Herbert from Southern Sunshine Concessions, who sells lemonade and shaved ice, to do so legally. Inglese said he wanted to make it clear to council and the public that his office is "certainly pro-business." After Front Street's brick-and-stucco business owners complained about people setting up shot outside their doors, Inglese' staff realized the ordinance passed in 2011 contradicted itself. While the first few sentences make it illegal to sell food or drink on the sidewalk, later paragraphs indicate it's OK, as long as it's not in glass, Inglese said. The initial law resulted from Front Street's store owners complaining about cost unfairness for their potential competition. Vendors shouldn't be able to rent a public spot from the city for $500 a year, when they paid far more for rent monthly, they said. The changes adopted two weeks ago more than doubles the vendor fee to $300 per quarter, while limiting the permits to one per designated spot: Behind the fountain off Screven Street, near Rainey Park, and near Orange Street Park. The city intends to waive the rent for two years, Inglese said. City council first discussed the changes at its Nov. 18 meeting, when Herbert said her business does not detract from downtown restaurants. Perhaps they did not want me there because I sell something similar to their business which is not the same, she told council members. This is my livelihood. This is what I do. I love being downtown. I love meeting new people. I love meeting the tourists that come in downtown. Council member Al Joseph said he would oppose any vendors directly competing with existing restaurants, but he doesn't think that's happening in this situation. Mayor-elect Carol Jayroe suggested then the possibility of encouraging food trucks and vendor carts to use spaces outside the former city hall instead. It would take the food trucks and the carts to an area where kids would be playing in the park and then get an ice cream cone or whatever and theyre not impeding on any traffic downtown, Jayroe said. Some council members were concerned about food trucks on Front Street. But Inglese pointed out the amended ordinance still prohibits cooked foods, making it illegal to prepare food on-site, meaning no grills or ovens of any kind. The intention here is to have a single cart, something compact and easy to get out of the way if it was ever necessary, said Inglese, who will soon leave the job to be county administrator in Newberry County. I would love for us to do business with the (shaved ice) lady and that might be an option for her." The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recorded nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases and 10 new deaths related to the virus ahead of the New Year's holiday. "We'll likely see numbers soaring in the days and weeks following New Year's Eve and Day," said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC's public health director. "This is no time to mince words. This is flat out alarming for our state." The news came the same day the agency updated its isolation and quarantine guidance to reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new five-day quarantine protocol. According to a recent report from The Associated Press, officials from the CDC said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with COVID-19 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, which accounts for at least 61 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the state. Previous guidance from the CDC recommended asymptomatic residents exposed to COVID-19 isolate for 10 days. For residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, DHEC recommends avoiding contact with others for at least five days. If symptoms subside after day 5, resident may end isolation but must wear a mask around others for an additional five days. "If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to isolate, regardless of vaccination status," the agency said in a recent press release. "Stay home and avoid in-person contact with others for at least five days." The agency has also updated its definition of "fully vaccinated" individuals, considering people who have completed their primary series and had a booster shot if eligible, to be fully vaccinated. If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are considered fully vaccinated, the agency says you do not have to quarantine. However, they do recommend residents get tested on day 5 and wear a mask around others for 10 days. For residents who are either unvaccinated, haven't completed their primary vaccination series or haven't gotten a booster shot, and who are exposed to COVID-19, DHEC recommends quarantining for five days. The agency also recommends getting tested on day 5 and wearing a mask around others for another five days. DHEC also support's the CDC's Test to Stay guidelines for K-12 schools and will work with schools to make rapid testing for TTS as available as possible. But the agency does have concerns about the availability of rapid test kits, staff capacity to administer tests and equity among districts. "I do think that putting kids back in school can be done safely," Traxler said. "We know that all students and staff and schools now are eligible for vaccination. I strongly encourage all staff and all parents who have children to please get them vaccinated." In observance of the New Year's holiday, DHEC will resume reporting data Jan. 4, which will include data from Dec. 31 through Jan. 2. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 3,354 confirmed, 2,557 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 767,188 confirmed, 199,071 probable. Percent positive: 20.5 percent. New deaths reported: nine confirmed, one probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 12,640 confirmed, 1,977 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 77.71 percent. S.C. residents vaccinated In South Carolina, 60.2 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 51.8 percent of eligible residents have completed their vaccinations. This number reflects newly eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 12 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose. Hardest-hit areas Greenville (576), Richland (424) and Lexington (339) counties saw the highest total numbers of new cases. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 277 new cases, while Dorchester had 87 and Berkeley had 90. Deaths DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data released Dec. 29 (the office was closed Dec. 28), at least 83 people in South Carolina died from the virus Dec. 19-25, and their ages ranged from pediatric (17 and younger) to elderly (65 and older). Spartanburg County recorded 16 COVID deaths that week the highest number of any county in the state. Health officials have reported the vast majority of patients who are dying from the coronavirus at this stage of the pandemic are unvaccinated. Hospitalizations Of the 877 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Dec. 30, 198 were in the ICU and 91 were using ventilators. What do experts say? State health officials are currently urging all residents to refrain from attending large celebrations over the New Year's holiday. "Please find a safe alternative to joining large crowds or groups of people for New Year's Eve," Traxler said. "Waiting for virtual toasts and meals, playing music over a video message or gathering for a virtual neighborhood countdown are some good ways to safely ring in the new year." To find a COVID-19 vaccine in South Carolina, go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov or call 866-365-8110. Health officials reported 8,882 new cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 31, breaking South Carolina's record for new daily cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The previous record was 7,686 new cases on Jan. 6, 2021. Officials from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said the increase in cases is likely due to the highly transmissible omicron variant and the increase in gatherings over the holiday season. The news comes just days before the start of a new semester for students across South Carolina. DHEC doesn't have any plans to close schools because of an increase in cases, but it's more important than ever for students, their families and their teachers to wear masks and get vaccinated, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC's public health director, in an news conference on Dec. 31. "Wearing a mask is something they can do that is safe for them to do. It is not harmful to them. It does not affect their academic performance," Traxler said. In Charleston County, students, staff and visitors will be required to wear masks when schools reopen on Jan. 4, according to a CCSD news release. At a Dec. 13 meeting, the district's school board decided to require masks for students, staff and visitors if the county's incidence rate was in the medium or high levels by Dec. 31. The mask requirement is set to expire on Jan. 14. In the news release, district officials said the board's intention is to keep students "as safe as possible while there is a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the community." Parents can still get an exemption from the mask requirement for religious, medical or developmental reasons. Anyone who received an exemption earlier in the year won't have to follow the requirement, according to the release. The omicron variant spreads easily, even to people who have received their first two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. Although vaccinated people may still catch omicron, they are much less likely to experience a severe illness. Because cases are so high, officials warn against typical New Years Eve celebrations, involving large gatherings at restaurants and bars. "We want people to be very careful," DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said. "Going out tonight and being around a lot of people you don't know, very close on the dance floor, not wearing a mask, puts you at very high risk of getting COVID." People should take the news of record-high cases as a sign to get vaccinated if they haven't already and to get a booster shot, Simmer said. "How do we get out of this? We get as many people vaccinated and maximally vaccinated, which includes the booster, as we possibly can," he said. "If everyone were vaccinated, we would not be here today." Statewide numbers New cases reported: 6,319 confirmed, 2,563 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 773,597 confirmed, 201,723 probable. Percent positive: 25.6 percent. New deaths reported: 14 confirmed, five probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 12,654 confirmed, 1,982 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled: 82 percent. S.C. residents vaccinated In South Carolina, 60.2 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 51.8 percent have completed their vaccinations, according to data from Dec. 29. This number reflects newly eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 12 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose. Hardest-hit areas Richland County (1,327), Greenville County (1,075) and Lexington County (757) saw the highest totals of newly confirmed cases. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 745 new cases, while Berkeley had 314 and Dorchester 296. Deaths DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data released Dec. 29 (the office was closed on Dec. 28), at least 83 people in South Carolina died from the virus Dec. 19-25, and their ages ranged from pediatric (17 and younger) to elderly (65 and older). Spartanburg County recorded 16 COVID deaths that week the highest number of any county in the state. Health officials have reported that the vast majority of patients dying from COVID-19 at this point in the pandemic are unvaccinated. Hospitalizations Of the 921 COVID-19 patients hospitalized Dec. 31, 199 were in the ICU and 89 were using ventilators. What do experts say? Simmer and Traxler recommend that people upgrade their masks in light of the skyrocketing cases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommends that people use masks with two or more layers of fabric. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face. They should also have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top. "Cloth masks alone might not be as protective as they have been potentially in the past, and it might not be as protective as people think they are and want them to be," Traxler said. Traxler recommends that people double up their cloth masks with surgical masks or use the KN95 or N95 masks. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the most recent information on the Charleston County School District's mask requirement. 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. The left had a field day last week when former President Donald Trump talked with former Fox commentator Bill OReilly about COVID-19. Trump, Bill OReilly Booed After Admitting They Both Got COVID Vaccine Booster, trumpeted The Wrap. Mr. OReilly Had to Console Trump After MAGA Fans Booed Him for Getting Vaccine Booster, chimed in The Daily Beast. And on and on, delighting in the idea that Mr. Trump was getting booed by his loyal supporters. Delighting in self-satisfied anger that anyone would boo anyone for getting vaccinated The delighted ones missed the point, which wasnt what a handful vaccine opponents did, but what the former president did, first at a live event with Mr. OReilly and later in an interview with a prominent anti-vaxxer named Candace Owens that left her trying to downplay his comments: He called the vaccine a miracle. He reminded people that he worked to get it developed so quickly He rejected mandates, of course, but he essentially urged people to get vaccinated. Because of that vaccine, he said during the Dec. 21 event with Mr. OReilly, I think this would have been the Spanish flu of 1917 where up to 100 million people died. This was going to ravage the country far beyond what it is right now. Take credit for it. Take credit for. It's a great. What we've done is historic. Don't let them take it away. Don't take it away from ourselves. You're playing right into their hands. The next day, he told Ms. Owens that The ones who get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that dont take the vaccine, adding that People arent dying when they take the vaccine. So, a very simple message from all this: If you havent gotten vaccinated and youve believed what Mr. Trump says in other areas, wed urge you to believe him on this, to follow his lead and get vaccinated. And if you have friends or family who arent vaccinated and who believe him on other issues, share his pro-vaccine comments with them. Not in a snarky way. In a concerned way, as in: Its not just the left pushing the vaccine. Its also Donald Trump, who rightly deserves a great deal of credit for Operation Warp Speed, his program that sped up the vaccines' development and manufacturing that have saved more than a million lives. And that can save so many more, if only more people will allow their lives to be saved. A donation of $42,454.16 was presented to Make-A-Wish Guam & CNMI Chapter at the Triple J headquarters in Upper Tumon on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Jay Jones, senior vice president of Triple J Ford, presented the check on behalf of Ford dealers in the Asia Pacific region, Triple J stated in a press release. The group includes Ford dealers in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, New Caledonia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tahiti, Hong Kong, Singapore, American Samoa, Samoa, Brunei, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papau New Guinea and Mongolia. The funds were collected and earmarked for Guam. Our Ford dealers nationwide are driven to make a difference in their communities because giving is a part of their dealership tradition. Dealers give to causes that address a broad range of community needs childrens charities topped the list. Make-A-Wish Guam & CNMI was an obvious choice, and the funds couldnt have come at a better time for the organization, Jones said. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Eric Tydingco, CEO of the Guam & CNMI Chapter of Make-A-Wish, expressed the sincere gratitude of the chapter and board of directors, 2021 continues to be a challenging time for our island. This means the way we fulfill our mission at the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been altered significantly. COVID-19 has been detrimental globally, and we are not spared the effects this pandemic has had on our ability to fundraise. Throughout the pandemic our organization had to adapt to this new normal and come up with innovative fundraising ideas to raise much-needed revenue while adhering to the current executive order and guidelines. These funds will go a long way to fulfill our mission to grant the wish of children with critical illnesses. Insights 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 In this post, I discussed national conservatives and their movement (if one can call it that), common good conservatism. The New Criterion devotes a large part of its current issue to a debate on the subject. In this post, I will present two articles criticizing national conservatives and common good conservatism. Ill present some entries from the other side of the debate in a follow-up post. But first, here is the useful introduction by our friend Roger Kimball, the editor and publisher of the New Criterion. As he points out, the starting point in the New Criterion debate is an article by Kim Holmes called The fallacies of the common good. Holmes is the former Executive Vice President of The Heritage Foundation and former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations in the G. W. Bush Administration. His article is here. Some national conservatives argue that their vision is embedded in the Constitution. They espouse what they call a common good originalism, arguing that the American founders were not really Lockean believers in intrinsic rights, but Burkeans who saw rights as instrumental a means to an end. Thus, the argument goes, conservatism rightly understood is more open to wielding state power and, when need be, is willing to enforce our order or even to reward friends and punish enemies (within the confines of the rule of law). Whatever the merit of this enterprise, I think Holmes does a good job of arguing that it isnt what the American founders had in mind. He writes: Put simply, the founders were not Burkeans. Yes, they welcomed Burkes support for the American Revolution from his British Whig perspective, but it was John Locke who moved them philosophically more than Edmund Burke. Secondly, the founders shared Lockes notion of natural rights being grounded in the universal claims of natural law. That is why Jefferson and the other founders believed rights were unalienable. That is why they were equal. Such rights were universal, and not particular to a certain people or customas they would have to be if they were Burkean or nationalistic. . . . The founders did have a strong notion of the common good, but they did not seek to reify it in government or to enforce it top-down on the social order. Holmes also takes on a different strand of common good conservatism, the view that rejects natural-rights philosophy as at odds with the tenets of natural law. Those of this persuasion look not to Burke, but to Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. Again, whatever the merit of this position as a philosophical matter, I think Holmes effectively shows that it has little to do with our Constitution. As to the merits of common good conservatism, Holmes issues this warning: [T]he more successful the current common-good movement is, the more it will erode one of the key pillars of American conservative thought: the idea of liberty. The biggest danger is not that America will evolve into national or imperial socialism, but that statist arguments from conservatives will end up reinforcing similar arguments made by progressives. Politics would devolve into a bidding war on which side, the Right or the Left, can buy the most votes with government handouts, win the most battles in the courts over defending their version of free speech, control the courts and administrative elites, or get to define what industrial and administrative policies mean. In that battle, I would put my money on the political masters of collectivism, the progressives, because that is their raison detre. (Emphasis added) Charles Kesler contributes to the New Criterions debate with this piece. Kesler finds fault with some of Holmes points, but rejects the arguments of the two strands of common good conservatism Holmes attacks. He concludes: Holmess essay performs an important service by emphasizing and clarifying the degree to which these two emerging schools of the new conservatism are out to undermine and ultimately overturn traditional American conservatism. Though not every adherent has that in mind, most of them do, I think. And they enjoy patting themselves on the back for it. They underestimate, in my opinion, the extent to which Buckley and Reagans conservative movement was itself a counterrevolution against the liberal revolutions that had swept over America in the preceding decades. . . . The Buckley and Reagan of, say, 1965 would. . . probably feel the need to freshen and reformulate the conservative cause to meet our changed political circumstances. . . . I have no objection to todays new conservatives seeking to divide todays conservative movementso long as they remember the point is ultimately to reunite and enlarge it along stronger and wiser lines. To do that, however, they will need better arguments. NOTE: The original version of this post stated that not all of the articles on the national conservatives are accessible at the New Criterions home page. However, Roger Kimball informs me that they are now and will be for the next couple of weeks. You sometimes see newspaper headlines to the effect that, say, a 50 megawatt solar power plant is being constructed. But you shouldnt count on getting anything remotely approaching 50 megawatts of power from such an installation. Energy expert Isaac Orr explains: Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that production from solar panels plummets in the winter. The graph below shows the percentage of electricity generated by solar panels in Minnesota compared to their potential output. This percentage is called a capacity factor in electricity-industry lingo. Isaacs analysis applies specifically to Minnesota, but bear in mind that while northern states get fewer hours of sunlight than southern states in the winter, they get more hours of sunlight in the summer. And note that in the best of times, solar panels dont produce electricity anywhere near half the time. Minnesota solar panels are most productive in June and July, when they produce almost 30 percent of their potential output. Unsurprisingly, solar panels produce far less energy in November, December, and January, where production capacity factors are seldom above 10 percent. That is pathetic. We spend billions of dollars on solar panels and transmission lines, and in winter, when we need energy the most, they work only around ten percent of the time. Another reason for falling productivity in winter is snow cover. Even a thin layer of snow on panels can lead to significant reductions in electricity generation from solar panels, and as Ralph Jacobson, the founder of IPS Solar, has said in the past, it is too expensive to pay someone to clear snow off the panels. Process that fact: solar panels are such a lame energy source that when it snows, it isnt worth it to pay someonehigh school kids, probablyto shovel them off. We can see the impact of snowfall on electricity generation in the graph below. In February of 2018, solar panels produced 14.6 percent of their potential output, and in 2020, they generated 17 percent. However, in 2019, solar facilities produced just 6 percent of their potential output, because that year had one of the snowiest Februarys on record. Why in the world would we rely on an energy source to power our grid that may work only six percent of the time? The answer, of course, is that we dont. The same utilities that charge ratepayers billions to construct solar and wind facilities also charge them billions to build natural gas power plantsplants that actually work. And the overwhelming majority of the time, it is natural gas, not solar or wind, that is providing electricity. The unreliable (i.e., usually useless) green sources are just for show, and for fleecing ratepayers. So far, most voters have been snowed by green energy propaganda. Or that is what they tell pollsters, anyway. But the day is coming when voters understand that they have been had by one of the biggest cons in world history. Had a pro bono lawyer not volunteered, 28-year-old Godspower Osaro would have added to the teeming inmates crammed behind Nigerias overcrowded prisons awaiting their day in court. Anger boiled over quickly when Mr Osaro had an altercation with his friend in June 2018. Having wriggled out of a strong chokehold from the friend, he picked a broken bottle and stabbed his opponent around the elbow, putting the fisticuff to rest, only that it was too late. His friend was bleeding and three hospitals would not accept to take him in. He died on his way to the fourth hospital. Mr Osaro was charged with murder and manslaughter. With no money to hire a lawyer, he was always going to rely on sheer luck to turn around the case against him. Fate smiled at him on the day he was arraigned when the sitting judge asked if anyone was willing to be his counsel. Human rights lawyer Francis Paul stood up and volunteered to argue his case pro bono. He was about to be arraigned and the judge asked him if he had a lawyer. He said no, the Port Harcourt-based lawyer told PREMIUM TIMES. The judge asked in open court if any lawyer wants to represent him. No lawyer volunteered, so I did (it) for free. On September 22, about three months after his arrest, the defendant was discharged and acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. He is a free man. It can only be God, a joyous Mr Paul wrote on his Facebook wall. Defending indigent inmates is routine for Mr Paul. At another time, he took up the case of a man charged with kidnapping and other related offences. The defendant was acquitted in November after three years. It is his own gesture to not just ensure justice is served but also to free up the nations congested prisons. Overcrowded prison About 73 per cent of the 64,642 prison population as of last December were awaiting trial, according to the prison data PREMIUM TIMES obtained in confidence through prison officials. Correctional centres in Lagos accounted for the bulk of this population with 6,703. Rivers, where Mr Osaro was held, had 4,224. This was followed by Kano 2,368; Akwa Ibom 2,334; Imo 2,257; Ogun 2,015; Delta 1,792; Enugu 1,737; Anambra 1,579; Oyo 1,491. On the other hand, Cross River with 504 inmates awaiting trial, Benue 445, Ekiti 363, Bayelsa 336, Yobe 324, Kogi 266, and Borno 185 had the least number of inmates awaiting trial. Meanwhile, a total of 14,323 inmates had been convicted as of last December. About 1195 of them were in Kano, 877 in Lagos, 780 in Kaduna. Ogun held 660 inmates, Borno 646, Plateau 638, Adamawa and Bauchi 618 each, Gombe 610, Kebbi 505 and Jigawa 472. Prisons in Benue 160, Edo 157, Cross River 156, Bayelsa 150, Kogi 133, Abia 124, Zamfara 119, Ekiti 107, Ebonyi 96 held the least number of convicted inmates. Down from 64,767 in the first week of last December, the correctional facilities in the country held a total of 64,642 of which 62,697 were male and 1,238 females as of the second week of last December. Lagos 7940, Rivers 4927, Kano 3716, Ogun 3019, Akwa Ibom 2698, Imo 2495, Delta 2502, Enugu 2258, Kaduna 2180, and Adamawa 2122 were the top ten states with prisons holding the most inmates. States with the least number of inmates included: Cross River 721, Zamfara 714, Yobe 650, Benue 614, Bayelsa 487, Ekiti 470, Kogi 400; the borstals in Abeokuta, Kaduna and Ilorin respectively have 318, 231 and 158 inmates. Congestion means prison facilities are overstretched and authorities are unable to ensure prisons are truly correctional centres. Advertisements In the prison Mr Osaro was held in, over a hundred inmates were crammed into a cell, sharing toilets and diseases, his lawyer told PREMIUM TIMES. Prisoners die there from treatable ailments due to the poor health facility, Mr Paul added. By the time Mr Osaro was released, he had been so frail that he was hospitalised for weeks. The prison condition is a total mess. Feeding is very poor and the health facility there is basically not functional, save for the doctors and nurses that can come once in a while, his lawyer said. Abandoned in custody Even for those not on death row, the harsh conditions of Nigerian inmates can be tantamount to a death sentence. Jude Edude, 21, attested to this. Accused of stealing his girlfriends phone and collecting N53,000 from a POS agent without paying back, he was charged for theft and obtaining by false pretence in July. I just want to get out of here. The conditions are very bad, the food is nothing to write home about, he said, his voice trailing off between frustration and resolve to be freed. As he spoke, his awaiting trial colleagues, ten of them, nodded in agreement. To book a call, the inmates have to pay N50 per minute to wardens, he said. Visitors are also charged visiting rights fee by the wardens to see their loved ones. Like Mr Osaro, Mr Edude was held without trial for months. Held at the old Keffi prison at the outskirts of Nasarawa State, he, too, had no counsel to defend him in court. Luck smiled at him when an Abuja-based lawyer, Adeniyi Aderinboye, took interest in his case. Mr Aderinboye prayed to settle the complaint out of court or have the case struck out. The POS agent dropped his case but he wanted a refund. Stalled The non-appearance of the plaintiff, however, stalled the hearing twice in August, and it was adjourned to September 8. At the holding room before the hearing at the Grade 1 Area Court in the Kabusa area of Abuja, Mr Edude owned up to this reporter, saying he did what he was accused of because he needed money. Not new to being taken into custody, one of his brothers told his counsel, it was the reason his family members abandoned him. Citing sections 351 and 353 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Mr Aderinboye argued in court that the defendant should be discharged in the interest of justice. He is young and remorseful and he has also been detained since July, he urged the judge, as he gestured towards a straight-faced Mr Edude who wore a white top with ripped blue jeans and a saggy brown mask. But again, the plaintiff was absent in court. The defendant was granted bail in the sum of N400,000 with a reliable surety, and the case was again adjourned to September 22. But before the adjourned date, Mr Aderinboye left the country for Belgium to begin his Masters programme. I havent heard from him (since then), Mr Aderinboye said in December, adding that Mr Edude would be taken back into custody if he jumps bail, or if the matter continues on the merit hes found guilty. President Muhammadu Buhari has signed Nigerias 2022 budget into law. He signed the budget at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. The signing of the budget comes two weeks after the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill presented by the president a few weeks earlier. The lawmakers had approved a total expenditure of N17.1 trillion against the N16.3 trillion proposed by the president in October. Over N700 billion was added to the proposed appropriation. The National Assembly also increased the Oil Benchmark Price from $57 to $62. The increase, they said, was to reflect the current market values of the oil barrel in the international market. Nigerias daily oil production rate was pegged at 1.86 million per barrel. In the budget, statutory transfer was put at N869.6 billion, debt service at N3,88 trillion, recurrent (non-debt) expenditure at N6.9 trillion and capital expenditure at N5.46 trillion. Those who witnessed the signing of the budget include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. With the presidents assent, the bill has become law and the implementation is expected to commence in January for the 2022 fiscal year. Although President Muhammadu Buhari signed Nigerias 2022 budget into law on Friday, he raised reservations about some of its content, particularly the worrisome changes made by lawmakers. Mr Buharis remarks were contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, to announce the presidents signing of the budget. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the president signed the budget at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. The signing of the budget came two weeks after the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill presented by the president a few weeks earlier. The lawmakers had approved a total expenditure of N17.1 trillion against the N16.3 trillion proposed by the president in October. Over N700 billion was added to the proposed appropriation. The National Assembly also increased the Oil Benchmark Price from $57 to $62. The increase, they said, was to reflect the current market values of the oil barrel in the international market. Nigerias daily oil production rate was pegged at 1.86 million per barrel. In the budget, statutory transfer was put at N869.6 billion, debt service at N3.88 trillion, recurrent (non-debt) expenditure at N6.9 trillion and capital expenditure at N5.46 trillion. Buhari Speaks on Budget Increase During the budget signing ceremony, Mr Buhari explained that of the N735 billion increase in total expenditure, N186.53 billion came from additional critical expenditures that he had authorised the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to forward to the National Assembly details of which he said will be made public. He also said the 2023 Budget will be a transition budget which will be submitted early to the National Assembly. In this regard, he directed Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, more specifically with the Budget Office of the Federation, to realise the objective. Worrisome changes Despite the commendations he had for the National Assembly, the president also expressed reservations on some changes to the budget which he described as worrisome. Some of the changes, he noted, are the increase in the federal governments projected Independent Revenue by N400 billion; for which, he said, the justification is yet to be provided. The president also complained that the National Assembly reduced the provisions for the Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively. This is particularly worrisome because personnel cost provisions are based on agencies nominal roll and approved salaries/allowances. Furthermore, an increase of N21.72 billion in the Overhead budgets of some MDAs, while the sum of N1.96 billion was cut from the provision for some MDAs without apparent justification. Increase in the provision for Capital spending (excluding Capital share in Statutory Transfer) by a net amount of N575.63 billion, from N4.89 trillion to N5.47 trillion. More changes The National Assembly also made reductions in the provisions for some critical projects, some of which the president frowned at. The reductions include N12.6 billion in the Ministry of Transports budget for the ongoing rail modernisation projects; N25.8 billion from Power Sector Reform Programme under the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; N14.5 billion from several projects of the Ministry of Agriculture, and introducing over 1,500 new projects into the budgets of this ministry and its agencies. Mr Buhari also queried the lawmakers for including new provisions totalling N36.59 billion for National Assemblys projects in the Service Wide Vote which, he said, negates the principles of separation of powers and financial autonomy of the legislative arm of government. The changes to the original Executive proposal are in the form of new insertions, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects. Provisions made for as many as 10,733 projects were reduced while 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly. The cuts in the provisions for several of these projects by the National Assembly may render the projects unimplementable or set back their completion, especially some of this Administrations strategic capital projects. Most of the projects inserted relate to matters that are basically the responsibilities of State and Local Governments, and do not appear to have been properly conceptualised, designed and costed. And many more projects have been added to the budgets of some MDAs with no consideration for the institutional capacity to execute the additional projects and/or for the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required. Advertisements The president also expressed surprise that despite the National Assemblys increase of projected revenue by N609.27 billion, the additional Executive request of N186.53 billion for critical expenditure items could not be accommodated without increasing the deficit, while the sum of N550.59 billion from the projected incremental revenues was allocated at the discretion of National Assembly. He said he signed the budget to enable implementation to start from January 2022 but would revert to the National Assembly with a request for amendment and/or virement when the lawmakers resume from their current recess. Those who witnessed the signing of the budget include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other members of the Federal Executive Council. With the presidents assent, the bill has become law and the implementation is expected to commence in January for the 2022 fiscal year. The November 2021 oil spill in Nembe, Bayelsa State, started at least three days earlier than the owner of the well and the federal government publicly acknowledged, a PREMIUM TIMES investigation has found. The spill, one of Nigerias worst in recent years, lasted more than a month and caused extensive environmental damage with more than a hundred thousand barrels of oil spewed into the environment, according to expert estimates. Our review of the disaster has shown that oil and gas fumes from a wellhead operated by the Nigerian firm, Aiteo, caused large scale destruction of aquatic lives and damaged water bodies and farms. Residents have also reported health problems after the incident occurred. Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, the operator of the well said it reported the spill on November 5, and the Federal Ministry of Environment said the incident started November 5. Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), Operator of the NNPC /Aiteo Joint Venture of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 on Friday, 5 November 2021, reported a hydrocarbon well head leak in its Santa Barbara, Southwest field, in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the company said in a statement on November 22. It added: Immediately upon noticing the leak, Aiteo notified all relevant regulatory agencies and thereafter mobilized containment resources to limit impact on the environment. As required, Aiteo promptly called for a Joint Inspection Visit (JIV). Due to the high-pressure effusion, the JIV team could not reach the location and that inspection was aborted. The environment ministry, which is the regulatory ministry, was more categorical: It can be recalled that the spill occurred on Nov. 5, 2021, in a form of fountain within the proximity of Opu Nembe Community at Well 1, Wellhead located at the Southern Field of Sant Barbara, it said in a statement by Saghir el Mohammed, its press director, on November 23. Upon receipt of the report of the incident, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), was set up, the government added. But PREMIUM TIMES has learned from witnesses and local officials that the blowout occurred days earlier, and the firm and the regulator were informed before the date they announced. They only began to take action on November 5. The law requires that companies report and respond to spills within 24 hours of learning about them. Failure to do so attracts daily fines for the duration of the delay. Because the fines are dismal N500,000 a day activists say oil companies sometimes feel no urgency to respond until the situation attracts public attention. They also said that while Aiteo merely said it reported the incident on November 5, the governments outright declaration that the spill took place November 5 means it believed Aiteo had met the requirements of the law. The spill was observed by Aiteo surveillance team on 4th November and confirmed by Aiteo operations team @ about 730Hrs on 5th November, 2021. It was reported to the Commission on Friday 5th, which was within the 24-hour limit stipulated by law, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission told PREMIUM TIMES in a message on Friday. The director general of NOSDRA, Idris Musa, also told PREMIUM TIMES the spill began on November 4 and Aiteo reported on November 5. Aiteo did not respond to our calls and messages. But several witnesses, including fishermen and security personnel who witnessed the start of the spill, said the incident occurred on November 1 controverting both the operating firm, Aiteo, and the government. The spill started on November 1 and the community members reported to us on November 2, the same day we escalated it to NOSDRA, said Mike Karikpo, the Director of Programmes at Environmental Rights Action, the Nigerian chapter of Friends of the Earth International. Devastating Spill Rotten, discoloured, and mired in sticky crude oil, the fish and crab carcasses Nengi James kept in an old refrigerator in his modest Bayelsa bungalow were causing an overpowering stench as he brought them out a late afternoon in December. Mr James, a veteran of the Niger Delta environmental and resource justice struggle at the height of the oil-rich regions crisis, had picked the animals dead and washed up from parts of Nembe creeks and the Santa Barbara River. The waters are now blighted by sheens and patches of oil, darkened and grey-brown at different parts. In addition to the animals, Mr James also collected polluted water samples using bottles aboard a boat sailing across the river, which meanders through the Delta area and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The deaths of the aquatic lives followed the oil spill at the OML 29 Well 1 platform an active but for long, a non-producing installation at Worikumakiri in the Santa Barbara River, Nembe area of Bayelsa State operated by Nigerias largest domestic oil firm, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company. Owned by billionaire businessman Benedict Peters, reported in the Pandora Papers to have allegedly bribed fugitive former Nigerian oil minister Alison Diezani-Madueke for favours, Aiteo acquired OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line from Royal Dutch Shell in 2015 in a deal that Shell said was worth $1.7 billion. (Mr. Peters has denied bribery allegations.) OML 29 stretches over an area of 983 square kilometres, producing 43 thousand barrels per day in 2014, and the Nembe Creeks Trunk Line is 100 kilometres long with a capacity of 600 thousand barrels per day, according to Shell. It is a large block and also contains significant associated gas volumes, the natural resources research and consultancy firm, Wood Mackenzie says. In Nigeria, oil blocks are joint ventures, JVs, involving the state-owned NNPC and exploration and production companies like Shell, ExonMobil, Total and Chevron, who are the operators. There are also domestic players like Aiteo. Aiteo and Shell are now locked in legal disputes initiated by the former, claiming the Dutch multinational made false claims about the ownership and conditions of the assets and seeking billions of dollars in damages. Advertisements Due to the degraded conditions of oil and gas facilities amid a weak regulatory system and unwholesome corporate sustainability practices, as well as vandalism by oil thieves and militants, the Niger Delta has suffered debilitating effects of environmental pollution for decades. This has fuelled widespread poverty and discontent in a region where rural populations, who barely benefit from its oil and gas wealth, depend on the environment for livelihood, mostly as fishers and farmers. Questionable Disclosure Establishing the actual date the spill began is important for a number of reasons, activists and analysts say. First, it is a measure of demonstration of transparency by oil companies that are often accused of misreporting and downplaying spills, and by regulators that regularly face allegations of bias against local communities. It also puts a spotlight on the well-acknowledged challenge of regulators having to largely rely on companies for information on oil pollution in the Niger Delta. Residents of Nembe said for at least 38 days, beginning November 1, the Aiteo Santa Barbara wellhead relentlessly spewed crude oil and associated gas from two points into the creeks and Santa Barbara River, which serves more than 50 fishing communities in Nembe. As the wellhead spurted oil into the mangroves, tides transported the liquid to the land lying on the edges of the river, devastating farmlands. Everything is destroyed, said Kellcy Ayebaemi, fisherman and youth leader for the Nembe riverine communities. Cassava, plantain, palm trees all have gone. Fishers and local officials in the area, including a security operative contracted to protect the wellhead at Worikumakiri, said the blowout happened on November 1. It was 4:30 AM on November 1 that the explosion happened, Mr. Ayebaemi said. We just heard boom. He said the night became bright from the glow of the ferociously spitting wellhead and farther away smoke filled the air. The witnesses said company officials visited the facility using a speed boat during the daytime on the same November 1 the wellhead exploded. But the company did nothing and only came back on November 5 to start containment and recovery of crude oil, said Mr. Ayebaemi. Normally, they should have acted immediately. The truth is that the regulators are weak, said Bassey Udo, founder of the business-focused website, Mediatracnet. They depend on oil companies for information on incidents. When it is offshore, the companies use their helicopter or speed boats to give the regulators access. So, companies only grant access to information they want the regulators to know, said Mr Udo, who has reported the Nigerian oil industry for over 20 years. And when the response did start on November 5, efforts were focused on containment of the crude oil flowing through the channel leading to the wellhead. The oil spurting far and into the mangroves could not be contained, witnesses said, explaining the widespread pollution of the water, the mangroves, and the surrounding land. Written questions to Aiteo and phone calls to spokesperson Mathew Ndiana-Abasi were not answered. NUPRC did not also honour a request for comment made via written questions to spokesperson Paul Osuh. When PREMIUM TIMES interviewed Mr James before regulatory officials disclosed the cause of the spill, he predicted that NOSDRA and NUPRC would blame sabotage by residents in order to absolve Aiteo of blame. NOSDRA has no boat or helicopter, companies take them to offshore sites. They cannot detect or determine anything on their own; so, the government will back Aiteo or any company. They will both say it is sabotage, Mr James said, foretelling the position Nigerian regulators would take. Eventually, officials from NOSDRA and NUPRC attributed the spill to sabotage following a controversial late December Joint Investigative Visit, JIV, which is a statutory probe involving regulators, operators, the state government, and the impacted communities. Ismail Baba-Hammed and Adetoyibo Adeyemi, respectively officials of NOSDRA and NUPRC on the JIV, said only vandalism could have caused the blowout, arguing that the pressure from the oil well was not sufficient to cause the wellhead to blow. Citing engineers that helped Aiteo plug the wellhead, the former particularly said the wellhead casing was removed, not worn out, stressing sabotage. The Nigerian military has blocked access to the malfunctioned wellhead and the surrounding impacted riverine communities, barring activists and journalists from the area. Only those sanctioned by the government or the company can visit the site. Apart from the military at the Santa Barbara River area, Aiteo has a contracted private security outfit dedicated to the protection of the wellhead. One of the security operatives told PREMIUM TIMES, before the regulatory officials spoke, that the wellhead had not been vandalised and the explosion was sudden. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm that. History of Spills Bayelsa State, which holds no real powers in Nigerias natural resource governance system that vests control of all oil and solid minerals in the federal government, faulted the regulators position. Both parties barely cooperated during the JIV. An initial probe visit was marred after Bayelsa State insisted on including the press to ensure transparency, a position Aiteo officials opposed. This is terribly sad and unfortunate given the fact that NOSDRA and NUPRC are supposed to be regulators and as such should be unbiased and act at all times with integrity, Biriyai Dambo, who is Bayelsas Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, as well as chair of the technical committee on the spill, said in a statement. Finally, the Government of Bayelsa State completely rejects the JIV of Wednesday, December 22, 2021. We are convinced that NOSDRA and NUPRC are biased and are playing a script in cahoots with AITEO. Faulting the procedure followed in arriving at the position that the spill was caused by vandalism, Mr Dambo said the components and accessories of the wellhead that were to be inspected had been removed and replaced, which amounted to tampering with and concealing the equipment and evidence. Residents said two minor spills had happened from the same wellhead in 2018 and 2019. Those ones happened without any response, said Moses Ayarite, a Nembe youth leader. Of the previous spills, Mr Dambo said requests by the affected communities to remediate their environment were rebuffed by Aiteo. We were shocked to note that on the day of this latest JIV, when asked about these previous incidents at the exact same wellhead, AITEO denied and NOSDRA kept silent, he said. During the course of the JIV, the behaviour and utterances of representatives of NOSDRA and NUPRC called into question their independence and neutrality. Mr Dambo maintained that the position of Bayelsa government is that the cause of the spill was equipment failure and that it would take all appropriate steps to pursue environmental justice for itself and the affected communities. He said such redress would put an end to the perennial pollution of the environment through reckless and irresponsible oilfield practice that is condoned by a weak or compromised regulatory system. Fraudulent misrepresentations While the cause of the spill continues to stir controversy, what is clear is that the infrastructure was active but non-producing, and was not decommissioned either by Shell before divesting or Aiteo after acquisition. There are regulatory matters guiding assets that are not in use or non-producing. When they are not in use or not connected to pipelines but active, there is a risk of exposure to pressure. So, they need to be temporarily or permanently abandoned and decommissioned for safety but that did not happen in the case of Nembe and that was why the spill happened, an oil engineer, who is familiar with the OML 29 facilities but sought not to be identified by name, said. Many times the multinationals divesting (from) assets in the Niger Delta are leaving near-dead, degraded assets for local businesses without a proper decommissioning programme and the regulatory system is too weak to ensure that is done either before divestment or after an acquisition to keep the environment and people safe. Experts worry about the state of the wellhead before the blowout especially given that Aiteo itself is in court demanding damages and claiming Shell had made fraudulent misrepresentations about the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, sold alongside OML 29. Aiteo says the trunkline was in a more degraded condition than advertised by Shell. The oil engineer suggested that Aiteo may consider legal actions to push blame to Shell if it becomes apparent it would pay compensations to affected communities or bear heavy cleanup costs. No preparedness for spill emergency Besides its delayed reporting, Aiteo has also been criticised for its state of preparedness for spill emergencies. The company only succeeded in late November in calling in Halliburtons Boots and Coots to deal with the spill that was apparently beyond its capacity. PREMIUM TIMES findings showed that although there is no law compelling companies to do so, many corporations have plans in place in anticipation of spill emergencies. One common way is to subscribe to Oil Spill Response Limited, OSRL, of Southampton in the United Kingdom, an industry-funded cooperative for spill preparedness and response. OSRL has among its shareholders, called participant members, Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Petrobas, and Total, among others. According to information on its website, OSRL also allows associate members with a joining fee of 6,500 British pounds and annual subscription rates between 34,433 pounds and 275,466 pounds depending on the volume of production and number of sites. OSRL promises a ready and seamless spill response. Its associate membership is open to non-shareholding firms and companies like Aiteo could subscribe. A list of its associate members includes Oriental Energy Resources Limited and Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, two Nigerian companies among scores of others based in several countries. Aiteo does not have the technical capability to respond to the spill and also does not have a subscription with OSRL, which could have mobilised an immediate response action, a senior regulatory official told PREMIUM TIMES, asking not to be identified by name. Thats a problem. The consequence of lacking preparedness by Aiteo was that it had to start looking for experts, negotiating contracts, thereby causing an avoidable delay in stopping the spill, the official said. In December 2011, Shell called in OSRL in response to the Bonga oil spill, also in Bayelsa State, and within seven days the spill was stopped. The definite volume of crude oil spilled following the Aiteo Nembe blowout is not yet known but it is expected to be hundreds of thousands of barrels, activists have estimated. The Bonga spill of seven days, due to a cut in a hose in the course of transporting crude oil into a tanker, led to the discharge of an estimated 40 thousand barrels into the Atlantic Ocean, according to Environmental Justice Atlas. If any fish enters it, it is dead Promise Okubo, who was at Worikumakiri when the wellhead exploded, took a dive into the river, uncertain about what had happened, and swam to a side where he was rescued by Nigerian Navy personnel. Now, sick with breathing difficulties after he braved smokes, he has been visiting local medicine stores. But he requires proper testing to determine his true condition and for proper medication in a hospital, said Mr Ayebaemi. Apart from Mr Okubo, other residents are reporting breathing difficulties. People especially those who have remained in the area since the spill started are not breathing well and it is difficult for them to leave because this is where they have always known as home and where their survival lies. Methane, a greenhouse gas, is a main component of natural gas that the wellhead was spewing alongside crude oil for weeks. At high concentrations, methane exposure can lead to poisoning and and when inhaled cause less oxygen required to breathe, a chemist, Saheed Agboluaje, explained. Citing a medical research article, Mr Agboluaje further said methane inhalation can lead to acute respiratory conditions. This is why medical attention that involves testing is paramount, Mr. Ayabaemi added, placing a demand on Aiteo, which he said had brought relief materials following a protest in early December when the wellhead was still spewing crude oil and gas. But it is not worth it; what we want is to recover our livelihoods, not wait for handouts. Any relief materials, bags of rice, we manage ourselves with them for the moment. When they finish, the hunger returns. We are just there. Interpreting a raging aged fisherwoman, whose net had drawn dead fishes, he said, once you throw your net into the water, you cannot easily bring it out because of the impact of the crude oil. And if any fish enters it, it is dead or bloated with changed colour and a few moments it will die. We cannot do anything. We cannot fish. Mr. Agboluaje, the chemist, said hydrocarbon pollution on water makes oil cover the surface of the water, thereby blocking oxygen exchange and causing death of fishes. Popular among aquatic animals in the area are periwinkles, tilapia, crabs, barracuda, schoolmaster snapper, and croaker locally called broke marriage. The oil wey dey there no small, a paddler at Shell-kiri, another affected fishing community said, using Nigerian Pidgin commonly spoken in the area to mean, the oil in this water is too much. The paddler was trying to tell the residents on board the water they had depended on for consumption in addition to fishing had been contaminated This was when PREMIUM TIMES visited and the spill had stopped but sheens of oil were seen on the water. In some areas, thicker patches, completely darkening the water, could be seen. Augusta Moses, a Nembe resident, said rainwater has had charcoal-like colour since the spill. Residents of the affected riverine communities had always depended on rains to make the river water fresh and usable for consumption because during dry seasons the water could be very salty, residents said, concerned the hydrocarbon pollution of their environment may have affected precipitation. Oil from the Niger Delta has been the main source of Nigerias foreign exchange and revenue since 1970s. But the region has suffered neglect and most of the rural communities, like those around Santa Barbara River where oil is actually produced, barely enjoy any human capital enhancement services, including potable water infrastructure, education and healthcare facilities. The neglect is just one example of Nigerias wider problem of poor governance and corruption. Environmental degradation due to oil exploration and production has left populations in the Niger Delta particularly vulnerable since they mostly depend on the environment for survival as fishers and farmers. The consequences include the migration of young persons, who with limited education and skills, descend on urban centres like Port Harcourt or Yenagoa, and rely on petty jobs, and sometimes crime, for survival. When the environment is destroyed, you have poverty and definitely crimes, said Mr James. That is why you are hearing about sea piracy, kidnapping and other crimes going on in the riverine area. People cannot fish. what can they do? No excuse but there is reality. Our pieces of evidence Mr James hinted at plans to pursue legal steps to get Aiteo to compensate victims and massively clean up the environment. This matter has to be taken to court to ensure that our people get justice. But this is beyond just a Nembe matter, Bayelsa State Government has put together a technical committee, and Ijaw National Congress is working on it, some interest groups are also on it. The Senate must also look into it. Mr James, who is the second vice-president of Ijaw National Congress, an activist socio-cultural organisation, demanded an an independent scientific investigation of the Nembe spill to determine the impacts on flora and fauna and the effects on our people. For Mr James and his Nembe people, the experience of the Ogoni people in the neighghouring Rivers State, who have suffered decades of environmental degradation due to the oil industry activity and endured struggles, including in courts, to gain compensations and have a process to cleanup their environment commence, is a lesson. The cleanup is happening in Ogoni land because of the seriousness of the Ogoni people and their organised processes. If you do not work for yourself, nobody will do it for you, Mr James said. Referring to the fish and crab carcasses and water samples with oil sediments at the bottom in bottles, he said, these are our pieces of evidence, for the records, for legal actions to ensure justice for people. Five people were killed on Thursday in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, when some gunmen attacked a motor park in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, said in a statement on Friday that the gunmen, whom he said were armed robbers, shot dead three persons at the park in Udu Local Government Area of the state. Two of the four robbers were shot dead during a gun battle with the police, while others escaped, said Mr Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police. The police said they got information that the robbers were firing gunshots at about 10 a.m. at the motor park. The Commissioner of Police Delta State, Ari Muhammed Ali, directed the DPO, Ovwian Aladja, to go after the hoodlums. The hoodlums on sighting the police escaped towards Udu-Otokutu Expressway in a red mercury mariner jeep with registration number, Abuja KWL 895 RQ. On getting to Igbeki in Ovwian Aladja they attempted to attack one chief (name withheld), unknown to them the chief had a team of Special Protection Unit (SPU) operatives escorting him, Mr Edafe said. He said the robbers diverted to another street because of the presence of the SPU operatives. The combined team of SPU operatives and Ovwian Aladja Patrol teams led by the DPO Ovwian Aladja Division went after the hoodlums. The police said they recovered from the robbers one AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, three cut-to-size locally made guns, and an SUV. Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing, the police spokesperson said. A week after PREMIUM TIMES reported the plight of staff members at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), over unpaid salaries, the anti-corruption agency has cleared the arrears. The workers had spent the Christmas period without being paid their November and December salaries. PREMIUM TIMES reported on Christmas Eve how workers of the agency decried the non-payment of their salaries, which they said had brought misery upon them. The CCB is of one Nigerias anti-corruption agencies with the sole mandate of assets verification of public officers in the country. In spite of its crucial responsibility in tackling widespread heist in Nigerias public sector, the agency has grappled with poor funding, a development CCB workers say exposes assets verification officers to kickbacks from politicians who want to beat the system. Most personnel of the CCB have become beggars; from fare to food, we ask relatives and friends to get by. We are dying of hunger, a distraught staff member had told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview last week. Our salaries have been paid Workers But elated workers on Friday morning told this reporter that they were finally paid on Thursday, about two days to the New Year. One of the workers who pleaded anonymity said they were paid both November and December salaries on Thursday. Yesterday (Thursday) morning, I received my November salary. A few hours later, I received another bank alert for my December salary, a CCB staff member told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday. Another worker said, It was like a dream on Thursday when I received payments for both November and December salaries, adding, One was in the morning while the other was in the after. Honestly, we cant thank PREMIUM TIMES Newspaper enough for bringing our plight to Nigerians and the world, an excited staff said of this papers reportage of the issue. After friends and relatives read PREMIUM TIMES report over the unpaid salaries, they reached out to me, and my family was able to celebrate Christmas, the worker noted of the reports impact in addressing his hardship. Everybody has been paid up to December, Babs Ogunjimi, CCBs Director of Finance and Accounts confirmed in a telephone interview on Friday. Mr Ogunjimi had explained last week that the federal government was working hard to clear the backlog of salaries. Backstory Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja last month, the Chairman of the CCB, Mohammed Isah, said Our staff are poorly paid. Mr Isah, a professor of law, ventilated his agencys operational encumbrances. Top on the list was poor manpower for an intractable problem of corruption in Nigerias public service. We have less than 800 personnel across the country for 10 million public officers whom we are investigating their assets, Mr Isah lamented, warning of the danger ahead if new persons are not recruited to replace the deceased and retired. On budgetary allocations, Mr Isah said some persons were out to strangulate the bureau by starving it of funding. We get N36 million as overhead per release, and this year, we have received nine releases of N297 million (in total, instead of N324 million), he had explained. Monitoring more than 10 million public officers is not easy, Mr Isah revealed of the manpower shortage. Of all its mandate, verification is one of the most, if not the most tedious exercise. It is capital intensive. Despite the above, and the fact that the bureau is poorly funded considering our budgetary allocation, we are determined to go ahead with the process to ensure the success of the fight against corruption, he had assured. CCB 2022 budget PREMIUM TIMES analysis shows that, among the countrys anti-graft agencies, only the CCB, a perennially underfunded body set up to handle asset declarations of public officers across all levels of government, is billed to take a cut up to nine per cent from its 2021 budget in the coming year. The CCB has proposed a budget of N2.9 billion for 2022. The amount is a decrease of 9.4 per cent from the N3.2 billion appropriated for it in the 2021 budget. Of this, N1.7 billion is earmarked for Salaries and Wages while N22 million is proposed for Local Travel and Transport for Training, and N120 million for Local Travels and Transport Others. In the proposed budget of the bureau, Utilities will gulp N15 million, Materials and Supplies is to take N41 million, office rent, N24 million, and refreshment N7 million. Advertisements The Oyo State government has promised to rehabilitate all destitutes, beggars and the mentally ill people evacuated from the streets of major towns in the state. Kafilat Olayiwola, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, made the promise in Ibadan on Friday during the evacuation exercise in Ibadan, the state capital. Mrs Olayiwola said the state government is determined to rid the streets of destitutes, beggars and mentally-challenged people and keep them in a rehabilitation centre. The exercise is to ensure that the lives of the evacuees and that of the general public are safe and secured. Their presence in the society poses danger, as some of them can be agents for criminals. So, we are going to profile them and engage some in skill acquisition programmes aim at enhancing individuals capacity to build a better life. Those with mental health challenges will be moved to psychiatric section at the Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan, for medical attention. The commissioner said the state government had taken a stance on the increasing numbers of destitutes and beggars swarming around major areas, such as Mokola, Iwo Road, New Gbagi Market and Ojoo in the state capital. She said the exercise would be a continuous one, noting that the wellbeing of all evacuees would be adequately catered for. Also, Ademola Aderinto, the special adviser on Environment to Governor Seyi Makinde, said that destitutes, beggars and mentally ill people were constituting environmental hazards on the streets and at strategic locations in the state. Mr Aderinto said the state government, through the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Ministry, were intensifying efforts to address the menace. He reiterated that all the evacuees would be adequately taken care and treated at the rehabilitation centre, and thereafter engage them in what would add value to their lives. Meanwhile, cross section of Ibadan residents commended the state government for evacuating the destitutes and beggars. Commenting, Arinola Adedeji, a trader at Iwo Road, urged the state government to make the evacuation exercise a routine one to discourage begging. Mrs Adedeji also appealed to the government not to allow the evacuees to escape from the rehabilitation centre. Another trader at Mokola Roundabout, Jude Oraka, urged the state government to make the rehabilitation centre condusive for the evacuees so that they would not leave the place. (NAN) The surge in COVID-19 infections has consistently been on the rise in Nigeria, as the fourth wave of the pandemic ravages the country. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed two additional fatalities and 1,139 new infections on Thursday, thereby increasing the infection toll to 241,513. The latest data shows that Rivers State in the South-south tops the infection chart with 420 cases, relegating Lagos State, the epicentre of the disease, to the second position on the log with 324 cases. While the fatality toll increased to 3,030, the NCDC noted that 214,003 persons have been successfully treated and discharged nationwide. Breakdown Apart from Rivers and Lagos states, the breakdown of the NCDC data shows that Oyo State in the South-west ranked third on the log with 81 cases. Next on the log are Gombe State with 47 cases, Akwa Ibom State with a backlog of 41 cases for December 27 to 29, 2021; Kaduna and Niger states with 36 cases each and Ondo State that reported 35 cases. The FCT also recorded 29 cases and Delta State, 18; Edo, 15; Ogun, 14 and Kano State, 12. While Cross River recorded nine cases, Ekiti and Kebbi reported eight cases each; Nasarawa, four cases, while Enugu and Jigawa States recorded a single case each. The NCDC noted that Osun, Plateau and Sokoto states reported that no cases were recorded on Thursday. Vaccination In order to curb the spread of the pandemic, the Nigerian government has insisted on vaccination for citizens and has consistently monitored the performance of each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Meanwhile, the latest statistics released by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) on Wednesday, shows that some states have been doing well while others are performing poorly. The NPHCDA in its ranking said Nasarawa State, North-central Nigeria, has vaccinated a total of 31.63 per cent of its targeted population in the countrys drive to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population by middle of 2022. The ranking also listed Jigawa State, North-west Nigeria, as the second on the log with 29.03 per cent, followed closely by Ogun State in the South-west with 17.24 per cent of the targeted population. Oyo ranked fourth with 13.67 per cent. Kwara State in the North-central region ranked fifth with 10.36 per cent of the targeted population. However, apart from Osun, Zamfara, Delta, Cross River and Gombe States which ranked 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th on the log respectively, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu ranked 37th, 36th, 35th, 34th, and 33rd respectively. According to the statistics, Bayelsa State has only vaccinated 0.69 per cent of its targeted population while Akwa Ibom State has done 0.92 per cent. Imo State has vaccinated 1.08 per cent while both Ebonyi and Enugu have only done 1.28 and 1.38 per cent of the targeted population respectively. Apart from Sokoto State which ranked 31st on the log, poor performing states are found in the South-southern and South-eastern regions of the country. Abia State ranks 32nd while Edo State, which was the first to declare mandatory vaccination policy in the country, ranked 30th on the log. President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, signed Nigerias 2022 budget into law. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the signing of the budget comes two weeks after the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill presented by the president a few weeks earlier. The lawmakers had approved a total expenditure of N17.1 trillion against the N16.3 trillion proposed by the president in October. Over N700 billion was added to the proposed appropriation. In his speech at the ceremony, the president questioned the worrisome changes made by lawmakers to the budget. Read Mr Buharis full speech at the signing ceremony below. Speech by his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the signing into law of the 2022 appropriation bill and the 2021 finance bill presidential villa, abuja. Friday, 31st December, 2021 PROTOCOLS I am delighted to sign into law today the 2022 Appropriation Bill as well as the enabling 2021 Finance Bill. 2. I would like to thank the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all the Distinguished and Honourable Leaders and Members of the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of these Bills. 3. I also appreciate the continuing cooperation and commitment of the Ninth National Assembly to the restoration of a predictable January to December fiscal year, as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 4. The Finance Bill 2021 is particularly critical for the successful implementation of the 2022 Budget. Its passage further underscores our firm commitment to regularly support federal Appropriation Bills with Finance Bills designed to facilitate their implementation. 5. I equally appreciate the continued mutual understanding, collaboration and productive engagements between officials of the Executive and the Legislative arms of government which have made this expeditious consideration as well as passage of the Bills possible. 6. We must continue to sustain this partnership in the interest of our people in order to ensure the effective implementation of the budget and realization of its laudable objectives. 7. As you will recall, I laid the 2022 Appropriation Bill before the Joint Session of the National Assembly on 7th October, 2021, and forwarded the 2021 Finance Bill thereafter. This Administration remains committed to the early presentation of the annual appropriation bill to the National Assembly to ensure its passage before the beginning of the fiscal year. 8. As the 2023 Budget is going to be a transition budget, work will start in earnest to ensure early submission of the 2023-2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper as well as the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly. 9. Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, more specifically with the Budget Office of the Federation, to realize this very important objective. 10. The 2022 Budget that I just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N17.127 trillion, an increase of N735.85 billion over the initial Executive Proposal for a total expenditure of N16.391 trillion. N186.53 billion of the increase however came from additional critical expenditures that I had authorized the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to forward to the National Assembly. The Minister will provide the public the details of the budget as passed by the National Assembly, and signed into law by me. 11. As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, the fiscal year 2022 is very crucial in our efforts to complete and put to use critical agenda projects, as well as improve the general living conditions of our people. 12. It is in this regard that I must express my reservations about many of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the 2022 Executive Budget proposal. 13. Some of the worrisome changes are as follows: Increase in projected FGN Independent Revenue by N400 billion, the justification for which is yet to be provided to the Executive; Reduction in the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Maturing Bonds by N22 billion without any explanation; Reduction of the provisions for the Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively. This is particularly worrisome because personnel cost provisions are based on agencies nominal roll and approved salaries/allowances; Advertisements Furthermore, an increase of N21.72 billion in the Overhead budgets of some MDAs, while the sum of N1.96 billion was cut from the provision for some MDAs without apparent justification; Increase in the provision for Capital spending (excluding Capital share in Statutory Transfer) by a net amount of N575.63 billion, from N4.89 trillion to N5.47 trillion. Nevertheless, provisions for some critical projects were reduced. These include: Reduction of N12.6 billion in the Ministry of Transports budget for the ongoing Rail Modernisation projects, Reduction of N25.8 billion from Power Sector Reform Programme under the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Reduction of N14.5 billion from several projects of the Ministry of Agriculture, and introducing over 1,500 new projects into the budgets of this Ministry and its agencies. Inclusion of new provisions totaling N36.59 billion for National Assemblys projects in the Service Wide Vote which negates the principles of separation of Powers and financial autonomy of the Legislative arm of government. The changes to the original Executive proposal are in the form of new insertions, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects. Provisions made for as many as 10,733 projects were reduced while 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly. Reduction in the provisions for many strategic capital projects to introduce Empowerment projects. The cuts in the provisions for several of these projects by the National Assembly may render the projects unimplementable or set back their completion, especially some of this Administrations strategic capital projects. Most of the projects inserted relate to matters that are basically the responsibilities of State and Local Governments, and do not appear to have been properly conceptualized, designed and costed. Many more projects have been added to the budgets of some MDAs with no consideration for the institutional capacity to execute the additional projects and/or for the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required. 14. It is surprising that despite the National Assembly increasing projected revenue by N609.27 billion, the additional Executive request of N186.53 billion for critical expenditure items could not be accommodated without increasing the deficit, while the sum of N550.59 billion from the projected incremental revenues was allocated at the discretion of National Assembly. 15. I signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law to enable its implementation to commence on 1st January 2022. However, I will revert to the National Assembly with a request for amendment and/or virement as soon as the Assembly resumes to ensure that critical ongoing projects that are cardinal to this administration, and those nearing completion, do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding. 16. Despite the lingering adverse effects of COVID-19 on budget implementation, I am happy with the success recorded in the implementation of the 2021 Budget. The sum of N3.94 trillion that was provided for the implementation of capital projects by MDAs during the fiscal year has been released fully. 17. To enable MDAs to complete the implementation of their 2021 capital projects and optimize the impact of the capital budget on the economy, they have been allowed to continue to expend the funds released for their 2021 capital budgets till 31st March, 2022. I deeply appreciate the understanding and speedy action of the National Assembly on this matter. 18. As the 2022 Budget will be the last full year budget to be implemented by our Administration, its effective implementation is very critical for delivering our legacy projects, promoting social inclusion and strengthening the resilience of the economy. 19. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning will implement all measures required to ensure timely and targeted release of capital votes. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to effect early commencement of project implementation, while ensuring productive use of funds provided for achievement of the objectives set for their sectors. 20. Considering the incidence of new COVID-19 variants globally, we will ensure timely implementation of measures provided for in the 2022 Budget to contain the spread of the virus and protect our people. We continue to count on the collaboration of the State governments in our effort to protect the lives and livelihood of our people. 21. To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2022 Budget, we will further intensify our revenue mobilization efforts. I am optimistic about our ability to finance the budget considering the positive global oil market outlook and the continuing improvement in our non-oil revenues. 22. To achieve our revenue targets, revenue generating agencies, and indeed all MDAs must ensure prompt and full remittance of collected revenues. Relevant Agencies must also ensure the realization of our crude oil production and export targets. I also appeal to our fellow citizens and the business community at large to fulfill their tax obligations promptly. 23. However, being a deficit budget, the specific Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly. I count on the cooperation of the National Assembly for a quick consideration and approval of the Plan when submitted. All borrowings will be judiciously utilized and invested in our future growth and prosperity. 24. MDAs are to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and/or the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission to explore available opportunities for public-private partnerships, concessions as well as climate finance arrangements to fast-track the pace of our infrastructural development. 25. I thank the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and all who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much towards producing the 2022 Appropriation Act that I signed today. 26. Let me conclude by commending the understanding, sacrifice and resilience of our people during these challenging times. As a Government, we remain committed to improving the general living conditions of our people. We will continue to implement measures aimed at moderating the unintended negative effects of policies on the citizenry. 27. I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A police officer has been shot dead in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, by unknown gunmen. The officer was providing security for a medical outreach in a local community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday when gunmen attacked him, according to reports in the local media. Another officer is said to have been wounded in the attack. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES, Friday morning. What happened at Eziama Uli, is an example of the sacrifice we pay as police officers in service to the nation and humanity, Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said in a response to the inquiry from this newspaper. He said the information about the killing was still sketchy. He said the slain officer was providing security services. Police operatives have cordoned off the area and (an) operation is ongoing. Further details shall be communicated, the police spokesperson said. There have been deadly attacks on police facilities in Anambra and other states in the South-east. The attacks have been linked to the activities of the outlawed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been campaigning for an independent state, Biafra, which they want carved out from the region and part of South-south Nigeria. Two officers were savagely killed and their bodies burnt in November in Anambra, an action described as horrific by President Muhammadu Buhari, while the spokesperson of the Nigerian government, Lai Mohammed, said the government would go after and bring to justice those responsible for the killing. Some Nigerian leaders, especially those from the South-east, have called for dialogue with IPOB and the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial in Abuja for alleged treason, as a step to restore peace and security in the region. The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQA) on Friday shut down two Islamiyah schools indefinitely over alleged rape of a six-year-old girl and impregnation of another 12- year-old girl. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the schools, Madrasatul Ulumul Deeniya wa Tahfizul Quran, located in Rigasa, was closed over an alleged rape of a six-year-old girl in the school premises. The other Islamiyah school, not named but confirmed by NAN to be located at Tsohon Masallacin Jumaa in Kachia, Kachia Local Government, was also closed following an alleged impregnation of a 12-year-old girl by a 50-year-old teacher at the school. The overseer of the KSSQA, Idris Aliyu, who shut down the school in Rigasa, explained that the six-year-old girl was violated within the school premises and that the school authority allegedly covered it up and claimed ignorance of the incident. Mr Aliyu added that the information before the Ministry of Education showed that the victims grandmother went to the school authority to complain, but was allegedly beaten by students and teachers. He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai had ordered that the Islamiyah be shut down indefinitely until investigation is concluded and the culprit produced. He added that the headmaster of the school would be held responsible for the act until all persons in the school were profiled and the perpetrator identified by the girl. The individuals responsible for the violence against the grandmother, especially the headmaster, will also be prosecuted. This is in line with the state governments responsibility in protecting the vulnerable population in the state, he said. However, the headteacher of the school, Kabir Abdullahi, denied the allegation, saying it is not a rape. What we gathered is that an unidentified boy injured the girl in her private part with a stick. Mr Abdullahi said the case was already being investigated by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Rigasa, Abubakar Bauranya. On his part, the DPO confirmed receiving the case and equally aligned with the narrative of the headteacher of the Islamiyah school. But the grandmother of the girl, Batul Gambo, insisted that her grandchild was violated and had been confirmed by Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada, Kaduna. A medical report signed by A. Raji obtained, a medical doctor, by NAN also confirmed Mrs Gambos claim that the six-year-old was raped. Mr Rajis report attributed the bleeding to virginal bruising of the labia minora, bilaterally periureteral bruising, hematoma of the clitoris and laceration of the hymen. On the rape and impregnation of 12-year-old girl in Kachia, Mr Aliyu said she was six months pregnant. He said that the school was equally closed as directed by Mr El-Rufai, stressing that safety of the pupils could not be guaranteed. He added that the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hafsat Baba and the Commissioner for Education, Halima Lawal, would work closely with the police to investigate and ensure justice is served Meanwhile, the two schools will remain closed until investigations are concluded and the culprit prosecuted in accordance with the law, he said The Catholic Church has condemned the police invasion of the Anglican Church in Imo State to arrest Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to the former governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha. The masked officers, about 15 of them, jumped into the church when Sunday service was still going on, fired gunshots in the air, before whisking away Mr Nwosu, a former governorship candidate in Imo State. Mr Nwosu, his wife and other relatives were said to have been assaulted by the officers during the arrest. The apparent desecration of the sanctity of a place of worship at St. Peters Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area on Sunday 26th December is an added new low in the Nigerian polity, the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Augustine Ukwuoma, said in a statement, December 27. Mr Ukwuoma said Mr Nwosu is not above the law, but that the way the operatives carried out the arrest is condemnable. One wonders how long it will take before that worshiping community gets over the trauma occasioned by this sad incident. We are living in a violent and tensed up society, therefore, any action that is capable of escalating the stress in the society should be avoided, the cleric said. He called on Nigerian authorities to take steps to prevent a repeat of this breach of the Constitution, disruption of public order and desecration of a constitutionally protected place of worship. The Church must remain a House of Prayer, a sanctuary for all where we go to commune with God and receive His blessing. Therefore, it should be shielded from any unruly or belligerent behaviour, the bishop said. Mr Nwosu was released some hours later after the police flew him to Abuja on a chartered flight to take a statement from him. He said the police accused him of sponsoring insecurity in Imo. Both Mr Nwosu and his father-in-law, Mr Okorocha, who is a senator representing Imo West District, have accused the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, of being behind the arrest which they said was meant to humiliate them. The Imo State Government has denied their involvement in the arrest. The police, however, have not spoken yet on the incident. The year 2021 has no doubt been one of the toughest for Nigerians due to the spate of killings occasioned by the lingering security challenges across the country. In the course of the year, dozens of persons were either killed or kidnapped on a daily basis. Indeed, families of the kidnapped victims who were lucky to be alive struggle to pay ransoms demanded by their abductors. Aside from the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency that has plagued the North-east region for over a decade, virtually all parts of country currently battle one form of insecurity. Most parts of the North-west region are now being overrun by rampaging bandits who kidnap for ransom and kill victims who cannot pay for their freedom. The North-central, particularly Niger, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa States, is also plagued by bandits and criminal herders who in some cases attack and kill their victims. Even though Nigerian authorities claim the insurgents in the North-east have largely been degraded and are now focusing more on soft targets and solitary military formations, they are still carrying out devastating attacks in many parts of the region, especially including on military posts and formations. While criminals under the guise of herders are also causing problems in the South-west and south-south regions, the south-east region is now increasingly volatile due to secessionist crises. These criminal activities, like before, led to the death of some Nigerians who were brutally murdered and were simply victims of the security challenges confronting the country. Here are some prominent Nigerians who lost their lives due to the attacks by non-state actors. 1. Ahmed Gulak A former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, was shot dead in Owerri, the Imo State capital, in May this year. The late Gulak, who until his death was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was shot dead by some gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed separatist group, IPOB. The Imo Police command in the state, however, said the perpetrators were traced to their location where they were killed during a gun battle with security operatives. 2. Abdulkarim NaAllah Abdulkarim Na Allah, the eldest son of Bala Ibn Na Allah, was in August found dead in his room in Malali GRA, Kaduna. His father, Bala Ibn Na Allah, is the Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District. The deceased, 36, was a pilot by profession. 3. Chike Akunyili Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili, was murdered by gunmen in Anambra in September. Reports said he was shot dead while returning to Enugu from an event to honour his late wife. Residents of the South-east told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Akunyili, a medical doctor, was killed by gunmen suspected to be members of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 4. Sagir Hamida Suspected bandits, in November, shot dead a governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Sagir Hamida. Mr Hamida was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He was reportedly killed by bandits at Rijana, along Kaduna-Abuja highway, on the fateful day. Rilwanu Gadagau Bandits in December killed a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rilwanu Gadagau. Mr Gadagau was among persons kidnapped by the bandits along the Kaduna Zaria road on that fateful day. Advertisements He was the vice chairman of Giwa Local Government Area before his election into the House of Assembly in 2019. A family source said the lawmaker was abducted at a spot known as Dindin Rauga and killed by the bandits on their way to their hideout in the forest. Another source said Mr Gadagaus vehicle was attacked while he was on a call with one of his colleagues, Shehu Yunusa. Imo traditional rulers Two traditional rulers were killed at a function in Imo State, October this year. The slain traditional rulers were identified as E. Duruebere of Okwudor autonomous community and Sampson Osunwa of Ihebinowerre autonomous community, both in Njaba. The gunmen were said to have stormed a meeting of some traditional rulers and stakeholders at Nnenasa and opened fire, killing the two traditional rulers instantly. The shooting caused those who attended the meeting to scamper for safety. Again, in December, gunmen murdered Edwin Azike, the traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mike Abatam, the traditional ruler was killed a day after he was abducted. His lifeless body was recovered inside his vehicle along the road leading to the market square in the community. The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, affirmed a court judgement reinstating a colonel compulsorily retired along with 37 Army officers in 2016. A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed against the lower courts judgement by the Army authorities. The National Industrial Court in Abuja had in its judgement delivered on January 9, 2019 ordered the reinstatement of Danladi Hassan, a colonel, who was wrongfully retired compulsorily along with 37 others in 2016. According to PR Nigeria, the trial judge, Sanusi Kado of the National Industrial Court, had held that the Nigerian Army failed to convince the court about the disciplinary grounds for the compulsory retirement of the claimant. He declared the letter of compulsory retirement null and void and of no effect. Rather than comply with the industrial courts verdict, the Army authorities comprising, Nigerian Army itself, the Nigerian Army Council, the Chief of Army Staff, the Armed Forces Council, and others, opted to appeal against the decision. But, dismissing the appeal and affirming the industrial courts decision on Friday, Stephen Adah, who read the lead judgement of the three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, held that the appellants case lacked merit. PR Nigeria reports that the Court of Appeal held that the appellants failed to justify their claim that the lower courts verdict was perverse. The findings of the Court of Appeal showed that the lower courts decision was based on the evidence presented before it by parties, Mr Adah said. The court also dismissed the technical argument of the appellants that Mr Hassans case before the lower court was incompetent. It held that contrary to the appellants claim, Mr Hassan complied with the condition precedent as required under Section 178 of the Armed Forces Act, before approaching the court. The lower court had elaborate consideration of all the facts, both from the accusers, the accused person and their witnesses before coming to the conclusion that the exercise of compulsory retirement was done in error. It was in that respect that the court now held that the compulsory retirement of the claimant was declared null and void; letter of compulsory retirement also set aside and he was ordered to be reinstated and a letter issued to that effect, reinstating him into the Nigerian Army with all rights and privileges. There is no piece of evidence that is contrary to what the court has said. So, there is nothing that is perverse by the findings of the lower court, PR Nigeria quoted Mr Adah as ruling on Friday. The Court of Appeal added that an appellate court would not interfere with the findings of the lower court where the lower court has made correct and straightforward findings of facts. ALSO READ: Court nullifies dismissal of Army General The trial court did excellently well in this case, and we have no need to interfere with the findings of the court. It is in this respect that we come to the conclusion that this appeal is lacking in merit. It is grossly lacking in merit, and it is hereby dismissed. The decision of the lower court is upheld and all the decisions made therein, are also sustained, Mr Adah added. The Court of Appeals judgement came about three weeks after the National Industrial Court ordered the reinstatement of A.S.H. Saad, a brigadier general, who was one of the 38 officers wrongly dismissed by Army authorities in 2016. Background PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Messrs Saad and Hassan along with 36 others were forced out of service without recourse to the rules of disengagement in the Nigerian military. Most of the affected officers were neither queried nor indicted by any panel, but got flushed out for reasons that smack of high-level arbitrariness and witch-hunting by authorities of the army. The officers subsequently petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with the militarys rules to seek redress. But even after petitioning the president, two years after, their fates still hang in the balance. Mr Buhari has refused to respond to their petitions, raising suspicion that the president was complicit in the illegality that defined the dismissal of the officers. PRNigeria reports that on August 6 August 2014, the 25 Task Force Brigade led by Mr Hassan carried out a special operation and recaptured the earlier seized towns of Bulabulin and Damboa from the Boko Haram terrorists. Advertisements Mr Hassan, according to the news platform, was the Commander of the 7 Division Garrison responsible for the security of Maiduguri and its environs before he was directed to lead the operation. My hope and prayer for 2022 is the beginning of the task of reconstructing the Nigerian state. We cannot allow our political community to continue to crumble and suffer the outcome of state collapse. Rebuilding the state must take the form of a new approach based on good governance, in which there is the effective, transparent and accountable use of public resources to provide public goods for citizens. On this last day of 2021, my closing thoughts are focused on the message from the Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari, that residents of the State should arm themselves and confront bandits, because security officials alone cannot tackle the escalating insecurity. Katsina, like other North-Western States of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi, have suffered the worst year in their history, as armed bandits killed people with impunity, raped their women and girls, kidnapped people for ransom, taxed communities and burnt down those who refused to pay their tax. They have now reached the stage of appointing new traditional rulers for the people, just as the British did one hundred and twenty years ago. In other words, there is a new sheriff in the country and they are in charge. It was in this context that Governor Masari called a press conference to say: 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. Other governors have made similar comments. Our rulers are telling us that they can no longer provide for our security and welfare, as such we should defend ourselves the best we could. In plain language, the Nigerian state is telling us, the citizens, that it has abdicated its responsibility to govern. As we all know, from Political Science 101, when the states can no longer govern, other actors take over the responsibility. The key feature of the Buhari administration is this abdication of the responsibility to govern. What those in power have refused to abdicate is enjoyment of the privileges of power at our expense the sumptuous state dinners, the aeroplanes, the government houses and, above all, pocketing the money in our treasuries. 2022 must become the year of citizen agency. As our rulers have stopped governing, they must also stop enjoying from our treasuries. The cessation of governance has had a huge impact on the fundamentals in our economy and society. I will illustrate this with a few numbers from Stears economic review this week. 70 million Nigerians are in the labour force, and 23 million of them are unemployed, while another 16 million are underemployed. Just 17 per cent of Imo States labour force is in full employment. In fact, there are almost twice as many people in Imo who are willing and able to work but cant find work, than those actually working full-time. Only one in five people in Adamawa who are willing and able to work actually have full-time jobs. The same with Jigawa. More than a quarter of the working-age population in Cross River do not have any recorded job. Economic distress has been worsened by non-governance and the Nigerian precariat, the vast army of unemployed youth living precariously, is exercising its agency. the Nigerian state is undergoing a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and it is generated mainly by public corruption over the past four decades, which has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels, threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg. The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism, the Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder killings, agitations for Biafra Stears points out that there is a bright spot in 2021, in economic sectors where government is absent. It has been a bumper year for Nigerian start-ups, who raised at least $1.4 billion in funding during the year. Start-ups like Flutterwave and Piggyvest are flexing their acquisition muscles. The governments only economic strategy is to continue to borrow, making the argument that we have very little debt, in comparison to our GDP. The reality, however, is that this year we are spending 87 per cent of your earnings in repaying debt. Nigeria is broke and the government is mortgaging our future. On the COVID-19 pandemic, God has been kind to Nigeria and the massive scale of infections that some feared would be in tens of millions did not happen and if it did happen, was not as virulent as expected. Although the number of cases reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) must be a tiny fraction of the real number, nonetheless its health impact has been limited. The social and economic impacts of the pandemic were, however, massive, especially the effect of the lockdowns on the informal sector. Moving forward, it appears we will have to learn to live with the disease. In this context, the failure of government to vaccinate 60 per cent of the population, as promised, is simply another addition to non-governance. As I have repeated so many times in this column, the Nigerian state is undergoing a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and it is generated mainly by public corruption over the past four decades, which has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels, threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg. The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism, the Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder killings, agitations for Biafra, militancy in the Niger Delta and indigene/settler conflicts. The third element relates to the frustration of the countrys democratic aspirations in a context in which the citizenry believes in true democracy, although they are confronted with a reckless political class that is corrupt, self-serving and manipulative. 2021 will be remembered for the considerable restriction in the civic space and massive violations of human rights. The major outcome of the crisis facing the country has been the erosion of public trust. A toxic atmosphere has developed in which different actors are suspected of developing plots to destroy others. Action of whatever type, as well as non-action or late action by governments and institutions are no longer taken at face value but are re-interpreted within narratives of coordinated plots by some groups to destroy or eliminate others or to take their land. These challenges have largely broken the social pact between citizens and the state. That is why today, Nigerians find themselves in a moment of doubt about their nationhood. It is similar to the two earlier moments of doubt we have experienced from 1967 to 1970, when we went through a terrible civil war and the early 1990s, when prolonged military rule created another round of challenges to the National Project. We survived those two moments but there is no guarantee that we shall survive the third. Nonetheless, there is a possibility that the current crisis as an opportunity to surge forward in fixing Nigeria. The major outcome of the crisis facing the country has been the erosion of public trust. A toxic atmosphere has developed in which different actors are suspected of developing plots to destroy others. Action of whatever type, as well as non-action or late action by governments and institutions are no longer taken at face value but are re-interpreted within narratives of coordinated plots by some groups to destroy or eliminate others or to take their land. As government has abdicated its constitutional responsibilities, it has not made any serious effort an effective counter-narrative to create hope. The other challenge is agency. With almost half the country living in extreme poverty, a generation of young Nigerians has emerged with nothing to lose but their poverty. They are procuring arms and engaging in violence, banditry and insurrectional acts that are precipitating the march towards anarchy. My hope and prayer for 2022 is the beginning of the task of reconstructing the Nigerian state. We cannot allow our political community to continue to crumble and suffer the outcome of state collapse. Rebuilding the state must take the form of a new approach based on good governance, in which there is the effective, transparent and accountable use of public resources to provide public goods for citizens. If those who exercise state power cannot use it to improve the lives and livelihoods of citizens, then they would have to be replaced. Our state must also recover the capacity to have the monopoly of the use of legitimate violence in society. The armed forces and the police, in particular, must be rebuilt. As the state recovers, our traditional and religious institutions, as well as civil society, have a huge role in playing their part in rebuilding the state. But then, as I argue above, our governing class has abdicated its role in running the state. Who then will start the process of rebuilding the state? That is the question for 2022. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. The vast majority of the oil revenue of Equatorial Guinea has been siphoned in the guise of funding large infrastructure projects executed by contractors with ties to President Obiangs inner circle. Education and health receive an average of 2-3 per cent of the budget, meanwhile extraction has already been declining since 2012 and the oil reserves are estimated to dry out by 2035. A first time visitor to the University of Calabar will get to learn a few interesting facts. Male and female students refer to themselves as Malabites and Malabresses. The male hostel is fondly called the Republic of Malabo. You have to wonder, what in the world has Unical got to do with Malabo, the capital of the small Central African nation of Equatorial Guinea, located on the island of Bioko and about 100 kilometres off the coast of southern Nigeria. But we will get to that in a minute. Located on the west coast of central Africa near both the equator and the Gulf of Guinea, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea consists of Rio Muni, the mainland sandwiched between Cameroon and Gabon, as well as Bioko Island (formerly Fernando Po). There are also smaller islands of Annobon and Corisco to the southwest. About 80 per cent of the people are Catholics and with a little over 33,000 in population, the Igbos, with ancestry in South-East Nigeria, are the third largest ethnic group in that country, after the Fangs and the indigenous Bubis. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land on the island of Bioko in 1471 and they named it after their lead explorer, Fernando Po. The Igbos arrived in the 18th century and were believed to have migrated there from Arochukwu, in the present day Abia State. After about 300 years in Portuguese possession, the colony was ceded to Spain, as the former could not find a way to make it profitable, hence giving Madrid access to African slaves to service her plantations in the Americas. But with many of the indigenous Bubi population decimated by disease and others resisting forced labour, Spains initial effort to take control met with great difficulty and they had trouble finding people to work the cocoa plantations. The islands economy came to depend on imported workers from all across the world, including freed slaves from Cuba and Liberia. In 1942, the Spanish and British authorities signed a labour migration agreement. By the mid-1950s, close to 16,000 workers from Nigeria, mostly Igbos, were working in Fernando Po as contract labourers. Throughout the 1940s, their labour would enable Spain to grow cocoa, coffee and practice agriculture, generally, in this colony which was then called Spanish Guinea. It took sustained effort by Barcelona-based Claretian Catholic missionaries for Spain to make inroad to the colony. As expected, petro-dollars led to a boom and the country experienced rapid economic growth. According to UNESCO, the country has the highest adult literacy rate in sub-Saharan Africa, with an average of 95 per cent. It also has the highest per capita income in Africa but thats where the good story ends. More than three-quarter of the population live below the poverty line, according to data from the World bank. Equatorial Guinea was not left out in the wave of liberation struggles that swept through the continent of Africa after the Second World War. October 12, 1968 marked the day of her independence from Spain and Francisco Macias Nguema was elected president. Soon afterwards and following the loss of privileged access to Spanish markets, the export economy tanked and the country plunged into a decade of unparalleled pro-communist dictatorship. The reign of terror that unfolded under President Francisco Macias saw to the massive clamp down on religious groups like the Catholic Church and the brutal treatment of any dissenting voice, including the Igbo contract labourers who worked in the Bioko cocoa plantations. As a result, there was a mass exodus and almost a third of the population fled the country. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo toppled his uncle Macias in a palace coup in 1979 and has ruled Equatorial Guinea every since. The economy of this small nation continued to struggle under President Obiang, with the country depending mostly on foreign aid to pay her bills. But all that would change in 1995 when Exxon-Mobil, the American oil giant, discovered oil in the country. Massive offshore discoveries, over the past decade, have boosted oil to about 380,000 barrels per day, ranking Equatorial Guinea behind only Nigeria and Angola among Sub-Saharan African producers. As expected, petro-dollars led to a boom and the country experienced rapid economic growth. According to UNESCO, the country has the highest adult literacy rate in sub-Saharan Africa, with an average of 95 per cent. It also has the highest per capita income in Africa but thats where the good story ends. More than three-quarter of the population live below the poverty line, according to data from the World bank. The wealth is distributed extremely unevenly and most of it is concentrated in the hands of the ruling family. This is why despite the oil wealth, Equatorial Guinea still ranks 144th in the 2019 human development index, which measures access to the basic necessities of life, such as healthcare and access to safe drinking water, in the world. President Obiang is the worlds longest serving president and has been in power for over four decades. With a net worth of $600 million, according to Forbes, he is easily one of the worlds richest heads of state. When the British economist Richard Auty coined the term resource curse, also known as the paradox of plenty or the poverty paradox, you know he had the African nations of Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in mind. This is the phenomenon where countries with an abundance of natural resources have less economic growth, less democracy and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources. His son, Teodoro Nguema Mangue is the Vice President and is expected to succeed his 78 year-old father. But the younger Teddy is better known as an Instagram sensation, who often posts using the hashtag, luxury living, through which he flaunts his over-the-top lifestyle, complete with a private jet, a stately mansion in Malibu, California, and keeps a fleet of vintage automobiles. He has also been the worlds largest collector of Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the pop stars iconic white glove covered in clear Swarovski crystals, for which he paid a whooping $275,000. Another son, Gabriel Obiang Lima, is the Minister for Mines and Hydrocarbons. The vast majority of the oil revenue of Equatorial Guinea has been siphoned in the guise of funding large infrastructure projects executed by contractors with ties to President Obiangs inner circle. Education and health receive an average of 2-3 per cent of the budget, meanwhile extraction has already been declining since 2012 and the oil reserves are estimated to dry out by 2035. Back to the Unical story. The University of Calabar used to be a satellite campus of the University of Nigeria untill 1975, when it was upgraded to become one of Nigerias second generation federal universities. The founders set out to build a first rate citadel of learning, which was why they commisioned John Elliot, the famed British architect known to have styled luxury brands like the seven-star Emirate palace, Abu Dhabi to design the institution. But like most things Nigeria, the dream is often grand but reality is abysmal. Typical of most public institutions in Nigeria, the new students were faced with mountainous challenges during this period. Coincidentally, this was also the time when the Nigeria government decided to evacuate about 45,000 Nigerians working in Malabo, at the peak of President Macias Nguemas reign of terror in Eqatorial Guinea. In fact, some the returnees were camped around the place that later became part of the students hostels. Unical students likened their situation to the fate of those Nigerians returnees from Malabo. When the British economist Richard Auty coined the term resource curse, also known as the paradox of plenty or the poverty paradox, you know he had the African nations of Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in mind. This is the phenomenon where countries with an abundance of natural resources have less economic growth, less democracy and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources. How can Africa rise with the likes of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo? Osmund Agbo, a public affairs analyst is the coordinator of African Center for Transparency and Convener of Save Nigeria Project. Email: Eagleosmund@yahoo.com The alumni of a secondary school in Akwa Ibom State has donated a building worth N17 million to their alma mater Methodist Secondary School, Uruan. The library building is named after Asuquo Inyang, the second principal of the school, whom the alumni described as the most visionary school principal of his era. The late Mr Inyang, when he was the principal of the school in 1975, was said to have built a modern library for the school, stocked with books and fitted with air-conditioners. He later retired as a permanent secretary in the Akwa Ibom State civil service. The library was handed over on December 16 to the Akwa Ibom State Government. Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the school compound, the President of the alumni, Inyang Ekwo, told the students of the school, We are giving you something that some of us had in our time as students. We know how the library equipped us for the future. Mr Ekwo, a Federal High Court judge and a law professor, advised the students to prepare themselves for the challenges after school and reminded them that success will embrace you only in the manner you have prepared for it. A professor of communication, John Okon, announced a scholarship for any student willing to study communications. Science laboratory is termite-infested The principal of the school, Edet Ekanem, told the members of the alumni that the infrastructure in the school has broken down and that the situation has led to 100 students taking lessons in a classroom meant for 50. (Our) science laboratory is termite-infested, he said, while appealing to the alumni, government and corporate organisations to come to the aid of the school. Mr Ekanem, who is also an old student of the school, listed other challenges of the school to include insecurity, due to absence of a perimeter fence, and inadequate teachers. The Chairperson, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board, Ekaette Okon, promised to forward the requests made by the school to the appropriate authorities for intervention. Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Issiet, Uruan, was established in 1973. The school, which had 101 pioneer students, now has a population of over 2,500 students. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, on Friday, signed the 2022 appropriation bill of N147.28 billion into law. With this, Abia State has sustained the January to December budget cycle and this budget becomes effective on January 1, 2022, Mr Ikpeazu said, according to a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the governors spokesperson, Onyebuchi Ememanka in Umuahia. The governor commended the Speaker and members of the state House of Assembly for their commitment as well as expeditious review and passage of the 2022 appropriation bill. Mr Ikpeazu assured the assembly and the people of Abia of effective implementation of the budget for the peace, order and welfare of the people of Abia. He urged ministries, departments and agencies with specific obligations that would facilitate the successful implementation of the budget to discharge their duties with seriousness. The governor called on revenue-earning agencies in the state to redouble their efforts in discharging their duties with greater transparency and a deeper sense of patriotism. The budget has a capital expenditure of N79.78 billion, while the recurrent expenditure has an outlay of N67.50 billion. The governor had on December 14 presented a 2022 budget of N147.79 billion to the state House of Assembly. The budget was reduced to N147.28 billion by the lawmakers. (NAN) Opeyemi Bamidele, a senator representing Ekiti Central and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti, says people are waiting to vote him as their next governor in 2022. Mr Bamidele, popularly known as MOB, made the assertion on Friday at his home town in Iyin-Ekiti. Addressing journalists, he said, What I need now is the ticket of our dear party to coast home to victory as APC Governorship candidate in June 2022. The aspirant said that he took care of the party when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in charge of the state for seven and half years between May 29, 2003 and October 16, 2010, after which Kayode Fayemi took over as the governor. I have been responsible for the sustenance of our party from May 29, 2003 when our leader, Niyi Adebayo left office as the first civilian Governor of Ekiti, and Oct. 16 when Dr Kayode Fayemi was sworn in as Governor of Ekiti, he said. Mr Bamidele said that he paid the rent of the building housing the party secretariat for more than seven years. I annually make available welfare packages in terms of food stuff and gift items which are usually distributed across the 16 local government areas in the state. On various occasions, I also paid the rent of various Local Government Secretariats of our dear party across Ekiti. It was also in the course of my service to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the Director-General of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation that the ghastly shooting incidence ofJune 1, 2018 happened to me, but we thank the Almighty God for saving my life to survive the incident. Between 2000 and 2002, I served as the National Director of Publicity of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and have also deployed my God-given talents, professional skills and wealth of experience in the service of our dear party from AD to AC, ACN and APC. While I was aspiring for Senate in 2010, my friends and I had the privilege to donate seven brand new buses to our party (the defunct ACN) in Ekiti. As a thorough-bred party chieftain and grassroots mobiliser, I know how to take good care of our party. Our leaders, stalwarts and teeming members and this shall not be at the detriment of Ekiti peoples growth and development, the aspirant said. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, said there was no other governorship aspirant that portrayed the kind of experience he had acquired in governance. I have served in all the three arms of the government and am bold to say that I excelled in all areas of services that I had performed and participated, Mr Bamidele said. He cautioned other aspirants on their choice of words ahead of the primaries, noting that opposition parties would catch in on that during the governorship general election. The aspirant added that it was important to run a campaign that is scientific, issue-based, one that is violence-free and promises that they would be able to fulfil. He appealed to the leadership of the party, both at the national and state levels, to create a level playing field for all aspirants. Mr Bamidele said that outcome of the primary election would determine the performances and chances of the party in its quest to win the governorship election slated for June 18, 2022. (NAN) Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday swore-in 14 new judges of the Lagos State High Court to strengthen the judiciary, by increasing the current number of judges to 70. The governor told the new judges that all eyes would be on them to dispense justice speedily, fairly and impartially, while also living above board in all circumstances. The new benchers consisting of nine females and five males are: Olubusola Adeyemi Okunuga, Adenrera Olayinka Adeyemi, Olufolake Olufolasade Oshin, Oluwatoyin Atinuke Odusanya, Olumuyiwa Oluseun Martins, Ariyike Mutiat Ipaye-Nwachukwu and Babatunde Oladapo Kalaro. Others are: Omolade Jadesola Awope, Akinkunmi Olusegun Idowu, Olalekan Ayodeji Oresanya, Mujibat Iyabode Oshodi, Ismail Olalekan Ijelu, Mosunmola Muyibat Balogun and Mathias Oluwole Dawodu. Speaking during the swearing-in of the 14 new judges at the Lagos House Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the judicial arm of government is an essential element for the proper and effective functioning of any democratic society, noting that without the honest interpretation and application of the laws of the land, society would be open to chaos. He said his administration remains committed to supporting the judiciary to fully discharge its constitutional functions and responsibilities, adding that his government is greatly fortunate to be an inheritor of a great tradition of judicial reforms and excellence in Lagos State. The standards of behaviour and practice expected of judges are among the highest and most stringent in the land. All eyes will be on you to dispense Justice speedily, yet fairly and impartially. You will be expected to live and act above board in all circumstances. In your hands lies great power: the power to punish wrongdoers and free the innocent, the power to send a strong message to society about the supremacy of the rule of law, and to contribute to the growing body of jurisprudence in the country. This power must be wielded with the utmost sense of care and responsibility. You must not only be efficient and fair but you must also be seen to be efficient and fair by all, the governor advised. While urging the judges to be committed to their constitutional duties, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: Judges who take their work seriously can do a lot to rebuild the confidence of citizens in the systems and institutions of our nation. A properly functioning judicial system will also go a long way in nurturing an environment that enables business and investment, and by extension, economic growth, and prosperity. When society prospers, there is less room for poverty to drive people to crime and criminality. Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that his administration had commenced the full digitisation of courts to ensure speedy administration of justice. He, therefore, charged the new judges to make every effort to acquaint themselves with the ongoing reforms being pursued at sub-national and federal levels; be enthusiastic about their use of new technologies and strive to always be forward-looking and innovative in their thinking. He said: We have now commenced the full digitisation of our Courts system in Lagos State. The first phase, comprising 10 Courtrooms, is nearing completion. This digitisation will help speed up court processes, enable the easy documentation and publication of accurate court transcripts, and also provide high-speed internet access for the use of Judges and other judicial personnel. Also, very importantly, we are deploying infrastructure to enable the virtual hearing of cases. This is one of the reforms whose necessity has been accelerated by the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. We are all witnesses to how the lock downs and restrictions occasioned by Covid-19 negatively impacted the administration of criminal justice. Technology has offered a way out, and we are enthusiastically embracing this option. With the infrastructure we are putting in place, Judges will be able to sit virtually, ensuring that there are no delays, while also helping manage the costs that traditionally went into ensuring that suspects are conveyed to and from Courts. In addition to the pandemic, last years wave of arson and destruction that targeted critical government facilities, including our Courts, also demonstrated to us the importance of quickly transitioning from manual recording systems to digital ones, which allow for easier and more secure storage of documents and records. The governor also commended the National Judicial Service Commission for adding to the list of 12 prospective judges earlier sent. Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), said the appointment of the new judges was necessitated by the retirement of some Judges in the course of the year. In his remarks, the Chief Judge of the State, Kazeem Alogba, advised the new benchers whom he said were chosen based on merit to operate with the fear of God. You are welcome to the judiciary of excellence. It is a family of integrity and a family of discipline. You have all been called up to duty on merit and integrity, please do not disappoint us, he appealed to the new Judges. Mr Alogba also advised the families of the new Judges to leave them to work and to continue to pray for them so that they would not falter. Speaking on behalf of the new 14 judges, Mrs Okunuga appreciated the State Government for the confidence reposed in them and promised that they would make Lagos State Judiciary proud by discharging their duty without fear, favour or affection. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Prince William community has proven resilient. The Prince William 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 Prince William Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cipia (TASE: CPIA), an auto-tech company providing automakers and fleets with advanced AI based in-cabin sensing solutions for driver and interior monitoring, announces the first purchase order (PO) from Tier 1 Technomous, and start of production (SOP) with China's largest automotive company SAIC Motor. David Tolub, CEO of Cipia said: "We are delighted to partner with Technomous and SAIC Motor, and begin the serial production of a vehicle which integrated Cipia's Driver Sense less than a year after kickoff. The integration of the system in such a short time span is a testament to the quality of the solution and service level, and offers automotive manufacturers the ability to remain at the edge of technology and safety, and enjoy a competitive advantage in the market." According to research from Continental China and non-profit organization HCVC, 74% of people who survived road traffic accidents attributed the main cause to distracted driving. With the growing number of distractions in cars coupled with an overreliance on semi-autonomous driving features, there is a clear need for technology to mitigate the dangers of distracted driving. The computer vision and AI technology powering Driver Sense, monitors and analyzes the driver's behavior by detecting visual attributes such as eyelids, pupils, gaze direction, etc., and translating them to the physiological state of the driver (drowsiness, distraction, talking on the phone, etc.), enabling life-saving warnings and actions. The Chinese automotive market has been in a steady growth state for the past two decades. In 2020, 25M vehicles were manufactured in China more than the US and EU combined, and in recent years Chinese automakers started acquiring international auto brands and targeting western markets with international brands. SAIC Motor has been the top-selling automotive manufacturer in China for 15 consecutive years, reaching a sales volume of 5.6 million vehicles across its brands in 2020. Cipia is delivering its market-leading Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Driver Sense, for integration in the Roewe RX5 MAX car model running on TI TDA4VM SoC, with production already underway. This project joins other car models already in serial production with Driver Sense on board; among them a model by a US electric vehicle manufacturer. The project with Technomous for SAIC was included in Cipia's IPO prospectus as part of the design wins and forecasted lifecycle value. About Cipia: Cipia Vision Ltd ("Cipia"), (TASE: CPIA) is a leading auto-tech company providing automakers and fleets with advanced AI based in-cabin sensing solutions for driver monitoring (DMS) and interior monitoring (OMS). Its flagship product Driver Sense employs computer vision and artificial intelligence to improve the vehicle's safety and driving experience. The company focuses on the automotive in-cabin environment, offering Driver Sense - driver monitoring software, Cabin Sense - occupancy monitoring software, and Cipia-FS10 - a driver monitoring and video telematics device for fleets. Over a decade of research and development stands behind the company's proprietary market-leading computer vision technology. Cipia is constantly pushing the boundaries of what intelligent sensing solutions can see and accomplish, for better and safer mobility. Cipia Media Contact: Lazer Cohen [email protected] 347-753-8256 Cipia Company Contact: Liat Rostock [email protected] SOURCE Cipia ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunter Douglas (AEX: HDG), the global market leader in window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products, and 3G Capital, a global investment firm and private partnership, today announced that Ralph Sonnenberg, the controlling shareholder of Hunter Douglas Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to transfer a controlling interest in the Company to 3G Capital based on a value of 175 per Ordinary Share. The Sonnenberg Family will continue to hold a 25% interest in Hunter Douglas, pro forma for the new capital structure. The Board of Directors of Hunter Douglas, represented only by its Independent Directors, unanimously supports the transaction and has entered into a separate agreement with 3G Capital and Ralph Sonnenberg to facilitate and secure a cash exit for all minority shareholders based on the same price per Ordinary Share. Completion of the transaction is subject to limited closing conditions, including approval by the general meeting of Hunter Douglas. Strategic Rationale The transaction values the ordinary shares of Hunter Douglas ("Ordinary Shares") at 175 per Ordinary Share (the "Ordinary Share Price"), implying an enterprise value of approximately $7.1 billion1. The Ordinary Share Price represents a 73% premium to Hunter Douglas' closing ordinary share price on December 30, 2021 of 101.40 and a 64% premium to Hunter Douglas' all-time high closing ordinary share price of 106.40. "3G Capital has deep respect for Hunter Douglas, its diverse portfolio of brands and the steadfast leadership of the Sonnenberg family over three generations. We are honored to be partnering with the Sonnenberg family and to work with Hunter Douglas' management team on the company's next phase of global expansion," said Daniel Schwartz, Co-Managing Partner and Alex Behring, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of 3G Capital. "Our team at 3G Capital has deep experience building consumer branded businesses over a long-term horizon, and we look forward to investing in Hunter Douglas to continue to strengthen its brands and further its expansion. Hunter Douglas' strong market position is the product of its specialized expertise built over the past century. We are committed to preserving this expertise by empowering and supporting Hunter Douglas' leadership and partnering closely with Hunter Douglas' exceptional team of founders and entrepreneurial managers and unrivaled network of dealers and fabricators." "Hunter Douglas was founded by my Father over 100 years ago and has grown into a global leader due to our commitment to innovation, entrepreneurial culture, leading brands and world class management," said Ralph Sonnenberg. "3G Capital is a well-renowned investor, operator and a strong partner for our business." Current Hunter Douglas Group Co-President and Co-CEO, David Sonnenberg, will transition to Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hunter Douglas Group after the closing of the transaction and will continue to be highly involved in the day-to-day business and business strategy, tapping into his 30 years of knowledge and active experience in the company. "We look forward to partnering with 3G Capital in the next chapter of Hunter Douglas' history. As owner-operators with a long-term investment horizon and significant experience operating global branded businesses alongside founding families, 3G Capital is a dynamic steward to continue the legacy of Hunter Douglas," David Sonnenberg, Hunter Douglas, said. "As a private enterprise, Hunter Douglas will have the opportunity to advance and expand our business while preserving the family-led culture and strong relationships with stakeholders which have been core to our success." Joao Castro Neves, a Senior Partner at 3G Capital, is expected to serve as Hunter Douglas Group CEO upon completion of the transaction. Joao Castro Neves has significant experience in consumer-facing companies growing global and local brands in both emerging and developed markets, and working closely with a network of independent wholesalers to better serve customers and consumers, including as CEO of Anheuser-Busch and North America Zone President of Anheuser-Busch InBev from January 2015 to December 2017. Joao Castro Neves is a Board Member of Kraft Heinz and Restaurant Brands International. "3G Capital and Hunter Douglas share a strong belief in durable value creation through operational excellence, entrepreneurship and a culture of meritocracy," said Joao Castro Neves, 3G Capital. "I look forward to working closely with David Sonnenberg and the Hunter Douglas management team as we accelerate Hunter Douglas' growth in partnership with our remarkable founders, managers and business partners." Transaction Details Ralph Sonnenberg and 3G Capital have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Block Trade Agreement") for the sale of a controlling interest of 75% in a holding vehicle (the "HoldCo") through which Ralph Sonnenberg currently holds 93.59% of the issued and outstanding shares in Hunter Douglas. The Block Trade Agreement values the Ordinary Shares at 175 per share, and the preferred shares of Hunter Douglas (the "Preferred Shares") held by Ralph Sonnenberg at their nominal value of 0.24 per share (the "Nominal Preferred Share Price"). The Board of Directors of Hunter Douglas, comprising for this purpose only its independent directors (the "Independent Directors"), unanimously supports the transaction, and Hunter Douglas, Ralph Sonnenberg and 3G Capital and certain of their affiliates have entered into a support agreement in relation to the transaction (the "Support Agreement"). The parties to the Support Agreement have agreed that, following consummation of the Block Trade Agreement and completion of the Asset Sale (as described below), statutory squeeze out proceedings in accordance with applicable Curacao law and Hunter Douglas' articles of association will be initiated in respect of any remaining shares in Hunter Douglas (the "Buy-Out"). In these proceedings, the position will be taken that the price of such Hunter Douglas shares will be the same as pursuant to the Block Trade Agreement for each Ordinary Share, being 175, and 0.43 for each Preferred Share in the capital of Hunter Douglas other than the Preferred Shares held by Ralph Sonnenberg (the "Preferred Share Price"), representing the latest closing preferred share price prior to this announcement. This will allow minority shareholders to benefit from the same cash price for their ordinary shares as the controlling shareholder and a better cash price for their preferred shares than the controlling shareholder, in line with the Support Agreement. In order to obtain full ownership of the Hunter Douglas business, and as requested as an essential part of the transaction by 3G Capital, Hunter Douglas and 3G Capital have agreed that immediately upon completion of the Block Trade Agreement, Hunter Douglas will sell and transfer its entire business to HoldCo (or any designated wholly-owned subsidiaries of HoldCo) (the "Asset Sale"). The purchase price payable by HoldCo to Hunter Douglas pursuant to the Asset Sale (the "Purchase Price"), which will remain indebted in the form of a note, equals the value of all Hunter Douglas' outstanding shares based on the Ordinary Share Price, the Nominal Preferred Share Price, for the Preferred Shares held by Ralph Sonnenberg, and the Preferred Share Price for the Preferred Shares held by minority shareholders. The transaction is subject to only limited conditions including anti-trust approvals and is not subject to any financing or material adverse effect condition. An extraordinary general meeting of Hunter Douglas' shareholders will be convened in connection with the transaction to adopt, among other things, certain resolutions relating to the Asset Sale. Together with its own independent financial and legal external advisors, the Independent Directors reviewed the strategic, social, financial, and operational consequences of the proposed transaction for Hunter Douglas and its various stakeholders. Rabobank in its capacity as independent financial advisor to the Independent Directors, has issued a fairness opinion confirming that the Purchase Price and the Ordinary Share Price are fair from a financial point of view. On the basis of such review, and the agreed terms for the protection of Hunter Douglas' stakeholders, including minority shareholders as laid down in the Support Agreement, the Board of Directors has unanimously concluded and resolved that providing support to the transaction supports the ongoing, sustainable success of the business and is in the interest of Hunter Douglas and all of its stakeholders. Ralph Sonnenberg, the controlling shareholder and Executive Chairman of Hunter Douglas, did not partake in any deliberations or decision-making in the Hunter Douglas Board of Directors relating to the transaction. 3G Capital has obtained, subject to customary conditions, fully committed financing for the transaction from reputable global financial institutions along with its existing equity commitments for the consideration payable under the Block Trade Agreement as well as the Buy-Out. As part of the Support Agreement HoldCo has agreed to certain non-financial covenants. Ralph Sonnenberg has committed to vote in favor of the required resolutions at the extraordinary general meeting of Hunter Douglas. It is expected that the block trade and the Asset Sale will close in the first quarter of 2022. Trading Update and Outlook In Q4, consumer confidence and trading conditions remained constructive, and Hunter Douglas expects sales to be in line with Q3. Q4 EBITDA is expected to be between USD 195 205 million. The outlook for 2022 is positive, but uncertainties remain as to when consumer discretionary spending will normalize. Hunter Douglas continues to be in a strong position. Assuming continuation of current market conditions, management anticipates delivering full-year 2022 sales and EBITDA growth of mid-single digits percent versus full-year 2021, excluding the impact from acquisitions and divestments, with an EBITDA margin in excess of 18%. Advisors Credit Suisse served as exclusive financial advisor to the Sonnenberg Family, and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. served as lead legal advisor. White & Case LLP also served as legal advisor. Loyens & Loeff served as tax counsel. Lazard served as lead financial advisor to 3G Capital. J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley also served as financial advisors. Paul Weiss served as lead legal advisor to 3G Capital, with Stibbe serving as co-counsel. Kirkland & Ellis served as financing legal counsel. Rabobank served as exclusive financial advisor and DLA Piper served as lead legal advisor to the Board of Directors of Hunter Douglas, represented by the Independent Directors. Spigt Dutch Caribbean served as legal advisor on matters of Curacao law. Hunter Douglas Profile Hunter Douglas is the world market leader in window coverings (Luxaflex) and a major manufacturer of architectural products. The Company has its Head Office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and a Management Office in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Group is comprised of 136 companies with 47 manufacturing and 89 assembly operations in more than 100 countries. Hunter Douglas employs about 23,000 people and had sales in the first 9 months of 2021 of USD 3.4 billion. The common shares of Hunter Douglas N.V. are traded on Amsterdam's Euronext and the Frankfurter Borse. Contact Leen Reijtenbagh Chief Financial Officer Tel. +31 10 486 9582 E-mail : [email protected] Website: www.hunterdouglasgroup.com Media Contact Steven Lipin / Max Dutcher Gladstone Place Partners 212-230-5930 Disclaimer This is a public announcement by Hunter Douglas N.V. pursuant to section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). This public announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Hunter Douglas' current views with respect to future events and financial and operational performance. These forward-looking statements are based on Hunter Douglas' beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events and trends that affect Hunter Douglas' future performance, taking into account all information currently available to Hunter Douglas, and are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future, and Hunter Douglas cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. A number of important factors, not all of which are known to Hunter Douglas or are within Hunter Douglas' control, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement as a result of risks and uncertainties facing Hunter Douglas. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release, and Hunter Douglas assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason. 1 Equity value converted into USD at latest EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.13 as of December 30, 2021. Balance sheet reflects reported figures from Q3-2021 filing. SOURCE 3G Capital This acquisition is a significant milestone to bringing better internet service to underserved Willamette Valley communities, said Michael Wynschenk, CEO, Hunter Communications. The outstanding employees of OnlineNW and XS Media compliment Hunter in ways that will help us serve more residential and business customers. We are very excited to acquire these successful entities and pleased to add their product offers to the Hunter technology portfolio. Hunter is always seeking new ways to strengthen its foundation, improve performance in new markets, and ensure customers receive the best service possible. Acquiring OnlineNW and XS Media allows Hunter to expand product offerings throughout Oregon and accelerates its ability to provide service to underserved communities. At the same time, the values of all organizations are aligned in providing great service and customer support. "This acquisition represents a true partnership and a great match to our company values," said Kathy Tate, CEO, OnlineNW. Like OnlineNW and XS Media, Hunter values building relationships with employees, customers and communities all while creating economic vitality and opportunity. As a larger organization with more financial resources, we will be able to increase our investment in technology and expand our service area, enabling us to serve more customers and broaden our reach to new markets." Hunter Communications now employs more than 180 workers across the state of Oregon a 30 percent growth in its workforce following the acquisition. Hunter will begin integrating its systems later in 2022, with all companies operating independently until then. Once fully integrated, customers will have access to some of the fastest fiber-optic internet in the state. About Hunter Communications Hunter Communications provides fiber optic broadband internet, data and voice services to business and residential customers in communities throughout southern Oregon and northern California. With Gig speeds, no data caps, and competitive pricing, Hunter's 2,000+mile fiber network is nationally recognized for performance and reliability. BroadbandNow recognized Hunter with four 2020 Internet Service Provider Awards, including for fastest business internet speeds in Oregon and among the top 10 nationwide. PC Magazine named Hunter top northwest ISP for gaming in 2022, above larger national brands. Founded in 1992, Hunter is headquartered in Medford, Oregon where the company established a legacy of service excellence and commitment to local communities. Hunter Communications was acquired in 2020 by Grain Management, LLC. Additional information is available at Hunterfiber.com. About OnlineNW OnlineNW is the leading provider for rural fiberoptic and fixed-wireless Internet services in the mid-valley region of Oregon. With headquarters located in McMinnville and a network covering over 2,500 square miles, OnlineNW has established itself as a trusted ally to rural and underserved communities. For this work, they received the Oregon Connections Awards for Excellence in Telecommunications Projects and Regional/Local Strategies in 2017 and went on to be ranked number 16 in Oregon Business' Top 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2020. Established in 1994, OnlineNW has built a reputation of excellence by providing rural customers with equal access to reliable, fast, and affordable Internet and voice solutions. Find out more at OnlineNW.com. About XS Media XS Media is a high-speed Internet and voice services provider for the Southern Willamette Valley. Established in 2001, XS Media was the first high-speed Internet provider in Junction City and Harrisburg and pioneered "gigabit Internet" in the greater Eugene area. In 2021 they opened an electrical services division to better support the growing needs of local businesses. As a community-centered company, they have dedicated their efforts to creating a positive impact in their region. In 2017 XS Media was acquired by OnlineNW. Learn more about their work at XSMedia.com. SOURCE Hunter Communications DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A multitude of countries host Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIPs) through which high net worth individuals can become citizens of those countries by investing in their economies. But why do these countries offer their citizenship in exchange for an investment? The answer is much more complex than just a quick boost to their economy, and that is what we will discuss in-depth in this piece. The Top Reasons Countries Offer CIPs We will cover the main reasons why countries offer citizenship by investment (CBI) and how it affects them. A Boost to the Economy The premise of CBI is granting an investor citizenship in exchange for an investment in the economy, which in some times is exactly that an investor donates a sum of money to a government development fund. The five Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts & Nevis, along with the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, all have a donation option, through which an investor pays a specific non-refundable amount of money to a government fund in exchange for citizenship for themselves and their families. You Might Also Like: Citizenship by Investment Grow Your Business In Europe This direct influx of unincumbered foreign cash can play a massive part in reviving an economy that is still growing. In 2017, CBI made up 20% of Antigua & Barbuda's GDP, while it was 25% of Dominica's GDP in 2019 and amounted to half of the government's total revenue. For smaller countries that face major natural catastrophes like annual hurricanes, this influx of money can make a major difference in the performance of the government. Long-Lasting Economic Effects Citizenship by Investment is not just about making a quick buck, but it is much more complex and influential, affecting the current generation of residents as well as the ones to come. Caribbean nations use the money in the development funds to do what is intended develop. Dominica is a prime example of how CBI funds can help create a sustainable environment. Dominica is now building a massive 370 million USD international airport which is completely funded by its Citizenship by Investment Program. The airport is set to greatly enhance the nation's tourism and commerce prospects and transform the lives of its citizens for the better. People Who Read This Article Also Read: Demand for Vanuatu Citizenship Skyrockets During Pandemic But the airport is not the only venture being funded by the CIP, as the government has begun constructing and even delivered a portion of- 5000 hurricane-resistant, affordable homes to its citizens, all courtesy of its CIP. Dominica has a population of about 71,000 residents and an average family composition of 2.7 people, which, on average, means that the country hosts about 26,000 households. The CIP-funded housing project can theoretically provide affordable, high-quality housing to about 20% of the households in Dominica. This is not to mention any future housing projects. This is a country that provides affordable housing to 20% of its population, along with an international airport, all courtesy of the CIP. Giving its Citizens a Tax Break Since the Caribbean nations and Vanuatu have a large chunk of their GDP covered by their CIPs, they can offer low or even no tax residency to their citizens and residents. In most of these nations, you won't find income, capital gains, withholding, or inheritance taxes, while corporations registered on their shores have a wide array of tax exemptions to pursue. Related Article: Mitigating Risk How a Second Citizenship Protects Citizens of Unstable Regions This tax leniency attracts even more investors and businesses to the nation, bolstering the economy further. It also attracts more investors to its CIP, which is vital to the entire framework. As the CIP generates funds, the country does not have to rely on taxes, which in turn attracts more people from high-tax countries to the CIP. It is a closed-loop cycle that benefits everyone involved. Developing its Infrastructure Caribbean nations face the threat of hurricane damage on a yearly basis. There are no major issues, but the infrastructure can get damaged, and the government has to continue to address this. Funds generated by the CIP allow them to do this quickly and efficiently. But it is not just about maintenance, as some nations are planning to build better infrastructure, such as clinics and hospitals, using CIP generated funds. For example, in 2017 St. Kitts & Nevis launched the Hurricane Relief Fund investment option within its citizenship by investment program, which provided a steady stream of income to help rebuild infrastructure after an intense hurricane season. Creation Of Jobs The Caribbean nations all boast a real estate option within their CIP, and the most common investment option there is investing in a share of a high-end resort on the island. This goes to bolster the tourism sector of the nation, as the Caribbean nations are touristic hotspots. But it does something equally important, which is creating jobs for the locals. Don't Miss: Obtaining A Caribbean Second Citizenship Has Never Been Easier These resorts must be built, which means construction workers, engineers, designers, and more will get a job building them. Local businesses can supply the materials for these giant projects, and once these resorts are constructed, someone needs to manage and work within them. the real estate option not only creates a better tourism environment but combats any hint of unemployment within the nation. Just the Tip of the Iceberg There remain various other reasons for countries to offer CIPs, such as: Attracting highly skilled migrants Mitigating against economic turmoil, especially in terms of currency fluctuation in nations such as Turkey. Diversifying the population Attracting global business people and their companies And much more. Become Part of the Cycle If you would like to discover more about CBI and how it can affect you and your family positively, all you need to do is contact us today to book a free, comprehensive consultation with one of our second citizenship experts. Savory & Partners is an accredited agent for multiple governments where citizenship by investment is offered. Founded in 1797, the agency has evolved from pharmaceuticals to family assets and legacy protection through second citizenship and residency. The company's professional, multinational staff is made up of expert advisors who have guided thousands of clients, including many North African investors, on their journey to find the most suitable CBI program for them. The Savory & Partners team will be happy to answer your enquiries in English, Arabic and French. For more information, please send an email to [email protected] . You can also call +971 04 430 1717 or send a WhatsApp message to +971 54 440 2955. SOURCE Savory & Partners SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 20, Appotronics Corporation Limited (688007.SH, "Appotronics") made the Announcement of Appotronics on Litigation against Delta Electronics for its Malicious Lawsuits, which reads that Appotronics filed a suit against Delta Electronics for its infringement lawsuits with Guangzhou IP Court on December 17, requesting to order Delta Electronics to stop its infringement lawsuits, to compensate Appotronics for economic losses and to apologize to Appotronics publicly and eliminate adverse effects. That afternoon, Appotronics held a media meeting in Shenzhen, at which it introduced the relevant information on "against Delta Electronics for its infringement lawsuits", shared Appotronics's R&D progress and intellectual property results for past three quarters in 2021, and responded to concerns of reporters on site. About Appotronics's R&D and product progress as well as the plan for future R&D directions, TANG Shi, the Vice President of Appotronics, stated: Appotronics is a high-tech company, i.e. a technology-based enterprise. It invested nearly RMB200 million in the research and development for past three quarters, a year-on-year increase of 6.34%, representing approx. 10% of its operating income. The continuous investment in research and development provides strong support for Appotronics's short, medium and long-term strategic goals, so as to ensure that Appotronics maintains its leading advantages in terms of key technology. "Fengmi X1 laser projector, launched on the market at the Double 11 shopping event this year, adopts a new generation of laser display light generator". It was understood that such light generator has a thickness of less than 2cm, but its efficiency is more than 20 lumens per watt, so it is a core component of light generator with the highest energy efficiency ratio in this industry. Whiling ensuing a high-brightness display screen, X1 can operate for more than two hours by using the built-in battery. In 2014, Appotronics took the lead in adopting "SAAS service mode for cinema laser light sources" in the industry, namely, the fees are collected based on the length of use of the leased projection equipment. The ALPD laser protection light source of Appotronics enjoys obvious cost advantages, such as long life, slow attenuation and high light efficiency, which provides strong support for the marketization and general application of "SAAS service mode". The high-lumen projection equipment, which focuses on cinema projection equipment, has achieved the goal of 20% increase in overall energy efficiency and 50% decrease in volume through a series of R&D this year. And this year, Appotronics also launched the first HDR laser display prototype with "contrast ratio greater than 1,000,000 : 1 and the peak brightness greater than 100nits". TANG Shi said, "we plan to achieve the goal of mass production of this prototype next year". In terms of innovation business, at the airplane exhibition in Zhuhai this year, Approtronics and Airbus Group exhibited the laser display prototype that can be used in the field of civil aviation display for the first time. Appotronics also increased its basic technology R&D expenses this year, and built the R&D capabilities of AR goggles from theory, technology, devices to systems, with a view to releasing lightest and smallest AR module samples within 2022. The laser display technology has the advantages such as small size and low energy consumption. Also, with its unique superiority in converting the surface of any color, material and shape into the display and touch surface without any damage, this technology has gradually become a new direction for vehicle display. Reportedly, this year Appotronics has increased its R&D investments in new applications and new product fields, and established an innovation center for incubating applications in new fields such as aerospace display, vehicle display, robotics and smart homes. "Appotronics has always taken the lead in the field of laser display. We will apply our self-developed new technology to difference scenarios and increase the research and development of the "hard technology" to cover a wider range of application scenarios. We are committed to providing a better experience," TANG Shi said. Earlier this month, the incoPat Innovation Index Research Center and IPRdaily Chinese Network jointly released the "Laser Display Technology Patent Ranking". Appotronics ranked second by virtue of 638 patents. Apptronics has been granted more than 1,300 patents by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The company refutes the ranking that listed Apprtronics was ranked second by virtue of 638 patents. Some media have noted that Appotronics made an announcement on against Delta Electronics for its infringement lawsuits, and TANG Shi responded to it and introduced the relevant information of such announcement. "Appotronics is a Chinese company with original technology and independent intellectual property rights. As the founder of laser display industrialization, it not only originally invented the ALPD core technology with high cost-effectiveness and industrialization foundation, but also established a complete protection system for intellectual property rights. Regardless of the quantity, quality, number of citations and global layout of Appotronics's patents, it is in the world-leading position in the field of laser display," according to TANG Shi. "It is precisely because Approtronics's patents are of outstanding significance and basis for the industry, and it is difficult for competitors to fully imitate or directly bypass our patent layout, that patent litigation occurs frequently." TANG Shi underscored that Appotronics's basic patents have gone through 25 invalidation tests, and the China National Intellectual Property Administration still maintains the validity of the patent rights in the decision made in respect thereof, so our basic patents are very stable. Delta Electronics is an enterprise based in Taiwan region, and discussed the cooperation with Appotronics in 2020 and subsequently, without the authorization by Appotronics, it applied for a patent consistent with Appotronics's technology. In the litigation case, Delta's products were determined by Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court as infringing Appotronics's high-value patent rights; during the IPO of Appotronics on the STAR Market, Delta announces filing of patent infringement lawsuit against Appotronics, "the first case of the STAR Market patent" well-known to the public. Two lawsuits involved in "the first case of STAR Market patent" in the second half of last year, Guangzhou IP Court "dismissed all claims made by Delta" in the judgement of first instance. During the second instance of the Supreme People's Court, Delta withdraw its case and Appotronics prevailed in "the first case of STAR Market patent". "After "the first case of STAR Market Patent" was concluded, Delta continued to sue Appotronics with the same amount with local courts, resulting in the Appotronics repeatedly triggering announcements. There was even a circumstance under which 'after Delta made us trigger an announcement, it withdrew its suit due to failure to pay fees'," TANG Shi said. At present, Appotronics has taken active actions and engaged a team of lawyers to actively defend its rights, and filed a lawsuit with Guangzhou IP Court against Delta and related parties for such infringement actions, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Appotronics and secondary investors. As a leader in the laser display industry, Appotronics is committed to promoting the healthy development of this industry. Here, TANG Shi calls on the public to pay attention to the progress of Appotronics's technological innovation and main business, the support to the development of emerging industries and contributions to the rise of "Created by China". As to the legal basis for Appotronics to sue Delta Electronics for infringement litigation, GAO Lijing first introduced the relevant laws and regulations. The so-called infringement suit usually refers to the one filed by a party deliberately for the purpose of obtaining illegal or improper benefits, as a result of which the counterparty suffers losses in the litigation. Further, Article 2 of the Law of the People's Republic of China for Countering Unfair Competition provides that an operator shall, in conducting the production and operation activities, follow the principle of voluntariness, equality, fairness and good faith, and observe law and business ethics. An operator shall not violate the provisions of this Law, disturb the socio - economic order, infringe the lawful rights and interests of other operators or customers in its production and operation activities. Therefore, Appotronics believes that the said patent infringement litigation by Delta constitutes infringement lawsuits, so we request the court to rule that Delta should offer an apology, eliminate the impact, compensate for losses, and bear all reasonable expenses paid by Appotronics to stop its infringement. "Does Delta's series of lawsuits affect the stability of Appotronics's patents?" For this question, GAO Lijing firmly said that it will not affect the stability of Appotronics's patents. Regarding the patents involved in the lawsuits filed by Delta against Appotronics, Appotronics has successfully made two patents of Delta invalidated by commencing invalidation proceedings with China National Intellectual Property Administration. This means that such two patents of Delta do not exist ab initio, that is, Delta can no longer use such two patents to bring any lawsuit against anyone. As the founder of laser display industrialization, Appotornics not only originally invented the ALPD core technology with high cost-effectiveness and industrialization foundation, but also established a complete protection system for intellectual property rights, which safeguards its own hard-core scientific and technological attributes. Our patents have gone through many invalidation challenges, and the quality, quantity and number of citations all reflect our strong core competitiveness in the fields of technology and patents. The holdback force of Appotronics's patents has been better demonstrated through repeated litigation. Different from other legal lawsuits, for a technology-based company, one of the important manifestations of the scientific and innovative nature is to safeguard its own patent through frequent patent litigation. "Our patents are constantly being 'attacked' by others, which also shows Appotronics's patents cannot be avoided, and just reflects our high-tech attributes. Samsung, Apple, Qualcomm and other companies are also involved in many patent litigation cases," GAO Lijing said in an interview. SOURCE Appotronics Corporation Ltd. "When it comes to the factors considered for choosing a tracker, we normally need to compare the trackers in the aspects of financial performance and product reliability especially in harsh conditions. Latin America has rapidly evolved in tracker adoption. Countries that have quickly adopted this technology include Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile and more recently Colombia. It was more or less a bumpy road because of the capex pricing of trackers, but plant owners now start to understand that tracker could help improve the reliability of the structure during the life of the plant significantly" said Guillermo Garcia, Regional Director of Latin America North at Arctech. Signed contract of future delivery of 74MW trackers with IM2 Solar Chile Spa, Arctech is the key technology partner for the biggest developers in the Latam region, where it has a portfolio of close to 1.6 GW across the region. According to the report from Wood Mackenzie Power& Renewables, Arctech has continued to take the third spot in the Mexican market ranking in 2020. The sales momentum for Arctech's signature 2P tracker, SkySmart II, remains strong in the region, especially in Chile, Colombia and Argentina. The company is determined to unleash the potential of the uncapped market by introducing SkyLine II this year, the world's first 1P single-axis tracker equipped with pentagonal torque tube design and synchronous multi-point drive mechanism. "Arctech launched SkyLine II, which is a very stiff tracker that mounts a synchronous multi-point drive mechanism. SkyLine II has a wind stow threshold of 22m/s, the highest in the industry so far, which allows it to track the sun for many more hours when compared with the industry standard. The rigidity provided by the multi-point drive mechanism also allows to safely stow to 0-degree.". Olvia discussed how Arctech has pioneeringly provided a solution for the challenge on rigidity of tracker brought by larger size modules. "We are supporting our partners from the very early stages of their projects. With our support our partners can optimize the layout of the projects and increasing the yearly energy generation of the PV plant." Alejandro Silva Zamora, Regional Director of Chile & South LATAM at Arctech. Now the Arctech team has been supporting clients in Latam region from five local offices in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The team of 40 people with rich experience has been providing engineering, manufacturing and after-sales support for Arctech's local operation in Latam region, with an intend to source materials for its tracking systems from within the region in response to the favorable policies. "The solar energy market in Latin America has been growing significantly since the countries have implemented proper regulations and required auctions for regulated clients. According to the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (EY) Brazil is positioned in eleventh position in the ranking and it is also worth mentioning that the Utility PV market in Brazil will grow by about 2GW in 2022. We are seeing a fever for solar PV projects in DG and Utility in 2022 and 2023, we are expanding our business in both DG and Utility projects, and for Utility we are taking our first steps in order to comply with local content rules in Brazil," said Aniella Descalzi, the Regional Director of Brazil at Arctech. "In the upcoming 2022, the Latam team of Arctech will continue shake things up, promote change and react to the shifting demands of users, optimize the energy portfolio and take responsibility for enabling a sustainable future." Said Jesse Lau, Deputy General Manager of international business at Arctech. SOURCE Arctech TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (TSX: CF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Sawaya Partners, a leading independent M&A advisory firm to the consumer sector based in New York. Sawaya Partners will operate with Canaccord Genuity branding as "CG/Sawaya Partners" recognizing the significant goodwill and awareness of the Sawaya name in the Consumer sector. As previously disclosed, upon completion of the acquisition Sawaya Partners Founder and Managing Partner Fuad Sawaya joins CG's U.S. operating committee and becomes Vice Chairman Consumer and Global Head of CG's Consumer Investment Banking practice. Jeff Kuhr and Slava Leykind become Co-Heads of CG's U.S. Consumer Investment Banking group. All existing employees of Sawaya Partners will continue with the Company's U.S. capital markets business. ABOUT CANACCORD GENUITY GROUP INC. Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the "Company") is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has wealth management offices located in Canada, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Australia. The Company's international capital markets division operates in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX. ABOUT CANACCORD GENUITY GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS Canaccord Genuity's global capital markets division offers institutional and corporate clients idea-driven investment banking, merger and acquisition, research, sales and trading services from offices in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Our diverse team of capital markets and advisory professionals has deep industry and transactional expertise in key growth sectors of the global economy. We are committed to providing valued services to our clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their business and operating as a gold standard independent investment bank expansive in resources and reach, but targeted in industry expertise, market focus and individual client attention. We are driven by your success. For more information, visit www.cgf.com. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates, intentions and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts, including business and economic conditions and Canaccord Genuity Group's growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue", "target", "intend", "could" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited `to, market and general economic conditions, the nature of the financial services industry and the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's interim condensed and annual consolidated financial statements, its annual report and its annual information form ("AIF") filed on www.sedar.com as well as the factors discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Management" and "Risk Factors" in the AIF, which include market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal and regulatory risks. Material factors or assumptions that were used by the Company to develop the forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, those set out in the Fiscal 2021 Outlook section in the annual MD&A and those discussed from time to time in the Company's interim condensed and annual consolidated financial statements, its annual report and the AIF filed on www.sedar.com. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible risk factors that may influence actual results. Readers are cautioned that the preceding list of material factors or assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further developments or otherwise. SOURCE Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) today announced that CES 2022 will be closing one day early, and the in-person event will take place in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-7, 2022. The step was taken as an additional safety measure to the current health protocols that have been put in place for CES. Over 2200 exhibitors are confirmed to exhibit in person at CES 2022. In the last two weeks, 143 additional companies have signed up to exhibit in person. Construction of exhibitors' show floor space is well underway and soon attendees will be able to see and experience the latest tech innovations. "As the world's most influential technology event, CES is steadfast in its pledge to be the gathering place to showcase products and discuss ideas that will ultimately make our lives better," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. "We are shortening the show to three days and have put in place comprehensive health measures for the safety of all attendees and participants." Those that are unable to travel to Las Vegas for CES 2022 have the flexibility to join digitally and will have the opportunity to experience the magic of Las Vegas. Digital registration will grant access to more than 40 livestreamed conference sessions, keynotes, select Media Days press conferences and the ability to engage with exhibitors at CES. Additional registration information can be found at CES registration. Those that are traveling to Las Vegas can find important details on updated health protocols and show entry process below to make their CES arrival and entry experience as smooth as possible. Arrival Instructions CES 2022 1) Before Leaving Home All attendees must be FULLY vaccinated against COVID-19. Only individuals who are fully vaccinated will be able to pick up a CES badge and access CES in-person in Las Vegas. CES also recommends individuals test for COVID-19 prior to departing for Las Vegas. International travelers coming to the U.S. must have a COVID test within 24 hours before departing for the U.S. Please check your airline website for more details. 2) Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination (REQUIRED) All attendees MUST show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend CES in Las Vegas. If one is unable to do so, attendee will not receive a CES 2022 badge to access the official show venues. U.S. based attendees are encouraged to use CLEAR's free mobile app and Health Pass feature to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and expedite their CES badge pick up. Learn more. Non-U.S. based attendees, as well as U.S. based attendees who may be unable to use CLEAR, will need to provide their proof of vaccination at designated locations on-site. Learn more. 3) Pick up badge BEFORE entering show facilities (REQUIRED) Attendees must pick up their own CES badge. Attendees cannot pick up badges for other attendees. If arriving at McCarran Airport, CES recommends attendees use the Badge Pickup locations in the airport terminal, located in Terminals 1 and 3, to show proof of vaccination and obtain their show badge and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test If attendees are not using the CLEAR app, they must go to a designated Customer Service Center location or airport locations to show their COVID-19 vaccine documentation. Customer Service Centers are located in public access areas before a CES security checkpoint. Once attendees provide proof of vaccination and pick up their badge, they will not need to verify their vaccination status again. 4) Test Before Entering a CES Venue CES requests that attendees test for COVID-19 less than 24 hours before entering a CES venue. CES will give attendees one complimentary Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test kit, provided by Abbott, when they collect their badge. Test kits are available at select Badge Pickup and Customer Service Center locations. If attendees pick up their badge at a location that does not have test kit distribution, attendees may go to one of the Customer Service Centers to pick up their test kit. CES recommends attendees use their complimentary Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test less than 24 hours before entering an official show venue. The test is easy to use, requires only a shallow nasal swab, takes 15 minutes and one can do it from the convenience of their hotel room. NOTE: Each kit contains 2 tests. During CES 2022 5) Mask during the Show (REQUIRED) Masks are required for large indoor events in the State of Nevada. Attendees will be required to wear masks as follows: In exhibit booths and indoor exhibit facilities. In conference and keynote rooms. CES shuttle buses and any CES transportation services. 6) Test if experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms If an attendee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at a CES venue, they are to immediately visit a First Aid area in the venue in which they are located to obtain a COVID-19 test. At Show Close 7) PCR Tests for International Travelers Returning Home CES will provide complimentary RT-PCR testing for attendees who are traveling back to their international destination and who require a test to travel. Attendees will be required to present proof of outbound international travel within 72 hours to be eligible to receive your test at no charge. Please check your airlines to understand when you will need to test. About CES: CES is the most influential tech event in the world the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2022 will take place in person in Las Vegas, and digitally, Jan. 5-7, 2022. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social. About Consumer Technology Association: As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators from startups to global brands helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES the most influential tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech UPCOMING EVENTS SOURCE Consumer Technology Association Related Links www.ce.org DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Investigation Report on China's Express Delivery Industry 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the analysis, the rapid rise of e-commerce in China in recent years and the surge in market demand have led to rapid growth in the express delivery industry. The volume of China's express delivery business has increased from 31.3 billion in 2016 to 83.4 billion in 2020. In 2020, the revenue of China's express delivery industry has reached CNY879.5 billion. According to the analysis, the efficiency and functions of express delivery services are better than ordinary postal services in China, but the charges are also significantly higher than ordinary postal services. There are three types of courier services: intra-city courier, domestic inter-city courier, and international courier. In 2020, China's online retail sales value reached CNY11,760.1 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 10.9%. Among them, the online retail sales value of physical goods was CNY975.9 billion, with an increase of 14.8%, accounting for 24.9% of the total retail sales of consumer goods; among the online retail sales of physical goods, food, clothing, and consumer goods increased by 30.6% and 5.8% and 16.2% respectively. The Chinese government has issued a series of policies to support the development of the express delivery industry, and some local governments have also issued policies to support the development of the express delivery industry in the region. However, the development of China's express delivery industry also has some risks and challenges, such as rising rents and labor costs leading to an increase in overall costs. And some government policies may also have an adverse effect on China's express delivery industry. Due to the extensive development of China's express delivery industry, severe homogeneity competition, the continued decline in profit margins, and capital needs of large infrastructure, many private express companies that have difficulty in obtaining bank loans have chosen to be listed to raise funds to increase their competitive advantage in the market. By 2020, the market structure of China's express delivery industry has not undergone major changes. Major companies in the express industry have been listed. For example, Zhongtong Express and Best Express are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., YTO Express, STO Express, and Yunda Express with their backdoor listing plan are listed on the A-share market. Debon, as the first express company to be listed on the domestic main board through an IPO, is listed on the A-share market. According to the analysis, due to rising labor costs and store rents in China, the cost of physical stores has continued to rise, enhancing the advantages of the online retail industry. It is expected that China's e-commerce industry will develop rapidly from 2021 to 2025. In addition, due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the real economy in 2020, the advantages of e-commerce have become prominent, driving the rapid development of the express delivery industry. At the same time, new e-commerce models such as cross-border shopping will also promote the development of China's express delivery industry and bring new development directions to the express delivery industry. The policies of the Chinese government in the next few years will also be beneficial to the development of the express delivery industry. For example, the State Council executive meeting held in 2021 has determined a series of measures to support transportation, express delivery, and other logistics industries to alleviate difficulties and speed up the recovery and development. These include that all localities should provide equal access to postal and express delivery companies of various ownerships, break the "last mile" delivery barriers in villages and communities and increase reductions of the tax fee. Topics Covered: Economic Environment of Express Delivery Industry in China Policies in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Supply and Demand in Express Delivery Industry in China , 2016-2020 , 2016-2020 Analysis of Market Competition in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Major Companies in Express Delivery Industry in China Analysis of Costs in Express Delivery Industry in China Price Trend of Express Delivery Services in China Driving Forces and Opportunities in Express Delivery Industry in China Unfavorable Factors in Express Delivery Industry in China Forecast on Supply and Demand in Express Delivery Industry in China 2020-2024 2020-2024 The impact of COVID-19 on the Express Delivery Industry in China Key Topics Covered: 1 Concept in Express Delivery Industry 1.1 Definition and Classification of Express Delivery 1.2 Parameters and Assumptions 1.3 The Impact of COVID-19 on China's Express Delivery Industry 2 Analysis of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 2.1 Development Environment of Express Delivery Industry in China 2.1.1 Economic Environment 2.1.2 Policy Environment 2.1.3 Social Environment 2.2 Analysis on Supply of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 2.2.1 Express Delivery Enterprise Profiles 2.2.2 Supply Capacity of Express Delivery 2.3 Analysis of Demand in Express Delivery Market in China, 2016-2020 2.3.1 Major Consumer Groups in Express Delivery Market 2.3.2 Market Size of Express Delivery in China, 2016-2020 3 Competition Status of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 3.1 Barriers to Entry in Express Delivery Industry in China 3.1.1 Barrier of Economies of Scale 3.1.2 Barrier of Necessary Capital 3.1.3 Barrier of Product Differentiation 3.1.4 Barrier of Human Capital 3.2 Competition Structure of China Express Delivery Industry 4 Analysis of Top Express Delivery Players in China, 2016-2020 4.1 S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. 4.1.1 Enterprise Profile 4.1.2 Operating Revenue of S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. 4.2 STO Express 4.3 YTO Express Group Co., Ltd. 4.4 Yunda Holding Co., Ltd. 4.5 ZTO Express 4.6 Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co., Ltd. 4.7 China Postal Express & Logistics Co., Ltd. 4.8 Other Express Delivery Companies 5 Analysis on Cost and Price of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2016-2020 5.1 Analysis of Cost of Express Delivery Industry in China 5.2 Analysis of Express Price in China 5.2.1 Analysis of Express Price in China, 2016-2020 5.2.2 Analysis of the Price Trend of Express Delivery in China 6 Forecast on Development of Express Delivery Industry in China, 2021-2025 6.1 Factors Influencing Development of China Express Delivery Industry 6.2 Forecast on Express Delivery Industry in China, 2021-2025 6.3 Forecast on Demand in China Express Delivery Industry, 2021-2025 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qw2gij 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 http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Clothing B2C E-Commerce Market 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. "Clothing" was the top segment to shop for online both locally and cross-border among consumers globally, as of 2021 Global fashion market shifts towards digital sales amid COVID-19 in 2020. The global fashion industry experienced a drastic decline the sales volume after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In the meantime, the digital clothing market accelerated over the year with the consumers' adoption of online shopping. More than half of the global retail growth is projected to come from online sales between 2020 and 2025, and around 10% of digital sales are expected to be in the hands of the fashion industry during that period. Dominant market players such as Global Fashion Group and ASOS saw sales growth of 10-20% from 2019 to 2020. Online apparel market grew faster year-on-year in 2020 amid COVID-19 than the years before A significant proportion of countries around the world saw an increase in apparel industry E-Commerce sales, especially after the COVID19 health crisis in 2020. For example, in Japan, the B2C apparel E-Commerce market grew faster in 2020 than between 2018 and 2019. South Korea also saw an increase in the value of its sales during the same period, with the apparel sector making the largest contribution to the country's B2C E-Commerce market in 2020. Online retail sales of apparel and accessories in the US increased year-over-year from 2019 to 2020 by nearly 19% which was the fastest-growing product category. The top visited websites for purchasing apparel online are Amazon and Shein, as of 2021 Shein was the most visited as of August 2021, according to the world ranking of the most popular clothing E-Commerce sites, with the US visitors prevailing. Moreover, in 2020, online apparel sales in the US were dominated by Amazon, followed by Target. In the UK, as of February 2021, the most popular industry players were Amazon and ASOS, followed by eBay. In Germany, online-only retailers, such as Zalando and Zooplus, were the most preferred ones when shopping for clothes, and following them was Amazon, as of 2021. Companies Mentioned Adidas Amazon American Eagle,Apple Asos BoohooMan Burberry eBay Elle Farfetch FashionValet Fnac Darty Gap Global Fashion Group H&M Inditex JCpenney Liverpool Macys Marks and Spencer Motherhood Myntra Namshi Next Nike Noon Shopping Nordstrom Otto.de PayPal Pik SHAFA Shein Statistica Stockx Uniqlo Vinted Zalando Zalora Zara Zozo Zooplus Key Topics Covered: 1. Management Summary 2. Global Developments Overview of Clothing B2C E-Commerce Market During & Post-COVID-19, October 2021 COVID-19's Impact on Market Players and News, October 2021 Top 20 Clothing E-Comm. Websites, by Website Rank*, incl. Website Visits, in millions, Average Visit Duration, in minutes, Bounce Rate, in %, and Top 5 Countries by Website Traffic, in %, August 2021 Top Product Categories That Are Preferred to Be Purchased Online More, in % of Consumers, March 2021 Top 3 Product Categories Purchased Online Cross-Border by Shoppers Aged 25 - 34, in % of Consumers, December 2020 Top Product Categories That Will Be Purchased Online in the Future, incl. "Apparel", in % of Consumers, October 2020 Top 10 Product Categories Sold by Online Marketplaces, Number of Marketplaces, and Visits Per Month, in millions, April 2021 Global Fashion Group Net Merchandise Value, in EUR million, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2019 & 2020 ASOS Total Retail Sales, in GBP million, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2019 & 2020 3. Asia-Pacific 3.1. Advanced Markets 3.1.1. Japan 3.1.2. South Korea 3.1.3. Australia 3.2. Emerging Markets 3.2.1. China Product Categories Imported Via Chinese E-Commerce Platforms, in % of Cross-Border Online Purchases, 2020 Top 3 Product Categories Purchased Cross-Border, incl. "Clothing/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories", in % of Adult Online Shoppers, February 2021 Top Product Categories That Will Be Purchased Online in the Future, incl. "Apparel", in % of Consumers, October 2020 3.2.2. India 3.2.3. Indonesia 3.2.4. Thailand 3.2.5. Vietnam 3.2.6. Malaysia 4. North America 4.1. USA Apparel & Accessories Retail Sales Value, in USD billion, and Y-o-Y Change, in %, 2019 - 2023f B2C E-Commerce Sales Value, in USD billion, by Product Category, Y-o-Y Change, in %, Share, in % of Total B2C E-Commerce Sales, and in % of Total Retail Sales, 2021e Share of Apparel Sales, by Online and Offline, in % of Total Retail Apparel Sales, 2018 - 2020 Breakdown of Top Online Apparel Merchants, in % of Online Apparel Sales, 2020 Top Product Categories That Will Be Purchased Online in the Future, incl. "Apparel", in % of Consumers, October 2020 Top 3 Product Categories Purchased Cross-Border, incl. "Clothing/Apparel", in % of Adult Online Shoppers, February 2021 Amazon B2C E-Commerce Sales Value, in USD billion, by Product Category, Y-o-Y Change, in %, Share, in % of Total B2C E-Commerce Sales, and in % of Total Retail Sales, 2021e 4.2. Canada 5. Europe 5.1. Regional 5.2. Advanced Markets 5.2.1. UK Textile, Clothing & Footwear B2C E-Commerce Sales Value, in GBP million, Year-On-Year Change, in %, 2019 - 2025f Top Fashion Shopping Sites, in % of Consumers, February 2021 Top Product Categories That Will Be Purchased Online in the Future, incl. "Apparel", in % of Consumers, October 2020 Top 3 Product Categories Purchased Cross-Border, incl. "Clothing/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories", in % of Online Shoppers, February 2021 Top 10 Most Visited Fashion Websites, in % of Consumers, February 2021 Top Popular Online Brands Purchased From In the Past Three Months, in % of Consumers, December 2020 5.2.2. Germany 5.2.3. France 5.2.4. Spain 5.2.5. Italy 5.2.6. Netherlands 5.2.7. Belgium 5.2.8. Sweden 5.2.9. Switzerland 5.2.10. Denmark 5.2.11. Austria 5.3. Emerging Markets 5.3.1. Russia 5.3.2. Poland 5.3.3. Turkey 5.3.4. Ukraine 6. Latin America 6.1. Brazil 6.2. Argentina 6.3. Mexico 7. Middle East 7.1. Regional 7.2. UAE 7.3. Saudi Arabia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h2fh7p 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 http://www.researchandmarkets.com CINCINNATI, Ohio and LONG BEACH, N.Y., Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Core Specialty" or the "Company") and Lancer Insurance Company ("Lancer"), both specialty property and casualty ("P&C") insurers, announced today the completion of the merger combining the companies in a stock and cash transaction, which was previously announced on April 16, 2021. Lancer brings Core Specialty over 35 years of specialty commercial auto expertise that extends the capabilities of Core Specialty's existing diversified range of specialty P&C insurance products. This combination joins two highly complementary businesses with a shared strategic vision to become the leading specialty P&C insurer. The companies previously partnered in January 2021 to launch a new excess transportation program. The post-merger Core Specialty will be a further diversified company with an attractive business profile, a clean balance sheet and over $1.1 billion in equity capital. This merger with Lancer marks Core Specialty's first merger or acquisition since the recapitalization of StarStone U.S. in November 2020. The combined Lancer and Core Specialty have approximately 600 total employees. Lancer, which has been a leading provider of premier specialty insurance solutions to businesses and commercial transportation companies across the U.S. for over 35 years, will retain its brand, management team and operating locations. Lancer and Core Specialty are working together to ensure all policyholders continue to receive industry-leading products and services, and to align the combined operations in the best interests of customers, agents, brokers, and employees. Core Specialty operates through a business unit philosophy that allows its Divisions local decision-making for underwriting, claims, and policy servicing with a high degree of autonomy and full accountability. Lancer shareholders received a combination of Core Specialty common shares, preferred shares and cash in the merger. The newly issued Core Specialty preferred shares will mandatorily convert into common shares upon a Core Specialty initial public offering or certain other specified events. In addition, Lancer's existing shareholders will retain the financial impact of development on Lancer's existing reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses over a five-calendar year period within a specified symmetrical range. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Core Specialty's earnings per share and return on equity in 2022. Jeff Consolino will continue to lead the combined company as President and CEO and Ed Noonan will continue as Core Specialty Executive Chairman. Dave Delaney, Lancer's CEO, has joined the Board of Core Specialty and will work closely with Mr. Consolino and senior members of the Lancer and Core Specialty teams in the integration of the businesses. The Core Specialty Board of Directors will comprise the current Board with the addition of Mr. Delaney. Matthew Jenkins, Lancer's President & Chief Operating Officer, will serve as President of Core Specialty's Lancer Division. Jeff Consolino said: "From conception, Core Specialty's vision has been to become the leading specialty insurer and the Lancer merger continues our very strong progress in our mission. Core Specialty has the capital to take on risk, the underwriting talent in place, a proven and decisive leadership team and a track record of making things happen fast. Collectively and in each of our specialist niche business units, we intend to operate with strong entrepreneurial spirit and drive, speed, agility, and empowered decision-making. Lancer is a leader in the specialty transportation market with a long track record and a senior management team we know and admire. Lancer will operate as Core Specialty's ninth specialty P&C business unit." Dave Delaney, Co-Founder and CEO of Lancer, said, "All of us at Lancer are excited to join forces with Core Specialty. Core Specialty's management team is exceptional, and our friendship with Jeff Consolino, Ed Noonan and members of Core Specialty's Board goes back a very long way. I have no doubt Lancer and Core Specialty's combined operating and financial resources will create tremendous growth opportunities for our shareholders, employees, policyholders and distribution partners." "I have known Dave Delaney for over 30 years. He is an excellent specialty P&C insurance operator, and I am excited that he will be joining the Core Specialty Board. We have assembled a Board for Core Specialty comprised of company founders and business builders which we believe is second to none, and Dave's talents will add meaningfully to our Board. We are also pleased and honored that after decades of building Lancer as an independent, family-controlled enterprise that Dave and his co-shareholders have the confidence in Core Specialty's management, business plan and investors to exchange their Lancer equity for the opportunity to join their future prospects with ours," said Ed Noonan, Executive Chairman of Core Specialty. Core Specialty Update Since the June 30, 2020 agreement by Core Specialty to recapitalize StarStone U.S., the Company has grown from four business units to nine through: forming a new Excess & Surplus Property Division, establishing a Marine and Energy Division from the StarStone London managed business, separating and hiring new leadership for our Errors and Omissions Professional Liability and D&O Management Professional Liability Divisions, initiating an Agriculture Division and completing the Lancer merger. Core Specialty's gross premium written for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2021 was $1.7 billion and pro forma for the Lancer merger would be $1.9 billion. About Core Specialty Core Specialty offers a diversified range of property and casualty insurance products for small to midsized businesses. From its underwriting offices spanning the U.S., the Company focuses on niche markets, local distribution, and superior underwriting knowledge; offering traditional as well as innovative insurance solutions to meet the needs of its customers and brokers. Core Specialty is an insurance holding company operating through StarStone Specialty Insurance Company, a U.S. excess and surplus lines insurer, and StarStone National Insurance Company, a U.S. admitted markets insurer. The Company is rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best. For further information about Core Specialty, please visit www.corespecialty.com. About Lancer Insurance Company Lancer Insurance Company has been a leading provider of premier specialty insurance solutions to businesses and commercial transportation companies across the U.S. for over 35 years, leveraging a network of over 2,000 broker relationships. Lancer specializes in auto liability, physical damage, cargo and general liability coverages. Lancer has consistently received an A- (Excellent) rating for financial strength and stability by AM Best, one of the most recognized rating systems in the insurance industry. Please visit www.lancerinsurance.com for more information. Contact: Sam Reinhardt Associate Vice President Prosek Partners +1 646 818 9244 [email protected] SOURCE Core Specialty Insurance Holdings The integration of online and offline commerce is the future of retail. However, establishing omnichannel is no easy feat for retailers as it requires them to tailor their services to different consumer bases, complicating the efforts necessary to maintain an efficient and seamless order fulfillment operation. Jointly launched "Shop Now" with JD.com Eyeing the market opportunity in the hyperlocal economy while pushing the boundary of intra-city delivery, Dada and JD.com launched "Shop Now", also known as JD Xiaoshigou, in 2021, as part of the joint effort to establish a one-hour eCommerce model, accelerating Dada Group's and JD.com's omnichannel operation in the on-demand retail space. The new feature, which is available on the JD.com app, promises an ultra-fast eCommerce shopping experience and has driven 150 percent of sales growth in September compared to January. A panorama of fulfillment service Dada has also put its upgraded on-demand warehousing, picking and delivery services to the test during the annual Double 11 shopping extravaganza, which shortened the average on-demand delivery time down to 23 minutes. It marked a new milestone for Dada which expanded its services as a delivery operator to a total solution provider covering services in the entire fulfillment cycle. Chinese On-demand Consumption Trends Report 2021 The Report jointly released by Dada and JD.com, which offers first-hand data-driven insights into the growth of the on-demand market. The report shines a spotlight on the robust potential of hyperlocal eCommerce, with products such as electronics, beauty products, and clothes becoming consumers' favorites. Digital Empowerment Fuels New Growth Efficient and customized omnichannel digital solutions are sorely needed as brick-and-mortar retailers seek to blend online and offline operations while minimizing the financial risks brought by the uncertainty of new tech investment. Dada targets those pain points that have been plaguing the retail industry by offering digital tools designed to boost efficiency and lower costs. Dada's Haibo System provided digital solutions Dada's self-developed Haibo System is a digital platform capable of providing retailers with solutions covering marketing, product management, user management, order fulfillment optimization, with a visualized dashboard offering data insights across a variety of dimensions, including sales channels, stores, product categories and SKUs. As of August 2021, the system has served more than 120 large and medium-sized supermarket chains and 4,300 retailer stores across China. Dada Picking digitalized order picking processes The Dada Picking service improves the efficiency and accuracy of omnichannel order picking for physical stores by allowing them to recruit crowdsourced pickers and enable digital and product-based picking operations and management. The system data shows that the platform reduced picking time by 15 percent, shortened product collecting time by 23 percent, and increased hourly picking speed by 18 percent. JDDJ has formed partnership with more than 200 Brands In September, Dada hosted the inaugural "JD Daojia Brand Partner Conference" in Shanghai during which the Super Brand Partner Program was launched by JDDJ as a new joint initiative with numerous world leading brands including Nestle, Mengniu, Yili, Yihai Kerry, Procter & Gamble to establish an omnichannel retail ecosystem. Technological Innovations: Last-Mile Delivery Solutions Technological innovation is the engine that propels business growth, opening up a new space where companies are able to explore new services and products. Dada shares its industry-leading technologies with its partners in an effort to stir up a new wave of the revolution that drives forward the development of smart delivery solutions. Rolled out autonomous delivery operation open system By leveraging its proprietary software, Dada partnered with tech and logistics innovators and leaders to normalize the scalable use of autonomous delivery vehicles for supermarkets. The autonomous delivery open system developed by Dada helps supermarkets automate order distribution, manage package loading, and complete delivery operations based on the optimal pre-planned routes. With Dada's system, the autonomous vehicles developed by JD Logistics and White Rhino have been adopted by SEVEN FRESH and Yonghui to serve residents in several neighborhoods across China. Empowered partners with delivery capabilities In September, Dada announced the launch of another digital tool designed to improve the delivery and management efficiency of retailers and delivery service providers Dada Smart Delivery SaaS System an open digital logistics platform developed based on Dada Now's self-developed Smart Logistics System and Big Data Platform. The system offers integrated delivery solutions that include operation platform, merchant application, rider application, and has been adopted by more than 100 merchants. Strengthened ESG Efforts In the midst of the many challenges that the pandemic presented, Dada upholds its responsibilities to people and communities and offers support to those in need. A leader in the retail industry, Dada has been working hand-in-hand with retailers and customers to bolster China's real economy and enhance industry efficiency while adopting a comprehensive approach to the wellbeing of Dada's delivery riders. JDDJ updated application to aging-friendly For elderly smartphone users, Dada has developed a new version of the JDDJ app which features bigger fonts and a simplified user interface, making it easier for them to shop online. Ensured sufficient supplies during COVID-19 During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dada worked with its local retail partners across the country to upgrade safety standards, protecting its delivery riders while ensuring sufficient supplies to the platform's customers. Enhanced rider caring Dada listens to the needs of its delivery riders and takes measures to address their concerns. To ensure their safety and create a comfortable working environment, Dada has upgraded rider stations, set up resting spaces, and provided amenities and training sessions. Dada has also launched a host of initiatives that focuses on the personal and family wellbeing of riders. With the drive capabilities of both retail and logistics, Dada has delved into China's on-demand delivery and retail market for seven years, which has laid a solid foundation for the Company to take the lead in entering the era of hyperlocal eCommerce soon. About Dada Group Dada Group is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China's largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company's two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform. In June 2020, Dada Group began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the ticker symbol "DADA." SOURCE Dada Group "The impressive sales growth can be attributed to a few things," said Allen Zheng, Sales Director at EcoFlow. "Our expansion to over 100 markets and the complete rollout of the RIVER and DELTA product lines are the main reasons. Rising power demand caused by increasing cases of extreme weather-related power outages also played a part." In addition to the rapid sales growth, 2021 has been a milestone year for EcoFlow. In June, the company received a Series B investment of over $100 million from Sequoia's China fund, Hillhouse, and CICC. The funding round catapulted the company to one of the top industry leaders and saw the company valued at over $1 billion. One month later, EcoFlow launched the DELTA Pro, the industry's first portable home battery, on Kickstarter. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro went on to break Kickstarter's record for the most-funded tech project by raising over $12 million and was named one of TIME's 100 Best Inventions in 2021. EcoFlow also took a more active role in environmental issues and emergency preparedness in 2021. In March, EcoFlow initiated a long-term reforestation fundraising campaign for the Million Forest Plan, an ecological project jointly initiated by the United Nations Environment Program, the Climate Organization, and the China Green Foundation. In September, EcoFlow launched an educational campaign -- 'Peace of Mind', which aimed to inform individuals about the importance of natural disaster preparedness through influencers and subject matter experts. "We have great confidence in 2022 as what we've accomplished in the past year is a good indicator. EcoFlow will continue to expand in a socially responsible way while powering a new world," Zheng said. About EcoFlow EcoFlow is a portable power and renewable energy solutions company. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has provided peace-of-mind power to customers in over 85 markets through its DELTA and RIVER product lines of portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories. EcoFlow's mission is to reinvent the way the world accesses energy by innovating lighter-weight and longer-lasting clean, quiet and renewable power storage solutions. SOURCE: EcoFlow Inc. SOURCE EcoFlow Inc. DALLAS and WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgemere Dallas ("Edgemere" or "the community") and Lifespace Communities ("Lifespace"), as owner and operator, announced entry into a forbearance agreement with UMB Bank, as indenture trustee (the "Indenture Trustee") for the Retirement Facility Revenue Bonds (the "Revenue Bonds"), and Intercity Investment Properties, Inc., as lessor (the "Lessor") dated December 21, 2021 (the "Forbearance Agreement"). The forbearance is intended to provide the time necessary to proceed with ongoing, active discussions towards a consensual agreement among the parties designed to strengthen the community's financial position for the long term and achieve a more sustainable future. During the forbearance period, the parties agree to work cooperatively to reach a consensual resolution of the Revenue Bonds and the ground lease. Pursuant to the Forbearance Agreement, the Indenture Trustee and the Lessor have agreed to forbear from exercising any rights or remedies during the forbearance period. The initial forbearance period is anticipated to be extended to March 31, 2022, subject to satisfaction of certain milestones and further extension by the parties. The community remains fully operational and continues to provide exceptional care and service to our residents and their families, welcoming new residents each month. "We are confident that our active and productive discussions with our stakeholders will enable us to strengthen the community's financial position and build toward a more sustainable future for Edgemere," said Jesse Jantzen, president and chief executive officer of Lifespace. "This agreement provides the breathing room needed to reach a fair resolution and marks a positive step forward. The best interests of our current and future residents and their families are our top priority and we remain committed to delighting our residents. We take the responsibility with which we have been entrusted seriously and are committed to resolve these financial issues in a manner that will allow current and prospective residents to enjoy the highest standards of quality and care for many years to come." Edgemere is represented in this matter by Sidley Austin LLP and FTI Consulting. About Edgemere Dallas Edgemere opened its doors in 2001, and immediately set a new standard for luxury senior living retirement communities in North Texas. It was the first Life Care community to land in Dallas and, for almost a generation now, it's offered residents an unparalleled set of benefits. Edgemere's drive to deliver a top-tier experience is reflective of our vision for excellence in senior living. It's a vision shared across all 14 members of the Lifespace Communities family. Together, our missions remain focused on one thing celebrating the lives of seniors in everything we do. This simple notion has led Lifespace and its multistate system of senior living communities to experience decades of success and financial stability and, even more importantly, earn the trust of thousands of team members, residents, and their families. Additionally, Edgemere's status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization means all revenues are reinvested into the community. This not only fuels the development of better services, amenities, and opportunities for our residents, but also ensures that in the event of a financial hardship that's no fault of their own, residents won't be asked to leave the community. About Lifespace Communities Lifespace Communities, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a not-for-profit organization proudly serving older adults for more than 40 years. Founded in 1976, Lifespace Communities has grown to own and operate 14 continuing care retirement communities in seven states, serving more than 4,700 residents and employing more than 3,700 team members. For more information about Lifespace and its communities, visit LifespaceCommunities.com. Media Contact [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Lifespace Communities "China's tree planting is leading the world and it reins in desert in a way no other nation has achieved," according to Solheim, who is also president of the Belt and Road Initiative Green Development Institute and former executive director of the United Nation Environment Programme. China's forest coverage rate has risen from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 23 percent at present. A 2019 study published in the journal Nature Sustainability found that of the 5.2 million square kilometers of vegetation added to the surface of the Earth since 2000, a quarter was contributed by China.Solheim stressed the significance of promise made by President Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly on Sept 21 that China will stop building new coal-fired power projects overseas. "The driving force of climate action in the world is no longer diplomacy. It's actions of political leaders," he said. China's green technology also won the applause of Solheim. "Basically on every environment technology, China is leading at scale." China's installed capacity of grid-connected wind power has reached 300.15 million kilowatts as of Nov 14, 2021, double that of 2016, and it has been tops worldwide for 12 consecutive years. In 2020, new installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power generation units in China reached 48 GW, more than 40 percent of the global new installed capacity. China's total installed capacity of solar PV units reached 253 GW, which is one-third of the global total and exceeds that in the European Union and the United States. As to the biggest challenges that China will face meeting its goals to peak carbon emission before 2030 and to be zero carbon before 2060, he said the key is to embark upon a fair transition. "If you are a coal miner in Shanxi, or if you are related to some other old-style industry in Liaoning province, you may not necessarily be very happy to see Guangdong or Fujian moving very fast into solar and wind technology." To help those who might not immediately benefit from the green transition, he suggested that China could learn from the European Union by putting a fair transition front and center, to set up some big funds and also train them into the new economy. He admitted that there is an equity issue when it comes to emission reduction. "The historical climate emissions of the United States are eight times higher than China per capita. So there's an equity issue for sure and those who have polluted the most should also carry the heaviest burden." However, he added that the new green future is an enormous opportunity. "That's a fantastic opportunity for China and for any other nation in the world to create an ecological civilization." "When China can be so successful fighting poverty, of course it can be as successful establishing ecological civilization," Solheim said. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202112/29/WS61cc1249a310cdd39bc7e222.html SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn SHANGHAI, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GenFleet Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a focus in cutting-edge therapies in oncology and immunology, today announced the completion of $75 million (~500 million RMB) series C financing. This round of financing is led by Huagai Capital, with participation by new investors including Suxin Venture Capital, Cherami Investment Group, ABC International, DYEE Capital, Qiaojing Eastern Investment, Baidu Venture, and Wenzhou Capital. Existing investors including Lake Bleu Capital, Panlin Capital, Shanjin Asset, CDH Venture and Growth Capital, HM Capital also participated. Start Point Advisors act as the sole financial advisor. "We are grateful to Huagai Capital and other investors for their recognition of our strategy to develop cutting-edge therapies, our innovative discovery platform, and our differentiated pipeline in both small molecules and biologics. We believe that it is our unique strategy, platform and pipeline that can not only minimize but may even eliminate the uncertainties induced by the market fluctuations or investment cycles. We can therefore provide a sound foundation for continuous growth and to distinguish ourselves from an extremely competitive environment to bring to patients globally innovative therapies from China." said Dr. Qiang Lu, Co-founder and Chairman of GenFleet Therapeutics. "GenFleet's pipeline highlights our focuses in cutting-edge therapies with novel mechanisms and global IP. We have built a highly differentiated pipeline sustained by our proprietary discovery platform. As we expect more programs to move into late-stage clinical development in 2022, GenFleet will continue to march toward commercialization and globalization. We hope to help patients across the world through scientific breakthroughs and achieve positive financial results for our stakeholders." said Dr. Jiong Lan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GenFleet Therapeutics. "HuaGai Capital feels honored to join GenFleet and to lead this round of financing. GenFleet is dedicated to serving unmet medical needs and we are impressed with its industry-leading progress as well as its efficient execution. Under the leadership of Dr. Lu and Dr. Lan, GenFleet truly stands out among competitors to bring life-saving treatments and better healthcare solutions to global patients." said Zhiqiang Zeng, Managing Partner of HuaGai Healthcare. "We are pleased to lead this round of financing. GenFleet has established its proprietary R&D platform based on the deep understanding of disease biology and translational medicine. Its cutting-edge portfolio highlights innovative therapies with global IP, and we look forward to its prospects of globalization and long-term development in the industry." said Jingyang Zhu, Vice President of HuaGai Healthcare. GenFleet is currently expanding clinical trials for various drug candidates in China, the United States and Australia. Proceeds from this round of financing will help advance the clinical research and global development of clinical-stage programs, continue to build up a more diversified portfolio of innovative programs, and accelerate the commercialization process. About HuaGai Capital HuaGai Capital is a private equity firm co-founded in 2012 by professionals from top investment institutions. HuaGai Capital's mission is to become a leading global asset management company, with a focus on China's equity investment market. We are committed to working together with our portfolio and assisting them in reaching their full potential as market leaders in their respective industries. HuaGai Capital is focused on investments in the Healthcare, TMT and Digital industries, currently with near 20 billion RMB assets under management. About GenFleet Therapeutics Dedicated to serving significant unmet medical needs, GenFleet Therapeutics established its proprietary R&D platform based on the deep understanding of disease biology, translational medicine, as well as researches into latest biological mechanism of cancer pathways, tumor microenvironment and human immunoregulation. GenFleet's rich and diversified pipeline highlights multiple cutting-edge products with novel mechanisms and global IP. Through years of endeavor, GenFleet has set up industry-leading capabilities and expertise in developing novel drugs - both small molecules and biologics. Its cutting-edge pipeline includes over 10 products, many of which have progressed into clinical stages. As more projects move into late-stage clinical trials, GenFleet is expected to unravel its blueprint of commercialization during the next 3-5 years. SOURCE GenFleet Therapeutics DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Activated Charcoal Products Market, By Source (Wood, Coconut Shell, Others), By Application (Personal Care, Medicine, Others), By Region, Forecast & Opportunities, 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global activated charcoal products market is expected to grow at a substantial rate during the forecast period due to the increasing demand in water treatment and sewage treatment applications, owing to its ability to remove particulate and dissolved impurities. Additionally, rising population and rapid urbanization in developing countries are contributing to the emergence of several end user industries which utilize water for their productions. This in turn has resulted in water contamination in many countries. Therefore, rapid industrialization is anticipated to fuel the demand for activated charcoal products in wastewater treatment. Moreover, it is also a cost-effective solution for purifying the air from pollutants such as siloxanes, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds. This is anticipated to fuel the market until 2026. Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a fine black powder made from bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, olive pits or sawdust. Manufacturers make activated charcoal by heating common charcoal in the presence of certain gases at high temperature. The high temperatures changes its internal structure, reducing the size of its pores and increasing its surface area. The activated charcoal's porous texture has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. Global activated charcoal products market is segmented based on source, application, company and region. Based on source, the market can be segmented into wood, coconut shell and others which include petroleum pitch and phenolic resin. Coconut shell dominated the global activated charcoal products market in 2020 as charcoal products created from coconut shell have the highest hardness when compared with other source type. The manufacturers are always concerned about the quality of raw material as it has direct impact on performance of the product. Major players operating in the global activated charcoal products market include Kingsford Products Co LLC Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC Gryfskand sp z oo Sagar Activated Charcoal Depot Parkar Activated Charcoal Company NAMCHAR (Pty) Ltd Timber Activated Charcoal Company LLC Duraflame Inc Bricapar SA Maurobera SA Report Scope: Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2016-2019 Base Year: 2020 Estimated Year: 2021 Forecast Period: 2022-2026 Global Activated Charcoal Products Market, By Source: Wood Coconut Shell Others Global Activated Charcoal Products Market, By Application: Personal Care Medicine & Pharmaceuticals Others Global Activated Charcoal Products Market, By Region North America United States Canada Mexico Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Singapore Middle East & Africa & South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE South America Brazil Argentina Colombia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w8a1hl Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Truck Market, By Application Type (Logistics, Construction, Mining, Others), By Truck Tonnage Capacity (Class1, Class2, Class3 Class4, Class5, Class6, Class7, Class8), By Fuel Type, By Vehicle Type, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Truck Market was valued at USD809.46 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.50% in the next five years till 2026F. The anticipated growth can be attributed to driving factors like increased dependency over on-road transportation processes. Although the transportation can be carried out via railways and air transportations, trucks allow effective transportation in difficult terrains like hilly areas and deserted lands. Also, the expansion of the construction industry and their demand for the transportation of heavy construction material is further driving the growth of the Global Truck Market in the upcoming five years. Surging demands for heavy-duty trucks are also anticipated to support the Global Truck Market growth in the next five years. The incorporation of advanced technologies like GPS-enabled services, etc., further supports the growth of the Global Truck Market by increasing demands for effective driving conditions in the future five years. Moreover, factors like increasing disposable income among the consumers, growing urbanization, and expanding rural economy growth may further aid the future growth of the Global Truck Market in the forecast years until 2026. The mining industry is also expanding such that the demand for products like metals, coal, oil shale, gemstones, limestone, chalk, dimension stone, rock salt, potash, gravel, and clay is increasing and is indirectly substantiating the growth of the Global Truck Market in the upcoming five years. Although, slow adaptations of the advanced automobiles in some developing countries due to higher expenses required for the new purchases might create mild hindrance in the futuristic market growth. However, increasing demands for trucks from the logistics industry may support the growth in such countries in the forecast period. Logistics applications of the trucks are anticipated to register the largest revenue shares of the market and dominate the market segmentation in the upcoming five years on the grounds of increasing demands from consumers over services, quality, and features of the advanced automobile for logistic purposes. To transport the resources and material from excavation or origin point to storage and then to their destination for distribution and final sales, is carried out through trucks. With increased globalization and industrialization, the sub-segment is anticipated to register further growth while aiding the growth of the Global Truck Market in the next five years. The construction sub-segment is anticipated to register significant growth in the next five years on account of increasing global construction processes. The demand for the transportation of the construction material and equipment from the source to the construction site aids the growth of the sub-segment as well as drives the growth of the Global Truck Market in the future five years. Some of the major market players operating globally in the truck market are Daimler AG. Tata motors limited Dongfeng Motor Corporation Navistar, Inc AB Volvo Hino Motors Ltd. IVECO- a CNH Industrial Company Paccar Inc MAN SE Scania AB Report Scope: Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2016-2019 Base Year: 2020 Estimated Year: 2021 Forecast Period: 2022-2026 Truck Market, By Application Type: Logistics Construction Mining Others Truck Market, By Truck Tonnage Capacity: Class1 Class2 Class3 Class4 Class5 Class6 Class7 Class8 Truck Market, By Fuel Type: Diesel Petrol/Gasoline CNG/LNG/LPG Electric & Hybrid Truck Market, By Vehicle Type: Light Duty Heavy Duty Medium Duty Truck Market, By Region: North America United States Canada Mexico Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia Indonesia Europe France Germany United Kingdom Italy Spain South America Brazil Argentina Chile Colombia Middle East and Africa and South Africa Saudi Arabia Iran UAE For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gl7kx 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 http://www.researchandmarkets.com BOSTON, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.5500 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of December 13, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) with important information concerning the distribution declared on December 1, 2021, and payable on December 31, 2021. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: December 2021 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.5500 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable December 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 10/1/2021-12/31/2021 For the fiscal year-to-date period 1/1/2021- 12/31/2021 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.1356 25% 0.6285 29% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0327 6% 0.1034 5% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.2489 45% 1.4527 66% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.1328 24% 0.0000 0% Total per common share 0.5500 100% 2.1846 100% Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on November 30, 2021 10.25% Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 5.62% Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through November 30, 2021 43.45% Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 5.58% ____________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2021 and will end on December 31, 2021. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the December 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.5500 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) as of September 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management BOSTON, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser"), announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.2900 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of December 13, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) with important information concerning the distribution declared on December 1, 2021, and payable on December 31, 2021. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: December 2021 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.2900 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable December 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 10/1/2021-12/31/2021 For the fiscal year-to-date period 1/1/2021-12/31/2021 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.1121 39% 0.5495 47% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0026 1% 0.0000 0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.1287 44% 0.6105 53% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0466 16% 0.0000 0% Total per common share 0.2900 100% 1.1600 100% Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on November 30, 2021 4.74% Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 9.08% Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through November 30, 2021 7.01% Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 9.08% You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the December 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.2900 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Wellington Management Company LLP is an independent and unaffiliated investment subadviser to John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) as of September 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. _____________________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2021 and will end on December 31, 2021. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management BOSTON, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by both Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of December 13, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on December 1, 2021, and payable on December 31, 2021. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: December 2021 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable December 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 12/1/2021-12/31/2021 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2021-12/31/2021 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.1268 92% 0.2760 100% Net Realized Short- 0.0000 0% 0.0000 0% Term Capital Gains Net Realized Long- 0.0112 8% 0.0000 0% Term Capital Gains Return of Capital or 0.0000 0% 0.0000 0% Other Capital Source Total per common share 0.1380 100% 0.2760 100% Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on November 30, 2021 7.95% Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 6.94% Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through November 30, 2021 -4.43% Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2021 1.16% You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the December 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) as of September 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2021 and will end on October 31, 2022. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MOBI Technologies Inc., an award-winning U.S.-based smart home health and technologies brand, has once again astonished the public by allowing customers to purchase the MOBI DualScan Ultra Pulse Ear & Forehead Talking Digital Thermometer with Pulse Rate Monitoring with an incredibly affordable price of $29.99. The MOBI DualScan Ultra Pulse Ear & Forehead Thermometer is the next generation in advanced temperature reading. New features include a one-touch heart rate monitor, built-in flashlight, and displays room temperature when idle. Readings from the Ultra Pulse can be read out in 3 languages making the device inclusive and for families to receive the health benefits of the Ultra Pulse. Available just in time for Winter and Omicron. One of the parents' biggest concerns during wintertime has traditionally been the spread of the Flu. Today, the biggest concern is undoubtedly the spread of Covid-19 cases, and more recently, concern has been the rise in Covid-19's Omicron variant cases. With MOBI's UltraPulse Talking Ear & Forehead Thermometer, parents and caregivers can have peace of mind, knowing that quality, accurate, and instant temperature monitoring is just one scan away. How to Use this Thermometer It is straightforward. Just scan and listen. It is the answer for the whole family, from the baby to the elderly family member. Remember, you can keep track of your pulse rate for ovulation cycles, heart health, and more. This unit is durable, easy to clean, and requires no probe covers, and includes two standard +AAA batteries. About the MOBI DualScan Ultra Pulse Talking Ear and Forehead Digital Thermometer With the MOBI UltraPulse Talking Ear & Forehead Thermometer, you can catch your child's fever and avoid the confusion that often comes with traditional thermometers. Carefully crafted and recommended by doctors, users receive readings with just one scan in one second. This thermometer has six functions, and it will not make you wonder if you secured the correct reading. The full list of the MOBI DualScan UltraPulse Talking Thermometer's Features include: Dual Body Temperature Reading Methods (Ear or Forehead) Fingertip Heart Rate Monitoring Built-in Flashlight To Avoid Disturbing Your Loved Ones Temperature Readouts In 3 Languages Diagnostic Normal / High Fever Indicators Bright Backlit Screen LED Fever Indicators Memory Recall of Last 30 Readouts Fahrenheit & Celsius Mode When Idle, Displays Current Room Temperature With Date & Time Removeable Sanitary Cover For Thermometer Tip "Our goal with the MOBI Ultra Pulse is to create a single health thermometer that's right for the whole family, and we believe we've succeeded," Naghi said. "Use this model in the baby's room, for yourself or for your older relatives who may be under your care. It's easy to use, feature-rich and affordable for any family."- said CEO David Naghi. The MOBI DualScan Ultra Pulse Ear & Forehead Talking Digital Thermometer with Pulse Rate Monitoring is available for an MSRP of $29.99 via getmobi.com . About MOBI Technologies, Inc. MOBI Technologies Inc. is a consumer health and home electronics brand committed to elevating the consumer experience around digital living and wellness monitoring for all ages. Through intuitive, easy-to-use solutions and Home Health Tech kits, MOBI inspires smart living while catering to comfort when you need to manage and monitor vitals. Find all of MOBI's home health technology products at getmobi.com and get smart about home monitoring. Contact: Sergio Velasquez [email protected] (323) 904-3009 MOBI Technologies Inc. 725 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 SOURCE MOBI Technologies TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (PRUnderground) MetaSpace Real Estate Investment Trust (MREIT), a subsidiary of KleinCap Investments, has announced its partnership with Toronto-based Chisvin Group Real Estate, founded by top PSR agent, Joshua Chisvin. Together the companies will work on identifying, buying, leasing, and marketing properties for MREIT's residential and retail portfolio in the metaverse. Over the last decade, Chisvin Group has specialised in traditional real estate investment, providing unique strategies with above average returns for their clients. In 2020, Chisvin Group launched their own fund backed by clients and investors, and by 2021 it grew to over $10,000,000 in holdings. "We're always looking for the next investment option for our clients beyond the condo and big city markets," Chisvin said. "Our partnership with MREIT allows us to be on the forefront of the future." Chisvin said that for a space which is growing and becoming more saturated each day, he believes MREIT will be a clear leader in the industry. "They're focused on acquiring and developing key parcels of land, but they're also focused on innovating the space and shifting how we go about purchasing real estate in both the metaverse and the real world. What they've accomplished in such a short amount of time is nothing short of astonishing. Their knowledge and experience in the DeFi space paired with their background in real estate is really unique." Chisvin said he started noticing the growth and potential of MREIT in November of 2021. When MREIT's ICO launched on PancakeSwap earlier this month, the company reached a market cap of nearly $55 million, skyrocketing past their initial $15 million market cap goal. Since then, MREIT's Smart Contracts have been fully audited and verified by SolidProof, a leading cryptocurrency auditing firm, with plans to launch on CMC in the coming weeks. The news made waves across social media, gaining traction from some of cryptocurrency's biggest influencers. The founder of MREIT, Eric Klein, said that while the company's success and support has been incredible, MREIT's partnership with Chisvin Group is a major component to the company's roadmap for 2022. With a date set for mid-January to begin acquiring new properties for their residential and retail portfolio, Eric believes that having an experienced name brand brokerage on board is an essential benchmark for MREIT's success. "Josh is the perfect partner for us. He and his team have built a wildly successful real estate business in Canada and his energy and experience is unmatched," Eric said. "By joining forces, MREIT will have unbeatable expertise along with exclusive access to top industry contacts from sales support to development initiatives." With NFT announcements coming in the summer of next year, MREIT and Chisvin Group plan to build an ecosystem of realtors, investors, architects, builders, retailers, and developers that will change the way consumers approach real estate. The partnership will allow everyday investors to easily access virtual real estate in a way that was previously unobtainable. To learn more about MREIT, you can visit their website at www.mreit.io. Press Contact: Eric Klein [email protected] SOURCE KleinCap Investments NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Inc. (NYSE: NBXG) (the "Fund") has announced a distribution declaration of $0.10 per share of common stock. The distribution announced today is payable on January 31, 2022, has a record date of January 18, 2022 and has an ex-date of January 14, 2022. Under its level distribution policy, the Fund anticipates that it will make regular monthly distributions, subject to market conditions, of $0.10 per share of common stock, unless further action is taken to determine another amount. The Fund's ability to maintain its current distribution rate will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and stability of income received from its investments, availability of capital gains, and the level of other Fund fees and expenses. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay a distribution of any particular amount or that a distribution will consist of only net investment income. Due to an effort to maintain a stable distribution amount, the distribution announced today, as well as future distributions, may consist of net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2022 will be made after the end of the year. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,400 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $437 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2021. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com. Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. Contact: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC Investor Information (877) 461-1899 SOURCE Neuberger Berman DUBLIN, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "South Africa Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the South African cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, cheques, and direct debits during the review-period (2016-20e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2020e-24f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure. This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the South African cards and payments industry, including - Current and forecast values for each market in the South African cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards. Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, and direct debits. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments. E-commerce market analysis. Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the South African cards and payments industry. Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit cards. Report Scope In March 2021 , the National Payment System Department of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) released a consultation paper on the feasibility of establishing a domestic card scheme in South Africa . SARB is seeking input from stakeholders - including card issuers, acquirers, retailers, regulators, government agencies, fintech companies, and other interested parties - as to the possibility of setting up a domestic scheme equivalent to Visa and Mastercard, and how it should be structured. The broader objective of the paper is to help achieve the goals of the National Payment System Framework and Strategy - Vision 2025 relating to financial stability and safety, competition, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness. , the National Payment System Department of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) released a consultation paper on the feasibility of establishing a domestic card scheme in . SARB is seeking input from stakeholders - including card issuers, acquirers, retailers, regulators, government agencies, fintech companies, and other interested parties - as to the possibility of setting up a domestic scheme equivalent to Visa and Mastercard, and how it should be structured. The broader objective of the paper is to help achieve the goals of the National Payment System Framework and Strategy - Vision 2025 relating to financial stability and safety, competition, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness. South Africa is officially phasing out the issuance, acceptance, and collection of paper cheques from December 31, 2020 . The decision was jointly taken by SARB, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Payments Association of South Africa (PASA), and Banking Association South Africa (BASA). In its consultation paper, SARB noted that the decision to phase out cheques was taken for several reasons, including security concerns. Meanwhile, the impact of COVID-19 led to a decline in both cheque usage and acceptance. is officially phasing out the issuance, acceptance, and collection of paper cheques from . The decision was jointly taken by SARB, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Payments Association of (PASA), and Banking Association South Africa (BASA). In its consultation paper, SARB noted that the decision to phase out cheques was taken for several reasons, including security concerns. Meanwhile, the impact of COVID-19 led to a decline in both cheque usage and acceptance. To benefit from the growing preference for convenient and secure payment solutions, international companies are launching their payment solutions in the country. In March 2021 , Apple launched its mobile payment solution Apple Pay in South Africa . It can be used to make in-store, in-app, and online payments. Card issuers and schemes that support Apple Pay in South Africa include Absa Bank , Discovery Bank, Nedbank, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Previously, Huawei Pay was launched in partnership with Zapper in December 2020 . Huawei Pay allows users to make contactless payments by tapping an NFC-compatible phone against a contactless payment device or card reader. The solution also allows payments to be made via a barcode or QR code. Meanwhile, Visa launched Click to Pay - an interoperable one-click online checkout service - in South Africa in July 2020 . Report Benefits Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the South African cards and payments industry and each market within it. Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the South African cards and payments industry. Assess the competitive dynamics in the South African cards and payments industry. Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in South Africa . . Gain insights into key regulations governing the South African cards and payments industry. Key Topics Covered: Payment Instruments Card-based Payments Merchant Acquiring Ecommerce Payments Buy Now Pay Later Mobile Payments P2P Payments Bill Payments Alternative Payments Job Analysis Payment Innovations Payment Infrastructure & Regulation Companies Mentioned Standard Bank Absa Capitec Nedbank First National Bank Visa Mastercard American Express Diners Club PayPal VodaPay SnapScan Zapper Samsung Pay Apple Pay FlickPay Paysafecard Huawei Pay Click to Pay For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iu5n2c 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 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Enterprise Diversified, Inc. ("ENDI" or the "Company") (OTC: SYTE), in connection with the proposed merger with CrossingBridge Advisors, LLC ("CrossingBridge"). At closing, both ENDI and CrossingBridge will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a newly formed holding company, ENDI Corp., ("ENDI Corp."). Under the terms of the merger agreement, the outstanding securities of each of ENDI and CrossingBridge will be exchanged for common stock of ENDI Corp. Immediately upon consummation of the merger, ENDI stockholders will own 52.5% of the outstanding common stock of ENDI Corp. CrossingBridge's parent company, Cohanzick Management, LLC ("Cohanzick"), will receive in the merger Endi Corp. Class A and Class B common stock, which will result in Cohanzick having approximately 61.3% voting interest in ENDI Corp. If you own ENDI shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/syte Or please contact: Joshua Rubin, Esq. WeissLaw LLP 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York, NY 10007 (212) 682-3025 (888) 593-4771 [email protected] WeissLaw LLP is investigating whether (i) ENDI's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the merger consideration adequately compensates ENDI's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed. WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected] SOURCE WeissLaw LLP Related Links http://weisslawllp.com Snapmaker hosted the 8th Snapmaking Contest themed with "Build Your Wonderland." Among all the Christmas decorations the participants made, the grand prize, a $1,000 coupon, went to Nicklaus Clemmer who made a dreamy Christmas village. Created the main body of the village with Snapmaker 2.0's 3D printing function, Christmas trees, and a sign with the Laser Module and the lake with Snapmaker 2.0 Rotary Module, the village blended everything perfectly together. Share followers' New Year Wishes Additionally, the manufacturer hosted a social media event from December 13 to 24, encouraging its followers to share how Snapmaker can help them fulfill their new year wishes. The winning entries are slated to win the improvised Snapmaker 2.0 A350T. Hundreds of entries were received, ranging from making personalized gifts and creating uplifting moments with loved ones with the help of Snapmaker. "I want to start up a new business for myself and my wife making premium wooden decorations and household accessories. The Snapmaker would tremendously help make this idea a reality!" said Zachary. "Looking to win one so I can further my craft and have a faster workflow to help with my ambition to make more and inspire others like my family and good open-minded people." shared Daniel. Celebrate Holiday Season With the Rest of the World "We're excited to offer deals on our products, hoping to make our customers' holiday more meaningful and special," said Rainie, marketing director at Snapmaker. During this holiday promotion period from December 16 to 31, customers can save 20% off most categories by shopping at Snapmaker's online store or on Amazon. On December 27, the Discovery Factory in Holland hosted a special event and worked with its participants on the Snapmaker machine to make a stamp with their own names on it. "We are happy to see that we are celebrating this holiday season filled with joy and happiness with our users around the globe," said Rainie. About Snapmaker Snapmaker is a tech company that develops, manufactures, and sells desktop multi-function 3D printers. Dedicated to creating premium-quality and user-friendly desktop fabricating machines, Snapmaker is loved by overseas and domestic customers. SOURCE Shenzhen Snapmaker Technologies Co., Ltd. This innovative platform technology generates microcurrent (-30mV to -230mV) by changing the structure of the ball water when "SMG ball" is put in a bathtub and hot water of 39 to 42 is supplied. This microcurrent causes the human body with abnormal human potential in the cell membrane to charge negative electrons, maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential (about -150 mV to -180 mV) in a healthy body, thereby recovering health and promoting cell regeneration. Professor Gerald Pollack of Washington State University in the United States conducted two years of experiments using somatide composite materials. As a result, high-density infrared rays emitted by somatide materials changed H2O(general water) to H3O2, pushing H+ ions out and generating negative electrons in the water to prevent oxidation of water, prevent tissue necrosis, and activate metabolism, and published in Hindawi and PLOSONE, SCI journals. Higher cell membrane negative electron potential in the human body maintains healthy weak alkalinity between pH 7.35 and 8.5, releases free radicals known as harmful substances in the body as oxygen generated by water changes to negative electron structures, and increases oxygen supply to maintain normal cell and improve blood circulation. On the other hand, when graphene with excellent conductivity is fused with a somatide mineral material, microcurrents that are beneficial to the human body are better transmitted to the human body. Pilsang Life Sciences is building "human microcurrent charging stations" in seven pilot locations by platforming innovative human immunity reinforcement and health condition restoration systems, and plans to quickly expand the construction of charging stations. In 2022, the company plans to build a pilot charging station in base countries such as the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and Russia. The core technologies developed by Pilsang Life Sciences applied for 10 original patents related to innovative technologies, including 1) extraction of complex somatide minerals, 2) fusion with graphene, 3) development of various living health products, 4) platformization of innovative healing systems. The company won the Gold Award and the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award at the Korea Invention Patent Exhibition in 2021. The company is currently expanding its patent portfolio for original technology globally. www.philsanglifescience.com Won Dae Kim +821027166614 [email protected] SOURCE Philsang Life Science Co.,Ltd Related Links philsanglifescience.com PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The MCS Group ("MCS") is providing notice of an event that may affect the privacy of information of certain individuals. MCS received this information in connection with services it provides regarding legal matters in which the impacted parties were involved or associated. This notice provides information about the event, MCS's response to it, and resources available to individuals to help protect their information, should they feel it necessary to do so. What Happened? On December 25, 2020, MCS identified suspicious activity related to certain MCS systems. Upon discovery, MCS immediately commenced an investigation, which included working with third-party forensic investigators, to determine the full nature and scope of the incident and to secure its network. Through this investigation, MCS determined that an unauthorized actor gained access to certain systems within its environment in December 2020 that store information related to services that MCS provides. As a result, the unauthorized actor may have gained access to or acquired information located within these systems. What Information Was Involved? MCS, with the assistance of third-party forensic investigators, conducted an extensive programmatic and manual review of the accessed systems to identify the types of information stored therein and to whom it relates. MCS is providing notice of this incident to those whose information was present in the affected systems and may have been viewed or taken by an unauthorized actor. While the specific data elements vary for each potentially affected individual, the scope of information potentially involved includes individuals' names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial account information, and username and password combinations. MCS has no reason to believe that any identity theft or unauthorized use of the affected information has occurred, and provided notice of the event in an abundance of caution. How Will Individuals Know If They Are Affected By This Incident? MCS is mailing notice letters to the individuals identified as impacted for whom they have valid mailing addresses. If an individual did not receive a letter but would like to know if they are affected, they may call MCS's dedicated assistance line, detailed below. What Is MCS Doing? MCS has strict security measures to protect the information in its possession, and has worked to add further technical safeguards to its environment. Following this incident, MCS took immediate steps to improve the security of its environment and increase its security posture. MCS also implemented additional training and education to employees to prevent similar future incidents. MCS also notified appropriate state regulators as required. Whom Should Individuals Contact For More Information? If individuals have questions or would like additional information, they may call MCS's dedicated assistance line, (877) 644-1116 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. What You Can Do? MCS encourages individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms, and to monitor free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Individuals may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of their credit report, place a fraud alert, or a security freeze. Contact information for the credit bureaus is below: Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended "fraud alert" on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer's credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer's credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer's identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below. As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a "credit freeze" on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer's express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. To request a security freeze, you will need to provide the following information: Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.); Social Security number; Date of birth; Addresses for the prior two to five years; Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill; A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver's license or ID card, military identification, etc.); and A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft. Should you wish to place a fraud alert or credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below: Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/ https://www.transunion.com/credit-help 888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 833-395-6938 Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 Additional Information You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov ; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney General. SOURCE The MCS Group, Inc. YANCHENG, China, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, thousands of international friends in Jiangsu participated the activity, "Experience Jiangsu and Understand China" (Yancheng), which was held in the Holland Flower Park of Dafeng. The purpose of this activity is to let foreign friends learn the "real and comprehensive China", and constantly expand the international circle of friends, according to the Publicity Department of Dafeng District People's Government. With the theme of "Visiting the Colorful Wetlands and Strolling in the Flower Sea in Dafeng", international friends from South Korea, Russia, France, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Belarus, and other countries who often live in Dafeng District gathered to visit Holland Flower Park and Hengbei Village, feel the great changes in China's rural areas, and to have a comprehensive understanding of the process of rural revitalization, cultural tourism, and urban development in the area. Nicolas Kaaijk, winner of Jiangsu Friendship Award and expert on tulip balls, said: "In 1998, with my ideal ambition and professional technology to promote tulips, I came to China with confidence and went to Beijing, Xi'an and other places to plant tulips. However, due to climate, soil and cooperation and other reasons, the tulip cause ended in failure. Until 2013, I officially joined the Holland Flower Park, and was responsible for the technical guidance of tulip cultivation and building a research center. The openness of Dafeng and the hard-working and friendly people of Dafeng made me fall in love with it. In the future, I will continue to promote the cooperation and build a bridge between Dafeng and the Netherlands." "I would like to thank the Jiangsu Friendship Association for building a platform for us to understand Chinese culture and perceive changes in China. I hope to have more opportunities to participate in such activities in the future," said Franz Morage Paul Christian, a director from the Netherlands. He said that the trip to Dafeng was wonderful and fruitful. The two made an appointment to see Milu deer, go to the maze, soak in hot springs, etc. They have fallen in love with China, Yancheng and Dafeng. In the future, they will take root in this beautiful place and irrigate a more beautiful future with wisdom and sweat. SOURCE Publicity Department of Dafeng District People's Government Haddon was selected to lead the 107-unit luxury senior living community earlier this year, bringing more than twenty years of experience in the healthcare industry. She began her career as a certified nursing assistant and med tech, and successfully advanced into leadership positions in culinary, programming, and mental health management. Most recently, Haddon joyfully served eight years as an Executive Director for assisted living and memory care communities before joining the Watercrest family. The residents and families of Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach sing Kim's praises as an executive director who honors her commitments and builds trust by holding herself and others accountable. Her dedication to teamwork has led to thriving partnerships in the surrounding community of Santa Rosa Beach, a city who greatly supported the development of the luxury senior living community of Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach. "Our days are filled with laughter, smiles and cherished moments with our residents making this extraordinary community their new home," says Kim Haddon, Executive Director of Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach. "We have formed a family here and look forward to amazing accomplishments and unforgettable experiences in 2022!" Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach offers 75 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments with resort-style service and world-class care. Residents enjoy pampering in elegant Spa W, savor private label Watercrest wines at the bistro, and relish the flavors of locally grown, seasonal ingredients and organic fare whether dining outdoors, bistro-style, or in the chef's private dining room. Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach is a newly-constructed senior living development project partnered between Watercrest Senior Living Group and The St. Joe Company. The 92,000 square foot luxury senior living community is conveniently located at 205 West Hewett Road along the Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. For information, contact the community at 850-660-7130. About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. About The St. Joe Company The St. Joe Company is a real estate development, asset management and operating company with real estate assets and operations in Northwest Florida. The Company intends to use existing assets for residential, hospitality and commercial ventures. St. Joe has significant residential and commercial land-use entitlements. The Company actively seeks higher and better uses for its real estate assets through a range of development activities. More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.joe.com. On a regular basis, the Company releases a video showing progress on projects in development or under construction. See https://www.joe.com/video-gallery for more information. SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group The China Digital Economy Industry Best Practices 50 report is the culmination of a joint effort by top research institutes, think-tanks and consulting firms from home and abroad over a span of nine months. Initiated by the APEC China Business Council, the project gives comprehensive and critical insights into how the application of digital technology is reshaping many industries in the world's second-largest economy. The selection followed rigorous procedures including application screening, expert on-site reviews, assessment meetings and follow-up reviews. As one of the most popular messaging and social media platforms, Weixin won the honor for delivering outstanding value on several fronts. Pragmatic tools in the ever-growing Weixin ecosystem such as Weixin Pay, Mini-programs, WeCom, Weixin Channels and Weixin Search allow small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to effectively shift toward sustainable operations, provide quality services at low cost and cultivate a loyal following. For example, Weixin Pay has proven to be a powerful tool in simplifying transactions, improving efficiency and increasing the connection with customers. Bubugao Group (Better Life) is using Weixin to organize social media marketing as well as support for online-to-offline collaboration and group buying. In addition, as part of corporation social responsibility programs, Weixin's Yanhuo Act has benefited tens of millions of small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The Weixin mini-program is a lightweight, easy to use sub-application that requires zero trouble to download and install. Represented by the Weixin ecosystem, the power of technological innovation is boosting integration between the digital and real economies of China, effectively promoting economic recovery and driving the rise of new consumption patterns, according to the best practices report. Over the years, Weixin has won the hearts and minds of all for its corporate culture and values, long-lasting competitive edge and commitment to providing meticulous, considerate and accessible services, said the report. Weixin has also made the daily lives of individuals easier while ushering in new career opportunities. In a report issued on April 22, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, lauded the fact that the Weixin ecosystem was behind the creation of 36.84 million jobs in 2020, a 24.4 percent increase over the year previous. As many have observed, the pandemic has accelerated the upgrade of digital technology and its application across society, giving an especially strong thrust to China's pursuit of high-quality growth while the world are grappling with the impact of COVID-19. Carol Liao, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, said the 50 service providers are either traditional enterprises undergoing a digital transition or tech firms enabling industrial change, so their practices and approaches are valuable to the business community, government policy-making and the wider world in providing a glimpse of China's solutions in going digital. Recording and sharing best practices in China helps other economies to understand the innovation and new technologies at Chinese firms, thereby promoting international exchanges and facilitating multilateral cooperation in the development of the digital economy, according to Sun Xiao, Director General of the China Chamber of International Commerce. Following their in-depth research, experts in the project agree that Chinese digital enterprises are committed to making breakthroughs, are eager to apply the technologies for the benefit of the public, and stand ready to propel industrial transformation. SOURCE Weixin OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Wi-LAN Inc. ("WiLAN"), a Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") company (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), today announced that WiLAN's wholly-owned subsidiary, Polaris Innovations Limited ("Polaris"), has entered into a license agreement granting rights to certain patents owned by Polaris to Marvell Technology Inc. ("Marvell"). The licensed Polaris patents generally relate to memory interface technologies. The consideration payable to Polaris by Marvell and all other terms of the license agreement are confidential. About WiLAN WiLAN, a Quarterhill company, is one of the most successful patent monetization companies in the world and partners with its customers to unlock the value of intellectual property through various patent monetization models. WiLAN operates in a variety of markets including automotive, digital television, Internet, medical, semiconductor and wireless communication technologies. For more information: www.wilan.com . About Quarterhill Quarterhill is a growth-oriented company in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry as well as, through its Wi-LAN Inc. subsidiary, a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is to execute an investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS - and its adjacent markets - to become a global leader in that industry. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Wi-LAN Inc. NEW YORK and SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, a preeminent national consumer rights law firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of current and former Metromile, Inc. ("Metromile") customers. Metromile is an insurance company. Defendant sells pay-per-mile automobile insurance and licenses its technology to other insurance companies. On or about March 5, 2021, Metromile began notifying customers and state Attorneys General about a data breach that occurred between July 2020 and January 2021 (the "Data Breach"). Metromile discovered a cybersecurity incident arising out of a software bug related to its online pre-filled quote form and application process. Based on its initial investigation, Metromile determined that unknown persons exploited the software bug to obtain personal information of certain individuals. Hackers obtained information from Metromile including the personally identifiable information of over one hundred thousand consumers, including, but not limited to, their driver's license numbers. If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH from Metromile and you reside in the United States, if you wish to discuss this litigation, or if you have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this matter, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at [email protected], or visit our website at www.whafh.com PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT CONTACT FORM Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has extensive experience in the prosecution of consumer rights litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. Courts have repeatedly recognized the reputation and expertise of this firm and have appointed it to major positions in complex consolidated litigation. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Rachele R. Byrd, Esq., Partner Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (619) 239-4599 Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Related Links http://www.whafh.com "Leveraging our strong online and offline connections with consumers, we hope to increase environmental awareness among the public by encouraging and rewarding more eco-friendly choices," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. "In the future, we will explore more innovative ways to motivate consumers and other stakeholders to join us on our journey to drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable planet." In December, KFC launched an interactive section on its Super App addressing topics including "Exploring Carbon Reduction" and "The Journey to Carbon Neutrality". KFC is also partnering with influential brand ambassadors to bolster customer engagement and encourage consumers to adopt low carbon lifestyles. To promote carbon reduction actions, KFC has introduced a green rewards program that encourages and incentivizes behaviors such as mobile ordering and in-store pickup, opting out of using disposable cutlery, reducing food waste and waste sorting. KFC is calling on consumers to record their carbon reduction contributions using the Super App in return for "green points" that can be exchanged for special coupons. Launched simultaneously at over 7,900 stores across the country, KFC's green rewards program was accessible to more than 320 million KFC members. During the three-week campaign period that ended on December 20, more than 28 million KFC members across the country actively participated in the campaign and completed over 63 million Super App check-ins and carbon reduction actions, leading to a total carbon reduction of 145 tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e). Meanwhile, KFC has launched an oat drink to its breakfast menu, its first "carbon zero" product. The carbon footprint of the oat drink has been certified by a 3rd party institution. To offset any environmental impact of the oat drink, KFC has joined hands with the China Green Carbon Foundation to plant trees and launch the "KFC Carbon Neutral Forest" project in Baoshan city in Yunnan province. The new green rewards program and sustainable menu choice are the latest steps taken by Yum China to promote environmental protection and climate action. In December 2020, Yum China launched a series of plastic reduction and environmentally friendly packaging initiatives across its brands in line with the latest regulation in China. At the same time, KFC has installed assorted waste bins in restaurants in 46 cities while providing customers with helpful sorting guidance. In addition, KFC has expanded its pilot food bank program to reduce food waste, covering over 120 KFC restaurants in 23 cities as of the end of December 2021. Yum China has taken an increasingly active stance on environmental issues such as climate change and the environmental footprint of its supply chain. In June 2021, Yum China signed the Business Ambition for 1.5C Commitment Letter, as part of the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), demonstrating the Company's commitment to climate action and support of the Paris Agreement goal to limit global temperature rise to well below 2C, preferably to 1.5C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Forward-Looking Statements This press 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. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "aim," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should," "forecast," "outlook," "look forward to" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations " in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results. About Yum China Holdings, Inc. Yum China Holdings, Inc. is a licensee of Yum! Brands in mainland China. It has exclusive rights in mainland China to KFC, China's leading quick-service restaurant brand, Pizza Hut, the leading casual dining restaurant brand in China, and Taco Bell, a California-based restaurant chain serving innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China also owns the Little Sheep, Huang Ji Huang, East Dawning and COFFii & JOY concepts outright. In addition, Yum China has partnered with Lavazza to explore and develop the Lavazza coffee shop concept in China. The Company had 11,415 restaurants in over 1,600 cities at the end of September 2021. Yum China ranked # 363 on the Fortune 500 list and was named to TIME100 Most Influential Companies list in 2021. Yum China has been selected as member of both Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI): World Index and Emerging Market Index. In 2021, Yum China was named to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and was certified as a Top Employer 2021 in China by the Top Employers Institute, both for the third consecutive year. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com. SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc. Ramallah, Dec 31 : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Israel's economic and security steps cannot be an alternative to a political track. During a phone conversation on Thursday, Abbas and Putin exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holidays, wishing peace and stability would prevail in the region and the world, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted an official statement as saying. The two leaders discussed the latest developments related to the Palestinian cause, it said. "Amid the absence of a political track, the Israeli rejection of the two-state solution, continuing to stifle the Palestinian economy, and cutting tax revenue dues, decisive Palestinian decisions will be taken in this regard," the Palestinian President told his Russian counterpart. Abbas stressed the need for a political track based on international resolutions and holding a meeting of the International Quartet, which comprises Russia, the US, European Union and the United Nations at the ministerial level, Xinhua news agency reported. He also underscored the importance of stopping the unilateral Israeli measures, mainly building settlements, confiscating Palestinian land, demolishing homes and deporting Palestinians from East Jerusalem. The Palestinian President warned that the continuation of such Israeli measures will lead to unexpected tensions in the region. The phone talk between Putin and Abbas came after the latter met with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday evening near Tel Aviv, during which they discussed security and civil issues. Jerusalem, Dec 31 : An Israeli national who crossed the border into Lebanon a few weeks ago was repatriated, the Israeli military said. "IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops conducted a joint operational effort with UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) and Israeli security officials, returning an Israeli civilian who crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon a few weeks ago," the Israeli military added in a statement. The Israeli civilian was returned to the Rosh Hanikra Crossing at Israel's northern border on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. The 25-year-old man, from the Negev desert region in southern Israel, apparently entered Lebanese territory "voluntarily and consciously," the statement said. Ran Kochav, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, told the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper that the man apparently intended to join the Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military group and party in Lebanon. He was apprehended by Lebanese forces immediately after crossing the border and taken for questioning, apparently by the Hezbollah, Kochav said. The Israeli military spokesperson claimed that the man has a criminal record and suffers a mental illness. Israel and Lebanon don't have diplomatic ties and the Israeli law bans its citizens from traveling to Lebanon. Washington, Dec 31 : US President Joe Biden spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on phone amid heightened tensions over Ukraine. Biden on Thursday urged Russia to "de-escalate tensions with Ukraine" and made it clear that the US and its allies and partners will "respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," according to a statement by White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki on the phone call. The US President 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, said the statement. Biden reiterated that "substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," the statement added. Thursday's phone call was the second conversation between Biden and Putin in December. The two leaders spoke on December 7 in a video conference that ended with a pledge to restart diplomatic discussions, Xinhua news agency reported. Chennai, Dec 31 : Heavy rains in Chennai led to three human deaths due to electrocution and four subways were shut down on Thursday. Nearly 100 streets in Chennai city were waterlogged and the officials and employees of the Greater Chennai Corporation are at work to clear the waterlogging in the city. K.K.S.S.R Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, told the media that 106 streets in the city are waterlogged and once the rain stops, the waterlogging would be cleared. The Minister said the tanks and reservoirs around Chennai are being monitored for inflow and if necessary they would be opened for safety. Ramachandran added that rains received were high in Nandanam, Vadapalani and M.R.C. Nagar in Chennai city. The Indian Meterological Department (IMD) said Nungambakkam received 12 cm of rain and Nandanam 8 cm of rainfall during the day on December 30. S. Balachandran, Deputy Director-General, IMD, while speaking to media said, "The interaction of easterly winds at lower levels and westerly winds at upper level has brought rain to the city. The rains in the city will continue till January 3." IANS had reported earlier that there would be rains and winds in several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. N. Puviarasan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, while speaking to media said, "The unexpected fast movement of the easterly trough over Chennai coast has led to intense rainfall in the city on Thursday. Prediction of such heavy rains is impossible." Washington/Moscow, Dec 31 : In a year-end phone call, US President Joe Biden urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine, while making it clear that Washington and its allies will "respond decisively" if Moscow "further invades" Kiev. In a statement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that during the call on Thursday, the US President 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 (OSCE) in Europe. "President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," Psaki added. A senior administration official said the "tone of the conversation between the two Presidents was serious and substantive" and they also discussed the importance of "pragmatic, results-oriented diplomacy". On it part, the Kremlin said Biden and Putin "discussed agreements reached during their previous consultations on December 7, including the decision to launch negotiations on the provision of legal guarantees aimed at ensuring Russia's security". It was emphasized that the outcome of joint cooperation should yield legal guarantees against NATO's eastward expansion and the alliance's deployment of weapons systems near Russia's borders. Putin and Biden agreed on the importance of serious and meaningful dialogue on these matters, and confirmed that upcoming security talks between Moscow and Washington would be carried out in three formats. The first round of negotiations will take place in Geneva on January 9-10, 2022. They will later continue in Brussels within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council on January 12, and within the OSCE on January 13. During the talks, Putin noted that imposing wide-ranging sanctions against Moscow in case of a possible escalation of events would be a "grave mistake" and could lead to a major "rupture in Russia-US ties", the Kremlin said. Both Presidents agreed to continue the dialogue and closely monitor all upcoming negotiations. "In general, the conversation was frank and businesslike. It was useful to both parties," the Kremlin added. During their first in-person summit in Geneva on June 16 when US-Russia relations were at their lowest point in years, the two leaders discussed issues including strategic stability and cybersecurity. Despite a lack of breakthroughs during their meeting and many remaining contradictions, their consultations back then demonstrated that both sides were willing to launch a dialogue with the aim of preventing a further escalation of tensions. At another virtual summit on December 7, they discussed the situation in Ukraine, the Iran nuclear deal, cybersecurity, and bilateral ties, among other issues. It is the Opposition's responsibility to be the voice of the people of Kerala. It is also our primary duty to work for the welfare of the people and the development of the state. We have a clear view on how our state should go forward in the coming years and it includes the need for sustainable development, equitable distribution of welfare measures and transparent and democratic public space where any citizens can voice their opinion. We will strive to be, in theory and practice, pro-minorities, pro-women, pro-SC&ST communities, pro- LGBT and pro-environment. The weaker sections need to be further assisted to establish their space in the mainstream. Neither economic nor social disparities should come in the way of individuals to pursue their dreams. Equal opportunities, freedom and the space for all to live with self-respect and in harmony should be our aim. Kerala has remarkable achievements in the social indices among the states of India. But we need to further our efforts to establish a socialistic, democratic society. The first aim should be to wipe out poverty from our state. The recurring, poverty-malnutrition triggered deaths in Attapady are shocking reminders that pockets of severe deprivation are still around in Kerala. We need a totally inclusive, focussed effort to wipe out poverty. Seamless distribution of food, medicines and other support mechanisms should be ensured. Then comes the special rights of the tribal and coastal communities. Their land should be protected, their rights over natural resources should be ensured. Somewhere along the way Kerala's development initiatives lost track of the coastal people and the Adivasis. There has to be stronger enactments to protect these sections in our society. We also need special welfare missions for them. Sustainable and climate resilient development is the only way in front of Kerala. Ever since the 2017 Ockhi cyclone , the State has been experiencing floods, landslides, cyclones etc. Long rainy seasons have posed very serious questions about our agriculture calendar. Dam safety has become a major concern. Maintenance of our infrastructure facilities is another issue. So where do we go from here? Carbon neutral development initiatives alone can tackle climate change in the long run. But for the short term, we need to look at issues which are of utmost importance. How will we rebuild the fast eroding coastline? How can Kuttanad be saved? The Opposition will not only try to keep these issues in the public eye, but also get solutions from experts and local communities and channelise help. We want to construct a Kerala which will be safe, equality based and open minded. Women, children, LGBT community and young people should feel safe and hopeful here. They all have to live, work and come up in life. Our age-old prejudices have to go. Respecting an individual's freedom should be put in prominence. Attacks against women are increasing, horrifying crimes are happening all around. Social media spaces are becoming human rights violation zones. Kerala's opposition will work with civil society and enforcement agencies and individual initiatives to make the state a better place for women and children. The LGBT community needs special protection, care and support systems. We believe in giving them legal, medical and social protection to come up in life and be in the mainstream. A developed society is one which accepts plurality and freedom. Different voices, opposing stands will have to find space in our public arena. The Left Government's stand to brand anyone with a different view as a terrorist and to impose the draconian UAPA on individuals are most despicable. This state cannot become Stalin's Russia or Mao's China. In an era in which religion, caste, creed, etc., are dominating the political space of the country, defending one another's freedom, free speech and choices itself is a political activity. Congress and the UDF are committed to this. We believe that the Legislature is one of the most important places where people's issues should be discussed, serious debates should be carried out. We are proud to say that issues from the government's attempt to keep Covid death numbers under the carpet to IPCC Report on climate change, Kerala's opposition brought in the most important issues to the floor of the Assembly. We will act as a constructive opposition keeping in view Kerala's welfare in focus. We want to make Kerala Assembly a model for the rest of the country by engaging in serious, relevant and democratic discussions and debates. To sum up, the Opposition in Kerala will always be committed to the welfare and betterment of our state and act with conviction and honesty. (V.D. Satheesan is the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and a five-time Congress MLA from the Paravur Assembly constituency in Ernakulam district. The views are personal) Los Angeles, Dec 31 : Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has donated 25 tiny houses to homeless veterans in Los Angeles, after teaming up with the Village for Vets programme. Schwarzenegger paid $250,000 to purchase the structures, located in West Los Angeles, according to Fox11, and donated them to those who previously fought in the US armed forces but are now facing homelessness, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The 74-year-old actor tweeted about it. He wrote: "Today, I celebrated Christmas early. The 25 homes I donated for homeless veterans were installed here in LA. It was fantastic to spend some time with our heroes and welcome them into their new homes. "I want to thank @villageforvets for arranging the homes and being a fantastic partner, @secvetaffairs, @amvetshq and everyone who worked with us and made this possible. We proved that when we all work together, we can solve any problem." One veteran named Bruce Henry Cooper told Fox11 the project had been a "life-saver" for him and other homeless veterans this Christmas. He added of the 'Kindergarten Cop' actor: "He has not forgotten us." The Village for Vets project has been working with retired service members who have resorted to living on the streets since 2016, by setting them up with tiny houses that are fully equipped with water, heating, electricity and air conditioning. Schwarzenegger also told Fox11 in an interview that he considered the joy he felt after his charitable deed to be "the greatest Christmas gift" he could have received. He said: "It makes me feel good that I can give something back to this country that has given everything to me. I had this great success, only because of America a Whatever I tackled, I achieved because of America, so to me it's always great to give something back." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Dec 31 : Television actors Vishal Gandhi and Manish Khanna have talked about their entry in the show 'Meet' and how their characters will add more drama to the storyline. Vishal, who plays Tej Ahlawat in 'Meet', said: "My character in 'Meet' is slightly different from the usual ones I've portrayed so far. He is a well-respected guy who has been turned into a mentally unstable beggar because of some past incidents in life. "I am sure the revelation about my character will leave everyone astonished and that's why I agreed to be a part of this show." The actor, who is known for playing grey shaded character Mihir Sukhadia in 'Tamanna', said he loves to play challenging roles. He added: "It is also challenging to play divergent characters and as an actor, I am also seeking such roles." On the other hand, 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' actor Manish also expressed his happiness at being a part of the show. He shared: "I'm really glad to be a part of a show like 'Meet' which is loved and appreciated by the audience so much. It's always a challenge to join a show midway because the viewers are already accustomed and used to the actors, however, a new face always adds to the drama." He further shared about his on-screen personality, saying: My character of JP is slightly in the grey zone, but he is not wrong as a person. He just wants what is best for his daughter. I am sure JP's tricks are all set to bring in a lot of high-voltage drama and I hope I do justice to my character in 'Meet'." 'Meet' airs on Zee TV. Chennai, Dec 31 : Former Chief Minister and AIADMK Coordinator O.Panneerselvam on Friday condemned the holding of government function with sea of people attending in Trichy and Thanjavur when Covid-19 spead is increasing in Tamil Nadu. He also said Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has violated his own order of Covid-19 restrictions, which is nothing but "painful". Panneerselvam said holding a government function in which a sea of people gathered when there is a spike in Covid-19 cases and Chief Minister himself addressing it is like fence eating the crop. He also pointed out the government's statement extending the Covid-19 restrictions till 31.12.2021 wherein it was said that the possibilities of Coronavirus spreading is high when a large number of people gather at one place. According to Panneerselvam, on 30.12.2021, on the pretext of distributing welfare measures by the government, huge meetings with a large number of people were held in Thanjavur and Trichy and Stalin himself had addressed them. Panneerselvam also urged the government to ban social/cultural/political and government functions at a time when Covid-19 and Omicron is spreading. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Dec 31 : The agitating resident doctors on Friday called off their 14-day long nationwide agitation over the delay in NEET-PG counselling and alleged manhandling of doctors by the police. The doctors will resume work from 12 p.m. The strike was called after a meeting between the members of the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) and Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police. "Last evening we met the Joint CP of Delhi. The Delhi Police have initiated the process of quashing the FIR," said Dr Manish Nigam, president of FORDA. Joint CP has sent a video message to rebuild the trust between the doctors and the police, he said. In a statement, FORDRA said that a series of meetings of FORDA Representatives was held with multiple Delhi Police officials. It was highlighted by the Delhi Police that they have the highest regard for doctors. They are well aware of the hardships of Doctors and as earlier, they are willing to cooperate with the Medical fraternity for any issue at any time. "A virtual meeting of FORDA with all RDA Representatives was convened late in the evening whereby all the proceedings were conveyed and all concerning points were discussed in detail. It was unanimously decided to call off the agitation on 31st December, 2021, 12.00 p.m., considering various factors including patient care," said FORDRA. However, the doctors association has said that a national meeting with all the RDA representatives will be convened by FORDA on January 6. As the health ministry is supposed to submit the Committee Report to the Supreme Court before January 6, 2022 and will publish the NEET-PG 2021 Counselling schedule following the Court hearing, the association said. The resident doctors had called for a total shutdown of medical services in the hospitals after the police action during their march towards the apex court on December 27. Johannesburg/New Delhi, Dec 31 : In some comforting news amid Omicron spread globally, South Africa may have passed the peak of Covid-19 infections and the country has lifted overnight curfew rules, the media reported on Friday. The Omicron variant, while highly transmissible, had seen lower hospitalisation rates than previous waves in South Africa, the BBC said, quoting from a statement by the government. "There had been a marginal increase in the number of deaths", the statement said. "For the week ending 25 December 2021, the number of confirmed infections stood at 89,781 -- down from 127,753 the week before," according to the report. The country still has "spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services" despite the Omicron wave. South Africa has recorded almost 3.5 million Covid-19 cases and more than 90,000 deaths during the pandemic. The fast-spreading Omicron variant is likely to soon replace the Delta strain globally, experts in Singapore have warned, as countries after countries have reported a record surge in the Covid cases. Meanwhile, the Omicron infection tally climbed to 1,270 in India and of the total patients, 374 have been discharged from hospitals. So far, a total of 23 states have reported the new variant. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned that the more transmissible Omicron together with the currently circulating Delta variants might lead to "a tsunami of cases," putting immense pressure on national health systems. Recapping WHO's response since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing that he's "highly concerned that Omicron being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta -- is leading to a tsunami of cases." Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Dec 31 : An engineer by qualification, Priyanka Mashelkar has an MA in Public Administration, a diploma in Business Laws, and certifications in International Tax Law, and Private Equity and Venture Capital. She is a member of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), is pursuing a law degree and just authored a book on 15 ways of mastering your own money and hitting the jackpot. But then, it wasn't always like that. "If you had asked me ten years ago what I planned on becoming, a tax officer would not even have made the long list of options. My answers would have been a lot more entertaining - a forest ranger, or an author who retired to the mountains a few months at a time to pen her latest bestseller. "It all changed when I was studying to be a computer engineer. Unlike most of my classmates, I loved the subject. But like most of them, I knew that I couldn't do this for the rest of my life. While they chose the MBA route, I wanted something different. I had always been idealistic, but now I wanted action, I wanted impact. And I wanted it now," Mashelkar, 32, told IANS in an interview of her book "15 Sure-Shot Ways To Hit The Jackpot' (Fingerprint!Publishing). Thanks to her father, who was a college principal and had interacted with young IAS officers in his official capacity, she was made aware of "this young breed of our citizens, who worked inside the government, and who held power, albeit limited, to better the lives of ordinary citizens. That's what got me into appearing for the civil service examination conducted by the UPSC, and then into the IRS". During her 16 months training at the National Academy of Direct Taxes in Nagpur, Mashelkar discovered that the IRS "combined everything that was dear to me; a job that had a direct impact on the nation, that required analytical skills, and even a chance to play the detective", she added. And that's what the book is all about. How did she come to acquire these perceptions so early in life? "By making a lot of mistakes! And I still don't claim to know the absolutely optimal way of managing your finances. But I do know what was the simplest and easiest way to manage my own finances, and I have enough experience with numbers to know what works and what doesn't," Masheklar maintained. When we are talking about the 25-plusers at whom the book is essentially aimed at, we are essentially talking about three categories: single men, single women, and the recently married. Does one size really fit all? "The beauty of personal finance is that it truly is personal. In my book, I don't presume and I don't judge what people earn and what they spend on. Those granularities are left to the reader. What the book offers is a framework within which you can plug in your own priorities and it will tell you what steps you must take to better your finances. I think it is important to meet the reader where they are, and not assume that they are in an imaginary ideal situation you wish them to be in," Mashelkar explained. Is there really a divide when it comes to our perception of how men and women spend their money? "It is a very interesting question. If you look closely, you will notice one very peculiar fact: most women's magazines characterize their female readers as "excessive spenders", and publish articles revolving around budgeting, being frugal, and avoiding retail therapy. The men's magazines, on the other hand, encourage their male readers to "conquer" the financial world by learning how to earn more and invest in high risk-high reward investments. "I think that lays bare our perception of how men and women are expected to deal with their money - women need to spend less, and men need to earn more," Mashelkar maintained. What has been the impact of the pandemic on the manner men-women-couples spend their money and how does she see the road ahead in the 'new normal' - if at all there will be one? "Anecdotally, I see two distinct changes in the way we manage our money after the pandemic. One, for the ones amongst us who were privileged enough to have incomes that remained unchanged, we all became a lot more comfortable with spending (and investing) money online. That is a double-edged sword, because while spending online can be a slippery road, investing online can be the easiest road to wealth for most of us. "Two, for the ones who were not quite as privileged and had to deal with income uncertainty, there is a growing realisation that the paycheck-to-paycheck living is not all that great, and even at the cost of short-term pain, having an emergency fund and insurance in place is worth it. "Overall, personal finance has gained its rightful importance in people's lives...I just want to add one small piece of advice for the young investors - it is better to start today with the wrong investment than tomorrow with the right one," Mashelkar elaborated. As a reality check, here's an excerpt from the book: "Let me paint you a picture. Imagine an old man, say about 75 years old. Although healthy for his age, he has some physical issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. But that's to be expected at this stage in his life. So, let's not worry about that. His skin is wrinkled, his hair is white, and there is a balding patch at the back of his head. He can walk around and move about without any help, but he does get tired easily. He cannot pick up too much weight without his back giving out. He does not sleep very well at night; he keeps waking up to go to the bathroom. He also needs to take a nap in the afternoon to compensate for his lack of sleep. Not too bad, right? "Well, what if I told you that this man is currently working as a driver with a ride-sharing company? He works for thirteen hours a day, ferrying people around the city, which means that he does not get his afternoon nap even though he needs it rather desperately and that he barely has time to eat his meals while on duty. He sometimes has to lift heavy luggage too; after all, passenger reigns supreme. He sometimes misses out on the more lucrative rides because he is not as quick as the other younger drivers are on the fancy mobile phone that he had to buy for the job. He often has difficulty finding a place because in spite of using voice navigation, he is new to Google Maps. And, needless to say, after working for thirteen straight hours, he is bone-tired by the time he comes back home every day. "I know you feel bad for the old man. But that's about it, right? You can never imagine yourself being in the same position as him, can you? I mean after working so hard your whole life, you will have surely figured things out by then, no? You earn reasonably well now, even at such a young age, and you believe you will have a bright career. Which means that you will be able to save when you earn more in the years ahead and you will be wealthy without thinking too much about it. But wait. Please. Understand once and for all that you do need to think about it, and you need to think about it NOW. "Why am I being so assertive about it? Well, in spite of being in the early stages of your professional life when you might think that you are not earning enough, this is, in fact, the only time in your life that your net income will be so high. Confused? Let me explain. As an independent, single, unencumbered individual, your financial liabilities are rather limited. But as you gain family members, you will be left with a lower net income than what you earned when you were unattached, so to say. And at that time, you will wish you had saved more when you had the chance. Unfortunately, whenever your income increases, your expenses increase in direct proportion. That is a universal law. So, if you do not start planning your finances now with an eye on your postretirement life, your future is probably going to be similar to how that old man is living, that much is a fact. You can either be pension-free or tension-free." So, there you have it - the way to mastering your own money. Give it a shot, you won't regret it. If you'd like a free one-to-one consultation with the author, register at www.priyankamashelkar.com/consultation. (Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in) Seoul, Dec 31 : North Korea has discussed a draft resolution expected to be adopted at the closing of an ongoing Workers' Party plenary, amid expectations the document could include its foreign policy line for the new year, Pyongyang state media reported on Friday. The North convened a fourth day of the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Thursday, during which participants "concluded sectional workshops and consultative sessions", according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The participants launched sectional workshops Tuesday to "map out plans according to the fighting policies set forth" by leader Kim Jong-un under his report "on the orientation of the work of the party and state in 2022", Yonhap News Agency reported citing the KCNA as saying. "The meeting put together constructive opinions to be added to a draft resolution and had final examination of them," it said. The KCNA did not provide details, but the resolution is likely to include the North's stance on the deadlocked inter-Korean relations and its nuclear talks with the US as top officials in charge of the issues were spotted partaking in the discussion sessions. The resolution is expected to be unveiled at the end of the plenary. The KCNA said a fifth-day session was to be held, though it's unclear for how many days the gathering will continue. Previous plenary meetings were held between one and four days. This week's meeting has drawn keen attention as it could replace Kim's annual New Year's Day address, which is closely watched by the outside world for clues on the country's domestic and foreign policy directions for the new year. Kim has skipped such speeches in the past two years, opting instead to unveil key messages via major party sessions around the turn of the calendar. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The launch of Samudrayaan, India's manned scientific submersible under its ambitious Rs 4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission was the hallmark of the Ministry of Earth Sciences' (MoES) work in the year 2021. The Deep Ocean Mission is a resolute plan to explore and harness the deep-oceanic resources and support the 'Blue Economy Initiatives' of the Central government with the MoES being the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional ambitious mission. The best part is that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is helping to build a specialised sphere for the manned mission to reach 6,000 metres deep into the ocean. On a trial basis on November 5, the autonomous National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT under the MoES, developed and tested a 'personnel sphere' for a manned submersible system for 500 metre water depth rating. Now, a Titanium alloy personnel sphere for manned submersible system for 6,000 metre water depth rating, is under development in association with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. The MoES is looking at 2022 as a step closer to the Samudrayaan as this will be the basic building block for the Mission where scientists sort out the nitty-gritties regarding a programme that less than 10 countries across the globe carry out. "India has planned to send a manned mission to space and to the bottom of the ocean at the same time - roughly, 2024," Minister for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh had recently told media persons. One of the many aims of the Deep Ocean Mission is to study the sea surface temperatures and then also study deep ocean thermal vents, all that can have a bearing on the changing climatic conditions. Apart from looking at and within the ocean, the MoES also has a primary weather forecaster, i.e. the India Meteorological Department (IMD). There have been significant improvements in forecasting accuracy with respect to severe weather events, including tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, fog, heat wave, cold wave, thunderstorms. "In general, there has been a 20 to 40 per cent improvement in forecast accuracy of severe weather events in the recent five years (2016-2020) as compared to previous five years (2011-15). The annual average track forecast errors in 2021 have been 60 km, 93 km and 164 km, respectively, for 24, 48 and 72 hours (probability of getting an accurate forecast so many hours before the actual cyclone landfall) against the past five-year average error of 77, 117 and 159 kms based on data of 2016-2020," data from MoES showed. Accurate and timely prediction of tropical cyclones Tauktae, Yaas, Gulab and Shaheen helped the respective district administrations, and the disaster management authorities save thousands of precious lives. There were also the occasional hiccups when the IMD's forecasts were off the mark. Two examples from 2021 are the forecast for arrival of monsoon in the national capital (in June-July) and the very latest, the extremely heavy rainfall in Chennai and three surrounding districts on December 30. Three Doppler Weather Radars were commissioned at Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand); Kufri and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh); and Jammu. A Dual-polarimetric C-band Doppler Weather Radar was commissioned in the above facility recently for detailed precipitation process studies in the core monsoon zone. Meanwhile, an official from the MoES said the work for seismic micro-zonation of four cities, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Mangalore, is at an advanced stage of completion and work related to eight more cities (Patna, Meerut, Amritsar, Agra, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur and Dhanbad) has been started and various Geophysical & Geotechnical surveys are in progress. And among the most exciting yet least talked about is India's scientific expeditions to Antarctica. The 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (40-ISEA) was flagged off from Goa in January while the 41st expedition was flagged off in November. The November team has two major programmes. "The first programme encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station. This will help explore the link between India and Antarctica in the past," a statement from the Ministry said, adding: "The second programme involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 metres of ice core near Maitri in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute. It will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea-ice and greenhouse gases from a single climate archive for the past 10,000 years." "All programmes of the Ministry are currently aligned with the Samudrayaan launch proposed in 2024. Year 2021 was when the countdown began towards the same and the years 2022 and 2023 would be building on that to reach the goal in 2024," a scientist from one of the institutions said. Washington, Dec 31 : The surge in Omicron cases is forcing the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to postpone elective surgeries as a growing number of staff have been asked to isolate or quarantine, according to a memo. The move came as at least 80 clinical centre staff called in sick on Wednesday alone because of Covid-19 infections or exposures, Xinhua news agency quoted a Reuters report on Thursday citing the memo as saying. Staff of the largest hospital in the US devoted to clinical research were informed on Wednesday that elective surgeries would be delayed from next week, the report said. A total of 250 new cases of Covid-19 were reported between December 20-27 out of an estimated 40,000 staff across all of NIH, it added. This report comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened isolation time for Americans infected with Covid-19 from 10 to five days. In a new guideline released earlier this week, the US health agency is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with Covid-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The guidance does not require a negative test to leave isolation or quarantine, which experts worry may drive up transmission and new cases. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, Dec 31 : It has been a decade-long-journey for Ranveer Singh in the world of Hindi cinema. The Bollywood's livewire star says it has been a fulfilling one for him and that he was a different person 10 years ago. Ranveer made his acting debut with 'Band Baaja Baaraat' in 2010, after which he starred in a slew of blockbusters such as 'Bajirao Mastani', 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela', 'Padmaavat', 'Dil Dhadakne Do', 'Simmba', 'Gully Boy' and '83'. He says, "I have completed a decade and this journey has been beyond my wildest imagination. I am so grateful that I even got a chance to become an actor and filled with gratitude every day. It's surreal for me to think that I am living my dream, I am so grateful for the opportunities, I value them tremendously. "And what a journey it has been these 10 years - from 'Band Baaja Baraat' (BBB) to '83' and I am so happy that I got the opportunity to work with the best filmmakers, to show my repertoire as an actor, to explore my own craft in the diverse genres, to showcase my versatility." The actor calls his journey a fulfilling one. "This journey has been fulfilling but I was a different person I was 10 years ago. When I started with 'BBB' it was an overnight hit and I used to feel I can do anything. But as the years went on and I started gaining more experience and evolving as a person I realised I don't know anything and I was like man this craft of acting and performance is limitless." He added: "There is no right or wrong of doing things - its just creation, its so free flowing, its literally infinite. And so, I realized that today I'm in a position where I don't know anything." The actor shared that really just scratching the surface. "So 10 years in on the occasion of this momentous release of my career, I would say I'm hungrier than ever before. "I want to work with filmmakers who have shaped me again to see what else can I explore from this collaboration. I want to work with new voices, new genres, new filmmakers, new stories, I want fresh challenges." Ranveer shared that being an actor has given him so much "joy, fulfillment right now. I am working with Karan Johar for the first time, Alia for the second time - to be collaborating with these fine talents - I am very excited about the films that are coming up." Ranveer will be next seen in YRF's 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar', Shankar's remake of his blockbuster 'Anniyan', Rohit Shetty's 'Cirkus' and Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani'. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, Dec 31 : As per the IANS-CVoter Issues That Dominated India 2021, about 2.5 lakh Indians officially died during the devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021. But the actual numbers could be far higher. The IANS-CVoter Covid tracker and municipality records indicate the actual dead were multiple times the official numbers. Will we ever get to know the true numbers? On the conservative side, 4 per cent households in the Covid Tracker consistently reported a death within friend/family circle due to Covid and a follow up Mortality survey confirmed that the number of households reporting a death in 2021 was more than two times of a "normal" year in 2019. Many individuals and institutions in India as well as globally had far higher estimates. With some suggesting that the actual number of deaths during the second wave was 15 times more than the official estimate. More compelling than these numbers would be the devastating pictures of funeral pyres running through the day and night and dead bodies floating in rivers. Sections of global media did display an unhealthy obsession with tragedy and dead bodies; but Indians still recall the haunting cries for help on social media from family members of patients for oxygen and medicines. This did have an adverse impact on the image of the government, with more than 40 per cent Indians saying they were angry with the way the Modi regime handled the second wave. As Omicron spreads rapidly and a third wave is knocking, if it has not already barged in, Indians are hoping they are third time lucky with the virus. New Delhi, Dec 31 : More than 70 per cent Indians said that the government should be sympathetic to the farmers protesting the three farm laws, who virtually blockaded the highways into Delhi for 375 days, as per IANS-CVoter Issues That Dominated India 2021 Tracker. The government eventually caved in when the laws were repealed by Parliament after the Prime Minister addressed the nation live on television on the holy day of Gurupurab. The repeal has sent two powerful messages: one, a powerful and resourceful minority can use street politics to get what it wants and two, genuine reforms in India are still a very hard sell. And yet, an IANS- CVoter survey indicated only 31 per cent Indians felt the laws were against the farmers while more than 50 per cent of Indians were convinced that the three farm laws were actually good for the farmers. No one can deny that the agriculture sector is in dire need of reforms. While it now contributes just about 15 per cent of the GDP of India, more than two thirds are directly or indirectly dependent on it for a livelihood. This is not a sustainable situation. Then again, the excessive focus on wheat and rice has led to a peculiar situation where tens of millions of the two crops rot in godowns while other items of farm produce are neglected. The debate over legally guaranteeing MSP to all 23 crops will rage on; but partisans on both sides agree that Indian farmers desperately need sustainable reforms in the sector. Many farm leaders, particularly in Punjab have also jumped into the electoral fray to ride their luck. The outlook will determine what voters think of these farm leaders. Tel Aviv, Dec 31 : First shipment of the Pfizer Covid-19 drug has arrived in Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Bennett posted photos of the cargo airplane unpacking the drug Paxlovid at the Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv, reports Xinhua news agency. "The drugs have arrived in Israel quickly and will assist us in getting past the peak of the coming Omicron wave," Bennett said in a statement. US health regulators authorized on Wednesday the Paxlovid to treat early Covid-19 infections. Under the deal between Israel and Pfizer, the US-based drug company will supply Israel with about 100,000 pills. Israel has witnessed a recent surge of Covid-19 cases mainly caused by the outbreak of the Omicron variant. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Dec 31 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said that they have lodged a separate case against Jaswinder Singh Multani, a Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) member who has been arrested in Germany for conspiring against India. "The case was registered on Thursday under sections 120B, 121A of IPC and sections 10, 13, 17, 18 & 18B of UA(P) Act,A against Jaswinder Singh Multani, a Germany-based operative of Sikhs for Justice (an unlawful association), and his other associates," said an NIA official. The official said that this case was of criminal conspiracy hatched by Multani with several other pro-Khalistani elements located abroad for radicalising, motivating and recruiting youths in Punjab on ground and online through social media platforms to propagate their ideology with the aim to secede Punjab from the Union of India. "They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in Punjab. Jaswinder Singh Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives to carry out terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India," the NIA official said. The NIA official said that a team of elite officials was formed to look into the matter. Since Multani's arrest in Berlin following Indian intelligence inputs, a team is likely to visit Germany. The NIA officials said that they want to bring back Multani to India to prosecute him for his offence. Tehran, Dec 31 : Iran announced the successful launch of a domestically-built satellite carrier rocket into space, carrying research devices. Defence Ministry spokesman Seyyed Ahmad Hosseini was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying that the mission's intended research objectives were met, without specifying when the rocket, dubbed as Simorgh (Phoenix), was launched or what devices it carried, reports Xinhua news agency. The space centre that launched the rocket worked flawlessly, he said, adding the stages of the satellite carrier's launch proceeded as planned. For the first time, three research devices were launched simultaneously to an altitude of 470 km at a speed of 7,350 metres per second during the mission, Hosseini said. The liquid fuelled Simorgh rocket was first successfully launched from the Imam Khomeini Space Center in 2017. The UShas long suspected that Iran's satellite launch vehicles are part of a larger attempt to develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear heads. Iran, which has repeatedly said that its nuclear program is peaceful, insists that its launch of rockets and satellites has no military purpose. The launch followed the resumpation of the Iranian nuclear deal talks, which entered the eighth round on Monday, to resurrect a 2015 nuclear pact, which the US withdrew from in 2018. Iran and the parties to the 2015 deal have been holding talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna since April this year, but have failed so far to break the impasse. New Delhi, Dec 31 : When it comes to the future of India, this could be the most important number to have emerged from the shadows of Covid in 2021. For the first-ever time in history, the fertility rate in the country, which indicates how many children a woman will produce in her lifetime, has come down to 2, as per IANS-CVoter Issues That Dominated India 2021. The replacement level, where the number of booths and deaths almost match each other in a year is 2.1. In effect, India has already entered a virtually irreversible stage whereby the population will stabilise in the coming decade and start declining thereafter. This is a fitting data driven answer to the various conspiracy theories that talk about population explosion and demographic change. All countries in the world have gone through this process and India is no different. In fact, countries like Russia, Japan and China could witness large declines in population in the next many decades. To be sure, the Hindi heartland states are still lagging behind their counterparts in this score with fertility rates persisting above 2.2. But even they have seen a steep decline and rising female literacy in these states should level the playing field in the years to come. Hyderabad, Dec 31 : As 2021 draws to a close with the threat of a third wave of Covid-19 looming on in the new year, the plans of information technology companies for a partial return to office by the middle of 2022 may be delayed and the year is likely to see a hybrid model, a mix of both Work from Home and Work from Office. At a time when parts of the country are witnessing a spike in Covid cases and new variant Omicron spreading fast, the IT/ITES companies in this key tech hub are on a wait and watch mode. According to Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), the apex body of IT/ITES companies in Hyderabad, the strategy of the companies could change as the situation unfolds. "The industry is on a wait and watch mode at this stage as the impact of Omicron variant is yet to be completely understood and becomes more predictable," HYESA president Bharani K. Aroll told IANS. With the experts not ruling out new variants in the days to come, the IT companies are keeping their fingers crossed. "It has become evident that the Covid is not going away soon and such variants may keep mutating as we step in 2022 . Therefore vaccination and following Covid protocols issued by the government are very important to prevent and control the spread," said Aroll. According to him, as of now, the IT companies have not changed their original plans on return to office strategy. "However, the plans could change as the situation with the new variant evolves. The prediction is to see at least 40 per cent on an average return to office by April 2022, if the situation does not get worse," he added. Industry observers say many companies are likely to follow Hybrid model, a mix of both Work From Home (WFH) and Work From Office (WFO) during 2022. The employees may be asked to work three days from the office and two days from home and each company may come up with its own model based on its working days and requirements. Before the recent surge in cases and emergence of Omicron, five per cent of employees of large companies were working from the office. In the mid-size and small companies, around 30 and 70 per cent employees respectively were working from the office. An overwhelming majority of over 6 lakh IT workforce in Hyderabad has been working from home since March 2020 when the pandemic broke out. Based on a survey by HYSEA in August, 2021, it was estimated that by the end of March 2022, 79 per cent of companies will have anywhere from 30 per cent to 90 per cent employees WFO. It translates to minimum 2 lakh and maximum 5 lakh employees back in offices by March 2022. Murali Bollu, CEO, ZenQ, a software testing company, pointed out that prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant, IT companies were planning to ask employees to return to office after the Sankranthi festival in a phased manner. Due to Omicron concerns, these plans are being put on hold until March 2022. "Since Covid, more IT work is being outsourced to India -- partly due to an increase in the momentum of companies adopting digital transformation across the industries globally, and partly due to the great resignation phenomenon. This has caused higher demand for skilled resources in India by all IT companies including startups, IT majors, MNCs and GCCs and resulted in higher salaries and higher attrition. Having gotten used to the comforts and flexibility that the work from home offers, existing and new employees are demanding more work from home flexibility than was existent prior to Covid," said Murali "Going forward, more than the virus related concerns, higher attrition and recruitment worries will play a bigger role in companies' decision on 'work from home'. Most IT companies are gearing to operate in a hybrid model to accommodate the changing mindset and aspirations to attract and retain employees," he added. After the end of the second wave, the IT department of Telangana in July had requested the management of the companies to reopen offices as the livelihood of lakhs of people like cab drivers and food vendors are dependent on the sector. The health department also urged the management of IT companies in September to resume work from the office. However, this did not yield the desired result as the majority of the big employers raised concerns that reopening of offices might lead to a third wave. Satyanarayana Mathala, President of Telangana Facilities Management Council (TFMC), believes that 2022 is a way forward to open offices with following Covid protocol. TFMC, the apex body of the facilities professionals who manage the premises of IT work places, is working to create awareness among IT/ITES companies on mandatory vaccination procedures. "Currently most of the offices are running with 20 per cent to 30 per cent capacity who are all fully vaccinated with both doses. In the coming months many companies are creating a long term plan to get the booster vaccination program as part of the back to office initiative. Many companies will follow the hybrid model for the year 2022. Based on the local virus spread and government norms, the companies will keep changing the working models," said Satyanarayana. He is of the view that a booster dose will help companies welcome back about half of their employees to office. "The nine month duration from the day of last dose taken will be updated to all the employees. Many companies are using AI application to track the vaccination program and update employees on a regular basis which will help us to complete their third dose program, by this it will help all companies to welcome employees back to office with 40 per cent to 50 per cent of staff," Satynarayana explained. "In my view the Work from Home is here to stay in what I call the Co-Covid world. The variants like Delta, Omicron and what is already emerging Demicron now. The extent may vary but most organisations especially IT will find their own version of WFH. The variants may be there for a number of days, locations and models of engagement. It's not just WFH but the world is moving to 'Anything from Home'. More and more innovations will move in that direction as we look at 2022 and beyond," said Viiveck Verma, Founder, Upsurge Global and President, Society for Advancement of Human Endeavour (SAHE) According to HYSEA survey, 70 per cent of the companies feel that hybrid will be the future work model. As many as 37 per cent companies prefer hybrid model (WFH+WFO) based on rotation while 33 per cent are for hybrid model with partial week WFH and partial week WFO. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bengaluru, Dec 31 : Karnataka police planned attack on Dalit Koraga community in Kotatottu village in Kundapur city of Udupi district, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah alleged on Friday. "The police department had foisted cases on Koraga community members who were victims of police atrocity. This gives room for enough suspicions that the attack on the community was planned by the police department," Siddaramaiah explained. The lodging of cases on Koraga community by Kota police in the state is not only inhuman, it is a matter of shame. The Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai should direct immediate withdrawal of cases, he demanded. Siddaramaiah has also urged CM Bommai to take action against the police who attacked the innocent Koraga community members. BJP claims that all Hindus are one. They seem to have forgotten Koraga community which comes under Dalit category. Is this part of hidden agenda of BJP to keep Dalits as untouchables? Now, the Social Welfare Minister Kota Srinivas Poojari is shedding tears, but will the police have courage to attack Koraga community without his notice? he questioned. If the incident has happened without the minister's knowledge, he is inefficient and if he knew about, it is shameful. Siddaramaiah further questioned the silence of Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje who represents local parliamentary seat on the issue. The ruling BJP is not releasing funds for programmes brought for the welfare of Dalits, he charged. Meanwhile, the police department has suspended PSI Santhosh of Kota police station and transferred five police officers in connection with the incident. On December 27 night, Kota police had barged into a 'Mehendi' ceremony in Koraga community locality and attacked the bridegroom and guests for playing DJ music. Tel Aviv, Dec 31 : The Israeli Ministry of Health announced that it has approved the administration of the fourth booster shot against Covid-19 for adults at high risk. Late Thursday night, Nachman Ash, the Ministry's Director General, approved the fourth shot for those with suppressed immune systems, following recommendation from a panel of experts last week, reports Xinhua news agency. The people at high risk include those who have had a heart, lung, kidney or liver transplant, or suffer rheumatological or autoimmune diseases, cancers, multiple sclerosis and more. However, the panel's recommendation to give the fourth shot to the entire elderly population over the age of 60 has not yet been approved. People with suppressed immune systems are at the highest risk, as they do not develop a serological response after receiving three vaccine doses, the Ministry explained. The fourth dose will be administered under the condition that at least four months have passed since the third shot was given, and for those aged 18 and over only. The Ministry also announced new restrictions due to the fast spread of the Omicron variant which has triggered the ongoing fifth wave of the pandemic in Israel, including wearing a face mask outdoors at a gathering of over 50 people. As of Friday, Israel has reported a total of 1,380,053 Covid-19 cases and 8,243 deaths. United Nations, Dec 31 : The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted Resolution 2617, renewing the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) for another four years, until December 31, 2025. For the period ending at the end of 2025, CTED will be operated as a special political mission under the policy guidance of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and an interim review will be conducted by December 31, 2023, reports Xinhua news agency. CTED is a UN Secretariat body that assists the CTC. It was established through Resolution 1535 to support the CTC's work. The directorate has also been involved in assessing the implementation of Resolution 1373 - which established the CTC and decided that all states will prevent and criminalise the financing of terrorist acts - and Resolution 1624, which called on member states to criminalise the incitement to commit terrorist acts. The Council welcomes CTED's cooperation with the UN Global Counterterrorism Compact Entities, other relevant UN bodies, and relevant regional organisations, and urges CTED to continue to ensure that it invites representatives from these bodies to participate in its assessment work, so that they continue to contribute to the development of prioritized recommendations to build member states' capacity in the most pressing areas. It encourages CTED to assess, as appropriate, member states' efforts to tackle all forms of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday conducted searches in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and arrested an operative of The Resistance Front (TRF) in connection with a case of conspiracy hatched for radicalising, motivating and recruiting youth for Lashkar-e-Taiba. An NIA official said that the arrested TRF operative has been identified as Arsalan Feroz alias Arsalan Ahanger. He is a resident of MR Gunj in Srinagar. The NIA had been working on a tip-off for the past several days which led to Ahanger's arrest. The official said that the case is of conspiracy hatched for radicalising, motivating and recruiting youth of Jammu & Kashmir to effect violent activities in the union territory and rest of India by Sajjad Gul, Salim Rehmani alias Abu Saad and Saifullah Sajid Jutt, all LeT commanders. "Arsalan was radicalising youths and was recruiting them for LeT. He was hatching a conspiracy to carry out terror activities across India. He was active in Srinagar. His arrest will lead to the exposure of deep-rooted conspiracy," said the NIA official. The official said that the TRF, which is a frontal affiliate of LeT, was recruiting people to carry out reconnaissance of pre determined targets, co-ordinating and transporting weapons to support terrorists. The NIA official said that with the arrest of Arsalan Ahanger the total arrest in the case has reached four. "On Wednesday we conducted raids, which led to the recovery of several incriminating documents and digital devices. This will be used as evidence against the TRF operatives," said the NIA official. The official said that further investigation in the case was on. Panaji, Dec 31 : With the Assembly polls less than two months away, nearly 60 per cent Goan voters are still undecided as to which party to vote for, former Deputy Chief Minister and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader Sudin Dhavalikar said on Friday quoting a survey conducted by the Prashant Kishor-led Indian-Political Action Committee. Dhavalikar, who's MGP is in alliance with the Trinamool Congress (TMC), whose political outreach is being managed by I-PAC, also blamed the indecision on the poor governance of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government. "Sixty per cent of Goans cannot decide whom to vote for. If they cannot decide with elections just around the corner, it is because of the poor governance, poor administration by the BJP government in Goa," Dhavalikar told reporters at a press conference in Panaji. "This is the IPAC survey report from yesterday. And this is the situation just a month and a half ahead of elections," the MGP leader also said. The MGP-TMC alliance was sealed earlier this month, but leaders from both parties are expected to thrash out its seat sharing arrangements over the next "seven to eight days" Dhavalikar also said. "We are going with TMC. All alliance related issues and seat sharing will be discussed and finalised over the next seven to eight days," Dhavalikar also said. Bengaluru, Dec 31 : A criminal, who formed his own dacoit gang and attacked policemen as they tried to apprehend him, was arrested in Bengaluru after several attempts, police said on Friday. Diwakar, who had escaped once after attacking and injuring two policemen, was shot at by a police officer. He was hit in the leg and has been admitted to a private hospital. According to police, he was wanted in connection with the case of dacoity a month ago in the limits of Yeshwanthpur police station. A gang of seven persons had barged into the residence of an elderly couple and robbed them at gunpoint. The police had made some arrests and were searching for a few more accused, including Diwakar. Yeshwanthpur PSI Vinod Rathod had got a tip-off on Tuesday that some accused were near the Hebbla Flyover in Bengaluru, and reached the spot. On seeing the police, they fled and as police chased them, one of them attacked a constable, while Diwakar attacked Rathod with a knife and injured him on his hand. The accused subsequently managed to flee. Later, the police got a tip-off about Diwakar's hideout near Jalahalli and went there to arrest him. He again attacked police even as they opened fire in the air. Diwakar was then shot by police inspector Balaraj. The accused has criminal cases registered in Yeshwanthpur, Girinagar, and Sanjaynagar against him. While Diwakar has been arrested, other accused are still at large. New Delhi, Dec 31 : At least four Pakistan soldiers were killed and one militant was arrested during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan on Friday, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. According to the ISPR, the security forces conducted the operation in the area on the reported presence of terrorists. During the intense exchange of firing with the terrorist, four soldiers lost their lives, the Express Tribune reported. Meanwhile, in another security operation in Tank, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, two militants were killed. They were identified as Shahzeb alias Zakir and Daniyal, the ISPR added in a separate statement. It said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the suspects who were involved in "terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom". New Delhi, Dec 31 : Some residents in the Chinese city of Xi'an, where a lockdown has been enforced in the wake of an ongoing Covid-19 resurgence, have said that they do not have enough food, even as officials insist there are adequate supplies, the BBC reported. On December 23, more than 13 million people in the city in Shaanxi province were ordered to stay home last week as authorities sought to battle the Covid outbreak. People have not been allowed to leave except under limited circumstances, and cannot go out to buy food. Many have said on social media that they are running out of supplies, despite city authorities delivering free groceries. The lockdown entering its ninth day on Friday as authorities battle the worst outbreak China has seen in months, the BBCreport said. China's adoption of a strict zero-Covid strategy saw the city closing bus stations, cancelling outward bound flights, and conducting millions of tests in Shaanxi province. The restrictions initially allowed only one person per household to leave home once every two days to buy supplies. However, the measures were intensified on Monday and residents were barred from leaving their homes except to get tested for Covid, the report said. Since then, people have taken to the Weibo social media platform to ask for help acquiring food and other essentials, claiming they have yet to receive their free supplies from the government. "I heard other districts are gradually getting supplies, but I didn't get anything. My compound bans us from going out. I ordered some groceries online four days ago, but no sign of getting it at all. I haven't been able to get any vegetables for days," read one comment posted on Friday. Another person said: "The allocation is so uneven. The district I'm based in hasn't got anything. We are told to group up and order together. The price is very high as well." One video taken this week which has been circulating online shows residents in one Xi'an compound arguing heatedly with police over the lack of food, the report said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Sonbhadra, Dec 31 : School children in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district were reportedly made to take a pledge to make India a 'Hindu Rashtra'. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, creating a fresh controversy. The children, dressed in their school uniforms, had gathered in the park after school hours. Some kids visiting the park with their parents, were also part of the oath-taking event. The students were made to repeat the pledge to make India a Hindu nation. The oath stated to "fight, die and if required kill" to turn India into a Hindu Rashtra. The oath was administered to school children at Nehru Park in Sonbhadra district and ended with slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Vande Mataram" and "Jai Hind." The pledge stated: "We promise to work towards making and keeping India a Hindu Rashtra. We will fight for this, die for this, and if required, kill for this. But we will not back down even for a moment, no matter the sacrifice. May our ancestors, teachers, Mother India give us enough strength so that we can fulfil our pledge. May they give us victory." The controversial video of the incident was shared by a news channel on its Twitter handle. The police, when contacted, said that they had been apprised of the incident and the video's authenticity was being investigated after which action would be taken. Bengaluru, Dec 31 : The members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday demanding ban on Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES) and Shiv Sena. President T.A. Narayan Gowda urged in the memorandum that due to indulgence and provocation of politicians and the government of Maharashtra, peace in the bordering district of Belagavi was being disturbed. "The MES party is funded from Maharashtra to provoke the Marathi speaking people living in Karnataka against the Kannada people and this has been happening for many decades. Now, along with MES, Shiv Sena also joined hands to disturb peace and harmony in the region. "Maharashtra state politicians have left no options to wrestle Belagavi into their state. They also got Meher Chand Mahajan Commission established and the commission finally gave the report that Belagavi is part of Karnataka," Narayana Gowda stated. The matter is now with the Supreme Court and the Union Government has submitted an affidavit before the court that Belagavi is a part of Karnataka. Knowing well that they can't get Belagavi through legal means, they are trying to disturb the peace, law and order situation in the state, he charged. "The MES and Shiv Sena parties are indulging in organised crime activities in Belagavi. They are fomenting hatred and encouraging violence between the Kannada and Marathi speaking people. The people of Belagavi are leading their lives under fear of violence. Hence, both the parties have to be banned," the memorandum stated. It also said, "The legal process should be initiated in that direction and recommendation should go from the Governor's office to the Union government to start the proceedings." New Delhi, Dec 31 : India Inc on Friday welcomed the GST Council's decision to defer the proposed GST hike on textiles. According to reports, the council has deferred the proposal on the back of reservations from state governments and industry. The proposal intended to hike GST rate on apparel from 5 to 12 per cent. "A big relief to the textile and clothing industry - we enter 2022 with a fresh bout optimism as the big fear recedes -AAa great and timely gift by the GST Council," said Sanjay K. Jain, ICC National Textiles Committee Chairman and MD, TT Limited. "Cannot express in words the big relief we are feeling, after living in fear from September." According to Bimal Jain, Chair of IDT Committee PHDCCI said the deferment will give a much needed impetus and support to the sector. "Large number of small and medium scale taxpayers were worried with the proposal to hike GST rates and this decision of GST Council is in the right direction and it is advisable to build confidence among traders before hiking GST rates in future." Besides, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also hailed the decision. Furthermore, the confederation urged to postpone the decision to increase the GST rate on footwear as well. CAIT has urged the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to constitute a "task force" to consider the intricacies of the taxation system, simplification and rationalisation, increase in tax base and revenue to the government. The task force, said CAIT in a statement may be formed under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes, which should include representatives of trade beside senior officials. Additionally, the confederation said that it has been more than four years since the implementation of GST and till now GST has not become a stable tax system. "GST portal is also not working properly. Contrary to expectations, GST has turned out to be a very complex tax system due to huge anomalies in the tax system," the statement said. New Delhi, Dec 31 : Chennai and its surrounding districts were pounded by more than 100 and 200 cms of rainfall between Thursday morning till early Friday, throwing the life of residents out of gear and leaving three people dead. The state government declared a holiday on Friday owing to further prediction of heavy rainfall in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts due to heavy rainfall as a precautionary measure. But could the three lives have been saved? Could the damage to property, water-logging leading to traffic jams on Chennai roads, people being stuck in many offices and, in general, the troubles for the common citizen been avoided? The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had in its 'All India Impact Based Weather Warning Bulletin' on Thursday afternoon predicted: "Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal" and for Friday, predicted: "Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places very likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal." Even the Qualitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) in IMD's Hydromet Bulletin from Chennai did not indicate anything beyond 25 mm rains with a 'NIL warning' for heavy rainfall. It was, however, the nowcast - special forecast for metro cities that warns of changing weather conditions two-three hours in advance - that predicted the extreme rainfall in Chennai and surrounding districts. The IMD's now cast has a limited reach and most people suffered due to sudden torrential downpour as they had no Knowledge of it. "IMD Chennai had informed the disaster management and other relevant authorities with appropriate colour coding mention," an IMD official said. Colour coding refers to yellow, orange, red alerts commensurate to the quantum of precipitation. Stating that they were expecting the rainfall to increase from Friday, "but it occurred one day in advance," IMD's Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said: "There was a trough in westerly winds and the easterly winds from north-east monsoon was approaching... both interacted. Large scale wind flow patterns, which interacted with each other led to this type of activity." K. Srikanth, who runs a widely followed blog about Chennai weather, 'Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikkallam' but popular as Chennai Rains, concurred that "nobody predicted yesterday's event". He uses global model output and IMD's satellite and radar images for issuing warnings, forecasts on Chennai Rains' social media handles and writing his blogs. "The models did not show this event at all," he said. "While the focus was on the lower-level easterlies bringing in moisture from Bay of Bengal, the mid tropospheric winds created perfect conditions for the available moisture to develop into intense thunderstorms around Chennai and surrounding, Srikanth said, adding: "The sudden change in direction of winds at 5.5 kms above sea level (ASL) off the coast of Chennai enhanced the lower-level moisture brought in from the Bay." The IMD has predicted further rains on Friday and Saturday, which would be heavy but widespread, unlike the Thursday's rainfall. New Delhi, Dec 31 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the Central government for "missing" the double vaccination target, saying the government's claims to achieve 100 per cent vaccination turned out to be "Jumla". "The Central government had promised 100 per cent vaccination by the end of 2021... today is the last day of the year, the country is still far from the vaccination target. One more 'Jumla' got shattered," the Congress leader tweeted. Claiming there is a scarcity of Covid vaccines, the Congress said 47,95,00,000 Indians need 59,40,00,000 vaccination doses. "Besides, 25,70,00,000 senior citizens and corona warriors need the vaccine while those in the 15-18 age group need another 35,70,00,000 doses," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. India's Omicron tally on Friday rose to 1,270 cases and among the 23 states and UTs that have reported the Omicron infection so far, Maharashtra tops the list with 450 cases of this variant. Of them, 125 patients have been discharged, as per the health ministry data. Delhi has the second highest cases of Omicron infection at 320. However, 57 of them have been discharged from the hospital. Delhi is followed by Kerala with 109 Omicron cases. The Health Ministry on Friday said the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has so far spread to 23 states and UTs. The government in a statement on Friday said "with the administration of 66,65,290 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 144.54 crore (1,44,54,16,714) as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. today. This has been achieved through 1,54,27,550 sessions." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Dec 31 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin on Friday said that the government is confident of resolving the water stagnation issue in Chennai before the next rainy season. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the water-logged areas of Chennai, he said: "Those who were in power for the last 10 years have destroyed everything and I don't want to speak on that now. We have been engaging ourselves in setting right the stagnation of water and we have the confidence that it can be achieved ahead of the next rainy season. The work is taking place in this regard." The chief minister said that on Thursday, alone various parts of the city received more than 20 cm of rain, and the authorities were "working hard" to look into the issue of water stagnation. The Chief Minister also said that the state government would speak to the Central government for installing modern weather prediction equipment to get a more accurate reading of the weather. On Friday, Stalin visited Seethammal colony, Thiruvamala Pillai Road, Dr. Giriappa Road, and other areas of the city on Friday, while on Thursday night, immediately after the rains, he took a stock of the ongoing relief work at Poonamalle road, Periamedu Sydenhams Road, and Prakasam Road junction at Parry's corner. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues K.N. Nehru, Senthil Balaji, and P.K. Sekhar Babu along with senior officials including Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Chairman, Gagan Singh Bedi, city police commissioner Shankar Jiwal during his visit to the rain-affected areas. San Francisco, Dec 31 : Tech giant Google has said that it is pausing its December software update to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to address reports of dropped calls. According to ZDNet, updates will resume in late January with a fix for the connectivity problem as well as all the fixes and improvements planned for the December update. The December update began rolling out on December 6, but the tech giant said some customers reported their calls were being dropped or disconnected. The update was initially slated to include a range of fixes and improvements, including a fix for an issue causing the Google Assistant to unintentionally start a phone call in certain conditions. Customers that already received the December software update and are still dealing with dropped calls, will have to use the Android Flash Tool and perform a factory reset to revert to the previous software version. Google launched the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro back in October, introducing the first smartphone using the Google-designed Tensor chip. In terms of optics, both phones have a 50MP sensor with f/1.85-inch aperture and 1/1.3-inch sensor size. Both phones also have a 12MP ultra-wide camera with 114-degres FOV. The Pixel 6 Pro gets a third 48MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom and 20X digital zoom. Bhubaneswar, Dec 31 : On the eve of New Year, the Cabinet of Odisha government has decided to provide land rights to the slum dwellers of five municipal corporation towns of the state. The Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday approved the proposal for extension of Jaga Mission for slum dwellers in five municipal corporations -- Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur. Under the Jaga Mission, the state government will provide land to slum dwellers residing in the five municipal corporations. In a historic decision, the Cabinet has decided to extend the Jaga Mission scheme to five municipal corporation towns of Odisha. "As many as 8,58,000 people of 1.90 lakh families in 938 slums across the five municipal corporation areas will be benefited with the decision," Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena said. The land distribution process will be completed within six months, he said. Under the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2017 and Jaga Mission, land rights have been provided to people residing in 109 urban local bodies (ULBs) including municipality and NACs across the state, Jena said, adding, around 1.75 lakh families have been benefited from the programme till date. The Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2017 was enacted with a view to assign land rights to identified and eligible slum dwellers with a twin objective of providing security of tenure and to transform the slums into liveable habitats. The jurisdiction of this Act was extended to all the Municipalities and NACs. Now, similar provisions were also incorporated in the Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003 through an amendment to confer property rights on the households living in the slums of the Municipal Corporations of the state, officials said. The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to provide grant-in-aid under 7th Pay Commission to eligible teaching & non-teaching staff of new aided non-government high schools, upper primary schools, Madrasas, said chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra. About 26,164 employees of the non-government aided schools and Madrasas will receive the benefits of grant-in-aid with effect from January 1, 2022, he said. Colombo, Dec 31 : Sri Lanka is set to lease 14 of the 99 oil tanks in its strategic eastern port city Trincomalee to the India Oil Corporation (IOC) for 50 years, Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammanpila said on Friday. Ending the long talks between India and Sri Lanka over the 99 World War II-era oil storage tanks to be leased to the IOC, he said 61 other tanks are to be developed under a newly-established joint venture company, Trinco-Petroleum Terminals Ltd. "As a result of the agreement, 85 out of 99 tanks of the farm will be under the control of the CPC (the government-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation), a total of 24 tanks directly by the CPC and 61 through the subsidiaries. Regaining the control of the Trinco oil tank farm by Sri Lanka is a historical victory," Gammanpila told media. In 2003, the then Sri Lankan government headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe leased the 99 oil tanks for 35 years to India under an MoU. Last week, Wickremesinghe had urged Sri Lankan government to expedite agreements with India and to facilitate the imports of oil and food to avert oncoming food crisis in the country. The agreement is also to help Sri Lanka to unlock $1.9 billion of support from India of which $400 million is a bank swap and $1.5 billion is in lines of credit. New York, Dec 31 : As Covid-19 cases, fuelled by the fast-moving Omicron variant, swamp hospitals across the globe, a US-based doctor said that the surge is "unlike anything we have ever seen". "It's unlike anything we have ever seen, even at the peak of the prior surges of Covid," James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital, told CNN. "What we are experiencing right now is an absolute overwhelming of the emergency departments in Washington," Phillips added. According to Johns Hopkins University data, the nation hit a new pandemic high of 300,886 average new daily cases over the prior week. According to CNN, it is a scene playing out across the country as record case counts are reported from New Jersey and New York to Arkansas and Chicago, where hospital bed capacity also is a concern. In Arizona and New Mexico, federal medical personnel have deployed to provide Covid-19 surge support, the report said. And in Georgia, six major health systems with recent 100 per cent to 200 per cent jumps in Covid-19 hospitalisations -- with most patients unvaccinated -- joined to publicly urge people to seek coronavirus testing elsewhere so their emergency rooms can focus on those with critical needs, it added. In Louisiana, Covid-19 hospitalisations have tripled in the past two weeks as a new record for cases was set, according to the state. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Islamabad Dec 31 : Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has come under fire from netizens for sitting in what they referred to as a disrespectful manner during his meeting with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Geo News reported. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, had called on Qureshi in Islamabad on Tuesday. Many Saudis found Qureshi sitting with one leg crossed and the other pointing in the direction of Al-Malki offensive, the report said. A Saudi citizen took to Twitter and said, "The Pakistani minister's sitting manner was devoid of diplomatic etiquette." Another angry Saudi citizen wrote on social media, "We, as Saudis, do not accept that the Pakistani foreign minister insults the Saudi Ambassador in this manner." He said the way Qureshi was sitting with his shoe facing the guest's face was disrespectful, adding that "I think that the Pakistani minister's behaviour was intentional", the report said. Another Saudi Twitter user said: "Frankly, if I were one of the Saudi ambassadors, I would have left." Joining the angry Saudis, Pakistanis also condemned the Foreign Minister's sitting position, calling the act "against diplomatic norms". "Pakistan's foreign minister is in dire need of learning literature. Pakistan begs from Saudi Arabia every year," said a Pakistani netizen. New Delhi, Dec 31 : Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will launch a 100-day reading campaign titled 'Padhe Bharat' on Saturday. The campaign will aim to improve the learning level of students as it develops creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary, and the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It will help children relate to their surroundings and real-life situation, an official statement said on Friday. Children studying up to grade VIII will be part of this campaign. The reading campaign will be organised for 100 days, from January 1, 2022 to April 10, 2022. The reading campaign aims to involve the participation of all the stakeholders at the national and state level, including children, teachers, parents, educational administrators etc. A comprehensive guideline on the campaign with an age-appropriate weekly calendar of activities has been prepared and shared with the states and UTs. New Delhi, Dec 31: Even as they announced a series of joint discussions, which will take place from Geneva to Brussels and Vienna in the next two weeks, Russia and the United States today warned each other amid escalating tensions over Ukraine. In a 50-minute call, which the White House said took place "at the government of Russia's request", US President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the United States and its allies and partners "will respond decisively" - including adopting "large-scale" sanctions - if Russia "further invades" Ukraine. The Russian side gave an "exhaustive answer" to the option, saying that any such move from Washington would be a "grave mistake" and will be "threatening a complete rupture of Russian-American relations". The White House said that the tone of the conversation between the two presidents was "serious and substantive" and they each framed their positions as they've done in previous calls and also publicly. After the call, a senior US administration official revealed that Biden laid out two paths during the call with Putin. The first, he said, was a path of diplomacy leading towards the de-escalation of the situation. The other, added the official, 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. "And 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 and its territory, as we've laid out previously," said the official. Putin, on the other hand, gave detailed explanations of the principled approaches underlying the Russian drafts of the Treaty between the two countries and Moscow's agreement with the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). "It was emphasised that the result of joint work should be firm legal guarantees excluding NATO's eastward advance and the deployment of threatening weapons systems in the immediate vicinity of Russian borders... The security of each country can be ensured only on the basis of strict adherence to the principle of the indivisibility of security," said the Russian President's office. Both Presidents, while exchanging New Year's greetings, also mentioned their special responsibility for ensuring stability in Europe and the world as a whole. The two sides expressed mutual readiness for a serious and meaningful dialogue, starting with talks in Geneva on January 9-10 and then within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on January 12. On January 13, discussions will begin in the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). "President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," said the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a statement after the phone call between the two Presidents. The Geneva talks will be held in the format of interdepartmental delegations between Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. "During the talks, we will seek from the US firm legal guarantees of the security of the Russian Federation, specifically NATO's non-expansion to the east and non-deployment of arms systems threatening Russia on the borders of our country," Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had said on Thursday. Washington, meanwhile, has engaged in extensive diplomacy all this while with Biden speaking with leaders across Europe and the Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with his counterparts at the G7, NATO and the OSCE ministerial meetings earlier this month. Blinken had also dialled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on December 29, reiterating 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. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov too has held several discussions with his counterparts, saying that the NATO member states are "systematically transforming Ukraine into a military foothold against Russia" by building their bases there and using its territory for conducting exercises. "I would like to note: we will not allow our initiatives to be 'rolled up' in endless discussions. If a constructive response does not follow within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive line, then Russia will be forced to take all necessary measures to ensure a strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our security," Lavrov told state-owned domestic news agency RIA Novosti today. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 31 : After recording new highs in daily Covid cases in the country for the past couple of months, Kerala appears to be on course for a similar status with regards to Omicron, as 44 cases of the new variant detected on Friday, the largest single day tally so far. State Health Minister Veena George told the media that with thess, the total tally in Omicron crossed 100 to reach 107. "Of the new cases, 10 came from high risk countries, 27 were from low risk countries, while 7 were primary contacts. The new cases were 12 in Ernakulam, 10 in Kollam and eight in Thrissur... All should be very careful as New Year has come. There should be no laxity in ensuring Covid protocols and wearing N 95 masks will be useful," she said. "We have decided to see that in the coming two days, special mass vaccination camps will be held for those who are yet to take the second dose. Starting tomorrow (Saturday), online registrations will commence for booking vaccines for those in the age group 15 to 18," George added. Since Thursday, night curfew (10 p.m.-5 a.m.) has been imposed across the state till January 2 and with the spurt in Omicron cases, it remains to be seen if it will be extended. Kohima, Dec 31 : Nagaland's ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as its senior leader on Friday demanded to nullify and revoke Union Home Ministrys notification extending the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state till June 30 next year. The NDPP's move came after almost all the political parties in the region as well as the Naga civil society organisations (CSOs) strongly demanded to repeal AFSPA after the killing of 14 civilians by the armed forces personnel in Mon district earlier this month. The BJP with 12 MLAs is an ally of the NDPP-led Nagaland government, and the saffron party's legislative group leader Y. Patton is the Deputy Chief Minister. The NDPP said in a statement that issuing notification and order with 'such language' is unwarranted and will negatively impact the ambition and aspiration of the younger generation, especially when people are anxiously waiting for a final settlement of the Naga peace talk involving various groups. "Nagaland has been undergoing positive growth in tourism and service sectors and it has emerged as a popular destination. But with unnecessary extension of disturbed areas and the imposition of AFSPA, our efforts towards economic growth and integration with the mainstream will only be negatively impacted," the statement said. The statement issued by the NDPP's media and communication committee said that the ceasefire, which has been in place for the last 25 years, is working and there is relative peace and tranquillity in the region, while the overall law and order situation in Nagaland has also been very peaceful. "There is a mass movement against AFSPA, with the Nagaland Assembly loudly advocating the feelings of the people through a resolution on December 20, which has been submitted to the government of India through the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah)," it said. "The MHA notification only belittles the high-level meeting held between the Home Minister, Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Assam, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, the leader of the Naga People's Front (NPF) legislative party and former Chief Minister of Nagaland on December 23 in Delhi," it added. The notification comes at a time when the people of Nagaland are confidently under the impression that with the setting up of the high-powered committee by the MHA to seriously examine and consider the repeal of AFSPA and removal of the disturbed area coverage, no order or notification would be issued till the report of the committee is final, the statement said. It said: "It has come as a rude shock and a huge disappointment to the people of the state that such a notification has been issued on the penultimate day of 2021." The statement said that at a time when the Naga people have put their trust and confidence on the assurance that the peace talks are moving in a positive direction, the government of India must make efforts towards building confidence and strengthening that trust. "It must make every possible effort to increase the role of the youth and the younger generation in the nation building process. By passing such an unpopular and unwanted order, the feeling of alienation will only grow. It is high time the narrative is reversed," the NDPP statement said. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The death toll in the Quetta bomb explosion has increased to six as two injured succumbed to their injuries on Friday, Samaa TV reported. The explosion on Thursday night targeted a Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Nazryati group conference. A complete shutter down strike was observed on Friday to protest the bombing, the report said. At least four people were reportedly killed and 15 injured on Thursday night in the explosion on Quetta's Jinnah Road. Shortly after the blast, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Syed Fida Hussain Shah, said the bomb explosion occurred at the gate of Government Science College on Jinnah Road when the participants of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Nazryati group's 'Shuhada' conference were leaving. An improvised explosive device (IED) containing around 1.5 kg of explosive material was planted next to an electric pole, which exploded at 9:40 pm (local time), he said. He said the police personnel had been deployed to provide security for the event but the blast occurred when the guests were dispersing. Balochistan Interior Minister Zia Langove said the bomb was triggered using a remote-control. Footage from the scene showed a charred motorcycle and several damaged cars. People were seen running in the street. Witnesses told the police that glass windows of buildings situated in the vicinity of the blast were shattered, as security forces and rescue officials reached the site of the explosion, Geo News reported. At the same time, the provincial advisor to the chief minister, Raza Langoo, was directed to further improve the security situation in the city. Langoo has said that the blast occurred through a remote-controlled device. Gandhinagar, Dec 31 : The Gujarat High Court has restored the senior advocate designation of veteran lawyer Yatin Oza after the Supreme Court's decision in his favour. The designation has been restored for a period of two years, effective from January 1 2022. The high court's Registrar General issued a notification on Thursday, stating that the decision to restore Oza's designation was taken at a full court meeting of the high court held on December 24. In July 2020, the high court had decided to withdraw Oza's designation after he raised allegations of corruption against its registry. It had also initiated a suo motu contempt proceedings against Oza and found him guilty. Oza had appealed to the Supreme Court against the contempt judgment, while also filing a separate writ petition challenging the court decision to withdraw his designation. A Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, on October 28, restored the senior designation of the lawyer for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2022, while stating any extension beyond this will be at the discretion of the Gujarat High Court after taking into account the conduct of the veteran lawyer. Oza has served as the president of the Gujarat High Court Advocates Association 17 times. Colombo, Dec 31 : Amidst severe warnings by health experts and medical practitioners, Sri Lanka on Friday reported 41 news cases of Covid's Omicron variant taking its tally to 45. In a Twitter message, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura announced that his laboratory had identified 41 new cases of the fast spreading variant of Covid-19. The double figure cases of highly infectious Covid 19 variant were reported since the first case of Omicron was detected from an unvaccinated Sri Lankan female who had returned from Nigeria on December 3. Dr Jeewandara also has urged people to get the booster vaccine to fight against Omicron variant. According to the latest figures Sri Lanka has vaccinated nearly 63 percent of its population and has given 3.7 million booster vaccinations to its citizens with Pfizer vaccine. The South Asian island nation has recorded nearly 587,000 cases of Covid-19 infections while 14,979 deaths were reported as of Friday, December 31. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dhaka, Dec 31 : Four persons were killed on the spot while 20 others were injured after a bus overturned and fell on an auto-rickshaw van on a highway under Ullapara Upazila in Sirajganj district on Friday. The injured persons were rushed to the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib General Hospital in Sirajganj, where one breathed his last on Friday evening, taking the death toll to five. Lutfar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police, told IANS that the bus was on its way to Dhaka from Rajshahi when it lost control near the Goja Bridge at around 10.30 a.m. and hit a battery-run auto-rickshaw van. He said that four passengers travelling in the van, including a woman, were killed on the spot and 20 were others injured, three of them critically, of which one succumbed to his injuries later. Dhaka, Dec 31 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, on Friday visited the Padma Bridge for the first time after winning her challenge with the World Bank, where she had vowed that the country would complete the project by itself after its allegations of corruption. Rejecting the allegations, Sheikh Hasina had, in 2014, challenged the World Bank, announcing that the country would build the bridge with funds of its people. The allegations of corruption were proved unfounded in a Canadian court. An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also did not find evidence of corruption in the project. Hasina reached the bridge soon after 7 a.m. on Friday, and took a two-kilometre stroll on it with her sister, the only survivors of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's family after the August 1975 assassination virtually wiped it out. The Premier looked all cheerful and content as she inspected the progress of the construction sites of the much-awaited bridge. After attending a breakfast event arranged by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority at the Janzira point, Hasina left the area at around 10 a.m. The Padma Bridge became visible on September 30, 2017, with the installation of the first span on pillars 37 and 38. After 38 months, the work of installing all the spans was completed. After the last span installation on December 9, the Padma Multipurpose Bridge is now 6,150 metres long and ranks just over the Oland Bridge of Sweden. The bridge's toll plaza, connecting road, and other structures have fallen in Shibchar of Madaripur, as they involve three districts. The bridge's length on the river body is 6.15km, being joined with 41 spans - each 150 metres long - on 42 pillars. The two-storey metal and concrete bridge offer road transport to ply on the upper floor and trains on the lower. There will be 2,917 roadway slabs for road transports and 2,959 railway slabs for trains. Of these, 1,239 road slabs and 1,860 railway slabs have been installed as of November 30. In addition, a 4-kilometer viaduct on both sides of the bridge has already been constructed and it includes no steel span. However, according to Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam, the bridgework may be completed by 2022 as the work has been delayed due to the pandemic. In 2007, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the Padma Bridge construction project at a cost of 10,162 crore takas. The bridge was earlier slated to be commissioned by 2013. Later, the project expenditure was revised up thrice - to 20,507 crore takas in 2011, 28,793 crore takas in 2016, and 30,193 crore takas in 2018. As a result, the project cost has almost tripled. The World Bank had pledged $1,200 million, the ADB $615 million, the JICA $415 million, and the IDB $140 million for the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge project aiming at better connectivity for the people of 19 south-western districts. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered a thorough anti-trust investigation into Apple over its App Store business practises. The order came at a time when the Indian watchdog is fighting the same battle with Google over its Play Store policies that may hamper third-party app developers and the entire ecosystem. "The third-party app stores are not allowed to be listed on Apple's App Store as the developer guidelines as well as agreement prohibits app developers from offering such services... These restrictions imposed by Apple forecloses the market for app stores for iOS for potential app distributors," the 20-page order read. According to the CCI, prima facie, the relevant market for the examination of app store policies of Apple would be 'market for app stores for iOS in India'. "It is noted that Apple makes it mandatory to use Apple's proprietary in-app purchase system (IAP) for distribution of paid digital content and it charges app developers commission of up to 30 per cent on subscriptions bought through the mandatory IAP. "Further, Apple prohibits app developers from informing app users about the ability to purchase on the web. Thus, Apple prohibits app developers to include a button/link in their apps which take/steer the user to a third party payment processing solution other than Apple's IAP," said the CCI order. "This prima facie results in denial of market access for the potential app distributors/app store developers in violation of competition norms." Apple was yet to comment on the CCI order. Apple had faced anti-trust investigations by the European Union and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over its app store policies. In the Google Play Store investigation, the CCI has told Karnataka High Court that there will not be any precipitative action on the matter. Amid the growing debate over its Play Store rules, Google earlier this week filed a writ in the high court, asking for more time to reply to the anti-trust investigation by the CCI. The plea for interim relief was filed by the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) in the CCI in October. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The CBI on Friday arrested a Bengaluru-based NHAI official, and four others of a private company in a Rs 20 lakh bribery case. According to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official, a case against the NHAI official and two contractors was lodged earlier this month. Later, raids were conducted on the premises of the accused, including in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, Gurugram, and Bhopal. The accused were identified as Akil Ahmad, Regional Officer, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Bengaluru and Dilip Buildcon Ltd's Executive Director Devendra Jain, General Manager Retnakaran Sajilal, official Sunil Kumar Verma, and Anuj Gupta. All the arrested will be produced before a competent court, the official said, adding that the agency "will seek custodial remand to unearth the larger conspiracy". "We have to recover a lot of evidence. The accused will also be confronted with each other," the official said. Ahmad had allegedly demanded an 'illegal gratification' from the General Manager of the private company to clear the project under Benguluru-Chennai Expressway Package 1 and 2, executed by the company in Karnataka. The CBI got a tip-off and laid a trap to catch all the accused red-handed. Rs 20 lakh was recovered from a private person in Delhi. The amount was received on behalf of the NHAI official. A CBI official said the agency conducted raids and carried out searches at the premises of the accused at several places in multiple cities -- Delhi, Bengaluru, Cochin, Gurugram and Bhopal, which led to the cash seizure of Rs 4 crore from the premises of private persons, and Rs 4 lakh from the NHAI official's premises. New Delhi, Dec 31 : A commando of the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) elite CoBRA unit was injured in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Friday, officials said. On details of the incident, the CRPF officials here said that the blast was followed by an exchange of fire between the patrol and the Maoists around 1 p.m. along the Palodi-Kistaram axis of the district. A trooper of the 208th battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) has been injured during the operation and was evacuated from the site, the officials further said. CoBRA is the CRPF's specialised operational unit, highly trained in jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics and is considered among the best operational units against the Maoist. A hotbed of Maoist activities, Sukma, 400 km away from state capital Raipur, is a hotbed of Maoist activities and several battalions of the CRPF have been deployed there and its adjoining areas in south Bastar. New Delhi, Dec 31 : Recognising the importance of Sikhs voters in next year's Assembly polls in Uttarakhand, the BJP is leaving no stones unturned to woo them. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh met a delegation of influential Sikh leaders from the state on Friday and highlighted the works carried out by the Narendra Modi-led government for them. Sources said that the Sikh delegation was apprised about works like opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, formation of SIT to probe 1984 riots, starting work for ropeway facility at Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib and repeal of three farm laws by the government, among others. The Sikh delegation was led by Sardar Ajmer Singh. "They have extended their support to the party for the upcoming elections," calimed a source. In a tweet after meeting, Chugh said, "Discussed the works done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Sikh community with the local Sikh population and also discussed upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly polls." BJP youth wing national secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge, Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, told IANS that after hearing about the works carried out by the Centre for the Sikh community, the delegation extended their support to the party. "The delegation of influential Sikh leaders also said that they will spread the word among the community members and ensure victory for the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls," said Bagga, who was present during the meeting. Sikhs form 2.34 per cent of the state's population. The majority of Sikhs are residents of two districts -- Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun, which have 19 Assembly constituencies, 10 in Dehradun and nine in Udham Singh Nagar. The 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly will go to the polls early next year, along with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. The BJP has set a target of winning over 60 seats in the upcoming polls. In the last Assembly elections in 2017, the BJP had won 57 seats. Delhi:Delhi police patrolling at Connaught Place to control rush on the eve of New Year in New Delhi on Friday, December 31,2021 (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Delhi:Youngsters celebrate New Year eve at Connaught Place in New Delhi on Friday, December 31,2021 (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Delhi:Youngsters celebrate New Year eve at Connaught Place in New Delhi on Friday, December 31,2021 (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Dec 31 : The heart of the national capital -- Connaught Place, which generally used to teem with people on the eve of every New Year, witnessed subdued celebrations on Friday due to the night curfew imposed in wake of the threat posed by the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. Heavy police presence could be seen in and around the inner, middle, and outer circles of Connaught Place. The Delhi traffic police had two days ago issued an advisory banning entry after 8 p.m. on the last day of 2021. It had said that the restrictions shall remain imposed from 8 p.m. onwards on Friday in the vicinity of Connaught Place. It will be applicable to all private and public transport vehicles. However, those who were holding passes, issued in advance at the time of booking hotels, restaurants, were allowed entry. The policemen were heard making announcements, urging people to go back to their homes, as night curfew is still in place. A police officer told IANS that the recent orders of Delhi Disaster Management Authority will be implemented in the city. Delhi is currently under a 'yellow alert' following a spike in the number of fresh pandemic cases, and growing fear on the spread of Omicron. Under the yellow alert, a night curfew from 10.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. remains imposed for 7 hours. People were seen leaving the Connaught Place at around 8 p.m. which in turned caused massive rush at the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. Hyderabad, Dec 31 : Telangana witnessed 4.65 per increase in the overall crime rate but there was two-fold increase in cyber crimes during 2021. Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy attributed the jump in cyber crime to huge technological growth and development backed by the Internet. A total of 8,828 cyber crime cases were registered during the year. According to the police chief, 66 per cent of these cases (5,833) were registered under major offences such as fake customer care fraud, advertisement portal fraud, job frauds, loan frauds and bank related frauds. The remaining cyber crime cases were related to online impersonation frauds, cyber stalking, phishing and obscene contents, etc. The year saw an increase in white collar crime. There were 14,666 cases of cheating registered during the year against 9,072 during 2020. The overall crime rate saw an increase of 4.65 per cent during the year. A total of 1,80,497 cases were registered during 2021 as against 1,72,469 in 2020. The DGP believes that enhanced awareness among people to report crime, online petitions and Zero FIRs led to this increase. During 2021, the police received 10,656 online petitions as 2,626 during 2020. Zero FIR is the mode of lodging FIR in any police station irrespective of the offence committed in that area or any other area. The number of Zero FIRs increased by 62 per cent during 2021. The year saw the launch of Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting & Management System (CFCFRMS ), an initiative to combat and overcome cyber related crimes through helpline number 155260, where lost money is recovered and given back to the victim. A pilot project on this module (CFCFRMS) was launched in Telangana in June by creating a helpline call centre at Cyberabad Police headquarters. The statistics show that 45,893 complaints relating to financial frauds were received at the call centre in the CFCFRMS system and 9,644 complaints were received through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. In these cases, the victims lost over Rs 95 crore while transactions to the tune of over Rs 5 crore were successfully put on hold by the financial entities. The police chief claimed that the desperate efforts of CPI (Maoist) to revive the movement in Telangana was effectively thwarted by the police. He said no activities of underground armed formations of CPI (Maoist) were noticed. Timely dissemination of information led to three exchanges of fire in which six Maoists were killed near the border with Chhattisgarh. The police arrested 98 extremists while 133 extremists surrendered during the year. Mahender Reddy said throughout the year the state has been free from any law and order problem involving major violence. He claimed that the state police force continued to be in the forefront in use of technology to control crimes. He said a total of 8,51,644 CCTV cameras have been installed across the state and during 2021 police detected 22,781 detected with the help of CCTV footage. Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Manipur CM warns to take action against misuse of social media Image Source: IANS News Imphal, Dec 31 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday warned to take action against those misusing social media platforms. The Chief Minister said that the government has set up a special cyber crime unit and those who are found misusing social media would be booked promptly under the law. After laying the foundation stone for a Haj House at Lilong in Thoubal district, he said that decency must be maintained by one and all while using social media, and people should abstain from uploading comments which might hurt the sentiments of others. Eaelier, different authorities in Manipur had booked several activists and journalists under the National Security Act (NSA) and other laws for Facebook posts criticising the BJP government and the ruling party leaders on numerous issues. The detainees were subsequently released following Supreme Court and high court orders. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Chief Minister recalled what he had announced earlier in 2018 about the importance for constructing a Haj House in Manipur. The Haj House would be a multi-utility facility for the Muslim community, providing accommodation and imparting training to the Haj pilgrims. Singh said that the government had earlier decided to pay Rs 30,000 per month as honorarium to the chairman of the Haj Committee. The Haj House is being constructed under the special assistance scheme for capital expenditure during 2021-22 with a project cost of Rs 10 crore. The land for the construction of the Haj House was donated by Muslim leader Hafiz Quary Quayamuddin. The Chief Minister said that the government is gearing up for the completion of the 'Ima market' (all women market) at Lilong and it would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits Manipur on January 4. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The GST officials on Friday said the Mumbai Commissionerate while investigating the business activities of a cryptocurrency exchange, WazirX, detected GST evasion of Rs 40.5 crore. "The GST of Rs 40.5 crore was not paid. Along with interest and penalty, on December 30, a total of Rs 49.2 crore has been recovered from WazirX," a GST official said. "WazirX exchange is managed by Zanmai Labs Pvt. Ltd and cryptocurrency WRX is owned by Binance Investment Co. Ltd, Seychelles. "The exchange provides option to a trader to transact in Rupee or WRX. The WRX has to be purchased from WazirX platform. The company was charging commission on each transaction in cryptocurrency from buyer and seller both. But they were not paying the tax to Government," the official said. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials also found that the rate of commission was different for both the transactions. "The transaction in rupee attracts the commission of 0.2 per cent and transaction in WRX attracts the commission of 0.1 per cent," said the official. During the investigation, it came to notice that the company used to collect revenue from commission as trading fees, deposit fees and withdrawal fees. The company was paying GST only on commission earned in rupee but was not paying GST on commission earned in WRX. A GST at the rate of 18 per cent is applicable on this transaction fees. The case was a part of the special anti-tax evasion drive, which relies on intensive data mining and data analytics, initiated by the CGST Mumbai Zone. "The CGST department will cover all the cryptocurrency exchanges falling in Mumbai zone and will also intensify this drive in the coming days," the official said. Bengaluru, Dec 31 : A programme to take government services to doorsteps in rural areas is being launched, and deputy commissioners (DCs) should work to make it a success, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday. He made the remarks while addressing the DCs' conference. The programme which is expected to be launched on January 26 on the occasion of Republic Day, includes issuing documents at the doors of the people. "Promptly implement the government's bold decisions taken to make the administration more responsive to people's plight, work pro-actively in the districts to give good administration, instead of just thinking about change, take the lead to bring the change yourself," Bommai said. He said the government has proved to be alive and responsive by reaching out to the people to redress their grievances. Crop compensation has been paid within 48 hours of uploading the report in Parihara App. It has been made possible to provide relief to 83 per cent of affected farmers due to the efficiency of Deputy Commissioners, Bommai said, appreciating their performance. He wanted the DCs to work with team spirit and face the challenges unitedly to make the district administration dynamic. He instructed them to ensure speedy disposal of land disputes and cases which are pending for more than 5 years at the level of Tahsildars, Assistant Commissioners and DCs as they decide the economic future of farmers. Government is ready to recruit additional Tahsildars and Assistant Commissioners to accomplish the task. Bommai stressed the need for making the administration more responsive to take the welfare programmes to the people's doors. He wanted monthly reports on progress of projects and programmes at district level. Good performance by the district administration would boost the image of the government. "Leave your own footprints in the district with good work. Government would back your good work," he said. Pointing to the fact that DCs enjoyed greater discretionary powers, the chief minister asked them to use it with discretion and responsibility for the welfare of the poor. Revenue Minister R. Ashok who also addressed the conference said, periodic progress review of development works should be held compulsorily. DCs should reserve atleast one day in a month for encroachment clearance drive. New Delhi, Dec 31 : A young man has moved the Delhi High Court seeking custody of his wife, who was handed over to a shelter home by Delhi Police, on an allegedly false criminal complaint of the girl's parents. Issuing notice in the matter, a division bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Anu Malhotra on Friday sought the response of Delhi Police and the woman's parents in the matter. Seeking the court's intervention in the matter, the man stated that the police action is against the wishes of the couple and their legal and fundamental rights. Advocate Gurmit Singh Hans, who appeared for the petitioner, said the marriage was against the wishes of the girl's parents, who filed a false complaint against the husband and police intervened in the matter. The plea said, on December 19, the couple had been called to the police station. After interrogation, the next day, the woman was handed over to the officials of Nirmal Chaya, Nari Niketan against her wishes as well of her husband. The petitioner sought the issuance of direction to the respondents to recover his wife from the illegal custody. The court will hear the matter further on January 10, 2022. New Delhi, Dec 31 : Delhi Police has busted a module of cyber criminals and arrested three people, including a highly proficient hacker, who used to hack social media accounts of people, and cheat their friends and family members. The three accused have been identified as Abhishek alias Ravan, who was the mastermind in hacking social media accounts, Deepak Panchal and Sumit Panwar. Furnishing details about the module, Gaurav Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-west district), said that on December 25, a complaint was received at National Cyber Crime Reporting portal wherein a complainant reported that her Instagram ID has been hacked by some unknown person. The accused have also changed her registered email ID and mobile number of her Instagram account and sent money requests to her friends. Subsequently, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act, and an investigation was initiated. A police team was constituted which obtained details from PayTm regarding the PayTm wallet wherein the amount was transferred by the friends of the complainant. Following this, the police identified a suspect Deepak Panchal and apprehended him. He disclosed that his friend Sumit got issued one Vodafone Idea SIM card on his ID and further asked him to open one PayTm account using the card. Sumit further gave the SIM card to his friend Abhishek. Subsequently at Deepak's insistence, co-accused Sumit Kumar Panwar and Abhishek were apprehended, the police said, adding that during interrogation, Sumit disclosed that his friend Abhishek was the mastermind. The accused Abhishek was well-versed in hacking social media accounts and has hacked dozens of Instagram accounts and defrauded lakhs of rupees from the people. Bengaluru, Dec 31 : The results of the local body elections in Karnataka have given the Congress a much-required momentum, as the top leadership of the party, including Rahul Gandhi and Priynaka Gandhi Vadra, has expressed its happinness over Congress' good show in the polls. At the same time, BJP insiders have said that the party is taking the poll setback seriously, though it is trying to downplay the results and rubbishing the claims of the Congress. The election results for 58 Urban Local Bodies (ULB), 57 gram panchayats and bypolls to 9 wards (ULB) across Karnataka threw mixed results on Thursday for the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both claiming victory, saying that they have the majority and confidence of the people. Of the total 58 Urban Local Bodies across 20 districts of the state, the Congress has managed to win 501 wards while the ruling BJP won 433 wards. Independents have bagged 195 wards and the JD(S) has managed to win 45 wards. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 1 seat, the Social Democratic Party 6 and the AIMIM 1. "In the elections held for 1,187 seats of local bodies across the state, the Congress has won more than 500 seats, the BJP has managed to win 433 seats while the JD(S) won 45 seats. More than 100 local bodies have thrown up fractured mandate. There is a wave for Congress in the state," Congress leader Siddaramaiah had said on Thursday. According to sources in the BJP, the party is considering the poll results as an alarming bell. The setback in BJP stronghold districts are being taken seriously, especially in Belagavi, which is considered the second capital of the state. The district has 18 Assembly constituencies. As many as 13 BJP legislators have been elected from here. The setback in the local body elections in Belagavi right after the defeat in the MLC polls has become a cause of worry for the party. The BJP got 109 seats out of 301, while the Congress won 97 seats. As many as 94 Independent candidates have also won this time from the district. Siddaramaiah claimed that this result shows that people are dejected with BJP's misadministration. "The results have shown that they can't win elections with money power," he said. State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar stated that the results of the local body elections reflected the mood of the people of Karnataka. "This is the victory of Congress and the people of the state. Not just the rural people, but those in the urban areas have also shown their support to the party," he stated. Reacting to Siddaramaiah's claims, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated that Congress has managed to win a few city corporation seats where minorities are in more number. "Let them not rejoice. We have won more gram panchayat seats. The results are also favourable in city corporations. BJP is going to come back to power in 2023, let Siddaramaiah and Congress not worry about that," he stated. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Centre on Friday asked states/UTs to explore appropriate public-private partnership models to augment testing in an expeditious way amid the Covid surge across the country. "Appropriate public-private partnership models may also be explored to establish innovative and convenient testing centres to augment testing in an expeditious way. RATs (rapid antigen tests) must be conducted in accordance with the RAT algorithm defined by the ICMR," the joint letter from the Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure adherence to physical distancing norms at all testing centres to minimise possibility of transmission there, it said. The states have been asked to institute emergency procurement procedures to facilitate unhindered supply of diagnostic commodities amid surge in the Covid cases. Citing the delay in RTPCR-based testing in confirming diagnosis due to its turnaround time of about 5-8 hours, the Health Ministry has asked states to increase use of rapid antigen tests in such specific situations where RTPCR testing poses challenges. The Health Ministry has said to consider any individual presenting with fever with or without cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, bodyache, recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue and diarrhoea as suspect Covid-19 case unless proven otherwise by confirmation of another etiology. While awaiting test results, people should be advised to immediately isolate themselves and follow the home isolation guidelines of the Health Ministry, it added. The states have been told to set up multiple RAT booths in identified geographies and operationalised on a 24X7 basis to offer widespread testing and easier access to all citizens. RATS may be allowed at government and private health care facilities includlng all hospitals, dispensaries, nursing homes, clinics, district hospitals, primary health centres etc. No accreditation is required for undertaking rapid antigen testing by any healthcare facility, the states were told. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guwahati, Dec 31 : The opposition Congress in Assam on Friday suspended its legislator Sashi Kanta Das from the party for "indulging in anti-party activities and violating the party discipline", state Congress General Secretary Bobbeeta Sharma said. Das on December 20 met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other party leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also extended support to the BJP government, fuelling speculations that he might join the saffron party. Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah subsequently served a showcause notice to Das, who represents the Raha Assembly constituency in Nagaon district. Assam Congress General Secretary Bobbeeta Sharma said that he was suspended by the state congress President "pending disciplinary proceedings with immediate effect for repeatedly violating party discipline and indulging in anti-party activities". New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 475.78 crore to install 600 LED screens across the city, an official said on Friday. "The LED screens will be installed at prominent locations on PWD roads, intersections and T points of roads, entry/exit of the metro station having heavy footfalls," the government said in a statement. The screens will display graphics, films, pollution data, social messages and information of government policies, and other relevant details of public interest. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had chaired the Expenditure Finance Committee, in its fifth meeting held on December 22. According to the statement, "the CCC or the Command Control Centre shall be compatible to run setup with various permutation and combinations (i.e., individually, cluster or all at a time) of the LED screen, area and location wise". The data for display will be received in the central control room, and after processing the same, will be displayed with the help of GSM network and cloud services, it noted. A India focused on indigenization in defence manufacturing in 2021 A New Delhi, Dec 31 (INS) The Defence Ministry focused on 'Make in India' and 'atmanirbhar Bharat' in 2021 with the induction of MBT rjun Mk-1 into the Indian rmy, LC (Tejas) into the Indian ir Force, and LH Mk-III into the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The ministry launched several major initiatives during the year to make India self-reliant in the field of defence manufacturing. Self reliance in defence is aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and making the country a net exporter in this field. The 'Make in India' and 'atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives have been given major impetus during planning and procurement of equipment for the army, wherein there has been an endeavor to support the emerging defence industry in the country. The LC (Tejas), rudhra and slesha radars, stra air-to-air missile, kash surface-to-air missile system, advance light helicopter and light combat helicopter etc. were added to IF's inventory, showing IF's commitment to 'atmanirbhar Bharat'. The MBT rjun Mk-1 was handed over to the Indian rmy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14, while the Defence Ministry placed an order with the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), vadi, Chennai, for the supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) rjun Mk-1 for the Indian rmy on September 23. dvanced electronic warfare system 'Shaktia', designed and developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) in Hyderabad under the DRDO, was handed over to the Indian Navy on November 19 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indigenous aircraft carrier 'Vikrant' successfully accomplished its maiden sea voyage in ugust. This milestone with few parallels reinforces confidence in the largest indigenously designed platform of Indian Navy. Commissioning of Vikrant is being targeted by ugust 15, 2022. INS Visakhapatnam, the first ship of Project 15B, was delivered by the Mazagon Dock Limited to the Indian Navy on October 28 in Mumbai, and it was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Two sophisticated and potent platforms -- Karanj and Vela -- were commissioned on March 10 and November 25, respectively, with over 75 percentage of indigenous content, having state-of-the-art weapon to strengthen the security apparatus in the Western seaboard. The forthcoming Defence Expo-2022, scheduled to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from March 10-13 is being planned in line with 'zadi Ka mrit Mahotsav' and the wide expanse of the domestic defence manufacturing industry will be co-opted to showcase India@75. Singh handed over five DRDO developed products to the armed forces and other security agencies at an event held at the DRDO Bhawan in Delhi on December 14. Rajnath Singh also handed over six transfer of technology (ToT) agreements to seven public and private sector companies. The products handed over to the armed forces and te Ministry of Home ffairs include anti-drone system, modular bridge, smart anti-airfield weapon, chaff variants and the light weight fire fighting suit. The air version of BrahMos supersonic missile was successfully test fired from supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I on December 8. BrahMos is a joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the development, production and marketing of the supersonic cruise missile. Further, a DRDO-developed supersonic missile assisted torpedo system was successfully launched on December 13. To provide autonomy and enhance efficiency, and unleash new growth potential in the Ordnance Factories, the Ordnance Factory Board has been converted into seven new defence public sector undertakings while safeguarding the interest of all stakeholders. The new defence PSUs became operational from October 1. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday said it has filed a chargesheet against 16 people in connection with a Rs 947.71 crore loan fraud case. The accused individuals took loans from different financial institutions on the pretext of opening a thermal plant in Tamil Nadu. The chargesheet was filed before the Special Judge, CBI cases, Rouse Avenue Court Complex in the national capital. The court is yet to take cognisance of the chargesheet. The CBI registered the case in 2019 following the Central government order. Earlier, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police was looking into the matter. The EOW had booked five persons as the accused, including a Hyderabad-based private firm and its director. The CBI investigation revealed that the borrower company through its Chairman and Managing Director had allegedly availed Rs 947.71 crore from a consortium of lenders led by Power Finance Corporation Limited and other two lenders, Rural Electrification Corporation Limited and India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited. They took the loan for setting up a thermal power plant at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. However, the company neither completed the project nor complied with the terms and conditions of loan agreements. The accused, including the borrower company, allegedly transferred the entire loan to create fixed deposits with Bank of India and UCO Bank and to pay advance payments to contractors. Subsequently, the accused allegedly availed loans against these fixed deposits and paid to the contractor for the group companies and later due to non-repayment of loan amount, the said FDs were adjusted against the loan accounts leading to a loss to the lenders. "The borrower company in collusion with other accused illegally used and siphoned off the funds disbursed for setting up a thermal power project. Thus, the accused cheated the financial institutions and caused them a loss of Rs 947.71 crore," the chargesheet said. New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Defence Ministry ensured women's empowerment in armed forces in 2021 with permanent commission of women officers in the army. It all started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making an announcement during his Independence Day speech on August 15 that all Sainik Schools across India will now be open for girls. Accordingly, all the Sainik Schools are now offering admissions to girls and more than 350 girls have been admitted so far. Enhancing the women representation, the Border Roads Organisation appointed women officers to command important road construction companies (RCC) along the border areas. In April 2021, EE (Civil) Vaishali S. Hiwase, a GREF officer, took over the reins of 83 Road Construction Company and was employed on an important Indo-China road connecting Munisairi-Bughdiar-Milam. The government has now allowed girls of the country to appear in the National Defence Academy examination. The necessary administrative training and policy changes have been made and the NDA June 2022 course will have the first batch of women cadets. The first batch of women naval operation officers were inducted into the rotary wing and joined the helicopter squadron INAS 336 at INS Garuda, Kochi, on February 3, with Lt Kumudini Tyagi and Lt Riti Singh operating onboard warships as combat aircrew. In 2021, 39 women army officers got Permanent Commission after winning a legal battle in the Supreme Court. A Permanent Commission means a career in the army till retirement, while Short Service Commission is for 10 years, with the option of either leaving or opting for Permanent Commission at the end of 10 years. If an officer doesn't get Permanent Commission then, the officer can choose a four-year extension. Hyderabad, Jan 1 : Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy on Friday urged the Director General of Police (DGP) to book a case under the Disaster Management Act against state minister K.T. Rama Rao for organising a rally in Nalgonda. Despite the ban on public meetings and rallies, a massive rally was organised in Nalgonda when state minister for industry and information technology Rama Rao visited the town to lay the foundation stone for IT Hub and take part in other programmes. Revanth Reddy, who was placed under house arrest in Hyderabad to stop him from attending a protest programme at Bhupalapally, alleged that he was illegally detained citing Disaster Management Act and was stopped from visiting farmers while Rama Rao was allowed to take out a rally in Nalgonda. Revanth Reddy, who is also a Member of Parliament, tweeted that this exposed the dual standards of Telangana police. He demanded DGP M. Mahender Reddy to immediately book a case under the same Act against Rama Rao. KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, is son of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and working president of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Hundreds of TRS workers took out a huge rally to welcome KTR in Nalgonda. The party workers carrying party flags were riding two-wheelers and many of them were seen without masks. Netizens criticised the ruling party for blatant violation of all Covid-19 regulations and the ban on rallies and public meetings. They questioned why the political parties were exempted when the police were imposing a penalty of Rs 1,000 on common man for not wearing face mask. The state government had last week issued an order banning all rallies and public meetings till January 2 in view of the threat from Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19. The DGP had on Thursday directed the police commissioners and district superintendents of police to strictly enforce the ban. He had also asked the officers to create awareness among the people to follow the guidelines issued by the government like compulsory wearing of masks and maintaining social distance. New Delhi, Jan 1 : VS Pathania has taken over as the chief of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), replacing K. Natarajan, who headed the ICG from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, an official said on Friday. An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College, Pathania is a qualified helicopter pilot and holds a Master's Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras. He has also undergone specialisation in Search and Rescue and port operations with the US Coast Guard. In his illustrious career spanning over 36 years, he has held several key appointments afloat and ashore, prominent among them are Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) at Gandhi Nagar, Commander Coast Guard Region (West) at Mumbai, Deputy Director General (HRD), Deputy Director General (Policy &Plans) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He has also commanded all class of Coast Guard ships namely Inshore Patrol Vessel 'Ranijindan', Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Vigraha' and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Sarang'. He has also held various appointments viz Principal Director (HRD), Principal Director (Policy & Plans) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, Chief of Staff at Headquarters, Coast Guard Region (North West), Chief Staff Officer (Operations) and Chief Staff Officer (Personnel & Administration) at Headquarters Coast Guard Region (West), Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Station at Chennai, Director (Personnel) and Joint Director (Aviation) at Coast Guard Headquarters and also as Squadron Commander of 848 Sqn at Chennai. He was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in November 2019 and took over the reins as Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) at Visakhapatnam. The period under his watch on Eastern Seafront saw surge in major operations that included apprehension of gold and tons of drugs/narcotic substance worth thousands of crores, pollution response operations, joint exercises with Foreign Coast Guard, anti-poaching operations, mass rescue operations and humanitarian assistance during cyclones/natural calamities and strengthened the coastal security. Pathania is also the recipient of President's Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished Service, Tatrakshak Medal for gallantry and Director General Indian Coast Guard Commendation. Hyderabad, Jan 1 : As part of its policy to encourage information technology in tier II towns in Telangana, the state government on Friday launched work on IT Hub in Nalgonda. Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao laid the foundation for the IT Hub, which will be constructed in three acres, with a built-up area of 75,000 square feet. This state of the art facility will have all the advanced facilities in a plug and play manner. Officials said nine companies have already signed MoUs with the state government to set up their offices in Nalgonda IT Hub and seven more companies showed keen interest in having their offices in the IT Hub. The IT Minister said these companies will create jobs for 1,500 local youth. He said the building for the IT hub will be ready in 16-17 months. He quoted the IT entrepreneurs that Covid-19 has come as a blessing in disguise as it has led to a situation where the work can be done not just from home but from anywhere. He asked the District Collector and other officials to provide temporary facility to these companies so that they can set up their operations immediately. KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said Nalgonda will be the six tier II town to have an IT Hub. "We have already started IT hubs in Warangal, Khammam and Karimnagar. The IT hub in Nizamabad will be inaugurated by Ugadi while the same in Mahabubnagar will be inaugurated soon," he said. KTR recalled when the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) came to power in 2014, IT was confined to Hyderabad but Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao set the goal to take it beyond Hyderabad so that tier II towns also enjoy fruits of technology and the youth in these towns also get jobs. He announced that the IT Hub in Nalgonda will also have a centre of Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge (TASK) to train educated youth in IT skills. The facility will also have a regional centre of T Hub to encourage innovations by local youth. The minister claimed that Telangana was marching ahead on the path of development not just in agriculture and rural development but also in industry and information technology. He said in a short span of seven years, Telangana witnessed rapid growth. "Among 28 states in the country Telangana is at 11th place in terms of size and 12th place in terms of population but as per a recent report of the Reserve Bank of India, Telangana is the fourth largest contributor to the economy," he said Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Karnataka received a jolt on Friday as 23 new cases of Omicron were confirmed in the state, taking the tally to 66, Health Minister K. Sudhakar said Among the 23, 19 are international travellers from the US, Europe, Middle East and Africa, he said. The state Health Department has managed to track all their primary and secondary contacts, Among the 19, one is 15 year-old, who had come from the US. He is currently under institutional isolation at a private hospital, and is currently asymptomatic. All his 18 primary contacts have been traced and isolated. Another Omicron positive patient is 47-year-old male Indian, who came from Nigeria. He is in institutional quarantine. The patient has been recovered and discharged. All primary 18 contacts were traced and tested. A 10-year-old female, a South African national and 35-year-old female, who is also a South African national, have tested positive. Both are symptomatic and are at the designated government hospital. A 12-year-old girl who returned from USA and 2-year-old male baby who returned from Tanzania have also tested positive for Omicron variant. A 12-year-old Indian female who is primary contact of Omicron patient from Nigeria has also tested positive for it. Jerusalem, Jan 1 : Israel's Defense Ministry has signed deals with the US to purchase a dozen Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 refuelling planes, Israeli officials have said. In a statement, the Ministry on Friday estimated the scope of the helicopter agreement at $2 billion, and the two refuelling aircraft at $1.1 billion. The Ministry said the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky helicopters will replace the Israel Air Force's current "Yasur" helicopters. The deal also includes an option to buy six additional helicopters. The first helicopters are expected to arrive in Israel in 2026, Xinhua news agency reported. The platform of the Boeing refuelling planes will be adapted to "meet the Israel Air Force's operational requirements and Israeli systems will be integrated into aircraft," the Ministry added. According to the Ministry, the procurement deals are part of a large-scale program that the Ministry and military have been undertaking over the last year and a half, with the aim of strengthening Israel's "military capabilities, force buildup and preparedness to face existing and future threats." Yangon, Jan 1 : Myanmar's Ministry of Transport and Communications has further extended the suspension of international commercial flights until the end of January 2022. The extension was made as an effort to continue curbing the spread of Covid-19 through air travel, the Ministry's announcement said on Friday. The Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for Covid-19 also issued an order of extending the period for Covid-19 preventive measures until January 31, 2022, Xinhua news agency reported. The extension will be applied to all orders, announcements, directives previously issued by the respective union level government organisations and ministries in order to contain the spread of the viral disease, the announcement added. According to a release from the Ministry of Health on Friday, Myanmar reported 189 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 530,834 so far. With three new deaths, the death toll has increased to 19,268 on Friday. A total of 508,232 patients have been discharged from hospitals so far. Myanmar detected its first two Covid-19 positive cases on March 23, 2020. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Moscow, Jan 1 : Russia "firmly and consistently" defended its national interests as well as the security of the country and its citizens in 2021, President Vladimir Putin said in his 2022 New Year address. "We faced colossal challenges, but we learned to live in such harsh conditions to solve complex problems. We were able to do this thanks to our solidarity," Putin said on Friday. "The most important thing is that we overcame all the difficulties of the outgoing year together ... There are still a lot of unsolved problems, but this year we passed with dignity," he added. "Celebrating the New Year, we hope that it will open up new opportunities. We count, of course, on good luck, but we still understand that the achievement of what we have conceived primarily depends on ourselves," he said. The President also expressed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported. Here's your horoscope for January 7, 2022 Aries Horoscope: You may need to settle a family youngster out of town for academic reasons. Some of you may get busy touring the countryside. A good bargain on the property front may come your way, so don't remain indecisive. Support of friends and well-wishers will help keep your morale high. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Peach Taurus Horoscope: Some of you can be invited overseas for lecture or consultancy. Chance of a raise is possible for some. Timely and correct decision will help you in saving a lot of money. You will be able to de-stress yourself completely today. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Magenta Gemini Horoscope: You can get more conscious of your financial situation and get into the saving mode. Homemakers are likely to overdo things on the home front. An activity at home can keep you totally engrossed and entertained. A lucky draw can make you a property owner overnight. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Dark Green Cancer Horoscope: Family will be your priority today, so expect to have a great time together. Those planning a vacation are in for an enjoyable time. Returns from an ancestral property promise to keep your bank balance in the pink of health. Organising something at home cannot be ruled out and your initiative is likely to earn much appreciation. Lucky Number: 18 Lucky Colour: Pink Leo Horoscope: A lot of time may be wasted in socialising, but you will love every moment of it! Time is ripe for investing in a scheme you have been considering for long. Your upbeat mood and a happy demeanour will brighten the domestic atmosphere. Something concerning property will work out in your favour. Lucky Number: 17 Lucky Colour: Forest Green Virgo Horoscope: Your financial health is likely to encourage you to go on a shopping spree and splurge. You will need to take up all the pending work before it becomes unmanageable. Good planning will see some setting out on an overseas journey. Excellent health is foreseen. Opportunity you had been waiting for is set to arrive soon, so get ready to seize it. Lucky Number: 18 Lucky Colour: Maroon Libra Horoscope: Chartered accountants and lawyers may find the day promising. Someone's antics on the home front are likely to upset you. Pilgrimage may be on the minds of the religious-minded and may translate into a journey soon. Hold a property issue in abeyance. Medical checkup is likely to find you fit as a fiddle! Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Light Grey Scorpio Horoscope: Your academic aspirations may take some time to get realised. A contentious property issue may not show any signs of getting sorted out amicably, so have a backup plan ready. Financial worries evaporate as new avenues of earning open up. An old friend or a relative is likely to pay you a visit. Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Cream Sagittarius Horoscope: Don't neglect something that needs to be done on the health front. You can expect to find a peaceful atmosphere at home. Going out together to someplace happening cannot be ruled out. Those in property business can find the day profitable. This is the day to rejoice as nothing can go wrong on both professional and personal fronts. Lucky Number: 17 Lucky Colour: Parrot Green Capricorn Horoscope: A family youngster may become a source of great joy for you. A hectic day is foreseen for those visiting out of town relatives or friends. Acquiring property by way of inheritance is possible for some. A changed attitude promises to open the floodgates of happiness for you. Lucky Number: 8 Lucky Colour: Orange Aquarius Horoscope: Those planning to study abroad are likely to get a chance of a lifetime. Your innovative ideas on the professional front are likely to be well received. Spirituality will have a special allure for you. Good health will keep you fit and energetic. You are likely to expand your social circle. Lucky Number: 17 Lucky Colour: Navy Blue Pisces Horoscope: Meeting old friends and relations is on the cards and will help cheer you up. Enjoy a long drive with lover today! Business, especially retail business, will look up as footfalls increase. An inheritance may come your way in the form of property or cash. It is about time you started taking your own decisions. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Dark Green About Author: Astrologer Manisha Koushik is a renowned Tarot Card Reader, Numerologist, Name Therapist and Vastu-Fengshui Consultant. Know more Did we pique your curiosity about your future? Read your detailed Horoscope and Rashifal to know more. Johannesburg, Jan 1 : The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the country is taking stock of the loss caused by Covid-19 with many lives lost in 2021 due to the pandemic. Ramaphosa made the remarks on Friday while delivering the New Year message for 2022, Xinhua news agency reported. "This is a sad time and a reminder of what they have lost and in many homes tonight, there's an empty space, which was once occupied by a father, mother, sister, brother, or a child. During the course of the year, we have lost men and women who were pillars of strength in our communities, leaders, activists, and veterans of our struggle for liberation. For many of us, this is also a time to look back at the year we have been through, a time to reflect on the year that has gone by," he added. He said that people should use this time of the year to make a positive contribution in one way or the other in their communities. Ramaphosa wished the people well in 2022. "As we welcome in the New Year, I wish you all joy, happiness, prosperity and peace. This is a special time of year for us all. It is a time for family and enjoying quality time with those we love." The President called on the people to work towards building "a better South Africa in 2022". Some of those who succumbed to Covid-19 in 2021 include former Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, Member of Parliament Tozama Mantashe, businessman and investor Jabu Mabuza, and Giovanni Pretorius, an Olympic boxer. As of Thursday, a total of 91,061 people had succumbed to Covid-19 in South Africa. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Nairobi, Jan 1 : Kenyan Ministry of Health has said it had vaccinated more than 10 million people, achieving a target it had set for itself to attain before the end of 2021. Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health, on Friday said in a statement that out of the 10 million people, 5.8 million are adults who are partially vaccinated while 4.16 million people have taken the two jabs. "Another 20,121 doses have been administered to those between 15 and 18-years-old and 5,280 are booster doses," Kagwe added. The proportion of adults who are fully vaccinated now stood at 15.3 per cent and the government was working to vaccinate its overall target of 27 million people, said the official. The Cabinet Secretary observed that the country's cumulative Covid-19 positive cases stood at 295,028 after 2,791 more cases were reported as of Thursday from a sample of 9,384, Xinhua news agency reported. The vaccination of the 10 million people comes at a time when the east African nation is battling a surge in Covid-19 confirmed cases caused by the Omicron variant. Kenya has ramped up vaccination as it also fights vaccine hesitancy by denying some services to the unvaccinated. President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier on Friday announced that from January 1, 2022, the government would start to administer booster doses to those who are fully vaccinated to protect them from the new variant. Authors Marketing International, LLC It is important to not take Readers for granted. After all, without them, we would not have the joy of our words being read. The Year of the Reader 2022 has been declared by Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Indie and the Authors Marketing International group, along with the largest indie author bookstore B4R.store. These three organizations have joined forces to say Thank You to millions of readers around the world. During this year of gratitude, DEAR Indie will be creating events such as a summer Read-A-Thon to help raise money for schools and libraries. The National Authors Day program in November and a book drive at the Lone Star Festival and around the country. Authors do say Thank you,' when a reader buys a book, but we really wanted to show our appreciation for this group that inspires us to write great books, said B Alan Bourgeois founder and director of the three organizations. It is important to not take Readers for granted. After all, without them, we would not have the joy of our words being read. DEAR Indie (http://DEARIndie.org) is part of the nonprofit DEAR Texas, which raises funds for Title 1 Schools & Libraries through its Short Story contest and other fund-raising events. B4R (http://B4R.store) is a bookstore that is exclusive to Indie Authors and helps them to compete against the big giants. They will be offering FREE eBooks and discounts throughout the year to support reading; this includes their Summer Reading List for the Read-A-Thon that will recommend indie books for all generations and levels of readers. Authors Marketing International (http://AuthorsMarketing.org) will continue to help support the event and work with indie authors from around the world to create programs and events in their local community to support Reading and to promote the great books written by indie authors and those they continue to write. To learn more about the Year of the Reader, check out the DEAR Indie website at http://Readers.DEARIndie.org You can also sign up to participate in or to have your school or library join the Read-A-Thon as one of the charities at the DearIndie.org website. Special lease on the 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD in Bay Shore, N.Y. Honda enthusiasts in the Bay Shore looking to drive home the new 2022 Honda Pilot can visit Atlantic Honda. The dealership is offering a special lease on the 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD. With the offer, buyers can purchase the new midsize SUV for $419 per month. The term of the lease is 39 months. The SUV boasts a slew of impressive interior and exterior features. With leather-trimmed seats, power front seats, with drivers memory seat fitted inside, the 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD offers a comfortable ride. Many other notable features like tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and LED fog lights, make the SUV a worthy investment. Interested drivers who wish to learn more about the 2022 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD, or to schedule a test drive in the Bay Shore area are encouraged to contact the sales team at the dealership or visit the website. The Atlantic Honda staff can be reached at the number 631-665-0005. Additional means of communication include online messages and on-site visits to the store. The Atlantic Honda dealership is located at 1375 Sunshine Hwy., Bay Shore, New York 11706. 2021 presented a series of inclement weather episodes that kept grape growers on their toes in Italy. All reports indicate that it will be one of lesser production, but thanks to measures put in place by attentive viticulturists, one quality. Italian producers have had to deal with unpredictable patterns of hail and frost, drought and flooding. But Italians however have learned to adapt and the art of larrangiarsi or being flexible could be said to be a national trait. With EU Quality Schemes such as PDO and PGI governing the production of quality wines, and controlling for authorized grape varieties in a given region, maximum yields, minimum potential alcohol levels, growers kept looking at the skies and anticipating measures that, even at the expense of quantity, would allow them to harvest grapes capable of transforming into wines worthy of EU quality endorsements. However, despite challenges, the lower yields allow the vines to devote energy to fully ripen the bunches that remain hanging. The overwhelming consensus is that there is something special about the quality and style of the wines that will result from the 2021 harvest. Harvest traditions run deep in a country in which winemaking is closely linked to the economy but also ingrained in gastronomic culture. The harvest often facilitates communal events bringing families together in a genuine way - its a time to celebrate - and that despite adverse weather conditions, Italy's hardy vines have completed their annual cycle and rewarded patient and observant growers with the fruits of their labor. A geographically extensive country, Italys regions endured their own challenges. Central and Southern Italy saw months of heat without any rainfall throughout 2021. Rain in September however, saved the day and allowed wineries to bring in healthy grapes albeit a lesser quantity. We know the old adage that the vineyard is made in September and this was no less true this year. Piedmont, one of Italy's distinct regions, prospered during this harvest despite the sweeping rain they experienced. In fact, some believe the rain even served a helpful purpose giving vines excess nutrition and energy. The expectations for the 2021 vintage are high. One thing that can be said throughout the country is that the harvest was much longer than in past years. In some areas it still started in August and in others it was protracted until November. Producers throughout the country acknowledge the impact of climate change on their vineyards, in both the weather patterns and the severity of weather incidents. They also understand that adherence to European quality schemes has contributed to maintaining standards this harvest. Growers will continue to refer to PDO & PGI as a framework that aims to maintain quality standards even when the impact of climate change is more palpable. All told, 2021 will be considered a good vintage albeit a difficult one. --- The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality. The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide. High-Profile Bay Area & Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld My client was relieved to be able to avoid the SVP designation and reintegrate into the community. The Rosenfeld Law Firm announced today that a petition filed to civilly commit a client as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) has been dismissed by the Superior Court of Sacramento (Case # 98673) as a result of the efforts of California criminal and mental health attorney Ken Rosenfeld. Under California's Sexually Violent Predator Act, Welfare and Institutions Code section 6601 et seq., Mr. Wohlenberg was petitioned to be civilly committed as a SVP. According to WIC 6604, a person designated as an SVP is to be placed for an indeterminate amount of time in custody of the State Department of State Hospitals and receive sex offender treatment within the confinement of a secure facility. Rosenfeld said his client was relieved to be able to avoid the SVP designation and reintegrate into the community. Thanks to our firms efforts, Mr. Wohlenberg is a free man, said Rosenfeld. Hes looking forward to beginning the next part of his life. About The Rosenfeld Law Firm With offices in Sacramento and San Jose, The Rosenfeld Law Firm provides aggressive defense of a wide range of high-profile criminal defense cases. California criminal defense attorney Ken Rosenfeld defends such cases as first-degree murder and sex offense cases, and also provides DUI defense. In addition to mental health criminal defense, The Rosenfeld Law Firm also practices federal criminal defense and juvenile defense, as well as appellate law and prison law. As a skilled criminal law commentator, Rosenfeld makes regular appearances on KTXL TV and FOX40's Ask An Attorney. Rosenfeld was named 2020 Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. For more information, please contact Ken Rosenfeld directly at (916) 447-2070, or visit http://www.therosenfeldlawfirm.com. Press release writing by WebSiteText and Proofreading Services by The Proofreaders. National Coalition for Access To Autism Services Military families already experience far greater challenges in accessing benefits for ASD than their civilian counterparts, said NCAAS Chair Mike Moran. The involvement of the NAS in evaluating TRICAREs Autism Demonstration is a positive step toward... accessing treatment The National Coalition for Access to Autism Services (NCAAS), the voice of the nations premier autism treatment providers, today welcomed language in the National Defense Authorization Act that seeks to improve the analysis of data collected from active duty and retired military families whose children participate in the Department of Defenses Autism Care Demonstration (ACD), which provides access to medically necessary services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law by President Biden on Monday, December 27, 2021. Military families already experience far greater challenges in accessing benefits for ASD than their civilian counterparts, said NCAAS Chair Mike Moran. We applaud everyone for their support and advocacy of our military families with children who have autism. The involvement of the National Academies of Sciences in evaluating TRICAREs Autism Demonstration is a positive step toward ensuring families are accessing top-quality treatment and that data collected from their childs treatment is used appropriately. Since 2019, NCAAS has raised concerns directly with the Department of Defense and with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees about the improper use of data collected from DoD patients utilizing the PDD Behavior Inventory (PDDBI), an internationally recognized and utilized behavior assessment tool, but which the DoD has improperly assessed and thus asserted unsupportable conclusions about the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis (ABA) used to treat ASD. Moreover, the DoDs improper analysis has been the foundation of troubling assertions in quarterly and annual supports submitted by the DoD to Congress. In February 2020, Ira Cohen, Ph.D., the co-creator of the PDDBI met with the DoD to convey his concerns about the DoDs improper use of the PDDBI data and the inaccurate conclusions asserted by DoD based on its flawed use of that data. Despite Dr. Cohens efforts, subsequent DoD reports to Congress continued to misuse the data and asserted conclusions that Dr. Cohen had clearly asserted were unsupportable. I met with the Department of Defense to point out the errors in their application of the PDDBI, and the resulting errors in their conclusions based on the PDDBI. I found it extremely frustrating to see that the Department simply continued to send an additional three quarterly reports and an annual report to Congress with the same erroneous information, said Dr. Cohen. The conclusions that the Department has made in its reports to Congress about the effectiveness of its Autism Care Demonstration based on its application and analysis of the PDDBI are simply unsupportable, Dr. Cohen concluded. With the Autism Care Demonstration expiring at the end of 2023, thousands of military families are relying on an accurate assessment of the effectiveness of a treatment of ABA, the gold standard in the treatment of developmental delays and interfering behaviors commonly present in children who are diagnosed with ASD. ABA is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree and to demonstrate the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior. In light of numerous reports to Congress making erroneous conclusions about ABAs effectiveness, legislators included language in the NDAA that requires DoD to contract with the National Academies of Sciences to conduct an independent analysis to determine whether data from the PDDBI are being interpreted properly and to complete other analyses to measure the effectiveness of the program. Frankly, I am relieved to know that the National Academies of Sciences will ensure qualified experts are scrutinizing the data that comes from the PDDBI, said Dr. Cohen. NCAAS members serve tens of thousands of families throughout the United States and more than 16,000 military families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). NCAAS and its members are committed to serving military families and remain committed to working with the DoD and the National Academies of Sciences in its evaluation of the ACD. NCAAS recognizes and applauds Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) who championed the issue in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees for supporting the language in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2022. Now that President Biden has signed NDAA into law, the DoD will have the help of experts from the National Academies of Sciences to ensure greater accuracy in the analysis of treatment outcomes, as well as future reports to Congress. TRICARE is the only major insurer in the United States which does not include ABA as part of its regular benefit. All 50 states require commercial insurance to cover ABA, and Medicaid, the federal Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries in all 50 states have access to ABA. Military families deserve access to the same evidence-based, medically necessary services for ASD as their civilian counterparts. Numerous studies show children who have access to ABA are less likely to need additional support and services and are more likely to become independent, thriving contributors to society. ABA is an evidence-based ASD treatment recognized by experts: The U.S. Surgeon General considers ABA to be an evidence-based best practice treatment. The CDC has called ABA a notable treatment approach that is widely accepted among professionals in many treatment settings. The American Psychological Association has found ABA is well-grounded in psychological science and evidence-based practice. The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted: most evidence-based treatment models are based on the principles of ABA. According to the Defense Health Agency (DHA), more than 16,000 children of military families receive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, the primary treatment of ASD, through the ACD. About National Coalition for Access to Autism Services (NCAAS) The NCAAS is a nonprofit organization representing autism treatment providers and the hundreds of thousands of children and families they serve in every state who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NCAAS providers contract with TRICARE, public schools, Medicaid, CHIP, and commercial insurers to provide essential medically necessary treatment to patients of all ages. ### _________________________________________ https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/spotlight/nn/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101584932X120-doc https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/applied-behavior-analysis https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/1/e20193447/36917/Identification-Evaluation-and-Management-of Adult Murder Charges Dismissed and Life in Prison Avoided We are very pleased his case will be tried in an appropriate court for his age. The Rosenfeld Law Firm announced today that Case # CR-2021-2293, involving a client potentially facing adult murder charges, has been remanded to juvenile court. According to the San Joaquin County Superior Court, Mr. Folkes was originally charged with murder and potentially faced life in prison. California criminal defense attorney Ken Rosenfeld argued that Mr. Folkess young age should preclude him from facing adult murder charges. Despite objections made by the prosecution regarding the seriousness of the offense, the Court agreed with Rosenfeld that the case be adjudicated by juvenile court. Should Mr. Folkes be found guilty of murder by the juvenile court, he will face a disposition of being committed to a juvenile facility until the age of 25. Rosenfeld said that the decision by the court to remand the case to juvenile court came as a profound relief for Mr. Folkes. Had the case remained in superior court, were seeing a young man looking at spending the rest of his life in prison, said Rosenfeld. Were very pleased his case will be tried in an appropriate court for his age. About The Rosenfeld Law Firm With offices in Sacramento and San Jose, The Rosenfeld Law Firm provides aggressive defense of a wide range of high-profile criminal defense cases. California criminal defense attorney Ken Rosenfeld defends such cases as first-degree murder and sex offense cases, and also provides DUI defense. In addition to mental health criminal defense, The Rosenfeld Law Firm also practices federal criminal defense and juvenile defense, as well as appellate law and prison law. As a skilled criminal law commentator, Rosenfeld makes regular appearances on KTXL TV and FOX40's Ask An Attorney. Rosenfeld was named 2020 Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. For more information, please contact Ken Rosenfeld directly at (916) 447-2070, or visit https://www.therosenfeldlawfirm.com/contact/. Press release writing by WebSiteText and Proofreading Services by The Proofreaders. The publishing industry made it through 2020 in much better shape than most thought it would when the pandemic first emerged nearly two years ago. Though there were many challenges and some companies and segments of the industry struggled, most companies had good financial years, and overall industry sales were unexpectedly robust in 2020. With the hope that the negative effects of Covid-19 would ease in 2021, most industry members expected that the business would settle into something of a new normal last year. But that was not to be the case. The biggest story of 2021 was the ongoing impact the pandemic had on the industry. Virtual author tours, conferences, and fairs became standard practices in 2020, but there was hope that 2021 would eventually bring a return to in-person eventsfor the most part, however, those ideas were thwarted. During the summer, bookstores slowly began experimenting with live author appearances, usually held outdoors or in limited numbers indoors with masked customers. But as colder weather set in and different variants sprang up, in-person tours largely ended, and there's no certainty among the industry regarding when they might return in a significant way. Another issue independent booksellers dealt with throughout 2021 was how to best enforce maskand later, vaccinationmandates. Enforcement efforts varied, with stores in politically blue regions tending to opt for stricter rules, while those in red areas generally favored looser enforcement. And when the fall selling season began, sales reps, both at publishers and independent groups, grappled with the issue of whether to move from remote (largely via Zoom) sales calls to in-person calls. In general, companies chose to leave that decision to the discretion of individual booksellers and reps. However, these issues didnt prevent sales at physical bookstores from bouncing back last year. Through October 2021, sales at bookstores were $7.12 billion, up nearly 40% over the same period in 2020, and there is a good chance that sales for 2021 will ultimately be greater than those from 2019, pre-pandemic, when they were about $10 billion. The sales gains were due in part to the opening of new stores and the adoption of online sales by independent and chain stores, something both businesses began to focus more heavily on in 2020. (The Association of American Publishers reported that, for the first time, online sales accounted for about 50% of trade sales in 2020.) To the relief of many publishers, Barnes & Noble in particular saw a return to form. After being forced to close its stores for several weeks at the start of the pandemic in 2020, the company accelerated plans to renovate its interiors and reinvigorate its bookselling practices under the leadership of CEO James Daunt. Expanded sidelines, including games, have also performed well. Overall the chain has stabilized, with Daunt telling PW last year that he expected sales to be up 5%6% for the year over comparable pre-pandemic sales in 2019. The company even continues to support its Nook e-book platform, having released an updated Nook Glowlight, one of the companys proprietary e-readers. In Canada, the dominant chain Indigo Books & Music saw even better sales results, with revenue in the second quarter, which ended in October, up 16% over the comparable period in 2020. The chain of more than 200 stores only fully reopened for business late last year, having endured some of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world. As a result, it saw a significant jump in online sales, which CEO Heather Reisman said were 85% higher in 2021 than they were pre-pandemic. Throughout 2021, major conference organizers struggled with efforts to return to in-person events. Early in the year, the American Bookseller Associations Winter Institute was shifted online. With no sign that BookExpo would return in some form, various new programs were implemented to help connect publishers and professional book buyers. Among them was PW's new U.S. Book Show, which took place online in May. In the fall, two regional booksellers associations held in-person events: the Pacific Northwest Independent Bookseller Association attracted 180 member booksellers, plus 150 publishers and industry representatives and nearly 50 authors, to its event in Portland, Ore., and the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association drew nearly 200 attendees to its FallCon in Denver. Several major international fairs also faced a second year of challenging shutdowns. In the first half of the year, the Bologna Childrens Book Fair was forced to once again go virtualthough it launched Bologna BookPlus, a new track for general trade publishingand the London Book Fair hosted its first online book fair, after canceling at the last minute in 2020. The first large-scale in-person event was the Beijing International Book Fair, which was offered in a hybrid online and in-person format in September, after a last-minute postponement in August due to concerns about the pandemic. October saw the return of the in-person Frankfurt Book Fairalbeit one that was approximately 20% of its previous sizewhich primarily drew attendees from Europe, as North Americans largely opted out of traveling. Both the Guadalajara International Book Fair and the Sharjah International Book Fair took place in person as well, with the latter attracting 1,692,463 people. In all, 1,632 publishers from 83 countries attended the Sharjah fair. The shift to virtual formats for book fairs has had a direct impact on at least one key aspect of the industry: rights sales. Many rights sellers who might otherwise have relied on fairs like London and Frankfurt for key sales meetings have made a major shift to working virtually, with literary agencies opting to forego fairs in favor of online pitches and working with some international book industry promotion organizationssuch as Frances Syndicat national de ledition and Bureau International de LEdition Francais, Italys Associazione Italiana Editori, and South Koreas KPIPAto stage special multiday virtual pitch sessions for international rights buyers. The supply chain, an aspect of publishing that is generally overlooked by most in the industry, was the focus of intense interest in 2021. Stories began appearing in early summer detailing how forces connected to the pandemic were causing severe supply chain problems in virtually all industries, especially those that depend on overseas vendors. Publishing supply chain issues were first brought to the fore in a July 6 BISG webinar, which said truck driver shortages, widespread port congestion, and skyrocketing container costs had already begun to put pressure on the industrys ability to deliver books in time for the holiday season. Exacerbating the situation were widespread labor shortages that made it difficult for Amazon, Ingram, and other companies that operate large warehouses to find enough workers. The book manufacturing industry was also confronting its own long-standing problem with finding skilled workers, while also dealing with paper shortages, all of which combined to result in capacity issues at printers in the second half of 2021, and experts believe the printing crunch will spill over well into 2022. To confront the immediate problem of getting books on shelves for 2021, publishers engaged in a juggling act, focusing on timely delivery of their big frontlist titles while delaying the releases of other books. Publishers also looked to move more printing back to the U.S., while also using print-on-demand more often. Speakers at an October 6 PW/Westchester Publishing Services webinar said that the long-term solution of addressing supply chain issues was more automation. Ingram, Bookazine, and other industry middlemen urged booksellers to order their fall books early, while virtually all media outlets advised consumers to do their holiday shopping early. Those appeals appeared to resonate with the public. According to NPD BookScan, unit sales of print books began showing solid increases over 2020 in October, with double-digit weekly sales increases occurring between late October and late November before tailing off in December. At press time, with two weeks remaining in the year, print unit sales were up about 9% over the comparable period in 2020 at outlets that report to BookScan. Those good results made it easier for publishers to continue to delay the return of workers to the office until sometime in 2022. Most publishers, including all the major New York City companies, had set a number of return-to-work office dates in 2021, only to see new virus variants ruin those plans. Whenever workers begin to return to offices on a regular basis, it appears most will be doing so under a hybrid approach, spending some days in the office and others working remotely. PRH, DOJ, and more Not everything that took place in 2021 was somehow linked to the pandemic. The biggest single story in 2021 was the decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to sue to block Penguin Random Houses $2.18 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster. The decision came a little less than a year after PRH won the bidding contest for the countrys third-largest trade publisher. The reasoning behind the government's opting to file the suit caught many by surprise: the DOJ contended that the purchase would harm top-selling authors by reducing the number of publishers able to bid on the most popular authors, thereby reducing author earnings, and ultimately hurting consumers. PRH, its attorney Dan Petrocelli, and S&S CEO Jonathan Karp noted that the government did not argue that the deal would reduce the number of books published or raise prices. On June 5, the industry lost one of its longest-serving CEOs when Scholastic head Dick Robinson died of a heart attack at age 84. Robinson was elected president of Scholastic, which was founded by his father, in 1974, and was named CEO in 1975. During Robinsons tenure, Scholastic expanded into the school book fairs business, broadened its international footprint, made a series of acquisitions in several publishing segments, and significantly strengthened its trade publishing division, which has published such zeitgeist-dominating series as the Baby-Sitters Club, Captain Underpants, Dog Man, Goosebumps, Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, and the Magic School Bus. Robinson was also widely respected for his commitment to literacy, and in 2017 was awarded the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the Literary Community by the National Book Foundation. Robinsons death left a leadership void at Scholastic, and board member Peter Warwick was named president and CEO. Warwicks appointment was somewhat overshadowed by the revelation that in his will, Robinson left his controlling stake in Scholastic to Iole Lucchese, a longtime company executive who had also been appointed company chair after Robinsons death (and who is widely reported to have had a romantic relationship with Robinson). As 2021 came to a close, it remained unclear how questions surrounding Robinsons will and its impact on the future of Scholastic will be resolved. The TikTok app emerged as an important promotional vehicle for books in the year with the explosion of interest in BookTok, which TikTok users use to share their favorite books and authors. Various BookTok hashtags led to numerous backlist titles, mostly in the adult fiction and young adult segments, becoming 2021 bestsellers. Among the biggest BookTok-driven hits in 2021 were Colleen Hoovers 2016 title It Ends with Us, which sold about 691,000 print copies last year, according to BookScan, after selling a total of 141,000 copies prior to 2021, as well as They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, which sold about 647,000 copies last year, after selling 140,000 copies since the paperback was published in December 2018. As 2021 wore on, it became increasingly clear that an explosion in book banning efforts in the year had its roots in politics. The challenges are part of an organized, localized political strategy on the right designed to activate conservative voters. Librarian organizations noted that, while book bans are hardly new and there are well-established policies and procedures in place to deal with such challenges, it is something else entirely to face an organized political movement. In an attempt to draw more attention to the issue, in December, the National Coalition Against Censorship issued a statement supported by more than 600 signatories condemning the politically motivated efforts as acts of censorship that threaten the education of children while putting the safety of librarians, teachers, school administrators, and school board officials in jeopardy. With Marylands new e-book law set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, the Association of American Publishers filed a suit in December to block its implementation. The law will require that a publisher who offers to license an electronic literary product to the public also offer to license the product to public libraries in the State on reasonable terms. (A similar bill has been passed in New York State, but it has not yet been signed, or vetoed, by Gov. Kathy Hochul.) The AAP suit argues that the Maryland law is preempted by the Copyright Act. It is unambiguous that the U.S. Copyright Act governs the disposition of literary works in commerceand for that matter, all creative works of authorship, said AAP president Maria Pallante, in announcing the suit. We take this encroachment very seriously as the threat that it is to a viable, independent publishing industry in the United States and to a borderless copyright economy. Even as Penguin Random House fights with the Department of Justice to win approval for its $2.18 billion purchase of Simon & Schuster, the consolidation beat in publishing continued in 2021 with the consummation of some of the biggest deals in several years. The biggest acquisition came in the information and library publishing market, where London-based Clarivate bought ProQuest for $5.3 billion. (The deal did not included Bowker, which remains part of Cambridge, a separate unit of ProQuest.) The combined company has over 11,000 employees, with 45,000 customers in over 200 countries, and Clarivates 2022 revenue is projected to be between $2.87 billion and $2.93 billion. The deal was opposed by the advocacy group SPARC, which represents more than 240 academic and research library members, who said the combination pushes this market to the brink of a monopoly. The second billion-dollar deal was Platinum Equitys $4.5 billion purchase of McGraw Hill, a purchase that came eight years after Apollo Global Management acquired MH for $2.4 billion. The acquisition also took place about one year after a proposed merger between MH and Cengage fell through after running into opposition from the Justice Department. The trade side of the business had two significant deals in the year. The biggest was HarperCollinss acquisition of the trade division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for $349 million. HMH sold the trade group, which had revenue of $192 million in 2020, to focus on its efforts as a technology learning company. In September, Hachette Book Group completed its purchase of Workman Publishing for $240 million. With sales of $134 million, Workman was one of the largest independent trade publishers remaining in the U.S. The acquisition was HBGs sixth in the last eight years. The year also saw the downsizing of Follett Corporation. In late summer, the company sold its K12 software and content division, Follett School Solutions (FSS), to the investment firm Francisco Partners. The sale came after a failed attempt by Follett to enter the school book fair business and the determination by Follett that if FSS was to expand in the educational technology space it needed additional capital. The FSS deal was Francisco Partners second purchase in 2021 in the educational technology business, having acquired Ingram Content Groups VitalSource digital learning platform in the spring. Approximately two months after completing the sale of FSS, Follett sold Baker & Taylor to an investment group put together by the wholesalers CEO and president, Aman Kochar. The deal involved all of B&Ts related businesses, which include Baker & Taylor Publisher Services, Baker & Taylor UK, collectionHQ, and James Bennett. With the sale, Folletts business is now centered on Follett Higher Education. Another newly created equity group, led by veteran publishing executive David Steinberger, was assembled to acquire Open Road Integrated Media. Formed in 2009 by onetime HarperCollins CEO Jane Friedman, Open Road was acquired for a purchase price reported to be between $60 million and $80 million, and had annual revenue approaching $50 million. The audiobook industry was the focus of several deals in 2021. In acquisitions that were announced on consecutive days in November, the Swedish audio streaming subscription service giant Spotify announced it had reached an agreement to acquire Ohio-based digital audiobook distributor Findaway. The purchase will give Spotify a greatly expanded presence in the American audiobook market. The next day, Storytel, the international audiobook streaming company based in Sweden, announced it was buying Audiobooks.com from the private equity firm KKR, owner of audiobook publisher RBmedia. The purchase marked the Stockholm-based firms entry into the English-language audiobook market. While KKR was selling Audiobooks.com, it backed RBmedias purchases of Booka, a Barcelona-based audiobook publisher and producer, and of the audiobook publishing business of McGraw-Hill Professional, a deal that added about 400 business audiobook titles to RBmedia. The audiobook market was not the only business Swedish companies took interest in last year. In December, the Embracer Group, a Swedish video game development company, bought Dark Horse Media, which owns and operates more than 300 properties, including graphic novels and comics. In another late-year deal involving an international company buying an American company, U.K.-based Bloomsbury Publishing bought California academic and reference publisher ABC-CLIO for $22.9 million; ABC-CLIO had 2020 sales of $14.7 million. The distribution business had a major shake-up with Independent Publishers Groups acquisition of U.K.-based United Independent Distributors. The purchase makes IPG the largest independent distributor in the U.K. and closes the gap between IPG and Ingram Publisher Services in the U.S. In explaining his reasoning for the deal, IPG CEO Joe Matthews pointed to industry consolidation. Book distribution rewards scale, Matthews said. In this era of consolidation across our industry, IPG will be big enough to offer clients a complete solution yet remain much smaller than our billion-dollar competitors. A transaction made by the founder of a large educational and research publisher was aimed at keeping her company out of the hands of a larger competitor. SAGE Publishing founder and owner Sara Miller McCune signed over her voting shares and control of the $400+ million company to the SAGE-SMM Trust. Snow Joe Compact Snow Broom w/ Ice Scraper and LED Light is rated 3.3 out of 5 by 55 . Rated 1 out of 5 by Cindyfrommichigan from I told the truth I bought 2 of these pieces of junk . I wrote a post warning people about it being made of Styrofoam. It got posted.Snow Joe replied to my post and said that it wasn't Styrofoam .I bought them separately It wasn't offered to me as a set of 2 ..I noticed others had the choice of a set of 2 . I had to return them separately at 9.70 each for postage.The post I made was up in 2020 now it's gone ? There are other posts up from 2019 Hmmmm....??? Rated 5 out of 5 by Stargazer37 from Talk about timing!! Little did I know when I bought them to give as Christmas Gifts how appreciated the Snow brush and scraper would be.. WHO knew we would have record lows and snow fall in the South during Feb. 2021!! A great tool to have on hand... "JUST IN CASE!" Perfect for most anyone who drives and automobile.. Rated 5 out of 5 by ChristinaL14 from Best purchase all winter Best purchase I made all winter for a snowy NY winter. Easy to assemble and optimal length to reach across SUV. Compact for storage. Delicate enough for windshield and car. Rated 5 out of 5 by IndyBeth from Love it! Great Value! I have an older version that doesn't have the light. This is my 2nd winter to use the Snow Joe. I've used this several times over the last few days to remove the original 8 inches of snow that fell. I just used it to remove the additional 3 inches of snow that fell last night. Took me less than 10 minutes to clear off a regular-sized sedan. No stress/strain on my back or shoulders either. My neighbors asked what it was and where I got it. They plan to order it for themselves. Rated 5 out of 5 by queenanna from One of the best gifts I gave for christmas I purchased eight of these for gifts, keeping one for me. My family has told me this is one of the best gifts they have received. Easy to use and reaches everywhere. I would recommend any of there products, fantastic. Rated 1 out of 5 by Jeffsreview from Defective Holes in the metal poles did not alight, they need better inspections b4 shipping product out. Rated 5 out of 5 by sherrysmile from Works Perfect So I bought these awhile ago and I myself never used one till we got a lot of snow last week...wow works great...fast removal of snow from whole car! More snow on the way...ill be using it more it seems...oh and does not scratch paint...soft but firm enough to push and pull snow right off Jean-Marc Vallee's family is thanking fans for their support in the wake of the Big Little Lies and Dallas Buyers Club director's sudden death at the age of 58. ADVERTISEMENT The filmmaker died Dec. 25 at his home in Quebec. The cause has not yet been determined. "We wish to thank everyone who took the time to express their sadness and compassion. We are very grateful by the outpouring of support received from around the world," his family said in statement Thursday. His sons, Alex and Emile, added: "Our father was a generous man, deeply human and who lived life to its fullest. He wanted to live a long life and was working on major projects! He was a source of inspiration for many and leaves wonderful memories for those who had the privilege to work with him, to love him and to appreciate his craft." Denis Villeneuve, who directed Dune and Blade Runner 2049, also paid tribute to the fellow Canadian filmmaker he described as "a genius at heart." "I'm not Jean-Marc Vallee's closest friend. We were competitive brothers fighting for the attention of our mother of all, the Holy Province of Quebec," Villeneuve said. "Jean-Marc kept saying that he was older than me and that I should respect him. He was more fit than me. More sexy than me. He knew everything about music. He was a prince. He was a rock star. He was so Jean-Marc! I deeply loved him and admired him. I don't know what he really thought of me. Sincerely, I think I was the annoying little brother who wanted to play with his toys." Actor Jacob Bertrand says the latest episodes of his karate dramedy Cobra Kai show what can be accomplished when two very different senseis work together and blend their teaching methods to bring out the best in their students. ADVERTISEMENT "Multiple styles is a big part of Season 4," Bertrand, who plays Hawk, told UPI in a recent phone interview. The show picks up more than 30 years after California high-school rivals Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) competed at the All Valley Karate Tournament in the classic movie, The Karate Kid. Now in their 50s, down-on-his-luck Johnny and wealthy hotshot Daniel are martial arts instructors. In the first three seasons, Johnny and his ruthless mentor Kreese (Martin Kove) encouraged kids to be aggressive and merciless at the Cobra Kai dojo whereas Daniel taught inner peace and self-defense at Miyagi-do. In Season 4, out now, the frenemies team up to defeat Kreese and his battalion of violent followers, which includes Johnny's troubled son Robby (Tanner Buchanan.) Kreese also calls in Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith,) an old army buddy and the villain from Karate Kid III, to help him whip the Cobra Kai kids into shape. Bertrand loves how the writers honor legacy figures from the film franchise, while constantly bringing in new characters to carry on the story. "The way they weave in people from The Karate Kid universe is insane," he said. "How they add new people and the different roles that they fill is super-fun to see. I feel like I'm going on the ride, too. I think if I wasn't on this show, I would definitely watch it." Hawk is a high-school student who goes from being the victim of bullies to tormenting other kids, under the tutelage of Johnny and Kreese. He follows Johnny when he starts his new Eagle Fang dojo in a public park and, ultimately, joins forces with Daniel. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "I'm one of the only characters that has been in all three dojos," Bertrand said. "I was just really excited about exploring the different relationships Hawk is going to have to rebuild [in Season 4.] He definitely burned a lot of bridges." Because Robby started out as one of Daniel's students, he teaches Kreese and his acolytes all of Daniel's secrets, cunningly using Daniel's techniques against his own students. "It's kind of like your worst nightmare," Bertrand said. "Good move by the enemy. They really caught us by surprise, but we know Miyagi-do the best. We know Eagle Fang the best." As his teachers are learning to combine their skills, Hawk is also learning how to defend himself without abusing his power in the first few episodes of Season 4. He tries to help his friends and solve problems instead of constantly posturing. "He's actually learned a lot," Bertrand said. "Hawk really finds the happy medium between those two -- to be OK with how he felt as Eli and also accept himself as Hawk." Johnny knows working with Daniel is the right thing to do, but isn't always happy about it. This means he frequently takes his anger out on those around him, including the loyal Hawk. "It's decently strange there for a little bit," Bertrand laughed about his relationship with his sensei at the top of Season 4. "Johnny is the guy who birthed Hawk. He is the reason Hawk is Hawk and gained a lot of confidence and can be the man he is. There is a very, very special connection there. Hawk really does look up to him." Another important person in Johnny's life - his X-Ray tech neighbor and love interest Carmen - gets more screen time in Season 4 as actress Vanessa Rubio moved up from being a recurring player on the show to full-time cast member. "It needed to happen because the story is progressing and Carmen is a very strong and unique character," Rubio told UPI in a separate phone interview. "She is a grounding and promising force, especially for Johnny. She is guiding him, saying, 'Come this way if you want to see the light.' He needs her and, in a sense, she needs him just as much." The actress pointed out it is rare to see on television romance blossoming between middle-age and flawed characters. "I think we are all rooting for them," Rubio said. One of the reasons Carmen is drawn to Johnny is that he teaches and cares for her teen son Miguel, played by Xolo Mariduena. "It's a challenge for her," Rubio said of Carmen. "She has been a single mother for so long and letting somebody else into their lives is a big deal." Carmen also finds herself conflicted as a protective parent trying to be supportive of Miguel's involvement in a sport that gives him a sense of self-worth, but, at one point, leaves him seriously injured. "It's a balance of seeing what truly makes him happy, what's emerging as a passion and knowing when to step back and just be like: 'It's out of my hands now. I just have to trust,'" Rubio said. The actress loves being part of a story that has so successfully grown beyond its 1980s and '90s cinematic roots and legacy characters. "Carmen and the Diaz family and Amanda and Sam all add to this continuation of the story and they have their own stories that they come with," she said, adding it feels wonderful when multi-generational fans tell her they watch the show together as families. "That's amazing. It brings me such joy to know that parents are watching this with kids and they are all invested in this show." Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Snow during the morning will taper off and give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 31F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 14F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media MILFORD A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street Wednesday night, according to police. First responders were sent to the area of Boston Post Road near the traffic light at Costco and Bowlero around 7:15 p.m. for a report of a serious crash. LOS ANGELES (AP) Drenching rains fell across a swath of Southern California and snow brought traffic to a halt on a major highway early Thursday as the last in a series of December storms that walloped the state moved through. The Grapevine section of Interstate 5 high in the mountains north of Los Angeles was shut down due to snow and ice before dawn, the California Highway Patrol said. Lanes reopened Thursday afternoon. Mudslides, debris flows and rock fall s caused localized problems on many roads. The city of Malibu tweeted that firefighters and lifeguards brought 22 people to safety from a flooded campground near Leo Carrillo State Beach. The storm followed several earlier in the month that caused record snowfall and some flooding and other damage from high winds. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday declared a state of emergency for 20 counties throughout the state because of those storms and the threat from continuing weather. The declaration expands state assistance. Downtown Los Angeles received 2.3 inches of rain by mid-afternoon breaking a daily record of under 2 inches set in 1936 and more rain was expected into the evening, the National Weather Service said. However, no major problems were reported in areas scarred by wildfires that were at risk at flooding and mudslides. Evacuation orders were lifted for three Orange County canyons. Northern California was finally mostly free of storm warnings but chains were required on major highways through the Sierra Nevada. Residents in higher foothill and mountain communities were digging out, with reports of major tree and power line damage in places like Foresthill and the Nevada City area, both northeast of Sacramento. Thousand of residents remained without power, with warnings that some could be without lights and heat for another week. On the central coast, a stretch of Highway 1 remained closed by a weekend slide in San Luis Obispo County. California was expected to dry out for the New Years weekend before more wet weather. In a key update to the Ludhiana blast case, a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Germany to question the member of designated terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana blast case, said a senior officer on Friday. According to the officer, NIA will initiate the proceedings to bring Multani to India but before that, the agency is in the process to register a case against Multani and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other Indian Penal Code sections. In a big diplomatic win for India, Khalistani terrorist Jaswinder Singh Multani was arrested earlier by German authorities in the Ludhiana court blast case after the Indian government sent across a request. The officer also added that the Pro Khalistan supporters were radicalising youth in Punjab: "These Pro Khalistan supporters were radicalising youth in Punjab and using social media platforms to propagate their agenda and terror activities. Ahead of Punjab elections, there is a sudden surge in their activities to destabilize peace in the state," the officer said. He further added that Multani is currently being questioned by the German police. "Multani has been detained by German police and is being questioned. He is on their radar. After registering FIR, a team of NIA will be reaching Germany to question him in detail because we have got strong evidence of his involvement in the Ludhiana blast case and further planning of more such attacks in the country," he added. How was Jaswinder Multani nabbed by German authorities? Sources informed Republic that India's Ministry of External Affairs had activated its embassy in Berlin, with a diplomatic team who convinced German Agencies to arrest Jaswinder Multani. The team also prepared a dossier on Multani. Additionally, the accused was arrested by the Federal Police after the Indian government had sent across a request to German authorities to arrest him. Ludhiana bomb blast An explosion occurred at a Ludhiana court on Thursday at around 12.25 p.m., killing two and injuring 6. Visuals from the site showed walls and parts of the ceiling damaged in the third-floor washroom of courtroom no. 14. As informed by Punjab DGP Siddhartha Chattopadhyaya on Saturday, Gagandeep Singh was attempting to destroy the records of drugs cases filed against him. A hearing was also scheduled on the day of the explosion, where he was said to appear. As the year is about to end in another couple of hours, there seems to be no end to the nefarious plots of Pakistan to destabilise India by various means. The latest addition to the list is Pakistan pushing drugs to the Indian side using water. BSF has recovered 01 Kg of Heroin, which was pushed from Pakistan through the river Satluj in Punjab. Pakistan pushes drugs to Punjab via water BSF Punjab spokesperson while sharing details with Republic World, said, On 31st Dec' 2021, vigilant Border Security Force troops, deployed along the River Sutlej bank in the area of responsibility of Ferozepur Sector observed some suspicious item floating in River Sutlej from Pakistan to India side. Thereafter, troops dragged the suspected item towards the bank and when it was searched, they recovered and seized 01 Pkt of contraband (weight appx 0.950 Kg) suspected to be Heroin. He further added that vigilant BSF troops, despite adverse climatic conditions, once again foiled the nefarious attempts of Anti-national elements to smuggle contrabands. With this attempt of Pakistan, the intention of the adversary seems clear that they are hell-bent to vitiate the peace process in Punjab ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections in the State. This year more than 400 Kg of Heroin has been recovered by BSF on International Border with Pakistan by foiling several attempts of narcotics smuggling, thus averting hundreds of crores being pushed into fuelling terrorism. Earlier, a similar incident was reported in the Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir where the Army recovered four AK 74 rifles, eight magazines and 240 rounds concealed in two bags. Recovery was made after Army noticed a few men transporting some items in a tube tied to a rope across the Kishenganga river. "This morning, in the Keran sector, Pakistan tried to send across the Kishenganga river four AK74 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition in a tube, but our alert troops with the help of surveillance devices recovered the cache. It signifies that there has been no change in Pakistan's intentions. We will continue to foil their attempts in the future as well," Lt Gen Raju, the then, Chinar Corps Commander said. Image: Republic World/AP NIA Team Set To Visit Germany To Question Khalistani Terrorist Multani In a key update to the Ludhiana blast case, a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Germany to question the member of designated terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana blast case, said a senior officer on Friday. According to the officer, NIA will initiate the proceedings to bring Multani to India but before that, the agency is in the process to register a case against Multani and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other Indian Penal Code sections. Read more here Corbevax Nod In India To Help World As Talks For WHO Approval Underway, Says Expert Amid the urgency to ramp up vaccination, Corbevaxs approval would not only be helpful for India but also for the rest of the world as discussion for WHO's nod are underway, said Baylor College's Professor Peter Hotez after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday approved the jabs. Corbevax, the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Hyderabad-based vaccine giant Biological-E in collaboration with US-based Dynavax and Baylor College of Medicine, is also Indias first indigenously developed protein sub-unit vaccine against Coronavirus infection. Weighing in on the emergency use approval of Corbevax, Hotez told ANI on Friday, Given the urgency, Corbevax will be helpful not only for India but globally as most of the African continent, neighbouring countries around India remain largely unvaccinated Read more here Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut Justifies Not Wearing Mask Despite concerns over the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut justified not wearing a face mask. Speaking to the media in Nashik on Thursday, he claimed that many people in the country including himself are not wearing masks as PM Modi had been spotted at several public events not following this norm. Escalating his attack, Raut urged the PM to set an example by adhering to COVID restrictions. The Sena MP's bizarre explanation comes at a juncture when the state has recorded the maximum number of cases of the Omicron variant. Read more here J&K: Security Forces Eliminate All Terrorists Involved In Zewan Attack In a major development in the crackdown on terror in Jammu and Kashmir, the Police has now informed that at least three terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in the Srinagar district. The security forces on Friday confirmed the killing of three, including one Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist. With the encounter, the J&K Police has now informed that all terrorists involved in the recent Zewan attack have been neutralised. Read more here Amit Shah To Address Rally In Ayodhya Today Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and amid BJP's robust campaigning in the poll-bound state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Ayodhya on December 31 to address a public rally at GIC ground under the Ayodhya Sadar Assembly seat. Sources informed that Shah will pay his visit to Shri Hanumangarhi Temple in the city and head to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Temple in Ayodhya. During the day, Shah will address a meeting with the public of rural Ayodhya, Bharatiya Janata Party's official Twitter handle stated. At 2 PM, the Union Home Minister is scheduled to conduct a public meeting at Sant Kabir Nagar in Gorakhpur. Following this, around dusk, Shah is set to commence a roadshow in Bareily and address an organisational conclave at 7 PM. Read more here Abhishek Singhvi Urges Political Leaders, EC To Find Solution For Rallies Amid COVID Fears Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi on Friday expressed his concerns over COVID-19 and massive political rallies happening for the upcoming polls. According to the Congress leader, 'lacs together in multiple rallies seriously jeopardises their health, common mans well being, while netas (politicians) speak from a distance & have protection'. He further urged all the political leaders to find a 'solution' along with Election Commissioner. Read more here Pakistan: 4 Killed, 15 Injured In Severe Explosion In Quetta's Jinnah Road A severe blast in Pakistan's Quetta city, the capital of Balochistan province, took the lives of at least four individuals while injuring 15 more, according to PTI. The police informed that the explosion has occurred beside a vehicle which was parked near the Science College on Jinnah Road. The dead, as well as the injured, were taken to the Civil Hospital in Quetta. As per the witnesses, the bomb had smashed the glass windows of a nearby building. After the incident, officials claimed that the majority of the victims had shrapnel and nail wounds. Police further stated that rescuers as well as security personnel have arrived at the scene of the explosion, and officials are investigating the cause of the blast. However, no organisations or individuals have claimed accountability of this tragic incident, Xinhua reported. Read more here 100 Out Of 8.7 Million Kids Aged 5-11 Report Systemic Reaction To Pfizer COVID Vaccine Amid the Omicron spike in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that the Pfizer COVID vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 has proven to be as safe as predicted, however, 100 "serious" incidents have been recorded in the first 8.7 million doses. To analyse the safety of COVID vaccines for kids between the age group of 5-11 years, US CDC has examined adverse systemic reactions of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination receipt and reported it to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a passive vaccine safety surveillance program co-managed by CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Read more here Putin Extends New Year Wishes To President Kovind & PM Modi On New Year's Eve, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his greetings to foreign heads of state and governments for the coming New Year 2022. In a special drafted message, President Putin noted blooming bilateral relations with India, Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan and several other nations. While extending warm New Year's wishes to India, Putin greeted President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his message for India, the Russian President noted the high level of Russia-India relations of special privileged strategic partnership, as fully demonstrated by the results of recent talks held in New Delhi, the statement released by Kremlin said on Thursday. Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year greetings to foreign heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations https://t.co/AbBrwK7rt0 President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) December 30, 2021 Read more here Hong Kong: Ex-editors Of Pro-democracy Outlet Charged Under Anti-sedition Law Two former editors from a Hong Kong online pro-democracy news outlet were charged under anti-sedition law and denied bail on Thursday. In the clampdown on lastly critical voices in Hong Kong, the police raided Stand News offices on Wednesday and arrested seven former and current journalists forcing the online media outlet to shut down. According to a Hong Kong Free Press report, the citys court ordered the two veteran journalists, Chung Pui-kuen, 52, and Patrick Lam, 34, to remain in custody after they were officially charged with conspiring to publish seditious publications. Read more here As the world is ready to bid farewell to 2021, Google at midnight unveiled its cute, festive, and celebratory doodle to welcome the new year with much fervor and zeal. Decorated with tiny starlights and giant candy in the middle, the Google Doodle went live on the homepage across the globe as the clock struck midnight on Thursday, officially beginning the last day of the year. The festive Google doodle has a giant caption "2021" written in the middle of the graphic, and it is just waiting to pop as the clock strikes midnight on Friday. The jacklights in green, yellow and blue match the colours in Google's logo. The extra New Year's confetti adds a bling to the whole celebration that is much-needed at a time when the world is dealing with a pandemic. The idea behind the Google Doodle is also simple and straightforward. "That's a wrap for 2021- Happy New Year's Eve!" Google wrote below its doodle archive documenting the new designs. New Year's Eve 2021: What is New Year's Eve? New Year's Eve is the last day of every year on December 31. It comes just a day ahead of New Year's Day, which is January 1st. It is a day to say goodbye to the old year and embrace the coming year, welcoming new opportunities, new resolutions, celebrating new achievements and leaving behind the past. The day is also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day. New Year's Eve is marked as a holiday in some countries like the Philippines, Latvia, Japan and many more. In countries like US and UK, people celebrate with fireworks and throw big in-house parties. This New Year's Eve is particularly important worldwide as the bygone year has tested in more than one way. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, converged with Omicron and travel restrictions, the celebrations are likely to be muted. Yet, the Google Doodle has kicked off celebrations for all of us. Apart from the cute display, if one wants to experience an extra flair, just search New Year-related keywords and check out the knowledge panel on the right side with animated confetti cones. Click on them and see the amazing results! (Image: @Google.com) In the new year, an asteroid the size of a skyscraper will pierce the Earth's atmosphere, according to space agency NASA. It has been designated as Asteroid 2013 YD48, by the space agency. NASA has also declared it a "potentially hazardous object," for Earth. According to the report, it will come within 3.48 million miles of Earth on January 11. The asteroid is around 104 metres broad, which is about the same size as Big Ben. It will miss Earth by 3.48 million miles, reportedly. While the distance may appear large, it is actually quite small in terms of space travel. According to reports, anything passing within 120 million miles of Earth is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) by NASA. Because of the vast distances that these asteroids travel, even little alterations in their courses might be devastating to Earth. Everyday, thousands of such rocks or asteroids are being monitored by scientists to determine whether or not they are on a collision course with Earth. Three more asteroids scheduled to pass by Earth before 2013 YD48 Moreover, 2013 YD48 isn't the only asteroid that will pass closer to Earth in the coming weeks, according to the report, three more asteroids are scheduled to pass by the Earth before it does. This Sunday, on January 2, the 2021 YK, which measures 12 metres in width, will fly within 118,000 kilometres of Earth. On 6th January 2022, 2014 YE15, which is only 7 metres broad, will pass Earth, coming within 4.6 million miles of our planet. The third and last asteroid is 2020 AP1, which is only 4 metres wide, will pass us on January 7, at a distance of 1.08 million miles. It is not rare to see asteroids pass so close to Earth. Eearlier this week, an asteroid nearly three times the size of 2013 YD48 came within 1.9 million miles of Earth at 47,000 miles per hour, according to the space agency. Similarly, on Christmas Eve, an asteroid estimated to be 10 times the size of this year's Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York flew by Earth. The massive rock, measuring 229 metres in diameter, came within 4 million miles of our planet. (With inputs from agencies) Image: Unsplash Amid the ongoing tension between the President and Prime Minister in Somalia, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has voiced worry on Thursday about the political unrest in the nation. Mahamat has urged extreme caution while emphasising the importance of continuous interactions and communication between the nation's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and PM Mohamed Husein Roble in order to find a political solution to the current crisis. According to an AU press release, the Pan-African Union's chairman "is following with deep concern the serious current political tension in Somalia." Moussa Faki Mahamat went on to say that the African Union reaffirms its commitment to bolstering its assistance for Somalia's long-term peace and stability. Somalia political crisis between Somali President and PM The political turmoil initiated in the nation after Somali President Farmajo sacked PM Roble on corruption charges on Monday. Farmaajo accused the PM of meddling with an investigation into charges that he stole a portion of the Somali Army's coastal property by reorganising the Justice and Defense ministries as well as dismissing General Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir, the Somali Coast Guard commander, who brought the allegations against him. Furthermore, while retaliating against the allegations, Roble blamed Farmaajo for aiming to dismantle government institutions and instructed the Somali armed forces to operate under the command of the prime minister's office, as per the Sputnik. In addition to this, according to experts, the present political conflict between the two main leaders will cause a further delay in the election process, which is set to end in early 2022. The Parliamentary elections which began on November 1, have already been postponed after just 24 of the 275 Politicians had been elected. Further, the nation's electoral commission had set December 24 as the deadline for the parliamentary elections to be completed. Meanwhile, the sacked Somali PM Mohamed Roble spoke via phone with Molly Phee, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, on December 29. The two talked about the nation's political and security scenario, including the ongoing elections, and called for credible and quick results. (Image: AP/ Twitter-@Mohamed Roble) On Thursday, mass demonstrations began in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, as well as in other towns, demanding civilian rule and further condemning the coup d'etat carried out in October this year. These protests took place after the Sudanese Professionals Association, which is leading the demonstrations, published a statement asking people to participate in Thursday's marches. Various demonstrations gathered at Sharwani bus station, as per eyewitnesses, to march to the Republican Palace, Xinhua reported. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Sudan army forces have been placed at the entrances to the bridges connecting the three major towns of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri, the majority of which were closed by the government before the commencement of the protests. Further, the internet connection and data access on mobile phones were disrupted earlier in the day on Thursday. The protests in demand for civil rule in Sudan had emerged since General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had proclaimed a state of emergency and dismissed the Sovereign Council and administration on October 25. In addition to this, on November 21, Fattah al-Burhan and then-Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok had signed a political statement that included Hamdok's reinstatement as Prime Minister, but the agreement has yet to pacify the streets. Sudanese army forces had detained 114 anti-coup demonstrators Meanwhile, earlier in a separate protest, Sudanese army forces had detained 114 anti-coup demonstrators on December 27 over alleged infractions during rallies in Khartoum, according to a statement from the State Security Affairs Coordination Committee. Sudanese forces had dispersed a large pro-democracy protest in the capital city by using tear gas as well as water cannons to turn them away from assembling in front of 'sovereign and strategic' facilities. Despite the extensive attacks on demonstrators demanding a civilian government, Sudanese officials claimed that the army personnel used minimum force to cope with the alleged infarctions. At least 58 police officers were hurt while tackling the demonstration, according to the officials. There were also various injuries among the demonstrators, including suffocation and stampede. (Image: AP) United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday condemned the looting and attacks on UN facilities, equipment and supplies provided to the Sudanese authorities for civilians in El Fasher, Darfur. The UN chiefs remarks came after last week, a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in the Borsa area of El Fasher town came under attack from unknown armed groups. The UN informed that more than 1,900 metric tons of food commodities that would have fed 730,000 people for a month were stolen. The food commodities were stolen after violence was reported at the former UN-African Union Hybrid Operation (UNAMID) base in El Fasher. Denouncing the attacks on UN facilities, Guterres called on the Sudanese government to restore order. He also stressed that authorities must ensure that former UNAMID property as well the assets are strictly used for civilians adhering to the Framework Agreement that the Sudanese government signed in March 2021. Guterres called on authorities in Sudan to facilitate a safe working environment and passage for remaining UN operations in the region. He also expressed gratitude to the UN civilian and uniformed personnel who continued work on the ground in challenging circumstances. WFP outraged over looting, calls it a tremendous setback Lashing out at the senseless attacks WFP chief David Beasly strongly condemned the looting and destruction of assets of the agency. He said, As a result, we have been forced to suspend WFP operations in North Darfur, effective immediately. Beasley also said that the theft robbed nearly two million Sudanese of the food and nutritional support which was desperately needed. He added, Not only is this a tremendous setback to WFP operations, but it endangers our staff and jeopardises our ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable families. Additionally, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Khardiata Lo Ndiaye said, This was food assistance meant for Sudans most vulnerable people. Humanitarian assistance should never be a target while adding We urgently ask all parties to adhere to humanitarian principles and allow the safe delivery of life-saving assistance. (Image: UN) In order to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the Chinese city of Xi'an, officials have instructed the citizens to stay at home. To protest against the lockdown restrictions, netizens took China's microblogging website to write about the variety of problems they are experiencing, including a lack of food in their homes and financial troubles due to a lack of jobs in Xi'an city. According to credible statistics, in spite of many hashtags and posts on the website Weibo, Xi'an inhabitants are unable to purchase groceries and other things for their daily requirements. Furthermore, despite promises from different state institutions, Xi'an residents have stepped out and begged for assistance during this round of lockdown, ANI reported. After the Xi'an government's anti-epidemic command declared that widespread cleaning had started on Sunday afternoon, videos and photos of disinfection teams working on the streets of Xi'an circulated online. Anti-epidemic command advised public to shut their windows before city-wide cleaning In addition to this, many internet users said that sanitizing the whole city lacked scientific backing and went against the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) anti-epidemic guidelines, which states that disinfection should be limited to areas where persons infected with COVID-19 had been. Before commencing the city-wide cleaning, the anti-epidemic command advised the public to shut their windows, remove garments from clotheslines, and avoid contacting the outside edges of buildings and plants. Teams in Xi'an were seen sanitising streets near the city's monument, the Drum Tower, in videos. COVID cases in China Following the discovery of the COVID-19 cluster in the region earlier on Wednesday, China imposed broad restrictions on the total 13 million citizens of Xi'an city. 155 verified locally transmitted COVID-19 instances have been recorded in Xi'an, the capital of China's Shaanxi province. Meanwhile, China has recorded 166 new domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections on Thursday, according to local media on Friday. According to the National Health Commission report, 165 new local cases were detected in Shaanxi and one in Shanxi. As per the commission, 29 additional imported instances were also recorded in ten provincial-level locations. Meanwhile, as per Worldometers, over 102,083 individuals have been affected by the disease in the nation since the outbreak, and more than 4,636 people have lost their lives due to Coronavirus. The Estonian Defence Ministry on Thursday said that it is planning to provide Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank missiles and 122 mm howitzers. While speaking to the Estonian broadcaster ERR, Peeter Kuimet, the head of the international cooperation department of the Estonian Ministry of Defence said that since Russia has allegedly been building up its military forces on the border with Ukraine, Estonia plans to significantly increase its support to Kyiv. It is to be mentioned that Estonia has been assisting Ukraine in the training of military medical personnel, artillerymen, and soldiers of special forces since 2014. Now, Kuimet said, What we are currently considering or working on are Javelin missiles for anti-tank missile systems, and we are considering, or planning, to provide 122 mm howitzers together with their ammunition. Kuimet further explained that before making a financial decision, Estonia has to obtain permission from the nation of origin of the missiles - the US - as well as from the former owners of howitzers - Finland and Germany. Therefore, the official added that the timing of the assistance to Ukraine largely depends on how the negotiations with the allies progress. Estonia plans to supply Ukraine with several dozens of such missiles. It is to mention that the cost of the missile ranges from $84,856-$147,084. Ukraine border tensions Meanwhile, this comes amid a time when tensions between Russia and Ukraine have reignited over the troop deployment near Ukraine's border. Kyiv and the West fear that this might indicate plans for an invasion, but the Kremlin has denied that intent. On the other hand, Russia has accused Ukraine of its own troop buildup in the east, saying that the Ukrainian military could be planning to reclaim the rebel-held areas by force. Moreover, relations between the US and Russia have also sunk to their lowest since the end of the Cold War. US President Joe Biden has repeatedly highlighted concerns of the US and its European allies about the increase in deployment of Russian forces surrounding Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, 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. Image: AP/Twitter/@RF_OSCE Bahrain appointed on Thursday its first ambassador to Syria in more than a decade, the island nation's state news agency reported, the latest sign of a stepped-up outreach to Damascus by Gulf Arab countries. The decree by Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa came as more Arab countries are improving relations with Damascus nearly 11 years since the outbreak of Syria's civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and destroyed large parts of the country. Early in the conflict, Arab states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar rushed to back Sunni fighters battling President Bashar Assads forces. Syria was expelled from the 22-member Arab League in 2011. Arab countries sanctioned Damascus and condemned its use of military force against civilians. In recent years, however, the Syrian army has won a series of key military victories with the help of Russia and Iran. The Bahrain News Agency said the king appointed Waheed Mubarak Sayyar as the kingdoms ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Syria. The embassy of Bahrain was reopened in Damascus in 2018. The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates visited Damascus last month and met with Assad, sending the clearest signal yet that the Arab world is willing to re-engage with Syrias strongman. Most Gulf countries, at odds with regional rival and Shiite powerhouse Iran, seek warmer ties with Damascus, hoping to peel it away from Tehran's influence. Iran is a traditional ally of Syria and has sent advisers and resources to back Assad during the conflict that broke out in March 2011. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Amid the ongoing pandemic of the Coronavirus across the globe, now Israel has recorded the first case of "Florona" disease, a double infection of COVID-19 and Influenza, said reports on Thursday. Israel approves 4th vaccine shot for vulnerable citizens Meanwhile, Israel approved a fourth vaccine dose for people vulnerable to COVID-19 - making it one of the first countries to do so. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, director-general of the Health Ministry Nachman Ash announced the decision, informing that the doses will be administered first to people with weakened immune systems. We will continue to track the data on a daily basis and we will see if we need to broaden this recommendation to more of the population, he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press (AP). Sheba Medical Center later announced that the fourth dose would be given to heart transplant patients on Friday. Israel began testing the fourth dose at the centre earlier this week, administering it to 150 medical staff who had already taken a booster shot in August. Almost a year ago, Israel was one of the first countries to roll out Pfizer's vaccine and began administering booster doses last summer. However, the country still witnesses a large number of cases fuelled by the Delta variant of the virus and officials have warned of another surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant. COVID cases in Israel Israel is one of the first countries to get Pfizer's Paxlovid, a drug that can be used at home to prevent the virus's most severe symptoms. All of the previously approved medications necessitate the use of an IV or injection. According to Israeli media, the first shipment contains 20,000 dosages, with more on the way as Pfizer ramps up manufacturing. There are currently about 22,000 active patients in Israel, with over 90 of them in extremely serious conditions. The country has reported at least 8,243 fatalities from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. It should be noted here that last week, Chile announced that it would begin offering the fourth dose in February. According to the latest Health Ministry data, nearly two-thirds of Israel's population of nearly 9.5 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 4.2 million people receiving all three doses. Image: AP, Pixabay A severe blast in Pakistan's Quetta city, the capital of Balochistan province, took the lives of at least four individuals, while injuring 15 more, according to PTI. The police informed that the explosion has occurred beside a vehicle which was parked near the Science College on Jinnah Road. The dead, as well as the injured, were taken to the Civil Hospital in Quetta. As per the witnesses, the bomb had smashed the glass windows of a nearby building. After the incident, officials claimed that the majority of the victims had shrapnel and nail wounds. Police further stated that rescuers as well as security personnel have arrived at the scene of the explosion, and officials are investigating the cause of the blast. However, no organisations or individuals have claimed accountability of this tragic incident, Xinhua reported. Furthermore, in a statement released shortly after the tragedy, Balochistan Health Department media coordinator Dr. Wasim Baig verified the number of fatalities. Meanwhile, Mir Ziaullah Langove, Adviser to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Home and Tribal Affairs, stated that the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled device. Langove even paid a visit to the bomb scene and expressed his condolences for the lives lost, Dawn reported. Balochistan CM Abdul Quddus Bizenjo criticises blast According to Geo News, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has taken note of the occurrence and has directed the Inspector General of Police to submit a report on the incident. The blast was also criticised by Bizenjo, who called it an "act of terrorism," as per the Dawn. Bizenjo stated in a statement that he was grieved by the deaths of innocent people and urged for harsh punishment to those responsible for this act. Balochistan Chief Minister has also voiced unhappiness with the security measures in Quetta city. He also instructed Langove to assess the city's security strategy and improve security preparations, Dawn reported. Further, Bizenjo also issued guidelines to ensure that the injured ones receive adequate medical treatment, and also instructed the regional health minister to supervise their treatment. (Image: PTI/ Representative Image) Bangladesh opened an only woman beach on Thursday, however, following complaints from radical Islamists, just hours after opening it, Bangladeshi authorities have decided to revoke their decision to create a women-only beach, reported BBC. On Thursday, officials established a 150m area of Cox's Bazar, which is the southeast coast of Bangladesh, for women and children, but they scrapped the plan later owing to objections. It is pertinent to note that Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country that follows a conservative political culture. Officials stated that the decision to separate the beach was made in response to demands from some women, who felt uncomfortable and insecure in a crowded place, reported BBC. The decision to close the beach came after news of gang rape of a woman in Cox's Bazar last week shook the country, stirring a major outcry regarding women's safety in the area. Social Media criticism After the authorities decided to close the beach, netizens on social media started censuring the move. They slammed the government for caving in to radical Islamists, who recently staged enormous rallies demanding gender segregation in workplaces and factories. One compared the decision to the Taliban, referring to the restricted women rights in Afghanistan. Women in Bangladesh are not barred from swimming at the beach. Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar has the world's longest natural sea beach and is a renowned tourist destination in the country. During the holiday season, hundreds of thousands of people visited the area, and the tourism industry has expanded in recent years. According to Daily Sabha, the Bangladesh Tour Operators Association stated that Cox's Bazar attracts more than 60% of the country's 6.5 million domestic tourists each year. Along the Bay of Bengal, the town has more than 120 kilometres of natural coastline. No outside celebration for the new year 2022 in Cox's Bazar On the other hand, in Cox's Bazar, there will be no outside celebration for the new year 2022. Law enforcement officials have taken precautions to safeguard the safety of tourists in the coastal resort. In addition, the district government has established a special monitoring cell to ensure the law and order, according to the Daily Star. Tourists, on the other hand, are flocking to Cox's Bazar for their New Year celebration. Image: @shahriar_tr/Twitter The bodies of 15 migrants killed in a Dec. 9 truck crash in southern Mexico were flown home o Guatemala on Thursday. The remains in brown wood-colored coffins were delivered by a Mexican military C-295 transport aircraft. The coffins were unloaded at a Guatemalan base and handed over to their families. Most were expected to be buried in their hometowns Friday. "Today is a very sad day for Mexico, as we know it is for Guatemala," said Laura Elena Carrillo, the director of Mexico's international cooperation agency. "These people went looking for a dream, and today they return to rest in their own land." The Mexican government said that so far, 50 of the 56 migrants killed when a people smuggler's semi-trailer truck rolled over on a highway have been identified. Of the 50 identified dead, 37 were from Guatemala, 11 from the Dominican Republic, and one each from El Salvador and Ecuador. The first four bodies of Guatemalan victims were returned earlier this month, and 18 more are to be returned later. Authorities say fingerprints have been used to identify the bodies as well as relatives' identification of their loved ones through photographs. More than 100 migrants were injured in the crash, and Guatemalan authorities say 27 of them remain hospitalized. Assistant Guatemalan Foreign Minister Eduardo Hernandez said some of those injured in the crash had resumed their trek north toward the United States despite the accident. The truck was packed with as many as 250 migrants, and survivors said that speed and weight of the human cargo might have played a role in the crash. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) As the world enters the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, many New Year celebrations have been challenged or muted as Coronavirus infections are rising due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Even some of the most iconic New Years celebrations will be somewhat restricted for the second time in a row, and in some nations, it would be for the third time. Medical experts across the globe have also cautioned people to stay away from crowded places in order to prevent exposure to the new variant which is now driving most of the new infections. However, it is noted that most of the symptoms caused by Omicron are mild. How New Years Celebrations are impacted by COVID-19 France The famous Paris fireworks display and festivities on the Champs-Elysees have been cancelled even though there is no curfew for New Years Eve. Night clubs across the nation are also shut down to stem the drastic growth of COVID-19 cases in the wake of the new variant. Australia Another famous event for New Years, the Sydney firework at the harbour is still going as planned. However, Sky News stated that spectators will be fewer than what is usually expected. Reportedly, most of the viewing areas of the fireworks will be capped by the council and they would require tickets. Last year, spectators were banned from the Sydney firework event as it came before the mass vaccination against COVID-19. However, this year, people are urged to wear masks where they are unable to properly socially distance themselves. United States The usually jam-packed New York Times Square celebrations are going ahead but that too will happen with smaller crowds than normal. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's office stated that all attendees will be required to wear a mask. It is to note that US top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci had advised that people should stay away from New Years Eve celebrations. United Kingdom UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health secretary Sajid Javid have cautioned the people over New Years Eve celebrations. Even the organisers of high-profile mass events, as per Sky News, have deemed the celebrations too risky. Both the Trafalgar Square party for 6,500 and the display around London Eye have been cancelled. Other events such as Edinburgh's famous Hogmanay festivities have been scrapped. While the nightclubs are closed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Johnsons government has said that it would not introduce any restrictions before 31 December. Hence, nightclubs remain open in England. Brazil After previously being cancelled, Rio's fireworks on Copacabana Beach will be organised but the concert following the illuminations will not be held. It is to note that Brazil has one of the worst death tolls from the COVID-19 pandemic and has confirmed 77 Omicron cases. Greece This year, Greece will not witness any fireworks over Acropolis. Just this week, the Greek health minister Thanos Plevris announced fresh restrictions on the hospitality sector in a bid to stem the COVID-19 cases and brought forward the measures which were reportedly initially planned for early January. From Thursday evening, most of the public places including bars, nightclubs, and restaurants will close at midnight with no standing customers and no music. Image: Unsplash/AP/Shutterstock German Federal Police claimed that they have stopped 11,213 migrants this year from unlawfully entering the nation from Belarus via neighbouring Poland. The number of undocumented migrants crossing into Germany through Poland increased to 474 in August, a steep rise from 26 between January to July, they said as per news agency Sputnik. The number of illegal migrants having a "Belarusian connection," as defined by German authorities, increased to 2,049 in September, 5,294 in October, and 2,849 in November. As of December 29, police have recorded 521 unlawful crossings. The European Union has accused Belarus of waving through migrants, most of whom are from the Middle East and Africa, in retaliation to crippling economic sanctions. However, President Alexander Lukashenko has often denied this accusation. Meanwhile, Belarus accuses EU neighbours of pushing vulnerable people back across the border. According to a top Belarusian official Ukraine is fabricating the issue of migration in order to obtain money from "western curators." On November 29, Belarusian Security Council Secretary Aleksandr Volfovich stated that the Ukrainian leadership inflated the issue in order to "extort money" from their western patrons, such as Poles or Lithuanians, reported Sputnik. Earlier this month Germany's newly-elected Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid an inaugural visit to Poland, where he hoped for better ties with Warsaw despite fundamental differences. He was welcomed by the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki who termed Scholz's visit as a 'new chapter in the ties between both the countries. While the two EU countries have always had friendly relations, a recent disagreement over the Nord Stream 2 gas project has become a matter of contention. German Chancellor Scholz discusses the migrant issue with Poland's PM Regardless, Scholz and Morawiecki held in-depth conversations on a wide range of subjects, including the migrant crisis and regional security. Following the meeting on December 12, the Polish leader told reporters that the migrant crisis on the country's eastern border is still ongoing and that Poland and Germany have discussed possible sanctions against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's regime. We have attacks every night. There have been over 100 attempts to cross the border illegally," Morawiecki was quoted as saying by Tass News Agency. Image: AP Reporters Without Borders, which works to safeguard the right to freedom of information, condemned the killing of a journalist in Myanmar on Thursday. Also, the international non-profit and non-governmental organisations demanded the international community to toughen its sanctions on Myanmar's military junta. According to the Paris-based NGO, Sai Win Aung - also known as A Sai K - was hit by gunfire on December 25 in Myawaddy, a township in south-eastern Burma on the border with Thailand. He died instantly. Notably, he was the editor of the Federal News Journal. The report said that the senior journalist was covering the artillery attack by the Tatmadaw against members of the People's Defence Force (PDF). "Sai Wing Aung paid with his life for his determination to provide his fellow citizens with coverage of the terror that the armed forces have been inflicting on Myanmar's population since last February's military coup," said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF's Asia-Pacific desk, in a statement released on December 29. "He died like a hero and his fight must not be in vain. We urge the international community to impose new targeted sanctions on members of the ruling junta in order to end the current escalation in terror," he added. Further, the Reporters Without Borders noted that the senior journalist was not the first one who was killed by the military regime. Earlier, Freelance photographer Soe Naing was also killed by the junta. Notably, he was arrested while he was covering a silent street protest in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city on December 10. Subsequently, the RSF said he was brutally tortured by the military junta. Later, he succumbed to his injuries on December 14. "A record number of journalists are being detained worldwide at the end of 2021 and that Myanmar has become the world's second-biggest jailer of journalists, after China," said RSF. Know more about the junta regime It is worth mentioning that Myanmar currently comes under the control of the Junta regime that had ousted the democratically elected government. The military takeover was met with massive public protests that resulted in a lethal crackdown by security forces who routinely fire live ammunition into crowds. According to a tally kept by Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 1,400 people have been killed in protests. Despite mounting pressure domestically as well as globally, the Junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has refused to step down from his post. With inputs from ANI Image: Twitter/@RSF_inter@/AP On New Year's Eve, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his greetings to foreign heads of state and governments for the coming New Year 2022. In a special drafted message, President Putin noted blooming bilateral relations with India, Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan and several other nations. While extending warm New Year's wishes to India, Putin greeted President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his message for India, the Russian President noted the high level of Russia-India relations of special privileged strategic partnership, as fully demonstrated by the results of recent talks held in New Delhi, the statement released by Kremlin said on Thursday. He also expressed hope that in the coming year, the two countries would continue their constructive dialogue both via bilateral ties and within BRICS, the SCO, the G20, the UN and other multilateral organisations, for the benefit of the friendly people of Russia and India, and in the interests of enhancing security and stability in Eurasia and across the globe. "The implementation of the agreements reached will help further expand productive Russia-India cooperation in various areas, President Putin said. Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year greetings to foreign heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations https://t.co/AbBrwK7rt0 President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) December 30, 2021 President Putin sends New Year's greetings to other nations In his message of greetings to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping on the occasion of the New Year 2022 and the upcoming Spring Festival, Vladimir Putin recalled that China and Russia continued to make exceedingly productive interactions despite pandemic-related challenges. Lastly, in a brief message, Putin also wished US President Joe Biden and several other dignitaries of the United States, international organisations like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, President of the Olympics committee Thomas Bach, Members of the Committee and many more. India-Russia Relations It is pertinent to mention that India and Russia have shared a strong bilateral relationship in the field of military and trade. The diplomatic ties have further bolstered under the leadership of PM Modi and President Putin, with both leaders aiming to reach $30 billion bilateral trade by 2025. Russia has publicly expressed support in favour of India gaining a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The Indo-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) formed between both nations is one of the most comprehensive forums that conducts mutual affairs and collaborates closely on matters of international interests. India is the second-largest market for the Russian Defence Industry. Approximately 68% of Indian military hardware imports came from Russia in 2017. Recently, India purchased the S-400 air defence system from Russia, five of which were brought to India in December. India too pushed ahead with the deal despite the threat of sanctions from the US. At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of undermining India-Russia relations. "We witness the times on the part of United States to undermine this cooperation and to make India obey the American order, to follow the American vision of how this region should be developed," FM Lavrov had told ANI. India also held the first-ever 2+2 dialogue in the Indian capital on December 6. In the meeting, both the countries decided to strengthen bilateral and economic cooperation and boost the Vladivostok-Chennai energy corridor. (Image: @RussiaInIndia/twitter) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow has repeatedly raised the issue of normalising visa issuance during meetings with the United States. "We constantly discuss the need to normalise the visa-issuing process during our different engagements with the United States at various levels," he told Sputnik news agency. However, he added that Washington is unlikely to relax its visa policy amid deteriorating bilateral relations between the two countries. Earlier this month, a US Department of State spokesperson stated that both countries have made progress in recent days on diplomatic visa concerns. "A functioning Embassy is vital to diplomacy, hence, we will continue to work hard to resolve this problem. These are ongoing challenges with which we will continue to work. We have made progress on bilateral problems in recent days, and we expect to keep moving forward," the spokesperson was quoted by Tass news agency as saying. He added that the US approach would be to assist in the restoration of diplomatic missions. It should be mentioned here that Moscow limited the hiring of Russians and nationals of third countries by US diplomatic missions in retaliation to the anti-Russian measures announced by Washington in April and the expulsion of Russian diplomats. On May 12, the US embassy in Moscow stated that it will cut down the number of consular services, including stopping the review of paperwork for visas not intended for diplomatic travel. The granting of diplomatic visas has also slowed noticeably. The US embassy in Russia has been working with 120 workers since August 1, the lowest number in five years. Russia likely to hold talks with US on Jan 10 Amid deteriorating relations between both countries, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called for the inclusion of the military in the forthcoming meeting with the United States. The talks between the two countries regarding security guarantees and the situation in Ukraine are expected to take place on January 10, reported Sputnik. During the talks, the sides are likely to review the security guarantee recommendations issued by Moscow earlier this month. On December 17, Russia's Foreign Ministry presented a draft proposal on security guarantee between Russia and the United States, as well as to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries in Europe. The proposals seek to restrict NATO from expanding in eastern Europe. Among several other terms, it also calls to prohibit the US and Russia from placing intermediate and shorter-range missiles within striking distance of each other's territory. (Image: AP) Soon after US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart over ongoing tension with Ukraine, the United Nations was prompt to appreciate the move of both the leaders. While speaking to news agency Sputnik, UN associate spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino said that the United Nations always appreciates the option of dialogue to resolve any issues or conflict. "We always welcome dialogue between the member states," Soto Nino said when asked about the phone call. The statement from the United Nations came after US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday held a telephonic conversation over Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine. According to the statement released by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Bidens Phone Call, two leaders spoke frankly for nearly an hour amid growing alarm over Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine, a claim that Russia denied multiple times. During the conversation, President Biden warned his Russian counterpart of imposing sanctions if he tried to invade or destabilise the incumbent Ukraine government. According to US intelligence input, around 70,000 Russian troops are pressed near the Ukraine border by Vladimir Putin and the forces have reportedly made all preparations to "invade Ukraine" next year. "President Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine. He made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," read the statement released by Psaki. Russia warns US on imposing sanctions Meanwhile, replying to President Biden, Putin said such a move by the United States could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. "Further US sanctions would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences," said Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, during a press conference held after the conversation between the two leaders. He further added that Putin told Biden that Russia would act as the US would if offensive weapons were deployed near American borders. It is worth mentioning the call was requested by President Putin ahead of scheduled talks between senior US and Russian officials on 9 and 10 January in Geneva. Notably, this was the second time within a month that the leaders held a discussion over the Ukraine issue. Earlier in the first week of this month, Biden and Putin held a video meeting over the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies) Image: AP Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and then-Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib's sudden departure from the country was persuaded by a text followed by a call from a Pakistani number, reported New Yorker magazine. While the Taliban was marching into the war-ravaged nation in mid-August, the magazine claimed that the text message was received in the afternoon of August 15, the day the terrorists seized control of Kabul and led to the fall of the Ghani regime. Taliban swiftly took over entire Afghanistan after two decades while the United States and other Western troops were leaving the foreign soil. In just two weeks, the terrorists raged their attacks on former Afghan government forces and ended up claiming full control in August. The New Yorker magazine has claimed, "Khalil Haqqani, a leader of the Taliban faction named after his family, wished to speak with Mohib. He took the call from Haqqani who asked him to surrender." "Mohib called Tom West, a deputy to (Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay) Khalilzad in Doha, to inform him about the call. West told him not to go to any meeting because it might be a trap," the report claimed. When was it agreed that Ghani would leave to UAE? Later that same day, which was August 15, the former Afghan National Security Adviser met with Ghani and another diplomat from United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the possible evacuation plan. Subsequently, at noon, it was agreed that Mohib, Ghani, Ex-Afghan President's wife Rula and some other staff members of the former government should leave for UAE as soon as possible. The magazine further claimed that Mohib's contacts in UAE had offered seats on an Emirates Airlines flight which was scheduled to depart Kabul at 4 PM (local time). New Yorker stated that Ghani even asked Mohib to escort Rula to Dubai and then join the negotiating team in Doha in a bid to finalise talks about Kabul handover with Khalilzad and Mullah Baradar, the Taliban leader in UAE. Mohib escorted Rula to a helipad behind the Dilkusha palace and they were set to fly to Hamid Karzai International Airport, to board the Emirates flight. By the time they all reached the airport, Ghani's three Mi-17s were at the Arg Palace and the fourth was at the airport. Mohib then learned that the pilots had fully fueled the helicopters because they wanted to fly directly to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, as soon as possible, similar to the escape route which was previously taken by other Afghan military pilots. Pilots refused to go to UAE The report stated that pilots had initially refused to go to the airport with Rula as they heard that rogue Afghan soldiers were either seizing or grounding helicopters there. While they were still discussing the options to escape, the head of former Presidential guard, Qahar Kochai told Mohib, "If you leave, you will be endangering the Presidents life." New Yorker stated that Mohib then asked Kochai if he wanted him to stay to which Kochai replied, "No, I want you to take the President with you." "Mohib doubted that all of Ghanis bodyguards would remain loyal if the Taliban entered the palace grounds, and Kochai indicated that he did not have the means to protect the President," the magazine reported. Mohib helped Rula onto the Presidents helicopter and asked her to wait. With Kochai, he drove back to the residence, found Ghani standing inside and said: "Mr. President, its time. We must go." When the former Afghan President sought to go upstairs to get some belongings, the magazine reported that Mohib worried that every minute they delayed they risked touching off a panic and a revolt by armed guards. Ghani climbed into a car, without so much as his passport. According to the report, the pilots had said that each plane could carry only six passengers. But Ghani, Rula, and Mohib, nine other officials squeezed aboard and so did the members of Ghanis security and they flew to Uzbekistan. Then, in Doha, Khalilzad and Baradar "agreed that they will not enter Kabul" and would withdraw what Baradar described as "some hundreds of Taliban" who had already entered the capital. Even though the assurances came from the US envoy and Taliban, the report stated that Ghani did not find their claims reliable. It is to be noted that while Mohib and Ghani hastily left Afghanistan, other members of the former government were taken aback while negotiations were still underway with the Taliban. IMAGE: AP The year 2021 has witnessed a whole lot of conflict, war, health crises, humanitarian emergencies as well as climate catastrophe. While many people who have experienced such crises were lost in despair, there are a few unsung heroes who rose to the occasion and became the hope for many amid the turmoil. Some have relentlessly worked under the United Nations organisation to carry the global body's principles into action, whereas some have assisted on their free will to serve the most vulnerable section of society. As the COVID-19 outbreak entered its second year, extraordinary people such as health workers who risked their lives to guarantee that residents of their communities survived to humanitarian workers are included in the list. Take a look at the list of five personalities who had made a mark in their domains. Asia El-Sayeed Ali Asia El-Sayeed Ali and her family members were forced to evacuate their house in Aden and seek refuge with relatives in Yemen. She now serves in a World Food Program (WFP)-supported health clinic, where she provides treatment to malnourished children and their mothers. As per the UN report, El-Sayeed Ali provides nutrition treatment to malnourished kids when their mother brings them. Fezeh Rezaye 26-year-old and mother of two, Fezeh Rezaye, who is a part of a 19-strong all-female demining squad, in April, was lauded for her work to clear mines from the province of Afghanistan. She has recalled the fact that numerous individuals from her community had been hurt or lost their life by mines in Bamyan. However, the loss of seven children in the village has affected her the most, as per the UN report. Jack Drake As every mission can be considered to be the last for the soldiers, or 'blue helmets,' who are involved in the UN peacekeeping operations in Mali, which has been the most hazardous UN deployment in the world for several years. Trooper Jack Drake, a young British soldier, who is a driver with a military surveillance unit in northern Mali was entrusted with protecting people located in hazardous locations. Eddie Ndopu An award-winning South African disability activist, Eddie Ndopu suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and battles several problems on a daily basis. Ndopu addressed the United Nations and said that he has defeated his obstacles to advocate for people with disabilities all across the world. In an interview with the UN's Awake at Night podcast, he stated that poverty is both the source and the outcome of disability because the vast majority of the population with impairments live in poverty. (Image: UN.org) A Doctor from Afghanistan Shortly after the Taliban seized control over the capital of Afghanistan, Dr Khali Ahmadi (change the name to protect identity) informed the UN during an exclusive interview in the month of August that he as well as other healthcare professionals have continued to work despite the nation's lack of security and safety, and urged the world community to continue to support Afghanistan. Dr Ahmadi was in Kabul to offer medical care to the tens of thousands of refugees who had fled conflict in the capital. He revealed that his entire team has served 500 individuals every day starting from 7 a.m. in the morning till midnight. (Image: AP/ Twitter/ @WFP_Afghanistan/ Shutterstock/ Representative Image) After testing positive for COVID-19 disease during a mid-flight through a journey from Chicago to Iceland, a woman from the United States described how she isolated herself to an aircraft restroom cubicle. Marisa Fotieo, a Michigan school teacher, claimed that her throat started to hurt halfway through the trip, so she went to the restroom to conduct a quick COVID-19 test, which showed she had tested positive. Fotieo told NBC News, I just took my rapid test and I brought it into the bathroom, and... there were two lines (indicating a positive test). Following the mid-flight test, Fotieo revealed that she spent the rest of the trip in the lavatory, dependent on flight attendant Ragnhildur "Rocky" Eirksdottir for food and beverages, as per The Guardian. US school teacher on her bathroom isolation The US school teacher went on to say that there were 150 people on the aircraft, and her biggest fear was contaminating the passengers. "POV you test positive for Covid while over the Atlantic Ocean, Fotieo said on TikTok, sharing the story with a brief video within the confined bathroom. She also added, "Shout out to Icelandair for my VIP quarantine quarters." Since it was released on 21 December, Fotieo's TikTok video has been seen over 4 million times, with viewers asking how she was able to board the aircraft. While responding to the queries of the viewers, Fotieo wrote in the comment section that she had gotten two negative PCR tests before boarding. Further, the school teacher informed the TikTok users that she did not reach her destination. Despite that, she was quarantined in Iceland. As per BBC, when she arrived in Iceland, Fotieo said she had isolated herself in a Red Cross hotel. Marisa Fotieo told CNN during an interview that she had been completely inoculated with a booster dose and was en route to Switzerland with her brother and father when she tested positive in the middle of the trip. Image: AP/ Unsplash/ Representative Image The democratic island of Taiwan is expecting a new wave of arrivals from the former British colony of Hong Kong, where the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is presiding over a city-wide crackdown on civil society, public dissent and political opposition under a draconian national security law. The latest statistics from the Taiwan Immigration Department indicate that number of Hong Kong residents emigrating to Taiwan hit a new high in 2021, the island's Mainland Affairs Commission (MAC) spokesman Chiu Chui-cheng told reporters on . The island's interior ministry handed out 9,772 residence cards to Hong Kong residents between January and , compared with 9,501 in the same period in 2020. Permanent residency was awarded to 1,572 Hongkongers, compared with 1,397 in the same period the previous year. "We have made some draft amendments to the rules ... in line with talent recruitment regulations to extend the period of residency [for students] past the completion of their masters and doctorate degrees," Chiu said. "The draft changes have been ... sent to the Executive Yuan for review." "I expect their implementation to be announced soon," Chiu said. Immigration consultant Chang Hsiang-ling said more Hongkongers might have applied if it weren't for the island's stringent COVID-19 restrictions on entry and exits, but that the new rules might pave the way for more arrivals in future. "It is easier to come from Hong Kong that it was before the handover," Chang told RFA. "But people who have only just obtained their Hong Kong permanent residency might not be approved for residence at the current time." "They will look at applications from people born in mainland China to see how long that person has lived in Hong Kong, and whether their entire life's focus is in Hong Kong," he said. He said former Hong Kong public servants who had already taken a mandatory oath of allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could be rejected by Taiwan, unless they were employees of the Hospital Authority, serving in public healthcare facilities. "If you or even your accompanying spouse have taken such an oath, you will be turned down for residency at the current time," Chang said. People waving goodbye as a family makes their way through the departure gates of Hong Kong's International Airport, July 22, 2021. Credit: AFP Media, church crackdowns He said the authorities are still adopting a conservative attitude to applications for investment visas from Hongkongers with money, however, and risk putting off potential investors in Taiwan's economy. The news comes amid a public outcry over raids and arrests by national security police at Stand News, a major pro-democracy news outlet in the city. Two senior editors at the publication have been charged with "sedition" under colonial-era laws, while the website's assets were frozen under provisions in the national security law, prompting it to fold and lay off all staff. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Chinese bishops and religious leaders have been training senior Hong Kong Catholic clergymen on President Xi Jinping's vision of religion with "Chinese characteristics." The agency quoted four clerics who attended or had knowledge of the Oct. 31 meeting as saying it was clearly an attempt to put political pressure on the Hong Kong diocese, which is answerable to the Vatican and includes some outspoken leaders who have been critical of the CCP and the crackdown on Hong Kong's promised freedoms. The Zoom meetings shed light on what some religious figures, politicians and diplomats describe as the expanding role of Beijing's Central Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong, which monitored the sessions attended by three leading bishops, about 15 religious figures from mainland China's state-backed official Catholic church and about 15 senior clergymen, the report said. Susanne Ho, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, told Reuters the diocese "does not disclose details of private meetings," while the Central Liaison Office didn't respond to requests for comment. The CCP under general secretary Xi Jinping regards Christianity as a dangerous foreign import, with party documents warning against the "infiltration of Western hostile forces" in the form of religion. The party, which embraces atheism, exercises tight controls over any form of religious practice among its citizens. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The former leader, convicted of massive corruption last year, gave speech at World Chinese Economic Forum. Supporters wear T-shirts bearing an image of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak with the Malay words for 'My Boss' emblazoned on the back as they wait for his arrival in Slim River, Malaysia, Aug. 23, 2020. A Chinese organization is facing a fusillade of criticism in Malaysia for inviting convicted felon and former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as the keynote speaker at a forum this week, with some calling it an insult to the nation. Only Chinas government could have cleared the invitation extended to Najib from the World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF), said Dennis Ignatius, a former Malaysian diplomat who observed acidly that the ex-PM remains Chinas blue-eyed boy. The invitation is [a] calculated insult to our nations honor, Ignatius, a critic of his countrys current government, which Najibs party leads, said in a blog post on Monday. That day, Najib gave the keynote speech at the World Chinese Economic Forum, co-hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC). It is a stunning rebuke of Malaysias legal process as well as an insult to all Malaysians. Never before has a foreign country acted with such disdain for a neighbor, wrote Ignatius, who works as a diplomatic adviser to First Step Forum, a Helsinki-based NGO. In July 2020, Najib was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption and money-laundering charges tied to a massive financial scandal at 1MDB, a state fund he established while in office. Earlier this month, a court of appeal upheld that ruling but postponed his sentence as it awaits a decision on Najibs appeal to the Federal Court. The World Chinese Economic Forum, held on Monday in Petaling Jaya, was jointly organized by the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), which is affiliated with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and the International Strategy Institute, a Malaysian think-tank. Najib delivered the keynote address, and local media reported he was the guest of honor during a gala dinner and award ceremony. Because of his conviction, Najib should not have been invited, regional political analyst Tunku Mohar Mokhtar said. With Najib convicted, getting invited to such an event, understandably, is an insult to the nation, Tunku Mohar, a political scientist at the International Islamic University Malaysia, told BenarNews on Thursday. [T]hey are free to invite anyone. But inviting Najib doesnt do much good to the image of the conference and its organizers. Najib is also standing trial in other 1MDB-related cases, which are ongoing or set to go to trial next year. BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, was unable to contact Cheah Chyuan Yong, the chairperson of the economic forum, who had earlier told local media news site Malaysiakini that Najib was invited because of his commitment to Sino-Malaysian relations. Najibs criminal convictions were not considered by the organizers, Cheah Chyuan said. Iganatius, the ex-diplomat, meanwhile was certain that Beijing had approved the invitation to Najib, because of the affiliation between CCOIC and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The WCEF [World China Economic Forum], sponsored and funded by a number of PRC organizations, is an important platform for highlighting and promoting Chinas signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). There is no way the PRC embassy here would have consented to Najibs invitation without high level clearance from Beijing, Ignatius wrote. It must be seen, therefore, for what it is a calculated decision by the government of the Peoples Republic of China to give pride of place to a convicted felon. BenarNews could not independently verify that the council was a state body, but its website says it was set up in 1952 and its responsibilities are to implement relevant major national development strategies, and promote foreign trade, bilateral investment and economic & technological cooperation. Najib remains Chinas blue-eyed boy. They do not consider his conviction an impediment to working with the man. Chinas strategic interests trump Najibs crimes, Ignatius said. By giving him an international platform, China hopes to redeem the man and whitewash his criminality. Corruption a capital offense in China One Malaysian investigative news portal, Edisi Siasat, noted that China metes out harsh sentences for those convicted of corruption and graft-linked activity. China is a country that has a fairly harsh and strict punishment for corruption offenses. Individuals convicted of criminal offenses in China have no choice of punishment but death, it wrote in an editorial on Wednesday. Najib was friendly with China, Mokhtar, Ignatius, and another analyst noted. It is not a secret that Najib during his rule was very friendly to China with plenty of gigantic projects in awarded to Chinese concerns. So, it is not surprising that he is invited to the China-related forum, said Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, who was a former political secretary under Najib. During his tenure as PM, Najib forged several deals with China, including the U.S. $12 billion East Coast Rail Link, which is part of Beijings global infrastructure-building program, BRI. Malaysias current government, spearheaded by Najibs United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party, recently revived the project that was halted in 2018 by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on the grounds it was too expensive and unviable. Cynthia Gabriel, the director of Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, an NGO, said criminals should not be included in Malaysias quest for economic success. In the rush towards post-pandemic priorities and foreign investment, lets not forget that anti-corruption rules must play a pivotal part in due diligence in our quest for economic success. Criminals should not be included in whatever capacity, she said on Twitter. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. A Lao man looks across the Mekong River at the Lao-Thai border on the outskirts of Vientiane in a file photo. Laos is preparing to welcome foreign travel to the country in the new year, opening a major airport, land gate, and rail link in a bid to revive a national economy hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lao sources say. The move comes as health officials push to vaccinate more residents of the country, where new cases of infection now number more than 1,000 every day. The Lao government is urging citizens living in provinces along the route of a new high-speed railway linking China to the Lao capital Vientiane to complete three COVID-19 vaccinations before the rail line opens to tourists on Jan. 1. Doctors, health workers and officials working on the border have previously been required to take the three vaccinations, but villagers living near the rail line have not yet completed the full course, a medical official in Vientiane told RFA this week. Shortages of medical staff in many of the countrys provinces have also left many without effective protection or care, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely. We have a few younger health workers, but most of them are older, and when they go to villages with large numbers of infections, they have to tell some of the people to cure themselves at home, he said. They also give out a phone number for them to call if they continue to have problems. The Lao-China high-speed railway passes through a village outside the capital Vientiane, Dec. 3, 2021. Credit: RFA In northwestern Laos Oudomxay province, one of five provinces through which the rail line passes, provincial authorities have already begun to give third doses of vaccine to local residents, one medical worker said, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Some of them are experiencing slight side effects, such as feeling a little ill, but for most of them their reactions are normal, with no side effects at all, he said. The government is opening the country for tourism, and Oudomxay is one of the provinces that the rail line passes through. Speaking to RFA, a resident of Luang Namtha, which also lies along the rail line, said he is ready to receive his third dose of the vaccine. We arent as afraid to get the vaccine as we used to be. Everything about COVID-19 seems normal to us now, he said. In a sign the border opening might not go smoothly, residents living near the Lao-China border told RFA this week that more than 1,000 trucks were waiting to pass the Boten-Mohan border check point in Luang Namtha Province, and the line has doubled in recent weeks to 45 km (28 miles). Its been more than a month now; the congestion is getting much worse," said a motorist in the town of Boten near the border check point. "We cant travel from one village to another because there is too much traffic, too many cars and truckseven motorcycles cant go through, he said, requesting anonymity for safety reasons. Trucks line up waiting the cross the Lao-China border, in a screengrab of a video broadcast by state-run Luang Namtha Provincial TV, Dec. 29, 2021. Also preparing to welcome foreign visitors in the coming year are the Wattay International Airport in the capital Vientiane and the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge connecting Vientiane with Nongkhai City in neighboring Thailand, sources said. The airport is ready for tourists, an airport official told RFA on Wednesday, also asking for anonymity in order to speak freely. But the tourists must first obtain permission from the central government to enter Laos. Our airport will be staffed with medical personnel who will all be in personal protective equipment and will do their jobs under strict protocol, he said. Doctors and nurses will also be in place at the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, said an immigration officer with the Lao Ministry of Public Security, speaking to RFA the same day. Our staff will be examining the tourists, who must test negative for COVID-19 before they can travel further into the country. As for other travelers, such as members of the general public, our crossing point is not ready to open for them just yet, he said. Health workers wear in capital Vientiane province, Oct. 21, 2021. Credit: RFA's Lao Service. Some are voicing concerns over the countrys reopening, though. Im happy that the country is finally opening, but deep inside of me Im still worried about COVID-19, said one restaurant owner in the capital Vientiane. Everybody is scared, but I guess we will just have to protect ourselves by covering our faces and washing our hands. Laos has reported more than 1,000 new cases of COVID infection each day for the last several months, with 1,042 reported on Wednesday. A total of 108,782 Lao resident have become infected, with 355 deaths reported, since the pandemic began, according to official figures. Only 57% of Lao residents have been fully vaccinated. In a virtual meeting from Dec. 6 to 21, representatives of the Lao government and International Monetary Fund projected a growth in the Lao economy of 2.1% this year thanks to the export of agricultural products and electricity, with a possible 3% growth predicted after the country reopens. Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is also the country's minister of planning and investment, told the Lao National Assembly meeting last month that Lao economy will grow only 3% this year, short of the target of 4%. In order to revive the economy, the Lao government has no other choice but to reopen the country in 2022, he said. Business groups are also pushing for a reopening. Many sectors of the economy, such as tourism and wood exports are almost dead," a representative of the Small and Medium Enterprise Association tolf RFA on Wednesday. "The tourism and service sectors that depend mainly on foreign tourists will not quickly recover in the near future. We hope that the reopening will boost these sectors including hotel and restaurant businesses," said the official, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya and Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney. More than 40,000 people were displaced from the fighting in Kayah and Kayin states, and Sagaing and Magway regions. More than five dozen civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced due to clashes between Myanmars military and anti-junta forces in four of the countrys remote border regions in December alone, according to local militias and an official with the shadow National Unity Government (NUG). At least 61 people died and more than 40,000 fled fighting this month the 10th since the military seized power from the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government in a Feb. 1 coup in Kayah and Kayin states, as well as in Sagaing and Magway regions, sources told RFAs Myanmar Service. The deaths occurred as the result of four specific incidents, including the Dec. 7 massacre of 10 people in Sagaings Don Taw village, a Dec. 17 helicopter attack on Hnankhar and Mwayle villages in Magways Gangaw township, a Dec. 20 airstrike on Ye Myat village in Sagaings Yay-Oo township that killed seven, and a Dec. 24 fire in Kayah states Phruso township in which 35 people perished. A spokesman for the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), an armed ethnic group fighting against the military in Kayah state, said the military was responsible for the killing of civilians in December and said that such reckless actions suggest that the junta is on the verge of collapse. They are acting in the most violent way to frighten the people, he said. But no matter what they do, how brutal they are, they will not see us surrendering in fear or receiving every blow with our heads bowed. The junta says voter fraud led to the NLDs landslide victory in the countrys November 2020 election but has yet to provide evidence for its claims and has violently suppressed nationwide protests calling for a return to civilian rule, killing 1,382 people and arresting 8,331 in the nearly 11 months since, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The military has also launched several offensives in the countrys remote border regions, battling ethnic armies and local branches of the prodemocracy Peoples Defense Force militia that have formed to help protect residents. Many civilians have lost their lives in the crossfire, while reports of looting, torture, rape, and summary executions by junta troops are common. Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun has acknowledged armed clashes between government troops and PDF militia fighters that he labels terrorists, but denies that any massacres of civilians have taken place. Increasing number of refugees In the meantime, the United Nations Security Council, U.S., Britain, Canada and other members of the international community have issued a series of statements condemning mass killings by the military and raising concerns about the high number of people who have been displaced by the violence. A spokesman for the ethnic Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) recently told RFA that around 20,000 civilians from 10 villages had been forced to flee to refugee camps or into the mountains in the wake of what has been referred to as a massacre that took place in Kayah states Hpruso township on Dec. 24. Meanwhile, fighting in and around Kayin states Lay Kay Kaw area since Dec. 15 has forced some 16,500 civilians to flee to makeshift camps along the banks of the Thaung Yin (Moei) River and into neighboring Thailand. Local media also reported in recent weeks that at least 4,000 civilians had fled their homes in Magway and Sagaing regions due to airstrikes by the military. Sources estimate that in December alone, more than 40,000 people were displaced in Kayah and Kayin states as well as in Sagaing and Magway regions. Those displaced by the recent fighting join more than 500,000 refugees from decades of conflict between the military and ethnic armed groups who were already counted as displaced at the end of 2020, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a Norwegian NGO. Stronger response needed Aung Myo Min, the NUGs human rights minister, welcomed the global condemnation of the juntas killing of civilians including women and children but called the response by the international community weak. Orders were deliberately given to kill a large number of people and the dead were innocent civilians and women and children, he said. Such actions should be viewed as international crimes and therefore require greater international action and justice. But what we are seeing now is that [junta troops] are getting bolder and bolder as the international reaction is rather weak. He called on governments around the world to take immediate and effective action against the junta to prevent the further death of innocent people in Myanmar. Political analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe told RFA that despite condemnation, he expects the military will continue to label those who oppose it as terrorists and kill them. They have branded mass uprisings as acts of terrorism and cracked down brutally, using extreme force, he said. I see the military [continuing to portray] those who are being killed as terrorists. And that means the military will continue to follow this path. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Miracles are possible, but it takes people doing the right thing to make them happen. Thats one of the messages in a series of New Years greetings from jailed victims of the persistent state clampdown in Belarus. The words of warmth, best wishes, and hope for better days to come were posted on social media by colleagues, supporters, and others showing solidarity with Belarusians behind bars this holiday season. The authors were among thousands of people targeted for prosecution on what they say are politically motivated charges by the government of long-ruling autocrat Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who claimed a landslide victory in an August 2020 election that many voters believe he stole through fraud. Those concerns led to unprecedented street protests across Belarus, and the state responded with a crackdown that has put many Belarusians in prison, where some have reported being tortured, and forced others to flee the country. Activists and journalists have been frequent targets of the authorities. Maryna Zolatava Maryna Zolatava, editor in chief of the popular independent news outlet Tut.by, which was shut down by the authorities in May, wrote that there is always a place for a miracle in life, but you have to really want it to happen, according to a supporters post on Facebook. The post, which showed an envelope and a Christmas card from Zolatava, said that the jailed journalist mentioned that she had a paper tree in her cell and thanked someone who had sent her a crocheted snowflake ornament. Zolatava was detained after police broke down the door to her apartment in one of several raids on the offices of Tut.by and its affiliates and on the homes of employees. Viktar Babaryka Viktar Babaryka, a former bank chief who sought to challenge Lukashenka in the 2020 election but was barred from the ballot and jailed, also wrote of miracles, saying that one should never lose faith in them, according to a Facebook post that showed the handwritten letter he sent. It was dated December 12 and bore an ink stamp from Correctional Colony No. 1 in Novapalatsk, in the Vitsebsk region of Belarus. Maryya Kalesnikava Babarykas campaign manager, Maryya Kalesnikava, wrote to Babaryka, his son, and another associate that she has not regretted for a second my choice to become part of the team, according to a post on Babarykas Telegram channel. I know that we will definitely see each other, hug, and laugh out loud, wrote Kalesnikava, who became one of the leaders of the opposition movement and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in September after being convicted on what she and supporters say are fabricated charges, including conspiracy to seize power. She concluded her message like this: "Happy New Year! See you soon!!!" Iryna Slaunikava In a postcard to a friend, jailed Belsat TV journalist Iryna Slaunikava wrote that she believes in miracles and that "everything will be fine, we are at the beginning of a glorious journey," according to the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. Belsat, a Polish-funded channel that covered the protests, was declared "extremist" by the Belarusian authorities in July and had its website and all social media accounts blocked. Andrey Alyaksandrau Journalist and inmate Andrey Alyaksandrau wrote a letter to Santa Claus in which he wryly said that this year was unusual because, for once, he had been good -- exemplary, in fact. I cleaned my plate, walked with the guys, read a lot of books, had a neat appearance, shaved my face in a timely manner, and learned how to make the bed nicely, Aleksandrau wrote, according to a Facebook post that quoted his letter in full. In general, I think I deserve a gift. He also wrote: Goodness, justice, and miracles do not happen by themselves. They are made by people who have decided that it is the right thing to do. Aleksandrau was arrested in January, along with his girlfriend, and was convicted of treason months later. Stsyapan Latypau In a letter posted on Facebook by its recipient, imprisoned activist Stsyapan Latypau urged those who are free to celebrate for those who cannot. Latypau was detained in September 2020 as he tried to stop police and workmen from painting over a mural that displayed the opposition's red-and-white colors in a courtyard that became known as Change Square. He cut his own throat at a court hearing in June, citing threats by the authorities to prosecute his family and neighbors if he did not plead guilty to participating in the protests, and he was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison in August. This New Year I want to inform you that being happy and rejoicing is not only your inalienable right, but also an obligation to those who cannot do it anymore but would like to, Latypau wrote in his holiday message. Remember us. Written by Steve Gutterman based on reporting by RFE/RLs Belarus Service. Darab Gajar contributed to this report. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to de-escalate simmering tensions in a phone call aimed at intensifying diplomacy amid a buildup of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine and the Kremlins demands for sweeping security guarantees. During a 50-minute call on December 30, the two leaders held a serious and substantive exchange to set the groundwork for three sets of upcoming talks early next month, a senior Biden administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters, told reporters. U.S. and Russian officials will meet January 9-10 in Geneva to discuss arms control and mounting tensions over Ukraine under their bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue. Then a separate meeting of the Russia-NATO Council will be held in Brussels on January 12, followed a day later by a meeting in Vienna within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes the United States, its European allies, Ukraine, and Russia. Biden very much saw this call as setting the conditions forpragmatic, results-oriented diplomacy at the upcoming meetings, the senior U.S. official said. A Kremlin readout of the call posted on December 31 said that Biden told Putin the United States has no intention of introducing offensive weaponry on Ukrainian territory. The United States has delivered more than $2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2014, including lethal weapons to help government forces battle Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Putin told Biden that the introduction of massive sanctions against Russia by the United States in the event of an escalation in Ukraine could threaten a complete breakdown of Russian-American relations, the Kremlins account said. Russia earlier this month laid out sweeping demands for security guarantees from NATO as it amassed some 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine, triggering fears of an invasion and a flurry of diplomacy, including another call between the two leaders on December 7. Russia is seeking legal guarantees that NATO will not accept new members on its border, including Ukraine and Georgia. It also wants NATO to halt military drills near its borders and roll back military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe. Putin last week called on the West to immediately give Russia those guarantees. The Biden administration has said that some Russian demands are unacceptable, and that each country has the sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements. But Washington has also signaled that discussing other Russian proposals -- including those on arms control, deconfliction of military forces, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine -- could yield results. Both leaders acknowledged that there were likely to be areas where we could make meaningful progress as well as areas where agreements may be impossible, and that the upcoming talks would determine more precisely the contours of each of those categories, the senior U.S. official said. During the call, Biden also reiterated that any invasion of Ukraine would be met with crushing economic sanctions from the United States and its partners as well as a greater NATO presence in Central and Eastern Europe. Putin told Biden that any sanctions would be a colossal mistake that would lead to a total severance of relations between Russia and the United States, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. Overall, Ushakov said Russia was satisfied with the phone conversation and the prospects for further diplomacy early next year, which he said centered on security guarantees that Moscow wants from the West. The Eurasia Group, a U.S.-based political risk consultancy, said in a note to clients that the Russia-initiated call underscores the pressure Putin is applying for a quick start to negotiations. However, they warned talks would be slow and "face significant obstacles." Nonetheless, the call was an opportunity for Putin to air his grievances, to influence the forthcoming series of bilateral, U.S.-Russia, and OSCE meetings in the second week of January, and, just as important, to shape the Russian news cycle...to demonstrate that he took Russian concerns straight to the U.S. president, Yuval Weber, an expert on Russian military and political strategy at Texas A&M's Bush School in Washington, D.C., told RFE/RL following the call. 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. Peace talks to end the fighting have stalled as Moscow and Kyiv disagree over the interpretation of the framework signed in 2015 known as the Minsk agreements. Germany and France are mediating those talks. U.S. officials have emphasized that no decisions about Europes security architecture would 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," including its NATO membership aspirations, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service in an interview to be aired on January 1 . U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ahead of Biden's call with Putin to reiterate Washingtons unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the State Department said. Biden plans to speak with Zelenskiy soon after the call with Putin. Weber said Ukraines membership in NATO or a bilateral military alliance between the United States and Ukraine is either many years away or purely fantastical, so it's both easy for Biden to say it won't happen and gleefully be accepted by the Russian side as a concession. John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said Putin had sought another phone call to build on the momentum he perceived coming out of his last discussion with Biden on December 7. Putin still believes he can get a concession or two out of us, Herbst said, adding that just holding the call itself is a kind of concession to the Russian leader. Herbst said he doesnt expect Russia to invade Ukraine. I think he's looking again to use this crisis -- which he created -- to see if there's some wiggle room, either from the U.S. or from Germany and France in terms of the Minsk talks or from Ukraine, said Herbst, who is now an analyst at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden will hold another call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on January 2 as the United States seeks to defuse a crisis sparked by Russias military buildup. During the call with Zelenskiy, Biden intends to "reaffirm U.S. support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity" in the face of Russian aggression," a White House official said on December 31 in announcing the date of the call. The two leaders will also discuss U.S. preparations for talks with Russia next month aimed at de-escalating the situation in the region, the official said. The upcoming call with Zelenskiy is the latest in a flurry of White House diplomacy to address the Kremlin military threat and comes on the heels of talks between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 30. Biden last spoke to Zelenskiy three weeks ago. Russia has amassed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine as it makes demands for sweeping security guarantees from the United States and NATO. In particular, Moscow wants NATO to deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe. The Biden administration and NATO have repeatedly said that the alliance has an open-door policy and that no country should have a veto over the alliance aspirations of another country. Zelenskiy has also shown no signs of backing away from his call for NATO membership. His ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, reiterated Ukraines aspiration to join the Western military alliance in an interview with RFE/RL due to air January 1. Putin has said he would ponder various options if the West fails to meet Moscows demands for security guarantees. Biden warned Putin during their call on December 30 that the United States and its allies would impose severe sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. The Biden administration has been in close contact with allies to demonstrate a united front ahead of talks next month with Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Canadian and Italian counterparts on December 31 to coordinate their policies aimed at deterring Russia from attacking Ukraine. Blinken also spoke with NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg about the upcoming NATO-Russia Council talks. During their call on December 30, Biden and Putin set the groundwork for three sets of upcoming talks aimed at diffusing the crisis. The State Department said earlier in the week that Biden would speak with Zelenskiy following his call with Putin. The Biden administration has repeatedly said it would not discuss Ukraine's security without consulting Kyiv. U.S. and Russian officials will meet January 9-10 in Geneva to discuss arms control and the mounting tensions over Ukraine under their bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue. That will be followed by a separate meeting of the Russia-NATO Council in Brussels on January 12. Another meeting will be held in Vienna a day later within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes the United States, its European allies, Ukraine, and Russia. The head of the North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, long accused of grave human rights abuses, has been named distinguished human rights defenders by the regional human rights ombudsman. Subscribe To RFE/RL's Watchdog Report Watchdog is our curated digest of human rights, media freedom, and democracy developments from RFE/RL's vast broadcast region. In your in-box every Thursday. Subscribe here. Ombudsman Nurdi Nukhazhiyev, at a ceremony in Grozny on December 30 that was not attended by Kadyrov, said the Kadyrov family had made an enormous contributionto securing human rights and strengthening the state. A video of the ceremony was posted on the Internet by Grozny state television. In addition to Kadyrov, the medals were awarded to his father, former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, and his mother, Aimani Kadyrova. Akhmad Kadyrov was president of Chechnya from 2003 until his assassination in May 2004. Earlier in the month, Kadyrovs daughter, Aishat Kadyrova, who serves as Chechnyas culture minister, was awarded the medal For the Defense of Human Rights. Russian and international human rights monitors have for years accused Ramzan Kadyrov of overseeing grave human rights abuses including abductions, torture, extrajudicial killings, and the persecution of the LGBT community. The year 2022 could see an escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States if nuclear talks aimed at reviving the stalled 2015 nuclear deal collapse. While analyst believe an agreement is still reachable as ongoing negotiations are entered into the new calendar, the United States and EU countries have warned that there are only "weeks" left to salvage the agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA). The landmark accord, which significantly limited Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, unraveled after 2018 when then-U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal and reimposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. is likely to pull the plug and switch to a much more coercive approach by the end of January, unless either talks make good progress or Iran's nuclear progress slows down." A year later, considering the deal null and void without the participation of a major signatory, even as EU countries tried to keep it alive, Tehran started gradually ramping up nuclear activities that were limited by the JCPOA. In past months, the country has enriched uranium at 60 percent, an unprecedented level for a country without a nuclear weapons program, the head of the UN's nuclear agency, Rafael Grossi, has said. Iran's nuclear advances have added greater urgency to efforts to return to the deal, which President Joe Biden has promised to rejoin if Tehran returns to full compliance. But with the United States -- which is participating indirectly in the negotiations due to Tehran's refusal to sit at the table with Washington -- criticizing Tehran's demands for returning to the deal as "unrealistic," observers are considering what a Plan B might be. Since the resumption of the talks in late November after a five-month hiatus due to the election of Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, Tehran has taken a tough line. Raisi's new chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri-Kani, shares his president's criticism of the JCPOA and has walked back compromises made during the previous six rounds of talks while calling for the lifting of all sanctions, including those that are not related to the nuclear deal, as well as guarantees that no U.S. future administration will exit the deal. Despite the difficulties, Western countries believe the nuclear deal still remains the best option to avert a crisis. But the United States. has warned that the window of opportunity is closing, and observers suggest Tehran could soon face alternative approaches that range from more pressure to an interim deal or even military action. 'Narrow Pathway' For Return To Deal Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, says there is still a "narrow pathway" for mutual compliance with the 2015 deal, adding that it requires flexibility on both sides and a pragmatic approach by Tehran. "The new Iranian negotiating team probably learned that the ceiling and the floor negotiated by its predecessor was real and not the result of eagerness and naivete," Vaez told RFE/RL. "With its exponential nuclear advancements, Iran is already in its Plan B," Vaez added. "The question is whether it is still serious about Plan A of restoring the JCPOA or not. The world will know the answer to that question in the next few weeks." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the United States is preparing "alternatives" in case efforts to salvage the deal fail. "We continue in this hour, on this day, to pursue diplomacy because it remains at this moment the best option, but we are actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives," Blinken said on December 14, without elaborating. Unattractive Alternatives Experts say the alternatives to the nuclear deal are not attractive. "None of the alternatives are good, which is, of course, why the West has pushed to revive the deal. But Iran is leaving it little choice," Henry Rome, a senior Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group in Washington, told RFE/RL. "The most likely no-deal scenario involves a year of escalation with more Iranian nuclear progress, American and European economic sanctions, Israeli and American military threats, and popular protest and economic stagnation in Iran." "The U.S. is likely to pull the plug and switch to a much more coercive approach by the end of January, unless either talks make good progress or Iran's nuclear progress slows down," Vaez said. A more forceful approach could include attempts by the United States to cut off Iran's oil exports to China, which have continued despite U.S. sanctions that prevent Iran from selling its oil, a main source of revenue for the country. Such oil sales, which according to figures by the commodity analytics firm Kpler increased to almost 18 million barrels in November, have helped Tehran survive under sanctions that have crippled its economy. There have also been talks about an interim deal under which Tehran would suspend its sensitive nuclear activities in exchange of some economic relief. Such an agreement, similar to the approach employed in working out the original JCPOA, could stave off an immediate nuclear crisis and create time and space for a future deal. But as analyst Rome notes, Tehran is unlikely to go that route for now. "I am doubtful there will be an interim deal next year," Rome said. "If Iran is not keen on the economic benefits of the full JCPOA, it's not clear why it would settle for lesser benefits under a smaller deal." If the talks fail, the remaining parties to the JCPOA -- Russia, China, and France, Germany, and Britain -- could notify the UN Security Council of Iran's noncompliance and trigger a return to the international sanctions lifted under the accord. Tehran could also be faced with threats of preemptive military action against its nuclear facilities, which experts have said could delay Iran from reaching a nuclear-weapons capability but won't provide a lasting solution. While Tehran has denied its nuclear program is intended to develop nuclear weapons, concerns remain, and potential target and archfoe Israel has repeatedly implied it could attack Iran's nuclear sites. "The risk of an Israeli attack is the highest it's been since 2012, although such a strike is not likely and would be a last resort," said Rome, who also predicts that Iran could face other measures, such as sabotage and cyberattacks. "The so-called 'gray zone' conflict between Israel and Iran will only escalate." Iranian officials have blamed Israel for a series of incidents in the past year or so, including the November 2020 assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist. The killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh accelerated Iran's passage of legislation to ratchet up its nuclear activities and was followed by apparent retaliatory attacks in the Persian Gulf blamed on Iranian forces. If greater pressure is applied to Tehran, experts say, increased hostilities in the region can be expected. In his traditional televised New Years greeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Russians had encountered colossal challenges in 2021 but had overcome them through solidarity. Putins six-minute recorded speech was broadcast on December 31, just as midnight approached in the easternmost of Russias 11 time zones. According to the TASS state news agency, it was the longest such address Putin has given. Without discussing specifics, Putin said Moscow firmly defended its interests in 2021, a year marked by a harsh crackdown on civil society and the political opposition in Russia and by heightened tensions with the West amid a buildup of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine. Putin expressed condolences to those who had lost loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic, which killed at least 87,527 Russians in November. He said that the governments main goal is to improve the well-being and the quality of life of the citizenry. The solution of these tasks will make Russia even stronger, Putin said. Former President Dmitry Medvedev posted a similar New Year's greeting that also emphasized that we remain strong because we are unified. Our people have shown many times that they know how to love, to sympathize, to help, and even to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others, Medvedev said. This experience has made us stronger. Imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny posted on Instagram a New Years greeting in which he called on Russians to remain optimists, no matter what. Navalny was arrested in January immediately upon his return to Russia after weeks of medical treatment in Germany following a near-fatal nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on Federal Security Service (FSB) agents acting on Putins behest. He is serving a 2 1/2-year prison sentence that he says was retribution for his political activity. With reporting by TASS The Russian government has extended a decree to allow a domestic pharmaceutical company to produce a generic version of a U.S. biotech companys COVID-19 drug without consent. The government on December 30 approved the extension for one year of a decree originally issued last year to grant Russian drugmaker Pharmasyntez permission to produce and sell the antiviral drug remdesivir, citing the need to protect its citizens. Pharmasyntez asked the Kremlin to allow it to produce a generic version of remdesivir in November 2020 without consent from Gilead Sciences, which holds the patent. Russia granted the license a month later. The U.S. company filed suit challenging the decision, but the Russia's Supreme Court in May rejected its claim. RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region. The governmental decree published on December 30 also said Pharmasyntez must pay compensation to the drug's patent holder but did not specify an amount. Gilead Sciences did not respond to an e-mail from RFE/RL requesting comment on the decision. Remdesivir, originally developed to treat hepatitis C, has been approved in the United States and dozens of countries to help treat COVID-19. A World Health Organization (WHO) panel in November 2020, however, advised against using it. The WHO cited a study showing that it appeared to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. Gilead argued in court that it had repeatedly expressed its ability to supply the drug to Russia and that the government decree was issued only to save money. Pharmasyntez has registered Remdeform for a maximum price of 7,400 rubles ($100), while Gilead had offered a rate nearly four times higher. The government contested in court that it had no option but to issue the compulsory license to expedite COVID-19 treatment and that at the time Gilead had not sent an application to reduce the cost of the drug in line with laws on the maximum selling prices for vital and essential medicines. The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service also argued that Gilead discriminated against Russia by allowed its drug to be produced by seven manufacturers in other countries at sale prices of less than $100. Before asking for permission from the government, Pharmasynthez had asked Gilead for permission to produce the drug but was denied. With reporting by Reuters Thirty years after the U.S.S.R.s collapse, courts ordered the closure of the human rights and historical research group Memorial, making what observers said was a big move to whitewash the past and the present. Meanwhile, Moscow pressed ahead with an effort to roll back some of the results of the Soviet breakup. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. 30 Years Gone Anniversaries tend to loom large in Russia, whose recent history has been filled with momentous events, with no sign of a letup anytime soon, and the last few weeks of 2021 have brought three of the big ones -- as well as a few new developments that are themselves already seen as turning points. December 25 marked 30 years since Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the leader of a country that had ceased to exist, signing the death certificate of the U.S.S.R. months after a failed hard-line coup against him and his reform efforts hastened its demise and thrust Russian President Boris Yeltsin to the fore. December 31, meanwhile, marked 22 years since Yeltsin stepped down and handed Russias reins to Vladimir Putin, a longtime former Soviet KGB officer who had emerged from obscurity to head the Federal Security Service in 1998 and had become prime minister in August 1999, pursuing a new war in Chechnya. The month of December also marked 10 years since the start of a wave of protests that were held by change-hungry Russians dismayed by evidence of widespread election fraud and by Putins decision to return to the presidency after a second stint in the No. 2 spot. And on January 17, one tumultuous year will have passed since Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny returned to Russia from Germany following treatment for a nerve-agent poisoning he blames on Putin, setting off an newly intense phase of a government crackdown that began with the December 2011 protests. This week, the clampdown reached what might be called a peak -- but might not, because that would imply a subsequent easing off for which there is no evidence -- when courts ordered the closure of the human rights and historical research group Memorial. The rulings on Memorial -- expected but still stunning and surreal -- seemed like a grimly fitting wrap on a year that began with the return and immediate arrest of Navalny, who is now serving a 2 1/2-year prison term on what he calls an absurd parole-violation charge and may face further prosecution. But while the moves to shut Memorial may have rounded out the year 2021, they had roots reaching back three decades, to Gorbachevs pen stroke and the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 -- because the organization, created a couple of years before that December day, is more than a human rights group. One of its chief roles has been researching, revealing, and compiling a record of the crimes of the Soviet state against its own people, work that has meant digging deep into archives, grave sites, and the memories of the survivors and the relatives of those who did not survive. Its a role that has, in the 22 years since Putin first became president, been increasingly at odds with what Kremlin critics say is an increasingly determined campaign to whitewash parts of the Soviet past, rewriting some of its darker passages and harnessing it as a source of support for the state today. Memory And Memorial In turn, that campaign -- tangible in equivocal statements about dictator Josef Stalin and laws against equating the U.S.S.R. with Nazi Germany, among other things -- is at odds with what many Russians and Memorial itself have long argued is a crucial factor in seeking a better future for the country: a real reckoning with its past. With the Kremlin's decision today to ban Memorial -- to abolish the nation's memory of its own horrendous past -- Russia has taken perhaps its largest step to date from a harshly authoritarian to a fully totalitarian state, Mikhail Iossel, a Russian-born professor of English at Concordia University in Montreal, wrote on Twitter on December 28. When Putin is criticized over controversial court decisions outlawing civil society groups or convicting Russians who contend they are victims of political persecution, Putin puts on a straight face, claiming that such rulings simply mean that the defendant or organization in question has broken the law. And in the case of Memorial, that was the states line: The group violated existing legislation, it said. But what one journalist called a telling remark from a prosecutor at the December 28 Supreme Court hearing that decided the fate of Memorial International, one of the entities that was ordered shut, suggested there were motives quite separate from the law. It is obvious that, by cashing in on the subject of political reprisals of the 20th century, Memorial is mendaciously portraying the U.S.S.R. as a terrorist state and whitewashing and vindicating Nazi criminals having the blood of Soviet citizens on their hands, prosecutor Aleksei Zhafyarov said, according to a translation in a report in the British newspaper The Guardian. The prosecutor portrayed [Memorial] as a geopolitical weapon used by foreign governments to deprive modern Russians of taking pride in the achievements of the Soviet Union, the report said. Those arguments dovetail closely with the Kremlins use of Soviet history as a rallying point for society and reinterpretation of key historical moments in its confrontations with European countries. The timing of the rulings on Memorial, almost 30 years to the day since the Soviet Union ceased to exist, was striking, in part, because it seemed like a 180-degree turn from those times, the blatant rejection by the U.S.S.R.s successor state of a principle that may have appeared undeniable in 1991: that revealing the truth about the past is a good thing. 'Ownerless' Territory If the push to shutter Memorial marks a monumental reversal at home, the Kremlin has been making a big, insistent push this month for what amounts to a rollback of some of the results of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the breakup of the Soviet Union 30 years ago -- a substantial reversal of Moscows retreat in the region at the close of the Cold War. The Warsaw Pacts dissolution in 1990 lifted the yoke of Soviet dominance from several countries whose people had struggled under Moscows thumb for decades. The Soviet breakup made 15 countries independent -- including Russia, which accepted the sovereignty and borders of each of the others. Now, Russia is calling for a binding pledge that NATO will refrain from any further eastward expansion, a step that would leave several countries, including Ukraine and Georgia -- nations that have faced Russian military aggression in recent years -- without the right to choose their allies and with limited means of ensuring their own security. Moscow is also calling for agreements that would essentially outlaw NATO military deployments beyond the borders of the alliance as of 1997 -- before any of the former Warsaw Pact nations or the Baltic states became members. Russia has largely based these proposals, as it calls them, or demands, as it sometimes suggests they really are, on the bitterly debated argument that the United States and its allies made promises in the early 1990s -- albeit spoken, not written and not signed -- not to expand NATO eastward. Whatever one thinks of the merits of that argument, the audacity of the proposals could be described as breathtaking: Among other things, a country that seven years ago seized control of part of a neighboring nation whose borders and sovereignty it vowed years ago to respect is saying that nation must now be neutral, in effect, to satisfy what Russia says are its security concerns. Much in the way the prosecutors remarks at the Supreme Court this week appeared to reveal a less formal, more emotional motive behind the push to close Memorial, a statement by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov seemed to suggest that while three decades have passed since Moscow lost control over the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia still sees them as part of its potential sphere of influence -- or at least wishes they were. Lashing out at NATO, as he does, Lavrov asserted, without citing evidence, that the alliance is now a purely geopolitical project aimed at taking over territory that became ownerless -- or was orphaned, as the Foreign Ministry put it in an English translation -- after the disappearance of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Talks And Threats In the case of Ukraine, Lavrovs depiction of the countries to Russias west as ownerless property or orphaned children rather than sovereign states -- whether he was trolling or not -- echoed remarks by Putin, who has repeatedly sought to cast doubt on Ukraines right to be an independent state. In any event, Moscow is now pressing its case for restrictions on NATO enlargement and deployments, among other things, in a mix of military pressure and diplomacy. It has tens of thousands of troops deployed north and east of Ukraines border and in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula it occupied in 2014, and U.S. intelligence officials have said Russia is making plans for a possible military offensive that could begin as soon as a few weeks into the new year. On the diplomatic track, Russian officials are to meet with U.S. officials in Geneva on January 9-10, and meetings with NATO and with fellow members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are expected later that week. On December 30, Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held their second call this month, speaking for about 50 minutes. For the time being, talks and the prospect of more talks have taken a bit of the edge off tensions. But Russian demands that U.S. officials have suggested are unacceptable -- chiefly, the call for a legally binding pledge to keep Ukraine and other nations out of NATO -- are a potential recipe for diplomatic disaster, with some analysts suspecting they are designed to fail, providing Moscow with a pretext for military action. And while both sides indicated that the latest Biden-Putin call was substantive and useful, the White House and Kremlin readouts suggest that, to some degree at least, they talked across one another. Biden said that the upcoming negotiations can only achieve progress in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation, and threatened crushing economic sanctions from the United States and its allies if Russia further invades Ukraine, according to a statement by White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki and remarks from a senior U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Putin told Biden that imposing such sanctions would be a serious mistake that could lead to the complete rupture of bilateral relations, a Kremlin readout said. Without setting a deadline, it also indicated that Putin sought to make clear that Moscow would not back down on its core demands, saying he underscored that talks must lead to firm legal guarantees ruling out the eastward expansion of NATO and the deployment of threatening weapons systems in direct proximity to Russias borders. The senior U.S. officials remarks on that score differed substantially, suggesting that there may be more wiggle room on those core demands than the Kremlin wants to admit. Both leaders acknowledged that there were likely to be areas where we could make meaningful progress as well as areas where agreements may be impossible, and that the upcoming talks would determine more precisely the contours of each of those categories, the official said. That seems to raise two questions: Which readout more accurately reflects Putins position, and can that position change? The answers could be crucial. As a weary world faces a third year of coronavirus, just as its spread is supercharged by the most infectious variant so far, there is optimism among many scientists that the pandemics toll on global health will ease in 2022. Although Omicron threatens a crisis over the next few months, the most likely scenarios show a much improved outlook after that due to increasing immunity among the global population, through vaccination and natural infection, which is likely to make the consequences of the virus less severe. The upswing in Omicron cases in Europe and North America has been extremely fast and we may see an equally fast downswing over the next month or two, though it could take four to six months for the variant to reverberate right round the world, said Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome medical foundation. Then the immunity thats been built up is likely to give us a period of calm, but there are a number of ways this could play out. Tim Colbourn, professor at University College London, said it was entirely reasonable to think that the burden of Covid can be reduced by 95 per cent in 2022, so that its no longer a top 10 health problem. That would be a reasonable goal to end the pandemic. Some experts view Omicron itself as a pointer to future evolution of the Sars-Cov-2 virus, as natural selection favours mutations that pass as quickly and efficiently as possible between people who already have some immune protection. Laboratory tests show that the mutations in Omicron have made it much more infectious than previous variants in the nasal and upper respiratory passages favouring rapid transmission but conversely less likely to penetrate deep into the lungs where it tends to do most damage. These conclusions are supported by epidemiological evidence that the risk of severe disease is reduced by half or more with Omicron. Omicrons high transmissibility means an astonishing 3bn infections globally over the next two months, as many as in the first two years of the pandemic, according to modelling by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. But this massive surge of infections and cases will translate into a smaller surge in hospitalisations than either the Delta wave or the peak last winter at the global level, said Chris Murray, the institutes director. Evidence so far suggests Omicron will displace Delta as the variant circulating in most parts of the world, just as Delta swept away previous strains. Im reassured by that prospect, said Farrar. Id be more worried if you had different variants circulating at the same time, because that would mean they were exploiting different ecological niches, and wed end up with a potentially dangerous dynamic of multiple strains interacting. Whether new pathogens generally tend to become milder over time as they become established in human populations is a matter of debate among scientists Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty Images Even if Omicron does become the dominant strain, another variant of the virus is a certainty. While individual changes to the genetic code are random events during viral replications and no one foresaw the multiplicity of mutations that characterise Omicron the environmental pressures that allow some to thrive are predictable. A world where most people have been exposed to Sars-Cov-2 will favour variants that transmit quickly and readily while evading the attentions of the human immune system. Mutations that make the virus more lethal are unlikely to make it fitter and may even be a handicap if they impede efficient transmission. Although you can imagine a deadly new variant emerging thats more transmissible but also more harmful . . . I dont know how feasible that would be for this virus, said Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist and UCL professor. Sars-Cov-2 depends on infecting cells and it may already be close to the limits of its repertoire. Whether new pathogens generally tend to become milder over time as they become established in human populations is a matter of debate among scientists. But Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, is convinced it is true of coronaviruses. Four human coronaviruses, which have long circulated worldwide causing mild to moderate cold-like symptoms, may have caused serious epidemics when they first moved from animals into people. In particular the most recent arrival, OC43, crossed over from cattle around 1889 and caused the pandemic then called Russian flu, Hunter believes, causing increasingly mild waves of Covid-like illness for four or five years though not everyone is convinced by the evidence. Sars-Cov-2 will continue to throw up new variants forever but our cellular immunity will build up protection against severe disease every time were infected, he said. In the end well stop worrying about it. That reassuring scenario may apply if Sars-Cov-2 evolves in an essentially linear fashion. However, there is a small risk of a sudden evolutionary jump to something out of left-field that does not come from existing lineages, Farrar pointed out. One possibility is Sars-Cov-2 evolving in an animal population and then moving back into people. Influenza pandemics usually begin with a flu virus jumping from birds or pigs. Or Sars-Cov-2 could swap genes with a different virus through a genetic recombination. If for example someone was infected simultaneously with Sars-Cov-2 and the related Mers coronavirus, which does not transmit readily between people but kills about 40 per cent of those who are infected, it is possible to imagine a nightmare hybrid arising that combined transmissibility and lethality. Although such an evolutionary leap is not impossible, most experts regard it as extremely unlikely. Im much more scared of another pandemic caused by a new virus that we dont yet know about than by some variant of Sars-Cov-2, Colbourn said. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Bay Area students will flood back into schools starting Monday after spending two weeks with family and friends or even traveling to other states and countries just as the omicron wave is hitting California. The combination of a huge rise in coronavirus cases and exposure during the holiday break has left families and teachers concerned about the return to in-person learning in the coming days. But pandemic experts, health officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Biden are in lockstep on how to proceed: test, mask and continue teaching in person. Nothings changed, said Dr. George Rutherford, a UCSF infectious disease expert of reopened schools. The general position is to not touch that dial. That doesnt mean the status quo will be easy, with state-promised test kits arriving after school starts and chilly classrooms from windows opened to increase ventilation. Given the devastating academic and mental health impact of distance learning on students, closing classrooms has become the third rail of educational policy, Rutherford said, adding that K-12 schools are not expected to move temporarily to virtual learning as many state universities and colleges have. Schools should be approaching omicron with caution but NOT fear, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a tweet Tuesday. Just like we teach in the classroom, we can learn from past experiences, trust the science, and use tools like test-to-stay & vaccination to keep schools safe & open. Despite the omicron variant, there is little to no talk of a return to virtual learning among Bay Area school districts. In a joint statement with teachers and school employee unions, the state PTA, California school administrator and superintendent associations, as well as charter school officials, Newsom reiterated his commitment to keeping schools open. Local education and health officials across the region echoed the state stance. We must do everything possible to keep students safely attending schools, Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco health officer, said in a statement Wednesday. The mental health impacts on students due to social isolation far outweigh the challenges of in-person learning. There will, however, be challenges, officials said. The goal for many districts and state leaders is for students and staff to get tested or self-test at least once before returning to classes. In Oakland, officials passed out test kits at schools before the winter break with instructions on how to use them before returning to school. Marin County did the same. Its a simple concept, said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis, adding that 96,000 tests were distributed. Those who are positive will not come to school and will isolate. The tests arent mandatory, but strongly encouraged. The county requested the kits in early December from the state to plan for what Willis calls the testapalooza. Families and staff will report the results through an online program and, if positive, call the schools as well. District leaders are working on contingency plans to address staff absences related to illness or quarantine. The biggest concern would be staff shortages based on isolation, Willis said, which could lead to some classrooms going remote, but not entire schools or districts. Schools across the Bay Area and state have already been grappling with a shortage of substitutes when educators are out because of COVID-19 or for other reasons, requiring administrators to step in or teachers to give up a planning period to cover classrooms. Other workplaces, including hospitals, have faced similar concerns. In addition, not all districts have the resources for that kind of universal testing. State health officials said theyve sent out 2 million at-home tests enough for only about a third of state K-12 students with more to be shipped out over the next few weeks, despite Newsoms commitment to make the tests available to all 6 million public school kids as they head back to the classroom from winter break. San Francisco school officials said they wont receive the self-test kits from the state for at least a few days after school starts Monday. In the meantime, the district has increased the number of mobile testing sites starting Sunday and strongly encourages students to get tested. Weve shared multiple opportunities with families via phone, text and email to get tested and vaccinated, said district spokesperson Laura Dudnick. 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. San Francisco middle school teacher John Lisovsky said hes super concerned about omicron, but doesnt want to see schools closed again. I dont think distance learning can work. I dont endorse it, said Lisovsky, who teaches at Francisco Middle School, adding that hes worried about staff absences, especially a potential shortage of security aides given the behavior issues coming out of the pandemic. Those have included fights, mask resistance and students out of class. Omicron absences will undoubtedly be painful, but I worry most about our indispensable security aides, he said. Covering classes is one thing, but security aides have a unique role in school safety, and any extended COVID absence would seriously impact teaching and learning. In Albany, parent Leila Knox isnt worried about sending her ninth-grade daughter to school this week. I feel weve done everything we can as a community, she said, noting that the East Bay citys high vaccination rate and ongoing mitigation measures in schools. In a way, schools provide a safe haven and controlled environment for preventing the spread of further disease. She worries about decisions made based on fear rather than science and expert advice. Some parents are calling for schools to shut down based on one reported case, while those in a few districts have urged kids with known exposure to stay home despite negative tests and vaccinations, which is not the advice of state and federal health officials. Albany Superintendent Frank Wells, for example, in letter Wednesday, told families who were traveling Saturday or Sunday that they can consider keeping their children home for a few days in case symptoms emerge, and then take a rapid test midweek before returning to school. Such advice could lead to students missing school when official health recommendations say they should go, experts said. Federal, state and local health officials have not recommended quarantine after travel for those who are fully vaccinated. Cardona argued against unnecessary interruptions in learning in his tweet, noting that if people are vaccinated and exposed, they should quarantine only if they test positive. I do think the fear tends to drive decision-making for whatever reason here, Knox said. Were almost too woke for our own good. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker Thousands of passengers hoping to fly into or out of San Francisco International Airport saw their flights canceled Friday amid enduring pandemic-related staffing shortages for the airline industry. By late Friday afternoon, 58 flights in or out of SFO were scrapped, or 7% of all arrivals and departures. That was double the rate from a week earlier on Christmas Eve. Across the country, nearly 1,600 flights were canceled early in the day on New Years Eve, with more added to the list as the day wore on. The highly contagious omicron variant has upended the travel industry in recent days, with airlines canceling flights as workers, including those in the air and on the ground, have been hit by the virus. Despite the cancellations, SFO officials said they werent hearing from any disgruntled passengers or issues related to flights. Were fine to be honest, said duty manager Denise Baylor. Its not crazy. It was unclear how many flights were delayed or canceled because of staffing issues rather than weather or holiday traffic congestion. For many Bay Area passengers, a canceled flight has meant re-booking onto a later flight rather than not going at all, although California is just starting to see a new pandemic surge. On Thursday, the state saw nearly 50,000 new cases, up from 20,000 a week earlier. On Friday, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was the hardest hit, with the combination of snow and COVID-19 causing 15% of flights to be canceled. Travelers and airline officials could see some relief given the Center for Disease Controls revised recommendation to isolate for five days rather than 10 for those testing positive, but are asymptomatic. 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. Yet JetBlue Airways preemptively canceled nearly 1,300 flights through mid-January after seeing a spike in coronavirus cases among its crews. We expect the number of COVID cases in the northeast - where most of our crew members are based to continue to surge for the next week or two, JetBlues spokesperson said in an emailed statement to media outlets. This means there is a high likelihood of additional cancellations until case counts start to come down. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker Nick Otto/Special to The Chronicle 2020 People arrested more than once in San Franciscos Tenderloin on suspicion of selling drugs spent an average of five days in jail for each booking since Jan. 8, 2020 far less than the average of 18 days spent in jail before that date, data released Thursday by San Francisco police shows. The arrest data offers a glimpse into the alleged catch-and-release cycle that has angered many San Francisco residents who feel that the city especially the Tenderloin has recently become less safe. It also raises questions about the efficacy of the citys approaches to law enforcement and prosecution as the drug epidemic has spiraled into a state of emergency. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press A gas leak prompted temporary evacuations in a Vallejo neighborhood on Thursday afternoon before Pacific Gas and Electric Co. officials secured the leak, authorities said. A Vallejo city construction crew notified Vallejo firefighters at about 1:40 p.m. of a ruptured 2 inch gas line in the area of the 1500 block of Sacramento that was related to ongoing road construction, officials with the Vallejo Firefighters Association said on Twitter. Longtime KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville was booked into jail early Friday morning for allegedly driving under the influence, after a car crash at a busy intersection in downtown Oakland. Oakland police said they are investigating the wreck that occurred at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Broadway and Grand Avenue, where witnesses saw a driver rear-end another car. After the collision, the second driver got out, while the first driver plowed through the intersection pushing the other car into a pole at the southeast corner. Police did not identify either person, but said that during their initial investigation they determined that the first motorist was driving under the influence. Somerville was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin shortly after midnight and later cited and released, jail records show. He was very cooperative, according to Lt. Ray Kelly, a spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office. The second driver, Tom Fortier, said he was heading home from an errand and stopped at a red light on Grand Avenue when he felt a car slam him from behind with enough force to shake him in the drivers seat. He put his Audi S4 in park, flicked on the emergency blinkers and turned off the ignition. Then he got out and approached the drivers side window of the car that had hit him, a dark gray Porsche. And theres a gentleman in the car who is not looking at me, Fortier told The Chronicle on Friday. Hes gazing straight ahead, gripping the steering wheel. Then he starts accelerating. Hes burning rubber. At that point, the driver later identified as Somerville by law enforcement officials pushed the Audi across the street with such force that its wheels came off the ground, Fortier said. The Porsches wheels were moving and screeching rubber the entire time. Fortier recalled shouting in bafflement, running to the island in the middle of the street, and calling 911. When the Audi hit the pole, Somerville kept revving his engine, Fortier said, as three bystanders banged on the drivers side door, yelling at him to turn it off. The witnesses managed to open the door, unfasten Somervilles seat belt and turn off the ignition, Fortier said. He remembered that Somerville was barefoot and looked familiar, though he didnt immediately recognize him as a news anchor. Somerville did not immediately return phone calls and a text message seeking comment Friday. The veteran newscaster became a focus of controversy recently amid a dispute over coverage of the Gabby Petito homicide case in September. He was placed on leave after trying to add commentary about racial justice to a broadcast about Petito, which the station news director nixed. Somerville had sought to highlight the disparity between white and Black victims, but editors expressed concerns about his verbal tag, saying it drew conclusions about the Petito case that had not been substantiated, and that it warranted a separate story with more context. 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. After supervisors cut the tag, a shortened version appeared in a subsequent newscasts script. His suspension in September marked the second time this year that Somerville left the air. In June a spokesperson for Fox Television Stations, the Fox Corp. subsidiary that owns KTVU, said the anchor was going out on medical leave for two months after he slurred his words during a broadcast. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Joaquin Palomino contributed to this report. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Infectious disease experts hailed reports on Thursday that a third vaccine shot against COVID-19 could be approved for 12- to 15-year-olds next week as pediatric COVID-19 cases rise in the Bay Area and concerns mount that a surge in hospitalizations could follow. Although still unconfirmed by the Food and Drug Administration, the widely reported news of a forthcoming booster for younger adolescents comes as the omicron variant is landing more children in the hospital in the northeastern U.S. Bay Area experts say a similar scenario remains possible in California. We welcome approval of boosters for children, as we see that pediatric vaccinations continue to be safe and effective, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Stanfords Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital. Given the stunning transmissibility of the omicron variant, she added, everyone who is eligible, including children, should be vaccinated. Meanwhile, the number of people of all ages in the hospital with COVID is rising across California, jumping 38% in the past week alone to 5,107, up from 3,683 on Dec. 23. The numbers include people hospitalized for other reasons who tested positive on admission. In the nine Bay Area counties, 531 people were in the hospital with COVID as of Wednesday, up 56% an additional 190 people in the last week. But while COVID hospitalizations in San Francisco nearly doubled in the same period, experts cautioned that the overall numbers remain low, and hospitals are nowhere near overflowing with COVID patients. San Francisco has 64 people hospitalized with COVID, up from 33 a week ago. Hospitalizations are going up but from a low level to another low level, said Dr. George Rutherford, a UCSF infectious disease expert. By contrast, last year at this time, before widespread vaccination, 20,612 Californians were hospitalized with COVID, four times as many as today. In Contra Costa County, John Muir Hospital announced this week it was canceling inpatient elective surgeries unless they were for cancer, at least through Tuesday. But unlike early in the pandemic, when the rampaging coronavirus caused nearly all hospitals to cancel non-emergency procedures, John Muir is not trying to make room for COVID patients, said spokesman Ben Drew. Only 4% of its beds are taken up by COVID patients now. Instead, the hospital cited a surge in non-COVID hospitalizations possibly from long-delayed treatment and staff shortages due not only to COVID exposures and cases, but also to traditional winter illnesses such as the flu, Drew said. The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 820,000 people in the U.S. since the first reports, exactly two years ago, of a strange virus that sickened 27 people in Wuhan, China. While most people recover after being infected, many others experience long COVID, symptoms that persist far beyond the initial infection, from a loss of smell, to brain fog and even psychosis. The National Institutes of Health is funding numerous studies to better understand who will have ongoing problems, how long symptoms will last, and how to treat them effectively. Vaccinated people tend to have fewer side effects and more mild illness from COVID, if they become infected at all. Currently, everyone age 5 and above can be vaccinated free of charge. Studies show that a third shot can improve protection and is important against omicron, which finds its way around vaccines better than earlier variants. But only people age 16 and older are eligible for a booster six months after their second vaccine. Federal regulators are expected to reduce that gap to five months next week, according to news reports. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The third dose for youths aged 12 to 15 is set to receive initial approval Monday from the FDA, as well as for children 5 to 11 whose immune systems are compromised, according to the New York Times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also expected to approve the FDAs recommendation next week, paving the way for shots in arms soon after. This is good. Definitely good, said Rutherford of UCSF, noting that approval would come just in time to forestall waning immunity among the 12- to 15-year-olds, who started receiving Pfizer shots in mid-May. Its the right time, he added. And cutting (the wait time for a booster) down to five months makes a lot of sense. A key concern about giving a third shot to teens has been the risk of heart inflammation, called myocarditis, a rare side effect seen primarily in boys. For omicron in particular, the boosters seem to be important, said Dr. Roshni Mathew, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Stanford Childrens Health. Its a risk-benefit question for the individual patient. The FDA is expected to base its approval in part on an Israeli study of thousands of people aged 12 to 15, in which no cases of myocarditis showed up after a third Pfizer dose, the New York Times has reported. Meanwhile, there is not yet talk of a third shot for children aged 5 to 11, who were approved for vaccines only two months ago. For those who are vaccinated, their coronavirus immunity is still expected to be strong. Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A data breach at Rhode Island's public transit agency that compromised the personal information of more than 17,000 people is now under review by the state attorney general's office, officials said Thursday. The office is reviewing this incident to determine whether the entities involved have complied with state laws regarding notification and safeguarding of personal information in their custody, Kristy dosReis, a spokesperson for Attorney General Peter Neronha, told The Providence Journal. DENVER (AP) An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. At least one first responder and six others were injured, though Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle acknowledged there could be more injuries and deaths could be possible due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 105 mph (169 kph). The first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored with no structures lost, Pelle said. A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., ballooned and spread rapidly east, Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) and has engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies and sent residents scrambling to get to safety. The activity of the fires, which are burning unusually late into the winter season, will depend on how the winds behave overnight and could determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims. This is the kind of fire we cant fight head on, Pelle said. We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun, he added. Evacuations have been ordered for the city of Louisville, home to about 21,000 people, and Superior, which has another 13,000 residents. The neighboring towns are roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver in an area filled with middle and upper-middle class subdivisions surrounded by shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is in between Denver and Boulder, a foothills college town home to the University of Colorado. Residents evacuated fairly calmly and orderly, but the winding streets in the suburban subdivisions quickly became clogged as people tried to get out. It sometimes took cars as long as 45 minutes to advance about a half mile (less than a kilometer). Small fires cropped up here and there in surprising places on the grass in a median or in a dumpster in the middle of a parking lot as wind gusts caused the fire to jump and spread. Shifting winds caused the skies to turn from clear to smoky and then back again as emergency sirens blared nearby. Some of the several blazes in the area Thursday were sparked by downed power lines. Six people who were injured in the fires were being treated at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, spokesperson Kelli Christensen said. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down. Colorados Front Range, where most of the states population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Denver set a record for most consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10. It hasnt snowed since, though snow was expected in the region Friday. One video captured by a bystander outside a Superior Costco store showed an apocalyptic scene with winds whipping through barren trees in the parking lot surrounded by gray skies, a hazy sun and small fires scattered across the ground. Leah Angstman and her husband saw similar dark skies while returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. As they were sitting on the bus going toward Boulder, Angstman recalled instantly leaving clear blue skies and entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip, she wrote in a message to The Associated Press. The visibility was so poor that the bus had to pull over and they waited a half-hour until a regional transit authority van escorted them to a turnaround on the highway. There she saw four separate fires burning in bushes across the freeway, she said. The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes, she said. Angstman later ended up evacuating, getting in a car with her husband and driving northeast without knowing where they would end up. 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. Vignesh Kasinath, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, evacuated from a neighborhood in Superior with his wife and her parents. Kasinath said the family was overwhelmed because of the sudden evacuation warning and anxious from the chaos while trying to leave. Its only because I am active on Twitter I came to know about this, said Kasinath, who said he did not receive an official evacuation notice from authorities. The fires prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of a emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds. The evacuations come as climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive, scientists say. A historic drought and heat waves have made wildfires harder to fight in the U.S. West. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. With any snow on the ground, this absolutely would not have happened in the way that it did, said snow hydrologist Keith Musselman, who was at home when the fire broke out not far away. Musselman said this severe fire risk can be expected in September and October following a dry summer, but the lack of any precipitation snow or rain this late in the season is highly unusual. The National Weather Service predicts up to a foot of snow could fall tomorrow in Boulder, and that moisture would bring substantial relief, Musselman said. ____ Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin contributed to this report. Nieberg 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. Regarding Keep cars off JFK Drive for good (Editorial, Dec. 26): Able-bodied policymakers often fail to walk a mile in the paths of those with disabilities, resulting in inhibitory, unintended and discriminatory consequences. On April 27, 2020, Mayor London Breed held a press conference and issued a press release closing the eastern section of John F. Kennedy Drive to vehicle traffic through the course of her stay-at-home order. JFK Drive would remain closed, she said, only until the Stay Home Order is lifted. Mayor Breed broke her word. She lifted the order on Jan. 25, 2021, but kept JFK Drive closed to cars. JFK Drive has long been an important roadway for seniors and disabled people to enjoy numerous public facilities. Our communities comprise nearly a quarter of our citys population. The closure has been a real hardship because most disabled people and partially able seniors cannot bicycle, roller skate or even ride motorized scooters. Many of us cant walk or wheel very far, or at all. Neither Muni nor any shuttle serve all the facilities within the Park. It is time to reopen JFK Drive so that all San Franciscans and tourists can enjoy the access to which we all are legally entitled. Bob Planthold and Tomasita Medal, San Francisco Thanks to ambassadors Regarding Breeds Tenderloin ambassadors praised (Front Page, Dec. 30): Applause for the article on San Franciscos goodwill street ambassadors from Urban Alchemy. Their positive presence can be felt and seen in areas around the Tenderloin, and for those living there with children, a most welcome feeling of safety. While we can complain, and we do, Urban Alchemy is offering hope. The members of Urban Alchemy are providing an important service, and I hope we will thank them and continue to fund them. Helen Hilton Raiser, San Francisco Prepare for rising seas Imagine standing at the waterfront and tossing all your money into the waves, one bill at a time. You wont be able to get the money back and you cant use it once its gone. But throwing money into the ocean is less wasteful than what San Francisco is doing right now. Sea levels are rising and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has already mapped out large areas on the citys east, north and west sides, plus Treasure Island, that will soon be underwater. So what is the citys response? To build mega-housing projects in most of these doomed areas. Not only is this actually throwing money into the ocean, it is throwing people in as well and diverting resources from adaptation work that needs to happen if San Francisco is to survive. The city needs to fast-track and fund useful responses to climate change instead of building more developer wet dreams. Ellen Koivisto, San Francisco Help S.F. businesses Wandering through the San Francisco Financial District with all its shut down businesses (including restaurants), I cant keep from wondering why no one (to my knowledge) has proposed a scheme to recapitalize them (likely the only way they will ever reopen, especially in the short to medium term) with low- or no-interest slow amortization loans. The city and state have to take the lead on this and also try to mobilize the business and financial communitys support if San Francisco is going to regain its full vibrancy. Mitchell Gitin, San Francisco A unique city There is a good reason San Francisco is considered the kook capital of the world. What other city would complain when the mayor vows to fight crime? After what we experienced in 2021, theres no doubt that Californias wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity as climate change alters the ecosystem. The states forests are burning at an alarming rate, creating environmental catastrophes and endangering lives. As wildfire rages through the wildland-urban interface, it consumes almost anything and everything in its path, including houses and automobiles. Microplastics and metals take to the sky, in addition to soot and other harmful materials that can enter our lungs and do lasting damage. Scientists are just beginning to understand the threat posed to humans and animals by this wildfire smoke. A study in New Mexico found that mice exposed to smoke for a prolonged period from a wildfire 600 miles away showed signs of age-related chemical changes in their brain tissue. And theres yet another possible hazard that has been largely unaccounted for in the smoke released from wildfires radiation. In April 2020, the forest surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster site in Ukraine sparked into a raging wildfire. More than 115,000 acres burned in 10 days, and the smoke along with radiation traveled 1,000 miles to countries as far as Norway. The nuclear power plant at Chernobyl exploded in 1986 and most of the radiation released was contained in the dense forest surrounding the reactor. Many of the heavier radioactive isotopes left behind in the disaster have properties similar to those of potassium and calcium elements essential to cell growth and this eased their absorption into the forests. A study on radioisotope behavior during forest fires in 2003 by Ukrainian radiologist Vasyl Yoschenko found that huge amounts of isotopes are released by blasts of smoke and heat. He went on to note, in just one hour, the firefighters could have been exposed to more than triple the annual radiation limit for Chernobyls nuclear workers. Though the risk may be remote that California may be similarly impacted, the possibility adds another wrinkle to how climate change is changing our world in 2022 and beyond. This summer, after learning about the Chernobyl fires, I became curious on the potential effects of radiation stemming from wildfires on our populations. As part of my internship at DoseNet, a UC Berkeley science initiative for high school students, I began an investigation using data from the programs worldwide network of radiation sensors. The United States hasnt experienced a nuclear disaster on the level of Chernobyl, but there may be other sources of radiation that could have been absorbed by the West Coasts forests. More than 1,000 atomic bombs were tested by the U.S. during the Cold War, which released radioisotopes into the atmosphere, and there are also naturally occurring isotopes such as potassium-40, carbon-14 and uranium-238. In 1959, there was a partial nuclear reactor meltdown at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Ventura County. The release, which was swept under the rug for decades, may have released 240 times more radiation than the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979. Former Santa Susana workers and nearby residents filed numerous lawsuits over the accident, and the site is still being cleaned up. And California still has one nuclear power plant in operation, Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County, though it is scheduled to be shut down in the next decade. So, its not inconceivable that there could more accidental radiation releases or more past events waiting to be revealed. I began my research by averaging hourly radiation counts and air particle data for specific time frames during major fires and observed a common pattern. During time periods with unhealthy air quality, radiation levels increased. These radiation counts increased even further with worsening air quality, indicating that there is radiative material in smoke from forest fires. The results showed that West Coast forests do contain radiation, which is being released into the atmosphere in the form of particulate matter in the smoke. With more fires, more of this radiation will be released into our air. Thankfully, my observations found that radiation levels in California during these fires was within the range of naturally occurring background levels. However, the long-term health effect of radiation from forest fires is an open question. Humans are exposed to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight every day, which we know can damage our skin. The radioactive gamma rays being released from smoke particles are much stronger than the suns rays, and in high enough doses, gamma radiation can cause cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Although the long-term dangers associated with gamma ray exposure from wildfires are still unknown, what is known is that our state and our forests are burning at an unprecedented rate due to climate change. This will only get worse in the years ahead. While radiation levels from forest fires appear to be safe now, why risk it? Lets do what we can to mitigate climate change to save the environment and avoid adding wildfire radioactive isotopes to our list of apocalyptic concerns. Ethan Fang is a senior at Castro Valley High School with an interest in data science and computational medicine. SACRAMENTO East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell took to social media on Thursday to reveal the name of a man who made online threats about harming him and the congressman called the incident an example of how conservative commentators like Fox News host Tucker Carlson radicalize viewers and incite threats of violence. In a lengthy Twitter thread, Swalwell posted screenshots of an Instagram conversation he had with the man, purportedly a Canadian construction contractor named Jeremy Marshall. The conversation started with the man messaging Swalwell threats like, Traitor u should be shot and Traitor hopefully u get hung one day. Swalwell, D-Dublin, responded politely and, over the course of dozens of messages, sussed out details like the mans purported name and business. Swalwell said their online rapport was a ruse to get the mans name for law enforcement. Bottom-line: the lies from Tucker and others are radicalizing people across not just America but the world, Swalwell wrote afterward. Tucker & Co. know this. And thats why they tell their lies. They want to incite the mob. A Fox News spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Carlson, the conservative networks star commentator, has long clashed with Swalwell, a progressive lawmaker who became a household name for his role in criticizing former President Donald Trump during his two impeachments. Swalwell told The Chronicle on Thursday that he posted the conversation because the incident shows how extreme, far-right rhetoric has fueled escalating, daily threats against lawmakers. He said he fears such toxicity could lead to a repeat of the Jan. 6 insurrection, when hundreds of supporters of Trump attacked Congress to try to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Enough is enough. Im tired of people thinking they can say this to terrorize me and my family, Swalwell said. Were just hurtling toward a very combustible kinetic moment that could be worse than Jan. 6. Screenshots of Swalwells conservation with Marshall, who goes by the user name out4bling, suggest he threatened the congressman after learning about reports that he was targeted by a suspected Chinese spy. Swalwell and other California politicians were targeted by the suspected Chinese spy, who hosted fundraisers and attended other events six or more years ago, according to an investigation by Axios. An FBI official, who spoke anonymously because they werent authorized to talk about the case, told The Chronicle last year that Swalwell was completely cooperative and under no suspicion of wrongdoing. The episode has sparked a flurry of unfounded conspiracy theories in far-right media circles. Marshall later told Swalwell that he has followed conservative commentators such as Carlson and Joe Rogan. Despite the initial death threats, Swalwells conversation with Marshall quickly took a friendly turn. Swalwell casually asked the man personal questions, including what type of work he does and where he lives in Canada. Im actually sorry for what Ive said ur more personable then I could have imagined, Marshall wrote, according to a screenshot. Swalwell even suggested they get coffee the next time hes in Vancouver or that his Canadian relatives could look Marshall up when they need to hire a contractor for remodel work. (Swalwell doesnt have any Canadian relatives.) The congressman said he engaged to learn as much identifying information as possible about the man. Swalwell said hes forwarded screenshots of their conversation to the U.S. Capitol Police, who regularly investigate such threats. As the conversation progressed, Swalwell zeroed in with a pressing question: What made you think I should be shot? Marshall replied, Im an idiot and got carried away on social media saw red cause of the articles I was reading regarding u... Totally uncalled for and inappropriate. And u seen like a really nice guy so far from talking to u so I owe u an apology. After Swalwell posted details of their conversation online, Marshall replied to say he was receiving an onslaught of negative messages. Swalwell posted again, asking his followers to not harass him, writing, Let the law/Instagram hold him accountable. Swalwell told The Chronicle that the incident tragically shows how the people most susceptible to misinformation that could incite violence are often those who are really longing for any human connection. These are often very lonely individuals, he said. It just shows how fragile so many people are, and how vulnerable they are to being radicalized. Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner San Franciscos Department of Police Accountability is investigating a complaint that officers stood by and watched a burglary unfold at a Grove Street cannabis dispensary last month during a period of intensifying attacks on cannabis businesses, and mounting tension among law enforcement agencies. Frustrations simmered during a meeting Tuesday among cannabis merchants, police and representatives of the citys Office of Cannabis, who convened over videoconference to discuss safety measures for New Years Eve. While officials promised to deploy extra officers, some cannabis business owners said theyve stopped depending on the citys protection. I dont expect much, said Tariq Mizyed Alazraie, owner of the Bay Area Safe Alternatives dispensary that thieves raided at about 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. Surveillance footage showed three patrol cars arrive to the building after a neighbor who heard the blare of the dispensarys security alarm, called 911, police said. The neighbor reported seeing two or three people inside the shop, removing bags of merchandise and loading them into a gray car parked out front. In the video, a patrol car shines a spotlight on the possible getaway vehicle, where two suspects wait while a third lingers inside for almost 40 seconds. Police appear to wait as the final suspect leaves the building, jumps into the drivers seat of the sedan, executes a three-point turn and speeds off. After the incident Alazraies daughter Anisa filed a complaint with the Department of Police Accountability, describing the crime and her interpretation of the officers response. I made my statement that they chose not to act, that it was quite clear they had enough time, Anisa Alazraie said, recounting how she spoke on the phone with a staff member from the department, who recorded the interview. Anisa Alazraie said she would like to see the officers fired if investigators determine they acted negligently. But shes less concerned with the discipline itself than with larger concerns generated by the surveillance video whether police supervisors are directing police officers to stand down, or whether police bear a particular animus or indifference toward cannabis businesses. Diana Rosenstein, a staff attorney for the Department of Police Accountability, said she could not comment on the ongoing probe. She did not provide a timeline for its completion. Police Captain Christopher Pedrini said the Police Department would not not conduct its own investigation. In contrast to his daughter, Tariq Mizyed Alazraie seemed resigned about the officers behavior, saying he doesnt want to see them punished, and that, in general, he respects police. Nonetheless, Alazraie said he lost confidence in officers ability to stop future burglaries. Instead, hes equipped his shop with metal doors that have 12 locks. At one point, Tuesdays meeting broke into small groups of dispensary owners and police staff. Alazraie and two other merchants confronted Lt. John Burke of Park Station about the Grove Street burglary, asking why the officers had let the suspects drive away. Weve all watched the video, and we were all scratching our heads, Terrance Alan, owner of the Flore dispensary, said. Burke countered that the suspects may have been armed, which necessitated a more coordinated response so that the officers did not have to defend themselves. And then what started out as a property crime is no longer a property crime its a gun fight, he recalled telling the merchants. Alan found this explanation unsatisfying. Clearly, there is a better way to respond to this situation, he said, noting that dispensaries already spend thousands of dollars a month for security guards and camera systems, and that hes recently installed vault doors in his storage area. I certainly left the call feeling unresolved, Alan said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Alazraie said he believes that police fear they will be prosecuted by District Attorney Chesa Boudin for using force. Other cannabis merchants who attended the meeting expressed their own concerns about whether city law enforcement agencies are cooperating, given the uptick in burglaries. Kevin Reed, president of The Green Cross dispensary in the Excelsior neighborhood, said that during the Wednesday meeting, one of his managers asked police whether investigations of these crimes were leading to arrests, and whether the district attorney is prosecuting them. They completely ignored us, Reed said, referring to the police and cannabis officials hosting the meeting. At 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning, as managers of the Green Cross stopped by to check on their inventory, they saw four cars pull up to the shop. People emerged from the vehicles with crowbars in their hands, Reed said, assessed the doors and tried to pry them open. Surveillance footage reviewed by The Chronicle showed people stepping out of the cars, one by one, and attempting to open the dispensary doors, until one person sets off an alarm, sending the suspects fleeing. Reed said he always calls police when people try to break into his shop, and that they usually respond within five minutes. He was baffled by the video of the Grove Street burglary. Still, hes pessimistic about law enforcements ability to handle a staggering rise in burglaries. Its a mess, Reed said. Theres no doubt about that. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan A new map from the federal U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday shows the drastic effects of the past weeks storms on the severity of drought across California. Almost the entire state is out of exceptional drought levels, though much of the central part of the state remains in extreme drought. The heavy storms during the past week contributed to a record snowfall for December, with the Central Sierra snow lab observing 193.7 inches of snow. The previous record was set in 1970 with 179 inches of snow during the month. Conditions throughout the state could continue to improve in the following weeks, especially with above-normal precipitation predicted for Northern California next week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Prior to the recent heavy precipitation this month, much of California was designated with extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought, Brad Pugh, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that assists with the map, wrote in an email. The recent heavy precipitation and favorable snowpack resulted in 1 to 2-class improvements in the drought intensity level, but 12 to 24-month precipitation deficits continue. Additional improvements may be warranted during the next couple of weeks. Even with these improvements, there is still no part of the state that isnt in some level of drought. George Rose/Getty Images The color-coded map shows the level of dry conditions from "abnormally dry" (yellow) to "exceptional drought" (maroon). Most of California remains in the moderate drought classification, at 53.35% of the state. That's an improvement from the map released on Dec. 21, when most of the state (56%) was in the extreme drought category. Less than one percent of the state is still in the exceptional drought category. The Drought Monitor, a joint effort of the NOAA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, takes into account precipitation totals and also indexes a wide array of indicators, including groundwater storage, river levels, soil moisture, satellite-based assessments of vegetation health and more. "Its the tool to serve all purposes until you look at the nuances of where your water supply comes from and it becomes more complex," Jeanine Jones, California's drought manager with the state's Department of Water Resources, told SFGATE in a previous interview. "While the map is probably most representative of conditions when its very wet or very dry, its everything in between thats more difficult to depict." SFGATE Senior News Editor Amy Graff contributed to this report. BOSTON (AP) The First Day Hike tradition that started in Massachusetts in 1992 before spreading to states across the nation is continuing in the new year at several sites around the state. Seven hikes are planned for Saturday at the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage Park in Blackstone; the Wachusett Reservoir in West Boylston; the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus; Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover; the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton; the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls; and the Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The driver of an SUV struck and killed an 8-year-old girl in a Minneapolis suburb, then fled the scene, the Minnesota State Patrol reported Friday. The State Patrol reported that the crash happened late Thursday on a highway in Brooklyn Center, and they are looking for the driver and the white Nissan Rogue that he was driving, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) South Africans from all corners of retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu's rainbow nation filed past his plain pine casket by the hundreds on Friday to pay their respects to his life of activism for equality for all races, creeds and sexual orientations. He was a moral giant. He was a moral and spiritual giant loved and revered for fighting for equality for all people, said the Rev. Michael Lapsley, on the steps of the historic St. George's Cathedral after Tutu's coffin was carried in amid music, incense and prayers. Anglican clergy women and men, Black and white, young and old lined the street to honor the cortege carrying Tutu's body to the church. Members of the Tutu family accompanied the casket into the cathedral. People began filing through the lofty cathedral to light candles and view the small, simple coffin with rope handles which Tutu had said he wanted to avoid any ostentation or lavish expenditures. Many sat in the pews to pray and reflect on Tutu's life. More than 2,000 people visited the cathedral on the first day of viewing on Thursday and on Friday the line stretched for more than a kilometer (nearly a mile). A requiem mass for Tutu will be held on New Year's Day before he is cremated and his remains placed in a columbarium in the cathedral. His work did not stop with the end of apartheid, Lapsley said, in reference to South Africa's regime of racial oppression which Tutu prominently opposed and which ended in 1994 when South Africa held a democratic election. Archbishop Tutu bravely championed the equality of all people. He transformed the church by bringing women into the clergy. He championed the LGBTQ community, for whom he is a hero all over the world, said Lapsley, Canon of Healing at the cathedral. An anti-apartheid activist priest whose hands and one eye were blown off by a letter bomb sent by South African agents in 1994, Lapsley said Tutu helped him find reconciliation and a new role in the church. One of the first women priests ordained by Tutu, the Rev. Wilma Jakobsen, said Tutu radically changed South Africa's Anglican church. The face of the church has changed. It has women priests and women in positions of leadership. It has people of all colors. Our church welcomes LGBTQ people. That's all thanks to the leadership of Archbishop Tutu, said Jakobsen, who served as Tutu's personal chaplain when he was archbishop. At the height of apartheid, Tutu mixed all races in the church, said Jakobsen. I was intentionally placed in Mitchells Plain and other white priests were intentionally put in Black communities. And Black priests were intentionally placed in white communities, said Jakobsen. Archbishop Tutu did not wait for approval to do that, he just did it. It was a direct challenge to the apartheid regime. Among those viewing Tutu's casket Friday was Mohamed De Bruyn. It was very emotional for me, said De Bruyn. I could feel his great soul in that little wooden box ... He was like Moses. He led our nation from all that sadness and grief. Vuyo Wara said Tutu was a great leader. He fought corruption. I just hope that our current leaders will take his baton and follow his principles going forward. After the viewing Friday, Tutu's body will remain alone overnight in the cathedral, a place that he loved, according to a statement from Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba. The cathedral, the Anglican church's oldest in southern Africa, dating back to 1847, shows the changes encouraged by Tutu. The Crypt Memory and Witness Center has public education programs to encourage healing and social justice. The graceful stone structure built by British colonialists beneath Cape Town's soaring Table Mountain was converted by Tutu into a center of anti-apartheid activity. When the apartheid regime banned political gatherings, Tutu held meetings in the cathedral where participants bowed their heads ostensibly in prayer and heard political speeches. Nelson Mandela called it the People's Cathedral. With her gray hair pulled back in a ponytail tinged with purple, and wearing a brightly colored rainbow mask, the Rev. Maria Claassen said she was paying homage to Tutu. He was a very humble man but to sit in the same room with him, you could feel the strength of his presence, of his convictions, said Claassen, an Anglican priest in Cape Town's Durbanville area. He inspired us and now we celebrate his life. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama closed 2021 with a surge of COVID-19 cases as the extremely contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to sweep the nation. Alabama on Thursday hit a new high for the seven-day average positivity rate the percentage of COVID tests coming back positive at 31.4%. It is the first time the seven-day average is over 30%. All 67 counties in the state are now considered to have high levels of community transmission. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Alabama has jumped over the past two weeks from 682 new cases per day on Dec. 14 to 2,742 new cases per day on Dec. 28, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Bert Eichold, the health officer for Mobile County, said Thursday that the highly contagious omicron variant is driving a rise in cases and hospitalizations there. He said over 50% of recently sequenced samples from COVID-19 patients came back as the omicron varient. What we are really trying to do is avoid people getting sick, so the mask is extremely important. You need to get vaccinated. You need to get your booster shot, Eichold said in a briefing. While early indications show that the omicron variant does not cause as severe illness as earlier variants, officials cautioned that the highly contagious variant will mean more people getting sick and some of those will get severely ill. Even though it is less severe we will likely see many hospitalizations and deaths, Dr. Rendi Murphree, an epidemiologist with the Mobile County Public Health Department, said Thursday. The number of people with COVID-19 in state hospitals doubled over the last two weeks, growing to 791 on Thursday. While hospitalization numbers are still well below what they were during the previous two surges when more than 3,000 COVID-19 patients were in state hospitals health officials have expressed concern over the rapid increase. Officials with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital said emergency rooms are seeing a surge in COVID-19 patients although some people are coming in with only mild symptoms. All of these emergency departments not just ours but everyone around the city is experiencing record numbers of patients presenting with COVID and all of the other complaints we see on a day-to-day basis, Dr. Bobby Lewis, vice chair for clinical operations at UABs Department of Emergency Medicine, said in a briefing this week. Lewis urged patients with mild symptoms, as well as people simply needing a COVID test, to go to their local doctor or clinic instead of the emergency room. Auburn University announced this week that masks will be required on campus beginning Jan. 3 regardless of vaccination status. Currently Reading Alert: Colorado governor shortens prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years With flashy fireworks displays and subdued celebrations, with some in masks to protect against the coronavirus and others in light-up glasses, the world slipped from 2021 into 2022. As the fast-spreading omicron variant's stranglehold grows tighter, many are clinging to hopes that the New Year will bring better days. Partyers in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, descended on luxury hotels outside Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest tower, during a fireworks and laser light show. FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) A man awaiting execution on Arizona's death row was found dead in his cell and prison officials say two other inmates are suspects in his killing, state prison officials announced Thursday. Kenneth W. Thompson, 38, was discovered Wednesday at the Eyman prison complex in Florence and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said in a news release. The department's criminal investigation unit is investigating his death. No details of how he was killed were released. BANGKOK (AP) Members of a China-centered Asian trade bloc that takes effect Jan. 1 are hoping the initiative, encompassing about a third of world trade and business activity, will help power their recoveries from the pandemic. The 15-member Regional and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, includes China, Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries. It does not include the U.S. or India. The deal slashes tariffs on thousands of products, streamlining trade procedures and providing mutual advantages for member nations. It also takes into account issues such as e-commerce, intellectual property and government procurement. But it has less stringent labor and environmental requirements than those expected of countries in the European Union or the smaller Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes many of the same countries but not China. RCEP is expected to boost trade within the region by 2%, or $42 billion, both through increased trade and also through diversion of trade as tariff rules change, experts say. The accord is a coup for China, by far the biggest market in the region with more than 1.3 billion people. Extra help will be needed: Two years of lockdowns, border closures, mandatory quarantines and other restrictions have cost millions of people their jobs while also contributing to disruptions in manufacturing and shipping that are snarling supply chains worldwide. Countries confronted with outbreaks of the fast-spreading omicron coronavirus variant have reined in recent moves to reopen to international travel. Regional economies contracted by 1.5% in 2020. Theyve bounced back, with the Asian Development Bank forecasting growth at 7.0% this year boosted by low year-before figures. But next year growth is expected to slow to 5.3%. The pandemic slowed progress in ratifying the trade deal for some countries. China was the first to ratify RCEP, in April, after it was signed in November 2020 at a virtual meeting of leaders from its 15 member countries. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Phlippines have yet to do so, though they are expected to ratify it soon. Myanmar, whose government was ousted by the military on Feb. 1, ratified it but that is pending acceptance by other members. Beijing is fully prepared for the new trading bloc, having already fulfilled 701 binding obligations for RCEP, Chinese vice minister for commerce Ren Hongbin said Thursday. RCEP is of great significance building new development patterns and a milestone in opening up our economy, Ren said according to a transcript of a news conference on the ministrys website. He said the block would draw member economies closer and greatly boost confidence in economic recovery from the pandemic. The Chinese-initiated RCEP appeals to other developing countries because it reduces barriers to trade in farm goods, manufactured goods and components, which make up most of their exports. It says little about trade in services and access for companies to operate in each others economies, which the United States and other developed countries want. RCEP originally would have included about 3.6 billion people. Minus India, which pulled out, it still covers more than 2 billion people and close to a third of all trade and business activity. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the retooled version of the North American Free Trade Agreement under Trump, covers slightly less economic activity but less than a tenth of the worlds population. The EU and Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, the revised version of an agreement that former President Donald Trump rejected, also are smaller. RCEP includes six of the 11 remaining CPTPP members. Like any trade deal, RCEP has its detractors. In a recent legislative hearing shown on YouTube, government officials urged Indonesian lawmakers to pass RCEP, one of three backlogged trade arrangements. But Elly Rachmat Yasin, a member of a commission responsible for agriculture, the environment, forestry and marine affairs, questioned Indonesias trade minister, Muhammad Lutfi, about the wisdom of Indonesia's involvement, noting that India opted out largely due to fears that Chinese imports would swamp its markets. Lutfi responded that RCEP would help boost exports and attract extra inflows of up to $1.7 billion in foreign investment by 2040. Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says he expects lawmakers there to ratify the pact in January, after running out of time to get it done in December, when the government was busy dealing with the aftermath of a typhoon that struck on Dec. 16, leaving 375 people dead and hundreds of thousands without adequate housing. The trade bloc is expected to open many service sector jobs to workers in member countries a big draw for countries like the Philippines that rely heavily on remittances from migrant workers. RCEP will uplift GDP and lower poverty incidence. It will open up more market access for our exports and widen sourcing of needed inputs that will improve competitiveness of our manufacturing sector and exporters," Lopez said. There is no reason nor logic not to ratify RCEP," he said, adding that failing to do so would be catastrophic" since investors would likely favor countries within the trading bloc. Associated Press writers Jim Gomez in Manila and Niniek Karmini in Jakarta contributed. BEIJING (AP) Chinese factory activity edged higher in December as supply disruptions eased and export demand weakened, a survey showed Friday. The monthly purchasing managers index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group gained to 50.3 from Novembers 50.1 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 show activity accelerating. Chinese manufacturing has been hampered by shortages of some components including semiconductors and disruptions in shipping. Some areas ordered factories to shut down temporarily starting in September to meet official energy efficiency targets. A measure of new orders improved to 49.7 from Novembers 49.4, according to the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing and the National Bureau of Statistics, though demand still was weak. An index of export orders sank to 48.1 from 48.5. The overall recovery of Chinas economy is clearer, economist Zhang Liqun said in a statement issued by the federation. However, he said, the country needs to enhance the overall effect of the policy of expanding domestic demand and get industrial supplies flowing smoothly. GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) A western Colorado woman has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder after her children, ages 18 and 11, were fatally stabbed, the Glenwood Springs Police Department said. Claudia Camacho-Duenas, 37, was arrested Thursday after officers responded to a reported stabbing at 2:30 p.m. SAN DIEGO (AP) A diabetic woman who died when she drove the wrong way on a San Diego-area freeway and hit another car, killing two San Diego police detectives, had normal blood sugar and wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol, an autopsy concluded. Sandra Daniels, 58, had a normal glucose level, no alcohol and only a small amount of Valium in her system when she crashed head-on into another car on Interstate 5 in San Ysidro in June, according to a report by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office cited Thursday by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The sex-trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, ended with a guilty verdict, but that hasn't stopped the flow of false news that has swirled around the case. On Thursday, posts emerged falsely claiming that trial documents were sealed to protect Epstein who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes and his influential friends. At the same time, previously debunked claims reemerged on social media, including assertions that there was no media coverage of the high-profile trial. Maxwell was found guilty on five of six counts at the conclusion of the monthlong trial where she was accused of helping Epstein sexually exploit teenage girls. Here are some of the claims that spread online, and the facts you need to know about them: ___ CLAIM: The judge in the Maxwell case ordered details of Epsteins network sealed after the jury found Maxwell guilty. THE FACTS: Posts online are claiming that U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan ordered details of Epsteins network sealed and that prosecutors made a deal to protect Maxwells contacts. But that doesnt track with what actually happened. Details of Epsteins network came out at trial in numerous ways, through multiple witnesses and exhibits, including flight logs and bank records. And almost nothing was sealed. Last June, Nathan even ruled that two 2016 depositions from a civil case involving Maxwell could be used in her criminal trial. And troves of additional materials detailing what went on at homes where Maxwell and Epstein resided have been unsealed in the last two years after federal appeals judges and a Manhattan judge agreed that once-sealed records in a civil case against Maxwell should be released publicly. Almost every exhibit in the Maxwell trial was released publicly, including pictures of Epstein and Maxwell together. However, the judge did find at the outset of the trial that only certain pages from Maxwells address book identifying victims with the word massage next to them could be marked into evidence. ___ CLAIM: The judge in the Ghislaine Maxwell case issued a media-wide gag order over the trial with no livestream to keep scandalous details from leaking out to the public. THE FACTS: Members of the media were allowed to watch Maxwells trial. But federal courts do not allow cameras like some state courts do, and the discrepancy fueled confusion and conspiracy theories on social media. Ahead of the trial, news that the case would not be livestreamed began circulating. Some compared it to the fully televised Kyle Rittenhouse trial, which took place in state court. At one point, posts falsely claimed the judge placed a media gag order on the case and banned the press from attending. But reporters and members of the public were able to watch the trial live, both in the courtroom, as well as in overflow rooms where it was streamed for those who didn't get a seat. Reporters for The Associated Press were among those who attended the trial and journalists could be seen waiting in line to enter the courthouse. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed in a statement that the press would be allowed to attend the trial, and that there would be no live feeds except those within the courthouse. ___ CLAIM: Documents unsealed before the trial began showed a list of defendants, including some celebrities, who were named as co-conspirators in the case. THE FACTS: The list of purported defendants was not part of the criminal case against Maxwell. It came from a lawsuit filed in August 2020 that was separate from the criminal trial and dismissed as frivolous in less than a month. Social media users circulated the list of names and companies as Maxwell prepared to face trial. The dismissed civil case named nearly 40 defendants, including Epstein, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Disney and Universal Music Group. Maxwell was included as the 31st name on the list. The lead plaintiff alleged that over the course of 30 years, the defendants conspired to unlawfully surveil, drug and abduct them for sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other exploitative abuse and conspired to transact a purchase agreement to buy the plaintiff from their mother. U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton for the Southern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it did not have a legal or factual basis, and that the plaintiff, who did not appear to be an attorney, made claims on behalf of others, according to the dismissal order. ___ CLAIM: The CEOs of Twitter, Walmart and CNBC all resigned on the first day of the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. THE FACTS: Twitters CEO did step down on that Monday, but in his Nov. 29 announcement, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said he would remain on the board until his term expires in 2022. CNBC does not have a CEO and its chair did not resign. Nor did the CEO of Walmart, although the company said its chief financial officer would be stepping down but not leaving the company until 2023. ___ Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy and Larry Neumeister in New York, Sophia Tulp in Atlanta and Angelo Fichera in Philadelphia contributed to this report. ___ This is part of The Associated Press ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform. Heres more information on Facebooks fact-checking program: https://www.facebook.com/help/1952307158131536 SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) A relaxing day at the pond doesnt always result in pulling a fish out of the water. For a small group of area enthusiasts, theres nothing better than spending a breezy, warm day down at Pinhook Lagoon in South Bend or maybe Fidler Pond in Goshen testing their skills and the capabilities of their radio-controlled sailboats. Though large fleets have built up in Chicago, New York and other cities in this country and abroad, the Michiana R/C Yacht Club was only organized a few years ago and has slowly grown to four active members. In larger cities, radio-controlled sail boating might be associated with a country club or yacht club, whose members might be interested in joining such groups to build additional camaraderie or to express their competitive zeal. There even are organizations such as the American Model Yachting Association that promote the hobby by organizing events and publishing a magazine and newsletters, among other things. In Sarasota, Fla., the model yacht club has about 135 members that gets together at Nathan Benderson Park throughout the year to race their single-class boats, said Richard Lomax, who until recently served as managing editor of Model Yachting magazine. But the Michiana R/C Yacht Club is different. Most of the members dont actually own full-size boats, theres no home marina and theres little formalized racing, except when someone calls out a challenge like pushing in a plastic bottle that might be floating in the pond or playing fetch with notched pieces of wood. Radio-controlled yacht clubs that focus on racing generally require members have the same type of boat so that most of the difference between winning and losing is the result of the skills of the skipper or the person operating the controls of the transmitter that relays signals to the rudder and sails. The members of the Michiana club have an assortment of boats, many of which they hand-built in their workshops using patterns and parts available on the internet. You can spend as little or as much as you want, said Andy Baum, 64, of South Bend. Baum got into the hobby while searching for something that his son could do outdoors after he was injured in an automobile accident more than 10 years ago. It didnt stick with him, but it stuck with me, he said. And then Baum found John Schall, 69, of Niles, sailing his radio-controlled sailboats at Pinhook. The two struck up a friendship over their common interest, and eventually the club was formed. Other members such as George Jewell, 73, of South Bend, also came about the club almost by accident while driving by Pinhook about three years ago and noticing the activity, which Baum describes as almost therapeutic. Its a good way to forget problems at work, he said. You get outside on a nice day, and all of your focus is on controlling the boat. Though the club is currently peopled by four retired men, members are hoping to expand their circle and interest in the hobby. Anyone is welcome to join, said Baum, while showing off features of his hand-crafted boat in Jewells workshop. Ive taught children, and they pick it up almost instantly. In Sarasota, the radio-controlled club tends to attract members because of its prominent location in a popular park and the fact that many of the citys residents are transplants from other states who are looking for something to do, Lomax said. Its a good way to build friendships and camaraderie, Lomax said. Its a relatively inexpensive hobby that almost anyone can do. Members of the Michiana R/C agree with that assessment, adding that the hobby just requires a bit of hand-eye coordination to operate the toggles on the remote that control the boats rudder and play in the sails. The cost to buy or build a decent remote-control boat can run anywhere from just over $100 to several hundreds of dollars. Most of the men in the Michiana R/C Yacht Club built their own boats using kits or patterns sold on the internet, but there are also boats available that require minimal assembly. You dont have to be highly skilled or have an extensive workshop to build your own, said Baum, who has continued adding to his 1/24th scale cargo schooner for several years now and believes he might continue adding details for years to come. Baum still wants to add a lifeboat, furniture and lights to the boat, which he envisions moving cotton and timber along the East Coast at the turn of the last century. That boat named Nancy Katherine for his wife is all about the details, even down to the nautical knots. Though the schooner is meant to be used, Baum has a couple of others that he also sails, but the Nancy Katherine is the one that often draws the attention of passersby. Andys boat is the advertising for the club, said Schall, whos considered the MacGyver of the group because of the know-how hes gained building and sailing remote-controlled boats for 50 years. I focus on speed and maneuverability. Other members of the club fall somewhere in between Baum and Schall, mostly just out to sail and enjoy the camaraderie of a good day at the pond or in the workshop. We like to build things and do things, said Jewell, who said a solo day sailing at a pond isnt as good as enjoying it with others. Thats why the group is looking for new members - people of all ages who might enjoy the relaxation and friendships that can be built on the waters edge. Its very relaxing, Baum said. More Information: www.facebook.com/groups/173116379811119/ - Source: South Bend Tribune The Food and Drug Administration is expected by early next week to authorize booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, according to two people familiar with the FDA's plan. Some FDA officials had originally hoped to authorize a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week but faced scheduling challenges related to the holidays, according to the people with knowledge of the agency's plan who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe developing actions. The FDA decision would then be reviewed by vaccine advisers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that agency's top official this week vowed to move quickly on recommending the booster shots if the CDC's advisers concurred with FDA. "Of course, the CDC will swiftly follow as soon as we hear from them, and I'm hoping to have that in the days to weeks ahead," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday on CNN. Federal officials, public health experts and a growing number of parents have raised concerns that younger adolescents have been left disproportionately vulnerable to the fast-spreading omicron variant compared with other populations. Older teenagers are already eligible for boosters, and younger children have more recently received their initial vaccine doses, which means they probably have retained more immune protection than children who were vaccinated earlier. The omicron variant also has been linked to a rapid increase in pediatric hospitalizations this month. The FDA's plan was first reported by the New York Times. The FDA declined to comment. Pfizer referred questions about the timing of booster shot authorization to the agency. "As the booster is already authorized for 16 and over, we are confident regulators are making every effort to look for ways to preserve a high level of protection against the virus across broad populations," Jerica Pitts, a Pfizer spokeswoman, wrote in an email. Biden administration officials have urged Americans to get booster shots to raise their immune protection against the omicron variant, which has been shown to evade antibodies conferred by prior infections or months-old vaccinations. About 45% of the population age 18 and older has received a vaccine booster, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeffrey Zients said at a news briefing Wednesday. "But as the doctors continually emphasize: Everybody who is eligible should go get boosted as soon as possible," Zients added. Expanding booster eligibility to more children would "be much welcomed news, but it will have limited impact on the current omicron surge," said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. He has warned that the fast-spreading omicron variant will challenge the nation's health system. "By the time we could put in place vaccination locations and get kids scheduled, together with delayed improving immunity, [the omicron] surge is likely over," Osterholm said. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Republican-led commissions responsible for redrawing Missouris congressional districts on Thursday proposed new boundaries. GOP lawmakers released redrawn maps for the states eight U.S. House districts. Republican lawmakers said their proposal complies with the Supreme Court standard of one person, one vote. Critics have argued that standard could allow lawmakers and commissioners to redraw maps using only the voting-age population. All states currently base redistricting on total permanent population. The proposals still need to be passed by the full Legislature after lawmakers reconvene in January for their roughly five-month annual session. Legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years with new census data. State lawmakers make new U.S. House districts. Citizen commissions are responsible for drawing the state legislative districts. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) With the arrival of the new year, new laws are taking effect in New Mexico that aim to bolster access to health insurance and eliminate many court fines against juveniles that are viewed as counterproductive. One bill approved by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state's Democrat-led Legislature adds a 2.75% surtax on health insurance premiums the upfront payments made on behalf of an individual or family to keep insurance active starting Jan. 1, 2022. The current surtax is set at 1% of premiums. The tax increase will be used in large part to underwrite health-exchange insurance offerings for low- and moderate-income individuals, along with employees at small businesses, starting in 2023. Insurance Superintendent Russell Toal says the surtax will provide a crucial subsidy when Medicaid coverage under special federal pandemic provisions expires for an estimated 85,000 residents. Many patients who leave Medicaid are likely to seek out policies on the state insurance exchange. Separately, New Mexico is eliminating many fines and fees in the juvenile justice system that are viewed as potentially harmful and expensive to administer. Under the legislation from Democratic state Reps. Roger Montoya of Velarde and Gail Chasey of Albuquerque, the state will no longer collect a $10 application fee for assignment of a public defender in delinquency cases. The new law also eliminates fines for possession of marijuana by a minor and limits community service requirements to 48 hours for minors caught with pot. New Mexico in late June legalized nonmedical cannabis for adults 21 and older and authorized retail sales of recreational marijuana by April 1, 2022. Regarding the state's new surtax, several legislators Republican and Democratic have worried a tax increase on policies would be passed on to businesses and consumers by health insurance companies. Insurance officials say nearly 90% of the tax increase will fall on managed care organizations that provide Medicaid insurance. State officials also hope to use a portion of the new tax proceeds to attract more federal matching funds for local Medicaid providers. Toal says it is still up to the Legislature in 2022 to approve spending that reduces costs at the state health insurance exchange and helps small businesses. Lawmakers convene Jan. 18 for a 30-day session that focuses primarily on budgetary matters. LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) A Kansas woman faces sentencing in February after being convicted of second-degree murder in the hit-and-run death of a teenager from Leavenworth. The Kansas City Star reports that 28-year-old Amber N. Alexander, formerly of Leavenworth, was found guilty Thursday. Prosecutors presented evidence that Alexander had several drinks before leaving a bar in Lansing and driving to Main Street in nearby Leavenworth in August. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho's governor on Thursday rejected an official recommendation to commute the death sentence of an inmate who is dying of terminal cancer. Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. 65, has been on death row for 35 years after being convicted for the July 1985 slayings of two gold prospectors at a cabin north of McCall. His execution had been scheduled for June 2. The Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole said Thursday it had asked Gov. Brad Little to commute the sentence to life in prison. The vote was four to three. In suggesting changing the sentence the panel had cited Pizzuto's current medical condition and evidence of his decreased intellectual function. Pizzuto has bladder cancer, diabetes and heart disease and is confined to a wheelchair. Hes been on hospice care since 2019. In a letter Thursday afternoon responding to the commission, Little said he would not commute Pizzuto's sentence, noting the man committed the Idaho slayings shortly after being released from prison in Michigan where he had been convicted of rape. The severity Pizzuto's brutal, senseless, and indiscriminate killing spree strongly warrants against commutation," Little wrote. Pizzuto's attorneys with the Federal Defender Services of Idaho said in a statement they were grateful for the hard work and thoughtfulness of the commission, and had hoped Little would follow the lead of the commissioners and commit Idaho to a higher ideal by sparing Mr. Pizzuto an unnecessary execution. We are devastated and heartbroken that the Governor, showing no mercy whatsoever, so casually and quickly rejected the Commission's well-reasoned and thoughtful recommendation that Mr. Pizzuto deserves clemency, wrote Deborah Czuba, supervising attorney for the Capital Habeas Unit. Pizzuto's defense team will continue to pursue other avenues for preventing the purely vindictive and wasteful execution of a terminally ill old man, Czuba wrote. Mr. Pizzuto has been punished and in pain nearly every day of his miserable life -- more than 35 years of it wasting away in an isolated cell on death row. Mercy is justified for the crippled, dying man he is now, and a long time coming for the unloved, tortured boy who fell through the cracks," she wrote. Clemency requests are rarely granted in the United States, with fewer than two granted each year since 1976 according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Court records show Pizzutos life was marred by violence from childhood. Family members offered gruesome testimony that Pizzuto was repeatedly tortured, raped and severely beaten by his stepfather and sometimes by his stepfathers friends, and he sustained multiple brain injuries. Pizzuto was camping with two other men near McCall when he encountered 58-year-old Berta Herndon and her 37-year-old nephew Del Herndon, who were prospecting in the area. Prosecutors said Pizzuto, armed with a .22 caliber rifle, went to the Herndons cabin, tied their wrists behind their backs and bound their legs to steal their money. He bludgeoned them both. Pizzuto is one of eight people on Idahos death row. Idaho has executed three people since capital punishment was resumed nationwide in 1976. Keith Eugene Wells was executed in 1994, Paul Ezra Rhodes was executed in 2011 and Richard Albert Leavitt was executed in 2012. PERRY, Maine (AP) A Maine woman has been charged with murder in the shooting death of her ex-boyfriend over the weekend, state police said. Danielle Wheeler, 40, of Perry, was arrested Thursday following an investigation into the death of Jason Cowboy Aubuchon on Sunday, said Shannon Moss, spokesperson for Maine State Police. FOLEY, Mo. (AP) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating after an eastern Missouri sheriff's deputy shot a man after the man allegedly shot his own mother. Lincoln County deputies were called Thursday morning to a report of a domestic disturbance near Foley. Authorities say they found a 52-year-old woman arguing outside a home with her 34-year-old son. BALTIMORE (AP) Maryland recorded a second consecutive record day of new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the result of a surge in the virus thats also contributing to record hospitalizations in the state. State Department of Health data showed 14,316 new cases, while there were more than 2,100 patients in hospitals on Thursday. Most of the influx of hospitalized patients involve people who are unvaccinated, according to officials. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani security forces raided two militant hideouts in a former Taliban stronghold near Afghanistan, triggering shootings that killed four soldiers and two insurgents, the military said Friday. The first raid was carried our in the Tank district in the northwest, killing two militants, the statement said. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minneapolis this year recorded the highest number of homicides in over 20 years amid a nationwide spike in violent crime. The city has reported 96 homicides this year just one shy of a record set in 1995, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Homicides this year doubled from the count in 2019 as the city's most diverse and low-income neighborhoods saw the bulk of the violence. GOLDEN, Mo. (AP) Investigators say a southwest Missouri man died after an experimental plane crashed on the pilot's first solo flight. Kenneth Phillip Taylor, 53, of Golden, died in the crash near Eagle Rock Rock, Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd said. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) A federal trial set for January on litigation challenging North Carolina's voter photo identification law has been delayed while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether legislative leaders should be permitted to help defend the law in court. The Supreme Court said last month it would consider the request of House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger to formally step in to the case and defend the 2018 law along with state government attorneys. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) A new park is opening where a university farm once operated in south Louisiana. Saturday is opening day for 100-acre (40-hectare) Moncus Park in Lafayette, news outlets report. Formal ceremonies are scheduled Jan. 8. Enjoy the space, tell your friends come out, J.P. MacFayden, executive director of Lafayette Central Park Inc., told The Daily Advertiser. We want to see people out in the park. Were doing our jobs when people are out there and enjoying it. The park was named in 2016 for oilman and philanthropist James Moncus, who made a major donation to it. He died in April. Moncus Park currently includes a dog park, a fully stocked catch-and-release fishing pond and 2 miles of walking trails. Future plans include an inclusive playground, splash pad, amphitheater, veterans memorial and treehouse. As those are finished, theyll get their own ribbon cuttings. The park already has held a 12-day Christmas festival. For many years, the land was a dairy farm operated by the University of Louisiana, according to the park's website. After the schools equestrian center was located there, it became known as the Horse Farm. Danica Adams and Elizabeth EB Brooks started a community campaign called Save the Horse Farm after Adams was suddenly evicted from a house on the property in 2005. The university was considering sale to developers of a strip mall or residential development. The City of Lafayette bought the area of rolling hills for $6.8 million in 2012 to create a public park. Construction began in 2018. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday granted a three-month extension to a commission tasked with recommending changes to the state's child support payment laws. The Child Support Commission faced a deadline to issue a report to the governor and Legislature by the end of 2021, but Noem extended the commission until the end of March through an executive order. In its quadrennial report, the commission is tasked with recommending updates to state child support payment laws and had moved towards recommending a reduction of child support payments for parents with lower incomes. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Federal ambulance teams and additional National Guard members are headed for New York City, and western New York hospitals are getting more federal help, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations keep rising, state officials said Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul also announced that students at state universities and the City University of New York will have to get coronavirus vaccine booster shots to be on campus in the spring semester and must provide test negative before returning from the holiday break. We are being hit very hard," by the latest surge, driven largely by the virus' omicron variant, said Hochul, a Democrat. New confirmed case counts have been breaking records by the day in the state, topping 76,500 on Thursday, Hochul said at a news briefing. An average of 53,000 New Yorkers a day tested positive in the week that ended Thursday, compared to 13,000 per day two weeks earlier. Over 7,900 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide, up 67% in a week. About half those patients are in New York City, where 50 Federal Emergency Management Agency ambulance teams are due to start arriving early next month, Hochul said. Thirty federal ambulance teams were dispatched earlier to other parts of the state. Meanwhile, Hochul is sending 50 more New York National Guard members to bolster the 50 already there to help with non-medical tasks at health care facilities. Around the state, they are grappling not only with rising caseloads, but also with staffing pressures as workers are out sick or in quarantine. The governor began deploying National Guard members to help out at nursing homes and long-term care facilities about a month ago. A 35-member federal medical assistance team is expected to arrive next week at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, and a roughly 20-member team at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, state emergency services Commissioner Jackie Bray said. The booster requirement for state and city university students echoes measures some colleges elsewhere have taken. New York's rule takes effect Jan. 15, with the understanding that some students may have been vaccinated too recently to qualify for boosters. They will have to get the boosters once eligible. WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) A 16-year-old Delaware youth has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes related to the death of a young adult more than six months ago, state police announced on Friday. The unnamed juvenile male from Millsboro had been held at the state-run Ferris School treatment facility where state troopers went on Thursday for his arrest. He was arraigned in Family Court and remains in state custody on a $130,000 bond, Delaware State Police said in a news release. NEW YORK (AP) A Manhattan man has been charged in two fatal stabbings last week in Queens. Authorities said Raymond Kenner, 22, had blood on his clothing and a folding knife in his pocket when he was arrested in connection with the killings. SAN DIEGO (AP) A San Diego jail inmate was arrested on suspicion of killing his cellmate, authorities said Thursday. John Roman Medina, 18, of Chula Vista was held after a sheriff's deputy saw him attacking the other man Wednesday evening at the San Diego Central Jail, the county Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Deputies stopped the attack and pulled Medina from the cell. Dominique James McCoy, 38, of San Diego was given lifesaving measures by deputies and medical staff but he was pronounced dead at a hospital, authorities said. McCoy was booked into the jail on Dec. 23 on suspicion of possessing and selling drugs, the Sheriff's Department said. Medina was booked into the jail only three days before the attack on suspicion of felony child cruelty, cruelty to animals and assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said. He was re-booked on suspicion of murder. The killing remains under investigation. SEATTLE (AP) Seattle Public Schools will delay its return to classes by one day to allow for voluntarily COVID-19 testing Monday for all students and staff. The district said in a social media post that in-person classroom instruction would resume Tuesday. The states largest public school system said it has acquired 60,000 rapid antigen tests that can be used for its staff and students. CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) A St. Louis County man is accused of stabbing his wife to death days before a divorce hearing. Prosecutors on Thursday charged 50-year-old Michael P. Oshia of Florissant with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is jailed on $1 million bond and doesn't yet have a listed attorney. Court documents do not identify Oshia's wife but say the killing happened Wednesday at a home they shared. Prosecutors say Oshia shot himself with a shotgun after killing his wife, but survived the shooting. A divorce hearing for the couple had been scheduled for Monday. Oshia had been on probation after pleading guilty to a child pornography charge in Callaway County in a 2018 case. NEWTON, Mass. (AP) An Indiana man suspected of killing his girlfriend just days before Christmas has been apprehended at a rest stop along a Massachusetts highway, state police said Friday. Massachusetts State Police troopers and federal marshals located Alexander Ortiz, 36, of Anderson, Indiana, parked in a rest stop along Interstate 95 in Newton just outside of Boston at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, police said in a statement. He was inside the victim's car. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Political action committees backed by Nevada's largest teachers' union are suing the secretary of state to remove two of their own tax measures from the 2022 ballot. The Secretary of State has no discretion under law to refuse to permit Petitioners to withdraw their respective initiative petitions, and therefore Petitioners are entitled to writs of mandamus directing her to do so, the union's attorneys argue in the lawsuit filed this week. The lawsuit is the latest development in a protracted battle over taxes and education funding in Nevada that has ensnared both major political parties as well as the states most powerful industries and interest groups. It will likely be closely watched in Nevada due to its potential to sway next year's midterm elections and turn out voters concerned about education and taxes. The political action committees whose attorney also represents Democrats in the Nevada Legislature argue a new state law allows petitioners to withdraw ballot initiatives if the election day is 90 or more days away and cite a July opinion by Nevada's Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican who oversees elections in the state, wrote in a September letter to Ford that the state constitution requires she put the initiatives on the 2022 ballot. The lawsuit filed Wednesday asks the court to prevent the Secretary of State from putting the initiatives on the ballot. The 18,000-member Clark County Education Association spent much of 2020 gathering the hundreds of thousands of signatures necessary to qualify them, arguing Nevada would be able to better fund education with the additional general fund revenue the taxes would provide. The first initiative would effectively raise sales taxes in Las Vegas to nearly 9.9%, and the second would increase the gambling tax rate from 6.75% to 9.75%. The union submitted them after lawmakers cut K-12 education funding in 2020 amid the pandemic and a budget shortfall. Both measures received an icy reception from the Democrats who control the Statehouse and Las Vegas powerful resort industry, which worries tax hikes scare off tourists. State law generally requires lawmakers introduce petition-based proposals for consideration within 40 days of signatures being filed, otherwise the measures automatically head to the ballot in the next election. Lawmakers did not vote on them and later in the legislative session revised state law to allow petitioners to withdraw initiatives. During the 2021 legislative session, John Vellardita, the Las Vegas-based unions executive director, said the purpose of the initiatives was to start a conversation among lawmakers. The hanging threat helped force Nevada's major industries to come to the table in 2021 and negotiate a mining tax increase, which lawmakers eventually passed on the final day of the 2021 legislative session. With more than $85 million of the new revenue earmarked for education, John Vellardita, the Las Vegas-based unions executive director, promised to remove the initiatives from the 2022 ballot. He told The Associated Press in June that his strategic use of them contributed to the passage of the mining tax and a boost in education funding. In a statement on Wednesday, Vellardita said the initiatives were intended to raise new revenue for education and haven't been supported by the union since lawmakers increased education funding in May. The secretary of states office said it could not comment on pending litigation. ___ Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) After tough talk between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin over the Russian troop buildup on the Ukraine border, both sides insist they are hopeful that a pathway to easing tensions could open during diplomatic talks set for January. But with less than two weeks to go before senior U.S. and Russian officials are to meet in Geneva, the chasm is deep and the prospect of finding an exit to the crisis faces no shortage of complications. Biden on Friday told reporters that he advised Putin when they spoke by phone a day earlier that the upcoming talks could only work if the Russian leader deescalated, not escalated, the situation in the days ahead. The U.S. president said he also sought to make plain to Putin that the U.S. and allies stood ready to hit Russia with punishing sanctions if the Russians further invade Ukraine. I made it clear to President Putin that if he makes any more moves into Ukraine we will have severe sanctions," Biden said. We will increase our presence in Europe with NATO allies. Meanwhile, Biden's national security team on Friday turned their attention to preparation for the Geneva talks, set for Jan. 9 and 10, to discuss the Russian massing of some 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine. The Geneva talks, which are to be led on the U.S. side by senior State Department officials, are slated to be followed by Russia-NATO council talks and a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Biden is scheduled to speak by phone Sunday with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders plan to review preparations for the upcoming diplomatic engagements, according to the White House. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday debriefed Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the Biden-Putin call and discussed preparations for the upcoming summit. The two weeks ahead are going to be tough, said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland who was a top adviser on Eastern Europe to Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The Biden administration has done a pretty credible job of outlining, framing up the negotiations. But the toughest test is yet to come because Putin will continue to engage in threats and brinksmanship to see how determined we are." While Biden reiterated that he stood ready to exact sanctions that would reverberate throughout Russia, Kremlin officials doubled down on its warning to Biden about making a colossal mistake that could have enormous ramifications for an already fraught U.S.-Russian relationship. A top Putin aide on Friday reinforced that Russia stands by its demands for written security guarantees. Moscow wants it codified that any future expansion of NATO must exclude Ukraine and other former Soviet bloc countries and demands that the bloc remove offensive weaponry from countries in the Russian neighborhood. We will not allow our initiatives to be drowned in endless discussions, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the state RIA-Novosti news agency Friday. If no constructive answer comes in a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive course, Russia will have to take all necessary measures to maintain a strategic balance and remove unacceptable threats to our security. The Biden administration and NATO allies have made clear that the Russian demands are non-starters. The seemingly unrealistic rhetoric has made some in Washington question of how effective talks can be. Following the Biden-Putin call, a group of 24 former U.S. national security officials and Russia experts- a group that includes several officials who served in the Obama, George W. Bush and Clinton's administrations released a statement calling on Biden to immediately, and publicly, lay out the penalties Russia would face if Putin were to move forward with military action. The signatories of the statement included several former U.S. ambassadors, including Fried, Russia envoys Michael McFaul and Alexander Vershbow, and Ukraine envoys Steven Pifer and John Herbst. We believe the United States should, in closest consultation with its NATO allies and with Ukraine, take immediate steps to affect the Kremlins cost-benefit calculations before the Russian leadership opts for further military escalation, the group wrote. Such a response would include a package of major and painful sanctions that would be applied immediately if Russia assaults Ukraine. Ideally, the outline of these sanctions would be communicated now to Moscow, so that the Kremlin has a clear understanding of the magnitude of the economic hit it will face." The Russians for their part continue to make the case that they are facing an existential threat with Ukraine. Lavrov on Friday noted an increase in weapons supplies to Ukraine and the growing number and scope of joint military drills conducted by Western powers with Ukraine, charging that the Kyiv regime naturally perceives this support as a carte blanche for the use of force. He added that Russia will protect its citizens living in eastern Ukraine. As for residents of Donbas, where hundreds of thousands of our citizens live, Russia will take all necessary measures to protect them, he said. An adequate response will be given to any possible military provocations by Kyiv against Donbas. Simon Miles, a diplomatic and international historian of the Cold War at Duke University, said it would be a mistake for the White House to let Russia unilaterally set the tempo of what is about to unfold. Whatever the U.S. can do to keep the Russians on their back foot, as opposed to letting the Kremlin set the agenda, is going to be important to securing a favorable resolution, Miles said. - Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers are proposing a law that would stop county jails from charging excessive fees for phone calls. The bill would cap jail call charges to the same rates that national prepaid wireless telephone providers charge, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. It comes after a report from the Prison Policy Initiative found that some Wisconsin counties charges over $14 for a 15-minute phone call. Rep. Samba Baldeh, a Democrat supporting the bill, said those charges amount to making a profit on inmates who have not been convicted of any crimes and cuts them off from friends and family. They are innocent until proven guilty, Baldeh said. But at this point, they are treated as if they are guilty. The bill also prohibits jails from charging for calls or video conferences between inmates and their attorneys. The Prison Policy Initiative, an organization that advocates to reduce the number of people who are jailed and imprisoned, found that Polk, Green and LaCrosse counties all charged over $14 for a 15-minute phone call from their county jails. By Keith Burbank Bay City News OAKLAND (BCN) Well-known Bay Area journalist Gail Berkley-Armstrong has died, her former employer confirmed. Berkley-Armstrong, the daughter of late Oakland attorney and Oakland Post founder Thomas L. Berkley, was 74. She died Sunday after a lengthy illness. Berkley was the editor of the Sun-Reporter newspaper in San Francisco for 16 years following 32 years as her father's assistant at the Oakland Post. After her father died, the paper was sold in 2004 to Paul Cobb. "Gail was an institution in Bay Area journalism," Rep. Barbara Lee said in a statement. "She wrote about and lifted up the Black community for decades, including as the editor of the Oakland Post and most recently at the Sun-Reporter. "I spoke with her earlier this year on the centennial of the Tulsa massacre, and as always, her questions reflected her deep insight and her compassion for the subjects she covered," Lee said. "She was a voice for our community. One of her many accomplishments was the sister city agreement between Oakland and Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana, which helped to provide fresh water and sanitation to children there," she said. "My heart is with everyone who is mourning this loss today. May she rest in peace and power." Sun-Reporter publisher Amelia Ashley-Ward called Berkley-Armstrong "a quiet genius." "One of the best things I did in my life was to hire Gail Berkley," Ashley-Ward said. She uplifted the lives of African Americans across the country and gave them a voice, Ashley-Ward said. Former syndicated columnist Sandra Varner, founder of Varner PR Agency, submitted stories to then executive editor Berkley-Armstrong. Their relationship would last for 33 years. "Gail felt kind of like a sister," Varner said. Varner never saw Berkley-Armstrong angry, a sentiment shared in some way by others. "She was always a picture of grace," Varner said. "Pomposity was not a part of her," Varner said. Brenda Knight, a motivational speaker and founder of the women's empowerment group Ladies in Red, counted Berkley-Armstrong as a sister, too. Friends for about 30 years or more, Knight said Berkley-Armstrong had a "still and quiet strength," which is something she gave to others. "If I was giving empowerment, she was giving empowerment to me," Knight said. Berkley-Armstrong could simply do that with a smile, at least with Knight, Knight said. A former two-term trustee of the Peralta Community College District, Knight called Berkley-Armstrong a community person, who believed in the Oakland community and students. Former Oakland Post account executive Patricia Saunders, like others, described Berkley-Armstrong as quiet but strong. "She wouldn't come in hot," Saunders said of her experience working for Berkley-Armstrong. "She would listen to you," Saunders said. "And then she would speak her mind." Saunders worked for the Oakland Post for a short time, but the two women became friends and stayed that way. Berkley-Armstrong was a "quiet spirit, but she meant business," Saunders said. Surviving her are her husband Ray Armstrong, sisters Theon C. King, Miriam Rhea Berkley, and a host of other relatives. The family has not announced a date for a memorial service. Copyright 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The city of Pleasanton says it expects to receive the results of the latest Livermore Municipal Airport noise study, conducted in the last half of 2021, by the end of January. The data for what's called "single event noise" events, sound that is generated in a short time period likely by a single aircraft, is useful because such events are the source of most complaints reported by residents, many of whom are concerned about a pending expansion request from KaiserAir. KaiserAir, which operates out of Oakland and Santa Rosa, wants to add a 45-acre maintenance facility that would bring three Boeing 737s and other charter aircraft to Livermore. The company estimates about 100 737 flights would occur annually. When completed, the facility would include a 6.5-acre concrete apron, offices, a terminal, hangar space, maintenance service facilities, a self-fueling station, and fuel storage facilities. KaiserAir states that it plans to store and service aircraft used for charter flights out of Oakland and Sonoma County airports. The expansion would provide the city of Livermore with $300,000 in tax revenue and $150,000 each to Livermore and Pleasanton school districts. The number of flights at Livermore Municipal Airport was down in 2020, but jumped up in the first part of 2021, with the six-month tally increasing by 16 percent over 2019 operations. The city of Pleasanton said more flights appear to violate the voluntary guidelines Livermore adopted to restrict night flying and recommended flight paths. The city of Pleasanton has received more than 85 emails and a petition with more than 6,000 signatures concerning such violations. Sonoma County health officials Thursday urged residents planning to attend New Year's celebrations to take precautions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Gatherings should be limited to those who are fully vaccinated and, if eligible, boosted, according to county officials. Those who do attend gatherings should also wear a mask indoors and test for the virus prior to attending. While the county does not have restrictions on who can participate in private gatherings, county Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase said those who are unvaccinated should avoid holiday traveling and events altogether. For those who are planning to hold a gathering for New Year's, county health officials recommended that attendees wear well-fitting masks and avoid looser alternatives like cloth face coverings and bandanas, which are not as effective at preventing the spread of the omicron variant. Gatherings should be held outdoors, if possible, or ventilated well if held indoors, county officials advised. Gatherings should also be kept small. COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone age 5 and up. Information on how to schedule a vaccination or testing appointment can be found at https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus or by calling (707) 565-4667. Most testing and vaccination sites are expected to be closed Friday and Saturday, according to the county. Parts of Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove are closed after 1,000 gallons of sewage released from a manhole into a nearby storm drain, the Monterey County Health Department announced Thursday. The spillage resulted from roots and excess debris blocking an 8-inch sewage main, health officials said. The beach will remain closed indefinitely until water samples meet state standards. Health officials also initiated a rain advisory for county beaches during stormy conditions. Residents are advised to not swim or have contact with any ocean water until three days after rain. More information on Monterey Peninsula beaches can be found at www.mtyhd.org/beaches. Livermore attorney Steven Ahlers was disbarred this month because he failed to comply with conditions of his probation in two prior disciplinary cases, according to the State Bar of California, which licenses, regulates and disciplines attorneys. In the two disciplinary cases, Ahlers was suspended for periods of six months and two years. Ahlers failed to provide satisfactory evidence that he completed State Bar Ethics School and failed to submit quarterly reports in a timely manner to the Office of Probation. In 2015, Ahlers was found guilty of using a telephone or electronic communication device with the intent to annoy his domestic partner, a misdemeanor. The State Bar Court placed Ahlers on three years of probation and ordered him to complete 104 hours of counseling with a therapist. Ahlers did not immediately respond by phone or email asking for comment on the disbarment. A call to his attorney in the 2015 case was not immediately returned. Ahlers was admitted to the California bar in 2007. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is calling on the region's residents to forego burning wood in their fireplaces and wood stoves this weekend to prevent air pollution. While air quality is not expected to be poor during the New Year's holiday weekend and the district has not issued a Spare the Air alert, the district is still discouraging wood burning to prevent poor indoor and outdoor air quality. The district has also asked residents to not set off fireworks, which can also contribute to air pollution and create excess smoke and ash. According to the district, wood smoke contains small particles and carcinogens that can make the air unhealthy, especially for children, older adults and people suffering from respiratory illnesses. Bay Area residents can find air quality information from the district by visiting www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org. The city of Santa Rosa, in partnership with Catholic Charities, is opening a pop-up tent warming center for people in need, as the forecast calls for overnight temperatures to dip into the 30s Thursday night and as low as the upper 20s Friday and Saturday nights. The center, which is outdoors as a COVID-19 precaution, will be open from 8 p.m. Thursday until 7 a.m. Sunday in the Catholic Charities' Homeless Services Center parking lot at 610 Wilson St. The tents, which will not be set up for sleeping, will be heated. Masks are required and will be provided, and capacity is limited to 40. Those in need of an indoor emergency shelter will be given a referral. In lieu of volunteers, Catholic Charities is seeking donations of newly-purchased gear for cold and wet weather, including tarps, sleeping bags, rain gear and socks. Donations may be dropped off from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. For cold weather preparedness tips, visit srcity.org/ExtremeCold. The National Weather Service forecast for Friday for the San Francisco Bay Area calls for cool daytime temperatures under sunny skies. Overnight lows in the low 30s to low 40s. Highs are expected to range from the upper 30s to the upper 40s. Copyright 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. 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Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) Nam suggested that businesses wishing to export the fruit to the US should work with the plant quarantine units of Vietnam to complete necessary documents to soon export pomelos to the US. According to the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country has 105,400 hectares under pomelo trees, with a total output of nearly 950,000 tonnes. From now until the first quarter of 2022, Vietnam will harvest about 140,000 tonnes of pomelos. Currently, there are six types of fresh fruit of Vietnam exported to the US, namely dragon fruit, rambutan, mango, longan, star apple, and lychee. Vietnam's pomelo exports brought home nearly US$4.8 million in 2019, and US$10.9 million in the first nine months of 2020, up 246.2 percent over the same period in 2019. The main export markets of Vietnam's pomelo are the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, Canada, the European Union, Russia and some Asian countries. Vietnamplus Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health, on Friday said in a statement that out of the 10 million people, 5.8 million are adults who are partially vaccinated while 4.16 million people have taken the two jabs. Nairobi, Jan 1 (IANS) Kenyan Ministry of Health has said it had vaccinated more than 10 million people, achieving a target it had set for itself to attain before the end of 2021. "Another 20,121 doses have been administered to those between 15 and 18-years-old and 5,280 are booster doses," Kagwe added. The proportion of adults who are fully vaccinated now stood at 15.3 per cent and the government was working to vaccinate its overall target of 27 million people, said the official. The Cabinet Secretary observed that the country's cumulative Covid-19 positive cases stood at 295,028 after 2,791 more cases were reported as of Thursday from a sample of 9,384, Xinhua news agency reported. The vaccination of the 10 million people comes at a time when the east African nation is battling a surge in Covid-19 confirmed cases caused by the Omicron variant. Kenya has ramped up vaccination as it also fights vaccine hesitancy by denying some services to the unvaccinated. President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier on Friday announced that from January 1, 2022, the government would start to administer booster doses to those who are fully vaccinated to protect them from the new variant. --IANS int/khz/ Sify.com Movies Reviews Tamil Plan Panni Pannanum Plan Panni Pannanum review: An average comedy that has its moments Average comedy entertainer Source: SIFY By: MOVIEBUZZ Critic's Rating: 2.5 /5 Friday 31 December 2021 Movie Title Plan Panni Pannanum review: An average comedy that has its moments Director Badri Venkatesh Star Cast Rio Raj, Balasaravanan, Remya Nambeesan, Robo Shankar, Thangadurai, Munishkanth Plan Panni Pannanum has all the elements for a quirky entertainer and the film manages to keep us entertained till the first half with amusing characters and their funny problems. But the film struggles with a needless detour by exploring the problems of its female lead, her ambition, and the romantic angle in the second half. Sembi (Rio Raj) and Raju (Bala Saravanan) are colleagues turned friends, the latter's sister eloped with someone, and to know her whereabouts, they kidnap Aambal (Remya Nambeesan) who helped Raju's sister to run away with her boyfriend. Sembi and Raju come to know that the latter's sister is in Aambal's village and her marriage is about to happen the next day. Now, Raju, Sembi, and Aambal along with two comedy sidekicks (Robo Shankar and Thangadurai) decide to travel from Chennai to a village near Kodaikanal. Can they stop the marriage? Also, can Ambal go to the US to pursue her ambition? As said earlier, the first half is quite entertaining and the proceedings make us laugh throughout. Even the first twenty minutes of the second half is okay but once the director starts exploring the subplots including Aambal's parents and their common enemy, the film falls flat. Performance-wise, both Rio Raj and Balasaravanan share great chemistry and they excelled in their roles. Remya is adequate while Robo Shankar and Munishkanth are okay. Thangadurai is in fine form here besides Balasaravanan and Rio Raj. The film is not technically sound, the cinematography and music are strictly average. The makers could've easily trimmed twenty minutes of the film to make it crisper. Overall, Plan Panni Pannanum is an average comedy that has its moments but falls flat in the second half. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! The biggest challenge at the moment with the provision of rapid antigen tests to employees is their availability, he said. We will continue to monitor the situation and any government announcements, but anticipate this may be something that we do for employees working in key operational roles in the future. Riku Kaliramana runs Flagstaff News & Lotto on William Street in Melbournes CBD and said a further delay in workers going back to their offices will almost certainly push businesses such as his over the edge. Riku Kaliramana runs Flagstaff News & Lotto in Melbournes CBD and says that if office workers dont return soon, businesses such as his may need to shut their doors. Credit:Photo: Scott McNaughton Having just managed to ride out the successive COVID lockdowns, Mr Kaliramana said many small and micro-businesses in the CBD are banking on a better 2022. We were hoping this thing would last two years, so after this lockdown, maybe after school holidays we would come back, but everything is still the same. The revenue we used to generate in one week or one hour, we cant even generate that in a whole day at the moment. We used to trade 13 hours now we trade only 9 hours, and we used to have two workers but right now Im working by myself, Mr Kaliramana said. We need people in the city, thats all I can say, if theres no people in the city, then I dont think the city is going to be back like how it used to be, he said. For Paul Signorelli, managing director of the Doltone House Group of more than 30 events venues, Omicron has already thrown the business schedule in Sydney into disarray. Paul Signorelli of the Doltone House Group has been working from home since contracting COVID-19 at Christmas. Credit:Dean Sewell He was forced to cancel a New Years Eve event at Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont after 70 per cent of the 350 guests cancelled their tickets. Three grooms with COVID-19 postponed their weddings which were scheduled for January. And the long-awaited January reopening of Biaggio Cafe, closed since March, has also been put on hold. Most of Biaggios regular patrons from the nearby Google building in Pyrmont are still working from home. That cafe is a victim of COVID. It just hasnt had a chance to reopen, said Mr Signorelli. For the next quarter there have been a few nervous clients especially in the corporate sector and in the social sector which is the weddings and private events. This Omicron has spooked a lot of people the way it is travelling through the community. Since getting a positive COVID-19 test result on Christmas Day, Mr Signorelli has been working from his home and many of his staff are also isolating. We have seen a bit of a hand brake pulled up [on staff returning to the workplace], all services will be affected in January and February as we come out of New Years Eve, he said. Paul Nicolaou, executive director of Business Sydney, said many Sydney businesses were re-evaluating their timelines for bringing staff back to their workplaces based on high case numbers and the latest government advice. And its a sentiment shared by almost all the major CBD employers. Major accounting and consultancy group KPMG has indicated that its return to work plan may be in trouble given the outbreaks in NSW and Victoria. Our people are currently enjoying their annual holiday shutdown, with our offices due to re-open from 10 January, Dorothy Hisgrove, national managing partner people & inclusion, KPMG said. Our Work from Anywhere policy means that people can choose where they wish to work. However, in geographies such as NSW and Victoria where the current health advice is to work from home if you can, we will be encouraging our people to respect this, Ms Hisgrove added. Given the uncertainty surrounding the supply of RATs and rising case numbers, Tim Finlayson, the chief operating officer of big four law firm King & Wood Mallesons, said the firm would continue to encourage a hybrid way of working. Loading At this point in time, it still remains a personal choice for our people when they work in the office unless the role cannot be performed remotely. Another of the big four law firms, Herbert Smith Freehills, was also aiming to reopen its offices on January 10, but a spokeswoman said that decision could be reviewed. We are closely monitoring the latest developments in the pandemic and will review our plans closer to our re-opening date. That son is PhD student Mada, who lives with his partner, Zoe, a Darumbal woman. He inhabits a university setting of arbitrary cruelty not unlike the ravages of disease itself marked by neoliberal realpolitik and a craven sense of decrepitude. When we first meet Lori, she has stepped into the sea, hoping to end her life. Two surfers rescue her and the moment seems to kindle a kind of renewal: She has made a promise to her son, and this time she intends to keep it. To start living, right now. Not dying, but living. For that is the only way to make it through: to live, to really live, until youre dead. The fatal dance of the title of Berndt Sellheims new novel his second after 2013s Beyond the Frames Edge refers both to the dance of fate and of Huntingtons disease. The disease is one suffered by Lori, a young and disinhibited woman. The Fatal Dance is also concerned with larger ideas of chance: the fates that can befall a life, for which Huntingtons, a random and inherited disease, stands as metaphor. Here is Mada, hoping to find a cure for his mothers condition: A way to save his mother, or at least limit her symptoms. As the disease progresses in Lori, the jerking movements the chorea caused by the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, the fatal dance by which Huntingtons is most frequently identified will make her life increasingly unmanageable. Not to mention the mental and behavioural declines that go hand in hand with the physical ones. If only Mada can find a way to limit the chorea, save what remains of her brain, his mothers life will be far more enjoyable. Credit: Madas quest to discover a cure also invokes questions of fate and decision: what can be fixed? How much control do we have over our lives? Through this, Mada also faces the question of whether or not to test himself to know if he, too, has Huntingtons. But perhaps there is something to be said for not knowing. As Sellheim writes, its never far from his mind, the shuddering genetic death sentence powering the urgency of his search. His failure to be tested before now is something that he doesnt fully understand, but he suspects it largely comes down to the echoes of testimonies hes read: that you cannot unknow once knowledge has been granted. Who would choose, willingly, to know the time and manner of their passing? And what is the use of knowing if theres no treatment, nothing to be done? Shall we dance? It may be one of the most rewarding questions to ask in 2022, which promises to showcase the depth of our vigorous dance talent. Its also one of the many classic George and Ira Gershwin tunes in the musical An American in Paris, opening at Arts Centre Melbourne on March 18 for a four-week season. In a theatrical first, performers from The Australian Ballet will join the cast, adding even more dance weight to this acclaimed production inspired by the 1951 film starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. This stage version opened on Broadway in 2015, winning four Tonys, including Best Choreography for Christopher Wheeldon. The show is unashamedly about love, according to principal dance director Sean Kelly, who calls the Parisian storyline incredibly romantic. An American in Paris. There is so much brilliant choreography in it that the athleticism and energy is palpable, he says. The physical and technical challenges mean that the cast needs to cover a variety of skills. Its a dancers musical, with even scene transitions a part of the choreography. The Book of Boba Fett Disney+, on demand A lot has happened in the decades since we all sat, wide-eyed, in the cinema as the screen lit up with the words A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away .... Since then, the scale of the Star Wars franchise has sometimes seemed overwhelming. Movie piled upon movie, trilogy piled upon trilogy, action sequence piled upon action sequence. And way too many toys for one (big) little kid to collect. Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) on the mean streets of Tatooine. Credit:Lucasfilm At the same time, the Star Wars universe still seems preciously small. It is not as big as Doctor Who, which is onto its umpteenth Doctor and having churned out seasons of episodes every year since 1963, barring what we politely call its interregnum in the 1990s. And it is not as big as Star Trek, which has cranked out a dozen or more movies and now close to 10 television series spin-offs, going boldly in every direction. Star Wars, in contrast, at least in the live action realm, has just 11 movies to its name (13 if you include the two Ewok-themed telemovies). And on top of that, a scant few new additions, notably Jon Favreaus masterwork western-thriller, The Mandalorian. Though more are coming: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka and others. The paucity of live action Star Wars perhaps explains why even its worst iterations, such as 1978 shocker Star Wars Holiday Special, still fascinate us, even after all these years. We are living in an age of uncertainty, a time when we have more questions than answers, and nothing seems to make much sense. The past two years have forced us to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves the tough questions: Who am I? What does it mean to be happy? Do I have a cold, or is it COVID-19? The number one Most Googled celebrity question in Australia for 2021: Is Mel Gibson Australian? But while our existential crisis adds up, what makes less sense are the queries were punching into Google. This years list of most searched terms includes all the usual suspects (COVID, the Olympics, Prince Phillip), but dig a little deeper, and things get, well, weirdly specific. I present the (very odd) collection of most Googled celebrity questions in Australia this year. Is Mel Gibson Australian? A friend recently declared December 29 the best day of the year. Its the middle of that wondrous period between Christmas and New Year when time stands still, the days merge, no one is weighed down by plans or responsibilities, and most of us are free to relax together under the sun. Of course, it hasnt quite been the same this year. Nor was it last year, come to think of it. In Sydney, weve spent the so-called silly season tuned to a fast action replay of COVID-19s greatest hits rising case numbers, changing rules, bickering factions. Just when you wanted all the drama to bugger off and take a holiday, it intensified to fever pitch. Highs and lows: Ash Barty winning Wimbledon; NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet; former premier Gladys Berejiklian; COVID-19 testing queues; and last orders at the Marigold Restaurant in Chinatown. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald Many of us skipped town to see family and friends, as we usually do at this time of year, after so many months of lockdowns and closed borders and separation. It meant lining up for hours in the heat for a test that just days later was ruled unnecessary and, indeed, a burden on the system. For those of us who stayed, Sydney has been surreal. Just as the weather finally started to resemble summer, friends started cancelling plans, every second person seemed to be isolating and the vibe suddenly got all Lockdown 3.0. So much for the bacchanalian hot vaxxed summer. I am reassured to see the flocks of screeching cockatoos swoop past my back balcony late each afternoon, and that they are still so loud I cant hear on the phone. I am relieved that white peaches and nectarines, and mangoes, are as sun-kissed sweet as I remember. And that the sky is blindingly blue and the air pure and breathable. This is the Sydney I remember and to which I returned, less than three weeks ago, after living in New York for more than four years. I am reassured and relieved by these perhaps pedestrian markers because so much else has changed that I am finding parts of my country unrecognisable. There are so many areas of policy that are being mismanaged or ignored by the federal and NSW governments that it raises the question of whether we are still even being governed. But it is the handling of the coronavirus that exposes the scary extent to which competence has collapsed. Illustrators: Simon Letch Credit:SMH This is what I witnessed first-hand living under the Trump administration, but I managed to temper my outrage, and my fear, with my belief that there was at least one country in the world that still practised good government. At least you have somewhere sane to escape to, American friends would say after yet another Trump atrocity. Not totally true, it turned out, as the Australian government slammed its borders shut to all except movie and sporting stars, their political mates and those rich enough to afford $20,000 fares plus the costs of hotel quarantine. Good evening and thanks for reading our live coverage of the New Years Eve celebrations across Sydney and Melbourne. Heres a brief recap of the days events in case youre just joining us. Sydney has rung in the new year with its massive annual fireworks display. More than six tonnes of fireworks were released from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Crowds across the harbour were much lower than in previous years. It comes after NSW recorded 21,151 cases of COVID-19 on Friday and six deaths. It was also a subdued New Years Eve in Melbourne, with smaller crowds than originally anticipated across the CBD and waterfront suburb of Docklands. There were four official celebration areas and people were told to avoid the city unless they had tickets or a restaurant booking. Victoria recorded 5919 cases of COVID-19 on Friday and seven deaths. For those wondering, the national news blog will be back in its usual form bright and early Monday morning. Until then, have a great weekend. Queensland will end the year with 11,697 active COVID-19 cases, after a record 3118 new cases were reported on Friday. The end-of-year surge in a state that had been, to this point, relatively untouched by the pandemic, has been driven largely by the highly infectious but milder Omicron strain of the virus. Masks on at Howard Smith Wharves this week. Credit:Joe Ruckli Despite the exponential growth in cases, Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said he remained confident the states health system could cope. Adding to the strain on the health system, however, were 193 COVID cases among Hospital and Health Service staff across Queensland, with more than 665 in quarantine as close contacts. The search for a woman who fell off rocks near a walk on Victorias south coast has come to a tragic end, with authorities finding her body on Friday morning. The 43-year-old woman, from Officer in Melbournes south-east, was fishing with her family near the George Bass Coastal Walk at San Remo about 10.50am on Thursday when she fell into the water. The coastline near San Remo, close to Phillip Island. Victoria Police said on Thursday it was believed she was swept off rocks. Authorities mounted a search for the woman with the assistance of the police air wing, Life Saving Victoria and an ambulance helicopter, but were still yet to find her as of 9.30pm on Thursday. In the 15 minutes before the ambulance arrives, Daniel Macklin sits with the young woman in the middle of the night, in the middle of a road, in what feels like the middle of nowhere. When the ambulance arrives, throwing more light onto the scene, he realises with a lurching panic that this might be the woman he is currently dating. Shes wearing similar clothing. He spots her handbag, sitting upright in the opposite lane, and searches for a phone, desperate to call an emergency contact. The screen comes alive with an image of the woman and an older man. This is not his lovers father, he thinks. This is not my lover. On the phone he sees no missed calls or messages. He hits the brakes. Everything slingshots towards the windscreen: the dogs slam against their cage, Macklins collarbone snaps, his teeth chip against the steering wheel. Hell be unaware of these injuries until a day later: right now hes desperate to find his phone to call triple zero. He finds it and steps out into the inky black. Are you okay? he calls out, the thin white phone light revealing bits of his car everywhere. Then he falls over the womans body , cutting his knees on the bitumen. I tried to help, he says. But it was too late. A girl has just popped out of the middle of nowhere, he tells me. But not just popped out, she ran in. He follows Metung Road up a hill, leaving behind the town lights. He passes the dog kennels that care for Jasper and Kiro and is now deep into farmland that gently undulates between Metung and the Tambo River. Then, rounding a soft bend 4.5 kilometres from Metung, a woman appears out of the pitch-black, running across the opposite lane towards his car. Macklin loads the dogs into the back of his brand-new, $60,000 Toyota RAV4 (lovely car, great car), into which hes sunk his entire recent divorce payout. He cruises past the Metung shops, past the yacht club, and in a decision that still haunts him past the Rosherville Road turnoff, his regular shortcut home to Swan Reach, 10 minutes away. The musics on, but not too loud. And hes driving just under the 70-kilometre speed limit because, as a local, he knows this is wombat territory. Its just before 1am, an odd time to be walking dogs. But Daniel Macklin has just clocked off from a forklift-driving shift in Bairnsdale, in eastern Victoria. Now, early on this Monday morning in October 2019, the 33-year-old has driven to Shaving Point, a picnic area in nearby Metung, to give Jasper and Kiro a run and quick sausages cooked up on the public barbecue. Ashleighs mother Theresa and brother John (both pseudonyms) were left not only with unrelenting grief, but with many unanswered questions about that night about what Ashleigh was doing alone on that road, and what they see as Higginss odd behaviour that night and his hurtful actions since. In all honesty, I dont think it was just the media that tipped Ashleigh over the edge, says John. I think theres more to it. Then, the day after Ashleigh died, there was silence. The media noted no suspicious circumstances and moved on. The coroner found Ashleigh Petrie took her own life by deliberately running in front of a car. His report, which Good Weekend has seen, has not been made public. Higgins returned to the bench and a few months later to his long-term partner, Lurline Le Neuf. In all honesty, I dont think it was just the media that tipped Ashleigh over the edge. I think theres more to it. Nineteen days earlier, the woman Macklin hit 23-year-old Ashleigh Petrie had gone from an unknown court clerk to the focus of a media storm and legal controversy. On October 9, 2019, in a front-page story, Melbournes Herald Sun newspaper had revealed her relationship with then 68-year-old magistrate Rodney Higgins, 45 years her senior. The story went viral, and sparked serious questions about power and workplace culture in Victorias court system. The relationship was raised in the Victorian parliament and a complaint later dismissed was fired off about Higgins to the Judicial Commission, the oversight body for judges in the state. Eventually Macklin is taken to Bairnsdale, where he clears an alcohol and drugs test. The detective said: Mate, Michael Schumacher couldnt have stopped. Youve done nothing wrong. Then he said: I dont want you watching the news. This girls well known. I wish I could have protected her, says Theresa. She was 23 and you cant go kidnap her. I would have loved to have kidnapped her and spoken sense into her. And when your trusting, big-hearted daughter becomes an adult, theres only so much you can do. Ashleigh was a lover of inside jokes; bubbly, happy, generous. About seven months before she died, Ashleigh dragged her mother and brother around the city streets until 10pm, handing out hot cross buns to the homeless. We werent allowed to eat before we gave out all the buns, remembers Theresa. But with this generous heart came a trusting soul. She was young and naive, very naive, I probably sheltered her a bit too much in life, says Theresa. She trusted everybody. In years 11 and 12, at her high school in Hoppers Crossing, Ashleigh hit the books. Post-it notes bloomed around the house as she committed her studies to memory. She was uninterested in partying or boys. Id take her to a party and say, Dont ring me for a few hours, says Theresa. But within an hour shed be home, saying she had to study. It paid off: Ashleighs marks got her into a psychology degree at RMIT University (she switched to criminology after six months). Ashleigh Louise Petrie was born in 1995, in Melbourne. John followed two years later. Theresa and then-husband Peter (they separated in 2015), lived in the citys outer-western suburbs and the kids grew up under her protective watch. I never took my eyes off my kids, she says. Ashleigh was Daddys little girl, but mother and daughter were also close, only 16 years apart. I was like her big sister, Theresa laughs through tears. Actually, she hated that comparison! Ashleigh loved watching Keeping up with the Kardashians. She was chubby then, after a health kick, skinny. This is my second interview with Theresa, both conducted with a lawyer present. Her wariness is understandable: she partly blames the medias scorching spotlight for her daughters death and guards her own privacy strenuously. This is why Good Weekend has changed her and her familys names. Theresa Petrie lives alone in a regional town an hours drive west of Melbourne. Hers is the back flat in a row of four small, 1980s-style brick units. On a Saturday in early March, Theresa straight blonde hair, striped top, jeans welcomes me into her spotless unit, where the floorboards are shiny and Ashleigh is everywhere. Framed on the wall, in a soft apricot dress, shes with Theresa and John on Mothers Day. In a corner, in a shrine-like setting, shes pictured with a gold garland crowning her long brown hair. She looks almost like a forest nymph; a beauty from another world. In late 2015, after his marriage ended, Gowty moved back to Shepparton, his home town, and bought a picture-framing business. Ashleigh followed about four months later, commuting to Melbourne to study. Then in late 2016, she landed a job as a court clerk at Shepparton Magistrates Court. She seemed to excel at it. Everyone thought she was wonderful, says Gowty. She eventually switched to studying law online at the University of New England. There were challenges. For a start, he was married. Also: mismatched energy levels. Ashleigh wanted to party until 5am. He was ready for a cup of tea and bed by 10pm. She made me feel younger and I made her feel more mature. So we averaged out somewhere in the middle. Gowty and Ashleigh met at Hoppers Crossing Bunnings in 2014. He was an account manager there, she a casual salesperson. He was 44, she 18. She was very smitten with me and I liked that, he says. Certainly, there was an element of liking attention from a young girl and a very attractive girl. So it just blossomed from there, I guess. Before everything soured, the two couples were friends here, often socialising with neighbours on the lawn. It was not uncommon to sit outside on a nice Friday night in summer and open a bottle of wine and suddenly its two in the morning, Gowty says. We climb the timber stairs to his outdoor alcove. Gowty stands, chain-smoking next to the barbecue. Hugo, his one-eyed black-and-brown cat, watches from an inside window ledge. Through the window I can see the closed roller blinds that block any view of Higgins and Le Neuf on their deck. In late February I drive to Shepparton, a rural hub two hours north of Melbourne, to meet a man that Ashleigh trusted implicitly: Stuart Gowty, 50, her former boyfriend of five years. After lunch, Gowty soft, friendly face, blue eyes, chambray shirt stands with me on a Goulburn River walking track. We look across an expanse of lawn to a row of riverfront houses. The smaller corner house is Gowtys rental. Next door, with its extensive balcony, belongs to Higgins and Le Neuf. As you can see, his is bigger than mine, Gowty says wryly, as a flock of cockatoos roughly announce themselves in the river gums behind us. Despite the hurt, a post-relationship friendship blossomed between Ashleigh and Gowty. Stop worrying about having a boyfriend, he says he told her. Go to work, do your studies. I pray for nothing more than for you to meet a nice guy your own age. Higgins was first posted to the Gippsland courts and, in late 2017, Higgins and Le Neuf moved to Mirboo North, a South Gippsland town two hours east of Melbourne. Back in Shepparton, Gowty grew ever more suspicious. Ashleigh seemed to always know when Higgins and Le Neuf were visiting Shepparton. Then, on New Years Eve 2018, there was another lawn party incident. Rod went inside to use the bathroom and Ashleigh followed him in, or something like that, says Gowty. Lurline realised something was going on. In January, Ashleigh and Gowty broke up over the affair and she moved out, transferring her job to the Melbourne Magistrates Court. In 2013 and 2014, Higgins ran for Labor in the federal and state elections respectively. He had little chance of winning over the conservative-leaning Shepparton locals in either election, but Labor needed to be on the ballot and someone had to do it. (They should vote for me because I stand for social justice, Higgins told The Shepparton News in 2014.) In September 2017, when the Andrews government appointed Higgins to the bench noting his proven ability to navigate complex and sensitive legal issues the Liberal Party cried jobs-for-the-boys. Higgins elevation, shadow attorney-general John Pesutto complained, undermined the judiciarys independence. Born in 1951 , Rodney Higgins worked for decades as a wharfie and union official. He joined the Labor Party in 1978 and was later a local branch president. Through the 1990s, Higgins studied arts and law part-time and was briefly mayor of Moreland, an inner-north municipality. In 2001, after separating from wife Lee (with whom he has three daughters now aged in their 40s), Higgins moved to Shepparton as a criminal lawyer and 16 months later met Le Neuf. Then, in late 2017, he noticed something between Ashleigh and his neighbour Higgins. It was at one of the neighbourhood gatherings, a bogan-themed party. Gowty, who went in footy shorts and fake love-bites, remembers he wasnt the only one who noticed. Even Lurline made a comment like: Well have to keep an eye on these two. Three years into the relationship, Gowty inked a sign of his devotion into his skin: three cursive capitals ALP Ashleigh Louise Petrie in a forearm tattoo. But the relationship was not smooth sailing. They broke up several times. Ashleigh, he says, was easily led by others and suffered from depression and mood swings (she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19). There was one suicide attempt, which Gowty saw more as attention-seeking than a definite decision to end things. The inner-east suburb of Richmond was now where Ashleigh called home. On the Saturday night of March 2, 2019, she went out to a local pub. She met a man there, and later that night an incident occurred that was deeply traumatising. In distress, Ashleigh rang Gowty, who drove to Melbourne the next day. She rang Higgins, too numerous times but he was away with Le Neuf. On Tuesday March 12, Ashleigh sent Theresa and John a text: I love you. Sensing something was wrong, they rushed to Richmond. A friend had pulled Ashleigh back after shed climbed over a barrier to jump off a balcony. The catalyst, John and Theresa believe, was Ashleighs belief that Higgins had decided to stay with Le Neuf. But Ashleigh was also extremely distressed about the Richmond incident, says John. I was driving her to the hospital and she had to tell my old man what happened over the phone, because he was worried. She was a mess. She was bawling her eyes out. Ashleigh went to police about the incident but according to Theresa, John and Gowty was torn about proceeding: shed seen in her job how victims of such experiences are treated in the justice system and worried how a court case would affect her legal-career ambitions. So at some point, she wrote to police requesting no further police action. Their investigation ended. But the trauma didnt end. Researchers have recently found clear links between traumatic events and the worsening of mood disorders such as bipolar, and the coroner later found the incident detrimentally affected Ashleighs mental health until her death. Ashleighs social media accounts documented her relationship with Higgins. Credit:Jennifer Soo In late March 2019, Le Neuf returned to Shepparton from Mirboo North, her partnership with Higgins over. Gowty, friends and neighbours gathered around her. Ashleigh and Higgins were now officially a couple, but Ashleigh continued to struggle. On June 3, a distressed Ashleigh rang Gowty. She was feeling insecure about her relationship with Higgins. Late that night, Gowtys phone rang again. It was Higginss number. He braced for a conversation with the magistrate, but instead heard Ashleigh talking very slowly, her breathing laboured. She had taken a knife to her wrists while Higgins slept. Gowty called an ambulance to the Richmond apartment Ashleigh shared with a flatmate, and she was taken to hospital. She discharged herself later that night and took an Uber home. By now, Theresa who had in the past viewed Ashleighs self-harming as largely attention-seeking was extremely worried about the Higgins relationship and despairing of the states mental health system (in its final report in February, a royal commission found the system had catastrophically failed to live up to expectations). I said to her: Just come home. But she wouldnt come home. Two more significant acts of self-harm followed in June and July, the coroner noted. In late June, Ashleigh saw a psychotherapist who later told police she thought Ashleighs self-harm took place in the context of excessive drinking after conflict with Higgins. She saw in Ashleigh a pattern of involvement with older, more influential and powerful adults and that while Ashleigh appeared capable and confident she was also extremely vulnerable, especially given her addictive behaviour with alcohol. Theresa and John never saw Ashleigh as struggling with alcohol and certainly not drinking alone. But they did witness Ashleigh and Higgins drinking heavily at places such as Crown Casino. After the June suicide attempt, Ashleigh took leave from the Magistrates Court to recover. Around this time, Le Neuf took out a restraining order against her (Good Weekend asked why, but received no response). By July, Ashleigh had moved in with Higgins in Mirboo North. Things had been rocky, but in a few months, Ashleigh would get something she deeply coveted: a marriage proposal. When Higgins popped the question on a Fijian holiday in late September 2019, Ashleigh took to Instagram. I said YES! [diamond ring emoji]. In the picture, Ashleigh, showing off her ring, has the sort of blemish-free, even-toned skin lent only by youth and a generous application of foundation. Higgins skin is a mottle of pink and brown sun damage. What an amazing 10 days it has been here in Fiji! Firstly I arrived as Rods (sic) girlfriend and I leave as rod (sic) fiance! , the caption reads. I cannot wait to become Mrs Higgins! It started with a crush and now I have a ring on my finger. The love of my life asked me to marry him and I said YESSSS. (In another post Higgins holds his seniors card: Dating a senior citizen my community work is done, Ashleigh jokes.) Theresa congratulated her daughter but still harboured deep concerns about the age gap. It started with a crush and now I have a ring on my finger, Ashleigh wrote of her engagement. On October 8, Gowty won a restraining order against Ashleigh: he could no longer deal with her constant calls. I told her: I love you, but I cant do this. Late that night, Gowtys mobile burst into life: Herald Sun court reporter Shannon Deerys first article on Ashleigh and Higgins had hit the internet. The couples engagement, it said, had triggered an email warning to Magistrates Court staff about inappropriate relationships. Deery, who declines to speak to Good Weekend, had been digging into the Magistrates Court culture for months. In March, a magistrate was stood down following Deerys report of allegations that hed sexually assaulted a woman at a Christmas party. Deery knew of several inappropriate relationships between magistrates and young clerks but could only confirm the Higgins/Petrie relationship, as Ashleighs social media posts were publicly accessible. Deery went on to expose a rumoured X-rated romp between a magistrate and a clerk in the Childrens Court and report that three magistrates were spoken to about dealings with younger clerks. (Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan, who was appointed in November 2019, did not respond to questions about the court culture under her predecessor Peter Lauritsen, but told Good Weekend she is unwaveringly committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace.) The Higgins-Petrie story took on a life of its own. Everyone had an opinion: she was a gold-digger, he the shallow opportunist. Ashleighs social media accounts were mined for pictures, including her bikini-clad on a beach. In a leaked staff email, then Herald Sun editor Damon Johnston praised Deery for the scoop and noted the articles had attracted 30 new subscriptions. Following Ashleighs death, the ABCs Media Watch program asked Johnston how the story was in the public interest. The paper had been told of concerns raised with Lauritsen, including a perceived power imbalance between the pair. Several senior legal figures and court sources, Johnston added, believed the relationship could compromise court operations and Higgins sentences may have been influenced, or had the potential to be. (This idea originated from an event at a legal conference where Ashleigh allegedly described Higgins as too soft and boasted that she helped him decide sentences. According to media reports, a clash with a senior criminal barrister ensued and Ashleigh threw a glass of wine over him.) Two weeks after the Herald Suns report, shadow attorney-general Ed ODonohue, a state Liberal MP, made a complaint against Higgins to the Judicial Commission, breathing fresh life into the story. He alleged Higgins lacked judicial independence due to his relationship with Ashleigh (partly based on media reports of the legal conference incident), was involved in a drunken incident at Crown Casino and that his appointment was politicised. (In April last year, the Commission dismissed the first two complaints due to lack of supporting information, and the third because it was beyond its jurisdictional scope.) For Ashleigh, the media storm was suffocatingly intense. Shed be ringing me crying, says Theresa. One day she said: Oh my god, [the media] are at my door. She walked out of her legal exams, unable to concentrate. Higgins later told police that on the evening of October 20, Ashleigh left his Mirboo North house, texting that she would walk in front of a truck. He says he found her walking down the middle of a road in Leongatha, a 20-minute drive away. (Higgins declined a request to be interviewed for this story and did not respond to written questions.) But heres the complex bit: Ashleigh, though not involved in Deerys first story, began regular contact with him soon after, even providing the information for another story, published on October 19, about her one-month relationship with magistrate (and former The Castle actor) Costa Kilias, then 59. The Herald Sun provided Media Watch Facebook Messenger texts to prove Ashleighs involvement. These show her offering to anonymously confirm or deny any tips and provide goss. On the Kilias article she said: Anyway good luck [thumbs up emoji] its a good article (not flattering for me) but its good!.. And its true! In another exchange, Deery said: Ill do it tomorrow. Only if youre sure. Ashleigh replied: Im certain right now! I wont change my mind! On October 25, two days before her death, Ashleigh wrote: Im going to the mint [a bar frequented by Melbourne court staff] tonight which Ill be able to get goss! Ill keep it for when your [sic] back. The Daily Mail, which ran seemingly endless digital reams on the relationship, and the Herald Sun told Media Watch Ashleigh wanted to raise concerns about the courts culture. Theresa and John agree. She told me she had a lot of dirt on the courts and she wanted to go public with it, says Theresa. John adds: She wanted to make a difference. But it backfired and it turned into an article about her. According to the coroners report, Theresa said that although Ashleigh liked attention, she was unsure whether her daughter liked the level of attention she received. Its one thing to like attention, quite another to accurately predict the life-altering impacts of a viral story: the loss of anonymity, the taint of public shame, the harm to job prospects. Theresa wonders why the Court didnt issue an off-the-record warning to Deery that Ashleigh was off work recovering from a mental-health issue. Chief Magistrate Hannan declined to answer this question, but a court spokeswoman said Ashleigh received extensive support from court staff and management both before and after the news of her relationship made headlines. While Ashleigh was concerned about court culture, its important to remember she never framed her own relationship as one of sexual harassment. She was a consenting adult who genuinely appeared to love Higgins. They did not work in the same courtroom or building. In April this year, former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights commissioner Helen Szoke released her report, commissioned by the Andrews government, into sexual harassment in the Victorian courts. The report, which was not prompted by the Higgins-Petrie relationship, found sexual harassment an open secret in the Victorian legal profession and that court staff faced significant barriers in making complaints. Szoke tells Good Weekend that power imbalances are stark in court workplaces because judges are not bound by public service guidelines. Judges also administer justice, so their professional and private behaviour need to be beyond reproach. But people, including judges, meet their partners at work, so its a matter of handling any power imbalances and potential conflicts transparently. Once these are addressed, says Szoke, it comes down to the age gap. And thats tricky. Wade into these waters and its difficult not to emerge dripping in accusations of sexism (if you contend Higgins took advantage of Ashleigh, are you infantilising a grown woman?) or ageism (whats wrong with older men?). But, says Szoke, its less about age and more about the status gap. Its important to bear in mind that when things go wrong, its always the person whos the least powerful who bears the consequences. Szoke says she would feel uncomfortable about a 60-something female magistrate with a 20-something court worker, but personally she feels intrinsically uncomfortable about a younger woman taking up with an older man in a significant position of power. Men, after all, still continue to hold the majority of powerful positions. It feels more like an indulgence on his part than generating some sort of equal relationship. While Ashleigh Petrie wanted to make a difference by exposing the culture in the court system, she was overwhelmed by the media coverage of her relationship. On her last Friday afternoon, Ashleigh dropped by her mothers workplace, revealing she was flying to Sydney for a media interview with the ABC the following week. She seemed happy. But that night, Higgins and Ashleigh went out drinking, and everything ended in chaos. Called to their Melbourne CBD hotel room, police found them alcohol-affected and concluded that Ashleigh had committed a minor assault on Higgins. (Theresa was told by police that her daughter ended up in hospital with a head injury, but has been unable to confirm this.) The next morning, police asked if Higgins wanted to make a statement. He declined. They requested to interview Ashleigh, which worried her, the coroners report says. On Sunday, the couple drove to the Gippsland Lakes and checked in to McMillans of Metung, a 3.2-hectare property of 20 luxury cottages and villas. That afternoon, they ended up at the local pub, the Metung Hotel, where owner David Strange remembers them distinctly. You think its father and daughter, but then theyre holding hands and hugging. The age difference just shocked us all a bit. Ashleigh mostly had her head down, he says, texting, texting, texting. Bartender Sue Haupt remembers Ashleigh crying with someone on the phone. I ask if she saw the couple fight. No, she says. He was actually comforting her the whole time, rubbing her back. They finished dinner, bought a takeaway bottle of wine and settled the bill at about 8pm. There are conflicting reports on Ashleighs state of mind that night. Higgins later told police shed confessed to being in a dark place and didnt know if she could cope with the publicity. She worried no one would employ her. But Theresa spoke to her daughter as she was getting into the cottages spa and says she sounded really good. Higgins told police Ashleigh got a bit teary in the spa recounting things that happened to her years before but noted she was fine. Higgins left to buy another bottle of wine and returned to find Ashleigh on the phone with the detective whod investigated the Richmond incident back in March. The pair spoke twice that night and exchanged messages. The detective, in his coronial statement, said Ashleigh told him police wanted to interview her about Friday nights assault of Higgins. He was unable to provide legal advice, but told Ashleigh police generally have a zero-tolerance approach and take action. She texted the detective saying the previous month had been the hardest of her life: a close family member and some friends were distancing themselves. He reassured her but could see no indication she was in trouble more than the media and trust issues that had plagued her for the past month. I first meet Daniel Macklin in late May, at a pub in Northcote, in Melbournes inner-north. You could mistake him for a tough guy: tall, solidly muscular, a sleeve of tattoos. But its soon clear his heart is gentle. His girlfriend of one year, Amy, is here too. She puts a hand to his back when he breaks down. She has witnessed the pain in him, the sleepless nights and low motivation. Hes particularly on edge tonight he hit a fox on the drive from Gippsland. The sudden flash in the headlights reminded him of the night that changed his life. There are not many days that I dont think about her, he says, releasing a sharp exhalation and straightening his spine. I never knew her, but I feel like shes like a little sister. Ill always be connected with her. After the accident, he couldnt work. Then the bushfires hit and accommodation got scarce. He was briefly homeless. His collarbone healed, his teeth were fixed, the car repaired. Hes retraining for a security job. But the trauma continues to stalk him. He knows, intellectually, that Ashleighs death is not his fault. Yet he feels responsible. He feels sure it was a deliberate act: the way she ran like she was pushed or dived across a lane. It did not seem, he says, like she was trying to flag down his car. But he also hates it when, trying to make him feel better, people blame Ashleigh. Its the mental health state she was in, he says. The poor girl. Some things still puzzle him. The police gave him a typed note from Higgins that said something like mate, she had mental-health problems, it was not your fault. He thought it oddly lacking in emotion. Higgins told the police they went to bed and that around midnight Ashleigh got up, dressed, and said she was going for a walk. She agreed to his request to walk within the propertys fences. I begged her to stay, Higgins told Media Watch. But she said she needed to clear her head. Over the next hour she sent me four or five texts and voice messages, one of which said, I cant cope with all the coverage. She apologised to me and said she loved me, but Id be better off without her. After waiting for Ashleigh to return for an hour, Higgins went looking for her, and came across the accident, the ambulance already there. She was a lovely, young, fragile, impressionable girl. I have no doubt at all that the Herald Sun and Daily Mail articles tipped her over the top, he told Media Watch. He also dismissed the idea that Ashleigh saw herself as a whistleblower on court misconduct and was co-operating with the media. She was devastated by the salacious revelations of her private life and had absolutely no intentions of commenting on the Magistrates Court. At the scene, the coroners report says, Higgins stated that he had deleted some of the messages between himself and Ashleigh that night. He told Senior Constable Chelsea Maxwell that there had been a verbal argument and that Ms Petrie had left on foot. But later, Higgins denied a fight. Macklin is puzzled by how Ashleigh found herself so far out of town. At an average walking pace, it would have taken her an hour to walk the 4.5 kilometres there from McMillans, in the pitch-black, up a significant hill, with a mixture of alcohol (forensic toxicology tests recorded 0.12 per cent) and antidepressants in her system. (Macklin wonders too why he didnt see Ashleigh while driving into Metung; walking the dogs had only taken 30 minutes.) Ex-boyfriend Stuart Gowty is also bewildered by how far she had gone. Ashleigh doesnt walk. I couldnt get her to walk that far even if I took her shopping. Theresa, meanwhile, is puzzled about Ashleighs suitcase. Higgins told her hed returned to McMillans and thrown Ashleighs stuff in her suitcase before driving to Mirboo North that night. But when he returned the suitcase to Theresa it was packed like Ashleigh had packed it, the make-up perfect in the bag. It was as if shed skipped her pre-bed skincare routine. More significantly, Theresa remains hurt that Higgins didnt immediately chase after Ashleigh that night. You dont let her go for an hour and then go, Where is she? If [a person is] not okay, make sure they are okay. This hurt was only the beginning. In the months ahead, Theresa would struggle with the actions of the man who almost became her son-in-law. At about 8.30am on Monday October 28, seven-and-a-half hours after Ashleigh died, Stuart Gowty found his neighbour Lurline Le Neuf madly knocking on his back door. Shed heard rumours on the court grapevine that something bad had happened to Ashleigh. Gowty rang Theresa and suggested she call Ashleigh. Theresas calls went to voicemail. Theresa then called Higgins, but it rang out. About 20 minutes later, Gowty called Higgins, who picked up first ring. Gowty urged him to call Theresa immediately. He goes, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will. Ive got to go. And then he hung up and proceeded to turn his phone off. Theresa tried Higgins about 10 times. Around 9.30am, she says, he finally returned her call. He says: Oh, shes dead. I mean, who says, Oh, shes dead? says Theresa, crying in gulping, big breaths. Loading Within three days of her death, Good Weekend has confirmed, Higgins had called Rest Super about Ashleighs $180,000 death benefit. The magistrate, who earns $324,000 a year, then made a successful claim, despite Ashleigh having bequeathed the money to Theresa, who earns a modest income in an accounts job. (An appeal process against Rests decision, now in its 16th month, is still afoot and Theresa is raising funds for her legal fees via a GoFundMe page.) Higgins refused to let Theresa and John see and listen to Ashleighs last messages. Putting his garbage out a few months after Ashleighs funeral, Gowty needed more space and opened the Higgins/Le Neuf bin. He spotted some of Ashleighs mementos, including her Western Bulldogs hat. When Gowty tells me this, I notice his usual joviality has leached away. I still love her and I still miss her, he says. He regrets his restraining order every day that he wasnt there for Ashleigh when she needed him. I suggest that living here, next to Higgins, might not be good for his mental health. Hes already decided to move, he says, and does so a few months later. Ashleigh had a generous heart, says her mother, and trusted everybody. As Higgins is a sitting magistrate, the Victorian coroner asked NSW magistrate Ian Guy to independently investigate Ashleighs death. In his report, which concluded that an inquest was not needed, Guy says the family was consulted about holding one. Theresa, however, denies that she was consulted, and says she would have welcomed a more public investigation. She is also disturbed by what she sees as a conflict of interest in the local police putting together the coroners brief on a case that involved a magistrate who sits in their area. Guys report misspelled Ashleighs first name and omitted where she died on Metung Road. It made much of Ashleighs mental-health history, including an eating disorder while at school which Theresa characterises as healthy eating. She was young and naive, very naive, I probably sheltered her a bit too much in life. She trusted everybody. Ashleigh Petries mother Indeed, both Theresa and John say they felt pressure from police to speculate that Ashleigh took her own life due to her mental ill health, a conclusion they reject. Says Theresa: She would have texted us and said I love you. She had holidays booked and all these new dresses that I still have in my wardrobe with the tags still on. Guy noted that several of Ashleighs suicide attempts and self-harm episodes happened prior to the media exposure. But the media interest was undoubtedly intense and despite her initial enjoyment of the spotlight, it became a burden. The press, he said, were unaware of her fragile mental state and at least one media organisation would have seen Ms Petrie as a willing participant. As Media Watch host Paul Barry concluded, this was a salutary tale for everyone in the media. With so many people living their lives on social media, he said, journalists have unprecedented power to expose, ridicule and judge. And they need to be a lot more careful about how they use and abuse it. On a midweek morning in November, 2019, Rod Higgins approached the lectern at Tobin Brothers in Werribee, in Melbournes west, and loomed over it. The white casket containing Ashleighs body stood just metres away. At first, Higgins voice faltered as he described this as the saddest time of my life. Ashleighs beauty, he said, was more than skin-deep, though she was externally as attractive as a woman could possibly be. She had dreams of being a Legal Aid lawyer. She had wanted a child and he was willing to try. But the second half of his six-minute speech took a turn. Her zest for life, he said, contrasted against problems of anxiety and depression. Ashleigh, he said, was taking medication for a chemical imbalance in her brain. The black dog of depression magnified her shortcomings, driving her constant need of reassurance. At this, fellow mourners started to mutter their annoyance. Theresa sat a metre from Higgins in the front row, her back bent over in grief, her eyes fixated on her daughters casket. When I view the video footage of Higgins speech with Theresa, she explains her fury in this moment: it was a time to celebrate Ashleigh, not highlight her struggles. Put it this way, me and John had to hold each other, she tells me, in tears. Because we just wanted to get up and belt him. All Theresa knew was that Higgins must stop. I think thats enough, she said out loud. And, with that, Higgins sat down. Lifeline: 13 11 14. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. The best of Good Weekend delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Sign up here. A two-year-old girl who was pulled unresponsive from a pond at a park in Melbournes inner west on Monday evening has died in hospital. Emergency services were called to Footscray Park at Maribyrnong Boulevard about 8pm on Monday following reports the toddler was found in the water, about 20 metres behind a gated playground. Police at the scene after the toddler was found unresponsive in a pond at Footscray Park. Credit:Nine News Paramedics treated the girl at the scene before she was taken to the Royal Childrens Hospital in a critical condition. She died in hospital on Thursday afternoon and police are preparing a report for the coroner. Professor Warwick Teague, the Royal Childrens Hospital director of trauma services, said the toddler was away from her parents for only minutes before she was found face down in the water. Denver: An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping centre have burnt and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fuelled bushfires outside Denver, officials said. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said only one injury has been reported, but didnt rule out finding out later about more severe injuries or death due to the intensity of fires that quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 169kph. The wildfires, spanning 6.5 square kilometres, engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies as residents scrambled to get to safety. Homes burn as a wildfire rips through a development near Rock Creek Village, near Broomfield, Colorado, on Thursday night (Friday AEDT). Credit:AP The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighbouring towns are roughly 32 kilometres north-west of Denver. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Washington: One year after thousands of his supporters stormed the US Capitol, Donald Trump plans to mark the anniversary on January 6 with a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. It will be no mea culpa. In a statement issued before Christmas, the former president made it clear that he would use the event to reassert his false claim that the election was stolen, and launch yet another attack on the bipartisan select House committee investigating the incident. Until then, remember, the insurrection took place on November 3rd, Trump said, referencing the day of the 2020 election. It was the completely unarmed protest of the rigged election that took place on January 6th. The insurgency left several people dead, about 150 police officers injured and a nation shocked and divided. Advertisement But there is every reason to think that the January 6 attack was just the beginning for Donald Trump and his allies and this time, theyre much better organised. Twelve months after Americas chamber of democracy was stormed by the foot soldiers of a president trying to cling to power at any cost, Trumpists and partisan state legislatures are now working to undermine election processes right across the US. Theyre much less violent than an angry mob descending on Congress after being told to fight like hell but far more insidious, strategic, and potentially damaging to democracy in the longer term. Indeed, by last month, at least 262 bills had been introduced in 41 states that would interfere with election administration, according to a joint report released by States United, Law Forward, and Protect Democracy three non-partisan groups seeking to enhance election security. Choking the vote Among them are a raft of voter suppression laws that will constrain the ability of millions of Americans to vote early, through the mail, or on Election Day itself. Take the sunbelt state of Texas, which already had some of the nations toughest voting constraints. It has now introduced a ban on overnight early voting hours and drive-through voting both of which have proved popular among voters of colour. Advertisement Loading In Kansas, people could face criminal charges for returning advance ballots on behalf of voters who need help, such as people with disabilities. In Georgia, people can now be charged with a crime for giving food and water to people waiting in line to vote. Electoral boundaries have also been redrawn to give Republicans the edge in new districts ahead of this years crucial midterm elections. Both parties have a history of gerrymandering maps to improve their Congress numbers, but the Republicans have been more successful in recent decades. And despite losing dozens of legal challenges centred on the baseless claim of a fraudulent result, Trump and his supporters are now working to elect proponents of the myth to powerful positions at state and national level. If elected, these candidates, who say the 2020 presidential election was stolen, could have significant sway to help overturn the next presidential election result. Little wonder democracy groups, politics academics, and former military leaders are warning about America being on the brink of a constitutional crisis. The fight of our lives right now, of this generation, has to be to secure voting rights and to secure a peaceful transition of power. That should not be a partisan issue, renowned presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, told CNN this week. Advertisement RINOs and revenge In Alaska, Trump is seeking to oust moderate Republican senator Liz Murkowski by backing her primary challenger Kelly Tshibaka, a former state bureaucrat who has promoted Trumps theory of election fraud. In Michigan, the former president has put his weight behind state politician Steve Carra, who led the local push for an audit of the 2020 election results, over veteran congressman Fred Upton, who voted for Trumps impeachment. Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, Republican royalty and daughter of former vice-president Dick Cheney, was called a RINO by Donald Trump (Republican in name only) for voting to impeach him. Credit:AP And in the state of Wyoming, Trump has endorsed local lawyer Harriet Hagemen in her GOP bid to unseat fellow Republican Liz Cheney, the daughter of George W. Bushs former vice-president, Dick Cheney, and an outspoken member of the House committee investigating the January 6 event. Harriet is all in for America First, Trump said in a statement in September, denouncing Cheney as a RINO slang for Republican in Name Only and describing her as the Democrats number one provider of sound bites. Cheney, responding on 60 Minutes, said she was well aware that her once safe seat was about to become a litmus test for Trumps dominance over the party. Advertisement Its going to be the most important House race in the country in 2022, she said. It will be one where people do have the opportunity to say: We want to stand for the constitution. Other Trump loyalists have also been endorsed as candidates to become the chief election official, known as the secretary of state. Key contests will take place in Michigan, Arizona and in Georgia, the southern state that helped deliver Joe Biden the presidency partly because its incumbent secretary, Republican Brad Raffensperger, refused to cave in to Trumps demands to find 11,780 votes to overturn the election result. Georgian congressman Jody Hice voted to overturn the election result after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Credit:AP The former president and his allies are instead backing US congressman Jody Hice, who voted against certifying Bidens victory, to run against Raffensberger for the critical post. Jody will stop the Fraud and get honesty into our Elections! Trump declared in 2021. As for Trump? Even without the megaphone of Twitter and Facebook (which have banned his accounts), hes nonetheless spent the past 12 months pushing his message through targeted emails, rallies and interviews on Fox News and other friendly outlets. Trumps fundraising might Advertisement ~The only female CEO candidate, yet she was stigmatized and destroyed.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- Like her or not she has become a household name on St. Maarten, she was talked about at every lunch or dinner table during the year 2021. She was the only female Temporary Manager of a Government-owned company that literally had to cut and run because she refused to bow down to a group of people that cared only about their own self-enrichment. This powerful woman is the only one that had to defend herself at least five times in court and won all the cases filed against her. Yet, some media houses that have joined the house of destruction did not see it fit to tell both sides of the story but instead formed conclusions based on some leaked fabricated documents. Yes, that is exactly what happened in this very small community. Leaked to some media house or persons but were not presented as evidence. Our person of the year is no other than Dr. Sharine Daniel, she too is a daughter of the soil both French and Dutch, yet she literally had to fight to stay afloat, as her name was painted black, her character assassinated by almost everyone, some politicians, some members of NV GEBE Supervisory Board and even some workers of NV GEBE who wanted their way and to do whatever they wanted with the funds of a government-owned company. Yet, she did not bow down for the sake of a position more so she has refused to be made a scapegoat by anyone and for anyone. Dr. Sharine Daniel, began working at NV GEBE in the year 2013 as their Chief Internal Auditor, she has had to fight many battles during her 8-year tenor, several directors feared her because of her auditing skills. Those that misused the companys credit cards eventually lost their jobs when she presented the facts on paper. Despite the challenges over the years, Dr. Daniel did what she needed to do to achieve her career dreams, she completed her doctorate in 2020, and today she is the only person in St. Maarten with a doctoral in accounting. Dr. Daniel applied for the Directors position at USZV and was a selected candidate but because she is a no-nonsense person she was not appointed. Right now many are fighting against her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of NV GEBE because they know the deck of cards will fall apart. Despite being the most qualified both academically and with the required experience she was given one year contract with the option to renew, it appears as though the blackmailing worked somewhat on the Council of Ministers, but the main question one should ask themselves is if it's worth getting a solid education or if it's better to be a puppet? In November 2020 Dr. Daniel was appointed Temporary Manager of NV GEBE, but by February 19th, 2021, she had to resign from that position simply because she refused to allow the members of the SBOD to micromanage the company to their benefit. She ended the situations of conflict of interest and documented the perpetrators, she is the only director thus far that stood up for the company and did not make deals for herself to remain in the top seat. Because of her integrity and choices to safeguard a government-owned company. Dr. Daniel was basically slaughtered before everyone. Dr. Daniel was fired three times illegally, once while she was on medical leave. The company even filed a lawsuit to terminate her working contract, all of which was denied by the Court of First Instance. The Council of Ministers was also ridiculed, and taken to court at least three times, and while the public was tainted with false information, the Government of St. Maarten won all three of the cases. As if that was not enough, Daniel was taken to court by a so-called private citizen and again she won her cases, the latest being December 17th, 2021, yet none of the media personalities that took interest in the GEBE saga did not publish anything about the latest court verdict. Dr. Sharine Daniel was prosecuted and condemned by the media on St. Maarten even though innocent of the charges she received no clemency. It is because of these events that SMN News opted to select Dr. Sharine Daniel as the person of the year for the year 2021. Despite the attacks, accusations, and slandering Dr. Daniel maintained her professionalism and remained silent. She defended herself in court with all documented evidence and even evidence against her accusers. It takes someone that is strong, determined, and most of all focused to keep a still tongue in the midst of any storm, yet Dr. Daniel did just that and came out victorious. At least for now in the Court of law.... SMN News takes this time to wish Dr. Daniel all the best in her career, and future endeavors, and blessed and safe 2022. Bir Lehlou (Saharawi Republic) 27 December 2021 (SPS)- The President of the Saharawi Republic and Secretary General of Frente Polisario, H.E. Brahim Ghali, sent a letter of condolences to the President of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, presenting his condolences on the passing of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who died yesterday. We have learnt with heavy hearts of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has contributed enormously in the struggle against the evil of Apartheid, and has played a significant role in the democratic dispensations of post-Apartheid South Africa, global peace and the apostolic and faith based community, President Ghalib regretted. He extended to President Ramaphosa his most heartfelt condolences, to you personally, to the people of South Africa, the government of South Africa, and to the family of the Archbishop the letter reads. He affirmed that Archbishop Tutu will be always remembered for his fight for justice, peace and reconciliation. He further asserted that the Saharawi government and Polisario Front will be ever grateful for his stand with the Saharawi people and for freedom and human rights in all the world. May he rest in eternal peace with honour and glory. The late Archbishop is a great African spiritual leader most known for his support of all just causes around the world, and mainly in Africa. He strongly supported African struggles against Apartheid and colonialism of all its sorts, including in Western Sahara. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP) One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. Colorado residents driven from their neighborhoods by a terrifying, wind-whipped wildfire got their first, heartbreaking look at the damage the morning after, while others could only wait and wonder whether their homes were among the more than 500 feared destroyed. At least seven people were injured, but remarkably there were no immediate reports of any deaths or anyone missing in the aftermath of the blaze outside Denver. Cathy Glaab found that her home in the town of Superior where she lives with her husband had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that burned to the ground. The mailbox is standing, Glaab said, trying to crack a smile through tears. She added sadly, So many memories. Despite the devastation, she said they intend to rebuild the house they had since 1998. They love that the land backs up to a natural space, and they have a view of the mountains from the back. Rick Dixon feared there would be nothing to return to after he saw firefighters try to save his burning home on the news. On Friday, Dixon, his wife and 21-year-old son found it mostly gutted with a gaping hole in the roof but still standing. Only smoldering rubble remained where several neighboring homes once stood in a row immediately next to theirs. We thought we lost everything, he said, as he held his mother-in-laws china in padded containers. They also retrieved sculptures that belonged to Dixons father and piles of clothes still on hangers. The wildfire erupted Thursday in and around Louisville and Superior, neighboring towns about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. Tens of thousands were ordered to flee as the flames swept over drought-stricken neighborhoods with alarming speed, propelled by guests up to 105 mph (169 kph). At a Costco in Superior, two store employees came running toward the checkout lines, one of them shouting, Everyone evacuate, evacuate, evacuate! said Katrina Peterson, who was inside. A video she made showed dark skies and whirling debris outside. The falling ash filled her ears, and she had to squint to keep it from getting in her eyes. The store was left standing. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Emergency authorities said utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldn't tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed, he said. I mean, it happened so quickly. Ive never seen anything like that. Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire. By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky had subsided and the winds had died down. Light snow soon began to fall, and the blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles (24 square kilometers), was no longer considered an immediate threat. We might have our very own New Years miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life, Gov. Jared Polis said, noting that many people had just minutes to evacuate. The wildfire broke out unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow so far. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said more than 500 homes were probably destroyed. He and the governor said as many as 1,000 homes might have been lost, though that wont be known until crews can assess the damage. Its unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we dont have a list of 100 missing persons, the sheriff said. The sheriff said some communities were reduced to just "smoking holes in the ground. He urged residents to wait for the all-clear to go back because of the danger of fire and fallen power lines. Sarah Owens, her husband, adult son and their dog got out of their Superior home within 10 minutes of learning about the evacuation from a Facebook post. But as everyone tried leaving by way of the winding streets of the well-to-do Rock Creek neighborhood, it took them 1 hours to go 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The good news is I think our house may be OK, Owens said. But from now on, she said, she plans to have a bag packed in case of another fire. I never thought a brush fire could cause this kind of destruction, Owens said. I want to stay here. No matter where you live, there are always going to be natural disasters." Superior and Louisville are filled with middle- and upper-middle-class subdivisions with shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is between Denver and Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and it hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. Bruce and Mary Janda faced the loss of their Louisville home of 25 years in person Friday after learning it had been destroyed through a neighbors photos. We knew that the house was totaled, but I felt the need to see it, see what the rest of the neighborhood looked like, Bruce Janda said. Were a very close knit community on this street. We all know each other and we all love each other. Its hard to see this happen to all of us. ____ Associated Press writer Thomas Peipert in Louisville, Colorado, and Thalia Beaty in New York contributed to this report. Nieberg 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. Associated Press writer Brady McCombs contributed to this story from Salt Lake City. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas prisons are going into lockdown for at least two weeks because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases among staff and prisoners, the state Department of Corrections announced Friday. State prisons are prohibiting visits and limiting non-essential movement within and between facilities" until Jan. 14, the agency said in a Facebook post. After that, prison leaders will assess whether the lockdown should be extended. MIAMI (AP) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant. The CDC said it has more than 90 cruise ships under investigation or observation as a result of COVID-19 cases. The agency did not disclose the number of infections. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if people are fully vaccinated and have received a booster, the CDC said. The Cruise Lines International Association said it was disappointed with the new recommendations, saying the industry was singled out despite the fact it follows stricter health protocols than other travel sectors. The decision is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard, a statement said. The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore. In March 2020, as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S., the CDC put a halt to all cruises for what turned out to be 15 months. Last June, it allowed ships to resume sailing under new strict new conditions. In August, as the delta variant surged, the agency warned people who are at risk of severe illness despite being vaccinated not to go on cruises. The CDC on Thursday also recommended that passengers get tested and quarantine for five days after docking, regardless of their vaccination status and even if they have no symptoms. Omicron has sent cases skyrocketing to unprecedented levels across the U.S., including Florida, the hub of the nations cruise industry. The state set another record this week for new daily cases, with more than 58,000 recorded Wednesday. U.S. cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt trips, though vessels have been denied entry at some foreign ports. Carnival Corp.'s spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email after the CDC recommendation that the company had no planned changes. Our enhanced health and safety protocols have proven to be effective time and time again over the past year, he said. Before the CDC announcement, Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement that omicron is leading to passenger cancelations and changes to itineraries, but it is causing significantly less severe symptoms than earlier variants. The company said that since cruising restarted in U.S. waters last spring, 1.1 million guests had traveled with its cruise lines and 1,745 people had tested positive for COVID-19, or about 0.16%. It said that 41 people required hospitalization, and that no passengers hit with omicron had been taken to the hospital. We dont like to see even one case, but our experience is a fraction of the comparable statistics of virtually any other comparable location or industry. Few businesses are subject to such intense scrutiny, regulation and disclosure requirements by so many authorities, said Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean. Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated. Iris Krysty, 76, of Hamburg, New Jersey, and her husband are supposed to leave on a 10-day Caribbean cruise Jan. 19. This latest CDC warning leaves travelers like them in an unfair bind, she said. Krysty was told Thursday they can only get a refund if they test positive before the trip. So, they will go to avoid losing thousands of dollars a decision their daughter and son-in-law are not happy with. I know theyre upset about us going but thats a lot of money for us to lose, Krysty said. As far as we know, were going and hope well be OK." Janine Calfo, 55, of Salt Lake City, put off a four-day Carnival cruise from Long Beach, California, to Ensenada, Mexico, earlier this month when she got a breakthrough case of COVID-19 three days before departure. She rebooked the cruise for February and is still set on going. This is my own personal opinion, but it looks like the omicron is going to be a quick burn, said Calfo, who is asthmatic and plans to get the booster in a couple of weeks. My cruise is over 40 days away." She added, though: "I think I will plan on getting travel insurance this time. ___ Associated Press writer Terry Tang in San Jose, California, contributed to this report. STAMFORD During a meeting that began Wednesday evening and stretched into the wee hours of Thursday morning, members of a Stamford Board of Representatives panel voted on a dozen of Mayor Caroline Simmons nominees for roles in city government or on commissions. All of the nominees won the endorsement of the boards Appointments Committee after being grilled except for one. A vote to recommend that the full board approve Josh Fedelis appointment to be a member of the citys Fire Commission failed. Fedeli is currently the chairman of the Stamford Democratic City Committee, a position hes held since 2016. He had told the committee that if his appointment was approved, he wouldnt run for chairman again. Much of the discussion about Fedeli during the meeting centered on his tenure as DCC chairman, with some city representatives alleging that he has a history of bullying women. At the end of the night, the vote was 6-1 against Fedeli with one abstention. Despite the committees vote, the full board still could have voted on Fedelis appointment during its regular meeting scheduled for Monday. But Thursday afternoon, Fedeli said in a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media that he asked Simmons to withdraw his nomination. While I feel I have the support to be approved, it is not in the best interest of the city of Stamford or the Fire Commission to proceed with a divisive vote, Fedeli said in his statment. He went on to claim that some members of the Board of Representatives were using their positions to settle personal political scores. The citizens of Stamford deserve better from their representatives than baseless claims and defamatory statements, Fedeli said. Nevertheless, I look forward to working with the Simmons administration on other ways to serve the city of Stamford, which I have done in different capacities for over 30 years. Simmons on Thursday said she received Fedelis request for his nomination to be withdrawn and that she would do so. Ive always known Josh to be a hardworking and committed advocate for the Democratic Party and also for the people of Stamford in his roles as the chairman of the Stamford Democratic City Committee and as a volunteer serving on the Charter Revision committee, Simmons said in a statement. When Fedelis name came up during the Appointments Committee meeting, three representatives said they had personally experienced bullying behavior. I have been a victim of Josh Fedelis bullying, said District 19 Rep. Jennifer Matheny, a Democrat who was elected this year, though she did not go into detail about her experience. There are women who are afraid to speak up because of retribution, Matheny continued. So putting him in a position of power, a position of disciplinary authority over anybody, is uncomprehensible. I personally take offense to his appointment. I have told the mayor this. The Fire Commissions duties include appointing and promoting firefighters as well as reducing or increasing disciplinary actions, according to Stamfords charter. Rep. Nina Sherwood, D-8, also said that she has had negative experiences with Fedeli. When hes after you ... its very uncomfortable, Sherwood said. And this is speaking from personal experience. I could never approve him to a position of power simply because of his conduct with myself and with other people. Whether youre a Democrat running for office or a Republican, she added, theres just a lack of decorum and respect that this man has shown so many people. Neither Matheny nor Sherwood are members of the Appointments Committee, so they could not participate in the vote. Rep. Anabel Figueroa, the Democratic co-representative of District 8 who is a member of the committee, also spoke to Fedelis alleged bullying. I myself felt kind of intimidated many times because I know there will be retaliation against (us) if we (decide) to say something, Figueroa said during the meeting. And the retaliation will be that ... he will be having people running against us. Asked for a comment specifically on the allegations about him bullying women, Fedeli on Thursday referred back to his statement. Figueroa voted against recommending that Fedelis appointment be approved, as did Reps. Annie Summerville, D-6; Bradley Bewkes, R-1; Megan Cottrell, D-4; James Grunberger, D-18; and Bobby Pavia, D-17. Rep. Denis Patterson, D-6, abstained. Rep. Ramya Shaw, D-12, was the lone vote in favor. A newly elected member of the board, Shaw described Fedeli as a straight shooter who gave her the facts of what it is like to be in this role when she was considering running. And he was very supportive of me coming from a South Asian, diverse, minority community, stepping into this role, Shaw added. He was very appreciative of it. He was very supportive of it. He said, We need more people like you stepping into roles like this, which I thought was very encouraging coming from a DCC chair. The bullying claims came up after the committee had interviewed Fedeli. During his questioning at the meeting, representatives grilled him over a thwarted attempt by former Board of Finance member Kieran Ryan to register as a Democrat. Ryan left the Republican Party in 2019, changing his status to unaffiliated. During the meeting, Fedeli said that under state statute, if the chair of a party and the registrar of voters for that party determine that someone who is trying to register with the party doesnt share the values of the party, they can stop the person from registering. My process was that I went about discussing the application to the party with a number of people those who had served with Mr. Ryan on the Board of Finance and in other capacities and it was clear that we felt that his attempt to register as a Democrat was purely to manipulate and to run as a Democrat when the values of the Democratic Party were not held by that individual, Fedeli said. Fedeli said he asked Ryan: Are you doing this so that your chances are improved of running for and winning elected office in a town that has a high level of Democratic registration? Fedeli said Ryan then failed to give him an answer that he believed was suitable and convincing. Ryan told Hearst Connecticut Media that improving his chances of winning was not the reason he sought to register with the Democratic Party about a year ago. He said that several years ago, he was one of the people who helped launch the Reform Stamford political movement, which focused on the local Democratic Party. This was a group of political allies that I was most aligned with on the issues that we were working on, Ryan told Hearst, including environmental and zoning issues. Rather than remain unaffiliated, it was just more authentic for me to just register with the same party of the group of people that I was most aligned with and was working most closely with. Ryan also remembered his conversation with Fedeli differently. He said he told Fedeli that he was not planning to seek reelection, or run for any other office, in November of this year. Ryan was previously a city representative. I was on the Board of Reps, and I did miss being on the Board of Reps, Ryan said. And so I said, Im never going to say never. I may run for the Board of Reps again someday. Asked about his interest in serving on the Fire Commission, Fedeli told the committee that his uncle was a firefighter and his grandfather was a fire commissioner. In addition, he said he really gained a deep appreciation for the complexity of the fire service and some of the nuance and the challenges of the fire service when he served on one of the citys Charter Revision Commissions. After she was elected mayor, Simmons assigned Fedeli to her transition teams policy committee on public safety. Ive continued to have a supreme interest in the fire service and the provision of fire service, Fedeli said during the meeting. Describing his position as DCC chairman, Fedeli said it is a difficult job. You are making choices about candidates. You are making choices about how to win elections, he said. During the discussion, Bewkes, one of District 1s Republican representatives, questioned how Fedeli, who has criticized Republicans, could be impartial when interviewing firefighters who are registered with the GOP. To my knowledge, party affiliation is not part of the interview process or part of the evaluation of any firefighter that is looking to join the department, Fedeli said. And it would not be my place to ask them their political affiliation or their political views. He added that there are Republicans he has a tremendous amount of respect for. Simmons other nominees for the Fire Commission and her nominees for the citys Police Commission all received recommendations for approval. Matt Quinones, Ted Jankowski and Doug Dalena also won the committees endorsement to be confirmed as director of operations, director of public safety and director of legal affairs, respectively. brianna.gurciullo@hearstmediact.com HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii set an all-time record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the state of about 1.5 million people reported nearly 3,500 new infections. The daily total of new cases reported by health officials was 3,484, topping the record of 2,205 cases set the day after Christmas. There has been a sharp and steady increase of new cases in Hawaii over the past 14 days. The state was averaging just over 100 new cases a day at the beginning of the month. A previous record for new daily infections was set in August during the peak of the delta variant surge when the state recorded 1,678 new infections. The latest surge came about two weeks after the first omicron variant case was confirmed in Hawaii. Hawaii hospital officials have said they are already nearly full with non-coronavirus patients and worry about staffing shortages affecting their ability to care for a possible surge of new COVID-19 patients. The University of Hawaii said it would hold most classes online when the semester begins in January. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said there would be no new restrictions on Oahu over the New Year holiday. Its about making good decisions, so its about personal responsibility," said Blangiardi last week. "Dont go to someplace if you fear that its going to be something that would make you sick. But if you do go and youre indoors, wear your mask. Blangiardi recently allowed bars and large indoor events to resume. There have been clusters of cases at two of Honolulus largest nightclubs in recent weeks. Masks are not required while eating or drinking and occupancy limits with distancing rules have been removed. The state also reported recent clusters at an event in Waikiki and another at a museum music festival. The statewide average test positivity rate was around 15% Thursday. Oahu, the state's most populous island, has an average test positivity rate of more than 16%. Hawaii had more than 700,000 travelers in December, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii requires travelers to be vaccinated or provide a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or face quarantine. Top Hawaii health officials said last week that leaders are discussing the possibility of requiring a booster shot to avoid travel quarantine and testing. They are also considering shortening the window allowed for obtaining a negative COVID-19 test before travel. The public health recommendation would be you test as close to flying time as possible and you have your immunizations plus your booster shot, said state health director Dr. Libby Char. But understand that there are challenges in implementing that. The U.S. now requires international travelers to test within 24 hours of their trip, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. STORRS For the first two weeks of the spring semester, University of Connecticut students will return to classes through their screens, according to Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, the universitys interim president. The decision came after the sharp increase in student COVID-19 positivity rates and the increasing prevalence across Connecticut and the nation, Agwunobi said. The school decided as a safety precaution that classes will be conducted online from Jan. 18 to 29. Additionally, the residential student move-in date for the Storrs and Stamford campuses was moved to the weekend of Jan. 29, Agwunobi said. These dates are subject to change based on the course of the pandemic, Agwunobi added. In the next few days, the university will also require eligible students to get their booster shots. University officials are also discussing if eligible faculty and staff should also be required to get booster shots. The university will conduct online town hall meetings for students, faculty and staff in January to answer questions regarding these changes. On Monday, Jan. 3, university staff will contact students who need to live on campus with instructions on how to request approval for housing from Jan. 15 to 29. The university will approve international students as well as all students with demonstrated housing insecurity. Students wishing to live on campus need to reply by noon Jan. 6. Unvaccinated and exempted students will not be eligible to return to university housing prior to Jan. 29, the university said. liz.hardaway@hearst.com His Grace Bishop Nestor was enthroned as new bishop of Deva and Hunedoara during a ceremony at St Nicholas Cathedral in Deva on December 26, 2021, basilica.ro reports. Being an assistant bishop for the diocese of Deva and Hunedoara for less than a year, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected bp Nestor as new shepherd of the diocese, after the unexpected death of Bp Gurie. The enthronement ceremony of Devas second bishop took place after the hierarchical Divine Liturgy headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania. In his speech, Bishop Nestor expressed his gratitude to Bishop Gurie Georgiu of blessed memory who reposed in October. I chose to talk more about the past today because it tells us about the future; more about His Grace Bishop Gurie, because I am convinced that at this moment all the past, present and future things of the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara revolve around His Grace. Through his work, His Grace made me a partaker at times of great joy. He saddened us by quickly departing from this world, but as if preparing his departure and leaving his descendants beforehand, he again gave us joy on this day, being with us now with his body laid in the grave, and with the spirit together praying and watching. Bishop Nestor emphasized that he owed to Bishop Gurie all his spiritual and professional growth. And the secret work by which he called me to be his successor, makes me deeply responsible, arousing in me a shudder of uneasiness about the worthiness to continue his activity. However, hoping in the mercy and help of God, I hope that the spirit of love placed in the works of His Grace will enlighten my mind and heart to preserve and increase the inheritance I have received. I thank him from the depth of my heart for the love of choosing me as a disciple, and today in front of the tomb of His Grace I renew the promises made at the beginning of this year when I was called to receive the episcopal ministry, His Grace Bishop Nestor said. Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania, who was locum tenens for the see of Deva and Hunedoara, thanked those who participated in the event and assured Bishop Nestor of all his support. Thank you all for your love for your former pastor. It is a sign of appreciation for the work he has done, for the sacrifice he has made, and behold, from this sacrifice comes the joy of fulfilment today. We wish His Grace Bishop Nestor a fruitful activity, good health and strength in his work. We offer him our support, parental protection and blessing. May God help you so that the results may be visible. The event was also attended by the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs, Victor Opaschi. I wish you beautiful and fruitful spiritual, philanthropic, and cultural accomplishments in the ministry to which you have been called. May you live in peace and good understanding, for many and blessed years, Victor Opaschi told the new Bishop of Deva and Hunedoara. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered Devas new Bishop Nestor an icon and a set of engolpia. The patriarchal gifts were handed over by Metropolitan Laurentiu. Electrica has started a procedure to reorganize its headquarters' structure, and a final decision will be taken after discussions with the social partners, according to a report by the company, submitted to the Bucharest Stock Exchange. "Following the information regarding the activity of Electrica SA, we make the following clarifications: the reorganization procedures are complex, strictly regulated by law, which involve going through preliminary stages before final approvals that will produce the effects specific to a reorganization. As for Energy Company Electrica Ltd ("Electrica"), the parent company of the Electrica Group, it is currently carrying out the incipient stages of a reorganization procedure which are limited to the organizational structure of Electrica's headquarters", a press release shows. After completing these steps, including consultation with the social partner, the competent corporate structures will analyze and decide accordingly, Agerpres.ro informs. "Depending on the outcome of the next steps and, if applicable, of the corporate decisions that will determine the final and precise elements of a possible reorganization process, Electrica will ensure proper information to stakeholders," company officials said. The release also states that, in terms of forecasts and estimates of future results, in accordance with the requirements of the Bucharest Stock Exchange, the company has adopted a policy regarding forecasts, which establishes the frequency, the period considered and the content of the forecasts. Romania's accession to the European Union was one of the main foreign policy objectives of the Romanian state after 1990. This desideratum was assumed at the public level by the central institutions and leading personalities of the Romanian state, being also an ample collective effort of the Romanians, agerpres reports. The process of Romania's accession to the European Union began on February 1, 1993, on the occasion of the signing of the European Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their member states, on the one hand, and Romania, on the other hand. The agreement recognized Romania's objective of becoming a member state of the European Union and provided for financial and technical assistance from it, according to the www.mae.ro and https://ec.europa.eu.On June 22, 1995, in Paris, Theodor Melescanu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs submitted Romania's official application for membership of the European Union. The application for accession had attached the document "National strategy for preparing Romania's accession to the European Union", signed in Snagov, on June 21, 1995, by the leaders of the parliamentary parties, by the presidents of the two Chambers of the Romanian Parliament and by president Ion Iliescu.In the Cannes Palace of Festivals, on June 27, 1995, the European Council was held, on which occasion the general framework of the Community legislation in the field of internal market and the requirements that the associated states, including Romania, were to adopt for the harmonization of the Community legislation with the national one, took place.On June 30, 1995, in Brussels, the signing by Romania of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement takes place, which finalizes the legal framework for the participation of the Romanian state in Community programmes aimed at the economic, technical, scientific and cultural fields. This moment represented the completion of Romania's status of an associated state to the European Union.The enforcement of the provisions of the European Association Agreement and the preparation of the process of Romania's accession to the European Union were assumed by the Inter-ministerial Committee for European Integration, which started its activity on August 14, 1995.On June 27, 1997, on the occasion of the EU summit in Amsterdam, the candidate countries were invited to participate, Romania being represented by a delegation led by President Emil Constantinescu.The Romanian Government has carried out the National Programme for Romania's Accession to the European Union in the medium term, a program presented on May 21, 1998, in the government meeting, by Alexandru Herlea, minister-delegate for European Integration with the Prime Minister. The programme was discussed in the plenary of the two Chambers of Parliament and was transmitted to the European Commission on June 25, 1998.On October 13, 1999, the European Commission proposed to start negotiations for accession to the European Union with Malta, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania.On the occasion of the European summit in Helsinki, on December 10-11, 1999, the leaders of the 15 member states voted, on the first day of the works, to start the accession negotiations of the six states, including Romania, stating that the moment of accession would take place when the states met the accession conditions.The opening of Romania's accession negotiations with the European Union took place in Brussels, on February 15, 2000, within the Framework of the Intergovernmental Conference Romania - European Union, at the level of the foreign ministers of the 15 member states.The Ministry of European Integration sent, on June 29, 2001, to Brussels, to the European Commission, the 2001 edition of the National programme for the accession of Romania to the EU, which indicated the stage of preparation of the Romanian state for accession, the developments in the fulfillment of each criterion separately and for each field of activity.The European Parliament voted, on 5 September 2001, on the report by the rapporteur for Romania, Emma Nicholson, on the stage of Romania's accession to the European Union. The evaluation of the preparation process for Romania's accession to the Community bloc was the subject of the visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Guenter Verheugen, to Bucharest, on February 20-21, 2003.On March 11, 2004, the European Parliament voted, by 374 votes in favour, 10 against and 29 abstentions, on the report on the candidacy of Romania and Bulgaria to join the European Union.The largest enlargement ceremony of the Community bloc to date took place in Dublin on May 1, 2004, when the European Union received ten new member states - Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia. Slovenia, Hungary.Romania concludes, from a technical point of view, the negotiations for accession to the European Union on December 8, 2004, in Brussels, by the provisional closure of the last two chapters: "Competition Policy" (chapter 6) and "Justice and Home Affairs" (chapter 24), within the framework of the Romania-EU accession conference.The European Commission confirmed on December 14, 2004, during the 12th Intergovernmental Conference on Romania's Accession to the EU, held in Brussels, the provisional closure of the 31 negotiating chapters, so that the political decision to close the negotiations be subsequently pronounced by the European Council, on the occasion of the winter meeting.The European Parliament voted on December 16, 2004 on the report on Romania's progress towards accession to the European Union, recommending the signing of the Accession Treaty in the spring of 2005 and the effective accession, together with Bulgaria, on January 1, 2007.At the European Council meeting on December 17-18, 2004, the European leaders approved the signing in April 2005 of the Treaty of Accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU, and the accession of the two countries as full rights states to take place in 2007, with the obligation to continue the reforms and to fulfill the commitments undertaken.On April 13, 2005, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament voted, with 497 votes in favour, 93 against and 71 abstentions, the assent for the signing of Romania's Treaty of Accession to the European Union.The Romanian delegation, led by President Traian Basescu, participated, on April 25, 2005, in Luxembourg, in the signing ceremony of the treaty of accession of Romania to the institutions of the European Union.On October 25, 2005, in Strasbourg, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, presented, in the plenary of the European Parliament, the European Commission's positions on the level achieved by Romania and Bulgaria on the accession path.The European Commission presented on September 26, 2006, in Strasbourg, the comprehensive monitoring report on Romania and Bulgaria, which mentioned for the first time that Bulgaria and Romania are prepared to join on 1 January 2007.Slovakia was the first state to ratify the Treaty of Accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union on June 21, 2005, and Germany completed this necessary process on November 24, 2006.The Brussels European Council meeting (December 14-15, 2006) confirmed the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union for January 1, 2007.After accessing the European Union, Romania has representatives in all European institutions, Romanian citizens benefit from the rights conferred by the European citizenship. Romanian has become one of the official languages of the European Union, all Community documents being translated into Romanian.Romania has organized, so far, European Parliament elections three times: on November 25, 2007, for the election of 35 Romanian MEPs, on June 7, 2009, for the 33 MEP mandates and on May 25, 2014, for the 32 mandates.So far, Romania has had four European commissioners. Leonard Orban was the first European commissioner on behalf of Romania, taking over the portfolio for Multilingualism on January 1, 2007 and managing a budget of approximately EUR 1.2 billion. He had 3,400 people under command. The multilingualism portfolio included translations, interpreting and the official publications office of the European Union. His term ended on 9 February 2010.Dacian Ciolos was the second European Commissioner on behalf of Romania, managing the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio. He was sworn into office on February 9, 2010. It had allocated about EUR 50 billion for 2010, almost a third of the European Union's budget. His term ended on November 1, 2014.Corina Cretu was the third European Commissioner on behalf of Romania, from November 1, 2014 until 2019, coordinating the Regional Policy portfolio. From June to October 2014, she served as Vice-President of the European Parliament, according to https://ebn.eu.Adina-Ioana Valean is the fourth European Commissioner on behalf of Romania, managing the Transport portfolio at Community level, starting with 2019. She was a MEP from 2007 to 2019 and vice-president of the European Parliament (2014-2017), according to the https://ec.europa.eu/.Romania has the right to vote in all meetings of the Council of the European Union.In the European Parliament, in the 2019-2024 legislature, the citizens of Romania are represented by 33 European deputes, elected by direct vote following the elections held on May 26, 2019. The mandate from 2019-2024 is the fourth for the elected MEPs from Romania and the third full term of 5 years.Within the Community institutions, Romania is represented by: a judge at the Court of Justice of the European Communities - Octavia Spineanu-Matei (October 7, 2021 - October 6, 2027); a judge at the General Court of the European Union - Mirela Stancu (September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022); one member of the Court of Auditors - Viorel Stefan, 15 members of the Economic and Social Committee and 15 members of the Committee of the Regions, according to the www.mae.ro. The National Bank of Romania is also part of the European System of Central Banks, and its Governor participates, as a full member, in the General Council of the European Central Bank and its committees.Romania ensured, for the first time since joining the European Union, between January 1 and June 30, 2019, the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, a mandate that coincided with the end of the legislative and institutional cycle at the level of the European Union, because in the middle of the first semester of 2019, the elections to the European Parliament were held, being recorded both the peak of the process of political reflection on the future of the Union represented by the Summit held in Sibiu on May 9, 2019, followed by the definition of the Union's Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024, and the process of redefining the leadership of the European institutions, according to the mae.ro website. Most new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the previous report are in Bucharest - 232 and in the counties of Cluj - 125, Constanta - 91 and Iasi - 88, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informed on Friday, agerpres reports. The fewest cases were registered in the counties of Gorj and Calarasi, 5 each, Tulcea - 7, Teleorman - 8, Giurgiu - 9.There were 232 new cases in Bucharest, with an incidence of 0.67 per thousand inhabitants, a slight increase compared to the previous day. The number of cases of infection with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has gone up to 43 in Romania, with five more cases confirmed on Friday, the Health Ministry informs, agerpres reports. According to the information, the persons infected with the Omicron strain (4 men and one woman) are aged between 20 and 52."Two of them are from Dambovita County and one each from the counties of Galati, Mures and Dolj. Only one person is not vaccinated against COVID-19, the others have been fully vaccinated. Two of the infected persons have travel history to the UK and one to South Africa," the report also shows. President Klaus Iohannis sent the Romanian people a message, on the occasion of the New Year, thanking them for the sacrifices, but also the responsibility and civic sense which they have shows during this "difficult year", highlighting that we need to come out of this "horrible sanitary crisis" "stronger and more united", and next year to mean "the joy of rediscovering ourselves, truly, in normality", agerpres reports. "My fellow Romanians, we are leaving behind a year with many trials, with ups and downs, with hope and despair. 2021 was a painful year for our country, too many Romanians losing the fight against the virus during the pandemic's successive waves. During these moments, I urge you to try to shift our thoughts towards the grieving families. I am expressing my full gratitude towards the doctors, nurses, paramedics, EMT, pharmacists, volunteers and all those that were and are still continuing to be in the first line of defence against the pandemic. They are doing all they can, ignoring the risks and overcoming exhaustion, to save lives and to ease the suffering of the sick", Klaus Iohannis sent, in a press release from the Presidential Administration.The head of state also addressed his thanks to the Romanian people for their sacrifices, but also for their responsibility and civic duty which they have shown this year."I would like to thank you for the sacrifices you made, for the responsibility and civic duty which you have shown during this difficult year. All that we learned about ourselves throughout the pandemic should inspire to help us overcome any future trials. We, as a nation, must come out stronger and more united from this terrible sanitary crisis. 2022 is knocking on our door: let us open, with hope, with an open heart and with the faith that all our efforts will mean the joy of rediscovering ourselves, truly, in normality. Happy New Year, wherever you may be! I wish you New Year with health and accomplishments!", Klaus Iohannis also said. Almost 100,000 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, with over 24,500 means of transport, carried out the control formalities through the border points across the country in the last 24 hours, the General Inspectorate of Border Police (IGPF) announced on Friday. "The inbound flow of travelers consisted of about 44,400 people with 11,300 means of transport, and the outbound flow comprised rd 52,800 people with 13,200 means of transport," reads a press release of the IGPF sent to AGERPRES.According to the same source, the most transited were the air border - about 38,100 people, the border with Hungary - about 27,800 people and 11,200 means of transport, the border with Moldova - about 12,700 people and 4,400 means of transport and the border with Bulgaria - about 11,300 people and 5,900 means of transport.In the same period of time, the border guards found 44 illegal acts (18 offenses and 26 contraventions), committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens. There were discovered, independently or in collaboration with other institutions, undeclared goods that were to be smuggled into the country with a total value of about 69,500 lei.(1 euro = 4.94 RON)As many as 24 foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law were not allowed to enter the country and 10 Romanian citizens were denied leaving the country for various legal reasons."The border police work at the maximum capacity allowed by the infrastructure of the crossing points, meaning that we recommend to the participants in the traffic the transit of all the points open to the international traffic, so as to avoid the occurrence of overloads of only some of them. Information on the situation of the border points open to international traffic can be found on the online traffic application", the press release also reads. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Thursday night at the public broadcaster TVR 1 that the increase of salaries in the public system, according to Law 153/2017, could take place, if the revenues to the state budget increase, agerpres reports. He asserted that for the Government he leads it is not "comfortable" to postpone the application of the piece of legislation."It is not at all comfortable for the Government either, because the more we prorogue a law, the more this difference increases and the amount increases proportionally. As such, all we have thought about, all that we have on the table today, is to be able to have investments, to increase collection and to be able to apply the law as it was approved," the Executive's chief said.The Prime minister explained that the salary increases to be applied, from January 1, 2022, for some of the employees of the Health system, but also for the employees in Education are justified by the work done by the respective categories of employees."The decision by which we decided that a part of the Health system, and here we refer to the nurses and stretchers, and the Education staff to receive a part of what was due to them, according to the law, was a decision that we took into account considering the work they carried out, they carry out and are going to carry out directly with the patients and those in Education with the students, asking the others to have confidence that, as the budget collections will be as planned, we will do everything in our ability to apply the law," added Nicolae Ciuca. About 25,000 police officers, gendarmes, firefighters and border police will be on duty daily, during New Year's Eve, to ensure the citizens' protection and safety, and will act to prevent and combat crimes and contraventions, to streamline the traffic on the tried roads during this period, but also when crossing the border, as well as to ensure a rapid intervention in case of emergency situations, agerpres reports. According to estimates, on New Year's Eve, about 60 public events will be organized, in which over 120,000 people could participate. The most significant events will be organized in Bucharest - 15,000 people, Craiova, Piatra Neamt and Ploiesti, rd 10,000 people each."A special attention will be paid to maintaining the climate of public safety on the night between the years. The forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) will be supplemented in order to prevent the illegal acts and to be able to act quickly in support of the citizens, and the SMURD (Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication) crews will be prepared to intervene in order to provide for the medical first aid," said MAI spokeswoman Monica Dajbog.She drew attention to the use of pyrotechnic items."In order to prevent the occurrence of serious accidents, it is better that the pyrotechnic items are used in a secure environment by specialized personnel," the MAI official said.During this period, an average of 1,500 traffic police will act daily, as high traffic values are expected. On road sections with a high risk of accidents, road crews will operate with 280 radar devices.As many as 14 aircraft of the General Aviation Inspectorate are prepared to execute especially SMURD missions and missions in support of the other structures of the ministry.Approximately 5,000 employees of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations will be mobilized every day to be able to act in case of emergency situations, including those produced by hydro-meteorological phenomena.The activities of preventing the spread and limiting the infection with the novel coronavirus will be carried out together with the institutional partners, acting to verify the compliance with the sanitary protection measures, protecting the citizens' health and avoiding the carrying out of activities that could lead to the increase of the number of infections.Firefighters are prepared to intervene with over 3,600 technical means, of which almost 800 extinguishing crews, 41 ambulances, 32 self-milling machines, 133 extrication cars, 323 B2-type SMURD ambulances, 39 mobile intensive care units, of which seven specialized in neonatological treatment, as well as 42 special vehicles for the transport of personnel and multiple victims. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel wished good health and happiness, peace and joy in a video message for the New Year 2022. On the occasion of the New Year 2022, we wish you all good health and happiness, peace and joy together with the traditional greeting: Happy New Year! Patriarch Daniel will officiate a service of thanksgiving and blessing at the Patriarchal Cathedral on New Years Eve. Prayers for the beginning of the new calendar year will be offered in all places of worship of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This prayer service is a good opportunity to celebrate in public worship the time of passage between the years and to thank the Holy Trinity for the benevolence received, to ask for the blessing of the beginning year and to interiorise the meanings of the royal feast of January 1, by calling upon the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of the world and the Lord of the ages. On January 1, Patriarch Daniel will hold a solemn ceremony at the Patriarchal Cathedral to proclaim 2022 as Solemn Year of prayer in the life of the Church and of the Christian and Commemorative Year of the Hesychast Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisios (Velichkovsky) of Neamt. Romania is a country that has a history within the European Union and in the North Atlantic Alliance, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Thursday night in a TV broadcast on TVR 1 public television, agerpres reports. He stressed that the current government can prove that "Romania is capable of changing" and have its own objective, asking Romanians to trust the members of the executive."For the next year I'm asking the Romanians to have confidence and hope that we will not spare any effort to be able to achieve the objectives we have assumed. I don't want to promise anything at all. (...) It is the facts that must characterize each of us and any decision we make will not take effect in the next period. These are decisions that have to produce effects over time. It is clear that we cannot fix and solve what has not been solved in years. Instead, we can make available the best of ourselves so that we can create that framework both for the Romanians in the country and for the Romanians abroad and to prove that Romania is capable of changing, Romania is able to transform, Romania is able to have its own objective and to play its role inside the European Union, inside North Atlantic Alliance. We are a country that has relevance. We cannot get over this," Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said. Prime Minister Nicoale Ciuca sends, on the occasion of the New Year, that the year to come to offer "hope and the joy of returning to a normal life", highlighting that for the Executive, the main target represents "regaining the trust of the citizens in the state's institutions", agerpres reports. "My fellow Romanians, we are greeting the New Year with the hope that we will soon go back to the normal life before the pandemic. We are leaving behind an year with many challenges, regarding the safety of our loved ones, the economic situation, the jobs and the state's capacity of offering protection to those in need. The Government that I am leading understands these needs. Romania needs a balanced budget, which guarantees investments without precedent in at the same time efficient social protection", the PM says, according to a press release sent by the Executive.The head of Government highlights that it is important for the citizen to be in the foreground."We need an institutional reform, removing bureaucracy and digitalizing, but it is just as important to understand that for these we need time and human resources. Changing minds is done by educating and the citizens' participation to this process. Our future will look just as we want it to look only if we invest in it, if the younger generations will find in their country the place where they want to live and grow. If we offer them the education and motivation they need, we will be able to enjoy this future together.Furthermore, the PM urges Romanians to be responsible regarding the COVID-19 pandemic."Romania has gone through, like other countries, through very difficult times because of this health crisis. Alongside the heroes in the front line, doctors, sanitary staff, we must be responsible and ration in our shared efforts against COVID-19. It is absolutely necessary to acknowledge that the danger has yet to pass, we must be vigilant, to respect the sanitary conduct recommended by doctors, to listen to their advice. The vaccine is protecting our life, it protects us from the serious forms of the COVID-19 disease", Ciuca said.The PM also points out that along with the new year, we are celebrating 15 years since Romania acceded to the European Union, highlighting the importance of belonging to the EU."Entering 2022 marks the 15th anniversary since Romania acceded to the European Union, a very important moment in our recent history, which led us to the democratic, political and economic edifice of these times. Now, during this difficult pandemic context, belonging to the European family means mutual support and united efforts for ensuring the necessary sanitary means, in both the critical period where Romanian hospitals were under the pressure of the large number of patients infected with the novel coronavirus, as wlel as the access to the most secure and efficient anti-COVID-19 vaccines. Membership to the European Union will continue brining us benefits and by relaunching the economy, by financing investment projects and reform, which are within the Romania's National Recovery and Resilience plan (PNRR). The wellbeing and peace offered to European citizens represents a reality that can be improved for Romanians", Ciuca said.The head of the Executive tells the Romanian people that the main stake of governing represents regaining the citizens' trust in the state's institutions."The best proof of respect towards us is to prove, during the act of governing, that the main stake is regaining the citizens' trust in the state's institutions. I want this to be the solid base through which we will give hope to all Romanians, including those in diaspora, that they can have a future in the country, along with their family and friends. We need unity, we all need to understand that only together, with seriousness and consistency in all commitments that we took upon ourselves, we will manage to offer our children and ourselves a better future. I wish you all a Happy New Year, with health and accomplishments for each Romanian, a year that will offer us hope and the joy of returning to a normal life. Happy New Year!", Ciuca also said. The Police unions will continue their protest actions until their requests regarding wages will be applied, after a calendar which will be publicly communicated after the New Year, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday. "Tuesday, December 28, 2021, the new Central Executive Bureau of SNPPC (National Union of Police and Contractual Staff) / FSNPPC (National Trade Unions Federation of Police and Contractual Employees) met at Victoria Palace, after the the Government session ended, with the Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, and with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian-Nicolae Bode, along with the Prime Minister's councilors. The meeting took place following a written request, recently addressed by FSNPPC. Our delegation submitted and amendment, in the sense of fully applying Law 153/2017 regarding wages, for the entire Defence System staff, Public Order and National Security, thus: 1/2, as of January 1, 2022 and the difference - July 1, 2022, at the latest", the unions say.According to the quoted source, there were also debates regarding all the problems that police officers are facing, the contractual staff and military/police retirees, such as: frozen bonuses and salaries, small quantum of monthly compensation for rent, neuro-psychic bonuses that were not fully granted, the problem of employing in minimum work conditions and the poor salary of the contractual staff, as well as the inadequate equipment, legal and physical protection of police officers.Furthermore, the unions also mentioned that among the problems they are facing: allocating necessary resources to improve training, Police Headquarters that do not offer adequate work conditions and generally, the necessary logistics, the major staff deficit, which presumes missions and additional tasks, involvement in the first line in combating the pandemic - without a medical risk bonus, or health and security in the line of work."We brought to attention that at the base of society, there is a need for more security, which communities cannot develop on an economic, social, medical-sanitary and cultural-educational level. At the end of the discussions, the Romanian Prime Minister ensured us, personally, regarding wages, and that he wishes to apply Law 153 in the year 2022, considering that successive extensions do not produce anything other than displease to our employees from our occupational family, implicitly street protests, thousands of court cases and emphasizing the already existing salary inequities", the press release reads. Hannah will touch the deepest corner of your heart. Reading these words on the book jacket (and as someone not very fond of Hallmark Channel movies), I was pretty sure this book wouldnt reach the deepest corner of my heart. I wasnt wrong sappy, cliched and a waste of the hours it took me to read this. I dont always love Hannahs books, but she is usually a reliable author. In the story, it is just before Christmas, and Joy Candellaro is reeling, recently divorced from her husband, who cheated on her with her sister. Her sister is pregnant with the ex-husbands baby and inviting Joy to toast the happy couple at their upcoming nuptials. In a state (as you can imagine!), Joy drives to the airport and buys a ticket to a town called Hope. Yep, Joy headed to a town called Hope. And dont forget, its Christmas! But theres no joy for Joy as the plane crashes on the way. Edwards says the number of people hospitalized with the virus has risen 268% since Dec. 17, to 762. He and other state and hospital officials around south and central Louisiana repeatedly urged everyone to take precautions such as getting vaccinations and booster shots, wearing masks, washing hands, and staying 6 feet (2 meters) from people outside their immediate families. The surge has upended his own holiday plans, he said, with relatives who had planned Christmas visits staying at their own homes. He'll also watch this week's football games on TV. A month ago I would have said I was going to be at both the Sugar Bowl and the Saints game. I will do neither, he said. Even though reports indicate that the omicron variant generally causes less serious illness than the delta variant, it makes so many people sick that hospitalization numbers go up fast, Edwards said. It's just a factor of math. he said. The omicron variant spreads so quickly that it could cause outbreaks large enough to close schools if precautions aren't taken, said Theresa Sokol, the state epidemiologist. The Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate said their focus will be on undoing the damage Republicans have wrought in the last year. Sen. Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, said her priorities are workforce recovery, public health recovery, repealing the states new ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation and repealing a new law that prohibits teaching children that they are inferior, racist, sexist or oppressive by virtue of their race, gender or other characteristics. In addition to those goals, House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing, of Hampton, said Democrats also hope to repeal or chip away at the states new voucher-like Education Freedom Accounts. We can not stand idly by while extremist Republicans ruin the state we all love and cherish, he said in an email. While Packard said he hopes the House will return to the Statehouse next year, Democrats will continue fighting for remote access, Cushing said. Given the abundance of technology available to us, we believe it is imperative not only for members of the House but also for the general public to be able to testify and participate remotely, expanding the opportunity for everyones voices to be heard, he said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Seattle Children's also reported a bump in the number of children admitted over the past week. And while they are less seriously ill than those hospitalized over the summer, Dr. John McGuire cautioned that it is early in the omicron wave, and the full effects will become apparent over the next several weeks. New York health authorities have also sounded the alarm. The number of children admitted to the hospital per week in New York City with COVID-19 went from 22 to 109 between Dec. 5 and Dec. 24. Across all of New York state, it went from 70 to 184. Overall, almost 5,000 people in New York were in the hospital with COVID-19. A fourfold increase makes everybody jump with concern, but it's a small percentage," Ko said of the New York City figures. Children have a low risk of being hospitalized, but those who do are unvaccinated." Dr. Al Sacchetti, chief of emergency services at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey, likewise said vaccinated children are handling the omicron outbreak extremely well. It makes a big difference in how these kids tolerate the disease, particularly if the childs got some medical issues, he said. BOSTON (AP) Boston's First Night New Year's celebrations will be outdoors only this year to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, and revelers will have a chance to get a vaccine during the event, Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials said Thursday. First Night, which started in 1975 and has inspired similar events in cities around the nation and world, typically holds performances and cultural events at indoor locations, and several indoors events were scheduled for this year. But everything has been moved outside for this Friday. As we come together to celebrate community, our joy and 2022, we must also recognize the moment that we still very much are in, Wu said at an news conference. We are in a winter surge driven by the omicron variant, and we need to take action to protect ourselves, our families and our communities at large. The mobile vaccination clinic open to anyone who is eligible for a shot or booster will be held in Copley Square from noon until 7 p.m. It will be moved inside the Boston Public Library after 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. for people ages 12 and older, officials said. WAYNE COUNTY, Ill. The family of a sheriff's deputy who was killed here this week, sparking a two-state manhunt that also included carjackings, robberies and a second shooting, said Friday their son, husband, father and friend was a hero. Deputy Sean Riley's family in a written statement thanked the thousands of people who offered their support. "Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same," the statement said. "But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life to the fullest, he loved his family and friends deeply and he died doing what he loved." A visitation, funeral and burial are planned for Monday in Fairfield, Illinois, roughly two hours east of St. Louis and 30 minutes west of the Indiana border. The man accused of fatally shooting Riley is 40-year-old Ray Tate of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Illinois State Police said Tate took Riley's squad car immediately after the shooting around 5 a.m. Wednesday, then drove a few minutes east where he held a semitrailer driver at gunpoint and forced him to drive to St. Peters. Over the past week, hospital admissions have increased to 113 Thursday from 105 on Wednesday. Across the regions hospitals, bed capacity is at 89%, with intensive care units at 80% of their total staffed bed capacity, the task force reported. The expiration means the Missouri National Guard will no longer be activated to assist in the battle to contain the disease. Over the last 22 months, we have coordinated with local, state, and private partners to mitigate COVID-19 and work towards returning to normalcy. We all now know how to best fight and prevent serious illness from this virus, Parson said. The governor, a Republican, extended the state of emergency five times before issuing a final targeted executive order for health care needs in August. Currently, three of Missouris border states and 20 other states have states of emergency related to COVID-19 in place. The 6th District would still cover northern Missouri, while the 7th would be centered in Springfield, in southwest Missouri. One of the biggest changes is shifting Pulaski County, home of Fort Leonard Wood, from the 4th District to the 8th District in order to account for population loss in the 8th, Shaul said. That means, if the plan were approved, Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood would no longer be in the same congressional district, as has been the case for the past decade. Missouri is one of the last states to start congressional redistricting ahead of the 2022 elections, according to a tracking website by the news outlet 538. Shaul said his map needs support from two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber in order to immediately take effect upon Gov. Mike Parsons signature something he would seek. It remains to be seen whether backers of the plan can secure the two-thirds majority needed in the House for the plan to take effect immediately. ST. LOUIS Few people expect tornadoes in December, let alone one strong enough to collapse the 11-inch-thick concrete walls of a sprawling, new Amazon warehouse. But the EF3 tornado that wrecked the facility near Edwardsville last month one of several twisters that caused widespread damage in six states and more than 90 deaths could be a sign of things to come. While most people associate intense tornado outbreaks with spring, weather experts say both the timing and location may be changing. Two decades ago, December tornadoes if they occurred plowed through fields and homes from eastern Texas to northern Florida, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. At that time, fewer storms occurred overall, and even fewer hit the nations traditional tornado alley Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Recent unseasonable twisters tend to touch down in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. Scientists and those who study the phenomena agree that tornado outbreaks are moving east. Research has identified evidence of a Dixie Alley, which represents an eastward extension of the traditional Tornado Alley in the central Great Plains, wrote Harold Brooks in a 2018 study on tornado spatial trends. Brooks studies tornadoes in NOAAs National Severe Storms Laboratory, and said St. Louis has one of the most remarkable tornado histories of any place in the country. In general, tornadoes are not happening more often except in December. Professors and experts offer several reasons. Tornadoes need two main ingredients: Warm air, and rapidly changing winds at different levels of the atmosphere, known as wind shear. Geographies with recent bursts in December tornadoes often have wind shear, William Gallus, professor of meteorology at Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa, said, but not the warm air that causes atmospheric instability. Thats when a parcel of air is warmer than surrounding air, at the same elevation, causing the parcel to rise. He and colleagues were shocked by the dew points produced in Memphis and Kentucky in the recent tornado-causing systems. The one that passed through Iowa on Dec. 15 broke the record for single-day tornadoes in the state, Gallus said. And that system produced tornadoes in parts of the country that previously had no December tornadoes. A link between climate change and an increase in extreme weather seems natural to some, such as Gallus. A warming planet means an often-warmer Gulf of Mexico, he said. Disturbances in the jet stream can result and can spur tornadoes especially in December. Yet others think different weather patterns, like La Nina, which causes wet Midwestern conditions to meet warm Southeastern conditions, are the cause. John Allen, professor of meteorology at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, said La Nina predicts a higher chance of severe winter weather, and consistently. The U.S. is experiencing a La Nina weather pattern this winter. The most recent complete decade of data available from NOAA, 2010 through 2019, shows 221 December tornadoes rated at the Enhanced Fujita scale of 1 or higher occurred in the U.S., compared with 143 from 2000 to 2009, and just 78 during the 1990s. The majority of December tornadoes were rated at EF2 or lower, meaning weaker storms, but the percentage of strong or violent tornadoes increased to 10% from 4% between the past two decades. And, in Midwestern-Southeastern states, excluding Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas also known as tornado alley December tornadoes increased to 189 twisters, up 78% from 106. The NOAA tornado data has limitations, said Jana Houser, a professor of meteorology at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The first two decades were retroactively recorded using newspaper archives and other reports, Houser said. There are now more people to witness and report tornadoes, and more methods for them to report more easily. In 2007, NOAA changed rating systems for tornadoes, shifting from only measuring damage after a storm to measure its strength to measuring wind speed and damage. Brooks said the change caused inconsistencies in the strength rating of storms throughout the data. In their paper, Brooks and his co-author note the geographic trend could be a result of techniques to smooth reports over time and space. Still, the number of December tornadoes continue to rise. December twisters In December this year, strong tornadoes turned up the Midwest twice. The first aggressive system, on Dec. 10, affected Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky and killed eight people. The vicious winds blew homes off foundations and an EF3 tornado collapsed part of an Amazon warehouse near Edwardsville, killing and injuring workers trapped under concrete walls. Meanwhile, a twister from the same system carved a 200-mile path through Kentucky, and potentially broke a 100-year-old record for time on the ground. The city of Mayfield, with a population of about 10,000 people, was devastated, with shredded trees and downed power lines littering the landscape. Windows and roofs were blown off buildings that were still standing. More than 70 were pronounced dead, and authorities are still working on recovery. Five days later, a second storm system caused hurricane-force winds as far north as southeastern Minnesota and killed a man there, when a 40-foot tree blew into him outside of his home. Another person died when a semitrailer was blown on its side in Iowa; three others died in Kansas, where vehicle crashes resulted from high dust and low visibility. Totals from all states that were hit reached close to 90 tornadoes, Gallus said. On New Years Eve in 2010, an EF3 struck the St. Louis region, leveling homes, at least one business and knocking down utility poles in Sunset Hills. The storms continued and spurred tornadoes to touch down in north St. Louis before moving into southern Illinois. The weather was eerie, like it is now warm and just not normal for December, said Pat Fribis, now mayor and then-alderman of Sunset Hills. We were just shocked. Fribis remembers looking at a house that had its whole facade taken off. It was like you were looking at a dollhouse, she said. No one was hurt in the south St. Louis County community, but Fribis called the damage devastating. Political issues stemming from the tornado caused Ann McMunn to run for office. Shes now an alderman representing the 1st Ward in Sunset Hills and recalls the New Years Eve tornado like it was yesterday. She was home alone in her three-bedroom house when a tree fell through the house and the storm leveled most of her street. She remembers hearing two tornado sirens, at first. She ignored them until the third one went off, when she peered outside, and saw a green sky and rain falling sideways. She called her mother, who was at a Schnucks in Crestwood. Minutes later, she stood in the basement, still on the phone, when the tornado hit. There was a moment I was talking to my mom, and I couldnt catch my breath, McMunn said. I said to my mom, I think it must be right over me. In 2000, an early December tornado in Alabama, near Tuscaloosa, killed 11 people and destroyed an entire shopping center before moving on to level homes. The storms overturned vehicles and injured 144. Ironically, the tornado dissipated as it moved into an open, unpopulated area, the National Weather Service reported. Have a plan To understand the how and the why with December tornadoes, more research is needed. But collecting data on one of the fastest-moving and random weather events isnt exactly easy, Gallus explained. I would have to be a trillionaire, and cover the entire country with weather instruments, Gallus said. Even then, theyd likely get blown away before much meaningful data could be gathered. Meteorologists can only recommend a few things to those potentially in the paths of unseasonal twisters: Prepare, have a plan and have a safe place to go. To prepare, residents can build substantial shelters. And for those with bad knees, the space doesnt have to be a basement. Brooks has an above-ground shelter in his residence, with concrete walls reinforced by steel bars every six inches throughout, and a steel door. Companies like Amazon can redesign their warehouses to make a safe space large enough for all employees. Its hard to reinforce a building that size, but you can make smaller shelters for your entire population, Brooks said. You essentially spend the small amount of money to make part of the building really safe. In 2021, before the year-end data collection and cleanup, Gallus said the number of December tornadoes had already reached 160, from his tally of weather station reports around the country. It is probably safe to say the increase will continue in the decade 2020 to 2029, Gallus said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Just a day earlier, the task force reported 105 COVID-19 patients being admitted as a daily average to area hospitals in the past week. At last winters peak, the seven-day average hit 141 per day, in late November. Its a frightening scenario, Garza said, adding We dont believe that we are even in the worst phase of this surge yet. Garza is chief community health officer for SSM Health. Cases in the city of St. Louis more than doubled from the week starting Dec. 14 to the one starting Dec. 21, according to a health department news release. If you ever questioned the seriousness of the pandemic, let this data open your eyes, Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, city health director, said in the release. We are reaching a new crisis, as two highly contagious variants are sweeping through our communities. We plead with you, do not take any unnecessary risks by attending large gatherings. The city health department reported a seven-day average positivity rate of 24% the highest the city has seen since reporting its first positive case on March 16, 2020. HONOLULU (AP) Military officials say they need more time to flush jet fuel from their Pearl Harbor water system, but some of the 4,000 military families who were displaced because of contaminated drinking water could begin returning by the end of next week. U.S. Navy leaders addressed state lawmakers Wednesday, saying they hope to finish flushing the Navy's system by the end of January. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the Navy said in early December it would be able to do the work in a matter of weeks. Navy officials believe about 14,000 gallons (52,995 liters) of jet fuel spilled Nov. 20 in an access tunnel at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, and some of it was sent through the Navy's water distribution system that serves about 93,000 people. People using the water in and near the Pearl Harbor military installation reported becoming ill, and the Navy moved many military families into Oahu hotels. The High Country originally referred to the vast Canadian wilderness, but it could just as easily invoke the opening of the American West via its natural water route, the Missouri River. Lewis and Clarks expedition included several French-Canadians, notably Toussaint Charbonneau, husband of the iconic Sacagawea. One of Clarks main interpreters was multi-lingual Francois Labiche, of French and Omaha Indian parentage. The Voyage of Discoverys overall success with Indigenous peoples was in no small part a result of the shrewd diplomacy and long personal experience of these French-Canadians. They continued on as singing boatmen long after the Louisiana Purchase transferred Missouri territory to the United States. John Jacob Astors American Fur Company alone employed more than one thousand voyageurs. Only a change in fashion in the 1840s put an end to their labors. I am by no means a French voyageur. Im not even a native Missourian. But during the pandemic, I spent more time on Missouris waterways than I have in the 24 previous years Ive lived here. I explored Ozark streams by kayak; I rafted the Missouri River with a group of friends and fellow musicians. I even swam in a spring-fed Ozark pond. And every day, I played my French horn. Water and music sustained me, just as they did the French voyageurs 200 years ago. At the end of 2021 the UN reported that a third of the 420 million people in Arab countries do not get enough to eat while 29 percent of adults in these countries suffer from obesity. Worldwide only 13 percent of adults eat too much and are obese. The UN attributes this widespread hunger to the number of long-lasting wars and civil disorder in general. Many governments are at fault but these cannot be named because this is a UN rule that is generally followed, along with not getting involved with internal politics. Another reality not mentioned is that the hunger problem is not inadequate food supplies but the inability to deliver the food to those who need it. Until the end of the Cold War in 199s this was seen as a problem that could be solved and it often was. That is no longer the case and the situation began to change in the 1990s as food aid, and emergency aid in general, was weaponized in many parts of the world. Nations suffering from chronic violence, lawlessness and massive numbers of refugees are often not that way because of war but because of other factors, including how many foreign aid groups operate, or try to operate there. NGO (Non-Government Organizations) now handle most of the emergency food distribution and tend to have their own ideas of how to handle things. NGO attitudes are often at odds with the locals as well as the foreign nations that provide the cash and goods needed to deal with the avoidable hunger. One problem often leads to another as the NGOs, locals, and donors clash over what to do and how to do it. The main problem is there is more to be done than anyone is willing to pay for. To make matters worse there are always disagreements, sometimes violent, over how to apply the aid. That has forced donors to prioritize where they send aid. That means chronic offenders are getting less, or sometimes no aid from many major donors. It's become a global problem. In 2019 the top ten global disaster areas contained most of the people in need, even though these nations contained less than five percent of the world population. The ten disaster areas were; Yemen, Congo, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Venezuela, CAR (Central African Republic), Syria, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Somalia. A major problem has been the reluctance of donors to support relief operations in many of these countries because too much of the aid going there is stolen or unable to reach the people most in need. NGOs have no solution, or at least none that will either turn off the donors (and their donations) or upset the locals, resulting in more violence and chaos. Most of these needy nations are not the scene of war, at least not in the traditional sense, but they are suffering some serious problems. From the outside this appears to be widespread civil disorder. The trigger for the disorder is most often tribalism as in Yemen, Congo, South Sudan, Afghanistan, CAR and Somalia. In some of these nations, there is an actual civil war going on, as in Yemen, South Sudan, CAR and Syria. Another major cause is religious differences as in Yemen, Syria, and Nigeria. Another common factor is corruption and the inability to create an effective government. Many of these nations are recognized as failed states because they have never managed to form a sense of national unity and stable national government. This is common in most African countries as well as Afghanistan and Yemen. NGOs are increasingly feuding with each other about how to handle the growing money shortages they must deal with. The demand for contributions to buy food and other aid supplies has been increasing faster than donor nations, who supply most of this money, are willing to provide. This is in large part because of growing problems with a lot of the aid being stolen by local bandits and corrupt officials, or diverted to other uses by NGOs. This problem is particularly acute in Arab nations, which tend to be more corrupt and prone to poor government, outbreaks of civil disorder and prolonged civil wars. There is often no disagreement over the need for aid in a country but none of the locals with power are willing to guarantee any aid will get to those who need it, and they often refuse to give aid donors any control over aid distribution. This sort of thing is very visible in Syria, Somalia, and Yemen. Somalis consider themselves Arabs because they have used a version of Arabic for thousands of years and get violent with any who dispute their Arab status. There are other problems as well. Increasingly people in countries receiving aid via NGOs complain about the NGOs being more concerned for their own safety and comfort than in making the lives of the locals better. It's not as simple as that. There are also disagreements within the NGO community about how to deliver aid in areas swarming with bandits, Islamic terrorists, and other bad actors. The NGOs that continue to send people to these dangerous areas complain that many NGOs that used to be there with them are now snagging a lot of aid money and moving to some well-guarded urban area to spend the aid money on studies, seminars, and research into how to achieve peace and prosperity via diplomacy, negotiation, and creative book-keeping. The NGOs still out in the field consider such growing interest in this new non-contact policy with the people needing the aid approach as a craven copout and diversion of desperately needed funds from buying food and emergency services for people. The NGOs are trying to keep this dispute from turning into a public debate as they all agree that putting these issues into the news would probably reduce contributions even more. NGOs are, for the most part, charitable organizations that take money from individuals, organizations and governments and use it for charitable work in foreign countries. The Red Cross is one of the oldest, and best-known NGOs, dating back to the 19th century. In the mid-20th century, the UN became the largest NGO. The Catholic Church could be considered one of the first major NGOs, as it organized large scale charity efforts over a thousand years ago. By the late 20th century, the number of NGOs had increased faster than anyone expected. Now there are thousands of them, providing work for hundreds of thousands of people. The NGO elite are well-educated people, usually from Western countries, who solicit donations or go off to disaster areas and apply money, equipment and supplies to alleviate some natural or man-made disaster. Governments have been so impressed by the relative efficiency of NGOs that they have contracted them to perform foreign aid and disaster relief work that was once done by government employees. Problems, however, have developed over the years. The Western employees of NGOs, while not highly paid, are infused with a certain degree of idealism, and that brings to disaster areas a bunch of outsiders who have a higher standard of living and radically different ideas. Several decades ago, the main thing these outsiders brought with them was food and medical care. The people on the receiving end were desperate, and grateful for the help. But NGOs have branched out into development and social programs. These new activities caused unexpected problems with the local leadership. Development programs disrupt the existing economic and political relationships. This is especially the case if the NGOs try to change the way things are done. The local leaders are often not happy with this, as the NGOs are not always willing to work closely with the existing power structure. While the local worthies may be exploitative, and even corrupt, they are local, and they do know more about popular attitudes and ideals than the foreigners. NGOs with social programs like education, especially educating women, new lifestyle choices and more power for people who don't usually have much, often run into conflict with the local leadership. Naturally, the local politicians and traditional leaders have resisted, or even fought back. Local governments will sometimes try to regulate or expel NGOs. That often includes local NGOs, who are doing some of the same work as the foreign ones. In these cases, the government is responding to complaints from old school tribal and religious leaders who are unhappy with all these foreigners, or urban locals with funny ideas, upsetting the ancient ways in the countryside. NGOs are not military organizations, but they can fight back. They do this mainly through the media because they also use favorable media coverage to propel their fundraising efforts. NGOs will also ask, or demand, that the UN or other foreign governments send in peacekeeping troops to protect the NGOs from hostile locals. This had disastrous effects in Somalia during the early 1990s. Some NGOs remained, or came back to Somalia after the peacekeepers left. These NGOs learned how to cope on their own, although with increasing difficulty. The NGOs hired local muscle for protection, as well as cutting deals with the local warlords. But eventually, the local Islamic radicals became upset at the alien ideas these Western do-gooders brought with them and began to chase the NGOs out. There are few parts of the world that don't know about NGOs, who runs them, and what these organizations do. NGOs are no longer seen as just charitable foreigners coming to help. The local leadership often sees the NGOs as a potential threat. While the material aid the NGOs bring is appreciated, the different ideas are not. And there are more NGOs showing up with more agenda than physical aid. NGOs have become more adept at dealing with local power brokers. That turns NGOs into diplomats, which they are not. NGO means Non-Governmental Organization but sometimes they act like government bureaucrats. NGOs that get too heavily into diplomacy are no longer regarded as NGOs. This has always been a problem, but now it's getting worse as NGOs have become a worldwide presence. And the decade old UN policy of deliberately politicizing aid efforts has turned the aid workers from angels of mercy to political targets. This trend, from delivering aid to delivering ideas, often unwelcome ones, put all NGOs at risk. The NGOs have become players in a worldwide civil war between local traditional ideas, and the more transnational concepts that trigger violent reactions in many parts of the world. Another problem is the money given to NGOs to spend on aid for a country is money the local officials would rather have control over. There are two reasons why donors prefer NGOs to have control over the aid. The primary problem is corruption. Money given to the government tends to get stolen. Often more than a third of it disappears into the pockets of government officials, their kin and friends. But letting the donors, and NGOs handle the money also results in similar losses. This is because these donations often come with requirements that much of the money be spent on goods and services from the donor nation. This particularly bothers the locals as it means a lot of highly (especially by local standards) paid Western aid workers are supervising whatever is done in the aid receiving nation. The higher NGO pay standards are very visible because the Westerners tend to live much better than locals. The Westerners are also accused of not understanding the needs of locals, but the NGOs are also less prone to devote most of the programs to local traditional (tribal) or senior government officials. The locals would like to gain control of all the aid money, or at least get more of it spent inside the nation receiving the aid, but have not had much success. All of this just adds to the growing hostility towards NGOs, and the violence it generates. No one has a solution that doesn't involve bribes or local mercenaries, and the problem just keeps getting worse and more people go hungry even though food is available but kept from those who need it by a lot of problems the UN does not want to talk about, especially the variant found in Arab countries. 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 BEIJING, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news report from chinadaily.com.cn: Erik Solheim, former United Nations undersecretary-general who has visited China many times, said he was impressed by the country's efforts in tackling climate change in an interview with China Daily. "China's tree planting is leading the world and it reins in desert in a way no other nation has achieved," according to Solheim, who is also president of the Belt and Road Initiative Green Development Institute and former executive director of the United Nation Environment Programme. China's forest coverage rate has risen from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 23 percent at present. A 2019 study published in the journal Nature Sustainability found that of the 5.2 million square kilometers of vegetation added to the surface of the Earth since 2000, a quarter was contributed by China.Solheim stressed the significance of promise made by President Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly on Sept 21 that China will stop building new coal-fired power projects overseas. "The driving force of climate action in the world is no longer diplomacy. It's actions of political leaders," he said. China's green technology also won the applause of Solheim. "Basically on every environment technology, China is leading at scale." China's installed capacity of grid-connected wind power has reached 300.15 million kilowatts as of Nov 14, 2021, double that of 2016, and it has been tops worldwide for 12 consecutive years. In 2020, new installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power generation units in China reached 48 GW, more than 40 percent of the global new installed capacity. China's total installed capacity of solar PV units reached 253 GW, which is one-third of the global total and exceeds that in the European Union and the United States. As to the biggest challenges that China will face meeting its goals to peak carbon emission before 2030 and to be zero carbon before 2060, he said the key is to embark upon a fair transition. "If you are a coal miner in Shanxi, or if you are related to some other old-style industry in Liaoning province, you may not necessarily be very happy to see Guangdong or Fujian moving very fast into solar and wind technology." To help those who might not immediately benefit from the green transition, he suggested that China could learn from the European Union by putting a fair transition front and center, to set up some big funds and also train them into the new economy. He admitted that there is an equity issue when it comes to emission reduction. "The historical climate emissions of the United States are eight times higher than China per capita. So there's an equity issue for sure and those who have polluted the most should also carry the heaviest burden." However, he added that the new green future is an enormous opportunity. "That's a fantastic opportunity for China and for any other nation in the world to create an ecological civilization." "When China can be so successful fighting poverty, of course it can be as successful establishing ecological civilization," Solheim said. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202112/29/WS61cc1249a310cdd39bc7e222.html View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-un-official-hails-chinas-fight-against-climate-change-301452110.html SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced that Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer, will present virtually at the 2022 Goldman Healthcare CEOs Unscripted Conference on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT). You can access the webcast of the presentation via the Investors section of our website, www.thermofisher.com. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 100,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. Media Contact Information: Ron O'Brien Thermo Fisher Scientific Investor Contact Information: Rafael Tejada Thermo Fisher Scientific Phone: 781-622-1242 Phone: 781-622-1356 E-mail: ron.obrien@thermofisher.com E-mail: rafael.tejada@thermofisher.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermo-fisher-scientific-to-present-at-the-2022-goldman-healthcare-ceos-unscripted-conference-301452032.html SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific A sailor walks a portion of the 7 miles of tunnels that are part of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 17, 2020. (Daniel Mayberry/U.S. Navy) FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Hawaii Department of Health lacks the authority to issue an emergency order to close the Red Hill fuel tank facility, the Navy maintains in a document filed Wednesday. The Navy referred to the states emergency order as the product of a truncated, expedited and limited process, and likewise dismissed a finding that the vast, underground fuel storage facility posed an imminent peril to the Oahu water supply. Thousands of residents at two dozen military housing areas remain in temporary lodging after complaints surfaced over Thanksgiving weekend of foul-smelling water with an oily sheen. The underground tanks are linked to petroleum contamination of a nearby well the Navy uses to supply water to military communities on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Hawaii Department of Health issued an emergency order on Dec. 6 requiring the Navy to empty the massive tanks, which now hold about 150 million gallons of fuel. A state hearing officer on Monday recommended the emergency order be upheld after listening to 13 hours of testimony last week. Hearing officer David Day concluded that the facility posed a peril to Oahus underground water aquifer, likening it to a ticking timebomb. The deputy director of the state Health Department is required to issue a final decision on the recommendation by Jan. 28. On Wednesday, Navy attorney Craig Jensen filed a 43-page response objecting to numerous assumptions and conjectures made in Days report. Jensen argued the Health Department has exceeded its emergency authority and misinterpreted the meaning of imminent threat in regard to the order to empty all the tanks. Days recommendation stated that the contamination was a humanitarian and environmental disaster and that the threat of future releases poses an imminent peril to human health and safety or the environment at large. Jensen disagreed, maintaining there is no pressing danger with the facility. The Navy suspended operations there soon after residents began complaining of bad water. Only a finding of actual imminent peril and actions tailored to the immediate emergency are authorized under [the Health Departments] emergency power, Jensen wrote. Emergency authority and its truncated, expedited and limited process is an inadequate instrument for managing long-range uncertainty, he wrote. According to Jensen, the long-range risks posed by the facility are assessed and managed under a consent order entered into by the Navy, Hawaii Department of Health, Defense Logistics Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency following large fuel leak at Red Hill in 2014. The Health Department is obligated to use a dispute resolution process set forth in the consent order if it is dissatisfied with the Navys progress in monitoring and upgrading the facility, Jensen wrote. The permitting process to ensure the protection of human health and the environment, and other regulatory authorities, including the [consent decree], are the proper authorities to identify, assess, and manage the risks of operating [an underground storage tank] system, Jensen wrote. Jensens rebuttal also took exception to the hearing officers failure to consider critical evidence on Navy sampling, monitoring, modeling and testing actions at Red Hill and an overstated tally of leaks that have occurred at the facility over the past 80 years. Jensen also objected to Days assertion that a fuel leak associated with the underground tanks on Nov. 20 proved that the facility too old, poorly designed and difficult to inspect to prevent future releases. The November spill, however, did not result from a tank leak, was not caused by corrosion, age, poor design, or tank size, and was immediately discovered and reported, Jensen wrote. The release does not prove that Red Hill is too old, too poorly designed, too difficult to inspect, or too large to realistically prevent future releases. That release, in other words, does not support the Hearings Officers theory of systemic risk, and the evidentiary record does not support the conclusion that problems at Red Hill, in general, cannot be controlled. In a statement Thursday, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement said it was disappointed but not surprised that the Navy was contesting Days recommendation. Day found that the Navy cannot be trusted to set aside its own perceived interests to protect the health and safety of the people of Hawaii and to the environment, the statement said. Wyatt Olson District of Columbia National Guard soldiers and airmen provide security around the U.S. Capitol Jan. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Erica Jaros/National Guard) The Defense Department on Thursday streamlined the process for activating District of Columbia National Guard troops to assist local law enforcement by establishing a single point of contact within the Pentagon. The change comes almost a year after the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C., during which rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol and sent lawmakers into hiding. Questions swirled in the aftermath about the delay in sending in National Guard troops to quell the riot and assist the Capitol Police, who were vastly outnumbered and overrun by supporters of then-President Donald Trump seeking to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens electoral win. In the spring, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a review of how the Defense Department handles requests for support in the National Capital Region, including approval authorities, request processes, planning, available forces, command relationships, staff support, and training exercises, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement Thursday. Austin issued a memo Thursday to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth establishing an executive secretariat as the single entry point for federal and local requests for National Guard assistance for both pre-planned and time sensitive events, Kirby said. The Secretary of Defense is now the single approval authority for all requests that would involve District of Columbia National Guard personnel participating directly in civilian law enforcement activities or that require the deployment of [D.C. National Guard] personnel within 48 hours after receipt of the request, Kirby said. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, and Minister of Trade Tran Tuan Anh, right, applaud next to a screen showing Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan holding up signed RCEP agreement, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Nov. 15, 2020. (Hau Dinh/AP) BANGKOK Members of a China-centered Asian trade bloc that takes effect Jan. 1 are hoping the initiative, encompassing about a third of world trade and business activity, will help power their recoveries from the pandemic. The 15-member Regional and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, includes China, Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries. It does not include the U.S. or India. The deal slashes tariffs on thousands of products, streamlining trade procedures and providing mutual advantages for member nations. It also takes into account issues such as e-commerce, intellectual property and government procurement. But it has less stringent labor and environmental requirements than those expected of countries in the European Union or the smaller Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes many of the same countries but not China. RCEP is expected to boost trade within the region by 2%, or $42 billion, both through increased trade and also through diversion of trade as tariff rules change, experts say. Extra help will be needed: Two years of lockdowns, border closures, mandatory quarantines and other restrictions have cost millions of people their jobs while also contributing to disruptions in manufacturing and shipping that are snarling supply chains worldwide. Countries confronted with outbreaks of the fast-spreading omicron coronavirus variant have reined in recent moves to reopen to international travel. Regional economies contracted by 1.5% in 2020. Theyve bounced back, with the Asian Development Bank forecasting growth at 7.0% this year boosted by low year-before figures. But next year growth is expected to slow to 5.3%. The pandemic slowed progress in ratifying the trade deal for some countries. China was the first to ratify RCEP, in April, after it was signed in November 2020 at a virtual meeting of leaders from its 15 member countries. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Phlippines have yet to do so, though they are expected to ratify it soon. Myanmar, whose government was ousted by the military on Feb. 1, ratified it but that is pending acceptance by other members. Beijing is fully prepared for the new trading bloc, having already fulfilled 701 binding obligations for RCEP, Chinese vice minister for commerce Ren Hongbin said Thursday. RCEP is of great significance building new development patterns and a milestone in opening up our economy, Ren said according to a transcript of a news conference on the ministrys website. He said the block would draw member economies closer and greatly boost confidence in economic recovery from the pandemic. Like any trade deal, RCEP has its detractors. In a recent legislative hearing shown on YouTube, government officials urged Indonesian lawmakers to pass RCEP, one of three backlogged trade arrangements. Elly Rachmat Yasin, a member of a commission responsible for agriculture, the environment, forestry and marine affairs, questioned Indonesias trade minister, Muhammad Lutfi, about the wisdom of Indonesia's involvement, noting that India opted out largely due to fears that Chinese imports would swamp its markets. Lutfi responded that RCEP would help boost exports and attract extra inflows of up to $1.7 billion in foreign investment by 2040. Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says he expects lawmakers there to ratify the pact in January, after running out of time to get it done in December, when the government was busy dealing with the aftermath of a typhoon that struck on Dec. 16, leaving 375 people dead and hundreds of thousands without adequate housing. The trade bloc is expected to open many service sector jobs to workers in member countries a big draw for countries like the Philippines that rely heavily on remittances from migrant workers. RCEP will uplift GDP and lower poverty incidence. It will open up more market access for our exports and widen sourcing of needed inputs that will improve competitiveness of our manufacturing sector and exporters," Lopez said. There is no reason nor logic not to ratify RCEP," he said, adding that failing to do so would be catastrophic" since investors would likely favor countries within the trading bloc. Associated Press writers Jim Gomez in Manila and Niniek Karmini in Jakarta contributed. The Lower Plaza Housing area of the U.S. militarys Camp Foster, also known as Camp Zukeran, in Okinawa Prefecture. (Japan News-Yomiuri/Japan News-Yomiuri) TOKYO - Tokyo and Washington have begun efforts to reach an agreement at a Japan-U.S. joint committee as early as next summer on joint use of a part of the U.S. militarys Camp Foster, also known as Camp Zukeran, in central Okinawa Prefecture, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. Ahead of the Okinawa gubernatorial election scheduled for next autumn, the Japanese government aims to steadily reduce Okinawas burden of hosting U.S. military bases. According to government sources, the two countries plan to jointly use about 23 hectares of the Lower Plaza Housing area, which straddles the border of Okinawa City and the village of Kitanakagusuku. Before returning the area to Japan, 102 housing units must be relocated, so the construction of new housing is proceeding elsewhere in the camp. In 2013, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed on the return of the area in or after fiscal 2024. However, construction work has been delayed, and the new housing is not expected to be completed by that fiscal year. As a result, the parties have come to share the opinion that it would be difficult to return the land as initially scheduled. Planning for the demolition of old houses in the area has been in progress since July 2021, and the demolition work period is expected to be until February 2023. After it is completed, the land will be cleared, and Japans Defense Ministry is planning to build a park there, even before the handover. If the park is used by both local residents and U.S. military personnel and their families, it will be beneficial for both sides. The two governments thus hope to reach an agreement on joint use of the land ahead of the handover. In Okinawa Prefecture, several important elections are scheduled for 2022. The Okinawa mayoral election will be held in April, followed in autumn by the Okinawa gubernatorial and Ginowan mayoral elections. These elections are expected to affect plans to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. By proceeding with the joint use plan, the Japanese government hopes to show the people of Okinawa tangible achievements in reducing the burden of hosting U.S. military bases. Fireworks explode over the the St. Basils Cathedral and the Kremlin with the Spasskaya Tower on empty Red Square due to pandemic restrictions during New Years celebrations, in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/AP) PARIS Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were again the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022. New Year's Eve, which used to be celebrated globally with a free-spirited wildness, felt instead like a case of deja vu, with the fast-spreading omicron variant again filing hospitals. At the La Timone hospital in the southern French city of Marseille, Dr. Fouad Bouzana could only sigh Friday when asked what 2022 might bring. "Big question," he said. "It's starting to become exhausting, because the waves come one after another." The mostly muted New Year's Eve celebrations around the world ushered in the fourth calendar year framed by the global pandemic. More than 285 million people have been infected by the coronavirus worldwide since late 2019 and more than 5 million have died. In the United States, officials took a mixed approach to the year-end revelry: nixing the audience at a countdown concert in Los Angeles, scaling it back in New York yet going full speed ahead in Las Vegas, where 300,000 people were expected for a fireworks show on the strip. In New York, officials planned to allow just 15,000 people vaccinated and masked inside the perimeter around Times Square, a sliver of the 1 million people that typically squeeze into midtown to watch the famed ball drop. Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio, defending the event, said people need to see that New York is open for business. Yet by Thursday, rapper LL Cool J had dropped out of the New York telecast after a positive COVID-19 test, "The Music Man" was shuttered on Broadway after lead actor Hugh Jackman tested positive, and restaurant owners battered by staffing shortages and omicron cancelations throughout the holiday season struggled to stay open. "I'm really scared for our industry," said restaurateur David Rabin, a partner in the Temple Bar, Skylark and other city venues who watched reservations and party bookings disappear this month. "No one made any money in December. The fact they may have a good night tonight, it has no impact." Airlines were also struggling as the year came to a close, canceling thousands of flights after the virus struck flight crews and other personnel. Bad weather was also to blame at times. The pandemic game-changer of 2021 vaccinations continued apace. Pakistan said it had fully vaccinated 70 million of its 220 million people this year and Britain said it met its goal of offering a vaccine booster shot to all adults by Friday. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin mourned the dead, praised Russians for their strength in difficult times and soberly warned that the pandemic "isn't retreating yet." Russia's virus task force has reported 308,860 COVID-19 deaths but its state statistics agency says the death toll has been more than double that. "I would like to express words of sincere support to all those who lost their dear ones," Putin said in a televised address broadcast just before midnight in each of Russia's 11 time zones. People celebrate New Years Eve in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. (Amr Nabil/AP) People watch fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Baghdad, Iraq, early Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, (Wason Wanichakorn/AP) Elsewhere, the venue that many chose for New Year's celebrations was the same place they became overly familiarly with during lockdowns: their homes. Because of omicron's virulence, many cities canceled traditional New Year's Eve concerts and fireworks displays to avoid drawing large crowds. Pope Francis also canceled his New Year's Eve tradition of visiting the life-sized manger set up in St. Peter's Square, again to avoid a crowd. In an unusual move for Francis, the 85-year-old pontiff donned a surgical mask for a Vespers service of prayer and hymns Friday evening as he sat in an armchair. But he also delivered a homily standing and unmasked. "A sense of being lost has grown in the world during the pandemic,'' Francis told the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica. Face masks again became mandatory Friday on the streets of Paris, a rule widely ignored among afternoon crowds that thronged the sunbathed Champs-Elysees, where a planned fireworks display was canceled. France, Britain, Portugal and Australia were among that countries that set new records for COVID-19 infections as 2021 gave way to 2022. Still, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope as he gave the last New Year's address of his current term. "Perhaps 2022 will be the year we come out of the epidemic I want to believe that with you the year where we will be able to see the exit from this day without end," Macron said as he urged the unvaccinated to get the jab. France's unprecedented 232,200 new cases Friday marked its third day running above the 200,000 mark. The U.K. was close behind, with 189,846 new cases, also a record. In London, officials said as many as 1 in 15 people were infected with the virus in the week before Christmas. Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in the U.K. rose 68% in the last week, to the highest levels since February. Yet boisterous New Year's Eve celebrations kicked off in the Serbian capital of Belgrade where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, mass gatherings were allowed despite fears of the omicron variant. One medical expert predicted that Serbia will see thousands of new COVID-19 infections after the holidays. At Expo 2020, the sprawling world's fair outside Dubai, 26-year-old tourist Lujain Orfi prepared to throw caution to the wind on New Year's Eve her first time ever outside Saudi Arabia, where she lives in the holy city of Medina. "If you don't celebrate, life will pass you by," she said. "I'm healthy and took two (vaccine) doses. We just have to enjoy." In Florida, all four parks at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista were sold out on Friday, according to the company's website. Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as New Years Eve celebrations begin in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP) People celebrate the arrival of the new year at the famed Shibuya scramble crossing intersection, a popular location for the New Years Eve gathering, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Tokyo, though the official countdown event was cancelled. (Kiichiro Sato/AP) Laser lights are seen at the Bandra Worli sea link on New year in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Rafiq Maqbool/AP) Australia went ahead with its celebrations despite reporting a record 32,000 new cases. Thousands of fireworks lit up the sky over Sydney's Harbor Bridge and Opera House at midnight. Yet the crowds were far smaller than in pre-pandemic years. In Japan, writer Naoki Matsuzawa said he would spend the next few days cooking and delivering food to the elderly because some stores would be closed. He said vaccinations had made people less anxious about the pandemic, despite the new variant. "A numbness has set in, and we are no longer overly afraid," said Matsuzawa, who lives in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo. "Some of us are starting to take for granted that it won't happen to me." South Korean authorities closed many beaches and other tourist attractions along the east coast, which usually swarm with people hoping to catch the year's first sunrise. In India, millions of people rang in the new year from their homes, with nighttime curfews and other restrictions taking the fizz out of celebrations in New Delhi, Mumbai and other large cities. In Hong Kong, a New Year's Eve concert featuring local celebrities including boy band Mirror was the first big New Year's Eve event since 2018, after events were canceled in 2019 due to political strife and last year because of the pandemic. In mainland China, the Shanghai government canceled an annual light show along the Huangpu River that usually draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. There were no plans for public festivities in Beijing, where popular temples have been closed or had limited access since mid-December. Popular temples in the eastern Chinese cities of Nanjing, Hangzhou and other major cities canceled traditional New Year's Eve "lucky bell-ringing" ceremonies and asked the public to stay away. In the Philippines, a powerful typhoon two weeks ago wiped out basic necessities for tens of thousands of people ahead of New Year's Eve. More than 400 were killed by Typhoon Rai and at least 82 remain missing. Leahmer Singson, a 17-year-old mother, lost her home to a fire last month, and then the typhoon blew away her temporary wooden shack in Cebu city. She will welcome the new year with her husband, who works in a glass and aluminum factory, and her 1-year-old baby in a ramshackle tent in a clearing where hundreds of other families erected small tents from debris, rice sacks and tarpaulins. Asked what she wants for the new year, Singson had a simple wish: "I hope we won't get sick." __ Perry reported from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press reporters Daniel Cole in Marseille; Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow; Frances D'Emilio in Rome; Sylvia Hui in London; Darko Vojinovic in Belgrade, Serbia; Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo; Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Ashok Sharma in New Delhi; Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia; Hau Dinh in Hanoi, Vietnam; Zen Soo in Hong Kong; Tassanee Vejpongsa in Bangkok; Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia; and AP researcher Chen Si in Shanghai contributed to this report. Lt. Gen. Richard Nugee, a retired senior British army officer, stands near his home in Devizes, England, on Dec. 4. (Tori Ferenc/For The Washington Post) GLASGOW, Scotland - It was July 2003, and Richard Nugee, a British army officer, was baking inside the sweltering brick building that Saddam Husseins sons used as a smugglers hideout. Until a few months prior, it had been a port authority office in Saddams Iraq. Now it was Nugees headquarters and living space as he commanded British troops across a strategic stretch of southern Iraq. But with the thermometer routinely topping 120 degrees, a harsh wind blowing humid air from the Persian Gulf and no air conditioning, he had a big problem. His troops were drinking so much water that they were flushing away their vitamins. It was nearly too scorching to fight. And he was getting a lesson that extreme weather could be as dangerous to soldiers as any insurgent. Nearly two decades later, Nugee was a three-star general at the peak of his career, after a long string of deployments in the worlds conflict zones, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. He had risen to become one of the most senior officers in the entire British armed forces - an elite club charged with commanding continents. And in the final fight of his military life, he decided to take on one of the wiliest adversaries: climate change. Militaries are both enormous emitters and facing fearsome new conflicts sparked by global warming. Nugee resolved to fight a lonely battle to address both problems. Militaries are not known as bastions of tree-huggers. Fighting a war burns prodigious quantities of fossil fuels. The Pentagon, by some counts, is the worlds largest institutional consumer of oil. And military leaders have often resisted anything they fear would blunt their edge, including cutting back on emissions. On his own time, Nugee was a convert on climate issues. He covered his house with solar panels. He replanted native trees across his fields. But when he put on his medal-bedecked uniform every morning and went to work, he found himself surrounded by colleagues he felt did not appreciate how a warming world was going to affect them. Having really seen defense from the heart of it, I had drawn the conclusion that it was not paying any attention to climate change at all, and I wanted to change that, Nugee said last month in a crowded hotel bar in Glasgow, Scotland, where world leaders, ministers and titans of industry had gathered for a United Nations climate conference. Nugee had retired from active duty a few months earlier, trading his trim officers dress uniform for a civilians blue suit. Every now and then, he glanced down to check the time on his phone. He didnt want to miss a climate gala hosted by Prince Charles, a fellow nature-loving Englishman, in the ballroom next door. He spoke crisply, and with purpose: the speech of a man who is accustomed both to his orders being followed - and to being met with skepticism from the fellow gray-haired clan of officers and ministers who oversee Britains powerful military. Trees planted by Richard Nugee. (Tori Ferenc/For The Washington Post) Anybody who ignores it would be foolish Convinced that someone needed to shake awake Britains security establishment about the risks of climate change, Nugee asked to be tasked with one final mission before he turned in his stars and retired: preparing a strategy for the British military to adapt to a dangerously warming world. To do so, he gave up command of a staff of more than 600 as the head human resources officer of the British military. Instead, he would be in command of his own desk. Shorn of resources, he was forced to beg and borrow brainpower. He assembled a step-by-step plan to slash military emissions and prepare the armed forces for a hotter planet. Wars may be fought over access to water. Millions could be forced to migrate because of extreme weather. Emboldened rivals such as China and Russia are already starting to plow their warships across the melting Arctic. The strategy was published earlier this year. This is not doing it for moral reasons. This is not doing it because its about emissions. Its about our own capability, its about our ability to be the most successful and the most credible force that we can, Nugee said in Glasgow, where he was one of few with a military background amid the galaxy of people trying to fight for a cooler planet. Anybody who ignores it would be foolish, he said. Spending time in Glasgow meant sharing a city with fellow travelers who, at least outwardly, had a far different style from his upright soldiers mien. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg led protesters in angry chants. Other demonstrators staged die-ins at the conferences gates. Nugee favored suits over protest signs. But what he was proposing was revolutionary: a British military that by 2050 would reduce its net emissions to zero and transform into a sharper fighting force in doing so. Nugee said his challenge was to explain to skeptical defense officials that addressing climate change improves military effectiveness, rather than sapping it. If we fight a war and we come second, but we can proudly say were the greenest army on the battlefield, weve still come second in the war, said Nugee, adjusting his horn-rimmed glasses on his nose. Thats not what were paid to do. Nugee, 58, grew up the youngest of four brothers, part of a sprawling English family in which he was always the baby. During World War II, his mother was a code-breaker at Bletchley Park, the British intelligence hub. His father was a lawyer, and Nugees brothers followed their father into that profession. But Nugee himself took inspiration from his grandfather, an army officer who fought in both world wars. A conversation the two of them had about his grandfathers wartime experiences, three days before his grandfather died, inspired Nugee to sign up for the army at age 16. Members of the British Armed Forces examine a concept demonstrator version of the Jankel Fox Rapid Response Vehicle at Dorset Innovation Park in England on Dec. 14, 2021. (Rhiannon Adam/For The Washington Post) Hot spots of the day My parents were astounded, Nugee said in a later conversation on a clanking train from Glasgow to Edinburgh, where he was staying during the climate conference with a childhood friend. He stared out the window at the Scottish countryside that was speeding by. I dont think they knew what I was going to do at all, he said. His career reflected the hot spots of the day. In the waning years of the Cold War, he was posted to West Germany. Then there were repeated deployments to Northern Ireland, which was still consumed by the sectarian insurgency known as the Troubles. In the 1990s, he went to the former Yugoslavia as it fell apart in bloody wars. But it was his post-2001 deployments that helped drive his belief that adapting the military to climate change would improve its ability to do its core job. The heat in Iraq, for instance: In 2003, Nugee had to call in an airlift of bananas because so many soldiers potassium levels were plunging to dangerous lows. Colleagues back in Britain laughed at him, but the need was deadly serious, he said. Eventually the British troops responsible for securing southern Iraq managed to get air-conditioned living quarters - which was a battlefield advantage if their opponents lacked similar facilities, Nugee said. Youd be drenched going to the shower. Youd have a shower. You dry off. Youd be drenched before you got out of the shower cubicle because of the sweat, Nugee said. One of my soldiers got through 16 liters of water and still was dehydrated. A concept demonstrator version of the Jankel Fox Rapid Response Vehicle at Dorset Innovation Park in England on Dec. 14. (Rhiannon Adam/For The Washington Post) Culture clash Armed forces can be overlooked targets in efforts to go green. Under international climate treaties, militaries havent been required to be transparent about their emissions, one factor in a Washington Post investigation this year that found that countries are significantly underreporting their climate footprint to the United Nations. Armies have typically been exempted from national requirements to trim the heat-trapping gases they put into the atmosphere, since national security has trumped environmental issues. Usually people who care about climate change, the environmental movement and so on, they are not big fans of the military at all. Theyre pacifistic in nature, said Louise van Schaik, the head of European Union and global affairs at the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch international affairs think tank. That culture clash can leave a big gap when it comes to addressing emissions. The British military emits as much as the rest of the British central government combined. As the second-largest landholder in the United Kingdom, it controls more territory than the queen, almost 2 percent of the nations landmass. The Pentagon has a similarly large footprint: It accounts for 52 percent of federal electricity use and 56 percent of the federal governments emissions. Yet environmental activists have often focused elsewhere, most typically on places where governments are obligated to be fully transparent about the environmental impact of their activities. Military emissions disappeared from the statistics, but it didnt disappear from the atmosphere, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview during a visit to the U.N. climate conference, the first time a NATO leader came to the annual gathering. He had been lured to an event that Nugee helped organize, speaking alongside British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace about the urgent need for the world of defense to take steps to address climate change. Mirroring Nugees effort in Britain, Stoltenberg this year has pushed the defense alliance to take up climate change as a security threat and to publish emissions data for the first time. The alliance leader, a former U.N. climate envoy, has talked about watching glaciers shrink in his native Norway over the course of his lifetime. Preparing the armed forces President Joe Biden has also pushed for more thinking about the intersection of climate change and security, ordering the Pentagon, the National Security Council, the intelligence community and the Department of Homeland Security to consider how a warming world will affect U.S. strategic interests. They released landmark - and somewhat apocalyptic - reports in October. Nugees strategy stretches across 107 pages of dense, step-by-step analysis of what the British military needs to do about a warming world. He put it together during the course of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, hosting Skype and Zoom calls from his home near one of the British Armys main training grounds in southwest England. When his laptop crashed, he would run over to a nearby base to get help. The report suggests reducing military emissions to get in line with broader British climate targets. One recommendation is to fly military aircraft on 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel. Another is to increase the use of fuel-efficient hybrid electric armored vehicles - like Priuses, but for armored personnel carriers. It warns that if the rest of society switches away from fossil fuels for cars and electricity, militaries cant risk being the last ones who are reliant on them. If you want to be climate neutral in 2050, this sector can no longer be left off the hook, said van Schaik, the Dutch climate security expert, who has reviewed the report. It also aims to start preparing the armed forces for the harsher environment of the future: hardened hulls on warships that will need to spend more time in the ice-filled Arctic. Re-engineered ships will not be able to rely on seawater to cool their engines in the Persian Gulf if surface-level temperatures rise as sharply as they are forecast in the coming decades. Perhaps most ominously, it lists the many ways global warming will destabilize nations and alliances across the world. Oil-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia will be upended if they have no takers for their main product and they become less strategically important. Access to the rare earth elements needed for batteries and circuitry could lead to clashes between China and the United States in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Greenland. Countries where water shortages are likely - such as Iraq and Somalia - will probably face even more conflicts. Top British defense officials say they are committed to addressing Nugees warnings. We have a strong obligation to make sure that our forces deliver a sustainable deployment and indeed make sure they move from traditional energies and fuel requirements to more modern requirements, said Wallace, the British defense secretary. But also we will have to deal with the consequences of a failed climate change policy, if that happens. We have to deal with the consequences of migrant flows, of breaking down of communities, of fights over rare resources, border frictions which will increase as climate change increases. The global efforts typically focus on two entangled issues: how to reduce the emissions of the national security establishment, and how to get ready for a world that will be more dangerous and unpredictable as the mercury creeps up in everyones thermometers. As the climate hazards have become more acute, and were seeing that more regularly, theres a recognition on the security side, Yeah, were going to have to deal with this, whether we like it or not, because its already here, said Erin Sikorsky, who until last year led analysis on climate change and security for the U.S. intelligence community and is now the director of the Center for Climate and Security, a Washington-based think tank, where she has worked with Nugee. And on the environmental side, youre seeing, Yeah, this poses real risks of conflict. Some of the old-line security establishment in the United States and Europe is waking up to the challenge. Preventing climate-induced security risks, thats a Nobel Prize-winning enterprise, said Wolfgang Ischinger, the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Europes main conclave for security-related discussions. Lt. Gen. Richard Nugee at home. (Tori Ferenc/For The Washington Post) 125 degrees in Iraq The weather in Iraq has only grown more extreme in the 18 years since Nugees first deployment, as it heats faster than much of the rest of the world. Temperatures in the country hit a record 125 degrees this summer. The United Nations has estimated that the desert eats up 100 square miles of farmland every year. Heat and water shortages have driven tens of thousands of people to leave their homes over the past decade, according to the International Organization for Migration. Those developments have exacerbated tensions and conflicts inside the country, even as it becomes harder for security forces themselves to keep the peace, since their vehicles dont work as well in the heat. And during Nugees repeated deployments to Afghanistan, climate-related considerations hit him from multiple directions. When farmers crops failed because of drought or other challenges, they became easy recruiting targets for the Taliban, which paid them roughly $5 a day to fight, and more if they killed enemy soldiers, he said. Many of the Talibans targets were tied to the militarys dependence on fossil fuels. Diesel fuel is the key to much of modern war-fighting: It goes in Humvees and armored personnel carriers, and it gives remote outposts their electricity and communications when it is burned in generators. But carrying the fuel to the places it needed to go was a perilous endeavor. Fuel tankers are hulking, slow-moving targets. They were sitting ducks, needing protection from vehicles on the ground and from helicopters in the air as they winded their precious cargo down contested mountain highways. The highest-ranking British officer killed in Afghanistan died in a roadside bomb attack on a resupply convoy. A U.S. Army study found that in 2007, there was one casualty for every 24 fuel convoys in Afghanistan. So any effort to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels during deployments, whether by improving the fuel efficiency of tanks and transporters or through powering posts with solar power, can actually make soldiers better at their core job: fighting wars. Theres a military advantage in reducing all this logistic resupply. And then theres a life advantage in reducing the number of people being killed. So theres all sorts of advantages in going for more self-sufficiency, Nugee said. Nugee has had to battle skepticism inside the military, as opponents say that the focus on climate detracts from their core business. Doubters can be dismissive of anything that, in their view, could make it more difficult to deploy speedily and effectively, Nugee said. He also said they sometimes have an attitude that their willingness to die to defend their country means that they should not need to think about their carbon footprint: Were prepared as individuals to make the ultimate sacrifice. Surely were prepared to have a few emissions to protect our citizens, Nugee described his detractors as saying. He said that for years, he had been raising the issue of climate change in informal conversations with people working on military issues: his superiors, ministers, members of Parliament, colleagues. Often, he felt as though the challenge simply didnt register for the people he was talking to, or that the militarys small pilot projects related to green technology were not nearly ambitious enough to meet the problem. Theres a very strong military lobby which turns around and says we shouldnt be doing this, because we have a really clear purpose: that we will do whatever it takes to defend our nation, he said. Part of the challenge has been generational, he said: The older ribbon-bedecked officers at the top of the military chain of command werent paying enough attention to environmental issues. That stifled younger officers who might be more green-focused. About two years ago, Nugee went to the defense secretary and to the British equivalent of the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is a friend. I said, Look, Ill do you a report, because I dont think youre taking it seriously enough. And Ill tell you why youre not taking it seriously enough and Ill tell you what to do about it, he said. My argument has consistently been: This is about enhancing capability. This is about thinking of doing things differently. This is about working with the green technology, not against it. Nugee retired from the military this summer - he was overdue after passing the typical retirement age of 55 - but he has stayed on to oversee climate work. Inaction now will lead to problems later, he said, as the rest of society moves away from using fossil fuels and Britain reduces its overall emissions, making the military an increasingly large target by comparison. At home, Nugee said he is trying to do his part. After installing Teslas home battery, the Powerwall, his solar panels are able to keep him off the grid from April until October. He is investigating whether he can install a miniature hydropower system in a brook on his property to generate enough electricity to last him through the year. And this month he set off on an expedition to Antarctica to commemorate the centenary of Ernest Shackletons final journey there. The mostly military and ex-military scientists on the trip will conduct climate and pollution research on Antarcticas Forbidden Plateau. Nugee said he hoped his climate efforts would be his legacy. It was what I was passionate about, in an environment where nobody was talking about it, and in an environment where actually, I could make a difference, he said. Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini attends a meeting in Rome, on July 30, 2021. Franceschini on Thursday, Dec. 30, welcomed from the United States the return of hundreds of antiquities valued at over $11 million. (Riccardo De Luca/AP) MILAN Italy's culture minister on Thursday welcomed the return of 201 prized antiquities valued at over $11 million that had been located in prestigious U.S. museums and galleries after being illegally trafficked in recent decades. They were among thousands of antiquities seized from traffickers or returned to Italy this year in major operations that also targeted trafficking rings in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. Of the 201 works returned by U.S. officials earlier this month, 161 have been repatriated to Italy while 40 are on exhibit at the Italian Consulate General in New York through March 2022. "These artworks will not end up, as has happened many times in the past, all in one big museum," Culture Minister Dario Franceschini told a press conference. Instead, they will be returned to the places where they were stolen for display in museums there. "This too is a great homecoming operation that will add value to our extraordinary country as a vast museum. They are artworks of absolute importance that will attract people to those places and territories," Franceschini said. The U.S. haul includes 96 pieces that had been in the collection of the Fordham Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art, including ancient pottery and amphora; a terracotta statue titled dating from the 4th century BC seized from a New York gallery; and six items returned from the Getty Museum, including a large ceramic Etruscan vessel. Most of the stolen cache was traced to the activities of Edoardo Almagia, an Italian native who was living in New York. Charges against him in Italy in 2006 were thrown out due to the statute of limitations, but a judge in Rome in 2013 ordered the seizure of all his antiquities in both New York and Naples. He remains at large in Italy, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. One major operation secured nearly 800 objects from ancient Daunia, which was located in the Gargano peninsula in northern Puglia, while another broke up a trafficking ring of artifacts from southern Italian civilizations operating in northern Europe. Thirteen people are under investigation in that case, which led to the recovery of 2,000 artifacts. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden shake hands as they arrive for a U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange in Geneva on June 16, 2021. (Saul Loeb, Pool, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) MOSCOW (Tribune News Service) Russia expressed satisfaction with the outcome of Thursdays phone call between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, easing the monthlong standoff over Ukraine even as the U.S. repeated its warning to Moscow to de-escalate tensions. While White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement that Biden reiterated the U.S. and its allies will respond decisively if there is an invasion of Ukraine, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin was pleased with the conversation, setting the stage for three sets of negotiations on European security next month. This is what we are working for and for this our presidents reached an agreement, which is why we are happy and satisfied, Ushakov told reporters following the phone call. Todays conversation was good, constructive, frank, and it seems to me that it provides not a bad, even in fact a good, basis for the start of negotiations. The softer rhetoric, coupled with the prospect of further talks next month, represents a dialing down of regional stresses that worsened when Russia began massing troops along the border with Ukraine earlier this year. Both sides have partially drawn a line under further escalation of tensions, the Tass news agency cited Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Dumas committee on foreign affairs, as saying Friday. Bilateral U.S.-Russia talks will take place in Geneva Jan. 9-10, followed by a Russia-NATO Council meeting in Brussels two days later and negotiations in Vienna within the OSCE framework on Jan. 13, Ushakov told reporters. Biden and Putin agreed to keep in regular contact during the negotiations and to oversee the bilateral talks directly, he said. That 50-minute conversation began at 3:35 p.m. Washington time, or 11:35 p.m. in Moscow, according to the White House. Putin requested the talks the second such conversation the two leaders have held this month and by successfully persuading his U.S. counterpart to do so, may have been seeking to bolster his standing both at home and abroad, according to analysts. Biden took the call from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, where hes vacationing as a prelude to the negotiations on European security at the start of the year, the Kremlin said. Biden laid out two possible paths during the call: diplomacy or serious consequences, according to a U.S. official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. The consequences likely include augmentation of NATO forces and sweeping economic repercussions, the person said. The U.S. plans to closely monitor troop movements at Russias border with Ukraine, the person added. 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, Psaki said in her statement. President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation. After Bidens warning that Russia faced huge sanctions if it attacks Ukraine, Putin responded that further large-scale penalties would lead to a severing of relations between Moscow and the West, Ushakov said. It will be a colossal mistake which could lead to the most serious consequences, Ushakov said. That could have implications for talks on arms control, cybersecurity, climate change and other topics the U.S. wants to pursue with Russia. The White House plans to consult with allies ahead of the dialogues next month and will brief partners on Thursdays call between Biden and Putin. As part of that process, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with NATOs secretary general and Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly about the Russia-Ukraine situation on Friday. The talks followed a Dec. 7 Biden-Putin video call in which the American 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 presence near Ukraine might be preparation for an invasion as early as next month before the frozen terrain turns to mud in spring. The Kremlin denies any intention to invade its neighbor, while also demanding security guarantees from the West that include a ban on eventual expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to encompass former Soviet states such as Ukraine and Georgia and the withdrawal of NATO forces in Europe to positions they held in 1997. American officials and NATO allies have described those conditions as non-starters. European leaders have been largely reduced to spectators so far as the U.S. and Russia have bargained over the parameters of talks on the continents security. The U.S. and its allies have threatened Moscow with harsh economic reprisals if its troops march into Ukraine, but those warnings show that the West, at this point, is only willing to go so far. Theres no talk of sending their own troops into Ukraine. For its part, Ukraine sees little danger of open aggression from Russia at present or any large increase in the number of Russian troops near its border, National Security and Defense Council chief Oleksiy Danilov said at a briefing in Kyiv Thursday, according to Pravda news wire. Despite the U.S. decision to engage in one-on-one talks between Biden and Putin, American officials have repeatedly insisted they will make no deals that short-change the concerns of Ukraine and the European allies. Blinken called Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Wednesday and said in a tweet that he reaffirmed full U.S. support for Ukraine. 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 European allies. The principle is inviolable nothing about them without them, he said. The crisis is a repeat of one in the spring, when Putin also massed forces near the border with Ukraine before backing down in April after Biden in a call offered a summit meeting that took place in June. Its not yet clear what compromise can be reached during the coming talks, Ushakov said after the Biden-Putin call, though Russia will naturally take account of some concerns of the U.S. and its allies. For us the main thing is not a compromise, but to get security guarantees, which we urgently need, he said. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Sudanese demonstrators take to the streets of the capital Khartoum as tens of thousands protest against the army's Oct. 25 coup, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AFP) (Tribune News Service) Sudanese security forces clashed Thursday with protesters demonstrating the militarys seizure of power in October, with the unrest leaving at least 3 dead in the capital. Dozens more were injured as authorities fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse the crowd of thousands who were massed by the presidential palace in Khartoum. The independent Doctors Committee and the United Office of Doctors confirmed the death toll in separate statements. Anger has mounted in the nation after the militarys Oct. 25 seizure of power a move that triggered seismic concerns that a shift to civilian rule after the regime of President Omar Al-Bashir was in peril. Authorities, looking to quash the unrest, have cut off internet and phone service. The clampdown by the military comes at a difficult time for Sudan, whose economy has been struggling to rebound. International donors, including the U.S. and development agencies, have suspended hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. In addition, Sudans eligibility for $50 billion of debt relief through International Monetary Fund programs is also in question. The pan-Arab satellite channel, Arabiya, reported that its office, which also hosts Hadath television, had been raided and some staff beaten. The Sudanese Journalists Network also said security forces raided the offices of other channels. ___ 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This courtroom sketch shows Ghislaine Maxwell, left, as she puts her hand up to her face, listening with her lawyer Jeffrey Pagliuca, as a jury returns a guilty verdict in her sex trafficking trial, Wednesday Dec. 29, 2021, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams/AP) NEW YORK With Wednesday's guilty verdict in the sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, here's a look at what the once high-flying Jeffrey Epstein confidante was accused of and what's next for her: WHO WERE GHISLAINE MAXWELLS ACCUSERS? The prosecution hinged on the accusations of four women Annie Farmer and the pseudonymous Jane, Kate and Carolyn who say they were teenagers when Maxwell and Epstein sexually exploited them in the 1990s and early 2000s. ON WHAT CHARGES WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CONVICTED? The trial focused on six counts: 1. conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts 2. enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts 3. conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity 4. transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity 5. sex trafficking conspiracy 6. sex trafficking of a minor She was convicted on all charges except the second count, despite her lawyers' assertions she was just a patsy. WHY WAS SHE ACQUITTED ON ONE COUNT? Without public statements from the jurors, who have yet to come forward, it's impossible to say for sure. But the second count, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, was perhaps the most ambiguous of the charges levied. Maxwell was accused of having enticed Jane to New York City, arranging flights and offering gifts, knowing that Epstein would abuse her. During deliberations, the jury seemed to be hung up on this count, asking for the definition of enticement" in a note. HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PRONOUNCE GHISLAINE? Hard g, silent s. Think ghee, like the clarified butter. If it helps, the cover of the New York Post run by Rupert Murdoch, a rival of Maxwell's late media baron father the day after the verdict: GHILTY! HOW MUCH PRISON TIME DOES GHISLAINE MAXWELL FACE? The most serious count on which the 60-year-old was convicted carries up to 40 years in prison. The count on which she acquitted was fairly minor, carrying a five-year maximum. SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR GHISLAINE MAXWELL? She needs to be sentenced, but a date has yet to be set. A family statement the night of the verdict said an appeal had already been started. And she faces another trial, on two counts of perjury that were spun off from her indictment. WHY IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL CHARGED WITH PERJURY? Those counts are based on her answers during 2016 depositions in a since-settled lawsuit brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre. She's accused of lying by saying I dont know what youre talking about in response to a question about whether Epstein had a scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages. She's also accused of lying by saying she didn't recall whether there were sex toys or devices at Epstein's Florida home and by saying she wasn't aware Epstein was having sex with anyone but her. Her lawyers argued those depositions shouldn't be used at the criminal trial because of a court-approved agreement her answers would stay confidential. WHAT WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL UP TO BEFORE HER ARREST? Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 almost a year after Epstein killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. After Epstein's death, she withdrew from public activities like running an oceans charity. Her whereabouts became a subject of public speculation. Was that her eating a burger and reading a book on CIA operatives in Southern California? Was she living in Britain or Paris or maybe even Massachusetts? Prosecutors say she went into hiding in New Hampshire where she was eventually arrested in a million-dollar home where she kept her cellphone wrapped in foil. SO HAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL BEEN IN JAIL THIS WHOLE TIME? Yes, despite multiple requests for bail, Maxwell was deemed a flight risk and has spent well over a year lodged in a federal lockup in Brooklyn. Her attorneys and family have lambasted jail conditions as punitive and inhospitable to Maxwells ability to mount a proper defense. Her attorney asked immediately after the conviction was announced that Maxwell be given a COVID-19 booster shot because infection rates in her jail were rising dramatically. Once she's sentenced, she will be moved to a federal prison. HOW LONG DID THE TRIAL TAKE? A month. Testimony started Nov. 29; we had a verdict Dec. 29. The whole trial was initially projected to last six weeks, but the witness lists for both sides were dramatically truncated without explanation. The jury took five full days to decide the case. WHY DIDN'T GHISLAINE MAXWELL TESTIFY? She told the judge not without some defiance that she had no need to testify, as the prosecution had failed to adequately prove their case. The tactic didn't work out for her, but it's not an unusual one: High-profile defendants rarely put themselves on the stand, as it opens them up to a lot more scrutiny. WHAT EXACTLY WAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S RELATIONSHIP WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN? They were romantically involved, but at some point the timeline is unclear she says she transitioned to being more of an employee, running his household (Epstein had homes all over the place: Palm Beach, Florida; New Mexico; Manhattan; a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Paris). Prosecutors introduced records showing Epstein had paid Maxwell more than $20 million through the years and accused her of functioning as Epstein's madam, procuring underage girls to satisfy him sexually. HOW IS PRINCE ANDREW INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS? He's not. Not exactly, at least, but Maxwell's conviction isn't good news for the embattled British royal. Giuffre is suing Andrew, saying he sexually abused her when she was 17. She says Maxwell facilitated her meetings with Andrew, who has denied the account. These accusations were left out of this trial, though Andrew's name did come up in testimony: a pilot of Epstein's private jet, dubbed the Lolita Express by the news media, testified he had flown Andrew and an accuser confirmed she told the FBI she had flown with the prince, as well. WHO IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S HUSBAND? A mystery man! She was living with him when she was arrested in New Hampshire, but court documents have not made his name public. He did support her bail attempts, but was never spotted at the trial. She had transferred most of her assets to him, but has also told officials they're in the process of divorcing. IS ANYONE ON GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S SIDE? Her family is sticking by her. Her sister Isabel attended each day of proceedings, often joined by other siblings, and her family issued a strong statement of support for their sister after the verdict. Ghislaine is notably the baby of the family and said to have been the favorite of her father, Robert Maxwell, who died falling off a yacht named for her. HOW HAS GHISLAINE MAXWELL BEEN SPENDING HER TIME IN JAIL? According to a website set up by her family, Maxwell has been working through a pile of books. Her reading list runs the gamut of criminal-justice related books like the award-winning Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson to Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department Justice by Sidney Powell, a conspiracy theorist and former lawyer for President Donald Trump. She's also been making her way through Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials fantasy series and popular book club fiction pick Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. ___ Associated Press reporters Larry Neumeister and Tom Hays contributed reporting. Crime and courts Daniel Betancourt Law enforcement officials escort a handcuffed David Gilbert from Rockland County Court in New City, N.Y., on Nov. 23, 1981. Gilbert, a former Weather Underground radical David Gilbert was granted parole in October 2021 after decades in prison for his role in a fatal 1981 Brinks robbery north of New York City. (David Handschuh/AP) NEW YORK Former Weather Underground radical David Gilbert described his path from nonviolent 1960s activist to would-be revolutionary during a 4 1/2-hour hearing before the New York state parole board panel that approved his parole in October, 40 years after he served as a getaway driver in the botched Brink's robbery that left three men dead and several others wounded. "The change for me came after Martin Luther King was assassinated," Gilbert told a three-member panel of commissioners during his Oct. 19 parole hearing at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in the Hudson Valley. The 171-page transcript of the parole hearing was released to The Associated Press on Thursday in response to a freedom of information request. Names of individuals and some other details were redacted. Gilbert, who is now 77, told the parole commissioners that when riots erupted in cities across the U.S. following King's 1968 killing and the murders of other civil rights workers, "that's the point where I abandoned the nonviolent philosophy." Gilbert and other former members of the radical Weather Underground joined Black Liberation Army militants in the Oct. 20, 1981, armored car robbery near the Hudson River community of Nyack. Brink's guard Peter Paige and two Nyack police officers, Sgt. Edward O'Grady and Officer Waverly Brown, were killed in the $1.6 million holdup and ensuing shootout. Though unarmed, Gilbert was charged with robbery and murder for his role in the crime and sentenced to 75 years to life in prison. Gilbert became eligible for parole when his sentence was commuted by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo just before he left office in August. Cuomo, in announcing the commutation, said Gilbert's convictions "were related to an incident in which he was the driver, not the murderer." The board granted Gilbert parole on Oct. 26 and he was released from prison on Nov. 4. Commissioners cited Gilbert's "sincere remorse" and his groundbreaking work developing AIDS education and prevention programs in prison in approving his release. Gilbert's attorney, Steve Zeidman, said Thursday that Gilbert is grateful to the parole board and is adjusting to life outside prison. "The board is to be commended for focusing on the present instead of the past," Zeidman said. Gilbert's release was championed by supporters including his son, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, but was opposed by law enforcement groups and members of the Brink's victims' families. "Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Parole Board should be ashamed for allowing this domestic terrorist to walk free on our streets," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said when Gilbert was granted parole in October. "There's no reason that David Gilbert should not have to face the full consequences of his heinous crimes, no matter how much time has passed." Gilbert expressed sorrow for the victims repeatedly during his parole hearing. "I mean, nothing repairs the horror and damage of the crime, nothing," Gilbert said. He said nothing makes up for what "the families went through, wives carrying on without husbands and children without fathers and, as you pointed out, a number of other people wounded, a whole community's sense of safety and security are shattered, so justice in that sense, there's no way to repair that or make up for that." During the hearing, which one of the commissioners said lasted four and a half hours, Gilbert went over his history as a teenage supporter of the civil rights movement and a student activist at Columbia University who grew increasingly radicalized and joined the Weather Underground, a militant split-off from the activist group Students for a Democratic Society. At the time of the Brink's robbery, Gilbert had been underground for several years living under assumed names to escape the law as his fellow radicals planned bombings of government facilities. Gilbert said his role was mainly as an educator, leading classes and discussion groups while others were building bombs. Gilbert's partner at the time, Kathy Boudin, was also convicted in the Brink's robbery and was released from prison in 2003. Chesa Boudin was a toddler when his parents were arrested. "We actually dropped our son off you know, the most adorable creature in the world dropped him off at a babysitter and said we'll be back in a few hours," Gilbert told the parole board. Chesa Boudin was elected San Francisco district attorney in 2019 as part of a national wave of progressive prosecutors determined to reform the criminal justice system. He faces a recall election in June spurred by critics who say he has failed to prosecute repeat offenders and allowed them to commit more crimes. ___ Associated Press writer Michael Hill contributed to this report from Albany, New York. This aerial view, shows search and rescue personnel working on site after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021. (Chandan Khanna, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) In 2008, the Florida Legislature approved a strict and forward-looking inspection regime for the states aging stock of high-rise condos: To uncover defects or deterioration that might threaten their safety and structural integrity, buildings taller than 50 feet would need to be inspected every five years. The rule didnt last long. Two years later, amid a concerted pushback from condo lawyers and property managers, the same body did a 180. The Legislature repealed the new requirement, citing a need for cost savings for condo associations and unit owners reluctant to pay for inspections and any resulting repairs. Now, after the sudden collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, the rules governing maintenance of high-rise condos across Florida are again under scrutiny, and potentially in for a significant overhaul. The requirement for regular inspections that was shelved 11 years ago is back on the table along with a slew of other rigorous, and potentially costly, measures designed to come as close as possible to preventing another catastrophe like Champlain Towers. The proposals touch on everything from quality and frequency of high-rise condo inspections to how associations pay for repairs, and come from a wide range of sources, including the Florida Bar, professional engineering organizations, Miami-Dade County, the Miami-Dade Grand Jury and the Community Associations Institute, a national nonprofit that advocates for homeowners groups. The proposals indicate one area of broad consensus: that more inspections are an essential step. But some structural engineers interviewed by the Miami Herald, including one who has worked as the Heralds consultant since the collapse, said more sophisticated and detailed inspections, not just more frequent ones, are needed. Champlain South had undergone multiple inspections in the years leading up to the collapse as part of a review process required in South Florida to recertify the safety of 40-year-old buildings. But its not clear that the renovations required for recertification would have prevented the collapse, even if they had been done sooner, these engineers noted. Just inspecting more often is not enough, said Dawn Lehman, the Herald consultant. Enacting wide-ranging reform would require bold action from the Florida Legislature, a body where an army of condo lawyers and lobbyists have long managed to fend off any new mandates that could increase costs or lay out specific actions for repairs and maintenance by associations and unit owners. Virtually all the publicly released analyses describe a laissez-faire state regulatory scheme predicated on maintaining affordability by keeping costs low for condo owners. Floridas condo law broadly requires upkeep and maintenance but sets out few if any standards. According to a lengthy report by an expert task force organized by the Florida Bar, state law sets out no requirements for high-rise condo inspections and no guidance or requirements for associations on how or when to undertake maintenance and repairs. Its requirements for keeping cash at hand to cover those costs, meanwhile, are easily and legally skirted. Those conclusions are echoed in reports by the associations institute, engineering groups and the Miami-Dade Grand Jury. Moreover, neither condo boards that discover serious problems in their buildings, or their engineering consultants have any obligation to notify local authorities when they do so, numerous reports say. In residential condos, none of that exists, noted Bill Sklar, a West Palm Beach condo attorney who chaired the Florida Bar task force, referring to inspection and repair protocols. There should be a maintenance standard. There is none. Its left to chance, and it should not be. To address the glaring loopholes, reports from the Bar group and others call for reforms that include regular mandated inspections of critical building elements, strict reporting requirements, stronger qualifications for inspectors and significantly tightened rules on reserves to ensure basic maintenance costs can be covered. Some also call for full disclosure of building conditions and expected maintenance costs to prospective buyers. The Bar report and others also outline proposals for financial assistance for unit owners and associations financially unable to meet the costs of inspections and repairs. Those include tapping into existing state and federal housing-assistance programs and making it easier for associations to receive low-cost financing for repairs. The Bar report says that establishing clear and uniform rules and protocols for associations to follow, and providing aid to owners who cant afford a hike in maintenance fees or assessments, would make the job of condo boards easier by solving a longstanding issue the inherent conflict facing board members obligated to properly maintain buildings while also pleasing unit owners who elect them and who may be resistant to carrying the costs. Such conflicts may have played a part in the Surfside collapse. Amid disputes over money and rapidly worsening structural deterioration, the condos board put off work under a 40-year recertification requirement by Miami-Dade County, one of only a few local authorities in Florida that mandate condo inspections. (Broward County has its own 40-year inspection program and the city of Boca Raton approved a 30-year recertification program after the Surfside calamity.) Whether any of the proposed statewide reforms will become law after the legislature convenes January 11 is still unclear. No bills had been filed as of late December. Sklar, the Bar task force chair, said legislative leaders have assigned the task of writing bills to members, though he added he doesnt know details. He did say he believes there is support for reforms. The associations institute, which represents thousands of condo association members, unit owners, real estate agents, managers and others in the industry, included a follow-up survey in its report that shows near-overwhelming support for its proposed reforms among its membership. That doesnt mean that a legislative session expected to focus on decennial redistricting and various culture-war measures in an election year will have time or appetite to tackle complex condo-law reform. Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who has been leading a special committee thats endorsed moving up the countys 40-year-recertification time frame to 30 years and tightening inspections standards, is skeptical. I dont see that flying in an election year, she said. Theres not statewide interest because there is still a belief this is a Miami-Dade problem. What Ive heard is, Dont bring your Miami-Dade problems to us. The bare minimum If even some proposed reform measures are enacted, though, it could amount to the most consequential makeover of condo regulations in decades, with repercussions for millions of Floridians. Mandated inspections and disclosure could provide building officials across the state a clear picture of overall condo conditions for the first time. According to widely quoted data, the state has about 1.5 million condo units, 60% of which or some 912,000 units with an estimated two million occupants are older than 30 years. Sklar and others said there is sufficient evidence beyond the possibly unique Champlain Towers South collapse of extensive deterioration and postponed maintenance at other high-rise condos to raise real concerns. In Miami-Dade, inspections ordered at older condos across the county after Surfside led to several residential high-rises being ordered vacated. Search and rescue personnel search for survivors through the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., on Sunday, June 27, 2021. The condominium building partially collapsed on Thursday, June 24. (David Santiago, Miami Herald/TNS) The Bar report, based on numerous public meetings with a broad cross-section of experts, including condo industry figures, managers, lawyers and engineers, recommends starting a baseline program of inspections at every Florida condo by the end of 2024, then instituting a regimen of recurring inspections every five years thereafter. Other groups recommend longer time spans between inspections. The Bar endorsed mandated inspections every five years, with clear protocols written into law for conducting the reviews. The associations institute, based in Virginia, recommends a baseline inspection for condos at 10 years of age, a second at 20 years, and reinspections every five years after that with inspection standards based on published protocols from the American Society of Civil Engineers, whose guidelines are widely used around the country. The Miami-Dade Grand Jury, in a report issued Dec. 15, recommended that all buildings older than 10 years be inspected now, then again every 10 years. New buildings would be inspected 10 to 15 years after completion, then every 10 years after that. The states engineering associations, in a joint report, called on Florida to require that nearly all large buildings be inspected for structural issues within their first 30 years, with follow-ups every 10 years. The initial inspection timeline would be significantly shorter at 20 years for buildings within three miles of saltwater, which exposes concrete and structural steel to high risks of corrosion. Allen Douglas, executive director of the Florida Engineering Society and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida, called the inspection requirement the bare minimum of what you should do. But its not only the frequency of inspections that should change, the joint report said. Its also the quality and depth of testing and maintenance. The report prescribes a two-phase approach to recertification starting with visual observations, which are already required under Miami-Dades approach, but followed by mandatory further testing if the inspector deems there are signs of structural distress like excessive concrete cracking or spalling, corrosion of steel, or settlement of the foundation. Testing isnt currently required. The countys 40-year recertification guidelines note that visual examination will, in most cases, be considered adequate when executed systematically. The engineering groups report doesnt specify what type of testing should be performed, instead giving inspectors latitude to decide. As experienced structural engineers, we know that every single property is different, and what may be required for one may not be required for another, said Joel Figueroa-Vallines, an Orlando-based structural engineer who was part of the engineers working group. At Champlain Towers South, experts who spoke to the Herald noted that even if the condo board had moved faster to make the costly repairs recommended by its consulting engineer, it isnt clear that they would have addressed the buildings most dangerous faults. Thats because a combination of design flaws and structural deterioration that may have contributed to the collapse were hidden from plain view and would not likely have been detected in a routine inspection. Available records suggest the proposed repairs would not, for example, have strengthened a key connection between the pool deck and the buildings southern perimeter wall. A computer model of the collapse created by Lehman, which factored in eyewitness accounts collected by Miami Herald journalists, showed the disaster likely began when corroded steel reinforcement at the southern wall snapped. Lehman, an engineering professor at the University of Washington, has consulted with the Herald since shortly after the collapse of the tower. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which will ultimately issue a report on the official causes of the collapse and make recommendations, asked Lehman to present her findings this past month, which she did. The damage at Champlain South perhaps could have been better understood with inspection methods that go beyond visual observation, experts told the Herald such as ground-penetrating radar to scan for proper placement of steel rebar, or a method known as half-cell potential measurements to assess the extent of steel corrosion in a slab. Human intervention may not be enough, said Khalid Mosalam, professor of Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley and an expert in fracture and damage mechanics. When older, brittle, concrete structures like Champlain South collapse, the failure tends to be rapid and largely without warning at least not the kind of warning that would be detectable by human senses. We need more monitoring and instrumentation systems, Mosalam said. We dont trust our homes with our noses. We have to put up fire alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. Building movement and vibrations and deflections is the same thing, Monitors would protect human life while the engineering and research catches up, he said. Much of modern structural engineering focuses on buildings behavior during earthquakes. Less is known about the specific behavior of structures by the ocean despite that being one of the harshest environments on earth, Mosalam said. Environmental impact of older buildings is more of a ticking bomb and unless we listen carefully were going to see this happen without much warning, he said. Abieyuwa Aghayere, a structural engineering professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said the recertification process should also include a review of a buildings original design, a step the current Miami-Dade guidelines say theres little need for because it is obvious that this has been time tested if still offering satisfactory performance. The Champlain South collapse belies that assumption. After the collapse, Aghayere and other engineers found that many of the towers columns and its pool deck slab werent designed to code. The fact that a structure has been standing for 40 years does not necessarily guarantee that the original design is adequate, Aghayere said. Who pays? Most of the post-Surfside reports also go beyond the need for improved inspections to tackle how condo associations finance repairs. One overriding concern is overhauling of current rules for establishing condo repair reserve funds that the Bars Sklar calls paltry. Current Florida condo law does require condo associations to develop a schedule of reserves set aside for repair and replacement of major building components, but it provides no guidelines or requirements as to whats appropriate, leaving that up to the full discretion of condo boards. In addition, condo associations can waive the need for reserves with a vote of a majority of unit owners present at a meeting not even the full ownership. That waiver threshold is too low, most of the reports conclude. It means that many condos simply waive the need for reserves, then have trouble raising the money when the need for repairs arises, so that work is done on the cheap or put off. That leads to cascading issues and costs, the associations institute said in its report. The greater issue with deferred maintenance is that it only grows in scope and cost the longer it is deferred, resulting in 30 times the cost to repair versus keeping up with routine maintenance, the Community Associations Institute report says. That same sort of progression may have hit Champlain Towers South. After postponing major repairs amid bickering over costs, owners and the association were hit by a $15 million bill and massive individual special assessments to obtain its 40-year recertification. A portion of the 12-story tower collapsed as repair work was under way. A Miami Herald analysis found design defects, poor construction, and water intrusion and deferred concrete and structural repairs may have combined to contribute to and worsen the buildings abrupt failure. Some of the reports recommend doing away with the waiver of reserves entirely, while others, like the Bar, want to require firm guidelines for determining the amount of cash reserves needed. The Bar report goes further: It recommends that the legislature give condo boards the power to approve assessments or seek bank loans to make urgently needed repairs without waiting for a vote of unit owners. A bucket brigade works to remove debris from the Champlain Towers South Condo collapse on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta. Sun Sentinel/TNS) All the proposals will cost money cash thats likely to come out of condo owners pockets. Even a basic inspection can run to thousands of dollars, and concrete and structural repair bills for even well-maintained but aging buildings can strain condo owners household budgets. That often leads to resistance from unit owners and conflicts between associations and professional condo managers responsible for ensuring proper maintenance and repairs are carried out. Residents dont want to pay the money, said Nick Mikhailitchenko, a property manager for residential and commercial buildings in Florida. Ive seen boards go head-on with legal teams to stop structural repairs. Mikhailitchenko says property managers are in a difficult position. Those who push for major repairs against a condo boards wishes could lose their jobs. He says any new legislation should include protections for them. The manager should be able to notify the city of issues without jeopardizing their salary and livelihood, he said. Mikhailitchenko says he got so fed up with trying to convince residents of deteriorating waterfront condos in Miami Beach to make repairs that he moved to Orlando. Theres no future in Miami with the current messed-up system, he said. One of the most prominent opponents of condo-law reform has been Fort Lauderdale-based Becker, a law firm that represented Champlain South, said Fred ONeal, a Central Florida attorney who represents homeowners. They are very good at what they do, they should never be underestimated, and they will do whatever it takes within the bounds of law and ethics to further the interests of their clients, ONeal said. I think sometimes they are so intent on furthering the interests of their clients, they fail to see the bigger picture. Val Lucier, who served as the election monitor for the states condo ombudsman under former Gov. Jeb Bush, said Becker was a powerful adversary. Every time they had a chance, they would find a way to block change, Lucier said. A spokeswoman for Becker (formerly known as Becker & Poliakoff) countered that the firm supports the reforms proposed by the Florida Bar. Becker fully endorses the [Bars] reform recommendations, said Doreen Fiorelli, the spokeswoman. Our firms Joe Adams was part of the expert task force which met extensively to determine what changes to law could prevent or minimize future tragedies. ... Becker believes in thoughtful legislation that improves the safety of buildings and provides clear, common-sense guidelines for its application. The concern over the inability of some condo owners to cover the cost of regular inspections or extensive repairs is valid, said David Haber, a veteran Miami condo-law attorney, so any strengthened requirements must be accompanied by measures to ease the financial burden. Often, the oldest buildings in most urgent need of repair are the ones with less in reserves and fewer residents able to pay. The typical short-term bank loan for condo repairs can mean steep payments for unit owners, he noted. When youre dealing with fixed-income people who bought a condo unit thats now worth $350,000, and you tell them they need to pay $75,000 for a special assessment, the chances of them being able to pay that are typically very low, Haber said. Haber suggested lawmakers find a way to guarantee loans that would provide incentives to banks to extend payout periods from the standard three-to-seven-year period out to 15-year chunks. Youll need some kind of program to make it more feasible for the owners to pay, Haber said. No simple endeavor Other proposals take aim at the qualifications of the professionals who would conduct the additional inspections. Current law allows architects and engineers of any type to conduct condo inspections. The Miami-Dade Grand Jury recommended no longer allowing architects to do inspections, saying they lack the necessary expertise. Some argue only experienced structural engineers should be inspecting high-rise structures. Testing is important, but the problem is, if its not done by the right person or interpreted by the right party, testing is really not going to do much, said Figueroa-Vallines, the Orlando-based structural engineer. If you havent designed one of these buildings as a structural engineer, youre not going to know where the weaknesses are, youre not going to know where the failure points could be. Even reform backers warn that instituting a new inspection regime across the state would be no simple endeavor. Sklar noted that the Bar task force was told there is a potential shortage of structural engineers to meet increased demand for inspections, with only 650 current Florida practitioners having passed a rigorous state exam. Beefing up the inspection requirements could have other consequences. For one thing, it could lead to a years-long backlog for inspections if every high-rise condo is to be inspected and repair plans reviewed and approved at local building departments. Miami-Dade already has a backlog of overdue 40-year recertifications that stretches for years. Still, the one change that does seem almost certain to happen is that Miami-Dade will move up the time frame for recertification from the current 40 years to 30 after a buildings construction. Thats one of a slate of proposed changes to the 45-year-old program that emerged from public hearings conducted by a special committee led by Regalado after Surfside. The changes are now being formalized in a report expected to go for a vote before the full commission in January, she said. Regalado noted that no matter what the state or the county decide, more frequent inspections of condos is already happening because some insurers are now requiring regular engineering reviews as a condition of renewing policies. You cant have so many inspections that its prohibitive for owners, Regalado said. You also want to be careful. You dont want to tell people a building is safe until its 30 or 40 years old. ... It could have defects from the very beginning. But as the market demands more of these inspections, poorer people will have less access to condos. That eliminates the condo as an entry-level option for homeownership for a lot of people. The contemplated county measures would give condo associations more time to gear up for recertification by mailing associations a series of three reminders two years before its due, in contrast to the current 90 days. The new rules could also require inspections of building elements be conducted by structural engineers; current standards allow architects and non-structural engineers to do so. Inspecting engineers would also for the first time be legally obligated to share reports with local building authorities. Under those proposed rules, a condo association could still ask for extensions on inspections and repairs, as is allowed now, but would have to issue an affidavit by a structural engineer that the building is safe to occupy, said Sergio Ascunce, deputy building official for Miami-Dade. We want to know is nothing imminent going on with this building, Ascunce said. The county is also looking to strengthen requirements for the condo structural inspections to include what Ascunce called a more holistic approach that includes not just key support elements but also foundation elements to look for excessive settlement, as well as the full building envelope, retaining walls and seawalls. As the recertification deadline is moved up, Ascunce said, the county will simultaneously increase its corps of inspectors, engineers and plan reviewers to cope with what he expects to be a flood of additional work. Were going to see a big influx of certifications come in, he said. But Ascunce also had some reassurances for owners of condos built after codes were strengthened and reviews of building plans significantly improved after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The codes themselves are also much stronger, Ascunce said. And associated reforms have made it much harder for structural design defects, such as those that may have existed out of sight for decades at Champlain Towers South, to go undetected when plans are reviewed. After Andrew, the county became the only authority in the state to require that experienced structural engineers review new building and repair plans not just at the county building departments, but also at municipal offices. Steve Rosenthal, who survived the Champlain South collapse, says the lesson is clear: Condo owners need to open up their wallets and invest in their homes. And legislators need to take action. Even if the monetary cost is high, he said, its the responsible thing to do. These 98 people, he said, dont need to have died in vain. Miami Herald staff writers Aaron Leibowitz, Nicholas Nehamas, Sarah Blaskey and Ben Conarck contributed to this report. 2021 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Police will be on the road and in communities making sure people having fun this New Year are also keeping themselves, friends, and whanau safe by not drinking and driving. Last Christmas and New Year period there were 971 road crashes where 91 people were seriously injured and 11 lost their lives. Alcohol or drugs and speed were a factor in over half of these crashes. If you are drinking, dont drive. Its that simple, says Assistant Commissioner Deployment and Road Policing Bruce O'Brien. Alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in about a third of all fatal crashes, so the risk is too high, and the consequences are devastating for everyone, including your whanau and friends. Bruce says in the last five years, more than 6500 injury crashes had alcohol as a contributing factor. He says 1584 people were seriously injured, and 389 people were killed. Dont put your whanau and loved ones through that grief. If you are going to drink, plan how youre getting home before you head out so you avoid making a bad decision later. Get a mate to drive, or someone to pick you up, or grab a taxi, ride share, or take public transport. There is always an alternative to drink driving. Also make sure that you are using a legitimate ride share or taxi service. Bruce says regulated drivers must hold a Small Passenger Service Licence and pass a Police vetting process before they can receive that licence. Before you commit to the ride, check the person is who they say they are look at their ID tag. Do they have a passenger licence and a Certificate of Fitness displayed on the vehicle? Using a taxi, Uber, or other small passenger service is a great alternative to drink driving. But if they arent properly licenced and certified dont get in. You want to know the driver and their car are safe. Another important note for partygoers is to stay together. You need to keep an eye on each other so everyone can enjoy their night and get home safely. Dont let your friends wander off alone, especially if theyve been drinking. We want everyone to have a fun and safe festive season. So remember; dont drink and drive, plan your ride home before heading out, and stick together. Frontline staff will remain visible on the roads and our streets to keep people safe over the New Year celebrations. As the country prepares to celebrate or perhaps commiserate the year that was 2021, St John is reminding the public to look after each other on the busiest night for the emergency ambulance service. The highest demand for the emergency ambulance service is typically New Years Eve between 10pm and 2am when calls into the 111 ambulance communications centres triple with a third being alcohol related. Dan Ohs, St John Deputy Chief Executive Ambulance Operations, says with the added pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 has been one of the busiest and most challenging years for the emergency ambulance service and St John is expecting this New Years Eve to be no different. During the peak of New Years Eve last year, between 10pm Thursday, December 31, to 3am Friday, January 1, our frontline ambulance teams attended 418 call-outs. Thats 66 per cent more incidents (252) compared with the busiest period in winter this year, and 119 percent (191 incidents) more than the busiest period in winter last year. Dan says the most common calls are for unconscious people, falls, traumatic injuries and car crashes. St John Ambulance always prepares for an increase in demand during the holiday period, but wed like to remind everyone that the most life-threatening incidents will always be prioritised. This means that if your condition isnt time critical, there may be a delay in responding, he says. Dan says while this New Years Eve is the first time in many months a lot of us will be able to come together and celebrate with friends and whanau, its important people do so responsibly and safely. For those celebrating or hosting New Years Eve, make sure theres plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks, including water, and always have a sober driver. Look out for one another and ensure everyone has a safe way to get home. If you find you do need our help please be kind and respectful to our ambulance staff. We see assaults against our people increase over the festive season which is never tolerated. Our emergency call handlers and paramedics are caring professionals but if theyre being abused, they cant do their job. Finally, as Covid-19 continues to spread across Aotearoa, Dan is urging people not to get complacent. Its important we all continue to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines on keeping safe, including practicing good hygiene, physical distancing, wearing a face mask and scanning into public places. St John wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year. There are 10 Omicron cases to report among recent arrivals at the border, taking the total at the border, to date to 88. There are no community Omicron cases to report, says the Ministry of Health. "Regarding the Omicron border case announced on Wednesday, microbiologists have advised that the risk of transmission from this case is low. "We can now confirm that the six close contacts who attended the Hidden Lakes festival have all tested negative for Covid-19. This means there was no public health risk associated with this event. "Contact tracing has now identified 88 close contacts for this case. This includes close contacts identified via case interviews and from locations of interest. "80 of these contacts have been reached, all are isolating and have been tested. All results received to date have been negative. Contact tracers are working urgently to contact the eight close contacts who are yet to be reached." Air New Zealand flight attendant All eight close contacts of the border-related Omicron case in the Air New Zealand flight crew member have returned negative tests, says the Ministry. There are no locations of interest associated with this case and therefore the risk to the public has been determined to be low. Whole Genome Sequencing "With the evolving international data on Omicron and two border-related cases with community exposures, we have amended the prioritisation for undertaking whole genome sequencing on positive cases of Covid-19 in international arrivals and border workers. "Previously we prioritised whole genome sequencing for cases of Covid-19 in international arrivals, in particular where individuals were undertaking three days in self-isolation. "However, now that all international arrivals are required to complete a full 10 days in a managed isolation facility and return a negative day nine test before release, the risk of community transmission of the Omicron variant from these cases is deemed to be low. "Samples from international arrivals will still be dealt with in a timely manner and tested no later than 48 hours of a sample being received "Furthermore, as we are now assuming all recent arrivals who test positive have the Omicron variant, we will now prioritise whole genome sequencing for any positive cases of Covid-19 in border-related workers and their families. "This is where there is the greatest risk of Omicron entering the community. This new approach will help to ensure the risk of any community transmission of Omicron remains low. These samples will be treated as urgent and tested within 12 hours of being received by the laboratory. "As always, it is important to stay at home if you are sick, get tested if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and isolate until you return a negative test." Police are reminding everyone to party safely these holidays. Sexual assault is unacceptable, says National Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Dave Kirby. It is never the victims fault and should not be tolerated in any situation. Sexual assaults can happen to anyone at any time, but this summer Police want to offer some tips for people to keep safe when going out and enjoying festivals, parties and gigs. Tips for keeping safe: If you are planning on drinking, then its a good idea to have something substantial to eat before you start. Have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink. Plan how you are getting home at the end of your night, and have the cash, eftpos card or app to pay for transport. Look after your friends and stick together so you can watch out for each other. Have a place to meet up with your friends if you do get separated. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you head out. Never leave your drink unattended or accept any drinks that you haven't personally seen poured, especially from strangers. Challenge any inappropriate comments or actions. If you have concerns about someones behaviour, call Police. Planning ahead is the best way to keep safe. Have a designated driver or put aside money for a taxi. If you plan to walk, go in pairs or groups, either way have a plan for getting home safely. Lastly, make sure your phone is fully charged and keep it safe, so you can use it to get home, says Detective Inspector Dave Kirby. We want parents to take note of this advice too, so they can make sure their young ones have the information they need to be safe while having fun. We all have a responsibility to ensure our friends and loved ones are safe this summer, so keep an eye out and report any concerns you have. Police also has advice for those who seek to take advantage of vulnerable or intoxicated people. Do not do this. Do not allow your mates to do this either, says Detective Inspector Dave Kirby. Police take sexual assault extremely seriously. We will respond to and investigate every incident reported to us. If you see anything suspicious call 111. If something has already happened call 105 or report it online at 105.police.govt.nz Any time, every day, we are here to help. Four people have been arrested in Tauranga overnight following a large New Years Eve gathering at Mount Main Beach. The people have been arrested for disorderly behaviour, says a statement from Police. Thousands gathered at the beach and fireworks were let off by people on the beach during the evening, with more lit at midnight. A SunLive reporter at the beach says there were thousands of people there. "Lots of young teenagers. Many people seemed to be from Auckland or Waikato, not from around here," says the reporter. "Generally it's fairly orderly and not too chaotic, just a lot of people." Light towers had been set up to light the main beach, coincidentally providing a congregation point on the sand for people. "Boy racers are going around Marine Parade revving up engines," says the reporter, "And Police are out and about." Bottles were left smashed around the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service building at the corner of Adams Ave and Marine Parade. An alcohol ban remains on the beachfront, but the street and car parks weren't fenced off this year. Police maintained a visible presence in key areas around Mount Maunganui and ran a checkpoint on Maunganui Road. The SunLive reporter says Police and ambulance were quick to deal with any incidents that occurred during the night. Police put on sprinklers along Marine Parade not long after midnight which dispersed the crowd. They say by 2.30am most of the revellers had left Mount Maunganui. Police deputy commissioner Glenn Dunbier says, There were of course a couple of hotspots around the country, however most people we saw out and about had a good time and stayed safe. This year saw some disorderly behaviour in Tauranga, Whangamata and Riversdale in the Wairarapa, says Dunbier. Fifteen arrests were made and 114 infringement notices were issued in Whangamata, where officers took a zero tolerance approach following the events of last year. Were pleased to see people taking steps to get home safely, and looking out for each other, he says. By and large New Zealanders rang in the New Year safely. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Murugan BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 382 Thanked: 261 Times Does car service / wash not include cleaning the underside? Lanson Toyota, Chennai Does car service/ wash not include cleaning the underside? Fortuner - Lanson Toyota, Koyambedu, Chennai Yesterday I took our 4 month and 3000 kms old Toyota Fortuner 42 diesel AT to Koyambedu Lanson Toyota, Chennai service centre to have the underside of the vehicle cleaned as I noticed that it had some material sticking on the underside, with probably more that I could not see considering the difficulty in visualisation of inaccessible regions, following travel in ankle deep water at times during the recent Chennai rains and flooding of some roads. The service receptionist refused to accept the car saying that as per Lanson Toyota service SOP (Standard operating procedure) he cannot accept the car for servicing as they will never clean the underside of any Toyota vehicle during any type of servicing, from the time they shifted to eco-friendly waterless servicing more than three years ago. All their servicing is limited to the top, tyre wells and cabin only, and does not include cleaning the underside of cars according to him. When I asked him how to clear the stuck debris, he had no answer. When I asked him if he expects me to crawl under the vehicle and pull it out myself or take it to a non-Toyota service centre, raise the car and clean it, he had no answer, and still refused to accept the car. Getting a tad upset, I asked to see the service manager, who also refused to accept the car for cleaning the underside, quoting their 3 year old SOP. At this point I raised my voice, expressed my agitation and asked to see someone even higher up, and a customer relations manager came to the spot and on my asking him how Toyota expects me to clean the underside myself, and on my speaking to a VP (Vice President) working at Lanson Toyota over the phone simultaneously, he relented and agreed to accept the car for cleaning the underside as instructed by the VP. Eventually the job was completed (hopefully they did a thorough inspection and cleaned the underside properly) for a cost of INR.1222, and the vehicle returned to me. My question is, is it only Lanson Toyota, Chennai, all of Toyota or have all car manufacturers stopped routinely cleaning the underside of the cars they sell during all types of servicing? Do all service centers not entertain special requests to clean the underside? Is this acceptable? Doesn't all the debris on the underside have to be removed frequently to ensure the longevity of our vehicles? Considering that they raised our Fortuner for underbody anti-rust coating during the sale of the vehicle, how difficult is it to raise and clean the underside during routine servicing or atleast do it when requested? Hoping to hear about the experience of others and get advice on how to handle the situation next time. Yesterday I took our 4 month and 3000 kms old Toyota Fortuner 42 diesel AT to Koyambedu Lanson Toyota, Chennai service centre to have the underside of the vehicle cleaned as I noticed that it had some material sticking on the underside, with probably more that I could not see considering the difficulty in visualisation of inaccessible regions, following travel in ankle deep water at times during the recent Chennai rains and flooding of some roads.The service receptionist refused to accept the car saying that as per Lanson Toyota service SOP (Standard operating procedure) he cannot accept the car for servicing as they will never clean the underside of any Toyota vehicle during any type of servicing, from the time they shifted to eco-friendly waterless servicing more than three years ago. All their servicing is limited to the top, tyre wells and cabin only, and does not include cleaning the underside of cars according to him. When I asked him how to clear the stuck debris, he had no answer. When I asked him if he expects me to crawl under the vehicle and pull it out myself or take it to a non-Toyota service centre, raise the car and clean it, he had no answer, and still refused to accept the car.Getting a tad upset, I asked to see the service manager, who also refused to accept the car for cleaning the underside, quoting their 3 year old SOP.At this point I raised my voice, expressed my agitation and asked to see someone even higher up, and a customer relations manager came to the spot and on my asking him how Toyota expects me to clean the underside myself, and on my speaking to a VP (Vice President) working at Lanson Toyota over the phone simultaneously, he relented and agreed to accept the car for cleaning the underside as instructed by the VP. Eventually the job was completed (hopefully they did a thorough inspection and cleaned the underside properly) for a cost of INR.1222, and the vehicle returned to me.My question is, is it only Lanson Toyota, Chennai, all of Toyota or have all car manufacturers stopped routinely cleaning the underside of the cars they sell during all types of servicing? Do all service centers not entertain special requests to clean the underside? Is this acceptable? Doesn't all the debris on the underside have to be removed frequently to ensure the longevity of our vehicles? Considering that they raised our Fortuner for underbody anti-rust coating during the sale of the vehicle, how difficult is it to raise and clean the underside during routine servicing or atleast do it when requested?Hoping to hear about the experience of others and get advice on how to handle the situation next time. Judge Michelle Odinet resigned on Thursday from her seat at City for Division A of Lafayette City Court in a letter sent to the Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John Weimer on December 30. The resignation came after Odinet was filmed using the N-word, prompting more than one hundred complaints to the state's Judiciary Commission, and attracting international attention. Here is the full text of Odinet's letter: Chief Justice Weimer: I take full responsibility for the hurtful words I used to describe the individual who burglarized the vehicles at my home. I am sorry for the pain that I have caused my community and ask for your forgiveness, as my words did not foster the public's confidence and integrity for the judiciary. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up After much reflection and prayer, and in order to facilitate healing within the community, I hereby resign as judge of the Lafayette City Court effective immediately. I am sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary of State and hope that a special election can be scheduled to fill the vacancy that my resignation creates. Yours, Michelle Odinet Staffer John Simerman contributed to this story. For a few moments on a recent Saturday, the room quieted as Donald Buckles flashed his precision with an old-school straight razor. Buckles, a Scotlandville native who was practically born into barbering, held the razor in one hand and wore a rubber glove on the other. He zeroed in on the task, evening and straightening the inside edges of a narrow beard. "The details are extremely important in this line of work," Buckles said. The nephew of the owner of well-regarded shop off Plank Road, Buckles has been cutting hair since he was 14. He moved his barbershop a year ago from the Zachary area to a new spot on Sherwood Forest Boulevard just south of Coursey Boulevard. His business, FlyBarbers, is situated in a part of Baton Rouge south of Interstate 12 that in the last decade has spawned a handful of new businesses owned by and catering to Black people. The new businesses have accompanied a wave of increasing diversity in a part of Baton Rouge that a generation ago was largely White. The changes in a few of Baton Rouge's older suburbs track national trends revealed in the 2020 census and in earlier research showing that the suburban areas closest to major cities once built to meet the demand of White flight have become quite diverse. The diversifying 'inner' suburb When Census Bureau officials announced the latest findings of the 2020 census in August, two of their important takeaways were that the nation grew at its slowest rate since the Great Depression and that the country was continuing to diversify. One of the focal points for diversification over the last decade is a familiar one, the old "inner ring" suburbs of metro areas that have long been a hot spot for change. Between 2010 and 2020, nearly 270,000 White Americans left "mature" suburbs for more distant exurbs, even as those older "inner ring" neighborhoods grew overall by nearly 9 million people, according to an analysis from Brookings Institution demographer William Frey. These shifts come as the overall makeup of the country approaches a day, mid-century, when White people will no longer be in the majority. In 2020, for the first time since the nation began census counts in 1790, a decennial census found a decline in the nation's White population, according to another Frey analysis. A rural Delta town withers amid population loss. It represents a broader trend in Louisiana. WATERPROOF Chuck Barice stomped around the remnants of a former department store on Main Street, cleaning up what was left mostly bricks a The nation's 7.4% growth rate since 2010 came entirely from minority and mixed-race or ethnicity groups over the past decade, Frey found. Part of the decline in the White populace owes to improvements in the way the census counts mixed-race residents, but it's also due to an aging White population with a declining birth rate, Census Bureau researchers say. Those same national patterns can be seen in East Baton Rouge Parish. Overall, Louisiana's most populous parish grew by 3.8% between 2010 and 2020 to nearly 456,800 people, about half as fast as it grew in the prior decade. The growth came entirely from minority groups, particularly Hispanic people. The nearly 14,280 new Hispanic residents, by themselves, nearly covering the corresponding loss in White residents. The Black population, meanwhile, grew by 6,960, and Black people became the largest racial group in the parish, with 45% of the populace. The changes raise significant implications as local leaders debate how to fashion new local government districts and as the future of the St. George community awaits legal resolution. "Well need to look at what districts make the most sense to make adjustments and I think the data will tell us that. I couldnt tell you what they are right now," Metro Council Mayor Pro Tem LaMont Cole said. Data show swaths of heavily White areas have become less so, in some cases because of the loss of White residents and the growth of minority populations. In other areas, such as the parish's development fringe in the southeast, the trend has been driven by sharp increases in minority populations that have outpaced White population growth. The trends have blurred the mythical racial barrier at Florida Boulevard or Government Street that has been long seen as a north-south, Black-White dividing line in Baton Rouge. Since 2010, areas south of Florida have become more Black and Brown. The diversifying areas encompass neighborhoods like Broadmoor, Sherwood Forest, Westminster, Lake Sherwood and Shenandoah. All saw White population losses while Black, Hispanic and Asian populations generally rose, often sharply. A few parts of the St. George area, in the far southeast of the parish, saw similar changes. More rural areas in northeastern East Baton Rouge, generally north of Greenwell Springs Road, also saw similar losses in White population as non-White populations rose. At the same time, parts of northwestern Baton Rouge, older parts of the city and parish that have traditionally had strong Black majorities, have seen population losses, despite efforts to reinvigorate the economy. They did not see an increase in diversity, however. Coursey area, a study in change Buckles, 37, a married father, grew up with a passion for barbering. A mentor at Baker High School encouraged leadership qualities in him that led him to open a small business. Businesspeople, he said, must have a vision for the future. He had been trying to find a spot downtown or in Mid-City for him and his three employees, but was unable to nail down a lease. He became intrigued by the Sherwood/Coursey area, where a few other Black-owned businesses like The Grind and Quarters and Boil and Roux have found a home. Their presence helped him settle on the small strip mall that he shares with the Bay Leaf Indian food restaurant. Cinco de Mayo celebrations at nearby businesses were eye-opening, Buckles said. "With Boil and Roux and The Grind right here, for Cinco de Mayo, man, you know, this area was just packed. It was just packed. It was a party, and it was nothing but us ... nothing but Black people," he said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up New minority residents have indeed been on the rise in the neighborhood. They've boosted the overall population by nearly 5% since 2010, despite sharp declines in the White population. The area is bounded by Airline Highway on the west, Tiger Bend Road on the south, Old Hammond Highway on the north and Millerville, South Harrells Ferry and Jones Creek roads on the east. It encompasses parts of Coursey and I-12 and is home to the private Episcopal and Parkview Baptist schools and the public Cedar-Southmoor and Parkview elementary schools. The area's population has risen by about 5% since 2010, even with the White population falling by 22%, census data show. Meanwhile, the Black population rose by almost 22%, the Asian population by 46%, the Hispanic population by 92% and mixed-race people by 181%. Black and Hispanic residents added around 2,340 and 1,900 new people, respectively. The result: White residents are no longer in the majority. They now make up just 42% of the area's population, compared to 56% in 2010. Movement south, movement out Dillon Thompson, an Exit Realty Group agent who works in the area, said he has helped several families from north Baton Rouge move south to cut commute times and find areas with more services and better access. Parts of northern Baton Rouge "don't necessarily provide the value, the resources and the opportunity that they once did and so people with the means are coming down farther south," Thompson said. "And even though Coursey and Sherwood aren't the most new and happening areas, they are the most convenient to the places most people live and work in." Marcia Plummer, of Keller Williams Realty, helped investors buy flooded properties after 2016. She said the disaster created an opportunity for people to pay affordable prices for older homes with considerable space and more land than some newer homes. "It was mostly older people that owned, so when it flooded, they either downsized anyway and moved in with family members, and that's when you saw the opportunity for other, you know, diverse people to move in, I guess. So, in an area that was predominantly White, I feel like that's when the demographic probably changed a little bit," she said. "Because of the flood." Thompson said the opportunities from the flood have ebbed, but people are still looking south. Plummer said Black and Brown buyers are also looking farther south, into new homes closer to the parish line and in Ascension and Livingston parishes. "It's not that they're just moving in that area there," Plummer said. "They're moving in the outskirts too, also for a better school system and everything else." The St. George area in southeast East Baton Rouge grew by nearly 16% in the past decade, and most of that growth has come from rising numbers of non-White minorities, census data show. Whites have contributed a little less than a third of the new population in the past decade. The growth in St. George's minority population expands on a trend from the prior decade. As a result, between 2000 and 2020, White residents' share of St. George's population fell from 81% to 66%, still a strong majority but a rapidly declining one. Backers of the St. George incorporation movement say the new census numbers support their contention that their effort was never about White flight, as critics have long argued. Guess what? Opportunities exist in St. George. Thats why people want to move here, said Drew Murrell, spokesman for the incorporation effort. It makes sense. Everyone wants the same thing: to raise a family in a place that feels safe, and they have opportunity to thrive. Thats what St. George has always been about. After the first petition drive to create what could become the parishs fifth city failed, organizers carved out new boundaries that excluded all the areas where minorities were heavily concentrated. That bolstered claims that the St. George effort was racially motivated. But St. George proponents countered the decision had nothing to do with race; rather, it was aimed at cutting out areas most resistant to incorporation. Murrell stands by that position today, two years after the remaining voters decided to support the creation of a new city. "We just didnt have the census data at the time to prove that," he said. New numbers, same fights? Metro Council members are just starting to grapple with the implications of a larger parish and an evolving racial and ethnic makeup. Redistricting discussions are expected to start at the first of the year. The Metro Council has yet to hire a demographer, but advocacy groups like the NAACP have already threatened to sue the council should new district lines for the 12-member body not properly reflect the parishs growing racial diversity. Mainly, they want council district lines redrawn to pave the way for a more racially balanced Metro Council. White conservatives currently hold a majority bloc of seats. We must balance the districts first; then well look at race, said Cole, the council mayor pro tem. The council should mirror the population of the parish. If the population is 50/50, then the council should be 50/50. With the parishs total population count coming in at 456,781, new council districts will have to be redrawn to contain approximately 38,000 residents apiece. The highest concentrations of White population losses and Black and Hispanic population gains mostly occurred in suburban areas, particularly in Council Districts 1, 4, 8, 9 and 3. The greatest potential for a new minority-majority district could arise from District 1, which encompasses a large swarth of the northern end of the parish, including Zachary. Councilman Brandon Noel, who represents the area, said hes aware he may have to lose some of his current district based on his early assessment. But he also hesitated to go into further details without a clearer picture for whomever the council hires as a demographer. Im always prepared to have a discussion. By and large, every council person will be looking to self-preservation thats for any politician seeking reelection, Noel said. There are going to be outside influences one way or the other no matter how this goes." Sydney has farewelled 2021 and welcomed the new year with its famous fireworks display, despite soaring Omicron cases keeping crowds away from the usually bustling harbour. About a million people would usually pack the waterfront, but crowds were limited to tens of thousands, and free tickets to prime viewing spots were still available late into New Years Eve. Six tonnes of fireworks shot into the sky over the harbour across the 9pm and midnight displays. As the new year began, electronic music duo The Presets provided a12-minute soundtrack to the spectacular display. Fireworks created a waterfall effect off the Sydney Harbour Bridge while projections were displayed on the pylons. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 2022, Brisbane will have a new Home. Before the year is out, the house that came to symbolise the dangers of unfettered development, and the flaws with Queenslands heritage protection laws, will finally be restored. Home, the grand old lady of Brisbanes past, will take pride of place in the citys future. It is a very real 120-year-old birthday present - for the house and the community. Builders scaffolding covers the 120 -year-old heritage-listed Home saved from demolition in 2020-21 and set to be restored in 2022. Credit:Tony Moore During 2020-2021, Home, on the cliffs at Kangaroo Point, was saved from demolition after a series of events saw the heritage-listed property placed on the market. Brisbane businessman Steve Wilson and his wife Jane, both keen heritage property enthusiasts, bought the original Lamb family property and vowed to make Home their own. By next New Years Eve, their view of the fireworks, down two stretches of the Brisbane River from the mansions top floor verandah, will be a special reward for the money they have invested in the two-storey, Federation-style property. Advertisement Around the house, built in 1901-1902, restoration tags show where doors and windows - yet to be removed, sanded and painted - will be replaced in working order. Decorative timber work on the Leopard Street side of Home is now being restored. Credit:Tony Moore On the outside, tiles have been removed from the damaged roof, while new bearers and flooring timbers have been added to the twin levels of verandahs. The ceiling turret - the buildings dominant architectural feature - is being restructured to keep it standing. The views over the Brisbane CBD from the top verandah at Home, originally built by the Lamb family between 1901-1902. Credit:Tony Moore That was nearly all broken and falling off, says Andrew Brierley from contracted heritage builders, Chapman Builders. There was half left. Just before Christmas, we pulled the rest off. It was pretty unstable up there, but that has all been sorted out, and it will be rebuilt. Advertisement Chapman Builders have worked on Brisbanes Customs House and Old Parliament House, the Governors Residence at Rosalie and the Old Windmill at Spring Hill. Mr Brierley says the cliff-top position of Home, on the bend of the Brisbane River opposite Queensland University of Technology, puts it in the citys top echelon of homes. It has probably one of the best addresses. It is a huge block, and it is a beautiful old home, Mr Brierley says. The Lamb family named the house. Credit:Tony Moore For years, developers coveted the land, as three levels of government argued over who should be responsible for saving the building, until the Wilson family took charge. Mr Brierley says the condition of Home is not as bad as he first thought. He says the lack of recent repairs to Homes roof allowed water in, but the painstaking heritage restoration was well advanced. Advertisement More damage was being done to the timber elements of the structure, which we are now replacing pretty much like for like, Mr Brierley says. With the exemptions which we have been allowed from the architects involved - and from the [structural] engineers - we are keeping the traditional species of timbers and everything as much as possible. New floor joists and flooring has gone into the ground-floor verandah. Credit:Tony Moore Mr Brierley says the Wilson family has already held a special evening at the home, originally designed by architect Alexander Brown Wilson. They have been up there and had a Wilson night themselves, earlier in the piece, he says. The work since July 2021 has made the property safe. The original roof tiles have been removed and new tiles acquired from Belgium are lined up beside the home. While they were working on the verandahs, they thought the roof may have been too heavy for some of the work we were doing there, so they stripped the roof, he says. Advertisement They removed the tiles and realised they were 100-year-old tiles. They thought they may have seen the end of their life, so now we have a new set of tiles the same. Replacing Homes tile roof will be one of the first big restoration jobs for 2022. A fireplace at Home. Credit:Tony Moore As soon as we finish the structural works up in the roof space, then the tiles will go on. I would say that would be pretty much early in the new year. New floor joists and flooring has gone into the ground-floor verandah. The top verandah is being rebuilt. Downstairs has the main dining room and drawing rooms, all with rich western red cedar panelling and pressed metal ceilings. New polished floorboards will replace the existing floor, Mr Brierley says. Advertisement The latest land-clearing figures for Queensland the first since Labor tightened the legislation in 2018 show less activity in highly sensitive forests. However, the figures also point to a major increase in activity in bushland areas not covered by the Palaszczuk governments land-clearing crackdown. These include areas that could threaten water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. The extent of land cleared in Queensland increased from 356,000 hectares in 2016-17 to 680,688 hectares in 2018-19. Credit:File p[hoto The figures, released on Thursday, threaten Australias newest commitment to ending deforestation by 2030, signed at the Glasgow Climate Change talks last month. The extent of land cleared in Queensland increased from 356,000 hectares in 2016-17 to 680,688 hectares in 2018-19, the latest year for which figures are available. Melbournes scorching heat did not dampen the mood of revellers on New Years Eve, who eased their way into the city and Docklands once the temperature started to fall to welcome in 2022. Earlier in the day, dozens took to St Kilda Beach to escape the heat, which peaked at 37.7 degrees about 2.30pm, by lapping up the waves and sheltering under umbrellas that shook in the wind. Moshe Chong and girlfriend Shirley Tang made a last-minute decision to spend New Years Eve in Melbourne CBD. Credit:Paul Jeffers Most were determined to make the end-of-year celebrations as close to normal as possible, while others planned to avoid large crowds and ticketed events out of fear of catching COVID-19. In line with coronavirus rules, the City of Melbourne organised its New Years Eve celebrations around four ticketed zones in Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Treasury Gardens with live comedy, circus and music performances, fireworks and food trucks. New York: The South African government says data from its Health Department suggests the country had passed its Omicron peak without a major spike in deaths, offering cautious hope to other countries grappling with the variant. The speed with which the Omicron-driven fourth wave rose, peaked and then declined has been staggering, said Fareed Abdullah of the South African Medical Research Council. A throat swab is taken from a patient to test for COVID-19 at a facility in Soweto, South Africa. Credit:AP Peak in four weeks and precipitous decline in another two. This Omicron wave is over in the city of Tshwane. It was a flash flood more than a wave. The rise in deaths over the period was small, and in the last week, officials said, marginal. Some scientists were quick to forecast the same pattern elsewhere. The Public Theater has announced that it is canceling all performances in the 2022 Under the Radar Festival, citing difficulties stemming from the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. The news was announced in a Tweet and on the Public's website. The festival, which was to take place in January 12-30, has been a showcase for nearly two decades of most exciting experimental theater from around the globe. After going entirely virtual in 2021, the festival was to return to live performances this year. Those live performances would have taken place under the most stringent audience requirements in New York City: In addition to providing proof of vaccination and remaining masked throughout the performance, theatergoers would have also been required to show a negative Covid test before entering the theater. Currently, Broadway ticketholders are not required to show proof of a negative test if they are fully vaccinated. "While our robust COVID-19 protocols have created a safe environment within our theaters, multiple disruptions related to the rapid community spread of the Omicron variant - including artist and staff availability, artist and audience cancellations major flight interruptions, and visa processing delays - have prevented a viable way to move forward with presenting Under the Radar 2022," the Public's statement reads. It goes on to explain that ticketholders should expect an email with further information. The most highly-anticipated show in the 2022 festival was Jasmine Lee-Jones's seven methods of killing kylie jenner, which debuted at London's Royal Court in 2019. In her review, critic Daniella Harrison called the 2021 remounting of that play, which draws on the language of social media, "pure dynamite." You can read more about it here. News Updates Would you like to receive our newsletter? Get local, Wyoming, and national news, the weather forecast, and more, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Flight crew with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112) conducts pre-flight checks and prepares an F/A-18 Hornet for launch, on Sept. 23, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Sgt. Booker T. Thomas) 206 Marines Kicked Out for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccines The Marine Corps has separated 206 Marines for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, the military branch announced Thursday. Active-duty Marines had a deadline to get fully vaccinated by Nov. 28, while for reservists, the deadline was Dec. 28. By the deadline, 95 percent of all active-duty Marines had received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 86 percent of the Reserve force had received the first shot. That means around 8,000 active-duty Marines and 5,000 Marine reserve personnel may face separation for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Marine Corps is still tracking 1,007 approved administrative or medical exemptions, Capt. Andrew Wood, a Marine Corps spokesman, said in a statement to news outlets. The Marine Corps has denied 3,115 of 3,247 religious exemption applications received. The rest are still being processed, according to the statement. Some unvaccinated Marines call the discharge a political purge. United States Marines register their details as they queue to receive the Moderna coronavirus vaccine at Camp Hansen on April 28, 2021, in Kin, Japan. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Theres something fundamentally wrong at this point with our nations leadership, a major with more than 17 years of active service told Fox News on the condition of anonymity. We are facing an unconstitutional edict that I think is very targeted as a political purge, taking out some of the best and brightest soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and guardians from the Space Force. These Marines claimed they received blanket denials for their religious exemption applications, which cited military readiness as the primary reason for rejection. The Marine Corps hasnt responded to a request from The Epoch Times for comment. According to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act recently signed into law by President Joe Biden, those discharges must be either honorable or general under honorable conditions. So far, the military hasnt granted any religious exemptions yet. For example, the Air Force, which had the earliest deadline among all branches, has received over 10,700 religious exemption applications. As of last week, 2,130 have already been denied. The remaining 8,636 are still being reviewed. None have been approved. A group of 47 Republican lawmakers led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) supports a lawsuit by a group of Navy SEALs and Navy service members seeking religious exemptions in a federal court. Defendants position that a vaccine exemption combined with non-invasive precautions are sufficient for secularly exempt individuals, but insufficient for servicemen and women who simply seek to adhere to their sincerely held religious beliefs, is discriminatory and a straight-forward violation of the First Amendment, the lawmakers wrote in the amicus brief (pdf) filed to the court. 28 California DAs Block Early Releases for Violent Criminals Twenty-eight district attorneys across California, including San Diego Countys, have been granted a temporary restraining order to prevent some repeat offenders with serious and violent criminal histories from being released early by the state prison officials, Sacramento County District Attorneys Office announced on Dec. 29. The temporary restraining order granted by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Raymond Cadei keeps the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from increasing good conduct credits from 50 percent to 66 percent for eligible prisoners with nonviolent convictions, including repeat offenders. Many of these so-called nonviolent second-strikers have long and violent criminal historiesincluding repeat felony domestic violence convictions, sexual assaults, and gun violence, said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. According to the corrections departments website, good conduct credits are awarded to inmates who comply with all prison rules and perform assigned duties regularly, except those condemned to death or serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole. The 66 percent custody credits, including credits awarded without requiring completion of any rehabilitation programs according to the Sacramento district attorneys announcement, would allow certain inmates to be released after serving a third of their sentences, as opposed to half under the old rules. Effective Jan. 1, the corrections departments newest regulations apply to not only inmates working in fire camps but also nonviolent second-strikersthose who have one or more convictions prior to their current sentence. Under California law, nonviolent felonies also include apparently violent crimes like human trafficking, rape of an unconscious person, and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release issued by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. The temporary restraining order was filed last week by Schubert, whose office was the lead author, and 27 other elected district attorneys seeking to stop the enforcement of this new regulation. Releasing these dangerous inmates after serving a small fraction of their sentences not only lacks accountability, it shortens effective rehabilitation, violates victims rights, and is a significant threat to public safety, Schubert said. No one is contesting good conduct credits for fire camp work, but sneaking in another class of individuals with serious and violent criminal histories goes too far. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said, Releasing inmates early who have committed atrocious crimes after only serving a fraction of their sentence threatens the safety of our communities and is a slap in the face to crime victims who are still suffering. My fellow District Attorneys and I do not contest good conduct credits for fire camp work, but extending those credits to inmates with serious and violent criminal histories is not in the interest of justice or the publics safety. The corrections department is now reviewing the order and will move forward starting January 2022 with other parts of the credit-earning regulations that were not contested by the order. In response to the temporary restraining order, the corrections department emphasizes in a statement that its primary mission is public safety, and as part of that mission we will continue to ensure incarcerated people who are making efforts towards their own rehabilitation by maintaining good behavior and participating in programming and rehabilitative opportunities are afforded the chance to earn credits for their efforts. The City News Service contributed to this article. 30,000 Evacuated, Hundreds of Homes Burned in Fast-Moving Colorado Wildfires Tens of thousands of people were evacuated and hundreds of homes were destroyed as wildfires spread near Denver, Colorado. The fires are moving in Boulder County, located north of Denver, prompting Gov. Jared Polis to declare an emergency. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said there could be more injuries and deaths than reported due to the speed and intensity of the fire, known as the Marshall Fire. This is the kind of fire we cant fight head-on, Pelle told The Associated Press. We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun. Within hours, the blaze had swept an estimated 1,600 acres and destroyed more than 500 homes, Pelle told reporters at a news briefing. We know that approximately 370 homes in the Sagamore subdivision have been lost. Theres a potential of 210 homes lost in Old Town Superior, Pelle said at a news conference Thursday. Due to the magnitude and intensity of this fire, and its presence in such a heavily populated area, we would not be surprised if there are injuries or fatalities, he continued. Evacuation orders were first issued for all residents in the town of Superior, Colorado, with a population of about 13,000, and a short time later for the adjacent municipality of Louisville, home to more than 18,000 residents, the Boulder County emergency management office said on Twitter. Smoke from a wildfire rises in the background in Superior, Colo., on Dec. 30, 2021. (David Zelio/AP Photo) The swiftly spreading prairie grass fire was believed to have been ignited by sparks from power lines and transformers toppled by high winds on Colorados drought-parched Front Range, according to Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle. Overnight, authorities lifted all evacuation orders and pre-evacuation warnings for residents outside of Boulder County, including residents in Broomfield and Westminster due to cooler temperatures and potential snow. It will be very chilly as we ring in the new year tonight. At midnight, temperatures will be in the teens to single digits while wind chills will be below zero in spots. Snow will be falling across the majority of the area at midnight, the National Weather Service in Boulder said. Polis declared a state of emergency allowing use of disaster funding to support emergency response efforts in Boulder County and to allow mobilization of the Colorado National Guard and other state resources as needed. The fire on the outskirts of the Denver metropolitan area, left dry from drought gripping eastern Colorado, follows several days of heavy snow in the Rocky Mountains to the west. However, forecasts call for snow to hit Denver and eastern Colorado starting on Friday. Reuters contributed to this report. An interior site of the Chinese PT.OSS coal burning power plant as seen in 2021, in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) A Nightmare: Chinese Worker Spends Months in Hotel Quarantine in Indonesia After Dispute With Employer In early December, Xiao Yonghong spent his 48th birthday alone, stranded in a hotel in a foreign country, blocked by his employer from returning home. Xiao, a Chinese electrician, said that his employer made him quarantine in a hotel in Indonesia for over fourth months under the excuse that his COVID-19 antibody test results did not meet the employers requirement. However, the real reason, according to Xiao, was that he had reported his employer to local police for ongoing negligence, violence, and exploitation. Xiao is one of the thousands of Chinese working overseas in massive state-sponsored infrastructure projects, part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI is a massive infrastructure investment project aimed at bolstering Beijings economic and political clout around the world. As part of the initiative, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) contracts legions of manual laborers to send abroad for construction projects. Though, some, like Xiao, have experienced harsh work conditions and poor treatment. It is a nightmare, Xiao told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times in November. Xiao and a fellow co-worker had reported an incident of workplace harassment to the police. For this, they were detained by their employer for more than a week. Other employees also described instances of abuse and severe working conditions. Xiao Yonghong (R) at a job site in Malaysia; the photo was taken sometime between 2016 and 2018. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) Though Xiao signed up for the job through a middleman, his employer is PT Obsidian Stainless Steel, a Chinese state-owned nickel smelting and stainless steel manufacturing company located in Indonesia. An entrance to the Chinese PT.OSS power plant in Kendari, capital city of Southeast Sulawesi in Indonesia, in 2021. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) Before Xiao found himself stranded in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, he worked as an electrician on a new coal-burning power plant in the city of Kendari on a neighboring island. BRI contractors are building the power plant, along with many others, to supply electricity to nearby Chinese-run foundries. Hopes of a higher income and better working conditions led Xiao to take the job, which started on March 18. Instead, he was met with both disregard and exploitation, Xiao said. An interior area of the Chinese PT.OSS power plant as seen in Kendari, Indonesia in 2021. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) After nearly two months of working on the project, in May, Xiaos employer offered him a work contract. He signed it, but was not given a copy. He said the contract prohibited the Chinese workers from leaving the premises. The contract further stipulated a daily wage, but Xiao was paid 30 percent less, receiving $63 per day, he said. Xiao was not the only worker who was underpaid. A farmer named Yang Xiaojun, 59, took a job as a construction worker on the power plant after the CCP took away his land. Despite his age, and to support his family, he took the work for lack of better options. He provided to The Epoch Times his state-issued identification card to add veracity to his claims, as most Chinese interviewees will readily conceal their identity for fear of retaliation by the CCP. The government-issued identification card of Yang Xiaojun. (Courtesy of Yang Xiaojun) Yang was told he would be paid the equivalent of $70 per day, starting when his job began on April 30. However, he was given far less, he said. We are experiencing slavery here, Yang told The Epoch Times. We have no rights. After less than a month on the job, Yang contacted the record keeper about inconsistencies in the number of hours logged for his work. But to no avail. Months passed without resolution. Yang finally contacted the middleman company in September that originally referred him to the job about the pay dispute. One day later, on Sept. 12, the site supervisor at the power plant came to meet him personally about the issue. The photo of a piece of paper that records the daily work hours of laborers at the Chinese PT.OSS power plant in Kendari, Indonesia for the month of May 2021. The 13th row is Yangs record. (Courtesy of Yang Xiaojun) But instead of resolving the issue, the supervisor took Yang to a large storage container and beat him until he lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found that my cellphone and cash were taken, Yang said. When they beat me in that container, I did not fight back because I knew someone was beaten to death because he fought back. If they want, they can kill us. Yang added that he now suffers from recurring headaches. As of late November, Yang had earned a total of $1,568 for eight months of work, an income equivalent to 22 days of labor, if paid at the promised wage. The employer only cares about getting the work done, Xiao said, while ignoring workers wellbeing. He cited an example from one of his co-workers, named Chen Qiming, 42. Chen sprained his ankle at the job in late April, but was given neither treatment nor time off. In response, their employer simply told him no work, no food. Chen continued working, despite a severely swollen ankle. A photo of a typical daily meal, which includes steamed buns, white rice, leafy veggies and green beans, for the laborers at the Chinese PT.OSS power plant in Kendari, Indonesia. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) Chen said that other workers have not handled the harsh conditions as well. Whatever happens here doesnt get out, Chen told The Epoch Times. We dont even know whats going on. If a human dies [here], it is no different from a dog dying. He recalled a video taken in September of a fellow coworker who hung himself because he could not return to China. He cited another video taken in October, of a worker who allegedly stabbed himself in the abdomen to protest against the work conditions there. No one knows if the man survived or not, Chen said. The treatment that Chen received for his sprained ankle informed a decision that Xiao made during a rainstorm on July 11. The leader asked me to move a big metal frame, that was something that would normally require two people to do, Xiao said. He refused the team leader, who in response slapped him in the face, and struck him several more times. He reported the assault to his boss, but to no avail. Both Xiao and Chen decided to take a risk on July 13. They exited the power plant compound and reported the incident to the Kendari police. The police took note of the incident, but did nothing to resolve the issue, according to the pair. When the two returned to the compound, several armed security guards intercepted them. The guards confiscated their phones and locked the two up, they said. A close-up of the weapon carried by a security guard at the Chinese PT.OSS power plant in Kendari, Indonesia. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong) We were kept in isolation for over 10 days, Chen told The Epoch Times. They took our phones away, and told us that nobody will know if we die. After his release, Chen was fortunate enough to have a laptop with him, with which he contacted both his relatives in China as well as the Chinese embassy. In response, their employer justified locking up the two men by saying it was for quarantine concerns against COVID-19, since they had left the compound. Despite being released, the two were not allowed to return to their regular work. Xiao then decided it was time to return home in August. With his employers approval, he boarded a plane to Jakarta on Aug. 9 after taking two different COVID-19 tests in Kendari. However, when he arrived in the capital, his next test came back positive. Since then, he has been stuck quarantining in a hotel. Xiao said not only is his passport in his employers possession, but he also suspects that his employer is influencing the virus test results. He cited the wide range of Chinese workers currently barred from returning to China, including Chen. Chen blamed the COVID-19 antibody testing standards. Weve been tested for a few months already, Chen said. The tests require certain test diagnostics to be below certain numbers. However, he said the mandatory vaccines the workers took cause those numbers to always be higher than the required threshold. Each test costs 775 yuan [$122], and we have to pay for them ourselves. Chen said that despite there being no more work for them to do at the power plant, there are around 500 workers still stuck there. In addition, he estimated that 2,000 workers are stuck in Jakarta. All I want now is to go back home alive, Yang said. The Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times reached out to Yangs middleman company Jiangsu Ranyue Labor Co. Ltd., but its phone number remained busy. The reporter called the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, but the automated answering system repeatedly played the message saying no one here to answer the call, transferring. The reporter also contacted PT Obsidian Stainless Steels parent company Delong Holdings Limited, but the phone calls were not answered. Ancient tales of wisdom remind us of the traditions and moral values that have been treasured all over the world. We hope the stories and messages in our Tales of Wisdom series help uplift the hearts and minds of our readers. This retold tale is one of many audio stories from the discontinued Ancient Tales of Wisdom program by the Sound of Hope Radio Network, now transcribed and printed here for the enjoyment of our readers. Listen to the audio story, or read it below, and be transported into another world! Listen to Audio Story: In China, the custom of considering the left side as male and the right side as female seems to have permeated all aspects of peoples daily lives. How did this custom come into being? As the legend goes, after the ancestor of the Chinese people, Pangu, became a deity, his body parts and organs turned into the sun, the moon, stars, mountains, rivers, lakes, all things on earth, and all lives. The book Wu Yun Nian Li Ji, written by Xu Zheng during the Three Kingdoms period, states that the sun and the moon of the Chinese nation were transformed from the two eyes of Pangu. The Sun God was Pangus left eye, and the Moon God was Pangus right eye. This was the origin of the Chinese traditional custom of male left, female right. This custom was also closely associated with the philosophy of the ancient people. In the traditional concept, the two opposite sides in everything were yin and yang. For example, everything could be differentiated by size, length, up or down, left or right, etc. Ancient people classified things that were big, long, up, and left as yang, and things that were small, short, down, and right as yin. The yang was firm and strong, and the yin was soft and weak. In terms of temperament, male is masculine, belonging to yangthe left, while female is gentle and soft, belonging to yinthe right. The concept of male left, female right is also reflected in the choice of wrist for taking ones pulse in Chinese traditional medicine. When feeling the pulse for diagnosis, taking the pulse on the left wrist was chosen for a male, and taking the pulse on the right wrist was chosen for a female. In fact, the concept of male left, female right originated from the theory of yin and yang of the Tao school. Regarding yin and yang, things facing the sun were classified as yang, and the opposite were yin. Later, the concept extended to climate, location, state of movement, etc. The theory of yin and yang indicates that all things in nature have two contradictory sides, yin and yang. The two sides are also complementary, and the movement of the unity of opposites is the fundamental cause for things to come into being, to develop, to change, and to die. As it was said in the book Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, the Fifth Article, Yin and Yang is the way of Heaven and Earth, the law of all things, the mother of all changes, and the beginning of life and death. Yin and yang can be used to describe opposites and to analyze the two opposite sides of matter. Generally speaking, things in violent motion, outward, upward, warm, or bright are viewed as being yang. Things relatively still, inward, downward, cold, or dim are considered yin. As for heaven and earth, the sky being light and clear, is considered yang. The earth, being heavy and turbid, is considered yin. As for water and fire, water belongs to yin, as it is cold and moist, while fire belongs to yang for being hot and scorching. The theory of yin and yang posits that the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) represent the fundamental relationship of changes. The five elements are in continuous motion, impelling mutual generation and mutual restriction. This theory has had a deep impact on the development of ancient philosophies. Astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, mathematics, music, and medicine all attribute their development to the theory of yin and yang. (Illustration Zanna Art/Shutterstock) There is such a description in the Taichi Chart by Zhou Dunyi, Limitless emptiness produces Tai Chi; the movement of Tai Chi generates Yang; when the movement becomes extreme, it turns to stillness, and the stillness generates Yin; when the stillness becomes extreme, it turns into movement again. Movement and stillness are the origins of each other; Yin and Yang are differentiated and stand as opposites. Therefore, Tai Chi generates Yin and Yang and when the two interact with one another, the multitude of things are produced. Things produce other things and the changes are endless. This is the best and most comprehensive explanation of the concept of yin and yang by ancient scholars of The Book of Changes. The concept of male left, female right is also a way of expressing yin and yang in traditional culture. This retold tale is transcribed and printed with permission from the Sound of Hope Radio Network. It was originally by Xiao Yu and published on Minghui.org. Audio by Sound of Hope Radio Network. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. 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 As COVID 19 Cases Rise, Ontario Study Suggests Omicron Is Less Severe The Omicron variant continued to cause record-breaking COVID-19 case numbers in several provinces Thursday, but a new study from Ontario suggested those infected with the variant are significantly less likely to face hospitalization or death compared to those with Delta. In the study, Public Health Ontario compared Omicron cases with symptoms that emerged between Nov. 22 and Dec. 17 with Delta cases and found that, after adjusting for vaccination status and region, the risk of hospitalization or death was 54 percent lower with Omicron. The agency said Omicron appears to be the first dominant variant to show a decline in severity but warned that, due to its higher transmissibility, the absolute number of hospitalizations and impact on the health-care system is likely to be significant, despite possible reduced severity. Provinces have seen surging case counts as a result of Omicron. Ontario and Quebec both hit records for new infections Thursday. Ontario reported 13,807 new COVID-19 cases and Quebec had 14,188. The research institute that reports to the Quebec government said its modelling predicts significant growth in new hospitalizations and the consequent occupancy of regular and intensive care beds over the next three weeks. The Quebec institute said its models show there could be between 1,600 and 2,100 COVID-19 patients outside intensive care units over the next three weeks. It said there could also be between 300 and 375 ICU patients during that period. The most dire scenarios2,100 regular COVID-19 patients and 375 ICU patientswould surpass anything recorded during previous waves of the pandemic. The Public Health Agency of Canada said the latest provincial and territorial data show that an average of 1,892 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day this week, which is 23 percent higher than last week. Keeping infection rates down remains key to avoiding renewed increases in severe illness trends over the coming weeks and months, as well as to ease the longer-term strain on the health system, particularly in heavily impacted areas, the federal agency said in a statement Thursday. In Ontario, the provincial chief medical officer of health said publicly funded PCR testing will be available only for high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or are at risk of severe illness. We must preserve those resources for those that need it the most, Dr. Kieran Moore said of the PCR testing. He said the isolation period for those with COVID-19 will drop to five days from 10 days following the onset of symptoms for those who are vaccinated as well as children under 12 years old. Household contacts will also have to isolatefromthose who have tested positive. In Atlantic Canada, Prince Edward Island reported a single-day record of 169 new COVID-19 cases. Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said most of the cases involve mild to moderate symptoms that she credited to the high level of vaccination in the province. COVID-19 has also hit Labradors north coast for the first time, with 10 presumptive positive cases in the fly-in community of Nain, a town of about 1,100 people. Newfoundland and Labrador also reported 349 infections, setting another record for daily case numbers. Nova Scotia said it will open eligibility for booster shots to those aged 30 and up beginning Monday. Meanwhile, WestJet Airlines announced it is cutting 15 percent of flights through the end of January to deal with staffing shortages due to Omicron. The Calgary-based airline said it has had a 35 percent increase in active cases among staff in recent days, with 181 WestJet employees currently affected by COVID-19. The rising case counts due to Omicron have also affected back-to-school plans. Classes in Ontario were to resume Monday in much of the province, but the holiday break will now end on Wednesday. The province said the extra days will give schools time to prepare for several changes, including providing N95 masks to staff in schools and daycares, and deploying 3,000 HEPA filter units in addition to the 70,000 it has already rolled out. British Columbia has said it will bring back students in January in a phased approach, with staff and students whose parents are health workers, as well as those who need extra support, returning to class on Jan. 3 or 4. All other students will go back to school on Jan. 10. Manitoba reported higher rates of COVID-19 among health-care workers with 418 of them testing positive for COVID-19 last week, which was about seven times the number of cases from the previous week. The province also said there was a 32 percent increase in hospitalizations, with a sizable number of young people receiving care. The federal government announced more than $8 million in funding for Manitoba to help people who have COVID-19 to access safe isolation sites. Kevin Lamoureux, the MP for Winnipeg North, told a news conference Thursday that the funding would help create sites in Winnipeg, Brandon, The Pas, and Thompson. I think its important to acknowledge that for some Canadians physical distancing is not that simple, he said. Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon said the sites would provide a range of services including meals, wellness checks and, if needed, health-care supports. In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe said mass testing and booster shots have made him confident that the government can limit the severity of the pandemic without introducing new health restrictions. He said the province is seeing higher case counts, but decreasing hospitalizations. Moe said the government is changing the way it tracks infections because the symptoms of Omicron are much more mild. He said his government will now focus on hospitalization numbers and keep pushing for vaccinations and regular testing. Our case counts in the last two weeks are up four times, our hospitalizations are down about 21 percent and our ICUs are down about 55 percent here in Saskatchewan, Moe said. Also in Quebec, a COVID-19 outbreak at a federal prison has seen 15 staff members and four inmates test positive for the novel coronavirus. Correctional Service Canada revealed the infections at the medium-security La Macaza Institution in a statement Thursday. Last week, Correctional Service Canada reported 17 active cases among inmates, though it has since announced outbreaks among inmates at a Nova Scotia womens prison and a penitentiary in Ontario. By Daniela Germano A fireworks display over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 1, 2021. (Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images) Australians to Welcome 2022 After Tumultuous Year After a challenging year, Australians will be one of the first in the world to welcome 2022 once the clock hits midnight. Revellers can look forward to the spectacular Sydney fireworks display, with celebrations going ahead regardless of the Omicron strain. More than 25,000 fireworks will be set off on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while 5 float barges and the Sydney Opera House will release 9,000 and 6,000 more effects, respectively. The event will be streamed online for viewers around the country and the world. The 9:00 p.m. family fireworks display will also go ahead after the Sydney City Council previously decided to cancel the event. This year, the family event will include a Welcome to Country display, designed to exhibit the spirit of a uniquely Australian gathering with the appearance of boomerangs, eels, and whales. People are expected to flock to the best vantage points to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge midnight fireworks, with many areas requiring attendees to book tickets this year, including Observatory Hill and Bicentennial Park. So far, 17,000 tickets have been booked, but the City of Sydney cannot predict how many more people will attend. Prior to COVID-19, more than one million people would visit the city to celebrate the new year. Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during the midnight display during New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 1, 2020. (Hanna Lassen/Getty Images) The City of Sydney strongly encourages everyone attending to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It also strongly recommends masks in outdoor areas where physical distancing is not possible. People are encouraged to plan their trip to the city ahead of time as public transport schedules may change. Sydney Trains have scheduled almost 1,000 extra trains to run from the afternoon to early New Years Day to help travellers get to and from celebrations. All ferry services will begin slowing during the afternoon and stop at 8:00 p.m. ahead of the fireworks. There will be limited services after midnight. Meanwhile, people in Melbourne and Adelaide will bid farewell to 2021 in almost 40 degree Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) heat. In Melbourne, ticketed event zones will only be open for fully vaccinated patrons. Brisbane will enjoy fireworks at the South Bank precinct with no ticketing or crowd limits to worry about. In Perth, nightclubs and festivals were cancelled immediately after a COVID-19 case was detected last week. But fireworks in the city will go ahead, along with a 9:00 p.m. family display. People hold up signs outside Austin Police Department after a vigil for Garrett Foster, a Black Lives Matter protester who was shot dead after allegedly brandishing his firearm at a driver, in Austin ,Texas, on July 26, 2020. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images) BLM and CRT Movements Comprise a Gigantic Step Backward: Leftist Professor of Media Studies Professor Mark Crispin has been teaching propaganda classes at NYU for more than 20 years, a very popular subject that always has more student participation than the designated maximum typically allows. Crispin had always identified himself as being on the left, not as a communist but as part of the campus left, the counter-cultural left of the 60s which was heavily influenced by the anti-war and civil rights movement. The left back then was targeted by certain agencies with concealed intentions, he believes, and was subsequently divided, further noting that the left he was part of was completely different than the one today. When I look back on what we then believed in, I cant help but be shockedrepelled by what the so-called left has become today. The two lefts have nothing in common, Crispin told The Epoch Times, todays left is the far-right. When I was a kid, the far-right really kind of distrusted and feared the working class. They wanted them to stay away from politics, they didnt like labor unions. Well, who are the deplorables? Thats the working class. The constant demonization of Trumps base is essentially an attackan elite attackon the working class and its refusal to follow the script dictated to them by the liberal media. Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather along Southern Blvd near Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) So theyre constantly dismissed and attacked as Nazis, as far-right, white supremacists. According to the professorwho was canceled by some of his colleagues and a few students and then exoneratedthis procedure doesnt apply to black people. The left fetishizes black people. The left thinks that black people are automatically on their side, especially if those black people subscribe to the same political views that the Democrats hold. The fact is that, putting aside the weird attitude of the so-called left toward black people, they have no use for the working class, they have nothing for contempt for them, and that strikes me as another symptom of their being on the far-right. Crispin doesnt idealize the campus left of the 60s, acknowledging that there was a lot wrong with it. However, he asserts that they were the subject of a concerted and highly sophisticated attack from big liberal foundations, Ford and Rockefeller especially, who started favoring research projects focused on race and gender. I believe thats a key reason why the academic left became a tribalist mob, he continued, because it suited [their] professional interests to [have you] become a devotee of identity politics. What those liberal foundations did not want you to study was class or political economy. They did not want the left to do that anymore. Black Lives Matter Is a Brand According to the professor, these foundations artificially directed the civil rights movement into an operation completely obsessed with race and identity. Thats what we have now. Thats what Black Lives Matter is, Black Lives Matter is basically a brand. I dont see them doing anything, for example, about the health impact on black people of lockdowns, Crispin said. Why havent Black Lives Matter said anything about what Dr. Fauci did to all those black orphans during the AIDS years? Theyll get all exercised about Confederate generalsthe statues that commemorate them on campuses and in city halls, and theyll scream and yell and demand that Thomas Jeffersons statue be taken out of the New York City Hall. Seriously? That ancient history gets them all worked up. What about what Dr. Fauci did, to black orphans, children, a few decades ago, and hes still around, hes still our health czar, right? Why isnt Black Lives Matter screaming about him? NYU Professor Mark Crispin speaks at an anti-vaccine mandate rally in Manhattan, New York, on Nov. 21, 2021. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times) The point is the Black Lives Matter and the whole critical race theory movement, comprise a gigantic step backward. Because we now have on college campuses all over the country, segregated dining facilities and segregated graduation ceremonies. To someone like me, who comes out of the 60s, who remembers the civil rights struggle and was deeply sympathetic to itand a believer in itthis is stunning, just mind-boggling. All of a sudden now, theres just a new reassertion of racism, which also entails this notion that all white people are white supremacists, which is a profoundly racist idea. The Epoch Times reached out to Black Lives Matter for comment. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown greets supporters after winning the Brampton Mayoral Election during a campaign celebration in Brampton, Ontario, on Oct. 22, 2018. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) Brampton Mayor Sees Positive Trend Amid Low COVID-19 Hospitalization Cases Patrick Brown, mayor of Brampton, Ont., says there are reasons for cautious optimism given the low hospitalization rates and severe cases in his city despite the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Brown said the Brampton Civic Hospital, the only hospital in his city, had reported only 20 people hospitalized for COVID-19 at that time, with just two people in the intensive care unit (ICU). Brown also said that half the patients included in the hospitals daily counts for COVID-19 arent actually admitted there for the virus in the first place. Of the 20 COVID-19 patients, half of them went in for COVID, but what is interesting is half of COVID-19 patients being counted as COVID-19 patients came in for another health-care issue and inadvertently found out that they had COVID, which speaks to the fact that COVID is so well spread in the community right now. The Omicron variant is everywhere. He said even though an infectious disease physician told him that the case counts could rise over five times higher, he remains positive things are moving in the right direction. When you look at case counts that we are seeing now, that have surpassed the highest case counts that weve seen before, the hospitalization is so low, the severe cases are so low, he said. That is a positive trend. Brown compared the situation to what happened during the height of the third wave, when there were more COVID-19 patients than space in the hospital. At one point, we were sending 100 patients out of our hospital a week being reassigned to different hospitals around the province, he said. So when I say we only have two in ICU, it speaks to a picture that is dramatically different than we saw in previous waves. The mayor added he is aware that the media is reporting a lot of negativity, and doom and gloom about the COVID-19 situation, but he said all one needs to do is to examine the numbers closely. When you break down and you look at these numbers in the hospital, you know there are reasons for cautious optimism, he said. In a Twitter post the same day, Brown said: We need to focus on the severity of #Omicron cases & not just case counts. Following Browns announcement, Ontario Premier Doug Fords Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Communications Travis Kann wrote on Twitter that the province is now looking into ways to change its reporting on hospitalization data. Many have pointed out importance of distinguishing between patients in hospital/ICU for #COVID19 vs. those admitted for other reasons but test +, Kann wrote. Weve asked hospitals to update daily reporting to include this important info. We expect to begin receiving it in the coming days. Burma's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Burma, on March 27, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) Burma Military Acquires Used Chinese Submarine After Receiving Indian Submarine Last Year The Burmese military has reportedly acquired a diesel-electric submarine from China last week, a Type 035 submarine that the Chinese navy had used, just a year after being gifted a secondhand Kilo-class Russian-built submarine by India. The military regime acquired the submarine, dubbed Min Ye Kyaw Htin, through a secret deal with China and commissioned it during the Burmese navys 74th anniversary on Dec. 24, The Irrawaddy reported. The military junta ousted a civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 2021 coup, sparking protests and clashes between the army and ethnic minority insurgents in border areas of Burma, also known as Myanmar. Opponents of the military junta have accused China of supporting the military takeover, but Beijing has rejected such accusations and said it backs regional diplomacy on the crisis. Thousands of villagers had recently fled from Burma and sought shelter in Thailand due to the armed conflicts between the military regime and rebel groups, prompting the United Nations Security Council to issue a statement calling for an immediate cessation of violence to ensure the safety of civilians. The military regime, however, has been mulling over purchasing a submarine from four regime friendly countries, including Russia, China, India, and North Korea, and conducted extensive research on the cost of submarines offered by each of the countries. The military junta now owns two submarines, following the induction of its first 3,000-ton diesel-electric submarine given by India last year. Burma is also reportedly in talks with Russia to purchase one of its Project 636 Improved Kilo submarines. India gifted to Burma its used submarine, INS Sindhuvir, which can operate at a depth of up to 300 meters. It was refitted before being transferred to Burma, after which it was renamed Min Ye Theinkhathu and utilized for training. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the move was part of Indias efforts to enhance its defense engagement with Burma and to build capacities and self-reliance in all our neighboring countries, VOA News reported. Indias move was seen as an attempt to counter its rival Chinas influence in Southeast Asia, given that its neighboring country Bangladesh acquired two diesel-electric submarines from China at $203 million in 2016. China also helped Bangladesh build a submarine base for its navy on the Bay of Bengal in 2019, which is located in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. Reuters contributed to this report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters is seen in Atlanta on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/Getty Images) CDC Sued for Withholding Post-Licensure V-safe Data on COVID-19 Vaccines The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been sued by the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), which claims that the agency is improperly withholding COVID-19 vaccine safety data from the American public. In a Dec. 29 statement, the nonprofit announced that it filed a lawsuit (pdf) against the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to force it to provide de-identified post-licensure safety data for the COVID-19 vaccines in the CDCs v-safe system. According to the CDCs website, v-safe is an active surveillance program to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines during the period when the vaccines are authorized for use under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and possibly early after vaccine licensure. Through the app, vaccine recipients can inform the agency about any side effects theyve suffered after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, the CDC has made data from its v-safe system available to the private computer technology company Oracle in de-identified form, meaning that personal identifying information has been redacted. This data will be collected, managed, and housed on a secure server by Oracle, according to the CDC (pdf). Through Health and Human Services (HHS), Oracle has donated IT services to any agency conducting COVID-19 related activities. All data will be stored, processed, and transmitted in accordance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and based on NIST standards, the agencys website states. However, ICAN wants the CDC to produce that same de-identified data to the general public to assure transparency regarding claims by both the CDC and the Biden administration that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The FDA and CDC have now made crystal clear that their promise of transparency with regard to COVID-19 vaccines was hogwash, ICAN said in its Dec. 29 statement. Protesters rally against vaccine mandates in New York on Nov. 20, 2021. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Syringes and vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be administered at a drive-up vaccination site from Renown Health in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 17, 2020. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) The FDA has asked a judge to give it 75 years to produce data concerning the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, having previously asked the court to give it until the year 2076 to fully release the documents. As everyone now knows, the FDA has asked a federal judge to give it at least 75 years to produce the pre-authorization/licensure safety data. And we now know with certainty, federal health authorities similarly want to hide the post-authorization/licensure safety data, ICAN stated. Based on the CDCs own documentation, the data submitted to v-safe is already available in de-identified form (with no personal health information) and could be immediately released to the public. The nonprofit, through its attorneys, asked in three Freedom of Information requests that the CDC produce the de-identified data, to which the health agency acknowledged (pdf) that v-safe data contains approximately 119 million medical entries but declined to produce it because the information in the app is not de-identified. However, the third request was administratively closed (pdf) by the CDC, claiming that it was a duplicate of the original request, which was denied. The first request was denied by the CDC because the CDC claimed it requested data that was de-identified when entered into the app, but then the CDC closed the second request (which was identical to the first request except for making clear it was seeking data de-identified at any pointbefore or after it was entered into the app) by claiming the second request was duplicative of the first request! The CDC is plainly playing games. It clearly does not want the v-safe data released, ICAN stated. A spokesperson for the CDC told The Epoch Times CDC does not comment on pending litigation. The Epoch Times has contacted The Department of Health and Human Services for comment. ICAN stated that it believes that members of the public should have immediate access to all v-safe data in de-identified form, particularly in light of the fact that the Biden administration is mandating vaccines to millions of Americans. Despite the fact that this de-identified data already exists, that it is already in the hands of a private company, and that the CDC has never objected to its production, the CDC has so far failed to produce it to ICAN or to the American publicthe same people being mandated to take this liability-free product, the nonprofit stated. But dont worry, ICAN will not rest until this data is made public and so today has commenced a lawsuit against the CDC and HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] demanding that a court compel them to release this data. ICAN was founded by Del Bigtree in 2016. In 2021, the organization filed a lawsuit against the CDC to request that the agency take down its statement claiming that vaccines dont cause autism from its webpage on autism and vaccines. The China Evergrande Center building sign is seen in Hong Kong, on Sept. 23, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) China Evergrande Shares Fall After Missing New Coupon Payments HONG KONGShares of China Evergrande Group tumbled on Thursday after the embattled real estate developer did not pay offshore coupons due earlier this week. Evergrande, whose $19 billion in international bonds are in cross-default after missing a deadline to pay coupons earlier this month, had new coupon payments worth $255 million due on Tuesday for its June 2023 and 2025 notes. At least some investors holding the two bonds have not yet received the coupons, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. Both the payments have a 30-day grace period. Evergrandes shares ended down 9.1 percent on Thursday, while the benchmark Hang Seng index edged up 0.1 percent. Bloomberg News reported earlier that the due date passed with no sign of payment by the property developer. Evergrandes Thursday decline wiped out gains from earlier this week, when the market cheered the initial progress made by the firm in resuming construction work. Company Chairman Hui Ka Yan vowed in a meeting on Sunday to deliver 39,000 units of properties in December, compared with fewer than 10,000 in each of the previous three months. (The non-payments) show Evergrande is still not doing okay even though it is delivering homes, said Thomas Kwok, head of equity business of CHIEF Securities in Hong Kong. The market confidence in Evergrande and the China property sector is weak, as there could be more defaults with many bonds due in January, Kwok added. Evergrande has more than $300 billion in liabilities and is scrambling to raise cash by selling assets and shares to repay suppliers and creditors. The fate of Evergrande and other indebted Chinese property companies has gripped financial markets in recent months amid fears of knock-on effects, with Beijing repeatedly seeking to reassure investors. By Xie Yu and Clare Jim Chinese leader Xi Jinping gives a speech at a press conference after the Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, China, on April 27, 2019. (Wang Zhao/Getty Images) Chinas Belt and Road Raises Debt and Pollution Among Poorer Countries News Analysis Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was meant to increase the GDP of participating countries. In many countries, however, debt to China has increased, pollution has increased, and the trade deficit with China has increased; while GDP growth, associated with the BRI, has been elusive. A Silk Road to Debt In 2013, Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated that he was initiating the BRI for mutual prosperity and to help developing countries improve their economic condition. However, most of the money these countries received from China was in the form of debt, rather than donations. The ratio on the BRI has been one grant for every 31 loans. Between 2000 and 2017, China financed at least 13,427 projects, totaling $843 billion through more than 300 state-owned entities across 165 countries. Since the BRI began, in 2013, China has funded an average of $50-100 billion per year. The loans are largely in dollars and much more costly than funds from Western donor nations and institutions. Debt to China is particularly problematic for developing countries because, unlike domestic debt, foreign debt must be serviced via exports. Consequently, there are definite limits as to how much debt poor countries can sustain. Even more, a general global economic slowdown has reduced the amount of debt that is considered sustainable. The largest borrowers are African nations that are now in debt distress or high risk of distress. AidData Research Lab at William & Marys Global Research Institute determined that 42 low-and middle-income countries now have China debt in excess of 10 percent of GDP. For some countries, the debt is even more extreme. For example, Laos owes over 30 percent of its GDP to China. A Chinese worker carries materials for the first rail line linking China to Laos, a key part of Beijings Belt and Road project across the Mekong in Luang Prabang, Laos, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Aidan Jones/AFP via Getty Images) The Strain of Debt Service Many countries along the BRI have increased their debt to China. Some extreme examples include the following: Republic of the Congos debt to China went from 13.62 percent of gross national income (GNI) in 2014 to 38.92 percent in 2019; Djibouti from 7.71 percent to 34.64 percent; and Angola from 5.87 percent to 18.95 percent, according to a report by the Green Finance & Development Center (GFDC). By the end of 2019, the BRI countries with the largest debt to China were Pakistan at $20 billion, Angola at $15 billion, Kenya at $7.5 billion, Ethiopia at $6.5 billion, and Laos at $5 billion, the GFDC reported. Between 2021 and 2024, as loan payments kick in, many nations will be so overwhelmed by debt service payments that they will be unable to continue with further investment. Among those hardest hit will be Tonga, Djibouti, Cambodia, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Comoros, and Maldives, according to the GFDC. As a result of a lack of transparency in BRI lending, the official debt totals are estimated to be much lower than the actual total. The lending on BRI projects comes not only from the Chinese government, but from government-controlled agencies, state-owned firms, and private companies. The system is so confusing that even Chinese regulators do not know how much has been lent. In previous decades, Chinese lending was directed at foreign governments. On the BRI, however, AidData found that 70% of Chinas overseas lending is now directed to state-owned companies, state-owned banks, special purpose vehicles, joint ventures, and private sector institutions. Due to the opaque nature of Chinese lending, there is $385 billion of hidden debt, which does not appear on the countrys balance sheet. This off-balance-sheet lending comes as a result of the spaghetti-like structures of BRI lending arrangements. Special purpose vehicles, a type of shell company, are often created for the sole purpose of borrowing money, to keep it off of the balance sheet of the parent company or government entity. China takes large chunks of equity in countries that cannot repay their debts. A BRI project in Laos is an excellent example of the confusing debt and equity structure. Three Chinese state-owned firms took a majority stake in a Laos joint venture, which owes China $3.6 billion. On the balance sheet, this will appear to be a debt owed by a Chinese company. Polluted Projects Along the entire BRI, 35 percent of the projects are plagued by corruption, unfair labor practices, environmental pollution, and protests. Stalled and abandoned projects are failing to generate the promised GDP gains for the host country. Domestic industries do not benefit from the construction of projects. Only 7.6 percent of projects are awarded to local companies, while 89 percent are carried out by Chinese firms. Employment gets no boost. The promised jobs often do not materialize, while even the laborers are brought from China. Environmental researchers have determined that China is also benefiting by exporting its carbon emissions to BRI countries. Host countries are using up their carbon budget on BRI projectsthis makes China richer and increases the debt of host countries. While China is reducing pollution, installing green energy and solar at home, it is exporting pollution to other countries. For example, China exported a coal-fired utility plant to Cambodia. The net global emissions will remain the same, but the charge for the emissions of this plant has been shifted from China to Cambodia. China invested in 240 coal power plants along the BRI between 2001 and 2016. Out of the 50 Chinese-financed, coal-fired power plants, 58 percent used low-efficiency, highly-polluting, sub-critical coal technology, according to Kelly Sims Gallagher, professor of energy and environmental policy at Tufts University. A full 75 percent of BRI projects involve more fossil fuel combustion, while China is increasing clean energy products at home. Even the high-speed rail being sold to other countries have higher emissions than those in use in China. Why Join the BRI? Countries agree to enter into BRI agreements because they are unable to borrow elsewhere and because they believe that the GDP increases generated by the completed projects will outweigh the costs of debt. In reality, this GDP growth often does not come. One example would be Pakistan. According to growth models used on the BRI, Pakistan was expected to have a 5.18 percent increase in GDP. The ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) began in 2015, but since 2018, Pakistans GDP has been in steady decline, hitting a low not seen in many years. Laborers walk through the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project that China has invested in as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. (Amelie Herenstein/AFP/Getty Images) In 2019, the World Bank attempted to quantify winners and losers from the BRI. When taking their decision to join or not join, countries used different models to calculate projected costs and benefits. However, the World Bank attempted to create a unified model, based on geographic information, transportation costs, and the cost of building new infrastructure projects. The World Bank determined that BRI countries would see a GDP increase of up to 3.4 percent. But, because trade gains were not necessarily equal to project investments, some countries would see a negative welfare effect. All countries would have to pay back their loans to China. And while many countries are losing out, China continues to profit. Chinas trade surplus with BRI countries reached $199.2. billion in 2020, accounting for 40.4 percent of Chinas total trade surplus. Far from a benevolent endeavor, AidData determined that, through the BRI, Beijing seeks to achieve three objectives: converting dollars earned through exports into foreign loans, providing work for the domestic construction and industrial sectors, and securing commodities. Another worrying trend is that 400 projects valued at $8.3 billion are linked to the Chinese military. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A health worker administering the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to a resident in Rongan, in China's southern Guangxi region on June 3, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Regime Brings Back Public Humiliation by Parading COVID-19 Rule Breakers in Southwest China A video circulating on Chinese social media shows people being paraded in the street for violating the Chinese regimes pandemic regulations. The extreme measure of public humiliation caused wide criticism online. On Dec. 28, a video was circulated on YouTube and other mainland social media platforms showing four people in white protective clothing and masks, with placards displaying their photos and names hanging on their chests. Each was held by two police officers who were also wearing full protective gear as they were walked along the street surrounded by people and armed riot police. Local people confirmed the incident to the Chinese language Epoch Times on Dec. 29 that there was indeed a parade of public shaming. One resident said that the location of the parade was Tunpan Township in Jingxi County of Baise City in Guangxi Province. An online video shows the humiliation parade in Guangxi. A villager in Tunpan Township told this publication that the people being paraded were from Vietnam. One of whom had tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantined for more than 20 days. After they were out of quarantine, they were paraded on the streets. This is the first time I have seen such public humiliation here in my life. They risked everything just to survive. Some netizens revealed online that the small town is on the border between China and Vietnam. Four people were suspected of crossing the border. Among them, two Guangxi men were suspected of driving two Vietnamese men across the border and into China. They were intercepted by the police while heading to Nanning, the provincial capital of Guangxi. One of the Vietnamese men tested positive for COVID-19. Both were charged with illegally crossing the border and obstructing the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The parade has caused an uproar on the internet. Many think that such an extreme measure is inappropriate. The Jingxi City Public Security Bureau and the Anning local government later responded that this was an on-site disciplinary warning activity, the punishment was as required, and there was nothing inappropriate. Jingxi Public Security also said on Dec. 28 that four people were suspected of smuggling people into China. The Chinese language Epoch Times called the Guangxi Baise CDC to inquire about the incident, but the call was unanswered. This publication also called the government official hotline in Baise, Guangxi and the CDC in Jingxi County, but staff members said that they knew nothing about it. According to a commentators article published on Dec. 29 in Mainland Chinas Beijing News, in 1988, Chinas Supreme Court, the Supreme Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security had issued the Notice on Resolutely Stopping Convicted and Undecided Criminals from Being Paraded. Li Yanjun, a citizen of Guangxi, said, What the Communist Party says about governing the country by law is nonsense, and its all a lie. Is this law? The Chinese Communist Party has always been lawless, and it uses the means of struggle and persecution like what happened in the Cultural Revolution to scare the people and make everyone afraid: You run and this is the consequence. Commentator Wen Xiaogang told the Chinese language Epoch Times that such behavior is a humiliation to human beings, and even if these people commit crimes, they shouldnt be treated that way. This looks like mainland China has gone back several decades and returned to the Cultural Revolution era. Luo Ya, Hong Ning and Liu Yi contributed to the report. Then the police came on campus and they had all the teachers come in and fill out a religious declaration form. They wanted to know what our religion was, and they were warning us again, not to celebrate. After completing his Ph.D. at Shanghai University, Dr. Anthony Graceffo found the communist impositions on his life untenable to the point that he had to leave China. In this episode, he reflects on his own experiences of faith crackdowns, in the context of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ban on Christmas 2021. How does this and the recent turning back of an American Delta flight that was intended to land in Shanghai fit into the CCPs so-called zero-COVID policy? And what possible underlying motives are at play with zero-COVID? Dr. Graceffo is a China economist, contributor to The Epoch Times, and author of Beyond the Belt and Road: Chinas Global Expansion and The Wrestlers Dissertation. Follow EpochTV on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Parler: https://parler.com/#/user/EpochTV Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Cuts Convicted Truckers Jail Time by 100 Years Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Thursday reduced the prison sentence of Rogel Aguilera-Medero, the truck driver who was convicted in a 2019 deadly crash, by a century, reducing from 110 years to 10 years. After learning about the highly atypical and unjust sentence in your case, I am commuting your sentence to 10 years and granting you parole eligibility on December 30, 2026, Polis wrote in a letter (pdf) to Aguilera-Medero. You were sentenced to 110 years in prison, effectively more than a life sentence, for a tragic but unintentional act, the Centennial State governor elaborated on his decision. While you are not blameless, your sentence is disproportionate compared with many other inmates in our criminal justice system who committed intentional, premeditated, or violent crimes. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos. (Lakewood Police Department via AP) The decision on Aguilera-Medeross sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis. A relative of Aguilera-Medeross attorney works in the governors office. This individual had absolutely no involvement in the commutation process and works in an unrelated capacity to this matter, and was not aware of the Governors decision in advance, Poliss office said in a statement. The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years. Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos. Jefferson and Gilpin Counties District Attorney Alexis King said Thursday she was disappointed with the governors decision, saying it was premature. She said it went against the wishes of the surviving victims and families who had lost loved ones, adding that they wanted to have the judge who oversaw the trial determine the appropriate sentence. We are meeting with the victims and their loved ones this evening to support them in navigating this unprecedented action and to ensure they are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect during this difficult time, she said in a statement. In 2019, Aguilera-Medeross truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed due to another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction crash and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway. The crash killed 24-year-old Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 67-year-old William Bailey, 61-year-old Doyle Harrison, and 69-year-old Stanley Politano. Aguilera-Mederos testified then that he was hauling lumber and the brakes on his semitrailer failed before the incident as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Workers clear debris from the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 on April 26, 2019, in Lakewood, Colo., following a deadly pileup involving a semi-truck hauling lumber. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, the trucker who was convicted of causing the fiery pileup that killed four people and injured six others, was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2021, to 110 years in prison. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo, File) Judge Bruce Jones imposed the 110-year sentence on Dec. 13 after finding it was the mandatory minimum term set forth under state law, noting it would not have been his choice. Prosecutors had argued that as Aguilera-Medeross truck approached the wreckage, he could have used a runaway ramp alongside the interstate that is designed to safely stop vehicles that have lost their brakes. The Associated Press contributed to the report. Paxlovid, a Pfizer COVID-19 pill, is seen manufactured in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on Nov. 16, 2021. (Pfizer/Handout via Reuters) COVID Antiviral Pills Cause Life-Threatening Reactions When Used With Many Common Meds: FDA Pfizers antiviral oral drug developed to treat COVID-19 can cause severe or life-threatening reactions when used with common medications including some anticoagulants, antidepressants, and cholesterol-lowering statins, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fact sheet (pdf). Paxlovid is the first oral medication of its kind authorized by the FDA to treat COVID-19, with the aim of reducing the need for hospitalization before patients become too ill from the infection. This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The FDA on Dec. 22, 2021, granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizers COVID-19 pill as a treatment for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in patients aged 12 and older. The FDA doesnt recommend Paxlovid for those with severe kidney or liver disease. Paxlovid consists of a cocktail of two drugs, the first being nirmatrelvir, which stops the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating, while the second component, ritonavir, acts to prolong nirmatrelvirs effects. In November 2021, the Biden administration purchased some 10 million courses of the drug in a more than $5 billion agreement. Pending EUA, U.S. will receive doses starting in 2021 and throughout 2022 as part of contract agreement with Pfizer, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a statement. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on Nov. 18, 2021, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated even when Paxlovid becomes available. Getting vaccinated remains the most important action anyone can take to help protect themselves and others and end this pandemic, but for people who do get sick in the future and are at risk of severe outcomes, having pills they can take to keep them out of the hospital could be a lifesaver, Becerra said. This agreement would help ensure millions of doses of this drug would be available to the American people if it is authorized. In December 2021, Pfizer said that the pill is able to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus by 89 percent when taken shortly after initial symptoms. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC on Dec. 8, 2021, that shipments of the pill had arrived in the United States, so the product will be available this month if its approved. Ashli Babbitt on her final birthday, three months before she was shot and killed at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) Documentary Drops Inconvenient Truths on the Jan. 6 Narrative If she was your friend, you needed no other friend. Thats how Aaron Babbitt describes his wife, Ashli Babbitt, 35, the U.S. Air Force veteran shot and killed outside the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. What started as a patriotic day with a speech by President Donald Trump ended with violencenone more brutal than the near-point-blank shooting of Ashli Babbitt. Aaron Babbitt tells a favorite story about how his wife saw a woman running madly down the street one day, so she pulled her car over to see what was wrong. She pulled over: Are you okay? Im late to a job interview,' he recalls in a new documentary that shines new light on that fateful day and events that followed. Ashli brought that girl to her job interview and three days later, that woman came down to our office and gave her a hug and said, I got that job and its cause you got me there on time.' The interview with Babbitt is the most powerful moment in the 1 hour 38 minute Capitol Punishment, directed by Chris Burgard and produced by Nick Searcy. Babbitt recounts how he found out that his wife had been shot during rioting at the U.S. Capitol. He describes the pain of dealing with such an unimaginable loss. Hundred and forty seven days since my wife was murdered, executed, Babbitt said. Every day that goes by, its just another twist in the knife in my gut. U.S. Marine veteran Aaron Babbitt says the Capitol Police lieutenant who killed his wife Ashli violated protocol on use of deadly force. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) The films opening segment shows Ashli Babbitt walking from Trumps speech at the Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol. Theres an estimated over 3 million people here today, she says in footage recorded with her phone. So despite what the media tells you, boots on the ground definitely say different. There is a sea of nothing but red, white, and blue, and patriots and Trump. It was amazing to see the president talk. We are now walking down the inaugural path to the Capitol building. Three million plus people. God bless America, patriots. Two and a half hours later, she was dead. Seeing news video of his wounded wife was incredibly painful for Aaron Babbitt: Shes probably looking for me at that moment, he said. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) Ashli Babbitt was shot in the upper left shoulder as she tried to climb through a smashed oval window in a door leading to the Speakers Lobby. As her head and shoulders emerged part way through the window, she was shot by Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd. The Washington D.C. medical examiner ruled her death a homicide. One week later, the U.S. Department of Justice decided not to bring charges against Byrd. According to Searcy, the films focus on Babbitt is an effort to counter the scorn directed at her by the left. We wanted to humanize people, especially Ashli Babbitt, Searcy told The Epoch Times. She had been so vilified in the press and lied about, and her murderer was basically exonerated without even looking at what he did. So we wanted to humanize her and tell everybody this was not some crazed right-wing terrorist. This is a lovely woman who served her country for 11 years, signed up when she was 17. Very patriotic, somebody that you would be proud to live next to. Capitol Punishment challenges the dominant media narrative that a wild, lawless mob of Trump supporters tried to overthrow the U.S. government in a violent insurrection. The film makes a powerful statementa dramatic telling of the Jan. 6 story from the perspective of the massive Trump contingent that came from every corner of the republic on Jan. 6. The filmavailable on a streaming platform for $9.99stakes out territory that will draw howls of protest from some quarters as conspiracy theories and misinformation. Among the premises in Capitol Punishment is that the federal government played a central role in planning and directing the unrest. Government informants and as-yet-unidentified operatives set up the first breach of police lines, helped lay a trespassing trap for unsuspecting thousands of rally-goers who arrived later, and deftly instigated conflagrations of violence inside and outside the Capitol, the film alleges. Embedded instigators pushed crowds inside the Capitol to move forward, the film says, using what one expert called the kinetic power of humanity to overwhelm whatever police were still there. The film shows a well-known Black Lives Matter activist instigating and encouraging vandalism and violence at the double doors where Ashli Babbitt was shot just seconds later. Not long after, hes seen in the Capitol rotunda, bragging about how he got the protesters to trash the door. His girlfriend replies, You were right. We did it! It also shows an investigative journalist who tracked left-wing groups in online Zoom chats, discussing how to foment violence, smash windows, and breach the Capitol on Jan. 6. Some of the participants were federal employees. Jan. 6 was not what the media and the federal government claim, Searcy said. In my view, it was an overwhelmingly peaceful protest by patriotic Americans that was turned into a violent event by evil instigators, both from the FBI and organizations like Antifa and BLM, he said, referring to Black Lives Matter. The film features numerous Trump supporters who were charged with federal crimes stemming from Jan. 6. They describe how FBI SWAT teams rode into their neighborhoods on armored vehicles, raided their homes, battered through front doors, smashed a glass door at one house, handcuffed a 13-year-old girl and aimed the laser sights on their rifles at a pregnant woman and her 4-year-old son. She suffered a miscarriage the next day. A Conservative in Hollywood Searcy is well known by television audiences for his six-year run playing Deputy U.S. Marshal Art Mullen on the FX series Justified. He directed the 2018 film Gosnell: The Trial of Americas Biggest Serial Killer. He appeared in dozens of television series, including Chicago Med, Hawaii Five-O, Intelligence, The Mentalist, Lie To Me, Without a Trace, and NCIS. As one of the few visible conservatives in Hollywood, Searcy, 62, is used to speaking his mind in hostile territory. To adversaries, hes brutally blunt, but he also has a keen wit and seemingly innate sense of humor that makes him a favoriteand a targeton social media. Searcy said he hopes the documentary prompts conservatives not to be afraid to speak up about Jan. 6, showing the worldas the films tagline claimseverything they told you is a lie. Capitol Punishment, Searcy says, is all about truth and dramatic storytelling. Nick Searcy testifies in a humorous skit in Capitol Punishment. He enjoys lampooning the left. They cannot stand to be made fun of, he said. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) In a wide-ranging interview with The Epoch Times, Searcy did his best to disrupt the Jan. 6 narrative: The Epoch Times: Opponents of President Trump often use the term the Big Lie, to describe the idea of corruption in the 2020 presidential election. What do you view as the Big Lie of Jan. 6? Searcy: That it was a revolt by racist white supremacists who wanted to overthrow the government. That line about how there was an insurrection to try to overturn the government is the biggest lie. If it was an insurrection, somebody would have brought some weapons. Everybody I saw there was my age or older. What would we be armed with besides Poligrip and blood-pressure medicine and sleep apnea masks? The biggest lie is calling it an insurrection. They can ascribe the motives of 2 million people who went to Washington: They were all racist white supremacist insurrectionists trying to overthrow the government. Its a joke, really, its just a joke. The Epoch Times: One of the most eye-opening things in the film is the story of Ray Epps of Arizona, featured in a number of Jan. 6 videos recruiting people to breach the Capitol, and standing behind the line of men who toppled the first police barricade. What role did he and other un-indicted instigators play? Searcy: There were people embedded in the crowd, like Ray Epps, screaming, Weve got to go into the Capitol! We need to break these windows. Theres also a large number of people who saw what Ray Epps was doing and chanted at him, Fed! Fed! Dont follow this guy. He was at the Capitol. He had gone over there before the speech ended. And they took down the signs that said Restricted Area, Do Not Enter. They took down the fencing so that when people walked over from the Ellipse to the Capitol, they didnt see anything that said Restricted Area. Ray Epps seen on Jan. 5, 2021, trying to recruit men to attack the Capitol. They refuse, and accuse him of being a federal agent. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) Couy Griffin talked about how they charged him with entering a restricted area and he said, There were no signs. I didnt see anything that said I couldnt go in there. Thats because Ray Epps and the people that were working with him took those signs down so people would be trespassing without knowing it. The Epoch Times: You talk in the film about John Sullivan, a BLM activist who was at the Capitol and shown on video egging people on by saying, Weve got to get this [expletive] burned. The film shows him at the doors where Ashli Babbitt was shot, screaming Go! Go! Get this [expletive]! Searcy: Theyre still denying that BLM was even there, and John Sullivan is a known BLM activist. [FBI Director] Christopher Wray testified before Congress that there was no BLM presence. Dude, Im just some actor from Burbank and I figured out there was a BLM guy there. The Epoch Times: Some of the newly released video from the West Terrace shows Trump supporters were part of the violence there, spraying mace and throwing objects at police. These people have since been identified, and they are indeed Trump supporters. How do you view that? Searcy: When you have a group that large, youre going to have some bad apples in it. Theres just no way not to. But it was a combination. It was a trap set for those volatile people. Theres a guy in the movie, Patrick Bergy, who talks about how they have this software that they can identify people that can be pushed through social media. And they can push people that are marginal, on either side. Whether they want to provoke people on BLM or if they want to provoke people that are Trump supporters or Proud Boys, they can find these marginal people and they can push them with social-media messages and get them to do violent things if theyre prone to do that. In the film, Tony Martinez describes how an FBI SWAT team raided his home. His daughter Isabelle, 13, was handcuffed by FBI agents. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions) The Epoch Times: What about people whove not seen the film, but reflexively react with disbelief that the government could be involved in setting up Jan. 6? Searcy: I always ask people: What was the event that convinced you the government would never lie to you? Was it JFK? Was it Vietnam? Was it the Tuskegee experiments? Was it COVID? Was it Jussie Smollett? Was it Russia collusion? When did you finally come to the conclusion that the government always tells you the truth and you can trust them implicitly? Deliberately Terrorizing These People The Epoch Times: What do you make of the tactics used by the FBI in sending heavily armed SWAT teams to arrest some of the Jan. 6 defendants? Searcy: It makes no sense unless you accept the fact that they are deliberately terrorizing these people, with this huge show of force, these armored vehicles driving down a little suburban street in a small town in California. Theyre stigmatizing these people in front of their neighbors. Theyre trying to ruin their lives and theyre trying to send a message to everybody around: Dont ever be a Trump supporter. Dont ever try to oppose us or this will happen to you. So many of them, they lost their jobs. The Martinez family that was in the film, they lost their home. Easton Cantwell, the fellow from my hometown in North Carolina, he lost his business. They have intentionally destroyed these peoples lives simply for showing up there. The Epoch Times: There have been stories about the conditions faced by the Jan. 6 defendants held in the D.C. jail: allegations of beatings by the guards and being kept in solitary confinement for 23 or more hours per day. Searcy: Its like something out of a Solzhenitsyn novel. Its so sick and disturbing what they are doing. The crueltythey are treating these people like political prisoners in a totalitarian communist state. Thats what the people in the DC gulags are being treated like right now. The Epoch Times: Many of the people you interviewed pleaded not guilty to charges contained in the Jan. 6 indictments. You said the defendants being held in pre-trial detention feel pressure to take a plea deal. Searcy: When you look at the people that they have charged, that they have dragged through the mud, for the most part these are middle-class people with limited means. They dont have $150,000 or $200,000 lying around to mount a vigorous legal defense. They wind up with these court-appointed attorneys who are all from the District of Columbia, which means 95 percent of them or so are partisan Democrats who hate these people. Most of these court-appointed attorneys are not working for their clients, theyre working for the government, trying to get plea deals, trying to get these people to plea to something so they can say, See! We got another one, he admitted it. They want to target people that cannot fight them, that cannot fight back. The Epoch Times: What surprised you during the making of this film? Searcy: The first big surprise was when we first got the shot that kind of opens the movie, the opening credits, where were shooting from behind Couy Griffin, you tilt up and you see the massive size of that crowd. That was the first shock. I was there, and I really didnt get a sense of how big it was. Just there on the ground, you cant see it. When I saw that, I got chills. I had tears in my eyes. I had no idea there were that many people there, because the media would never let that be known. After that, as we started talking to these people whove been persecuted by the FBI. The stories about having their doors broken down and being treated like serial killers or drug cartel leaders. I couldnt believe that. The first time I heard that, I was like, Youve got to be kidding. Then they showed me the Ring (doorbell) footage. They showed me the pictures. Its shocking to me that this would happen in the United States of America. And even more shocking is that even people on the Democrat side are not as outraged as I am. The Epoch Times: What will it take to ensure the whole Jan. 6 story comes out? Searcy: I think the only tactic we have is weve got to stop being afraid, stop being intimidated and say what we know to be true. That is what theyre trying to do, is to make you think twice about even speaking your mind, about even saying things like, I believe the election was stolen or I believe January 6th was a setup. They want to make you just shut your mouth and not say that. What we need to keep doing is presenting the facts, presenting the truth and not be afraid of that. Thats how they treated me in Hollywood all these years. They try to make it seem like if youre a Republican, you better keep your mouth shut. Even my own agents have said that. And Id say to them, No, Im not going to keep my mouth shut. Im going to say what I know to be true, and Im not going to let these people shut me up. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 4, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Fauci: Hospitals Are Overcounting COVID-19 Cases in Children White House COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci said that hospitals are now overcounting COVID-19 cases in children because they are automatically tested when they are admitted, echoing a narrative that has been repeated by some skeptics for months. While several news outlets reported that hospitalizations among children with COVID-19 have increased in recent days, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said in a separate interview that most children are not being hospitalized because of the virus. They are instead being hospitalized with separate health issues and are incidentally testing positive, she said. When asked during an MSNBC interview about the rise in hospitalizations, Fauci said that quantitatively, youre having so many more people, including children, who are getting infected. Even though hospitalization among children is much, much lower on a percentage basis than hospitalizations for adults, particularly elderly individuals, Fauci said on Dec. 29, when you have such a large volume of infections among children, even with a low level of rate of infection, youre going to still see a lot more children who get hospitalized. Fauci then said that if you look at the children who are hospitalized, many of them are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. If a child goes in the hospital, they automatically get tested for COVID. And they get counted as a COVID-hospitalized individual, Fauci remarked. When in fact, they may go in for a broken leg or appendicitis or something like that. So its overcounting the number of children who are, quote, hospitalized with COVID, as opposed to because of COVID. Faucis comment to MSNBC this week marks a significant change in the narrative around COVID-19 casesas for months, skeptics of government COVID-19 mitigation policies have speculated that overall CCP virus deaths and hospitalizations may be skewed. Earlier this year, for example, two California counties revised their death totals from COVID-19 after using a new approach. Authorities told local Bay Area-based media outlets at the time that they came up with narrower criteria for deaths that were initially attributed to COVID-19. Previously, they had counted people who died while infected with the virus even if it didnt actually contribute to their cause of death. An average of 334 children under the age of 17 were admitted per day to a hospital between Dec. 21 and Dec. 27, which is a 50 percent increase over the previous week, reported The Associated Press, which compiled CDC data. Fauci and Walensky have also made recent public comments saying data suggests the Omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease and fewer hospitalizations than previous variants. But other public health officials have warned the strain, which has led to record COVID-19 cases, to threaten hospitals. We are still at the very beginning of this current surge, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, told a news conference on Thursday. January is going to be very, very challenging. Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl A. Howell presides at the U.S. District Court in Washington on April 13, 2018. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Federal Court in DC Halts Jury Trials Over Omicron Wave A federal court in Washington has halted jury trials until late January 2022 because of the increase in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia suspended jury trials at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Criminal trials resumed about a year later, and civil trials restarted in June. But the state of the pandemic in the nations capital has shown the need to suspend trials again, Chief Judge Beryl Howell, an Obama nominee, said in a Dec. 30 order. While case counts have fluctuated in the city over the course of the pandemic, in the last month the Omicron variant has caused an alarming explosion of cases, Howell wrote. On Dec. 27, for instance, the daily case rate was 273.6 per 100,000 residentsa jump from 13.2 per 100,000 a month prior. Additionally, hospital admissions have increased in recent days. Just 22.8 percent of Washington residents, meanwhile, have received a primary vaccination series and a booster shot, Howell noted as she suspended all trials until Jan. 24, 2022. The suspension could be extended then, pending a reassessment of the local health situation. Some court proceedings will take place in the coming weeks, primarily over videoconferencing. A limited number of proceedings will be conducted in person. Health officials say the variant has driven the recent jump in COVID-19 cases across the nation, though experts are also pointing out that early data indicate the variant causes fewer cases of severe disease than the Delta strain. Other areas have also curtailed or suspended jury trials, citing Omicron. The District Court of Maryland and circuit courts in the state announced this week that no jury trials will take place until at least Feb. 8, 2022. In an abundance of caution and through consultation with state leadership, I have made the necessary decision to revert back to Phase III operations, Joseph Getty, Court of Appeals of Maryland Chief Judge Joseph Getty said in a statement. Some involved in the courts have criticized earlier pauses, saying they may violate the rights of defendants, including the right to a speedy trial. Suspensions also lead to backlogs of cases once trials resume, which can overburden state or federal systems. There are a lot of people sitting in jail, a lot of nonviolent felonies, drug cases, Chris Adams, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, told State Legislatures Magazine last year. The real pressure is on people who cant bond out. Theyre stuck in jail, and jails are about the worst place you can be during this pandemic. Police officers stand guard outside the fire damaged entrance to Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 30, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Footage Emerges, Shows Moment Before Australias Old Parliament House Catches Fire Footage has emerged on social media detailing the moments before the front entrance of the historic Old Parliament House in Australias capital, Canberra, was engulfed in flames on Dec. 30. While law enforcement in the Australian Capital Territory are currently investigating the cause of blaze that saw the front entrance suffer extensive damage, the Victorian Accountability Project has released footage and photos of protesters on its Twitter account on Dec. 31. In one post, protesters can be seen gathered in the portico of the building applying a substance (likely paint) on two security cameras attached to the front entrance of the building. Handprints can also be seen applied around the doors. In two other posts, photos and video reveal protesters had started a fire on the steps of the Old Parliament Houses 100-year old doors, adding kindling, before the flames caught hold and grew bigger. In a separate Twitter post, protesters can be seen singing as the fire burns. Protesters were later seen in the forecourt applauding as the portico went up in flames. When police arrived they surrounded the building and had to separate protesters from engaging in altercations with media personnel. Australian Federal Police had only approved a smoking ceremony to be held in the carpark and not right up against the front doors. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy activist group has distanced itself from the protest, saying any smoking ceremony did not have the knowledge or consent from the Embassy Council. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was disgusted and appalled by the behaviour of the protesters for setting fire to a symbol of democracy of Australia. I think that the authorities should act swiftly and in accordance with the law and people should face the consequences for their actions. Their cause doesnt justify that sort of violence, he told reporters on Dec. 30. Victorian Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, however, wrote a message of support for the actions of the protesters on Twitter, saying, Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone. She removed the post after one hour. Greens leader Adam Bandt wrote on Twitter that the incident was a terrible sight. The Greens dont want to see the planet burning or Old Parliament. Investigations are now underway into the cause of the fire, but if this was arson, its unacceptable, he wrote. The Australian Greens have attracted criticism from the Australian Labor Partys Mark Butler saying the party crossed a line. It was an outrageous, disgusting level of support given to a criminal act, the shadow health minister told reporters on Dec. 31. The Old Parliament House was the seat of the federal Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988. It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore attends a press briefing at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto on Dec. 10, 2021. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) Ontario Makes Fourth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Seniors The fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for long-term care residents and other senior citizens, the Ontario government said on Thursday. Ontarians living in congregated settings like long-term care homes and retirement homes can get the fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine if three months have passed since they received their third dose. Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontarios chief medical officer of health, made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday, as the province takes precautionary measures to limit the spread of the new Omicron variant. In addition, Ontario also mandated that any staff, students, volunteers, caregivers, or support workers working at long-term care residences must get a third booster dose by Jan. 28. Moore said that while Omicron is more transmissible than previous variants, the good news is that the province has not seen a corresponding rapid increase in hospitalizations and intensive care admissions. Preliminary findings from Public Health Ontario suggests Omicron is the first dominant variant to demonstrate a decline in disease severity. The risk of hospitalization or death was 54 percent lower for Omicron cases as compared to Delta cases, he said. The province reported 16,000 new cases as of Friday, with 205 people in intensive care units and over 1,100 in other hospital units. Along with changes to vaccine eligibility, the government also updated its testing and isolation guidelines. Starting Dec. 31, publicly-funded PCR testing will be available to only vulnerable individuals, including those with significant medical issues, who are symptomatic, or who are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Most individuals with a positive test result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular tests, and no testing will be available for asymptomatic individuals. This updated eligibility will ensure that those at highest risk of severe outcomes and those caring for them have timely access to test results, Moore said. Moore noted that public health authorities will put more focus on the high-risk population. People who test positive for COVID-19 who live in high-risk settings such as long-term care homes and retirement homes will receive contact management calls from public health authorities, but others will be asked to inform their own close contacts if they are infected. With the number of cases that we are seeing, public health must shift its focus, he said. Moore added that Ontarios online screening tools will be updated so that lower-risk individuals with COVID-19 symptoms will be instructed to isolate with their households and inform any additional contacts to self-monitor for symptoms. The key message will be simple. If youre sick, stay at home, he said. With the provinces new public health restriction putting a pause on general visitors to long-term care homes in effect as of Thursday, Moore said that once the temporary ban is lifted, general visitors will also be required to show proof of vaccination or booster to enter long-term care facilities. Ontario also tightened COVID-19 restrictions for larger indoor settings starting Dec. 31, limiting spectator capacity to 1,000 people or 50 percent of the usual seating capacity, whichever is less, in facilities used for sports, concerts, and theaters. France has banned UK nationals from travelling by car across the country to homes in other E.U. nations. (Philip Toscano/PA) France Lifts Transit Ban on EU-based British Nationals France has lifted a transit ban on British nationals with E.U. residency, meaning E.U.-based UK citizens spending Christmas in Britain are now allowed to pass through France to return to their homes in the E.U. France has banned all non-essential travel from the UK since Dec. 18 in a bid to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. On Thursday, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for France to state: The French government have indicated that UK nationals travelling from the UK who are not resident in France will not be permitted to transit France to return to their country of residence unless they are travelling by air. The new rule effectively created a ban on travellers attempting to return to any E.U. country other than France by Eurotunnel, Eurostar trains, or ferry, and would affect those who planned to avoid air travel to return to their homes in the E.U. after spending Christmas with friends and relatives in the UK. But later on Thursday, the French government announced a reversal to the policy. The AFP news agency quoted a French interior ministry spokesman as saying: A large number of British nationals residing in an E.U. country have travelled in good faith to the UK for the festive season and are experiencing difficulties in reaching their country of residence. Faced with this situation, instructions of tolerance have been sent to police officers at the borders with the United Kingdom, in order to allow these nationals to transit through France to reach their residence in a country of the European Union, after this Christmas and New Year period. A UK government spokesman said: The French authorities have confirmed that British nationals will face no additional restrictions while travelling through the holiday period. British nationals who are currently in the UK, but resident in the E.U., will be able to return to their home through France over the New Year period without disruption. The spokesman said the UK government remains in close contact with the French authorities on the matter. Despite the policy reversal, most UK residents are still banned from going to France unless they have a compelling reason. Meanwhile, the German embassy in London said on Thursday that Germany will lift a ban on UK tourists entering the country from Jan 4. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described the move as a welcome development from our German colleagues. PA contributed to this report. Germany to Lift UK Travel Ban UK citizens will be allowed to travel to Germany on Tuesday after 16 days of travel ban due to concerns over the Omicron CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant. Germany added the UK onto its list of areas with variants of concern on Dec. 20 after the latter reported a surge of Omicron cases, banning travelers from the UK other than German citizens, residents, their family, and transit travelers. Arrivals from the listed areas also have to produce negative PCR test results and quarantine for 14 days. In a statement on Thursday, the German embassy said the UK will be moved back onto the high-risk area list from 0:00 CET on Dec. 4, meaning fully vaccinated UK travelers and those who have an important reason for traveling will be able to enter Germany again. The statement added that fully vaccinated people will not need a negative test to enter Germany or to quarantine for 14 days. New rules from Dec. 22 dictated that all travelers aged six or over must present COVID Passes as proof of vaccination or natural immunity, or go into self-isolation for ten days. Test and release is allowed after five days for unvaccinated travelers. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the announcement was a welcome development from our German colleagues. Eight African countries that have been on the areas with variants of concern list since Nov. 28Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwewill also be moved to the high-risk area list on Tuesday. Italy, Canada, Malta, San Marino, which were not considered risk areas, will join the high-risk area list from Jan. 1, 2022. The list currently has 53 countries and areas. The number of new CCP virus cases in the UK hit a record 189,213 on Thursday, almost three times the record made in previous waves, but the number of hospitalisations and deaths have so far remained low. A gifted 11-year-old, who has overcome the limitations of disability to chase his dream of becoming a pediatric neurologist, has earned a spot to study biochemistry at Arizona State University. Jimi Hernandez, who goes by Monty, has high-functioning autism, ADHD, a connective tissue disorder, and ascending aortic aneurism, a potentially life-threatening heart defect that requires surgery. However, despite his medical challenges, the preteen is also a calculus whizz and a member of the high-IQ society Mensa. 11-year-old Jimi Hernandez, who goes by Monty. (Courtesy of Danielle Roberts-Hernandez) Montys education, as well as other kids that are bright yet have challenges, is a difficult and touchy subject, mom Danielle Roberts-Hernandez told The Epoch Times. There are a lot of emotions that the subject brings up in us parents; there is a lot of rejection. Yet, after a disappointing false start with the Honor College at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, Montys potential was recognized by Arizona State (ASU). Hell be 12 when he graduates as a senior from Skyline High School in Mesa and becomes a biochemistry premed major. The gifted youngster proudly shared a screenshot of his college acceptance on Facebook. Montys acceptance to Arizona State University. (Courtesy of Danielle Roberts-Hernandez) Monty suffers joint pain and difficulty with strength, agility, and gross and fine motor skills. Nonetheless, with the support of his family and educators, he maintains a steady 4.0 GPA, works hard at physical therapy, volunteers at a local animal shelter and horse rescue, learns karate, and is the proud captain of his high school cohorts Light Saber Club. In a Facebook post, Danielle shared Montys college victory, as well as her ongoing battle for recognition of his needs. Montys acceptance to Grand Canyon University. (Courtesy of Danielle Roberts-Hernandez) I never in a million years, prior to having kids, would have thought that people with disabilities have as much trouble receiving an education and being accepted as they do right now, she wrote. [Monty] is not perfect, but I was perfectly honest with GCU from the beginning. After meeting with GCU both virtually and in person, Danielle sent Montys transcripts and emailed the schools disability center to find out which of his needsincluding a scribe, extended testing time, and assistive technologythey could accommodate. Monty volunteers at a local animal shelter. (Courtesy of Danielle Roberts-Hernandez) Monty was dropped from their program 24 hours after making the request for accommodations, said Danielle. He had his classes and finances figured out, GCU had offered a $9,200 scholarship, and I paid the deposit for fall that they asked for. They cite this was due to his age this is so sad for him, and a step back for gifted kids with disabilities. With Monty being too young to apply for many scholarships, Danielle has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for his college studies at Arizona State. Monty, who didnt speak until the age of 4, was diagnosed with autism and a special heart condition at a really early age. Danielle told Fox 10 Phoenix, He went through special education from age 3 to 5. They IQ tested him, and we found out he was profoundly gifted. The talented boy skipped several grades, and the family even moved from California to Arizona to make the most of advanced education opportunities when his skills were recognized in early childhood. Thats what drove us to come to Arizona, is him being able to be on campus, Danielle said. He loves people, he loves lectures, he loves communication. He wants to be right there. (Courtesy of Danielle Roberts-Hernandez) The Mesa Skyline senior studies a lot and at the age of 9, he even aced a high school chemistry class, according to his mother. At first when I was with people that were older than me, it was weird, Monty told ABC 15 Arizona, but over time it gradually become the norm. Speaking to The Epoch Times, Danielle explained that she is now working with an education attorney to help make sure her son receives what is fair for him to succeed. Monty, she says, plans to start his own nonprofit practice one day to help others. I want to become a pediatric neurologist so I can help kids who arent as fortunate and who need help from doctors to reach their goals, Monty added. 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 People wear protective masks as they walk by an ad for French luxury fashion brand DIOR outside a new location set to open at a shopping area in Beijing, China, on Nov. 24, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Hong Kong, Taiwanese Artists and Actors Required to Swear Allegiance to Chinese Constitution The Chinese communist regime has recently put out regulations that require acting agentsincluding those from Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong working in Chinato be certified in mainland China. The agents, as well as the actors they represent, must swear allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s constitution. Taiwanese lawmakers warn that the artists may be punished in the mainland for their speeches. The Chinese regime put out the revised Administrative Measures for Acting Agents on Dec. 24, stipulating that agents must pass a qualification examination starting from March 2022. They must support the CCPs constitution and have so-called good political quality. Taiwanese legislator Rosalia Wu said that the absurd new regulation is another form of censorship, thereby suppressing the freedom of thought and creation. Architects, lawyers, physicians, and others need to be tested for certification, which is to certify whether their professional ability meets the standard. However, in China, actors also need to show support for CCPs unified thinking, Wu said. This is unacceptable in a democratic society, because it violates freedom and human rights, and is against universal values, Wu told The Epoch Times. She was also concerned that the CCPs purge will be extended to other industries, and urged Taiwanese to carefully consider whether they want to develop businesses in mainland China. Lai Chung-chiang, who chairs the Economic Democracy Union, said in an interview with The Epoch Times that the CCPs approach is to legalize the united front targeting Taiwanese artists. The CCP requires that Taiwanese artists working in China must stand for the so-called one-China principle, unification, and support the Communist Party. In fact, this has always been the case in the past. The agent management method set this time is to control the artists by controlling their agents, he said. Taiwanese lawmaker Tsai Shih-ying pointed out that Taiwan has never asked nationals from mainland China who participate in Taiwanese film production to abide by Taiwans constitution. Because we think this is the freedom of performing arts and creation, and it is also peoples freedom of speech. This is the most significant difference between Taiwan and communist China, Tsai told The Epoch Times. Taipei City Councillor Miao Po-ya called on Taiwans central and local authorities to send a clearer message to remind artists in film, television, and audio of the political risks in the mainland market, and they should gradually guide the artists to develop in the international market outside of China. Zhong Yuan and Zhang Dongxu contributed to the report. How Likely Is Reinfection Following Covid Recovery? Public-health messaging from the beginning of this pandemic has had very little to say about immunity acquired following infection. But for most people, it is a real and pressing concern, and not only because of the vaccine mandates that have little or no regard for it. People want to know whether once recovered they can be confident of not getting it again. Must everyone live in fear forever or is there a basis for the recovered to live with confidence? We have looked at the published evidence and can conclude based on the existing body of evidence, that reinfections are very rare, if at all and based on typically a few instances with questionable confirmation of an actual case of re-infection (references 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). Colson et al. did publish a very interesting paper on evidence of a SARS-CoV-2 re-infection with a different genotype. They sought to show that the same patient was infected in April, cleared the virus, seroconverted, but was re-infected four months later with a new viral variant. The two infections reflect the circulating strains in Marseille at the same time. It is the most comprehensive study as it documented seroconversion following the first infection, showed drastically different viral genomes with 34 nucleotide differences, and ruled out errors of samples by techniques commonly used for forensic identifications. This study deserves serious reflection. If it is correct, we have at least one well documented case with a 4-month duration between infections. However, A very recent study in Qatar (Lancet) found that natural infection appears to elicit strong protection against reinfection with an efficacy ~95% for at least seven months. Hall in Lancet reported same. The study in Austria also found that the frequency of re-infection from COVID-19 caused hospitalization in only five out of 14,840 (0.03%) people and death in one out of 14,840 (0.01%). A very recent UK observational study by Lumley published in CID (July 2021) looked at the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and B.1.1.7 variant infection in healthcare workers by antibody and vaccination status. Researchers analyzed records from Curative, a clinical laboratory based in San Dimas that specializes in COVID-19 testing and has during the pandemic been conducting routine workforce screening. None of the 254 employees who had COVID-19 and recovered became re-infected, while four of the 739 who were fully vaccinated contracted the diseaseit should give confidence to people who have recovered that they are at very low risk for repeat infection and some experts including myself believe that protection is equal to vaccination. Israel National News reports that this data was presented to the Israeli Health Ministry and yielded the following breakdown of breakthrough infections of those vaccinated vs. those with prior infection: With a total of 835,792 Israelis known to have recovered from the virus, the 72 instances of reinfection amount to 0.0086% of people who were already infected with COVID. By contrast, Israelis who were vaccinated were 6.72 times more likely to get infected after the shot than after natural infection, with over 3,000 of the 5,193,499, or 0.0578%, of Israelis who were vaccinated getting infected in the latest waveIrish researchers recently published a review of 11 cohort studies with over 600,000 total recovered COVID patients who were followed up with over 10 months. They found the reinfection rate to be just 0.27% with no study reporting an increase in the risk of reinfection over time. Dr. Marty Makary of Johns Hopkins wrote reinfection is extremely rare and even when it does happen, the symptoms are very rare or [those individuals] are asymptomatic. Dr. Peter McCullough (personal communication June 27th 2021) advises: I have demanded that if any one proposes a recurrent case the following are fulfilled: 90 days between the two illnesses. The episodes have both cardinal signs and symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 testing with at least two or more concordant results (e.g. RT-PCR, antigen, sequencing). To my knowledge, this has never happened. On one of the occasions the first or second episode was simply a false positive PCR or ambiently positive antibody result with no clinical syndrome. Dr. Peter McCullough and Dr. Harvey Risch (July 18th 2021) have suggested as another model for consideration para People have suggested to require more than nominal PCR positivity and having signs/symptoms to establish reinfection. So, PCR Ct<25 in both instances, antibody tests confirming the infections, symptoms both times, and separated by more than 90 days are some considerations that people have suggested. Importantly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently (May 10th 2021 Scientific brief, WHO/2019-nCoV/Sci_Brief/Natural_immunity/2021.1) alluded to what has been clear for many months (one year now), which is that people are very rarely re-infected. The WHO is very late but better late than never. The key points they have stated in this briefing which stand out and warrants a mention (again we always knew this and tried informing the CDC and WHO of this across the last year) is that: i) Within 4 weeks following infection, 90-99% of individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus develop detectable neutralizing antibodies. ii) Available scientific data suggests that in most people immune responses remain robust and protective against reinfection for at least 6-8 months after infection (the longest follow up with strong scientific evidence is currently approximately 8 months). iii) Studies aimed to detect immunological memory including the assessment of cellular immunity by testing for the presence of memory B cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, observed robust immunity at 6 months post-infection in 95% of subjects under study, which included individuals with asymptomatic, mild, moderate and severe infections. iv) Current evidence points to most individuals developing strong protective immune responses following natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. A very recent discussion on mild COVID-19 inducing lasting antibody protection, was based on a publication in Nature. The research showed that people who have had mild illness develop antibody-producing cells that can last a lifetime. Months after recovering from mild cases of COVID-19, people still have immune cells in their body pumping out antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Such cells could persist for a lifetime, churning out antibodies all the while. In terms of Omicron, we are not seeing data or evidence to conclude that natural immunity has been breached. In fact, we believe, unless we are shown otherwise, that natural immunity has indeed held and worked marvelously. Based on the reported symptoms and sequelae, it can be considered an immune rechallenge and not a bona fide reinfection. Based on current evidence, natural immunity is doing its job and innate immunity and natural immunity are working hand-in-hand and Omicron shows us this. The role of innate immunity is to protect as the first line of defense and typically completes the task and especially in children and young persons. Top immunology and virology experts argue that the more the variants are different from one another, the more trained innate immunity is responsible for cross-protection. Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche (personal communication December 29, 2021) explains that: The innate immunity and thus innate antibodies, get trained and learn with re-exposures. Innate Abs have broad coverage and the innate immune cells secreting those adapt to the different stimuli to which the host get exposed. Repeated exposure during a pandemic will, therefore, result in enhanced training of innate IgM-secreting B cells. This builds the basis for a broadly protective first line of immune defense that is able to deal with all kinds of different variants. This protection is likely to be the key pillar of protection, especially during a pandemic of continuously evolving more infectious variants. In case of highly infectious variants (such as Omicron), the first line of immune defense (innate Abs) may not succeed in capturing all of the virions rapidly enough to prevent viral entry into the cell (as the latter occurs in a very effective way: thats per definition the case with highly infectious variants). So, innate immunity is taking care of the peak of viral load. Hence, even in cases where the virus breaks through the innate immune defense, the course of the disease is mild as acquired, highly specific Abs arrive in time to abrogate the infection caused by that specific variant. We have to continue examining this issue and be open either direction. However the in toto evidence points to a rarity or suggests it is very limited, and potentially unlikely happening at all. This article was originally published by Brownstone Institute. Republished under Creative Commons License 4.0. Indonesia Allows Rohingya Boat of Refugees to Dock, Amid Pressure From Rights Groups The Indonesian government has allowed a stranded boat carrying 120 Rohingya refugees near Aceh province to dock, the authorities said on Wednesday, relenting under pressure from rights groups. The boat was first sighted in waters off the coast of Bireuen on Dec. 26. The boat was leaking and damaged, with dozens of Rohingya refugees onboard, including women and children, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement. Indonesian authorities on Tuesday had said they would turn away the vessel, and would only help to repair the boat and provide humanitarian aid, such as food, medicine, and water for the refugees. The Rohingya are not Indonesian citizens, we cant just bring them in even as refugees. This is in line with government policy, local navy official Dian Suryansyah said. The Rohingya refugees came from Burma, also known as Myanmar, who have been denied citizenship since a Burmese citizenship law was enacted in 1982. Many have attempted to flee to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia due to a military crackdown in Burma. UNHCR urged the Indonesian government to urgently allow the Rohingya to disembark from the stranded boat, adding that the boat was floating in the open seas in the middle of harsh weather and could be at risk of capsizing. UNHCR is deeply concerned for the safety and lives of those onboard. To prevent needless loss of life, we strongly urge the Indonesian government to allow safe disembarkation immediately, the U.N. agency stated. The authorities subsequently relented and sent a navy ship to tow the boat from its location to shore on Thursday. A total of 120 Rohingya refugees were moved from the boat to a temporary shelter on Friday. They will be required to undergo health checks and be tested for the coronavirus. Armed Wijaya, chairman of the governments Task Force for Handling Refugees from Overseas, said the boat was being allowed to come ashore on humanitarian grounds. This decision was made after considering the emergency situation experienced by the refugees on the ship, Wijaya said. A fisherman off the coast of Aceh province claimed the boat had spent 28 days at sea, with some pregnant women on board. Usman Hamid, executive director for Amnesty Internationals Indonesia chapter, said the government reacted late but appreciated that authorities listened and accepted the refugees. Reuters contributed to this report. An Israeli man receives a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine , as the Israeli hospital conducts a trial of the vaccine's fourth jab on staff volunteers, at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, on Dec. 27, 2021. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) Israel Approves 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Immunosuppressed People The Israeli government has approved a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients. It comes after the countrys Pandemic Expert Committee last week recommended the fourth shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for immunocompromised people, people older than 60, and health care workers. Today, I approved giving the fourth vaccine to the immunosuppressed, sick people with diseases and treatments that are hurting the immune system, Nachman Ash, director general of the Israeli Health Ministry, told a news conference on Thursday. I did this based on research that is showing the benefits of the vaccine, including the fourth vaccine, for that population, and in light of the concerns that they are more vulnerable to the outburst of [the Omicron variant]. We will continue to track the data on a daily basis and we will see if we need to broaden this recommendation to an additional population, he added. The Israeli government has yet to announce an approval of a 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose for those over age 60 and health care workers. In light of the existing gaps in knowledge in the world about the effectiveness of a fourth dose, in the present situation, we are acting cautiously and responsibly, Ash said on Thursday. If we see signs showing severe illness is expected to rise among the older populations then we will make that decision. The challenge is to make it early enough to vaccinate them in time. On Monday, an Israeli hospitalthe Sheba Medical Centeradministered the second booster shotsthe fourth COVID-19 vaccine shotsto a test group of health workers, in what it called the first major study into whether another round of boosters will aid against the Omicron coronavirus variant. Results are expected within two weeks. The second booster trial involves 150 people with low antibody levels. Israel was among the first countries in the world to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine for the public, and began freely offering boosters last summer after research suggested that immunity waned over time. The country was also among the first in the world to introduce vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations. Despite widespread vaccination, Israel experienced a wave of COVID-19 cases attributed to the Delta variant. Officials are warning of another wave, this time driven by the Omicron variant. Israel has largely relied on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in its public rollout, until about August, when it largely pivoted to the Moderna vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is still being administered to those under 18 because the Moderna vaccine has not yet been approved for them. The Pfizer vaccine is also being administered to people waiting on their second COVID-19 dose. Israeli authorities previously announced on Nov. 15 that children aged 511 would be eligible for the weaker dosing of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinecoming just a week after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the pediatric shot for broad use in that age group. Earlier Thursday, Israel received its first shipment of Pfizers anti-COVID-19 pills, Paxlovid. The pills are intended to be used at home to decrease hospitalization and death, and they will be available in the country for free to those in high-risk groups. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Snow falls on the United Terminal at O'Hare Airport in Chicago on the morning of Nov. 11, 2019. (Daryl Van Schouwen/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) JetBlue Cancels Flights Due to Rising Omicron Cases and Bad Weather JetBlue Airways has trimmed down almost ten percent of its flights through Jan. 13, according to data from airline data firm FlightAware, as cancellations climb across the country with the surge of Omicron and a hit of bad weather. The New York-based carrier said that many of the crew members were calling in sick from the highly-transmissible variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, and the company made the decision to give passengers an advance warning and prevent last-minute rescheduling hassles. We have seen a surge in the number of sick calls from Omicron, a JetBlue spokesman said to the Wall Street Journal. We entered the holiday season with the highest staffing levels weve had since the pandemic began and are using all resources available to cover our staffing needs. JetBlue, the sixth-largest airline in the country, has canceled 145 flights or 14 percent on Friday and expects a 19 percent cancellation on Saturday based on data collected from FlightAware. Ninety-three flights have been delayed on Friday. Omicron is the dominant variant currently, rapidly spreading through the population, but has displayed mild symptoms compared to other variants. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on Dec. 29, the number of new cases in the United States was 486,428, an increase of 265 percent from the beginning of the month. The 7-day moving average is 316,277, and the total cases per 100,000 are 16,412. On Dec. 1, it was 14,838. The northeast, especially New York, has seen the brunt of the viral infection. We expect the number of COVID cases in the northeastwhere most of our crew members are basedto continue to surge for the next week or two, JetBlues spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. This means there is a high likelihood of additional cancellations until case counts start to come down. More than 3,100 cancellations were reported worldwide by FlightAware, along with 1,200 into and out of the United States. Besides staff shortages, inclement weather with unusually strong jet-stream winds are one of the main reasons behind domestic and international flight disruptions. Heavy snowfall across the Midwest and Pacific Northeast have clogged airports for about a week now. Some of the worst-hit airports include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Los Angeles International, and Chicago OHare. Alaska Air scrapped almost 20 percent of its flights due to ice-formation on aircraft. Passengers have apparently been asked to wait three or more days for alternate flights. The CDC said that it has not considered a vaccine mandate for domestic travel, and has reduced the number of days of quarantine for those infected with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 from 10 to five days. This was supposedly due to lobbying by airline companies including Delta and JetBlue. Delta has, meanwhile, canceled 250 flights out of 4,179 scheduled departures on Thursday, according to CNBC, with more planned through the weekend. JetBlue representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times. Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter stands with defense attorney Earl Gray, as the verdict is read at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, on Dec. 23, 2021, in a still from a video. (Court TV via AP, Pool) Juror: Kim Potter Made Mistake but Was Still Responsible MINNEAPOLISA member of the jury that convicted Minnesota police officer Kim Potter of manslaughter in the killing of Daunte Wright says jurors felt she made an honest mistake when she drew her firearm instead of her stun gun, but that she was still responsible for his death. The juror spoke with KARE-TV reporter Lou Raguse on the condition of anonymity due to what the station described as the public animosity surrounding the case. It published the story Wednesday. The juror said no one felt Potter was a racist or meant to kill Wright, but that doesnt mean she was above the law. I dont want to speak for all the jurors, but I think we believed she was a good person and even believed she was a good cop, the juror said. No one felt she was intentional in this. Its ludicrous that some people are assuming we thought she was a racist. That never came up or anything like that. We felt like she was a good person, we felt she made a mistake, and that a mistake does not absolve you from the fact she did commit a crime. Being a good person doesnt mean youre above the law. I dont think anyone felt she wanted to kill anybody that day. This was just a tragedy all the way around. Potter shot and killed the 20-year-old Wright in April as he tried to drive away from a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a Minneapolis suburb. Potter, a 26-year veteran on the citys police department, said she meant to use her stun gun on Wright but didnt realize she had actually drawn, and fired her pistol. The shooting happened as another officer, Derek Chauvin, was standing trial in nearby Minneapolis for the death of George Floyd. It set off waves of protests in Brooklyn Center. Potter, 49, resigned from the police department two days after the shooting. Prosecutors charged her with first-and second-degree manslaughter. Wright took the stand at her trial, saying she was sorry the incident happened and the traffic stop just went chaotic. The jury deliberated for 27 hours over four days before convicting her of both counts on Dec. 23. She faces close to seven years in prison under Minnesotas sentencing guidelines, though prosecutors have said they would seek a longer term. The juror told KARE-TVs Raguse that jurors didnt feel Potter lied on the stand and instead felt she was fighting for her life. But the jury generally thought that Potter should have known she was holding a pistol and not a stun gun given her years of police experience. The juror said a turning point in deliberations came when jurors handled Potters stun gun and pistol and felt the differences. The gun was about twice as heavy, and the two weapons had several differences in how they are un-holstered and fired, the juror said. The Taser kind of feels like a mouse click whereas the (pistols) trigger has some trigger draw weight. The juror said Potters attorneys seemed disorganized. The juror rejected their argument that Wright caused his own death by resisting. We did talk about Dauntes actions, but we as a jury did a really good job of separating his actions from Kim Potters actions, the juror said. Dauntes actions clearly had consequences. So did Kim Potters. The juror said that at times deliberations grew heated and discussions went in circles. Almost every juror cried at some point. Once we came to final verdict we still had to wait an hour and a half until it was read, the juror said. So that last hour and a half, I was finally allowing myself to think of the consequences of this tragedy. Obviously we had been thinking about what this meant for Daunte Wrights family, but now I started to think about what this meant for Kim Potters family. Damik Bryant, brother of Daunte Wright, look on after the guilty verdict was delivered outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, on Dec. 23, 2021. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP) The logo of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel on Feb. 19, 2019. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) Jury Finds Drugmaker Teva Fueled Opioid Addiction in New York NEW YORKTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd fueled opioid addiction in New York state, a jury found on Thursday, a setback for a company still facing thousands of other opioid-related lawsuits around the United States. The verdict, which followed a nearly six-month New York state court trial in a case brought by the state and two of its counties, does not include damages, which will be determined later. The jury deliberated more than eight days before reaching a verdict. Teva shares, which had been trading higher, fell more than 7 percentage points in New York following the decision. In afternoon trading they were down 40 cents, or 4.7 percent, at $8.03. New York Attorney General Letitia James called the outcome a significant day for the state and for every family and community torn apart by opioids. Jayne Conroy and Hunter Shkolnik, who represent Suffolk and Nassau counties respectively, also hailed it as a massive victory. In a statement, the company said: Teva Pharmaceuticals strongly disagrees with todays outcome and will prepare for a swift appeal as well as continue to pursue a mistrial. It said the state and counties presented no evidence of medically unnecessary prescriptions, suspicious or diverted orders. New York and the counties had accused the Israel-based drugmaker of engaging in misleading marketing practices that fueled opioid addiction in the state, including by pushing drugs for off-label use. They focused on Actiq and Fentora, cancer pain drugs made by Cephalon Inc, a company Teva bought in 2011, as well as generic opioids sold by Teva. One of 3,300 lawsuits The New York lawsuit is one of more than 3,300 filed by state, local and Native American tribal governments across the country accusing drugmakers of minimizing the addictiveness of opioid pain medications, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that they were being diverted into illegal channels. The judge in the case is still considering a request Teva made for a mistrial after a lawyer for the state cited an inaccurate statistic about opioid prescriptions in his closing argument. If the verdict stands, it could put pressure on Teva to reach a nationwide settlement with other states and local governments over opioid claims. The evidence at trial included a parody video made for a Cephalon sales meeting in 2006 in which the villain, Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers films, talks about promoting the drugs for non-cancer pain, and another video, based on a courtroom scene in the film A Few Good Men, in which a Cephalon employee tells a lawyer played by Tom Cruise that he cant handle the truth about what sales representatives need to do to meet quotas. Teva at trial attributed a surge in opioid prescriptions to a change in medical standards of care emphasizing pain treatment beginning in the 1990s. It also said that its opioid sales complied with federal and New York state regulations. The jury found the state partly to blame, assigning it 10 percent responsibility. U.S. officials have said that by 2019, the health crisis had led to nearly 500,000 opioid overdose deaths over two decades. More than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses during the 12-month period ending April 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report in November, a record driven in large part by deaths from opioids like fentanyl. Other defendants in the case settled before or during trial major pharmacies, distributors McKesson Corp, AmerisourceBergen Corp and Cardinal Health Inc, and drugmakers Johnson & Johnson, Endo International Plc and AbbVie Inc. AbbVies settlement, for $200 million, came at the very end of the trial, on the day of closing arguments. The settlement with J&J and the distributors was part of a nationwide deal worth up to $26 billion. Teva did not take part in that deal. Teva previously prevailed in a similar case when a California judge on Nov. 2 ruled that it and other drugmakers were not liable in a lawsuit brought by several counties in the state. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and had hoped to resolve a flood of lawsuits over the painkiller through a deal in which the companys former owners, the Sackler family, would pay $4.5 billion in exchange for immunity from future lawsuits. However, a federal judge on Dec. 17 scrapped the deal, a decision the company was expected to appeal. By Brendan Pierson Freight train with both Union Pacific and BNSF engines on track next to California State Route 111. (Michael Rosebrock/Shutterstock) Los Angeles Area Cargo Thefts Turn Deadly FONTANA, Calif.Police were investigating the deaths of two people suspected of stealing cargo from containers on a Union Pacific train in Fontana, California, on Dec. 29. The suspects died in a crash after fleeing from police. A train conductor called police at about 4 a.m. to report a maroon van parked along a stopped train. The van first appeared to have been struck by a train, according to the Fontana Police Department. Officers responded to the railroad tracks near an industrial area of the city located west of San Bernardino. Upon arrival, they found a cargo theft in progress from one of the trains boxcars, Fontana Police Spokesman Daniel Romero told The Epoch Times. When officers attempted contact, the van fled, and a pursuit ensued, Romero said. The pursuit ended in the city of Ontario, about 10 miles west, when the van lost control and crashed into a warehouse at an intersection, Romero told local media. The van was traveling at a high rate of speed and drove into the side of the building, he said. The suspects, a man and woman, both Hispanic, died at the scene, Romero said. Police have not yet released their identities. Police searched the suspects van following the crash and found evidence of cargo theft, Romero said. The Union Pacific Railroad is investigating the theft and the Ontario Police Department is investigating the crash, Romero said. The railway has become a target for thieves as a record number of containers continue to be transported from the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, officials told The Epoch Times. Union Pacific Police had previously notified officers about multiple reports of cargo thefts in that area over the past few months, Romero said. A local Union Pacific spokeswoman Lupe Valdez said on Dec. 20 that cargo thefts were continuing to be a problem in the Los Angeles area. Its still challenging, she said. Were working with trying to get folks to realize the impact its having on businesses across the board. Reported cargo theft on the West Coast of the United States has increased 42 percent compared to last year, according to CargoNet, a cargo industry organization dedicated to the prevention of theft. CargoNet reported 359 supply chain thefts and fraud incidents across the United States and Canada in the third quarter of 2021. The total loss is estimated at nearly $13 million. California reported the most cargo theft, accounting for about one-fifth of the reports, followed by Texas and Florida. The average loss per theft was about $144,000, CargoNet said. Entering into the final quarter of 2021, CargoNet expects that theft activity will remain elevated. We are concerned about targeting of computer electronics shipments shipping from California, as well as a breakout of full truckload cargo thefts spreading across the eastern half of the United States, CargoNet Spokeswoman Michelle Pantina said in a statement. A national Union Pacific spokesperson declined to answer questions about the Fontana incident on Dec. 30. The 2022 sign that will be lit on top of a building on New Year's Eve is displayed in Times Square, New York, on Dec. 20, 2021. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo) Limited Number of Revelers Return to Times Square to Usher in 2022 NEW YORKNew York City readied to embrace the new yearand bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 monthsas it prepared to revive its annual New Years Eve celebration in Times Square. The city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectatorsfar fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually descend on the world-famous square to bask in the lights, hoopla, and shower of confetti during the nations marquee New Years Eve event. We are very excited to welcome back visitors to Times Square this New Years Eve, said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. Our goal is to have a safe and responsible event for the world to see. The annual ball drop takes place Friday, as the clock ticks into midnight and ushers in the new year, an occasion usually commemorated with Champagne, clinking pints, joyous embraces, and hopes for better times ahead. Doubts swirled whether the city would have to cancel this years bash, as the city posted record numbers of COVID-19 cases in the days leading to it. Last years ball drop was closed to the public because of the outbreak. Some cities like Atlanta had decided to cancel their own celebrations. But New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who will relinquish oversight of the nations most populous city at the stroke of midnight, said the festivities at Times Square would show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this. Jaclyn Bernstein of New York stands in confetti, among the few to observe the Times Square New Years Eve ball drop in New York on Jan. 1, 2021. (Craig Ruttle/AP Photo) Officials said those attending the spectacle would have to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. Organizers had initially hoped that more than 50,000 revelers would be able to join in, but plans were dramatically scaled back because of widespread infections. Rap artist and actor LL Cool J was supposed to be among the performers taking the stage in Times Square Friday night, but announced he would pull out of the event because he had tested positive for COVID-19. New York Citys incoming mayor, Eric Adams, is scheduled to take his oath in Times Square soon after the ball drop. He expressed hope Thursday that 2022 would be a new beginning of our resiliency. Police activity at Ashburton Park, Croydon, south London after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death on Dec. 30, 2021. (PA) London Teen Homicides Reach Record High After Two Boys Stabbed to Death on the Same Day Two boys were stabbed to death in separate incidents in London on Dec. 30, making 2021 the bloodiest year on record for teenage homicides in the British capital. A 15-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Ashburton Park, Croydon, south London, and was pronounced dead at 7.36 p.m. Less than an hour later, a 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at 8.25 p.m. after being fatally wounded at Philpots Farm, Yiewsley, west London. The two deaths bring the total number of teenage killings in London in 2021 to 30, breaking the previous record of 29, which was set in 2008. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was devastated by the double tragedy. I refuse to accept that the loss of young lives is inevitable and will continue to be relentless in taking the bold action needed to put an end to violence in our city, he said. The Metropolitan Police has not named either of the victims, and said no arrests have been made. Police Commander Alex Murray, who was at the scene in Croydon, called on parents to talk with their children about the impact of carrying weapons. If you have concerns, talk to your kids. Make sure they are not carrying knives, make sure they are not hanging around with kids carrying knives. We dont know who has knives but we can find out and we can stop them hurting someone or being hurt. He added: This is what happens when knives are carried and we all have a role in relation to tackling knife crime. Patrick Green, chief executive of anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust, echoed Murrays comments. Knife crime is accepted by this generation as part-and-parcel of growing up and thats completely unacceptable, he said, adding, It is a societal problem which will continue unless it is addressed properly. Anthony King, chairman of the MyEnds programme which aims to tackle knife crime in London, said there has been a lot of breakdowns in schools and in families. Parentsif you see a bread knife or bun knife missing from the home, please speak to somebody, please contact an agency or an organisation and let the teachers know, he said. Scotland Yard said police were called to the Croydon stabbing shortly after 7 p.m. They gave first aid to the boy before the ambulance arrived but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police were called to the stabbing in Yiewsley shortly after 7.30 p.m., where they found the 16-year-old victim suffering from a puncture wound. He was declared dead at the scene. PA contributed to this report. Packets of Heinz ketchup are displayed with Burger King french fries in San Anselmo, Calif., on April 12, 2021, (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TNS) New California Laws for 2022: More Duplexes, Fewer Ketchup Packets and All Mail-In Elections By Andrew Sheeler From The Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif.A slate of new California laws set to go into effect on Jan. 1 touches on everything from police accountability to housing reform, ketchup packets, and how veterinarians gather blood donations for sick pets. Some laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year, such as a ban on the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawnmowers and a requirement that large retailers maintain a genderless kids area, dont go into effect until a couple of years from now. Heres a round-up of some of the high-profile laws set to take hold New Years Day: Affordable Housing Californias sky-high housing costs compelled lawmakers to look at easing barriers to construction, resulting in the passage of a package of bills aimed at creating more homes. Senate Bill 8 maintains limitations on local governments ability to downzone neighborhoods without planning to increase density in other areas until the year 2030. The law also regulates policies which would make it harder to build affordable homes. Senate Bill 9 lets property owners build a duplex on a single-family lot, or to divide their property into two for a total of four units. Senate Bill 10 makes it so that cities or counties can pass an ordinance allowing for the streamlined construction of as many as 10 units on a single parcel. Police Accountability One of the most high-profile laws to come out of the California Legislature in 2021 was Senate Bill 2, which gives the state the authority to strip police with misconduct records of their certification. The law aims to prevent cops with a record of misconduct from resigning before facing discipline and applying for a job in another jurisdiction in the state. Under the law, the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training would be able to review a local agencys investigation into an officers behavior and determine whether to revoke certification by a two-thirds vote. Physical abuse, gang activity, sexual assault, dishonesty, or tampering with evidence could trigger a review. The law allows police officers to review and contest any disciplinary action. Another law going into effect on Jan. 1, Assembly Bill 48, restricts the ability of law enforcement to use kinetic and chemical weapons, such as rubber bullets or tear gas, during protests. Under the law, police must make an effort to deescalate the situation and allow people the opportunity to leave the scene. The law also requires police to make an objectively reasonable effort to identify people who are engaging in violent acts, compared to those who are not, and prohibits police from indiscriminate firing into crowds. Finally, Senate Bill 98 is set to go into effect in the new year, allowing journalists access to closed-off demonstrations and protests. Business Changes Businesses operating in California will have to undergo some changes beginning in the new year. For one thing, companies like Amazon that maintain warehouses in the Golden State will be required, under Assembly Bill 701, to tell their employees about quotas, and also will be prevented from using quotas so high that employees would be denied the ability to take a meal or bathroom break. Another change coming in 2022 will affect Californias beauty industry: Barbers and cosmetologists will only be required to take 1,000 hours of training in order to get their license, under Senate Bill 803; thats down from the previous 1,600-hour requirement. Permanent Mail-in Ballots If you liked getting your ballot mailed to you in the last election, theres some good news: Assembly Bill 37 makes statewide mail-in ballots a permanent feature of future elections. The new law requires that all county elections officials in the state mail a ballot to every active registered voter, regardless of whether that voter has requested it. If youre a fan of in-person voting, not to worry: Physical polling locations will still be available. The new law doesnt change that. Sex Crimes In 2022, California will officially eliminate the legal distinction between rape and spousal rape. While spousal rape was already a crime in California, Assembly Bill 1171 modernizes antiquated state legal language, and prohibits varying penalties depending on whether the victim is married to their assailant. Beginning Jan. 1, it will also become illegal for someone to remove a condom during sex without obtaining verbal consent from their partner. Assembly Bill 453 expands the definition of sexual battery in the legal code to include stealing, as the act is referred to. Canine Blood Colonies California will begin to phase out closed canine blood coloniesused to harvest blood for veterinary medicinebeginning in 2022. The new law, Assembly Bill 1282, empowers veterinarians to operate community animal blood banks, sourcing blood from pets volunteered by their owners. It also requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture to discontinue licensing for captive, closed-colony canine blood banks within 18 months of determining that community blood banks sold an annual amount of canine blood in California equaling or exceeding what the closed-colony blood banks sold over a period of four consecutive business quarters. Restaurants and Bars Say so long to those ketchup packets and single-use plastic forks that you get with your food order. Unless you ask for them, they wont be included, under Assembly Bill 1276. The new law requires restaurants to cut down on plastic waste by withholding single-use plastic items such as plasticware or soy sauce packets unless they are specifically requested by the customer. The law gives jurisdictions until June 1, 2022, to authorize an enforcement agency to enforce the requirement. The good news is, you can still get that champagne cocktail to go. While the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control permitted restaurants to sell to-go cocktails as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy was set to expire at the end of 2021. Enter Senate Bill 389, which extends the order through the end of 2026. 2021 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. New York State Health Dept. Warns Not Enough Paxlovid or Molnupiravir Antibody Treatment The New York State Health Department has warned that it does not have enough Paxlovid or Molnupiravir antibody treatment. In a notification (pdf) issued on Dec. 27, the department warned there is currently a shortage of Paxlovid, a Pfizer oral COVID-19 antiviral pill, which has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Paxlovid is taken twice per day for five days in combination with a second medicine called ritonavir, a generic antiviral drug. The drug is aimed to help patients who are suffering from mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms from becoming so sick that they need to be hospitalized, Pfizer has said. Stocks of Molnupiravir antibody treatment, a drug from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, are also going to be limited until more of the product becomes available, officials said, while urging providers to prioritize treatment for patients at high risk for severe COVID-19. Mercks antiviral Molnupiravir pill was granted FDA emergency use authorization last week. Similar to Paxlovid, the drug is intended for use at home by adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe disease. It is taken orally in pill form, twice a day for five days, within five days of symptoms onset. In Wednesdays notification, The New York Department of Health stated that patients who are 12 or older weighing at least 88 pounds are eligible to receive the oral antiviral treatment, while those who are 18 years and older can have Molnupiravir. Patients must also test positive for SARS-CoV-2 on a nucleic acid amplification test or antigen test, while results from an FDA-authorized home-test kit should be validated through video or photo but if the latter is not possible then patient attestation is adequate. The department authorized those of non-white race or Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, as well as individuals with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe illness, to receive the treatment. They must also display mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms and be able to start treatment within five days of the onset of symptoms, have a medical condition or other factors that increase their risk for severe illness, while non-white race or Hispanic/Latino ethnicity should be considered a risk factor, as longstanding systemic health and social inequities have contributed to an increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. The Epoch Times has contacted the New York State Health Department for comment. The Biden administration has already purchased some 10 million courses of Paxlovid in a more than $5 billion agreement and has agreed to buy 3.1 million courses of the Merck antiviral drug for about $2.2 billion. New Yorks Mask-or-Vaccine Mandate for Businesses Extended New Yorks statewide COVID-19 mask-or-vaccine mandate for businesses and indoor venues will be extended several more weeks until Feb. 1, said Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 31. Hochul, a Democrat, introduced the mandate, which requires businesses and venues to require people to wear masks or present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, in mid-December amid the spread of the Omicron CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant. I thank all the counties and also the businesses themselves who have been following this, Hochul said Friday, adding that the mandate will be revisited on Feb. 1. I have seen compliance. I have traveled from diners and traveled upstate and traveled around the city of New York. The compliance is very good for me visually. The mandate has fines of up to $1,000 for each violation, according to the governors office. But, in an apparent reversal of the state policy, Hochuls office said on Dec. 20 the state will not send inspectors to enforce compliance with her mandate. Meanwhile, a week prior to that, Hochulwho took office after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid several scandalsalso said counties can opt-out. Enforcement will be done by local health departments, Hochul spokesperson Hazel Crampton-Hays told news outlets at the time. Governor Hochul made $65 million available today for counties enforcement needs, including personnel costs associated with spot checks and other enforcement. We are all in this together as we fight this winter surge. During a Dec. 14 news conference in Manhattan, Hochul previously explained that individual counties have always had to enforce public health requirements, suggesting the state will dedicate little resources in enforcing it. Several New York county executives have said they would not enforce Hochuls mandate. My health department has critical things to do that are more important than enforcing this, and I think small businesses have been through enough already, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, a Republican, said earlier this month. God forbid the governor directs the state police to go out and enforce it. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro told the New York Post that his office simply doesnt have the resources or even the desire to enforce the mask-or-vaccine mandate. The chief executive of Greene County, located in the Catskill Mountains, was quoted by the Post as saying that he doesnt have the staff to do enforcement, so were not even going to try to do enforcement. What am I going to do, station somebody at a Walmart 24/7? Its silly, the executive, Shaun Groden, said. My staff will have to mask up. But were not going to become the mask police. Contrary to Hochuls mandate, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, also a Democrat, recently told news outlets that he doesnt believe mask mandates work and pointed to a surge of COVID-19 cases in New York state. Mask mandates are not curbing the spike down in New York City, which is probably ground zero, Lamont said. If I think about things, I certainly think about nursing homes and other congregate settings where I think the booster shot is probably the number one priority, to make sure everybody that can be boosted is boosted there. That would be my next priority, Lamont added. Ontario Changes COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Rules The Ontario government has changed eligibility for PCR testing and reduced the quarantine period for fully vaccinated people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Ontarios chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced the latest changes during a Dec. 30 press conference as the province experiences surging COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant. Because of the rapid transmission of Omicron, many jurisdictions have had to adjust their testing strategies and Ontario is no different, Moore said. Effective Dec. 31, publicly funded PCR tests will only be available to high-risk persons who are symptomatic or are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes workers, residents, and others in the highest-risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, and congregate living settings. Moore said most people with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test and that testing for asymptomatic individuals will no longer be conducted. Moore attributed the changes to the provincial public health systems lack of capacity to test everyone amid the increasing cases. We must preserve these resources for those who need them the most, he said, referring to the limited supply of rapid antigen tests remaining in the province. In addition, he advised individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 but dont meet the new eligibility for PCR testing, or have access to antigen tests, to assume that they have contracted the virus and isolate themselves based on the latest guidelines. The new guidelines reduce the isolation period from 10 days to five days for fully vaccinated adults and children under 12. This also applies to their immediate household contacts. Ontarios decision to cut the isolation period in half mirrors a similar change made by U.S. federal health officials earlier this week. Moore said the change is based on evidence that generally healthy people with COVID-19 are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop. The isolation can end after five days if symptoms are resolved or improving for at least 24 hours, and all public health and safety measures such as masking and physical distancing are followed, he said. However, people who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or immunocompromised will still need to isolate for 10 days should they test positive, said the provincial government in a Dec. 30 press release. Individuals who are fully vaccinated, asymptomatic, and not cohabiting with a COVID-positive person but who have come into close contact with people who have tested positive, need not self-isolate. They are advised instead to self-monitor for symptoms and not visit any high-risk settings or vulnerable people for 10 days from their last exposure. People working or living in high-risk health care settings who experience symptoms are to stay away from work for 10 days. To avoid staff shortages, they may be allowed to return to work after isolating for seven days after a negative PCR test, or two negative rapid antigen tests done on the sixth and seventh day after exposure. The latest announcements have earned praise from the Retail Council of Canada, the largest retail industry group in the country. The group says labour shortages have dogged retailers throughout the pandemic but the recent sharp rise in infections has left many outlets scrambling to adjust schedules and keep their doors open. Michelle Wasylyshen, the industry groups national spokesperson, said that allowing employees to return to work sooner will ensure enough staffing to maintain health and safety standards that include frequent cleaning and the enforcement of mask mandates and capacity restrictions. Dr. Matt Strauss, the acting medical officer of health for Haldimand-Norfolk, also commended the changes. Tests and isolation for sick or vulnerable folks rather than healthy, less vulnerable folks will help us save as many lives as possible, he said on Twitter on Dec. 30. The Canadian Press contributed to this report Paxlovid, a Pfizer COVID-19 pill, is seen manufactured in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on Nov. 16, 2021. (Pfizer/Handout via Reuters) Pfizers Antiviral COVID-19 Pill Approved by Britains Health Regulators Britains drugs regulator approved use authorization for Pfizers COVID-19 antiviral pill just about one month after it became the first country to approve a similar oral antiviral treatment produced by Merck & Co.s. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said Pfizers pill, named Paxlovid, can be given to people aged 18 and older who have mild to moderate infections and are at high risk of their illness worsening. It added that this includes people with risk factors like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, or those over 60. Today we have given our regulatory approval for Paxlovid, MHRA chief June Raine said in a statement on Friday. We now have a further antiviral medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously. This means it can be administered outside a hospital setting, before COVID-19 has progressed to a severe stage, she added. Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), June Raine attends a media briefing on the latest Covid-19 update, at Downing Street, central London on Sept. 14, 2021. (Justin Tallis/Pool/AFP) Based on data, the pill is most effective when taken during the early stages of infection from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the MHRA said, recommending it be used within five days of the first symptoms. Paxlovid is made of two active substances which come as two separate pills taken twice a day together for five days. Britain has already secured more than 2.75 million courses of the drug. The Pfizer tablets are part of a class of drugs called protease inhibitors currently used to treat HIV, hepatitis C and other viruses, which work by stopping the virus from replicating. Britain approving the antiviral treatment comes just days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Dec. 22 granted emergency use authorization to the pill. The FDA noted that it does not recommend Paxlovid for those with severe kidney or liver disease. A sign is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) The drug is only available in the United States via prescription and can be initiated as soon as possible following a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus. The FDA decision comes about a week after Pfizer reported that its new oral drug is able to reduce the risk of death or hospitalization from the CCP virus by up to 89 percent if it is taken shortly after symptoms appear. Pfizers antiviral oral drug can cause severe or life-threatening effects when used with common medications including some anti-coagulants, some anti-depressants, and some cholesterol-lowering statins, according to the FDA (pdf). Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News Residents build makeshift shelters following the destruction of their houses due to typhoon Rai, in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines, on Dec. 21, 2021. (Jilson Tiu/Greenpeace/Handout via Reuters) Philippine Death Toll From Its Strongest Typhoon of Year Tops 400 MANILAThe Philippine death toll from Typhoon Rai has crossed the 400 mark, the disaster agency said on Friday, as officials in some hard-hit provinces appealed for more supplies of food, water, and shelter materials about two weeks after the storm struck. Rai was the 15th and deadliest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian nation this year. Reported deaths had reached 405, mostly due to drowning, fallen trees, and landslides, Ricardo Jalad, chief of the national disaster agency, told a news conference. He said 82 were missing and 1,147 injured. More than 530,000 houses were damaged, a third of which were totally wrecked, while damage to infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at 23.4 billion pesos ($459 million), Jalad said. The typhoon affected nearly 4.5 million people, including about 500,000 sheltering in evacuation centers, government data showed. It made landfall as a category 5 typhoon on Dec. 16, and left a trail of destruction in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, and Surigao del Norte, including the holiday island of Siargao, and the Dinagat Islands. People affected by typhoon Rai gather during a distribution of relief goods, in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines, on Dec. 20, 2021. (Erwin Mascarinas/Greenpeace/Handout via Reuters) In central Philippine provinces, disaster and government officials have been grappling with inadequate relief supplies for thousands of residents still without power and water. It caused massive destruction and it was like a bomb was dropped in northern Bohol, Anthony Damalerio, chief of Bohol provinces disaster agency, told Reuters. A popular dive spot, Bohol reported 109 deaths and is seeking shelter kits, food, and water, Damalerio said. Our problem is shelter, those who lost roofs, especially now that this is rainy season in the province, Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas told ANC news channel. Rais swath of destruction revived memories of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, which killed 6,300 people in the Philippines in 2013. ($1 = 50.9850 Philippine pesos) Fire fighters are seen entering the fire damaged entrance to Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 30, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Probe Into Old Parliament Fire Underway Fire damage to the front doors of the historic Old Parliament House in the nations capital, Canberra, was tragic and potentially irreparable, Museum of Australian Democracy Director Daryl Karp says. The fire broke out amid a protest at the entrance to the historic building on Thursday, causing extensive damage to the doors and portico. We have a team of conservators standing by to come in and have a look and see what can be done because we are a museum, we love to be open 364 days of the year, Karp told the ABC. To actually be closed and to be closed because of violent protests is really tragic. Protesters had been outside the building for more than a week and started a traditional smoking ceremony, which may be connected to the fire that engulfed the front entrance of the historic building. A previous fire was started by protesters near the building on Dec. 21. Karp said further examination was needed to determine if damaged parts of the heritage-listed building could be fixed. She said the doors were pretty damaged and the portico had been really burnt out. The portico was built specifically for the Queens visit in the 50s and so it has substantial significance, as do the doors which are from 1927, she said. Its unclear whether we can restore the doors or not. Obviously they are pretty significant collection items and thats a really big one for us. Karp said the lower gallery floors were original 1927 lino. Its got a lot of soot and a lot of water on it so we will need to check it is still okay. Its still a police crime scene and we are not able to go through it. Social media footage shows police dragging protesters away from the front steps of the building and a large fire burning at the doors. Aboriginal Tent Embassy activists distanced themselves from the protest, saying a smoking ceremony that took place did not have the knowledge or consent from the Embassy Council. ACT Policing announced on Thursday it would launch an investigation into the blaze, noting while there were no injuries but there was extensive water damage to the buildings interior. Old Parliament House will remain closed while the investigation is undertaken. This Clark County Detention Center photo shows Eric Holland, 57, following his arrest in Las Vegas, on Dec. 23, 2021. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via AP) Prosecutor: Suspect in Vegas Severed Head Case a Prior Felon LAS VEGASA prosecutor in Las Vegas told a judge Tuesday that a man jailed after police found the severed head and body parts of an acquaintance in the truck he was driving has prior felony and federal criminal convictions dating to the 1980s in states including California, Texas, and Nevada. Eric Holland stood in court flanked by heavily armed security guards and an attorney temporarily appointed to his case for a brief hearing at which a Las Vegas judge ordered him held without bail pending another court appearance next week. Justice of the Peace Harmony Letizia set a preliminary hearing of evidence for Jan. 27. Holland, 57, was not asked to enter a plea to the murder charge against him, and his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Sarah Hawkins, declined outside court to comment on his behalf. Prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci listed Hollands three-state criminal history under names including Eric John Holland and Eric Allen Holland, and told the judge that Holland represents a danger to the community and should not be allowed out on bail. Hollands alleged victim was identified Tuesday as Richard P. Miller of Las Vegas. The Clark County coroner said Miller died last Thursday from multiple gunshot wounds and his death was a homicide. 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 didnt 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. Holland served prison time in Nevada for a felony conviction in Las Vegas on theft charges stemming from a forgery case filed in 2000. Prison records say he used names including John Carl Hall, Phil Whidden, Robert Daniel Lauer, and Steven Tauber. His previous convictions as an adult date to 1987 in California for embezzlement, property theft, and false identification, Pesci said, and Holland also had a conviction in federal court in Texas in a counterfeiting case. Pesci said Holland was found guilty in California in 1997 of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest causing substantial bodily harm, and records show Holland also was convicted in 1991 in U.S. District Court in Texas of attempted escape and aiding in an escape. His post-prison supervision was transferred to Nevada in 2014. Hollands arrest Thursday came after he drove away from police trying to stop him in an allegedly stolen truck. Police said he then switched to another truck that he tried to abandon before he was captured. Holland threw various items at officers in an attempt to flee, but he was taken into custody, police said in a statement. Officers searching the second truck discovered the dismembered human remains in ice chests, homicide Lt. Ray Spencer told KLAS-TV. I mean, you can imagine the horror when you open up an ice chest and you find a human head inside, Spencer said. By Ken Ritter Ichi Ban rounds a marker at the start of the 76th annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht race in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 26, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) Protest Gives Ichi Ban Overall Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race Win Ichi Ban has become the first yacht to win back-to-back Sydney to Hobart handicap honours in more than 50 years after rival Celestial copped a devastating time penalty. Celestial was penalised 40 minutes for breaching race rules after protests lodged by Ichi Ban and the race committee were upheld in the early hours of Friday. Celestial, which was ahead of Ichi Ban in overall standings after the pair arrived in Hobart mere minutes apart, has been relegated to second. Celestial skipper and owner Sam Haynes said while he respected the international jurys decision it was a very, very difficult penalty to swallow. As far as Im concerned, the decision stands. Theres nothing I can do about that, he told reporters. Its a devastating moment. Ive been trying to win this race for 10 years. Both protests related to a race rule that requires competitors to keep constant radio contact. On Monday night, the race committee was notified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a crew member aboard Celestial had activated a personal locator beacon (PLB). The committee was unable to contact Celestial and called on Ichi Ban, which was sailing nearby, to contact the yacht by VHF radio. Ichi Ban made contact about 90 minutes after the initial AMSA notification after releasing a flare which caught Celestials attention. It was confirmed the PLB had been activated accidentally and AMSA was told to stand down search and rescue aircraft. The jury found Celestial did not hear any attempts to contact her on VHF during the incident. It ruled Ichi Ban did not alter its course as a result of the incident but did prepare and deploy two flares which temporarily affected her performance. The race committee noted 12 other PLBs were accidentally activated during the race and in each case the boat responded within 25 minutes. Haynes said his crew didnt know it was unable to hear the radio and always raced with a safety first approach. The problems with communication in this race were not just isolated to Celestial, he said. Ive been sailing bluewater racing now for a long time. It happens continuously. We thought at the line we had time and we did. We raced the race of our lives. To have won it fair and square would have been something we would have deserved and now we cant do that. Haynes said he thanked Ichi Ban for setting off the flare and alerting them to the problem. I thought it was a gesture of good sportsmanship, and it was. But I didnt realise we were going to be (a) protested by them or (b) be protested by the racing committee, he said. Its not actually good for the sport to have these technicalities. Things that people are really going to find hard to understand. This is the most important race in Australia, potentially one of the most important races in the world and this is the way its gone. Ichi Ban arrived in Hobart with its protest flag raised but skipper Matt Allen didnt initially indicate whether one would be lodged. Freya was the last yacht to claim back-to-back handicap honours as part of its 1963-65 three-peat. In 2017, a successful protest over a near collision resulted in supermaxi Wild Oats XI copping a one-hour penalty and losing line honours to LDV Comanche. Supermaxi Black Jack claimed line honours this year in the slowest time since 2004. Bottles of prescription painkiller OxyContin, 40mg pills, made by Purdue Pharma L.D. sit on a shelf at a local pharmacy, in Provo, Utah, on April 25, 2017. (George Frey/Reuters) Purdue Bankruptcy Judge Extends Temporary Litigation Shield for Sacklers A bankruptcy judge has extended temporary protections against opioid-related litigation for the Sackler family members who own Purdue Pharma until Feb. 1 after another judge overturned the OxyContin makers bankruptcy settlement this month. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain in White Plains, New York, extended the litigation shield on Wednesday, giving Purdue and the Sacklers time to discuss a path forward. The judge in September had approved Purdues reorganization plan and underlying settlement that aimed to resolve widespread litigation accusing the company and the Sacklers of fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic through deceptive marketing. The settlement included protections for the Sacklers against future opioid-related lawsuits in exchange for a $4.5 billion contribution to the plan, which would steer money toward opioid abatement efforts. The protections, known as non-debtor releases, prompted appeals from several states and the U.S. Department of Justices bankruptcy watchdog. U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon reversed Drains approval of the deal on Dec. 16, finding the bankruptcy court did not have authority to grant the releases. Purdue, which plans to appeal that decision, then asked Drain to extend temporary protections for the Sacklers that have been in place for two years. The current protections were set to expire on Thursday, meaning lawsuits on hold could have resumed absent an extension. Drain approved Purdues request over objections from two states that argued that negotiations would be more effective without the shield. He also warned that if the parties, including the Sacklers, did not negotiate in good faith over the next month on an amended deal, there would be consequences. A lawyer for the two states, Connecticut and Washington, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The reorganization plan obtained support from 95 percent of the companys creditors, which were largely plaintiffs suing Purdue and the Sacklers. Purdue filed for bankruptcy in September 2019 in the face of 3,000 lawsuits accusing the company and Sackler family members of contributing to a public health crisis that has claimed the lives of about 500,000 people since 1999. By Maria Chutchian Millions in Canadas Quebec Face Nightly Curfew Starting on New Years Eve The Quebec government is resurrecting the nightly curfew starting on Dec. 31. The curfew will begin at 10 p.m. and end 5 a.m. the next day, and remain in place for an indefinite period of time. Its an extreme action to take because the situation is extreme, said Premier Francois Legault at a press conference on Dec. 30. Legault added that once the public health situation is under control, the curfew will be the first health order the government will remove. The premier also said restaurants are required to close their dining rooms on Dec. 31, and only provide takeout services. The reinstated curfew, along with other public health restrictions, are due to rising COVID-19 cases and the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. On Dec. 30, Ontario reported a record-high 14,188 infections and a total of 939 hospitalizationsan increase of 135 compared with the previous day. Legault said the province is expected to report more than 16,000 cases on New Years Eve. He also said schools, junior colleges, and universities will halt in-person classes until at least Jan. 17. Indoor private gatherings are also banned starting Dec. 31. Places of worship will also have to close, except to hold funerals, with the number of attendances limited to 25 people. We have to act rapidly, the situation is evolving rapidly, Legault said. As deciders, we have the responsibility to act. We can wait for all sorts of studies and more details, but its better to act and adjust a little later. Quebec is the only province in Canada to have imposed a curfew during the pandemic. The province previously imposed a curfew effective on Jan. 9 in an attempt to halt the surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The restriction was left in place until May 28. Earlier on Dec. 30, the research institute that reports to the Quebec governmentInstitut national dexcellence en sante et en services sociauxreleased modelling that forecasts worse pandemic scenarios over the next three weeks, with significant growth in new hospitalizations and the consequent occupancy of regular and intensive care beds. The modelling estimates that COVID-19 hospitalizations could be between 1,600 and 2,100, while the number of patients who need intensive care could be between 300 and 375. The Canadian Press contributed to this article People hold up placards at a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with U.S. protestors in Melbourne on June 6, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) Redefining Merit Commentary Social engineering movements appear to have increased in number and intensity during 2021. It is useful, for intellectual and strategic purposes, to ascertain whether there is a common theme that links these movements and explains the growing anxiety about their impact on a persons expectation to be rewarded on the ground of his or her merit. An overriding theme that interconnects these movements concerns the reasons why some intelligent, diligent, imaginative, and entrepreneurial people fail to achieve promotion and may be overlooked in favour of applicants whose achievements are questionable or even non-existent. Ideally, people should be promoted on merit. The usual arguments in favour of this are that merit enhances efficiency, increases productivity, and contributes to overall fairness. Yet, putting forth such arguments nowadays can also be like waving a red flag in front of an aggressive bull in the matadors ring. Of course, merit is an undefined, ambiguous concept. There are various versions of it, which their proponents may ardently promote, but are mutually exclusive. For example, it could simply refer to a persons ability to perform a job. This version focuses on the essential requirements which must be met to complete allocated tasks. But an extended version of the concept allows an assessment of desirable characteristics, including a persons ability to make decisions, assume responsibility, generate wealth, resolve conflicts, and disclose entrepreneurial flair. Alternatively, it could be regarded as a concept that produces desirable social outcomes or results, for example, the representation of people in positions of influence and power in proportion to their numerical strength in society. Under this version, a persons suitability for a job would need a consideration of the characteristics over which an individual has limited or no control, including gender, race, family background, or education. Specifically, proponents of this second version argue that an applicant should be compensated for any perceived or actual disadvantages. Compensation often requires the discounting of another persons assumed privileges. People walk down 16th street after volunteers painted Black Lives Matter on the street near the White House in Washington on June 5, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) According to this argument, a white privileged male who may have attended an expensive private high school and studied at a sandstone university possessing greater benefits compared to an applicant who attended an understaffed and oversubscribed public school, and may have come from a broken family background, or even suffered the impact of bad life decisions. So, in assessing a persons qualifications not only should individual characteristics be considered, but also the social landscape, widely defined, which moulds the opportunities of people. On this line of argument, a disadvantaged person may be regarded as a victim of a discriminatory social environment, or unlucky circumstances, which effectively deprive them of social mobility and opportunity. Privileged people are often blamed for this lack of opportunity, especially if less-privileged people regard themselves as victims of endemic or institutionalised discrimination. This second version of merit explains, to a considerable extent, the traction of current social engineering movements. For example, it illuminates the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, critical race theory (CRT)now overwhelming in university curriculumsthe political correctness pandemic and its associated cancel culture movement, and the diversity and inclusiveness and affirmative action programs. By way of example, the BLM movementwhich exposes discrimination against black people and police brutalityand CRT are based on the proposition that white privilege is a result of systemic and endemic discrimination against black people on the grounds of their racea characteristic over which they have no control. These movements are neo-Marxists in nature because they often involve the substitution of class with race to attack assumed white privilege and to bring about an egalitarian dreamland. This second version of merit facilitates the inexorable march to utopian socialism where inequality-enhancing characteristics must be eliminated. Additionally, the pursuit of excellence, which involves the implementation of the first version of merit is suspended to embed utopian equality in a refashioned society. A vandal wraps chains around the neck of the statue of former President Andrew Jackson during an attempt by protestors to pull the statue down in the middle of Lafayette Park in front of the White House during racial inequality protests in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2020. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) In the end, the reform process denies that there are open-ended degrees of excellence. It is not unusual for governments to facilitate this reform process by developing intricate social welfare systems that try to eliminate the perceived advantages of the privileged class and provide compensation for the non-privileged class. While such a system may be necessary as a safety net for the disadvantaged, needy, incapacitated, or disabled, it becomes problematic if it deprives people of privileges obtained through good work ethic. Hence, the implementation of the second version of merit is a worrying development because the view that all opportunity is simply the consequence of undeserved privilege is neither compelling nor commendable. Nevertheless, this argument still persists and is promoted with alacrity. Liberal democracies now boast bureaucracies to ensure that the disadvantaged can compete with the privileged. They may do this by giving the disadvantaged a head start when they apply for promotion, thereby handicapping the privileged. These bureaucratic quangos, in assessing peoples qualifications may embrace a form of comparable worthmaking decisions on whose disadvantage deserves compensation. It activates a complex administrative system aimed at eradicating disadvantage and creating a level playing field, but it is easy to see how such a system can be manipulated to achieve desired outcomes compatible with the aspirations of the social engineering brigade. American economist Milton Friedman, in an iconic statement, once said, A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both. The veracity of this aphorism beautifully captures the dilemma that policy makers and trendsetters must consider when making decisions based on merit. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Japanese police are looking to put a Chinese national on Interpols wanted list. Hes suspected to have assisted the Chinese military in launching cyberattacks against 200 Japanese companies. A privacy nightmare has become reality in China, according to a new report. It describes how spy cameras and covert surveillance are getting more and more common, and how secretly collected images are often used for blackmail. The United States is urging Beijing to release detained Hong Kong journalists amid authorities latest round of suppression of press freedom in the city. A Chinese law enforcement agency is testing out a new kind of prosecutorone that runs on artificial intelligence. Officials say the machine can identify crimes and press charges against real people. One of Chinas most capable seaworthy ships has been spotted conducting unauthorized surveys in the waters surrounding an island nation near the Philippines. Analysis suggests the data China collected may be useful for undersea warfare. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. A new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile is launched by a submarine of the Russian navy from the Barents Sea in a video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Oct. 4, 2021, (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Russia Launches About a Dozen New Hypersonic Tsirkon Missiles From Warships: Report The Russian military test-fired about one dozen new Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles from warships last week, according to reports, citing the northern fleet. Interfax news agency reported on Friday that Moscow test-fired around 10 of the new hypersonic weapon systems from a frigate and two more from a submarine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded the weapon as part of a new generation of unrivaled arms systems. Last week, Putin said during a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Science and Education that it successfully test-fired the missiles on Dec. 24, but no immediate details were provided on the event. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a forum at the Presidential Executive Office in Moscow, on Nov. 30, 2021. (Mikhail Metzel/AFP via Getty Images) The Tsirkon hypersonic system was salvo-launched, the Russian leader said, news agency TASS reported. This is our advanced missile that can hit both seaborne and ground targets. The tests were successful and smooth, he added. This is a big event in the countrys life and a considerable step towards enhancing Russias security and its defense capability. Russias latest test of the advanced weapon system comes just months after it announced that it has successfully test-fired a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile from a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time. Low-quality video footage made public by the Russian Defense Ministry at the time showed a missile being launched upward from the submarine at nighttime. Tsirkon is capable of flying at more than five times the speed of sound and the missile has a range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). This is slower than an intercontinental ballistic missile, but the shape of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) allows it to maneuver toward a target or away from defenses. Some Western experts have questioned how advanced Russias new generation of weapons is while recognizing that the combination of speed, maneuverability, and altitude of hypersonic missiles makes them difficult to track and intercept. Putin announced an array of new hypersonic weapons in 2018 in one of his most bellicose speeches in years, saying they could hit almost any point in the world and evade a U.S.-built missile shield. Quite a few countries, including North Korea and China, are reportedly working on hypersonic weapons. North Korea has claimed success with hypersonic weapons. The North Korean missile supposedly possesses the guiding maneuverability and the gliding flight characteristics of an HGV. China has been working on an HGV designated DF-17, and it has been test-launched several times, boosted by a conventional missile. The DF-17 is reportedly capable of flying up to Mach 10 (7,400 mph), possibly nuclear-armed, and could be launched from an ICBM, giving it global coverage. Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News 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, on Dec. 20, 2021. (China Daily via Reuters) Samsung, Micron Warn Chinas Xian Lockdown Could Disrupt Memory Chip Manufacturing Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology, two of the worlds largest memory chip makers, warned that strict COVID-19 curbs in the Chinese city of Xian could disrupt their chip manufacturing bases in the area. The lockdown in the city puts further pressure on global supply chains and adds to a torturous year for exporters facing sharply higher freight costs even as prices for raw materials including semiconductors skyrocket amid the two-year long pandemic. The curbs could cause delays in the supply of DRAM memory chips, widely used in data centres, Micron said on Wednesday. The stringent restrictions, which went into effect earlier this month, may be increasingly difficult to mitigate and have resulted in thinner staffing levels at the manufacturing site, Micron added. Samsung Electronics also said on Wednesday that it would temporarily adjust operations at its Xian manufacturing facilities for NAND flash memory chips, used for data storage in data centres, smartphones and other tech gadgets. Seoul-based analysts said chips made in Samsungs Xian NAND plant mainly go to China with limited shipments heading overseas. Some of the biggest demand for the kind of chips made in the plant come from Chinese server companies, they added. TrendForce said on that smartphone and notebook computer makers may be directly impacted by any changes in operations at the Xian production base, but noted that Samsungs relatively high inventory level can supply buyers without any snags in the short run. Chinese officials have imposed tough curbs on travel within and leaving Xian from Dec. 23, in line with Beijings drive to immediately contain outbreaks as they appear. We are tapping our global supply chain, including our subcontractor partners, to help service our customers for these DRAM products, Micron said in a blog post. We project that these efforts will allow us to meet most of our customer demand, however there may be some near-term delays as we activate our network, the company said. Micron added that it was working to minimize the risk of virus transmission and had employed measures including physical distancing and on-site testing and was encouraging vaccination. Samsungs memory chip operation in Xian is one of the largest foreign projects in China. The tech giant has two production lines in Xian making advanced NAND Flash products, which account for 42.5 percent of its total NAND flash memory production capacity and 15.3 percent of the overall global output capacity, according to TrendForce. Samsung is expected to announce October-December earnings results in January. Timothy Butterfield at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, on Dec. 30, 2021. (Michelle Yang/The Epoch Times) BERKELEY, Calif.As a scientist, Timothy Butterfield couldnt help but notice some of the finer details of the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance. Shen Yun showcases 5,000 years of Chinese civilization on stage, and it was the stories of present-day China that really struck a chord with Mr. Butterfield. The scenes depicting the harsh treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China left a deep impression on him. I dont know much about Falun Gong. I just know that they are incredibly persecuted in China, he said. He found that although the persecution was depicted briefly, it was a valuable scene. Hopefully for a lot of people, it brought attention to the persecution that the practitioners are experiencing [in] China today, and for the last 23 years, he said. Mr. Butterfield found himself mesmerized by the choreography of the dances as well. The choreography is incredible. The thing that comes to my mind the most is the long sleeves, he said. The plum blossom, the execution is incredible. With his experience playing the clarinet, he was also drawn to the live orchestra of New York-based Shen Yun. I love symphonic music. Not to have a recording but to have them here, live, is very special, because it could just be a recording. Its very special that theyre live, Mr. Butterfield said. I would say its beautiful. I would say its beautiful to the ears. Timothy Butterfield All in all, the beauty of Shen Yun left a lasting impression on him. I would say its beautiful. I would say its beautiful to the ears. I would say that the colors and the costumes are beautiful. And the dancing, the footwork is beautiful, he said. A Privilege to See Shen Yun Michael and Bev Cleland were also in the audience at this matinee performance. They were particularly grateful that despite Shen Yun being banned in China, the company is still sharing its art with the rest of the world. It made me realize how free we really are, Mr. Cleland said. Michael and Bev Cleland at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Zellerbach Hall, on Dec. 30, 2021. (NTD Television) It was a storyline of being able to see this from 5,000 years all the way through, and to be able to see it here. Its sad that they dont see this in China. This is what really intrigued us, and thats the beauty of it all. Its just beautiful, Ms. Cleland said. It is just such a privilege to see this. Its so beautiful. So much talent, so much heart, she said. I was emotional, how beautiful everything was, seeing [how the performers] just appreciate their own culture and how they interpreted [it] through all the dance and the colors and the music, just everything about it. She said she couldnt wait to bring her granddaughter to see Shen Yun as well. Mr. Cleland purchased the tickets for his wife as a birthday gift this year. Reporting by NTD, Michelle Yang, and Maria Han. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. South Korea Charges 4 Nationals for Allegedly Leaking Cutting-Edge Technology to Chinese Company Four South Koreans were charged on Dec. 22 for allegedly leaking cutting-edge semiconductor technologies to a Chinese company. According to JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, an unnamed South Korean companycoined company A illegally obtained the sensitive technology from another South Korean companycompany Band then sold it on to a newly-established semiconductor company in China. The alleged illegal activity took place between August 2015 and January 2016 and occurred when company A poached an executive from company B to work on a semiconductor-related project. Upon leaving the job, the executive took sensitive technology from company B without authorization and brought it to company A which allegedly then sold the technology to a Chinese company. The stolen technology is a design drawing of Hot Zone, said to be cutting-edge equipment for manufacturing semiconductor chips that company B invested a large amount of time and capital in creating. Through the application of the alleged stolen technology, the newly-established Chinese semiconductor company was able to sail through technical barriers and reap large profits. The prosecutor said the Chinese company made an operating profit of approximately $50 million in 2019 and 2020. According to South Koreas National Intelligence Service, from 2016 to June this year, a total of 111 South Korean industrial technologies were leaked overseas, including 14 semiconductor technology items, 17 display technology items, and 27 electronic items such as storage battery technologies. South Korea is one of Beijings target countries for poaching technical talents. In the field of semiconductors, it has poached many skilled employees from Samsung and SK Hynix and in many cases offering more than three times their original salary. A day after the Hot Zone charges were made, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced detailed measures to protect the countrys key technologies from leaking overseas, reported broadcaster Arirang. The new measures include making mergers and acquisitions with South Korean tech firms more difficult for foreign companies and nationals. Most notably, there will be plans to prevent skilled talent from being poached by foreign countries and prevent unlicensed technology from being exported. It will also oversee job switches made by valuable personnel, putting these workers on a database and monitoring their departures from South Korea. In particular, individuals whose work is related to national defense will have to ask for approval from the government if they wish to work overseas. Various incentives will be offered to keep them working domestically. In addition, the government will provide small and medium-sized firms with more support as they are usually more vulnerable to technology leaks and can easily be out of business if their technologies get stolen. The government plans to provide financial support and insurances to help them fight over their technologies. South Koreas Former President Freed Under Government Pardon After Almost 5 Years in Jail Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was set free on Friday after serving four years and nine months in prison, following her corruption conviction being pardoned by the government last week. Park was the first female president of South Korea and the daughter of former President Park Chung-hee. Four years ago, she was impeached and arrested due to a political scandal involving trustees in politics. In the final verdict in early 2021, the court sentenced Park to 20 years in prison for political intervention and bribery, plus another two years for intervening in party referrals, totaling a 22-year sentence. At the same time, she received more than 20 billion won (about $17.7 million) in fines and recovery. President Moon Jae-in has granted Park, 69, a special pardon due to her health that has deteriorated significantly since she was imprisoned in March 2017. Moon also cited the need for national unity being part of the reason why Park was pardoned. I hope this would provide a chance to go beyond differences in thoughts and pros and cons, and open a new era of integration and unity, he remarked, imploring those who oppose the amnesty to understand the governments purpose. Park will receive government security protection but will retain none of her previous presidential privileges due to her conviction, Yonhap News reported. She was hospitalized last month for back, shoulder, and other ailments and will remain there until early February. Although it remains unclear where Park will stay after her discharge from the hospital, given that her private house in Seoul had been confiscated and auctioned off in August. Many of Parks supporters and politicians from the conservative main opposition People Power Party supported the governments decision to pardon her, with hundreds of her supporters celebrating her release outside the hospital, but some activists opposed the move. A total of 1,001 activists from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Peoples Solidarity for Participatory Democracy have reportedly called for the government to cancel the amnesty granted to Park in a press conference. President Moon Jae-ins unilateral pardon for ex-President Park, whom the people ousted through candlelit (rallies), constitutes a challenge to South Koreas democracy, KCTU chief Yang Kyung-soo said at the press conference, Yonhap News reported. Park is the fourth former president of South Korea to be imprisoned; the three before her were Roh Tae-woo, Chun Doo-hwan, and Lee Myung-bak. Two former presidents Roh Tae-woo and Quan Doo-hwan were pardoned by the then-president while serving their sentences, establishing a precedent. Lee Myung-bak is still serving his sentence of 17 years in prison. Lisa Bian and Reuters contributed to this report. Heavy traffic is seen at the base of a snowy Santiam Pass in Detroit, Ore., on Dec. 26, 2021.(Andrew Selsky/AP Photo) Southern Storms Damage Homes, Buildings, Power Lines WINFIELD, Ala.Homes and buildings were damaged and trees were blown down as a line of intense thunderstorms rolled across several Southern states, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In the west Alabama town of Winfield, Wednesdays storms damaged buildings in the downtown area, authorities said. Building walls collapsed and roofs were lying in roads, Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson told WBRC-TV. Downtown Winfield is a dangerous area, the Marion County Sheriffs Department said in a statement on social media. There are confirmed live power lines down. Police ordered people to stay out of the downtown area as officers and sheriffs deputies worked to assess the damage in the town, located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Birmingham. If you dont have to come down here, dont, Burleson told WBRC. There are lines down, glass in the road, nails. In northeastern Alabamas Etowah County, an emergency manager reported that a pole barn was destroyed and at least two homes damaged. The storms prompted tornado watches and warnings Wednesday for parts of several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, but it wasnt immediately known whether twisters caused the damage in Alabama. The threat of severe weather persisted Thursday, with several strong storms threatening parts of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina as the system moves east. More storms are expected in the region Friday and Saturday, the national Storm Prediction Center said. The Southern storms come as residents in the Pacific Northwest endured bitter cold and unseasonably frigid weather in the waning days of 2021. Emergency shelters were opened in Washington and Oregon as forecasters said the extreme cold from an arctic blast that blew in Sunday could last until the weekend. On Thursday, heavy snow halted travel on a large portion of the main east-west highway across Washington state and snarled traffic in the Seattle and Portland, Oregon, metro areas. Authorities closed about 80 miles (129 kilometers) of Interstate 90 over the Cascade Mountains due to near zero visibility and adverse road conditions. There was no immediate estimate as to when the interstate would reopen. Kulldorff and Bhattacharya Respond: The Collins and Fauci Attack on Traditional Public Health Commentary On Oct. 4, 2020, with professor Sunetra Gupta of Oxford University, we wrote the Great Barrington Declaration (GBD). Our purpose was to express our grave concerns over the inadequate protection of the vulnerable and the devastating harms of the lockdown pandemic policy adopted by much of the world; we proposed an alternative strategy of focused protection. The key scientific fact on which the GBD was baseda more than thousand-fold higher risk of death for the old compared to the youngmeant that better protection of the old would minimize COVID deaths. At the same time, opening schools and lifting lockdowns would reduce the collateral harm to the rest of the population. The declaration received enormous support, ultimately attracting signatures from more than 50,000 scientists and medical professionals and more than 800,000 members of the public. Our hope in writing was two-fold. First, we wanted to help the public understand thatcontrary to the prevailing narrativethere was no scientific consensus in favor of lockdown. In this, we succeeded. Second, we wanted to spur a discussion among public health scientists about how to better protect the vulnerable, both those living in nursing homes (where approximately 40 percent of all COVID deaths have occurred) and those living in the community. We provided specific proposals for focused protection in the GBD and supporting documents to spur the discussion. Though some in public health did engage civilly in productive discussions with us, in this aim we had limited success. Unbeknownst to us, our call for a more focused pandemic strategy posed a political problem for Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci. The former is a geneticist who, until Dec. 19, 2021, was the director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH); the latter is an immunologist who directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). They are the biggest funders of medical and infectious disease research worldwide. Collins and Fauci played critical roles in designing and advocating for the pandemic lockdown strategy adopted by the United States and many other countries. In emails written four days after the Great Barrington Declaration and disclosed recently after a FOIA request, it was revealed that the two conspired to undermine the declaration. Rather than engaging in scientific discourse, they authorized a quick and devastating published takedown of this proposal, which they characterized as by three fringe epidemiologists from Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford. Across the pond, they were joined by their close colleague, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, the head of the Wellcome Trust, one of the worlds largest nongovernmental funders of medical research. He worked with Dominic Cummings, the political strategist of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Together, they orchestrated an aggressive press campaign against those behind the Great Barrington Declaration and others opposed to blanket COVID-19 restrictions. Ignoring the call for focused protection of the vulnerable, Collins and Fauci purposely mischaracterized the GBD as a let-it-rip herd immunity strategy, even though focused protection is the very opposite of a let-it-rip strategy. Its more appropriate to call the lockdown strategy that has been followed a let-it-rip strategy. Without focused protection, every age group will eventually be exposed in equal proportion, albeit at a prolonged let-it-drip pace compared to a do-nothing strategy. When journalists started asking us why we wanted to let the virus rip, we were puzzled. Those words arent in the GBD, and they are contrary to the central idea of focused protection. Its unclear whether Collins and Fauci ever read the GBD, whether they deliberately mischaracterized it, or whether their understanding of epidemiology and public health is more limited than we had thought. In any case, it was a lie. We were also puzzled by the mischaracterization of the GBD as a herd immunity strategy. Herd immunity is a scientifically proven phenomenon, as fundamental in infectious disease epidemiology as gravity is in physics. Every COVID strategy leads to herd immunity, and the pandemic ends when a sufficient number of people have immunity through either COVID-recovery or a vaccine. It makes as much sense to claim that an epidemiologist is advocating for a herd immunity strategy as it does to claim that a pilot is advocating a gravity strategy when landing an airplane. The issue is how to land the plane safely, and whatever strategy the pilot uses, gravity ensures that the plane will eventually return to earth. The fundamental goal of the GBD is to get through this terrible pandemic with the least harm to the publics health. Health, of course, is broader than just COVID. Any reasonable evaluation of lockdowns should consider their collateral damage to patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other infectious diseases, as well as mental health and much else. Based on long-standing principles of public health, the GBD and focused protection of the high-risk population is a middle ground between devastating lockdowns and a do-nothing, let-it rip strategy. Collins and Fauci surprisingly claimed that focused protection of the old is impossible without a vaccine. Scientists have their own specialties, but not every scientist has deep expertise in public health. The natural approach would have been to engage with epidemiologists and public health scientists for whom this is their bread and butter. Had they done so, Collins and Fauci would have learned that public health is fundamentally about focused protection. Its impossible to shut down society completely. Lockdowns protected young low-risk affluent work-from-home professionals, such as administrators, scientists, professors, journalists, and lawyers, while older high-risk members of the working class were exposed and died in necessarily high numbers. This failure to understand that lockdowns couldnt protect the vulnerable led to the tragically high death counts from COVID. We dont know why Collins and Fauci decided to do a takedown rather than use their esteemed positions to build and promote vigorous scientific discussions on these critical issues, engaging scientists with different expertise and perspectives. Part of the answer may lie in another puzzletheir blindness to the devastating effects of lockdowns on other public health outcomes. Lockdown harms have affected everyone, with an extra-heavy burden on the chronically ill; on children, for whom schools were closed; on the working class, especially those in the densely populated inner cities; and on the global poor, with tens of millions suffering from malnutrition and starvation. For example, Fauci was a major advocate for school closures. These are now widely recognized as an enormous mistake that harmed children without affecting disease spread. In the coming years, we must work hard to reverse the damage caused by our misguided pandemic strategy. While tens of thousands of scientists and medical professionals signed the Great Barrington Declaration, why didnt more speak up in the media? Some did, some tried but failed, while others were very cautious about doing so. When we wrote the declaration, we knew that we were putting our professional careers at risk, as well as our ability to provide for our families. That was a conscious decision on our part, and we fully sympathize with those who instead decided to focus on maintaining their important research laboratories and activities. Scientists will naturally hesitate before putting themselves in a situation in which the NIH director, with an annual scientific research budget of $42.9 billion, wants to take them down. It may also be unwise to upset the director of NIAID, with an annual budget of $6.1 billion for infectious disease research, or the director of the Wellcome Trust, with an annual budget of $1.5 billion. Sitting atop powerful funding agencies, Collins, Fauci, and Farrar channel research dollars to nearly every infectious disease epidemiologist, immunologist, and virologist of note in the United States and UK. Collins, Fauci, and Farrar got the pandemic strategy they advocated for, and they own the results together with other lockdown proponents. The GBD was and is inconvenient for them because it stands as clear evidence that a better, less deadly alternative was available. We now have more than 800,000 COVID deaths in the United States, plus the collateral damage. Sweden and other Scandinavian countriesless focused on lockdowns and more focused on protecting the oldhave had fewer COVID deaths per population than the United States, the UK, and most other European countries. Florida, which avoided much of the collateral lockdown harms, currently ranks 22nd best in the United States in age-adjusted COVID mortality. In academic medicine, landing an NIH grant makes or breaks careers, so scientists have a strong incentive to stay on the right side of NIH and NIAID priorities. If we want scientists to speak freely in the future, we should avoid having the same people in charge of public health policy and medical research funding. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Martin Kulldorff Follow Martin Kulldorff was, until recently, a professor at Harvard Medical School. He is now a senior scholar at the Brownstone Institute and a fellow at the newly formed Academy for Science and Freedom. Benjamin Bonneville was born in France, the godson of none other than Thomas Paine, who called the boy Bebia. Paine had lived with the Bonnevilles in France during much of the 1790s, so when that family fell under the persecution of a rising Napoleon, Paine invited them to live with him in the United States. This famous revolutionary thus paid for young Bonnevilles passage to America when the boy was only 7. Upon Paines death, he left most of his New York estate to the boys mother, Marguerite, who had served as Paines nurse during his final years. In this way, Bonneville grew up as an American. Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville, ca.1861. (PD-US) During the War of 1812, a teenaged Bonneville attended West Point, then spent time on assignment at, among other places, Fort Smith, in Arkansas Territory. He got his first taste of the frontier there, followed by appointments across the Mississippi in Indian Territory (modern Oklahoma) and Missouri. In Oklahoma, Bonneville spent evenings at the home of a fellow Frenchman, fur trader Auguste Chouteau, who, along with other traders and trappers, regaled Bonneville with stories of life in the mountains of the Far West. In Missouri, while stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Bonneville came across the writings of New England schoolteacher Hall Kelley, whose articles advocated the settlement of Oregon country, and included maps and guides to accomplish this goal. Bonneville, already nursing ambitions to make his stamp on the West, was intrigued. He was possessed, wrote his famous biographer, Washington Irving, a few years later, of a susceptibility to the grand and beautiful. Captain Bonneville met personally with Kelley, who was at that moment organizing several expeditions to Oregon. Although Bonneville was still in the Army, Kelley asked him to lead an expedition, and he agreed. However, Bonneville was one of only a few who did agree, and eventually plans for this first expedition were shelved. Bonneville needed more men, and also permission from the military for a leave of absence. His plans with Kelley having failed, the determined Bonneville now approached the Armys top general, Alexander Macomb, arguing that he should be granted leave in order to carry out an important exploration in the Westexploration that would produce invaluable intelligence on Oregon country (much of which was at that time contested by Britain). The eager captain must have won over the commanding general, who granted his request, with the understanding that Bonneville would treat his task as an intelligence-gathering mission. He was to pose as a fur trader, all the while amassing information on Oregons native peoples, geography, climate, soils, minerals, and anything else potentially useful. Several powerful American fur interests also came forward to bankroll the venture. Out West In 1832, Bonneville left western Missouri with 20 wagons and over 100 men, including mountain man and Santa Fe Trail veteran Joseph Walker. This large group made its way along the Missouri and Platte Rivers, the latter leading them into what we now call Wyoming. All the while, Bonneville marked their trail and the landscapes features on his map, took regular temperature readings, and noted mineral deposits and other observations. Leaving the Platte River Trail, Bonneville and company made their way west through country inhabited (and contested) by Shoshone, Crow, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and other native nations and bands. Conestoga wagon on Oregon Trail. (Public Domain) Along the way, Bonneville ordered the wagons to form a defensive square in the evenings, a practice mimicked for safety by later wagon trains. By mid-July, the party could finally see the Rocky Mountains, and in August they reached the Green River. There, they established Fort Bonneville, a fortified winter camp, although there were ambitions that it might double as a fur trading post. But they rather quickly abandoned the fort as a result of its high altitudesure during the winter to invite unremitting snowfall. Undeterred, Bonneville moved on. By September he had founded a new fort along the Salmon River in modern-day Idaho, where the group hunkered down in the cold to await spring. As temperatures finally began to rise again early the next year, Bonneville made a momentous decisionto this day scholars arent certain of its origins. He ordered Walker to travel in the direction opposite Oregon countryheading south, toward the Great Salt Lakehoping for good fur trapping, but also with the goal of identifying a route to California. Walker and his party trudged across some of the bleakest terrain in North Americathe salt flats west of the Great Salt Lakebefore stumbling upon the Humboldt River. This route led them across what we now call Nevada, where they continued on to the base of the imposing Sierra Nevada. Oregon Trail map, 1907. (Public Domain) Ascending those steep peaks, Walker and his men wandered through the high country, seeking a passable way down the western side. Just as some were losing hope, they came upon a river, the Stanislaus, which they followed down the western slopes into the long, flat Central Valley of California. Later, Walker returned east by heeding the advice of native peoples in the region. His route through the Sierra, now called Walker Pass, constituted a main artery into California for decades. But Walker had failed to bring home a sizable fur haul, and Bonneville apparently considered the expedition a failure. Bonneville helped blaze what would later become the Oregon Trail, but neither he nor Walker could have known that they had carved out a path destined to be followed by tens of thousands of gold-seeking prospectors, settlers, and other pioneers. That influx, in turn, would give quick birth to the state of California, with political repercussions echoing right up to the bloody Civil War. This article was originally published in American Essence magazine. A logo of Santander is seen on a branch in the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain, on Jan. 27, 2016. (Marcelo del Pozo/Reuters) UK Bank Santander Accidentally Deposits $175 Million to More Than 70,000 Accounts Over Christmas UK bank Santander granted tens of thousands of people across the United Kingdom a very merry Christmas this year when they accidentally deposited 130 million ($175 million) into 75,000 accounts on Dec. 25. The bank, which is headquartered in London, mistakenly sent payments from 2,000 business accounts twice to the more than 70,000 account holders and companies who were in receipt of normal one-off or regular payments. In a statement to The Times on Thursday, the bank apologized to customers for the blunder, which it blamed on a scheduling issue. Were sorry that due to a technical issue, some payments from our corporate clients were incorrectly duplicated on the recipients accounts, a spokesperson said. None of our clients were at any point left out of pocket as a result and we will be working hard with many banks across the UK to recover the duplicated transactions over the coming days. The bank, which is owned by Spanish bank Banco Santander, said the incident occurred due to a scheduling issue, which was quickly identified and rectified. The duplicated payments were the result of a scheduling issue, which we quickly identified and rectified. The recipients and purpose of payment will have varied among clients but could have included wages or supplier payments, the spokesperson said. Santanders blunder meant that some people were effectively paid twice from their employers account, however, the second payment was reportedly funded by Santander. According to its website, the bank has 14 million active customers, 5.8 million digital customers, and 616 branches. Those with accounts at Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Co-operative Bank, and Virgin Money are among those affected, as per The Times. Said banks are now reportedly being asked to retrieve the money on behalf of Santander which may not be an easy task, given that some customers likely would have already spent the accidental payment. A Santander spokesperson told the BBC those banks affected by the incident would look to recover the money from their customers accounts. Santander also suggested that it may contact people directly in an effort to retrieve the money, as per the BBC. The Epoch Times has contacted Santander for comment. Sara Williams of the Debt Camel blog told The Guardian that she fears the mistake may lead to an increase in criminal activity from individuals attempting to scam those affected by the blunder into returning the second accidental payment. Santander really should publish some details about this, so people know what will happen, she said. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from Santander, I suggest you speak to your banks fraud reporting. They may be able to advise whether the contact you have had is genuine. UKs Johnson Hails Incomparably Better New Years Eve Than Last Year UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK is in an incomparably better position than this time last year due to the British publics heroic response to the mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In a New Year video message posted on Twitter, Johnson said: Whatever the challenges that fate continues to throw in our way and whatever the anxieties we may have about the weeks and months ahead, particularly about Omicron and the growing numbers in hospitals, we can say one thing with certainty: our position this Dec. 31 is incomparably better than last year. He said the UK has been able to maintain the most open economy and society of any major European economy because the British people have responded heroically, voluntarily, and in almost incredible numbers to the call to get vaccinated. Johnson said his government has met the target and has doubled the speed of the booster roll-out, and its precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all. The Conservative UK government, which is in charge of public health in England, decided against adopting further CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions before the New Year. But the Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan cancelled the traditional fireworks display beside the River Thames and a live event in Trafalgar Square, citing the surge of the new Omicron variant. The Scottish National Party administration in Scotland and the Labour government in Wales have adopted more stringent measures, closing nightclubs and imposing limits on events, resulting in the cancellation of New Years Eve celebrations. In reaction to reports that partygoers will cross the borders from Scotland and Wales to celebrate the New Year in England, UK work and pensions minister Chloe Smith said on Thursday that people are more than free to move around the UK. Dr. Claire Steves, a Kings College London scientist who works for the ZOE COVID Study, said on Dec. 30 that while the number of daily new symptomatic cases was more than double what it was this time last year, exponential growth appeared to have stopped. Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London and the lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, said last week that the symptoms of the Omicron variant feel much more like the common cold. Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said on Dec. 28 that COVID-19 will become just another cause of the common cold. PA contributed to this report. A copy of an IRS 1040 tax form is seen at an H&R Block office in Miami, Fla., on Dec. 22, 2017. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Understanding the Constitution: Taxes and the 16th Amendment Commentary The Constitution granted Congress power to impose personal income taxes before ratification of the 16th Amendment, but the 16th Amendment facilitated the power. This essay explains the amendments background and effect. This essay also corrects several longstanding myths about the Constitution and taxation. These myths have real world effects: For example, they led to the Supreme Courts erroneous 2012 decision upholding the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) (pdf). Direct and Indirect Taxes The Constitution divided taxes into two categories: indirect and direct. Indirect taxes were those imposed on consumption (sales taxes and other excises), on crossing political boundaries (tariffs and tonnage), and on certain specific activities, such as the execution of legal documents (e.g., stamp taxes). Direct taxes were levies on the following: Individuals, both slave and free. Impositions on persons were called capitations, head taxes, or poll taxes. Sometimes they imposed a fixed amount on every person, but often the sum depended on factors such as gender, age, status (free or slave), and ability to pay. Real estate, including the number of windows in a housethen a sign of luxury. Personal property, including livestock and household effects. Wealth in general. Proceeds from professions and occupations (often called faculties). Income of all kinds, including rent, salaries, dividends, and investment returns (pdf). Congresss Authority to Impose Direct and Indirect Taxes The Constitution gave Congress very wide authority to tax. However, there were a few restrictions: All levies had to be for general Welfare purposes rather than for sectional or special interest purposes. Taxes could be imposed only to fund the powers the Constitution gave the federal government. (The modern Supreme Court no longer enforces those two rules.) Further, the Constitution forbade taxes on exports and required that indirect taxes be uniform at all ports of the United States. The Constitution also mandated that direct taxes be allocated among the states by population. This is called the apportionment rule. If the U.S. Census shows that Colorado has five times the population of Montana, then the apportionment rule requires that Coloradans collectively pay five times the direct taxes Montanans pay. This is true regardless of the respective wealth of the two states. The Constitutions framers designed the apportionment rule to ensure that each states financial burden reflected its representation in the House of Representatives. They also sought to prevent congressional majorities from some states from looting other states. The apportionment rule requires Congress to issue different rate schedules for taxpayers in each state. As we shall see, the 16th Amendment modified this. The Constitutions framers expected the federal government to live off indirect taxes, except in wartime. But they didnt write that into the document. Tax Myths and Their Effects Now lets mention some common myths about the Constitution and taxes. The first myth is that capitations or head taxes necessarily are imposed on everyone equally. As noted above, 18th century legislatures often adjusted them by ability to pay and by other factors. Another myth is that when the Constitution was written, the distinction between direct and indirect levies wasnt clear. Still another is that direct taxes encompassed only head taxes and property levies. Some of these misconceptions were fostered by a poorly researched 1796 Supreme Court case. Moreover, during the 19th century, Americans lost sight of the 18th century Anglo-American meanings of many constitutional words and phrases. Ive labeled this 19th century development the Great Forgetting. You can see effects of the Great Forgetting in Congresss Civil War revenue laws (18611872). The laws properly apportioned real estate tax rates among states, but failed to apportion the income tax (pdf). Congress had collectively forgotten that income taxes were direct. In 1894, Congress adopted another income levy, also failing to apportion it. In 1937, the Supreme Court showed similar confusion about the Constitutions terms for financial exactions (pdf). The court classified the Social Security tax on employers as an excise and therefore indirect. By the Constitutions usage, an excise is an imposition on the consumption of domestic commodities, not on the employment of labor. The employers Social Security levy looks more like what the Founders would have called a faculties tax, which is direct. A Tax Myth Saves Obamacare Tax myths are still propagated by people who havent read 18th century tax laws. Recently, myths helped Obamacare survive constitutional challenge. In 2012, a 54 majority of the Supreme Court ruled that a penalty for not purchasing health insurance was a tax (pdf). But Congress hadnt apportioned it among the states. So the question then arose as to whether the tax was indirect or direct. The truth was that if the penalty really was a tax (which it wasnt), then it was certainly direct. But this part of the case hadnt been well briefed. So without much to go on, Chief Justice Roberts assumed the distinction between direct and indirect levies was unclear. He also assumed that the only direct taxes are capitations and levies on property and its proceeds. Hence, he ruled that the penalty was an indirect levy and therefore valid without apportionment (pdf). So Obamacare survived and all Americans are paying for the courts mistake. Passage of the 16th Amendment In the 1895 case of Pollock v. Farmers Loan and Trust Co. (pdf), the Supreme Court struck down the income tax Congress had passed the year before. The court ruled that the measure was unconstitutional because it wasnt apportioned among the states. Although this conclusion was correct, the courts reasoning showed the effects of the Great Forgetting: The justices said Congresss imposition was direct because it taxed rents and other property income. The truth is that all income taxes are direct, irrespective of the source of the taxed income. Congress could have passed another income levy, apportioning it among the states, just as it had apportioned federal real estate taxes. But it didnt do so. In 1909, however, Congress proposed the 16th Amendment, which the states finished ratifying in 1913. It reads as follows: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. The legal effect of this amendment was: It confirmed the already-existing power of Congress to impose income taxes, even on real estate income. It kept the apportionment rule as to all direct levies except for the income tax. It abolished the apportionment rule for income taxes only. Did the 16th Amendment Cause the Growth of the Federal Government? Some people blame the 16th Amendment for the 20th century explosion in the size of the federal government. Usually, those people are under the impression that the amendment granted Congress power to tax incomes for the first time. They rarely understand that Congress had that power previously. There are at least two reasons for believing the 16th Amendment wasnt the principal cause of federal growth. First, as I pointed out in a recent essay on the 17th Amendment, Washington, D.C.s peacetime expansion didnt begin until the Great Depression of the 1930s, two decades after the 16th and 17th Amendments were ratified. Second, if the 16th Amendment hadnt been passed, the same liberal majorities that vastly increased federal spending during the Great Depression could have funded that spending with apportioned income tax laws. Remember that during the Civil War, Congress had adopted apportioned real estate levies. That said, it remains true that the 16th Amendment made it easier for Congress to enact income taxes. Some advocates for a convention of states for proposing amendments believe its time to repeal the 16th Amendment or even to abolish entirely Congresss power to impose taxes on personal income. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. US Navy Fires Ships Top Two Officers Over Loss of Confidence The Navy fired the commander and the second in charge of the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery, the service confirmed. Cmdr. Richard J. Zamberlan, the ships commander, and Cmdr. Phillip Lundberg, the ships executive officer, were relieved by Navy Surface Division 11 Capt. Marc Crawford, according to the Navy in a statement released Thursday. Crawford relieved Zamberlan and Lundberg on Dec. 30 due to a loss of confidence in their ability to command. He did not elaborate. Cmdr. Dustin Lonero, of the USS Coronado, was assigned as commanding officer until a permanent solution is found, the Navy said. Zamberlan and Lundberg, meanwhile, will be reassigned to the Naval Surface Force in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said the Navy statement. While the Navy did not elaborate on why the pair were fired, an unnamed Naval official told the San Diego Union-Tribune that it was due to a mishandled sexual harassment complaint. The Epoch Times has contacted the Navy for comment. Naval Surface Force spokesperson Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman told the newspaper that the Navy opened an investigation into the incident. She did not comment further. It would be inappropriate to comment on the investigation at this time, Schwegman said. But yes, there is an investigation into the matter. Zamberlan previously commanded the LCS USS Omaha and USS Kansas City before he was transferred to the USS Tulsa. He was also the executive officer of the command ship USS Blue Ridge. And Lundberg had previously served at Task Force 56 in U.S. 5th Fleet, according to the USNI, as a department chief on the USS Shoup. Several weeks ago, the Navy confirmed it fired Cmdr. Lucian Kins, the executive officer of USS Winston S. Churchill, for failing to abide by lawful order, officials said at the time. On December 10, 2021, Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14, Capt. Ken Anderson, relieved Cmdr. Lucian Kins as executive officer of USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) due to loss of confidence in Kins ability to perform his duties, Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fischer said. A Navy official told USNI at the time Kins was relieved of his duties for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine and refusing to be tested for the disease. And in April 2021, Rear Adm. Trent DeMoss, head of Commander Fleet Readiness Centers, was removed from his position amid a preliminary review of a sexual harassment complaint. The Navy Inspector General is investigating this matter, and we will not comment on an ongoing investigation, Navy spokesman Rear Adm. Charlie Brown said in a statement at the time. Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. (New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/Handout via Reuters) US Prosecutors Drop Criminal Case Against Jeffrey Epsteins Jail Guards U.S. prosecutors have dropped their criminal case against two jail guards who were at the Manhattan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York on the night that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein purportedly killed himself. In a legal notice (pdf), prosecutors informed the judge they wish to abandon criminal proceedings against Manhattan jail guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, who were accused of slacking on the job when they were meant to check in on Epstein around the time he died. Epstein, who has connections with many powerful and wealthy people, was found dead in his jail cell at the MCC on Aug. 10, 2019, while he was being held on charges that he operated a sex trafficking ring. New York Citys medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Michael Thomas and Tova Noel appear on charges they falsely certified to having conducted inmate counts during Jeffrey Epsteins final hours at the Federal Court in New York City, N.Y., on Nov. 25, 2019. (Jane Rosenberg/courtroom sketch/Reuters) The two guards were indicted in November 2019 on charges of conspiracy and falsifying records. They later both admitted to having willfully and knowingly falsified records to make it seem they were checking in on Epstein every 30 minutes on the night of Aug. 9, 2019, and on early Aug. 10, 2019. Prosecution against both Noel and Thomas had been deferred for six months. During the deferral period that ended Nov. 20, they complied with the terms of the agreement, which required each to perform 100 hours of community service and cooperate with a federal investigation arising from Epsteins death. Thomass lawyer, Montell Figgins, said his client was happy with the dismissal and looked forward to putting the matter behind him, while Noels lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment, reported Reuters. Ghislaine Maxwell is seen in New York City on Sept. 20, 2013. (Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images) Prosecutors signed the legal document to drop the case against Noel and Thomas on Dec. 13, in the middle of a trial against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins longtime associate. They filed the document on Dec. 30, a day after Maxwell was found guilty on five sex-trafficking charges, including that she had helped recruit and groom children for Epstein to sexually abuse for at least a decade. Maxwell is expected to appeal her conviction. The case is U.S. v. Noel et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 19-cr-00830. Reuters contributed to this report. Wearied by COVID, Georgia Residents Just Want a Normal 2022 BLUE RIDGE, Ga.On a gray yet sunbeam-pierced afternoon in Blue Ridge, Georgia, many Americans said they feel weary of COVID-19 concerns. For many visitors and residents of the small tourist town, 2021 was a year spent overshadowed. Their individual hopes and dreams for next year hid behind COVID-19 worries like faces behind masks. With COVID and all thats going on in the world and sickness, its just changed the way were doing things, said Dana Hayden, a Cumming, Georgia resident visiting the town. This year has been much quieter than previous years. From Haydens description, 2021 was a year defined by what didnt happen. Her family couldnt visit relatives in Canada. They did less at home too. From 2021, she said she learned: To enjoy what we have and who were with, and that you never know whats going to happen. Haydens words sound more appropriate to surviving a tragic accident than to the end of the year. I would like things to get back to normal, she said. Others interviewed agreed. They wanted little more from next year than getting normal back. Despite these concerns, life in Blue Ridge looked normal already. Small, unmasked crowds walked the sidewalk. Conversation buzzed, occasionally interrupted by the high voices of children. Matt Williams from Decatur, Alabama said that although 2021 was far more normal than 2020, things still felt a long way from how they should be. In 2022, he wanted more opportunities for his family to go out and do things. I want less COVID, of course, but also just more for my family, he said. The ability to go and do more things, to open back up, to continue on the path that weve been continuing. Williams said people are getting back to normal at his church and in his community, but that on the national level, 2021 seems to have been a year of decline. Overall, as a nation, I see a decline in a lot of things, he said. Just based on the current administration and things like that. Current things that are you know, the economys not as good as it was. There are several things that Im just not happy with. Lisa Wheeler visits Blue Ridge, Georgia on Dec. 29, 2021. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Of the seven people interviewed by The Epoch Times on Blue Ridges streets, all mentioned COVID-19s impact on the past year. They remembered a year full of COVID-19 fears, COVID-19 restrictions, and things left undone. All the interviewees seemed tired of these burdens. For them, 2021 grew closer to normal, but never quite got there. In this stifling atmosphere, many of them agreed that family was important. Be in each day as if its your last. We never know, with so much going on in the world today, said Lisa Wheeler from Forsyth, Georgia. Just focusing on family. Caleb Rogers, an aspiring pastor from Chipley, Florida, said that he was surprised by how many Christians he ministered to worried through 2021. The Bible offers peace, so you would think that they would claim that thats their inheritance, Rogers said. But you find out at many times, everybodys worried about the same stuff that everybody else is worried about. And it never made sense to me. Caleb Rogers visits Blue Ridge, Georgia on Dec. 29, 2021. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Emma Collins from Blairsville, Georgia said that the level of fear in her community hasnt been good for mental health. Some people she knew died of COVID-19, and social isolation has hurt others. As she spoke, Collins had a distant look in her eye. At one point, she shed a tear. In her work as a college financial aid counselor, Collins said she has seen fewer people apply to college in the past year. Normally, college applications change with the economy, but this year, things have been different, she said. Despite 2021s difficulties, Collins advised people to be kind to others. If you have the opportunity to help somebody, do it, Collins said. Smile at somebody. Give your server a good tip. Little things really mean a lot to some people. Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City, on Dec. 29, 2021. (Jane Rosenberg TPX Images of the day/Reuters) What Happens After Ghislaine Maxwells Guilty Verdict? NEW YORKBritish socialite Ghislaine Maxwell on Wednesday was convicted of recruiting and grooming teenage girls for sexual encounters with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Below is an explanation of what comes next for Maxwell, the 60-year-old daughter of late British media baron Robert Maxwell: When Will Maxwell Be Sentenced? Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison for the five charges she was convicted of. She was found guilty of sex trafficking, the most serious charge she faced with a maximum prison term of 40 years. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan did not say when Maxwell would be sentenced. Maxwell separately faces two perjury counts that will be tried at a later date. Will Maxwell Appeal? Maxwells lawyer Bobbi Sternheim told reporters the defense was disappointed with the verdict and will appeal. We have already started working on the appeal, and we are confident that she will be vindicated, Sternheim said outside of the courthouse. While the judge dealt several blows to the defense ruling, for example, that their witnesses could not testify anonymously as some of Maxwells accusers did legal experts said Maxwell would struggle to clear the high legal bar needed to overturn a guilty verdict. To succeed, her lawyers would have to show that the judge violated federal rules of evidence or abused her discretion, and that the error impacted the verdict. What Charges Does She Still Face? The two perjury counts relate to allegations that Maxwell lied under oath about her role in Epsteins abuse during a deposition for a separate civil suit in 2016. Nathan in April granted Maxwells request to sever the two charges from the rest of the counts. The two perjury counts each carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. Where Will Maxwell Go Now? Maxwell will return to Brooklyns notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, where she has been held in isolation since July 2020. Maxwell has said she has been served moldy food at the jail and that the smell of raw sewage has permeated her cell. By Luc Cohen SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center 2021 in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Nov. 10, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Whats Up? The Cosmic Space Missions Expected in 2022 2021 turned out to be a big newsy year in space, no doubt about it, but 2022 is going to continue that momentum and maybe even amp it up a little bit, says APs Cape Cansveral correspondent Marcia Dunn. Theres lots going on with more people on the verge of launching into space, both for NASA and regular people on tourist flights out of here, and elsewhere. And the asteroids, Mars, a mission to Jupiter, potentially. Theres a lot to look forward to in 2022. Last month, NASA delayed putting astronauts back on the moon until 2025 at the earliest. But the U.S. space agency is still targeting the first part of 2022 for the first test flight of its moon rocket, the Space Launch System, or SLS, with an Orion capsule. No one will be on board. Thats the future. Thats what NASA hopes to launch for the first time in 2022. The SLS rocket with an Orion capsule, empty on top, no people, but its going to pave the way for crews to return to the Moon, says Dunn. That wont be the only lunar-bound spacecraft in 2022. Several countries are planning to send rovers and landers to the moon, including the Japan and the UAE. NASAs rover landing on Mars, on Febr. 18, 2021, in a still from a video. (NASA/JPL-CALTECH/AP via The Epoch Times) NASA, of course, with its partners, are hoping to send astronauts back to the moon, perhaps as early as 2025, 2026, says Dunn. But there are going to be the precursors, these robots, to sort of check the place out, to see, to learn more about whats in store for the astronauts who will be living there, hopefully one day. 2021 saw two rovers land on the red planetNASAs car-size Perseverance and Chinas Zhurong. But there was meant to be a thirdin March 2020, the European Space Agency and Russias Roscosmos said they were postponing a planned joint mission to Mars until 2022. The missions goal is to put a rover on the red planet to help determine whether there has ever been life on Mars. Scientists hope the rover, packed with high-tech instruments and named after British chemist Rosalind Franklin, will be able to dig for biological signatures of life below the martian surface and provide further insights into the planets history of water. Its set to launch in September 2022. Everythings looking good for the Russian launch of the European Mars mission. Theyre going to attempt to put a rover on Mars, says Dunn. Now, Europe and Russia have tried before to land successfully, a spacecraft on Mars, hasnt happened yet, and all fingers are crossed for the 2022 mission. 2021 might be remembered as the year space tourism truly blastoff. There were launches by the likes of Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, and SpaceX launched four amateurs on a private Earth-circling trip. The Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane, with SpaceShipTwo passenger craft takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2019. (Gene Blevins/File Photo/Reuters) Dunn says SpaceX founder Elon Musk is unlikely to be following Bezos and Branson into space, hes concentrating on the companys futuristic, bullet-shaped Starship. A test flight is planned for early 2022. Hes more concerned about making sure that humans become multi-planetary. And to do that, thats why hes working on his Starship out of Texas, says Dunn. While he says hed like to launch, its not about him, its not going to be happening anytime soon. So, no more billionaires launching themselves to space on their own rockets in 2022, at least from what we know today. Japanese fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa and his producer recently visited the International Space Station, the first visit by self-paying space tourists to the orbiting outpost in more than a decade. Dunn says the promise of 2022 is to put more regular people into space. So far, its just been rich people or highly-trained astronauts, and I think 2022 is really going to open up the frontier to a lot more regular people, the customers of all these space companies, she says. The following is an excerpt from Our Deportment, a code of manners, conduct, and dress of refined society by John H. Young A.M., published in 1881. We offer it in hopes of promoting gentlemanly conduct among menyoung and olderin todays sometimes unbalanced and undisciplined world. Our Manners. A rude person, though well meaning, is avoided by all. Manners, in fact, are minor morals; and a rude person is often assumed to be a bad person. The manner in which a person says or does a thing, furnishes a better index of his character than what he does or says, for it is by the incidental expression given to his thoughts and feelings, by his looks, tones and gestures, rather than by his words and deeds, that we prefer to judge him, for the reason that the former are involuntary. The manner in which a favor is granted or a kindness done, often affects us more than the deed itself. The deed may have been prompted by vanity, pride, or some selfish motive or interest; the warmth or coldness with which the person who has done it speaks to you, or grasps your hand, is less likely to deceive. The manner of doing any thing, it has been truly said, is that which stamps its life and character on any action. A favor may be performed so grudgingly as to prevent any feeling of obligation, or it may be refused so courteously as to awaken more kindly feelings than if it had been ungraciously granted. THE TRUE GENTLEMAN. Politeness is benevolence in small things. A true gentleman must regard the rights and feelings of others, even in matters the most trivial. He respects the individuality of others, just as he wishes others to respect his own. In society he is quiet, easy, unobtrusive, putting on no airs, nor hinting by word or manner that he deems himself better, or wiser, or richer than any one about him. He never boasts of his achievements, or fishes for compliments by affecting to underrate what he has done. He is distinguished, above all things, by his deep insight and sympathy, his quick perception of, and prompt attention to, those small and apparently insignificant things that may cause pleasure or pain to others. In giving his opinions he does not dogmatize; he listens patiently and respectfully to other men, and, if compelled to dissent from their opinions, acknowledges his fallibility and asserts his own views in such a manner as to command the respect of all who hear him. Frankness and cordiality mark all his intercourse with his fellows, and, however high his station, the humblest man feels instantly at ease in his presence. THE TRUE LADY. Calvert says: Ladyhood is an emanation from the heart subtilized by culture; giving as two requisites for the highest breeding, transmitted qualities and the culture of good training. He continues: Of the higher type of ladyhood may always be said what Steele said of Lady Elizabeth Hastings, that unaffected freedom and conscious innocence gave her the attendance of the graces in all her actions. At its highest, ladyhood implies a spirituality made manifest in poetic grace. From the lady there exhales a subtle magnetism. Unconsciously she encircles herself with an atmosphere of unruffled strength, which, to those who come into it, gives confidence and repose. Within her influence the diffident grow self-possessed, the impudent are checked, the inconsiderate are admonished; even the rude are constrained to be mannerly, and the refined are perfected; all spelled, unawares, by the flexible dignity, the commanding gentleness, the thorough womanliness of her look, speech and demeanor. A sway is this, purely spiritual. Every sway, every legitimate, every enduring sway is spiritual; a regnancy of light over obscurity, of right over brutality. The only real gains ever made are spiritual gainsa further subjection of the gross to the incorporeal, of body to soul, of the animal to the human. The finest and most characteristic acts of a lady involve a spiritual ascension, a wing out of herself. In her being and bearing, patience, generosity, benignity are the graces that give shape to the virtues of truthfulness. Here is the test of true ladyhood. Whenever the young find themselves in the company of those who do not make them feel at ease, they should know that they are not in the society of true ladies and true gentlemen, but of pretenders; that well-bred men and women can only feel at home in the society of the well-bred. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRIFLES. Some people are wont to depreciate these kind and tender qualities as trifles; but trifles, it must be remembered, make up the aggregate of human life. The petty incivilities, slight rudenesses and neglects of which men are guilty, without thought, or from lack of foresight or sympathy, are often remembered, while the great acts performed by the same persons are often forgotten. There is no society where smiles, pleasant looks and animal spirits are not welcomed and deemed of more importance than sallies of wit, or refinements of understanding. The little civilities, which form the small change of life may appear separately of little moment, but, like the spare pennies which amount to such large fortunes in a lifetime, they owe their importance to repetition and accumulation. VALUE OF PLEASING MANNERS. The man who succeeds in any calling in life is almost invariably he who has shown a willingness to please and to be pleased, who has responded heartily to the advances of others, through nature and habit, while his rival has sniffed and frowned and snubbed away every helping hand. The charming manners of the Duke of Marlborough, it is said, often changed an enemy to a friend, and to be denied a favor by him was more pleasing than to receive one from another. It was these personal graces that made him both rich and great. His address was so exquisitely fascinating as to dissolve fierce jealousies and animosities, lull suspicion and beguile the subtlest diplomacy of its arts. His fascinating smile and winning tongue, equally with his sharp sword, swayed the destinies of empires. The gracious manners of Charles James Fox preserved him from personal dislike, even when he had gambled away his last shilling, and politically, was the most unpopular man in England. MANNERS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE. A charming manner not only enhances personal beauty, but even hides ugliness and makes plainness agreeable. An ill-favored countenance is not necessarily a stumbling-block, at the outset, to its owner, which cannot be surmounted, for who does not know how much a happy manner often does to neutralize the ill effects of forbidding looks? The fascination of the demagogue Wilkess manner triumphed over both physical and moral deformity, rendering even his ugliness agreeable; and he boasted to Lord Townsend, one of the handsomest men in Great Britain, that with half an hours start he would get ahead of his lordship in the affections of any woman in the kingdom. The ugliest Frenchman, perhaps, that ever lived was Mirabeau; yet such was the witchery of his manner, that the belt of no gay Lothario was hung with a greater number of bleeding female hearts than this thunderer of the tribune, whose looks were so hideous that he was compared to a tiger pitted with the small-pox. FORTUNES MADE BY PLEASING MANNERS. Pleasing manners have made the fortunes of men in all professions and in every walk of lifeof lawyers, doctors, clergymen, merchants, clerks and mechanicsand instances of this are so numerous that they may be recalled by almost any person. The politician who has the advantage of a courteous, graceful and pleasing manner finds himself an easy winner in the race with rival candidates, for every voter with whom he speaks becomes instantly his friend. Civility is to a man what beauty is to a woman. It creates an instantaneous impression in his behalf, while gruffness or coarseness excites as quick a prejudice against him. It is an ornament, worth more as a means of winning favor than the finest clothes and jewels ever worn. Lord Chesterfield said the art of pleasing is, in truth, the art of rising, of distinguishing ones self, of making a figure and a fortune in the world. Some years ago a drygoods salesman in a London shop had acquired such a reputation for courtesy and exhaustless patience, that it was said to be impossible to provoke from him any expression of irritability, or the smallest symptom of vexation. A lady of rank learning of his wonderful equanimity, determined to put it to the test by all the annoyances with which a veteran shop-visitor knows how to tease a shopman. She failed in her attempt to vex or irritate him, and thereupon set him up in business. He rose to eminence in trade, and the main spring of his later, as of his earlier career, was politeness. Hundreds of men, like this salesman, have owed their start in life wholly to their pleasing address and manners. CULTIVATION OF GOOD MANNERS. The cultivation of pleasing, affable manners should be an important part of the education of every person of whatever calling or station in life. Many people think that if they have only the substance, the form is of little consequence. But manners are a compound of spirit and formspirit acted into form. The first law of good manners, which epitomizes all the rest is, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. True courtesy is simply the application of this golden rule to all our social conduct, or, as it has been happily defined, real kindness, kindly expressed. It may be met in the hut of the Arab, in the courtyard of the Turk, in the hovel of the freedman, and the cottage of the Irishman. Even Christian men sometimes fail in courtesy, deeming it a mark of weakness, or neglecting it from mere thoughtlessness. Yet when we find this added to the other virtues of the Christian, it will be noted that his influence for good upon others has been powerfully increased, for it was by this that he obtained access to the hearts of others. An old English writer said reverently of our Saviour: He was the first true gentleman that ever lived. The influence of many good men would be more than doubled if they could manage to be less stiff and more elastic. Gentleness in society, it has been truly said, is like the silent influence of light which gives color to all nature; it is far more powerful than loudness or force, and far more fruitful. It pushes its way silently and persistently like the tiniest daffodil in spring, which raises the clod and thrusts it aside by the simple persistence of growing. POLITENESS. Politeness is kindness of manner. This is the outgrowth of kindness of heart, of nobleness, and of courage. But in some persons we find an abundance of courage, nobleness and kindness of heart, without kindness of manner, and we can only think and speak of them as not only impolite, but even rude and gruff. Such a man was Dr. Johnson, whose rudeness secured for him the nickname of Ursa Major, and of whom Goldsmith truthfully remarked, No man alive has a more tender heart; he has nothing of the bear about him but his skin. To acquire that ease and grace of manners which is possessed by and which distinguishes every well-bred person, one must think of others rather than of himself, and study to please them even at his own inconvenience. Do unto others as you would that others should do unto youthe golden rule of lifeis also the law of politeness, and such politeness implies self-sacrifice, many struggles and conflicts. It is an art and tact, rather than an instinct and inspiration. An eminent divine has said: A noble and attractive every-day bearing comes of goodness, of sincerity, of refinement. And these are bred in years, not moments. The principle that rules our life is the sure posture-master. Sir Philip Sidney was the pattern to all England of a perfect gentleman; but then he was the hero that, on the field of Zutphen, pushed away the cup of cold water from his own fevered and parched lips, and held it out to the dying soldier at his side. A Christian by the very conditions of his creed, and the obligations of his faith is, of necessity, in mind and souland therefore in word and acta gentleman, but a man may be polite without being a Christian. All the pictures used are in the public domain. 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 WA Premier Mark McGowan speaks during an announcement in Perth, Australia, on Dec. 13, 2021. West Australians will be reconnected to the rest of the country on Feb. 5 after almost two years of border closures. (Richard Wainwright/AAP Image) Which Countrys National Interest Does the West Australian Premier Hold Dear? Commentary Western Australia (WA) was one of the first jurisdictions in Australia to impose mandatory vaccination, with about 85 percent of WAs workforcemore than one million workerspresently needed to receive a third COVID-19 booster vaccination. These workers are now required to get a booster shot five months after their second dose after official health advice reduced the time frame down from six months. The state also recently recorded a single new case of COVID-19 and this has been the justification behind WA Premier Mark McGowans decision to extend restrictions and cancel New Year Eve celebrations again. After almost two years of restrictions, West Australians were hoping this coming year would be the start of a normal life. But those hopes were dashed by new draconian rules enacted just before Christmas, which will continue until at least Jan. 4. These rules will have a devastating effect on the retailers, suppliers, and contractors who had been engaged to put on end of year events. And yet, the premier claims that they are necessary after one new COVID-19 casea woman in her 20s who was a close contact of a French backpacker who tested positive on Dec. 23. It is about time we demand the end of counting daily case numbers. The virus is here to stay and we must learn to live with it. As long as the elderly and frail are protected, the rest of us should be able to get on with our lives and trust our immune system to do its job. However, McGowan wants to eliminate the virus entirely. He stated on Jan. 8: We need to eliminate it. We are an island. We need to use our advantages to eliminate the virus. As a result, the WA government has, three times in a row, locked up two million people in their homes over fears of community spread of coronavirus due to a few positive cases. A general view of Mt Lawley as the five-day lockdown continues in Perth, Australia, on Feb. 1, 2021. (Matt Jelonek/Getty Images) Richard Muller, emeritus professor of physics at the University of California-Berkeley, thinks it is extremely likely that COVID-19 was deliberately created in China at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Of course, one prevailing theory is that COVID-19 escaped from that CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lab accidentally. Beijing still needs to come clean on the origins of COVID-19. Instead, the regime has reverted to economic coercion to bully and intimidate Australia, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, who described such tactics as a blatant breach of international law and declared France stood with Australia. Nevertheless, McGowan has been warning Australian federal leaders against provoking Beijing from as far back as May 2020. In fact, a video has recently emerged from a February 2020 meeting involving the premier and officials from the Chinese Consul General in Perth. In this video, McGowan and all present in Chinese, exhort: Go Wuhan! Go China! [China] First! This was only a few days after COVID-19 started to wreak havoc in China around the world, Australia included. McGowan has also been praised by Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian for his loyal support of CCP interests in Australia. The WA Labor government has also appointed two pro-CCP community leaders to a paid advisory council. As stated by reporters Marta Pascual Juanola, Eryk Bagshaw, and Hamish Hastie: In February, his government has appointed Dr Edward Zhang and Dr Ting Chen, as the only two Chinese community representatives, to his 15-member policy advisory board where members can earn up to $385 per day. Zhang has condemned the [Australian] governments position on the disputed South China Sea. We overseas Chinese are the first line of defence for our motherland, he said in 2016. At an address on Dec. 1, McGowan told the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, that he planned to visit China once international borders reopened, lamenting the Australian government for causing a more difficult relationship with Beijing. The Chinese consulate in Perth, Australia, on March 24, 2014. (Will Russell/Getty Images) This comes after Australias Defence Minister Peter Dutton expressed concern of alarming actions from Beijings attitude to the South China Sea and Taiwan, and to its repeated cyber activities against foreign governments. According to The Epoch Times reporter Daniel Khmelev, The WA Labor government under McGowan has placed bilateral engagement with Beijing as a top priority, prompting criticism from groups speaking up against Chinas human rights abuses of Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghers, Tibetans, and pro-democracy Hong Kong activists. McGowan has personally met with CCP officials or delivered speeches at CCP-organised events on at least 34 occasions since the start of 2016, with at least four visits to China between 2017 and 2019. Australia needs to remain vigilant about the extent of foreign influence in the country and how it is steering our politics. The 2018 Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS) was introduced for this express purpose to provide the public with visibility of the nature, level and extent of foreign influence in government, according to the website of the federal attorney-general. McGowans actions and direct opposition to Australias federal foreign policy stance on Beijing certainly warrants consideration of FITS status. This is even more critical at a time when COVID-19 has caused major disruptions, and exposed fissures, in our federation and society. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. In this image provided by The White House, President Joe Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone from his private residence in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (Adam Schultz/The White House via AP) White House: Biden Calls For De-Escalation On Call With Putin President Joe Biden took part in a 50-minute telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday. On the call, Biden urged Putin to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine, making clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine, according to a statement from White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Biden also expressed support for diplomacy ahead of high-level bilateral talks between Russia and the United States scheduled for the week of Jan. 10 in Geneva. These will include the Strategic Stability Dialogue, as well as the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE Permanent Council meeting. Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation. Russia has amassed troops at its border with Ukraine in recent weeks with estimates of more than 90,000 along the border and in Russian-annexed Crimea. 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 United States and its allies have refused to offer Russia any guarantees, citing NATOs principle that membership is open to any qualifying country. Thursdays call marks the second time Biden has warned Putin that the United States will coordinate with its allies to impose severe sanctions against Russia should it invade Ukraine. The two leaders last spoke during a call on Dec. 7. Biden has said that sending troops to Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion is not on the table. But White House officials have said other measures could also include additional defensive material to the Ukrainians and the fortification of NATO allies on Russias eastern flank with additional capabilities if Russia decides to invade. 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 some 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 of de-escalation, said a senior administration official ahead of the call. Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday to coordinate and consult on a range of issues from the perspective of the government of Ukraine. U.S. officials have said the military buildup, along with a spike in anti-Ukrainian activity on social media, harkens back to a similar playbook used by Putin in 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea. Officials have also said that should Russia invade Ukraine, the sanctions imposed would go far beyond what was implemented in 2014. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in December that the United States has held intensive conversations with both the incoming and outgoing German governments on the subject of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the context of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mary Eberstadt in an interview with NTD's "Capitol Report," broadcast on Dec. 29, 2021. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Why More Young People Favor Socialism and What We Should Do: Mary Eberstadt A growing number of young people now favor socialism over capitalism. According to author Mary Eberstadt, thats because these young people have been deliberately miseducated, and they should learn more about the history and truth. Partly because they have been deliberately miseducated about their countrys past, Eberstadt said in an interview with NTDs Capitol Report broadcast Wednesday. Eberstadt is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faith & Reason Institute. She is an essayist, novelist, and author of several books. She was a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution from 20022013 and was a speechwriter for Secretary of State George Schultz between 1985 and 1987. Eberstadt said that its now been generations that a certain kind of anti-Americanism has been dominant, especially on university and college campuses. Dozens of people march in May Day protests on May 1, 2018, in New York City. Across the country and world people are protesting, marching, and staying home from work on the traditional day of workers rights. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) What young people need to understand is that there are deep reasons why theyre being fed that narrative. They are being deprived of the grandeur of their countrys history and its lessons. And the reasons for this are that they are the backbone of a political movement that exploits them, called progressivism, Eberstadt said. She added that Marxism actually has a lot to do with progressivism. I can say this with authority because when I was in college, which was decades ago, Marxism was prevalent on all the elite campuses, said Eberstadt, who graduated from Cornell University in 1983. And its coming back in this sort of softer form that goes by socialism, but it shares a lot of Marxist precepts. In June, an Axios/Momentive poll showed that 51 percent of 1824-year-olds view socialism positively, 54 percent of this age group view capitalism negatively. Eberstadt said theres a great need for young people to understand the history of communism and socialism and other truths that their teachers have deprived them of for political reasons. It was always said that socialism just hadnt been tried right. And this was used to excuse failure after failure in every country that attempted to implement a Marxist regime, Eberstadt continued. What students need to know that they are not told, what would make them far less interested in socialism, would be working knowledge of the tragedies that have transpired under plans to re-engineer human beings on a mass scale, said Eberstadt. Were talking about the great famines. Were talking about other collectivized activities that have ended up imprisoning and murdering people in the name of an abstract, higher Marxist good. And history is littered with these examples, as we know, and letting children and teenagers in on that fact is an important part of the teaching of history tomorrow. Peasants stand in front of human remains. Cannibalism was widespread during the Russian famine between 1921 and 1922. (Creative Commons/Wikimedia) Besides the history of failure of collectivist experiments, other truths should also be taught in classrooms across the country, said Eberstadt. Number twoand this is in no particular orderthe grandeur of American history with all of its problems. Number three, the economic vitality and material abundance of the free enterprise countries relative to the collectivist countries. And number four, the way in which socialist regimes, Marxist regimes, communist regimes have suppressed not only religion but the family. [They] have suppressed any other potential contender for peoples loyalties, Eberstadt continued. These are all easily ascertainable facts, and we need leaders to voice them, and we need teachers to impart them. Harry Lee Follow Harry Lee is a New York-based reporter for The Epoch Times. Contact Harry at harry.lee@epochtimes.com A nurse fills up syringes for patients as they receive their COVID-19 booster vaccination during a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination clinic in Southfield, Mich., on Sept. 29, 2021. (Emily Elconin/Reuters) Young Men More Likely to Get Heart Inflammation After Pfizers Booster Than COVID-19: Study Males under 40 years old are more likely to experience heart inflammation after getting a booster shot of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine than COVID-19 itself, according to a recently published study. Males in the age group had a myocarditis incidence rate ratio of 7.6 in the 28 days following receipt of a Pfizer booster, researchers with the University of Oxford and other UK institutions found. That was higher than the ratio of 2 in the four weeks following a positive COVID-19 test result. For the first time, we observe an increase in myocarditis events following a third dose of BNT162b vaccine, researchers wrote in their study, which has not been peer reviewed as of yet. BNT162b is the name of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Myocarditis is the primary form of heart inflammation seen after people get vaccinated or get COVID-19. Current college booster mandates do not seem to have the best interests of the students, especially the male students, at heart. We need better data on the risks and benefits of boosters in the <40 age group, Dr. Tracy Heg, an epidemiologist based in California, wrote on Twitter about the study results. Researchers also found an even stronger link between Modernas COVID-19 vaccine and myocarditis. After getting the second dose of Modernas two-shot primary regimen, males under 40 had an incidence rate ratio of 16.5. That was well above the 3.4 ratio for those who got the second shot of Pfizers vaccine and the 2.5 ratio for those who received a second shot of the AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccine, both of which also have two-shot initial dosages. A dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is drawn up to be administered at a hospital in Belper, UK, on Dec. 16, 2021. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) Researchers drew data from the the NHS Immunisation Management Service database, which includes information on all people who received a vaccine in England. Those in the database got a vaccine between Dec. 1, 2020, and Nov. 15, 2021. They estimated an additional 101 myocarditis events per million in the 28 days following the second dose of Modernas vaccine and an additional 13 events following a Pfizer booster, both of which were higher than the estimate of 7 additional such events in the four weeks following a positive COVID-19 test. Pfizer and Moderna did not respond to requests for comment. Researchers, who received funding from the University of Oxford and the UK government, stressed that in the overall population, the risk of myocarditis was pegged as higher following contraction of COVID-19 versus post-vaccination, except for following the second dose of Modernas vaccine. Among the limitations was an inability to break down the specific risk to children aged 13 to 17 because the number of myocarditis events was too small. Earlier studies had put the risk of myocarditis as higher for young males who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine when compared to those who got COVID-19, but no researchers had analyzed the risk from booster doses. U.S. drug regulators authorized boosters of Pfizers shot for 16- and 17-year-olds earlier this month, and the Centers for Disease Control recommended every teenager get a third jab. Both agencies ducked their vaccine advisory panels after members expressed concern previously about the risk of side effects like myocarditis outweighing the benefits of boosters in young males. U.S. officials relied heavily on data from Israel, which started boosting young people ahead of virtually every other nation. Pfizers risk-benefit analysis, based on Israels data, estimated 29 to 69 COVID-19 hospitalizations per million booster doses administered would be averted, but that boosters would lead to 23 to 69 cases of post-boosting myocarditis. At the same time, regulators in late October pushed back a decision on clearing Modernas vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 because of concerns about post-vaccination myocarditis. The new study should trigger a pause of Modernas vaccine in all men under 40, as several European nations have ordered, Dr. Vinay Prasad, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote on his blog. HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii has reported another day of near-record coronavirus cases, ending the year with a surging infection rate and hospitals on edge. Health officials said there were 3,290 new cases on Friday. The state more than doubled a previous delta variant record Thursday after reporting nearly 3,500 new cases. The state of about 1.5 million people recorded an additional four deaths Friday. Hawaii has reported nearly 1,100 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The seven-day average test positivity rate for the state was more than 15%. On Oahu, the state's most populous island where the majority of cases are being detected, the average positivity rate was over 17%. Hawaii hospital officials have said they are already nearly full with non-coronavirus patients and worry about staffing shortages affecting their ability to care for a possible wave of new COVID-19 patients in early 2022. State officials and island mayors did not add any new restrictions ahead of the New Year holiday. Most COVID rules were dropped in early December just before the omicron variant arrived. The University of Hawaii said it would hold most classes online when the semester begins in January. More than 700,000 travelers have arrived in Hawaii in December, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii requires travelers to be vaccinated or provide a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or face quarantine. The U.S. now requires international travelers to test within 24 hours of their trip, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. Statewide there have been nearly 110,000 confirmed coronavirus cases throughout the pandemic. There were more than 20,000 active COVID-19 infections in Hawaii on New Years Eve. NEW YORK (AP) The Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial was a four-week winding road featuring sordid testimony by four women who accused the British socialite of grooming their teenage selves for abuse at the hands of financier Jeffrey Epstein. The defense maintained the abuse could have been real, but Maxwell wasnt part of it. It all came to a climax earlier this week with a guilty verdict in federal court in Manhattan, delivered after five full days of jury deliberations. The jurors identities were kept secret. Still, there were clues in the record about who they were and hints about how they reached a decision that hung in the balance for five days amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in New York City that threatened to derail the trial. Here are some reflections on the players involved and how the deliberations unfolded: THE JURORS They were six men and six women from varying educational and career backgrounds who survived a selection process by showing they had no preconceived notions about the case. None had much interest in or imprint on social media. One juror, asked what she does for fun, answered: I love to clean. Some of their jobs foreshadowed the aptitude they displayed for the laborious, tedious procession toward a solution: bank traders assistant, city clerical worker, government contract specialist, life science company vice president, home health aide, health plan project manager. Identified only by numbers, they seemed attentive throughout the trial. Once deliberations began, they sent notes with occasional questions and requested transcripts of most of the trials key testimony, never once hinting at a deadlock. Our deliberations are moving along and we are making progress, they informed the judge Tuesday in a matter-of-fact note presaging the next day's verdict. THE JUDGE After a decade on the bench, U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan had landed her biggest case yet with Ghislaine Maxwell. During the trial, Nathan learned she was being appointed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, a promotion that forced her to suspend the trial for three days while she went to Washington to answer questions from the senators considering her confirmation. In making rulings, Nathan seemed confidently decisive and mostly immovable once she had arrived at a conclusion. Nobody knew that better than Maxwell, who watched Nathan deny her bail requests, again and again. But during the deliberations, the judge acknowledged that it was the jury that was in charge. She accepted their wishes around work hours even if it went against her own instructions, noting that they were not shy to indicate what they wanted. THE RACE AGAINST COVID Nathan did not hide her anxiety from the jury over the possibility that a coronavirus outbreak among jurors could force a mistrial. During the first week of deliberations, she invited jurors to meet a third day before the Christmas holiday. They declined. By Monday, she had stepped up the pressure, asking them to stay an extra hour each night again declined. She revealed her worries to lawyers Tuesday, telling them her request was because we are seeing an astronomical spike in New York City's coronavirus cases, fueled by the omicron variant. She kept her fears from the jury after defense lawyers worried it would unduly pressure them to reach a verdict. By Wednesday, she was ready to step up pressure even further, telling jurors they would work on New Years Eve, New Years Day and even Sunday if they hadn't reached a verdict. Later that day, Nathan, breathing heavily, took the bench at 4:58 p.m. to announce there was a verdict. MAXWELL'S LAST DAY The last day of the trial started well for Maxwell. A jury that had already deliberated for four full days sent the judge an early morning note saying it wanted the transcripts of testimony from a half-dozen witnesses. Jurors also wanted that of an expert who threw shade at the veracity of the memories of Maxwell's accusers. Was it a signal they were undecided and that an acquittal or hung jury was still in the cards? As the judge sorted matters out with the jury outside of the courtroom, a buoyant Maxwell appeared to think so. Her eyes beaming above her face mask, she deliberately turned her chair at the defense table in the direction of two courtroom sketch artists and struck a pose for them. Deliberations went forward. The jury went silent. No more notes for hours. But at the end of the day a last note finally came. We have a verdict, the judge said as the courtroom went silent. A defense team that had engaged in constant public displays of affection with Maxwell sat completely still with her as the verdict was read. On most days, she had hugged her lawyers coming and going from the courtroom. This time, there were no hugs. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The U.S. government has approved California's overhaul of the nation's largest insurance program for low-income and disabled residents, officials said Wednesday, a decision that among other things allows Medicaid money to be spent on housing-related services as the most populous state struggles with homelessness and a lack of affordable housing. CalAIM California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal intends a more comprehensive approach that improves the "entire continuum of care across the program that California calls Medi-Cal, according to the California Department of Health Care Services. Starting with the new year Saturday, California will among other things expand what had been a limited whole person care pilot program" to eligible Medi-Cal members statewide. Were making Medi-Cal, which provides health care to one-third of all Californians, the most comprehensive, robust such program in the entire country, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. Aside from covering one of every three Californians, Medi-Cal covers more than half of school-age children, half of births in California, and more than two of every three patient days in long-term care facilities, officials said. The goal of the new approach is to prioritize prevention and address underlying societal conditions, particularly in populations that have had fewer health care services and faced structural racism in health care, said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. Californias Medicaid program offers government-funded insurance to people 50 and over and 25 and younger regardless of their immigration status. California has the nation's largest Medicaid program. Medi-Cal benefits will not change. But what are known as enhanced care management services can now include a care coordinator under Medi-Cal managed care plans. The coordinator can help Medi-Cal members find doctors, schedule appointments and set up medical transportation. The coordinator can also help members understand their medications, secure mental health services, and locate and apply for community-based services such as housing subsidies or food assistance. The goal here is to extend supports and services beyond hospitals and health care settings directly into communities that need it most, said Tina Rivera, interim director of Sonoma Countys Health Services Department. The state is shifting four programs Medi-Cal Managed Care, Dental Managed Care, Specialty Mental Health Services, and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System into one coordinating authority. Officials said that is intended to simplify and align the programs while standardizing benefits and enrollment. The program also expands certain dental benefits statewide, including efforts to spot risk factors for dental decay in children and provide silver diamine fluoride for kids and other high-risk populations. The state promises under the new system to better coordinate programs under one managed care plan for older residents who are eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. The federal approvals also renew a statewide funding pool for care provided to Californias remaining uninsured residents, such as those served by public hospitals. Those 21 public health care systems include just 6% of California's hospitals, but they said they provide 40% of hospital care to the remaining uninsured and 35% of hospital care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Erica Murray, president and CEO of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, said that funding pool "gives public health systems flexibilities to deliver the right care in the right setting to the uninsured. The new approvals also restore coverage of chiropractic services for Indian Health Service and tribal facilities, coverage that had been eliminated in 2009. California expects approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services early next year to expand services for adults and youth involved in the criminal justice system before they are released from incarceration, so they continue receiving those services in the community. Another pending waiver would allow Medi-Cal reimbursement for some traditional healers and natural helpers for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. ___ This version has been updated to delete an incorrect reference to Medicaid services for the first time formally including substance abuse treatment, including short-term residential treatment when needed. EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published. Edwardsville City Council 7 p.m. at Edwardsville Council Chambers. 118 Hillsboro Ave, Edwardsville. Edwardsville Board of Fire & Police Commissioners 5 p.m. at Edwardsville City Hall. Storytime 1 Cancelled 10 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library in the Youth Room. Planned for Pre-K to Kindergarten. Sing songs, take-home crafts and interact with staff during storytimes. Masks are required for everyone over 24 months old. To attend, tokens will be given 30 minutes before event starts. Storytime 2 Cancelled 10:30 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library in the Youth Room. Planned for Pre-K to Kindergarten. Sing songs, take-home crafts and interact with staff during storytimes. Masks are required for everyone over 24 months old. To attend, tokens will be given 30 minutes before event starts. Cribbage Club 6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Rd., Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information. Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Wednesday, Jan. 5 G.L.E.N. Committee Meeting 7-8 p.m. at Glen Carbon Village Hall Council Chambers. 151 North Main Street, Glen Carbon. Edwardsville Recreation, Arts, & Special Events Board 5 p.m. at the Governor Edwards Conference Room. City of Edwardsville. Edwardsville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 5 p.m. at Edwardsville Council Chambers. 118 Hillsboro Ave, Edwardsville. Thursday, Jan. 6 NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Friday, Jan. 7 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Monday, Jan. 10 Edwardsville Human Relations Committee Meeting 5 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Edwardsville Ordinance Committee Meeting 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Tuesday, Jan. 11 River Kayaker Adventures with Perry Whitaker 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Old Bakery Beer Company, Alton. 400 Landmarks Blvd. Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Group Speakers Series. Perry Whitaker is the Missouri state director for the American Canoe Association and a Missouri Master Naturalist, and expert on the confluence of the Missouri River near St. Louis, to the confluence of the Ohio River at Cairo, IL, referred to as the Middle Mississippi. Come early around 6 p.m. for dinner and meet the speaker. Masks are required in the restaurant except while eating/drinking. A ZOOM registration option is available via https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades. Contact Chris Krusa on 410-490-5024. Cribbage Club 6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Rd., Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information. American Legion Post 199 meeting 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 199 at 58 S. State Rt. 157. All legion members are encouraged to attend the meetings. Non-member visitors are welcome. Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Edwardsville Public Services Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. in Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Edwardsville Public Safety Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. in the Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Wednesday, Jan. 12 Historic Preservation Commission 7 p.m. at Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Thursday, Jan. 13 NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Edwardsville Finance Committee Meeting 4 p.m. in Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Edwardsville Administrative and Community Services Committee 5 p.m. in the Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Friday, Jan. 14 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Saturday, Jan. 15 Goshen Winter Market 10-noon in the expansion parking lot on St. Louis Street. Outdoors. Monday, Jan. 17 Woodlawn Cemetery Board 7 p.m. in the Woodlawn Chapel. All are invited to attend, whether you are a lot owner or have considered purchasing a lot. Tuesday, Jan. 18 Cribbage Club 6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Rd., Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information. Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Edwardsville-SIUE Community Destination Group 6 p.m. in Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Edwardsville City Council 7 p.m. at Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Wednesday, Jan. 19 Glen Carbon Cool Cities Committee Meeting 7-8 p.m. at Village of Glen Carbon - Senior Center, 157 North Main Street, Glen Carbon. Edwardsville Plan Commission 7 p.m. at Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Thursday, Jan. 20 Edwardsville Cool Cities Initiative Advisory Committee Meeting 6 p.m. at Governor Edwards Conference Room, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Edwardsville Land Use Committee 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Friday, Jan. 21 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Ongoing Events Al-Anon For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org. Donations for Metro East Humane Society The Edwardsville Library Friends will be taking donations through December for the Metro East Humane Society. Items needed include: pet toys, treats, fleece blankets, 30-55 gallon trash bags, pens, post-its, printer paper, laundry detergent, cat beds and dog leads. Donations are much appreciated, and can be dropped off at the library. Winter Reading Challenge Begins Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 at the Edwardsville Public Library. Read books, earn badges and be entered into prize drawings on Beanstack. This challenge is for all ages, 0-109. To register visit www.edwardsvillelibrary.org. Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisations that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to deploy diplomatic measures to engage the government of Saudi Arabia with a view to ending the flight suspension placed on Nigeria by the Kingdom of over the prevalence Omicron variant of Covid-19. IHR in a statement on Thursday signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad said it acknowledged and lauds the proactive efforts of Saudi Arabia in protecting the Holy Sites and Muslims from the virus that resulted in restricting countries that has reported the Omicron Variant. However, it is our hope that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is aware that other countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, who had earlier invoked flight suspension on Nigeria based on Omicron, have now lifted the suspension. In addition, United States had on Tuesday lifted the travel ban initially imposed on South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi over Omicron; after United States Center for Disease Control recommends lifting the travel restrictions arguing that such restrictions are no longer necessary to protect the public health. The statement appealed to Saudi Arabia to queue into the World Health Organization advice against blanket travel ban over omicron and lift the suspension on Nigerian Pilgrims. It is apparent that what countries need to do is to adopt measures that will stem the tide of Omicron spread without having to selectively ban some countries. It said Moreso, Nigerian Hajj Operators being the fifth Hajj/Umrah facilitators has suffered serious financial losses running into billions of naira. Many of the operators have closed shop with many more in debt with no special bail out or hardship curtailment assistance from any quarter. Both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia should understand that the recent suspension came at a time when the few Hajj/Umrah Operators who are trying to stand the heat begin to salvage what remains of their business. Further delay or continued blockade of Nigeria from entering the Kingdom will definitely lead to the collapse of an entire Hajj and Umrah Industry. The statement added IHR stated that its appeal is also based on The International Air Transport Association (IATA) earlier call on governments of all nations to follow the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and immediately rescind travel bans that were placed on Nigeria, South Africa and others called that has been heeded by United Kingdom and Canada. The advice states that public health organizations, including the WHO, have kicked against travel bans to contain the spread of Omicron, that blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods. In addition, they can adversely impact global health efforts during a pandemic by disincentivizing countries to report and share epidemiological and sequencing data. After nearly two years with COVID-19, we know a lot about the virus and the inability of travel restrictions to control its spread. But the discovery of the Omicron variant induced instant amnesia on governments which implemented knee-jerk restrictions in complete contravention of advice from the WHO Based on the above, we appeal to relevant agencies in the Kingdom to review the direct travel ban placed on Nigeria with a view to lifting the ban as soon as it is desirable, the statement added. Signed Independent Hajj Reporters 31st December, 2021 Hotel generator sparks fire at Koh Rang Noi PHUKET: Officials have yet to estimate the damage caused by a large fire at a hotel on Rang Noi Island, off Phukets east coast, which burned from late yesterday afternoon and into the night (Dec 30). By Eakkapop Thongtub Friday 31 December 2021, 10:23AM No people were reported as injured from the fire. Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) was notified of the fire at 5:45pm. After confirming the scale of the blaze, reaching tens of metres into the air, firefighters from Rassada Municipality, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Region 18 office, the Royal Thai Navy Area Third Area Command Laem Sing Fire Fighting Squad and the Phuket Marine Police were all called in. After everyone arrived it still took three hours to bring the blaze under control. Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan arrived to inspect the firefighters efforts and the damage caused by the fire. Initial reports indicated that an electrical short-circuit near a main generator for the resort may have sparked the blaze, reaching an area nearby where some 2,000 litres of fuel was being kept. Officers said an investigation was underway to confirm the cause of the fire. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today A few snow showers scattered about the area in the morning, otherwise a good deal of clouds. High -6C. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low -17C. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Eli Merritt is a psychiatrist and political historian at Vanderbilt University and the author of the forthcoming book Disunion Among Ourselves. GUATEMALA CITY (AP) The bodies of 15 more migrants killed in a Dec. 9 truck crash in southern Mexico were flown home o Guatemala on Thursday. The remains in brown wood-colored coffins were delivered by a Mexican military C-295 transport aircraft. The coffins were unloaded at a Guatemalan base and handed over to their families. Most were expected to be buried in their hometowns Friday. Today is a very sad day for Mexico, as we know it is for Guatemala, said Laura Elena Carrillo, the director of Mexico's international cooperation agency. These people went looking for a dream, and today they return to rest in their own land. The Mexican government said that so far, 50 of the 56 migrants killed when a people smuggler's semi-trailer truck rolled over on a highway have been identified. A total of 25 have been returned to their homelands, with another five expected to be returned soon, it said. Of the 50 identified dead, 37 were from Guatemala, 11 from the Dominican Republic, and one each from El Salvador and Ecuador. The first four bodies of Guatemalan victims were returned earlier this month, and 18 more are to be returned later. Authorities say fingerprints have been used to identify the bodies as well as relatives identification of their loved ones through photographs. More than 100 migrants were injured in the crash, and Guatemalan authorities say 27 of them remain hospitalized. Assistant Guatemalan Foreign Minister Eduardo Hernandez said some of those injured in the crash had resumed their trek north toward the United States despite the accident. The truck was packed with as many as 250 migrants, and survivors said that speed and weight of the human cargo might have played a role in the crash. ALTON The final acts of 2021 tested the Riverbend. While the year started with optimism as COVID-19 numbers declined, the fatality figures swelled in December to among the highest for the year. More heart-breaking was a Dec. 10 tornado that struck an Amazon facility in Edwardsville. Killed in the storm were Clayton Cope, 29, of Alton; Austin McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville; Larry Virden, 46 of Collinsville; Deandre Morrow, 28, of St. Louis; Kevin Dickey, 62, of Carlyle; and Etheria Hebb, 24, of St. Louis. Once again we end our trip around the sun with memories, both good and bad, of the prior year. Here's hoping that 2022 will be the comeback year. October On Oct. 1, Amiee Long of Bethalto and her business partner Jamie Slaten opened The Co-Op at Klein Hall, 128 W. Central St., in Bethalto. The location was formally known as Kleins Drug Store, which had been closed for many years. On Oct. 5, moments before opening statements Timothy Banowetz pleaded guilty to killing Edwardsville attorney in January 2020. On Dec. 11, Banowetz was sentenced to 70 years in prison. On Oct. 8, a ribbon-cutting was celebrated for the new $12.8 million Roxana Village Hall complex, located on the site of the old Burbank School. The 28,000-square-foot building houses the villages general offices as well as its police and fire department. On Oct. 11, the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club officially broke ground for the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Park on city-owned property at the corner of Easton and 3rd streets across from the Alton City Hall. The parks creation coincides with the clubs centennial year. On Oct. 26, Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmins was fatally shot when he approached a suspected stolen vehicle. Scott Hyden, 31, of Highland, was quickly arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm at a peace officer, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, offenses relating to motor vehicles, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. On Oct. 28, after serving 30 years in prison, Paula Sims who was convicted of killing one of her children and later admitted to a second child murder was granted parole. She left a Lincoln correctional facility the following day. On Oct. 30, the 104th Alton Halloween Parade returned Alton after taking a year off because of COVID-19 precautions. November On Nov. 5, the Madison County Health Department announced it was expanding its COVID-19 vaccinations to children as young as 5 years old. On Nov. 12, the East St. Louis NAACP submitted its proposed changes for state representative districts as signed earlier this year by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, The changes would affect the districts of state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville; Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea; and LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis. On Nov. 17, the Madison County Board voted to reduce its size by three members, to 26. The board also approved a $171 million budget, considerably higher than the current years original $143 million, which includes a great deal of COVID relief money. On Nov. 19, Dr. Narine Sargsyan, Ph.D., BJC Medical Group Hospitalist medical director and hospital department chief of Medicine, received the 2021 Alton Memorial Hospital Chairmans Award. On Nov. 22, 5-year-old Malachi D. Scruggs died in a fire at the Meadows Apartment Complex located in the 300 block of Mitchell Street. On Nov. 23, a ransomware attack was made on the Lewis and Clark Community College's computer network. The college closed all campuses until Dec. 7 as it worked to restore its computer system. Also affected in the attack was the RiverBend Growth Association. On Nov. 30, it was announced a photo of the Great River Road by Walter Blackledge of Alton had been chosen for inclusion in a set of 10 stamps to be issued in 2022 by the U.S. Postal Service. December On Dec. 3, Denise VonderHaar, publisher of The Telegraph and The Intelligencer, retired to enjoy more time with her grandchildren. VonderHaar joined Hearst Newspapers, the parent company of The Telegraph and The Intelligencer, in June 2000 as controller. She was promoted to publisher of The Intelligencer in 2008 and The Telegraph in 2018. On Dec. 10, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF3 tornado approaching from the west had touched down at 3077 Gateway Commerce Center Drive East, causing significant damage to an Amazon facility. On Dec. 13, Amazon announced it would rebuild its tornado-struck Edwardsville facility and the company was donating $1 million to the Edwardsville Community Foundation. On Dec. 17, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law that ends parental notification, a requirement that doctors notify the parents of a minor seeking an abortion. On Dec. 22, Illinois Department of Transportation officials opened the U.S. 67 Delhi bypass north of Godfrey ahead of schedule. The $18.6 million project expanded U.S. 67 from two lanes to four lanes for 2.4 miles. On Dec. 29, a new surge of COVID-19 cases were reported in the area. The three-day positivity rate in Madison County, which had been as low as 1.73 percent in November, set a record high of 18.98 percent with the 30th COVID-19 related death recorded for the month. Alton resident James Harrison Killion Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in 1936, joining the war effort in 1942. Wherever Staff Sergeant Killion served, training in Arizona and Wyoming, duties in France as the supervisor of a German and Russian POW camp, he found time to write home, mostly letters to his mother. France looks worse than East End Alton. (Called Dogtown at the time, East End Alton was the citys poorest community, replaced by the housing projects of the fifties). There is mud and more mud with the water laying on top, and not a day passes that it doesnt rain. S/Sgt. Killion Jim Killion III recently organized his fathers letters, handed down from his grandmother to his brother Harold. I got a look into what Dad really was, Killion said, transparent and honest. He did everything he could to uplift the black community. Written in pencil on thin onion skin paper, many of the letters had crumbled to pieces. The ones that survived were transcribed and edited by Killion and this writer. The letter collection, both the original documents and a book, A Black Soldiers Letters Home, World War II 1943-1945, will soon be housed in the history archives of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Our mission is to collect stories of the American experience in WWII, said Kim Guise, Senior Curator of the museum. There is a much larger story than just that of the white soldiers. Black Americans are and always have been part of that story. Letters from Black servicemen are quite rare within our collection. I learn each and every day how to hold my crazy temper because I know I am only being tried and I know I can stand being tried. The letters are full of Killions longing to be back in his Midwestern community of Alton. Hazel (his wife) told me Jimmy Boy broke his first window. Of course, he got a spanking, I hope it didnt hurt him much. I can see he is a real Harrison. Sergeant Killion hints to his mother that the stress involved, in being Black and experiencing a segregated U.S. Army is nerve-wracking. No matter what he achieves, there is little regard for a self-described Race Man (uniting the diverse cultural groups of Alton, profoundly affecting his post war career). At times, the pressure seems unbearable. For good reason. On account of the inherent weaknesses in negro character, especially general lack of intelligence and initiative, it requires much longer time of preliminary training to bring a negro organization up to the point of training where it is fit for combat, than it does in the case of white men. United States Army War College, 1925 Black Americans in WWII mostly served as non-combatants. The Army assigned tasks of labor to black soldiers, such as building the Alaskan Highway. In the Navy, they were cooks and attendants. The Air Corps trained a company of Black pilots who were not intended to enter combat, to serve as a public elations token training force, instead becoming the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. Sergeant Killion had a distant cousin, St. Louisan William Bill Holloman, who was a Tuskegee Airman. There is a memorial to Holloman at Lambert Airport. He also knew the Cisco Kids, brothers who became Tuskegee airmen, now buried in Alton City Cemetery. In 1943, in England, the Battle of Bamber Bridge was an attack on Black American soldiers fraternizing with friendly Brits at a local pub. American military police, under orders from a command whose policy forbade integration of Black and white soldiers, attempted to arrest the Black GIs, ending with one soldier being shot and killed. French authorities defied the segregation order, welcoming Black GIs. Killions POW camp housed some 2,000 prisoners. It was as close as one could get to D-Day without fighting. He would write to his mother and brother Harold about the camaraderie between Black soldiers and the German and Russian prisoners, who, ironically treated their captors with utter regard and respect. One German prisoner would paint a picture of Killions son Jimmy boy from a photograph and make the proud father a special ring. My camp is known as the model prisoner of war camp in France, he wrote. Mr. Killion would return home in 1945. He was so eager to meet his son Jimmy Boy that he called home as soon as his transport ship docked. The baby was put on the phone but would not talk. Grandma pinched him, the baby cried out, and the proud dad at last heard his sons voice. After the war, Killion became a notable Alton figure (son Jim calls him a bridge builder), hired at Laclede Steel and joining a CIO union along with his friend Clarence Willis, the two becoming the the first Black elected officials in the mostly white union. On steel worker wages, he was able to pay for college educations for all four of his children. A civil rights activist, he was adept at working within the system all the while working to break down systematic racism. Mr. Killion was one of my mentors, Alton resident and head of the annual Juneteenth celebration, Lee Barham said. I felt honored to get the city to rename Salu Park as James Killion Park. James Killion Jr., with his wife Hazel, mentored many Black teenagers, boys, and girls. He was on a mission to be someone young people could talk to. He led a youth choir at Allen chapel AME Church and was active in the church for 28 years. He was also a member of the Alton Human relations Commission, on the board of the American Red Cross, a five-year president of Senior Services Plus, and a precinct committeeman. Mr. Killion died in 1997, the consummate race man leaving behind a considerable legacy of service to his country and his home. PARIS (AP) Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were again the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022. New Year's Eve, which used to be celebrated globally with a free-spirited wildness, felt instead like a case of deja vu, with the fast-spreading omicron variant again filling hospitals. We just need enjoyment, said Karen Page, 53, who was among the fed-up revelers venturing out in London. We have just been in so long. The mostly muted New Years Eve celebrations around the world ushered in the fourth calendar year framed by the global pandemic. More than 285 million people have been infected by the coronavirus worldwide since late 2019 and more than 5 million have died. In Paris, officials canceled the fireworks amid surging infections and reintroduced mandatory mask-wearing outdoors, an obligation followed by the majority of people who milled about on the Champs-Elysees as the final hours of 2021 ticked away. In Berlin, police urged people not to gather near the Brandenburg Gate, where a concert was staged without a live audience. In Madrid, authorities allowed only 7,000 people into the city's Puerta del Sol downtown square, a venue traditionally hosting some 20,000 revelers. In the United States, officials took a mixed approach to the year-end revelry: nixing the audience at a countdown concert in Los Angeles, scaling it back in New York yet going full speed ahead in Las Vegas, where thousands turned up for a fireworks show on the Strip that was threatened by gusty winds but went off as scheduled. President Joe Biden noted the losses and uncertainty caused by the pandemic but said: Were persevering. Were recovering. Back to work. Back to school. Back to joy, Biden said in a video posted on Twitter. Thats how we made it through this year. And how well embrace the next. Together. In New York, officials allowed just 15,000 people vaccinated and masked inside the perimeter around Times Square, a sliver of the 1 million that typically squeeze in to watch the famed ball drop. Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio, defending the event, said people need to see that New York is open for business. Yet by Thursday, rapper LL Cool J had dropped out of the New York telecast after a positive COVID-19 test and restaurant owners battered by staffing shortages and omicron cancelations throughout the holiday season struggled to stay open. Im really scared for our industry, said New York restaurateur David Rabin, who watched reservations and party bookings disappear this month. No one made any money in December. The fact they may have a good night tonight, it has no impact. Airlines also struggled as the year came to a close, canceling thousands of flights after the virus struck flight crews and other personnel and amid bad weather. The pandemic game-changer of 2021 vaccinations continued apace. Pakistan said it had fully vaccinated 70 million of its 220 million people this year and Britain said it met its goal of offering a vaccine booster shot to all adults by Friday. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin mourned the dead, praised Russians for their strength in difficult times and soberly warned that the pandemic isnt retreating yet. Russia's virus task force has reported 308,860 COVID-19 deaths but its state statistics agency says the death toll has been more than double that. I would like to express words of sincere support to all those who lost their dear ones," Putin said in a televised address broadcast just before midnight in each of Russias 11 time zones. Elsewhere, the venue that many chose for New Year's celebrations was the same place they became overly familiarly with during lockdowns: their homes. Pope Francis also canceled his New Years Eve tradition of visiting the life-sized manger set up in St. Peters Square, again to avoid a crowd. In an unusual move for Francis, the 85-year-old pontiff donned a surgical mask for a Vespers service of prayer and hymns Friday evening as he sat in an armchair. But he also delivered a homily standing and unmasked. A sense of being lost has grown in the world during the pandemic, Francis told the faithful in St. Peters Basilica. France, Britain, Portugal and Australia were among countries that set new records for COVID-19 infections as 2021 gave way to 2022. In London, the normal fireworks display, which would have attracted tens of thousands of people to the city center and the banks of the Thames, was replaced by a light and drones show broadcast on television. Location details about the spectacle were kept secret in advance to avoid crowds gathering. The last two years have been so difficult for so many people, so many have suffered and there is a point when we need to start coming together finally, said Mira Lluk, 22, a special needs teacher. France's unprecedented 232,200 new cases Friday marked its third day running above the 200,000 mark. The U.K. was close behind, with 189,846 new cases, also a record. In London, officials said as many as 1 in 15 people were infected with the virus in the week before Christmas. Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in the U.K. rose 68% in the last week, to the highest levels since February. In Brazil, Rio de Janeiros Copacabana beach welcomed a small crowd of a few thousand for 16 minutes of fireworks. Rios New Years bash usually brings more than 2 million people to Copacabana beach. In 2020 there was no celebration due to the pandemic. This year there was music on loudspeakers, but no live concerts like in previous editions. Yet boisterous New Years Eve celebrations kicked off in the Serbian capital of Belgrade where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, mass gatherings were allowed despite fears of the omicron variant. One medical expert predicted that Serbia will see thousands of new COVID-19 infections after the holidays. At Expo 2020, the sprawling worlds fair outside Dubai, 26-year-old tourist Lujain Orfi prepared to throw caution to the wind on New Years Eve her first time ever outside Saudi Arabia, where she lives in the holy city of Medina. If you dont celebrate, life will pass you by, she said. Im healthy and took two (vaccine) doses. We just have to enjoy. Australia went ahead with its celebrations despite reporting a record 32,000 new cases. Thousands of fireworks lit up the sky over Sydney's Harbor Bridge and Opera House at midnight. Yet the crowds were far smaller than in pre-pandemic years. In Japan, writer Naoki Matsuzawa said he would spend the next few days cooking and delivering food to the elderly because some stores would be closed. He said vaccinations had made people less anxious about the pandemic, despite the new variant. A numbness has set in, and we are no longer overly afraid," said Matsuzawa, who lives in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo. "Some of us are starting to take for granted that it wont happen to me. South Korean authorities closed many beaches and other tourist attractions along the east coast, which usually swarm with people hoping to catch the year's first sunrise. In India, millions of people rang in the new year from their homes, with nighttime curfews and other restrictions taking the fizz out of celebrations in New Delhi, Mumbai and other large cities. In mainland China, the Shanghai government canceled an annual light show along the Huangpu River that usually draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. There were no plans for public festivities in Beijing, where popular temples have been closed or had limited access since mid-December. In the Philippines, a powerful typhoon two weeks ago wiped out basic necessities for tens of thousands of people ahead of New Years Eve. More than 400 were killed by Typhoon Rai and at least 82 remain missing. Leahmer Singson, a 17-year-old mother, lost her home to a fire last month, and then the typhoon blew away her temporary wooden shack in Cebu city. She will welcome the new year with her husband, who works in a glass and aluminum factory, and her 1-year-old baby in a ramshackle tent in a clearing where hundreds of other families erected small tents from debris, rice sacks and tarpaulins. Asked what she wants for the new year, Singson had a simple wish: I hope we wont get sick. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the fireworks display in Las Vegas went off on time despite the threat of winds. ___ Perry reported from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press reporters Daniel Cole in Marseille; Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow; Frances DEmilio in Rome; Sylvia Hui in London; Darko Vojinovic in Belgrade, Serbia; Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo; Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Ashok Sharma in New Delhi; Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia; Hau Dinh in Hanoi, Vietnam; Zen Soo in Hong Kong; Tassanee Vejpongsa in Bangkok; Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia; and AP researcher Chen Si in Shanghai contributed to this report. SANAA, Yemen (AP) An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition has mistakenly hit a camp of allied Yemeni pro-government forces, killing at least 12 troops, Yemeni military officials said Friday. The strike, which took place on Thursday in the province of Shabwa, also wounded at least eight Yemeni troops, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. 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. Vote View Results Life insurance is one of the most under-bought insurances, but Covid-19 may be starting to change people's minds. High numbers of Covid cases and deaths reported over the past two years prompted 5.8million UK adults to think about taking out this type of cover, according to research by insurer Canada Life. There are still millions that are left uninsured, however. Canada Life says 32.9million people in the UK have never thought about life insurance or do not have an active policy in place. The pandemic has prompted 5.8million (11 per cent) of UK adults to think about taking out life insurance, according to research by Canada Life This leaves many families exposed, particularly if the main breadwinner dies. Life insurance is a grudge purchase, mainly because policyholders will never see any benefit. The cover is activated when they die, and a pay-out is made to the beneficiaries. But life cover is one of the best ways to ensure the financial security of your loved ones if the worst happens. If you're on the lookout for life insurance to protect your family, this guide will tell you all you need to know about how it works, what to watch out for and how to get the best deal. We also tell you how to get the best quality life insurance to suit your budget and where you can compare quotes. What is life insurance and why do you need it? At its simplest, life insurance pays out a lump sum to nominated recipients when you die. This amount can be paid out to your loved ones to cover unpaid debts such as mortgages, car and personal loans. Any money left over can be put towards future costs such as university tuition for children, or can be invested to provide a future income or supplement a pension. Luke Barber, business development manager at Cavendish Online, explains: 'When considering life insurance, you need to think about the different areas that may require protection, whether it be your mortgage, protection for other unsecured debts, or protection for your family including your children. The areas that require protection are likely to change throughout your life too, so it's always worth speaking to an adviser so this can be researched effectively.' Best and cheapest life insurance This is Money has teamed up with Cavendish Online to offer our readers the cheapest life insurance quotes available on the market. You can get a fully underwritten quote online yourself, or speak to a fully qualified independent adviser who can compare life insurance and recommend the best option for you from a wide range of insurers. >> Get a life insurance quote and speak to an adviser How much cover do you need? The amount of life cover you need depends on your family's financial circumstances. Barber says: 'With respect to protecting a debt such as a mortgage, you would normally look to protect the balance of the mortgage. 'But when you are protecting other areas it's not always as straightforward, and this is where speaking to an adviser can be particularly useful. 'When considering your life insurance needs you need to ensure that the policies are affordable to you now, and in the future, to the best of your knowledge.' James Buckley-Thorpe, founder of life insurer Bequest, adds: 'If you have any other cover, such as work insurance for death in service, a pension or critical illness cover, these could also help you determine how much you need. 'Is your work coverage enough? What happens if you leave your job and are no longer covered? What exactly does your critical illness cover?' James Buckley-Thorpe of Bequest says life insurance is cheaper the younger you are When do you need it and what influences the cost? You can take out life insurance at any time. But the reality is that people are often 'triggered' into buying life cover at vital life stages such as buying a home, re-mortgaging, getting pregnant or having a child, getting married or moving in with a life partner. Life insurance premiums are influenced by several factors, including age, your family's medical history and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions. These factors could push up your premiums if your life insurance provider deems you to be a high risk. So, the earlier you take out a policy the better. Buckley-Thorpe adds: 'Life insurance is usually cheaper the younger you are, so planning ahead is a great idea. Getting on the insurance ladder young can help you save money in the long run.' What if you're on a low budget? If you're on a low budget there are free and low-cost options to consider. Aviva, for instance, offers free parent life insurance with 15,000 for each parent for each child that they have. However, it is only available from the time each child is born until they are four years old. It means you can get life insurance worth 30,000 in total for a year if you and your partner both successfully apply. Aviva also offers long term life insurance from 5 a month, but it's possible to find cheaper products than that. Financial comparison site confused.com says it offers cover from 4.74 a month, while moneysupermarket.com claims to have providers offering cover from just 4.56 a month. However, customers should check what is covered by these low-cost policies and how much they will pay out, as this may be less than required. Should you choose based on price? Price shouldn't be the only thing to consider, as the cheapest life cover isn't always the best. If you pay a little more, see what other benefits you can get with the policy as these days insurers offer plenty of extras. Some insurers now offer extras, such as a probate helpline, along with life insurance These could include help with sorting out finances when a family member has died, for example, as well as health and wellbeing support. Dan Crook, protection sales director at Canada Life, says: 'It's sensible to take your time when selecting the policy that's right for you and not simply be attracted to the cheapest price. 'Considering the terms associated with the policy, and any support services that come with it, is a key part of the decision-making process. 'At Canada Life, for example we can offer benefits such as a virtual GP, mental health support and a wellbeing programme as well as bereavement counselling and a probate helpline.' Will my mental health diagnosis mean I pay more? Lock down and social distancing restrictions has impacted on people's mental health. Nearly half of UK adults (47 per cent) have experienced mental health challenges, according to Scottish Widows. Few come clean about their mental health diagnosis with their insurer, however. Scottish Widows says that less than half (44 per cent) of applicants declare mental health conditions for fear that it will affect their ability to take out life or critical illness cover. Lock down and social distancing restrictions has impacted on people's mental health but declaring a mental health condition doesn't necessarily mean higher premiums But the insurer says that contrary to these misconceptions, declaring a mental health condition does not always mean higher premiums and doesn't exclude someone from getting protection cover. 'People are confused about how mental health conditions affect their critical illness cover or life insurance, which prevents them from getting the right support,' says Rose St Louis, protection director at Scottish Widows. 'Insurers aren't trying to catch people out we are there to help our customers. It's vital we have the right information to do this.' Should you get a joint policy? You can get an individual policy or a joint one with your partner. While separate policies mean more admin, the first advantage here is that your policies will remain unaffected if your relationship ends. What's more, if both you and your partner die, separate policies will result in two payments. However, having two policies does work out to be more expensive so you must consider your budget. If you choose a joint policy, make sure you know the terms of payment. Depending on your policy terms, it will either pay out when one or both of you dies. Young families should consider taking out policies which pay out when one person dies so that the other partner is not left struggling financially. The downside to a joint policy is that when it pays out, the surviving partner will have to take out a fresh policy. Depending on their age and circumstances this could cost a lot more than if two separate policies are taken out at a younger age. Whether you choose joint or individual policies there are also other things to consider. What types of life insurance products are there? Level term insurance This product offers a set pay-out for a particular period. You can take it out to cover you during the term of your mortgage, for instance. If you die while you're paying off your mortgage, it will then pay out a pre-agreed sum. Decreasing term insurance As we get older, we typically have fewer financial obligations. If we're dedicated in paying off our debts, mortgages, personal and car loans should reduce. Decreasing term insurance will reflect this, and you should pay less in premiums over time. However, it also means you'll get a lower lump sum pay-out over time. It is usually a cheaper product than level term insurance. Whole of life cover Unlike level term insurance, this policy will last for the rest of your life (or until you stop paying your premiums). It will pay out a set amount when you die. It can be comprised of an insurance and investment element and could be used to cover things like an expected inheritance tax bill. This is the most expensive form of cover. How and when to find the right cover it is a good idea to compare various providers or get advice to find the right policy. This is particularly the case if you are looking for a policy with added benefits, or you have pre-existing conditions. You can get life insurance directly through providers over the phone, or by completing an application form online. There are also many comparison sites which can give you a good picture of the various policies on offer. If you're unsure about how much you need, an independent financial advisor or specialist life insurance broker can give help you calculate this. Barber adds: 'If you approach an insurer directly, they will have a comprehensive knowledge of their own products, but if you speak to a broker, they will have a great knowledge of all products which are offered, from various insurers. 'When you purchase a product directly form an insurer, they will often take 100 per cent of the commission they're entitled to, whereas brokers often look to offer a discount, which means the final premium will normally be lower.' Rights to the one-time Christmas number one Killing In The Name have been sold to the Round Hill Music fund as it continues to expand its portfolio. Round Hill Music is one of two London-listed music rights funds, which buy music catalogues from labels or artists and cash in on the income generated by royalties. Its portfolio includes everything from Bonnie Tyler to the Backstreet Boys. This morning it announced two package deals: an acquisition of a catalogue from Canadian producers Jack and Garth Richardson, and a deal to buy reggae band Rebelutions back catalogue. Round Hill Music, led by Josh Gruss, has struck a deal for Jack and Garth Richardson's catalogue which includes Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name. The Richardson deal includes production income rights to 308 songs by artists such as Alice Cooper, Nickelback and Rage Against The Machine, including the bands 1992 hit Killing In The Name. Round Hill did not disclose the financial details of the deal due to commercial sensitivities. Trevor Bowen, chair of the fund, welcomed the landmark acquisition that provides the company with exposure to a range of timeless classic tracks. Jack and Garth Richardson are exceptionally well-regarded producers and their impressive catalogue further diversifies RHMs portfolio in terms of genre and royalty type with the addition of key tracks from some of alternative metals best-known bands. In a separate statement, Round Hill announced a deal to buy the master and publishing rights of American reggae band Rebelutions back catalogue. Six of the seven albums included in the deal went to number one in the US reggae charts and in 2016 the band was nominated for a Grammy. While 73 per cent of the revenue exposure comes from streaming, Rebelutions extensive touring will help propel future catalogue revenues. Interest in royalties has picked up over the last 18 months in large part because of the volatility in markets - it has little to no correlation to equities - but also strong streaming figures. Music has evolved from being a discretionary spend to more of a utility and streaming is now the largest component of recorded music revenues according to Liberum analysis. The FTSE 250- listed fund Hipgnosis Songs has received a lot of attention after going on a huge spending spree since its Initial Public Offering in London in 2018. The funds portfolio, run by Merck Mercuriadis, includes songs by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. While some corners of the industry have been hit during the pandemic, Hipgnosis and Round Hill have relatively low exposure to the worst affected segments like live events. Instead they focus on what Roundhill chief executive Josh Gruss terms 'evergreen' catalogues, which sees the fund buy up songs from 20 to 30 years ago. 'These royalties can be very consistent and annuity-like, especially if it's a classic song and the ones you hear day in day out like Queen or Fleetwood Mac,' Gruss previously told This Is Money. 'Those types of classic songs are going to be listened to, there's a beautiful consistency to it. We're buying into these classic copyrights and enjoying the durability and growth of them.' Have you received some unexpected Christmas money from Santander? Email isabella.nikolic@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement Santander will have to ask tens of thousands of customers to return funds, said experts, after the bank accidentally paid 130million from its own reserves on Christmas Day. Some 75,000 payment transactions, at an average of 1,733 each, were wrongly put through twice from 2,000 people and businesses who were set up to send either a one-off or regular payment, with the second payment coming directly from Santander's own reserves. The Spanish-owned bank - which said the blunder was due to a payments' 'scheduling issue' - is now struggling to get its money back because it has been sent to recipients who belong to a litany of other banks such as Barclays, HSBC and NatWest according to The Times. Even though the windfall was Santander's mistake, it is illegal for customers to keep the wrongly accredited money and if they spend it they face being charged with 'retaining wrongful credit' under the Theft Act 1968. The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison. But although those banks are able to take back money that was incorrectly paid into its customers' accounts, they fear some may have already spent it. Matt Boyle, Banking Publisher at the personal finance comparison site finder.com, told MailOnline that the bank will have to contact each customer directly to request that they return the funds. He also said Santander is allowed to report anyone who has accidentally received credit and refuses to pay it back to the police. Roughly 75,000 people and businesses who were already set up to receive either a one-off or regular payments from 2,000 companies with Santander accounts were wrongly paid twice Mr Boyle told MailOnline: 'Santander will need to contact each customer individually to request that they return the funds. The whole process could end up costing Santander a significant amount of time and effort. 'Unfortunately for Santander the retrieval process isn't as easy as just hitting the undo button.' He added: 'Santander is allowed to report anyone who has accidentally received credit and refuses to pay it back - either through stubbornness or because they spent the money and cannot repay it. 'You would hope and expect that Santander gives customers every opportunity to repay the money back first though.' One bank said it didn't want to take money back from a customer if it would force them into overdraft. Pay UK, which runs the main payment systems in the UK, is discussing the issue with Santander while the bank desperately tries to recover the money. The bank has been using 'bank error recovery' to go to various banks or directly to recipients of the cash to get it back. Referring to whether other banks are legally forced to give Santander the money back, Mr Boyle said: 'Santander has released a statement saying we will be working hard with many banks across the UK to recover the duplicated transactions over the coming days, which implies it is not a requirement for other banks to cooperate. The bank will struggle to get their money reimbursed because it has been sent to recipients who belong to a litany of other banks such as Barclays, HSBC and NatWest 'You would imagine other banks will place a big emphasis on not generating negative and unnecessary headlines for a fault that was not their own.' A Santander spokeswoman said: 'We're sorry that due to a technical issue some payments from our corporate clients were incorrectly duplicated on the recipients' accounts 'None of our clients were at any point left out of pocket as a result and we are taking steps to recover the duplicated transactions in line with industry processes.' The spokeswoman added: 'The duplicated payments were the result of a scheduling issue, which we quickly identified and rectified. The recipients and purpose of payment will have varied among clients but could have included wages or supplier payments.' Santander, which has 14million customers, was left in hot water earlier this year in May when it was forced to apologise after a glitch meant some of its customers weren't able to make any payments for almost an entire Saturday. And in August last year thousands of customers were unable to access their online accounts. Have you received some unexpected money from Santander? Email isabella.nikolic@mailonline.co.uk Britons with Nationwide bank accounts were left furious today by problems with delayed incoming payments - with some saying their wages had not yet been paid. One of the building society's customers affected by the issue which started in the early hours of today fumed that they have 'bills to pay and a child that needs food'. Another added: 'Currently waiting on wages. Have zero food in the house to feed my two-year-old and husband can't even get to work as need money for petrol.' The problem will also affect people across the country waiting for their wages to be paid in this morning so they can go out for a New Year's Eve party tonight. Nationwide tweeted: 'Sorry, there's currently a delay affecting some incoming payments. Your payment will be processed and you don't need to do anything.' The issue appeared to have been resolved by mid-morning. Today marked the second time Nationwide customers have been affected by the same issue in less than a fortnight, following a similar delay on December 21. And it comes as Santander scrambled to claw back 130million it mistakenly paid out in a Christmas Day windfall. The Spanish bank accidentally sent the money to 75,000 people who receive one-off or regular payments from 2,000 businesses. But due to a scheduling error, the payments from these accounts were inadvertently made twice with some workers receiving two lots of their monthly wages. Britons with Nationwide bank accounts reported problems with delayed incoming payments As for Nationwide, one customer said today: 'So Nationwide is down again and I'm yet again waiting for my wages to go in. I have bills to pay, this is unacceptable. When will this be fixed?' Another tweeted: 'Nationwide, where are my wages? Why I have to stress myself over delay of the money I've been working hard for?' And a third posted: 'Thank you for causing even more stress. No wages and other payments due into my account today #nationwide #needtochangebanks #useless.' Hundreds of customers reported issues on Down Detector, with deposits being the most-reported problem, followed by account balances and funds transfers. Hundreds of customers reported issues on Down Detector, saying they began after midnight The cities worst-hit by the problems according to a Down Detector heat map this morning were London, Nottingham and Birmingham, while there was also a big impact in Dublin Deposits were the most-reported problem, followed by account balances and funds transfers The cities worst-hit by the problems according to a Down Detector heat map were London, Nottingham and Birmingham, while there was also a big impact in Dublin. A Nationwide Building Society spokesman told MailOnline today: 'There was a delay on members receiving some types of payments to their accounts overnight. 'The issue was quickly resolved this morning and payments are being processed. The delay impacted payments such as scheduled credits to accounts, Standing Orders and Direct Debits. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 'Any member who needs our support as a result of this issue can visit us in branch, contact us on 0800 302 011 or via Twitter (@AskNationwide).' Dec. 31,On New Years eve, President Sappan KC delivered his 2022 New Year Address. The following is the full text of the address: New Year 2022 Message from the Europe Foundations President KC We are coming to the end of another year dominated by the COVID pandemic which continues to affect worldwide health, Peace, economic security, and social well-being. We Sincerely hope the new year that comes will put an end to this dreaded pandemic and will lead us on to a new normal life. Me and my organization, The Europe Peace Foundation (EPF), have been working non stop for the agenda of World Peace by 2030. I urge all world leaders, dissidents, and armed groups to join hands and stand up on my GLOBAL PEACE 2030 agenda. As I have requested the world to renounce arms war, violence, strife, bitterness and join us on the path of peace. With all your support the next nine years to Global Peace will be a grand success. I call for peace, unity and dialogue in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Rwanda, Cuba, Israelis Palestinian, Iran, North Korea, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Myanmar to resolve all global conflict. The pandemic COVID-19 has caused great suffering, misery and a decrease in the human global population for two years greatly affecting global economy, impacting the natural reserves of the environment causing great imbalance in production and risking the availability of such resources in the future. People dependent on this have suffered greatly and continue suffering great inequality and discrimination due to these inequalities and this needs to change. UNACCEPTABLEwould be the one word used to describe the current situation for the majority of the population of humans suffering on planet earth. Conflicts and cold wars between countries in the want of power cause more damage to the Common Man than it does to anyone else. People with low income continue to suffer the Virus as they cannot afford to Vaccinate themselves and their families while the Affluent people are over vaccinated creating an image of the vaccine being fashionable. Poor Countries obviously devoid of this so considered fashion Vaccine continue to suffer and die due to the inequality on planet earth. There is one God and everybody should follow the Religion of Humanity to save the situation and help each other selflessly. Only then will the world be a better place for every one to live in. On behalf of The Europe Foundation, I wish you all around the world a year filled with abundant peace, freedom, democracy, ayear without war, misery injustice and inequality, a year filled with Peace. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 ! Sappan KC President END* For further information, please contact: Telephone: (+34) 910 231 214 press@europefoundation.org | www.europefoundation.org ALBANY The Albany County Land Bank was awarded $1.9 million from the state to transform its properties into affordable homes. The state awarded the land bank the money to revitalize nine vacant buildings into move-in-ready homes that extend affordable homeownership, particularly to households of color and first-time buyers. Adam Zarenko, the land bank's executive director, said the money will help transform some of the most challenging vacant buildings in its inventory into equitable and affordable homeownership opportunities, as it encourages the continued growth of minority- and women-owned businesses. The nine buildings house 20 units and are located in historically redlined neighborhoods including Second Avenue, Grand Street, First Street, Second Street, Fourth Avenue and Judson Street. It's expected the total project will cost roughly $2.3 million. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the rehabilitation of the nine buildings was one of three projects selected for the first round of funding from the state's Legacy Cities program, which was created in conjunction with the New York State Homes and Community Renewal and The Community Preservation Corporation, a non-profit community development financial institution. The program's goal is to preserve and produce affordable and workforce housing in New York. Each project can receive up to $75,000 in funds from the Community Preservation Corp. for every unit in subsidy but can potentially get $95,000 per unit if the remodel includes certain energy-efficient improvements. According to the news release announcing the grant, developers who are minority and women-owned businesses will be given preference to work on the projects. When completed, each property will be sold to first-time homebuyers and households of color earning less than 80 percent of the region's median income will be given priority. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The Land Bank also secured a $1 million grant to revamp three other buildings along Second Avenue. Albany County cannot move forward without lifting up our minority communities that have been left behind for too long, including the South End and West Hill," Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said. Annus horribilis 2021 draws to a close this week, and not a moment too soon. But we cant help but wonder how well movies predicted the events of today. Our quiz this week tests your knowledge of films from the past that were set in the future otherwise known as our today, 2021. Weve also thrown a couple for the coming year, too. 1. The 1995 Keanu Reeves cyberpunk thriller Johnny Mnemonic is set in January 2021, so lets start there. True or false: At one point, Reeves title character asks someone for an iPhone, even though that now-ubiquitous device wasnt invented until 2007, 12 years after the movie was made. 2. The apocalypse is nearer than we think, in more ways than one, according to the 2018 sci-fi horror smash, A Quiet Place. The bulk of the movie takes place in 2021 and it was shot and set in upstate New York. It was only nominated for one Academy Award, best sound editing, and seemed a shoo-in to win. Instead, it was bested by which fellow nominee? A. Bohemian Rhapsody B. Black Panther C. First Man D. Roma 3. What now famous comedian and actress made her big-screen debut in 2012s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, a movie about the last days for Earth before an asteroid is expected to collide with it in March of 2021? 4. Before he was nominated for a best director Oscar in 2021 for the foreign film winner, Another Round, Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg directed the critically panned 2003 English language release, Its All About Love, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Claire Danes and Sean Penn and set in 2021 amid a climate crisis. All three stars had previously appeared together in what 1997 Oliver Stone film, also featuring Jennifer Lopez? 5. In 2014s Transcendence, scientist Johnny Depp is shot with a radioactive bullet and given only a month to live sometime in 2021. He decides to have his consciousness uploaded to a computer so he can live on after death, but his best friend and fellow scientist refuses to take part in the experiment. The actor who plays the friend later had his biggest success portraying a talking A.I system and a humanized robot in a blockbuster movie series and recent TV spin-off. Who is the actor? 6. One of the first space westerns was 1969s British flop Moon Zero Two, set in 2021 and revolving around a lunar mining colony and the corrupt hijacking of a valuable asteroid. What studio, known primarily for Gothic horror films, was responsible for this very 60s look into the future? 7. The 2019 raunchy romantic comedy Long Shot takes place in the world of national politics and culminates at the 2021 presidential inauguration. Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron are the leads, but what star of a critically acclaimed spin-off TV series about to debut its final season plays the movies dimwit actor-turned-president? 8. Yet another movie set in a post-apocalyptic 2021, 1988s schlockfest The Sisterhood imagines all women have been enslaved by a brutal army of men until a group of paranormal she-warriors fights back. One of these female rebels is played by a former competitive and professional ice skater who later became a Bond Girl named Bibi Dahl. Which one of the following is she? A. Maryam dAbo B. Talisa Soto C. Barbara Bach D. Lynn-Holly Johnson 9. The Purge, the 2013 first installment in the murderous Purge franchise takes place on the night of March 21, 2022. The fourth film, 2018s The First Purge, is a prequel focusing on the origins of the annual celebration of legalized crime. What year did the purges supposedly start? 10. Soylent Green, released in 1973, shows the world of 2022 plagued by overpopulation, poverty, oppressive humidity caused by climate change, pollution and depleted resources, especially food. It was also the final film for screen legend Edward G. Robinson, who died 12 days after filming was completed. It was the second film in which he appeared with Soylent Green leading man Charlton Heston. What was the first? ANSWERS 1. True and false. He actually asks for a different type of device called an Eyephone. 2. A 3. Amy Schumer 4. U-Turn 5. Paul Bettany (J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) 6. Hammer Films 7. Bob Odenkirk 8. D 9. 2016 10. The Ten Commandments CHICAGO (AP) A man suspected in the shooting of one police officer and wounding of another at a northern Illinois hotel has been taken into custody, authorities said Friday. Darius Sullivan, one of two people suspected in the shooting of the two Bradley police officers, was arrested Friday morning at a home in North Manchester, Indiana, Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police said at a news conference. Sullivan, 25, surrendered to a SWAT team that was assisting the U.S. Marshals with a search warrant for the property about 110 miles (177 kilometers) east of Bradley. Sullivan's arrest came a day after Illinois authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The Illinois State Police did not release any updates on the investigation Friday other than a written statement confirming that Sullivan had been arrested and would be taken back to Kankakee County, where the shooting occurred late Wednesday. Fifield said he didn't have any details on the investigation into the shooting. He did name three other men but wouldn't discuss whether their arrests were connected to the officers' shootings. Two of the men were arrested after police said they ran from their car during a traffic stop in Fulton County, Indiana. The third was arrested at the home where Sullivan was taken into custody. Fifield said police found weapons and drugs in the car that the two men fled from and at the North Manchester home. Authorities are still searching for 26-year-old Xandria A. Harris, of Bradley, who investigators believe was at the hotel when the shootings happened, the Illinois State Police said. The two officers were speaking to people in a room at a Comfort Inn along a highway in Kankakee County when they were shot, according to the county sheriffs office. They were taken to nearby hospitals, where 49-year-old Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic died. The other officer identified by the Illinois State Police as 27-year-old Tyler J. Bailey underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition on Thursday, according to the Bradley Police Department. Messages left with the department and Illinois State Police on Friday to update Bailey's condition were not immediately returned. The officers were at the hotel to investigate a report of dogs that were barking in an unattended vehicle in the parking lot, the sheriffs office said. They found the room where the vehicles possible owner was staying and were shot while talking to the people in that room, it said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Authorities arrested two other people Thursday on charges alleging they impeded the search for Sullivan and a woman also suspected in the shootings. Nichele Newton-Carroll, 42, and Jelman Sullivan, 21, face charges of obstructing justice/leaving the state, the (Kankakee) Daily Journal reported. Neither had an attorney listed Friday in court or jail records. Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe identified Newton-Carroll as Sullivan's mother. Rowe said he is not sure of the connection between Jelman Sullivan and Darius Sullivan. The hotel shootings came hours after a sheriffs deputy was fatally shot while responding to a motorist assist call on a highway near Mill Shoals, roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Bradley. The Wayne County Sheriffs Office said Deputy Sean Riley was found dead by a second officer who later arrived at the scene, and the deputys squad car was later found abandoned on I-64, police said. Authorities arrested a Kentucky man suspected in that attack and a carjacking in Missouri. ALBANY Movie stars Barbara Stanwyck and John Wayne featured in a film censored as immoral and which will tend to corrupt morals seems surreal, but thats what the New York State Motion Picture Commission ruled on April 1, 1933 when it refused to license Baby Face for distribution in the states estimated 1,700 movie theaters. The theme of this story is prostitution, the state censors said about Stanwycks character's involvement with seven men through the course of the film. The scenes are revolting and the method by which she obtains her men are immistakable in their meaning. In the wild days before Hollywood started following the famous Hays Office with its moral production code, New York and a few other states marched into the censorship business to, they said, protect the morals of their citizens from being corrupted by the images on the silver screen. Sex, crime and violence in movies and their advertisements were the New York censors targets. Their work in reviewing movies forced changes to be made so that a film like Baby Face saw heavy cuts done to tone down scenes in order to win entry into the states large and wealthy moviegoing market. New Yorks censors went to work just over 100 years ago, on Aug. 1, 1921 in New York. Changing times and court decisions put the states censors out of work in 1965, after the state reviewed more than 73,000 films. Today, the states Motion Picture Scripts Collection contains about 55,000 scripts housed on row upon row of shelves in the State Archives. In order to show a film in the state you needed to get a license from the Motion Picture Commission. To get the license, you had to submit the film and the script to the state. The state would return the film to you. We dont have the films. We have the scripts, said Thomas Ruller, the state archivist. The very first film the censors reviewed was Martin Johnsons Jungle Adventures. The safari movie passed without any changes. Two movies later, the censors banned their first movie, The Night Rose starring Lon Chaney (The Man of 1,000 Faces) and distributed by legendary producer Samuel Goldwyn, as immoral and indecent but that it tends to corrupt morals and incite to crime. Goldwyn went to court to challenge the ruling that shut the picture out of the New York market. He lost. It was sex and crime, Laura Wittern-Keller, a lecturer in history at the University at Albany and an expert on states-censoring of films, said about the forces driving censors. New York also would post a profit on its censors reviewing films. Each movie had to be tagged and there was a license fee for it. During the first five months of operation in 1921 , the Motion Picture Commission collected $158,085 in fees while spending just $36,687, according to its inaugural annual report. Succeeding years would see income exceeding expenses. Wittern-Keller is the author of two books, Freedom of the Screen: Legal Challenges to State Film Censorship and The Miracle Case: Film Censorship and the Supreme Court which she co-authored with Raymond J. Haberski Jr., a cultural historian, about the legal aspects of censorship. Wittern-Kellers journey into studying censorship began with a hallway conversation while a doctoral student at UAlbany. That impromptu discussion that led her to the states movie scripts collection and into the world of censorship. Those movie script files range from a few pages to thick folders filled with correspondence lobbying for the censors to pass the movies so they could be shown as well as with explanations for the rejections. The back and forth between the producer and the commission ... there was lobbying going on, Ruller said. New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kansas censored films. Their legal standing was backed up by a 1915 U.S. Supreme Court Case Mutual Film Corp. vs. Ohio that found First Amendment rights didnt apply to motion pictures, allowing censors to approve and reject films they do their work. With strong legal support, the major motion picture companies had to navigate their way through the censors objections in order to get their films into the theaters. Future legal battles would be waged by smaller companies. It was the little guys who were the First Amendment warriors, Wittern-Keller said. Those legal contests would set the course after World War II for the eventual demise of New York censors and those in other states. The Hollywood studios would turn to self-regulation after 1934 through the Motion Picture Picture Producers and Distributors of America, best known as the Hayes Code, to beat back the state censors. It was named after William Hayes who headed the organization. But at the beginning of the Great Depression, from 1930 to 1934, many famous movies crossed over the line set by the censors for dealing with sex, crime and violence. Baby Face was one, and Scarface: The Shame of a Nation was another film that were outright rejected by New Yorks Motion Picture Commission until they were rewritten. Scarface, directed by Howard Hawks, who produced it with Howard Hughes, was rejected completely for being indecent, inhuman, immoral, inciting crime and for corrupt morals. The original story had more than 20 murders, including innocent women and children. In the film based on Chicago gangster Al Capone, Paul Muni played the character Antonio Camonte, who the states censors said, kills not only racketeers and officers of the law but innocent women and children with brutal indifference. He escapes punishment by perjury, vicious coercion of witnesses, and corrupted use of the laws of the community. He is ruthless, immoral and vicious. United Artists agreed to deletions of dialogue, editing of scenes to remove guns and other issues raised by the censors and changes made across the film. Despite the fact that the film has been considerably cut, it doesnt appear to have lost any spice and pep by its lengthy visit with the New York censors. It emerges a cold and cruel picturization of gangster activities which does not let the criminal down lightly; does not in a single instance glorify him, but reveals his dastardly, sneaky, and yellow tactics the shooter, according to an article, Censoring the Censors in the July 1932 edition of Broadway and Hollywood Movies. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. It's difficult for todays audiences to fathom the censorship that began a century ago in New York State and elsewhere, said Sheri Chinen Biesen, professor of film history at Rowan University and author of Film Censorhsip: Regulating Americas Screen. The studios and distributors adoption of the Hayes Code allowed them to escape the more direct interference from the state censors, Biesen explained. While much is made of the word damn uttered by Clark Gable as Rhett Bulter in Gone with the Wind, Biesen said that was carefully worked out with the Hollywood censors to get it in the film. The New York file shows no problems with the film. Ruller describes the archives movie script holdings as a treasure chest. There are gems of the film itself and what films people were making. There are the gems of what the division did to make their revisions. Its this great doorway into something that touched the lives of everyone, Ruller said. But the roughly 55,000 files can be a challenge to explore due to the sheer volume of information in each folder. For us, using this film script collection does require you to spend time looking at the files. Lets learn about this particular film. You can really go deep, Ruller said. Theres an archive in Japan of Japanese language films that asked for a photocopy of every Japanese language film. It took us six months to copy, Ruller said. WIttern-Keller said reaching for the thickest folders generally provides the most interesting background about how a movie was treated. All Quiet on the Western Front in 1930 drew the stringent opposition of the United Technical Directors Association, a right-wing group led by Maj. Frank Pease, who telegraphed President Herbert Hoover and shared the correspondence with New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Pease wrote, This is the most brazen propaganda film ever produced in America. It undermines beliefs in the army and in authority. The Nazis in Germany would oppose the movie about World War I as anti-German. The files also show how Mae Wests Belle of the Nineties began as It Aint No Sin. Paramount Pictures successfully lobbied to have the state Board of Regents and state education commissioner watch the film in 1934. After viewing it, the Regents and the commissioner voted to uphold the original condemnation. Paramount would reshoot the ending, change the title and rewrite dialogue to win the states approval. The public can access the state archives 55,000 files in the Motion Picture Scripts Collection online to see basic summaries and to search for specific films. It is available at www.archives.nysed.gov/research/featured-topic-film-scripts. NISKAYUNA Fifteen minutes before the WellNow Urgent Care opened on Thursday, a line stretched past the office, the next two stores and wrapped around the corner to the far side of the building. Every person there was waiting for a COVID-19 test, five days after Christmas celebrations that may have spread the virus rapidly. COVID-19 cases are surging again, likely driven by the more contagious omicron variant, and people are now coming out in droves seeking tests. This comes after public health officials urged people to seek out testing for COVID-19 before the holidays not only if they were symptomatic but also just as an extra safety measure before family celebrations. Within days, retailers said they were sold out of the rapid, at-home tests. Even as lines of those waiting for nasal swabs stretched down sidewalks on Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a press conference that the state was successfully handling a huge number of tests every day. "We have testing widely available," she said. But there is no longer a large state testing site in the Capital Region, and that has led to long lines and no immediately available appointments at most locations offering tests. Retailers say theyre completely sold out of the rapid at-home tests, and that they sell out again within hours whenever they get a new shipment. That means sick people have only one option: to line up, sometimes outdoors in the cold, and wait for a PCR test the type administered by health care providers, clinics or pharmacies. Those who arrived before a testing center opened generally got a test within three hours, according to estimates from urgent care workers throughout the Capital Region. The line at the Niskayuna WellNow site was so long at 7:45 a.m. that Becki Nikolski was trying to decide if her husband could manage it. Were debating, she said after about 15 minutes in the unmoving line. I dont know how long hes going to be able to stand. Half an hour later, a WellNow worker took their names and sent them to their car to wait. The estimated wait time: "hours." There were more than 40 people ahead of them. The system was even worse for those who didnt have a car. Because they had symptoms, they couldnt go into the waiting room. That meant they had to stand outside. It was just above freezing. Ive been sick since Friday. This is crazy, said Amanda Ayoung, of Schenectady, on Thursday morning. On Wednesday she grew sick enough that she took an Uber to the urgent care. They told her to come back in a few hours. Its $10 back and forth. I did it four times yesterday, she said. But they never got her in. So on Thursday she resolved to stand in the cold and wait. Waiting. With no car. While sick, she said. This definitely isnt going to make it better. I need to see a doctor. She said she felt like she had the flu, with the typical aches and muscle weakness. But the weakness was starting to worry her. I couldnt even put Vicks on my body, she said. Emergency rooms are much more expensive, and in any case she didnt think she needed that level of care. She just wanted to know what was wrong, and proof of it her employer, a convenience store, was anxious for her to come back to work. Asking for state testing sites Local departments of health are trying to help. Albany County has asked New York state to reopen testing sites to meet the demand. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. We are hopeful the governor will open the testing sites in Albany County. We have asked for that, said county spokeswoman Mary Rozak. Last week, Hochul announced the opening of a number of state-run testing sites but none in the Capital Region. Albany County also added an online reporting tool for those who take an at-home test and test positive. The county website has a map, as does the state website, showing where people can get tested, which tests are offered at each location, and how to make an appointment. But same-day appointments are now very hard to get. Walgreens did not have any test availability anywhere in the Capital Region until Tuesdsy, Jan. 4, according to its website. At Caring Wellness Pharmacy in Cohoes, the earliest date was Monday, Jan. 3. CVS said no appointments were available locally for at least a week. Lincoln Pharmacy in Albany was offering next-day PCR tests with results in two hours for $200. Customers could schedule an appointment online after typing in their credit card information. It appeared to be the only location still taking next-day appointments from the general public. Most other locations take insurance, charge a small fee or offer testing for free. But they are being overwhelmed by patients. Everybodys calling trying to get the test. They call all day. What do you tell them? said Leslie Sheldon at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center in Albany. She was fielding calls from the public because the site is still listed on the Albany County website as offering testing. But so many people need COVID-19-related services that Whitney Young is now only offering it to its own primary care patients. And even with our primary patients its full volume, Sheldon said. Her daughter, who is not a Whitney Young patient, got COVID-19 and could not find a place to get her children tested, Sheldon added. They need to start opening places up for people to get in, she said. ALBANY As COVID-19 cases continue a record-breaking surge, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced a Winter Surge Plan 2.0 to fight the virus, focused on returning children to school, increasing vaccination rates and boosting the supply of new antiviral treatments. Hochul also said she was extending for two weeks a mandate that requires private businesses and venues to impose a mask requirement or require proof of vaccination. The requirement had been set to expire Jan. 15, but now will last until at least Feb. 1, when it will be reassessed. The governor announced new mandates for college students at SUNY and CUNY schools: If they are eligible for booster shots, students must receive them by Jan. 15. There was already a requirement that students be fully vaccinated. In a new mandate, CUNY and SUNY faculty members also must be vaccinated. The top union official representing SUNY faculty said he "applauded" Hochul's move. But in a statement, United University Professions President Fred Kowal said his union needed to discuss the plan with her administration, and "negotiate its implementation" to ensure "the hard-fought-and-won due process rights of our members are protected." Hochul said that in addition to the 1,800 testing sites in the state, new ones would be added next week, including one in Albany. The governor, speaking at the Capitol, said she did not plan to close schools, emphasizing the steps taken to keep them open. Its just not an option to keep out children after what they had to go through the last time, she said. State Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said it seems clear that the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus does not cause as severe disease as previous variants. But the virus is highly transmissible, and hospitalizations are continuing to increase despite the less-severe symptoms experienced by many. A small fraction of a big number is still a big number, Bassett said. On Thursday, 80 people died in New York from the virus, and there were 7,919 hospitalizations. Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia said as of Friday New York possessed 5.2 million COVID-19 tests for schools, and 4 to 8 million more were coming. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. If a child catches the virus, the testing supply will allow their classmates to get tested immediately, Hochul said. The governor also encouraged parents to have their children ages 5 to 11 get vaccinated, saying it's among her top priorities. The governor said she spoke on Thursday with Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, and pressed him to change federal regulations and allow New York to require nursing home visitors to be vaccinated. Hochul also pushed Zients to make two new antiviral treatments, which can be taken orally, widely available in New York. She said that the federal government should take into account a states population as well as its needs in the distribution of that medication. In New York, cases are higher than in many other states, and the highly transmissible variant has hit densely populated New York City hard. Bassett said that the supply of the antivirals, however, is miniscule compared to the number of infections, and that the problem is production issues. Hochul said she had been in touch with one of the manufacturers, Pfizer, about putting New York at the front of the line when the company's new antiviral is available for sale to states. Dorota Dzikon loves working as a bus driver so much, she is encouraging her wife to join Dublin Bus too. Yet she remains one of the few women working for Dublin Bus, which has struggled for years to attract female drivers. Women make up less than 6% of Dublin Bus drivers, despite a campaign two years ago aimed at boosting numbers. The capitals bus service currently has 148 female drivers, out of a total of 2,716. The number of female drivers remains low despite a recruitment drive in the middle of 2019 that saw Dublin Bus particularly target women in a bid to encourage them to join the state-owned company. Yet despite the low numbers, the women who currently work for Dublin Bus speak of a largely positive workplace with plenty of benefits and opportunities. Ms Dzikon joined Dublin Bus a year ago. While working as a chef at one of the Dublin Bus garages, she started talking to some of the male drivers. She said: Most drivers, they say its a perfect job. Its nice. So they pushed me to try some different experiences, especially when Im nearly 40 years old. I thought to myself, its time to leave the kitchen because its stressful. Working in a kitchen can be very hard. In the back of my head, I was dreaming I could be a taxi driver or a bus driver. But I never thought about Dublin Bus, to be honest. I never thought I would become a Dublin Bus driver. Ms Dzikon currently drives at night, which she says is a perfect fit because her wife works late nights. I told my wife, she will definitely be a bus driver as well, she says. She says she always encourages women to take up the job. It is a great, great job. To see the people, the customers, every day, she says. Dublin Bus acknowledges that progress has been poor. A spokesperson for Dublin Bus said: It can be difficult to recruit women into traditionally male-dominated areas and positions for many reasons including preconceptions around the role. When the open days were launched in 2019, the spokesperson said, the plan was to double the number of female drivers within two years. Due to Covid-19 we had to stop the open days which impeded this target but we have increased the number of female drivers by 53% so far. We would still like to meet our target of doubling the number of female drivers, the spokesperson said. Irma Robertson, from Dublin, has worked for Dublin Bus for five years. Before joining, she worked as a medical secretary. She joined Dublin Bus in part because the pay would be better. I wanted to buy my house, she says. I was talking to somebody whose husband was a driver and he said they were looking for women. So she was applying as well. I thought, well Ive always been a bit of a tomboy, I like driving and I handle pressure quite well. I said sure why not, give it a go. I was fed up doing womens traditional roles and just not getting well paid. I had gone to college to be a medical secretary, before that I was a beautician. And you know, youre really getting really no wage for all those types of roles, even though its a lot of work in them. She did six weeks of training to be a driver. The training was great fun, but it was hard. It was like a pressure cooker. Ms Robertson was full of praise for Dublin Bus, but said she understood why the job might seem daunting. At the start I was nervous, particularly on some of the more challenging routes, she says. I was nervous, particularly after reading some drivers are being attacked. But in your cab you have your screen, you have a panic button. If I feel theres trouble, I dont challenge. As one of the few women currently working as a trade union representative in Dublin Bus, she says she knows that there are some recurring problems. The lack of bathrooms on buses often crops up as an issue. Men, I suppose, can probably go anywhere if they need to whereas women cant. And there is still a big issue. If youre on a route for a few hours and you need to go its not that easy. So you need to have a strong bladder, she says. I think its something that women need, but even the men as well, it is the big bone of contention. I suppose years ago, maybe people just put up with it Ms Robertson says she thinks the shift nature of work at Dublin Bus may put some women off. When she started her training, there were four women in her group. After a year, two had already left the company. I think what happens is it is probably to do with childcare. It is shift work. Shift work is something you need to think long and hard about before you come in. I suppose, traditionally women are the nurturers. I know its changed now, its 2021. But I think childcare would be generally left to the women to look after. Yet she jokes that women can often be better workers than men. I find even the females dont complain, they just get on with it. Whereas the men, they complain all day long about little things. Where I have noticed the women just get on with it and they just come in. A Louisiana judge who repeatedly used a racial slur in a video recorded at her home and posted to social media resigned in a letter her attorney sent to the Louisiana Supreme Court on Friday Another blast of snow halted travel on a large portion of the main east-west highway across Washington state and also snarled traffic in the Seattle and Portland, Oregon, metro areas In today's stunning missive from The Kansas City Star, an author honored by the Pulitzer committee offered up a reckless analogy which tried & failed to draw a comparison betwixt the current COVID pandemic and the plauge which killed nearly 1/3rd of Europe's population between 1347 and 1351. Even worse . . . She cited an obscure novel from the 1800s in order to drive her point. And this begs the question . . . WHO READS THIS STUFF?!?!? Our guess is that they're writing this kind of tripe simply for each other and to impress friends & family. Before we get carried away, here's a passage from the lame attempt to shame the Missouri Republican super majority with pandemic politics . . . When strong evidence of the Black Death was first reported to the governor, however, he not only ignored the Tribunal of Health but decreed that a citywide party celebrating the birth of the Spanish kings first son should go on as planned. Not unlike Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who went ahead and hosted his annual fall festival last year, or South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who in the middle of the delta spike called the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in her state a fun and fantastic event, the governor of Milan prioritized the princes birthday party. He did so, Manzoni said, without troubling himself with the danger which would result from so great a concourse of people at such a time. Now . . . We all know so many old folks who subscribe to the Star out of habit but we can't venture to believe they're reading this kind of nonsense without raising an eyebrow. Forgive us for being uncultured but . . . Classic Italian literature and blame game screeds are a tough sell in Kansas City. And so, at the close of the year . . .This absolute garbage from the Kansas City Star proves that a newspaper desperate for survival might be just as dangerous as worsening and very real public health threats which need to be handled by adults and not hacks who are desperate for attention. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link tease to paywall junk. . . Locals don't take a holiday break from their misdeeds and in this post we chronicle more than a few ALLEGED crimes, police action and a plea for peace this evening. Here's the TKC collection . . . Blue Springs contactor indicted for defrauding multiple elderly customers KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Blue Springs contractor and member of the FOX4 Problem Solvers Hall of Shame has been charged with 11 felony counts of defrauding elderly Missourians out of more than $25,000, according to an indictment filed by the attorney general's office. After two cars stolen in months, Independence man frustrated with police response INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - People in Independence are voicing concerns about police response times in the area. Tim Gardner said he's become a target for thieves, and he fears something worse could soon happen. He first called police when his 2015 Ford Edge Titanium was stolen in October. Man charged in Monday night shooting death in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Christmas Day pistol whipping may have led the victim to kill his attacker two days later. William Betts III, 44, is charged in Jackson County Court with second degree murder and armed criminal action. Betts is accused of the Monday night shooting death of longtime acquaintance Naaman E. On COVID and crime Democrats assess risk very differently For well nigh two years now Democrats across America have urged strict restrictions and obedience from the nation in all matters regarding COVID. Turn your life upside down, send your kid to school in masks to eat lunch in chilly weather on the ground of the yard, and by all means get your two, or three, or however many vaccination jabs. KCMO man charged in Dec. 13 homicide KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 26-year-old Kansas City man has been charged with murder in a Dec. 13 homicide. Roy Justin Puls is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Corey A. Haley. Court records show KCPD officers were sent to a reported shooting in the 2000 block of East 83rd Street. Wanted: Carlos Wells JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- According to the KC Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline, Carlos Wells is wanted for a sex offender registration violation out of Jackson County. His original offense happened in 2005 in Nixa, Missouri. It involved the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Family of man used as 'human shield' in KC police shooting approves partial settlement A federal judge has approved a partial settlement paid by The Downtown Council of Kansas City and the area's community improvement district to the survivors of a man killed by Kansas City police officers during an armed standoff in 2018. NYE Celebratory Gunfire: KCPD says Just Don't! That's the message again this year from the Kansas City, MO Police Department when it comes to those who just gotta go out to the back yard and empty a gun magazine in to the air to celebrate the New Near. Developing . . . Again, we're not so sure if this is a solution a glimpse at a dystopian future . . . Just this week, we took delivery and are in the process of installing seven new temporary beds within our family center, said Karl Ploeger, Director of Development for City Union Mission. The pods include murphy beds, lockable wardrobes and a partition for privacy. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . City Union Mission installing 'DOME pods' to increase capacity KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - The cold weather that's moving into our area is particularly hard on Kansas City's homeless population. During the winter months, demand for space in shelters rises dramatically. In its quest to increase capacity, City Union Mission is trying something new. It's using customized "DOME pods." And there is news of another collaboration...this time the Air Guard working with the Prison The Estonian Ministry of Defense is considering providing Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, Javelin missiles and 122mm howitzers, the national television and radio station ERR has said. Prior to the final decision, permission must be obtained from the United States, the country of origin of the missiles, and from Finland and Germany, the former owners of the howitzers, the report said. "In principle, Estonia has made a decision in its Ministry of Defense that our wish is to support Ukraine with armaments and ammunition in the current difficult security situation. [] The things we are currently considering or working on are the Javelin missiles for the anti-tank missile systems, and we are considering or planning to provide 122mm howitzers and ammunition for them," Peeter Kuimet, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense, told ERR. At the same time, he said that providing defensive lethal assistance is not that easy. Before delivering Javelin missiles, it is necessary to obtain permission from the United States as a manufacturer. "In the case of howitzers, we have received them from Finland, which in turn has received them from Germany. We have to ask Germany and Finland for consent to transfer the arms," Kuimet said. He specified that Estonia is constantly getting more Javelin missiles, "which over the years means that at some point some of the kits will start to age quietly, so to speak." The shelf life of the Javelin rocket is a little over ten years. After that, the missile should be disarmed or money spent on updating it. Kuimet said that if the missiles are not given away now, they would be used for training in the coming years. Estonia also plans to increase other aid to Ukraine. Last year, before the situation on Ukraine's borders worsened, the Estonian Ministry of Defense launched a joint project with Germany. It is planned to build a mobile field hospital complex for the Ukrainian defense forces. The role of the Estonian Defense Forces and the Ministry of Defense will be to coordinate the project and train Ukrainian military medics to work with this complex. Germany plans to allocate the money for the project. The implementation of this project is planned for February. "We currently hold annual English-language courses for Ukrainian special forces at the Defense Forces Academy. Estonia, as well as the other Baltic states, and Denmark sponsor the study of Ukrainian students at the Baltic Defense College. We are ready to double the number of students sponsored in these projects next year if the Ukrainians need it at all," Kuimet said. He recalled that such cooperation is also useful for the Estonian military, because thanks to the experience of Ukrainians, they get "a more immediate picture of what a conflict or a battle picture looks like with the Russian Federation or the units it supports." Photo: Ardi Hallismaa op The Cabinet of Ministers has appointed Oleh Haiduk Deputy Minister of Defense. The relevant order No. 1794-r of December 30 was published on the Government portal, Ukrinform reports. "Haiduk, Oleh Vasyliovych, shall be appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitization," the document reads. Oleh Haiduk heads the Information and Cyber Security Council of Ukraine, formed by the Memorandum of the National Security and Defense Council, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Special Communication Service. He is also the chief of Tribex, operator of Ukraines secure operating system, Sich. As reported, on November 17, the government released Yuliy Here from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitization, approving his resignation letter. im Russia continues to send its troops to the border with Ukraine as the earlier discovered camps are growing, new camps are set up, while tanks and howitzers are joined by sophisticated air defense systems. Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), a group of independent Russian investigators, reported this on December 30, according to Ukrinform. "As new virtual summits and talks with the U.S., NATO and OSCE are being announced, Russian forces keep arriving into border regions. Open-source data shows how the earlier discovered camps are growing, new camps are set up, while tanks and howitzers are joined by sophisticated air defense systems," the article said. According to CIT, during the past month, troops and/or vehicles were being transferred more actively into regions to the north-east of Ukraine the regions do not border the "rebel" territories in Eastern Ukraine outside government control. The Russian forces are being concentrated in various areas, including Klintsy and Klimovo in Bryansk region, less than 50 km and 10 km respectively from the Ukrainian border. Apart from the staging areas that were discovered earlier, at least one new area has been pointed out at the Postoyalye Dvory training ground in Kursk region. In addition, an increase of vehicle concentrations is also noted near Valuyki, Belgorod region (10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border). There has also been an increase of Russian forces presence in Crimea. Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said on December 30 that Russia now cannot physically carry out a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, there is a "small increase" in Russia's military presence at the border, but it "is not too critical for us" and the situation is under control. op Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov believes that in the claim of the stakeholders in PJSC Motor Sich to the government of Ukraine there is a trace of the country's neighbor. He addressed the issue at a briefing following the National Security and Defense Council meeting on Thursday, December 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "As for Motor Sich colleagues, we are quite calm about it. There is an understanding of what had been happening there. We insist once again that if these people are decent, if theyre decent buyers of these shares, you know that there is a sanction introduced by the National Security and Defense Council, and that every time some additional stuff emerges on the allegations that we have to pay them something, but we need to understand what those investments they are referring to were like and what China has to do with this all," Danilov said, commenting on the situation with the claims against Ukraine in the Motor Sich case. He stressed that "we are not particularly concerned about this." "As for whats currently being inflated in certain mass media, including abroad, that we are ... guilty of something lets wait. Things that are going to happen arent that simple. In addition, we believed and still believe that certain neighbors of ours left a trace there as they greatly sought to snatch our technology for the production of engines at our Motor Sich, said the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Earlier, a number of media outlets reported that Chinese investors in Motor Sich had increased their claims against Ukraine to $4.6 billion and filed the full text of the lawsuit with the arbitration court. As reported, on March 11, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council adopted a decision to return the Motor Sich enterprise to state ownership. Earlier, Ukraine imposed three-year restrictive measures on Chinese citizen Jing Wang and three Chinese-based companies. The sanctions also targeted a company from the British Virgin Islands. On January 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the NSDC decision on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures. In January, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed sanctions on China's Skyrizon Aircraft Holdings Limited, an investor in Ukraine's Motor Sich. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the United States wanted to warn exporters that Skyrizon had close ties to the Chinese army. On August 6 last year, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine announced that it would assess the sale of Motor Sich for compliance with competition law. On September 4, 2020, Chinese investors in Motor Sich submitted a Notice of Investment Dispute to the Ukrainian Justice Ministry regarding their intention to apply to an international arbitration court to recover $3.5 billion in losses from Ukraine. The working group on pre-arbitration settlement also includes a representative of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. It emerged in November that Chinese investors in Motor Sich had hired three law firms for the $3.5 billion lawsuit against Ukraine. im Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Senik and Tajikistan's Ambassador to Ukraine Davlatali Nazrizoda have discussed bilateral relations between the states, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has said. Both parties spoke about bilateral relations between Ukraine and Tajikistan, paying special attention to the prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the energy, investment, cultural and educational spheres, the report said. Senik emphasized the importance of intensifying the Ukrainian-Tajik political dialogue and taking concrete steps to increase bilateral trade. The diplomats expressed their mutual readiness for further cooperation on a wide range of issues included in the agenda of bilateral relations. In January-October 2021, exports of goods from Ukraine to Tajikistan amounted to $16.68 million. Ukraine mainly exported sugar and confectionery, finished grain products, paper and cardboard, pharmaceuticals. The trade surplus for Ukraine over the period amounted to $16.08 million. op Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov has said that the first Ukrainian oligarchs could be designated in May and included in the relevant register. He said this at a briefing after a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on Thursday, December 30, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "On May 20-25, at an NSDC meeting, we may have the first oligarchs who will be determined through the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, in accordance with our legislation," Danilov said. As was reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees the launch of the law on the fight against oligarchs as one of the most important events next year. "In May 2022, there will be a clear red line - for those who have believed since the 1990s that the state is their personal property. The anti-oligarchs law will come into force. This is the most powerful step to de-shadow economic and political relations in Ukraine," he said. Zelensky warned oligarchs that he would "not forgive" them their "conspiracies and schemes." op On January 1, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine Melinda Simmons will hand over the chairmanship of the G7 Ambassadors Reform Group in Ukraine to the Ambassador of Germany, Anka Feldhusen. Simmons has announced this via the groups Twitter page. "Today is the last day of @UKinUkraines presidency of the G7 Ambassadors Reform Group in Ukraine. It has been an honour and privilege leading this group in support of Ukraines ambitious plan of reform tomorrow we hand over to AnkaFeldhusen and the GermanyinUA team," the head of the British embassy wrote. Today is the last day of @UKinUkraines presidency of the G7 Ambassadors Reform Group in . It has been an honour and privilege leading this group in support of Ukraines ambitious plan of reform tomorrow we hand over to @AnkaFeldhusen and the @GermanyinUA team. Viel Gluck! pic.twitter.com/V1Scc8K2IN G7AmbReformUA (@G7AmbReformUA) December 31, 2021 Completing her tweet in German, Simmons wished good luck to her German colleague. Photo: Twitter im The year 2022 when Poland will be presiding over the OSCE might see escalation in Ukraines east and near the country's borders. Thats according to Ukraines Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia, who gave an interview to Ukrinform. "We appreciate that one of the priorities of Poland's chairmanship in the OSCE in 2022 is the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," Deshchytsia said. Among the main expectations of the Ukrainian side of Poland's chairmanship in the organization, he named the strengthening of the OSCE Special Monitoring Missions mandate in Ukraine. "We understand that there must be a consensus among the OSCE countries on the issue but Russia wont agree to this. However, it is important to develop clear mechanisms for settling the security situation in the region," said the Ukrainian diplomat. According to the envoy, Ukraine will raise the issue of human rights protection in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine and the situation of Ukrainian political prisoners, including Crimean Tatars. "These are the issues that the OSCE deals with, and we expect that Poland will keep them in view and raise them at a high enough level," said the ambassador to Poland. Deshchytsia has also noted that the Ukrainian side is waiting for the visit of the Polish Foreign Minister, Zbigniew Rau, in January as a representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. The Ukrainian diplomat noted that a very important task facing the OSCE is to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine's borders and prevent the conflict in the TOT from "freezing" as the ones in the OSCE areas in South Ossetia, Abkhazia, or Transnistria. As reported, from January 1, Poland will take the annual chairmanship of the OSCE. Polish Foreign Minister Rau said he would pay one of his first foreign visits to Ukraine as OSCE chief. Today (31st December 2021), Gold Rates in Pakistan is 103,400 per 10 grams, and the rate of Gold is 120,600 per tola. See prices of 22k, 24k, 21k and 18 karat Gold Prices of all cities here. Gold Rate in Pakistan today on 31st December 2021 - Per Tola Gold Rate in Pakistan today is 120,600 for 24-Karat, 110,545 for 22-Karat. Per 10 gram Gold Rate in Pakistan today is 103,400 for 24-Karat, 94,783 for 22-Karat. UrduPoint brings you the latest prices for gold rates, silver rates on a daily basis and updates the rates every hour. Gold Rate in Pakistan Today Karachi is the center of the gold market in Pakistan because Gold prices are set by the Karachi Sarafa Market. All other cities set the gold price according to the Karachi Sarafa Bazar Association for Gold Price. According to the below table, the gold rates in different cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, Multan and Peshawar are the same. Location 24k 10g 24k per tola 22k 10g Pakistan Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Karachi Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Lahore Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Islamabad Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Rawalpindi Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Peshawar Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Quetta Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 Sialkot Rs 103,400 Rs 120,600 Rs 94,783 (@FahadShabbir) Bukavu, DR Congo, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Dec, 2021 ) :Three policemen were killed and three more wounded in an attack in eastern DR Congo, local and military sources said Friday, with one blaming a notorious militia. Armed men attacked a police station late Thursday in Kalimbi in the Fizi highlands of South Kivu province, they said. "Three police were killed, three others were wounded and others are missing," Emile Mneni Ngando, who represents an association of local civil society groups, told AFP. A senior army officer in the region, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the toll of three dead and three wounded, and said eight weapons had been taken. He blamed a group led by army deserter William Amuri Yakutumba, which claims to represent local ethnic groups who have a historical feud with the Banyamulenge -- Congolese Tutsis of Rwandan heritage. On Monday, a colonel, three soldiers and 12 Banyamulenge rebels died in fighting, according to the army. More than 120 armed groups are active in eastern DR Congo, many of them a legacy of regional wars that raged in the 1990s, according to monitors. Bangui, Central African Republic, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Dec, 2021 ) :Three Tanzanian peacekeepers were injured Thursday when their vehicle struck an explosive device in the western part of the Central African Republic, according to the local UN mission, MINUSCA. In recent months, the long-running conflict between rebels and government forces has switched gears, with armed groups driven out of the main cities increasingly resorting to guerrilla tactics, including laying mines. While roadside explosives have previously ground humanitarian work to a halt in the northwest of the country, mines are less common in the west. On Thursday morning, the peacekeepers' convoy was leaving the town of Berberati -- about 500 kilometres (300 miles) from the capital -- for a temporary military outpost when it drove over a mine, according to MINUSCA. One severely injured peacekeeper was transported to Bangui for treatment. "This is the third time that MINUSCA peacekeepers have fallen victim to explosive devices in the Central African Republic," the UN mission said in a statement. After several years of a simmering continuation of the civil war that erupted in 2013, recent months have seen a spike in violence. The mostly sectarian unrest in the country of almost five million people, which the UN ranks as the world's second least developed, has displaced hundreds of thousands and spawned a major humanitarian crisis. President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who was re-elected in a vote late last year, declared a unilateral ceasefire in October and his government claims to have recaptured 90 percent of the nation's territory. But widespread insecurity, and a swelling food crisis, persists, especially in the northwest. Since August, mines have killed eight people, including two women and a five-year-old child, in the northwest, according to MINUSCA. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said that doctors and healthcare workers are the heroes who worked tirelessly for the safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan during COVID-19 despite all of the challenges RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Dec, 2021 ) :Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said that doctors and healthcare workers are the heroes who worked tirelessly for the safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan during COVID-19 despite all of the challenges. He expressed these views while addressing as a chief guest on the occasion of 54th Convocation Ceremony of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), The 54th Convocation Ceremony of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), was held at Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release. On arrival, the COAS was received by Vice President CPSP Professor Shoaib Shafi. Speaking on the occasion, the COAS congratulated the fellowship and membership of CPSP on achieving important milestone in their careers. He especially lauded the role of CPSP in enabling Pakistan's doctors and physicians to achieve specialization in respective fields at par with contemporary international forums. General Bajwa appreciated the exemplary role and services of medical community as front line warriors against the Pandemic. "Nation pays tribute to all those doctors and paramedics who sacrificed their lives as first responders in battling against pandemic while saving many precious lives," the COAS reiterated. While mentioning immense contributions of Army Medical Corps to National health Care system, he said that all available resources would be utilised to ensure safety and security of the people of Pakistan. The COAS awarded degrees to successful graduates and also awarded medals to high achievers. The Army Chief was also conferred honorary fellowship of CPSP. (@FahadShabbir) Prime Minister Imran Khan has highlighted the benefits of health cards, saying that health cards will meet the health emergency of the marginalized section of the society. ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Dec 31st, 2021) Prime Minister Imran Khan formally started distribution of Naya Pakistan National Health Card for the entire Punjab in Lahore today (Friday). Addressing the ceremony on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the founding fathers of Pakistan demonstrated clearly in objective resolution that Pakistan would be an Islamic welfare state. He said that Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam Khatam-un-Nabiyeen laid the foundation of welfare state in Madina. The Prime Minister said that thirty million families of Punjab would be benefited through the project of distribution of health cards and the cost of the project is four hundred billion rupees. Imran Khan congratulated the Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Provincial Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid and their team for the provision of Health insurance to the people of Punjab up to one million rupees annually. Highlighting the benefits of health cards, the Prime Minister said that health cards will meet the health emergency of the marginalized section of the society. He further said that it will also help to strengthen the health structure of the country. He said that networks of hospitals will be established under this health card scheme and the private sector will be incentivized through this project. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st December, 2021) A car carrying UN peacekeepers was blown up in the southwest of the Central African Republic (CAR), injuring three workers, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said. The incident occurred on Thursday at around 11.00 local time (09:00 GMT) when a convoy of peacekeepers left the city of Berberati towards temporary military posts located about 62 miles away. "Three Tanzanian MINUSCA peacekeepers were injured, including one seriously, on Thursday morning near the Batouri Bole in the prefecture of Mambere-Kadei (southwest of the Central African Republic) when their car was blown up by an unidentified explosive device. The seriously wounded soldier was taken to Bouar for treatment before his evacuation to Bangui," the mission said in a statement issued overnight Friday. MINUSCA decried the use of explosive devices by CAR armed groups, which led to numerous casualties across the country, it read. Hostilities broke out in CAR in 2013 after then-President Francois Bozize was toppled by rebels, who also took over the CAR capital of Bangui. The city has since turned into a battlefield between militants of former Islamist movement Seleka and its Christian-majority antagonists, known as Anti-Balaka. Next year, the UN deployed a contingent to the conflict-torn country to ensure the protection of civilians amid the conflict. The Technical Scientific Commission of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), has authorized the use of two new antiviral drugs - molnupiravir and remdesivir - for the treatment of COVID-19, the regulator said on Thursday ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th December, 2021) The Technical Scientific Commission of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), has authorized the use of two new antiviral drugs - molnupiravir and remdesivir - for the treatment of COVID-19, the regulator said on Thursday. The drugs will be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 forms. The medicines will be used at the initial stage to prevent a severe disease course. The use of molnupiravir will start on January 4. According to previous studies, the drug demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing acute illness and hospitalization in 30% of COVID-19 cases if applied immediately after exposure. Molnupiravir is produced in pill forms, which makes it easier to take the drug orally at home. Remdesivir, which is injected in the vein, had been used in the European Union before to treat COVID-19 cases with pneumonia requiring bottled oxygen. The Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Teresa Ribeiro, received the letter in which sanctioned Ukrainian outlets ask for assistance in resolution of the freedom of the press issue in Ukraine, Ribeiro's office told Sputnik VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st December, 2021) The Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Teresa Ribeiro, received the letter in which sanctioned Ukrainian outlets ask for assistance in resolution of the freedom of the press issue in Ukraine, Ribeiro's office told Sputnik. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian broadcaster Pershiy Nezalezhniy (The First Independent) stated that employees of banned Ukrainian media approached a number of international organizations and foreign ambassadors with a letter asking them to ensure the freedom of the press in Ukraine. "I can confirm the reception of the letter of the Ukrainian media organizations and want to let you know that the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media always responds to letters after due assessment of the situation," the representative has said. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought into force the decision of the National Security and Defence Council to sanction three media groups, which own the brands 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, ZIK, Pershiy Nezalezhniy and UkrLive tv channels. Nestor Shufrych, the owner of Pershiy Nezalezhniy and UkrLive TV channels, is an associate of the chairman of the political council of the party Opposition Platform - For Life, Viktor Medvedchuk. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st December, 2021) Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned his US counterpart, Joe Biden, that possible new sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine may result in severing relations between Russia and the United States, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. According to Ushakov, Biden warned Putin about new financial, military and economic sanctions against Russia in case of the escalation in tensions along its western borders. "Our president clearly responded that this would be a big mistake that of course may result in the full severance of relations," the Kremlin aided said. He added that such sanctions would have serious consequences and expressed hope this would not happen. A court in Vietnam on Friday handed a five year jail term to an activist for social media posts criticising the government Hanoi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Dec, 2021 ) :A court in Vietnam on Friday handed a five year jail term to an activist for social media posts criticising the government. Former middle school teacher Le Trong Hung is the fifth activist to be imprisoned in the last two weeks by the communist state, which tolerates virtually no opposition to its rule. The 41-year-old campaigned as an independent for the country's national assembly election in May, but was rejected as a candidate by the authorities. He was arrested in March and tried on Friday for "making, storing, distributing or propagating information and documents aimed at opposing the socialist republic of Vietnam". According to lawyer Ha Huy Son, Hung was given a five year jail term and a five year probation order at a trial in Hanoi lasting just half a day. Past state media reports said Hung had used social media to "publish writing or livestream the distortion and disparagement of the government". Hung is known for participating in anti-China protests and voicing critical views on social and environment issues, as well as supporting other activists. Human Rights Watch called on Vietnam to release Hung "immediately and unconditionally". "Imprisoning activists like Le Trong Hung who dare to run as independent candidates for parliament shows what a charade Vietnam's elections are," the organisation's deputy Asia director Phil Robertson in a statement. Vietnam's hardline administration often moves swiftly to stifle dissent, jailing activists, journalists and any critic with a large audience on Facebook. Earlier this month, state-controlled courts jailed four other activists on similar charges. One of them was prominent dissident journalist Pham Doan Trang, who was sentenced nine years behind bars. The Vaticans Fides News Agency releases its annual list of Catholic missionaries who died a violent death in 2021, with the majority bearing witness to their faith on the African continent. By Devin Watkins Twenty-two missionaries lost their lives across the world this year: 13 priests, 1 religious brother, 2 religious sisters, and 6 lay persons. Half (11) were killed on the African continent, followed by the Americas (7), then Asia (3), and finally Europe (1). Baptized missionaries The data was gathered by Fides News Agency, and was released in a report on New Years Eve . The Vatican agency says it uses the term missionary in a broad sense of all the baptized engaged in the life of the Church who died in a violent way, not only in hatred of the faith. According to Catholic theology, all baptized Christians are missionary disciples, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith (EG 120). Listen to our report African witnesses Though Europe counted just one murdered missionary, only the killing of Fr. Olivier Maire, SMM, in France made the headlines of the US- and Euro-centric Western press. The provincial superior of the Montfort Missionaries died at the hands of a Rwandan-born immigrant whom he had been assisting. Yet, the African continent counted the most missionary deaths, with a total of 11. The most recent was Fr. Luke Adeleke, a diocesan priest killed on Christmas Eve in a remote part of southwestern Nigeria. Africas most populous nation also witnessed the murders of 3 other priests, in areas where lawless bandits often have free reign. Three missionaries2 women religious and one laymanlost their lives in South Sudan, while missionaries were also killed in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Uganda, and Angola. Activists in the Americas Mexico endured the bulk of missionary-murders in the Americas, with 4 men bearing witness to the faith in blood. One was an indigenous lay catechist who was an activist campaigning for respect of human rights in a non-violent way. Missionaries also lost their lives in Haiti, Peru, and Venezuela, where a religious brother was killed by a thief in the school in which he taught. Asian pastoral workers In Asia, a Filipino priest was shot in the head as he returned to his Seminary on the island of Mindanao. The tumult in Myanmar left two Catholic laymen dead. Both were killed by snipers as they brought food and humanitarian aid to refugees fleeing the civil conflict. Though they did not make the list, at least 35 innocent Catholic civilians were massacred on Christmas Eve by army forces. Countless others killed in the faith In its annual report, Fides adds that the list is provisory and only includes missionaries whose fates have been independently verified. The agency says there are countless others whose names will never be known and who in every corner of the planet suffer and pay for their faith in Jesus Christ with their lives. For example, it fails to include another 16 catechists and pastoral workers killed in South Sudan during armed conflicts in 2021, whom the local bishop said were all targeted and killed by pistol bullets for having spoken the truth with works of peace! The report also points to the murder of a young Italian layman who moved to Mexico to live a simple life and help his poor neighbors in any way possible. Talks were underway Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin amid international fears that Moscow plans a military invasion into Ukraine. By Stefan J. Bos Thursday's phone talk between the two leaders attempts to de-escalate mounting tensions over Ukraine, a former Soviet nation. Moscow announced it withdrew some 10,000 troops from its border area near Ukraine ahead of the conversation. But critics view that as window dressing because more than 100,000 Russian forces are reportedly still in the area. Satellite images show a troop buildup, including units believed to have been newly moved towards the Russia-Ukraine border. The Kremlin claims its troops are there for exercises and that Russia is entitled to move its forces freely on its soil. However, Kyiv and Western leaders fear Russia plans to invade Ukraine, perhaps as early as next month. President Putin has not entirely excluded that possibility saying he considers several options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees. Listen to Stefan Bos' report Halting expansion? Putin told reporters his demands include halting the further expansion of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance eastwards to Ukraine. He also seeks legally binding guarantees that NATO will stop sending weapons such as missiles to Ukraine or other neighbouring countries. "Our actions will depend not on the negotiation process but the unconditional security of Russia. Today and in the historical perspective," President Putin said at his annual news conference. He added: "In this regard, we have made it clear and explicitly that further NATO movement eastward is unacceptable. What is unclear here? Are we putting missiles next to the United States borders? No. It is the United States that has come to us with its missiles. They are already on our doorstep." Putin also says that Ukraine seems to seek war and that Russia "prepares for that scenario." His comments come in a month of the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Russia-led Soviet Union, of which Ukraine was part before declaring independence. Moscow already annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and supports Russian separatists in the east of the country. Russia has denied accusations that it provides the rebels with weapons and troops in the conflict which has claimed more than 14,000 lives. In Thursday's phone call, Biden was due to tell Putin that the U.S. supports its allies. But U.S. officials say Biden will demonstrate a willingness to engage in what he called "principled diplomacy" with Russia on Ukraine. NATO reacts Earlier this month, the two presidents held a virtual summit when Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. While Ukraine is not a NATO member, it has close ties with the bloc. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stressed that Ukraine's membership in the alliance is for NATO and Kyiv to decide. "NATO's relationship with Ukraine is going to be decided by the 30 NATO allies and Ukraine -- no one else," Stoltenberg said. "We cannot accept that Russia is trying to re-establish a system where big powers like Russia have spheres of influence, where they can control or decide what other members can do," he warned. The standoff has added to concerns in other countries bordering Russia. For instance, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausea has described the current situation in the region as probably "the most dangerous it's been in 30 years". Russian officials will meet U.S. counterparts in Geneva, Switzerland January 10; but the Russian and American presidents are not expected to attend these talks. Despite their differences about Ukraine, White House officials say the U.S. could still work with Russia on other issues, such as preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Joe Naiman Village News Reporter Construction Testing and Engineering was awarded the Bonsall Unified School District contract for soils testing and geotechnical services to determine whether a site on the Citro property will be suitable for a BUSD elementary school. The BUSD board voted 5-0 Dec, 15 to award the soils and materials inspection services contract to Construction Testing and Engineering, which is headquartered in Escondido. The contract amount is for $24,700, and the school district has budgeted a 5% contingency to cover unforeseen conditions. BUSD is actively doing due diligence to acquire the approximately 11 acres already designated for a school site, especially since there are over 2,500 new homes projected to be built within district boundaries in the next decade, said BUSD Board President Larissa Anderson. The future Citro development was called Meadowood when the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the subdivision map which included 13 acres for an elementary school which will be built by the BUSD. The school district and Tri Pointe Homes are in negotiations for the acquisition of that land, and the specific location is still a closed session matter for the school board. On Oct. 13, a pair of 5-0 BUSD board votes authorized district staff to advertise requests for qualifications and requests for proposals for analysis of soils testing and geotechnical services and for architectural services. The school district established a committee to review the requests for qualifications and requests for proposals. This is just your due diligence to make sure the land is suitable to build a school," said BUSD Superintendent Joseph Clevenger. The school district and Construction Testing and Engineering will work with Tri Pointe Homes to obtain access to the land being tested. The Construction Testing and Engineering scope of work includes researching available maps and literature on the site area, reviewing documents relevant to site history and development, coordinating with BUSD officials to mark out proposed exploratory borings, procuring a boring permit from the County of San Diegos Department of Environmental Health and Quality, drilling 10 exploratory borings to depths of 20 to 50 feet below the ground surface or until practical drilling is prevented by underground material, drilling five additional percolation test borings to a depth of five feet below the ground surface, backfilling the exploratory borings, logging and classifying virtually the materials encountered during the borings, performing laboratory testing on samples, and preparing a report. On Dec. 21, a Delta Airline flight that was heading towards Shanghai from Seattle turned back to the U.S. due to a change in the COVID-19 airline cleaning rules at the Chinese airport. According to Delta, there would have been substantial operational delays if the plane had gone ahead and landed at the airport in Shanghai. The new cleaning procedures require significantly extended ground time and are not operationally viable for Delta, a company spokesperson said without providing any information as to what the cleaning rules imposed by the Chinese regime were. A spokesperson from the Civil Aviation Administration of China pointed to a COVID-19 protocol imposed in September with regard to the cleaning rules. Some of the passengers aboard the flight were left with expired U.S. visas and COVID-19 test results. Delta isnt the only airline that is affected by Chinas stringent new COVID-19 rules. EVA Air and China Airlines, two airline operators from Taiwan, have also canceled flights to the Shanghai international airport. They blamed the airports new disinfection procedures for the cancellations, pointing out that complying with the requirements will take a longer time. China Airlines has suspended flights from one Taiwanese city to Shanghai until the end of January. EVA suspended flights from two Taiwanese cities to Shanghai until Feb. 3. Two weekly flights of American Airlines have also been affected by Chinas cleaning requirements. The Chinese embassy in the United States denied claims that the Delta flight had to turn away due to strict new laws at the Shanghai airport. Instead, the embassy blamed operational problems associated with U.S. airlines for the incident. The consulate has made a stern representation to Delta airlines, it stated. According to media reports, the flight crew concerned had stated that the return flight was caused by Chinas prohibition on the entry of flights. This statement is inconsistent with the facts. Our consulate has noticed that the recent shortages of U.S. airlines have become prominent, and crew members are afraid of the frequent occurrence of attendance under the epidemic, which has led to the cancellation of large-scale domestic and international flights in the United States, the embassy statement said. On Dec. 28, a Bloomberg article cited an anonymous State Department official who said that talks between the two nations were underway to resolve the situation. Washington wants Beijing to modify its cleaning mandate, arguing that rigorous cleaning measures are already undertaken by international airline carriers. At present, flights of U.S. carriers from America make a stop at other cities like Seoul or Incheon to change crews before flying into China. This helps the flight crew avoid an overnight stay that might have resulted in them being subjected to additional COVID-19 rules. The days of the Cultural Revolution seem to be back after several reports emerged of alleged human smugglers, who violated COVID-19 rules, were put on display at a parade in several border towns including the cities of Jingxi and Dongxing. One particular incident took place on Dec. 28 and involved four alleged perpetrators dressed in white hazmat suits carrying their portrait and a description of their crimes printed on placards hung around their necks. The prisoners were escorted by two policemen each also dressed in protective suits. Reportedly, the four prisoners on display in Jingxi City, in southern Guangxi Province were accused of human smuggling possibly related to transporting people across the Vietnam border violating Chinas tight lockdown regulations. Meanwhile in China the CCP parades Covid rule breakers to humiliate them. The scary thing is I wouldnt be surprised if we see that tactic deployed in democratic cities around the world soon too. FACT: Beijing has led us since Wuhan. pic.twitter.com/RT7msIJKaX Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) December 29, 2021 Guangxi News said the cortege offered a real-life warning to the crowd and deterred border-related crimes, France 24 reported. Other parades Also visible in the video is a pick-up truck carrying what appears to be prisoners in hazmat suits enclosed in a cage. On the van, texts were painted reading severely punish border-related crimes and maintain border harmony and stability and Jingxi city 2021 border-related case scene punishment activities. This wasnt the first time alleged offenders were paraded down the streets of Jinxi in such a way. Similar displays of public shaming took place in August and November, according to reports on the Jinxi municipalitys website and videos posted to social media by the municipality. Another video surfaced on Thursday purportedly showing four inmates being put on display in hazmat suits in Dongxing city, a town located directly on the border with Vietnam. According to the poster, Songpinganq, the four had tried to flee the country. Dongxing city( a border town) Authority is also public shaming parade these 4 persons who failed to flee china. Qr code green passes,lockdown,daily mandatory covid test etc. made a lot of people lost their jobs. So a lot of people want to flee china to make a living. 2021/12/30 pic.twitter.com/fASE97PqOs Songpinganq (@songpinganq) December 30, 2021 Songpinganq also posted a video from a similar incident that took place on Dec. 24 in Pingxiang City. People who are watching are shouting beat them to death, the author wrote. Because of them we got covidThey are heavily brainwashed. Guangxi province pingxiang city ( a china-vietnam border town) Authority is public shaming these people who failed to escape from china. They will get minimum 7 years prison time. 2021.12.24 pic.twitter.com/7InqICHveE Songpinganq (@songpinganq) December 25, 2021 In all instances, the suspects were first paraded through the streets and then brought to a square cordoned off by heavily armed police officers. Meanwhile, an official would read their allegations aloud, with the audience standing by at a safe distance. State media admitted the atrocities in Southern Guangxi province, which borders Vietnam. The display evoked mixed reactions on Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like social media. What is more terrifying than parading the street is the many comments that support this approach, one Weibo user wrote. Nonetheless, local administrators had gone far beyond the scope of discipline following the law and would be accordingly disciplined, state-run Beijing News reported. Even for the sake of epidemic deterrence, it is not suitable to parade the streets to show the public, Beijing News said, adding that The measure seriously violates the spirit of the rule of law and cannot be allowed to happen again. However, the Jingxi City Public Security Bureau upheld the public sentencing, reasoning it was an on-site disciplinary warning activity and that there was no inappropriateness. RadioShack, the once ubiquitous electronics retail chain, that submitted bankruptcy filings in 2015 and 2017, is rebranding itself as a cryptocurrency company with the brands new owner counting on the former companys brand recognition to cut through the volatile and murky cryptocurrency market. In an attempt to make the RadioShack brand relevant again, Miami-based owner, Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV), thinks RadioShack coupled with the emerging cryptocurrency market is the perfect way to propel the brand once again to greatness. RadioShack was first founded over one hundred years ago in 1921. It peaked in 1999 with stores operating in the United States, Mexico, the UK, Australia and Canada. The brand was also licensed abroad in parts of Asia, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The brand has been passed along over the years settling with REV, a holding company owned by entrepreneurs Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr. Today, it primarily operates as an e-commerce website and supports a network of independently owned, franchised RadioShack branded stores and is a supplier of parts for popular hobby shop HobbyTown USA. According to the RadioShack DeFi website, REV believes that Crypto hasnt even gotten started yet, citing the industrys near $3-trillion market cap. The company says with the worlds financial activity topping $250 trillion cryptocurrencies still represent only a blip on the radar. REV believes that the RadioShack brand, which once operated over 8,000 stores in the U.S. alone has hardly diminished and is still active in South America, the Middle East, and online globally as an e-commerce store. Currently Crypto has no well-known brands over even 15 years old. Until now, the companys website reads. Not only does RadioShack want crypto-enthusiasts to adopt its tech but it also aspires to become the main cryptocurrency tech utilized by major corporations. Imagine if brands like Louis Vuitton, Starbucks, and Mercedes-Benz utilized the RadioShack protocol for their DeFi projects, REV muses in its official announcement of the new move. The need for a bridge between the CEOs who control the worlds corporations and the new world of cryptocurrencies will most likely come in the form of a well-known, century-old brand. RadioShack is perfect, RadioShack states on its website. Its clear that Lopez and Mehr are basing the success of the entire operation on the strength of the RadioShack brand however the two may be underestimating just how difficult it will be to become a major player in the worlds emerging cryptocurrency markets. On Dec. 27, Xian, the ancient capital of China, announced a new lockdown measure that forbids its 13 million residents to leave their homes. After the new measures came into effect, information started to emerge on social media, suggesting the city has sunk into a humanitarian crisis including a food shortage. Its the toughest measure Xian has undergone in an attempt to stomp out a surge in COVID-19 cases. It has been reported that on the second day of the city closure, food prices in Xian rose several times. Many Xian residents are pleading for help, saying that they are about to die from starvation. The CCPs inhumane way of fighting the outbreak Under the double plague of COVID-19 and hemorrhagic fever, and due to the authorities ongoing cover-up and false reports, residents in Xian are in panic mode. In order to stabilize the publics mood, the Xian government posted on Weibo on the evening of Dec. 27, saying that there were six farmers markets and eight supermarkets in the most populated Changan District, which could guarantee the supply of daily necessities for the public. The post on Weibo said that by the 27th, Changan District had accumulated 4,000 tons of rice, flour and oil, 2,300 tons of vegetables, and so on, which basically can meet the needs of the masses and told the public not to worry. However, on the morning of the 28th, many posts criticizing the authorities were seen on Weibo including messages asking for assistance from the public. Some said that the price of food had gone sky-high, and some had already run out of food. pic.twitter.com/yis2sO2tLx rigi2019 (Parler and Safechat ID : @rigi2019 (@rigi2019) December 29, 2021 Xian is in a famine. The CCPs model of fighting the pandemic is inhumane, and it dares to let the world copy its practice, the tweet reads. At the beginning of the city-wide lockdown, Xian authorities promised that one person from each family could go out every two days to buy household supplies. But on Dec. 28, 13 million people were asked to stay home. A netizen wrote that other than crying, there was nothing one could do now. Another wrote, The grain, oil, rice, and flour is said to be sufficient, but where can I buy it? and, I am not allowed to go out of the district. I am not fast enough to snatch it online. So where can I buy food? One said, Im dumbfounded. Another said, Every day at 8 oclock, Im waiting for the test numbers, hoping it would go down so I could go out. But the result is always disappointing. I am about to run out of food but cant buy any, read another. Quarantine at home but the property management doesnt care about the food supply. What should we do when we run out of stock? What if we starve to death? commented another. Ms. Wang from Yanta District in Xian said, Our area is infected, and the roads are blocked everywhere, so no supplies can get through. We are short of vegetables, fruits, and meat. The pharmacies nearby are all closed, so we cant buy any medicine. Another netizen complained: We were told once the results of the nucleic acid came out, we could go outside. Its fine if I have to stay home. But I cant buy food from major apps. We cooperate with the government not to rush buy, and not to hoard food. This is what we get? The CCP regime is stubbornly enforcing its COVID-zero policy. According to CCTV, Chinas official media, Xian has set up more than 4,000 checkpoints and deployed more than 100,000 people to impose a complete lockdown on the metropolis of 13-million people.. One person said online, I only have one packet of instant noodles left. I dont know what Ill do tomorrow. Azerbaijans parliament on Thursday adopted a new media law despite concerns from journalists who said it could further limit independent journalism. The law, which is due to go into effect on January 1 after being signed by the president, includes a registry for journalists and will apply to media outlets in the country as well as those who broadcast or publish to an Azerbaijani audience. Dozens of journalists gathered in the capital Baku this week to protest the law. At least one reporter was injured during the rally, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Local media and rights groups have said that the law could allow the government to determine who is officially recognized as a journalist, and raised concerns that the registry will include details about reporters and their work contacts. The law will also make it harder for media outlets that work in exile to continue to report without registering in the country, and includes provisions that ban disseminating information from unofficial sources, rights groups including RSF said. Alasgar Mammadli, a media law expert based in Baku, told VOA that despite serious objections from the media, the law was adopted unchanged, except for two minor details. We said the document had many problems and we proposed that parliament amend up to 40 articles based on those issues. Unfortunately, those suggestions were not taken into account, Mammadli said. I think this step by the government will not improve the situation for journalism and media freedom in Azerbaijan, it will make it worse." Mammadli believes that journalists will have to raise problems related to the new law in the courts as soon as possible and may have to seek support from the European Court of Human Rights. Mehman Aliyev, director of the independent news agency Turan, also said he believes the law will be used to restrict the media. [The law] testifies to the strengthening of state control over the information community. The new law means toughening of information relations between the Azerbaijani government and society, Aliyev said. Lawmaker Aydin Mirzazade, a member of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, dismissed the medias concerns, saying that the bill was widely discussed and that media representatives contributed to it. I think that the law will regulate relations between the media and state and media and society as a whole. In other words, the law protects media independence, freedom of speech and does not impose any sanctions or restrictions on it, especially on social networks, he said. He also dismissed claims by some analysts who said the law contradicts Azerbaijans constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. If they consider the law unconstitutional, they have the right to indicate to the court which articles of the law are contrary to the constitution. There is a very simple solution to the problem, Mirzazade said. On the one hand, they say that the law is reactionary; on the other hand, they can openly express their views. That is, their actions contradict what they say. One of the biggest concerns cited by journalists and rights groups is that the law will give authorities power to decide who can work in journalism. Those with a previous criminal record will not be eligible for accreditation, and publishers have to be citizens and full-time residents, Eurasianet reported. While the accreditation process is voluntary, the new regulations would exclude journalists like investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova, who spent over 500 days in prison on what rights groups say were bogus charges in retaliation for her reporting on corruption. Without the official press pass, reporters could find it harder to gain access to officials and some events. "I can probably do my research. But they [officials] will not answer my journalistic questions, said Ismayilova. Another regulation that troubled media was the requirement that publishers live in Azerbaijan. That could impact independent news outlets that were set up outside the country because of an already repressive environment, according to reports. Peppered with imprecise wording and contradictions, this law aims to step up control over the media and legalize censorship, said RSFs Jeanne Cavelier in a statement. The state is overstepping its powers by interfering in the professional activities of journalists, without any consultation with independent media or experts specializing in freedom of expression. RSF and others believe the law will add to an already repressive environment. Azerbaijan ranks 167 out of 180 countries, where 1 is freest on the world press freedom index. Dilshad Aliyarli in VOA's Azeri Service contributed to this article. U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine in a 50-minute call with his Russian counterpart, the White House said. A senior administration official added that President Vladimir Putin made no concrete promises about the tens of thousands of Russian troops massed along the Ukrainian border. Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. In Moscow, Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters the Russian president had warned Biden that new sanctions threatened by Biden "would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences, the Associated Press reported. The AP quoted Ushakov as saying Russia would act in the same way the U.S. would if offensive weapons were deployed near American borders. The sanctions being threatened by Biden would be a mistake that our ancestors would see as a grave error. A lot of mistakes have been made over the past 30 years, and we would better avoid more such mistakes in this situation, Ushakov was quoted as saying. Psaki added that the two nations would participate in three separate rounds of talks next month: first through bilateral talks scheduled to start January 10, and then through two sets of multiparty talks with 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, she added. For months now, Putin has built up troops along the Russia-Ukraine border. U.S. intelligence officials have estimated, from looking at satellite photos, that as many as 100,000 troops are in the area. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been building up its own defenses on its side of the border. For years, the former Soviet state has been seeking entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, alongside the U.S. and other Western nations. Russia strongly opposes that move. Kremlin pleased Putin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Kremlin was pleased with the talks, but he also said that Putin pushed Biden for concrete results from the upcoming security talks. Russias demands include that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and that the security alliance reduce its deployments in Central and Eastern Europe. White House officials have declined to discuss their terms publicly. This was the second time this month that the two men had held direct talks. According to Leon Aron, an analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, it was the eighth time that the U.S. and Russian leaders have met in one year. That, he said, is a record in the entire history of U.S.-Russian and U.S.-Soviet relations. Biden administration officials said that the two had a serious and substantive discussion. But a senior administration official said that Putin made no declarations as to intentions. The two presidents will not participate in the high-level talks set for January 10 in Geneva. Although analysts seem to doubt Putin will invade Ukraine, they worry that tens of thousands of battle-ready troops in the region could accidentally or intentionally spark a war. If he is bluffing, then it is a very serious bluff, which entails particular risks to Putin, because he has to make sure that 100,000 troops-plus are occupied and ready but not taking the initiative themselves before an order is given, said Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute. So I think that it is just simply a situation that is fraught with peril on both sides. The White House has said repeatedly that there will be significant consequences if Russia invades, including harsh economic sanctions and increased security support for Ukraine. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, tweeted Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed full [U.S.] support for [Ukraine] in countering Russian aggression. A compromise? Both presidents essentially have their backs against the wall, Aron told VOA. Putin's ultimatum is no more expansion of NATO, withdrawal of NATO troops from the Baltics and, most importantly, a promise to never have Ukraine inside NATO. In essence, on all those three, Biden said, No. So the question is: Will they arrive at some sort of compromise? And like many analysts, he postulated that Putin is posturing, projecting strength ahead of key elections in two years. Putin successfully creates a sense of emergency, if you notice the language is almost the same: He's about to start a war, he's about to invade Ukraine, he said. And apparently, the White House goes for it. I wouldn't, because, I wrote, and I also spoke about this, Putin is not going to invade Ukraine at this time. He's playing to his domestic audience. And all of this is a part of the game that Putin is playing, and I think will continue to play at least until his elections in 2024. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. U.S. President Joe Biden will speak Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a White house official said Friday, a day after Biden spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on reducing tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border. Biden told reporters later Friday that he had again emphasized to Putin that a move on Ukraine would draw sanctions and an increased U.S. presence in Europe, where tensions are high amid Russia's military buildup at the border. The U.S. and Russian leaders exchanged warnings over Ukraine in a 50-minute call on Thursday to address Russian military actions. "I made clear to President Putin that if he makes any more moves, if he goes into Ukraine, we will have severe sanctions. We will increase our presence in Europe, with our NATO allies, and there will be a heavy price to pay for it," Biden told reporters as he left a Wilmington, Delaware, restaurant. Biden says Putin agreed on "three major conferences" next month with senior staff to help find a resolution and said he expected progress from those negotiations. However, he added, "I made it clear that it only could work if he de-escalated." Asked if Moscow faces sanctions if it keeps troops on the border, Biden said, "I'm not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear that he cannot emphasize cannot move on Ukraine." The Biden-Putin exchange set the stage for lower-level engagement between the countries that includes the U.S.-Russia security meeting on January 9-10, followed by a Russia-NATO session on January 12, and a broader conference including Russia, the U.S. and other European countries on January 13. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to lay the groundwork for those talks on Friday in calls with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and others, the State Department said. In conversations with the foreign ministers of Canada and Italy, Blinken discussed a united response to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine. Afghan women who served in the country's military are speaking out about how their life has changed under the Taliban. "I feel like I am in prison," said Jamila, 28, a former Afghan military officer in the western city of Herat. "I have to be at home. I can't work or go out. I am so afraid." More than 6,300 women served in the former Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). Now they face not only threats to their life as former members of the military but also the Taliban's imposed restrictions on their gender. "We have no hope that things would change. I do not think that Afghan military women have any future under the Taliban," said Jamila, who did not want her real name to be revealed for fear of reprisals. The Taliban, who seized power after the Afghan government collapsed on August 15, have imposed repressive rules on women, including banning women from work, secondary education, and long-distance travel. Human Rights Watch and the United Nations accused the Taliban in November of the summary killing of more than 100 former Afghan security officials despite the group's promise of general amnesty. Jamila served for 10 years in the 207th Zafar (Victory) Corps of the Afghan National Army, headquartered in Herat province. She says she now hears news every day of someone else who was killed or disappeared. "I fear that they (the Taliban) might find me and kill me," she said. Despite assurances from senior Taliban leaders that the group plans no retribution killings, Jamila said their word cannot be trusted. The more than 6,300 women who served as security forces were a small fraction of the country's 300,000-strong force, but their careers represented a significant cultural shift for the conservative country. Washington's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, reported in July that 4,253 women served in the police, 1,913 in the army and 146 in the air force. Living in fear Now, some of them are on the run. "We have been moving from one place to another to avoid being identified," Jamila said. Serving in the Afghan military was always a significant risk for the women, whose families sometimes opposed their work. "Despite the enormous obstacles," said a SIGAR report in February 2021, Afghan women continued to join ANDSF "often at a great personal risk." Jamila, a mother of two, said that her family had opposed her joining the army. And, she said, they blame her for the hardships they now face. "They are telling me that you joined the army and that is why our lives are in danger." Before the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, many women, government employees and social activists were killed in targeted attacks. Of the seven Afghan women who were posthumously given the U.S. State Department's 2021 International Women of Courage Award, three were working with Afghan security agencies. A U.S. State Department press release issued in March 2021 stated that honorary awards were given "to seven leaders and activists from Afghanistan who were assassinated for their dedication to improving the lives of Afghans." Jamila said that after the Taliban takeover, some of her colleagues had escaped to Pakistan and Iran, but most of them remain in Afghanistan, living in fear. "The majority could not flee because they do not have money (or) passport, or (are) having other problems," Jamila added. 'We fought them' "I had no choice but to escape to Pakistan," said a former Afghan army officer, 25, who did not want her identity to be disclosed for safety reasons. The former officer, who was also posted in the Zafar Corps in Herat, said that she had to escape just after the fall of the city into the Taliban's hands. "I went together with a family of my relatives and crossed to Pakistan." She said that most of the women who had served in the military in her province were in danger since "we fought them. They wanted to kill us, and we wanted to kill them." She does not see any future for her fellow female veterans in Afghanistan, she said. "Forget about the idea that they will let us go to work. They do not even let girls go to school. They do not accept women to be part of the society." The Taliban's position on women's rights had not changed from what she had heard about the group's repressive rules in the 1990s, she added. Under the Taliban, in the late '90s, women were denied education and employment. The militant group also forced women to cover themselves from head to toe and prevented women from leaving their houses without a male companion. After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghan women made some achievements. About 3.5 million girls were going to schools. About 30 percent of the civil servants and around 28 percent of parliamentarians were women. Afghan women's rights activists worldwide have been protesting the Taliban takeover, which has curbed the rights and freedoms that Afghan women achieved over the past 20 years. On Tuesday, dozens of women took to the streets of Kabul, demanding work, food and education. Call for help "No one cares about us right now," said the former army officer, adding that "NATO was supporting us. We were encouraged to join the army, but now we are forgotten." She called on the international community to help relocate those women whose lives are at risk under the Taliban. Hosna Jalil, Afghanistan's former deputy minister for women affairs who also served as deputy interior minister from December 2018 to January 2021, said that Afghan women who were working in the security sector are at great risk. "Women (in the security sector), because their number was low and they can be identified easily, I think they are more vulnerable," she said. Initiatives are underway to relocate some of the former Afghan military women to a safer place, Jalil said, "but the process, to tell you honestly, is very scattered and slow." "And this is the reason that we lose them one by one," Jalil said, referring to the targeted killings of former Afghan military personnel. Iran's space launch Thursday failed to put its three payloads into orbit after the rocket was unable to reach the required speed, a defense ministry spokesman said in remarks carried on state television Friday. The attempted launch, which came as indirect U.S.-Iran talks take place in Austria to try to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, drew criticism from the United States, Germany and France. "For a payload to enter orbit, it needs to reach speeds above 7,600 [meters per second]. We reached 7,350," the spokesman, Ahmad Hosseini, said in a documentary about the launch vehicle broadcast on state TV and posted online. Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in the past few years due to technical issues. Washington has said it is concerned by Iran's development of space launch vehicles, and a German diplomat said Berlin had called on Iran to stop sending satellite launch rockets into space, adding that they violated a U.N. Security Council resolution. France said Friday the rocket launch aimed at sending three research devices into space was in violation of U.N. rules and was "even more regrettable" as nuclear talks with world powers were making progress. Tehran denies its space activity is a cover for ballistic missile development or that it violated a U.N. resolution. Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian assailant running toward them with a knife Friday at a bus station in the occupied West Bank, the army said. Citing an initial investigation, it said in a statement the man had arrived at a junction near the Jewish settlement of Ariel in a car, got out and "armed with a knife, ran toward the bus station where civilians and IDF soldiers were standing." The Palestinian health ministry identified the dead man as a resident of Qarawet Bani Hassan, a nearby village. The Israeli army said it was pursuing whoever else was in the vehicle, which had fled the scene. The West Bank has seen sporadic violence since U.S.-sponsored talks on founding a Palestinian state alongside Israel stalled in 2014. A total of 45 journalists were killed worldwide in 2021, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said Friday "one of the lowest death tolls" it has recorded for any year. The figure tracked closely with a toll of 46 killings of journalists given two weeks ago by another media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (known by its initials RSF), which also noted the figure as its lowest-ever since starting its tallies in 1995. "While this decrease is welcome news, it is small comfort in the face of continued violence," the Brussels-based IFJ said in statement. The toll included nine in Afghanistan, the highest number suffered by a single country. Elsewhere, eight died in Mexico, four in India and three in Pakistan. The IFJ said the media workers "more often than not are killed for exposing corruption, crime and abuse of power in their communities, cities and countries." According to the group's count, the Asia-Pacific region, which includes Afghanistan, was the deadliest, with 20 killings. Then came the Americas, with 10, Africa, with eight, Europe with six, and the Middle East and Arab countries with one. It also mentioned the death of two journalists in a "deadly accident" in Iran. While "the risks associated with armed conflict have reduced in recent years" because fewer journalists were able to report on the ground, "the threats of crime gang and drug cartels' rule from the slums in Mexico to the streets of European cities in Greece and the Netherlands continue to increase," it added. IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger emphasized his organization's support for a U.N. convention for the protection of journalists to "ensure accountability for journalists' killings." The IFJ's figures differed slightly from those given by RSF, which counted seven journalists killed in Mexico, six in Afghanistan, and four each in Yemen and India. New Years Eve fireworks went off as planned in Sydney, Australia, Friday even though parts of the country are experiencing record numbers of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus. In the U.S, medical professionals are warning would-be revelers that as omicron surges, now is not the time to be in big crowds. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, George Washington University professor of medicine and surgery told CNN, "I think that right now we're in the public health crisis of our lifetimes." Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, has urged people to avoid crowded situations this New Years and opt instead to attend small gatherings of vaccinated family and friends. The U.S. reported 580,000 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, according to a New York Times database, surpassing Wednesdays total of 488,000 new infections. The outbreak has caused U.S. airlines to cancel thousands of flights, leaving many travelers stranded. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a dire warning that cruises should be avoided, following an outbreak on a number of vessels. The omicron surge prompted Israel Thursday to approve a fourth dose of the COVID vaccine, targeted at people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and health care workers. Prof. Nachman Ash, the director-general of Israels Ministry of Health, said the country is acting cautiously and responsibly. Meanwhile, South Africa, the country where Omicron was first detected, has ended a nightly curfew. A statement from a special cabinet meeting Thursday said indicators in South Africa suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level. The statement also said, While the omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalization than in previous waves. Pakistan says it has administered 155 million COVID-19 vaccine doses as of Friday, fully vaccinating 70 million people, or 30% of the countrys total population, since launching the inoculation drive in February. The South Asian nation of about 220 million reported its first case in early 2020 and since then the pandemic has infected about 1.3 million people and killed nearly 29,000 people, keeping the situation largely under control. Of the total eligible population [age 12 and above], 46% is fully vaccinated and 63% has received at least one dose, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar who heads the National Command and Operation Center that oversees Pakistans pandemic response, tweeted. The government had set the target in May and achieved it with the help of countless workers, citizens and leadership across the country, tweeted Faisal Sultan, the special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on national health services. Faisal advised Pakistanis to continue to use masks, avoid crowded places and ensure social distancing in the wake of rising cases of infection from the omicron variant. Officials said Pakistan has received a total of 247 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to date. The government has purchased 157 million while 78 million arrived through the COVAX dose-sharing program, including 32.6 million donated by the United States, and nearly 9 million donated from China. The United Nations and other global partners have acknowledged Pakistans effective response to the pandemic, citing the country's success in vaccinating children against polio and other transmittable diseases through mass immunization campaigns. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the federal health ministry adapted its facilities to vaccinate adults, who make up about half of Pakistans population, according to a recent UNICEF statement. In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter. Aziz Gul's husband sold their 10-year-old into marriage without telling his wife, taking a down payment so he could feed his family of five children. Otherwise, he told her, they would all starve. He had to sacrifice one to save the rest. Many of Afghanistan's increasing number of destitute people are taking such desperate decisions as their nation spirals downwards into a vortex of poverty. Arranging marriages for very young girls is common in the region. The groom's family pays money to seal the deal, and the child usually stays with her parents until she is at least around 15. Yet with many unable to afford even basic food, some say they'd allow prospective grooms to take very young girls or are even trying to sell their sons. Gul, unusually in this deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society, is resisting. Married off herself at 15, she says she will kill herself if her daughter, Qandi Gul, is taken away. When her husband told her he had sold Qandi, "my heart stopped beating. I wished I could have died at that time, but maybe God didn't want me to die," Gul said, with Qandi by her side peering shyly from beneath her sky-blue headscarf. Her husband told her he sold one to save the others, saying they all would have died otherwise. Gul rallied her brother and village elders and with their help secured a divorce for Qandi, on condition she repays the 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000) her husband received. It's money she doesn't have. Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to authorities. The Taliban government recently banned forced marriages. Gul says she isn't sure how long she can fend off the family of the prospective groom, a man of around 21. In another part of the camp, father-of-four Hamid Abdullah was also selling his young daughters into arranged marriages, desperate for money to treat his chronically ill wife, pregnant with their fifth child. He can't repay the money he borrowed to fund his wife's treatments, he said. So, three years ago, he received a down payment for his eldest daughter Hoshran, now 7, in an arranged marriage to a now 18-year-old. The family who bought Hoshran are waiting until she is older before settling the full amount and taking her. But Abdullah needs money now, so he is trying to arrange a marriage for his second daughter, 6-year-old Nazia, for about 20,000-30,000 afghanis ($200-$300). "We don't have food to eat," and he can't pay his wife's doctor, he said. Afghanistan's aid-dependent economy was already teetering when the Taliban seized power in mid-August amid a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The international community froze Afghanistan's assets abroad and halted funding, unwilling to work with a Taliban government given its reputation for brutality during its previous rule 20 years ago. The consequences have been devastating for a country battered by war, drought, and the coronavirus pandemic. State employees haven't been paid in months. Malnutrition stalks the most vulnerable, and aid groups say more than half the population faces acute food shortages. "The situation is deteriorating in this country, and especially children are suffering," said Asuntha Charles, national director of the World Vision aid organization in Afghanistan, which runs a health clinic for displaced people near the western city of Herat. "Today I have been heartbroken to see that the families are willing to sell their children to feed other family members," she added. Buying boys is believed to be less common than girls, and when it does take place, it appears to be cases of families without sons buying infants. The desperation of millions is clear as more and more people face hunger, with some 3.2 million children under 5 facing acute malnutrition, according to the U.N. Charles called on the "humanitarian community to stand up and stay with the people of Afghanistan," with funds desperately needed. Islamist militant attacks increased this past year in the Sahel region, leading to political instability that saw a coup in Mali, an attempted coup in Niger, and calls for Burkina Faso's president to resign. Burkina Faso experienced the deadliest terrorist attacks since the conflict began, but analysts say the worst could be yet to come. 2021 marks the ninth year of conflict in Africas western Sahel, and in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, violence has only worsened. A video recently posted online purports to show an attack on a military base in northern Burkina Faso that killed almost 50 military police in November. Terrorists said to be linked to al-Qaida can be seen firing heavy weapons from the backs of pickup trucks before burning and looting the base. Across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, fatalities from clashes between state forces and armed groups linked to Islamic State, al-Qaida and criminal gangs are up 18% since last year, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The humanitarian impact has been huge, with close to 3.4 million now displaced as a result of the conflict, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Amadou Agli, from Burkina Faso, fled the north of the country around three months ago after terrorists attacked nearby villages. He says he has a message for the world. Agli says his community is living through very hard times and appeals to any people, NGOs and governments around the world who can help them. He says they are suffering a food crisis, a housing crisis and that the children are unable to attend school. The year also saw a shift in the regions military structure, says Paul Melly, an analyst with London-based Chatham House, a research institution. The start of the process of moving towards a new pattern of French deployment where the Sahel armies in the G5 Sahel military structure are much more, the frontline face if you like, with the French in more of a backup and special forces role, air support, intelligence, Melly said. France, which had 5,000 troops supporting Sahel security forces at the beginning of 2021, has said it will reduce that number to 3,000 by early 2022. Escalating insecurity has also plunged Sahel governments into political turmoil. Mali saw a coup by military leader Assimi Goita in May after street protests against insecurity. The West African political bloc, ECOWAS, along with France, have put pressure on Goita to hold democratic elections in 2022. Protests against the governments handling of security in Burkina Faso in November forced the government to reshuffle military leadership and the Cabinet. Andrew Lebovich is an analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations. What people are concerned about is the ongoing insecurity and the state of security forces. So, if that doesnt improve, then no, the change in government certainly will not be enough to appease the opposition, Lebovich said. Lebovich says analysts are also keeping an eye on attacks in Burkina Fasos border area with coastal West African states including Benin and Ivory Coast. I do think, at a minimum, its something to be concerned about and something to watch out for and something to actively work against, Lebovich said. Meanwhile in Niger, the emergence of civilian militia groups to fill the security gap could play a big role in 2022. In other Sahel countries they have been used to assist the military but have also been accused of human rights abuses, says Philippe M. Frowd, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa. Weve seen this in southwestern Niger recently, kind of community violence spiraling and driven a lot by non-state armed groups. We see this in Burkina Faso as well where we have the state in fact relying on armed groups like this, Frowd said. After a difficult 2021, the Sahel conflict looks set to worsen as the new year begins. Sudanese pro-democracy demonstrators blocked streets on Friday in Khartoum, protesting the violence a day earlier that left five people dead and sparked condemnation from the U.S. and others. Protesters barricaded roads in the east Khartoum district of Burri as well as in nearby Khartoum North using rocks, tree branches and tires, an AFP journalist said. Sudan has been gripped by turmoil since military leader General Abdel-Fattah Burhan launched a coup on October 25 and detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Hamdok was reinstated on November 21, but mass protests have continued as demonstrators distrust Burhan's promises of seeking to guide the country toward full democracy. As the authorities on Thursday cut off communications across the country, security forces clamped down on demonstrations, firing live rounds and tear gas as tens of thousands gathered in Khartoum, Khartoum North and nearby Omdurman. Five protesters killed Four protesters were fatally shot in the head or chest in Omdurman, according to the pro-democracy Sudan Doctors Committee, while a fifth succumbed to his wounds Friday after he was shot in central Khartoum. Protesters charge that the deal to reinstate Hamdok simply aims to give the cloak of legitimacy to the generals, whom they accuse of trying to continue the regime built by former autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in 2019 following mass protests. A civilian member recently appointed to the ruling Sovereign Council, Abdel Baqi Abdel Qader, announced Friday his intent to resign. He said he had sent a message to Burhan's office requesting a meeting "to present to him my resignation over the violence against demonstrators." Journalists released Two journalists from Saudi Arabia's Asharq television channel, Maha al-Talb and Sally Othman, were released after they and their crews were held for several hours, the channel said Friday. Police had also stormed the bureau of the Al-Arabiya television network funded by Saudi Arabia, which is seen as a traditional ally of Sudan's military leaders. The violence and attacks on the media drew widespread condemnation. "Deeply troubled by reports that Sudanese security forces used lethal force against protesters, blacked out the internet, and attempted to shutdown media outlets," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted after Thursday's events. The Doctors Committee has accused security forces of blocking ambulances and of forcibly removing at least one seriously injured protester from an ambulance. Videos have circulated on social media showing men in uniform beating protesters with sticks. The Sudanese Communist Party called for "urgent international solidarity to demand an end to the bloody repression in Sudan and the immediate release of all political detainees." Protesters have renewed demands that the military "return to their barracks" as promised in 2019 when Bashir was toppled and the country came under the control of the Sovereign Council, a body composed of civilian and military figures, headed by Burhan. Demonstrations waste of time A police spokesman had said four people died in Thursday's unrest and 297 people were injured, "including 49 police officers." He also said three police vans were set on fire and accused protest leaders of having sought to "turn a peaceful march into violence and confrontations with the security forces." An adviser to Burhan told the state news agency on Friday that "the demonstrations are a waste of time and energy" and would not lead to a political solution. The violent crackdown since the October coup has claimed 53 lives and left hundreds wounded. Days after Afghanistans Taliban rulers imposed travel restrictions on women, a new decree is recommending that barbershops refrain from shaving or trimming beards, saying such actions are forbidden in Islam. VOA has received a copy of the instructions that the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued this week. A Taliban official shared the original order in the Pashto language; however, its authenticity has not been publicly confirmed by senior leadership. When contacted by VOA, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not dispute the orders authenticity but said he was still trying to get information about the decree. The order cited several verses from the Quran and hadiths, or sayings, about following whatever the Prophet Muhammad has asked Muslims to do. Growing a beard is a natural deed and the Sunnah [the way of life and legal precedent] of all Prophets and Islamic Sharia has repeatedly emphasized it, according to the instructions. The order was signed by the minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Haqqani. Shaving or trimming a beard is forbidden under a unanimous decision by the religious scholars. Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, their followers, their successors, Mujahideen [holy warriors] and other scholars do not agree on shaving or trimming the beard. So, it is understood that shaving or trimming a beard is against human nature and the action is against Islamic Sharia, according to the order. In view of the above all workers of the barbershops are informed to keep in mind Islamic Sharia and Islamic injunctions while cutting hairs and serving their customers. The order appears to stop short of the outright ban on trimming beards that the Taliban issued during their last government from 1996 to 2001. Taliban officials have said the group is working to encourage Afghans to adopt their strict interpretation of Islam. All provincial departments under the ministry are directed that having beards is one of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and all Muslims should follow Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. All barbershop workers in the provinces are also instructed to keep in mind the instructions while trimming the beards of customers. Officials should also try to implement the order politely and while speaking to the people so the countrymen bring their lives in conformity with their religion, Islamic obligations and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, according to the order. These instructions have been sent to you for implementation. Barbers in Kabul said many people were not willing to shave their beards even before the Taliban issued the decree. A barber at a Kabul shop told VOA earlier in December that he has been doing only 20 percent of his previous business since the Taliban took over the city. The Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital in mid-August. Since then, they have been introducing Islamic laws and banning mixed education of males and females. An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said the intense fires quickly swept across the region as winds gusted up to 169 kph (105 mph). The wildfires, spanning 6.5 square kilometers (2.5 square miles), engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies as residents scrambled for safety. The city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000, was ordered to evacuate after residents in Superior, which has 13,000 residents, were told to leave. The neighboring towns are roughly 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Denver. Several blazes started in the area Thursday, at least some sparked by downed power lines. Six people who were injured in the fires were being treated at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, spokesperson Kelli Christensen said. A nearby portion of U.S. Highway 36 also was shut down. Colorado's Front Range, where most of the state's population lives, had an extremely dry and mild fall, and winter so far has continued to be mostly dry. Snow was expected Friday in the region. One video captured by a bystander outside a Superior Costco store showed an apocalyptic scene with winds whipping through barren trees in the parking lot surrounded by gray skies, a hazy sun and small fires scattered across the ground. Leah Angstman and her husband saw similar dark skies upon returning to their Louisville home from Denver International Airport after being away for the holidays. As they were taking the bus going toward Boulder, Angstman recalled instantly leaving clear blue skies and entering clouds of brown and yellow smoke. "The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip," she wrote in a message to The Associated Press. The visibility was so poor that the bus had to pull over and they waited a half-hour until a regional transit authority van escorted them to a turnaround on the highway. There she saw four separate fires burning in bushes across the freeway, she said. "The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes," she said. Angstman later ended up evacuating, getting in a car with her husband and driving northeast without knowing where they would end up. Vignesh Kasinath, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, evacuated from a neighborhood in Superior with his wife and her parents. Kasinath said the family was overwhelmed because of the sudden evacuation warning and anxious from the chaos while trying to leave. "It's only because I am active on Twitter I came to know about this," said Kasinath, who said he did not receive an official evacuation notice from authorities. The fires prompted Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of a emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds. The evacuations come as climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive, scientists say. A historic drought and heat waves have made wildfires harder to fight in the U.S. West. The Zimbabwean government says it is engaging the United Nations in an attempt to recover millions of dollars from countries that have recruited the nations health workers, including nurses and doctors. According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, if this succeeds, Zimbabwe may recoup millions of dollars it used for training health workers who migrated to various countries for greener pastures. The newspaper quoted Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health, as saying, it costs over US$70,000 annually to train a single doctor. The Herald reports that Chiwenga told a meeting in Victoria Falls, attended by some health stakeholders, that it costs over US$350,000 to fully train a doctor in Zimbabwe. Indications are that the government wants to use the money for training nurses, doctors and other health workers. The United Nations has not yet reacted to this move, expected to stop the brain drain. Hundreds of health workers trained in Zimbabwe are working in the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Botswana and other countries. A doctor, who requested anonymity and was trained in Zimbabwe and is currently based in the USA, said, Its impossible for the government to get a cent from us in terms of pressing our host nations to pay for our training back home. Some of us are now citizens here. The doctor said some of them repaid their government loans soon after they completed studies at the University of Zimbabwe, the National University of Science and Technology and others. There is no specific number of health workers being targeted by the Zimbabwean government. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. It made sense to have the biggest pop star in the world play the biggest pop star in the world. We got her on set for her first scene with Leo and Jen, and she's improvising lines. I knew she'd nail the song, but I didn't know she could improvise. Adam McKay on Ariana Grande pic.twitter.com/WiNdkOYRra Photo: Getty Images The death of national treasure and comedy legend Betty White has left Hollywood, as well as her millions of fans, reeling on Friday. Just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, White was set to premiere Betty White: 100 Years Young A Birthday Celebration, on January 17, and had a spread in People magazine celebrating her centennial year. Celebrities, comedians, and politicians took to social media to pay tribute to the Golden Girls star. Friend and co-star Ryan Reynolds wrote, The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. Seth Meyers tweeted, RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end, referencing the TV icons longstanding love for hotdogs and vodka. Check out more celebrity tributes to White below. Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. Shes a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Years Eve. President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021 Today, we lost a beloved TV icon. Betty White was a pioneering actress, who blessed generations of Americans with her talent and humor for 8 decades. May it be a comfort to her loved ones and many admirers that so many mourn with them during this sad time. Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 31, 2021 RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end. Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021 The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. Well miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021 What an exceptional life. Im grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us. Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021 Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!! Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 31, 2021 Man, 2021, you just couldnt slip out without one more punch in the face, could you? So sad to hear comedy legend Betty White has passed. Its hard to imagine a world without her. Itll be a much less funny place, thats for sure. RIP Genius Betty. https://t.co/7oFn6q5jWI Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 31, 2021 So were eating cheesecake in honor of Betty White. Whos with me? Ariana DeBose (@ArianaDeBose) December 31, 2021 I hosted one of the many attempted reboots of the Pyramid game show in 2010 and Betty was a celebrity guest. The only thing she asked for all day was two bean and cheese burritos from Taco Bell. https://t.co/VZTcT2BQCm Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) December 31, 2021 1) Betty White. Where do I begin? Ive known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2021 Another brilliant talent has made her transition. I had the pleasure of getting to know Betty White and shared a few giggles with her. May she rest in well-earned peace. Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 31, 2021 Betty White dying three weeks before she turned 100 is the final act of performer whose timing was always sharp, always unexpected, and even with the warmest of characters, always a little dangerous. No one else could live to 99 and so perfectly leave us wanting more. Guy Branum (@guybranum) December 31, 2021 RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years. roxane gay (@rgay) December 31, 2021 As if 2021 wasnt bad enough. Rest In Peace, Queen Betty White. pic.twitter.com/BfxwP31km0 Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 31, 2021 You know what's really great? We told Betty White that we loved her while she was still alive. Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) December 31, 2021 A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing. Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021 Betty White: First Lady Of Television and our hearts. Rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/AInUQ80HHn Netflix (@netflix) December 31, 2021 Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021 In 1974, I was an obscure opening act for Linda Ronstadt at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Passing through the lobby before the show, I saw Betty White and her husband Allen Ludden waiting in line. Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) December 31, 2021 Betty White : I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT are ..Thank you for yur humor , your warmth and your activism .. Rest now and say Hi to Bill Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 31, 2021 I loved Betty White so much! I can't find the words! To call her an icon doesn't even scratch the surface! On top of her blinding talent and being one of the funniest people to ever work in comedy, she was enormously sweet and nice. pic.twitter.com/hhzlqOCQEx Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) December 31, 2021 thank you betty white for being so kind to this kid behind the scenes and for teaching me the most important life lesson sometimes life just isnt fair kiddo pic.twitter.com/XsNVvnaEug jenny lewis (@jennylewis) December 31, 2021 RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever. You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace.youve earned your wings https://t.co/7wpeLHgySy Viola Davis (@violadavis) December 31, 2021 Once i was in a Beverly Hills restaurant & Betty White sat down at the table next to mine. i didnt want to bother her. But after a few minutes she tapped me on the shoulder and with that radiant smile said Hello! Im Betty White. People dont do that in BH. I just love her Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 31, 2021 Saddened to hear that @BettyMWhite has passed. I loved her comedic wit and endearing charm. She definitely was a sweetheart to the world and a gift to the entertainment world. William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 31, 2021 God bless Betty White. As my mom would say, we were so lucky to have her.https://t.co/pXzu6JezOg Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) December 31, 2021 Yall, with the passing of #BettyWhite we have lost one of the best humans ever! LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 31, 2021 99 years of laughter, and a 70-year, Emmy award-winning career that brought joy to so many. You were one in a million, @BettyMWhite. And you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/xsPtiabH7E Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 31, 2021 Betty White. Oh noooooooo. I grew up watching and being delighted by her. She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesnt take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels. Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) December 31, 2021 The beloved Betty White just died two weeks before her 100th birthday leaving her wisdom with us: If you take yourself lightly and dont take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. RIP dear Betty. Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) December 31, 2021 I dont remember a time in my career that Betty, in some way, wasnt a part of it losing her is like losing another mother for me! Betty, the world feels a lot less fun without you in it, but I know heaven is rejoicing and filled with laughter having you there. #BettyWhite Marie Osmond (@marieosmond) December 31, 2021 betty white, to me, exemplified the difference between being nice and being kind. river butcher (@rivbutcher) December 31, 2021 Celebrating 99 years of your love on the planet. Thank you Betty White pic.twitter.com/NUmNq1BOZ9 Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 1, 2022 betty was the best of the best. when we were shooting scenes together it was difficult for the DP to get the lighting right between my chocolate and betty's white! she was either a ghost or i was the shadow. i came on set one day and betty had darkened her make up/hair a bit in Don" 't ask me google questions" Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 1, 2022 Photo: WireImage Trailblazing television star, beloved actress, and cultural icon Betty White has died at the age of 99. TMZ originally reported the news on Friday, and Whites agent, Jeff Witjas, confirmed Whites passing to People. White was just weeks away from her 100th birthday on January 17. White, who garnered eight Emmys over her decades-long career, was best known for her unforgettable roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls. With 119 acting credits to her name, White held the record for the longest TV career of any entertainer of all time. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, White eventually moved with her family to Los Angeles, where she made her first TV appearance in 1939 on an experimental local TV channel at the age of 17. Whites TV debut predates, by a few months, the introduction of television as a medium to the masses at 1939s Worlds Fair. Whites breakthrough role came in 1949 as a co-host on the variety show Hollywood on Television with Al Jarvis, and she would go on to earn her first Emmy nomination for Best Actress in 1951 the first award in that categorys history. White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. She also starred in and produced The Betty White Show on NBC in 1954, which featured an African-American tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. When Southern stations threatened to boycott the program over Duncans inclusion, White remarked, Live with it. Duncan, reflecting on his work with her in 2018, said, She was probably one of the nicest, grandest, greatest people Ive had the chance to meet in my life. Throughout the 1960s, White was a staple on talk shows like Johnny Carsons Tonight Show as well as on game shows like Password, where White met her husband, host Allen Ludden. In his statement to People, Witjas said, I dont think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again. In 1973, White was cast as the, in her words, icky sweet Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which earned her two Emmy awards and three nominations. The role was instantly iconic, with White later remarking, Of course, I loved Sue Ann. She was so rotten. You cant get much more rotten than the neighborhood nymphomaniac. In 1985, White was cast as the naive and endearing Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, the same year she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Golden Girls was a massive success, running for seven seasons and earning White her next seven Emmy nominations. Following Golden Girls run, White starred as Elka Ostrovsky on TV Lands Hot in Cleveland, which ran for six seasons. A beloved and irreplaceable figure on American TV, White also made regular guest appearances on innumerable shows including 30 Rock and Community, and was a late-night TV regular, appearing on Jay Lenos Tonight Show as well as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Following a hugely popular Facebook campaign, White became the oldest person to ever host Saturday Night Live in 2010 at the age of 88, for which she scored another Emmy. In addition to her work on TV, White was also a devoted animal rights activist, with Witjas noting, I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. Cobra Kai Then Learn Fly Season 4 Episode 3 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX/ In any ensemble, its inevitable that some character relationships will get more time than others. A few core pairings get most of the time in Cobra Kai: Johnny and Daniel, Johnny and Miguel, Daniel and Sam, Daniel and Robby, Miguel and Sam. But when a show shakes up its ensemble and deepens the bonds between unexpected characters, it can be a lot of fun. Then Learn Fly is the third episode in a row to contain a story this show has been building toward for years: Johnny and Daniel trading classes. Its the logical next step after the last episode showed the two men learning each others styles, but its also the kind of story you could have imagined coming one day as early as season two. It means that most of the episode focuses not on our established sensei-student relationships but on three new ones: Daniel and Miguel, Johnny and Sam, and Robby and Kenny. There are reasons we havent seen Daniel and Miguel interact much on this show. When Miguel and Sam were dating the first time around, she didnt want to introduce him to her dad because he was a Cobra Kai student, and the next season, Daniel looked at him as a bully like Johnny. They finally had their first meaningful conversation in season three when Daniel shared his perspective of what went down in The Karate Kid. So theyre on good terms now. But here we see Daniel become an actual role model for Miguel, whos worried hes not good enough for Sam in her fathers eyes. When Daniel assigns the Eagle Fangs to catch a koi from the pond with their bare hands, the stakes are high for Miguel. Sure, hell get to lead the class for the week and pick the next Gatorade flavor. But all he really wants is to impress his girlfriends dad, to be the type of guy Sam would be proud to date. So when he spills wine on Daniels shirt and falls into the pond, you feel his acute embarrassment. After class, Miguels moms car breaks down, so Daniel offers to bring it into the auto shop. He gives Miguel a ride and makes him fix the problem himself, suggesting Miguel could follow in his footsteps one day. Miguel doesnt think so he cant even afford his own car, let alone tuition to his dream school. But Daniel comforts him by telling him he never went to college. In fact, he squandered his funds on a round-trip ticket to Okinawa in The Karate Kid Part II, then wasted the prize from an ice-breaking contest on a bonsai-tree store in The Karate Kid Part III. Its a classic Cobra Kai move to repurpose the sillier plot points of the over-the-top Karate Kid sequels and use them to tell a much more human, down-to-earth story. So what mightve once felt like thin excuses for a cash grab become moving examples of the unexpected turns our lives take as were figuring ourselves out. My path wasnt a straight line, Daniel tells Miguel. And yours is still being written. Sometimes its necessary to take the circular path a lesson that becomes literal when Miguel finally catches a fish by walking around the pond in circles to force the koi under the board. For the Miyagi-Dos offense lesson, Johnny assigns them to jump between two roofs. The students balk at the idea, and you cant really blame them: It looks like a pretty huge jump, and the mattresses haphazardly scattered below arent very comforting. When Johnny confronts Sam about her repeated refusal to make the jump, they get in a big fight, addressing both of their preconceived notions about each other. Johnny brings up their run-in back in the pilot episode when her friends wrecked his car and took off while she sat in the back seat. He also mentions the time she showed up drunk at his doorstep last season and had to spend the night. Im a teenager whos made a couple of mistakes, she insists. Youre a 50-something-year-old man who lives alone, drinks all day, and clearly hasnt figured out his own life. Shes not entirely wrong. But she doesnt understand that to a certain extent, Johnnys circumstances were a conscious choice to avoid the soul-sucking nine-to-five desk job his parents wanted for him. It took a while, and he definitely still has a drinking problem, but his choice has paid off: Now he gets to do what he loves. If you want to sit in the back seat your whole life, go right ahead, he says. When Sam gets a text from her dad telling her not to do anything he wouldnt do, she realizes Johnnys right: Shed be choosing a life of passivity if she always stayed obedient to her parents. At the start of Cobra Kai, Sam was literally in the back seat, complicit in bullying by sticking with her mean friends (something her little brother is now experiencing himself). Now shes making her own moves. Its liberating to watch her make the spontaneous, rebellious decision to jump. (She does not splat against the ground and die.) And Johnny learns something, too: to take his own advice. I cant sit in the back seat any longer, he tells Carmen after impulsively knocking on her door. He doesnt want to wait and take things slow with her, he says. He wants them to figure shit out together. Luckily, Carmen agrees, and they share a big kiss. Yay! If you get put in a scary situation, dont back down, Johnny says the next day, summarizing the lesson. You gotta grow a pair. Of legs. To jump. But his issues arent over: Now that hes dating Carmen, it may be harder to maintain the same relationship with Miguel hes always had. Especially with Miguel and Daniel bonding so much as the episode ends, Johnny furiously watches Daniel reward his student with a lotus-flower headband. The final new mentorship of the episode is Robby and Kenny, who comes straight to Cobra Kai on his brothers advice. But hes turned away after Kyler scares him off the mat twice without even making contact. When Robby returns his backpack, Kenny tells him about how Shawn got arrested protecting him. He sees a TikTok of Kenny getting milked (locker filled with milk) and reluctantly agrees to teach him some moves because, come on, the kids having a miserable time and Robby isnt (always) made out of stone. It quickly becomes clear strength and skill arent Kennys forte yet. What he does have is speed he can wriggle away no problem. Robby suggests he use his speed to run at the enemy instead of away because Cobra Kai is about being a man, not a coward. When Kenny returns to the dojo the next day, he initially jumps back from Kyler again. But when he hears everyone laughing and sees the disappointment in Robbys eyes, he resolves to fight back, darting forward and punching Kyler in the face. It might be a cheap shot, but its enough to secure him a spot on the team. After all, Kreese never had a problem with cheap shots. Terry Silver has known that for a long time. Triggered by a kitchen torch, he suddenly cant stop remembering Vietnam and the debt he may still owe the man who saved his life. He visits Cobra Kai to confront Kreese again, accusing him of messing with his head and dredging up his past. But Kreese is right when he implies that Silver never dealt with his PTSD he just buried it somewhere and ignored it, and now hes clinging to some bullshit happy ending. After all, he wouldnt be here if he wasnt looking for some go-ahead to do karate again. Back at home, Silver ignores his girlfriends texts and looks at the patch on his side where his tattoo used to be, remembering when his father wanted him to take over the company, but Kreese told him he needed him. Its downright romantic to see flashback-Kreese tell Silver, I didnt leave you behind in the war, and Im not going to leave you behind now. That was the most right Silver has ever felt, so its no surprise to see him finally tie his hair back just like he used to wear it. Terrance is gone. Terry is back. Mr. Miyagis Little Trees The opening trading places montage contains a number of hilarious details: Johnny quickly sipping a Coors Banquet during a meditation session, Johnny doing the crane kick that defeated him in the 80s, and Daniel and Johnny trying each others lunches. Macchios facial expression upon sampling Johnnys ham sandwich is perfect. Italian government bans public New Year events and shuts night clubs to stem spread of covid-19. Italy is to step up police checks on New Year's Eve to enforce the government's ban on public celebrations and ensure that people are wearing masks outdoors, the interior ministry announced. Police are to focus their anti-covid controls in city-centre areas most associated with nightlife where the likelihood of people gathering is highest, reports news agency ANSA. The move comes after the Italian government banned public New Year events and ordered the closure of night clubs from 30 December until 31 January 2022. People are not prohibited from hosting New Year parties in their homes, with no limitations on the number of guests, however the government has urged "maximum caution". It is also possible to dine in restaurants on New Year's Eve, armed with the Super Green Pass which can only be obtained by those who have been vaccinated or recovered from covid. However the recent spike of covid infections has reportedly led to a flurry of cancellations in restaurants and hotels, as people move the party from the piazza to private homes. Italy's latest anti-covid rules are far less restrictive than New Year's Eve last year when the whole country was in a 'red zone' lockdown. This year, by contrast, there is no curfew or no travel restrictions. News of the increased police checks tonight comes amid record daily tallies of new covid-19 infections. On Thursday Italy registered 126,888 new covid infections in the last 24 hours - up from 98,020 the day before - in what are the highest daily figures since the start of the pandemic. Ahead of the government's clamp-down on New Year festivities, many cities in Italy cancelled their 'capodanno' events due to concerns over the rising numbers of covid cases. The mayors of Rome, Milan and Florence have also restricted the use of fireworks on New Year's Eve. Photo Metropolitan Magazine How to celebrate New Year Italian style. Staying in Rome for New Year's Eve? Well, the Italians may not have Auld Lang Syne or New Year's resolutions, but they have plenty of other peculiar traditions to make up for it. And you'd better be aware of them; according to Italian superstition, how the next year turns out will largely be determined by what you get up to on New Year's Eve. So if you want to make the most of capodanno and have good omens for the next 12 months, here's what you should know about New Year Italian style. The first thing is the way you dress. Now if you are heading to a posh do there is a good chance you will have already thought about what you are going to wear. But have you planned what underwear to put on? Forget about the rest, its what you wear under your trousers that really counts. Italian superstition holds that wearing red pants when the clock strikes midnight will bring good luck for the following year. No one knows the origins of this custom with any certainty, but there are two theories. The first is that originally it was traditional for men to give their wives red knickers as a fertility rite; red because it is the colour of love and knickers for the part of the anatomy covered up. Then women started giving their men red underpants in return and now everyone wears red pants, whether they be married, single or divorced. The second theory, on the other hand, holds that it has nothing to do with fertility and that originally underpants werent involved; it was just considered lucky to wear something new and red (a lucky colour) on the last/first day of the year. However, the Church came to disapprove of the superstition, viewing it as the first step down the slippery slope leading to astrology, spiritualism and occultism. Therefore people were forced to take the tradition underground (and under trousers) to avoid getting a scolding from the local priest about how they would burn in hell along with their fancy new red clothes. If you are planning to be in Sardinia for the big night, youll have to change the colour of your pants; there, green undies bring good luck. And what will you be eating? Forget lobster, caviar and smoked salmon; if you want to be quids in, gorge yourself on lentils. After midnight Italians wolf down as many lenticchie as they can. They believe the more lentils you eat, the more cash you will have over the year. Lentils are thought to symbolise money due to their colour (usually green) and their flat, coin-like shape. They are prepared with cotechino (pork sausage) or zamponi (pigs trotters), fatty foods that are also thought to be lucky. So the dish is really a double helping of fortune. At midnight the New Year should be toasted with a glass of spumante or prosecco; no self-respecting Italian would offend their taste buds with that inferior French imitation, champagne. An Italian New Year isn't all food and fun though; it can also be a hazardous affair. First there are the fireworks that youngsters throw around. Then there is also the old tradition of hurling bits of old junk (plates, lavatories, kitchen sinks and the like) out of the window after midnight. Italians believe this is a way of throwing out all that was negative about the past year. The police have actually cracked down on this potentially lethal bit of revelry and the junk chucking has been curtailed. However, if you are planning to be in a small town in the south of Italy (in particular in the Naples area) on 31 December be especially vigilant for flying garbage. Even your sex life depends on how things go on the big night. Italian superstition holds that if you make love on New Year's Day youll have plenty of sex the rest of the year. If you dont, the next 364 days are set to be lonely ones. So there you have it: all you need to know to have a happy, lucky, prosperous, safe and sexy New Year. Could London soon be known more for what arrives on its stock market than what gets taken off it? Private-equity firms feasted wantonly on U.K. stocks in 2021. Bid activity has softened lately and a tougher national-security regime from January threatens to slow takeovers further, with the result that fewer firms leave the London market. At the same time, there could be a further pickup in companies going public in the U.K. if a relaxation of listing standards lures new issues away from other trading venues. The last 12 months were themselves a bumper period, with London initial public offering fundraising at its highest since 2007. The north Indian town of Haridwar, where the Ganges River flows out of the Himalayas onto Indias vast plains, has been for centuries a destination for pilgrims. For three days in December, it also played host to what the Indian media has called a hate-speech conclave, in which multiple speakers all dressed in saffron garb, the traditional signifier of sanctity in India called for Muslims and Christians in India to be killed. One hailed the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and exhorted Indian politicians, the army and every Hindu to pick up weapons and conduct a cleanliness drive. There was, he said, no solution apart from this. Since March 2020, U.S. airlines have received $54 billion in federal relief to keep employees on the payroll through the pandemic. Congress barred the airlines from furloughing workers but allowed them to offer incentives to quit or take long leaves of absence and many did. The airlines have about 9% fewer workers than they had two years ago. A: There was something funny about that. Something about rock stars [an advertisement behind him for a Rockstar energy drink], but thats not really what attracted me. It was because its so generic and American and you go there and see all this glitzy, Las Vegas architecture and then you turn a corner and its just ordinary. . . . I like these odd places. So you go to the park, say, I dont know where it was in the beautiful park. And then on the way you see all these weird industrial scrap heaps. I put it in there. Or you see 100 cherry pickers parked, you know. Whats this? Maxwells team could also argue that the rising threat of the omicron variant, which spread through the New York area like wildfire during jury deliberations, created unfair conditions under which the jury had to operate. Nathan told jurors Wednesday morning that if they did not reach a verdict that day, they would be expected to continue deliberating through the New Years holiday weekend, including on Sunday. The judge was concerned that the longer the trial continued, the greater the chance that a juror would contract the coronavirus and need to be excused, potentially causing a mistrial. The Supreme Court will weigh on Jan. 7 whether the federal government can mandate that large employers and health-care facilities require workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Framing the question before the court as whether the federal government has the authority to require the vaccine is looking down the wrong end of the problem. Alexis de Tocqueville in the 1830s foresaw the differences between the two nations that he believed would dominate the future: The Anglo-American relies upon personal interest to accomplish his ends, and gives free scope to the unguided strength and common sense of the people; the Russian centers all the authority of society in a single arm. The principal instrument of the former is freedom; of the latter, servitude. When Tocqueville wrote about Russia, he had in mind the czarist system. But the Soviet Union and Russian President Vladimir Putins version of Russia are cut from the same cloth. The Supreme Court has announced a special hearing on Jan. 7 to consider challenges to the rules from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was upheld by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit earlier this month, but is being challenged by a coalition of business groups and Republican-led states. Supreme Court justices are not covered by the same ethics policies, although the justices have said they voluntarily comply with them. Roberts is one of three justices Stephen G. Breyer and Samuel A. Alito Jr. are the others who own individual stocks. They recuse from cases, or sometimes sell the stock in order to participate, but they too have missed some cases. On Aug. 28, ACNA announced the members of a Provincial Response Team that would oversee an investigation into the dioceses handling of the allegations. The denomination was not able to respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, but according to an email sent from the Provincial Response Team to Rudenborg on Nov. 30 and shown to Religion News Service, the group was ready to begin the initial vetting process to narrow down the list of investigative firms. That list would then be voted on by both survivors and members of the Provincial Response Team. On Twitter, Rudenborg expressed frustration at the teams lack of action. In a YouTube conversation with Vineet Chander, Princetons Hindu chaplain, Sultan spoke about the role of rahmat, or mercy or grace, in accepting death: Nobody wants to leave this world, there are too many attachments. Whether youre 40, or 80, or 120, you never want to leave, but at some point, you have to leave. This is the way that God has decreed the way the world to be. These last two years and 9 difficult months inside the sanctuary became more difficult still when the pandemic began, the churches closed, and I felt forgotten and isolated, she said in the statement. Neither the pandemic nor my deportation process have ended, but knowing that I am going to have a Stay of Removal was the best Christmas gift that will make my life less difficult. With my freedom I will be able to continue fighting easier. Photos and video published online show the Palestinian lying face down at a junction near an Israeli settlement before being taken away in an ambulance. The Israeli military also released a photo of the knife. The military later said it arrested another suspect who was in the car. The other strike was carried out in the North Waziristan district, capturing a militant before four soldiers died in the fighting. The military said troops seized a cache of weapons during both raids. It raised serious questions about the safety of the buildings design, as there was only one way out, and the elevator and emergency stairs were located outside the clinic. Among those killed were patients and the head doctor. Researchers believe AirTags, which are equipped with Bluetooth technology, could be revealing a more widespread problem of tech-enabled tracking. They emit a digital signal that can be detected by devices running Apples mobile operating system. Those devices then report where an AirTag was last seen. Unlike similar tracking products from competitors such as Tile, Apple added features to prevent abuse, including notifications like the one Estrada received and automatic beeping. (Tile plans to release a feature to prevent the tracking of people next year, a spokesperson for that company said.) The network that Apple has access to is larger and more powerful than that used by the other trackers. Eva Galperin, a cybersecurity director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation But AirTags present a uniquely harmful threat because the ubiquity of Apples products allows for more exact monitoring of peoples movements, said Eva Galperin, a cybersecurity director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation who studies so-called stalkerware. Apple automatically turned every iOS device into part of the network that AirTags use to report the location of an AirTag, Galperin said. The network that Apple has access to is larger and more powerful than that used by the other trackers. Its more powerful for tracking and more dangerous for stalking. Apple does not disclose sales figures, but the tiny $US29 AirTags ($45 in Australia) have proved popular, selling out consistently since their unveiling. An Apple spokesperson, Alex Kirschner, said in a statement that the company takes customer safety very seriously and is committed to AirTags privacy and security. He said the small devices have features that inform users if an unknown AirTag might be with them and that deter bad actors from using an AirTag for nefarious purposes. If users ever feel their safety is at risk, they are encouraged to contact local law enforcement who can work with Apple to provide any available information about the unknown AirTag, Kirschner said. Police could ask Apple to provide information about the owner of the AirTag, potentially identifying the culprit. But some of the people who spoke with The Times were unable to find the AirTags they were notified of and said police do not always take reports of the notifications on their phones seriously. After a Friday night out with her boyfriend this month, Erika Torres, a graduate music student in New Orleans, was notified by her iPhone that an unknown accessory had been detected near her over a two-hour period, moving with her from a bar to her home. She called the police, and she called Apple, but she never found an AirTag. An Apple representative told her other devices, including AirPods, could set off the alert. When Torres posted a video about her experience to YouTube, a dozen people commented about it happening to them. The number of reports makes me think there must be some sort of glitch that is causing all these people to experience this, Torres said. I hope theyre not all being stalked. Apples AirTag is one of the first consumer electronic products to support a new wireless technology, ultrawideband, which lets you detect precise proximity between objects. Estrada, who got the notification while in Los Angeles, eventually found the quarter-sized tracker lodged in a space behind the license plate of her 2020 Dodge Charger. She posted a video of her ordeal on TikTok, which went viral. Apple probably released this product with the intent to do good, but this shows that the technology can be used for good and bad purposes, Estrada said. Estrada said she was told by a Los Angeles police dispatcher that her situation was a non-emergency and that if she wanted to file a report, shed have to bring the device with her to the station in the morning. She didnt want to wait and disposed of it after taking several photos. Loading A spokesperson for the Los Angeles police told The Times that the department had not heard of cases in which an AirTag had been used to track a person or a vehicle. But Estrada said that after she posted her TikTok video, an Apple employee, acting on their own, contacted her. The employee was able to connect the AirTag to a woman whose address was in Central Los Angeles. Another woman was notified by her iPhone that she was being tracked by an unknown accessory after leaving her gym in November. When she got home, she called the police. The woman, Michaela Clough of Corning, California, was told that a report could only be filed if someone showed up at her home and that Apples notifications were not enough proof that she was being stalked. She later got in touch with an Apple customer service representative, who was able to disconnect the device from Cloughs iPhone. The device was never found. I was terrified and frustrated that there was nothing I could do about it, Clough said, noting that she hadnt returned to her gym since. For a good week there, I just stayed home. AirTags and other products connected to Apples location-tracking network, called Find My, trigger alerts to unknown iPhones they travel with. The AirTag product page on Apples website notes that the devices are designed to discourage unwanted tracking and that they will play a sound after a certain amount of time of not detecting the device to which they are paired. Imagine finding out via a notification that youre being tracked and you cant do anything about it. Jahna Maramba In June, after concerns about stalking were raised, Apple pushed an update to AirTags to cause them to start beeping within a day of being away from their linked devices, down from three days. Still, they dont beep very loudly, Galperin said. A person who doesnt own an iPhone might have a harder time detecting an unwanted AirTag. AirTags arent compatible with Android smartphones. Earlier this month, Apple released an Android app that can scan for AirTags but you have to be vigilant enough to download it and proactively use it. Apple declined to say if it was working with Google on technology that would allow Android phones to automatically detect its trackers. People who said they have been tracked have called Apples safeguards insufficient. Estrada said she was notified four hours after her phone first noticed the rogue gadget. Others said it took days before they were made aware of an unknown AirTag. According to Apple, the timing of the alerts can vary depending on the iPhones operating system and location settings. Loading The devices inconsistencies have caused confusion for people who were not necessarily being tracked nefariously. Mary Ford, a 17-year-old high school student from Cary, North Carolina, received a notification in late October that she was being tracked by an unknown AirTag after driving to an appointment. She panicked as she searched her car. Ford only realised it wasnt a threat when her mother revealed she had put the tracker in the vehicle about two weeks earlier to follow her daughters whereabouts. I was nervous about Mary being out and not being able to find her, said her mother, Wendy Ford. She said she hadnt intended to keep the knowledge of the AirTag from her daughter, but if I knew she would have been notified, I probably would have told her. Jahna Maramba rented a vehicle from the car-sharing service Turo last month in Los Angeles, then received a notification about an unknown AirTag near her on a Saturday night with her girlfriends. She took the vehicle to her friends parking garage where she searched the outside of the car for an hour before its owner notified her that he had placed the device inside the vehicle. Maramba had been driving the car for two days. A spokesperson for Turo said in a statement that the company has no control over the technology car owners use on the vehicles they rent. Imagine finding out via a notification that youre being tracked, Maramba said. And you cant do anything about it. Ten out of the 15 RATs are made in China. Another two are from the US, plus the one from Germany and another from Korea. Only one out of the 15 approved kits the Innoscreen COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device is made in Australia. Lumos rapid COVID-19 test, which is still pending approval from the TGA for use in clinical settings and at home, hit the Canadian market earlier this month and Mr Lanyon said the lack of local interest in rapid COVID-19 testing meant it had to focus its attention overseas. The company this year built a rapid diagnostics facility in Florida capable of manufacturing 120 million tests a year. We did exactly what we suggested to the government we just happened to do it overseas, he said. I guarantee you we would have had manufacturing in Australia already. We would have been producing tests in Victoria, and we would have been shipping them nationally. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said no records of meetings between Lumos and former industry minister Karen Andrews in mid-2020 were found by the Department of Industry Science Energy & Resources or the Department of Health. There was an approach to the office of the Minister for Health in September 2020, the spokeswoman added. The office indicated that as numerous unsolicited proposals were received, for reasons of probity and assessment for safety and quality, the Department uses rigorous tender and competitive processes to assess all proposals. We are not aware as to whether the company made an application under such processes as no details have been provided. Meanwhile, Brisbane-based Ellume cannot provide the kits to Australian users until mid-2022. The more than 100,000 rapid antigen test kits made every day at Ellumes Richlands factory are all headed to the United States, even as demand for the kits in Australia escalates. Ellume plans to scale up to 200,000 kits per day to the United States as American demand grows. In February 2021, the Queensland company won a $300 million contract to supply 8.5 million rapid antigen test kits to the US market. More than 100,000 COVID-19 home test kits per day are being made here at Richlands and exported to the United States by Queensland firm Ellume. The company needs Therapeutic Goods Administration approval to sell their product in Australia. Credit:Tony Moore The Queensland government in May 2020 gave an undisclosed sum to Ellume from its $50 million pot of money to improve Queenslands supply chain of essential goods. However, the company has had its sights firmly set on the US market, with Ellume yet to lodge an application with the TGA. Businesses have faced increased disruption as the explosion of COVID-19 cases has forced workers to isolate and wait several days for a PCR test result. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this week that the federal government had purchased 6 million rapid antigen tests that would go to a national stockpile, but emphasised state governments were responsible for procuring their own RATs. NSW has ordered 50 million RATs and will distribute them for free, as will Victoria, which has ordered more than 34 million test kits. Queensland has scrapped the PCR test requirement for interstate travellers in favour of rapid antigen tests. However, Mr Lanyon said the belated interest in rapid testing leaves Australia miles behind the likes of the US and the UK, where they have been in use since last year. The solution that weve now got in Australia, while it seems new, has been in place globally throughout the pandemic. So, theres only one way to describe where we are and that is, in catch-up mode, he said. Were 12 to 18 months behind the eight-ball. Senior pharmacy association executives have warned of RAT shortages heading into the new year, particularly as state and Commonwealth governments have placed their own orders. Weve probably got the next two weeks where supplies are going to be short, demand will outstrip supply, and we will have regional outages, said Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Terry Twomey. Around the 14th of January, we will see supply start to normalise. Thats still two weeks away. So for the next fortnight or so, theyll be difficult to get. Meanwhile, Chemist Warehouse director Mario Tascone said his company approached the federal and state governments including NSW and Victoria about a fortnight ago offering them kits for purchase. Only the Queensland government has so far accepted the companys offer. The chemist chain, which retails and wholesales the tests and has its own supplier in China, has imported about 5 million at-home kits since they were approved for use in November. It will acquire about 5-6 million more over the next few weeks to cater to soaring demand. Even on our forecasts, Omicron got us on the hop, he said, noting that governments and companies may have been reluctant to buy large volumes before the Omicron wave because they feared being left with excess stock. We did offer to help governments in the last few weeks. They are aware we have stock we can put in orders for them. Victoria has secured 34 million rapid antigen tests which the Andrews government has said will be free for its citizens by the end of January. A spokesperson for the Victorian Health Department said this was done through a tender process. This has included the establishment of a formal tender process for the supply of Rapid Antigen Tests through state purchase contracts, they said.This process is now complete. Any supplier was welcome to make a bid through that process. A NSW Health spokeswoman said that the state government had secured sufficient supply of rapid testing kits for the months ahead. The specific offer from Chemist Warehouse was for a supply of kits that would be delivered from mid-January 2022. NSW Health has already secured more than 50 million kits at competitive prices, that are all TGA approved and can be delivered in January 2022. Deliveries for February have also been secured. On my TikTok, theres constantly some new Fred Schebesta that comes in and asks people to WhatsApp them about some new hot cryptocurrency project, Finder boss Fred Schebesta (the real one) says. It looks like a scam, and it almost always is, but its very hard to stop the bots. It just constantly happens. I dont accept phone calls, I dont click on emails, I dont respond to text messages anymore. Finder CEO Fred Schebesta Like Green, Schebesta has had his identity stolen and used to sign up for buy now, pay later products. Hes also had particularly ambitious scammers try to set up post office boxes in his name, tactics that have forced the founder to be very cautious when taking calls and messages. I dont accept phone calls, I dont click on emails, I dont respond to text messages anymore unless I know who you are, he says. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) generally runs a tight ship when it comes to tracking down and alerting people to scams, with its ScamWatch division tracking 18,000 different scam reports in November alone. However, the regulator admits its data on the sort of impersonation scams plaguing the crypto space is limited. Its not the most common form of these scams that we see, but its certainly amongst the ones that have been reported, deputy chair Delia Rickard says. Rickard says the regulator has a handful of case studies where victims have fallen for these scams, providing examples where high-profile crypto personalities, such as Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin and Tesla founder Elon Musk, were impersonated, with the scammers taking between $2000 and $6000 in cryptocurrency from the victims. Finders Fred Schebesta has had his identity stolen and used to sign up for buy now, pay later products. Credit:Louise Kennerley It is an awful lot of money to lose, she says. The whole investing theory of dont put all your eggs in one basket seems to go out the window when people get involved in crypto. She views these scams as a new-age version of the classic celebrity impersonation scam, where scammers try to lure victims into fraudulent investments with the supposed backing of a high-profile celebrity, which has become easier to pull off due to the unregulated and unpredictable nature of the cryptocurrency space. Since you can get scammers who operate on legitimate exchanges, I think its very difficult for people to know how to go about this, she says. So, therefore, they see names that they trust and think its a safer move. The ACCC hopes to inform more people about the danger of these scams, and also works closely with the banks in an effort to stop money being transferred to scammers before its too late. However, the regulators power beyond that is limited, leaving much of the action to the social media platforms that provide an avenue for these scammers to operate. In the early days of the crypto boom, this was predominantly Twitter. However, the company has taken significant steps to prevent these scams from propagating, with a spokesperson saying it was constantly adapting to bad actors evolving methods. In Australia, promotion of crypto products on Twitter is only allowed with prior authorisation from the platform. Many of these scammers have since moved to more private services such as Telegram and Discord, where they can message potential victims one-on-one. Loading A spokesperson for Discord said the company takes action against any illegal activity on its app, including banning users and shutting down servers. The business has also rolled out various scam protection tools such as suspicious link detection and services which monitor for suspicious activity from new users. Similarly, a spokesperson for Meta - Facebook and Instagrams parent company - said the business had a team dedicated to identifying and preventing these sorts of scams. While no enforcement is perfect, we continue to investigate new technologies and methods of stopping these scams and the people behind them, they said. However, the unfortunate reality of the cryptocurrency sector is that its far more difficult to prevent scams when compared to the traditional finance space, as the key tenets of decentralisation and anonymity are both what makes cryptocurrency great, but also allows scammers to thrive. NSWs top doctor has urged New Years revellers not to party if they have any symptoms after the state reported 21,151 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, expressing hope for a brighter 2022. Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said it was likely the case numbers were well above the reported figure. More than 14 per cent of tests processed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday were positive, indicating a significant rate of cases undetected in the community. With people likely to come into contact with a COVID-positive person in public, Dr Chant said, we all have a part to play to reduce the impact of those case numbers, particularly at New Years gatherings. Even though it may be that one-off event where youve been looking forward to you seeing family and friends, if you have the most minimal of symptoms, I am asking you to stay home, isolate and get a test, Dr Chant said. The slogan of an Australian government campaign, Zero Chance targeting politically persecuted Sri Lankans is: dont willingly destroy your life. The campaign, which has been running for two years, sends a blunt message to anyone getting on a boat to come to Australia, irrespective of whether they are entitled to the protection Australia is legally obliged to provide: The door is closed, dont bother trying. An Australia-bound boat of Sri Lanka refugees waits for help after drifiting into Indonesian waters. Credit:Raihal Fajri While Australias reluctance to meet its human rights obligations is not new, the Zero Chance short film competition for 2022 takes our reputation to a new and deeper level of moral depravity. It encourages Sri Lankan filmmakers to come up with videos that might deter their fellow citizens from seeking refuge in Australia via boat. Effectively, the competition proposes that every day Sri Lankans convince their neighbours to relinquish their human rights and win a digital SLR camera or a drone. The suggestion that those who have endured years of suffering may be deterred by a short film, is callous enough. The idea to recruit their fellow citizens to dissuade them from recognising their rights is morally repugnant. A good wine tasting will usually open your eyes to the magic of a particular region or variety, but now and then one blows your mind at such a level that you never forget it. Two recent back-to-back events in the heart of Margaret River wine country left indelible impressions on the senses and memory and reinforced in the barest terms why cabernet sauvignon along the 110-kilometre stretch of winding road in the South West are truly works of wonder. The scene at the 39th international cabernet tasting at Cape Mentelle last month. Credit:David Prestipino Cape Mentelle and Cullen Wines are two pioneer wineries of the region and each celebrated their 50-year anniversaries recently. But they stand miles apart as cabernet producers. The former is owned by LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and has a swag of winemakers that contribute to its range in a meticulous manner, while Cullen is steeped in family tradition and strict biodynamic winemaking principles, where instinct, emotion and the lunar calendar drive their efforts. Their cabernet sauvignons are also wholly different in style. Old Parliament House in Canberra will be closed to the public for weeks while parts of the heritage building are cleaned of soot and the entrance repaired after protesters set fire to its 100-year-old front doors, which may not be salvageable. Federal and ACT police have formed a special taskforce to identify protesters who were responsible for the fire on Thursday, using footage from officers body-cams, social media or submitted by the public. Firefighters and police at the damaged entrance to Old Parliament House on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Protesters returned to occupy the steps of the building, now home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, on Friday morning but the scene was relatively peaceful compared with the blaze that damaged the entry a day earlier. Australian Federal Police said in a statement they are contemplating charges of damaging Commonwealth property, arson and incitement, and have already interviewed witnesses. On Thursday 1,964,796 scans were recorded on the Safe WA app, which is an eight per cent increase from the previous day. If WA continues to record low case numbers where a source can be traced Mr McGowan has flagged the state will likely ease COVID-19 mask and event restrictions from January 4. Mandate crunch time Midnight tonight is crunch time for critical industries as the COVID-19 vaccine mandate takes effect for hundreds of thousands of Western Australian workers. From 12.01am January 1 all workers in sectors known as the Group 1 cohort such as ports, police, health, corrections, fire and emergency services, and some community services will need to be fully vaccinated to remain employed. But a much larger cohort known as Group 2 will also now fall under the mandate and must have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine to keep working. Loading This cohort includes workers in industries critical to the day to day functioning of society including supermarkets, food retailers, restaurants, pubs, bars, the post office, department stores, schools, banks, vets, petrol stations, public transport workers and rideshare providers such as taxis and Ubers. This group will be required to have been fully vaccinated by January 31. Earlier this month the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a survey of 900 households that found 3.7 per cent of respondents in the workforce were against getting the jab while a further 4.8 per cent were still considering whether they would. These figures would mean about 39,000 people out of the 1 million WAs mandate covers could be out of work for refusing to get the vaccine. The popular Pier Hotel in Port Hedland took to Facebook on Friday to announce it was closing down for the foreseeable future thanks to the mandate. Due to the governments current border restrictions and the vaccine mandates, we will be closing down due to lack of staff, the post read. As December 31st is the final date for hospitality workers to be jabbed, TODAY will be our last day trading for the foreseeable future. Police Minister Paul Papalia said he did not expect the mandate to have a significant impact on businesses around the state. If businesses make a decision of their own to not operate, for whatever reason, then thats a business decision that theyre making. Its not a widespread thing, he said. Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra was unfazed at the looming deadline. Mandatory vaccination policies for staff have been in place in other jurisdictions for months now, and Western Australia is the latest to join them ahead of the reopening of the domestic border, he said. As they have throughout the pandemic, retailers will adjust to the health protocols that are put in place. West Australians have had plenty of time to get the jabs and the vast bulk of the population is fully vaccinated, so we dont expect any significant issues to emerge. The WA government has also mandated booster shots for workers who fall under the current mandates, which means workers must receive their third dose four months after their second. Workers covered by the mandate who knowingly work unvaccinated face a $20,000 fine while employers could cop a $100,000 fine. Mr Papalia flagged that the government would not be taking a punitive approach to enforcing public health measures. We havent had to. Western Australians have been magnificent in stepping up to the responsibility of sacrificing self-interest on behalf of the community, he said. WA Police have fined a 42-year-old Yokine man after he hosted a Boxing Day boat party in breach of COVID restrictions, which have banned dancing at all events except for at weddings. Social media videos showed people dancing and consuming alcohol while not wearing masks. Islamabad: Afghanistans former president said he had no choice but to abruptly leave Kabul as the Taliban closed in and denied an agreement was in the works for a peaceful takeover, disputing the accounts of former Afghan and US officials. Ashraf Ghani said in a BBC interview that aired on Thursday that an adviser gave him just minutes to decide to abandon the capital, Kabul. He also denied widespread accusations that he left the country with millions in stolen money. Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he had only two minutes to decide if he should flee the country. Credit:AP I want to categorically state I did not take any money out of the country, Ghani told BBC Radio 4s Today program. The helicopters in our first destination were available for everybody to search. I would be delighted to have any kind of investigation, including taking a lie detector test or anything else that is important. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell was even worse than her paedophile boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein, says prominent accuser Virginia Giuffre, because Maxwell used her wealth and charm to groom victims. In an interview with US website The Cut from her home in Perth, Western Australia, Giuffre said her husband woke her on Thursday morning with news of the verdict. Virginia Giuffre, pictured here in August 2019 in New York, says her husband woke her with news of Ghislaine Maxwells conviction. Credit:AP I was shaken awake to him saying, Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!. I said, I need a cup of coffee. And then I jumped out of bed. My middle son had just woken up, and I just was so excited to tell him. My kids have seen me go through hell and back. He gave me the biggest hug and was like, Mum, you did it! and that was a melting moment for me, my kid being proud. Giuffre is currently suing Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in a Californian court, accusing Andrew of forcing her to have sex with him more than two decades ago when she was under 18 at the London home of former Epstein associate Maxwell, and abusing her at two of Epsteins homes. WESTPORT For more than 25 years, Mumbai Times has been providing traditional Indian cuisine to residents across town. But as its lease comes to an end at 616 Post Road East, the restaurant will temporarily close its doors as the owner looks for a new location in Westport. Tarun Narula, the owner, said the difficult decision to close on Jan. 2 came with the loss of their lease. In a post he wrote on the Mumbai Times website, he extended his gratitude to all of his customers. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you all for your love and support over the years. Its been a pleasure to serve you and we look forward to re-opening this restaurant as soon as possible in a location nearby, the post read. In the meantime please visit us at Mumbai Times in Cos Cob and Dhabewala Indian Shack in Stamford for the same great food and service you have enjoyed. Narula said on Wednesday that while things were rough over the last two years with the pandemic, it was starting to look up. As the end of lease approached, he said he assumed that the building owner would want to extend the lease as he had done several times before. Mumbai Times initially signed a 10-year lease and then three five-year leases. He said the landlords decision to not extend the lease could be because he plans to do something else with the building. Narula said all of the other stores within the building are already empty except the hardware store next to the restaurant. The landlord could not be reached for comment. We have no complaints from anyone or the landlord, Narula said. Everybody has to take care of their business. We have been here for so many years and as long as we were good tenants, the landlord was good to us. Narula said his staff and chef, who has been there for 17 years, are eager to relocate and are hoping to find a smaller place to move to as soon as possible. He said because of the issues they faced during the pandemic, a smaller location would benefit them with take-out, deliveries as well as fewer staff and lower rent, another issue the restaurant faced during the pandemic. The trend has moved more towards takeouts and deliveries so we dont need as much space in the restaurant for diners, Narula said. The pandemic prevented restaurants from offering dine-in, which Narula said shifted the business to focus on take-out and deliveries. For Mumabi Times, that meant deliveries had to go through third party vendors. Narula said the problem with that is the vendors take 30 percent as commission. Its a major chunk of our business, Narula said. The kitchen was always busy and the staff was busy, but 30 percent of our business was going to these third parties. We lost quite a bit. Who has 30 percent of profit in the restaurant business? No one. Narula add that for him, he wished the restaurant would have had another year on their lease. However, he said we have to find something that better suits us now. We definitely only want to stay in Westport. Thats where our base is, he said. Majority of our customer are from Westport. Since the news was published on the restaurant's website, Narula said customers from around town have been emailing him showing him their support. One customer, who works in real estate, has even been in conversation with Narula to offer his help in finding another location for the restaurant. Another customer has been calling around to see if they could find a nearby spot. It is very nice of the community, Narula said. They are sharing that they always loved our food and service. They are very saddened with this news and they are really hoping that we find a place nearby. We are seeing the love our customers have for us, he added. serenity.bishop@hearstmediact.com The Wayne County Sheriff's Office in Wayne County, Illinois, says a benefit account has been established in honor of fallen Deputy Sean Riley. According to the sheriff's office, the benefit account was established at the TrustBank located on Park Street in Cisne. Anyone who wishes to donate should contact the bank and ask about the Deputy Sean Riley benefit fund. "The outpouring of love from our community and even nationwide has been absolutely astounding! We here cannot possibly thank each of you enough for your kind words of sympathy & encouragement, donations of food for all the officers helping cover our county, generosity in giving and love that you have shown our family here," the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. The TrustBank maintaining the Deputy Sean Riley benefit fund is located at 401 Park St. in Cisne, and can be reached by phone at 618-673-2165. You can read more about the incident that happened Wednesday and the arrest of the suspect in the case by clicking here. On Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Big Rivers Electric Corporation will officially break ground on its new headquarters in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. Big Rivers Electric says it received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission in early December, allowing it to begin construction on the new 47,000-square-foot facility at 710 W. 2nd St. The new Owensboro construction will consist of a four-story building and 129 parking spots, with the buildings design incorporating more modern meeting and collaboration spaces that match future utility needs, according to the corporation. Officials say the new Headquarters will be the first of two facilities to move to Daviess County, with plans for a new combined Big Rivers and Kenergy Corp Operations Center on West Fifth Street in 2023. These moves will position Big Rivers in a central location to reach all of its 22-county service territory, its three Member-Owner cooperatives, and key larger industrial customers. Previous Story: Big Rivers Electric Corp. Relocating From Henderson to Owensboro Big Rivers board, executives, and employees will be on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of the projected $10.8 million construction project. The groundbreaking ceremony will also feature key Owensboro and Daviess County officials who helped secure the downtown site. Local leaders including Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson, Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly, and Greater Owensboro EDC President Brittaney Johnson will also be present for the groundbreaking ceremony, which will begin at 3:00 p.m. Completion of the future headquarters is expected by late 2022. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Snow tapers to flurries around sunrise, then some clearing as skies become partly sunny; breezy and cold with wind chills well below freezing.. Tonight Becoming clear, breezy, and very cold. Reading, PA (19601) Today Snow tapers to flurries around sunrise, then some clearing as skies become partly sunny; breezy and cold with wind chills well below freezing.. Tonight Becoming clear, breezy, and very cold. Here are 20 films perfect for a Netflix binge! You can read our bountiful list of stage shows you can watch online for free here! Miss Saigon The 25th anniversary West End production was a milestone in the careers of the likes of Eva Noblezada and Rachelle Ann Go, so it's a great treat for anyone wanting a quiet night in. tick, tick...Boom! Already courting Oscar buzz, Lin-Manuel Miranda's movie is based on Jonathan Larson's intimate musical here transformed into a wonderful exploration of creativity. Gypsy Imelda Staunton stars in the hit musical, taped during its West End run at the Savoy Theatre. Diana the Musical Love it or hate it, sometimes it's great just to watch live performers do what they do best. The show concerns the much-revered 20th-century figure. Shrek the Musical The hit Broadway production heads to UK and Ireland Netflix for the first time! Brian D'Arcy James takes on the titular role. Find out more. Vivo Lin-Manuel Miranda lends his voice to this brand-new musical animation which is released on 6 August truly a hoot! The Prom A brand new musical film version of the iconic Broadway show is on Netflix! You can find out more about the starry piece here. The Boys in the Band The film version of the recent Broadway revival features an all-star cast. Find out more here. Been So Long Michaela Coel, Mya Lewis, Arinze Kene and George MacKay bring Coel's stage play to the streaming site. Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall Platt's solo concert is a tour-de-force in performance and quite frankly the perfect tonic to the lockdown blues. Read an interview with Platt here. Once We've been falling slowly in love with this movie (and the subsequent stage version) for many a year, and now you can too! Springsteen on Broadway (2019) The music legend had a residency on Broadway recently, and the whole experience was captured for your consuming pleasure online! Glee (2009) One of the biggest smash hit TV shows of the last couple of decades, you can now watch all of Glee, with its ridiculous back catalogue of musical covers, in its entirety. Who's up for a binge-watch? Jingle Jangle (2020) A raft of Broadway legends join this festive musical bonanza which should be on your must-see list this winter! Expect some proper earworms. Release on 13 November. Matilda (1996) Playing to packed out audiences in the West End is the RSC, Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly's hit musical version of Roald Dahl's novel. It's an absolute scream and while we don't think the film is anywhere near as great as the stage version, it's still pretty fun, featuring a great comic performance from Danny DeVito. Watch it on stage instead Funny Girl (1968) There might be a lot raining on everyone's parade right now, but not with the cracking film musical starring Barbra Streisand. Barbra Streisand, The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic! (2017) The iconic Barbra Streisand has some UK appearance dates, but she's currently ruling the roost on Netflix with this specially recorded concert, featuring some immense performances. Latin History for Morons (2018) Theatre on Netflix may start becoming a more regular fixture, and John Leguizamo's one-man show is ahead of the curve. Having originally premiered in 2016, Leguizamo's play is a whimsical and entertaining exploration of two millenniums of oppression. As informative as it is drole. Annie (1982 and 2014) Tomorrow is only a day away in Annie's world, so why not raise some spirits with this fantastic musical film that has won the hearts and minds of audiences across the globe. Two versions are available on Netflix. Oh Hello on Broadway (2017) Recorded live on the Great White Way, this comedy special promises gags aplent with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney (Mulaney is a massive musical nut, judging by his SNL sketches) playing two hasbeens who while away the hours. Opening Night (2017) Stage stars including Lesli Margherita appear in this musical comedy film, which takes place in real time, backstage on the opening night of a Broadway musical. If you can't be there then why not see what it would be like! Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015) Four series of a musical romantic comedy is more than bingeable for anyone with long stays at home, so we wholly suggest cashing in on this fantastic cockle-warming series. Mamma Mia! It's back on Netflix just in time the summer, which means your annual ABBA bonanza can carry on. Les Miserables Love it, hate it, it's impossible not to get swept up in the immense score of the iconic show, brought to life by Tom Hooper. Over the past few years, there have been some outstanding pieces of theatre and we feel they deserve the opportunity to be staged again. Whether a West End transfer, the launch of a new UK tour or perhaps a return engagement at one of our country's fine regional establishments, we've got everything crossed that we may well get to see a selection of these shows mounted in front of live audiences one more time. We're thrilled that the acclaimed productions of Jerusalem and Cyrano de Bergerac are heading back to the stage in 2022, so let's hope that some of the following shows might also follow suit... Gin Craze! This funky female-penned new musical was a firm hit in Northampton and needs a future life! As big fans of all things gin in WOS towers, to see a show that deepdives into the 18th-century world of sozzle-ment and social injustice is a big win. AW. Cruise Jack Holden in Cruise Pamela Raith Written and performed by Jack Holden, Cruise was one of the shows leading the charge to get our theatres back up and running in May of this year. Throughout its limited run at the West End's Duchess Theatre, Holden delivered a pulsating tour de force performance exploring life in Soho during the outbreak of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. TM Is God Is Aleshea Harris' piece caused a bit of a stir when it had its UK premiere the bloody Western revenge tale was critically loved by some, while also picking up a fun one-star take-down from The Times. Anything causing that sort of reaction from the publication is well worth a return outing! AW The Wiz The cast of The Wiz Pamela Raith Even though audiences still have the chance to experience the Hope Mill Theatre's exuberant revival of The Wiz until 16 January at its Manchester venue, we're already hoping for a future life for the production. Maybe it could even "ease on down the road" on an extensive UK tour? TM Life is a Dream Jo Clifford wowed Scottish audiences with this revelatory take on Pedro Calderon's Life is a Dream, a 17th-century play that lives up to its fantastical, abstract title. "If that's a dream, then don't wake me up", our critic Simon Thompson said well here we are dreaming of a return affair. AW What's New Pussycat? The cast of What's New Pussycat? Pamela Raith Birmingham Rep's 5-star new musical gleefully merges Henry Fielding's 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling with the bombastic back catalogue of another Tom Jones a certain Welsh singing sensation and the swinging sixties! What more do you need?... Oh, a West End transfer as soon as humanly possible, please! TM Yellowfin Billed by many as one of the most impressive and urgent new plays of the year, this new writing piece imagines a world without fish. It's penned by Marek Horn, who also wowed with (another nautically titled) Wild Swimming in 2019, and given where the world seems to be headed, it should have a lengthy and well-exposed life. AW Oliver Twist The cast of Oliver Twist Anthony Robling The last few years (none least a certain Strictly win) has highlighted the need and desire for more inclusion for the Deaf community within the arts. Ramps on the Moon's 5-star adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist held accessibility at its heart when it debuted at the Leeds Playhouse in the spring of 2020 and it's left us saying: "Please, sir, I want some more." TM little scratch When much-loved director Katie Mitchell decides to direct a show based on a very new and well-received book in a basement studio in Hampstead, it's likely the results will be pretty top notch. As was the case in little scratch, adapted by Miriam Battye from Rebecca Watson's text. A jewel of a piece that deserves as much exposure as it can. AW West Side Story Adriana Ivelisse and Jamie Muscato in West Side Story Ellie Kurttz Something's Coming... we hope! Before the pandemic, Curve's 2019 mounting of West Side Story was originally met with exceedingly high expectations and did not fail to deliver. Following Steven Spielberg's masterful new take on the classic 1957 Broadway musical and the sad passing of its lyricist Stephen Sondheim, we can't think of a better time for this production to be revived and pay homage, either in the West End or on tour. TM Old Bridge New writing prize company Papatango has a knack for finding powerhouse plays and giving them a platform to thrive as is proved by Igor Memic's WOSAward-nominated Old Bridge, which crafts a human story amidst the intense conflicts in the Balkans at the end of the 20th century. Full of heart, heroics and, amidst the horror, humour, it's an assured debut from a brilliant playwright. AW. Three Kings Andrew Scott in Three Kings Manuel Harlan Kudos to the Old Vic for launching its widely praised "In Camera" series, which helped to fill theatrical voids during the lockdowns. One of the highlights was the world premiere of Stephen Beresford's Three Kings, starring Andrew Scott, whose performance was described as "impeccable" by our very own Sarah Crompton in her 5-star review from September 2020. Following Scott's knockout performance as Garry Essendine in the 2019 revival of Noel Coward's Present Laughter, we can't think of a more kingly return to the Old Vic's stage. TM Evita Here's a sad one we expected Jamie Lloyd's Open Air Theatre production to have a brilliant, kaleidoscopic life at the Barbican in 2020, only for the pandemic to derail those plans completely. The WOSAward-winning show will be back at some stage, we hope, as it was an utter transformation of Lloyd Webber and Price's initial material. While we're at it we're still waiting on that West End transfer of The Boy in the Dress which the RSC will surely keep on the cards. AW Rent The cast of RENT Pamela Raith Another Hope Mill Theatre revival makes our list with Jonathan Larson's epochal musical Rent. After being shut down in November 2020 after only five performances, the 5-star production resiliently made it back to the stage this past summer. But we feel a further life should be on the cards for this one and we can't wait another five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes until we see it again! TM My Son's A Queer But What Can You Do? Rob Madge's debut play was so hard to get tickets for we almost considered tunnelling through the walls of the train line next to the Turbine Theatre in order to watch the heartwarming comedy. With their brilliant charm and joyous tale, Madge is an up-and-coming leading light in UK theatre and this show surely has a long journey ahead. AW. The Long Song Speaking of long journeys, Andrea Levy's much-loved text was meticulously adapted for the stage by Suhayla ElBushra (The Suicide) in Chichester earlier this year, with many calling for a West End transfer. We wholeheartedly agree it was but one of a plethora of top-notch shows coming from the venue this year. What else? We did a similar list in 2019 and, given how 2020 panned out, a lot of these still apply including Hadestown, Present Laughter, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fun Home. NEW YORK (AP) New York City welcomed the new year and bid good riddance to 2021 as confetti and cheers spread across Times Square as a New Year's Eve tradition returned to a city beleaguered by a global pandemic. FILE - The 2022 sign that will be lit on top of a building on New Year's Eve is displayed in Times Square, New York, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. New York City is readying to embrace the new year by reviving its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Squarelimiting the number of people to about 15,000 in-person spectators. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) NEW YORK (AP) New York City welcomed the new year and bid good riddance to 2021 as confetti and cheers spread across Times Square as a New Year's Eve tradition returned to a city beleaguered by a global pandemic. The new year marched across the globe, time zone by time zone, and thousands of New Year's revelers stood shoulder to shoulder in a slight chill to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectators far fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually descend on the world-famous square to bask in the lights and hoopla of the nations marquee New Years Eve event. It did so as an uneasy nation tried to muster optimism that the worst days of the pandemic are now behind it even as public health officials cautioned Friday against unbridled celebrations amid surging COVID-19 infections from the omicron variant. Last years ball drop was closed to the public because of the pandemic. As the ball dropped and euphoria filled the streets, Maya Scharm, a dog trainer visiting from New Jersey, felt 2021 slide away. FILE - Confetti flies after the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball drops in a nearly empty Times Square due to COVID-19 lockdown, early Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. New York City is readying to embrace the new year by reviving its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, as an uneasy nation tries to muster optimism that the worst days of the pandemic are now behind it. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File) It's symbolic of getting back to normal, she said, just minutes after the stroke of midnight. Hopefully it's different this year, said her companion, Brandon Allen. We already have that sense of stability. We know whats going on theres a new strain going around now but its like weve kind of been through it for two years at this point. Though the crowds were smaller, the throngs nevertheless stretched for blocks to soak in the celebration, with many traveling from afar to take part. Confetti lit up by electronic billboards swirled in a light wind on a mild winter night in New York City. Jaclyn Bernstein of New York stands in confetti, among the few to observe the Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop early Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. New York City is readying to embrace the new year by reviving its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Squarelimiting the number of people to about 15,000 in-person spectators. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File) Mary Gonzalez stood a few feet behind a crowd, wanting to keep her distance from anyone unwittingly carrying the virus. Im happy that 2021 is over because it caused a lot of problems for everybody, said Gonzalez, who was visiting from Mexico City and wanted to take in an American tradition. We hope that 2022 is much better than this year. The annual ball drop took place as the clock ticked into midnight and ushered in the new year, an occasion usually commemorated with the uncorking of Champagne, clinking of pints, joyous embraces and renewed hope for better times ahead. A sign reminds people to wear face masks as revelers gather on Times Square in New York Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 for New Year's Eve celebrations. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Times Square is often referred to as the crossroads of the world, and city officials insisted on holding the marquee New Years Eve event to demonstrate the city's resiliency even amid a resurgence of the coronavirus. But 2022 begins just as the year prior began with the pandemic clouding an already uncertain future. Doubts swirled about whether the city would have to cancel this years bash, as the city posted record numbers of COVID-19 cases in the days leading to it, even as some cities like Atlanta had decided to cancel their own celebrations. Revellers gather during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon) COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have soared to their highest levels on record at over 265,000 per day on average. New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed cases nearly 44,000 on Wednesday and a similar number Thursday, according to New York state figures. Officials required those attending the spectacle would have to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. Organizers had initially hoped that more than 50,000 revelers would be able to join in, but plans were dramatically scaled back because of widespread infections. Rap artist and actor LL Cool J was supposed to be among the performers taking the stage in Times Square on Friday night, but announced he would pull out of the event because he had tested positive for COVID-19. Christopher Munoz and Nirvana Contreras kiss during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon) But Mayor Bill de Blasio, who relinquished oversight of the nation's most populous city at the stroke of midnight, said the festivities at Times Square would show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this. New York Citys incoming mayor, Eric Adams, took his oath in Times Square soon after the ball drop. He made a brief appearance earlier on the main stage to affirm the city's resiliency. Its just great when New York shows the entire country how we come back, he said. We showed the entire globe what were made of. Were unbelievable. This is an unbelievable city and, trust me, were ready for a major comeback because this is New York. That hopeful sentiment was shared by ordinary people. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. I look back and I see it as a sort of a stressful year, but it wasnt a terrible year, said Lynn Cafarchio, who braved the crowds to attend the festivities with her husband Pete. A New York City tour guide, she was unemployed for a spell as the economy was shuttered and tourism tanked. We're standing here glad that 2021 will soon be over, she said, "but really positive about next year. Even if the crowds were considerably smaller, people gathered across block after block to witness the ball drop. Nursing student Ashley Ochoa and her boyfriend, Jose Avelar, traveled from the central valley of California specifically to be at Times Square. COVID did hold a lot of stuff back for me," Ochoa said, but I mean, Im here today, so thats what I'm thankful for. WINFIELD, Ala. (AP) Homes and buildings were damaged and trees were blown down as a line of intense thunderstorms rolled across several Southern states, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In this photo taken from a drone, snow covers streets, sidewalks and homes where nearly a foot of snow fell over the weekend, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in a neighborhood near Bellingham Bay in Bellingham, Wash. Emergency warming shelters were opened throughout western Washington and Oregon as temperatures plunged into the teens and forecasters said an arctic blast would last for several days. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) WINFIELD, Ala. (AP) Homes and buildings were damaged and trees were blown down as a line of intense thunderstorms rolled across several Southern states, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In the west Alabama town of Winfield, Wednesday's storms damaged buildings in the downtown area, authorities said. Building walls collapsed and roofs were lying in roads, Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson told WBRC-TV. "Downtown Winfield is a dangerous area," the Marion County Sheriff's Department said in a statement on social media. "There are confirmed live power lines down." Police ordered people to stay out of the downtown area as officers and sheriffs deputies worked to assess the damage in the town, located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Birmingham. "If you dont have to come down here, dont," Burleson told WBRC. "There are lines down, glass in the road, nails." In northeastern Alabama's Etowah County, an emergency manager reported that a pole barn was destroyed and at least two homes damaged. In south Georgia, a crew from the National Weather Service planned to survey damage in Bainbridge after "a likely tornado" swept through the town, the weather service's Tallahassee, Florida, office said. The weather service typically surveys damage before confirming that it was caused by a tornado. The Georgia storm damaged the roof and sign of a convenience store, uprooted a tree and damaged a carport, the town's public safety office said in a statement. The storms prompted tornado watches and warnings Wednesday for parts of several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, but it wasn't immediately known whether twisters caused the damage in Alabama. The threat of severe weather persisted Thursday, with several strong storms threatening parts of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina as the system moves east. More storms are expected in the region Friday and Saturday, the national Storm Prediction Center said. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Southern storms come as residents in the Pacific Northwest endured bitter cold and unseasonably frigid weather in the waning days of 2021. Heavy snow halted travel on a large portion of the main east-west highway across Washington state for more than eight hours Thursday and also snarled traffic in the Seattle and Portland, Oregon, metro areas. Authorities closed about 80 miles (129 kilometers) of Interstate 90 over the Cascade Mountains "due to near zero visibility and adverse road conditions." The highway was closed from about 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., though most vehicles were required to have chains. In California, snow brought traffic to a halt on a major highway high in the mountains north of Los Angeles early Thursday as the last in a series of December storms that walloped the state moved through. The section of Interstate 5 was shut down before dawn, the California Highway Patrol said. Mudslides, debris flows and rock falls caused localized problems on many other roads. The city of Malibu tweeted that firefighters and lifeguards brought 22 people to safety from a flooded campground near Leo Carrillo State Beach. To the north, residents in mountain communities were digging out, with reports of major tree and power line damage in places including Foresthill and the Nevada City area, both northeast of Sacramento. Thousands of residents remained without power, with warnings that some could be without lights and heat for another week. SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP) One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. Homes burn as a wildfire rips through a development near Rock Creek Village, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP) One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. Colorado residents driven from their neighborhoods by a terrifying, wind-whipped wildfire got their first, heartbreaking look at the damage the morning after, while others could only wait and wonder whether their homes were among the more than 500 feared destroyed. At least seven people were injured, but remarkably there were no immediate reports of any deaths or anyone missing in the aftermath of the blaze outside Denver. Cathy Glaab found that her home in the town of Superior where she lives with her husband had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that burned to the ground. The mailbox is standing, Glaab said, trying to crack a smile through tears. She added sadly, So many memories. Homes burn as a wildfire rips through a development near Rock Creek Village, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Despite the devastation, she said they intend to rebuild the house they had since 1998. They love that the land backs up to a natural space, and they have a view of the mountains from the back. Rick Dixon feared there would be nothing to return to after he saw firefighters try to save his burning home on the news. On Friday, Dixon, his wife and 21-year-old son found it mostly gutted with a gaping hole in the roof but still standing. Only smoldering rubble remained where several neighboring homes once stood in a row immediately next to theirs. We thought we lost everything, he said, as he held his mother-in-laws china in padded containers. They also retrieved sculptures that belonged to Dixons father and piles of clothes still on hangers. Residents fight the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, as fire crews worked through the night battling the blaze that had destroyed more than 500 home in Boulder County. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP) The wildfire erupted Thursday in and around Louisville and Superior, neighboring towns about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. Tens of thousands were ordered to flee as the flames swept over drought-stricken neighborhoods with alarming speed, propelled by guests up to 105 mph (169 kph). At a Costco in Superior, two store employees came running toward the checkout lines, one of them shouting, Everyone evacuate, evacuate, evacuate! said Katrina Peterson, who was inside. Smoke hangs as wildfires burned near a small shopping center, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. Homes surrounding the Flatiron Crossing mall were being evacuated as wildfires raced through the grasslands as high winds raked the intermountain West. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A video she made showed dark skies and whirling debris outside. The falling ash filled her ears, and she had to squint to keep it from getting in her eyes. The store was left standing. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Emergency authorities said utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. Homes burn as wildfires rip through a development Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldn't tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed, he said. I mean, it happened so quickly. Ive never seen anything like that. Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire. A burnt out car sits in front of a smoldering home Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Superior, Colo. An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson) By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky had subsided and the winds had died down. Light snow soon began to fall, and the blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles (24 square kilometers), was no longer considered an immediate threat. We might have our very own New Years miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life, Gov. Jared Polis said, noting that many people had just minutes to evacuate. The wildfire broke out unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow so far. A woman cries as he sees the burned remains of a home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville, Colo., Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Tens of thousands of Coloradans driven from their neighborhoods by a wind-whipped wildfire anxiously waited to learn what was left standing of their lives Friday as authorities reported more than 500 homes were feared destroyed. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said more than 500 homes were probably destroyed. He and the governor said as many as 1,000 homes might have been lost, though that wont be known until crews can assess the damage. Its unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we dont have a list of 100 missing persons, the sheriff said. The sheriff said some communities were reduced to just "smoking holes in the ground. He urged residents to wait for the all-clear to go back because of the danger of fire and fallen power lines. Todd Lovrien looks over the fire damage from the Marshall Wildfire at his sisters home in Louisville, Colo., Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Tens of thousands of Coloradans driven from their neighborhoods by a wind-whipped wildfire anxiously waited to learn what was left standing of their lives Friday as authorities reported more than 500 homes were feared destroyed. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Sarah Owens, her husband, adult son and their dog got out of their Superior home within 10 minutes of learning about the evacuation from a Facebook post. But as everyone tried leaving by way of the winding streets of the well-to-do Rock Creek neighborhood, it took them 1 1/2 hours to go 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The good news is I think our house may be OK, Owens said. But from now on, she said, she plans to have a bag packed in case of another fire. A woman reacts to seeing the remains of her mother's home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville, Colo., Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) I never thought a brush fire could cause this kind of destruction, Owens said. I want to stay here. No matter where you live, there are always going to be natural disasters." Superior and Louisville are filled with middle- and upper-middle-class subdivisions with shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is between Denver and Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and it hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Bruce and Mary Janda faced the loss of their Louisville home of 25 years in person Friday after learning it had been destroyed through a neighbors photos. We knew that the house was totaled, but I felt the need to see it, see what the rest of the neighborhood looked like, Bruce Janda said. Were a very close knit community on this street. We all know each other and we all love each other. Its hard to see this happen to all of us. ____ Associated Press writer Thomas Peipert in Louisville, Colorado, and Thalia Beaty in New York contributed to this report. Nieberg 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. Associated Press writer Brady McCombs contributed to this story from Salt Lake City. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment. MIAMI (AP) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant. FILE - Cruise ships float at PortMiami, on April 7, 2020, in Miami. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now warning people not to cruise regardless of their vaccination status because of an increase in cases fueled by the omicron variant detected in ships. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) MIAMI (AP) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant. The CDC said it has more than 90 cruise ships under investigation or observation as a result of COVID-19 cases. The agency did not disclose the number of infections. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if people are fully vaccinated and have received a booster, the CDC said. The Cruise Lines International Association said it was disappointed with the new recommendations, saying the industry was singled out despite the fact it follows stricter health protocols than other travel sectors. The decision is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard, a statement said. The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore. In March 2020, as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S., the CDC put a halt to all cruises for what turned out to be 15 months. Last June, it allowed ships to resume sailing under new strict new conditions. In August, as the delta variant surged, the agency warned people who are at risk of severe illness despite being vaccinated not to go on cruises. The CDC on Thursday also recommended that passengers get tested and quarantine for five days after docking, regardless of their vaccination status and even if they have no symptoms. Omicron has sent cases skyrocketing to unprecedented levels across the U.S., including Florida, the hub of the nations cruise industry. The state set another record this week for new daily cases, with more than 58,000 recorded Wednesday. U.S. cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt trips, though vessels have been denied entry at some foreign ports. Carnival Corp.'s spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email after the CDC recommendation that the company had no planned changes. Our enhanced health and safety protocols have proven to be effective time and time again over the past year, he said. Before the CDC announcement, Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement that omicron is leading to passenger cancelations and changes to itineraries, but it is causing significantly less severe symptoms than earlier variants. The company said that since cruising restarted in U.S. waters last spring, 1.1 million guests had traveled with its cruise lines and 1,745 people had tested positive for COVID-19, or about 0.16%. It said that 41 people required hospitalization, and that no passengers hit with omicron had been taken to the hospital. We dont like to see even one case, but our experience is a fraction of the comparable statistics of virtually any other comparable location or industry. Few businesses are subject to such intense scrutiny, regulation and disclosure requirements by so many authorities, said Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean. Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated. Iris Krysty, 76, of Hamburg, New Jersey, and her husband are supposed to leave on a 10-day Caribbean cruise Jan. 19. This latest CDC warning leaves travelers like them in an unfair bind, she said. Krysty was told Thursday they can only get a refund if they test positive before the trip. So, they will go to avoid losing thousands of dollars a decision their daughter and son-in-law are not happy with. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. I know theyre upset about us going but thats a lot of money for us to lose, Krysty said. As far as we know, were going and hope well be OK." Janine Calfo, 55, of Salt Lake City, put off a four-day Carnival cruise from Long Beach, California, to Ensenada, Mexico, earlier this month when she got a breakthrough case of COVID-19 three days before departure. She rebooked the cruise for February and is still set on going. This is my own personal opinion, but it looks like the omicron is going to be a quick burn, said Calfo, who is asthmatic and plans to get the booster in a couple of weeks. My cruise is over 40 days away." She added, though: "I think I will plan on getting travel insurance this time. ___ Associated Press writer Terry Tang in San Jose, California, contributed to this report. James Bedford, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society is calling on the province to move schools to code red for January, states a release issued by the society Friday. James Bedford, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society is calling on the province to move schools to code red for January, states a release issued by the society Friday. This would mean students in the K-12 public school system would be learning remotely. "The health and safety of our students and all educators is our no. 1 priority," said Bedford. According to the release, MTS is opposed to hybrid learning arrangements and parent choice for optional remote learning to ensure a consistent response across school divisions. MTS is requesting the province provide medical grade masks for education staff working in schools during remote learning. LAS VEGAS The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters. A medical technician performs a nasal swab test on a cyclist queued up in a line with motorists at a COVID-19 testing site near All City Stadium, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in southeast Denver. With the rapid spread of the omicron variant paired with the Christmas holiday, testing sites have been strained to meet demand both in Colorado as well as across the country. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) LAS VEGAS The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters. Convention organizer The Consumer Technology Association announced in a statement Friday that CES will run from Jan. 5-7, one day shorter than planned. The event still has over 2,200 exhibitors confirmed to show off their products at the Las Vegas convention, spokeswoman Jeanne Abella said. The announcement follows the withdrawal of tech giants from CES last week citing health risks of the omicron variant, including cellphone carriers like T-Mobile, whose CEO had been slated to deliver a keynote speech. Computer maker Lenovo and social media companies like Twitter and Facebook parent company Meta also canceled plans to attend. News outlets including CNN said they would cancel or reduce coverage. CES was held entirely virtually last year. It will be a hybrid of online and in-person this year, with organizers offering digital registration allowing access to around 40 livestreamed events, Abella said. On the convention floor, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Medical workers wearing protective gear prepare to collect samples at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Muted New Years Eve celebrations around the world as omicron rages on US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers UK estimates 1 in 15 had virus in London before Christmas amid omicron surge New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY: A woman wearing a face mask to curb the spread of coronavirus, watches the philharmonic band of Vrilissia municipality as they play New Year's Eve carols in northern Athens, Greece, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Greece had a record number of new daily coronavirus cases for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, and the government banned music at all commercial venues for New Year's celebrations as part of new restrictions against a surge in COVID-19 infections fueled by the omicron variant. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) NASHVILLE, Tenn. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing some last minute changes in the concert lineup for Nashvilles famed annual New Years Eve bash. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation is organizing the New Years Eve show airing live on CBS and Paramount+. It says in a statement that Sam Hunt, the Zac Brown Band and Elle King will not perform as scheduled. Despite taking precautions, Ive tested positive for COVID-19, Zac Brown wrote on Twitter. Neither Hunt nor King immediately released a statement explaining why they wouldnt be there. The yearly celebration will feature performances at a dozen downtown Nashville locations. ___ TAMPA, Fla. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported more than 75,900 new cases of COVID-19 in Florida. That tally raises the 7-day average daily to 42,600, which is twice as high as it was at the peak of this summers surge when the delta variant fueled a surge of infections in the state. Fridays report marks a single-day record for the number of new cases in Florida. It breaks the record set a day earlier when more than 58,000 cases were reported in the state. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has spiked in Florida and across the nation over the past few weeks. People walk in the street in Soho in London, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resisted implementing new restrictions on business and social interactions during the holiday season, instead emphasizing an expanded vaccine booster program to control the spread of omicron. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP) Soaring numbers during the holiday season have sent tens of thousands of people to COVID-19 testing centers across Florida, resulting in long lines in many areas. Three people collapsed while waiting in line at a Tampa testing site on Friday morning. ____ CARSON CITY, Nev. Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday, a day after the state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on Thursday deadlocked 6-6 on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Gov. Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Higher education officials said on Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. ___ PARIS Describing himself as resolutely optimistic, French President Emmanuel Macron has used the last New Years address of his current term to express the hope that, with vaccinations, 2022 will see the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Macron stopped short of saying that he will stand for re-election in April. He said only that he intends to continue serving the French whatever my place and the circumstances. A sign saying lateral flow coronavirus tests are out of stock is displayed in a pharmacy window in London, Thursday Dec. 30, 2021. The U.K. reported a record 183,037 confirmed new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, 32% more than the previous day. While early data suggests omicron is less likely to cause serious illness than earlier variants, public health officials think the sheer number of infections could lead to a jump in hospitalizations and deaths.(Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP) The president appealed to the 5 million unvaccinated but eligible people in France to get coronavirus jabs, saying: All of France is counting on you. France has lost 123,000 people to COVID-19 and new cases are at unprecedented levels, surging with the highly contagious omicron variant. France reported a record 232,200 new cases on Friday, its third day running above the 200,000 mark. ___ ROME Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, has used the last New Years Eve speech of his term take to task those who waste opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, calling that choice an offense to all those who havent been able to receive the injection. In a televised speech to the nation Friday night, Mattarella, who is head of state, noted that he was serving in the final days of his seven-year term, with Parliament to elect his successor in the first weeks of 2022. Referring to recent COVID-19 surges in Italy and many other countries driven by virus variants, Mattarella noted a sense of frustration over the setbacks. ___ ALBANY, N.Y. Federal ambulance teams and additional National Guard members are headed for New York City, and western New York hospitals are getting more federal help as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations keep rising. State officials announced the new deployments Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said students at state universities and the City University of New York will have to get coronavirus vaccine booster shots to be on campus in the spring semester and must test negative before returning from the holiday break. A health worker prepares a sample taken for a COVID-19 test at a free testing center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Dec 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) New confirmed case counts have been breaking records by the day in the state, topping 76,500 on Thursday, Hochul said at a news briefing. An average of 53,000 New Yorkers a day tested positive in the week that ended Thursday, compared to 13,000 per day two weeks earlier. Over 7,900 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide, up 67% in a week. ___ AUSTIN, Texas Texas officials on Friday requested federal aid for increased COVID-19 testing and treatment following reports that the state is running low on the antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the omicron variant. In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Division for Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services made the request. They are seeking federal resources for additional COVID-19 testing locations in six counties, increased medical personnel and more sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the more-transmissible omicron. Abbott called on the Biden administration to step up in this fight and provide the resources necessary to help protect Texans. ___ GAITHERSBURG, Md. Novavax Inc. said it filed data Friday with the Food and Drug Administration to support clearance of its long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, a different kind of shot than current U.S. options. Novavax said the data package is the last requirement before the company formally submits its emergency-use application next month to become the fourth U.S. COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement comes shortly after the European Commission and World Health Organization cleared use of the Maryland-based companys two-dose shot. Novavax developed a protein vaccine, similar to shots used for years against other diseases and a strategy that might appeal to people hesitant to use COVID-19 vaccines made with newer technologies. But Novavax, a small biotech company, faced months of delays in finding manufacturers to mass-produce its vaccine. ___ LONDON Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp says three of his players have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sundays English Premier League soccer game at title rival Chelsea in London. Klopp did not name the trio and remains hopeful the game will go ahead. A continuing coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle led to its EPL game at Southampton on Sunday being postponed. That brought the total to 18 EPL games postponed in three weeks. The French league postponed the home game between Angers and Saint-Etienne on Jan. 9 because of 19 coronavirus cases in the Angers squad. ___ ROME Italian health officials are warning that the rate of occupation by COVID-19 patients of hospital beds both in intensive care units and in regular wards has surpassed the critical level nationally. A top Health Ministry official, Gianni Rezza, also said on Friday evening that the incidence of cases is growing, with 783 confirmed COVID-19 infections per every 100,000 residents in Italy. The country hit another high for daily new caseloads 144,243 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Nearly 12% of some 1.234 million swab tests conducted since Thursday resulted positive, according to the ministry, which urged vaccinated persons to get a booster shot if they are eligible. With the nation slammed by a surge of infections largely driven by the omicron variant, the government banned public New Years Eve celebrations. ___ DALLAS Flight cancellations surged again on the last day of 2021, with airlines blaming it on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections. By late morning Friday on the East Coast, airlines scrubbed more than 1,300 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compared with about 1,400 cancellations for all of Thursday. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the new omicron variant pushed the rate of new daily infections in the U.S. well above 200,000 a day, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. OTTAWA - Coming to terms with the "historical wrongs" of Canada's past, as well as boosting vaccination efforts remain some of the country's top priorities as 2021 turns to 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in an announcement on early learning and child care in the Northwest Territories, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. Trudeau says vaccination against COVID-19 remains one of the country's top priorities as 2021 turns to 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Coming to terms with the "historical wrongs" of Canada's past, as well as boosting vaccination efforts remain some of the country's top priorities as 2021 turns to 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday. Trudeau said in his year-end statement that Canadians will need to continue working together to end the pandemic. "I know that the incredible strength, determination, and compassion we have seen in our communities over the past year will keep inspiring and guiding us in the new year," he said. The country also confronted its past after unmarked graves and burial sites were found near former residential schools. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In May, it was announced that ground-penetrating radar at a former school site on the Tkemlups te Secwepemc Nation in Kamloops, B.C., detected what are believed to be the remains of 215 children. The same technology was used elsewhere in the country to find unmarked graves. "This year has been particularly difficult for Indigenous Peoples in Canada deep wounds were reopened as we were faced with the hard truths of our past and its ongoing, tragic legacy," he said. "We must continue to tell these truths, support the process of healing that leads to reconciliation, and work together to eliminate the injustices experienced by many Indigenous Peoples." Canadians also faced the effects of climate change with record-breaking heat waves, wildfires and historic flooding that destroyed communities and highways, he said. British Columbia often bore the brunt of the weather this year, including a heat wave that caused the deaths of almost 600 people in the province in June. A wildfire destroyed much of the village of Lytton, and flooding in November forced thousands to flee their homes in the southern part of the province. "Drawing on the hard lessons of the past two years, we will finish the fight against this pandemic and rebuild a Canada that is stronger, fairer, and more equitable," Trudeau said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2021. Manitobas Progressive Conservative party has a challenge in the new year: how to change its leadership election process without alienating grassroots members, while also avoiding the kind of debacle it experienced in the fall. Opinion Manitobas Progressive Conservative party has a challenge in the new year: how to change its leadership election process without alienating grassroots members, while also avoiding the kind of debacle it experienced in the fall. After coming within a whisker of electing a leader who ran on an anti-vaccine mandate platform before the Oct. 30 vote, the party will almost certainly revise its voter eligibility rules in 2022. Former Conservative MP Shelly Glover, who ran for the leadership to replace outgoing party boss Brian Pallister, signed up thousands of new members during the race. She did so largely by appealing to opponents of vaccine mandates and other measures taken by the province to fight COVID-19. Under the current rules, candidates were allowed to sign up new members until a month before voting day. Last-minute signups allow candidates to attract new blood to the party. However, under the Tories one member, one vote system, it also leaves the party open to a hostile takeover. Glovers strategy was to flood ballot boxes with new members opposed to vaccine mandates and public-health restrictions. She exploited the polarization around vaccines, particularly in parts of rural Manitoba where anti-vaccine sentiment is strong. It worked remarkably well: she won 49 per cent of the vote. Heather Stefanson, now premier, garnered 51 per cent support. Glover is a conspiracy theorists dream. She has the knack for raising suspicions about issues without providing supporting evidence, like suggesting nurses could be fired for not getting vaccinated (they can undergo testing instead), or that available treatment for COVID-19 was being suppressed (it wasnt). Theres little doubt it helped Glover attract a fringe element to her campaign. When she lost the leadership race, Glover took her conspiracy theories to the courtroom. She alleged, without evidence, that ballots may have been tampered with when the votes were counted. That could have altered the results of the election and deprived her of victory, she claimed. The former Winnipeg Police Service officer wanted the results of the election declared invalid by the court. However, she provided no evidence to support her accusations. In addition to bogus claims that unsealed ballot boxes could have been tampered with, Glover said a spreadsheet that contained the number of party members who voted in the election (sent out by the party on the eve of the leadership convention) didnt match the final count on election day. It was the central argument of her legal challenge. However, she refused to produce the spreadsheet. She didnt even file it as an exhibit in court. There was no way of verifying the veracity of her claims. Glover wanted the court and the public to just take her word for it. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Court of Queens Bench Justice James Edmond didnt buy any of the arguments. While he found there was one (arguably two) irregularities in the voting process which the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled can be expected in any election the partys rules and procedures were followed. He said there was no evidence of ballot tampering. In fact, the party went above and beyond its duty by hiring a respected accounting firm and a security company to supervise the ballots to preserve the integrity of the election process, Edmond wrote in his 46-page decision. With the legitimacy of the election confirmed by the court, the party now has to address the question of how to select leaders in the future. It has a few options, including a minimum membership period to vote for a leader, such as six months or a year. The party could also give weighted preference to certain members, such as party executives and MLAs (the NDP has similar provisions in its delegate system for choosing leaders, including guaranteed voting rights for organized labour). The Tories arent expected to hold a leadership race any time soon, but they have to be prepared for one; who knows what could happen if they lose the 2023 general election? Which means they will likely begin the process of revising their election rules in 2022. The last thing they want is another Shelly Glover hijack attempt. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca None of us needs to be reminded the COVID-19 pandemic were still living through dominated headlines in 2021. None of us needs to be reminded the COVID-19 pandemic were still living through dominated headlines in 2021. Case counts that formed record-high peaks in the spring look like valleys now; grim new records are being set almost every day with capacity exceeded for testing, contact tracing and hospital staffing. Limited, too, may be collective capacity for thoughtful reflection as we brace for the beginning of Year 3 of a pandemic that is pushing health-care resources over the edge and exposing systemic failures across sectors. Looking back, however, gives some context for where were headed. In the past year, Manitoba ramped-up vaccine distribution amid a vocal minority of anti-vax sentiment, dealt with overflowing intensive care units and emergency rooms, and turned to other provinces for help as infection rates soared. In hindsight, we can look back on the pandemic response of 2021 as one that saw 78 per cent of eligible Manitobans get double-vaccinated, revealed a backlog of more than 30,000 surgeries, and resulted in 57 critically ill COVID-19 patients airlifted to out-of-province ICUs in unprecedented desperation. Enduring four different dominant strains of COVID-19 over the past year, each more contagious than the last, meant the province repeatedly ran out of health system capacity and had to postpone or cancel surgeries and non-urgent but still crucial procedures and tests. The waves of COVID-19 transmission reached Manitoba more slowly than in many provinces, but four months into the year when the third wave hit, public health officials described the disproportionately high rate of ICU admissions that arose as "a little unexpected," in the words of deputy chief provincial public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal. "Obviously, it got bad. We ran out of room here," Atwal said in July, after the last Manitoba patient returned from a hospital in Ontario. Amid surging hospitalizations and ICU nursing job vacancy rates, medical staff scrambled to send 57 Manitoba patients to hospitals in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan over a three-week period in late May to early June. Twelve Manitobans died of COVID-19 out of province. At the time, Manitoba was the only province to transfer critically ill COVID-19 patients across its borders and those snap decisions laid the groundwork for an in-province transfer policy that has patients not seriously ill transported for care, sometimes hundreds of kilometres away, as hospitals fill up with COVID-19 patients. Premier Heather Stefanson and Health Minister Audrey Gordon have repeatedly said Manitoba will do whatever it can to avoid sending patients out of province again a message the premier reiterated as recently as Dec. 27. Stefanson said something similar the same day the first Manitoba patients were airlifted out of province in May. The then-health minister said the province still had capacity to increase its ICU bed numbers and didnt expect to ration them. "Obviously, were doing everything that we can to ensure that it doesnt get to a point where we need to go in that direction," Stefanson said about ICU triage decisions May 18. It was later announced the first two patients had been transferred to Thunder Bay, Ont. Increasing ICU capacity requires hiring more highly trained critical care nurses a reality Manitoba has long struggled with. At the height of the third COVID-19 wave, health officials said they had turned over every rock looking for critical care staff to fill in. During the third wave, 57 patients were sent to hospitals in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan in late May to early June. Health Minister Audrey Gordon (left) and Premier Heather Stefanson have said the province will do whatever it can to avoid sending patients out of province again. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files) The chronic, crushing shortage prompted nurses to increasingly speak out, despite fearing for their jobs by doing so. Exacerbated by exhaustion, the staffing crisis was even worse in the fourth wave. "This winter, there is no reserve left," one St. Boniface Hospital nurse said in November. "We are on our last legs. It will take very little to push more nurses out of the profession." Health-care staff saw more death than ever before. More than 720 Manitobans died of COVID-19 in 2021, surpassing 2020s death toll of 661. Amid the despair were some surges of hope. Many lives were saved. Like many residents of privileged countries, most Manitobans got their first (and second) COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021. A lack of supply early in the year and a few procedural hiccups as a rush of eager, elderly Manitobans turned up for their first shots transitioned to an efficient mass immunization campaign, which, as of this week, had administered third (or booster) doses to about 20 per cent of adults in the province. Well before the first doses arrived, anti-vaccine rhetoric simmered on social media and at anti-mask/anti-lockdown rallies in Manitoba, taking hold overtly in the Southern Health region. Over the course of the past year, some communities in southern Manitoba have been among the lowest vaccinated places in the country, with tragic consequences as hospitalizations and deaths continue to climb. In June, Maxime Bernier, leader of the Peoples Party of Canada, was arrested in St.-Pierre-Jolys between attending anti-restriction rallies, and must still face in court Public Health Act charges for gathering and failing to follow quarantine rules. By October, the province had enacted region-specific restrictions to try to target the transmission that was spreading largely among unvaccinated Southern Health residents some of whom have continued to eschew mask requirements and surreptitiously flout indoor capacity limits for gatherings and church services. Approval of a pediatric vaccine prompted thousands of anxious parents to flood the provincial booking website to secure appointments for their children, bringing some relief to vigilant and exhausted families in November, as Manitobas infection rates rose fastest among young children. Vaccine appointment slots went quickest for kids, too. Within the first three days of booking, nearly 20 per cent of eligible five- to 11-year-olds had secured appointments. That age group is now booking for second doses. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "It took two seconds to get it done," nine-year-old Charlee Wolfe said after she became one of the first Manitoba children to get her COVID-19 vaccine Nov. 24. Her mom, Kelly Wolfe, like so many parents, set an early alarm to ensure shed get an appointment as soon as possible. "I just wanted her to get vaccinated so she can return briefly to everything she could do before all this," she said at the time. The reminiscence of what "before all this" meant for Manitobas chronically strained health-care system, and what it means for each of us, does not change the unending uncertainty or dread about what comes next. For certain, though, many Manitobans are just glad to be alive. After 43-year-old Miles Kasprick returned from an Ontario ICU in July, he said he was "beyond grateful" to have been transferred out of province. "I believe that I wouldnt be alive today if I wasnt." katie.may@freepress.mb.ca A Conservative friend recently asked me what Premier Heather Stefanson could do to give the Progressive Conservative party a chance to win the next election, scheduled for October 2023. My glib response, meant to be humorous, was to quote the advice of the late Texas oil billionaire J. Paul Getty: Rise early, work hard and strike oil. Opinion A Conservative friend recently asked me what Premier Heather Stefanson could do to give the Progressive Conservative party a chance to win the next election, scheduled for October 2023. My glib response, meant to be humorous, was to quote the advice of the late Texas oil billionaire J. Paul Getty: Rise early, work hard and strike oil. I then added that given successive waves of COVID-19, the disruptions and lack of capacity associated with the sweeping overhaul and downsizing of the health system, and the tight-fisted budgetary policies that compounded those problems and worsened the economic downturn, it will be exceedingly difficult to restore public confidence in the PC party. As leader and premier, Stefanson must demonstrate not just in words, but more importantly in deeds that her government is willing to listen and to learn which policies meet the needs and address the concerns of all Manitobans. This includes a willingness to acknowledge opposition criticism and look for opportunities to collaborate across party lines. Genuine consultation, rather than ritualistic online one-way surveys, would also help. The Stefanson government has already signalled new directions in terms of both policies and governing approaches, including such actions as dropping five contentious bills (particularly the notorious Bill 64, the drastic education overhaul), the promised repeal of the public-sector wage freeze statute and abandoning the constitutional challenge to the federal carbon tax. Also of note were finalizing a child-care agreement with Ottawa, signing a pledge with the nurses union to address the critical nursing shortage, taking steps to establish more harmonious relationships with Indigenous peoples, and loosening the purse strings to respond more adequately to problems, especially to the Omicron/COVID-19 wave and the latest economic setbacks. Management of the Omicron wave will be the main issue on voters minds as we approach the next election. Making appropriate decisions to impose and enforce tighter restrictions and adding capacity (money, staff, equipment) to the health system will be key to any political recovery for the PCs. A measure of political courage will be involved with such decisions as the premier tries to straddle the political divide between the urban progressive wing and the rural conservative wing of her party, which disagree on such topics as vaccinations, economic restrictions and budgetary restraint. Communications and tone coming out of the premiers office have become central to successful politics and governing. The former premier was known for being defensive and combative, often making inappropriate and socially divisive remarks for which offended parties demanded apologies. Stefanson is a cautious communicator, too often frustratingly vague, but we can be grateful she avoids the inflammatory rhetoric of her predecessor. Especially during emergencies, voters expect governments to seek consensus, not to escalate social conflict. The opposition and other critics will describe Stefanson as Pallister lite, claiming that she is pursuing the same agenda with the same supporting cast. They will criticize her for not resigning in protest over Pallisters contentious policies and statements. As health minister, she had the opportunity to impose stricter public-health measures but failed to act. Proceeding with the ongoing reorganization of the health system during an emergency, the critics argue, is unwise and risky. Lineups for testing, dropping contact tracing and an overwhelmed health system will be other lines of attack. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Recent funding support to businesses will be labelled inadequate in relation to devastating economic consequences of another economic shutdown. In response to these predictable attacks, the premier and her party need to follow two broad communications strategies of inoculationand moderation. Inoculation involves taking steps to mitigate negative voter perceptions on high-profile issues by demonstrating humility, even going so far as to accept the criticisms of political opponents. Moderation consists of avoiding extreme ideological positions in favour of more pragmatic, evidence-based policy approaches, which are delivered through more sophisticated, targeted communications strategies and tactics. A cabinet shuffle in the spring would bring some fresh perspectives to the cabinet table and create the team that will be presented to voters for the 2023 election. One final piece of free advice: find a way to strike oil. Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba AUTHOR C.S. Lewis once said, You can make anything by writing. He was correct, of course. Opinion AUTHOR C.S. Lewis once said, You can make anything by writing. He was correct, of course. Using only the power of words, Lewis created the imaginary world of Narnia. For more than 50 years, The Chronicles of Narnia has been a best-selling seven-volume set of books that tells the story of Narnia and the magnificent lion, Aslan. While written for children, this series is also popular among adult readers. Lewis put his classical education and expertise in languages to good use when he created the fantasy world of Narnia. Settings are outlined in detail, characters are richly developed and plot lines are filled with drama. In short, Lewis knew how to write well. Obviously, most people arent going to match Lewiss phenomenal writing skills. But we certainly can expect our students to learn how to write reasonably well. Not only should they be able to express their thoughts in coherent sentences and paragraphs; they should also be able to create resumes that arent filled with grammatical errors. Now imagine that C.S. Lewis was a young student today. What educational setting would best develop his creative writing skills? Modern-day progressive educators would put Lewis in an environment where he has as much freedom as possible. Instead of sitting in traditional desks within classrooms where teachers convey knowledge, Lewis would direct his own learning and study topics that interest him. Freed from boring top-down instruction by know-it-all teachers, Lewis would, of course, flourish and become a deep critical thinker and an extraordinarily creative writer. And yet, this would be exactly the wrong approach to take. In reality, Lewis benefited greatly from his extensive content knowledge in languages, both ancient and modern, mythologies and Old English literature. These are not subjects that come naturally to students, even students as bright as Lewis obviously was. It is highly unlikely that Lewis could have constructed Narnia without the foundational content knowledge he acquired during his youth within rigorous and demanding schools. Progressive educators suggest critical thinking is a general skill that can be taught independently of content. However, far from being obsolete, content knowledge makes critical thinking possible. People cannot think critically about things they know nothing about. In order to develop critical thinkers, we need to ensure students leave school with as much content knowledge as possible. In addition, anyone who wants to become a good writer must first be a good reader. When it comes to decoding words, research is clear that phonics, a traditional approach to reading instruction, is vastly superior to the whole-language approach, a progressive strategy. Had Lewis been taught reading via whole language, it is entirely possible his reading skills would have been too weak for him to become a good writer. Interestingly, there is nothing new about progressive education or its modern-day manifestation, the 21st Century Skills movement. The Silver Chair, the sixth book in Lewiss Narnia series, begins by describing the disastrous school the main characters, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole, attended. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. This school, Experiment House, was an institution where the people in charge, as Lewis put it, had the idea that boys and girls should be allowed to do whatever they liked. Discipline was lax, bullies ran the school and students did not learn much French or Maths or Latin or things of that sort. In other words, it was a school under the control of progressive ideology. Obviously, Lewis had a low opinion of Experiment House. He knew important subjects get overlooked when schools put students in charge of their own learning. The last thing any student needs is to attend a school like Experiment House, whether the fictionalized version in The Silver Chair or the real-life 21st Century Skills version we see too often today. Fortunately, there are better options available. Like Lewis, todays students need orderly and structured classrooms, teacher-led instruction and knowledge-rich lessons. This is the learning environment that best fosters creativity and critical thinking. Its also where students are most likely to become good writers. If we want prospective writers like C.S. Lewis to develop and flourish today, we had better make sure they receive the best education possible. Traditional knowledge-rich, teacher-directed classrooms are the best place for them. Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and author of A Sage on the Stage: Common Sense Reflections on Teaching and Learning. Manitobas health minister isnt prepared to write off a federal COVID-19 contact-tracing app after one of her provincial counterparts claimed Ottawa had quietly abandoned it. MIKAELA MACKENZIE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health Minister Audrey Gordon Manitobas health minister isnt prepared to write off a federal COVID-19 contact-tracing app after one of her provincial counterparts claimed Ottawa had quietly abandoned it. Audrey Gordon still had COVID Alert on her smartphone Thursday and described the app as being important to efforts to reduce the spread of the virus. "I certainly dont think its a negative to have the infrastructure there," said Gordon. "Its built and we can ramp up the use of that very quickly. I think its a good tool." Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), speaking alongside Gordon at a virtual press conference to announce new safe isolation sites in Manitoba, acknowledged the uptake of the app "wasnt high enough." He expressed hope that participation, which is voluntary, will increase. Gordon and Lamoureux made the comments a day after Dr. John Haggie, Newfoundland and Labradors health minister, claimed Ottawa "gave up" on the app several months ago because participation had dwindled. "Theyve stopped supporting it and theyve stopped updating their dashboard," Haggie said during a virtual public-health briefing. "The uptake was so low that the effort to maintain these sites was unreasonable, given the fact it was yielding so low." A reporter had asked him if Newfoundland and Labradors public-health authorities were still issuing unique codes, known as one-time keys, to people who test positive for coronavirus. In response to Haggies comments, a spokesman for Health Canada said the app was still active and data on how many people use it was being updated monthly. "The Government of Canada still supports the COVID Alert app," the spokesman said. In a statement Thursday, Newfoundland and Labradors Department of Health and Community Services said Haggie did not have the most recent data when he spoke to reporters. The department said it had been assured the app "remains active" and encouraged residents to continue using it. Canadians who receive a positive polymerase chain reaction molecular test result from a public-health authority can obtain and enter a one-time key within the free app to self-report an infection. COVID Alert, which cost about $3.5 million to develop, uses Bluetooth to identify other users who were exposed and is designed to send notifications to those people. An exposure is recorded when an app user is within two metres of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. There have been concerns the app may not be as effective as intended due to PCR testing delays and the fact one-time keys are not given to people who test themselves using at-home rapid antigen kits. COVID Alert has been downloaded 6.7 million times as of Dec. 6, according to Ottawa. More than 37,000 one-time keys have been issued since the cross-country rollout began in Ontario in July 2020. In November, 869 one-time keys were entered into the app to notify other users of potential exposure, the Health Canada spokesman said. The country reported more than 77,000 cases that month. Health Canada did not have Manitoba-specific data available Thursday, including the number of codes issued to people who have tested positive for COVID within the province. A spokesperson for Manitobas government said the province did not have access to that kind of data. Canada has recorded more than two million confirmed cases of the virus, meaning a very small percentage has been self-reported via the app. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut and Yukon havent enabled reporting of positive tests through COVID Alert. Addressing potential privacy concerns, Ottawa assured Canadians the app does not collect personal information or health data and does not track things such as names, addresses, stored contacts or locations. Amid a surge of infections, Manitoba shifted gears earlier this month and announced public-health officials will no longer notify most close contacts when someone tests positive. Infected Manitobans will be asked to notify contacts themselves. chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @chriskitching Manitoba is using $8.4 million in new federal funding to add or expand COVID-19 safe isolation sites for people unable to quarantine in their own home. Manitoba is using $8.4 million in new federal funding to add or expand COVID-19 safe isolation sites for people unable to quarantine in their own home. The province already has 14 voluntary isolation sites in places such as Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson, The Pas and Flin Flon. On Thursday, Health Minister Audrey Gordon said the province had not yet made a decision on where any new sites would be located. The federal cash will help Manitobans who cannot isolate in a residence due to barriers such as overcrowding or high costs after becoming infected with COVID-19 or being a close contact of someone carrying the virus. There will be a particular focus on helping vulnerable people who are on low incomes and/or living in dense neighbourhoods or communities in rural or northern parts of Manitoba. Canadians living in crowded homes face an increased risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus, Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux told reporters during a news conference held over Zoom. "For some Canadians, physical distancing is not possible," said Lamoureux, who made the Ottawa funding announcement on behalf of federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. "We know that COVID spreads easily in households." Safe isolation sites can help to reduce the spread of the virus, said the Winnipeg North MP, who was expecting the money to flow to Manitoba "virtually immediately." The province had already set up its alternative isolation accommodation (AIA) program, which has used hotels as some of the 14 existing locations. In November 2020, the province announced a new 138-room site to primarily serve Winnipegs homeless population. It will be up to the provincial government and civil servants to decide whether to use some of the new cash for street outreach, said Lamoureux. The exact locations of the isolation sites have not been made public in an effort to protect the privacy of those using them. Gordon, who spoke alongside Lamoureux during the Zoom call, said AIA sites allow those isolating to protect their families as they rest and recover in a safe space. The sites offer meals, wellness checks and health-care support to people who may not have other another option to self-isolate, she said. "These spaces are an important part of our overall response to COVID-19," said Gordon. "Isolating is hard. Many people have made many sacrifices to both use and staff these sites." Speaking at a separate briefing, Shared Health chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa said Manitoba was one of the first provinces to introduce AIAs to help people who were not able to isolate safely. "Weve shared our strategies and techniques with other provinces and weve also expanded throughout the province there are isolation centres all over," she said. "The funding is to support the ongoing work for the populations that require it. Were very grateful for that infusion of support." People who may be eligible to stay at an AIA are referred to an intake process after they test positive for the virus or are deemed a close contact of someone who is infected. Participation is voluntary. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Referrals are made by public health or occupational health officials. More than 10,000 people have used AIA sites since the first one opened April 4, 2020, the province said. The $8.4 million for Manitoba is part of more than $100 million in federal funding for isolation sites. Money has gone to programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia. with files from Danielle Da Silva chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @chriskitching Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has removed Ron Schuler from her cabinet, ending an embarrassing, months-long controversy over his COVID-19 vaccination status. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has removed Ron Schuler from her cabinet, ending an embarrassing, months-long controversy over his COVID-19 vaccination status. She issued a short statement late Thursday advising that he had been replaced and thanked him for his service. "Liberty has its price, today I paid for mine," wrote Schuler, MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, on Twitter in response to his ouster. Schuler had served in cabinet since the PCs took office in 2016, most recently as infrastructure minister and the minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization. Both of those posts will be filled by Reg Helwer, who heads procurement as minister of Central Services. Schuler was the only one of Manitobas 57 MLAs who refused to reveal his vaccination status, even after Stefanson implemented a mandate requiring all MLAs to be vaccinated or have a medical exemption by Dec. 15. The media constantly raised the issue since July at public appearances by Schuler, Stefanson and her predecessor, premier Brian Pallister, who had argued it was a matter of personal privacy. "Its a fundamental liberty to make our own health-care choices," Schuler said earlier this month, a point he echoed in numerous interviews and at news conferences. University of Manitoba political scientist Christopher Adams said Thursday Stefanson has read the room by making the announcement on the very day Manitoba surpassed 1,100 new COVID-19 cases and announced it was shifting resources to bolster the health-care system. "Stefansons marking her own territory," Adams said. "Were into a new phase of emergency response, and so the person whos in charge of emergency response, who has shown ambivalence about vaccinations, would raise concerns. So its a logical thing for the premier to do right now." Veteran political observer Paul Thomas, said Schuler holds libertarian and social conservative views that fit the PC party, but less so with the pragmatic direction Stefanson is trying to take the party ahead of the 2023 election. "Since I taught him decades ago, I have seen Schuler as an opinionated, stubborn contrarian on the far right of the PC party," wrote Thomas, a professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba. He said Schuler didnt seem to grasp that party politics are a team sport. "Schuler was undermining the governments best efforts to gain credibility on the (COVID-19) issue," Thomas wrote. "He stubbornly refused to reveal his vaccination status, appealing to the anti-vax crowd and embarrassing the government." Stefansons statement alluded to the vaccination issue. "I am confident in Minister Helwers ability, dedication and leadership skills to take on the new role as Manitoba faces a surge in COVID-19 cases and Manitobans are asked to take every possible step to help limit the spread of this virus, including getting fully vaccinated," Stefanson wrote. She added that Manitobans can expect a cabinet shuffle in the new year. After the announcement, the NDP argued Stefanson is not that different from Pallister. The partys house leader, Nahanni Fontaine, said both had "allowed an anti-vaxxer to have a seat at the cabinet table and let him lead crucial parts of our pandemic response." Fontaine called for Schuler to be removed from the PC caucus, saying hes been a distraction for Stefanson. "Shes focused on her partys own internal dysfunction instead of our health-care system," Fontaine wrote. Adams said Schulers seat is a Tory stronghold, so he wouldnt have been able to leverage the prospect of the PCs losing that seat, in an attempt to keep his cabinet role. Schuler was first elected MLA in 1999 and ran for the PC leader in 2006, coming second at 21 per cent support. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Clearly, he will feel disappointed to not be in the cabinet; hes a veteran politician," Adams said. Health-messaging experts, such as University of Alberta professor Timothy Caulfield, has said the position taken by Schuler undermined vaccination campaigns by failing to show leadership. "Privacy fearmongering can feed vaccine hesitancy," he said earlier this year. This summer, some of Schulers largest donors said they found his silence on the vaccination matter off-putting. In Canadas Westminster system of government, cabinet ministers are to support government priorities. They can disagree with the nuances of how a policy gets implemented, but cant actively undermine the governments goals. Schuler did not respond to a Thursday evening interview request. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca With more than 400 workers sick with COVID-19, Manitoba health-care leaders say hospital and care home visitation will be paused, patient transfers will increase, and some services could be reduced to handle an anticipated surge in admissions. With more than 400 workers sick with COVID-19, Manitoba health-care leaders say hospital and care home visitation will be paused, patient transfers will increase, and some services could be reduced to handle an anticipated surge in admissions. As the Omicron variant rips through the community, Shared Health chief executive officer Adam Topp said new COVID-19 wards are being readied across the province to accept patients who may need hospital care. Manitoba posted a daily record of 1,123 new infections Thursday. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital increased by 32 per cent over last week, with that trend expected to climb as the days and weeks pass, Topp said. "Weve seen more patients who are in need of medicine admission to hospital, not ICU admission," he said. "Many of these patients are vaccinated and are therefore protected against the worst outcomes of the virus." Transfers will be required as stable COVID-19 patients are moved around the province, Topp said. Seven patients were moved to Brandon from Winnipeg in the past week. To date, 147 patients of all types have been moved out of Winnipeg to make space in high acuity hospitals, including 40 in the past week, Topp said. Planning also continues to incrementally increase the number of critical care beds; a total of 113 were available in Manitoba hospitals as of Thursday, he said. At this time, Shared Health is planning for a worst-case scenario with intensive care admissions similar to the third COVID-19 wave, Topp said. During the third wave, a total of 57 critically ill COVID-19 patients were flown out of province for treatment. Topp said he does not anticipate other provinces will be able to assist Manitoba this time around; however, he anticipates ICU admission rates to be somewhat less than previous waves, given early reports the Omicron variant may cause less severe disease. "Im confident that we have the plans in place to deal with what were going to see," Topp said. Shared Health will rely on patient transfers, alternative models of care, reduction on some non-COVID-19 services, and being able to recruit staff from the Canadian Red Cross to both expand capacity and supplement staffing levels, said chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa. Shared Health chief executive officer Adam Topp does not anticipate other provinces will be able to assist Manitoba this time around. (David Lipnowski / Winnipeg Free Press files) A number of health-care centres have already experienced significant disruptions, though, with workers off sick. Hubs in Leaf Rapids and Gillam had been closed earlier this week due to staff illness, while diagnostic services in Roblin have been interrupted. Between Dec. 19 and 25, 418 workers were out sick with COVID-19, a nearly seven-fold increase from the week prior, Siragusa said, adding it is estimated about half of the workers were exposed to the virus in the community. The latest figures included 96 nurses and nursing students and 49 physicians or physicians in training. The majority had not yet received a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. "The health regions are closely monitoring sick calls and will be redeploying resources as needed to ensure essential services are maintained," Siragusa said. Shared Health has not made a decision on whether or not to allow COVID-19-positive staff to work if theyre well enough, Topp said. The frequency of rapid antigen testing for unvaccinated health-care workers will not be increased, he noted. General visitation to hospitals and personal care homes is also being temporarily suspended. "Only essential care providers and designated family caregivers and select exceptions will be able to visit in health-care facilities for the immediate future as we make every effort to limit the spread of this virus in our communities," Siragusa said. The provincial government needs to increase public health measures to preserve health-care capacity, said Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew. "The concern that we have is that those rising hospital admissions were seeing right now, thats based on when the case counts were in the 200-300 range, so whats going to happen in a week or so from now, after multiple days of cases near 1,000 per day?" he said. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Kinew called on the government to develop and publish a triage protocol in case health-care resources become so overwhelmed services cannot be provided to all in need. "It would help to ensure that decisions around health care are being made with the big picture kept in mind and not just unfairly treating those on the front lines of our health-care system," he said. Siragusa said her team is focused on building capacity in the health-care system to meet demand and, to her knowledge, Shared Health has not developed a triage protocol but will work with clinical providers if they have concerns. Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said the provincial government has called for Manitoba to be moved to code red in its pandemic response, among other measures, and to develop a triage protocol on a number of occasions. "Yet, somehow we are still not even there yet," Lamont said in a statement. "The PCs have actively cut and disrupted the health-care system during the pandemic and we are seeing the direct results." danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin spoke frankly for nearly an hour late Thursday amid growing alarm over Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine, a crisis that has deepened as the Kremlin has stiffened its insistence on border security guarantees and test fired hypersonic missiles to underscore its demands. FILE - President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrive to meet at the 'Villa la Grange', June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. Biden and Putin are scheduled to speak Thursday, Dec. 30, as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin spoke frankly for nearly an hour late Thursday amid growing alarm over Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine, a crisis that has deepened as the Kremlin has stiffened its insistence on border security guarantees and test fired hypersonic missiles to underscore its demands. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. threat of new sanctions against Russia in case of an escalation or invasion, to which Putin responded with a warning of his own that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. "It would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences, said Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters in Moscow after the Biden-Putin phone conversation. He added that Putin told Biden that Russia would act as the U.S. would if offensive weapons were deployed near American borders. White House officials offered a far more muted post-call readout, suggesting the leaders agreed there are areas where the two sides can make meaningful progress but also differences that might be impossible to resolve. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that 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. Putin requested the call, the second between the leaders this month, ahead of scheduled talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials Jan. 9 and 10 in Geneva. The Geneva talks will be followed by a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on Jan. 12 and negotiations at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna on Jan. 13, White House officials said Thursday's call lasted 50 minutes, ending after midnight in Moscow. Biden told Putin the two powers now face two paths: diplomacy or American deterrence through sanctions, according to a senior administration official. Biden said the route taken, according to the official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, will "depend on Russias actions in the period ahead." FILE - President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. Biden and Putin are scheduled to speak Thursday, Dec. 30, as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) Russia has made clear it wants a written commitment that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO and that the alliance's military equipment will not be positioned in former Soviet states, demands that the Biden administration has rejected. Biden told Putin that a diplomatic path remains open even as the Russians have moved an estimated 100,000 troops toward Ukraine and Kremlin officials have turned up the volume on their demands for new guarantees from the U.S. and NATO. White House officials said Biden made clear that the U.S. stands ready to exact substantial economic pain through sanctions should Putin decide to take military action in Ukraine. Putin reacted strongly. Putin "noted that it would be a mistake that our ancestors would see as a grave error. A lot of mistakes have been made over the past 30 years, and we would better avoid more such mistakes in this situation, Ushakov said. Russia's demands are to be discussed during the talks in Geneva, but it remains unclear what, if anything, Biden would be willing to offer Putin in exchange for defusing the crisis. Draft security documents Moscow submitted demand that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back 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 to discuss its concerns. The security proposal by Moscow has raised the question of whether Putin is making unrealistic demands in the expectation of a Western rejection that would give him a pretext to invade. In this image provided by The White House, President Joe Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone from his private residence in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (Adam Schultz/The White House via AP) Steven Pifer, who served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in the Clinton administration, said the Biden administration could engage on some elements of Russia's draft document if Moscow is serious about talks. Meanwhile, key NATO members have made clear there is no appetite for expanding the alliance in the near future. The U.S. and allies could also be receptive to language in the Russians' draft document calling for establishing new consultative mechanisms, such as the NATO-Russia Council and a hotline between NATO and Russia. The draft treatys proposed bar on any NATO military activity in Ukraine, eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia is an overreach, but some measures to limit military exercises and activities on a reciprocal basis might be possible, Pifer, who is now a senior fellow at Brookings Institution, wrote in an analysis for the Washington think tank. Biden and Putin, who met in Geneva in June to discuss an array of tensions in the U.S.-Russia relationship, are not expected to take part in the January talks. Last week, Russia test-fired Zircon hypersonic missiles, a move that Russian officials said was meant to help make Russias push for security guarantees more convincing." The test was the first time Zircon missiles were launched in a salvo, indicating the completion of tests before the new missile enters service with the Russian navy next year and arms its cruisers, frigates and submarines. U.S. intelligence earlier this month determined that Russian planning was underway for a possible military offensive that could begin as soon as early 2022, but that Putin had yet to determine whether to move forward with it. Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines Security and Defense Council, said Thursday his country believes there is no immediate threat of a major Russian invasion. Our experts say that the Russian Federation just physically cant mount a big invasion of our territory, Danilov said. There is a time period needed for preparations. The U.S. military has flown surveillance flights in Ukrainian airspace this week, including a flight Thursday by an Air Force E-8C JSTARS aircraft, according to Chuck Pritchard, a spokesman for U.S. European Command. That plane is equipped to provide intelligence on ground forces. Russia has denied any intention of launching an invasion and, in turn, has accused Ukraine of hatching plans to try to reclaim control of territories held by Moscow-backed rebels by force. Ukraine has rejected the claim. At the same time, Putin has warned that Moscow will have to take adequate military-technical measures if the West continues its aggressive course on the threshold of our home. Last month, Putin voiced concern that NATO could potentially use the Ukrainian territory for the deployment of missiles that would be capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes and said that Zircon would give Russia a comparable capability. As Biden prepared for the talks with Putin, the administration also sought to highlight its commitment to Ukraine and drive home that Washington is committed to the "principle of nothing about you without you in shaping policy that affects European allies. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Past military incursions by Putin loom large. In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russia's annexation of Crimea was one of the darker moments for President Barack Obama on the international stage. The U.S.-Russia relationship was badly damaged near the end of President George W. Bush's administration after Russias 2008 invasion of its neighbor Georgia after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili ordered his troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Biden, who is spending the week in his home state of Delaware, spoke to Putin from his home near Wilmington. The White House distributed a photo of the president speaking to the Russian leader from a desk lined with family photos. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Associated Press writers Dasha Litvinova in Moscow, Robert Burns in Washington and Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. Here are just a few of his answers, with the full video now available on winonadailynews.com: Q: What are your favorite hobbies? A: A few of my favorite things are reading, particularly thrillers and Im a bit politics obsessed. I love working around the house on repair and improvement projects. And right now my kids and I are really into card games, particularly Uno. So we play a lot of Uno in our house. Q: What made you want to work in your current position? A: When my family relocated to Minnesota, I was looking for a job in higher ed. And I was really clear that I wanted to be at a community or a technical college. I care a lot about access and our open access mission was really inspiring to me. And theres such a great need, particularly in the trades for educated, talented newcomers in those fields. And so it was about a week after we moved here that the job that Im in now opened up here. It was a perfect fit with my background in higher ed and Student Affairs. And I jumped on it. And I feel very fortunate to have been here since then. Q: Whats your favorite part of your job? A: I love working with people and I love constantly different and evolving challenges. So were always looking at whats the next new thing we can do to further improve our support for our students. So I love getting to do that work every day. Q: What are your goals for the future? A: So I love living in Winona and being an engaged community member, so Im always looking to further deepen my engagement and involvement in our local community, both professionally but also on a personal level living here in town. And, of course, other goals are just to continue to support my kids. I have two kids eight and five and supporting them and their pursuits and the things theyre interested in. And just trying to make a difference in every way that I can in our local and regional community. If your business or organizations leaders are interested in being involved in the weekly Get to Know series, reach out to rachel.mergen@lee.net for more details. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. It wasnt until a few years later that we realized some of them wouldnt have been as welcoming if we hadnt been white. One of our neighbors, a logger, mentioned that a nearby farm was for sale and he hoped no colored person would buy it. I asked him how many Black people hed known, and he said None. I then told him about all the wonderful black people Id known in college and while my husband was in the Army, but it didnt seem to lessen his prejudice. In most cases, its fear of the unknown that breeds contempt. Another preconceived idea I had concerned southern hospitality. That was bashed almost immediately after we moved to North Carolina where the first thing most neighbors and even our childrens elementary school classmates, asked was, Are you saved? Has God forgiven you all your sins? Once they found out we werent Southern Baptists, they were less friendly. Once we admit to prejudices that cause harm to innocent people, we have opportunities to eliminate them. That takes the courage to admit our fears, and then to determine if theyre based on facts or merely feelings based on limited experiences or biased sources. The only cure is to broaden our experiences, seek out those who are different, get to know them and then decide if our ideas about them are fair. Eliminating unfounded negativity is good for our physical and mental health. Resolving to rid ourselves of it is another worthy goal for 2022 and beyond. Have a good one. Pat Nash has lived in the Baraboo area, off and on, for more than 35 years. Contact her at patnash5149@gmail.com. Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Kristine also sentenced Leitner to three years of extended supervision and three years of probation to be served at the same time. As condition, he must maintain absolute sobriety and may not possess or consume alcohol. He shall not enter into any establishment whose primary business involves the sale or consumption of alcohol. He may not consume, possess or purchase any illegal drugs or controlled substances without a current valid prescription. He shall inform his probationary agent of any prescribed or non-prescribed medication that he consumes and inform the agent of any medication changes. He shall not possess any drug paraphernalia. He shall not knowingly be in the presence of any person possessing controlled or illegal substances or paraphernalia for use or sale. He must undergo an AODA assessment and mental health assessment. He may not possess any weapons or explosive devices. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} That will require different thinking as to how to approach the challenges identified and that is the process were working on now, Schlieve said. While I cant yet predict when change will happen, I can tell you that it will take all interested parties to participate in the process to make change. Schools may play a role One idea that is working for a community in the region is a child care center inside of a local school. Cambria-Friesland School District Superintendent Tim Raymond said Bright Beginners Early Child Care Learning Center has a curriculum for birth to 5 year olds with DPI licensed teachers in the 3K, 4K and 5K classrooms. Cambria with a population under 800 has several large agricultural-related businesses. Most school districts have children in 4K until 12th grade with a few students being assisted with education at three years old. Many have some sort of afterschool program offered such as the Dodge County YMCA offering child care for area schools. Cambria-Frieslands neighbor, Randolph School District, rents out space to a child care provider and says they see some advantages as well. WAUPUNRon Vande Zande, a well-known community member and founder of the Waupun Truck-n-Show, died Monday. The 78-year-old is noted in his obituary as a man who dedicated his life to serving others and loving his family and friends. The Truck N Show is described as his passion. The Truck-N-Show rolled into Waupun every summer for the past 32 years. The salute to the trucking industry draws crowds of people from across the United States and Canada, as well as local drivers and spectators, to Waupun. Highlights of the weekend event include parades music and food. The Truck N Show is certainly one of our biggest summer events, Waupun Mayor Julie Nickel said. It is a celebration of the men, women and families who keep our country moving, supplying all of the needs and products that make our country great. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Waupun City Administrator/Director of Economic Development Kathy Schlieve also has high praise for Vande Zande. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. UTICA, NY On Thursday, less than a week after Christmas and a day before New Year's Eve, Oneida County reported 753 new cases of COVID-19 in the county. That's a single-day record since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago, beating the previous mark by almost 400 cases. However, in a news conference Thursday afternoon, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said there won't be a shutdown, he is not restricting New Years Eve activities, and there will be no new executive orders from his office. In addition to the 753 new cases, the county reported five COVID-related deaths, 2,399 active cases and 67 people in the hospital. Those 753 positive cases come from 6,000 total tests which were taken in a 24 hour period. Picente says he's encouraged by that number of tests - and even with a record caseload, hospitalizations are half of what they were during the previous high almost a year ago. He says that's thanks to people getting the COVID-19 vaccine and understanding what they have to do to be responsible. We're going to be living with this. It's been two years now. This is what it's going to be for a while longer and into 2022... deeper than we had hoped. There is a way to combat it: Get vaccinated, get boosted if you haven't been. Get tested if you're sick or family members are wear a mask at all times when you're in crowded areas with people, said Picente at his news conference. Picente does not think the high number of cases should affect the reopening of schools on Monday. Here are the Oneida County COVID-19 case numbers as of midnight on Dec. 29. Data provided by the Oneida County Health Department. 753 new positive cases, 39,675 total. 2,399 active positive cases. 9.4% positivity rate. 5 new COVID-19-related deaths, 593 total. 3,808 in mandatory isolation & quarantine. 67 Oneida County residents are hospitalized. o 42 unvaccinated/25 vaccinated o 51 at MVHS o 8 at Rome Health o 8 out of county - 9 of total hospitalized are in the ICU. - 7 unvaccinated/2 vaccinated - 5 of total hospitalized are on ventilators. - 4 unvaccinated/1 vaccinated - 4 of total hospitalized are from long-term care facilities. - 3 unvaccinated/1 vaccinated Hospitalization vaccination status by age: 20-29 years-old: 5 unvaccinated/1 vaccinated 30-39 years-old: 5 unvaccinated/0 vaccinated 40-49 years-old: 2 unvaccinated/2 vaccinated 50-59 years-old: 8 unvaccinated/1 vaccinated 60-69 years-old: 8 unvaccinated/2 vaccinated 70-79 years-old: 7 unvaccinated/7 vaccinated 80-89 years-old: 4 unvaccinated/12 vaccinated 90-99 years-old: 3 unvaccinated/0 vaccinated - 63% of the patients currently hospitalized are unvaccinated. - The average age of the unvaccinated patients currently hospitalized is 59 years-old. - The average age of the vaccinated patients currently hospitalized is 72 years-old. - Of the vaccinated patients currently hospitalized, 80% are at least 6 months past full vaccination. NEW YORK (AP) - Pharmaceutical company Allergan Finance LLC will pay $200 million to New York state and two of its counties as part of an agreement that removes it from an ongoing state lawsuit over the opioid crisis. In the agreement, Allergan did not admit to any liability. In a statement, the company said it was pleased to have reached the settlement. Also, a jury has held Teva Pharmaceuticals responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis. Jurors delivered their verdict Thursday in a sweeping lawsuit filed by New York state and joined by two Long Island counties. The Suffolk County jury found the company played a role in furthering a public nuisance. Teva is known for making generic drugs, but the lawsuit focused on the brand-name fentanyl drugs Actiq and Fentora. They are approved for some cancer patients. The lawsuit accused Teva of repeatedly promoting them more broadly for other types of pain. Teva says it strongly disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal. (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Indiana's Chamber of Commerce is urging more people to get vaccinated as COVID cases rise. The chamber has announced new partnerships to address low vaccination rates in the state. "As of yesterday there were almost 31-hundred Hoosiers that were hospitalized with COVID that's a 32 percent increase just since the beginning of December." Indiana's Hospital Association President Brian Tabor said since mid-November hospitalizations are up 149 percent. "The vast majority of the patients that we see being hospitalized for COVID that are, really it's taking up a lot of the slack that's meant to be in the system they are unvaccinated patients unfortunately," Tabor explained. According to the chamber only 51 percent of people in the state are fully vaccinated. That percentage has encouraged the chamber to partner with Franciscan Health Immunization Department to offer free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinics on site to employers in all 92 counties. "We have been at crisis level for staffing and physical beds in the hospital since Thanksgiving frankly." Franciscan Health's Crown Point President and CEO Dr. Daniel McCormick said 90 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. "This is the second year of the pandemic now and we've had an increased lines and increased variant of illnesses the entire year with much longer length in stays than normal." The chamber's partnership will offer initial vaccines and boosters. The only requirement for the complimentary service is that 15 people total be at one location; that can be employees and their dependents, or two small employers can come together. If the 15-person threshold can't be met, there is a nominal $50 travel fee. 'We want to deliver a message today of urgency to get more people vaccinated so that we can knock down these numbers." The new on-site vaccine clinics and testing partnerships are part of the Indiana Chamber and Wellness Council of Indiana expanded COVID Stops Here campaign. Nominees for the Best Actor and related representatives pose for a photo with a presenter during the 34th China Golden Rooster Nominee Awards Ceremony in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Dec. 28, 2021. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] XIAMEN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) "The Father" has won the best international film of China's 34th Golden Rooster Awards as the winners were announced Thursday evening in the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Featuring Anthony Hopkins, the film tells a story that a man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. This is the first time for China's top film awards "Golden Rooster" to set the best international film award. Five foreign films competed for the award, namely "The Father," "Persischstunden," "Pinocchio," "Wolfwalkers" and "Happy Old Year." Zhang Yimou walked away with the best director for the spy thriller "Cliff Walkers." The best feature film award went to the "Island Keeper." Launched in 1981, the Golden Rooster Awards is sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association. (Source: Xinhua) Models walk on the catwalk during a fashion week in Puyuan Town, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Photo courtesy of Puyuan Town] Puyuan, a small town that previously did not have a tradition of raising sheep in east China's Zhejiang Province, has emerged as the largest trading center for woolen sweaters in the world, helping local residents march in lockstep toward common prosperity. The woolen sweater sector in Puyuan saw combined transactions amounting to 108.9 billion yuan (about $17.1 billion) in 2020. The town is home to 20 trade zones and more than 13,000 sweater shops, with over 200,000 people working in the industry. The woolen sweater industry in Puyuan began to take shape in the early days of reform and opening up. Back then, locals in the town set up stalls on the streets and peddled their products, according to Wu Bingming, chairman of the Zhejiang Woolen Sweater Association. Photo shows a night view in Puyuan Town, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Photo courtesy of Puyuan Town] In 1988, Puyuan had 259 private woolen sweater companies with 1,540 flat knitting machines, and their combined output value reached almost 100 million yuan. Then, after raising 580,000 yuan, the town built its first woolen sweater and yarn trading market, which served as a prototype for today's large-scale woolen sweater market. Since then, a large number of merchants have shifted in and out of the town, making it the largest woolen sweater trading hub across the entire country. Today, merchants in the town have jumped on the bandwagon for livestreaming e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce in the hope of selling their products to more places within the country and around the world. Wang Gaidi, 52, is one of those merchants who have joined livestreaming e-commerce as a way to sell woolen sweaters. Attracted by Puyuan's full-scale sweater industry, Wang left her hometown and started her business in the town in 2016. Within a few years, Wang emerged as a popular livestreamer with more than 1 million followers on a livestreaming platform. Every month, her total sales volume via the livestreaming sessions now reaches about 5 million yuan. Photo shows a shopping mall full of woolen sweaters in Puyuan Town, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Chinanews.com/Zhou Sunyu] Wang's success is an epitome of the town's booming woolen sweater industry and livestreaming e-commerce. In the first 10 months of 2021, Puyuan's woolen sweater market registered a combined trading volume of more than 89.7 billion yuan, including 39.6 billion yuan through e-commerce platforms. Zhu Jiaqi, general manager of Puyuan Textile City in the town, set up an e-commerce livestreaming base in collaboration with the popular Chinese short-video platform Douyin in December 2020, helping enterprises and merchants adopt livestreaming marketing techniques. So far, the base has achieved a total sales volume of more than 1 billion yuan through live-streaming. Photo shows Wang Gaidi during a livestreaming session. [Chinanews.com/Zhou Sunyu] The woolen sweater industry in Puyuan has brought fortune to 200,000 locals. In 2020, the town's 13 administrative villages saw an average annual income of 5.62 million yuan. The per capita disposable income of rural residents in the town reached 42,017 yuan. Puyuan aims to develop a woolen sweater industry cluster with a gross output value of more than 100 billion yuan and a combined volume of online and offline transactions exceeding 200 billion yuan by 2025, according to Yu Wujun, Party chief of the town. (Source: People's Daily Online) Role model Zhang Guimei (R) addresses students at Huaping Girls' High School in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, in September 2020. [Xinhua/Chen Xinbo] Renowned Chinese respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan has extended an invitation to Zhang Guimei, 64, the founder and principal of the first free high school for girls in China, to receive medical treatment for her serious illnesses in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Zhang, who is also a recipient of the July 1 Medal the Communist Party of China's highest honor established Huaping Girls High School in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, offering free education to girls from a less-developed area. She has helped nearly 2,000 girls enroll in college, though she herself is afflicted with respiratory illness. The son of respiratory expert Zhong is also a doctor Zhong Weide. He extended the invitation on behalf of his well-known father at the premiere of a dance drama in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, earlier this month. The show is based on Zhang's story. "My father is a medical worker and an educator. From this performance, I feel the fearless perseverance and enduring love of Ms Zhang Guimei, who has brought hope to children in the mountainous region of Yunnan," Zhong Weide said. "I sincerely invite Ms Zhang Guimei to receive treatment in Guangzhou. We would like to do our small part for the health of this role model, using advanced respiratory treatment technologies." (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) 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. First minister urges people to put having booster vaccine at the top of the list in New Year message Wales first minister has urged people to make getting their job a priority as we enter 2022. In his New Year message First Minister Mark Drakeford also paid tribute to everyone across Wales who has helped keep us safe during another extraordinary year. Looking ahead to 2022, Mr Drakeford describes the coming as challenging as omicron continues to spread across Wales. However he adds that there are better and brighter times ahead. Mr Drakeford said: Happy new year to you all. I hope youve all had a happy and peaceful Christmas. As the year draws to a close, it is a moment to look back on what has been another extraordinary and for many people, and at times, a difficult year. I want to pause for a moment to reflect on all the people, right across Wales, who have helped keep us safe. Once again, our incredible frontline workers and NHS staff have gone far beyond the call of duty working day in and day out, to care for and protect us in our times of need. Thank you. Diolch o galon i chi gyd. Our thoughts are now turning to the year ahead a new year which will bring new possibilities with it for us all. At this time of year, a great many of us will be making resolutions. If you havent done so already, please put having your booster vaccine at the top of the list. As we look forward to 2022, we do so knowing the weeks ahead will be difficult. Omicron is here in Wales and is moving quickly through our communities. We will doing everything we can to keep you and Wales safe. Together, we will protect each other and we will emerge from this pandemic stronger. There will be better and brighter times ahead. Time to spend with friends and family and time to make new memories. So please, lets all pull together again as we head into the New Year. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi i gyd. Former officer honoured with national award for ongoing work teaching self-defence classes A former North Wales Police officer has been honoured with a national award for his ongoing work teaching self-defence classes. Chris Corcoran, who retired as detective chief superintendent in 2010 after 30 years of service, was presented with the Neil Braithwaite Memorial Award for Community Service at the Midland Hotel in Manchester last week. Chris is the senior instructor of the North Wales Police Self Defence Section and has been a member for over 40 years. During this time Chris has given up his time to instruct Police Officers, staff members, family, friends, and members of the public in self-defence. Chris also puts on bespoke courses such as self-defence courses for women, children and people with physical and mental disabilities. Up until recently he was also heavily involved in taking disabled children on an annual trip to Lourdes. Chris was accompanied to the ceremony by Supt Paul Jones, one of the clubs black belts who nominated him for the award. Reflecting on the honour, which was presented by North Wales Police Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, Chris said: After more than 40 years of training people in self-defence, this recognition is nice to receive both for myself and for the club. After a good career with the force, I felt it was important to give something back to the community. Receiving this award from the chief felt great. It gives me the motivation to continue training and teaching, which is good for the physical and mental health of everyone who takes part. We work with a big cross-section of the public, with people of all ages and backgrounds in our classes. I feel that working with young people, particularly those from hard-to-reach communities, has really helped to break down barriers that can arise between the police and parts of the community. That type of engagement is so valuable, I think and very rewarding when we see the results that occur. Weve also had real emphasis recently in working with girls and women, as well as the most vulnerable people in our society, and thats something we feel is important to continue, in order to give confidence and some sense of security to those attending. The club is open to everyone aged 12 and over and of all abilities and backgrounds. There is no charge for the tuition, which teaches the martial art of Kung Fu and basic self-defence and allows members to progress through gradings. Sessions run every Tuesday between 7-9pm at St Marys Catholic Church, Hall, Regent Street, Wrexham and at North Wales Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay. For further details call: Chris on 07528711857 or Hayley on 07597901547. North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team issue warning over fake email claiming to be from Asda A scam email is going around claiming to offer a 90 Asda promo reward for completing a survey. The scam involves an unsolicited Asda branded Merry Christmas email asking people to click through to a marketing survey in return for the reward. Links in the email lead to malicious websites that are designed to steal your personal info. North Wales Police Cyber Crime team has issued a warning about the latest scam, a spokesperson said: Unfortunately scam messages are on the increase. The latest one to come to our attention is a fake e-mail purporting to be from Asda claiming that you will get a 90 promo reward if you complete a survey. The link leads to a website that is designed to steal your personal information and possibly your money. Please make sure that your friends, family and neighbours are aware that this is a scam. Also remember if you receive a suspicious email to forward it to the National Cyber Security Centre: report@phishing.gov.uk As of the 30th November 2021 the number of reports to them stood at more than 8,700,000 which has resulted in the removal of more than 68,000 scams across 127,000 websites. Scams like these are very common, Asda has previously said: There are a number of messages circulating by text messages and emails that are nothing to do with us and may be an attempt to capture your personal details. Messages include supermarket voucher giveaways, prize draws, reminders to collect a package and money off promotions. Please always read a message carefully before clicking on it and check the link before you enter your details. An official Asda competition or giveaway should link to an Asda website such as asda.com or george.com. Spelling mistakes or grammatical errors are also clues that a post could be a fake. Unfortunately we have no control over third party websites and can only warn you not to be taken in by them and to warn your friends if they share these posts with you. Relatives urged to only visit loved ones in North Wales hospitals if its absolutely necessary as COVID cases surge Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) has asked relatives to carefully consider whether they really need to visit loved ones in hospital. The message comes as a result of the omicron variant, which has caused cases of coronavirus to increase across the region. In Wrexham the seven day average (as of December 31) is 1,095.9 cases per 100,000. In December the North Wales health board introduced new guidelines requiring anyone visiting the hospital to show proof of a negative lateral flow test before entry. Other changes introduced by the health board include: All visitors will be required to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test result (SMS, e-mail message or screenshot) and complete a screening questionnaire including a temperature check before entry Visitors are not permitted in areas whereby there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19 (except in exceptional circumstances Check with the Ward / Department for visiting availability and times Visiting remains restricted to 1 identified visitor per patient (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above as agreed with the Nurse in Charge) Visiting is limited to 1 hour (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above as agreed with the Nurse in Charge) at the discretion of the Ward Manager and some visits may need to be cut short or cancelled Visits will be by appointment with the Ward / Department directly and adhere to approved safe numbers for each specific area Exceptional circumstances for inpatient visiting Patient receiving end-of-life care in the last days of life A familiar carer/parent or guardian/supporter/personal assistant to assist in care provision as agreed with ward/department Both parents/guardians where the family bubble can be maintained in Paediatric and Neonatal wards / units Patients may be accompanied where appropriate and it is necessary to assist their communication and/or to meet their health, emotional, religious or spiritual care needs as agreed with ward/department Additional Paediatric and Neonatal services Visiting Guidance Parents / Guardians are not permitted in areas whereby there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19 (except in exceptional circumstances) Please check with the Ward / Department for visiting availability and times Both Parents can visit together where a family bubble can be maintained Visiting is limited to 1 hour (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above as agreed with the Nurse in Charge) at the discretion of the Ward Manager and some visits may need to be cut short or cancelled Visits will be by appointment with the Ward / Department directly and adhere to approved safe numbers for each specific area A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: Our official visiting guidance remains unchanged for now, but we are asking relatives to carefully consider whether they really need to visit loved ones in our hospitals. The highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in communities across North Wales and many people can be carrying the virus without displaying symptoms. This poses a significant risk to patients in our hospitals, some of whom are very vulnerable to infection or immuno-compromised. While we realise how important visiting can be for both patients and relatives, we urge people to think carefully about whether visiting a loved one in our hospitals is absolutely necessary. Please visit our website for full visiting guidance: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/hospital-information/hospital-visiting1/general-visiting/ RSPCA reveals the animals its rescued from the strangest and most surprising situations of 2021 Animals get themselves up to all sorts and nobody sees that more than the RSPCAs team of rescuers. In 2021, 281,390 incidents were reported to the charitys frontline teams via its emergency hotline 17,930 in Wales including helping lots of animals who got themselves into rather a-moo-sing situations. Luckily, they all had happy endings. To end the year RSPCA Cymru has revealed the animals its rescued from the strangest and most surprising situations in Wales this year. Ph-ewe! Rescuers abseiled down steep cliffs in the Rhondda Fach valley, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to help a stranded sheep whod been spotted by onlookers. RSPCA officers and firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to Blaenllechau to help the stricken ewe on 25 January. Rope rescue specialists were deployed and abseiled down the cliff face to reach the sheep. Speaking about the incident, RSPCA inspector Gemma Black said: Rescues of sheep like this are notoriously difficult but were just glad the sheep ended up safe, well and off the cliff! Bizarre badger rescue Two badgers needed help after getting trapped on a ladder in a canal in Torfaen, Gwent. Officers from the RSPCA and South Wales Fire & Rescue Service were called to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Cwmbran on 5 February after the pair got stuck between metal steps and the wall. Officers Sian Burton and David Milborrow worked with the fire crews to abseil down the canal wall and grab the badgers with a grasper, with nets below as precautions. The second badger jumped into the water and, after clambering back onto the ladder, was pulled to safety. Both badgers were taken into the care of the RSPCA before being released back to the wild. Sian said: Without doubt, this was the most bizarre and unusual day of my 15 years spent on the frontline for animals. Teething problems George the puppy needed help after getting his teeth stuck on the bars of his crate. Kate Atkins had been crate-training her 11-week-old Westie pup on 15 March when she heard him squealing and found hed got his top jaw stuck on the bars. She called the fire service and RSPCA officers for help, with bolt-cutters eventually used to cut through the bars. Inspector Anthony Joynes travelled to Flint, Flintshire, to help. He said: George was in a real pickle. He was in a very uncomfortable position and his owner had had to hold him for 45 minutes while I rushed down from the Wirral to their home in Flint to help. Owner Kate said: Anthony managed to cut George out quite quickly and I gave him a big cuddle before taking him to the vet for a check up. Thankfully, he hadnt sustained any major injury, other than a few bruises, and I was able to settle him down when we got home, tired and a bit quiet. Get meowt! A cat used up one of her nine lives after getting trapped on a roof under solar panels. When residents heard loud meowing they spotted the little tortoiseshell peeking out from under the panel fitted to the roof of the house more than 20ft up in Dinas Powys, South Glamorgan, on 29 March. RSPCA inspector Darren Oakley and South Wales Fire & Rescue went to help. Darren said: |This poor little cat urgently needed rescuing as we think she had been up there on the roof for some time. The crew were great and were able to persuade the cat to move across to one side, before securing her and bringing her back down to ground level. Once she was safely down, I scanned her microchip, and discovered she lived very close by. It was lucky I did, as Rocket as we discovered she was called then shot off. But with the details from the microchip, it was easy to find Rockets owners house and sure enough, when we arrived at the home, there was the little cat! Out on the tiles Members of the public in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, were shocked to see a deer stuck on a garage roof on 24 June. It ran alongside some adjacent woodland, so the deer had wandered onto the rooftop from a similar height but was then unable to walk back up the sloping tiles. Rescuer Sian Burton and fire and rescue came to the deers aid but, in her fright, she jumped and tumbled 10ft to the ground. Fortunately, she didnt seem injured and after monitoring her for some time Sian was pleased to watch her trot away. She said: We deal with all sorts of animals on rooftops but this was the first time Ive ever had a call about a deer! Every day as an animal rescue officer is different, but my task list reached new heights with this job. Me-owch! The RSPCA came to the rescue after a cat got stuck in a tiny gap underneath pipeworks in a top-floor flat in Mold, Flintshire. Inspector Phil Lewis raced to the scene on 21 November and was able to access the stranded moggy by removing plastic paneling from the wall and pulling the cat to freedom. Fortunately, the ginger cat could immediately be returned to her owners. Phil said: This cat had somehow squeezed into the tiniest gap and was stuck fast. We often get calls about curious cats stuck in the smallest spaces imaginable and Im just glad we were able to come to this animals aid and secure another happy ending. Target of offering all eligible adults a booster jab by end of 2021 has been met, says Welsh Government The target of offering a booster jab to every eligible adult in Wales before the New Year has been met. According to the Welsh government, offers have been made to everyone eligible through a range of methods including letters, texts, online booking and walk-in options. More than 1.5 million boosters have been given to date, with 81 per cent of over 50s receiving the booster dose. Around 80 per cent of people aged 12 and above are currently eligible for the booster. Of those, 71 per cent of people have already had their booster. Health boards will be contacting everyone who couldnt make their appointments this month and asking them to reschedule in January. Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: The response from the public has been outstanding and we want to thank everyone who kept their appointment and accepted the offer of their booster. A huge thank you also goes our NHS Wales teams, their partner organisations and all volunteers who have worked tirelessly through such a busy time to deliver this monumental task. Over the Christmas period we were pleased to see an increase in people coming forward to receive their first and second doses of the vaccine. Thank you to everyone who is still coming forward to get vaccinated. If you have yet to take up the offer, make getting your booster a new years resolution. Every vaccine given helps to Keep Wales Safe. Earlier this week a top North Wales doctor issued a plea for young people to come forward for their Covid booster jab. The call has been made as there are still around 100,000 mostly younger people in the region who have yet to have their third vaccine. More than 360,000 booster jabs have been administered in the area to date, providing extra protection for 72 per cent of the eligible population. However, despite what has been described as a hugely encouraging uptake, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Boards executive medical director has called for more people to step forward as the Omicron variant causes Covid cases in Wales to rise. In an update on the regions booster roll out, Dr Nick Lyons said: There are four very important reasons people should come forward for their Covid-19 vaccine without delay Getting your first, second and booster jab and following the latest public health advice is the best way to avoid a return to further restrictions on our everyday lives protecting the local economy, your freedoms, education and jobs Research shows that getting vaccinated significantly reduces your risk of catching or spreading Covid-19 and becoming seriously ill with the virus. The Covid-19 vaccine will also protect you from the debilitating long-term effects of long Covid which can last for months Please dont be complacent at news that Omicron is a milder form of the virus. Because it is far more transmissible than the Alpha or Delta variants, it will find those who are unvaccinated or have suppressed immune systems with potentially serious consequences Even a small rise in Covid-19 admissions, coupled with the high rates of Omicron related staff sickness we are forecasting, could seriously impact on our ability to provide planned and emergency care in the coming weeks. Please play your part in slowing the spread by getting your Covid-19 vaccine. Remember it can take up to two weeks for your body to build immunity following your Covid-19 vaccine. We are facing the prospect of a huge wave of Omicron cases by mid-January, so I urge you to come forward as soon as you possibly can. We have thousands of appointments available between now and the end of the year. You can now walk in to any Covid-19 vaccination centre in North Wales to get your first, second or booster vaccine. However, the health board has advised booking online will help avoid a lengthy queue. To book online you can visit the health boards Covid-19 online booking service or click here for details of walk in clinics. Defying deep concern voiced by eminent health experts as COVID-19 infections spiral further out of control, Australias National Cabinet of Liberal-National and Labor Party leaders yesterday dismantled most testing and other essential safety measures. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (AP/Kiyoshi Ota) Now fuelled by the highly-transmissible Omicron mutation, the pandemic disaster is exposing the determination of big business and its governments to drive up profits and wealth accumulation, regardless of the human cost in infections, hospitalisations and deaths. Outrage is intensifying throughout the population, as well as among doctors and public health scientists, because the governments are moving nakedly to satisfy the demands of the financial elite for workers to be herded into workplaces, even if ill or potentially infectious. Todays official figures are staggering enough. They show that the number of new daily COVID cases jumped nationally overnight from around 21,000 to more than 32,000, exceeding all modelling forecasts. This was just days after first hitting 10,000, thus showing an exponential rise. Hospitalisations and deaths are also starting to surge, for all the official and media claims that Omicron is mild. These statistics underestimate the true level of mass infection. This is not least because thousands of people have been turned away already from overwhelmed testing sites in recent days. Now, the governments are blocking PCR testing to virtually everyone, unless they are symptomatic after a personal household contact for more than four hours. That new narrow definition of close contact has no medical justification, because Omicron is known to be transmitted via aerosols within fleeting moments. As the OzSAGE group of Australian experts in epidemiology, health and economics protested yesterday in a damning report: Risk is not limited to arbitrary four-hour time frames within households. The redefinition of close contact is doubly criminal. It is not only designed to hide the real scale of the disaster by curbing testingitself a violation of basic public health principles established over centuries. It directly serves the profit interests of the corporate elite by allowing employers, backed by the trade unions, to demand that sick and possibly infectious workers return to work, even in hospitals, aged care facilities, retail outlets, nightclubs and all hospitality venues. That is the class content of the gear change that Prime Minister Scott Morrison proclaimed after the yesterdays National Cabinet meeting of the federal, state and territory government leaders. Morrison declared that people had to ignore the previous public health advice they had received during the pandemic to get tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you are anything other than a close contact, and you are not symptomatic, you dont need to go and get a test, Morrison said. Now, I know this is a bit different to what you have been hearing over the last couple of years. That is the gear change. Morrisons contemptuous advice for everyone else wanting to get a test was: Go to the beach, go and do what you want to do. That is a recipe for accelerating the catastrophe in order to boost business revenues and share prices. The government leaders also decided that rapid antigen tests (RATs) would not be provided free, despite costing $15 to $50 per test and now becoming the only tests available for most people. The tests would be sold in retail outlets because, in Morrisons words, that was what the private market is for. The leaders decided to overturn previous promises by the New South Wales and Victorian governments to distribute free RATs. The National Cabinet further agreed on dangerously reduced isolation requirements. Morrison said people who contracted COVID-19 would need to isolate for just seven days, not the 10 days previously mandated. They would only need to first take a RAT on day six before exiting self-isolation. Close contacts would need to isolate for seven days, but only get a PCR test if symptomatic, then take a RAT on day six. Asymptomatic close contacts should take RATs on days one and six. The alarm among health experts was indicated by Professor Nancy Baxter, head of the University of Melbournes school of population health. She told the media that the changes to the close contact definition would fuel the outbreak. It was a case of Newspeak, the term coined by George Orwell in 1984 to describe propaganda language that twists ordinary meanings into their opposites. The lines for testing will get shorter, in the short-term, Baxter explained, but the infections would be invisible until the hospitalisation rates start going up. In its report, OzSAGE denounced the governments let it rip COVID-19 strategy, saying it would condemn some people to death, particularly the more vulnerable. Despite three doses of vaccine, some patients with cancer and other immunosuppressed people, have substantially reduced protection against Omicron, it said, noting that about half the adult population had co-existing health conditions. Omicron was at least as virulent as the original COVID-19 strain, OzSAGE warned. It anticipated a 100-fold increase in cases produced by chains of transmission that could otherwise have been stopped, which was likely to overwhelm the health system We are disturbed by the repeated messaging that only symptomatic people should get tested, when 4045 percent of transmissions are asymptomatic, and even in people who develop symptoms, the peak of infectiousness is in the two days before symptoms begin. As hospital wards reached capacity, more people might die in their homes, the report warned. One week ago, NSW Health advised people under 50 years to care for themselves at home, without access to Hospital in The Home. This week, they have revised the age cut off to anyone under 65 years. This is the ultimate in personal responsibility, OzSAGE said, noting that during the Delta wave, the mean age of those dying at home from COVID in Australia was about 40. During any other time, this would have been a national scandal, but it passed without comment or scrutiny from policy makers and health authorities, the report said. Rather than investing in expanded testing capacity, governments were urging the use of RATs that were less reliable and whose results will not be counted in official case numbers. OzSAGE also voiced concern about the impact of long COVID. New research from the US shows the virus persists in the brain, the heart, the kidneys and many other organs long after the initial illness, so preventing disease now may prevent long-term chronic illnesses. This report presents a devastating picture. Health professionals are appalled at the homicidal policies of the entire political establishment. The reports recommendations, however, are confined to appealing to the same governments to take stronger, but still limited, mitigating measures. The only answer is for the working class to take matters into its own hands, guided by the best scientific advice, and fight for the global eradication of the virus. As prominent scientists have explained at webinars hosted by the WSWS, this is both essential and achievable. The closure of all nonessential workplaces and the transition to remote learning for all schools for a period of two months, together with associated public health measures, could bring viral transmission under control and lay the basis for the elimination of COVID-19. These necessary lockdowns must be accompanied by full financial and social supports for all affected workers and small-business people. We urge scientists and healthcare professionals to keep speaking out. Participate in the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic convened by the WSWS to expose the lies and misinformation of the ruling elites and clarify the public on the necessity for an urgent change in policy. As the WSWS stated on December 24: Only through the combined mass mobilization of millions of people, armed with a scientific understanding of the pandemic, will we be able to prevent the further needless infections, suffering and deaths of millions worldwide. Just over two weeks after the cruel 110-year prison sentencing of 26-year-old truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos for a 2019 crash that killed four people and injured others, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced Thursday that he was removing 100 years from Aguilera-Medeross sentence and reducing his sentence to 10 years. People hold signs in support of truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos during a rally on the west steps of the state capitol Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 in Denver. Relatives, lawmakers and other supporters of a trucker sentenced to 110 years in prison after an explosive brake-failure accident that left four people dead rallied in Denver to plead for clemency. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via AP) Aguilera-Mederos, who was 23 years old at the time of the accident, was transporting lumber on Denvers I-70 freeway when the brakes on his big rig truck failed on a downhill grade where he tried to hug the shoulder. His truck then slammed into stopped traffic that created an explosion and pileup. Governor Polis and the states political establishment were forced to respond to mass economic and political pressure by a powerful movement of truck drivers, who mobilized widespread support for Aguilera-Mederos within the working class. Since the December 13 sentencing, drivers refused by the thousands to enter the state of Colorado and deliver goods and circulated the issue widely on social media. Though little reported in the media, the powerful boycott shook the states economy to its core. It was also supported by a mass online petition, which has been signed by over 5 million people, calling for commutation as time served or for the granting of clemency for Aguilera-Mederos. Additionally, the state was forced to act after the prosecutor for the case, Kayla Wildeman, came under fire for celebrating the excessive sentencing with a trophy in the form of a semi-truck brake shoe given to her by Chief Deputy District Attorney Trevor Moritzky, which Wildeman gloated about on social media. The disgusting celebration stood as a testament to the brutality of the entire criminal justice system. Meanwhile support for Aguilera-Mederos has continued to pour in across the globe, and videos associated with the hashtag #NoTrucksToColorado have been viewed 14.9 million times. Drivers called for continued unity in action with one noting, Truckers stand together and stand strong, we are a force to be reckoned with. The mainstream media will not give its undivided attention because they know we could bring the government to its knees if we just stand together for a cause. That is exactly what the drivers did. Supporters continue to stress that the 10-year sentence still implies he is guilty of a crime, with one noting, Those officials are still acting as if Rogel is not innocent. And another noted, It should be zero, and the company needs to be investigated. The fact that the crash was caused due to improperly functioning brakes ultimately points to the negligence of the trucking company which Aguilera-Mederos was driving for, Castellano 03 Trucking LLC, who has never been held liable for the 2019 crash. Denvers ABC 7 reported that there were 19 vehicle inspections that resulted in 30 violations at the trucking company over the two years prior to the crash. Many workers have also noted that such a sentence is on par with what a person receives for committing vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance. Aguilera-Medeross emotional sentencing as he begged for forgiveness and was handed the minimum of 110 years under a Colorado law by a reluctant judge, was met with widespread outrage over the injustice as well as calls for legal reforms against punitive mandatory minimum sentencing. I was working hard for a better future for my family, Aguilera-Mederos cried. I was working, and I lost my brake. Truck drivers know this hard moment when you lose your brake. Theres nothing you can do. ... I am begging for forgiveness. ... I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life... The prosecution argued that Aguilera-Mederos was at fault because he failed to take a runaway truck ramp when he was trying to engage his emergency brake, but many drivers have come to his defense on social media, noting that the passes through these mountainous regions are difficult even for senior drivers. Many have also called into question if Castellano 03 Trucking had provided him with the training to handle an emergency situation or if Aguilera-Mederos, who required translation services for his trial, was proficient enough in English to read the signs that marked the path to the runaway truck ramp. If true, the trucking company should be held liable to ensure drivers are well versed enough to read safety signage. As the WSWS noted, The plight of Aguilera-Mederos, a Cuban immigrant who was 23 at the time of the accident, has hit a deep nerve throughout the population. The majority of the working population sees in Aguilera-Mederos their coworker, their neighbor, and themselves. Despite the brutality inflicted upon immigrants daily by the US government, the vast majority of the working class wish to defend immigrants and the working poor who face immense difficulties and are often deprived of justice in the judicial system. With the Omicron variant fuelling a rapidly rising COVID wave across Australia, healthcare services are already being overwhelmed. One of the most critical indications is extensive ambulance response delays and understaffing. Ambulances lined up outside Sydneys Westmead Hospital in August (Source: Australian Paramedics Association NSW Facebook) In Sydney, Australias most populous city, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the average response time on December 22 was one hour for life-threatening emergencies (called P1 emergencies). P1 emergencies include heart attacks and patients rendered unconscious, and most must be seen within 10 minutes. A senior operational manager at New South Wales (NSW) Ambulance, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there were significant wait times in offloading ambulances at public hospital emergency departments, causing up to four-hour response delays to triple zero calls. Paramedics are also catching COVID-19 and needing to take extended periods of time off work, the manager said. Only 20 ambulances were available across the network, which is about 11 percent of total operational capacity. The ambulance network reached status 2 mode at least twice that week, meaning there was likely more emergency triple zero responses than there were available crews. As well as endangering the lives of patients, such crisis modes increase the stress and fatigue levels among the over-stretched paramedics. Since then, daily new COVID cases have more than quadrupled and are soaring exponentially, now above 21,000 in NSW. Even before the Omicron disaster, NSW Ambulance statistics showed that from July to September less than half of ambulance responses to P1 cases (42.5 percent), including unconscious patients, having an acute heart attack or choking, arrived within 15 minutes. Roughly 40 percent of responses to priority 1A jobsthe most life-threatening categoryfailed to arrive within the 10-minute target. Similar failures are occurring in other states. In South Australia, ambulances in metropolitan Adelaide entered a critical status white for almost five hours overnight on December 22, with 100 percent of available crews in use, leading to a backlog of cases and lengthy delays. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that final-year paramedic students are now acting as ambulance drivers before qualification because of the acute shortages of staff. In recent days, police officers have even served as de facto paramedics, ferrying patients to hospital. Compounding the crisis, the South Australia Ambulance Service (SAAS) was forced to dispatch paramedics to an Adelaide nursing home, the Bene Italian Village, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to assist with resident care due to a shortage of nurses. At least 20 residents at the aged care facility had tested positive to COVID-19. In October, during the Delta wave, the state of Victoria requested military personnel to drive ambulances as average response times ballooned to 50 minutes, an increase of 20 minutes from 2019. So severe was the emergency that Victoria Ambulance director Mick Stephenson said ambulances would be reserved for only the direst circumstances. Unless theyre really sick, they wont get an ambulance, he declared. On November 7 a Code Red was almost declared in Melbourne, indicating that ambulances are unable to respond to any new patients. Since then, Victorias daily COVID infections have more than doubled, rising above 5,000. All the state governments, both Liberal-National and Labor, constantly insist that the public health system is well-prepared to deal with the flood of cases coming in the weeks ahead. These reports, however, indicate that the system, long starved of resources and staff, is already unable to cope. Ambulances are vital to timely patient care. A breakdown in service ensures that patients will arrive to hospital sicker and possibly die en route. These dangers are worsened by shortages of available hospital beds. Even if patients get to a hospital on time, they are often left inside ambulances for hours waiting to be admitted for treatmenta practice known as ambulance ramping. A financial audit of the Queensland Ambulance Service revealed that paramedics spent a cumulative 112,000 hours in ambulance ramping this year, even though the state did not have significant COVID outbreaks until the Labor Party government re-opened its borders in mid-December. In response, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced only a vague promise to hire 535 new paramedics in the next few years. This is in a state with a population of over 5 million, now confronting thousands of daily new COVID cases. Governments have responded to the breakdown in healthcare services with a mixture of lies and callousness. A SAAS spokesperson downplayed the unprecedented use of student drivers, stating: Certainly, our crews have had a busy few days as more South Australians move about the state and celebrate the festive season. That comment also reflects the fact that the governments have urged people to ignore the dangers of the Omicron variant and socialise widely, in an attempt to bolster the profits of the retail, airline and hospitality industries. COVID has sharpened the healthcare crisis, but it did not create it. Worsening working conditions and overtime, and increasingly severe delays in ambulance services were the norm before the pandemic. Ambulance workers have become increasingly burnt-out and disillusioned. In 2017, Steve McDowell, a former paramedic and founder of the emergency services support group No More Neglect, told the WSWS: It is clear to on-road paramedics and control centre staff that they are a bum on a seat. That is, their welfare and fatigue were secondary to meeting NSW Ambulances key performance indicators. Primary responsibility for this situation lies with the health trade unions. For decades they have collaborated with governments in overseeing the erosion of services. In 2017, Health Services Union (HSU) secretary Gerard Hayes told a parliamentary inquiry that NSW Ambulance was at least a thousand people short. Hayes and the HSU, along with the Australian Paramedics Association (APA) then accepted without opposition the state governments meagre promises to hire 700 paramedics over four years. Ambulance workers are on the frontlines of an unfolding catastrophe. Healthcare services have been starved of staff and funds, while hundreds of billions of dollars have been transferred to the coffers of corporations and the super-wealthy during the pandemic. As COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths mount, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has stepped up its collaboration with employers to keep workers on the job, even if they are ill or potentially infectious. ACTU secretary Sally McManus [Credit: actu.org.au] Continuing its pro-business record throughout the pandemic, the ACTU has not issued a single statement calling for public health measures to protect workers, despite the disaster fuelled by the highly-transmissible Omicron mutation. Instead, the peak union body has thrown its full support behind the big business demand, now adopted by the bipartisan National Cabinet, to shift from free, public polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to less accurate rapid antigen tests (RATs). ACTU president Michele ONeil yesterday emphasised: Unions and businesses have been calling on the Morrison Government to provide free rapid antigen testing since October. Speaking about the National Cabinets redefinition of close contacts, which is specifically designed to exclude workplace exposures, ONeil said, we understand the change in the definition, but theres a lot of confusion about workplaces. The only confusion that ONeil wants to clear up is how far the unions can go in working with employers to push worried or potentially-infected workers into workplaces. In October, the ACTU, Transport Workers Union (TWU) and a host of industry lobbyists issued a joint statement calling for a publicly-funded program to supply RATs to businesses. The statement made clear that the purpose of this was to avoid unnecessary snap closures in a new phase of living with the virus. Should a state have to reimpose restrictions again in the future, the statement continued, the cost to the economy would be devastating. In other words, Australias peak union body stated its clear opposition to lockdowns, border closures, mask mandates and all other public health measures to protect workers and the general public from the COVID-19 threat. In lockstep with industry, the ACTU demanded there must be no impediment to the continued profit-making operations of business. In order to avoid the disruption caused by employees being unable to work while isolating or awaiting PCR test results, the ACTU demanded that rapid, less reliable tests must be made available, at no cost to business. This is just the latest example of the pro-employer role played by the ACTU and all the unions throughout the pandemic. In March 2020, as soon as the pandemic hit, the ACTU was intimately involved in crafting the Liberal-National Coalition governments JobKeeper wage subsidy. The chief purpose of this scheme was to hand billions of dollars to big business, regardless of subsequent profitability. In addition, it gave employers unprecedented powers to slash workers hours and change their duties to avoid paying them more than the meagre $750 per week subsidy. ACTU secretary Sally McManus declared on national television that unions were telling employers: You can get everything you want through co-operation and by doing it through the way that weve already demonstrated that we can. This statement was a clear promise to big business that the unions were ready to carry out every ruling class demand in exploiting the pandemic to deepen the decades-long assault on the jobs and conditions of workers. The pro-business orientation of the union was exposed by the warm reception it received from the highest levels of the capitalist elite. It was no wonder that then Industrial Relations Minister and Attorney-General Christian Porter, described McManus as his best friend forever. Business Council of Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott said: I really commend the ACTU for the cooperative way that theyve looked at some of these big awards and given some of the flexibility that employers have wanted. In numerous workplaces, including all the major trucking companies, enterprise bargaining was immediately postponed for 12 months, freezing the wages of workers and preventing them from striking. Under Australias draconian Fair Work industrial relations laws, introduced by the Labor Party and faithfully enforced by the unions, workers are prohibited from taking industrial action except during enterprise agreement negotiations. At Australia Post, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union struck a deal with management to impose the Alternative Delivery Model (ADM), a complete restructuring of the companys delivery operations to drive up workloads. The union-management agreement included a 12-month no-strike clause. The falsity of the claim that the ADM had anything whatsoever to do with protecting workers health in the pandemic was exposed by the fact that management and the union also colluded to keep postal workers in the dark about coronavirus infections throughout Australia Post. Likewise, in the schools, the education unions have worked intensively to suppress demands by teachers and parents for school closures to protect staff and students from COVID. Another revealing example of the unions role came in July this year. As the Delta variant ravaged New South Wales, the then premier, Gladys Berejiklian, announced new measures that would have restricted residents of the worst-affected working class areas of Sydney from attending work. Within hours, unions and industry groups joined forces to demand the restrictions be retracted. The state government acceded, construction and other worksites reopened fully and profits continued, while hundreds more NSW residents died. In contrast to the swift action of the unions against safety measures in July, they have remained utterly silent amid the opening of borders and ending of public health measures, carried out in virtually every state and territory in recent weeks as infections surge far past previous record highs. None of this dismantling of essential safety precautions by Liberal-National and Labor Party governments alike would be possible without the collaboration of the unions. They are stepping up their efforts to stifle resistance and opposition throughout the working class, including the frontline health workers. Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes welcomed the decision by the NSW Liberal-National government to slash the isolation time for health workers from two weeks to seven days, provided they return a negative PCR test. This must be a clear warning. The unions will help force health workers back into hospitals and other public health facilities while still potentially infectious, endangering the lives of patients, as well as themselves. The utter disregard by the unions for the health and lives of workers and their families underscores their complete agreement with the let it rip reopening agenda of government and big business. This is taking to a new deadly level the unions transformation into the industrial police of the corporate elite. For decades the unions have been the chief enforcers of the profit demands of Australian-based corporations. The ACTU has been at the forefront of this pro-market agenda since its close collaboration with the Hawke-Keating Labor governments of the 1980s and 1990s in imposing the Prices and Incomes Accords and enterprise bargaining system that have formed the basis of the intensifying offensive against the working class. Shock and outrage is developing among working people to the naked subordination of their health, safety and lives to the profit requirements of the capitalist class. However, for that opposition to succeed, workers need to make a conscious break with the thoroughly corporatist union organisations and take matters into their own hands. That means forming rank-and-file committees in every workplace and fighting for the global elimination of the COVID-19 virus and the socialist reorganisation of society on the basis of human need, not billionaire profits. The appointment earlier this month of Deere & Co. CEO John May to the Ford board of directors has drawn praise from industry analysts who are citing, among other factors, his hard line against the strike by US Deere workers. Deere CEO John C May (Ford Media) May will serve on Fords finance, compensation, talent and culture, and nominating and governance committees. His election will expand the board to 15 members. The position comes attached to a six-figure salary, which May will pocket on top of his $15.8 million-plus compensation from Deere in 2020. Before holding the post of Deere CEO, May served in several other capacities, including three years as head of the companys Chinese division. A report in the December 30 edition of the Detroit Free Press took note of Mays role in the Deere strike and contract settlement, a six-year sellout deal forced through by the United Auto Workers that failed to meet workers demands for the restoration of retiree health care and raises large enough to make up for years of declining real wages. The Free Press wrote, While some observers might view any strike as a negative reflection on company leadership, history shows that Wall Street tends to reward executives who play hardball with labor. The Free Press cited one industry observer, John McElroy, host of the Autoline After Hours podcast, who said that Deeres recent resolution of the six-week strike under May is icing on the cake for his credentials. May led Deere & Co. to record profits this year, with the company taking in nearly $6 billion, far exceeding its previous record of $3.5 billion set in 2013. Deeres blowout earnings, reaped during an uncontained global pandemic, went in their vast majority to the companys large shareholders, and were extracted through the intense exploitation of Deeres global workforce. During the walkout and rebellion by workers earlier this fall, Deere took an increasingly aggressive line, refusing to budge and meet workersdemands for major wage increases and retiree health benefits. The company secured a punitive court injunction against striking workers in Davenport, Iowa, prohibiting their use of fire barrels or even chairs. After workers repeatedly defied the UAWs attempts to push through the companys demands, twice voting down contracts by large margins, Deere executives went on a media blitz, lying through their teeth that there was no more money, while threatening to ramp up production overseas and bring in permanent strikebreakers. With contracts at the Big Three automakers expiring in 2023not to mention growing outrage among workers over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the auto plants in the immediate situationFord no doubt welcomed the chance to bring on a ruthless and experienced hand, in anticipation of future showdowns with its workers. The placement of May on its board of directors takes place as Ford prepares to implement a significant restructuring around electric vehicles. The company has set a target of having EVs account for 40 percent of its production by 2030. The shift to electric vehicles involves a large investment of technical resources and will entail an assault on the jobs and living standards of auto and auto parts workers, who will be forced to bear the cost of the new technologies. Earlier this year Ford announced an $11.4 billion investment in EV production at sites in Kentucky and Tennessee, extorting massive tax breaks and other incentives from local authorities in the process. The megasite outside of Memphis is being called Blue Oval City, after the Ford logo, and will reportedly dwarf Fords giant Rouge facility outside Detroit. An all-new $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, Tenn., called BlueOval City, will create approximately 6,000 new jobs and reimagine how vehicles and batteries are manufactured. Concept designs. Final design subject to change. (Ford Media) In announcing the appointment of May, Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford pointed to the Deere chiefs role in implementing major changes in technology. Mays experience helping to transform Deere as a smart industrial company is relevant to Fords own ambitious transformation, and brings additional valuable insight to the Ford board. The statement continued, Our industry is in an exciting period of disruption and were changing Ford in significant ways that are good for all our customers and stakeholders, with advanced technology and digital connectivity at the center. Thats what Deere is doing in its businesses, making Johns expertise invaluable to our board as the Ford management team executes the companys strategy for growth and value creation. While Mays technical experience may have been a factor in the decision by Ford to bring him onto the board, his experience in the Deere strike likely sealed the deal. Electric vehicles require far less labor to build than gas-powered cars and trucks, since there are far fewer moving parts. This spells layoffs for auto assembly workers. The auto companies are already attempting to outsource EV components such as batteries to lower wage operations through the use of various forms of subcontracting. Significantly, Ford has not committed to recognizing the United Auto Workers at the new facilities it is constructing, saying only that workers will be allowed to vote. If the union is eventually brought in it will almost certainly be on the basis of a competitive labor agreement ensuring lower wages and costs to Ford. The financial stakes involved in the shift to EV production are enormous. Earlier this week Fords stock valuation topped that of General Motors for the first time in five years, reaching $83 billion. The companys stock has doubled this year, largely on the basis of its push for EV production. The valuation of EV maker Tesla, which has sold only a small number of vehicles compared to its Detroit-based rivals, is in the range of an astronomical $1 trillion. Highlighting the speculative character of EV investment, Rivian Motors, partially owned by Ford, has a market capitalization of $92.6 billion, higher than Ford, despite the fact that it has produced and delivered at most only a few hundred vehicles. To sustain these huge stock valuations, profits will have to be sweated off the backs of autoworkers at an extraordinary rate. Mays appointment to Fords board of directors highlights the incestuous character of corporate leadership in the US, with a narrow selection of well-connected and lavishly paid executives waging ruthless war against workers and the public interest more broadly. Last year Ford brought former Utah Republican Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. back onto the companys board as vice chair of policy. A wealthy businessman, he has served in every US administration since Reagan, with the exception of Bidens. Most recently he held the post of US ambassador to China under Obama and ambassador to Russia under Trump. Another director, William Kennard, has served on the boards of many private equity firms, including the notorious Carlyle Group. From 1997 to 2001, he was chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and served as the US ambassador to the European Union from 2009 to 2013. He currently serves on the boards of AT&T, MetLife and Duke Energy Corporation. Mitch Bainwol, Fords chief government relations officer, is retiring this year. Another well-connected political insider, he served as president and chief executive officer for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. He worked in high-level staff posts for various members of Congress, as well as a stint as chief of staff for the Republican National Committee. On December 18, 19 and 20, the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) arrested 68 Indian fishermen and impounded their vessels for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The arrests were part of intensified navy patrols in recent months. Arrested Indian fishermen, 18 December 2021 (Source: Sri Lankan Navy) Capitalist politicians on both sides of the Palk Strait, the narrow passage between southern India and northern Sri Lanka, are now denouncing fishermen from each others countries in an attempt to divert outward the rising social tensions produced by increased living costs and herd immunity pandemic policies. The reciprocal arrest of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen has been a major issue for the poor fishing communities in both countries in recent decades. This year the SLN is reported to have arrested Indian fishermen on 19 different occasions and killed five Indian fishermen. The Palk Strait was a traditional fishing ground for Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen during the British colonial rule until 1947, with the sharing of its sea resources continuing after independence and up until the 1980s. These long-standing arrangements were disrupted by the anti-Tamil racialist war launched by Sri Lankas United National Party government in 1983 and continued by successive Colombo governments. The ongoing military harassment of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, which underscores the reactionary and irrational character of arbitrary national borders maintained by ruling classes in both countries, is aimed at whipping up chauvinist sentiment and dividing the working class. As the Sri Lankan Navy website reports: On December 18, the navy arrested six Indian fishing trawlers and 43 fishermen, southeast of Delft Island, off the Jaffna Peninsula. On December 19, the navy arrested two fishing trawlers and 12 fishermen, south of Mannar. On December 20, the navy arrested another two trawlers and 13 Indian fishermen, west of Analativu Island. The Indian media reports that the fishermen were from Rameswaram, Thangachimadam, Mayiladuthurai and Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu and that the arrests provoked angry responses in these communities. Rameswaram community in India protests against Sri Lankan Navy murder of fishermen in January 18, 2021 (Photo: U. Pandi) According to ANI News, fishermen from Thangachimadam and Rameswaram began a protest hunger strike on December 22 to demand the Indian government intervene and secure the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and their trawlers. The Economic Times reported that members of some Tamil Nadu fishermens associations took indefinite strike action on December 19 and plan to block the railroads on January 1 if the fishermen and the boats are not released. Sri Lankan authorities have never returned impounded vessels. In a letter to the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared: The alarming frequency at which these incidents of apprehension and attacks are happening warrants urgent attention. The lives and livelihoods of our fishermen must be protected when they fish in the traditional waters of Palk Bay. Stalins concern for Tamil Nadu fishermen is bogus. His Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party and the rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have ruled Tamil Nadu for more than half a century. Under their state governments, the fishing industry has become one of Indias most profitable sectors, even as fishermen live in dire poverty. In Tamil Nadu, around 91 percent of the states 200,000 fishing families subsist below the poverty line. At the end of the 1980s, India modernised its fisheries by encouraging private investments under its so-called Blue Revolution, which transformed former small-scale boat owners into fishing workers. The Indian ruling elite, having proletarianised these fishermen and driven them into deeper poverty, is now cynically posturing as their defenders while pushing them against their Sri Lankan fishing industry brothers and sisters. Justifying the recent arrests, the SLN declared: Taking into account the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the livelihood of local fishing communities and the sustainability of fishery resources of Sri Lanka, the Navy is conducting regular patrols to curb illegal fishing activities in island waters. The SLNs claim to be protecting the local fishing community is as hypocritical as the posturing of Tamil Nadu bourgeois politicians about their fishermen. In fact, the livelihood of the Sri Lankan northern fishing community, which is still using outdated fishing techniques due to the lack of capital, is in danger of being swallowed up by big businesses penetrating the sector. Fishermen in the Northern province have already lost traditional fishing areas to foreign fishing ships and through the construction of sea cucumber farms, that have all been facilitated by Colombo. Sri Lankan fishermen also face constant harassment by the SLN under the pretext of fighting smuggling and policing fishing regulations. Sri Lankas North and Eastern provinces remain under military occupation even though Colombos civil war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended in May 2009. Like their Indian counterparts, the Tamil bourgeois parties and the fishermens unions in Sri Lanka, agitate against Indian fishermen and demand harsher repressive measures. On October 17, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) initiated a protest flotilla of fishing boats from Mullaitivu to Point Pedro to protest Colombos lack of action in stopping Indian fishermen supposedly poaching in the Sri Lankan waters. The flotilla was organised immediately after the SLN arrested 23 Indian fishermen. On December 24, the Jaffna Fishermens Cooperative Union held a demonstration outside the Jaffna District Secretariat. The union backed the navys oppressive border controls, with protesters chanting, Arrest the Indian fishermen, Dont release the arrested vessels and Dont release the arrested fishermen as an act of good faith. Jaffna fishermen protest at Divisional Secretariat office, December 2021 (Source: Facebook) After the event, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda met with the protesters, promising harsh measures against the Indian fishermen. Tamil National Peoples Front (TNPF) leader Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam participated in the demonstration. In July, Ponnambalam told parliament that: Indian fishermen have been encroaching into Sri Lankan waters. These are fishermen who come in large trawlers and they have literally destroyed the fishing assets of the fishermen of the Northern Province, particularly from Mannar to Jaffna and Mullaitivu. The class character of Sri Lankas Tamil bourgeois parties position is reflected in their efforts to establish joint relations with foreign capital to exploit the cheap labour in the countrys North and Eastern provinces. In JulyAugust this year, thousands of Tamil Nadu fishermen demonstrated against a proposed Indian Fisheries Bill which would place small-boat owners and mechanised vessels in the same category, thus imposing unbearable conditions on small-scale fishermen. In Sri Lanka, small-scale fishermen, particularly in the Northern Province, have protested big-business sea cucumber farms. The struggle of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen is occurring amid rising working-class strikes and protests against austerity measures in both countries and around the world as governments attempt to impose the full burden of economic crisis on the working masses. On January 8 and November 26 in 2020 Indian workers walked out in general strike action against the Modi governments austerity measures. Likewise, Sri Lanka has seen a rising tide of working-class struggles in the past twelve months. The furious denunciation of Sri Lankan and Tamil Nadu fishermen by capitalist politicians on both sides of the Palk Strait is driven by ruling elite fears that these struggles of the working class and the oppressed masses will take a unified form across the whole subcontinent. It has been three years since we lost Comrade Halil Celik, who led the Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu, the Turkish organization in political solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), and who founded Mehring Yaynclk (Mehring Books) in Turkey. Halil Celik (19612018) This unyielding Marxist revolutionary, who cancer took from us in only a few months, saw many stormy events in his relatively short life of only 57 years. He inspired many among the younger generations with his principled internationalist perspective, his commitment to historical truth, and his unswerving orientation to the working class and its political and theoretical education. New generations of Trotskyist revolutionaries will be inspired by his invaluable political legacy. Starting at age 16, Halil devoted his life to the cause of socialist revolution. But his imperishable legacy to the Turkish and international working class, which Halil himself viewed as his greatest political work, was his contribution to the construction of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), which continues the work of the Fourth International founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938. This legacy, materialized in Halils translations and writings, is the crucial foundation for building the Socialist Equality Party in Turkey and Trotskyist parties internationally. In examining Halils record from the early 1980s, what emerges is the relentless search of the most conscious elements of the Turkish working class for an international organization basing itself on Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution. As ICFI Secretary Peter Schwarz wrote in his obituary of Halil: Based on long, bitter experience with the unprincipled, nationalist and opportunist policies of pseudo-left organizations, Halil understood that the development of the Trotskyist movement in Turkey can take place only on the basis of revolutionary internationalism and requires a thorough understanding of the strategic experiences of the international working class in the course of the 20th century. The road to a Trotskyist perspective proved to be a long and difficult one. From attempts at political collaboration with various Pabloite and Morenoite tendencies in the 1980s and 1990s, Halil drew the conclusion that it was necessary to wage a relentless struggle against the type of national opportunist politics they advanced. Such a struggle had to be based on a thorough assimilation of the Trotskyist movements decades-long fight against social democracy, Stalinism and petty-bourgeois politics. This struggle brought Comrade Halil and his co-thinkers ever closer to the positions of the ICFI. Halil opposed the Pabloites attribution of a revolutionary role to Stalinism, their support of the union bureaucracy, and their glorification of bourgeois nationalism in the form of the Kurdish nationalist movement. His understanding that these positions fundamentally rejected the continuity of the Fourth Internationals struggle for Permanent Revolution eventually brought him to the ICFI. It was not until the 2000s, however, that Halil and his supporters could comprehensively learn the history of the world Trotskyist movement, represented by the ICFI since its foundation in 1953 in a struggle to defend the Theory of Permanent Revolution against Pabloite revisionism. Trotskys Theory of the Permanent Revolution states that in countries of belated capitalist development such as Turkey, the bourgeoisie is incapable of establishing a democratic regime or of breaking the deep ties linking it to imperialism. These tasks fall to the working class, mobilized in an international struggle for proletarian socialist revolution led by a Marxist revolutionary party, and drawing behind it the broad mass of peasants. Stalinism and its nationalist theory of socialism in one country was a rejection, in the interests of the growing Soviet bureaucracy, of the Theory of the Permanent Revolution that guided the October Revolution in 1917. In 1953, orthodox Trotskyists led by James P. Cannon, the leader of the American Socialist Workers Party (SWP), opposed a revisionist-liquidationist tendency led by Michel Pablo and Ernest Mandel. The Pabloites sought to dissolve the Trotskyist movement into national mass movements dominated by various Stalinist, Social Democratic and bourgeois-nationalist parties in each country. This meant abandoning the struggle for the political independence of the working class and the building of its international leadership, the Fourth International. The fight begun by Cannon, who led the formation of the ICFI, saved the Fourth International from destruction and ensured the continuity of the struggle for the fundamental principles of Trotskyism. Particularly critical for Comrade Halils group was the assimilation of the lessons of the 1985-1986 split between the orthodox Trotskyists within the ICFI and the national opportunist tendency that had developed in what was then its British section, the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP). The opportunist relations that the WRP leadershipGerry Healy, Cliff Slaughter and Michael Bandadeveloped with various bourgeois-nationalist regimes and movements in the Middle East and North Africa starting in the mid-1970s eventually led to a complete break with the Theory of Permanent Revolution and Trotskyism. The priority of building the ICFI in a struggle for world socialist revolution was replaced by moves to strengthen the British party on the national arena. This world-historical struggle constituted a decisive defeat by the ICFI of Pabloite revisionist tendencies and laid the basis for a renaissance of classical Marxism in the international working class. David North, the chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, the ICFIs Internet publication, stated: Had the ICFI not survived the crisis of 198586, there would not exist an international politically unified revolutionary Marxist party in the world today. If it was no coincidence that Halil and his co-thinkers crossed paths with the ICFI, it is likewise no coincidence that the Greek renegades who supported the WRP in the 1985-1986 split crossed paths in the 2000s with the Turkish Pabloites with whom Halil had collaborated earlier on. These elements call today to refound the Fourth International in alliance with Stalinist tendencies. They have for decades been trying to prevent the construction of a revolutionary Marxist party, that is, of a section of the ICFI, in Turkey, in Greece and beyond. The complete break of Halil and his comrades from these elements and the establishment of the Socialist Equality Group as the Turkish sympathizing organization of the ICFI was the result of the defense of the following political principles against Pabloite revisionism: 1) the revolutionary role of the international working class and the continuity of the Fourth International 2) the counterrevolutionary role of Stalinism 3) the reactionary anti-working class role of the trade union bureaucracy 4) the defense of the Theory of Permanent Revolution. The struggle for the political independence of the working class and the training of cadre on these principles were the heart of Comrade Halils work. Unlike opportunists who chase passing tactical interests, Halil worked tirelessly to bring the history of the Fourth International and of critical strategic experiences of the working class into Turkey and facilitate their assimilation by the cadre. Halil translated essential works, especially The Heritage We Defend, into Turkish. His translations, such as The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century, which are still published after his death, are critical to the struggle for Trotskyism. Comrade Halil played the leading role in creating political materials, documents and articles in the Turkish edition of the World Socialist Web Site, and above all, the books published by Mehring Yaynclk. Today, all kinds of pseudo-left tendencies, representing the interests of the affluent middle class, have lined up with imperialist wars in the Middle East and bourgeois parties in Turkey. Some Pabloite elements call to found an international with Stalinists closely linked to the Russian state. Only the political tendency led by comrade Halil continues an uncompromising struggle to build the Turkish section of the World Party of Socialist Revolution founded by Trotsky, in a struggle for the political independence of the working class. To build this movement, it is essential to arm new generations of revolutionaries with the historical and international foundations of a Trotskyist perspective. This book contains articles written in memory of Comrade Halil after he passed away, as well as selected articles and political statements that he wrote after 2007. This collection of Comrade Halils writings shows his commitment to developing the political independence of the working class, to Trotskyism and the struggle for the world socialist revolution. Written on the most important developments in Turkey and the Middle East from 2007 to the end of 2018, these articles will not only present Comrade Halils political record, but also enable readers to look at these critical events from a revolutionary and internationalist, that is, Trotskyist perspective. Comrade Halil, in his article titled The Litmus Paper of Centrism: Internationalism, written at the end of 2012, defended the ICFI against the two petty-bourgeois tendencies in Turkey who called for the building of a Fifth International, distorting the history of the Fourth International. These tendencies were Marksist Tutum and Marksist Baks (it became the Socialist Laborers Party, a section of the newly-founded Pabloite International Socialist League). Halil emphasized that the ICFI embodied the continuity of the Fourth International: Once again, we remind those who have united in their efforts to defame and trivialize Trotskyism that the ICFI is the only organization that continues its struggle to develop an international workers movement based on Marxism against the bourgeoisie and all kinds of petty-bourgeois tendencies, and seeks to spread the revolutionary Marxist tradition to every corner of the world. The defense of Trotskyism and the ICFI by Halil and his supporters was an integral part of the struggle to mobilize the working class in the Middle East, based on an international socialist program, against imperialist war and all pro-imperialist bourgeois and petty-bourgeois tendencies. Halil insisted that the so-called peace process between the Turkish state and the Kurdish nationalist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), launched in 2009, was essentially a peace process between the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisies, under the auspices of the US and other imperialist powers, against the working people of the Middle East. This so-called peace was an integral part of the imperialist plunder in the Middle East, and the product of forces hostile to the social aspirations of workers in the region and internationally. In March 2013, when negotiations between then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans government and Kurdish nationalist leader Abdullah Ocalan reached the highest level, and Ocalans letter was read at the Newroz Festival in overwhelmingly Kurdish city of Diyarbakr, Comrade Halil wrote: This process is not limited to Turkey, but is being developed entirely subject to the demands of global capital and in line with the interests of the US-led Western imperialist coalition. Ocalans Newroz message clearly reveals that the Kurdish movement under his leadership has not only subordinated its own fate to the interests of the Kurdish bourgeoisie, but also intends to embark on expansionist adventures in the Middle East together with the big Turkish bourgeoisie. As it turned out later, these expansionist adventures included targeting northern Syria as part of the US-backed war for regime change against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. However, the fact that US imperialism made Syrian Kurdish YPG militias in Syria its main proxy force in this war not only ended the so-called peace process. It also drove relations between Ankara and its imperialist NATO allies to the breaking point. These conflicts culminated in the NATO-backed military coup in 2016 aiming at overthrowing Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Comrade Halil had already warned of the danger of a coup, in an article evaluating a report published by the US Bipartisan Policy Center in April 2015. The report declared Turkey an increasingly undependable ally and the PKK/PYD a viable partner. Comrade Halil wrote: we can see that one of the main reasons why imperialist powers try to keep the AKP government in line by declaring it undependable, or to get rid of it if possible, is that it ignores or at least underestimates the global campaign by US and EU imperialism against Russia and China. The April 2017 constitutional referendum, on the granting of extraordinary powers to the president, represented a turning point not only in the Turkish bourgeoisies drive to dictatorship and war, but in the intensifying collaboration between the ICFI and Comrade Halil and his supporters. At that time, his organization called itself Toplumsal Esitlik (Social Equality). It prepared a statement that was the product of intense discussions with the ICFI, and this statement was published on the World Socialist Web Site on behalf of the group. This statement, which dealt with critical international and historical issues based on the referendum agenda, represented significant progress towards the building of a section of the ICFI in Turkey. The statement, drafted by Comrade Halil, called for a no vote, exposing the reactionary orientation of the Erdogan government and the pro-imperialist, anti-working class character of the bourgeois and petty-bourgeois parties in the official opposition that emerged against him. It explained that the only way forward was to build a revolutionary leadership within the working class and mobilize it in the struggle for the international socialist revolution: The fundamental question is the building of a revolutionary party in each country to lead the working class to overthrow capitalism and establish a workers government pursuing socialist policies. The political and theoretical basis of this struggle, as of the October Revolution in Russia, is Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution. The ICFI is the only political tendency that has for decades since its foundation fought to advance and defend the perspective of Permanent Revolution, in opposition to all petty-bourgeois opponents of Trotskyism, as the continuator of Marxism. The construction of a revolutionary leadership of the working class means building a Socialist Equality Party, a section of the ICFI, in Turkey and in every country. The last article Comrade Halil wrote before succumbing to cancer was a message to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International. In his last article, he emphasized the necessity of responding to the surge of class struggle internationally with the building of the ICFI all over the world: Just as it is inevitable that the resurgence of class struggles around the world will bring with it mass revolutionary working class struggles, as we recently witnessed in Egypt, it is equally clear that in order for these struggles to lead to successful socialist revolutions, it is necessary to build the International Committee of the Fourth International in every country. The following call made by Comrade Halil in September 2018 continues to be relevant: In conditions where all pseudo-left tendencies are openly integrated with the capitalist system and bourgeois parties, it is high time for workers and young people who are looking for a way forward to take action and join in the building of the ICFI and the struggle for socialism. The greatest tribute to Comrade Halil will be to realize his cherished goal of establishing Sosyalist Esitlik as the Turkish section of the ICFI. He understood that founding the Socialist Equality Party in Turkey required cultivating in this land the ineradicable roots of the ICFI and of Trotskyism. Despite his untimely death, his unfinished work will be completed, and Halil Celik will always be remembered an intransigent fighter for socialism. On December 7, the Maryland State Board of Education, by a 121 margin, passed a new rule allowing local school districts in the state to determine whether to maintain mask mandates in schools. The measure must be approved by the Maryland General Assemblys Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review before it can take effect. Students returning to school in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/David McFadden) It provides us a way forward that does give off-ramps Ultimately, everyone needs to be working in that same direction, to find a way that we can finally get rid of the masks, proclaimed board member Lori Morrow, who introduced the measure. The new rule would give the states 24 school systems (23 counties, plus the city of Baltimore) the ability to end school mask mandates under three scenarios: if a respective countys vaccination rate reaches 80 percent, if 80 percent of the students and staff at a school are vaccinated, or if the countys transmission rate is low or moderate, under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, for 14 consecutive days. The Maryland school board decision came just before the massive wave of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19 hit the United States, causing new cases to exponentially increase. Marylands number of hospitalizations has almost tripled since the first confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, to 2,046 as of December 29. The number of cases has shot up significantly as well. On December 4, daily cases in the state stood at a seven-day average of 1,340. As of December 28, the seven-day average of daily new cases is up to 6,847, a more than 500 percent increase in less than four weeks. Two days before the new guidelines were voted on, the Maryland Department of Health was hit by a cyberattack, leaving several crucial metrics, such as daily case totals, unreported for about two weeks, further eroding any claim that the new guideline was based upon scientific data. Even though daily case figures have returned, other important metrics, most importantly daily cases by age range, have still not been restored. With children around the world being forced back to school by the ruling class and their partners in the trade unions, they are being infected at greater rates than ever before, leaving increasing numbers suffering serious illness and death. While children aged 511 now have access to vaccines, vaccination rates remain very low in that age group. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of December 5, only 24.2 percent of 511-year-olds in Maryland have received at least one dose. Marylands Republican Governor Larry Hogan has been at the forefront of undermining public health at the state level. Immediately following the election and inauguration of President Biden in early 2021, Hogan demanded school reopenings by March 1, falsely claiming that there is no public health reason for school boards to be keeping students out of school and that school reopenings do not contribute to community spread and increased hospitalizations. In August 2020, Hogan clashed with Montgomery County health officer Dr. Travis Gayles after Gayles ordered that the ban on in-person learning be extended to private schools within the county. Hogan responded with an order barring blanket closures of schools. Although the county initially defied this order, they gave in a week later. On July 1 of this year, Hogan ended Marylands statewide mask mandate, along with all other COVID-19 emergency measures. As a result, cases in the state went from a seven-day average of 57 a day on July 1 to over a thousand a day by August 22. Furthermore, Hogan attempted to cut off supplemental enhanced federal unemployment benefits in July, citing the growing vaccination rate in the state and job openings. This move was blocked by a Baltimore Circuit Court judge on July 13, allowing the program to continue until the national program ended in September. The disregard for the lives of the working class is not merely limited to the Republican governor. Across the country and around the world, the ruling class is doing all it can to keep schools and workplaces open while the Omicron variant rages. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered quarantine guidelines from 10 days to five based on test results and symptoms. This has been done in order to promote the lie that the population will likely have to live with COVID-19 in order to protect capitalist profits. The Maryland school boards decision to move towards ending mask mandates follows the lead of numerous states which dropped such mandates for schools last summer. On May 3, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order barring even local jurisdictions from making their own COVID-19 decisions, including mask mandates. When the Delta variant hit in July, daily cases surged to over 20,000 per day. Arkansas, Louisiana and other states within the southern United States which lifted statewide school mask mandates saw cases rise rapidly, even before the Omicron variant hit. The dropping of mask mandates in schools will have devastating consequences for students, teachers and other school personnel. While the Biden administration continues to push vaccination as the only solution to the pandemic, the Omicron variant severely weakens their effectiveness. Other public health measures are vitally necessary to protect the population, including the temporary closure of schools and non-essential workplaces, with full income to workers, along with a robust contact tracing and isolation program, massive upgrades in ventilation systems, and the use of high-quality masks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission of India (ECI) have ignored a request by the Allahabad High court in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to postpone UP assembly elections scheduled for early next year. The court cited the imminent threat of an Omicron-led third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi addresses a gathering ahead of Bihar state Assembly elections in Patna, India, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Aftab Alam Siddiqui) With over 200 million inhabitants, UP is Indias most populous state. It sends 80 members to the Indian parliament, the most of any state, and winning UP is traditionally seen as crucial to winning national elections. Modi and saffron-clad UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also from Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have already organized massive election rallies. Along with UP, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab are to hold elections. Not only the BJP but also opposition parties including the Congress, the Indian bourgeoisies traditional ruling party, are holding election rallies of hundreds of thousands, with criminal disregard for human lives amid the Omicron-led surge of the pandemic. The court, which issued a directive on December 23, noted that election rallies are being attended by lakhs [hundreds of thousands] of people where it is impossible to follow Covid protocol. It warned: If it is not stopped in time, the results will be more devastating than the second wave, as the third wave is at our doorstep. The courts warning has a clear precedent. At its peak of the devastating second wave of COVID-19 in May, India saw a staggering 400,000 daily cases and 4,000 daily deaths. It is established that this wave was, to a significant extent, triggered by assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Along with these states, UP, where village council elections were held at that time, was among the top four states with the highest caseloads at the time. Experts showed how these super-spreading election rallies, where most people did not wear masks and ignored social distancing, played a key role to spread the coronavirus, infecting millions. Fearing an even worse catastrophe in the upcoming elections, Justice Shekhar Kumar said, The world exists only if you are alive, Times of India reported. He then urged Modi and the ECI: If possible, consider postponing the election, because rallies and meetings can be held later when we all survive. Instead of listening to the High Court, the Modi government pressed the ECI to proceed with reckless election preparations which will predictably produce tragic consequences. On December 27, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan held a high-level meeting with the officials from five poll-bound states to review the public health response measures for containment and management of Covid-19 and vaccination status in these states. The central government advised the poll-bound states to speedily ramp up COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible population for the first dose and ensure that those due for the second dose are administered the same, TOI reported. Downplaying the threat from highly infectious COVID-19 variants, the health ministry asked state authorities to ensure that recommended COVID-19 appropriate behavior is strictly followed and adequate measures are undertaken for their effective enforcement. The health secretary brazenly told the panel that Omicron, though highly transmittable, did not have very serious or long-term health effects, and many people infected with it were recovering well, the paper reported. These remarksechoing similar false claims by governments around the world to justify keeping the economy open and allowing the virus to spreadmisguide millions of unprotected people as the dangerous Omicron variant spreads. Contrary to government authorities claims, two doses of the vaccine are inadequate to protect from the Omicron variant. In a December 25 address to the nation, Modi indirectly made a case for proceeding with elections, while assuring the corporate elite that there will be no lockdowns. After a long delay, he announced vaccination for children aged 15-18 years starting January 3, to reduce the worry of parents with school-going children. Avoiding the words booster dose, he also announced a precaution dose for frontline workers and health care workers to strengthen (their) confidence. He added that the same vaccine will be given for senior citizens above 60 years of age with comorbidities on the advice of their doctors from 10 January 2022. All Modis measures have one purpose: to signal the financial oligarchy that his government will not impose a national-level lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic, and that it will rely almost exclusively on vaccination against COVID-19. However, the United States and many European countries have reported many reinfections among people who received two doses. This is irrefutable proof that a vaccine-only policy cannot stop the pandemic. The Modi governments entire response to the pandemic over nearly two years underscores the Indian ruling elites indifference to human life as it instead maximizes corporate profits. Now, as a third wave emerges, the government is taking no serious measures to stop the contagion. On Thursday December 30, India reported 13,154 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hoursa 76.6 percent increase over the last weekbringing Indias tally to 34.82 million cases. Several major urban centres are reporting massive increases in infections: Mumbai 400 percent, Delhi 600 percent and Chennai 100 percent. With 268 new fatalities, the official death toll increased to 480,860. For over two weeks, Indias daily fatalities have remained steady at around 300. The recent rise in infections is due to the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, The Hindu concluded on December 29. Citing data from GISAID, an open-access portal for genomic data on viruses, it noted: Omicron has become the dominant variant in India. In the last few days of December, the Omicron variant was found in about 60 percent of the samples sequenced in India. Indias Omicron cases went up to 781 on Thursday with the most cases reported from Delhi at 263, followed by Maharashtra with 252 cases. Omicron cases in Delhi shot up from 2-3 percent to 25-30 percent of COVID-19 cases in two weeks, a genome sequencing lab in Delhi said on December 28. About 38 percent of the total samples analyzed at genome sequencing laboratories in Delhi over the last week detected the Omicron variant, which has now overtaken the Delta variant (31 percent of total samples), the Indian Express reported on December 30. Alarmingly, these states became epicenters of the pandemic in India, witnessing massive losses of life in the two earlier waves of COVID-19. So far, 19 of Indias 36 states and Union Territories (UTs) are reporting Omicron cases. Evidence of community spread is mounting. As many as 52 of the 63 cases of Omicron infections detected in Delhi on Monday are in individuals who did not report a history of international travel or contact with international travelers, the Indian Express reported on December 28. While the Modi government has made clear there will be no nationwide lockdown or restriction measures to stop the rapidly-spreading pandemic, a number of states and UTs have begun to implement state-wise restrictions, including night curfews. These measures are not sufficient to halt COVID-19, and particularly the surging Omicron variant. They aim to prevent any impact on profit margins of major industries and businesses. The New York City Educators Rank-and-File Committee calls on our colleagues throughout the city to organize in order to stop the reopening of schools on January 3, and keep students in virtual learning until the virus is under control and schools are safe. This must be connected to a broader fight by the working class to shut down nonessential industry, with full compensation for affected workers through a tax on Wall Streets windfall pandemic profits. People wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 at a mobile testing site in Times Square on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) The number of infections from the Omicron variant has skyrocketed. On December 29, over 67,000 confirmed infections were reported in New York state, roughly quadruple the peak in previous surges. Hundreds of thousands of city residentssoon to be millions unless measures are taken soonhave been infected with the virus. The variant is infecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, with unknown consequences for years and likely decades to come. The scale of infections is already seriously challenging society's ability to function. One-third of all Emergency Medical Technicians in New York City are sick with COVID. One subway line has been closed because transit workers are too ill to operate it. Reports indicate that hundreds of critical infrastructure workers, such as those at the energy provider Con Edison, are ill. For weeks, over-the-counter tests were unavailable in stores and from the government. Lines at testing centers, according to the latest data from the city, have minimum waits of one and a half hours, and over 30 testing centers have closed. In the week before the winter holiday, over 12 schools closed because of COVID infections, and some classrooms were emptied out by infections. In other schools, children were crowded into auditoriums because too many educators were sick to teach them. Child hospitalizations in the city have quadrupled in two weeks. Educators and students were sent home for winter break with a sense of foreboding of what schools would look like when they return on January 3. But New York City is only in the forefront of mass infection from the Omicron variant across the United States. The situation in the rest of the country is only a few days behind us. All of this was avoidable. The experience in countries in the Asia Pacific, especially China, show that through the use of long-established practices such as quarantining, contact tracing and testing, the spread of the coronavirus can be stopped. Even now, with concerted action on a world scale, this coronavirus pandemic can be brought under control within the space of a few months. The uncontrolled spread of Omicron has been made possible by the complete rejection of such measures by Wall Street and its servants in both political parties, who have declared in unison that the cure can't be worse than the disease. This reached a new stage this week when the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduced the recommended quarantine period from 10 to five days. The perverse logic behind the decision, openly defended by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is that relaxing these health guidelines is necessary because an anticipated increase in cases will potentially constrain the labor supply, leaving workplaces without enough workers out of quarantine to function. This amounts to an open declaration that government policy is to keep people on the job and allow as many people as possible to be infected, sacrificing human lives for profit. In a recent address, Biden lied to the public, claiming that lockdowns of schools and workplaces are unnecessary because the hospital system is supposedly better off than it was at the start of the pandemic. He even rejected quarantining students exposed to COVID, and encouraged people not to cancel holiday travel plans. He offered no meaningful new measures to address the spread of COVID, and doubled down on his vaccination-only COVID policy, which has already ended in catastrophe. In New York, Democrats have insisted that schools must reopen after the winter break, precisely when the Omicron surge is expected to peak. Children will no longer be quarantined after infections if they test negative on a home test. At a media event on Tuesday, December 28, Mayor Bill De Blasio, Governor Kathy Hochul and incoming mayor Eric Adams all promoted the vaccine-only program and ruled out the closing of schools or other non-essential workplaces during the Omicron surge. In this, they have the support of the unions, including the United Federation of Teachers, which has worked hand in glove with the city and state administrations to keep schools open. Incredibly, they have not only not canceled the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, but Adams himself will be sworn in as mayor at the event, meaning his administration will literally begin in a super-spreader event in which countless attendees will be infected. The overriding priority of the political establishment is the safeguarding of the profit interests and share values of the rich, no matter the cost in human lives. The consequence of this is that more than 840,000 people in the United States alone have already been needlessly lost. If the pandemic is ever to be brought under control, the policies taken must be motivated by an entirely different set of social interests. Therefore, the New York City Educators Rank-and-Files Safety Committee calls on teachers and workers to take matters into our own hands, and fight for a policy which prioritizes human life over profits. In carrying out this fight, we endorse the principles laid out in the recent open letter by the Socialist Equality Party, which include: The present policy of herd immunityi.e., allowing COVID-19 to spread throughout the populationmust be repudiated. A new strategy, directed toward the elimination and eradication of SARS-CoV-2 must be adopted. The policies implemented to stop viral transmission must be determined by the needs of public health. The protection of human life and safety must take absolute and unconditional priority over all corporate-financial interests. The costs of fighting the pandemicincluding the payment of wages and salaries, compensation to small business owners, full medical coverage for the ill, and payments to bereaved familiesmust be borne by corporations and a 100 percent tax on the windfall pandemic profits obtained by large investors through the run-up in the stock market. The fight against the pandemic must be conducted on a global scale. The pandemic cannot be stopped unless SARS-CoV-2 is eliminated in all countries. American workers must demand that vaccines be provided in necessary quantities, free of charge, to their class brothers and sisters in the less developed countries. In the first instance, teachers must organize actions to force a halt to the reopening of schools for the spring semester next week, or to force them to shut down again as soon as possible. All nonessential workplaces throughout the city must also be shut down, not to reopen until the buildings are genuinely safethat is, once the spread of the virus has been brought under control and a system of mass contact tracing and testing is in place which can quickly suppress all new outbreaks. Full wages must be guaranteed during the shutdown, to be paid for out of the trillions of dollars wasted on Wall Street speculation during the pandemic. The fight for these measures can only be conducted by teachers and workers ourselvesnot the political establishment, not the media and not the pro-corporate trade unions. To organize this fight, rank-and-file committees must be built at every school, consisting of teachers and other school employees and excluding administrators and union officials, to fight for a shutdown. These committees, advised by serious medical scientists, must the ones to determine when schools are safe to reopen, and oversee the implementation of all safety measures to ensure they are not sabotaged again for the sake of profit interests. All educators, parents who support this program should immediately join the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. On Wednesday night, New Zealand health officials reported that they had detected the countrys first case of Omicron outside of the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) hotels used to isolate people arriving from other countries. A drive-through COVID-19 testing centre in Auckland. Image credit: Ministry of Health Facebook video (posted August 17, 2020) The infected person, a DJ named Robert Etheridge, recently arrived from the UK and posted on social media that he had received a positive test result two days after spending the required 10 days in isolationseven days in MIQ and three days in self-isolation on Waiheke Island near Auckland. Etheridge had previously tested negative three times while in an MIQ hotel, before receiving his final test on day nine of the isolation period. He did not wait for the result of his testreceived three days later, on December 27before going to restaurants, a bar and a night club in Auckland, potentially exposing many other people to the highly-infectious variant of COVID-19. On Thursday, the Ministry of Health confirmed that a second person had tested positive for Omicron while in the community: an Air New Zealand staff member who worked on a flight between Sydney, Australia, and Auckland. The crew member had arrived on December 24, on a flight with three other Omicron cases, and tested positive on December 27. They were then transferred to an MIQ facility. COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told the media on Thursday that up to 100 people deemed to be close contacts of Etheridge were being tested and told to self-isolate. However, Hipkins declared that the government was not planning to reinstate a lockdown in Auckland, or to bring back a boundary restricting travel to and from the city. The minister declared that New Zealand was in quite a different position to much of the rest of the world, in that we have very low circulation of COVID-19 in the community, we dont have Omicron circulating and we want to keep it that way for as long as we can. In fact, the Labour Party-led government has adopted a policy of allowing COVID-19 to spread, as Hipkins basically admitted. He encouraged complacency, saying: I dont want to over-react to this. We are moving to a point where there is going to be freer movement at the border We are moving to a different space now, where we are going to have COVID-19 in the community. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ended the countrys previous elimination strategy in October, and since then all businesses and schools have been allowed to reopen, with minimal public health restrictions. As of yesterday there were 1,226 confirmed active cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19, and New Zealands total death toll is 51. While still very low by international standards, the number of deaths has risen sharply since elimination was ditched: 23 people died from the virus in the last two months. Since the Delta outbreak began in August, 564 people have been hospitalized, including 43 under the age of 10. There are more than 70 active cases of Omicron among returned travellers staying in MIQ. The Omicron variant is far more transmissible and can infect someone who has had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. In New Zealand, 91 percent of people aged over 12 have been double-vaccinated, which is 77 percent of the population. Only about 6 percent of people have received a third dose. Internationally, including in the US, Europe and Australia, Omicron has fuelled an unprecedented surge in cases since it was identified as a variant of concern in November, and hospitals are becoming overwhelmed. In a briefing on December 30, the World Health Organization warned that the tsunami of COVID-19 cases is paving the way for new variants that could be even worse. Governments refuse to impose lockdowns and other necessary public health measures, instead allowing the virus to spread and to kill thousands of people daily. They are acting on behalf of major corporations, which are demanding that workers sacrifice their health and their lives, so that the extraction of profits can continue uninterrupted. The New Zealand government has adopted the same criminal strategy of allowing COVID-19 to become endemic. Despite the presence of thousands of Delta cases and the possibility that Omicron has already begun to spread, the government last night removed some of the last remaining public health restrictions in Auckland. The citys traffic light setting has been lowered from red to orange, under the so-called COVID-19 Protection Framework. This means that large New Years Eve events can now proceed with no limits on crowd numbers. Professor Marylouise McLaws, an epidemiologist from the University of New South Wales in Australia, told TVNZ last night that with the lifting of restrictions after two people in Auckland were found to have Omicron, I would be worried. She pointed out that the Delta outbreak in New Zealand began with just one positive case, and with Omicron it would be even more difficult to find cases before theyve inadvertently passed it on to others. Professor Michael Baker, an epidemiologist from Otago University, told Radio NZ that Etheridge may not have been infectious, because his housemates on Waiheke Island have tested negative, but more people still remain to be tested. It remains unclear why Etheridge tested negative twice before testing positive. Baker said he might have had an historic infection and the residue of the virus triggered the positive result. Another possibility is that Etheridge contracted the virus while staying in MIQ. The government has refused to establish purpose-built MIQ facilities to reduce the chances of transmission within them. Auckland University microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles told the New Zealand Herald the population must be prepared for the worst. She urged: If people are unwell in any way, they need to stay home and get tested. We really dont want New Years Eve to be a massive super spreader event and that it will be very difficult to control cases then. The government, however, by recklessly proceeding to lift restrictions, has created the conditions for just such a disaster. It is encouraging the false belief that vaccination alone is enough to prevent significant numbers of deaths and disease. As Hipkins indicated, the government also intends to dismantle MIQ requirements in coming months. From the end of February, travellers from Australia will be allowed to bypass MIQ, which will inevitably allow more Omicron cases into the country. Even as COVID-19 cases surge across the country and child hospitalizations hit record levels, the entire US political establishment is pressing forward with the imminent reopening of schools. Students, some wearing protective masks, arrive for the first day of school at Sessums Elementary School in Riverview, Florida, August 10, 2021 (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) Over 1 million children are set to resume in-person education on January 3 in New York Citythe epicenter of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United Statesas part of a nationwide reopening after the holiday break. The warehousing of children in overcrowded classrooms in antiquated and poorly ventilated buildings is a recipe for mass infection. But the continuation of in-person education is a central aim of the Biden administration, and the White House has made clear that it will not close schools, no matter what the danger posed to children. To support this actiondriven not by public health but by the need for corporations to have children in schools so their parents can return to workthe Biden administration and its top official scientists are openly and flagrantly lying to the public. Children are as safe in school as they are anyplace, Biden falsely stated on December 21 in a claim that is completely without scientific backing or merit. On Wednesday, the top two official scientists in the United StatesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Faucidirectly lied on national television about the recent surge in child hospitalizations due to the spread of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Over the past month, as Omicron has ripped through the US and brought average daily new infections to a staggering 347,074, hospitalizations have also begun to climb, with children increasingly impacted. According to data from the CDC, for the week of December 22-28, a record average of 378 children under 18 years old were hospitalized each day with COVID-19, a 66 percent increase from the week before and higher than the peak of 342 per day reached in September during the Delta surge. With its high transmissibility, the Omicron variant is clearly having a far worse impact on children than any previous variant. In New York and Washington D.C., pediatric hospitalizations have jumped five-fold this month, while Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Ohio are also seeing major surges. These trends are taking place globally, with England reporting a record 564 child hospitalizations from COVID-19 over the past week, as well as major surges in France and other countries. Well aware of these figures, Dr. Walensky stated on MSNBC Wednesday, So, we are seeing higher numbers of children in the hospitals. Of course, this is a common time of year for children to be admitted in the hospitals. She added, 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. At a press briefing of the White House COVID-19 Response Team on Wednesday, Dr. Fauci echoed these remarks, stating, Certainly, more children are being infected with the highly transmissible virus, and with that, there naturally will be more hospitalizations in children. It is noteworthy, however, that many children are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID. This lie from Drs. Fauci and Walensky, which they reiterated in other interviews throughout the day, originated in the political swamp of the far right. The claim that most people are hospitalized with COVID-19 and not because of COVID-19 has been promoted by far-right commentators and politicians since the beginning of the pandemic and has been used to justify the reckless reopening of schools. In August 2021, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surged among all age groups, Floridas far-right Governor Ron DeSantis denied the reality that children were being hospitalized for COVID-19. Dr. Julia Raifman, who has been a leading advocate promoting the use of mask mandates, tweeted an oblique reference to the statements by Fauci and Walensky, writing, I wish I didnt need to say this, but [because] fed leaders are now repeating Great Barrington extremist talking points The death trends follow hospitalization trends. Hundreds of kids died of Delta & I expect the same now. Also responding to Fauci and Walensky, data scientist Dr. Jorge Caballero, who has closely tracked COVID-19 data on children throughout the pandemic, tweeted that these claims are categorically false. Presenting multiple data sources proving that the vast majority of hospitalized children with COVID-19 were admitted because they were infected with COVID-19, he added, A decades worth of data shows that pediatric trauma is *lowest* during winter months. The efforts by Fauci and Walensky to downplay the risks posed to children are the latest expression of the Biden administrations subordination of public health to corporate interests, which has greatly intensified over the past month amid the unfolding catastrophe of the Omicron surge. Both official scientists made their comments after seeking to justify the CDCs modified guidelines on the quarantine and isolation of workers exposed to or infected with COVID-19, which cut these times down to only five days without any scientific justification. These guidelines received enormous criticism from scientists and workers for being obviously tailored to suit the needs of the corporations. In downplaying the dangers facing children, the Biden administrations official scientists are providing ideological justification for the drive to fully reopen schools on Monday, when most districts end their winter break. This campaign has the full support of the entire political establishment, the corporate media and the unions, all of which serve the capitalist class. Their primary aim is to ensure that children return to school so that their parents can return to work producing corporate profits. According to the aggregating site Burbio, at least 969 K-12 public schools have switched to remote learning next week. In total, there are roughly 90,000 K-12 schools across the US, meaning that only 1 percent of all schools are scheduled to be fully remote at the start of the New Year. Wherever states track data on COVID-19 outbreaks, schools are always the largest drivers of viral transmission. In Michigan, K-12 schools accounted for 60 percent of tracked new outbreaks last week, or 42 out of 71. Due to overcrowding, poor ventilation and filtration, and the total inability to socially distance, schools are prime locations for the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. The policy of sending millions of children back into classrooms in the New Year will vastly intensify the Omicron surge that is already well underway. Over the past two days, the US has set two world records for daily new cases, with 587,564 new cases reported Thursday, an increase of over 100,000 cases above the record set Wednesday. Less than 25 percent of the 74 million Americans under 18 years old are vaccinated, while children under five years old remain ineligible for the vaccines. According to data from the CDC itself, 1,040 children under 18 years old have now died from COVID-19 in the US. The majority of these deaths, 540, have occurred in the past four months since September 1, 2021, coinciding with the Biden administrations homicidal school reopening campaign this fall. In the past two weeks, the CDC has logged another 25 pediatric deaths, which threatens to quickly rise in the coming weeks. Under these extraordinary conditions, which are mirrored worldwide, educators across the US and globally are increasingly determined to fight to close schools and stop this unfolding catastrophe. There are growing calls on social media to organize wildcat sickout strikes in New York City and other urban centers and for parents to keep their children home to implement de facto school closures. These workplace actions must be organized and developed at the highest political level, which requires an assimilation of the critical experiences of the past two years. Throughout the pandemic, the most pernicious lies have been told about the impacts of COVID-19 on children and the role that schools play in viral transmission. Classrooms across the US have become crime scenes, where millions of children have been infected, in turn bringing the virus into their homes and communities. The Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic, initiated by the World Socialist Web Site, will carefully investigate and document the lies and misinformation that have allowed millions to die globally and led to the present catastrophe. The Inquest will connect the history of workers in different industries, as part of the ongoing struggle to unify the international working class to stop the pandemic. Against the conspiracy of the political establishment, the media, the unions and official scientists, the working class must exert its own independent strength and take the initiative to shut down the schools and factories to stop the spread of COVID-19 and eliminate the virus globally. Temporary lockdowns, with workers provided full income protection, must be combined with the universal deployment of all public health measures, including mass testing, contact tracing, the safe isolation of infected patients, the provision of high quality N95 or better masks to every person and more. The fight to protect children and all of society from needless infections, deaths and long-term debilitation requires a political struggle against the capitalist system. The ruling class and its representatives have made clear their determination to allow Omicron to rip through schools and workplaces. The working class must respond through collective action, coordinated on a global scale, and aimed at the overturn of all existing institutions responsible for this social crime. Two weeks after its initial landfall, the Philippines is still reeling from the consequences of Typhoon Rai, one of the most destructive typhoons in recent years. The official death toll rose to 397 people on Tuesday, and could continue to rise in the coming days. A resident salvages parts of her home damaged due to Typhoon Rai in Talisay, Cebu province, central Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. The strong typhoon engulfed villages in floods that trapped residents on roofs, toppled trees and knocked out power in southern and central island provinces, where more than 300,000 villagers had fled to safety before the onslaught, officials said. (AP Photo/Jay Labra) The storm, known locally as Odette, struck the archipelago on December 16 and 17, packing wind speeds of 195km/h and laying waste to numerous southern and central regions. At least 60 people remain missing amid prolonged and delayed efforts to clear the wreckage. Hundreds of others are injured, with many unable to access medical treatment. The devastation wreaked by the typhoon has reportedly displaced around 662,000 people, according to the United Nations (UN). While over 200,000 residents have sought refuge with relatives and friends, 418,000 are currently sheltering in evacuation camps stationed throughout the affected areas. In a recent report, the UN warned of the potential for widespread COVID-19 transmission in these camps: Children are starting to catch fever, colds, and coughs. Physical distancing and use of protective equipment such as masks are no longer observed in many evacuation centres. The Office of Civil Defense revealed that 4 million people were impacted by the typhoon, in 430 cities and towns where about 482,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. However, the true scale of the destruction remains unknown, as severe damage to communication lines, as well as roads, ports, and airports, has hindered the flow of information from the storm-ravaged regions. Early estimates suggest that 23,000 hectares of rice were damaged, causing around 12,750 farmers to suddenly lose their livelihoods. In Cebu province, home to the countrys second-largest metropolitan region of Cebu City, 24 of its 44 municipalities were severely damaged, with 80 to 90 percent of infrastructure destroyed. Daily reports have emerged on social media over the past two weeks from displaced residents on their struggle to survive in the storms aftermath. Photos and videos have depicted whole villages washed away in three-metre floods of sewage and power lines. Along with widespread cuts to internet and phone signals, basic supplies such as food, petrol, medicine, and clean drinking water are either in short supply or completely lacking for tens of thousands. In Cebu City, free water refilling stations are being overwhelmed by enormous queues and are forced to rely on generators to produce potable water. Amid the lack of urgent rescue operations, the citys residents have taken to Facebook to share information about where essential supplies are still available. An Australian tourist on the ground told the Sydney Morning Herald that many have no choice but to drink toilet water. At least 140 people so far have fallen ill due to contaminated drinking water. In the southern province of Dinagat Islands, 80 people were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis, while 54 were being treated for diarrhoea in hospital on the tourist resort island of Siargao, one of the hardest-hit areas. Cebu City recorded 16 diarrhoea cases linked to water interruption. Some areas still have tap water but pipes have been damaged and so there is a possibility of contamination, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters last week. She also revealed the typhoon had spoiled over 4,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines and damaged as many as 141 hospitals and health clinics, only 30 of which have resumed full operations. Local media have recently reported on deaths due to dehydration. According to radio station RMN Tacloban, based in the Eastern Visayas, two people in the village of Dapa on Siargao island died last week from dehydration amid a water shortage, several days after the typhoon first made landfall. The typhoon has exacerbated already existing social tensions in impoverished regions of the Philippines which have reported the highest incidences of hunger and poverty over the past few months. In Surigao del Norte, a province on the major southern island of Mindanao, photos on social media showed residents of Anahawan town carrying signs pleading for financial assistance to buy food. The provinces disaster mitigation agency said 90 to 95 percent of homes had been damaged to some degree and 80 percent of residents were now homeless. On Bohol Island, in response to ongoing food and power shortages, Governor Arthur Yap said the governments social welfare department had promised to send 35,000 food packets, a totally inadequate amount for the provinces 375,000 families. Even these, however, had not yet arrived last week. In an interview on DZBB radio network, Yap warned President Rodrigo Duterte, If you would not send money for food, you should send soldiers and police, because if not, lootings will break out here. Thousands of military and police personnel have already been deployed to affected areas. The Duterte governments response to this growing social catastrophe has been characterised by lengthy delays, insufficient financial aid, and criminal indifference. After declaring a state of calamity in afflicted regions, Duterte allowed local authorities to impose price caps on commodities such as water. Emergency relief supplies only found their way to the typhoons victims after being held up at some ports for days. On December 23, a whole week after Typhoon Rais landfall, Duterte ordered the release of a meagre $US78 million to the six regions suffering in the typhoons wake. In a visit to Surigao and the Dinagat Islands, Duterte felt compelled to explain the lack of urgent measures to clean up wreckage and assist the hundreds of thousands of displaced Filipinos facing hunger and disease. He claimed that most government funds set aside for relief had been depleted by the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I can promise to the people that help will arrive, he added. Just give us a bit more time because theres a lot of paperwork in government. For every move you make, theres a layer of papers. Government works that way. Typhoons are a regular feature of life in the Philippines, with an average of 20 cyclones recorded each year. Especially over the last decade, they have become more powerful and strengthened more rapidly due to warmer global temperatures caused by climate change. It is typical of Philippine governments to declare there is no money to address typhoon damage. Although the official death toll is significantly lower at this stage, Typhoon Rai has been compared to Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which left 7,300 dead or missing and is the deadliest on record. At the time, President Benigno Aquino insisted funds were lacking to construct proper public housing, schools and hospitals, repair power transmission systems and water utilities. In fact, Rai has done far greater damage to properties and crops than Haiyan, and has struck a society riddled with greater levels of poverty and an ongoing deadly pandemic. The Duterte governments utter indifference for the plight of the typhoon victims is mirrored by its pro-business handling of the pandemic crisis and its aim to force the population to live with the virus. Over nearly two years, Duterte has assured the corporations and banks that funds will not be lacking for them, funnelling multi-billion-dollar bailouts into the financial markets, while abandoning any effort to safeguard public health to ensure profit making continues unimpeded. The deadly storms that hit the US states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee on Friday, December 10 have exposed state and federal governments criminal lack of planning for major disasters. Ninety people have been confirmed killed by the storms, including eight workers at Mayfield Consumer Products in Mayfield, Kentucky and six Amazon workers at an Edwardsville, Illinois fulfillment center outside St. Louis, Missouri. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell admitted what is already apparent, that increases in the number and severity of major storms in the United States are the new normal. Traffic slowly moves down streets lined with debris Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Mayfield, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Five tornadoes were recorded in Missouri, ranging from EF-0 (40-72mph winds) to EF-2 (113-157mph winds) in strength in Montgomery, Reynolds, Stone and Webster/Wright Counties. In far southern Missouri near Caruthersville, nine-year-old Annistyn Rackley died as she and her two sisters hid in their parents bathtub. Trey and Meghan Rackley texted a photo of their children to their aunt that went viral on social media after the storm. Fifteen minutes after sending the photo, a tornado demolished the home, throwing the family dozens of yards through the air onto a field. First responders found the family, including Annistyn, lying in the mud. Annistyns seven-year-old sister Avalinn told doctors, I was flying around in the tornado and I prayed to Jesus to take care of me, and he spit me out and the tornado spit me out into the mud. Missouri Governor Mike Parson activated the State Emergency Operations Center on December 10. At the peak of the damage 30,000 Missouri residents were without power, according to power company Ameren. After the December 10 storms came warnings of another severe weather pattern in the Midwest on Wednesday, December 15. Severe weather, including the chance of winds above 100 mph and tornadoes, were predicted for an area including portions of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. That day brought wind gusts of over 40 mph throughout Missouri, flipping over a truck while driving down a road in Springfield. On Thursday, December 16, Parson announced that the state will apply for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fix extensive damage to public infrastructure, homes, businesses, and electric power delivery systems. Surveys found that the worst damage to electric cooperatives infrastructure was in the far southeastern counties of Dunklin and Pemiscotover 20 large transmission towers and power lines received heavy damage or were destroyed. The storms were triggered by unusually warm weather in the days preceding December 10. Multiple spots in the Midwest and Midsouth reported temperatures in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit. The temperatures, combined with a La Nina weather pattern, led to the formation of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Scientists reported that the tornadoes had an extremely unusually long hold on their intensity. Tornadoes normally rapidly lose strength, within minutes, while these tornadoes took several hours to begin dying down. The storm as a whole moved at 80 mph (50km) an hour. As the storms began to hit the Midwest, cell phones throughout the region went off when the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning over a wide swath of the area. NWS employee Jim Sieveking said, We were issuing large tornado warnings because it was only a matter of time before one of them spun up into a tornado. The storms brought devastating damage in portions of Missouri. A tornado that hit St. Charles County sent three people to the hospital with injuries; one, 84-year-old Ollie Borgmann, later died. The woman and her husband, Vernon, were in their home when the tornado demolished it. The winds blew the couple to a field one hundred yards away from their house, the location where first responders found them. The tornado also hit the towns of Defiance and New Melle, 40 minutes west of downtown St. Louis. It was measured to be at least EF-3 in strength, meaning it had 58 to 206 mph (254 to 332 km/h) winds and a path length of 21 miles. The main local highway, Highway F, was completely impassable after the storm due to debris, and at least two homes had their roofs entirely blown off. KMOV News 4 reporter Caroline Hecker was in the area when the storms hit. According to her, she saw two homes blown off their foundations. The tornado damaged 20 cars as it traveled its path and crossed Interstate 64. Rich and Marsha Vance were neighbors of the Borgmanns. Their home was destroyed in the storm as they hid in their basement. Rich told KMOV, Basically, it sounded like a truck or train was going through our house. We were probably down there five minutesten minutes at the most. We looked up, and I said, theres no house up there anymore. Tony Frisella, the manager of Frisella Nursery in Defiance, explained to Fox2Now, I mean, the amount of trees that were split like toothpicks is insane. It was a struggle for him and helpers to clear a path to his business. It took us about two hours to even get enough trees cleared to get to this area. And I mean, never seen anything like this. Defiance resident Allison Laupp talked to KSDK News of how she, her husband and their three children hid as the storms hit. She is currently pregnant and expecting a girl. Laupp recalled their harrowing experience hiding in their basement. I heard the tornado, which is when we huddled together in the corner. We got down in a tight circle moments before impact. It was absolutely terrifying. While their ceiling and trusses collapsed, the family was physically unharmed. Neighbor Kathleen Flynn lost her home entirely. She told KSDK that initially her family was not hiding, but a gut feeling told them to head for the basement. It felt like the movie Twister, Flynn said. Cellar door flying open, we watched the 4-wheeler fly by. We huddled in the corner and tried to calm down our 8-year-old. A bunch of big tree limbs fell onto the cellar door, so my husband had to move them out of the way and then pull my daughter, myself and our dog out. The tornado demolished a barn that was housing five horses, killing two and injuring three, who were shipped to a veterinary hospital. The barn owner had non-life threatening injuries. Another tornado passed near a National Weather Service station in Weldon Spring, also in St. Charles County. The employees at the station were forced to take shelter. Ameren power crews worked to restore power to the area immediately the morning after the storm. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann explained, We want to thank Ameren and Cuivre River for getting out here. The only thing holding us back Friday night was power lines blocking the road. We really couldnt send our people out to start clearing the roads until they got here, and they responded. Commenting on the destroyed houses in Defiance, Ehlmann said, When the sirens go off, go to your basement. Because thats all thats left of this house is the basement. St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management Director Chris Hunt said, Ive talked to residents down here who said when they got those alerts on the phones or when they heard the sirens, they went to their basement, they sought shelter, and Im confident it saved lives. Local officials estimate that up to ten houses in and around Defiance were destroyed, and over 25 homes were severely damaged. St. Charles County put out a call from assistance from charitable organizations; those who answered the call include AmeriCorps, the America Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The official St. Charles County Facebook page reported that the storms caused over $3.4 million in damage. The county government set up a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to serve as a local hub for local and state organizations and charities to provide assistance to victims. Counseling services were also offered. After the storms St. Charles County officials took stock of the situation and the countys response. One of the biggest challenges that we had last night (were) the utility lines, said Chris Hunt, St. Charles County Police captain and director of St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management. They were over the road. They limited our ability to get to some of these folks that needed some assistance. Local building code officials are inspecting homes to notify residents if they are habitable or not. According to St. Charles County Executive Ehlmann, there were injuries after a previous tornado when residents entered unstable buildings. We really hope everybody appreciates that fact and will respect that were doing that to protect them from injuries that might occur due to damage to the home, and thats an important part of the next phase, Ehlmann said on that topic. There has been a large outpouring of support from individuals and charities in the storms aftermath. Within three days the New Melle Fire Protection District had to turn away physical donations. We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support shown by the community, the District posted on its Facebook page. As the storm hit they posted that, There was very little warning of what was to come. A UK Employment Tribunal in Manchester has ruled against a worker who claimed she was discriminated against by her employer for refusing to go into work in July last year due to the threat of COVID-19. Neither the woman nor her employer have been named. She advanced a case based on Section 10 of the Equality Act 2010 which bars employers from taking any action against employees based on their religion or philosophical beliefs. The Alexandra House office in Manchester of the Employment Tribunal (source: Google Maps) Her statement to the tribunal explained, On 31 July 2020 I took the decision not to return to the workplace on the grounds of health and safety. I had reasonable and justifiable health and safety concerns about the workplace surrounding Covid-19, and I was also very worried about the increasing spread of the virus. I had a genuine fear of getting the virus myself, and a fear of passing it on to my partner (who is at high risk of getting seriously unwell from Covid-19). She continued, [My employer] told me that he would not be paying me, and he said I do not accept you had a reasonable belief that returning to work would put you or your husband in serious and imminent danger. I then had my wages withheld and I suffered financial detriment. I claim this was discrimination on the grounds of this belief in regard to Coronavirus and the danger from it to public health. This was at the time of the start of the second wave of Covid-19 and the huge increase in cases of the virus throughout the country. These justified concerns and responsible actions will resonate with the experience of millions across the UK and internationally, as will the employers callous response. In January, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported it had dealt with 97,000 workplace COVID safety cases throughout the pandemic, of which just 0.1 percent resulted in an improvement or prohibition notice. Not a single employer had been prosecuted. In February, the Observer revealed that over 3,500 workplace outbreaks had been reported over the course of the pandemic, none of which resulted in inspectors closing the site. In June last year, the i newspaper exposed the fact that the HSE had paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public by COVID. The HSE states that 37,723 COVID cases which the employer believed may have been caused by exposure at work were reported to Enforcing Authorities between April 2020 and November 2021. The real figure is undoubtedly orders of magnitude higher, with countless stories of employers refusing to acknowledge the spread of COVID-19 in their workforces. In multiple depots, offices and warehouses, safety concerns led to wildcat walkouts. Mark Leach, the Employment Judge for the North West Region, acknowledged that Fears about the harm being caused by Covid-19 are weighty and substantial and that The fear of contracting Covid-19 and the claimants requirement to take steps to avoid harm to herself and others, is serious and important. However, he held that this did not meet the full criteria for a philosophical belief as argued by the worker. Leach ruled that the workers decision was a reaction to a threat of physical harm and the need to take steps to avoid or reduce that threat. Most (if not all) people, instinctively react to perceived or real threats of physical harm in one way or another A fear of physical harm and views about how best to avoid or reduce a risk of physical harm is not a belief for the purposes of section 10. He added that her actions were about the claimant herself and the protection of herself and her own steps to protect others (principally her partner). The claimant does not rely on a belief in wider terms than this. The judgement in this case in fact underscores any workers right to refuse to work under section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, in circumstances of danger which the worker reasonably believed to be serious and imminent and which he or she could not have been expected to avert. In these conditions, the Act states that the worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment if they left or refused to return to his or her place of work. As Leach accepts, the Manchester workers position can also be described as a widely held opinion based on the present state of information available that taking certain steps, for example attending a crowded place during the height of the current pandemic, would increase the risk of contracting Covid-19 and may therefore be dangerous. Few people may argue against that. But the corporate media are using the outcome of the tribunal, hinging on the question of what constitutes a philosophical belief, to prove the opposite conclusion and propagandize that workers have no legal right against being forced to labour in unsafe conditions. Jonathon Ames, legal editor of the Times, headlined his article reporting the case, Back-to-office ruling is boost for bosses. He wrote, while it does not set a wider technical legal precedent, the judges decision is likely to give bosses greater confidence when encouraging staff back to traditional workplaces when restrictions are eased next year. [emphasis added] He concluded the article with a reference to the employers dismay at the current work-from-home guidance in place since December 13. The Daily Mail trumpeted, Why you CAN'T refuse to go to work if you are afraid of catching Covid: Staff wary of the virus cannot use it as a reason to stay away from the office, employment tribunal rules. Such reporting is meant to demoralise workers wanting to fight against unsafe workplaces, encourage the most brutal policies on the part of employers and create a political climate in which the same verdict can be delivered on Section 44 claims. These are political priorities for the ruling class as the Omicron variant surges and opposition grows in the working class to the policy of learning to live with the virus. The consequences will be broadly felt. Workers being denied the right to refuse to enter dangerous workplaces will spur ongoing efforts to victimise families for refusing to enter unsafe schools. Many parents, including leading SafeEdForAll (Safe Education for All) campaigner Lisa Diaz are already facing punitive fines and prosecution. These dangers highlight the immense importance of the campaign being waged by London bus driver David OSullivan against his victimisation by bus operator Metroline. OSullivan was sacked this February having asserted his Section 44 rights and refused to come into work in January, encouraging his colleagues to do the same, after the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee uncovered evidence of a serious outbreak at his Cricklewood garage. There have so far been 73 deaths due to COVID of London bus drivers. The World Socialist Web Site has described the campaign as a test case for the rights of workers. Commenting on its significance earlier this month, OSullivan explained, Omicron is now ripping though the population of London and the entire world, with the capitals hospitals at breaking point. Yet the Johnson government, backed by the Labour Party, rejects any serious public health measures to eliminate the virus and save lives. My campaign is spearheading a fightback. OSullivan will appear at Watford Employment Tribunal on January 13. He is appealing for support to complete the final leg of a 20,000 crowdfund to take forward his case. The Liberal-National Coalition government is exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the pro-business restructuring of Australias universities. Already thousands of jobs have been eliminated over the past 18 months in an unprecedented offensive. An NTEU rally at Macquarie University in 2020 (WSWS Media) The resulting deep hostility among university staff and students is part of the rising political discontent that drove Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government, with the full support of the Labor Party to rush through new electoral laws in August. These require parties without members of parliament to treble their membership lists from 500 to 1,500 or face de-registration, removing their right to have their party names on ballot papers. The transparent aim of the legislation is to prop up the despised major parties. Above all, its purpose is to prevent the growing disaffection among youth and throughout the working class from turning towards a socialist perspective and the Socialist Equality Party, the only party that has fought for a unified struggle by educators and students against the university onslaught. Throughout 2020 and 2021, university managements have ruthlessly restructured academic and administrative departments. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) estimated that in 2020 alone up to 90,000 jobs were lost, but it has opposed any industrial action to halt the assault. Encouraged by the NTEUs record, the employers have forced university workers to compete against each other for dwindling positions. This has had a disastrous impact on students education at every level. Class sizes have soared while course choices have shrunk. Units of study have been cancelled at the last minute and majors cut mid-way through students degrees, leaving them unable to graduate. Some PhD students have had to abandon their theses because their academic supervisors have lost their jobs. In August, summing up the corporate agenda behind these measures, the corporate consultancy firm EY issued a report that proclaimed in capital letters: HIGHER EDUCATION IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE KNOWLEDGE SERVICES SECTOR! It demanded that both teaching and research at universities be dedicated to the needs of business, propelled by competition from corporate knowledge services providers. This is a bipartisan agenda. Earlier this month Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese said if elected in the next federal election Labor would fund up to 20,000 new university places to fix areas of skills shortages and fill future skills needs. No mention was made of Labors 2019 election pledge to increase university funding. That dovetails with the Liberal-National governments job ready graduates and other pro-business schemes, the latest of which is to select four universities, based on their commercialisation readiness for grants of $50 million to help commercialise research. As for the NTEU, it assisted the accelerated restructuring by going behind its members backs at the start of the pandemic to propose a misnamed national job protection framework that offered employers 15 percent pay cuts and up to 12,000 job losses. The national framework was only abandoned after a groundswell of opposition from university staff led management to conclude that the union could not enforce its proposed cuts. There has also been intense opposition to these measures from students who have mounted protests over the sacking of academics and demanded that their education not be sacrificed to meet the needs of big business. Nevertheless, the NTEU has proceeded to work with individual managements to implement deep job cuts, utilising provisions in union-management enterprise agreements. The NTEU and other unions and their pseudo-left supporters falsely claim that a Labor government could be pressured into opposing the measures being imposed. However, Labor has been at the forefront of implementing pro-market reforms for decade which are continued in its current policies. It was the Hawke Labor government that re-introduced student fees in 1987. The Greens-backed Gillard Labor government of 201013 carried out the largest cuts to university funding, coupled with tying funding directly to enrolments. The result of this education revolution is the reliance of universities on full fee-paying international students. The Labor Party is again touting itself as the party capable of implementing a new wave of education reforms with the assistance of the unions. In August, shadow education minister Tanya Plibersek proposed to form an accord with the Coalition, business, university management and the unions to reform universities, essentially along the lines of the EY report. Political lessons need to be drawn from these bitter experiences. University staff and students need to break from the political establishment parties, the unions and their pseudo-left accomplices and build the only party that fights for free, high-quality education for all, and secure jobs for educatorsthe Socialist Equality Party. An important step in this fight is to defeat the anti-democratic electoral laws designed to silence socialist opposition in the working class. We urge all university workers and students: Become an electoral member of the SEP today to assist us retain our party registration and take forward the fight for socialism, and seriously consider becoming a full member of the party to help build a new socialist leadership in the working class on a global scale. It was 2018, and wed been in the U.K. for just a few months when J said the words that changed everything. I was in bed, having just woken up, and J was heading toward the bathroom. Hi, love, I said. How are you? He turned around slowly. He was completely pale. I dont want to live anymore, he said blankly, before turning away. I was devastated. This was my life partner the person I loved most in the world and moving to my country of origin had driven him to this. Right then, I couldnt have gotten us out of the U.K. fast enough. A year before, living in Britain had been our dream. When we realized J had the right to a visa, we danced around the kitchen of our Massachusetts home. That said, we knew it would be a big transition for both of us. J had always lived in the U.S., and even though I had lived in Britain for the first three decades of my life, I had been in Massachusetts for over 10 years. Now, as a dual citizen, I had never planned to leave. But every time J and I visited England together, I would see how the place lit him up, and when he shared his dream to live there, I found I longed for it, too. There were so many reasons to make the move. Among them was Britains National Health Service, which is paid for through taxes. We knew the NHS had plenty of problems because of countless budget cuts, but it also provided what was effectively free health care and had deeply committed staff. As freelancers, utilizing the NHS would mean we would no longer have to spend over a thousand dollars per month on health insurance. Even so, we were especially careful about researching whether the NHS would give J access to his testosterone, which he couldnt even think of living without. I called a U.K. activist help line about this, just to make sure. I cant see any reason why J would be denied, we were told. Itll just take a doctors appointment. We were relieved. It seemed the move would be a safe one. How wrong we were. Story continues Once we arrived in the U.K., we booked an appointment with a general practitioner who was well-respected by trans patients. However, this doctor told us that when it came to Js prescription, her hands were tied. Legally, if she were to prescribe gender-affirming hormones, she would have to get permission from a gender dysphoria clinic. Its all right, she said. Well fax them today. J knew a red flag when he saw one. He had read all about the U.K.s gender dysphoria clinics (which were then called gender identity clinics), so he knew there were just seven across England and Wales. Whether using the NHS or private insurance, the specialists at these U.K. clinics were the only ones who could diagnose trans and nonbinary people with gender dysphoria. Without this diagnosis, there is no legal access to gender-affirming hormones, surgery and more. However, waitlists for these clinics were huge. At the time, it was taking trans and nonbinary people a horrifying two years to get the initial appointment. (These days, the wait is three to five years. No wonder activists are pushing for change.) So when exactly would such a clinic have time to respond to our GPs fax? We waited anxiously. We called our doctors office every day. More faxes were sent to the clinic, but there was no answer. We contacted Js U.S. doctors, who were hugely supportive, but because of U.K. laws and the fact that testosterone was a controlled substance, could do nothing to help Js cause. The author in the U.K. (Photo: Courtesy of Star Williams) Meanwhile, my husband watched his remaining supply of testosterone dwindle more and more every week. It was as if he were disappearing along with the precious liquid in that vial. J had known he was a boy when he was 5, even though he was told he wasnt. He had waited decades to build up the courage to come out and live in his true gender. Then, because of the way the U.S. operates, he had to jump through undignified hoops just to prove that he was who he said he was, so he could access trans health care and more. But all this was meant to be over now. Hed seen the U.K. as his fresh start. Yet here he was, being ignored. Nobody seemed to care. During this time, I kept frantically phoning the NHS help line, but with no success. Then, one day, I got into a conversation with someone who was prepared to have an argument. So just to confirm, I said, the only reason my partner is having to experience a break in his medication is because hes a transgender immigrant? For a moment, there was silence. Finally, I was asked to email someone and repeat what Id said. I did so immediately. The gender dysphoria clinic faxed its permission to Js GP within 24 hours. Still, the battle was far from over. J had been told he couldnt be given more than a bridging prescription, until he was assessed by a U.K. gender dysphoria clinic. In other words, just to prove he was who he said he was, hed be forced back into the invasive assessments he had endured in the U.S. Its as if my whole transition is invalid here, he said. Theyre acting like I havent even started. What questions were they going to ask J during that assessment? What were they going to make him talk about or do? The mere thought was invasive and triggering, like something from George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four. As we discussed whether to stay in England, I remembered what it had been like when J was first transitioning. Id watch him walking into a public mens restroom with his hood pulled down low over his face and his head bent low, while both of us hoped he would blend as male and escape any danger. Id wait outside with my phone in my hand, my heartbeat sounding in my head, trying not to think about the very real threat of anti-trans violence. Such restrooms had started to feel safer once J had started blending as male. But now, years later, the U.K. felt riskier than those restrooms had. How could we be sure that J would emerge unscathed? So we packed up our stuff, gave away all our furniture, got on a plane and didnt look back. Thats not to say that leaving wasnt hard. Before we wheeled our cases into Heathrow Airport, I remember taking one last look at the cool sun sloping onto the streets. Around us, we could hear the warm, familiar accents that were so like my own. It hurt that we didnt fit here. Given that J is trans and I am nonbinary, we were both aware that the United States is oppressive, too. In the U.S. if you need to medically transition, you are also put through dehumanizing assessments to prove your gender dysphoria and thats assuming your health care provider agrees to treat you. Trans youth experience oppression, too. For instance, we often deny trans and nonbinary youth hormone blockers, which studies suggest are actually life-saving. All these affronts also slow down or prevent trans and nonbinary access to gender-affirming care, even though studies suggest quicker access could substantively reduce widespread suicide and depression. Heres what Id like to see: Instead of making trans and nonbinary people wait for gender-affirming hormones, surgeries and hormone blockers at their own risk, we need to focus on the dangers of delaying and blocking such support and we need to do so with urgency. After all, according to The Trevor Project, more than half of trans and nonbinary youth have considered suicide over the past year. Yes, trans and nonbinary people are literally dying because they cant access gender-affirming care. So if our governments and medical professionals truly believe that trans lives matter, its time to put those words into action. Star Williams (they/them) is a freelance writer who lives in Massachusetts. As well as publishing fiction and nonfiction in numerous magazines and journals, theyve been an editor at Narrative Magazine and a writing instructor/manuscript consultant at Grub Street. Star has won writing awards for their nonfiction, fiction, and screenwriting from Glimmer Train and Screencraft, among others. They adore their queer stuffed animal, Duck, who has his own blog at www.chuckleduck.life. Star and Duck are also on Instagram at @ducking_ace. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch! If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. More From HuffPost Personal... LSU Manship Hall of Fame - Dr. Al Delahaye a 2016 inductee. from Bill Sherman on Vimeo. A retired professor who had a major impact on Nicholls State University's journalism program and its students has died. Alfred Delahaye died Thursday in Thibodaux. He was 92. Visitation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on the Nicholls campus. Mass begins at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery in Brusly. Delahaye, who served as managing editor at The Courier in the 1950s, was the founder of Nicholls mass communication degree program and was inducted into Louisiana State Universitys Manship School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 2016. He authored two volumes of Nicholls history in 1999 and 2003 and taught at the Thibodaux university for more than 52 years. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from LSU, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, was founding president of the LSU Journalism Alumni Association and was founder of the Nicholls Alumni Federation and Hall of Fame. He taught journalism at the University of Missouri in the 1960s and earned his doctorate there in 1970. Dr. Alfred Delahaye speaks at a Nicholls function in 2009. Delahaye was founding president of the Nicholls chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and served five years as a Faculty Senate officer. Though Delahaye technically retired from Nicholls in 1990, he continued to teach classes many years after, said James Stewart, head of Nicholls' nationally accredited Department of Mass Communication. He started the mass communication program at Nicholls, Stewart said. He went and commandeered some typewriters around campus and cobbled together a lab. From there the program grew. Even though he retired he still came into work. He was a professor emeritus and would come in every day in a coat and tie. He was very proper. He always knew the right thing to do. Several of Delahayes students went on to have successful careers in journalism and beyond. Story continues Among his students are Joey Kennedy, who won a Pulitzer Prize for editorials in 1972; Ken Wells, a Pulitzer-Prize runner-up and Page One editor of The Wall Street Journal; television writer Tresha Mabile; Houston Post journalist John Gravois; and former Lafourche chief public defender Mark Plaisance, who successfully argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Wells credited Delahaye for his successful journalism career that took him all over the globe. "He was a great teacher," Wells said. "He was tough but fair. At the end of the day, people realized Al was on your side. He wanted to bring out the best in you. You could do well but had to work hard. You had to up your game." Plaisance, who studied journalism before going to law school, described Delahaye as a consummate journalist who had a passion for mentoring budding writers. He was the quintessential journalist, a true journalist in every sense of the word, Plaisance said. He was brutal but fair. If he identified that you had certain ability, he would not let you forget that. He would push you accordingly. I learned more from dropping into his office and talking for 30 minutes outside of class than in a formal setting. Plaisance said Delahaye was not an easy professor but sought to transform his students into stronger writers. Your papers would bleed with red ink when you got them back, Plaisance said. It was not to be mean; it was to make you better. He taught you how to write. He taught you how to express yourself. I hope that on his journey to the next life he has a lot of red pens. Stewart, who was also one of Delahyes proteges, said his mentor took a personal interest in each of his students. He was a journalist in the best tradition of that word, Stewart said. He believed in thoroughness, accuracy and fairness. He instilled that in all of us. He was a tremendous person and everybody who even met him was better for having had the experience. Its been amazing to me through the years because you think about the journalists he taught. There have been people from so many different walks of life who learned from him and took away valuable life lessons. Delahaye was honored in 2009 for his decades of service at Nicholls as a professor, administrator and volunteer. He was presented with an oak sapling, which now grows in the universitys quadrangle next to a bronze plaque. Accepting his induction into LSUs Manship School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 2016, Delahaye said he was proud to mentor so many successful journalists. I credit journalism by its very nature, he said, "for attracting intelligent students who love to write, who welcome challenges and who are ambitious, creative, resourceful and curious. Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp. This article originally appeared on The Courier: Alfred Delahaye, influential Nicholls journalism professor, dies at 92 The travel chaos continues for an eighth consecutive day Friday, with almost 1,300 U.S. cancellations as of 11 a.m. ET. The airlines have been grappling with the one-two punch of bad winter weather and a surge in crew COVID cases that have left them short-staffed, and forced airlines to cancel nearly 10,000 flights since Christmas Eve. MORE: A week of travel woes: More than 8,000 flights canceled since Christmas Eve Now the Federal Aviation Administration is warning of staffing issues of its own, such as sick air traffic controllers. In addition, the FAA warned on Thursday that weather, holiday traffic and COVID-19 "are likely to result in some travel delays in the coming days." "Like the rest of the U.S. population, an increased number of FAA employees have tested positive for COVID-19," the FAA said in a statement. "To maintain safety, traffic volume at some facilities could be reduced, which might result in delays during busy periods." The travel turbulence couldn't have come at a worse time as millions of Americans travel during what could be the busiest travel period since the start of the pandemic. Roughly 8.5 million fliers are expected to pass through U.S. airports from now until Jan.3, according to estimates from the Transportation Security Administration. MORE: Winter holiday travel rush likely to approach pre-pandemic levels Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been hit particularly hard this week -- holding the No. 1 spot for the most cancellations in the world for three days in a row. Denver International took its place on Friday morning, topping the list with more than 250 cancellations. PHOTO: A family works through check-in at Alaska Airlines ticketing after dozens of flights were listed as cancelled or delayed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in Seattle, Dec. 27, 2021. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters) Carriers are trying to proactively cancel flights to give travelers time to rebook. JetBlue Airways, which has seen sick calls in some departments up 200-300% more than average, canceled more than 1,200 flights over the next few weeks. "We expect the number of COVID cases in the northeast -- where most of our crewmembers are based -- to continue to surge for the next week or two," the airline said in a statement. "This means there is a high likelihood of additional cancellations until case counts start to come down." Story continues Delta Air Lines is already planning to cancel 200 to 300 daily flights for the upcoming weekend, citing "increasing winter weather and the omicron variant." Thousands of travelers who have had to call the airlines to change their flights have been met with long wait times. Alaska Airlines was reporting hold times of up to 20 hours on Thursday. Delta and JetBlue are quoting hold times of one hour and 35 minutes and two hours and 16 minutes, respectively. PHOTO: Travelers make their way through Miami International Airport on Dec. 28, 2021, in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) On Monday, airlines got their first sign of possible relief when the CDC shortened the isolation period for asymptomatic and fully vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 from 10 days to five. MORE: New CDC isolation guidance may ease COVID-related flight cancellations JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes told CNBC Thursday that the new guidelines are definitely going to help, but that "the size of the problem really is just the number of people contracting it." "Things are likely to get worse before it gets better," he said. ABC News' Sam Sweeney contributed to this report. FAA issues warning to travelers amid omicron surge: Delays will continue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com "My skin has never felt better!" (Photos via Getty & Amazon) Yahoo Lifestyle Canada is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. As any skincare buff is sure to tell you, the secret to happy and healthy winter skin is hydration, hydration, and more hydration. The combination of cold outdoor air, dry indoor air, low humidity levels, and frigid winter winds is enough to zap the moisture out of anyone's skin. So, to keep dry, uncomfortable patches at bay, it's essential to include a hydrating serum into your daily routine. Luckily, Vichy's award-winning hydrating serum is on sale right now at Amazon Canada. A reviewer favourite for dry winter skin, scroll down to find out why the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum has been called the "best hyaluronic acid" ever by shoppers. Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Photo via Amazon) $31 $42 at Amazon The details An Elle Canada award winner two years in a row, Vichy's Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum has earned a cult following among Amazon shoppers and for a good reason. The dermatologist-recommended serum is designed for sensitive, oily, dry, dehydrated, and acne-prone skin, making it a safe bet for almost every skin type. Vichy's water-gel-based serum is formulated with a high concentration of the brand's signature volcanic water, found in France's Auvergne region. Combined with hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and fortifies the skin barrier, leaving a plump and healthy complexion in its wake. The serum helps protect the skin against aggressors like pollution, stress, and fatigue and can be applied on the face, lips, and eye contours. 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The verdict With reviews like "my skin has never felt better" and "the hype is worth it," thousands of Amazon users agree that Vichy's Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a beauty cabinet must-have. Right now, shoppers can take home the serum for 25 per cent off and try it out for themselves. However, this deal won't last for long, so act quickly to take advantage. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaking at a news conference at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock on August 4, 2015. Danny Johnston/AP Photo Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas thanked President Biden during a Monday conference call. The GOP leader applauded the president's efforts to "depoliticize" the response to COVID-19. On the call, Biden addressed governors' concerns about rapid-testing shortages in hard-hit states. Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas reached across the symbolic aisle on Monday to thank President Joe Biden for his efforts to "depoliticize" the country's COVID-19 response amid the raging Omicron variant. The Republican leader made the comments during a conference call held by the Biden administration with the governors of several states to discuss the national response to the worrisome Omicron variant, which has sparked a spike in cases across the country in recent days and prompted testing shortages and delays. "I want to thank all of the White House team for being such great support to the governors," Hutchinson said during his opening remarks, The Hill reported. "And I want to thank Mr. President your address to the nation last week. Thank you for your comments designed to depoliticize our COVID response. I think that was helpful." Last week, Biden outlined additional steps his administration was taking to fight the Omicron variant in a national address. In addition to offering a "stark warning" to the unvaccinated, Biden also offered a rare point of praise to his predecessor, former President Donald Trump. "Thanks to the prior administration and our scientific community, America is one of the first countries to get the vaccine," Biden said during his speech from the White House last Tuesday. "And thanks to my administration and the hard work of Americans, we led a rollout that made America among the world leaders in getting shots in arms." During the speech, Biden also applauded Trump's announcement that he'd received a booster shot. On Monday's conference call, Biden and his White House COVID-19 response team attempted to ease worried governors who decried long testing lines and rapid-test shortages in several states where Omicron has exploded. Story continues After thanking the president for his previous comments about increasing the supply chain on rapid COVID-19 tests, Hutchinson, who serves as the chair of the National Governors Association, also warned federal officials that the government's plan to buy and distribute 500 million free rapid tests could impede states' attempts to boost supply on an individual level. "Make sure that we do not let federal solutions stand in the way of state solutions," Hutchinson said, Politico reported. On the call, Biden discussed his administration's efforts to improve testing availability by highlighting the proposed purchase of 500 million tests, as well as an additional plan that would require private insurers to reimburse at-home test purchases. The meeting came as the US averaged more than 200,000 cases per day, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated. In a matter of weeks during December, the Omicron variant has prompted the nation's largest surge in cases since last winter's peak. Biden ended Monday's call with a note of positivity, telling the governors that Omicron was a source of concern, but not a cause for panic, and he assured listeners that the federal government was equipped to help states deal with surges. Read the original article on Business Insider Dec. 29The tale of what's happening in a small northern Minnesota township can be a lesson to any local government. A yearslong dispute in Hillman Township, near Mora, started when the Township Board voted to abandon part of a long gravel road that serves as the only access to the Crisman family's home. The township long plowed and maintained only the first quarter-mile of the road that then led to a long-unoccupied property. When the Crisman family moved onto the property in 2017, they asked to township to maintain the entire road. The township refused, declaring that the road, called Hornet Street, no longer legally exists. The Postal Service stopped delivering mail to the Crismans and the Township Board chairman told the school district it would no longer have to offer bus service to the family's three daughters, all younger than age 10. The district, thankfully, kept offering bus service. The township claimed state law requires the land to be returned to the Crismans' neighbors, over whose land the road passes. The Crismans, who were new to the area when they moved in, said their neighbor has a grudge against them. Soon a dispute that pitted the newcomers against a network of lifelong, powerful residents got more and more bitter. The Crismans sued. A judge eventually ruled against the township, saying: "It is unreasonable and absurd to allow Defendant to deny maintenance of the latter portion of Hornet Street while maintaining the first portion, leaving the Crismans stranded while what exists of Hornet Street erodes away." Despite pleas from many local residents to settle the issue amicably, the board members stubbornly dug in and pushed the case further, asking the judge to reconsider. Last week, Kanabec County District Judge Stoney Hiljus refused to reconsider the earlier ruling, calling the township's arguments "disingenuous." The township hasn't yet made a formal decision about the latest ruling but has recently suggested it may push the case to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The Crismans note that while they are of modest means and must pay their own legal bills, the township has outsized leverage as they get some legal services through their membership in the Minnesota Association of Townships. The ugly and unnecessary battle should be a warning to local officials everywhere about letting emotions, pride and personal relationships cloud their judgment and get in the way of reasoned governance. Rep. Jim Jordan at a hearing on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019. Jacquelyn Martin - Pool/Getty Images In a tweet, House Judiciary Committee GOP members questioned COVID-19 booster shots. "If the booster shots work, why don't they work?" the tweet said. The ranking Republican, Rep. Jim Jordan, has long pushed COVID-19 misinformation. Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination booster shots on Twitter on Thursday as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the US. "If the booster shots work, why don't they work?" tweeted the official account of the 19 Republican members of the committee, whose ranking member is Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. In the now-deleted tweet, the members don't describe their grounds for questioning the effectiveness of the booster. A follow-up tweet linked to an ABC News report on record numbers of COVID-19 infections in the US due to the Omicron surge. House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) December 30, 2021 Jordan has long promoted misinformation about COVID-19 and opposed vaccine mandates. In December, he claimed that "real America" was "done" with COVID-19. He is one of several Republicans on the right wing of the party who've rallied in opposition to Biden administration measures to contain the virus and questioned its severity. Video: White House to distribute free at-home COVID test kits But the disease continues to claim thousands of lives in the US daily, and there are growing concerns about the capacity of hospitals to cope with a new surge in patients sick with the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is highly contagious and evades some vaccine protections. On its website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the vaccine's "effectiveness at preventing infection or severe illness wanes over time" and that a booster is necessary to shore up the body's defenses against the disease. Story continues "The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19," the website says. Jordan is an ally of former President Donald Trump. But Trump has provoked anger among some allies by advocating vaccines. He was booed by some supporters at a recent event for saying he had himself gotten a booster shot. Insider's Cheryl Teh reported that several factions of the right wing were furious after Trump lauded the COVID-19 vaccines. Read the original article on Business Insider Sowams Heritage Area project coordinator David Weed, shown here in front of Warren Town Hall, hopes to see the equivalent of the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor established in the East Bay. "Theres a lot of history here," Weed says. "People drive by it every day but dont really know the whole story." Not too long ago, college campuses and gatherings of left-wing activists were the only places where you were likely to hear a "land acknowledgement" statement. Now, you only have to go as far as Barrington Town Hall. Over the last year, a few towns across Rhode Island have started honoring the area's original Native American inhabitants by adopting formal land acknowledgement statements that are read at council meetings. Warren started the trend this summer, followed by South Kingstown and Barrington. "It seemed like the appropriate next step to really owning our history," said Warren Town Council president Keri Cronin. Unlike the other towns, Warren doesn't require that its land acknowledgement statement be read at every council meeting. But the full text has been printed on a sign that was recently erected outside Warren Town Hall, welcoming visitors to "Sowams, the ancestral home of the Pokanoket people." It's one of several new historic markers that have gone up around town in recent years, all highlighting the history of Warren's native people, and the town's role in the slave trade. Cronin and others credited the work of David Weed, the coordinator for the Sowams Heritage Area project, who hopes to see the equivalent of the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor established in the region. A frieze placed on the front wall of Warren Town Hall shows an earlier attempt at acknowledging the Sowams with a likeness of Massasoit Ousamequin. 'People drive by it every day ... ' "Theres a lot of history here," Weed said. "People drive by it every day but dont really know the whole story." William Guy, the sagamore of the Pokanoket, told The Providence Journal this summer that he was gratified to see Warren "trying to right the wrongs that have been done." While the Pokanokets are not a federally recognized tribe, they're still an active presence in the East Bay, and played a role in crafting the land acknowledgement statements that were adopted in Warren and Barrington. (The Narragansett Indian Tribe does not consider the Pokanokets to be a legitimate tribe.) Story continues Guy's daughter, Tracey Brown, is the Pokanoket's sachem. Her son, Donald Brown Jr., is the tribal historian. All three generations spoke before the Barrington Town Council in December, voicing support for the land acknowledgment. "It helps connect people to the land, and when you feel connected to something, you care for it," Tracey Brown said. So far, the land acknowledgement statements have been universally well-received, officials say. "I am not aware of any pushback or anything negative," Cronin said, adding that there was a "stark contrast" with the responses that she received after Warren opted to fly a Black Lives Matter flag outside Town Hall. A one-day exploration: Rhode Island's rich Native American history and culture A historical marker at Warren Town Hall describes the town as the "Home of the Massasoit Ousamequin, who met the Pilgrims in 1621." After Warren formally recognized the Pokanoket, Town Manager Kate Michaud sent out a letter to other towns across the state, inviting them to contact her with questions if they were interested in following suit. That prompted a discussion at a South Kingstown Town Council meeting, where some members suggested adopting a similar statement. Paying homage in a fateful place Present-day South Kingstown was the site of the Great Swamp Massacre, the bloodiest event in Rhode Island history. In 1675, a white colonial militia slaughtered hundreds of Narragansetts, including women and children, even though the tribe had remained neutral up until that point in King Philip's War. More: Narragansett Indian Tribe sees return of land marking the Great Swamp Massacre In October, the Town Council unanimously approved a land acknowledgement statement proposed by Councilwoman Deb Bergner, which is now read at the beginning of each meeting, after the Pledge of Allegiance. "The Town of South Kingstown pays homage to the indigenous people and land on which the town is now located," the statement says. "Let this acknowledgement serve as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Narragansett Tribe whose land and water we benefit from today. The town contacted the Narragansett Tribe for input but didn't get a response, officials said at the October meeting. John Brown, the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, told The Journal that he is often in contact with South Kingstown officials but that no one reached out to him about the land acknowledgement. Barrington became the latest town to adopt a land acknowledgement statement in December after receiving a request from Barrington Interfaith Partners. "We recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories," says the statement, which will be read at the start of all council meetings. "We acknowledge that we are in the ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Tribe within the original territory of the Pokanoket Nation. We commit to ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Pokanoket people whose lands and water we benefit from today. Aquene (Peace). Councilman Jacob Brier credited Warren for "taking the first step," as well as Weed's work to highlight the history of the area. "The key is to back it up," Brier said. "If we just read it and leave it there, its a little performative." Return of land? So far, the point is acknowledgement A common critique of land acknowledgements is that they amount to "virtue signaling" allowing people to demonstrate how enlightened they are, without requiring any real sacrifice. The Tomaquag Museum, which has published a guide to land acknowledgements, says they should be the first step in a process that ultimately ends in "land return to Indigenous nations." Elected officials may be willing to recite a land acknowledgement at meetings, but how many are willing to follow the idea to its logical conclusion and give the land back to its original inhabitants? "I think wed get in a lot of trouble if we said, 'Were giving the land back,'" Brier acknowledged. "And hearing from the Pokanoket representatives, theyre not asking for the land back." The town probably wouldn't say no if the Pokanoket asked for a few acres, Brier said. But the land acknowledgement is chiefly intended to be exactly what its name suggests an acknowledgement. The goal, Brier said, is to recognize the "actual history" of the area. "If we can acknowledge the reality of the past, and work together to move forward, we can arrive at a better place," he said. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI towns adopt land acknowledgments honoring Native American tribes This is one of a series of articles on each of the five finalists for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System 2022-23 school year Teacher of the Year. After Barbara Rupnik's dream working for NASA didn't work out, she fell in love in with American Sign Language after having two professors who communicated with ASL. "Both of professors were deaf themselves and were native users of American Sign Language," she said. "It really inspired me to want to go into the classroom and teach American Sign Language, as well." Rupnik is one of five finalists competing for the title of the 2022-23 teacher of the year for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). She will compete in a process that will involve classroom observations and panel interviews over the past couple of months. A winner will be announced at the annual gala Feb. 11 at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. A winner will be announced at the annual Gala on Feb. 11 at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Teacher of the Year finalist Barbara Rupnik communicates through sign language with a student at Marshpoint Elementary. Cherie Dennis, a teacher of English speakers of other languages (ESOL) at Hesse K-8 School, was named as Teacher of the Year for 2020-21. Dennis held on to her title for 2021-22 because of the pandemic. She is also the Georgia State Teacher of the Year. Read More: Savannah-Chatham County educator named Georgia Teacher of the Year Rupnik is found at Marshpoint Elementary School, where she has been teaching since 2006 and joined SCCPSS in 2007. She is one of four district teachers who teach deaf and hard of hearing students. In class she communicates to her students through ASL. She has taught at various elementary schools, a middle school and four years at Groves High School. In addition to working at Marshpoint, she also spends time teaching at Coastal Middle and Islands High School. Story continues She also teaches a sign language course at Georgia Southern University. Falling in love with the language She got her first taste of sign language when she was part of The Girl Scouts. Rupnik said even though she is not a native communicator of the language or knows someone personally who uses it, she still enjoys the language. Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Teacher of the Year finalist Barbara Rupnik communicates through sigh language with a student at Marshpoint Elementary. Rupnik said teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic was hard because her students needed to visually see the language. Rupnik said she and her students have to either wear a clear face mask or a face shield in order to communicate. Even with the challenges, she said the pandemic allowed her to be more engaged with parents. She was able to teach the parents sign language so they would be able to help and communicate with their child. "I just love the language and I love deaf culture," she said. "I really want to make the educational experience for my students worthwhile and teaching them in their native language is an amazing thing." Rupnik said the one thing she enjoys most about teaching is seeing her students succeed. "With sign language being so near and dear to my heart, it's a beautiful language in itself and the fact that my students use it, and not everyone knows it," she said. "It's hard for me to accept that I want everyone to know it. So we can all have equal open access to communication." Rupnik recalls a time when she was working with a student who wanted to play in the band. She said she remembers how she, an interrupter and the band teacher helped the student learn now to play the clarinet. Rupnik said she is honored to be a finalist for teacher of the year. "Just such an honor and a blessing," she said. "To be honest, when they were announcing names, I was cheering on all the other teachers." She said it is important for everyone to have a way to communicate with others. The only difference is that her students use sign language. "The more people know about communication and the possibilities, that our students have, you know, how to communicate with them, it really makes a difference in their lives," she said. "It gives them the spark to want to continue and challenge themselves to do greater things. That means something to the students. They look at you and they're like, wow, you're taking time to learn my language. You're taking time to show me what I need to know." Bianca Moorman is the education reporter. Reach her at BMoorman@gannett.com or 912-239-7706. Find her on Twitter @biancarmoorman. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah-Chatham Teacher of Year finalst: Barbara Rupnik , Marshpoint Betty White, the five-time Emmy Award-winning actress whose career spanned six decades and included pivotal roles on some of TV's most influential shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls, has died, PEOPLE has confirmed. She was 99 years old, and would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," her agent and friend, Jeff Witjas, told PEOPLE in a statement Friday. "I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again." TMZ was the first to report the news. Betty White Kelsey McNeal/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Betty White An only child, White was born in Oak Park, Ill., raised in Los Angeles, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1939. She was on TV before it was even beamed into homes: White sang an operatic song with a high school classmate on an experimental transmission two months before NBC famously presented the then new-fangled medium at the New York World's Fair in 1939. After spending the '40s working in radio, White officially hit the TV airwaves in 1949 on the local variety show Hollywood on Television, for which she snagged her first Emmy nomination. White went on to produce and star in the show's domestic spin-off comedy, Life With Elizabeth. An assortment of short-lived roles followed, including an eponymous variety show and the first of her famed spots on game shows, from What's My Line to Make the Connection to Password. Years later, White appeared on other game shows, including Pyramid and Match Game, as well as hosted NBC's Just Men! (for which she won a Daytime Emmy). Her association with the genre earned her the nickname "First Lady of Game Shows." Appearing on Password in 1961, White met her third husband, Allen Ludden, who hosted the show (White was briefly married twice in the '40s). The pair got hitched in 1963, and Ludden died of stomach cancer in 1981. White never remarried. Story continues The first of White's two most famous TV roles began in 1973, when she joined the cast of the super-successful CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, playing "happy homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens. The character was legendary as a two-faced, nasty maneater hidden behind a sweet facade. White snagged two Emmys for the role. Then in 1985, she debuted as Midwestern simpleton Rose Nylund alongside Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan on NBC's The Golden Girls, a series that focused on four geriatric ladies living together in a Miami house with a spacious lanai and lots of cheesecake. Betty White Amanda Edwards/WireImage Betty White has died at age 99. Considered a precursor to Sex and the City, Golden Girls was a surprise Saturday night hit that stirred the cultural zeitgeist because of its frank discussion of taboo topics like sex over 60, AIDS, and gay issues. White's character famously told meandering stories about her hometown of St. Olaf, Minn., and spouted off weird, Scandinavian vocabulary. White was nominated for an Emmy during each of the show's seven seasons and won in its first. "With The Golden Girls, it wasn't so much sadness [at the end] as it was a deep realization that none of us would ever be a part of something so special again in our careers," White told EW in 2005, on the show's 20th anniversary. "It was the peak of everybody's career." White joined McClanahan and Getty in a spin-off the following year, The Golden Palace, but it lasted only one season. After Palace ended, White took roles on Bob Newhart's CBS sitcom Bob and Marie Osmond's ABC show Maybe This Time. In her later years, White became something of a magnet for Guest Actress Emmy nominations: Between 1996 and 2004, she tallied four nods in series ranging from The John Larroquette Show to The Practice; her part in the latter drama led to a recurring role as a conniving legal secretary on Boston Legal. White continued to appear on the small screen, in spots on the daytime soap The Bold and the Beautiful, sitcoms My Name Is Earl and Community, as well as the big-screen rom-com The Proposal opposite Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. From 2010 to 2015, White delighted fans with her portrayal of widowed caretaker Elka Ostrovsky in TV Land's Hot in Cleveland. As generations of other stars came and went, White managed to endure and thrive. "Television was a fledgling, barely out of the nest, when I began taking my first stumbling professional steps," she wrote in her 1995 autobiography Here We Go Again: My Life in Television. "It boggles my mind that in such a transitory field of endeavor, I am still allowed to hang in there." More than just "hang" in television, the gutsy, sweet White left an indelible mark. In addition to her incredible Hollywood career, she was also a pet enthusiast known for her animal advocacy. White worked with various animal organizations over the years, including the Los Angeles Zoo, spcaLA, and the Morris Animal Foundation, where she had served as president emeritus since 2009. Related content: Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images Everybody knew Betty White. Shes been a regular presence in the home of anyone with a radio or a television set for almost a century. White, who died on Friday at the age of 99, began her career as a child actor on radio before she was 10 and starred on television until well into her nineties, charming generations of audiences with a beguiling mix of human qualities that were hers alone: sweet but never syrupy, smart but not intimidating, tartly funny without being mean, her turn as Sue Ann Nivens notwithstanding. She passed away peacefully in her home in Brentwood, California, Whites longtime agent Jeff Witjas confirmed to The Daily Beast on Friday afternoon. In a recent interview with People magazine, published three days before her death, White said she was born a cockeyed optimist. She was set to grace the magazines cover in early January. I got it from my mom, and that never changed, she told the magazine. I always find the positive. As a performer, she thrived almost exclusively on TV, and before that on radio. She was never a movie star and never had a big stage career. But for decades, she was a familiar presence in the more intimate, human-scale formats of broadcasting, appearing regularly on sitcoms, game shows, variety shows, radio dramas, and as a long-time host of the Rose Bowl Parade. And because her whole life can be told through the shows on which she appeared, that is what weve done here. Tune in. Betty was her given name. Its not short for anything. Betty Marion White Ludden was born Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, the only child of Christine Tess and Howard Logan White. When Betty was 2, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Howard White eked out a living building and selling and sometimes bartering radios. More than once, he bartered a radio for a dog. The Whites loved dogs so much, Betty recalled, that even when hard times forced the family to miss a meal, the dogs always ate. Radios and animals were tandem themes throughout Bettys childhood, and her love of animals (both real and stuffed) lasted all her life. Story continues Her radio days began in her fathers shop, but she had barely entered elementary school when she started acting in nationally broadcast radio plays. From radio she made the leap to television, and there she stayednot forever, because it turns out that even Betty White is mortal, but it seemed like forever for a very long time. 1930 In 1930, an 8-year-old Betty played 10-year-old Ann, a child confined to a hospital in Portland, Oregon, in the Christmas episode of The Empire Builders (1930), a mashup of radio play and infomercial for its sponsor, the Great Northern Railway. 1949 Betty was 27. Shed been a pro on the radio for almost two decades. She had already made some appearances on the infant medium of television, and shed auditioned for movie parts. But casting directors told her she was not photogenic. So, she stuck to radio. In the beginning, she took any part that came her way, even providing crowd noises and showing up on local game shows. Ultimately, she became a versatile radio personality who switched easily between comedy (Blondie, The Great Gildersleeve) and drama (This Is Your FBI). In 1952, she got her own show, The Betty White Show, a variety show where she ad-libbed and occasionally sang on the air for five hours at a stretch. In this installment of the ripped-from-the-headlines cop show This is Your FBIthe finest dramatic program on the air, claimed FBI Director J. Edgar HooverBettys character gets the book thrown at her for colluding in cons orchestrated by her mother. This Is Your FBI: Larcenous Bride - 08/12/1949 1953 Unlike many performers in early radio, and television, she did not get her start in vaudeville, big bands, or theater. Betty White was a creature of mass media. In 1953, Life with Elizabeth premiered, and White had her first sitcom. The show was a spinoff of a character from Hollywood on Television, a variety show that began on radio and migrated to television. When the talkshow made the transition, so did White. Life With Elizabeth not only marked her transition to television, it also made her one of televisions earliest producers. She helped create the show, starred in it, and then produced it for its entire three-year run, making her one of the few women to have total artistic control in Hollywood before or since. She was barely 30 and still lived with her parents. Life with Elizabeth: Lobster for Dinner 1954 Betty was 33 when The Betty White Showher behind-the-desk talkshowfirst aired on television. There would eventually be a third show of the same title. She hired a female director, and Arthur Duncan was so often a guest that she was widely criticized for featuring a Black man so prominently. Crediting Betty for his early television appearances, Duncan said, She is probably one of the nicest, grandest, and greatest of all people Ive had the chance to meet throughout my life. Whenever she walked into a room, it lit up. She was very thoughtful and very helpful. She launched me into show business. The Betty White Show - 11/29/1954 1959 Vintage Betty White in her 50s Dior-style dresses endorsing Richard Hudnut cosmetics might be the best part of the Milton Berle television special that aired Oct. 11, 1959. By now, she was a 37-year-old television mainstay, seemingly immune to the agism so often associated with the industry. She was just getting started! NBC Milton Berle Television Special - 10/11/1959 1963 In the mid-60s, game shows dominated television, and Betty White was an oft-featured special guest. Good fortune landed her on Password, where she met and later married the shows host, Allen Ludden. She declined his marriage proposals on a few occasions, and turned down hosting NBCs Today Show, which would have put her on the East Coast with Ludden. After he presented her with a stuffed bunny and a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, she finally said yes to his proposal, but not for the earrings. She loved the stuffed bunny, and Allen. The two remained the epitome of a happy couple until his death in 1981. Watch the flirtations between the two on this episode of Password. 1970s The 70s were a breakout decade for White. Her love for animals and her cachet as a television producer allowed her to create a show where her celebrity friends could showcase their pets. The Pet Set, the television experience she loved the best, lasted only one season. But she and Ludden got to work together on the show, and she loved working with the animals. I was like a kid in a candy store, she said. Id get one of my celebrity friends to come on and bring her animal, and then Id write the rest of the show around that celebritys interest in animals. In 1973, she was cast in the fourth season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann Nivens, The Happy Housewife, sweet on camera but a horror the minute the cameras were off. The shows producers sought to cast an icky sweet Betty White typebut not Betty White, because, should she fail the audition, her friendship with Mary Tyler Moore might be compromised. In the end, no problem: She was utterly successful in her ability to pull off the ultimate sweet-and-sour Sue Ann. Shes not only a bitch but a nympho, White told Los Angeles Times TV critic Cecil Smith in 1973. Her performance won her second and third Emmys for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Years on the radio with five-and-a-half hours of unscripted riffing made Betty White perfect to announce Pasadenas Rose Parade. In 1975, due to her rising status at CBS, NBC fired Betty and replaced her as commentator for the live airing of the parade, a position she had held for two decades (doubling up from 1962-1971 as an announcer for Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade as well). She was devastated, because she had come to think of it as her parade, which in a way it was. The Tournament of Roses - 1970 1985 Doe-eyed Rose Nylund, Bettys character in The Golden Girls, is as close a match to naivete as an adult can be, although its hard to single out a Betty White character who doesnt embody that sweetness, fake or not, on some level. Over the shows seven-year run on NBC (1985-1992), all four cast membersBetty White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty won Emmys for their respective performances. In recent years, The Golden Girls has experienced a retro resurgence with younger audiences. The Golden Girls - Season 6 episode 26 Henny Penny Straight No Chaser 2012 Betty White even hosted Off Their Rockers, a geriatric take on Jackasswell, maybe closer to Candid Camera. Manufactured senior moments that nobody younger than 70 could pull off, the show premiered in 2010 and ran two seasons on NBC before Lifetime picked it up for a third season. Respect your elders. Theres nothing in there about us respecting you back! Off Their Rockers - Trailer (2012) 2018 In 2018, Betty White enjoyed a standing ovation at the 70th Emmy Awards, where she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was 96 when she received the award and no less enthusiastic about winning than she had been the previous eight times. 2018 Emmys Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. LAS VEGAS The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters. Convention organizer The Consumer Technology Association announced in a statement Friday that CES will run from Jan. 5-7, one day shorter than planned. The event still has over 2,200 exhibitors confirmed to show off their products at the Las Vegas convention, spokeswoman Jeanne Abella said. The announcement follows the withdrawal of tech giants from CES last week citing health risks of the omicron variant, including cellphone carriers like T-Mobile, whose CEO had been slated to deliver a keynote speech. Computer maker Lenovo and social media companies like Twitter and Facebook parent company Meta also canceled plans to attend. News outlets including CNN said they would cancel or reduce coverage. CES was held entirely virtually last year. It will be a hybrid of online and in-person this year, with organizers offering digital registration allowing access to around 40 livestreamed events, Abella said. On the convention floor, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Muted New Years Eve celebrations around the world as omicron rages on US children hospitalized with COVID in record numbers UK estimates 1 in 15 had virus in London before Christmas amid omicron surge New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY: NASHVILLE, Tenn. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing some last minute changes in the concert lineup for Nashvilles famed annual New Years Eve bash. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation is organizing the New Years Eve show airing live on CBS and Paramount+. It says in a statement that Sam Hunt, the Zac Brown Band and Elle King will not perform as scheduled. Story continues Despite taking precautions, Ive tested positive for COVID-19, Zac Brown wrote on Twitter. Neither Hunt nor King immediately released a statement explaining why they wouldnt be there. The yearly celebration will feature performances at a dozen downtown Nashville locations. ___ TAMPA, Fla. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported more than 75,900 new cases of COVID-19 in Florida. That tally raises the 7-day average daily to 42,600, which is twice as high as it was at the peak of this summers surge when the delta variant fueled a surge of infections in the state. Fridays report marks a single-day record for the number of new cases in Florida. It breaks the record set a day earlier when more than 58,000 cases were reported in the state. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has spiked in Florida and across the nation over the past few weeks. Soaring numbers during the holiday season have sent tens of thousands of people to COVID-19 testing centers across Florida, resulting in long lines in many areas. Three people collapsed while waiting in line at a Tampa testing site on Friday morning. ____ CARSON CITY, Nev. Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were being fired Friday, a day after the state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on Thursday deadlocked 6-6 on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Gov. Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Higher education officials said on Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. ___ PARIS Describing himself as resolutely optimistic, French President Emmanuel Macron has used the last New Years address of his current term to express the hope that, with vaccinations, 2022 will see the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Macron stopped short of saying that he will stand for re-election in April. He said only that he intends to continue serving the French whatever my place and the circumstances. The president appealed to the 5 million unvaccinated but eligible people in France to get coronavirus jabs, saying: All of France is counting on you. France has lost 123,000 people to COVID-19 and new cases are at unprecedented levels, surging with the highly contagious omicron variant. France reported a record 232,200 new cases on Friday, its third day running above the 200,000 mark. ___ ROME Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, has used the last New Years Eve speech of his term take to task those who waste opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, calling that choice an offense to all those who havent been able to receive the injection. In a televised speech to the nation Friday night, Mattarella, who is head of state, noted that he was serving in the final days of his seven-year term, with Parliament to elect his successor in the first weeks of 2022. Referring to recent COVID-19 surges in Italy and many other countries driven by virus variants, Mattarella noted a sense of frustration over the setbacks. ___ ALBANY, N.Y. Federal ambulance teams and additional National Guard members are headed for New York City, and western New York hospitals are getting more federal help as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations keep rising. State officials announced the new deployments Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said students at state universities and the City University of New York will have to get coronavirus vaccine booster shots to be on campus in the spring semester and must test negative before returning from the holiday break. New confirmed case counts have been breaking records by the day in the state, topping 76,500 on Thursday, Hochul said at a news briefing. An average of 53,000 New Yorkers a day tested positive in the week that ended Thursday, compared to 13,000 per day two weeks earlier. Over 7,900 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide, up 67% in a week. ___ AUSTIN, Texas Texas officials on Friday requested federal aid for increased COVID-19 testing and treatment following reports that the state is running low on the antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the omicron variant. In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Division for Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services made the request. They are seeking federal resources for additional COVID-19 testing locations in six counties, increased medical personnel and more sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the more-transmissible omicron. Abbott called on the Biden administration to step up in this fight and provide the resources necessary to help protect Texans. ___ GAITHERSBURG, Md. Novavax Inc. said it filed data Friday with the Food and Drug Administration to support clearance of its long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, a different kind of shot than current U.S. options. Novavax said the data package is the last requirement before the company formally submits its emergency-use application next month to become the fourth U.S. COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement comes shortly after the European Commission and World Health Organization cleared use of the Maryland-based companys two-dose shot. Novavax developed a protein vaccine, similar to shots used for years against other diseases and a strategy that might appeal to people hesitant to use COVID-19 vaccines made with newer technologies. But Novavax, a small biotech company, faced months of delays in finding manufacturers to mass-produce its vaccine. ___ LONDON Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp says three of his players have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sundays English Premier League soccer game at title rival Chelsea in London. Klopp did not name the trio and remains hopeful the game will go ahead. A continuing coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle led to its EPL game at Southampton on Sunday being postponed. That brought the total to 18 EPL games postponed in three weeks. The French league postponed the home game between Angers and Saint-Etienne on Jan. 9 because of 19 coronavirus cases in the Angers squad. ___ ROME Italian health officials are warning that the rate of occupation by COVID-19 patients of hospital beds both in intensive care units and in regular wards has surpassed the critical level nationally. A top Health Ministry official, Gianni Rezza, also said on Friday evening that the incidence of cases is growing, with 783 confirmed COVID-19 infections per every 100,000 residents in Italy. The country hit another high for daily new caseloads 144,243 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. Nearly 12% of some 1.234 million swab tests conducted since Thursday resulted positive, according to the ministry, which urged vaccinated persons to get a booster shot if they are eligible. With the nation slammed by a surge of infections largely driven by the omicron variant, the government banned public New Years Eve celebrations. ___ DALLAS Flight cancellations surged again on the last day of 2021, with airlines blaming it on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections. By late morning Friday on the East Coast, airlines scrubbed more than 1,300 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compared with about 1,400 cancellations for all of Thursday. The remnants of the delta variant and the rise of the new omicron variant pushed the rate of new daily infections in the U.S. well above 200,000 a day, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has been assaulted during a burglary at his home. The Portugal international was with his family when the burglary took place. A Manchester City statement read: We are shocked and appalled that Joao Cancelo and his family were subjected to a burglary at their home this evening during which Joao was also assaulted. We are shocked and appalled that Joao Cancelo and his family were subjected to a burglary at their home this evening during which Joao was also assaulted. (1/2) Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2021 Joao and his family are being supported by the club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter. Cancelo wrote on Instagram: Unfortunately today I was assaulted by four cowards who hurt me and tried to hurt my family. The most important thing for me is my family and luckily they are all OK. Joao and his family are being supported by the Club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter. (2/2) Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2021 Cancelo joined City from Juventus in August 2019 and has made exactly 100 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals. The 27-year-old full-back has been widely considered as one of the best players for Pep Guardiolas Premier League leaders this season. People hold posters of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and candles during a gathering outside the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Istanbul, on October 25, 2018. Yasin Akgul/Getty Images Members of the Saudi hit squad that killed Jamal Khashoggi are reportedly living it up. The Guardian reported that at least three were spotted in luxury villas in a Saudi-run compound. Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Multiple members of the Saudi hit squad that brutally murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 are living in luxury villas in a government-run Saudi security compound, according to The Guardian. According to the report published Thursday, at least three of the killers are living and working in villas operated by the Saudi State Security agency in a compound in Riyadh. Family members are reportedly allowed to visit the men, and the "seven-star" housing units include gyms and offices. The Guardian reported that Salah al-Tubaigy, the forensic expert who dismembered Khashoggi, was seen inside the compound. Mustafa al-Madani, the man who posed as Khashoggi's body double, and Mansour Abahussein, the lead operative, were also spotted in sightings between 2019 and 2020. Over the past two years, witnesses saw caterers, family members, and gardeners visiting the men, The Guardian reported. Khashoggi, a prominent commentator and columnist for The Washington Post, was once within the Royal family's circle, but their opinion of him soured once his work became critical of the family's dealings. Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 after he went to the consulate to pick up marital documents needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Turkish officials, along with UN and US officials, corroborated the allegations that Khashoggi's body was dismembered with a bone saw. His remains have yet to be found. In February, the Biden administration declassified a CIA intelligence report that directly implicated the Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi's murder. "We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said the report, provided by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Story continues A UN report issued after Khashoggi's killing seconded the claim, saying that "Assessments of the recordings by intelligence officers in Turkey and other countries suggest that Mr. Khashoggi could have been injected with a sedative and then suffocated using a plastic bag." A Turkish court is trying 26 Saudi nationals connected with the murder in absentia, with the next trial date set for July 8. The Saudi government, after a series of excuses, said Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue operation," and put 11 people on trial. Five were sentenced to death in December 2019 by the Riyadh Criminal Court for "committing and directly participating in the murder of the victim," while three others were handed prison sentences. The Guardian reported all of the men spotted in the complex were tried and sentenced as part of the trial, which was heavily criticized around the globe. Ahmad Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani, two high-ranking officials close to Crown Prince Mohammed, scraped by with no charges. After the ruling, Cengiz said, "The ruling handed down today in Saudi Arabia again makes a complete mockery of justice." Khashoggi's murder ignited a global pressure campaign against the Saudi regime, prompting officials in the US and abroad to briefly question their diplomatic relationships with Saudi Arabia. After President Joe Biden's first meeting with the crown prince in early March, he reportedly refused to sanction the Saudi regime over Khashoggi's killing. Read the original article on Business Insider By CHARITY SMITH [email protected] Ironwood The Salvation Army didnt fare as well this holiday season as it has in previous years. Locally, the 2021 Red Kettle Campaign brought in $25,000, which is 50% of its 2020 earnings. The Salvation Army had a constant kettle at the Walgreens in Ironwood. Several volunteers manned the kettle from time to time. There was occasionally a manned kettle outside Walmart, thanks to the efforts of Dusty Boggs of Ironwood. According to Jamie Stiffarm, director of the local Salvation Army, Boggs was the only person to volunteer to ring the bell at Walmart. She said that his offers provided a fifth of this years donations. Stiffarm said she is grateful for all those who donated this year. People are so generous on the Range and I am so grateful. The Salvation Army relies on the generosity of the community to be able to assist others, said Stiffarm. The funds from the 2021 Red Kettle Campaign will help provide for aid to those in need. The organization helps to provide assistance to fire victims, veterans, and other members of the community, she said. This includes food assistance, financial assistance for utilities, transportation assistance and housing assistance. Stiffarm said that because of the shortfall in donations this year, after a family receives assistance from the organization there will be a year and a half wait time before that family can be serviced again. She said this wait time will allow them to stretch the monies they have to help as many families as possible. Our goal is to do the most good, said Stiffarm. We are to fear and love and trust God above all else and were supposed to help others. We are to look at our neighbors as ourselves. We are supposed to help others. Just like the Golden Rule is for some people, what the five pillars are to Hindus, its that kindness that we need to offer others. The Salvation Army is still able to accept donations until Jan. 15 to assist families in 2022. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 86, Ironwood, MI 49938. Stiffarm said to ensure that funds directly benefit the local community, donors need to put in the memo that the funds are for Gogebic County, Michigan, or Iron County, Wisconsin. Otherwise we dont see them, and that is a shame, she said. The program also expands certain dental benefits statewide, including efforts to spot risk factors for dental decay in children and provide silver diamine fluoride for kids and other high-risk populations. The state promises under the new system to better coordinate programs under one managed care plan for older residents who are eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. The federal approvals also renew a statewide funding pool for care provided to Californias remaining uninsured residents, such as those served by public hospitals. Those 21 public health care systems include just 6% of California's hospitals, but they said they provide 40% of hospital care to the remaining uninsured and 35% of hospital care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Erica Murray, president and CEO of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, said that funding pool "gives public health systems flexibilities to deliver the right care in the right setting to the uninsured. The new approvals also restore coverage of chiropractic services for Indian Health Service and tribal facilities, coverage that had been eliminated in 2009. YORK Jordan Johnson Peterson, 37, of Rifle, Colo., is accused of running from a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol just east of Henderson, while being in possession of methamphetamine and a concealed knife. Peterson is charged with three felonies, which include possession of a deadly weapon while in the commission of a felony, a Class 3 felony; operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. According to court documents, the trooper allegedly saw Peterson speeding on Interstate 80 during very early morning hours. A traffic stop was initiated about a mile east of Henderson. During that traffic stop, according to court documents, the trooper said he could smell burned marijuana and Peterson indicated he hadnt smoke marijuana since the morning before. When the trooper asked Peterson to step out of the vehicle, the defendant refused and put the vehicle in gear. The trooper yelled for him to stop, which Peterson did for a brief moment before taking off again. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} A pursuit began. Peterson did eventually pull off Interstate 80 and stop at the Henderson Fuel Mart. The Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerces Action Council has delivered this letter to state senators, the governors office, the highway commission, and NDOT officials. We wish to submit the following variation as a letter to the York News-Times. Thank you for your time and consideration. As business and industry leaders in Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska, we encourage state lawmakers to embrace the unique opportunity before them to complete the long overdue Nebraska Expressway System. Nearly one-third of that state program remains unfinished nearly 35 years after its adoption. Now is the time to finish the job and fulfill the promise of better statewide infrastructure made to Nebraskans in 1988. The recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, supported by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and Representative Don Bacon, is projected to deliver more than $2.5 billion to Nebraska for road and bridge construction. New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Friday (December 31) preside over the meeting of the 46th Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council in Delhi during which discussion the report of the panel of state ministers on rate rationalisation, proposed GST hike in textile, among other things is expected. The 46th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Sitharaman and comprising state FMs, is scheduled on December 31, with a single agenda to consider Gujarat's demand of putting the rate hike "decision on hold", as also representations received from trade in this regard, said a PTI report. GST, which subsumed indirect taxes like excise duty, service tax and VAT, was rolled out on July 1, 2017 and the compensation window ends on June 2022. Key points that will be discussed today - Many states have demanded that the GST compensation cess regime be extended for another five years and the share of the Union government in the centrally-sponsored schemes be raised as the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their revenues. - The GST compensation to states for revenue shortfall resulting from subsuming of local taxes such as VAT in the uniform national tax Goods and Services Tax (GST) will end in June next year. - There has been a loss of revenue to the states due to the GST tax system, the Centre has not made arrangements to compensate the loss of revenue of about Rs 5,000 crore to the state in the coming year, so the GST compensation grant should be continued for the next five years after June 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said. - Rajasthan Education Minister Subhash Garg said extension of compensation cess window till 2026-27 is a valid demand of states and the Centre should consider it. He also demanded reduction in import duty on gold and silver from 10 per cent to 4 per cent. - West Bengal also pitched for extension of GST compensation for another five years citing two years of difficult time due to COVID-19. COVID crisis was not anticipated when this was fixed, said West Bengal Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. #mute New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 46th meeting of the GST Council in New Delhi on Friday (December 31), the last day of the year. Union Ministers of State in the Ministry of Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary and Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad will also be attending the council meeting. On Thursday, Ministry of Finance tweeted, "FM Smt @nsitharaman will chair the 46th meeting of the GST Council in New Delhi, tomorrow. The meeting will be attended by MoS for Finance @mppchaudharyand @DrBhagwatKarad, besides Finance Ministers of States and UTs and Senior officers from Union Government and States." FM Smt. @nsitharaman will chair the 46th meeting of the GST Council in New Delhi, tomorrow. The meeting will be attended by MoS for Finance Shri @mppchaudhary & Shri @DrBhagwatKarad, besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs and Senior officers from Union Government & States. pic.twitter.com/S1rDGN0TIf Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) December 30, 2021 The 46th GST Council meeting holds importance ahead of the Union Budget, which is presented on the first day of February by the Finance Minister in Parliament. Several state governments, including Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal, on Thursday, pressed for the continuation of the GST compensation for another five-year period in view of the financial stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Many states also demanded raising the share of the Union government in the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). The Centre and state government currently share in some CSS is 60:40 while in others it is 75:25. Notably, the GST compensation to states for revenue shortfall resulting from subsuming of local taxes such as VAT in the uniform national tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST) will end in June next year. The demand for extension of the GST cess regime among others was made by several state finance ministers at a pre-budget consultation called by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here. On Thursday, Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the pre-budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories (with Legislature) for Union Budget 2022-23 in Delhi. This will be the fourth budget of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government in its second tenure. The pre-budget meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Finance, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, Finance Ministers, Ministers and Senior Officers from the States and Union Territories (with Legislature) and the Union Government, the Ministry of Finance said in an official press release. The Union Finance Secretary welcomed all the participants to the deliberation and informed the importance of this particular consultation meeting. Most of the participants thanked the Union Finance Minister for financially supporting their States/Union Territories during the worst months of pandemic, by enhancing borrowing limits, providing back to back loans to States, and through Special assistance for capital expenditure. Notably, the participants gave numerous suggestions to the Finance Minister for inclusion in the Budget Speech. The Finance Minister thanked the participants for their inputs and suggestions towards Union Budget 2022-23 and assured to examine each of the proposals. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's daughter Aaliyah Kashyap is a regular YouTube vlogger, who often releases a video talking about various things. In her latest video, she answered a question popped by a fan who wanted to know how much does she spend in a month? Aaliyah Kashyap replied to her monthly spending question replying, Way more than I should is the answer to that question. Mostly on just food and clothes. I online shop once every two weeks and order out at least three or four times a week, which is obviously not good. And I eat out a lot. Food and clothes are what I spend most of my money on and I am trying to cut back. Trying is the word there. Aaliyah Kashyap is dating Shane Gregoire, who she met on a dating app and the star kid explained how it all went on her YouTube channel. Aaliyah, who is studying at Chapman University in California is planning to drop from her college and try in a few colleges in New York and Europe. The star kid is keen to pursue fashion marketing. At present she is in Mumbai. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap married movie editor Aarti Bajaj in 1997 and the couple was blessed with daughter Aaliyah. However, the couple got divorced in 2009. He then married actress Kalki Koechlin but the duo decided to separate in 2013 and eventually in 2015 they got divorced. New Delhi: After Kanpur-based perfume trader Piyush Jain, the Income Tax Department on Friday (December 31) conducted raids on businessman Pushparaj Jain, who is a SP MLC and maker of Samajwadi perfume, a move that is called a politically motivated move by party chief Akhilesh Yadav. While addressing a press conference in Kannauj, Yadav said that BJP deliberately conducted the raids on a day when his media conference was scheduled. The former UP chief minister also said that the BJP is frustrated because the person they were trying to catch turned out to be their own man. The leader was referring to Piyush Jain arrest. Meanwhile, the IT Department is probing the Kannauj-based businessman over tax evasion and defrauding the books. The raids are being conducted in 50 locations across the country. For the unversed, Pushpraj Jain is the same person who was mistaken by many to be the perfume trader, Piyush Jain, who was arrested in a tax evasion case earlier this week. Later, the Bharatiya Janata Party accused Samajwadi Party to be connected to Piyush Jain, a claim Samajwadi Party constantly denied. Pushparaj Jain aka Pampi was also alleged to be connected with Piyush Jain by many, however, in an interview with Zee Media, the Samajwadi perfume maker said he was not related to do Piyush Jain in any way. Meanwhile, the Income Tax raids on Pushparaj Jains properties came ahead of Akhileshs Yadav press conference in Kannauj, which was scheduled to address the matter related to Piyush Jains raid. The ruling BJP, on the other hand, continue to target Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party post the I-T raids. Beijing: China on Friday defended the renaming of 15 more places in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that the southern part of Tibet is an "inherent part" of its territory. India on Thursday strongly rejected China renaming 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state has "always been" and will "always be" an integral part of India and that assigning "invented" names does not alter this fact. India's reaction came in response to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs announcing Chinese names for 15 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which Beijing claims as South Tibet. "We have seen such. This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi. "Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact," Bagchi said. Asked for his reaction to India's assertion, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that the southern part of Tibet belongs to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and it has been China's inherent territories. People of different ethnic groups have been living in that area for many years and have given many names for that areas, he said. For standardised management of the area, the competent authorities in China in accordance with relevant regulations have published the names for the relevant area. These are matters that is within China's sovereignty, Zhao said. This is the second batch of standardised Chinese names of places in Arunachal Pradesh released by China. The first batch of the standardised names of six places was released in 2017. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet which is firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an "inseparable part of India". Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim. New Delhi: As India reports an increasing number of Covid-19 cases, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava wrote to chief secretaries of all states/Union Territories to set up round the clock functional RAT booths at different locations, engage medical and paramedical staff, and encourage the use of home test kits The Health Ministry also identified 8 symptoms and asked states to urge people to go for Covid-19 if they had the symptoms."Any individual who has fever with/without cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, body ache, a recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and diarrhea should be considered as a suspect case of COVID-19 unless proven otherwise," the Union Health Ministry announced today. "A rise in Covid-19 cases accompanied by an increase in positivity rate is being documented in various parts of the country. Early testing of suspect patients and their contacts and isolating them expeditiously are one of the key measures to curb transmission of SARS-CoV-2," the letter said. Also read: With Omicron variant, will Covid-19 pandemic become endemic like the 1918 Spanish flu? Mentioning that as of now India has a network of 3117 molecular testing laboratories, the letter adds, "Based on the previous experience, it has been observed that if the number of the cases rise above a certain threshold, RTPCR-based testing leads to delays in confirming diagnosis due to its turnaround time of about 5-8 hours. Therefore you are encouraged to increase testing by widespread rise of rapid antigen test (RATs) in such specific situations where RTPCR testing poses challenges." Any individual presenting with fever with/without cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, body ache, the recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and diarrhea should be considered as a suspect case of COVID-19 unless proven otherwise: Union Health Ministry https://t.co/3IL7wWLfo2 ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021 As cases continue to rise, Maharashtra reported 8,067 fresh COVID cases (including 4 Omicron cases), 1,766 recoveries, and 8 deaths today. West Bengal has recorded 3,451 fresh COVID cases, 1,510 recoveries, and 7 deaths today. Live TV Kannauj: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday (December 31) called I-T raids on SP's Pushparaj Jain, a politically motivated move and said that the party was aware that it will be targeted ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The former UP chief minister also said that the BJP is frustrated because the person they wanted to catch (Piyush Jian) turned out to be their own man. He was referring to the allegations that the Shikar Pan Masala shipment that led to Piyush Jain's arrest has a connection with PM Modi. Yadav made the statements while addressing the media over the raids being conducted in more than 50 locations on Pushparaj Jian aka Pampi, a perfume trader who prepared Samajwadi perfume launched by Akhilesh Yadav on November 9. The IT Department is probing the Kannauj-based businessman over tax evasion and defrauding the books. Pushparaj Jain is the same person who was mistaken by many to be the perfume trader, Piyush Jain, who was arrested in a tax evasion case earlier this week. New Delhi: Amid an ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections in the country, Bihars capital city, Patna recorded its first case of the new Omicron variant on Friday (December 31, 2021). "The first Omicron case has been reported in the State. People have to remain alert and vigilant. We will hold a meeting today evening on the rising number of Covid19 cases," said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. The first Omicron case has been reported in the State. People have to remain alert and vigilant. We will hold a meeting today evening on the rising number of Covid19 cases: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pic.twitter.com/mfWjDCxZ3D ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021 "The 26-year-old person went to Delhi to know his health status on December 21. When he returned to Patna, he underwent RT-PCR test where he also tested Covid positive. The health department had taken his sample for genome sequencing and sent it to the LCDC lab in Delhi. His report came positive on Thursday evening," the official said. "The patient is under home isolation. We have initiated contact tracing to find out others who may have come in contact with him." New Delhi: The Income Tax department on Friday (December 31) conducted raids at the Kannauj residence of businessman Pushparaj Jain, the maker of Samajwadi perfume that was launched by Akhilesh Yadav recently. Jain is being investigated for tax evasion and books fraud. The Income Tax officials said that the searches are being conducted in Kanpur, Kannauj, the national capital region and a few other places. The department is searching multiple locations of some entities linked to the perfume trade and related businesses, the sources said. 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. The Income Tax and GST Intelligence team found Rs 177 crore cash from a house in Kanpur on December 23. It was later found that this house belongs to Piyush Jain, a perfume trader from Kannauj. Talking to Zee News, Pushpraj Jain had earlier denied any link with Piyush Jain. He said his name was dragged into the mud because of the upcoming polls. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party has alleged foul play by the ruling BJP government in raids on Pushparaj Jain's residence. New Delhi: The Chinese embassy has shot off an angry letter to some Indian MPs or ministers of Parliament who attended a meet organized by Tibetan govt in exile. The Indian MPs who participated in the meet were-- Jairam Ramesh, Manish Tiwari, Sujeet Kumar, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Ramdas Athawale and Maneka Gandhi. The letter by Political Counsellor, Chinese Embassy to India Zhou Yongsheng calls on Indian MPs to not engage with "out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organization". It further points, "Indian government has recognized that the Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of China" and Beijing "firmly opposes any anti-China separatist activities conducted by Tibetan independence forces in any capacity". The letter is seen as a wolf warrior diplomacy by China, part of global trend by its diplomats who have been doing this in past and across the world. The letter in a derogatory tone chided, "You are a senior politician who know the China-India relations well. It is hoped that you could understand the sensitivity of the issue and refrain from providing support to the Tibetan independence forces". Not all MPs got the letter. When asked, MP Manish Tiwari who was present at the event said neither have I received any letter nor will I demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives. Had Wang Yi written perhaps I would have considered responding". Meanwhile, Tibetan govt in exile has reacted strongly to the development. In a series of tweet-statement, Tenzin Lekshay, Spokesperson of Central Tibetan Administration said, "Tibet issue is certainly not an internal issue of China. Whatever happens in Tibet is a serious matter of concerns for all the people around the world." He added, "China must stop growling here & there all the time." Tibet issue is certainly not an internal issue of China. Whatever happens in Tibet is a serious matter of concerns for all the people around the world. Tenzin Lekshay (@CTASpokesperson) December 31, 2021 It's not for the first time Chinese embassy has sent such a letter, in the past, it wrote a letter to MP Sujeet Kumar for participating in a meet organized by the Taiwan government. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar has received a letter from the China Embassy in New Delhi asking him to avoid such participation with Taiwan's so-called Formosa Club. Taiwans The Formosa Club main objective is to enhance friendship with the Indo-Pacific countries and to ensure peace stability in the Indo-Pacific region and it was organized by Taiwan MoFA. The Chinese embassy has a number of times written letters to WION as well after its reports on Taiwan. Many of these letters have threatened WION and asked it to abide by one-China policy. Live TV Mumbai: As many as 141 people tested positive for the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus on Thursday (December 30) and none of them had travelled abroad recently, the civic body said. Out of all the 153 people who tested positive with Omicron, only 12 of them had international travel history. As per BMC data, at least 160 people in Mumbai got Omicron despite no overseas travel. This suggests that community transmission of the variant might have begun in Maharashtras capital, however, only further data will ascertain the stage of transmission. Mumbai is worst affected According to the Maharashtra government's release, issued earlier in the evening, out of 198 Omicron cases reported in the state, a whopping 190 were from Mumbai only. The difference in state and BMC statistics could not be reconciled. As per the BMC update, the tally of Omicron-infected Mumbai residents without a history of overseas travel rose to 160. The total of Omicron cases in the city rose to 290. Of 141 Mumbai residents without travel history who tested positive to Omicron, the highest 21 are from the K-west ward which includes Andheri West, Juhu and Versova, followed by D ward that includes Malabar Hill, Mahalaxmi and Tardeo areas. Community transmission stage in Mumbai? Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani told PTI that the BMC would be sending 375 more samples for genome sequencing on Friday to check if there has been community spread of the Omicron variant. The report was expected in five to six days and community spread can only be confirmed only after the reports come out. Section 144 imposed in Mumbai To curb any further spread of the virus during the New Year festivities, the Mumbai police on Friday imposed Section 144 in the city till January 7 banning any large gatherings, public parties. According to BMC, out of 141 Omicron positive persons who had no travel history, 93 were fully vaccinated and three had taken one dose of coronavirus vaccine. New Delhi: Amid rising cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus across the world, top American scientist and paediatrician Peter Hotez on Friday (December 31) said that the emergency authorization of the Corbevex vaccine by India will help most countries in the African continent. While talking to ANI, Professor Hortez said, Given the urgency, Corbevax will be helpful not only for India but globally as most of the African continent, neighbouring countries around India remain largely unvaccinated.. Talking about Indias approval to Corbevex, Professor Hortez said, Emergency Use Authorisation of Corbevax in India for adults 18 and older will have a great pediatric profile because parents have been giving same technology (as in vaccine) to their kids for decades adding that the vaccine may later serve as a booster does in the country. Calling the vaccine an ideal profile especially with the countries with the least drug availability, Hortez said discussions with WHO was started to make this vaccine available across the globe. Houston, Texas, US | Given the urgency, Corbevax will be helpful not only for India but globally as most of the African continent, neighbouring countries around India remain largely unvaccinated...: Professor Peter Hotez to ANI on Emergency Use Authorisation of Corbevax in India. pic.twitter.com/KwO3hl1bOr ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2021 We have started discussions with WHO to make this vaccine as widely available as possible, especially to people who live in poverty. It's easy to scale, has a great record of safety, simple refrigeration...It has an ideal profile, he added. For the unversed, India on Tuesday gave Emergency Use Authorisation to Corbevex, a protein-sub unit vaccine against COVID-19, like the mRNA and viral vector Covid-19 vaccines, targets only the spike protein, but in a different way. The vaccine has been developed by an Indian Pharma firm Biological E. Limited in collaboration with the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development (Texas Childrens CVD) and Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor) in Houston. Live TV New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday (December 31) blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not wearing a mask and said that he does not wear a mask because he follows the prime minister, reported ANI. Speaking to ANI, Raut was caught in a video in a public place in Nashik without a mask. On being asked why he does not wear a mask, Raut said, Our Prime Minister appeals to people for wearing masks but he himself doesn't do so. Since we all follow the PM, I also don't wear a face mask." Heres the video of the incident! New Delhi: Heavy rains lashed Chennai on Thursday (December 30, 2021) and led to three human deaths due to electrocution. The heavy rainfall also forced four subways to shut down yesterday. Nearly 100 streets in Chennai city were waterlogged and the officials and employees of the Greater Chennai Corporation are at work to clear the waterlogging in the city. Tamil Nadu | Heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging in several parts of Chennai Red alert has been issued in Chennai & surrounding districts of Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, & Chinglepet, as per State Govt pic.twitter.com/3FvGKanj5t ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021 Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, K.K.S.S.R Ramachandran, informed the media that 106 streets in the city are waterlogged and once the rain stops, the waterlogging would be cleared. The states Revenue and Disaster Management Minister also said that the tanks and reservoirs around Chennai are being monitored for inflow and if necessary they would be opened for safety. Rains received were high in Nandanam, Vadapalani and M.R.C. Nagar in Chennai city, he further said. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Nungambakkam received 12 cm of rain and Nandanam 8 cm of rainfall during the day on December 30. In an interaction with media, Deputy Director-General, IMD, S. Balachandran said, "The interaction of easterly winds at lower levels and westerly winds at upper level has brought rain to the city. The rains in the city will continue till January 3." Cold wave conditions in Delhi A cold wave swept through Delhi on Thursday as people in the city geared up to ring in a chilly New Year with the weather department predicting similar conditions till January 3. The minimum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the national capital, dropped sharply to 3.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal. On Wednesday it was 8.4 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature settled at 19.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal. Madhya Pradesh to experience cold wave conditions Madhya Pradesh is expected to witness chilly weather conditions on the eve of the New Year with the IMD on Thursday issuing four yellow alerts warning of a cold wave in the state. The alerts issued by the weather department also warn of thick fog and ground frost accumulation. Cold weather conditions have already started prevailing in parts of the state as the lowest minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius was recorded in four districts ? Raisen, Dhar, Gwalior and Guna - on Thursday morning, an IMD official said. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: On the eve of New Year, President Ram Nath Kovind greeted the citizens of India. "May the new dawn of the new year reinvigorate the spirit of peace, prosperity and fraternity in our lives. Let us resolve to bring in the new year with an endeavour to usher in progress in our society and country," he said. In a message, the president said, "On the joyous occasion of the new year 2022, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our fellow countrymen, living in India and abroad." May the new year, 2022, bring a lot of happiness and good health as well as success and prosperity in your life, Kovind said. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also greeted people on New Year Eve on Friday, urging them to stay indoors and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour considering the rise in the number of infections. The CM said that the people and the government together will defeat Corona again like they did in the past. Also read: Happy New Year 2022: As Covid cases rise, clamp down on festivities globally - in Pics Kejriwal in his New Year message asked people to urge caution. "Please do not go out of the house unnecessarily, wear a mask, and get your vaccine doses on time," he said and wished hope and happiness for the people of the country in 2022. Wishing the nation a happy new year, he said, "I pray to God that our country and the whole world get freedom from the pandemic as soon as possible. May the whole country flourish, may everyone have a lot of prosperity in their lives, may everyone stay healthy and be happy." Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, PM Narendra Modi said, "The first day of the New Year, 2022, will be dedicated to the food donors of the country. Will be fortunate to release the 10th installment of PM-Kisan through video conferencing at 12:30 pm. Under this, more than 10 crore farmer families will be benefited by the transfer of an amount of Rs 20 thousand crores." Live TV New Delhi: A 52-year-old man, who was infected with COVID-19 Omicron variant, died of a heart attack on Tuesday at Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation`s Yashwantrao Chavan Hospital in Pune, as per the Public Health Department. The health department informed that the patient has a travel history to Nigeria and had diabetes for the last 13 years. "The death of this patient is due to non-COVID-19 reasons. Coincidently, today`s National Institute of Virology (NIV) report has revealed that he was infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19," added the health bulletin by the Public Health Department, Maharashtra. Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday (December 31) conducted searches in Jammu and Kashmir`s Srinagar and arrested an operative of The Resistance Front (TRF) in connection with a case of conspiracy hatched for radicalising, motivating, and recruiting youth for Lashkar-e-Taiba. An NIA official said that the arrested TRF operative has been identified as Arsalan Feroz alias Arsalan Ahanger. He is a resident of MR Gunj in Srinagar. The NIA had been working on a tip-off for the past several days which led to Ahanger`s arrest. The official said that the case is of conspiracy hatched for radicalising, motivating and recruiting youth of Jammu and Kashmir to effect violent activities in the union territory and rest of India by Sajjad Gul, Salim Rehmani alias Abu Saad and Saifullah Sajid Jutt, all LeT commanders. "Arsalan was radicalising youths and was recruiting them for LeT. He was hatching a conspiracy to carry out terror activities across India. He was active in Srinagar. His arrest will lead to the exposure of deep-rooted conspiracy," said the NIA official. The official said that the TRF, which is a frontal affiliate of LeT, was recruiting people to carry out reconnaissance of pre determined targets, co-ordinating and transporting weapons to support terrorists. The NIA official said that with the arrest of Arsalan Ahanger the total arrest in the case has reached four. "On Wednesday we conducted raids, which led to the recovery of several incriminating documents and digital devices. This will be used as evidence against the TRF operatives," said the NIA official. The official said that further investigation in the case was on. Live TV New Delhi: Congress party on Thursday (December 31, 2021) emerged as the single largest party winning 498 of 1,184 seats in the Karnataka urban local body polls. A total of 58 urban local bodies consisting of 1,184 wards went to the polls. Of the total 1,184 seats that went to the polls, the Congress won 498 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 437, Janata Dal (Secular) won 45 and others won 204 respectively. 1,184 wards went to the polls across town municipal councils, town panchayats and city municipal councils. Congress registered a vote share of 42.06 per cent votes, BJP of 36.90 per cent, JDS of 3.8 per cent and others of 17.22 per cent in total, as per the State Election Commission data. BJP, however, gained the highest number of seats among city municipal councils. Of the 166 City Municipal Council wards, the Congress got 61, BJP got 67, JDS got 12 while others got 26 respectively. Congress secured the maximum number of seats in town municipal councils. Of the 441 Town Municipal Council wards, the Congress got 201, BJP 176 and JDS 21, as per the data. Moreover, of the 588 wards of the Pattana Panchayats, the Congress bagged 236, BJP 194 and JDS 12 while others won in 135 wards.Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar thanked the people of the state and said that these results confirm the popularity of Congress ideology and of people who believe in it. "Election results in recent times have indicated a Congress wave in the state and the urban local body election results vouch for it. Without doubt, Congress will win 2023 assembly elections and I thank our voters for their overwhelming support that has stirred our enthusiasm," Shivakumar said in a tweet. "While urban local body election results cannot be a yardstick for future elections, these results confirm the popularity of Congress ideology and of our people who believe in it. They have upset BJP`s calculation that it could win through money. Pro-people ideology has won," he added. This result holds importance ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls scheduled to be held in 2023. Live TV Srinagar: Kashmir IGP Vijay Kumar on Friday (December 31) confirmed the killing of terrorists and said that their identity is being ascertained 3 unidentified terrorists got killed in Pantha Chowk encounter. We have recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition, officer Kumar said adding that at least 4 security personnel were injured in the initial exchange of fire. Earlier, an encounter began between security forces and terrorists in the outskirts of Srinagars Gomander area of Pantha Chowk. #Encounter has started at Pantha Chowk area of #Srinagar. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow, Kashmir police tweeted. A police officer monitoring the operation said that a police party had gone to pick a suspect in the area as the team reached near the entrance of the house it came under fire by hiding terrorists from inside, however, the fire was retaliated but in the initial exchange of fire 4 security personnel received bullet injuries, among them three are Jammu and Kashmir police cops and one is CRPF soldier, They were immediately shifted to the hospital for advance and is under treatment. Some have serious injuries. This marks the third encounter in Kashmir in the last 24 hours. In two encounters that happened in south Kashmir, two districts security forces claimed to have killed 6 Jaish terrorists among them two were Pakistani and recovered a huge number of arms and ammunition. This is the 87th encounter of the year 2021, and the security forces have managed to kill 171 terrorists till now. Live TV Rajnandgaon: Naxals allegedly killed a 30-year-old man suspecting him of being a police informer in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district on Friday, police said. The incident took place in Nideli village, under Naxal-hit Aundhi police station area, in the early hours of the day, said Harish Patil, sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) of Mohla-Manpur area. "A group of five ultras stormed into the victim Tijuram Boga's house and forcefully took him to a nearby place. When the victim's wife tried to intervene, the cadres warned her to stay away," the official said. Boga's body was later found in the outskirts of the village, following which locals informed the police. A police team was rushed to the spot and the body was sent for post-mortem, he said. Prima facie, it seems Boga was brutally beaten with sticks and then strangled to death. However, the exact cause of the death will be known after post-mortem, Patil said. A Maoist pamphlet was recovered from the spot, which claimed that the victim was acting as a police informer, the SDOP said, denying his association with the police. Live TV New Delhi: Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Friday (December 31) stated that they have been assured by the health ministry that the counseling for NEET-PG will start before January 6, 2022. A delegation led by the IMA president Dr. Sahajanand Prasad Singh met the Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday (December 30) to resolve the issue of delayed admission into PG Medical courses. There will be no FIRs against junior doctors who were striking, said IMA president, Singh. He also urged people not to panic about the new COVID variant but to take all the precautions and follow all COVID protocols. Notably, resident doctors called off the 15-day long strike regarding the delay in the NEET-PG counselling today. The doctors resumed all work by noon. Live TV New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday notified rules for Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021. "In exercise of powers conferred by provisos to sub-section (1) of Section 34, sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 47 and sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 58 read with sub-clauses (o), (x) and (zc) of sub-section (2) of section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Government has notified the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021," the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said. According to the notification, district commissions will have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid does not exceed Rs 50 lakh. Further, the State commissions can look onto complaints in the range of Rs 50 lakh- Rs two crores. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 promulgates a three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism for redressal of consumer disputes namely district commissions, state commissions and national commission. The Act also stipulates the pecuniary jurisdiction of each tier of consumer commission. As per the existing provisions of the Act, District Commissions have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed Rs one crore. State Commissions have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration, exceeds Rs 1 crore but does not exceed Rs 10 crore rupees and National Commission has jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of goods or services paid as consideration exceeds Rs 10 crores. After the Act came into force, it was observed that the existing provisions relating to pecuniary jurisdiction of consumer commissions were leading to cases that could earlier be filed in National Commission to be filed in State Commissions and cases which could earlier be filed in State Commissions to be filed in District Commissions. "This caused a significant increase in the workload of District Commissions, leading to rising in pendency and delay in disposal of cases, defeating the very object of securing speedy redressal to consumers as envisaged under the Act," the ministry said in its official release. With regard to revision of pecuniary jurisdiction, Central Government held wide consultation with States/UTs, consumer organizations, law chairs etc. and examined the issues that had created long pendency of cases in detail. With notification of the aforementioned rules, the new pecuniary jurisdiction, subject to other provisions of the Act, shall include some changes. Firstly, District Commissions shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed 50 lakh rupees. Secondly, State Commissions shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds 50 lakh rupees but does not exceed two crore rupees. Thirdly, National Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds two crore rupees. It may be mentioned that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 stipulates that every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by the opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within 5 months if it requires analysis or testing of commodities. The Act also provides consumers with the option of filing complaints electronically. To facilitate consumers in filing their complaints online, the Central Government has set up the E-Daakhil Portal, which provides a hassle-free, speedy and inexpensive facility to consumers around the country to conveniently approach the relevant consumer forum, dispensing the need to travel and be physically present to file their grievance. To provide a faster and amicable mode of settling consumer disputes, the Act also includes a reference of consumer disputes to Mediation, with the consent of both parties. This will not only save the time and money of the parties involved in litigating the dispute but will also aid in reducing the overall pendency of cases, the ministry said. Live TV Ayodhya: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lashed out at Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress over the issue of construction of Ram Temple saying that people still remember who shot at `Kar Sewaks` and asked why `Ram Lalla` had to stay in a tent for so many years. "Many efforts were made by Congress, SP and BSP during their tenure to prevent the construction of the Ram temple. Do you remember who shot at Kar sevaks. They were thrashed badly, killed and thrown in the Sarayu River," said Shah. "Why did `Ram Lalla` have to stay in a tent for so many years? Who stopped Ram Navami and Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya? We must remember all this. Now, no one can stop the construction of a grand Ram Temple here," he added. Slamming Samajwadi Party, the Home Minister said, "There used to be three P`s at the time of SP government. Those P`s were Parivarwad (nepotism), Pakshpat (favouritism) and Palayan (migration). However, the BJP government works on three V`s which are Vikas (development), Vyapar (business) and saanskrtik Viraasat (cultural heritage). Speaking about the raids on perfume makers in Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah said, "The smell of `corruption`s perfume` shows us how deep are the roots of SP`s sins. When those roots are being attacked, why do you feel `sick` Akhilesh Yadav?" Earlier this morning, the Income Tax Department started searches at the premises of perfume businessman and Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Pushpraj Jain and one other perfume trader for tax evasion, said sources. A Kanpur-based perfume businessman Peeyush Jain was also arrested earlier this month after a raid at his residence led to the recovery of unaccounted cash, gold and sandalwood. Amit Shah is on a one day visit to Ayodhya, which he commenced by visiting Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Temple. This visit by the Union Minister holds importance due to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. 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. Live TV As cases of Omicron steadily grow across India, it seems that it might soon become the dominant Covid-19 strain in the country, as in many parts of the world. "Omicron has started replacing Delta variant of coronavirus in India in terms of number of cases, " said official sources, as quoted by ANI. On December 31, India saw a massive spike in COVID cases with 16,764 fresh infections and 220 Covid-related fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. It was after 64 days that the daily rise in the number of coronavirus cases crossed the 16,000 mark, taking the countrys COVID-19 tally to 3,48,38,804. The number of active cases of the infection has gone up to 91,361, according to the data. #Omicron has started replacing Delta variant in India: Official Sources ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021 India's Omicrom crossed 1,000 on December 30, on the back of Maharashtra reporting its highest single-day infection with the new strain, as states further tightened measures to deal with the surge in coronavirus cases. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, meanwhile, said Omicron is gradually spreading in the community and the variant of concern has been found in 46 per cent of the latest samples of regular COVID cases analysed in the national capital. According to the health ministry earlier today, there were 1,270 cases of Omicron detected so far from 23 states and Union territories. Almost 374 of those patients have been discharged. Leading the Omicron tally are Maharashtra and Delhi with 450 and 320 cases respectively. On Thursday night, Bihar joined the list of states to report a case of the new variant. Today, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed to ANI that the state recorded "44 fresh confirmed cases of Omicron, taking total cases of the coronavirus variant to 107 in Kerala. The fast-spreading Omicron variant is likely to soon replace the Delta strain globally, experts in Singapore have already warned, as countries after countries have reported a record surge in Covid cases. "From current data, it looks like Delta will go down over time relative to Omicron," Dr Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, executive director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Bioinformatics Institute in Singapore, told The Straits Times on Wednesday. Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases, said that Omicron is already dominant in Australia, India, Russia, South Africa and the UK, reported IANS. "We are seeing a global transition from Delta to Omicron because with a greater transmissibility, the virus is fitter and has a reproductive advantage," Fisher was quoted as saying. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: On New Year's eve, Delhi recorded 1,796 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since May 22, and zero death while the positivity rate mounted to 2.44 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. On Thursday, 1,313 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 1.73 per cent, according to officials figures. The daily cases count had breached the 1000-mark after a gap of seven months. The number of cases reported on Friday surged to 1,796, with an increased positivity rate of 2.44 per cent, according to the latest health bulletin. This single-day rise is the highest since May 22 when 2,260 cases were logged with a positivity rate of 3.58 per cent. As many as 182 deaths were also recorded on that day. India logged 309 fresh Omicron infections, taking the total tally of such cases in the country to 1,270, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The 1,270 cases have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories so far, and 374 people have recovered or migrated. Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 450 cases followed by Delhi at 320, Kerala 109 and Gujarat 97. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday had cautioned that the latest variant of the coronavirus was gradually spreading in the community. Stringent curbs have been put in place as part of the Graded Response Action Plan for COVID-19 to check the spread of the infection and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will decide on implementing more restrictions, he added. The number of coronavirus deaths in the national capital, logged in the month of December, stands at nine, the highest in the last four months. The death toll due to the coronavirus infection in Delhi stands at 25,107. On Wednesday, Tuesday, and Monday the daily cases tally had stood at 923, 496, and 331 cases respectively, according to the official data. The number of cumulative cases on Monday stood at 14,48,211. Over 14.18 lakh patients have recovered from the infection. Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported here in November this year, according to official data. Delhi had recorded four Covid deaths in October and five in September. A total of 73,590 tests -- 62,812 RT-PCR tests and 10,778 rapid antigen tests -- were conducted a day ago, the bulletin said. Active cases in Delhi on Friday mounted to 4,410 up from 3,081 on Thursday. Amid a jump in cases of the latest variant in Delhi, doctors had recently cautioned that people should avoid all gatherings and follow Covid-appropriate behaviours, else the pandemic situation may worsen given the highly transmissible nature of this variant of coronavirus. According to the Friday bulletin, of the 8,943 dedicated Covid beds in Delhi, 226 were occupied, including by suspected cases, while 8,717 beds were lying vacant. Also, 27 Covid positive passengers brought from the airport have been admitted to hospitals, it said, adding, in total 82 coronavirus patients were on oxygen support while three severe Covid patients were on ventilators. The number of people under home isolation stood at 2,284 on Friday while it was 1,560 a day before, and the number of containment zones in the city stood at 914, a significant jump from 645 on Wednesday, the bulletin said. Live TV New Delhi: The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday (December 31) alleged foul play by the Bharatiya Janata Party government over IT raids on perfume trader and party MLC Pushpraj Jain, adding that the raids were deliberately conducted before Akhilesh Yadavs conference in Kannauj. As soon as respected National President Akhilesh Yadav announced the press conference in Kannauj, the BJP government started searches at the place of SP MLC Pampi Jain. BJP`s fear and anger is clear. People are ready to teach a lesson to BJP!," the Samajwadi Party said in a statement. Tax raids/searches going in UP, Samajwadi party claims that raids are being conducted on its party MLC Pushpraj Jain Pammi. More details are awaited from relevant authorities pic.twitter.com/FVJii0XY76 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2021 However, Yadav will address the press conference on the Piyush Jain vs Pushpraj Jain issue later in the day in Kannauj. Patiala: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a `Shanti March` in Punjab`s Patiala, the stronghold of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls. Attacking the opposition, Delhi CM said, "Politicians are trying to destroy the ambiance of Punjab again and only Punjab's common man can save the state. Aiming at the congress party, Kejriwal said, "This is the weakest government in Punjab ever. They (Congress leaders) are fighting with each other, they do not care about Punjab." "They are fighting to become Chief Minister, they do not care about the situation of Punjab," added Kejriwal. Kejriwal was accompanied by senior AAP leader Bhagwant Mann during the march. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal paid tributes at Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Patiala after which he paid obeisance at the Shri Kali Devi Mandir. After holding the march, Kejriwal paid obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib here today. The march comes after the Aam Aadmi Party`s spectacular victory in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls. The march also comes days after several incidences of violence were reported, including the lynching of a man for attempting to desecrate Guru Granth Sahib at Golden Temple and a bomb blast in Ludhiana District court. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk believes that Bitcoin was not founded by the individual who goes by the alias Satoshi Nakamoto 12 years ago in 2009, but by a computer scientist Nicholas Nick" Szabo. The worlds richest man made the claim in Lex Fridmans podcast. Fridman is an AI researcher. During the podcast, Musk also said that several people think that he is the founder of the worlds largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. However, Musk, on numerous occasions, has clarified that the claim of him being the founder of Bitcoin is untrue. In the podcast, the billionaire also pointed out that he is unaware of the real identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. He added that on the other hand, Szabo checks all the boxes indicating that he could be behind Bitcoin. According to Musk, Szabo had proposed creating a digital economy in 1998. At that time, the computer scientist had proposed the name of the digital currency to be BitGold. Musk added that Szabo appears to be the individual who is more responsible for the ideas behind Bitcoin than anyone else, including him. However, Szabos BitGold" project reportedly never got completed. But theres no denying that it could be the first thing to the creation of Bitcoin. Also Read: Want to hide Instagram posts? Heres how to do it without deleting them Szabo, however, has also refuted all the claims of him being the creator of Bitcoin. The identity of the cryptocurrency till now remains one of the unsolved mysteries. While there have been so many speculations, there has been nothing substantial. Also Read: Google removed 61,114 content pieces in November in India: Compliance report Live TV #mute Concorde made supersonic air travel a reality between 1976 and 2003 for a few lucky passengers. While many dreamt (the plane doesn't fly anymore) of flying on the legendary British-French carrier, one individual managed to travel on it multiple times, and that too while setting a world record. According to records, Fred Finn has flown the most flights onboard the famous supersonic airliner. A total of 718 times, Fred Finn had flown on the Concorde according to Concorde Heritage reports. He was also aided by these journeys in becoming the world's most frequent flyer (more than 15 million air miles). He travelled on both the first and last Concorde flights between the UK and the US, always sitting in seat 9A on every Concorde flight. According to him, this is due to the fact that 9A is where food and drink service started. On one such day, he even boarded three different Concords! As an international license manager, Finn used to make two transatlantic return trips per week on the Concorde. In his job, he frequently travelled in the US, where he dealt with technology transfers to developing countries. Costs associated with supersonic travel quickly added up. Also read: Emirates plane overruns runway, takes off very close to homes near airport Concorde Heritage reports that a roundtrip ticket on the delta-winged plane would cost about $5,000. It is estimated that this figure corresponds to the end of Concorde's service life, in 2003, which is around 8,300 today ($11,150). He is thought to have spent approximately 2 million on his Mach 2 Concord experiments over the years. During his business travels, Mr Finn also visited Africa 600 times. G-BOAF was his favourite Concorde airframe, since it was the last Concorde ever built and displayed in the Aerospace Bristol museum at Filton Airport after logging 18,257 flight hours. Live TV #mute MUMBAI: Wishing her fans on the eve of the new year, Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, who recently jetted off to an undisclosed location to celebrate the occasion with her boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, dropped a series of pictures from her vacation. Taking to her Instagram handle, Alia posted a carousel of pictures from her New Year getaway on Friday, writing, "Giving 2022 some hakuna matata energy. Stay safe... smile... Be simple and love more!!!!! Happy New Year." In the first photo, Alia is seen posing at the camera and flashing a smile. She can be seen in a no-make look and looked gorgeous as ever. In the subsequent one, her beau Ranbir Kapoor is seen drinking from a chalice. She also shared images of giraffes and lions in the wild, followed by a picture of the landscape bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The post garnered several likes and comments among which was actor Arjun Kapoor, who wrote, "#nadaanparindeys." Their mothers, Neetu Kapoor and Soni Razdan too reacted to the photos and dropped comments in the box. Ranbir's mother Neetu Kapoor dropped two heart emojis in the comment box whereas Soni Razdan wrote, "Wise words my darling." Alia and Ranbir are said to be dating each other for almost four years now. The two fell in love on the sets of their upcoming film 'Brahmastra' and have since been inseparable They were seen together in public this month during the motion poster launch of their upcoming film 'Brahmastra'. Later, they were spotted after a cosy dinner date in Mumbai. Speaking of 'Brahmastra', the film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Dimple Kapadia and Mouni Roy in key roles and is backed by filmmaker Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. It is scheduled to release in September 2022. Live TV NEW DELHI: Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has urged the Delhi government to allow cinemas to operate following the latter's decision to declare a 'yellow alert' in the national capital amid latest spike in COVID-19 cases. Under the latest alert issued by the Arvind Kejriwal-run government, schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms will remain shut in the state, among other curbs. Reacting to this, Karan Johar on Thursday took to Twitter and requested the Delhi government to allow cinema halls to continue functioning. "We urge the Delhi government to allow cinemas to operate. Cinemas are equipped with better ability to ensure a hygienic environment while maintaining social distancing norms as compared to other out-of-home settings. @LtGovDelhi @ArvindKejriwal @OfficeOfDyCM #cinemasaresafe," he tweeted. Following the Delhi government's declaration, the makers of Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Jersey' pushed the release date of the film further from December 31. The Multiplex Association of India issued a statement elaborating on what the shutting of cinema halls yet again could mean for the movie business. Opposing this decision of the Delhi government, the Multiplex Association of India (MIA) on Thursday met Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia to express their concern. "Our business has been affected since March 2020. Our concern was GRAP which triggered the closure of the cinema. We told him (Sisodia) that their criteria are extremely harsh and slightly impractical because if you look at the same criteria, 90 percent of the Delhi will be closed in the next few days," MIA President Kamal Gianchandani told ANI after the meeting. He said, "Following this criterion, all the business will be shut in coming days. The Cinema industry is being treated unfairly. We have always demonstrated safety. We got beyond the line of safety protocol decided by the government. Speaking of Karan Johar, he is returning back to direction after 5 years with the film 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani'. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Preity Zinta, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. The film is scheduled to be theatrically released worldwide on 10 February 2023. Some of the upcoming films which he is producing are 'Gehraiyaan', 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo', 'Govinda Naam Mera', 'Liger', 'Brahmastra', 'Yodha' and 'Dono Mile Iss Tarah'. New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently was bitten by a snake on the night of December 25 at his Panvel farmhouse on the outskirts of Mumbai. He was hospitalised for a few hours and was discharged soon after. Soon after, he came to address the mediapersons who had assembled outside his farmhouse and told them that he is fine. Now, a few days after the incident, Ram Gopal Varma took a dig at Salman Khan by sharing a cartoon of a green-coloured snake, standing in a dock. The picture shows the snake, as an accused, as he faces a trial, in a clear reference to Salman Khan snake bite incident. The poster reads this is the same snake that has bitten Salman Khan. "It wasnt me,it was my driver," the cartoon depicted the snake as saying. Well, the poster reminded netizens of the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Salman Khan. The incident took place on the night of September 28 when Salman's white Land Cruiser crashed into the pavement near the American Express Bakery at Hill Road in Bandra, Mumbai killing one person and injuring four others. His blood samples were taken which showed he drank more than the permissible limit. Subsequently, he was arrested but was granted bail soon after. He was charged with various provisions under IPC, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949. Later in December 2015, Salman had clarified in the Bombay High court that his driver Ashok Singh was at the wheel. The HC acquitted him and overturned the trial court order. Live TV Mumbai: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra on Friday said 2021 was a "mixed bag of emotions" for her and as she bids adieu to the year, it is her hope that the new year will turn out to be "nice". Taking to Instagram Stories, Shetty Kundra penned a heartfelt note, reminiscing about the year gone by. "Dear 2021, You were a mixed bag of emotions for all of us. There were smiles, tears, laughter, hugs, goodbyes, and a lot more. But we sailed through. With a prayer for a better tomorrow, it's time to bid adieu to you. We're ready for you, 2022! Please be nice. Happy New Year's Eve!" she wrote. Professionally, the 46-year-old actor, who had been away from the big screen for more than a decade, was seen in Priyadarshan's comedy "Hungama 2" and also as a judge on dance reality show 'Super Dancer'. However, things were not rosy on the personal front for the actor as Mumbai police in July arrested her businessman husband, Raj Kundra, in a case related to alleged creation of pornographic films. Kundra was released on September 21 from jail. Up next for Shetty Kundra is Sabir Khan's "Nikamma" and she will also begin work on her digital debut series in 2022. Live TV New Delhi: Former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has always been vocal about her thoughts and relationships. So, when she dated model Rohman Shawl, the gorgeous face never hid it and when the relationship was over, she made it public too. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sushmita Sen broke her silence on why closure in a relationship is important, "For me, closure is a big thing. When you are a public figure, the person involved with you is also in the public eye. Even if the person is there because you have put them there. So, it is not fair for his life or your life to be stuck with everyone feeling something or thinking its a relationship." She added, "Closure is important for both people so that they can move on in their lives. And yeah, the friendship always remains. At my age, if I sit and start thinking about the terrible thing, it is really my life that I wasted." "I have grown in every relationship. So, its a beautiful thing to be able to speak your truth. Im 100% person. When Im in love, Im 100%. So, when we leave gracefully, we must do that 100%. Whatever the reason be, your life is not about being in a loop. The truth is incredible because it allows people to remain friends and to be good to each other. The world needs that love. Theres enough problems in it already," Sushmita said. Earlier this month, Sushmita announced that she and Rohman have broken up but continue to remain friends. On the work front, the second part of her web series Aarya released a few days back and it garnered her rave reviews. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 10th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 01 January, 2022. PM Modi will enable the transfer of an amount of more than Rs. 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families at 12:30 PM via video conferencing. (Also read: Aadhaar linking a must to get Rs 6,000 annual benefit? Know here) Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal 4-monthly installments of Rs 2000 each. 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. During the programme, Prime Minister will also release equity grant of more than Rs. 14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers. Prime Minister will interact with FPOs during the event and will also address the nation. Union Agriculture Minister will also be present on the occasion. #mute New Delhi: Using ATMs beyond the permissible free transactions for cash as well as non-cash purposes will cost more from Saturday. As per the Reserve Bank directive issued in June, the banking customers would be required to pay Rs 21 per transaction with effect from January 1, 2022 for transactions beyond the free permissible limit. Presently, banks are allowed to charge Rs 20 for such transactions through ATMs. Customers would, however, continue to be eligible for five free transactions (inclusive of financial and non-financial transactions) every month from their own bank ATMs. They would also be eligible for three free transactions from other bank ATMs in metro centres and five in non-metro centres. The RBI had earlier allowed banks to increase interchange fee per transaction from Rs 15 to Rs 17 for financial transactions and from Rs 5 to Rs 6 for non-financial transactions in all centres with effect from August 1, 2021. The charges have been increased to meet the increasing cost of ATM deployment and expenses towards ATM maintenance incurred by banks/white label ATM operators, as also considering the need to balance expectations of stakeholder entities and customer convenience. It may be noted here that the central bank had set up a committee in June 2019 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Executive, Indian Banks' Association to review the entire gamut of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) charges and fees with particular focus on interchange structure for ATM transactions. There were 1,15,605 onsite ATMs and 97,970 off-site automated teller machines as on March 31, 2021. About 90 crore debit cards issued by different banks were outstanding at end-March 2021. Also Read: Meta Compliance Report: Facebook took action on 16.2 million content pieces in India in November The first ATM in India was set up in 1987 by HSBC in Mumbai. In the following twelve years, about 1,500 ATMs were set up in India. In 1997, the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) set up Swadhan, the first network of shared ATMs which allowed interoperable transactions. Also Read: Xiaomi, Oppo could face Rs 1,000 crore fine for violating law: Income Tax Dept Live TV #mute New Delhi: The Uttarakhand government, on Friday (December 31), increased the old-age pension and widow pension from Rs 1200 to Rs 1400. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting which was held earlier today. The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government, in the cabinet meeting, also decided to give maternity leave to the guest female teachers. Apart from this, the state cabinet has also taken the decision to establish a law college in Tehri Garhwals Narendra Nagar. Also Read: Using ATM beyond free transactions to get expensive from Jan 1; check new charges The cabinet has also taken a decision to exempt the property tax for 10 years on the houses constructed in the areas expanded by the municipal bodies. The Uttarakhand is slated to go to the Assembly polls next year. Also Read: Competition Comm orders probe against Apple for alleged unfair business practices Live TV #mute Chennai: The official trailer of actor Ajith's upcoming film 'Valimai', which was released on Thursday evening, set the Internet on fire with the video garnering a whopping 1.1 lakh views in less than 15 minutes of being released on YouTube. Scores of fans of the actor bought tickets just to watch the trailer of the film on the big screen. The neatly cut, high-energy sharp trailer of the much-awaited film, directed by Vinoth, gives away the fact that Ajith plays a cop called Arjun in the film and that he goes after a team of criminals who believe that their strength gives them the right to take what they want. The trailer gives a glimpse of the adrenaline pumping race sequences that the film has in store for audiences and shows Ajith explaining that strength is only meant to protect others and not for oneself. The film, which is set to hit screens for Pongal next year, promises to be an action feast and a visual treat for audiences. New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered a detailed probe against technology major Apple for alleged unfair business practices with respect to its App Store. In a 20-page order, the watchdog said that Apple's App Store is the only channel for app developers to distribute their apps to iOS consumers which is pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad. "Further, third party app stores are not allowed to be listed on Apple's App Store as the developer guidelines as well as agreement prohibits app developers from offering such services... These restrictions imposed by Apple forecloses the market for app stores for iOS for potential app distributors," the order said. According to the CCI, this prima facie results in denial of market access for the potential app distributors/app store developers in violation of competition norms. Further, such practices prima facie results in limiting/restricting the technical or scientific development of the services related to app store for iOS, due to reduced pressure on Apple to continuously innovate and improve its own app store, which is also in violation of competition rules, the order said. Also Read: Xiaomi, Oppo could face Rs 1,000 crore fine for violating law: Income Tax Dept Citing these factors, the regulator has ordered a detailed probe by its Director General (DG). Also Read: Using ATM beyond free transactions to get expensive from Jan 1; check new charges Live TV #mute New Delhi: Elon Musk has made it clear that he wants humans to reach Mars. The computer mogul has been pursuing the ambition for several decades, and it appears that his aerospace company, SpaceX, will soon make it a reality. When do you think it will be done? According to Musk, this will happen in the next five to ten years. Musk was asked the same question in a recent interview: "When do you believe SpaceX will land a human on Mars?" Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded by saying that in the best-case scenario, SpaceX might land a man on Mars within the next five years. In the worst-case situation, this may last another ten years. This is still laudable, given that the debate is about sending a living, breathing human to the surface of another planet, a prospect that would have been laughed at if we had lived just half a century ago. Now, we have large, towering rockets like SpaceX's Starship, which may soon make Musk's and others' dreams a reality. It's not like Musk was exaggerating his optimism. Musk paused for ten seconds after podcaster Lex Fridman asked him the question during the interview. "Best case is about five years," he said, "worst case is roughly ten years," statements that piqued the interest of all space aficionados. This isn't the first time Musk has alluded to a timescale for human colonisation of Mars. "I'll be astonished if we don't land on Mars within five years," Musk said in an interview with Time magazine earlier this month. Since then, it appears that the timeline has been made significantly more accurate. It should be emphasised, though, that Musk is well-known for missing deadlines for his projects. Rightfully so, for his objectives are frequently regarded as borderline irrational, at least until the public witnesses his accomplishments. One such ambition is to land a man on Mars. It's another thing entirely to build a rocket large enough to do so. Musk seemed to be in charge of the second half. In a recent interview, he discussed how "rocket engineering" is one of the variables for the huge undertaking. He used the opportunity to praise Starship, describing it as "the most intricate and advanced rocket that's ever been built." He described it as "really next level." The level of optimization on Starship, according to Musk, is critical for this mission. Musk claimed that the rocket can reduce the cost per tonne every orbit "and ultimately cost per tonne to the surface of Mars." This will be critical to the mission's success. Of course, this isn't the only element that will influence a manned mission to Mars. Musk, as well as other agencies involved in the project, appear to have plenty of time to work it all out. Live TV #mute New Delhi: After the Indian government banned the extremely popular PUBG Mobile India due to privacy concerns in September 2020, Garena Free Fire has gained popularity among Indian e-gamers. On the Google Play Store, you may get Garena Free Fire, an adventure-based battle royale game. Garena Free Fore is now one of the most popular mobile games in the world, according to reports, and is a favourite among e-gamers due to its HD grade graphics, dynamism, regular updates, and redeem codes. Landing sites, gathering weapons, supplies, and engaging enemies are all part of the Garena Free Fire strategy. Garena releases 14-digit redeem codes every day, which are a combination of letters and words. Users will be able to access the diamond hack, royale vouchers, and other incentives with the December 31 redeem codes. It should be noted, however, that expired Garena Free Fire coupons cannot be redeemed. Garena Free Fire redeem codes for December 31: FG76 FTDG HJEM FKO9 87YG VIZA FQ23 F45U JHBV FBNH JI8U 7YGR FGUV FD5S 4E2D F6SU FTY6 VRBT F7UY XVT7 6FUY F587 YUIG BJHK FLNA HY18 FT73 FF3V BG4H NJ5T FGJJ NBGT Y789 FHY6 INJN BVXE FHBN J876 YTH4 F2YT VBIO 8YT7 F6TY J3E4 R4YT DDFRTY1616POUYT> Free Pet FFGYBGFDAPQO> Free Fire Diamonds MJTFAER8UOP16> 80,000 diamond codes SDAWR88YO16UB> free dj alok character NHKJU88TREQW> Titian mark gun skins MHOP8YTRZACD> Paloma Character BHPOU81616NHDF> Elite Pass and Free Top Up ADERT8BHKPOU> Outfit FFGTYUO16POKH> Justice Fighter and Vandals Rebellion Weapons Loot Crate BBHUQWPO1616UY> Diamond Royale Voucher F2QA SFGY T5GH > Free 299 Diamonds Bundle F8IK NBVF R55T > Dreki Pet Free Fire Code F34R FGBN MKLO > Free Diamonds Voucher F9IK MNBV CDER > Head Hunting Parachute F1QS DFGY 657U > Premium Bundles F7UJ MNBV CDER > Get Justice Fighter and Vandal Revolt Weapon Loot Crate FHYT 543E WSXC > Get Mr Shark Backpack, Kelly Bobblehead, Spikey Spine F8IK MNBV CXSW > EGG Hunter Loot Box F34E RFGB HNML > Phantom Bear Bundle F0OLKJHB GFDE > Animal Weapon Loot Crate F9IK JNBV FDER > Get Vandal Revolt Weapon Loot Crate F3E4 RTGB NMKI > Shirou Free Fire Character F2QA ZXCV BHNM > Sneaky Clown Weapon Loot Crate F8IK MNBV CDSE>> 1x Rebel Academy Weapon Loot Crate How to redeem the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes: Step 1: The official website may be found at https://reward.ff.garena.com/en. Step 2: They can use their Facebook, Google, Twitter, or VK accounts to log in. Step 3:Then, to continue, copy and paste the redemption codes into the text box and click the confirm button. Step 4: Following the confirmation, a dialogue box will appear for double-checking. Step 5: 'OK' should be selected. Step 6: Once the codes are redeemed successfully, players can collect their reward in the in-game mail section. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Officials said that the Noida Police has initiated a probe after a cyber thug allegedly scammed a city resident out of Rs 42 lakh after befriending her on social media. The 32-year-old lady, who lives in Sector 45 and works as a teacher, said police she befriended the man on Facebook and fell for the con trap after numerous discussions. "After a few days of talks, he requested my address," she said in a complaint to the nearby Sector 39 police station. I initially declined, but after his persistent solicitations, I agreed." "Then, a few days later, I got a call from a woman saying that a parcel from Mumbai had arrived at her office." It's under my name and contains gold jewellery, wrist watches, and cash worth Rs 50 lakh to Rs 55 lakh. "However, I must pay a processing charge in order for the item to be cleared," she asserted. The victim claimed she eventually paid the conman Rs 42 lakh before realising she had been duped. According to police officials, the woman paid the money online in six installments over a 45-day period and even took out a loan to do so. According to a local police official, an FIR has been filed in the matter based on the woman's charge of fraud and the requirements of the Information Technology Act. While the identity of the person behind the Facebook account is unknown, the police named "Aarti" as an accused in the FIR because the lady who called the victim on the phone identified herself with that name, according to the source. According to the official, the investigation into the situation is continuing. Meanwhile, police officials warned citizens against internet scams and urged them to report them immediately to the specialised helpline number 155260. A woman in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli district was recently scammed of Rs 32 lakh by a guy she had befriended on social media in a similar scam. Last week, Raebareli police claimed to have busted the case by apprehending three Nigerian nationals who were members of a group operating in Delhi's outskirts, according to sources. Live TV #mute New Delhi: The New Years Eve is on and searches engine Google is in no mood to let the year go on a low note. With confetti, candies and lots of jacklights, Google Doodle is all set to give users a blast as we enter a New Year Celebrating the spirit of New Year, Google on Friday (December 31) came up with a new celebratory and festive doodle. Without much ado, let's take a look at the New Year's Doodle! The highlight of the doodle, which went live globally when the clock struck 12, is the popping candle that looks ready to explode with festivities as the world New Year with a cute party had on the big G. However, this time Google Doodle did not give an explanatory note with the doodle and left it up to users to decide. That's a wrap for 2021 Happy New Year's Eve! wrote Google on its new design. While the design remains quite plain this time as compared to Googles previous New Year Doodles, the new theme is surely more interactive and party-like. The world will say goodbye to the year 2021, which was marred by the deadly waves of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the year also marked several developments like the efforts made by world leaders against climate change, Olympics 2021, Paralympics 2021 and vaccination against COVID. Live TV New Delhi: A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Germany to question the member of designated terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana blast case, said a senior officer on Friday. According to the officer, NIA will initiate the proceedings to bring Multani to India but before that, the agency is in the process to register a case against Multani and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other Indian Penal Code sections. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. "These Pro Khalistan supporters were radicalising youth in Punjab and using social media platforms to propagate their agenda and terror activities. Ahead of Punjab elections, there is a sudden surge in their activities to destabilize peace in the state," the officer said. "Multani has been detained by German police and is being questioned. He is on their radar. After registering FIR, a team of NIA will be reaching Germany to question him in detail because we have got strong evidence of his involvement in the Ludhiana blast case and further planning of more such attacks in the country," he said. When asked regarding a video released by SFJ`s Gurpatwant Singh Pannu claiming Multani had not been arrested, he said Multani has been detained not arrested. Sources stated that the agency will make all efforts through diplomatic channels to bring him back to India for investigation. The NIA is also keeping watch on other pro-Khalistan groups and supporters operating from other countries. During the investigation into the Ludhiana blast case, it was found that the banned outfits and their operatives have been raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives through the smuggling networks in Punjab for carrying out terror attacks. A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana court complex on December 23 that killed one and injured two others. Mumbai on high alert after inputs of possible terror attack by pro-Khalistan groups A high alert has been sounded in Mumbai after intelligence agencies received inputs regarding terror activities planned by pro-Khalistan groups. A senior officer said that after Jaswinder Singh Multani, a member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who was allegedly linked to Ludhiana court blast, was detained and questioned in Germany, they have received inputs regarding planned terror activities in Mumbai and other big cities. "We have received inputs that apart from SJF, other banned pro-Khalistan groups are in contact with Pakistan`s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to execute terror activity in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities," he said.